a blazer and a baby bump

 dress: motherhood maternity. blazer: thrifted. bracelets: forever21. flower pin: downeast basics. shoes: candie's brand, I think .

Hey friends. I know, I know. What the random outfit post 100 years later? What can I say, I like to keep things interesting. And also, I'm lazy and 6 months pregnant. "Unpredictability" is my new middle name. Hyphenated with "hormonal." And "hungry." Good thing I don't write checks anymore...the people behind me in line would HATE me and the 10-minute wait while I just signed the dang thing.

Anyways. Yeah, I'm going to start posting again. Sometimes it'll be on what I wear (heaven help us all, with this belly of mine). Sometimes it'll be on what I'm doing with my kids. Sometimes it'll be on house projects. Sometimes it'll be on absolutely nothing you can or want to relate to. 

I guess what I'm saying is, I'm going to make my own blogging rules. Which could get a little scary, considering I have a "rule" about not eating ice cream after 11 p.m., and you can all imagine how well that's adhered to. (In my defense: it's almost always mint ice cream, which is basically the same as brushing my teeth. So it's not altogether a terrible deed, right guys?... Guys?...)

Anyways. Thanks for hanging with me. Happy Sunday.

Similar stuff:

More A Pea in the Pod...

a wide belt and some knee-high socks

 shoes & socks: don't recall. skirt: gap. shirt: gift/secondhand. necklace: forever21. belt: kohl's. bracelet & earrings: hawaii.

 And an early Christmas present to you all: a little photo I like to call "Most Awkward Outtake EVER"...drumroll please...

This week I'm grateful for:

- family reunions.

- food at family reunions.

- relaxing afternoons at a beach, including a short swim in the waves and a cuddle with my tired toddler and a riveting book in my hands.

- freedom and peace and safety. I've been reading "Unbroken," which you should all rush out to your local libraries and/or bookstores and pick up and read. It's fascinating, appalling, amazing, life-changing.

- sunglasses.

- summertime sleeping in...drawing to a close too swiftly...

- fly swatters.

- my now-3-year-old Little Miss Independent. She is one unique duck, and my husband and I adore her.

- air conditioning.

- night swimming and watching my kid experience the exhilaration of jumping off the diving board time and time and time and time again.

- having a waffle iron, waffle batter, and a fresh batch of huckleberry syrup all at the same time and place. As in, this morning, my kitchen. Mmmmm...

Happy Sunday.

happy days are here again...and again...and again...

This week I'm grateful for:

- church.

- stripes.

- outings to the park with friends and friends of my kids.

- friends of my kids who teach them (my kids) good things, like being polite and empathetic and obedient. May this always be the case. (Yeah, right, but a parent can hope, right?)

- the ability to jog.

- our piano, especially before the sustaining pedal broke. Sighhhhh...

- a husband who surprises me in, well, surprising ways, even after 9-1/2 years of marriage.

- the letter "r" and the many ways toddlers try to say it.

- texting.

- daffodils. (We have one! In our yard! A flower bloomed!)

- cars and appliances that all function as they should. Can't imagine doing as much laundry as I do by hand or at the laundromat. Ugh.

- prayer and the peace it brings.

- family time, in all its crazy glory.

- cookies & cream ice cream.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

life is like a pair of houndstooth tights...

.

 shoes: don't recall. tights & belt: forever21. skirt & cardigan: j.crew. shirt: eddie bauer. necklace: downeast basics.

I went to my children's great-grampa's funeral yesterday. It was a bittersweet day. He was a good man who leaves behind millions of good memories. Forgive me that I'm not feeling particularly funny today.

But I'll say this: I've thought a lot about life and how I use my time and what's really --no seriously, really -- important. A much-needed introspection. Timely, because guess what's pretty much at the bottom of the Important barrel? The fact that my tights got some snags in them and I forgot to reapply lipstick for these photos.

So. I'm happy and grateful to be clothed and alive. Now I'm off to use today's precious life-hours well.

Happy Tuesday.

Want this look? I like it. Shop below...

More J.Crew...

i'm a simple girl with simple needs...wearing simple stripes

 shoes & brooch: don't recall. jeans: old navy. tank: motherhood maternity (yes, you read that right...but don't go jumping to conclusions...you'll be sorely disappointed 9 months from now with no baby in sight). sweater & belt: forever21. watch: target.

You know your priorities are intact and that you are successfully passing those ideals onto the next generation when your 2-year-old spies a mini muffin tin and exclaims, "A cupcake machine!" 'Cept it actually comes out sounding more like: "a tuptate maseen!"

Good girl. Never mind practicing proper pronunciation...apparently what we're hardcore about is our bakery/pastry bakeware identification around here, complete with flash cards, pop quizzes, and "the strap" if they get one wrong. A little harsh, you say? I prefer to think of it as "tough love."

My 4-year-old is turning 5 tomorrow and is having a birthday party today. A girlified feminine flowery dainty pastel-laden thing. The excitement in the air is tangible as we await our first presents guests. Which is absolutely true as long as we replace the word "excitement" with "one billimeter away from going off the birthday-freak-out edge." And, no, I've never heard of a billimeter either, but I'm pretty sure it's veryveryvery small, and that's the analogy I'm looking for.

Know what else I'm looking for? The perfect banana split. Which is irrelevant but true nonetheless.

Happy Saturday.

Want this look? Check out the stuff below...

More Asos...

I'm just grateful, that's all.

 shoes & skirt: don't recall. shirt: old navy. undershirt & bracelet: downeast. cardigan: j.crew. earrings: hawaii open jewelry market.

This week I'm grateful for:

- Irish dancing performances.

- Attending said performances with old friends. That is to say, "old" as in long-term, not as in elderly. Although attending with elderly friends would be fine, too... (where'd I put that shovel? need to dig myself out of a hole here...)

- When my 2-year-old calls a red bug-bite on her arm a "sprinkle." ???

- Fingernail polish.

- Being able to exercise. (Whether I actually DO, now, that's a different story...)

- Strawberry milk.

- Touch-screen cell phone. Didn't like it at first. LOVE it now.

- Perspective. Like when I cracked one of my favorite oval mirrors this week, it was a bummer but not a catastrophe because, hey, it's just a mirror. Sometimes I don't have perspective. This week I did, and I'm glad of it.

- Simple green cleaner.

- A good husband who is equally good at being a father.

- Xbox Kinect.

- When my kids play happily together. Nothing more heart-warming. And I'm grateful for it because they've been doing a lot of fighting lately, so those moments are particularly sweet.

- Peace. And safety.

Happy Sunday.

white legs, white legs, what do you see?...

shoes: don't recall. white legs: wyntair au natural. skirt: thrifted. slip: a slip shop. shirt & jacket: kohl's. bracelet: forever21. earrings: hawaii.

Confession: up until about 4 months ago, my legs have been the bane of my existence. Well, nearly. I've spent my whole life being embarrassed of them, because to me they were simply massive hunks o' whale blub. Or something equally as unflattering. Even as a long-distance runner, I couldn't do anything to slim them down. Which was frustrating and embarrassing and annoying.

Enter: this blog beginning in December, which involved taking daily photos of me, which (naturally) involved my legs...or some super awkward poses. Oh. Wait...

Maybe I've become numb to them (the sight of my legs) after sorting through hundreds of self-pics over the past few months. Maybe my acceptance of and appreciation for different body types has changed as I've viewed and enjoyed countless other style blogs. Maybe...I dunno. Can't think of any other scenarios. But for whatever glorious reason, I'm not ashamed of my legs anymore. Sure, they're white. Sure, my calves are larger than the average bear's. Sure I'll never be able to pull off some styles because of them.

But it's okay, because they're functional. They're very forgiving of the pounding I put them through by running. They go wherever I want them to, whenever I want them to. And they keep my feet attached to the rest of my body...which is good because I happen to like shoes. 

Anyway. This post is dedicated to you, legs o' mine. In all your winter-whitened glory. *clink & drink*

Happy Monday!

p.s. Has anyone else experienced a lifetime outlook change as a result of style/fashion blogging? Or reading blogs? Seriously, I'd love to hear.
p.p.s. If you're a modest style blogger, don't forget to click on "Modest Style Blogs" in my top navigation bar and follow the instructions...
p.p.p.s. Could this post's "goodbye" be any more drawn-out and awkward? Nope.

Want this look? Sweet. Simply stay indoors for 6 months, then shop the following: 

More Anthropologie...

here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo...)

Frame 1: First shot of the day. Whatevs. 

Frame 2: Whooooooaaahh! There's SUN here!

Frame 3: Charlie! Look! That's called "sunlight"...

shoes: don't recall. dress: gift/hand-me-down. cardigan: j.crew. belt: kohl's (skirt/belt combo). bracelet: forever21. flower: downeast basics. necklace: gift.

This week I'm grateful for (in no particular order):

- Optional leg-shaving because it's winter...won't be the case too much longer, and I'm sure I'll miss it.

- Reassurance.

- Sunshine...on my shoulder...makes me hap-pyyyyy. (John Denver)

- John Denver. No, seriously. Who doesn't love "Annie's Song" and "Rocky Mtn High" and others? And if you say you don't, I probably won't believe you.

- 75 MPH speed limits. And an unspoken Utah 5-MPH buffer. Although I've been trying to not take advantage of that, so I set the cruise control for just 3 MPH over the speed limit. Just look at my almost-law-abiding self.

- Ikea. Especially the frozen yogurt ice cream cones. Is it just me, or are those, like, super unexpectedly delicious? Just me? Fine. I'll eat yours...

- Hand-me-downs.

- My husband. Adorable and adored. Same goes for the kiddos.

- Evidences of mankind's goodness and humanity. Makes me tear up sometimes. People are so, well, good.

- God. I just really felt His love for me--plain, average, insignificant me--in some pretty special, specific ways this week. So beautiful. So humbling.

- Jogging again after a long winter's hiatus.

- Not having blisters.

Happy Sunday.

our ship has come in...and it's a raft made of toothpicks...

 shoes: candies brand. jeans: so bran. shirt: j.crew. necklace: don't recall. flower hairthing: handmade/gifted.

Pocket and I received an unexpected check in the mail. For $0.07. Yes, you read that right. 7 big ones. What wealth! What sheer and utter bounty! As you can imagine, we've already spent it a hundred, maybe a thousand, times in our minds. Sure, we could save it for the kids' college, but...what can I say, we're creatures of immediate gratification.

No, but, really. Hi, Mr. QA Inspector of the check-issuing department? Question for you: Shouldn't there be some sort of red flag alert where, if the amount of the check itself is 1/6th the cost of the postage required to mail it, then just forget the whole thing? Or at LEAST just send us 7 sour watermelon penny candies instead. Something useful or delicious.

As for myself, I can't wait to see the faces of the 9-to-5ers at the bank drive-thru as I cash out the loot. Hope they have enough in the vault to cover it. "I'd like that in small change, please." Maybe I'll say that with an English accent. With airs.

Okay. Moving on. But, really quick: I hope none of you are jealous of us. One day Karma will return equally good tidings to you as well. Patience, grasshopper.

Speaking of grasshoppers, what do you think of my shirt? [Editor's note: I seriously should not even attempt segways. Obviously. Exhibit A: That last one. Ouch.] I happen to love this shirt. It's a lightweight number, which means it feels nice and comfy and casual when I wear it, but with the hint of a cowl neck, it looks fancified.

Not that everything has to be either casual or fancy. A blend is nice, too. Which I think is my favorite Unexpected and Maybe Awesome part of this ensemble--there're enough hints of both sophisticated and girl-next-door that you don't know which way I'm headed. I like that. It's mysterious. Kind of like getting a 7-cent check in the mail. Actually, nope. Not quite that mysterious.

So. Dark wash skinny jeans (yep, wore these puppies yesterday. yep, will probably wear them just about every day for the rest of winter. yep, apparently I don't believe in hygiene. join me.), mustard top [Editor's note: For such an un-delicious condiment, it sure is a pretty color.], and simple chunky-heeled mary janes. I cuffed the jeans so you could appreciate the mary jane-ness, and I like how it adds a bit of whimsy. Especially paired with pearls.

Welp, I'm off to do some imaginary shopping. Can I get you anything?

Happy Tuesday.

Want this look? cowl tee   dark wash jeans   mary janes   faux pearls

More Forever 21...

Just a pleasant sabbath day...circa 1940

I love Lucy, anyone? At least, that's kinda what I felt like today. And loved every minute of it.

So here's the deal. I got this dress a few years back, and I love it because it appears very simple but it's got a lot going on. Like a thin black pinstripe, full skirt, full-front buttons, a matching sash belt, tuxedo-ish pleats on the bodice, and a demi collar. (Okay, actually, I've never even heard of a demi collar. TOTally made that word up, but can you see what I'm talking about? A collar that isn't really a collar? What's that called, anyway?) I've always worn the dress with the matching sash belt and called it good.

Not today, my friends. I needed COLOR today. So I pulled out my trusty cardigan-o'-brightness and, if that wasn't blinding enough, added a silky red sash for shine. And polka dots. And shine.

[Editor's note: I'm naturally built like a square. A big hunk-o-box in girl form -- no waist, no hips, no chest to speak of. So. I wear belts to pretend I have a girlish figure. Sometimes I worry that I'm just emphasizing the fact that I am, in fact, a box. But today I got over it and wore the belt anyway because, hey, box or no, who can resist a little polka dot action every now and then?]

Ahem. Anyway. In the true spirit of midcentury womens wear, I added a feminine pearl necklace. And the closest thing I had to a corsage. (Recognize the flower? I wore it in my hair here.) And some --surprise!--bracelets. Pull on some classic black houndstooth tights and my trusty chunky mary janes, and we're good to go.

[Editor's note: I feel like I owe you all an explanation about the shoes. I know chunky mary janes are out of "season" or whatever. But I have an especially soft spot in my heart for all things mary jane. Period. Including those with chunky heels and unsightly rounded toes. I've had these shoes for years and still love them. So scoff all you like, you fashion purists, but I wear them happily and will probably continue to do so for the next 23 years, much to the embarrassment of my kids. I hope.]

[Assistant Editor's note: The Editor can occasionally be a pompous windbag and was becoming such in the course of this post. I've sent her to the office kitchen to find a cake to nibble on while I wrap up here, which, without Editor, should take about two seconds.]

Happy Sunday.