I kind of really love this look.  There's just a great symmetry about it that's still a bit unkempt.  That's just me though.

Garden visits in your PJs to plant dandelions.  That's how we roll over here at the Haughton house.  Can't wait to see how she reacts to the growing plants this year. 

Chelsea asks, How do you take fashion post pictures in public? Well, the short answer is you just kind of go ahead and do it.  The long answer is, you just go ahead and do it, with these things in mind.

Here are the posts I reference in this vlog:

On Self-Portraits - thoughts on taking self-portraits
No Shame - it helps a lot to just not care.
These Are My Peeps? - everyone in my neighborhood is nuts, so what's one lady taking pictures of herself? 

*linking up with Rags To Stitches*

I didn't wear this today or yesterday.  Today I'm sick, as I was yesterday, so really I'm not fit for human consumption.  This I wore a few days ago and the photos have been sitting on my computer.  The lie is this, I post daily outfits here, but sometimes they're no on the exact day I wore them.  I try to be as recent as possible.  I also try to show you the reality, to the best of my ability, but today I'm sick and that's when these pictures come to save the day.

They give me a chance to interact with you.  Give you a chance to see an outfit that I did in fact wear.  And they give me a chance to wallow in my PJs with a pot of tea.

*linking up with Style Sessions*

This is a fun twist on a regular braid.  Something with a little more eye interest than a plain braid.

Chantilly ~ ChantillySongs Marisa ~ The Shades of Monet Chronicles Lisa ~ Lala Faux Bois Shell ~ Kitty and Buck Marilyn ~ Pulp Sushi Sammy ~ The Cookie Button Amanda E ~ Little Lady Little City Regina ~ Acute Designs Katherine ~ Of Corgis and Cocktails Amanda A. ~ Little Tranquility Joanna ~ ModaMama Roxy ~ GrrFiesty Vanessa ~ Take Only Memories Sabrina ~ The Little Owl Miss Angie ~ My So-Called Chaos Shai ~ Vagabond Studio Chelsea ~ Life Unpublished Lauren ~ A Wild Tonic Jenna ~ Kitty Cat Stevens Jessa ~ Caked Blog

Today, I'm happy to be taking part in an amazing giveaway hosted by ChantillySongs and some other blogger friends! We've all banded together to bring you an awesome prize for one lucky reader- a 16GB iPad Mini in white or black!! Why is this prize is awesome? The iPad Mini is a perfect and convenient device for busy people of all stripes. Great to take with you when you're on the go, and don't have room to lug your laptop along with you. You can use it as a reader, check email or browse the Internet on it, write to-do lists, reminders, record inspiration, and more! Please note: This giveaway will be open until May 30th, and will be open only in the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia. Also, by the way, every single one of these ladies is worth getting to know. Take a moment to check out their links, find some new favorites, and enter away!

Enter after the jump.
 GOOD LUCK!!



 a Rafflecopter giveaway

...a dress and cardigan.  Throw in a pair of boots like I have and the result is a veritable cliche of dressing.  But you know my thoughts on a cliche?  It's there for a reason.  This sartorial cliche exists because those things fit together.  I love this trifecta of clothing, and I'm not giving it up no matter how cliche that is.  'Cause I'm no quiter *sorry, to throw in an actual cliche somewhere*

p.s. I'm downright giddy that I can wear dresses and boots without tights right now.

That's what I'm trying to do.

If you know anything about me it's this:  I have none to very little cool workout wear.  I spent my early years playing soccer and dancing *uniforms and leotards* then spent more years training in Kung Fu *more uniforms*  So basically, I own uniforms and sports bras.  Even when I started running and going to a gym regularly, in between all the other stuff, I just did it in old shirts, and old uniforms.  The only thing I ever had swanky was good running shoes.



Enter a company like Albion Fit, a women's fitness and swimwear line, featuring a great selection of workout clothing.  We decided to team up and collaborate on a fun post and giveaway. I chose these funky cool pants because I wanted something fitted and short.  All my Kung Fu stuff has been loose - think designed for men and made big -  and I loved the idea of having something, well for lack of a better term, girlie.  I can see myself wearing these in training, as well as running, and they would really work if I ever entered a *gasp* yoga class.  *Side note:  I don't do yoga unless I want to take a nap. It's not made for me. I get bored and end up really needing to punch something*

Love these pants guys.  They're comfy and functional and yes, they make me feel all feminine and cute.  They also feel like they can take a bit of a beating, which of course they will.

The top I was loving from the get go on the website: loose, comfy and with thumb-holes!  Can't tell you how much I adore thumb holes in my workout wear.  I have a hoodie with thumb holes and I love it for riding my bike and for generally being outside - they keep my hands warmer.  Just like I imagine this top will.  And for running and training I like the fact that my sleeves won't be flopping around.  They'll stay in one place.



But I have to say that the best thing was when the items arrived.  They were even cuter and nicer then they looked on the site!  The top is so much more vivid in really life than in the pictures, and it fits exactly as I imagined.  The one thing I can't do justice in pictures though, is just how incredibly soft the shirt is.  It's like gentle, fluffy jersey floating over my skin.  Luxury workout wear.  I'm telling you I almost don't want to ever sweat in this top it's that nice.

But enough about me and how much I like it.  I know you want to feel it for yourself right?  Well, guess what guys?  Albion Fit is offering a Go Long Crew of your very own to one lucky ModaMama reader.  That's right, you can get one in Jade, Grape, Fuchsia, Pool, Rust, Ivory, Heather Grey, or Black.   Just enter using the widget after the jump.

If however, you can't wait that long, Albion Fit is offering an exclusive discount code for ModaMama readers of $15 off and purchase over $50 or more, just enter the code "modamama15" at checkout.  I'd say that's pretty cool!   *discount code expires on May 12th so hurry and get your good stuff now*



a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those days when you don't want your hair up but still want it a bit out of the way, this hairstyle is easy, quick, but still looks pretty chic.  I like that it gives the illusion that you spent more time on it than you did.  But that's just between us.

I'm continuing to answer your questions, whether they might embarrass me or not.  Today there's two quick questions that I'm answering:

1. How are you so cute? Seriously!
2.  How do you juggle your time ?

Keep those questions coming.  I really appreciate them. Email me or leave a post comment. 

*linking up with Rags to Stitches*

Whether you want something whimsical, or you're trying to get some cosplay in, doing these Star Wars Princess Leia buns can be a great hairstyle to have in your retinue.  It's really a very simple variation on the sock bun, and if you need more details on how to do that, check out my Sock Bun tutorial here.

A few of you have already written in with some questions for "Ask Me Anything."  Thanks so much for that.  I really enjoy getting your questions.  Today I start answering them, and the first question comes from Chelsea over at Sunny With A Chance of Sprinkles.   Here goes!

Q: What lead you to the decision to keep your daughter out of your blog and to not use her face in pictures?

Good question.

*linking up with Rags to Stitches*