What I Wore: Faux Leather Ponte Dress

I've pretty much been slumming it this week so no outfit photos. I did go on a tour of a dual language primary (elementary) school we'd like Blondie Boy to attend but my outfit wasn't exactly inspiring. BB's had a bit of a cold since then and then Sunday night it snowed so we haven't been going anywhere except a quick trip to the grocery to grab more bread. I've been drinking hot chocolate in sweats and studying.

Studying you say? Yes studying. Ugh. On Thursday I have to take the "Life in the UK" test as part of my application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The questions on the test can be pretty random and it costs £50 to take the test so I can't risk failing so I've been taking lots of practice tests and reading the study book. If you're bored and want to see how you'd do this isn't an official site but you can take several practice tests yourself.

So if you'd like to think happy, test passing thoughts around 14:00GMT or 9:00EST on Thursday I'd be ever so grateful! I'm not bad at taking tests but the whole process leading up to tests really stresses me out. To be honest the whole application process is not the most relaxing thing in the world but once it is done hopefully it means I never, ever, EVER have to apply again. Since I've moved here I've had 2 student Visas, 1 Fresh Talent Visa, 1 Work Visa and am currently on a Spouse Visa. Please don't make me add up how much they all cost of I might cry. True love ain't cheap that's for sure.

So anyway this is called What I Wore Wednesday isn't it? So I bring you what I wore at my speaking engagement in London a few weeks ago. I flew directly from Cincinnati to London between the jet lag and preparing to speak I forgot to take an outfit photo; I've attempted to recreate it on Polyvore for y'all.

I drove NBH a little nuts looking for a dress for my presentation. We went to Kenwood Towne Center (it's the mall I grew up with) and when we walked in he asked if we wanted to go to The Limited and I said no. Long story short we went to several stores, held a dress in Ann Taylor and when we came back that night after deciding the Ann Taylor dress was a no go I went to The Limited and found this dress.

It was a major steal because not only was it on sale but the seam was coming the tiniest bit apart so I got an additional 10% off AND I had a free $10 gift card to the mall for signing in on Foursquare and spending $75 the day before--WINNER!

I wore it with my New Look ankle boots and a manicure I barely remember getting in my post jetlag haze but I managed to look at the bottle to see it was called "Get in the Espresso Lane." I talk with my hands so a manicure was necessary.

I love the faux leather patches and best of all the dress has pockets! I think it's last season now but I don't care I love the featured zipper back, too. I can't wait to wear it again and I'm thinking I might try it with coloured tights and the Darcie Docs Siân and Claire got me for my birthday. What do you think? How would you style this dress?

11 Months

Age - eleven months, 1 day (I missed 10 months so don't shout)

Weight - We were snowed in last Thursday and away before that so haven't gotten him weighed since well I'm guessing a month ago. He's is over 20lbs, but by how much I dunno.

Height - 29 1/2"

Sleeping habits - He sleeps from 8:30-9:00pm/10pm to 9-9:30am roughly. He recently has done a few after midnight nights much to our shagrin.

Eating habits - Eating 9oz when he wakes up and at bedtime and 2-3 meals depending on when he naps and snacks. He's now had bits of chicken and fish and loved them both. He also has a new love of Cheerios. He will sit at your feet with his mouth open until your share your cereal with him. As long as its non-allergenic food he can pretty much eat what we eat now.

Favorite activity - playing with Emma, singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, saying "So Big," skyping, drumming things, throwing things and signing "please" when he wants you to give him your dinner

Milestones (including those since 10m) - Clapping, Walking (with his Walk 'N Ride), 3 teeth now, "please," sharing his pipka, dancing

Firsts (including those since 10m)- Clapping, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chanukah, snowman

Wordless Wednesday

All American Boy

Okay, he's actually 50% American boy...

Today we drove to Edinburgh to visit the US Embassy and register Blondie Boy's birth, apply for his US passport and social security number. It was snowing pretty heavily when we left at 9:30am and after some stand-still traffic we almost turned around but decided to keep going.


We waited about an hour, signed the forms we'd already sent in and that was that. Blondie Boy's passport should arrive in about 7-10 days. All in all it cost $150 for his Americanness, plus an additional £30 for the parking ticket we got because all the parking outside the embassy was residential permits only.


Blondie Boy was really good at the embassy, but had a screaming fit in the car as we drove into Edinburgh; I guess he just has similar thoughts about it as his Mom and Dad :) Now we just need to mail off his British passport application and he'll be good to travel where he pleases! (As a dual citizen he has to enter/leave the US on his American passport and enter/leave the UK on his British passport.)

I could *technically* say Blondie Boy had his first trip to the US, since the embassy is American soil, but I think that's crap. I always hated in college when people would say they'd been to Germany or France because they'd been at an embassy. Doesn't count in my book!

Did you think I was kidding?

I flipping love snow! At least I admit I have a problem, right?


I especially love it when it snows around Christmas because it just makes it so much more festive and pretty. It really doesn't snow that often here, so it's kinda a big deal!

Untitled from Transatlantic Blonde on Vimeo.

It doesn't hurt that I'm not having to commute into work and don't have any other reason to schlep out in it either :)

I have a problem...

Untitled from Transatlantic Blonde on Vimeo.

Emma started barking at the back door and demanded to go out and play!

Untitled from Transatlantic Blonde on Vimeo.

Snow :)

Snowing :) from Ryan Wenstrup-Moore on Vimeo.