I think Cinderella was onto something...

 sandals & bracelets: forever21. pants: gap. belt & necklace: vintage. shirt: j.crew.

You guys, I can't even begin to explain to you how odd today was. You know that movie Groundhog Day? Nothing like that, other than it was strange. And I hope hope HOPE I don't have to relive it, because strange things happened. Like the fact that I got sucked into a 1-1/2 hour vacuum demonstration in my home in the middle of the afternoon when I was supposed to be working on a Fathers Day gift with my kids.

And the girl doing the demo (a.k.a. trying to sell me a $3,000 vacuum) reminded me that dirt stays in the bottom of carpet and eventually starts eating it. And, when I didn't gasp or shriek or do cartwheels or sign my name in blood to buy 14 of her products, she asked me, "And that doesn't gross you out?"

Sure it grosses me out if I think about it. Kinda like eating meat. (Don't think about it...it really is disturbing.) But there are a million other things to think about sometimes. Like the deliciousness of pnut m&ms. And the perfection of a mildly breezy spring day. And the fact that I'd rather hang out with my growing-up-too-fast kids than follow them around with a vacuum to keep the dust mites at bay.

Besides, maybe dust mites are cute and friendly and helpful. Maybe I'll channel my inner Cinderella and stitch little shirts and hats for them. And teach them to steal cute accessories. Woah. THIS idea just got brilliant...

Happy Thursday.

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magic 101: illusion of an hourglass on a box

I can breathe again!! Oh, how glorious are sinus-clearing meds and the resultant cleared sinuses. But mostly the meds.

 shoes: unionbay. pants: gap. shirt: ana. headband: borrowed from a belted shirt from downeast basics. watch: target.

I kinda feel like a pirate today (can you guess in which pic I'm audibly saying, "arrrrgh, matey"? It's super subtle, so take your time...). And also? I have a super square torso and no hips to speak of (a.k.a., I'm a human refrigerator box), but I like the illusion of feminine form that the pleating on this shirt creates. So I'm a feminine pirate, all right? Sue me. It's not like it's totally unheard of. (Pirates of Penzance, anyone?) 

Today I'm packing for our family trip to (shhhhh) Disneyland, a 12-hour drive in ideal conditions (i.e., no traffic or potty stops), meaning it will take us at least 20 hours. The kids still don't know the purpose; they just know that we're going to California. We're not exactly what you'd call world travelers, as evidenced by the questions I've fielded this weekend. Questions like:

"Do they speak the same language as us in California?"

"Can we watch one movie on our long drive? Will we be able to finish it before we get there?"

"What kind of food do they eat in California? Can we take some fruit snacks in case we don't like it?"

"Can we visit the Atlantic Ocean on our way home from California?"

"I don't want to go on a long car drive. I'll just ride my bike and meet you there."

I.Can't.Wait. to introduce our kids to the magical place that is D-land. I'm prob more excited than they would be, if they knew.

Never fear, though, friends. I have some magnificent guest posters lined up for your reading enjoyment while I'm gone. And I'll be back next week...unless I decide my life would be more fulfilling as a guide on Pirates of the Caribbean. After all, I'd fit right in, as you've seen...

Happy Monday.

Ahoy thar! Want this look? Check out the stuff below... (no, seriously, do it. there's a funny surprise...at least, I think it's funny.)

More Zigi...

color me grateful.

 pants& tee: gap. blazer: thrifted (the limited). belt: kohl's. pin: don't recall. watch: target. 

This week I'm grateful for:

- spring break.

- LDS General Conference.

- the sweet and overwhelming peace and comfort, despite sadness, that sometimes accompanies the passing away of a loved one. We will love Grampa Boyd forever.

- a day or two where I could glimpse a future that involved sunny skies, warm temps, and outdoor playtime.

- mother-daughter fingernail painting sessions. Or, as my daughter calls it, 'thingernail'.

- digital cameras.

- a husband who, knowing I had several laaaate nights of work, disappeared himself to the grocery store and returned with "provisions" for me. None of which were healthy, all of which were my favorites.

- a 6-year-old son who stays up late, then sneaks out of his room and throws a paper airplane down at me, which, when opened up, reads in careful penmanship (and I quote): "I love with all my heart. When mother's day comes I will by you a speashil Gift. Best wishs." Covered in hearts. And, as I hug and kiss him in thanks, he starts tearing up because he knows he's made me happy. Cutest ever, right?

- being able to clean my house in an hour and a half, when I put my mind to it.

- I put my mind to it.

- toothpaste.

- having a puppy. Having kids who play with the puppy. Having a kid who will clean up the evidence of puppy-ness in the backyard. Dah well. Two out of three ain't bad.

- life in general.

Best wishs. Happy Sunday.

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.

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this and also that...

 sandals & pearls: don't recall. pants & shirt: gap. nylon belt: american eagle outfitters. watch: target.

Sometimes when I type "blogger" I accidentally type it "blooger." I think the world would be vastly different if "bloog" were indeed the new "blog."

But. I'm wearing these sandals because I'm not going outside today. Also, I'm aware that my torso looks abnormally short. Also, this outfit looked better in my head. Also, how did it even look okay in my head, since I'm pairing leather sandals with a nylon belt with pearls? Also, the wardrobe malfunction of the front of my shirt isn't helping matters. Also, yes, I really am that pasty pale. Also, I'm not sure how that J.Crew catalog became an unwitting prop in these photos. Also, despite all this, I'm completely comfortable and okay with how I look.

Also, I think I'm wearing out my welcome at the Also household, so I'll be on my way.

Happy Saturday!

Want this look? PAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA... *wiping tears away* No, but seriously.

More Gap...

camoflaugishness

My discussion will be limited today. And by limited I mean virtually nonexistent.

 shoes: candies brand. pants: gap. v-neck: banana republic. cardigan: gifted. bracelet: don't recall. belt & headband: f21. necklace: gifted/don't recall.

I'm not feeling this outfit. Like, at all. Okay. Hang on. *breathing through my nose and finding the positive vibes within* One thing I DO like about it is the skinny-striped cardigan paired with the wide belt. There. It's not a total bust.

But these pants are on my closet purge hit-list. I love them so, but they just don't fit my body. And I think I'm mildly depressed about that. And when I realize I'm losing an old favorite pair o' pants, I can't be funny, or even chatty or small-talky, like, not even the lamest "how's the weather?" kind of small-talkish.

I can only drown my sorrows in a steaming cup of spiced cider and curl up with my CB2 catalogue that just came in the mail and be inspired by awesome color combos. [Editor's note: That actually sounds heavenly. Maybe I'll get pants-induced depression more often...] 

Speaking of being inspired, you know what else is inspiring? The total kid-joy that my 6-year-old son had yesterday when he lost a tooth at school. He was #1 School Dude for awhile there. And THEN we found a tooth our puppy lost last night, so it was like the best day on the planet for him that BOTH "boys" lost their teeth on the SAME day. Like twins. 'Cept even better than twins, because one of them I can lock in a crate if he's being too crazy. And the other's just a puppy, so...

(I'm KIDding. It's practically always our puppy who gets crated.)

Happy Wednesday.

p.s. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Want this look? (Really? You do? Huh. That's odd awesome.)     striped cardigan    leopard print flats    wide leg pants

womens striped cardigan banana republic