post-camping, a mascara wand looks pretty fancy...

 shoes: thrifted. reversible skirt: gap. shirt: j.crew. belt: husband's. hair barrettes: don't recall. watch: target.

 Please notice which shoes are on which feet on my 2-year-old below. She dresses herself, p.s. In a word: colorful. :)

Hey guys, I'm back from the camping trip. It was awesome on many levels and un-hygienic on many others. Amazing to me how, at the first footfall into campground territory, I'm all about the 18-second-rule for eating off the ground, letting (who am I kidding...encouraging) my kids to pee on trees, and feeling incredibly refreshed after using a single baby wipe as a daily shower. But I'm back, my washer & dryer have been running full-tilt since Wednesday night, and I'm making up for some serious unbrushed teeth time.

Anywho, more on my disgusting camp habits later. (You're welcome.) It's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: Locational Influences.

1. What part of the world do you blog from? Utah, in the United States.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say? I'd say that, overall, people dress conservatively. And, for most, a few years "behind."

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold? I feel like I dress conservatively but with flair and/or unique style. So I fit in but don't blend in, if that makes sense.

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve? Not really. I've traveled a couple of times in Europe and different states in the U.S. and pack more for weather or travel itinerary than for "fitting in." I don't buy clothes that are otherwise abnormal for me just for a trip, in other words.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be? Okay, this is probably totally lame, but I'd say Twisp, Oregon. It's this dinky little town we drove through once on a family trip when I was little, but the town was totally unique and proud of every last square inch of itself, if my memory serves correctly. There. Hard question. But fun to think about.

Happy Friday!

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"mom, I found an owie for my bandaid!!" phew. I was worried.

 shoes: thrifted. shorts: gap (and, ahem, modified). shirt: american eagle. earrings: gift/handmade. makeup: NONE.

I spent all day yesterday in the throes of domesticity. Meaning I sewed together some denim squares (that my mom cut out) into quiltishness. Meaning I made dinner from scratch (bacon and eggs and toast). Meaning I transferred one load of laundry from washer to dryer (not folded yet, but still.). Meaning that when the kids and I built awesomeness out of blocks in the basement I thought about enforcing a pick-up time (but then didn't). Meaning I showered (at 3 p.m.).

Not to brag, but I think this proves that I've got the whole keep-house-and-raise-children thing down pat. Next thing you know, I'll be vacuuming the stairs and combing my girls' hair on the same day. I know, I know. Easy there, tiger. But a girl's got to have goals.

In the meantime, you'll find me honing my how-to-get-your-kid-to-take-naps skills. Which isn't as hard as some child-development experts make it seem. I've found that it merely involves: Me. Taking a nap.

Happy Thursday!

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what I wear when I don't want to get dressed

Disclaimer: I almost didn't get dressed today at all. We're talking about my being that weird-flannel-pants-lady headed out to the mailbox at 3 p.m. You know the type; surely your neighborhood has one. And why was I so close to that abysmal mentality? Because I didn't want to get "dressed" for this blog.

 shoes: thrifted. jeans: vintage (american eagle). shirt: utah state university. cardigan: gap. necklace: forever21. watch: target. earrings: hawaii.

 THEN I remembered that this blog is to document what I wear in my, a stay-at-home-mom's, normal everyday life. So here you have it. Alma mater tee, unmatched cardigan, some camo wedges, and hardly any accessorization or makeup. Judge me. But man I'm comfortable. And it's a step up from flannel pants. A 2" step, sure, but a step nonetheless...

 And also, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: What I pack to take on vacation. Having just come back from such a trip, these questions were easy-peasy for me.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra? Less is more. And also: Be prepared. Those two are kinda hard to combine, especially when packing for a family of 5. But still. I try.

2. What are your must packs? Toothpaste, diapers & wipes (welcome to the life of a mother), and at least 1 pair of jeans, no matter where I'm headed. I should probably say "deodorant" or something reassuring here, too, in case any of you want to vacation with me sometime. Unfortunately, I make no guarantees about that...

3. What are you happy to leave behind? The computer, oddly enough. And a clean house to come home to. I think I get that from my mom--the house has to be tidy before I can leave.

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase? I choose layering pieces that can go either warm- or cold-weather. Like lightweight cardigans, jeans (that can be cuffed), short sleeves. I don't skimp on clean underwear, though. I'll gladly wear a dirty tee twice before I double-dip on the undies.

5. Beach reading… what are you taking with you to read in the sand? Whatever light reading I'm into. "Mental bubble gum" books that I don't have to think too hard to read and that I can easily hold up with one hand. Hello, convenience of the Kindle.

Happy Friday!

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mission: impossible

Hi! If you're new to my blog: Welcome! No, seriously, I'm glad you came by; I hope you come back often. In fact, I'm going to try to permanently endear myself to you in the classic manner that I first attracted and endeared myself to Pocket: The Wink. 

'Cept I forgot to mention...I can't wink (no kidding). And I didn't endear myself to Pocket by attempting it. It's actually by sheer stars alignment (coupled with his poor eyesight) that he ever spoke to me in the first place, let alone tears-streaming-down-his-face-begged* me to marry him.

(* Maybe an ever-so-slight exaggeration. But maybe not.)

shoes: thrifted. jeans: kohl's. cowl neck shirt: j. crew. striped tunic & belt: forever21. watch: target. earrings: gift.

I have to apologize: sometimes, despite being 31 years mature, I get in silly moods. Today is one of those times. I blame it wholeheartedly on these adorably-8th-grade camo wedges -- they're bringing out the craziness that I usually keep silenced with ample supplies of pnut m&ms and Dumas. But I've been trying to consume less junk these days (with questionable success) (and by "questionable" I of course mean "zero"), and I haven't been reading as much as I'd like. I'm afraid what you see here is the result.

Inspired by the camoflauge on my shoes (which, I'm sorry, but I think camo is just a fantastic print), I attempted acting out a stealth mission in the last photo sequence above. Note the binocs. Note the "blending in" with the natural surroundings. Note, again, the binocs.

Okay, so I actually don't know that much about stealth missions. I kiiiiiind of ran out of ideas after the first two shots. But this much I do know: I nailed it with the striped tunic as uniform, particularly if your stealth mission involves zebras...lying sideways...

Happy Wednesday.

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