Casual Navy and Cream

Night at the Theater: Navy and Cream Peek-a-Boo Shirt, Dark-wash jeans and cream heels.

Gearing Up for Fall: Leather and Boots

I love Fall layering: black peplum top, dark wash skinny jeans, grey leather boots, grey leather jacket, black scarf.

Purple Maxi Skirt, Jean Jacket, White Tee, Silver Shoes and Jewelry

Quick and cute: Purple Maxi Skirt, Jean Jacket, White Tee, Silver Shoes and Jewelry

Black Suit with Maroon Ruffle Tank

Simple work outfit: black suit with maroon, ruffle tank and black heels.

Beautiful Browns

I haven't worn very much brown for a while, but in anticipation of fall--here it is! Brown skirt, brown snakeskin pumps with gold toe, white undershirt, brown jacket with faux hair detail and gold jewelry. Classy.

Navy Skirt, Green Jacket and Orange Bauble Necklace

I love the freedom for color in this outfit: nude heels, navy skirt, green jacket, white undershirt and an orange bauble necklace. Colorful and classy.

Chevron Top and Bauble Necklace

Chevron shirt and neon pink bauble necklace--simple, casual and fun.

Black, Gold and Leopard

Here is a fun, simple and classic combo: black leather shirt, black skirt, gold jewelry, leopard-print heels and a bun.

Neon Pink and Blue with a Bauble Necklace

NEON PINK AND BLUE with a COORDINATING BAUBLE NECKLACE

Casual Grey T with Peek-a-Boo Back

I love a casual look that can come off this cute. Peek-a-Boo backs are in and you can still wear them modestly. This T is cute with a white tank underneath.

Black & White Maxi

 Simple black and white maxi--with and without the hat. Easy, breezy and cute.

                                       

Mint and Coral

 This has been such a fun color combination this summer: mint and coral. Casual. Cool. Cute.

How to Help Our Little Ones Get Through CROUP

Growing up, we were all croup babies in my family. If you don't know what croup is, it's basically like laryngitis in a child--it tightens/inflames their airway making their cough sound like a seal bark (if it's bad, you can often hear it when they cry and inhale as well). It can be very serious and cause respiratory distress, which means the child is not getting sufficient oxygen and may need emergency medical attention (signs of this may be the speed/effort in the neck and chest to breathe). With that said, remember croup is in the airway, so the lungs are usually clear (meaning there isn't a rattle or raspiness in their lungs . . . unless it is just mucus). If the tightness is in the lungs, that can be the sign of a respiratory infection that can lead to things like pneumonia and RSV, so you need to take the child to the doctor for further evaluation.

Well, my mom always said we would get paybacks with our kids--so now I have 3 children and ALL of them are croup babies. The other day my cousin contacted me to ask me how best to detect it and treat it at home because she thought her little boy had it. After I shared some things, I thought it might be of help to other parents dealing with croup. I'm not a doctor, but we have done some things that have worked over the years. Here is what I shared with her:

1) Steam the child in the bathroom for 10-20 min: this means turning the shower as hot as it can go, opening the curtain or door--preferably in a small bathroom where you can close the door so the steam can build up--and holding the child in your arms (or if they are bigger, have them sit next to the shower/bath) while they breathe as deeply as they can. Be careful not to get them too close to the scalding water.

2) Wrap the child very well in blankets/warm clothes/hat and take them outside in the cold night air for about 10 min and have them breathe deeply again. This can help shock the airway and open it up--especially after they have already steamed.

3) Use a humidifier at night--make sure it can reach your child and try to keep the humidity in the room by just cracking--or if it is safe--closing the door. Be careful, some children can get cold from the humidifier being on all night, so you may want to alternate 2 hours on, 2 hours off.

4) We use Baby Vapor Rub on our children's chest, neck and nose to help them breathe.

5) We also have albuterol inhalers (prescription only) that help open the airway and lungs. You can discuss this option with your doctor.

6) Finally, if your child gets croup often enough, you may be able to discuss with your doctor having an emergency prescription steroid on hand for severe cases.

Remember, most important is that the child is getting enough oxygen and not struggling to breathe. Croup is usually much worse at night and if it is manageable, may need to be treated (see above) for 2-3 nights.

If the child is struggling to breathe, get him to a Doctor or ER. They will usually check the child's oxygen levels and administer a breathing treatment and/or steroid to open the airway.

You may also want to discuss using Robitussin DM or Yellow Triaminic with your doctor. You have to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL with these medications. Overdosing is very serious. But, if you speak with your doctor and get the correct dose, these have helped our children.

Good luck! Here's to many sleepless, croup-filled nights! LOL! The good news is--they grow out of it! :)

Comfy, Cute & Casual

Super simple, cute and casual look for everyday picking up the kids at school and errands.

lvjo

The Big Day: 21-Day Challenge Complete!

So today should mark the start of a new--GOOD--habit and the completion of a goal! Today is the 21st and remember we started our first challenge on January 1st knowing that it takes 3 weeks to establish a new habit. Did you do it? Did you set ONE GOAL and live it? Are you ready for the next 21-day challenge so you can let those new, positive habits add up to finally checking off your list of recurring New Year's Resolutions?! I'm happy to say, I did well--only missed 3 out of 21 days. So, if you aren't on board yet--and you're realizing that 3 weeks of the New Year have passed and you haven't even started with that new list of goals, try this method out! Come along. Spend the next 10 days establishing your first new habit and prepare for the 2nd 21-day challenge coming February 1st! Remember, ONE GOAL AT A TIME FOR 21-DAYS. Establish the habit before you add more goals and let those good habits ADD UP TO A NEW YOU!

lvjo

Black & White Tribal Sweater, Over the Knee Black Boots, Dark Wash Skinny Jeans

 Here's a fun look for cold days--black and white tribal sweater, dark wash skinny jeans, black over-the-knee boots and a black scarf--just cozy and cute enough for a hockey game!

lvjo

      

Simple Midi Skirt Look

Here is a simple turquoise midi skirt look with white sweater and beige heels--cute, comfy & slimming! Add almost any pop of jewelry for extra color and style!

lvjo

F.E.D. (Fast, Easy, Delicious) Recipe: Southwestern Tacos in a Crockpot

Here's to another F.E.D. Recipe (Fast, Easy and Delicious)! This one is Southwestern Tacos in a crockpot. Very basic ingredients, very simple but also healthy and yummy.

Southwestern Tacos in a Crockpot

Ingredients:

1 Jar Salsa (your choice)

1 Can Whole Kernel Corn, Drained

1 Can Black Beans, Drained

2 Large Cans of Chicken, Drained

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in the crockpot, mix it up well so the salsa will marinate the chicken and the flavors will blend. Leave on low--or even warm--for as long as you can. Stir and Serve in Tortillas and any condiments you prefer (we usually add Spanish Rice and Sour Cream, but the chicken is delicious on its own as well)!

lvjo

Thoughts? Tolerance v. Acceptance

Something that concerns me lately as a mother, lawyer and citizen is the consistent trend of watching political correctness slowly devour our freedom--both of speech and religion. Have you noticed the definition of tolerance changing subtly in the media to mean acceptance--meaning if you don't accept our views, you aren't tolerant of our views? We've lost the divider here that matters. Tolerance is supposed to mean that you can respectfully disagree with someone on core issues or beliefs and still be able to get along. Acceptance, however, is believing and or espousing someone else's opinions or beliefs. What happened to a country of free speech where we can share openly our thoughts and beliefs (as long as we do not harm others) and still have a respectful, positive relationship despite opposing views? In addition, just because a person doesn't believe in something, doesn't mean they discount the person. Those are two very separate things--beliefs and people. But our forefathers came to this country and established it on the premise that we would have the freedom to disagree and still be able to coexist in a positive environment. I want my children to have that and I feel as though I am watching those freedoms slowly erode in the name of "political correctness". Your thoughts?

lvjo