What I wore today… {Modern mom look}

Tags

Fashion

At places like the grocery store, preschool drop-off, and ballet class, I often stand back and silently (unless you are reading my twitter stream) judge the other mother’s and their wardrobe choices. It is my opinion that workout clothes are only acceptable when you are working out. Period. Otherwise, get your ass dressed. The life of a suburban stay at home mom is pretty predictable… right down to the wardrobe.

The other night while sitting impatiently for Lil’ A to finish ballet class, I may have looked like I was distracted by the earbuds in my ears and the copy of Vogue in my lap but I was scanning the room and wondering what happened to these women. They were all wearing the same thing: fitted Ohio State tee, jeans, and cheap Old Navy black flip flops.

I shit you not, dear reader, there were 3 women dressed this way, 1 who looked like she had tried but the the oversized khaki capri pants negated any other effort, and 1 who was dressed better than me (she was the one I would have made friends with if I was looking to be chummy with these women). Wow! I sound like a total snob. It’s not that I’m opposed to becoming friends with any of them, I just feel so on the outside. I don’t attend their churches or care about their gossip or joined their mommy social groups. They all know each other and I’m ok with that. But I digress…

Spring 2012 is all about pastels and feminine shapes. Pick up any fashion mag and you will hear all about the glorious reign of the woman! Women designers designing for real women. So thinking Spring and the traditional suburban mom uniform… I went for an updated version.

Pastel plaid sleeveless button down
~ Thrifted

Light blue layering tank
~ Old Navy – thrifted

Blue cardigan
~ Target

Dark skinnies
~ Kohl’s clearance $6

Brown belt
~ Target

    

Accessories:
Brushed gold earrings
~ Meijer
Birds on a limb necklace
~ Target
Gold and iridescent stone bracelet
~ vintage

Brown heeled boots
~ Target

Dragons can be beaten

Tags

Fairyland, Morning Wisdom, Quotes

Source: mckensiesmith.blogspot.com via Beth on Pinterest

Mom! I need pom poms!

Tags

Crafty, Me, Parenting

After lunch today I dozed off. My body must still be worn out from sickness and drugs (medications… mama’s not a crackhead despite the fact that my brother occasionally calls me one). Bored, Lil’ A woke me up by stating, “Mom! I need pom poms! Do we have any?”

For those of you who know me in real life, you will get the fabulous humor in this question. In high school, I was in the band and on the debate team. So very far away from being a cheerleader. Of course Lil’ Miss A doesn’t know this. She thinks her mama is super cool and amazing and can do anything. I get a few more years until she realizes otherwise.

So while I was never a cheerleader and don’t have a secret pom pom stash, I am crafty and can make damn near anything out of felt. She choose pink and purple for her pom poms. I took on regular sheet of each and cut strips leaving about a 2 inch border at the bottom. Once the felt was cut, I rolled the piece like a newspaper and stitched the end to keep the roll together. Here is my end result:

Dressed in my baton twirling uniform (Canton South Y-ettes forever!), she headed out to the backyard for “cheerleading class.”

She came up with some crazy cheer that actually rhymed! First ballet, now cheerleading? Could this girlie girl be any more unlike me?

Oh and did I mention that while I napped she found my make-up case?

Why so serious?

We’re all mad here

Tags

Alice in Wonderland, Literature, Me, Quotes, Tattoos

I absolutely love The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. It is one of my all-time favorite books. So much so that this past Halloween I dressed as Alice for a costume party.

There are so many wonderful quotes but the phrase that most speaks to me is when Alice says, “Curiouser and curiouser.” It simply and succinctly captures my outlook on life and how I view the world. Each day something new, something increasingly more interesting crosses my path. I’m in such awe of our amazing and mysterious world and of the people in it. I wanted to somehow translate this into art… a permanent reminder to always look of the unique and interesting around me.

My dear friend Nikki designed a tattoo for me using this favorite quote and that also reflects the whimsy of the book and my outlook. I have been carrying it around in my wallet for at least 6 months until my most recent trip to Knoxville, TN. To celebrate J’s birthday, 3 of us decided to get tattoos. If I hadn’t already had this design, I probably wouldn’t have joined in but I had been dying for months to have it done. After a complete inspection of the tattoo artist’s work, I happily joined in!

Anna at True Blue Electric Tattoo in Knoxville did my newest tattoo from Nikki’s original design and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

It is on the inside of my right wrist and can be read by me and whoever is facing me. The design is simple and works well with my overall style. It is also the perfect companion to my first tattoo.

The open book is on the inside of my left ankle and represents me as a reader, life-long learner, and librarian. Wendy at Kustom Kulture in Tallmadge, OH created this tattoo from a photo I brought in. It was a great first experience and I truly love it.

Both of my tattoo experiences have been very positive and I’m already dreaming of a third design.

What I wore today… {Color blocking & vintage}

Tags

Fashion

It’s cooler today and the sky looks pissed but I’m feeling better than I have in weeks so I’m dressing for my mood!

Electric (or rather TARDIS) blue sweatshirt
~ Vintage Oscar de la Renta – thrifted $2.99!

Lime green tank
~ Target

Light blue jeggings
~ Target via clothing swap

 

Pink & white stripe scarf
~ Meijer

  

Accessories:
Oversized silver hoop earrings
~ Target
Large silver and white circle stretch bracelet
~ Target

 

Gray heeled boots
~ Meijer

Today’s plan: clean and organize coat closet and bookshelf, start the crafty projects for Lil’ A’s Easter basket, take a nap.

Have a great day!

Comparison is the thief…

Tags

Morning Wisdom, Quotes

Source: imgfave.com via Beth on Pinterest

For Audrey

Tags

Beauty, Nail Polish

Last week my first bottles of China Glaze landed in my mailbox, For Audrey and Ruby Pumps. I was excited to see how the polish would go on and how true the color would be to Tiffany blue. I adore the color! It really looks pretty with lots of other colors and doesn’t feel as limiting as other polish colors feel with my wardrobe. The polish went on well but it dried funky with strange little bumps like air bubbles all throughout. I’m not sure why this happened but fingers crossed it is just a fluke!

What I wore today… {Yellow and red nautical}

Tags

Fashion

I finally felt well enough today to climb out of bed and put on real clothes. Took Lil’ A out for a playdate with a friend and then later to ballet class. It was nice to be out in the world again. One more good night’s sleep and I think I will be back to my old self. So here’s what I wore on my adventures today!

Yellow & white striped 3/4 length scoop neck sweater
~ The Limited – Thirfted

Dark skinnies
~ Target

Red belt
~ Target

Red & white polka-dot scarf
~ Meijer

Anchor pendant
~ Lia Sophia

Large rhinestone studs
~ Target (purchased for my Halloween costume last year)

Red & white buckle ballet flats
~ American Eagle 

Lily

Tags

Family, Home, Me, Pets

Today is the year anniversary of the death of our beloved dog, Lily. She was the sweetest pup and we all miss her everyday. Lil’ A still talks about her. Lily was a 7 month old abandoned mixed breed my brother rescued while stationed in Virginia. Poor girl had been bounced around and mistreated that we just couldn’t say no to those big brown eyes.

K and I had only been married 2 months when we brought Lily home. It was a tough transition. We lived in a smallish 2nd floor apartment with my cat. She really needed room to run but we spent 2 years there before heading to a more secluded area with over an acre.

At about 4 years old, Lily developed epilepsy. She suffered from cluster seizures that become so awful she took daily medications. Through everything she remained sweet and loyal. If you were sick she would cuddle up next to you and lay still for hours. She played with the cats and when Lil’ A came into our lives she became her guardian.

Lily loved that little girl and let her do anything she wanted to her. She never barked or snapped at her. It was a seamless transition introducing baby to dog.

3 years ago, K brought home a tiny little fuzzy ball that adopted Lily as her mommy. Maisy was the cutest kitten and she immediately took to Lily’s sweet nature. She would cuddle with her, try to nurse from her, and play. I think Maisy took Lily’s death the hardest.

It was a Sunday night and K was out with coworkers when the first of the seizures began. Lily wouldn’t have just 1 or 2 seizures but 50 or more. They would start about 40 minutes apart and then the time between them would decrease by half until she wouldn’t come out of them. I called K to return home and together we administered valium that we kept on hand for these moments (they had gotten down to about once per year as long as she never missed a dosage of meds and we had her blood work done every 6 months). However, the valium didn’t work and we rushed her to ER.

She seized the entire 45 minute drive to the ER and once they stabilized her we learned her body temperature was almost 108 degrees. Lily’s body just gave out and we had to make the worst decision of our marriage – to say goodbye.

We miss her every single day and can’t bear to even think about getting another dog. Our almost 10 years with Lily were so wonderful and sweet and it’s been so hard without her. Every now and then I swear I hear her bark but I have to shake the sound out of my ears and remember she is gone.

Photo Challenge: Where I sleep

Tags

Gratitude, Home, Photo Challenge

Day Twenty One: Where I sleep

This is my spot when not occupied by a cat! Typically she sleeps on top  of me long-ways down my side. It’s only fitting that she be included in the photo.

It’s been about 2 months since I last posted a photo for the 30 day photo challenge. I’m pretty sure it was meant to be consecutive but I never approached it that way. I kept putting this one off because our bed is always a mess and then after a while I simply forgot.  Better late than never!

Join me on my 30 Day Photo Challenge.