stripes + plaid = a glorious day to be alive & dressed

 shoes: forever21. skirt: american eagle outfitters. shirt: don't recall. cardigan: gap. necklace: gift. watch: target.

 This outfit was extremely comfortable and functional. I mean, look--I could even talk on the phone in it. (Because usually I wear stuff that doesn't allow for that kind of elbow-bendage or something? Please...)

Hey guys, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: goals, dreams, & aspirations. Aside from being able to decide what's for dinner every night (default: quesadillas. Guess how often we eat those guys?) (You may or may not have nailed it with "at least three times a week." I'll never tell), I have fairly simple aspirations. 

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be? I've always had a dream of being a librarian. But lately I wish I had a natural knack for interior design. What a dream job that would be.

2. What draws you to this? Beautiful spaces are inspiring to me, and I'd love to be able to actually create those. Combining and balancing color, texture, pattern, layout...it's all so awesome when done right.

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal? Maybe a year or two ago. But...I think I've gone off the wrong track in answering these questions again. That's a dream of something I would love to do but don't necessarily have the talent/ability to do it. So. Wee clarification.

4. What's holding you back from going all in? Oh, let's see: my shortage of taste, vision, ability, and skill, just to name a few. And, when I'm not basking in the view of beautiful spaces, really, being a mom is my #1 thing. And, bonus, I can be "successful" in momhood even if my house looks like a pigsty or is a throwback to the 90s or is a one-room-dirt-floored shack. As long as there are fresh homemade sweet rolls available on occasion. So.

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream? I enjoy home design blogs and magazines and books. I enjoy fiddling around in the building I'm lucky enough to call home. And I can bake sweet rolls while doing it. I think I'm probably living my dream.

Happy Friday!

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bed head + tie dye = you're welcome

I craigslisted some sweet (but in need of some major TLC) furniture this morning. Two chairs, a coffee table, and a stainless steel work table. Add that to the chair I got a few months back that needs reupholstering, and I've got myself a workload. Which is why I spent all morning in my paint clothes. Which is why I thought I wouldn't get dressed today. Which is why, when I woke up (no, seriously, about 2 minutes after I woke up. Welcome to my face au natural, folks), I took pics of my morning hair to make good on my promise from yesterday.

(Which is why 82% of you might never visit this blog again. Which is why I stink at math, because the percentage I should actually be quoting here is much closer to 100%.)

 But then I decided that's not fair to you guys or my talented hair-girl or myself. So, around 4:00 this afternoon, I showered and got dressed. In ultra-comfortable clothes and nothing to write or even text home about, but clothes nonetheless. Because it feels like Saturday today, and that means comfort.

 sandals: forever21. skirt: kohl's. shirt: gap (tie-dyed myself). earrings: hawaii.

Not to be all, "let's talk about my hair, my whole hair, and nothing but my hair" today (buuuut...kind of, yes, to be exactly like that, actually), but I can't tell you how much I love this cut. It's easy and it embraces the crazy-waves that is my natural hair. Win-win-win. (In case you're keeping track, that third "win" is for the tie-dye shirt.)

Happy Friday.

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i've thought about it...and i think maybe money CAN buy happiness.

 shoes & shirt: forever21. shorts: american eagle. belt: thrifted (american eagle).

Is the greyishness of my legs in these photos as disturbing to you as it is to me? Yes? Even moreso? Oh. Okay. Just checking.

This ensemble couldn't be more yawn-worthy than if I'd dressed in head-to-toe pocketed khakiwear. And even that would've been an upgrade, because let's be honest--pockets! They hold everything, like chapstick and a camera and money and lint and the back of an earring that you thought you'd never see again but, lo and behold, there it is right next to the couch, but don't feel too bad that you hadn't seen it there before because those spilled popcorn kernels were keeping it well camoflauged. So. Pockets = A+.

The only thing this outfit has going for it is the fact that today's almost over, and the clothes will all hit the laundry hamper in a few short hours. It's like a time-out for clothes. "You just sit there and you think about what you've done today, young lady shirt."

But some outfits are like that, and I embrace that fact. Know what else I embrace? When a hairstyle has been going for a few hours, and there's some natural "falling out" happening, like on the opposite side of my side ponytail here. I like how it's lived-in casual, it's effortless, yet still (kind of) pretty and approachable. And also, it's a step up from this guy...maybe:

Happy Tuesday.

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SOMEtimes, though, it just might be better never than late...

I'm sniffing the plethora of flowers in the photo below. Now, knowing what I do about what my face looks like when I do this, I may never catch a floral aroma again. You're welcome, casual observers who inhabit the world.

 shoes: forever21. pants: gap. shirt: j.crew. bracelet & earrings: hawaii. necklace: don't recall. flower hair clip: downeast basics.

So I have a million and one excuses, guys, for not posting for a few days. All of which require 18 minutes' worth of back-information, beginning with "I was born on a cold December day..." I'll spare you all and blame it on Blogger instead. Deal? (Answer: I see your deal and raise you a sympathetic nod.)

I know it's Sunday today, and I was clothed for church (*phew*). Funny story [Editor's note: I should never preface a story like that. It only gets expectations waaaay too high. I should've simply said "A story" or even just started into the recall with no preamble of all. I realize this, yet I trudge on bravely regardless. I know. So brave.]:

I work with the children at my church, teaching them songs and stuff. One of the visual aids I was using had a mom paper doll that my 5-year-old had colored for me. She (the mom) happened to have green hair. Fine, whatever, I love color and creativity, so that's just great. A cute 7-year-old at church chose the mom paper doll from the pile and replied, all adult-like, "She must be a mom of our times." Oh, must she? Because, apparently, all the cool moms have green hair.

On an unrelated note, I don't know if I'll be taking photos of my head/hair anymore. And also, I have no idea what happened to all the green food coloring...

Happy Sunday!

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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when i'm an old woman, i will wear purple...and prolly some teal, too.

 shoes & headband: forever21. shorts: gap (modified and improved upon over the years). shirt & sash: gap. bracelets: hawaii & burntsiena designs. earrings: hawaii.

"Hang in there, Mom." This was said to me by a 70-year-old woman as she politely sidestepped my screaming toddler who was making herself comfortable and, shall we say, universally audible on the store's entry rug. The tantrum was understandable and totally justified, of course. They all are. I do horrible things like make her wear shoes in public and not let her shoplift candy.

That being said...I can't always blame her. Sometimes I feel like throwing myself onto the ground, too, and flailing my appendages and screaming until someone hands me a bag of m&ms and carries me to the car to go home and take a nap.

Mmmmm. A nap...

ANYwho. This is what I'm wearing today. Channeling my inner '80s upbringing via purple (shirt), teal (jewelry), and white (legs). Because it's never too late to bring back Mr. Roboto.

Happy Wednesday.

p.s. For those of who who've wondered about my jumping shots...they're not all glorious (although they all apparently do share the same facial expression). Today's took 3 attempts to get it right. Here. Because I love you. More than my dignity, apparently...

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good things come in 3s. so does this odd photo...

shoes & shirt: forever21. skirt: don't recall. belt: thrifted (american eagle).

First of all: Happy 4th of July to you Americans! And...happy today for you international friends.

I totally didn't take photos yesterday, but this is what I wore. I chopped 3 photos apart and put them together with the pieces. Which is why my legs are 12 times larger than they should be and there are floating bare elbows and the sun is shining on my torso but nowhere else. Heh. Weird. But...I never claimed to be otherwise. 'Cept to my husband before we were married to convince him he wanted to marry me. Me me meee!!!

Ahem.

On Saturday night, my parents got back from a 3-year stint in another country on another continent. To put things into perspective...they'd never met my youngest daughter in person. We had a weekend-long family celebratory bash in which the available calories outnumbered the people 14,000:1. Perfect.

I tell you this only to say: I'm sorry I've been M-I-A this weekend. I'm sorry you've undoubtedly gone through withdrawals from missing me so much. I'm sorry I've made a million lame suuuper-funny observations in my head and didn't share them with you here. But I'm back, baby. And I'll see y'all tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

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easy does it...whatever "it" is...

shoes & belt: forever21. jeans: kohl's. shirt: j.crew. watch: citizen brand.

Hey guys! It's Friend Friday! Forgive my brief answers...I'm on my way to a family BBQ & fireworks. Today's topic is: my personal uniform, slash, outfit formula. 

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula? Depends on the weather and my mood, really, but for most months out of the year, it's skinny jeans and a shirt. And, who am I kidding, probably a cardigan as well, because I'm ob.SESS.ed with layering. In summer, I like to go for a random skirt and an equally random (although hopefully complementary) shirt. Hopefully I've shaved.

2. How did you come about this formula? I didn't set about to come up with a formula...these are simply the things that, over time, I've noticed that I grab when in a pinch. So...life? Life made me come up with this formula? Yes, let's go with that.

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life? Yes. When I've been pregnant, I went for anything that didn't make me look like a tent. And if it had an elastic waist, all the better. But other than that, I pretty much go by weather and how much bleach I'll be using in my forseeable kid-filled day.

4. Has it morphed over the years? I wouldn't say "morphed," but I would use the word's second-cousin "transitioned." Jeans-and-tee have been my go-to for years, but now I try to add a pop of something to make the outfit unique. A scarf, a chunky bracelet, a belt, a tuck, a braid. Something.

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe? This is going to sound like a total copout, but I'm being sincere: I wouldn't swipe anyone's, because I wear what works for me in my life and on my body. That's why it's my formula. If I were to swipe someone else's style, it wouldn't work the same for me and would ultimately disappoint me...and embarrass them, if I gave them credit. :) But don't get me wrong--I love many many bloggers' styles! Just, y'know, on the daily...I like to be me.

Happy Friday!

p.s. Check out my interview on Scrap and Run today! Thanks, Colleen!

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something old, new, borrowed, blue...and painted

 shoes & necklace: forever21. shorts: who knows, who cares. shirt: old navy. earrings: hawaii. bracelets: a zillion places.

I wrote a post to accompany these pics last night, full of snappy wit and self-deprecation. The brunt of my jokes were centered on these paint-splattered shorts, which I happen to love but which are, shall we say, white trash. Which makes for some good jokes, I have to say.

But Blogger ate the post, and I'm too lazy to write it again. So do me a favor: smile real big, spontaneously, as you read the next few words. Maybe even chuckle a little and shake your head, if you're a head-shaker-while-laughing kinda girl. (Or guy. But let's be honest. If you're reading this blog...girl.) Ready? Go.

Either way...I think this outfit is Unexpected and Maybe Awesome here. So it was a great day.

Happy Wednesday-turned-Thursday.

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More Forever 21...

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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More J.Crew...

stripes & plaid & a bit o' turquoise

  Once upon a time, I was pretty good at rhyming. I wrote insightful, lengthy, and often cleverly humorous poems. Today is not that day, as I finished my breakfast bagel mid-photo shoot and came up with this:

shoes & necklace: forever21. skirt: american eagle. shirt: gap. bracelet & earrings: hawaii.

I'm tired today, you guys. We've had lots and lots of face-time with Mr. Golden Sun lately. Which is 75% glorious, 10% "I really should be cleaning my house", and whatever-percentage-is-left-over split among the following:

(1) a peeling nose and hairline.

(2) makes me sweat and thereby smell like...what's the word...oh, right, sweat.

(addendum to 2) don't some people maintain that girls don't sweat, they "glow"? Liars.  

(3) tired. Srsly, I think my body needs 4 hours of nap per 1 hour of direct sunshine. Which means...welp, g'night.

I wish I could say the sun makes me hungry, too, and that would explain my recent tripling of appetite. But, unforch, I think the golden orb has nothing to do with that. Maybe I'll try blaming it on the moon and lunar tides and stuff instead. The ocean's only about 1000 miles away from where I live, y'know. Which is, like, an inch in the grand scheme of things.

Then it's settled. Just like the large bowl of ice cream in my belly.

Happy Wednesday.

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excuses excuses

Hey guys! I'm back from running Ragnar. It was such a great (and tiring. and crazy) experience, one that has been on my bucket list for several years. (LOVE when I can checkmark a "bucket list" box, you know?)

I'm alive and well (minus my quads, the stinking complainers...I can hardly move without them screaming at me). My team--especially my van, which included two of my SILs--was awesome.

(above: left to right, me & my beautiful sis-in-laws T & M.)

This is what I wore to church today. I think I looked pregnant, with how this top poofed out over this skirt. Which isn't exactly the look I was going for, but I was too sore to change. Which is also my excuse for the tired, frizzy hair you see here. Not one for the books today, friends. Forgive me? No? Rats. And...meh.

 shoes, shirt, & bracelets: forever21. skirt: j.crew.

This week I'm grateful for:

- my husband, my dad, my brothers, and all the guys out there who love being fathers.

- my body. Specifically my legs.

- my Ragnar support van and funny memories (e.g., honking at horses, human fog horns, the merits of cops vs. volunteers, "um, what's that flag for?", honey bucket stories, etc.) 

- my family who supported me in doing Ragnar.

- being blister-free.

- IcyHot type substances.

- magical summer evenings spent outside with my husband & kids, with water and frisbees and popsicles and time. Lots and lots of time.

- sunglasses.

- successful potty-training experiences. (waaaaaay better than unsuccessful ones...)

- hot showers.

- when zits go away.

- ziploc bags.

- cell phone service in the middle of nowhere. And having something to text and someone to text it to.

Happy Sunday.