a one-track mind...and a reorganized living room

 shoes: steve madden. skirt & belt: kohl's. shirt: j.crew. necklace: downeast basics. bracelet: forever21. watch: target.

This week, I'm grateful for:

- the fact that I can eat what I want, when I want at home and not worry that bears are going to come sniff me out.

- family vacations and camping (read more about it here if you'd like).

- beef jerky.

- hot showers and soap and shampoo and razors.

- waterproof tents.

- truckbeds.

- campfires...and getting to the point where you stink so bad that campfire smoke actually improves your self-aroma.

- watching kids get creative with playing outside all day every day, no electronics, no toys, no nothing but their own brains, some sticks, and siblings & cousins.

- national parks.

- mosquito deaths. Seriously. Each one is a victory for mankind.

- barbeques and game nights with friends who have kids who are friends with my kids.

Happy Sunday.

the blind leading the blind

 shoes: unionbay brand. shorts: gap (cutoff myself). shirt: j.crew. belt & bracelet: downeast basics (american eagle). watch: target.

You guys, sometimes I just can't take style too seriously. Like today. Nothing makes sense in this ensemble. Black stripes with blue? Bright red lips? Huge wrist jewelry with cutoffs (*love*) and an industrial nylon belt? It's like I walked toward my closet and reached blindly in, wearing whatever I touched first.

Not to offend the blind, mind you. Because by texture alone, this outfit raises more than one eyebrow and a handful of question marks. So.

Come to think of it, my method of getting dressed set the tone for the whole day today, actually--I prepared lunch approaching the fridge with the same, ah, carefree spirit... not surprisingly, I ended up with some pudding, a pickle, and a few shreds of cheese. Yummy...?

Some days are just like that, though. Full of pickles and a random yellow belt. And a pretty great 7-year-old's birthday celebration. Life is beautiful.

Happy Wednesday.

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sometimes i don't WANT to make lemonade...

 shoes, belt, & bracelets: forever21. skirt: thrifted. skirt extender: a slip shop. shirt: j.crew. watch: target. necklace: don't recall.

I apologize for this ensemble. Not much thought went into it or the pics. Why? Read on...

So, apparently a sprinkler pipe in our yard has been broken for a little while. Because our guest bedroom, which I went in yesterday to prepare for my parents' arrival at our house, had flooded. Not super badly (heaven knows plenty of people around here have it much, much worse in the flooding department this year), but enough that our only option was to pull up the carpet and borrow about 14 enormous fans to try to dry everything out.

Guess what smells worse than wet carpet? You might think "a gassy dog" or "dairy farms" or "burnt coffee cake batter" (don't ask), and those things are very, ah, aromatically disturbing. But the answer I'm looking for is actually "very very wet carpet." Bingo. I know this first-hand. Look into my tired, bloodshot eyes and see my wrinkled nose and believe.

Sighhhh... Our house flooded big-time two years ago while we were on vacation, and my husband and I have since had a knee-jerk aversion to water. This recent indoor swimming pool brings back all sorts of memories.

You know, sometimes we come to a crossroads in life, where the decision made will affect the rest of our lives. This is one of them: from here on out, I'll hydrate my children, and lawn, with hand-poured teaspoonfuls of gatorade. If you need me, I'll be out front, watering our square foot of grass.

Happy Thursday...?

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a monkey in zebra's clothing...

 I almost didn't get dressed today, because it's going to get hot. Then I thought that all you peeps should be able to see an outfit that, although ineligible for any ground-breaking style awards, is perfect for a hot day at the zoo. So. Here.

 shoes & jewelry: forever21. shorts: american eagle. shirt: j.crew. watch: target. ribbon belt: my daughter's hair accessories box.

 I've been doing Jillian Michaels' ripped-in-30 or whatever workouts. And I'm out of shape and sore. Which is why I had to stretch to do a flexing photo. Worth it? Nope. But here you go anyway:

It's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: (maybe) odd style-related things I like.

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping? Yes. Previously, I mostly shopped clearance racks for whatever was cheap--like basic solid tees. Now I gravitate toward more prints, color, and stuff with unique detail. I'll pay more for something that fits well and that I love, because I'll actually wear it. (Unlike that floral muu-muu gathering mothballs in my dresser that was, like, $3. Worst $3 ever spent...)

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that? Not necessarily. I notice that lots of times, moms (including myself) get into a style rut of, like, capris and tees and flip-flops during the summer. I try not to do that. But I have family and friends who are super stylish and also others who could care less, so I say to each his own and love 'em for it...as long as they share me a slice of their fruit pizza.

3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it? Stripes or bold color chunks in hair (including feathers), when tastefully done. I think it's funky and fun...but I'm way too old for it.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do? Large-scale neon color blocking. Yipes.

5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices? Love how Elaine wears totally "normal" stuff but in a unique, chic way. And Suze for her fearless color choices.

Happy Friday!

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red: a neutralizer or distraction? discuss...

Wow, it's only Day 3 and I'm already getting lame with the rhymes. Dah well.

 shoes: converse brand. skirt: american eagle. shirt: j.crew. sash: off a shirt from downeast basics. necklace: handmade by daughter with keychain pendant from an eiffel tower souvenier shop in paris.

I love this shirt. Love the snaps on the sleeves. Love the neckline. Love the weight and fit of the fabric. Love it all.

Wanna know a secret? C'mere. Closer...closerrrrrrr... This shirt is cream-based, and the skirt is white-based. I have always--ALWAYS--had a thing for keeping those two separate. Combining them is like drinking orange juice or eating sour patch kids right after brushing your teeth. (Guess which activity loses out almost every time around here?) (Wait, don't guess. It's alarming how well you guys are already acquainted with my limited dental hygiene habits...) (Okay, so that's not exactly true. I sure don't floss like a champ, but I brush my teeth! Faithfully! Often! I swear!)

[Editor's note: Um, the Punctuation Police called and said they're running out of parentheses and exclamation marks. Easy does it.]

(psssst...Editor...the Jerk Store called and said they're running out of YOU!)

And if you've never watched Seinfeld and/or are unacquainted with the fabulous fictional character that is George Costanza, you won't understand that last parenthetical aside. And also? My heart bleeds for you.

So. Cream, meet white. White, cream. Let's throw in a pop o' red and call it a day, shall we?

Happy Wednesday.

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