L O V E

One of my students told me that I looked really rock and roll today.  I was feeling really rock and roll today.  I bought this shirt and wasn't entirely sure that I was going to keep it.  It was one of those last minute purchases from Forever 21 that I knew I would regret not buying but since their return policy is so sucky, I also didn't want to get stuck with it if I decided against it.  Today we had our annual Memorial Day services at school and when I was getting dressed this morning, I decided that this was the perfect shirt for the day.  Isn't love what this weekend should be about?  Enjoy it. 

t-shirt- F21

lace vest- Kohl's

belt- Target

jeans- F21

shoes-Payless

bracelets- gifts from my mil

flower- from old dress

Danger

I am not a tv person.  In fact, until recently, we didn't have our television plugged in.  But I am a Mad Men person.  Damien and I both are.  We have always kept up with the series, usually via Netflix.  We are now watching it in (almost) realtime (on demand).  It has become our Tuesday night ritual...right after Max goes down we get cozy in our new den and indulge ourselves with an hour of a time that reminds us both of our grandparents and the houses they once inhabited, the clothing they used to wear.  Each Wednesday morning, I feel a little bit inspired to try and recreate one of my favorite looks from the night before.  This is what I came up with today...Interestingly on Monday nights we watch our other favorite show Game of Thrones but I have yet to try to replicate any of Khaleesis' outfits.

blouse- F21
cardigan- Target
pants- F21
shoes- Payless
bracelets- gifts from my mil

Made for each other

One of best parts of doing this blog has been the fact that it forces me to try and invent and reinvent looks over and over again using what I have in my closet.  Of course, there are many days in which I just put on something that I have worn before but I do try and at least mix one new piece into the look, to give it a slightly different spin.  Over the years, I have gone through different phases of what I like, what I think looks good and what I feel comfortable in. I like to buy clothing and because I tend to buy more affordable items, I have been able to grow my closet pretty extensively.  I am however, constantly surprised when I put two things together, pieces that I have never thought to put together before, and they just work so perfectly.  I've been trying to force myself lately to dig deep and be creative and I have been pretty happy with the results. 

shirt- Marshalls
dress- Ruche
shoes- F21

The great outdoors

I have always considered myself to be a rather outdoorsy kind of person.  From as far back as I can recall, I spent a lot of time outside.  Whether it was playing with my brothers, hanging out with friends, playing whichever sport was in season or going for walks, I loved being outside and was encourage by both of my parents to do so.  As I got older, my outdoor interests changed slightly but the amount of time out there didn't alter all that much.  Way more time was spent going for runs or walks and less time looking for toads (that was my number 1 favorite thing to do when I was a little girl and my mom still calls to tell me whenever she finds one in her gardens) but being outside was still a must for me.

When we purchased our home, we knew that location was a must.  Our home inspection was in February of 2009, a day in which we got over two feet of snow.  We had seen pictures of the yard from the listing online and we were able to walk around it but we had no idea what kinds of vegetation we were going to have and exactly what kind of yard it would be.  As the snow began to melt, we began to see signs of all different kinds of life.  Blueberries, blackberries, birch trees, rhododendrons, rose bushes, lilacs and more.  There are all kinds of animals, including a beaver who makes an appearance every once in awhile.  However, for the first years that we lived here, I was so-so on the yard.  It's nice but I can't say that I loved it.  We are fortunate to have this path in the back that leads to this neat memorial with a pond and beautiful stone benches.  We are unfortunate to have all of the mosquitos that come along with property near still water.  We purchased a bat house to hang to help regulate the mosquito population but nonetheless it gets buggy back there.

Fast forward 3 years and we have a 20 month old that just wants to be outside.  I mean every moment of everyday, he wants to be outside.  Rain, shine, light, dark, hot, cold, outside.  Tuns out, besides the bugs, we have a pretty perfect spot for a little boy who loves to run and explore.  We have been spending a lot of time in the backyard and I have kind of started to fall in love with it.  We still have some work to do but lately, it has been picturesque.  And now it holds memories for us.  Max's first birthday party was back there.  Family cookouts and gatherings with friends.  Late afternoons just being silly, rolling down the hill and running after one another.  It holds our future too, especially for Max, of many days and nights playing, hanging with family and friends and hopefully finding a toad or two.

This outfit is older than us

Have you ever had an answer ready for a question that no one asks?  This morning I kept waiting for Damien to ask me if my dress or my shirt was new.  Neither one is.  In fact, both of them are old, really old.  I kept waiting and waiting.  But he never asked.  So I am telling all of you, instead.

shirt- F21
dress- ?
shoes- Payless

Same shirt, different day

I have been living in this shirt, and one that is quite similar, minus some sleeves.  I have had both for awhile now but haven't worn either of them until this past week.  I have been loving the tied shirt look for some time now but hadn't really had much luck with it.  Every time I tried to put a look together around a tied it, I just looked silly.  Either my pant line was too low exposing my stomach or the shirt itself didn't fit well and created a really forced look.  Over my school break, I played around a little with some different things in my closet and I hit the gold mine:  I started putting the shirts over my dresses and voila, problem solved.  So many of my dresses aren't really work appropriate (spaghetti straps mostly) and by putting a button down over it, I can wear all of them now.  I have a fair number of button downs so expect to see this look again (and again, and again).

button down- ? (it's been that long)
dress- Kohl's
shoes- Berk's

Zebra

I have no shame in wearing an entire outfit from one store, especially when that store is Marshalls and therefore I am not wearing all one brand.  I have had such luck there lately and have been able to find some fun dresses, tops and cardigans for super cheap.  I did not buy this whole outfit in one trip.  I have been shopping there for quite some time and have acquired many great pieces over the years.  While I was getting ready this morning, Max walked into the bathroom, looked at me and said "zebra".  I guess there are worse animals to be called.  At least zebras have natural style.

jacket- Marshalls

dress- Marshalls

tights- Walmart

shoes- Marshalls

bracelets- various places (mostly gifts from Damien and my MIL)