Tweed Jacket & Topknot Bun

"Dear The Gazillions of Maple Leaves In My Front Yard,

 

"I'm sorry my kids and I spent all day Saturday raking you up into a large family leaf reunion pile, only to go running and jumping into you.

 

 ballet flats: J. Crew

bootcut jeans: Big Star

white V-neck tee: American Eagle Outfitters

scarf: gift

tween jacket: gift/vintage (Talbots)

 

"As you most likely are aware, we played with reckless abandon in your leaf piles for hours. We probably squashed many of your cousins and dismembered most of your aunts and uncles in the process. For that, I apologize.

 

 

"But my children had so much fun that I can't promise we'll never rake you guys up and do it again. In fact, there are so dang many of you guys still falling that I don't know if we'll ever see the grass in our yard again, even if I spend the next solid week raking and raking and back-break-raking.

 

 

"I originally intended this letter to be a thank you and an apology and a bit of an Ode to Leaves in the Fall, but I've all of a sudden turned kind of passive-aggressive toward the sheer infinite quantities of you guys in my yard. And in my bed, because my kids came inside after playing and laid on my bed and left millions of leaf bits ev.ery.where. (I'm sorry if that image pains you.) You're in my furniture, on my floors, in the bathtub, on my rugs. It's never ending.

 

"So. Out. Get OUT. Make like a tree and leaf. (pleaseandthankyou)

 

"Love, Brittney"

 

 

Shop similar styles below:

 

J.Crew Flats · Big Star Bootcut Denim · J.Crew Factory V-Neck Sweaters

my mind's eye needs glasses.

Today I channeled my inner this:

...but somehow ended up looking like this: 

It just doesn't make sense. Oh, wait. Yes it does. Different, ah, body types currently.

Dah well. Win some, lose some. So I lost the look-like-a-Land's-End-Canvas-model contest, sure, but guess how I won today? Six loads of laundry folded & put away, cleaned kitchen, homemade soup & breadsticks, and nursery somewhat organized. Plus hugs and loves to my two little ladies, who spent the en.TI.re. day snuggled into my bed watching PBS, sick as camels.

"Sick as camels?" you want to ask. But don't. Just run with it. And drink at the nearest oasis.

(p.s. Do you think the model above looked as flexiblicious putting HER shoes on before the photo shoot? Me too. I'm sure of it.)

shoes: clarks. jeans: old navy (on loan). shirt: gap. scarf: vintage.

Happy Wednesday.

similar stuff (mix of maternity & regular):

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belt askew on purpose...

 boots: target. jeans: kohl's. shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. scarf: smith's marketplace. belt: forever21. bracelet: hawaii.

So, my camera battery died a few minutes into today's outfit documentation. Which is why I ended up with a grand total of 8 photos. "But there are 9 shown above," you say. Actually, you probably don't say that because, really, who's counting. (Actually, you are, now, because I've brought it up. I'm awesome that way.) Yes, one of the photos above is double-dipped.

Which, coincidentally, is exactly how I like ice cream cones in that magic shell stuff, so it all works out.

Today's weather is snowy and dark and beautiful and mildly depressing all at once. Sometimes I think Mother Nature is passive-agressive. Let's face it, there's tons of evidence, for example: graceful deer destroy tulip bulbs, lengthy summer sun exposure is simultaneously blissfuland cancer-causing, and the existence of mosquitoes in general is proof enough.

I chose everything I wore today because I wanted to be comfy and warm. And comfy. And warm. Annnd I've been missing my houndstooth scarf, frankly, and he's been missing me, so today was a perfect day for catching up. (He's had a bit of a cold but is feeling better, thanks.)

Happy Monday.

p.s. Do you ever do odd things when you get dressed, like move your belt buckle to the side, and then just stick with it because you either like it or forget about it? Yeah. Me too. Like today.

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around the world in 80 days...or a blog post...

 boots & watch: target. tights: gift. dress: paris, france. shirt: downeast. scarf: sweden. belt: forever21.

An international outfit if I've ever had one--I found this simple linen dress in a boutique in Paris about 10 years ago, and I fell in love with it. Which is odd, because it's actually a shapeless sack that happens to wrinkle if I so much as breathe while wearing it. Other than that? The most comfortable item of clothing I own. (Note to self: Purchase, and wear, more sacks.)

So. I try not to breathe unnecessarily whilst in this dress, but it makes me lightheaded. But it DOES cut down on the intensity of hiccups I experience, so that's exciting.

Hey, don't roll your eyes at me. Sometimes we have to create our own fun, especially when we live in a cold, small town in the winter. Next up: tying your shoes with one hand. What can I say, I'm a party girl. Whoomp there it is.

(ahem) So. Parisian linen, Swedish scarf, boots that were probably made in China but I'm not sure. Now all I need to be really, truly happy is some Italian ice cream. Anyone?

Happy Monday.

Want this look? Call your travel agent OR shop below...

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2 wrongs don't make a right...but how about 14 wrongs? what then?

 shoes: steve madden. tights: forever21. skirt & shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. belt: thrifted (american eagle). scarf: gift (old navy).

 There's absolutely no method to this madness...and I'm afraid it shows. Yet, surprisingly enough, I couldn't feel more comfortable or presentable.

Which is a good thing, because I spent more than an hour at the school district office this morning for kindergarten registration...along with millions, nay - BILLIONS, of other people. I had no idea the entire state's population is swarming to my area and will be entering my child's kindergarten class, but I suppose it's true. I saw the number of people myself. And my eyes don't lie.

(Except when they read the caloric content on some delicious foods that I happen to want seconds of. Then they tend to omit a few numbers from lame categories like "calories" and "fat." Which is actually way more astute than I would expect ocular orbits to be. I should eat more carrots to reward them for their loyalty. Should.)

So. My daughter didn't get registered today, her very kindergarten (and, skipping a few minor developmental years, collegiate) existence is at risk of falling through the cracks. But don't you fret, because today's a lucky day for you all: Outtakes. Extra-awesome ones. Any by "awesome" I of course mean "please, readers, come back tomorrow...please...readers?...reader?...mom?..."

Happy Tuesday.

Want this look? Just throw on random stuff from your closet until you're dressed. Orrrr shop below. Either way.

More Gap...

To tuck or not to tuck? Or to tuck halfway? These are the questions...

Mirror images. Smashing. And also? Apparently my body rounds itself out where it wants and when it wants, but it blatantly disregards my needs for forming daily numerals (i.e., the bottom part of a "5"). Stinking stubborn knees that only bend. What good are ya?

 boots: target. jeans: kohl's. shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. scarf: gift (old navy). belt: Poket's. earrings: hawaii.

In junior high (yes, I'm old enough that I went to junior high and not middle school. Maybe we did arithmetic on slate boards and fetched water from the town well and carried hot potatoes to school in our pails, too. What of it?) (Just kidding. My junior high was just like middle school now--scary cafeteria food and a geography teacher whose white spittle that formed between his top and bottom lip while he talked was absolutely mesmerizing.)

Wow. Better start over. (ahem) In junior high, I remember tucking the front of my shirts in but letting the back hang out. Did anyone else do this? And is it weird that I'm doing it here and now? I don't see it often, but I wanted my belt to be seen here, because to me it tied in the boots to the whole ensemble.

What's your vote--yay or nay to a front-only tuck? And also, sorry about the cuhrazy lighting in these photos. I figure we're all just lucky I got any photos at all. And when I say "we're" I of course mean "I'm"...because probably you all could have a perfectly happy Friday without photos of a girl slapping her knee like a hoedown-beat-keeper and one with hair like a lioness.

But now that you've seen these photos...it's hard to go back to the person you were before. There there, little one. Don't cry.

Happy Friday!

Want this look? First, stick your finger in the nearest electrical outlet. Then buy these clothes:

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alexander has nothing on this terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day...

 In a perfect world, II + IIII = VI. But in my imperfect world, and on a fairly rotten day like today, II + IIII = XXIV. Feel free to disagree and/or flunk me in Roman Mathematics. But it won't change the photo.

 boots: target. leg warmers: amazon.com. tights: gift. skirt: gap. shirt: a.n.a. brand. scarf: sweden. bracelet: forever21. fake smile: discontinued.

This morning I shaved my legs for the first time in...a long time. Probably somewhere between 5 and 20 days. Give or take. (Preferably not "give," or whichever one makes it longer than 20...) And in doing so, I accidentally gave myself a minor cut (probably from being so out of practice) below my right knee. No biggie, it was small. I got out and got dressed. About 3 minutes later I glanced down and saw a little spot of blood on my tights right there.

Sweet.

Now, if I were a hygienic person or even an average specimen of human beingness, I probably would've changed my tights. Buuuuuut instead I simply threw on leg warmers and pulled 'em real high to cover the spot up. Which ended up being okay, because it's snowing. Again.

Without laying it on too thickly, my day has gone downhill from there. Which is why I posted 0.5 of a photo today, and why I'm making this as brief as possible. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

*cough*

See what I mean? But tomorrow's another day. And I bet it'll be a good one.

Happy Thursday.

Want this look? Sans negative attitude? You got it...check it out:

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Excuse me, waiter? I ordered a Wednesday, but you brought me a Monday...

 shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. sweater: old navy. scarf: gifted (but old navy). earrings: hawaii.

You know how sometimes people start a comment by saying, "Not to be rude, but..." and then they go on to be, well, rude? But in their minds it's okay because they prefaced it with a statement that supposedly negates the rudeness? I'm TOTally busting out that logic today. Only mine goes a little something like this:

(ahem)

Not to complain, but (you all know what's coming here, right? Complaint therapy 101.) my life is so very busy right now, it's all I can do to remember to breathe. I'd delineate all the combining factors that are resulting in said busyness so that you'd all believe me and, yes, pity me, but that would take too much time. Oh the irony.

Not that I think I'm so cool and my life is soooooo important. But sometimes my To-Do requires the paper of an entire forest. Like now. Believe me, I wish I could stay and chat awhile...because you're all funny and sweet and your comments make my day and I want to respond to all of you. Thanks for your patience with me.

Happy Wednesday.

Want a throw-it-on-and-be-comfy-but-still-presentable look like this? Click below...

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oh what do i wear on a saturday when all the world is grey?

Forgot to put my boots back on after braving the backyard. But you probably didn't notice that because you're laughing too hard at my contorted, concentrating facial expression. That's fine. Laugh away.

 boots: target. jeans: kohl's. cardigan: j. crew. sweater shirt: vintage. scarf: sweden. flower hairclip: downeast outfitters.

I tried an experiment today and had Pocket take my photos outside. It was fun. But...what do you think? Do you miss the trademark-crazy indoors shots of my blog? I dunno...I might mix it up on occasion. And by "on occasion" I mean, of course, "on Saturdays of decent light when there are no important games on TV, chores to do, places to go, or people to see." Soooo...tune in for our next husb-and-wife photo shoot in 2014...

Today's jumping-off point was this cardigan. There's something about her that speaks to me when I need nothing more than to be comfortable. [Editor's note: Coincidentally, her name is Grey, and when she speaks she sounds like an asthmatic 4'5" gramma who dyes her hair purple and who's smoked a pack-a-day for the last 63 years and isn't ready to stop now. Sassy. And gravel-throated.] Anyways. Freezing in ye ol' homestead, I decided to go with a long-sleeved number underneath.

Enter skinnies & boots for extra warmth, and this pretty scarf that my mom sent me from Sweden. And my favorite cow socks. 'Cept you all weren't supposed to know about those...but you do now because I took my boots off after coming inside after taking pics (you following this backwards logic? it's like reading the Matrix script...practically...) because I own a dog who is housetrained which means our backyard in winter is, shall we say, dangerous terrain. One false step could be deadly. Exhibit A: the sole of my left boot. I don't care what anyone says, though...I'll take that over a bird's bomb on the forehead any. day. of. the. week.

Wow. This post has taken an unexpected turn for the worse. My brain insists on taking weekends off. And every thirdTuesday. 

 Happy Saturday.

How I last wore these items: scarf, green sweater, cardigan

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welp, today's post proves it. i'm sophisticated and refined.

boots & watch: target. grey skinny jeans: kohls. shirt: modbe. cardigan: j.crew. scarf & headbands: forever 21. belt: Pocket's.

My kids love hearing stories about themselves when they were little. Or just about themselves in general. Because, let's face it, the world contained within these four walls actually does revolve around them. Mmmm...kind of. Anyway, my son particularly loves the story about the funny, slash, disgusting thing that happened when he was a brandnew baby and Pocket was changing his diaper. I'd detail it here, but some of you don't have children yet, and I don't want to dissuade you from the decision.

Don't you love it when someone does that? Like, dangles a tidbit of a story in front of you like a zhu-zhu pet in front of a puppy, then doesn't follow through with the juicy details? Well...I promise you, this isn't like that. The details of this story are indeed juicy. Quite literally. So. I'll just leave you with two words and let your imaginations run wild: "projectile" and "poo."

Annnd...enough about you. Let's talk about me. Jumping-off point today was comfort and flexibility, because I was watching my 2- and 0-year-old nephews this morning. So. I just sort of piled stuff on until I ran out of time while my kids ate breakfast. Oooh, that's a great idea for a game show, no? Contestants have a closetful of clothes and 30 seconds to throw on a decent outfit before, say, three children in the next room (ages 2, 4, and 6, hypothetically speaking of course) start fingerpainting the furniture with yogurt, guzzling syrup from the bottle, and creating eternity pools of their cups by pouring their own milk.
 
And if that totally made-up make-believe absolutely fictional scenario made your forehead break out in tiny beads of sweat, I don't know what to say. 'Cept this: Don't come live at my house for the next 10 years.
 
Anyway. This is what I wore today. And if you're going to tell me that I'm too old to wear double braids, I'm going to fake geriatric-induced hearing loss and wear them anyway. Yep. Fake. Because, haven't you heard? 31 is the new 17... or 11...okay, FINE, 3. 
 
Happy Thursday.
 

Want this look?  boots  grey jeans  cardigan  colorful scarf

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Tuesday Topic: How to Tie a Scarf

Welcome to Tuesday Topic! Today we're going to learn how to tie scarves. A few basic strategies, really. If you have a go-to scarf strategy, I'd love to hear about it! No, seriously. I'm always looking for great ways to wear a scarf.

Welp, here we go.

I did this here. 

I did a version of this here. 

 I did this here. 

I did this (but with a way longer scarf, so I wrapped it lots of times) here. 

I did this around my waist (instead of neck) here. 

I don't think I've done this one yet. Will do!

(Thank you, my beloved cell phone, for being an excellent neck stand-in.)

There you have it, friends. Hope this is helpful. Again, I'd love to see pics (thanks to those of you who sent me pics/links from last Tuesday's Topic! You look great all belted up, ladies!) of your attempts/successes. You think I'm kidding about that. I'm not.

And, for those of you who are inspired and anxious to get yo' scarf on (gross), I'd also like to announce A Day in the Life Too...'s very first (drumroll please) (actually, no drumroll. lame. and loud.)
GIVEAWAY!!

It's the model scarf you've all come to know and love. Obviously, this scarf looks good tied in these (and many many more) scarf-tying techniques. It's a lightweight cotton, which will be perfect for this coming spring. And I'll be jealous of your cute scarficity. But happy for you, too. Kind of.

If you'd like to win this item, all you need to do is:

(1) Leave a comment below that includes your favorite way to tie a scarf (it doesn't have to be one featured in this post, either). Be sure to include your email address.

(2) For a bonus entry, Follow, Like, or Subscribe to this blog via your medium of choice provided on this page (google, facebook, bloglovin, or twitter). Leave another comment telling me what you've chosen. And be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Winner will be announced next Tuesday (1/18/10), so get your entries in before then!

Happy Tuesday!