does this skirt make me look domestic?

 shoes: steve madden. skirt: secondhand (old navy, but then altered by moi). shirt: gift/vintage. belt: forever21.

p.s. [Editor's note: Technically that stands for "post script," but I'm taking artistic license here and saying it stands for "pre script." Don't try this at home, though, kids. I'm a professional.] This skirt used to be this skirt, but because of its previous awkward/unflattering/frumpy length, and because I've worn it only once (ONCE!) since doing this blog, I re-hemmed it today to make it knee-length. I've been wanting a knee-length denim skirt (aside from my more formal denim pencil skirt) for a long time, and I think I'll get more mileage out of it this way. So. Pat me on the back and give me a popsicle, I guess.

This week I'm grateful for:

- classic (albeit cheesy) movies like "The Music Man" that I can and do start introducing to my children.
- a husband who comes home from a 2.5-day fishing trip unshaven, fulfilled, and happy to be home. And who also didn't get mauled by a mama bear when he & the guys spied a lone grizzly cub on the trail. Yipes...
- Campbell's chicken noodle soup for lunch. My kids love it. And I love Ms. Campbell for creating it. It's mmm-mmm-easy.
- Internet.
- Internet shopping.
- craigslist scores and the reupholstering/refinishing projects that ensue.
- having cute kids and taking the time to notice and appreciate their cuteness.
- chips-and-salsa as a snack.
- dishwashers. Specifically, mine.
- freshly shaved legs.
- my husband's employment.
- living in peace and (globally relative) prosperity. Believing in God. Enjoying good health. Being free. I'm so humbled to be so blessed.

Happy Sunday.

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.

Luke, I'm not your father.

 shoes: steve madden. cutoffs: express. undershirt: downeast basics. shirt: american eagle. bracelet: forever21.

Jumping-off point for this ensemble was the fact that I'd shaved my legs. Plus it was hot. Got ourselves a two-fer in the Why I Will Wear Shorts Today department. The only protest, as far as I could tell, is the fact that my legs are a pale shade of white that hovers uncomfortably between "ghost" and "dead."

To which protestations I say: Bring on the death march then. And also fame, because I'm pretty sure my legs inspired the pasty makeup job of Darth Vadar's mask-removed face near the end of Return of the Jedi. Which, in my humble opinion, was and remains the best Star Wars movie of them all. Mostly because the ewoks are cute. And Jabba the Hut is can't-look-away revolting.

I sound like a Trekkie, don't I. Er, not a "trekkie," actually, but rather I sound like whatever the name would be for the Star Wars version of an obsessed fanatic. I'm really not, and the fact that I have no intergalactic name for myself, or accompanying powers, proves it.

And, although I may or may not use the quote, "Do or do not; there is no try" on a weekly basis in casual conversation, I can safely assure you that it's almost always in reference to my hearty consumption of entire bags of pnut m&ms...

Happy Monday.

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layered like an onion. a 1-layered onion, sure, but an onion nonetheless...

 shoes: steve madden. dress & necklace: forever21. belt: kohl's. shirt: eddie bauer (?). watch: target. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: hawaii.

My brain is still on vacation. And by "vacation" I of course mean "absent and/or scattered and/or eating cotton candy." Remember those one posters from the 90s, "this is your brain, this is your brain on drugs"? I don't actually remember more than that on the posters, 'cept eggs were involved somehow. And maybe bacon.

Speaking of...my husband loves bacon. Personally, I could live without it, mostly because whenever I cook it, my house reeks of 1-, 2-, and 3-day-old bacon stench. Which, if you've never experienced it, isn't something to live for. Unless you're my husband and son. Then, by all means, feel free to build a life's motto around the wrinkly crinkly strips of meat-speckled-fat somehow. And I'll stitch your words onto a pillow. After I learn to stitch.

Know what I don't need to learn anymore? This: despite their festive and brightly colored plastic coverings, hot glue guns are not kidding around about the "hot" part of their name. Three blisters later, this girl's got herself some serious Life's-Lessons-turned-Motivational-Speech fodder. Bring on the auditoriums full of impressionable youth; they'll learn from me and believe. Booyah.

Happy Wednesday.

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Just like they say in German: donkey-shins.

  shoes: steve madden. skirt & shirt: gap. skirt extender: a slip shop. cardigan: don't recall (more than a decade old). turquoise necklace: forever21. silver necklace: earned.

I felt brighter/springier/fresher in this ensemble than these photos reflect. That's kind of becoming a pattern for me. Maybe I'm in denial about how my outfits actually come together? Hmm...

This week I'm grateful for:

- primary kids (3-12 years old) singing their hearts out.

- spending quality time with my husband. Like, one night we sat talking and looking out our living room windows at dusk after tucking the kids in...and before we both knew it, it was well into night-time. He makes me laugh and understands me and doesn't judge me and is my best friend. So cheesy, I know, and you can all roll your eyes, but in this weekly gratitude list, it must be said. 

- electric beaters.

- food from a box that, actually, turns out delicious. Okay, fine, edible.

- an 80-cents-off-a-gallon surprise coupon at the gas pump.

- jogging.

- sometimes not jogging.

- my kids when they don't talk rudely. These moments are becoming sparser these days, so I'm particularly grateful when they do happen.

- the temple.

- big dreams.

- going to bed by 10:30 p.m. instead of 3:30 a.m.

- homemade oreos.

- house slippers.

- when my daughter compliments me, several times, on how "nice" or "cute" I look that day.

- creative outlets, like this blog and home design projects and grantwriting.

Happy Sunday!

springtime mourning...

 shoes: steve madden. maxi dress: gift. shirt: american eagle. belt & bracelet: forever21. necklace: downeast basics.

  

Some of you are in the throes of springtime. I'm super happy for you* [Editor's note: "*" = a total lie.], but I have to be frank: where I live, spring is about as close as discovering life on Mars.

Which isn't to say it won't ever happen -- didn't they find a form of water or gaseous substance that could potentially host some type of lifeform there? Or was that the moon? And what's with allsofasudden demoting Pluto from planet status to ex-planet status? I know it's old news, but still. Makes my heart hurt a little bit when I think of all the awesome 9-planet solar system mobiles I used to make in Science class, with cute little teensy tiny Pluto out in no-man's-land.

And when I say "all the mobiles," I of course mean one. I made one. I think. Plus a saweet baking-soda-vinegar exploding volcano, though, so don't think I was a Science class flunkie.

ANYway, my point is: the arrival spring in northern Utah isn't absolutely out of the question, but it sure doesn't look promising to happen in my lifetime. So. While the rest of the world flaunts their probably brightly-colored maxi dresses today (see what I'm talking about here), I wear black (accessorized only with spring-appropriate knick-knacks) and mourn the loss of a season that never will be.

Poor Spring. I bet, had she existed, she would've made quite the mark in the world. Probably would've played Varsity soccer and made a 3.8 and had her pick of of Ivy League schools. Then she would've turned them all down to follow her dream, enrolling in a small culinary school in Arkansas and buying a lime green VW beetle from which she would blast the Mamas & the Papas every morning on her way to her Yoga in the Park at Sunrise class.

Sighhh... So. Be kind. My Spring-less heart is in mourning.

Happy Tuesday.

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Check out how others styled their maxi dresses here: 

H is for high-waist and hypocrite. meh.

 shoes: steve madden. pants & shirt: thrifted. belt: forever21. turquoise bracelet: Burntsiena Designs. all other jewelry: don't recall. flower hairclip: downeast basics.

Photos taken by my 6- and 5-year-old kids. Enough said. 

High-waist it up, dudes. And pleats to boot. Two things I deplore in mens pantswear, yet I throw these babies on with gusto and wear them happily. Some would call that hypocritical. Some also say that p-nut m&ms shouldn't be consumed on the daily and that getting four Jane Austen movies from the library would be borderline "obsessive." Ooops. Stitch me up a red-letter H, I guess.

So. Jumping-off point for today's ensemble was these pants, which I haven't worn since I thrifted them a couple of months ago in a fit of glee and a dance of joy in the aisle of D.I. (taking my chances that the security cameras, if any, were turned away from that particular spot in the store at that particular moment). Needed a fitted shirt to balance the voluminous-ness of the pants. Throw on some wedges (because it's spring...kind of) and random jewelry. Done and done.

As for the hair you see above: I dunno, guys. Not sold on it, although it was pretty easy to do, and it's off my neck without being in a ponytail. Man, I need a haircut. Bad. For every hair root in my scalp, there are about 18 split ends. Which is so pretty, I know. What can I say, I'm that kind of girl.

Know what else kinda girl I am? The kind who makes her kids eat their vegetables at dinner then sneaks ice cream with her husband after said kids' bedtime. Heh. Judge me.

Happy Thursday.

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it's the final countdown (cue 80s synthesizer: dihdle-EE-duh, dihdle-EE-dih-duhhh...)

Mission: Accomplished. It's with mixed emotion that I've approached today. On one hand, I'm ecstatic that it's over. On the other, I'm giddy.

I'm going to title the next photo sequence: Fidgety.

 shoes: steve madden. knee-high socks: don't recall. skirt: kohl's. black shirt: thrifted. striped sweater: american eagle outfitters. belt: forever21.

Next photo sequence: Gid-Kid.

I kind of think this outfit falls brutally short, and while part of me wants to end the 30x30 challenge on a high note, the other 110% of me (a) doesn't want to do laundry just to retrieve some other items that would've worked better, (b) can hardly contain myself because Pocket gets home from his DC work trip today, and (c) is completely okay with being a little off. It just proves I'm a normal human being (albeit a quirky one...).

So. On an unrelated note, I decided that wearing platform shoes of any kind while it's snow-raining (snaining? bingo.) is brilliant because one's foot is an inch above the ground and, therefore, has a high likelihood of staying dry throughout a sploshy toddler-juggling sludge through the grocery store parking lot.

I didn't want to go grocery shopping today, mind you. I wanted to stay nice and warm and dry in my bed and watch HGTV all day while my kids entertained themselves and the dog. But I've developed an unfortunate habit of running out of food while Pocket's gone. "Dinnertime, kids! Cornflakes and celery tonight! Go easy on the milk...we have exactly 1 tablespoon for everyone. That'll double as dessert, too. Enjoy!"

Actually I think a mother (*coughmecough*) should earn bonus points for being able to keep all her children alive on crumbs and apple peels for four days. Sure, I could've gone shopping, but what's the fun in that? I tend to get creative when I'm limited. Like, how else could I have discovered that craisins on toast would make a delicious snack? (Disclaimer: I don't actually know if it would; it was going to be today's snack had I not gotten groceries. But if you want to give it a try and let me know, by all means...) It's kind of like doing the 30x30 challenge--'cept someone could actually die doing the 30x30, so you've gotta be careful...

Happy HAPPY Thursday.

p.s. I added a shiny new feature at the top of my homepage. Check it out and let me know if you're interested in being added.

p.p.s. I really did learn some good things while doing this 30x30 challenge, and I'll expand on that tomorrow during my recap post.

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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.

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i don't think they're calling me mellow yellow (that's right)...

 shoes: steve madden. socks: smiths marketplace. skirt & cardigan: j.crew. shirt: gap. scarf: forever21. flower hairclip: downeast outfitters.

I dunno, guys. I was totally uninspired today by my 30x30 items this morning, lounging lazily in my closet and doing their best to ignore me. I feel like I've made all the obvious matches, you know? So bear with me over the next two weeks, as the UNobvious becomes the everyday. But the good news (for all of us) is that, as day 15, the glass is half done.

So. Non-inspiration typically equates to either totally mundane or...how do I put it...totally odd. Heh. Guess what I went for today. I'm commiting all sorts of fashion faux paus here--t-shirt with pencil skirt, socks with sandals, two bright & bold patterns competing with each other, not to mention the socially-unacceptable exposure of pasty-white knees. Meh. I'm not even fazed, though. That's what happens when I eat too much sugar the day before. I turn into a rebel without a clue.

Speaking of Tom Petty lyrics...does anyone else just LOVE the song "free falling"? A timeless classic, if you ask me. (Which you didn't, but I'm the one typing here, so I can pretend anything I want.) When I'm jogging and Free Falling comes around on my playlist, I get a huge (probably psycho) smile on my face, bee-bop of my head, and rhythm to my stride. Basically, for about 3 minutes, I become an oblivious one-woman circus bopping along the side of the road. But a themed Free Fallin' circus. Which HAS to be better than any Barnum & Bailey number. 'Cept the elephants. That's a definite feather in their cap.

[Editor's note: I almost made a joke that compared my thighs to an elephant's. But, although potentially mildly humorous, it's rude, even (especially?) coming from oneself. So I didn't. I'm just learning to fly, guys.] [Assistant Editor's note: If you're unfamiliar with Tom Petty, you should probably just ignore this entire post. We apologize for the decade-specific references. It's the last dance with Mary Jane, I promise.]

Breaking rules or no, I feel a bit Unexpected and Maybe Awesome today. Hope you do, too.
Happy Tuesday!

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a joyful heart. a candy-filled mouth.

(This number match would've been PERFECT if I only had a hairier back. And jaggedy shins...)

shoes: steve madden. leggings: don't recall. skirt & striped shirt: gap. floral shirt: f21. bracelet: downeast outfitters. earrings: hawaii.

 Sorry about allllllll the photos today...I was editing and chatting at the same time and didn't realize how many photos I'd done. Thus...one bazillion pics of yours truly. Best day of your life, I know. You're welcome.

So, there's snow outside. Just a wee bit, though, on a few sidewalks. [Editor's note: Can I use words like "wee" even if I'm not Irish? or Scottish? Discuss, but only in brogue accents.] And, although this footwear would indeed fall under the "sandal" category, I think the designers secretly had snow in mind. See the platform? Yep. Like snowshoes to keep my toes out of the snow. Brilliant.

This outfit is kinda everywhere at once. Floral & stripes, button-up and henley tee, pencil skirt and chunky bracelet, crazy patterned leggings and gladiator wedges...really, today there's no method to my madness. But I think it's Unexpected and Maybe Awesome.

And actually, if you were to peek into my soul today, you'd find an equally...um...varied array of emotion. I'm content, somber, wild, flighty, giddy, focused, and, above all, joyful. Despite the fact that my puppy broke my favorite watch yesterday. And the fact that my darling 4-year-old has missplaced (no doubt forever) one of her new ballet slippers. And the fact that my heart and thoughts rarely stray from Pocket's grampa, fighting for his life, and gramma, watching her beloved fight for his life.

There is sadness and fear and awfulness in my world at times. But the fact remains that last night my little family laughed until we cried. And all three kidlets now love Charlie the puppy. (Our 4-year-old has been struggling since we got Charlie last October. And when I say "struggling," what I really mean is "petrified" and "expressed in 180-decibel paranoid screams if the dog so much as glanced her way.") And we played and hung out and created a golden glow of warmth and home even in a fluorescent-bulbed basement (not exactly the coziest of lighting devices; I think we'll be switching back. Don't tell the Green Police on me. At least not til after taxes...).

Anyways. Despite its ups and downs and in-between plateaus, life is delicious and lovely. And I wanted today's ensemble to reflect that. Now if only the buttons were edible hunks o' chocolate...

Happy Wednesday.

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a barbie by any other name (not even 2nd cousin "barb") wouldn't smell as sweet.

Contrary to popular belief, the number two isn't as easy to replicate as it might seem. Don't tell me you haven't discussed this with at least three of your closest friends, either.

shoes: steve madden. jeans & striped sweater: american eagle outfitters. shirt: j.crew. watch: target. earrings: hawaii. flower barrette: forever 21.

A few days ago I was playing barbies with my 4-year-old, and the pillow was Mermaid Rock, and the barbies were going to have a party there. My barbie tried to get the party started by getting her groove on (she has some sweet dance moves. like me. I could rock a dance floor. and have. and will again.) [Editor's note: Which would all be absolutely true if I wasn't lying...]

Anyway. Layla's barbie politely informed mine that, "Sorry, we don't dance at this party."
Mine: "Oh. Okay." [Long, awkward barbie pause.] "Soooo...what do we do?"
Layla: "Um, I dunno. Talk about gowns?"

So that's exactly how our barbies partied. In fake high-pitched southern drawls that, coincidentally, my daughter and I both naturally use for barbie's default voice-over.

Fast-forward to my hot date with late-night TV last night (sure missing Pocket around here. Especially when I remembered, too late, that today's garbage day and I didn't take the trash out.) and an old episode of What Not To Wear, when someone quoted Coco Chanel as saying something to the effect of, "When you get dressed, put everything on, then take one thing off."

I have no idea if this is true or not. But I will say this: I almost busted out a necklace with today's ensemble, but then I didn't. I think Coco would be proud. In fact, her people totally called my people today to express just such a sentiment. FINE, they didn't. But they wanted to, I just know it. Regardless, you all can start calling me Brittbritt. In high-pitched accents. Obviously.

Happy Wednesday!

How I last wore these pieces: boyfriend jeans, striped sweater, mustard shirt.

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