An Abstract Print Dress and an Award

It should be a crime, wearing a knit drawstring-waist of a pajamas-esque maxi dress out in public. But it isn't. So I'm still an upstanding citizen...the dang comfiest citizen ever. Yessss.

 

mary jane heels: Mudd brand

abstract print dress: Gap

 cardigan: J. Crew

 

I was nominated by cute Kimberly for a Liebster Award, and I'm totally honored. To receive said award, I'm supposed to spill a little about myself. Here are ten random facts about me:

 

1. I have six brothers and three sisters. One sister died as an infant; I've never met her.

 

2. I was deathly afraid of being kidnapped as a kid.

 

3. My eyes squint and look like they're closed when I smile big and/or laugh.

 

4. I discovered I'm not a pet person...shortly after having a pet.

 

5. I'm addicted to sugar. Other than that, I actually eat pretty healthily.

 

6. There are no fewer than three (and probably many more) times in my life when I almost literally died of mortification. The memories make me blush now, decades later.

 

7. I secretly want to author a book but feel like I have nothing to say.

 

8. I have five pierced holes in my ears from my younger years but now only wear earrings in two because the LDS prophet said to. And, deep down, I miss those three other earrings.

 

9. Geez, I have no idea. Ummm...I love steak. Medium-rare.

 

10. I fall asleep to late-night movies but can read all night.

 

 

Okay, so now that we're BFFs (and/or you're weirded out by me and are never visiting this slice of the cybersphere again), here are my answers to Kimberly's questions:

 

1. What was the best birthday celebration you've ever had?

My birthday is on Christmas Eve, which is every bit as big a bummer as it sounds, with so many other things going on at that time of year and on that day. I'm okay with it now, but growing up with this birthday was the worst! 

 

2. What is one thing you can't leave the house without doing (excluding using the bathroom)?

Putting on shoes. And, yes, slippers count as shoes when I drive the kids to school.

 

3. If you were a kid, what would you dress up as for Halloween?

As a kid, I usually went with the easiest possible costumes - cowgirl, farmgirl, hobo(girl). Flannel shirt and jeans/overalls, BAM. Done. I'd probably do the same. Because I'm exciting like that.

 

4. All time favorite song, ever?

How Wonderful Life Is (That You're in the World), by Elton John

In My Dreams, by REO Speedwagon

and many songs by Pink Floyd

 

5. When you get home, do you stay in your outfit from being out/running errands/working or do you change into something cozy?

I'm like that law of physics - Once dressed, I stay dressed until something forces me to change. That's usually either exercise or bedtime. But, let's be honest, bedtime.

 

6. Name one makeup product (including the brand!) that you can't live without and tell us why.

I can live without makeup pretty easily. (Hello, family camping trips.) But for the sake of argument, I love waterproof mascara. Cover Girl.

 

7. What's your biggest pet peeve?

When people are on their phones in public for lengthy periods of time and completely ignoring their kids. Makes me sad for the kids.

 

8. Favorite junk food?

Yes.

 

9. What is your most worn piece of clothing?

Pajamas. And jeans.

 

10. Favorite blog?

Little Green Notebook.

 

11. Tell us a guilty habit!

Reading a good book until it's finished, even if my house is a disaster and a meal needs to happen.

 

 

 Thanks again, Kimberly. That was fun!

{shared: Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde}

knee-length dress no matter where the belt's placed

I'm on the fence about wearing a belt at this stage in the pregnancy game.

 I've long since jumped a different fence and have run waddled a mile up the nearby hill, though, about turquoise jewelry. Love it. Amen.

boots: kohl's. slip: a slip shop. linen dress: paris, france. cardigan: j.crew. belt & necklace: forever21.

I know. My hair here is, like, 2 generational inches shy of beehivehood. All I can think about when I see these photos is that one Seinfeld episode where the lady physical therapist has "old-fashioned" hair, and everyone makes fun of it except Kramer, who totally encourages her to keep it that way. I think I might be that girl, 'cept without the medical training. Or Kramer.

I learned that heeled shoes aren't that fun to wear for 4 hours when one's body is off-balance. But what IS fun is hiding some snags in the knees of one's tights with an exposed slip. It's like a little game with the universe in which, at any given moment, you're totally winning. Which, in turn, is comparable to eating the en.ti.re. box of chocolates in one sitting so that you won't be tempted by them later. Hah! Joke's on you, Cosmos.

Happy Wednesday.

p.s. For those of you tired of and/or unable to relate to a maternity-centered style blog, I promise I will post soon about some projects I'm working on. In the meantime...belly's up.

similar linen-ish stuff (maternity and regular):

More Gap...

simple & functional...but probably not award-winning.

I'm really into simplifying lately, which includes my clothing. I hope the next few weeks/months don't offend you guys as I head back to the basics in my personal expression of style. Fewer pieces and less in-your-face accessorization. Who knows how long this little self-trend will last...but hang out with me for the duration, will you? Thanks.

 shoes: american eagle outfitters. skirt: sonoma. shirt: gift. cardigan: j.crew. earrings: hawaii.

I'd also like to apologize for my lack of posting for the past couple of days. My husband has left on business, sickness has struck our household, my 2-year-old randomly hasn't been able to walk for 36 hours and may have broken her leg, my 6-year-old has huge road rash, the weather changes from warm/cold/sunny/rainy/hailing pretty much hourly, despite my best efforts to be responsible I ended up inadvertently dropping the ball and making others suffer for it, and I haven't slept for more than 2 hours at one time for at least a week.

I don't think I'm anything special here--we all have weeks like this, don't we? (Please say "yes," or I'll cry, which would probably make my congested head explode with pressure...) Regardless, I'm still grateful for stuff. Like:

- friends who have kids who are friends with my kids. Getting together is not only fun, but highly convenient for everyone. And I am a convenience junkie.

- when my sinuses quietly go about doing their job. They're on strike (angry, picketing, yelling, barn-burning strike) this week, apparently, which makes me a wee bit nostalgic for yesteryear...

- simplicity.

- my husband. Everything about him.

- my kids, who try so hard to be good and who are so patient with me when I'm not patient with them.

- soft foods that sore throats can swallow. Like pudding and almost-soggy cereal and water.

- having a pediatric nurse for a sister.

- people who are so nice to help me when I really don't deserve it.

- de-junking. Feels so good.

- the fact that $3.18 spent at a dollar store will buy hours (and counting) of pleasure for three kid-hearts.

- the great outdoors.

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!

excuse me, sir, but may i take a nap on this park bench?

No matter how much sleep I get the night before, if I'm wearing a maxi dress, I feel like taking a nap. Who's with me?

 sandals, dress, & necklace: forever21. cardigan: j.crew. bracelet: hawaii. coverage tank: motherhood maternity.

If there ever was an item of clothing that said, "Go ahead, eat anything you want and don't worry your ever-plumpening head about it for one second," the maxi dress is it. Complete with an empire (non)waist and some tie-dye (the epitome of comfort), it's a recipe for a beautifully fattening disaster. And by "disaster" I of course mean strawberry shortcake and BBQ ribs. For starters.

My free-to-expand belly is happy. My stopwatch-holding, whistle-blowing, lap-calculating running coach of a brain is not. I think she's going to make me run extra laps this week, just to teach me a lesson. Curses.

But I can't help it. Tie-dye is calling to me lately. And when something calls to me, in publically acceptable pajama-ness such as is embodied within the garment that is the maxi dress (didja catch all that? if not, read it again. it's beautiful.), I answer. Not only answer...I shoot my arm up to the sky, wave it around, and scream "PICK ME PICK ME PICK MEEEEE!!!"

Happy Thursday.

p.s. What's the age limit for wearing braids in one's hair? Because I think I'm defying it. Which isn't necessarily a good thing. But I don't see myself stopping anytime soon...

Want this look? Pull down your covers, shop below, then hop into bed!

More Forever 21...

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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how to wear a satin shirt on a Wednesday

 shoes: mudd brand. pants: gap. shirt & belt: kohl's. cradigan: j.crew. watch: target. earrings: open jewelry market in hawaii.

So, it snowed last night. Multiple inches' worth. Raise your hand if you think I was happy about that little discovery. If your hand is raised, take this opportunity of fingers-near-head proximity to flick yourself in the forehead, because you're WRONG. Snow snow go away.

Can I just say, for the record, that I love this shirt? The collar is among my favorite collars of all time, and the sheen and color are so sweet yet sophisticated. (My daughters loooove the very most assuredly authentic "diamond" buttons.) But here's the deal: for some inexplicable reason, I don't wear it that much. I always think of it as too "fancy" for everyday wear, for me anyway. And it's an odd length that makes a to-tuck-or-not-to-tuck-that-is-the-question decision frustrating.

But it was today's jumping-off point, simply because I haven't worn it too much. I needed it to be appropriate weekday attire, so I picked other pretty casual items. Like these ooooold wide-leg pants and simple cardigan and nudish mary janes. (I like how my feet just kind of disappear in this ensemble--Unexpected & Maybe Awesome.)

I added the wide slightly-formal pinstripe belt to serve as kind of a mediator between simple and schmancy here. I like how it turned out. A perfect ensemble for performing a vehement snow-melt dance, which I may or may not be doing every hour on the hour today. I'll never tell, but if the snow mysteriously disappears from my lawn before everyone else's, it won't be a coincidence. I'm just sayin'.

Happy Wednesday.

Want this look? Sweet. Bust out your snow-removal dance moves, then shop below:

More Forever 21...

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...

Does this dress make me look fat? (Correct answer: Actually yes. Yes it does.)

 Sorry about yesterday's lack of post. No, really. I'm sorry. Mostly sorry for myself, though, because now I have to actually figure out today's date (previously, the date = my 30x30 number). My poor brain. Hey, don't roll your eyes at me. These little things add up, people.

 shoes: union bay brand. tights & jewelry: don't recall. leg warmers: amazon. dress: gap. belt: thrifted. cardigan: j.crew.

This week I'm grateful for:

- paint rollers.

- beautiful blue sky peeking through the snow-laden branches of barren trees.

- a 2-year-old's trying to find her sister and calling out: "wheh IS you?"

- windows from which I can watch my children playing in the snow. Should I have been out there playing with them? Probably. But I'm the one who kicked them out into the "fresh air" in the first place, so I'll score myself a half-a-point in the Mothering Department. And anyways, we all enjoyed some hot cocoa afterward, so that gives me another half-a-point...right?

- the children's book Olivia. Don't think I could get sick of reading that one to the kiddos. And believe you me, I would've been sick of it by now.

- a mr.-fix-it husband. Who would vehemently deny the title. But it's true.

- our home.

- snickerdoodles.

- family & friends. Sounds totally cliche, doesn't it? Like, you're probably skimming by now and are thinking, "blah blah, family friends big whoop reeeeal original." Or, actually, you're probably not even giving it that much thought. Regardless of how stale it sounds, I couldn't mean it more genuinely.

- my cell phone.

- simple things.
- smiling to myself at the irony of almost ending this list with "my cell phone" and "simple things."

Happy Sunday! 

Want this look? Or do you, like me, feel it makes the wearer look chunky & stumpy and will therefore pass on copying it? Don't blame you at all...but either way, here are similar pieces below:

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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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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!

Want a similarly unexpected look? Check out how you can get one...

More Topshop...

pandas & outtakes...but i WISH it was outtakes of pandas... way cooler.

Don't think about a panda bear. Hah! You totally pictured one, didn't you. Don't feel bad though, friends. I'm a Master of Mind Control. Like this: Don't think that the framed pic below is hanging straight.

 Did it work? It totally worked, right?... Aw crap.

 shoes: union bay brand. wide leg pants & shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. watch: citizen brand. earrings: hawaii.

 So many things to say, so little energy to type. What's a girl to do?

I'm going to trust that the majority of my readers are female (aside from the Mystery Synchronized Diver researcher...I tend to believe he's male. But that's just me.). Even so, I'm not sure how to tell you all how much I think periods really suck. But I'll try. How 'bout this: periods really suck.

Thus, today's ensemble had two purposes: (1) comfort. Like, the kind of comfort achieveable almost exclusively by wrapping up in a 90-year-old family heirloom quilt (there's no substitute. really.) with only one's mouth exposed so that rich dark chocolates can be (read: are) periodically (read: every minute) dropped (read: shoveled) in (read: in). Today's wide leg pants and cardigan? Definitely check-check.

Which makes me wonder if Mr. Rogers was usually in pain or something, to always have busted out the cardigan on his show, but that's another discussion for another day. [Editor's note: But what is a discussion for today is the fact that, even as a kid, I remember being annoyed by Mr. Rogers. Am I alone in this?]

Ahem. Today's outfit also had to include (2) no belt. No restrictive device anywhere, anyhow, for that matter. Unless you count a watch as being restrictive (I suppose one could feel that way...but I don't), then check-check again. Checkmate, in fact.

Speaking of...is it bad that my 6-year-old can whoop me in chess? Not kidding. Even when I try my best and give him hints (and/or give him false leading tips to get him off-track), he beats me. And you wanna know why? For some reason, in the thick of the game, I always forget that the king is more important than the queen. I almost always lose because I'm protecting that magical queen--forwards, backwards, AND diagonal? I mean, you just can't beat that kind of weapon. There's probably a deeply significant psychological interpretation for people like me. Like "weird."

Annnnnnd...a rare treat for all you loveable readers out there: Outtakes. [Editor's note: Not that outtakes are in and of themselves rare around here. Just the fact that I'm posting them is rare. But these were too good to pass up. And by good I mean lame. Natch.]

You're welcome. And happy Monday.

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