A little striped maxi-dress inspo.

There are 53 days left of summer, and I don't know about you, but I have had a tonne of fun playing around with dresses this season.  Dresses are a huge part of fashionable  summer fun. And it's our female right to enjoy a great summer dress! 

Are you ready for this? I picked up this dress in the early stages of my pregnancy (4 years ago now) with my #3rd child. You know that pregnancy, the one where you look 6 months pregnant at 8 weeks. Fast forward 4 years and I am still loving this dress, especially for the length and stretch. I've had a lot of fun styling it over the years, so I wanted to share with you some of that inspiration. 

I've pulled in my Coral Mox to pick up the coral stripe in the dress. Perfecto! Read my post on MOX SHOES. The day I took these photos, my car's outdoor thermometer was 102F. It really helped knotting the hem to allow in extra air up there! LOL! 

I picked this necklace up at Francesca's last week when I was shopping for a client. I LOVE it and they had a great BOGO 50% off sale. Bonus! My daughter says it reminds her of little baking spoons.  It makes such a gentle jingling sound when I touch it, it'll be great in the Christmas season!  My denim vest - I have pulled it into a million different outfits this season, a definite staple in anyone's wardrobe. I will have EVEN MORE fun in the Fall with this denim vest as it can so easily be paired with longer sleeved tops etc.  I love the coral against the denim blue, great combo.

If you follow me on Instagram (www.instagram.com/yummomummo), you would of seen a lot of my daily outfit inspirations pulling in this crochet vest from Anthropologie. I got it on sale about a month ago for $70. Again, I see A LOT more fun in the Fall with this pairing over fall colors, longer tops, jersey dresses etc. Love that!

Here is a full length shot of my dress tied at the hem. Add a simple neutral clutch and some fabulous sunnies, and I am ready to go and grab my latte and read the paper in the shade.

If you want more maxi-dress inspiration, head back to a previous post where I styled my maxi 12 ways! Click HERE  for all the fashionable details.  

Don't forget YummoMummo can do wardrobe for you! My website is days away from going LIVE. What excitement! Stay tuned. 

Lovely readers, leave me a comment below........

Why I said bye-bye to my scales.

Guess what? It's my anniversary. Not your typical anniversary though. It's been ONE year since I got on my scales and felt my stomach hit the floor. A feeling I was ready to wave bye-bye to, for good. For me it does not create a positive body image.  It highlighted things I didn't accept about myself. We all have our body types, our DNA, our genetics -  the things that make us unique. We are what we are.   I am blessed with this body, the three children it's carried, the breath is gives me to go on about life and build cherished memories. And I'll never weigh 130 pounds, unless I ate air for my three meals a day! 
The final straw for me was when I had gone on a trip to Australia for 5 weeks last summer. I simply adore Australian food, and any overseas expat will tell you that they totally gorge on all the scrumptious things they miss being overseas -  the bakeries, the cheeses, the Cadbury's chocolate made in Australia. Not to mention the consumption of wine at the constant catch up's with loved ones.  I also didn't have access to my usual exercise routine, so working off that gorgeous food went to the wayside. I got home, and right back on my lifestyle program, as I have done for 7 years now and have embedded into my life. I even joined a boot camp on Groupon. Moving along, I worked my butt off for about 2 weeks and got on those scales. It took me days to sike myself up.  I had put on 4 pounds. My heart sunk, tears streamed out of my eyes and I sounded so utterly pathetic to myself. I called my husband in tears. He thought something severely catastrophic must of happened to call him in such a panic. "I put on 4 pounds". It sounded like such a first world problem. And that's when I realized it was out of control.
There are times in life where we have an unhealthy relationship with something or someone, and you need to detach yourself from that thing or person. That was the scales for me. It's not healthy for me, it brings me down, it detracts from the awesomeness in my life.
A year later, and it's been the best darn year in respect to my body image. It's a part of how YummoMummo got started. I really wanted to celebrate myself, have fun with myself, highlight what I loved about my body. Celebrate my delicious pear shape.  I started to accept the things I could not change. I'm not a lover of my legs but instead of shaming that, I celebrate ways I can elongate them,  wear what's right for my body type.

This summer I put a photo of myself on Instagram in my swimsuit. Gasp. I never would of done that in a million years before.

Here I am sunning myself in Hawaii, on my 39th birthday. I found myself a great bikini for the summer that let me have some fun with a  season  trend (high-waisted bikinis) and suited my body type. I'm loving life! 

So here we are, a year later. 

On my anniversary. 

And a weight has been lifted from my shoulders, pardon the pun! 

I appreciate everyone is unique and the scales won't bring about panic for others that it did me. And I also appreciate that others have a weight loss journey that totally requires scales. My opinion is unique to me and not a reflection on what I think others should do.

It is important for me to maintain my weight. Diabetes is a big factor in my family so I am still very conscious to take care of myself in the present, to avoid future problems. I live by some general routines that are enough for me. I drink mainly water (the rare diet soda), a large portion of my diet are fruit and vegetables, I make sure I get my 8 hours sleep in at night, I go the gym 4 times a week as well as daily habits of walking and biking with the kids. And I go by my clothes. If my skinny jeans are feeling a little tight, I ramp things up a bit and it all evens out again.  As well, for women, there are so many factors that can play with the scales such as your period, hormones, water retention etc. 

Photo credit https://lifehandsyoulimes.wordpress.com

So there you have it folks. I hope you can appreciate I have dug a little deeper for you in this post and I hope it inspires you in your own life to change the things you can, and to accept the things you cannot. 

If you follow me on social media, you would have heard me announce that I am now a Global Ambassador for the Body Image Movement (BIM). I was doing cartwheels in my head when I found out. You will be hearing more about it in a future blog post so stay tuned for that. But the movement is teaching women a lesson we are slowly forgetting - to love ourselves from the inside out, and celebrate our awesomeness. That you are enough!

For the Kickstarter trailer for the documentary Embrace currently in production, click  HERE from your mobile device.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment? 
* Disclosure - This blogpost is written on my perspective and should not be taken as word to do the same. 

Magic skirt! 1 skirt - 10 ways

Have you ever come across one of these skirts? The kind they say can be worn up to 100 ways? In true fashion blogger style, this is what I brought home from my Hawaii vacation. And those of you who know me so well, know that versatility is one of my favorite subjects when it comes to a fashion item. I'm showing you 10 ways.

I know there are some of you out there who have this skirt sitting in your wardrobe and you've totally forgotten how to wear it (I know two lovely ladies for sure), so pull it out and let me show you some ways to wear it. Follow me on my FB page www.facebook.com/yummomummo and you'll see some upcoming video tutorials on each one shown here. 

Here is the skirt just classically wrap tied around my waist! I love the high waist, it hits me at my most flattering place, the smallest part of my waist.

This is a really fun way to wear the skirt, it becomes a dress! I've thrown on my sleeveless  denim vest. This adds a little something as well as giving me something on my shoulders if I'm not feeling like a strapless look. Comfort equals confidence. 

This look is so easy to achieve.  It's basically holding the skirt at the armpits and then tying it in a criss cross around the neck. (Don't forget to follow me at www.facebook.com/yummomummo for video tutorial)

One more step on the last, pull two of the top layers up and tie.

Turning it into a one shoulders strap. All the looks are completely different. 

Just a little twist here, and a twist there and there we have it! 

Love how it becomes a long flowy top. Add some flared black jeans and my denim vest and I have on one of my most favorite outfits of July! 

I'd love to wear this on a romantic date night with my wonderful husband. Adding my crochet vest (see pic below) and things totally change.

And lastly, it can be worn as a wrap, a poncho, a shawl - whatever you want to call it. The Bay Area climate I live in is so cool at night, and sunny and gorgeous during  the day. Perfect!

The skirt was sold in a street stall by Island Republic (can't find online) and cost $80 (I negotiated)!  For the versatility, I was willing to spend the money.  I chose a monochrome polka dot design as I felt it could be pulled together all year. Polka dots are such a classic, I will never tire of the design on this skirt. Pair with some cute brown boots in the winter time! And wear it as shown in the summer. However, there are some super cute colorful prints to buy. If you know anyone heading to Waikiki, I can point them in the direction of the stall that sold these skirts. 
I have found a YOU TUBE TUTORIAL that shows very easy instructions.
I have also found another company that sells them, for $120, at www.wrapmagicskirts.com

Don't forget to also follow me on INSTAGRAM

Leave me a comment below. What's your favorite way I wore the wrap dress?

#RockTheCrop Top

There has been some fashionable controversy in O' Magazine about who should, and who should not, wear a crop top. 
I don't agree with what was written in O Magazine (see pic below). What do I think? I think you should wear what the heck you want!  I believe anyone, - whatever size, shape, or budget, can wear a crop top. 
And I am going to show you how I, an in-betweenie (size 12) 39 year Mum with a stomach that has been pregnantly (not a an actual word) stretched 3 times, am rocking a crop top! I have a few different options, something for every comfort level! Let the show begin (cue catwalk music).

Can I just say, I LOVE the cobalt blue of this top.  My #1 favorite fashion color. I have paired with a high waisted black skirt and my comfy striped flats. This is THE most comfortable outfit. I don't feel self-conscious at all, there is stretch and the black skirt hides my tummy if I'm feeling a little bloated. Top by S.H.E // $24.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current

The question and response in O Magazine that upset some fashionistas! Photo credit : People Magazine. Readers respond on social media wearing crop tops with #RockTheCrop

Keep your eyes out for a blog post coming your way on this wrap polka dot skirt I picked up in Hawaii. It's more than you think! Since the skirt is high waisted, the skirt and crop top just meet. Reach up high to touch the sky and there'll be a little sneaky peek of my fluoro white belly! Ha Ha.
Top by Lush // $16.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current

This is a fun option. I have paired this ultra flowy crop top by adding it on top of a basic black dress. (Disclosure : since my head is down, it brings the crop lower than normal). Top by Lush // $21.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current 

Here I am harnessing my inner Jackie O, and it feels "O"h so good! More of a formal look and fun to boot! Crop Top by Free Press // $21.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current
Skirt by Free Press // $24.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current

This look says "Hey, you can't tell me I can only wear a crop top if I have a flat stomach!".  I've had this high waisted skirt for donkey's years and I love it, from Bebe. This top looks made for it. Mixing some print by adding some cheetah in the necklace with stripes. Fun. #effyourbeautystandards
Crop Top by S.H.E // $26.97 // Nordstrom Rack // Current

Haven't had enough of #RockTheCrop ? I recently shared a post on FB from a blogger who was disappointed with what was written in O' Magazine too. Read her post on Rock the Crop Top.

Leave me your thoughts below. I read and respond to all comments! 

Hawaii 4.0 Outfits

Unless you have been under a rock, then you know I just spent 16 thrilling nights in Maui and Waikiki with the ocean breeze in my hair, a cocktail in hand and a great change in pace. We went to celebrate my husbands momentous 40th birthday and had the most amazing time.  I fell in love with Hawaii when I first visited Kauai 2 years ago. As promised, I am showing you some of my most versatile vacation outfits. So, on with the show...........

MY HIGH WAISTED BIKINIS

This season, I really embellished in the high wasted bikini. A few things attracted me; the chance to try a fun trend, the opportunity to be once again in a bikini post kids, and I loved how it was a great fit for a delicious pear shape such as myself. I chose two fun prints. A fun black and white polka dot and a floral pink number. Both from Swimsuits for All , and under $40 each. I'm interested to see what they come up with next summer. They took a beating of chlorine, sunscreen, being rinsed in hotel shampoo and sea water AND they still look great. No fading or change in shape. 

MY BLACK SKIRT/BLACK DRESS

A black skirt and a black dress that are crush resistant and easy wash-and-wear are my absolute #1 must-haves in a suitcase. On a few occasions, I pulled the black dress to my waist to turn it into a fun skirt. It took me from airplane travel where one needs to be uber comfortable to waterfall and roadside fruit stand sightseeing. 

MY CROCHET VEST 

My most recent purchase from Anthropolgie. You will see in the three photos that it was a great extension to a basic summer dress.

TWO LOVELY HATS

I took two hats, my fedora as well as a fun trucker hat from Billabong. The fedora hat I took on the way over didn’t make the flight in one piece (I stuffed it with clothes and it lost shape - see white skirt pic below) so I tossed that, and started fresh with a very sturdy Panama Jack (see black skirt pic above) I purchased in Maui form $35 and wore it on the plane home. Live and learn, no more stuffing fedoras into suitcases for me! 

WHITE SKIRT

My white skirt was a another favorite and the white color wore VERY well. No stains!  You’ll see in the photo that one day it took me from morning poolside to lunch out at a local cafe to celebrate my nephews 14th birthday. I will say though that since purchase, the elastic has warped a bit with sea water and its a bit loose, nothing a session in the dryer won't fix.

CONVERTIBLE CLUTCH

Another pleaser was my rattan clutch from Stella and Dot (shown in MANY of the photos).  I was in love with this piece the moment we met. It looks gold at some points but it’s actually only rattan with silver thread. It can be thrown under arm or add on a strap to use cross body. I took this from sightseeing to partying (on my only night out).

MOX SHOES 

My Mox went every where with me. I brought my black pair. One day we were snorkeling in a very rocky and mossy area and I was so grateful to have them on my feet. I hear they are bringing out a gold pair soon, happy days! 

VERSATILE PAJAMAS

My PJ top took me from a comfortably stylish lunch outfit  to right to bed! As well as the pajama pants taking me from right in bed to an outfit fit for relaxing cocktails by the pool at happy hour. 

ONE PARTY OUTFIT

My husband would never let me hear the end of it if we didn’t get out one night and hit the dance floor. We certainly did and had so much fun! I had packed one very comfortable party outfit. 

I used literally EVERY item in my suitcase and only hit the laundromat one time. I have ALOT of washing coming my way and half the sand from Waikiki is in my suitcase LOL. 

Back in California now but it was so awesome to build such precious memories with the twelve of us that travelled together from my hubby’s family. One of my favorite things about travel is sharing the hotel bed with my little ones as it

is the only time we get to. (I’m a bit of a stickler on bedtime rules in my house). I loved hearing them breath (all three in unison) and smelling them before I went to sleep. That’s right, breathing them in and remembering them in that sleeping moment at 9, 7 & 3 years of age. 

YummoMummo is back up and running now, so expect my usual posts twice a week. I have some posts I really want to share with you, going a bit more skin deep so I hope you look forward to that. 

How is your summer going?