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.

Want this look? Buy stuff below, then bust out your paintbrush...

More Forever 21...

do the j.crew

 metallic flats: american eagle outfitters. jeans & shirt: gap. necklace: forever21. watch: target.

You know how a picture is supposed to be worth 1000 words? Well, I want to pontificate on that a bit. And here's why: Sometimes my outfit photos look waaaaay better than I do in real life. Something about catching the angle just right, the lighting, whatever. Conversely, sometimes the photos look waaaaaay worse than I thought I looked in real life.

And sometimes, like today, the photos are pretty "meh," which is just exactly what the outfit itself is. Hooray for exactness in which nothing is lost in translation. 'Cept, to be honest, I cropped out from these pics a red bookbag, some doll furniture, and three library books scattered on the floor.

I'm really into asymmetrical style lately. I have no idea why. Oh, wait, yes I do--it's because I'm obsessed with the J.Crew vibe (not that I nailed it here...at all...but I'm still obsessed). I'm less careful with tucking, matching sleeve roll-up lengths, and cuffing my jeans. Know what else I'm not careful about, as evident in this ensemble? Making sure my jeans fit. These are a bit unflatteringly loosey-goosey.

Which is a lame phrase, I'll grant you, but it rhymes and, therefore, automatically qualifies for use on this blog. A rare example of of lameness, though. And by "rare," I of course mean "lame-is-the-name-of-the-game-on-a-plane-in-Spain-around-here." I think you need no further evidence or explanation.

Happy Monday!

Want this look? Shop below, then arrange the right differently from the left...

More J.Crew...

a pound of Easter chocolate in the hand is as good as 4 pounds on the scale...

 shoes: cato brand. tights: forever21. skirt & cardigan: j.crew. shirt: thrifted. belt: husband's. watch: target.

This week I'm grateful for:

- friends who not only care but who do stuff to show it.

- Easter candy.

- picking out the perfect gift for someone and knowing it's the perfect gift and then having it reaffirmed that it was, indeed, perfect. :)

- home design books and the millions, nay, trillions of new ideas floating around in my head.

- budget constraints. Which is a nice way of saying "we have no money to do the stuff I dream about." But without such constraints, I wouldn't have nearly as much fun planning it out in my head.

- (can you tell I'm stretching to be grateful for that last one?)

- people who are creative. I'm in awe of them.

- my husband. Who's awesome and funny and sweet and hard-working and who always lets me have the last bite.

- my kids. Who're sweet and fun and creative and enthusiastic and independently-minded...like when my 2-year-old responded, in her sweetest little voice, to an observation I was making at dinner: "mom....be ty-et [quiet]." Her timing was impeccable, her delivery spot-on, and the laughter response overwhelming.

- cheese and how it can be a perfect main course for kids' breakfast, lunch, OR dinner.

- the Easter holiday and all that it entails.

Happy Sunday.