Living Out Loud

I'VE MOVED!!!

2011-05-24T11:36:00.001-05:00

{click on image to visit new home!}

I've moved!

That's right. I packed up my Blogger bags and set up my own domain using Wordpress for many reasons. This is a HUGE learning curve for me, so please bear with me! Give me a week and my blog will be pretty again. Until then, this blog's content has been moved, its up, functional, and I am posting! So please join me at http://houseoftubers.com

{and if you're curious about the name, you have to come visit!}

x-Karri

Thursday Latelies

2011-05-19T11:09:00.003-05:00

There's this awesome blogging thing that takes place on, yes, Thursdays, and it was started by Bex (of Bex, A Style Diary). I am intrigued. However, I am not quite ready to expose my voice to the internets. Man, I loathe my voice.

So can I participate by just talking up my Thursday Lately list? If I actually get some readers/comments, I will dive in and vlog next week (yikes!)

The first few things I am loving right now is cheap makeup from Target!

In years past, I've mainly been a department store makeup kind of gal. But in trying to reduce my budget so I can spend it elsewhere, I hit up Target's new-ish designer line.

So this first product is this NP Set eyeliner from Target in Mexico City Brown. It glides on so easy and the other end has a sponge so you can smudge it, which is does super well. I think I paid $11 for it.

Source: target.com via Karri on Pinterest

This next one is cheap nail polish! Woot! I don't polish my fingers. Ever since I can recall, I have been cursed with thin nails that split and break. So I keep them short and clean. But my toes are another story. Since they are toes, I don't find it necessary to splurge on Essie, OPI, or Nicole (unless I get a pedi and fall in love with the color). This is one of my new favorite colors- Cloud 9.

Source: walgreens.com via Karri on Pinterest

I am absolutely in LOVE with Kenra's Platinum line! Hair products are one area that I do splurge on, especially when my hair is colored (vs. highlighted). Roughly a year or so ago, when I was blonde, I tried Burt's Bees and fell in love with sulfate/paraben free shampoo. But after I went brunette, I had to find a color shampoo, since this is not my natural color. Low and behold...Kenra.

{I get the Platinum shampoo for fine/thin hair}

{and the Platinum Botanical Conditioner for fine/thin hair. because weightless hair tangles like a b*tch.}

And for those days that I am not leaving the house except to cart my kids around (like today. a rainy day), I love the dry shampoo. I can still look good, but not have to put all the effort into the wash/dry/flat iron routine. Prior to this, I was doomed, because my hair is so thin that instantly in the a.m. I was like an oil slick.

And I finish everything up with the hairspray... #25. Love it. Its light, yet creates texture and volume. And if I comb through, there's no evidence of it except volume.

My final Thursday Lately product is Crystal Light Pure. Aside from coffee in the a.m., I only drink water during the day, so sometimes, I like to mix it up...a LaCroix here, water with cucumber or lemon there.... That's what lead me to buying this. And no aspartame. Holla! The flavor is very light. Not at all like lemonade.

What I Wore

2011-05-17T23:50:00.000-05:00

Its time for another What-I-Wore/Real Momma Real Style. Lots of fun - it just creates more accountability outfit-wise, and showcases that mommas can have style outside of tshirts and jeans and messy hair. As a disclaimer, I'm not claiming to be the most fashionable person. As you'll notice, most of my wardrobe comes from Target!

Exhausted.

Why?

Wugh.

skirt {American Eagle Outfitters} :: Converse tank, white tank, cardi {Target} :: mum necklace {Love Stitched}

We had temps in the 80's for one brief, fleeting day!

and I realize this dress does not flatter me. oh well.

dress {Old Navy} :: owl necklace {Charlotte Russe} :: super old sandals {Unlisted} :: sunnies {anthro} :: copper bracelets {these were my mom's from the 70's. fo realz}

Later that evening, after my daughter bled on my dress, I changed to go out for cocktails with some wonderful neighborhood ladies! We got to sit out on the patio. Happies!

shirt {The Limited-consignment} :: seriously ancient capris {Gap}

We had a 'bout of cold weather, so no pics. Because seriously? It was depressing.

But today, I got to break out 3/4 sleeves and sandals. It was also an un-tucked kind of day.

{Born-drilles. from Goodwill. washed up and good as new}

next to my asparagus I forgot about. whoops.

whoops! A gust of wind as I snapped the photo!

shirt, belt {F21} :: jeans {Marlow. from Goodwill} :: mum necklace {Love Stitched} :: bracelet {too old for me to remember}

I am linking up with Lindsay and Nina :) You should, too. Or at least, if you're having trouble changing out of your jams/sweats before 4pm, visit the lovely ladies who link and gain some inspiration from them!

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

2011-05-17T22:53:00.000-05:00

via

Sometime early this summer, my blog will be undergoing some fun transformations.
But not until I finish my 5-part webinar that I am taking, called Blogging Your Passion.
Yep. A webinar.
Stay tuned...it'll be exciting! I promise.

via

So I married a marathon-er.

2011-05-17T21:07:00.000-05:00

{Yes. I am wearing a down winter coat. On May 15th. That is just all kinds of wrong}

I am so proud of him. 26.2 miles. There is no way on God's green earth that anyone could ever get me to run 26.2 miles. That's why there are bikes. And cars. Walk? Sure (for charity). Run? Hells to the no.

So I am in awe of those who can make their bodies do that. Who have the determination and strength.

The sea of runners and supporters, trying to stay warm

gear bags

a runner trying to keep warm, post-race

Winter coats and hats were the norm for spectators. And this would not be a WI race event without beer.

{the runners had tickets on the bottom of their #s. one bratwurst, two beers. gotta love WI}

The Lone Ranger

This guy had some courage. He ran through Lambeau with his Bears flag. Lots of jeers and boos.

Hubs, entering Lambeau, still alive and kickin'!

There he is...#1657! Almost finished! Right after this, he ripped off the Naoplean Dynomite headband and whipped it at me, hitting my camera lens and leaving a big salt streak! EWWWW!

About to cross the finish line!!

He finished in 04:03:57

And he swears he will never. Not ever. Do it again.

Friday.

2011-05-13T23:46:00.000-05:00

I don't care if Monday's blue.
Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too.
Thursday I don't care about you.
Its Friday, I'm upstairs at 11pm mopping the bathroom floor.

Wait. That's not how The Cure sang it? Drat.

This evening, I had some friends over. One friend has daughters that my kids have grown up with since they were 1. Naturally, they adore each other to the bone. Normally, the girls are all very quiet and just play in Norah's room, dressing up in silly clothes, playing with stuffed cats, perhaps putting on some makeup, and generally, getting out every toy known to mankind.
Tonight they opted for the Path of Adventure, it seems.
You see, I found my feet sticking to the upstairs bathroom floor. A pile of 3 bath towels laying on the floor. An overturned spray bottle of air freshener. A bottle of Method hand soap, with a suspiciously lower level than before, sitting on the floor.
It turns out that the girls turned the bathroom into a skating rink.
Brilliant? Naughty? Creative?
You decide while you're mopping at 11pm, having to change the water each time because of the amount of soap in it.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-05-10T22:33:00.001-05:00

Other titles could be:

Someday I will wear capris! I can feel it!

Get off the rag, Mother Nature!

Yeah. I am starting to feel nasty that I am still having to regularly wear jeans in May. Trying to maintain a positive attitude, but when you have winter-ish weather that you despise for too many months out of the year, you really look forward to exposing skin! (well, I do)

tank {Old Navy} :: jacket {Target} :: jeans {Kohls} :: wedges {Banana Republic} :: necklace {walmart}

{Fabulous Banana Republic wedges that I got at a consignment boutique. I now know why they looked so new. After wearing them all day, my poor dogs were barkin'!}

Stop the Presses! It was warm out!! And I wore a shorty short skirt and you know what? It was incredibly comfy and not at all awkward!

shirt {ON} :: denim skirt {Gap} :: sandals {Target} :: necklace {Bonhomie Jewelry} :: bracelet {Tiffany & Co}

{I was never really a fan of the gladiator looking sandal, but after finding these last week at Target for $7, I figured it wouldn't hurt me to try them.}

Happy Mother's Day!!

It was an ok day, weather-wise, but a great day altogether, starting with my requested breakfast: stuffed french toast. Yum! I got to spend a low-key day with my kids and husband and later, with my mom, grandma, aunt, cousin (and the respective men, of course)

jeans {Ann Taylor Loft} :: shoes {Miss Sixty} :: shirt {Target} :: necklace {Bonhomie Jewelry} :: custom made mother's bracelet {gift}

Um, kids are wearing Carters outfit & Gymbo sandals and glasses (N), Childrens Place polo, Gap jeans, & Tony Hawk shoes (A), and Ruff Hewn polo, Old Navy jeans, & Children's Place chucks-knockoffs.

And yes, I've since given myself a pedicure in a gorgeous orange. Goodness. I should have not showed off my toes like that!

P.S. I totally meant to crop these photos and just noticed I didn't!!! Whoops. Guess you get to see stray pails and the grill, all covered up, and junk in the yard!

Linking up with Lindsey and Nina this week!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-05-10T09:00:00.004-05:00

In honor of Mother's Day, I bring you this Tuesday's ten:

10 Things I've Learned as a Mama

1. Nothing is fast anymore, yet time flies.
Need to run to the store because I ran out of [insert item here]? It used to be so easy. Now? Not so much. Even though they are older, it still takes 3x as long. Yet...it seems like just yesterday I was pregnant. And the sleepless nights. And the parent anxiety. It all goes too fast.

2. Never say never. Because you never know.

3. Inevitably, you will become your mother. Maybe not permanantly, but you'll see glimpses of her appear at times. Yes, you will tell your child(ren) that "if you don't stop this right now, I will pull this car over to the side of the road!", or you'll tell them that you have eyes in back of your head. Or my favorite. "because I said so, that's why." (I swore I'd never give that as an answer. Ever.)

4. Someday, your child will say that they hate you. Or call you a "meanie mommy". And as prepared as you are for this moment, it will still stab like a knife.

5. If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Word. Don't worry what others think about you and just live your life the way that makes y'all happy.

6. Time outs are great. For mommy, that is. Yes, sometimes, the best thing we can do is to walk away and take some deep breaths and regroup.

7. My kids will never, ever find my constant dancing to be cool. It will always cause them to hang their heads and roll their eyes. Sigh.

8. There's no such thing as privacy. I am not sure when moms are entitled to it, but 9 years later, I still don't have it.

9. Instill in them the love of reading. It will pay back ten-fold on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

10. Being a mom is absolutely the hardest, yet most rewarding and wonderful job I've ever had.

Easy Peasy Craft

2011-05-08T23:37:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day.
Next to Father's Day, its brain wracking for me when it comes to gift ideas.
This past Christmas, I made one of these for my aunt, using my nephew's photo (ok, not really my nephew. technically, my cousin's baby. but anyway...), so I fell back on the same idea for my husband's mom.
The idea came from somewhere on the internets. I don't know where, sorry. I am sure its all over the place, really. My friend, Alyson, brought this up before Christmas, so I ran with it at that time.

What you need:

Photo (I used an 8x10)

Flat ceramic tile (I used a 6x6. 56cents from HoDe)

Matte Mod Podge

Sponge brush

xacto knife or paper cutter

Trim the photo down to the size you want.

I cut mine down so about a mm of tile showed on each edge.

I also bought a 12x12 tile and could have had hubs cut it down to an 8x8 or 10x10 (HoDe and Lowes will do this, too), but I ran out of time to have an 11x14 printed.

Apply a thin coat of Mod-Podge to the tile and adhere the photo to the tile, making sure you press out all air bubbles.

Let dry for an hour, then apply your first coat of Mod Podge.

I put a big glob in the middle and then brushed it over the photo, and then evened it out using even strokes, one after another, one way, not stopping mid-stroke, until the end.

{wet after the first coat}

Let that dry for an hour, and then apply a second coat, but going the other way (ie: my first application was horizontal, so my second was vertical)

After the 2nd coat dries, it'll look like this.

{view from an angle. kinda looks like a photo w/ a linen type texture}

Then just get a photo stand from Michael's (or JoAnn or Hobb Lobb or what have you) and voila! Done. A gift for around $5.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Real Momma, Real Style

2011-05-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

One lousy photo.

That's what I've got because I went away from Thurs-Sunday and did not take any photos of my outfits. Not that they were anything to photograph, anyway.

And on Monday I was just too busy to get the camera out of my bag and set it up! Our May schedule started off with a bang and if I make it through the month, it will be a miracle!!!

Why?

This....

(and this is before I added some more events)

Anyway, this isn't so much a fashion photo as it is my new bling!!!

Awhile back, I won a gift certificate to Bonhomie Jewels, courtesy of the lovely and talented April of Funky Vintage Lovely.

I chose to cash in my GC towards this sweetheart necklace. Isn't it divine?! (taken in the mirror, so that's a K+C) Kirstie is talented. Y'all should go check her stuff out. She has designed several pieces for Alicia Keys!!!

This tunic is from Target. When they first had it, I wanted it badly. Its one of those that's a designer cheapie, and not a Target brand. But I wasn't willing to pay the $35 or whatever that was on the tag. Yes, I really am cheap like that. So when I saw this on clearance, my heart skipped a beat! $17! Holla!
The only downside is that the lacey stuff is itchy. I have such sensitive skin when it comes to itchy fabrics. By 5pm, I was so done and was blotchy from scratching. Hopefully some washing will soften it up.

Oh, and a new belt. Sadly, this is the only brown belt I have.
I need something fatter. Funkier.

{please ignore that which is under construction behind me. it was too cold to go outside}

tunic, belt, wedges {target} skinnies, earrings{F21}

I am linking up with Lindsey and Nina!

Speaking of Nina... I am so flattered! She was so sweet and featured me and my yellow H&M dress and grey leggings on her site last week!! When I saw it, it made me smile from here to Texas. Aw shucks.

ITS TIME TO VOTE!!!!!

2011-04-30T11:53:00.001-05:00

YO YO YO

I need your help!

Please vote for me!!!!!!

A few posts back, I mentioned I entered my bedroom in Mandi of Vintage Revival's Epic Makeover contest. But the only way I can win if if YOU vote for me!!!!

So please, go to Vintage Revivals and vote for me. I am #12!
Voting starts at MIDNIGHT tonight (Saturday...or, I guess that means Sunday?)

Hi ho, hi ho. Its off to scrap I go!

2011-04-27T23:38:00.002-05:00

Do you scrap?
I started scrapping after Aidan was born. I will say "scrap" in the loosest of terms. Over the years, I learned more and found my little niche.
I really enjoy scrapping. Its a creative outlet for me and the kids just love looking at their albums. I certainly don't scrap every photo. Or every occasion. I try to focus on photos that really speak to me.
I certainly don't scrap as much as I'd like, either. Its always been a goal to do it more often. I am not a digital gal. I enjoy the different textures of the real stuff too much.

Tomorrow I leave for my annual scrapbook retreat in Illinois with a group of moms that I've known for 10 years now. Its a great weekend getaway filled with intense laughter and snorting, being silly, not enough sleep, creativity, and too much food and a bit of libations.

Au revoir!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T10:27:00.001-05:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-04-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Another week gone by. Not much blogging by me. I've been trying to stay off the computer because I've had so much neck pain and some shoulder pain. Turns out that its a herniated disc. Lovely. Aging sucks. So that's the reason for the many ponytails this week. That, and the rainy weather we've had.

top{H&M}, leggings & boots{Target}, necklace{Superhero Designs}

Friday night in the 'hood! Several of the neighbors went to the n'hood bar for Macho Nachos!

the "J" word pants, boots, dress {Target}, gigantor earrings{F21}

Easter Saturday with my side of the family!

dress{H&M}, leggings{Kohls}, cute shoes that aren't shown{Target}, necklace{Payless Shoe Store}

Easter Sunday...on the way to the in-laws

tunic{H&M}, skinnies{F21}, ballet flats{Walmart}, necklaces{Cookie Lee}

I loved this shirt in the store, but it kinda makes me look pregnant. Hrmm.

Ahh. Monday.

dress, leggings{Target}, flats{Kohls}, necklace{Love Stitched}

I am linking up with Lindsey from the Pleated Poppy and Nina from Momma Go Round for their weekly series!

Fashion, as defined by my 7 year old

2011-04-27T00:42:00.000-05:00

Easter Saturday

In our house, holidays are all 2 days long, due to the fact that we have to spend it with my family one day and hubs family the next. They don't live close enough for us to do it all in one day. And besides...mixing families doesn't always bode well.

I picked out these 4 coordinating Joel Dewberry fabrics from the Modern Meadow line. I bought quite a bit of fabric to play with and I had in mind a cute, full twirly skirt with lots of panels. But my Gracie Girl had a different idea. And that girl has a mind of her own and I knew if I didn't make what she wanted, she would never wear it again.

{sigh}

So I made a simple 4 panel LONG skirt. No fun ribbon on the bottom. No flowers adorning the lower side panel (I made them. She wouldn't let me pin them on). Wassup with the length? Its so... modest. And add the leggings to that. That's her new thing. Its so she doesn't have to sit like a lady. Or worry about those pesky undie sightings on the monkey bars.

I made a coordinating necklace top with the fabrics.
Which, of course, did not turn out as planned. Perhaps because I could only find vneck shirts at Old Navy. Or maybe it was because I was doing this 20 minutes before we left on Saturday.

At least my boys don't groan when I dress them alike!

We had a very delightful Easter weekend, despite a few hiccups. Lots of egg hunts, food up to our eyeballs, too much candy (can one OD on malted milk balls?), and family, family, family.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-04-20T17:50:00.000-05:00

I don't have much to contribute this week. I spent the majority of the past 7 days in the horizontal position with a box of Puffs and a hot mug of tea stationed by my side.

This is Sunday. I got to go out for Mexican {including yummy skinny margaritas!} at a local place with two wonderful ladies from my 'hood.

This is a top/cardi combo that Annie, the stylist put together. I would have never thought to pair green with the rose, but it totally worked.

cardigan-Anthropologie :: tank-not sure. from U-Turn Consignment, though :: cami- Target :: jeans- Kohls :: necklace- JCrew (also U-Turn) :: *shey*[b] camera strap

Love these shoes!! I just got them from this local boutique called Gracie's. They are European and the leather is butter soft. They have a small consignment section, but even their regular merchandise is not badly priced for a boutique

Ooooh! Grape legs and gold toes!

I got dressed today and volunteered in my daughter's classroom. I needed something bright and cheery because its been so darn gloomy and cold out!

Brrrrr!!! Its cold out!

pencil skirt-F21 (consignment) :: tank, cardi & tights- Target :: shoes- consignment :: necklace- Charlotte Russe

Oh...my darn SUV is so high up that when I went to jump up into it, I split the back slit of my skirt up to my nether regions! EEK! Thankfully that was after school and I left my long jacket on during errand running.

I am linking up with Lindsey for WIWW and Nina for Real Momma, Real Style...

i SPY: Around My Home

2011-04-20T08:59:00.001-05:00

Ashley from Little Miss Momma is continuing her weekly i Spy series with Favorite Things Around Your Home. I will be linking up with her.
So without further ado, I bring you my favorite things as interpreted by my mood on my walk through my house this afternoon.

i spy dinner {soup} already cooking on the stove on this cold, rainy afternoon.

{i hate that pot, btw}

i Spy coffee. the nectar of the gods

and another type...

{if you are a red drinker, Apothic is one of my $10ish favorites. so good}

i spy fancy(ier) soap.

little things like this make me happy.

i spy Happy{the dawg}, chillin'

i spy my children...

...peacefully reading...

...tickling the ivories...

...and following the rules

{i spy my lone little lefty!}

i spy grand works of art on display

and my current state of being.

{not a fave, but it helps me live}

i spy my favorite wedding photo. and my love i married 10 years ago.

i spy our old glass doorknobs and skeleton key holes

i spy leaded glass windows. so charming. but so leaky in the cold winter.

i spy my newest sewing mess.

and part of my happy milk glass obsession.

i spy a sign that i have children who are growing up {typed reports done on a laptop. that they know how to hook up to the printer. ack.}, but then again, children who are still young enough who adore an annoying as all get-out singing easter bunny from their great grandma.

i spy a reminder of a time when my babies were still babies.

sigh.

and finally...

i spy a stack of old, original Nancy Drew mysteries.

my mom read these. my aunt did, too. as did i...many, many times.

and hopefully, someday my daughter will, too.

i spy a home that's lived in and loved in.

What about you?

EPIC MAKEOVER!!!!!

2011-04-19T14:14:00.002-05:00

That's right, gurl.Because no one needs it like I do, that's fo shiz. Why?This is my bedroom. Its a constant work in progress, but its never a haven like it should be.

We bought this furniture when we were first married. It is too big for this room and its too matchy-matchy. Our bedroom is a teeny tiny box...the sacrifice we make in order to have the kids on the 2nd floor together. We want to get rid of the furniture, we need some kind of floor covering for the HWFs to warm it up (something we've never had). We need the walls painted. Oh, and we have no closet doors. Did ya notice that? Yeah. We're ready for a big overhaul. The only thing I want to keep is my Dwell Studio comforter I just bought. Why you, Mandi?Because you're friggin' awesome.Starting with those anthro acid mirrors, to the tree that can be decorated {love that!}, to the fact that you sewed a rug. And HELLO! You were on NATE BERKUS! I have that red desk you have. But mine's not red. Mine's a boring black. You have the imagination that I lack. I can only copy other people and lack the vision it takes to put other's awesome finished products together.
We have some cool pieces throughout our house that I think, combined with thrifting, you could make something awesome from (given what I've seen you do).Because I am done. done. done. with having a bedroom that looks like crap!So, YO! YO!Come to my house and give me an epic makeover!{please?}Besides, when else will you get a chance to go to Wisconsin? And blog readers...I need your help! When the polls open on April 30th, I will need you to vote for me. Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Monday's Musings

2011-04-18T22:24:00.000-05:00

Giving up.

You know that point where you acknowledge that your house needs to be cleaned?

Badly.

VERY badly.

But you just don't have it in you.

Because you just don't know where to start.

Its overwhelming.

Maybe not in the grand scheme of life.

But in my life, I can't function effectively if my house is a disaster. Essentially, I see it as a sign to bury my head and be a sloth.

This weekend, my husband and two of our awesome friends installed the electrical and mounted our TV. Holla!

That process?

Woah.

Holy Big. Fat. Mess.

On Sunday, I woke up with some renewed energy after a few days in bed with sinus and ear infections. I started going at it. But with crap literally everywhere (discarded entertainment unit. tape measures. CDs, photo frames, wires - lots of them, electronic components just tossed on the shelves hither and fro), I just gave up.

And so it sat.

And when I say "gave up", I mean it literally. I let the vacuum sit here all day, as I laid on the couch watching back-to-back-to-back episodes of House Hunters and other HGTV shows.

In other musings, I spent tonight watching one of the best movies ever, Reality Bites, since there's nothing good on TV and in my typical ADD fashion, I have 3 half-done sewing projects sitting on the dining table that I don't feel like finishing until tomorrow. Or the next day.

As I was watching, I was perusing Pinterest. My new crack.

I came across this photo

via

Beautiful girl. But damn...that outfit? I had that outfit. 1993 (pre-Reality Bites). I distinctly remember wearing it on a blind date! Black Esprit leggings, men's denim shirt from Eddie Bauer. Unlisted boots.

Its come full circle, people.

Granted, this is a bit more chic and I was a bit more grunge, but hey.

I still listen to my Reality Bites CD. I'd listen to my Singles soundtrack, but my husband threw away my tapes.

I totally aged myself, huh?

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

2011-04-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

Awesome
My 7 year old daughter creating math homework for her 9 year old brother, complete with an 'ickzapo' {example} and then the problems with a, "Now you do it!"

Being able to take my dog on a walk and wear a tank top. You can't imagine how happy this makes me.

Seeing Heather push her stroller o' kids somewhere, flipflops on feet. Heather + flops = Winter is gone. Its official, yo.

Awkward
Having to hold the PTA meeting tonight with this cold that I caught. I am so not a fan of blowing my nose in public. But I won't make it. And I sound icky.

Maxi dresses. I do love. Target especially has some awesome ones. But when did did this name get slapped onto this fashion? Because I recall wearing dresses of this length in the late 70's. And several different styles scattered throughout the 90's, and they were just "dresses". Yes, I am that old. And I don't like the word "maxi". Sorry. It reminds me of feminine hygiene products.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-04-13T13:09:00.000-05:00

I had nuthin'. It didn't mean I wasn't dressed nice the past 7 days, because I was. Friday I went to a cocktail hour. Saturday I went out for dinner w/ my girls for a birthday celebration (not mine). And on Monday, I even wore some super cute new shoes to my book club. But I didn't take photos.

So today, after cleaning up and getting dressed, I thought I'd upload today's photo.

shirt: Old Navy

cami: Costco

jeans: Marlow {dudes. these jeans are $100 jeans that i got for $4.99 at GW. i kid you not. they are superb! the denim is comfy, they fit great, no saggy crotch that i seem to get in some pants. love the whiskered bottoms, the baked creases at the hips}

shoes: Carlos, by Carlos Santana

Once again, I am linking up with Lindsey

and Nina

I SPY: Neighborhood

2011-04-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

If you have not yet met Ashley from Little Miss Momma, you should. She's cute, she's funny, and she's real.

And she started this 'I SPY' series. Fun, no? I think so. Something a little different.

So on this beautiful 60 degree day, I grabbed my iPhone and took a 3 mile stroll around town with my pooch, trying not to look like a creepy person whilst snapping phone pix.

Shadows

Kids on the playground (my kids school)

Mama goose who made a nest and laid eggs in the gardens on said playground!

My favorite house in our immediate n'hood. Just adore that architecture.

Spring is here! The fountain is alive and outdoor seating is available at the cafe in the village!

Peeking in at La Reve...the French Patisserie in the village (yum).

My favorite stretch of North Avenue (except for the place whose striped awning is sticking out). It houses a yummy Italian restaurant, my favorite consignment boutique, and our regular donut/pizza joint.

Yes, they are weeds. But they sure are pretty weeds.

I hope you enjoyed the little jaunt through our charming old village! You'd never guess I am 2 blocks outside of the 28th most populated city in the US, would you? I love that we're quite urban, but that its got a small town charm to it.

And this is controversial, why?

2011-04-13T09:21:00.001-05:00

Source: sfgate.com via Suzette on Pinterest

I interrupt today's episode of WIWW with this breaking news....

The Pink Toenail Controversy

{also, I didn't take any photos this week. But I did get dressed}

This morning, on the Today Show, the newscasters talked about this ad and whether or not it was anything to get our undies in a bunch over.

Seriously?

A 5 year old is getting his toes painted pink by his mom.

What's the big deal?

People are saying this will scar him for life.

He'll be made fun of.

His mom is creating a "gender confused" boy.

Or even worse...society celebrates and pushes the gender confused boy who wants to "act like a girl."

Wait. Let's back up here for a moment, ok?

This child is 5. FIVE. FIVE YEARS OLD, people!!

Would it be an issue if it were a girl in that ad, posed in boyish rubber boots with a dump truck and mud on her body?

I am willing to bet money on it that the answer is a big, fat "NO".

Its so sad that people get all up in arms.

These are children. They learn through exploring. They learn through play. They learn from society's reactions, too.

As you can see from these 2 (of many over the years) photos, we have no issue with our boys dressing up.

We also have no qualms with our daughter dressing up in her brother's clothes (son: left. daughter: right)

Am I worried that by allowing them to play as they wish, I will foster "gender confused" children?

Heck no.

But if, somehow, my children do end up being gay, I will love them just as I do now.

{WOOT!} Spring Has Sprung!

2011-04-10T21:32:00.000-05:00

Today we had glorious, beautiful spring weather!

The kind that comes out just to tease you. To get you out of hibernation. To encourage you to clean up your yard from the 'yuck' that winter leaves behind. And to keep you from bolting, reminding you that summer will be here soon enough!

Sure signs of spring in Wisconsin:

the spinach is planted in the garden beds

the seeds are started

spring flowers are blooming

windows are opened to get some fresh air

{what? your windows don't look like that? its 2011, you say?}

children are bathed after a long day of playing outside and getting filthy, especially their feet!

and summer jams come out of hiding.

And to wrap up the day in typical Wisconsin spring fashion, we have to end the day with tornado warnings and storms. Because it wouldn't be spring without it.

Happy Sunday!

Saturday Shout Out!

2011-04-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

Dude (otherwise known in some circles as "mom")...how awesome is this idea?

Its the Mom I'm Bored Jar from HomeSpun Threads

I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly can't be the only mom on earth whose kids have a ton of crap, yet still pull the "Mama, I have nuffin' to doooo." or "Mommy, I am bored. Can I play 'lectronics?"

I think I found a solution.

You say it, you pick one, you do it.

Period.

Sounds good to me!

And Aimee of HomeSpun Threads even has a printable download that makes it super-duper easy. So you can use it to embellish your jar and for your 'to dos'!

{She also has a ton of other downloads, too.}

My other plug is this site I recently found just last month

Holiday Snob

How can you *not* love it, if not for the name alone!!

Dot and Gitta's site is relatively new, but they are quickly adding a ton of holiday snobbery to it. I just adore this most recent Easter one:

An Anthro Easter

Um, ok. So I may not put forth the effort to make these cookies right now whilst I have small children, because, let's face it, they are totally blissful with a bunny shape that has some colored icing slapped haphazardly onto it. But perhaps if I have an adult occasion? A tea party? We shall see.

Happy Saturday!

Thursday's Words of Wisdom

2011-04-07T13:54:00.002-05:00

via

Gift Giving- kids or adults

2011-04-07T10:52:00.000-05:00

I was perusing blogs, looking for a gift to give a girlfriend whose birthday we are celebrating this weekend. After Etsy left me feeling confused, I went to Tracie's blog. Between her and Heather and Bridget, they are the queens of giving creative, cool gifts that thought was put into. Oh, and Tracie and Heather know how to throw a kids' party. Check it out, yo.

I couldn't choose a single gift to feature so I'll just direct you to the gift section of Tracie's blog. Its blissfully beautiful.

{what little girl would not want to receive this??}

{all i can say is, "ahhhh." and how grateful would you be if someone put that time into this?}

Now I need to get off my duff and go put together a cute gift for my friend!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-04-06T09:21:00.003-05:00

Good morning!

Another week, another edition of What I Wore Wednesday.

This week, I am linking up with a slew of stylish, cute mamas from...

and...

I got this tank/dress/tunic {whatever it is} early last summer at the local consignment boutique. I loved the way it looked - very anthro-ish, but I could never figure out how to wear it, since its sooo see through and the back has some funky straps. But then Annie came along and said I could wear my grey cami under it because of the waistline and the straps were ok because of something or other having to do with lines. Alrighty! And she also said the white-ish color it was was acceptable to wear with my off-white cardi. Who knew? Not me.

tunic-F21 :: leggings/boots/cardi-Target :: necklace-Cookie Lee :: earrings- Three Graces Boutique

I snatched this shirt up while doing a quick trip at Target because I loved how it looked. I am so glad I did! I love it!!!! (although I look chesty)

jeans/shirt-Target :: wedges-Kohl's :: cardi-Old Navy :: Necklace-Bloomingdale's :: earrings- Lia Sophia

Spring Shopping!

I finally found a white shirt and I love it!!! And I think this is my first 'tuck in' in a long time.

shirt-F21 :: jeans-Kohls :: glasses- Anthropologie :: belt & boots- Target :: necklace you can't see- Love Stitched

Aye! The flash! The horror! And apparently, I have bags and some messed up eyeliner? Eek. We were headed to meet my friend Alyson of Eisley Rae and her family for dinner. They were in town from CA! I snapped this as I was running out the door.

{see that grey that's 2nd from the bottom? that's the color we're painting the walls}

cardi-Old Navy :: shirt (i heart this shirt)- Anthropologie :: jeans-F21 ::necklace- Payless Shoes

My attempt at something new. I was home all day, but instead of wearing yoga pants, I wore something comfy (leggings). I did run to the grocery and when I did, I tossed on jeans and a belt to make it look more put together :)

pink tank-& cardi F21 :: belt- Target (i need a diff. belt) :: necklace- Superhero Designs :: cute boy- C&K

Holla!! I got me some new hair!! Sorry, grandmas, I know you love the blonde. But my hairdresser said that my hair is now naturally closer to a dark blonde or even a light brown. So much for that beautiful blonde hair I had as a kid. Its all from a bottle, now.

dress & leggings- F21 :: necklace- Cookie Lee :: flats - Walmart

{I picked up these silver flats at hellmart when I was there searching for bins. They were on clearance for $3. I have the intention of making some pretty shoe accessory for them instead of the lame bow that is on them now}

Thoughts on the hairs?
By the way, I was super excited yesterday to find a local store that sold DownEast Basics and Tulle clothing! Suh-weet!

Ten on Tuesday

2011-04-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

I am 37.

And 1/4.

gulp.

Lately, I've been thinking about where I thought I'd be at this point in my life vs. where I am.

Totally different.

Is that common? I'd like to think its common.

For instance, I never, in a million years, thought I'd leave my career to be a stay-at-home-mama and, eek, housewife (that's what they classified me as the last time I went through customs.) But you know what? I wouldn't change it. Nope.

But I do have a list of things I'd like to do by the time I am fourty.

40.

Shut the door, man.

That number gives me heartburn!

Anyway, this is my list:

10 Things To Do Before Age 40

Scuba Dive

Learn how to tango

Go on a roadtrip with girlfriends

Mardi Gras, baby. Mardi Gras! {but only if the Rigsbys join us}

At least start the serious planning of a vacation abroad with the kids.

Skydive!

Participate in something like the Dance Experiment, Improv Experiment, or Fear Experiment. Or heck, just take a ComedySportz imrprov class!

Buy a pair of Lululemon yoga pants. {seriously. i've tried them on. my booty looks fab in them. as it should for that price. gag}

Learn how to use power tools (not a drill. I know how to use that. I mean like saws and stuff)

Compete in some kind of urban adventure race {ahem. AJR, are you reading this? There's a reason I linked to MSP :) }

{repost}That's just the way it works, don't you know?

2011-04-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

{more words of wisdom from Aidan, orignially posted on 9/06. he cracked me up. old soul.}

According to Aidan:

"Sometimes kids lose their manners and they get hyper. That's just what happens. Then you say nicely, calm down. And you don't yell. That's the way you do it."

"We're just little kids. We can't listen all the time. We're trying."

{repost} Ohhhh. That explains it all.

2011-04-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

{my life 4 years ago. he was a wise one}

Aidan: "Mommy. When I turn 8, I will be patient. Because when you are 4 and 5, kids are just not patient. We're just kids."

Let's Do This Thang!!

2011-04-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

What's that? Make pie? Pumpkin bread, perhaps? All while doing some yoga? Nope. I started this...

via

Today I started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred.
I vow to do this every day, for the next 30 days. I officially start my half-marathon training program on Monday, April 18th. Oh Hal Higdon, how I fear you. I failed you last time and I will not fail you again.

So my training for that will overlap with finishing the Shred. But that's ok. And I will continue going to yoga classes, too. Let's hope all this gets me into prime shape, baby!

So why the pumpkin?
I couldn't find my hand weights. Whoops. So for today, I had 1lb weights. By tomorrow I will find my cute pink 2lb hand weights and will use those, instead.

Day 1.
She breaks it into 3 levels, allowing you to take it to the next level when you're ready. So I started with level 1.
I won't lie. It was hard. Mainly because I am out of shape. But I powered through. Actually, the hardest part was the damn pushups. I loathe pushups. They are my enemy. I hate how they hide out in yoga, disguising themselves with a fancy name {Chaturanga}. Grrr.
But the best part about her workout? No pausing. Just power through for 20 intense minutes.
Me - the lack-of-attention-span-queen. I can do anything for 20 minutes. I love that I did not look at the clock, thinking, "crap. 45 more minutes left."
And it made me sweat. Quickly.

So let's see how effective this workout is, shall we?
Here are official stats, taken today w/ my trusty 10 year old bathroom scale and my sewing measuring tape.

Height: 5' 5""
Weight: 115lb
BMI: 19.13
Waist: 27"
Hips: 34.5"
Thighs: 21"
Chest: 33"
Bicep: 10"

I am laughing my booty off right now. I used this body fat calculator. It tells me that I have 33% body fat, which is obese (where's that 'hysterically laughing' emoticon?)

Yes, I know that my body fat is higher than it should be and I need more lean muscle mass. But OBESE? Come on. I wear a size 0 or 2. Do they need to use *that* word? I think I'll stay away from that calculator.

So that's it. I will do the same measurements again in 30 days :)

Baby Boy

2011-04-03T23:19:00.000-05:00

Um, ok. So maybe he's not a baby anymore? But he's still sweet and snuggly as one. Yeah, he's got a streak to him...he can be the littlest {pardon the french} sh*tbird. But his ploy on cuteness and innocence gets him out of hairy situations.

We'll keep him.

{working on piano flashcards. intervals can be tricky!}

{how do you resist when they say, "mama. can i sleep wif you?" and look at how he sleeps like he's all chillaxed.}

quick {inexpensive} closet DIY!

2011-04-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

My closet

The bane of my existence at times.

Our first house, I had a nice big closet that was built into a dormer. For the most part, a walk-in closet, but you had to hunch over as you went in.

Our second house, I had a wonderful, heavenly walk-in, complete with built-ins. I even banished my husband's stuff to the guest room.

This house? Not loving the closet sitch. Apparently, they didn't think highly of storage in the 1920's?

This was my closet {judgment passing not allowed}. Louvered doors from hell aside, I had a bad relationship with this closet. Thankfully, I no longer had a 'business professional' wardrobe to stuff into my closet, but I do have to share with the family coats.

Say what?

Yeah. See that brown in the back? That's the door that is in the foyer/sunroom. Good times.

One morning, it was the final straw - the doors fell off the track for their last time and hubs ripped them off and said, "I think you need a closet organizer."

I said, "you think? gee. I've been saying for years."

So I cleaned out the closet...

{looking left. see the door?}

{standing in the closet. looking right. not very big, huh?}

This wasn't a planned project, so we didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. Hubs went to Lowe's and the guy working happened to be a contractor and helped him. Easy peasy and cheap.

Well, in all reality, it would have been easy peasy lemon squeezy if it were not for that darn door and the thick 1920's trim surrounding it. So boards had to be screwed into the plaster, first, to make things flush.

2 days later, I had a closet, sans doors (if history repeats itself, that will take a good year or so). Its not perfect, but its

much

better!

{afterall, I do share a closet with the coats}

i got these white fabric bins at walmart. shudder. but they were the only ones i found in that size. i have things like my bathing suits in one, workout shorts in another, and sports bras & tanks in a third. i need to label them all cute and stuff. and oh, the nice thing about 1920's houses? tall ceilings. i have that extra row up there for stuff i don't need often

I emptied my dresser because we're painting the bureau and putting it in the boys' room. I actually like having my stuff on the shelves better. I can see my tank and tee colors. And I put my jeans w/ the waistbands out, even though its not as neat, because I saw on Jill GG's Good Life blog that she did it and I ~~wanted to be a copycat~~ liked the idea of being able to tell which jeans are which (not that I have tons of jeans).

{that backwards bin on the left houses the kids mittens and hats. the bin atop that has my leggings. crap - i have a whole bin-o-leggings at age 37. what has this world come to? the one on the right has my unmentionables and socks}

My sandals are shoved into this handing organizer, but not all my shoes fit in there. The rest are stuffed in a crate. So I think I need another solution.

So, until the doors are on, there ya have it! Under $200. And I managed to empty a bureau and a night stand! Go me! So for our new dressers, all I will need drawers for are my PJs and yoga pants! Woot!

Thrift Find

2011-04-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Squee! Recently, I've taken to hitting up Goodwill on a weekly basis to scope out dressers and tables and desks. Last week, I found the perfect dresser, but alas, but was from a smoking home and when I opened the drawers, it reeked. I found a desk at Goodwill. I was bummed. So when I was there this week, after dropping off 3 bags o' clothes, I saw this desk for $19 and squealed with delight!

With a little TSP, paint, and new hardware, I think she'll look perfect somewhere in my house. I am thinking sewing desk. We'll see.

What kind of finish would you do on it???

Sweet Memories

2011-03-31T15:48:00.000-05:00

Is there anything specific that evokes a wonderful memory or memories for you?

For me, its a cheap flour sifter.

When I was a little girl, for the first 4.5 glorious years of my life, I was the only child, the only niece, and the only grandchild. On all sides of the family. Holla!

My parents worked, so I spent a lot of time being cared for by my gramma (my mom's mama) and my auntie (my mom's sista), who still lived at home at the time.

I have such wonderful memories of the time I spent at my gramma's house and it makes me sad to think that perhaps, now that my papa is gone, she may move out of the house.

But I digress.

I spent a lot of time baking with her. One of my jobs was to sift the flour. A very important job, you know.

Another important task that she taught me early on was how to iron. She had me ironing tablecloths, napkins, handkerchiefs (her pretty embroidered flowery ones and my papa's plain white ones), and sheets. Come to think of it, I am not sure if my gramma was anal retentive or trying to keep me busy.

Their house was always a place that brought me instant comfort. I loved spending the night there. I loved all the attention that was bestowed on me. Me me me (that's right, baby). I am so appreciative of that time I got to spend. And I am so grateful that my kids got to meet their great-grandparents (Aidan, especially, establishing a special bond with my papa) and that both my grandmas are around for them to this day.

I hope that someday, my kids look back and have some fond memories, too. Not just memories of electronic crap. You know?

DIY Curtains

2011-03-31T15:09:00.002-05:00

I was so excited to make curtains for my kitchen. It took me forever and a day to pick out the "perfect" fabric, and I finally found it...Blossom, by Vicki Payne for Free Spirit. I got it from my local fabric shop that sells fun and funky stuff, Drawstring Studio.

I love laying the fabric out and the sound of cutting it, as scared as I am of effing up.

I chose to sew it because there's just something about a perfect seam versus using hem tape. It just looks professional and real.

I love the smell of my sewing machine when its loudly humming away. I love when I get something right.

I do not, however, love when I screw up. That hem tape would have come in handy. Despite using a worksheet from a book on how to measure for curtains, they were the wrong length. Crap crap crap. Thankfully, we can fix the issue by moving down the rod. And at the end, I can always yank out the bottom 4" hem and make it a bit smaller.

Mindless Musings

2011-03-30T21:51:00.002-05:00

I am thinking of buying a pair of TOMS. My frugal side won't buy them because they are over $15 and I don't know what the quality of them is like, I don't know how they fit, and I don't know how comfy they are.

Insight?

I found these at Target today. They were comfy! What? Come again?!! Of course, they were not in my size. Sigh. I need to find $50 worth of crap to buy online because I refuse to pay shipping. Hrm.

My 7 year old daughter has an obsession with lifting up the skirts and peeking down/into the shirts of mannequins, checking to see if they are wearing panties or bras. They never are. She wonders why.

Speaking of mannequins...what's up with Forever 21? Is there a method to their orgazational madness? Because, crud, I just want to go in and find a small, white button down shirt. Why can't they all be in one place? WHY? Why must they have 5 different locations? Perhaps, if it was better organized, then they could afford to have more sales associates at the register, instead of 1 and a long line. Because that's annoying. Or is that only my F21?

And did you know that F21 has a 90210 tank top?!! Fo reals.

via

I love me some old skool 90210.

While I am on the subject of TV, tell me I am not the only Teen Mom 2 addict? Why am I drawn in to that garbage? That's the only 'reality' show I watch. And man... its trash. Like, when will Jenelle "get" it? And why do Jo's parents allow him to talk to Kailyn like he does? Make that boy have some respect for the human kind! For women! Shiz...for his baby mama! Step up!

Peace.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-03-30T12:33:00.001-05:00

Another Wednesday, another linkup of 'what i wore'...an attempt to put myself together each day and not just slop myself into my yoga pants and hooded sweatshirt like i really want to when i am only running to the grocery or library.

I am not so sure how I feel about this bright red on me. I kinda wish I had gotten the white w/ red stripes. Maybe I'll get the white w/ navy...

shirt-F21 :: jeans-Target :: necklace-Superhero Designs :: earrings-Clare's (found while shopping for bunny earrings for my girlie) :: freckles- all me

dress (worn as shirt)-F21 :: jeans-F21 :: necklace-Cookie Lee :: trusty boots-Target

jeans-F21 :: dress-Target (from consignment) :: tank-Walmart :: cardi-Target :: ballet shoes-Kohl's :: necklace-Walmart

Date night! Dinner at a new place downtown called INdustri cafe.I had snagged a groupon for $15 for $30. Anything as an excuse to go somewhere new that sounds yummy! I had the most divine PB&J (don't judge!) made w/ homemade cashew butter and homemade berry jam and topped w/ homemade kettle chips. Hello calories! So worth it. We followed that up with a comedy show at Comedy Sportz (see posed photo w/ stuffed horse).

The sitter was already here when I snapped these on the sly in my room.

tank and cardi-Old Navy :: skinnies-Kohls :: necklace-Cookie Lee :: shoes-Miss Sixty from consignment boutique {these shoes say, "call me a bitch again and I'll pee on your leg". I didn't realize that till after I bought them. I just about died!}

Spring Break! Holla!

We hit the public museum and then Whole Foods for lunch and some restocking of the fridge and pantry.

shirt-Old Navy :: jeggings (dreaded word) and boots-Target :: necklace-Superhero Designs

Right before I met with my stylist. tee hee.

jeans-Target :: shirt-TJ Maxx (or Marshalls?) :: cute new orange wedges-Banana Republic from consignment boutique :: oh shoot -you can't see my cool necklace that I got from a now defunct local boutique. next time.

I am excited to post some new ideas in the next few weeks that the stylist gave me!

As always, I am linking up with Lindsay, from The Pleated Poppy, who is also celebrating her 4th blogiversary this week!!

By the way, I so desperately need a new pair of black ballet flats. But no time to go on the hunt. Recommendations for cute and comfy, anyone??

Can I get a heck yeah?

2011-03-29T22:08:00.002-05:00

I won! I am a winner! Winner winner, chicken dinner, baby!!!!
Recently, April at Funky Vintage Lovely was giving away a $25 giftcard for Bonhomie Jewelry. And you're looking at the winner! I am pretty sure I want the 'sweetheart charm', but I need to look at all her stuff again. Because I like a lot of the custom charm necklaces. Decisions, decisions!!!! I am also pretty certain I want a necklace from Funky Vintage Lovely. I just need to decide -- a flower (grey mum? turquoise peony?) or a LaLaLovely necklace. Hrm.....

Today I had my style consult with, ahem, my stylist. Ok. So she's not mine. But she was mine for 90 minutes. And I will certainly use her again! She was won-der-ful. And very, very insightful. With my permission, she purged the pieces that needed to go. And then she put together some outfits for me, honing in on spring/summer tops and how to layer them for this weather and also pieces I wasn't sure what to do with. I now feel more confident about my wardrobe and I also feel like its much more versatile. I am so happy I did this!!! Now I just need to replace a few things...nothing too pricey, thankfully. Just some capris mostly and a pair of khakis. And of course, there's the yearly replacement of the white tees and some of the ribbed tanks. Its all good.

Five Senses Monday

2011-03-28T17:37:00.000-05:00

Sadie at {simply delicious} did a Five Senses post today and I decided that I am ~~copying her~~ using her as inspiration for today's post.

SMELLING

Hot, yummy, warm, hazelnut coffee. And pumpkin spice scented candle. Both an attempt to make me feel warm.

SEEING

A messy, messy house. The kids are on Spring Break and the house looks ~~like a disaster~~ lived in. Plus there is displaced stuff all over the foyer and our room while hubs finishes the closet.

HEARING

My kids playing. Getting along? Say it is not so. Happy noises. My dog, pacing, because its the dinner hour.

TASTING

Coffee (decaf). A dark, french roast. Yum. With a nice blend of half and half and some chemically enhanced hazelnut creamer.

FEELING

Happy. We had a good day. First day of Spring Break - we hit the public museum.

And then Whole Foods for lunch and some grocery shopping. We all had fun.

Yet...

Overwhelmed. Yesterday's discovery of mold and some underlying water issue is stressing me out.

And...

Excited. Tomorrow we're taking the kids to an indoor waterpark for the day. AND I am escaping for a few hours by myself in the afternoon because I have my wardrobe consultation!

By the way...check out Sadie's Blog. She's creative, inspiring, and girl can get it done! She did an awesome Anthro inspired bedroom on her own! And her babygirl is super adorable.

Thoughts?

2011-03-27T21:54:00.001-05:00

I am a natural blonde. Natural in the sense that when I was younger, my hair was a gorgeous shade of blonde.

{don't be jealous. you know you lurve the prairie style outfit, the orange shag... all of it. 70's man. 70's.}

And then somewhere, around age 18-20, it started turning an ugly dishwater color and I had to chemically enhance it to keep it looking its natural blonde.

I've swayed off course a few times.

I've been a light-auburnish

I've been caramel-y

A deeper shade of brown

and even darker...

And now I am blonde. And I've been blonde for awhile.

{i miss my long hair}

{my friends are fabulous}

I am thinking of going dark again. A bit of a change before my hair grows a tad longer.

Thoughts? Opinions?

The one where things don't go as planned

2011-03-27T14:36:00.001-05:00

I have a closet that I have hated for years. And years. And well, since we moved into this house. Its a closet that is in my bedroom, but that also shares a door on the backside with the foyer, which makes it the coat closet (wth?). I will post before and after pics on when its done. Because the hubs is currently making it fabulous.

But in the meantime, earlier today as I was removing everything from said closet, he commented on a suspicious crack in it and I commented on the bubbled paint that was opposite it, in our room, that's been that way for about a year now. He handed me a crowbar and away I went. The paint came off -several colors of it - in big sheets. Exposing this.

That's actually black. Nice, huh?
Now, I am pretty sure that the walls were not that peachy-beige color when we moved in. So I can't be certain how long its been like that. But I would think we would have noticed it when we painted the room, right?
The good thing is that the wall was not wet. The mold was not wet. But it smelled. And dang, I have a headache.
The bad thing? We have no idea where the water is coming from. An ice dam last year? Soffits? Do we need to tear off the plaster and lathe? I hope not. If its fixable from the outside, can I just bleach what's been exposed and then can we seal the wall? I have no idea, but right now, I am cursing my 1920's house.

Say what?

2011-03-27T14:17:00.001-05:00

Date Night.

Use your imagination for a caption on this one.

Flirting.

2011-03-26T16:38:00.001-05:00

My son is 9. NINE. And I witnessed him flirting. FLIRTING! This morning, my daughter's 6 year old friend came down to breakfast and as she sat down, Aidan said, "hey there, shorty.", complete with a Joey {friends} chin lift and how YOU doin' eye squint.

Pity.

2011-03-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

Rolling in some self-pity here. And I need to get my ass up out of it and do something about it. Yeah - I got some nice comments about me not needing spanx and being able to wear leggings and whatnot. But here's the thing: I am skinny fat. And I seriously do not feel good about myself right now and need to stop feeling bad and start feeling good. I came across these photos last week while looking for a specific photo:

San Antonio '05

Austin '05

{i look kinda weird b/c i am leaning back}

Austin '07

Those capris don't fit right now. Sigh.

That was fall 2005, people. 2005. That was 2 years after having TWINS and 3.5 years after having my first baby. I thought that perhaps I was blessed with good genes. I was on the move all the time, but not exercising excessively and just eating normally. And crap, when I started running, I had to eat more because I was losing too much weight.

And now? I wallow in self pity. Because now I am skinny fat. I would not expose my tummy. My tummy dun-lop over my jeans without those spanx (is that called muffin top?) No abs. Sigh.

What happened? I got sick last winter/spring. Bronchitis. Then pneumonia. Then epstein-barr. I stopped working out with that string of illness. And then I don't know. I just don't know. Did the Lexapro make me gain? Was the Wellbutrin helping keeping it off? What I do know is that I know I have to be healthy and do something about it. Because if I allow myself to wallow in pity, I will do something stupid and fall back into former bad habits. Because if you've ever had a bad habit, you know that bad habits die hard.

For over 10 years I had an eating disorder. And the diaticians, the psycologists...they all told me what I needed to hear. That I would slowly kill myself if I didn't knock it off. But did that stop me? Nope. Because it took me, making up my mind, that enough was enough and I would do it.

And you know what? Those desires to just fall back into those habits. To have control over that part of my life again? Its so easy just to do it. But I won't. I won't take the easy way out. I am getting my ass up and am going to get that body back, hot damn!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

2011-03-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

On this sunny, chilly Thursday, I'm linking up with Sydney of The Daybook who, each week, hosts Awkward and Awesome Thursday. If you haven't checked out The Daybook yet, take a gander on over. Sydney is funny, too cute, and has serious fashion sense (best wardrobe I've ever seen on a student, yo.)

Awkward:

*My obsession with watching the trainwreck that is Teen Mom 2.

*Walking around the store yesterday, not realizing that my spanx were causing my pants to slide down and I was inadvertantly exposing said spanx to the store as I was bending over. Woot.

*My hair that is overdue for a trim/style/color.

Awesome:

*Conferences with the teachers when they tell you that your kids rock the hizzy

*Getting emailed love notes from your kids, signed with tons of 'xoxoxox'

*Smitten Kitchen's chocolate stout cake recipe. OH YUM.

Spring has sprung!

2011-03-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

Well, temporarily, at least. I'm trying to stay positive. And I think this little girl is so cute, inside and out.

And just for kicks, these 2 are pretty cute, as well...

{a very rare moment these days}

{my newly minted 9 year old and one of his b-day gifts. he loves non-fiction. and weather}

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-03-23T10:41:00.000-05:00

hey lovely ladies! welcome to another week of wiww...an exercise to keep myself accountable. to inspire me to get out of those comfy, warm jammies and sweats everyday and take a little extra time to actually get dressed and think about what i am putting on myself. its the brainchild of the oh-so-cute and talented lindsey of the pleated poppy

Warm weather abounds!!!!

{I am squinting. That's not an attempt at at 'come hither' look}

Shirt/cardi/jeans/shoes/belt - Target (i heart Target)
necklaces- Bloomingdales (short) and Payless shoe store (long)

The snow melted! The snow melted! Hooray!!!!

cardi-F21 ::tanks/leggings/boots- Target :: scarf-Charlotte Russe ::glasses (Rx)-Prada

Rain, Rain, Go Away! (and cold, pounding, whipping rain, at that. Boo)

shirt-F21 :: cardi & boots-Target :: jeans- Kohls :: scarf- consignment boutique :: flower pin- Anthro :: earrings- Cookie Lee

Ok, I need to know...are leggings, when worn plain and not under a skirt or dress, acceptable? Or does it look like I am giving up? Because I feel very self-conscious, but comfy. And frankly, it took me a long time to embrace the legging, since the last time I wholly embraced them, it was the 90's and I was in high school and early college and pegged pants were popular (annnd now I just aged myself).

And now I am going to get personal. Over the past year (12 mos), I've gained approx. 10lbs. As usual, when I gain weight, I gain around my middle and in my breasts. When I had babies? Hello....DD. I was ridiculous. So I feel the need to point out that I have these girls that I recently bought new support systems for and was astounded to find I went up 2 cup sizes. No wonder I feel like such a hoochie mama when I wear tank tops to the kids school! When exactly did I start to feel so modest? I don't know, but I don't exactly like showing off the girls. They can go away, for all I care. Hopefully the 1/2 marathon training will force me to buy new foundations in a smaller size. And ditch the spanx I just bought. Because man... those things seriously made me almost lose an arm!

Giveaway!

2011-03-22T22:45:00.000-05:00

No, not me. But I want to promote a friend's business (and I promise this is my last post of the night). And its not because she's a friend. Its because she has awesome taste in fabric and makes some cute, hip clothing for little humans.

Alyson from Eisley Rae is hosting a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to her shop!! Any item of your choosing for your little lady or lad! How awesome is that?

Alyson has made my little lady some cute stuff

like these ruffle pants

{and she's so cool that she sent me scraps so I could applique a shirt or two to match}

and this peasant top

I've had custom clothes made for my wee ones before and often times, unfortunately, quality is compromised. But not with Eisley Rae. She does a professional job and she uses high quality materials.

So go on over to Eisley Rae and check her giveaway out, yo. It'll be worth your time...I promise.

The one where I hold myself accountable...

2011-03-22T22:15:00.000-05:00

I have been forever perusing blogs, bookmarking all these super cool things to do to my home. Have I done them? Ummmm... no.
Tomorrow through Friday I am putting myself on a crackdown, and I am posting this to hold myself accountable. I *will* get the following 3 things done:
*dining room chairs re-upholstered
*curtains made for the kitchen
*throw pillows made for our bed

If I finish these things, then I can move onto 3 other things I have marked:
*mustard cardi embellishment/refashion
*black shirt refashion, inspired by Anthropologie shirt I tried on, but was too cheap to buy, so I took photos of it, instead.
*flower necklaces
*Easter skirt for my girlie, from 4 super cool navy/white/green fabrics I got.

And then, when I finish that, I will treat myself with:
some fabric I want to coordinate w/ the pillows I just made for the LR, to cover 2 more pillows
and
these cool kicks. I saw them at Kohl's today. They're Lauren Conrad and pretty comfy and make my legs look cute.

Ten on Tuesday

2011-03-22T20:43:00.002-05:00

10 Things I Don't Understand
{i don't mean to offend anyone. please feel free to comment/clarify}

1- Why the lotion pump doesn't get the bottom 1/4+ of the bottle
2- Why people still use yahoo and hotmail for a free email service (gmail, peeps...GMAIL!)
3- Cameltoe. It seriously cannot be comfy, can it?
4- Why Forever 21 must play the blasted music so seriously earsplitting loud.
5- Why McDonalds calls a big mac wrapped up in a tortilla a "snack" wrap. That is not a snack. I am no idiot nor am I a sumo wrestler.
6- Why my dog smells like a frito at times.
7- Why it is not acceptable for Mormons to drink coffee or hot tea...but hot chocolate and soda are ok?
8- VPLs. Unless you are under 10, its just not cool. You don't even have to wear floss-like panties to get rid of them.
9- Hummers (the big-ass fug vehicles that drive around the city). You need one why?
10-Certain family members. 'Nuff said.

The Adventure Project

2011-03-22T09:59:00.002-05:00

Today is World Water Day.

via

Two fabulous people are participating in the Adventure Project. Please go check it out. All they are asking for is for 10 readers to donate $20. That's do-able, right? Right.

Why? According to The Adventure Project...

Our goal is to raise $10,000 USD in one day. We know that’s epic. And this campaign has never been done before. But if we succeed, we will help bring clean water to 300 additional people each month. That’s 3,600 people per year!

One third of all handpumps installed in the last twenty years in developing countries are now broken. And 4,000 children die every day because of lack of clean drinking water. We feel that’s unacceptable. So we’re thinking differently.

Instead of drilling more wells, we’re using our charitable gifts for something revolutionary – to train and employ handpump mechanics. The mechanics earn an income, bringing themselves out of poverty, and they save lives – turning water back on for thousands of people each year.

So go visit April, at Funky Vintage Lovely or Robyn, at Ticklebugs Photography.

(Robyn's passionate about water, yo. Last year, she donated some business profits to 2 different water charities: charity:water and 20 liters.

A Tint of Green: A Fun Family Weekend

2011-03-21T18:37:00.000-05:00

As previously mentioned, we took a little trip to Chicago for the weekend to enjoy some R&R and take in the St. Paddy's Day parade that the city puts on every year. We love us some green river.

Friday was sunny and mild. Sunday? Similar. Saturday? Blustery, whipping winds. Ahhh...the midwest. We were freezing! But so is life.

{My chilly Taitertots getting a closer view of the green river}

{En-route to the parade....Mama, daddy and the Taitertots overlooking the Chicago River and downtown}

{"Car's got a lotta pickup"...please tell me I am not old and that everyone remembers this movie}

After the parade, Elliott felt sick. Hrm. Could it have been the chocolate sunflower seeds daddy let him have at 9am? The chips? Or the hot chocolate? Or ingested swimming pool water? Who knows. I took the twinadoes back to the hotel while Hubs and Aidan went to Mr. Beef...winner of The Travel Channel's Food Wars.

{Aidan with Mr. Beef }

When they returned, I took my girlie for some American Girl shopping! We had Lanie's hair did, ears pierced, and got her some new threads.

Girlie was a trooper...she didn't complain a wink while I made her go through the sales racks at Anthro and peruse Nordstrom Rack, too.

Our final evening, we were so tired from the fresh air and couldn't decide on dinner, so we just hoofed it to Heaven on 7th. A place all of us like. Who doesn't like anything to do with New Orleans?

{If you haven't taken note, they have various hot sauces on the table. And my kids can read. So yeah...they certainly got a kick out of that. Ha ha. HA.}

{two of my loves}

We did a lot of fun stuff. It was fun to hang with the fam for the weekend and get away from home life.

Awesome tutorial!

2011-03-18T16:37:00.000-05:00

I came across this tutorial posted on Tatertots and Jello (by the way, isn't that a funky name for a blog? I like it). She had a guest poster, Valerie from The Crafters File Box, post a tute on how to change an everyday handbag into a stylin' camera bag! Fo reals!

This is totally something I could do. And want to do. I have a giant sling bag for my camera, but its not something I like carting around everywhere. Because its giant. And well, its not exactly stylin'. If I want to bring my camera along somewhere with one extra lens (or not) and chuck my glasses and wallet and keys inside, this would totally be my answer! Especially since, let's face it, the bags that are targeted to ladies are pretty damn pricey, if I do say so myself. Sure, you want to invest in a bag, since your camera gear is worth it, but I am frugal when it comes to certain things and it is really hard for me to jusitfy spending $170-$300 on a bag that I may deem out of style a year from now. That's just how I roll.

Check it out - how Valerie transformed this cute TJ Maxx purse into a stylin' camera bag!! You know you want to!

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-03-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

Another week of ladies in blogville, gathering inspiration from each other, to will themselves to put effort into it. Or ladies sharing their fabulousness. Whatever floats your boat. Its the brainchild of the cute and wonderfully talented Lindsey of the Pleated Poppy.

I am Karri. And I need all the inspiration and help I can get, yo.
So here I am, with 3 measley photos this week. Several reasons.
1- Some outfits simply not worth sharing. Seriously.
2- Simply forgot to take a photo. Oopsie daisy.
3- Whilst in Chicago this weekend, I think I was behind the camera the entire time. And when I wasn't, my husband had the P&S. And he's not especially known for his photos (sorry honey. I super duper extra do love you. but "look at me! say cheese!" doesn't count.)

Thursday

Conference night at school. Not for me, but for the teachers. So I (along w/ another mom) made dinner for all the staff. I look foolish, but I am trying to show my cute red shoes w/ the bow on them.
I am still unsure about the belt. Especially with this combo.

pants-Max Studio :: sweater, belt and flats- Target

Monday

What? Spring? You don't say! Blow me awayyyyyy! Also? My 5 year old hot water heater is being cranky again, so no shower. Holla!

I was so thrilled to be able to wear my cute new jacket I scored at Nordstrom Rack while in Chicago this weekend. We don't have a Rack here, but I read we're getting one. I am psyched.

jeans- Kohls :: boots & shirt- Target :: scarf- consignment :: new spring jacket- Nordstrom Rack :: earrings - Three Graces Boutique (which is now, sadly closed)

Tuesday

Nothing photo worthy. But I had a conversation last night w/ friends and it inspired me to attempt to put some wave into my hair. Ha ha. It lasted maybe, oh, 2 hrs max. And that was because I was inside.

May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.

Sláinte!

source

Spade Swag?

2011-03-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

Linda over at Rose a la Mode is giving away (as in free. FREE people. FREEEEE!) a Kate Spade bag. Its pretty fab. And I wouldn't mind winning it, if I do say so myself. Its perfect for spring. So go check it out, yo.

While you're at it, browse Linda's blog. She's got some good fashion sense. Kind of the perfect blend of casual-hip-trendy-chic-classic. And she wears cool shoes that I dream of wearing, but can't, because I am chasing kids mostly when I have shoes on. Or there's snow. Oh, and she's super cute, too.

Hit The Road, Jack...

2011-03-10T14:06:00.000-06:00

That's right! We're packing our bags and leaving town!

Ahhhhhh

source

Oh wait. That's my imagination taking over again. Drat.

In real life, it'll look something more like this...

source

because we're headed to The Windy City....

source

to once again, take in the sounds and sights of St. Paddy's Day!!!!

I mean, who can resist a river so lush and green?

Not these kids!

Last year, it rained. We hiked it all the way down to the parade route in the cold, freezing rain, commenting on the half-naked, tight as tight can be, green and gold lamé frocks we saw on crazy folk. Only to turn around and leave because the kids were so cold at that point that they couldn't handle it.
Lesson learned:
1) winter coats (no raincoats)
2) snowpants if necessary
3) hats and warm mittens
4) winter boots (no rainboots)
5) take a taxi there and walk back. no kids should have to walk that far in the cold, only to sit outside in the cold even longer!

We're looking forward to our weekend getaway. Friday involves some IKEA, Saturday is the parade, and Sunday is the Museum of Science and Industry. Sometime in there, they're excited to hit American Girl and Lego. And of course, swimming their little hearts out in the hotel pool. Mama can't wait to get her mouth on a slice of Pizano's deep dish (heaven!) and the kids and daddy are super excited to try and Italian Beef from Mr. Beef (the winner from Food Wars on the Travel Channel)

Au revoir!

But....what about this Wedensday?

2011-03-09T17:42:00.000-06:00

Today I had one of those days. You know...blah. I woke up and it had snowed. A lot. Sigh. In March. I don't know if I can take it anymore. I had my vacation, but I thought I'd see the light when we returned. And I just can't see it yet. This grey funk from the grey cold weather...it just gets to me and affects my every piece of being, no matter how hard I try. I am not motivated to do anything, which affects my being. And to top that off, as I was shoveling the 60lb wet snow today,

image source

I hurt my shoulder, and that stabbing, never ending pain made me cranky all day. Good times, eh? So when I went to get dressed, that was just the icing on the cake. I was frantically putting things on and ripping them off. Nothing felt right or looked good. I am so sick of the winter wardrobe. Of boots. (and I totally need one of those computer programs that Alicia Silverstone's character, Cher, had in Clueless).

image source

I. Need. To. Move. I have yet to convince the husband of this, but he knows how I feel. I just don't know if he *gets* it. When the move to Austin fell through (when the job offer was revoked, which was a good thing in the end, because well, we would have been jobless months down the line, I am sure), I cried. For hours. And on and off for days. Every day, I picture sunshine and sand and blue waters.

image source

I try and use imaging to get me through the winter and spring. And its just not working so well anymore. Dear husband, please oh please, restore some sanity to your wife.

image source

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-03-09T11:13:00.000-06:00

Another installation of sharing my weekly wardrobe with other wonderful women to help gather inspiration to try new ideas. Or just to get out of our jammies :)

Wednesday

Had to break out the St. Paddy's Day shirt. I was volunteering in my daughter's 1st grade class and decided it would be fun to wear.

tshirt- Target :: skinnies- F21 :: sweater- Target (girls) :: pink felted Mary Janes- Target :: necklace- Love Stitched :: camera strap- *Shey*[B]

Thursday

Bi-Weekly family visit- yay! (not sarcastic. I really do love going and love them!)

jeans-Kohl's :: boots & cardi- Target :: tank- Charlotte Russe :: necklace- Love Stitched

Saturday

We took our newly minted 9 year old out to lunch...his choice.

tank- F21 (consignment - my daughter picked it out. she said it looked like my computer. ha ha) :: cardi- Target :: jeans- Guess :: boots that you can't see- my everyday grey Target boots! :: bracelet- Tiffany & Co.

Later that night, we had a fundraising event that I posted about a few days ago. So I changed...

I forgot to take a photo until my dad came to pick up the kids, and then I was being rushed out the door...

closeup of shirt

(i only did the ponytail after getting really hot)

jeans- F21 :: shoes- consigment :: shirt- Limited (consigment. my daughter picked this, too) :: earrings- Lia Sophia :: bracelet- local dept. Store

Monday

shirt-F21, altered by me :: cardi & leggings- Target :: skirt- Gap :: ballet flats- Kohl's :: necklace- Superhero Designs

Tuesday - Mardi Gras Day!

I can't edit the photo, so you get to see the misc. crap laying around. Sorry.

tunic-consignment (american rag) :: black top & jeggings (ack!) - Target ::

beads and crown- party store

Sorry, Trish. Next time I'll get a better pic of the jeggings. Rest assured, they look like blue jeans (well, black). They have back pockets and everything. No elastic waist.

I am linking up with Lindsey. You should, too!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

2011-03-08T09:08:00.000-06:00

Do you celebrate Mardi Gras??
We do. Everyone has their special city, and for us, its New Orleans. It definitely holds a special place in our hearts. Its where Chris and I were engaged on December 10th, 1999. Its also where we rung in the new millennium. We traveled there with our kids for a week-long vacation in August of 2009 and shared our love of the city with them. And we'll only continue to go back, again and again.

Last year's festivities

Wardrobe Consult!!

2011-03-07T18:07:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, our PTA had a fundraiser that involved an auction with many cool items. At the last minute, I bid on a few and won! My favorite is a wardrobe consult!! Sweet! She's a designer and she will come to my closet and put things together for me. Just what this gal needs. I am so stinkin' excited!!!!

{me, excited because I won and headless because my husband can't use a point & shoot}

Speaking of style, Gap has these jeans that I've seen around the style blogs here and there. I am loving them. But I just can't do it. I don't have that "i've never had a baby" body. So if I were to wear these kickin' blues....

I'd look less like the model and more like this...

No bueno.

But I did buy my first pair of [gap calls them legging jeans. i won't say that other word that i find to be lame] today. Target, $4.99. Coincidentally, they are also the first pair of black jeans that I've purchased since the 90's. And they look like jeans - they have pockets. And a button. But no zipper/fly. How odd. I also snagged some funky wedges. So totally out of my comfort zone, but they were actually comfy and very cute on my feet (even with my chipped polish). I can't wait for the snow to melt!!!!

Politics

2011-03-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

Today I am just going to share this post that my friend Robyn blogged today. Because today, I am just funkafied from all the political upheaval here in Wisco.

image source

Thanks, R.

WIWW

2011-03-02T06:58:00.000-06:00

Trying to crawl out of this depressing rut...a combination of my winter is never going to end hibernation and the state of the state. Sigh. But don't worry...I won't get all political on anyone here.

Let's see here.....

Thursday

tank- Macy's :: shirt- Kohl's :: sweater - F21 :: Skinnies- F21 :: boots- Target :: necklace- Charlotte Russe

Friday

This outfit looked better in the mirror than in a photo. Eek. Won't be repeating this!! I got this blouse last spring from the local consignment store. I fell in love w/ how romantic it looked, but was uneasy about wearing a Peter Pan collar and puffy sleeves. And I had to get it altered (it was a M).

Anyway, I volunteered at the library this day. And the library is always warm. So, short sleeves.

shirt- Kensie :: pants- Limited :: necklace :: Charlotte Russe

Sunday

A night at the Ocsars. Or rather, a night on the couch at a friend's house watching the Oscars.

jeans- Kohl's :: short sleeve top- Limited :: cardi- Target :: necklace- Payless Shoe Store :: Boots- Target

Monday

I took this before I went to get the kids from school. Unless I am going somewhere or coming from somewhere and running late, I walk to get them. So comfort wins. I can't ruin my shoes in puddles or lose toes to frostbite. Hence...the boots!

jeans (super old)- Target :: shirt & cardi & hat - Target :: necklace- Superhero Designs :: boots - Kamik, from a sporting store

Tuesday

Baby, its cold outside!

Ok, not really, I was yelling for the dog to stay away from the tripod.

I decided to dress up for my gig as a chaperone to the art museum with the 3rd graders for their Junior Docent program.

See my fun new earrings and ring?? I got them from Flapper Fashions. Hubs, who rarely comments on my accessories, mentioned the earrings several times, and how he loved the color and the look.

I do love the ring, but I am not used to wearing "fun" rings. I will give it some time, but if I can't get used to it, I am going to turn it into a necklace.

tunic- Kohl's :: ls shirt & leggings- Target :: earrings & ring- Flapper Fashions :: boots- local dept. store :: belt- Express (from 2001! egad!) :: Camera strap- *Shey*[B]

Linking up with Lindsey this week!
(totally coveting her mustard ruffle scarf. think i need it)

Crazy is as Crazy does...

2011-03-01T18:09:00.000-06:00

image source

I would not consider myself "athletic". I love yoga and I work out because I have discovered that with age comes The Undesirables. I go through fits and spurts. Before children, I would work out twice a day, M-F at my beloved Y, taking Body Pump, Kickboxing, and Pilates, as well as general cardio and weights. Insert lag. Then for about 2 years once the twins were almost 2, I was a pretty avid runner. I was quite proud of myself. I think I made it to 7 miles. Then I gave it up when I just couldn't stop losing weight (woe are the days). And then I did a super short triathlon because a friend asked me to and well, I figured it was something to cross off my bucket list. And when it was over? All those people who were all "OMGoodness! That's so exhilirating! I am tired and hit a wall, but I. Feel. Great! WOOO! I can't wait to do another!!!!" - those people? Yeah...that wasn't me. Nope. I was the one who was glad she did it, but hated every waking moment of the pure misery of it. Yep.

Being told to get the scowl off my face and pose for a group photo. It was July and it was COLD!

Freezing and scared

Almost done!! Team Tri Donkai representin'! I had people braying at me the whole run.

Crossing the finish. DONE!

And then I went home and slept for several hours.

NYE 2008 I made a pact w/ friends (same damn crazy ones + husbands) to do a half-marathon last May (May '10). I trained and made it to roughly 8mi or so when I had to quit. I had bronchitis. Then pneumonia. Then I tested positive for the Epstein-Barr virus. I was so tired I couldn't function. I needed to get better. So I dropped out.

My husband finished, though! As did those other crazies :)

This year, he decided that he's not getting younger and he wanted to do it once, so he signed up for the full. I thought he was crazy insane nutso.

But then?

Last night?

In a moment of pure insanity, I registered for my first half-marathon.

I am signed up to do the inaugural Summerfest Rock n Sole Half-Marathon

image source

Hold me now. I am shakin' in my boots.

My training officially starts mid-April, but I am going to get a jump start on it, just because I feel like I need extra time.

Gulp.

Kitchen DIY on a Budget

2011-03-01T14:14:00.001-06:00

Brittany at Love Stitched is having a SHOW ME YOUR KITCHEN! day, so here it goes!

We bought out house in July of 2003. The former owners had lived her for around 32 years and while they had taken good care of it, it certainly needed lots of updating. But it had good bones and we knew we could work with it. Afterall, we had owned 2 houses prior to this, each of them for 2 years, and we had updated the heck out of those.

But... we didn't take my pregnancy - with twins - and our toddler into account. Oh, and the bedrest (in the hospital till they arrived, not even at home) shortly after we moved in. So, to keep it short, we're still updating stuff in this house.

The kitchen. OH the kitchen. When we moved in, it was god awful. I should have taken photos. There was this wallpaper on the walls.

And the cabinets were a cream color w/ a country blue moulding in the center of them (not sure of the name for that). Nasty. And the flooring was 80's vinyl. We hired someone to tear the wallpaper off and found layers of paint and wallpaper under. How cool is this paper?

So what we did to make it liveable was to put in new, cheap vinyl flooring and paint the cabinets white and replace all the knobs. And paint the walls, of course.

We lived like this for a few years, but frankly, using the kitchen was miserable. I hated that kitchen. The counters were nasty textured that I felt were never clean. And when I'd open those drawers, sawdust would fall into the cabinets below.

So we took the leap - on a limited budget - and tore it all out. We made a decision not to do custom cabinetry or to tear out any walls or anything like that, because with the housing market how it was, we were sure that we'd not get it back. We tried to maximize our space, trying to add a cabinet/fridge in the cabinet/desk...anything we could think of, on that empty wall. But there's limited walk-thru space and we couldn't make it happen. So we stuck with the current layout. And it was HARD. In order to get a full-sized dishwasher (because we didn't move the plumbing), we were limited in the fridge design/style and size (well, unless we didn't want the dishwasher to open). And we could only get a single bowl sink b/c of the space/dishwasher. But we made it work. While being frugal, we tried to stay true to the style of the home. We DIY, except for hiring out for someone to replace a pipe and for someone to do the finish carpentry and install the window. Oh, and the floor. Oh the floor.

We started to DIY, but found that there were too many layers. Our current floor (different than the first vinyl we put in when we moved in), subfloor, the fug floral vinyl, subfloor, and then asbestos tile glued to the wood floor. Oy vey!

We took a leap of faith that the floors would be salvegeable and hired a flooring company to remove and refinish them back the the original maple. Look at that nasty glue!

Holla! It worked! The finished product!!!

{curtains yet to be made/hung}

The only pics I have hanging up :(

My littles, back in 2005

Photogs I took in NOLA 2 yrs ago

See that material? That's going to be my awesome curtains I am going to make for both kitchen windows. Very soon. And I took the cushions off the bench b/c they were nasty dirty. I need to recover them, but first need to find a fabric that won't show dirt or pet hair! And we hate that window. HATE IT. It will be replaced in the next 12 mos.

That's an ikea chopping block thingey that we've made into a breakfast bar since we don't have an eat-in kitchen. Can't put a table back there by the window b/c to the left, there's 2 doorways - 1 for upstairs, 1 for the back door/basement.

We're not done. And I am not talking about the curtains and window, either. We got cheap countertops and I hate them. I mean, they're much better than what we had, but a year or so from now, we'll get something better with an undermount sink (I think that's what I hate most...that I dont have that). Because it looks like we're here to stay for awhile.

Repurposing cute outgrown shirts

2011-03-01T12:56:00.001-06:00

A wonderful consignment shop 2 blocks from my house (yeah, like that doesn't get me in trouble. I like to see it as supporting the local economy) uses tshirts to make bags. Last year, they taught my daughter's Daisy troop how to make them. Since then, Norah's been obsessed with me turning her favorite shirts into bags. I don't mind. It takes but 2 minutes if my sewing machine is out. Easy peasy lemon squeezy and they are super cute!

Ta da! And a happy little girl who can cart around her "crap" in her former tshirts :)

9 years.

2011-02-28T10:46:00.002-06:00

On Saturday at 6:57am, my firstborn will mark the day that he entered our lives 9 years ago. I am having a super hard time wrapping my mind around this. It seems like just yesterday that he was my baby boy. I miss the sweet baby boy he was. He was the best little boy ever. The sweetest. The boy who wouldn't sleep in his bed for anything. The boy who would cry until he vomited. The boy who slept in our bed until he was almost two, us creeping out of the room on all 4's, in the dark, and sitting silently in the dark until we knew he was good and asleep, frustrated as all getup, but also knowing this was a phase and we'd get past it somehow. The boy, who at age almost-9, still asks to sleep with mom and dad (heck, yeah!) and loves "tickles" on his back and whose teacher says he's the most kindhearted, compassionate, caring child in his class. Of course, we're not without our struggles. We struggle with independence, talking back, and naughty talk, all things that he gets from TV and friends. All a part of growing up. But we just hold on to the hope that we're doing it right and helping him grow into a good person. Because in the end, that's what you're striving for, right? A happy, well-balanced, caring, kind human.

Of course, I still ache for the baby when I see photos like such...
He was such a beautiful baby and tot! Oh, those eyes!

32 weeks- Mag Sulfate Face. He really wanted to come, but a weeklong stay in the hospital and then bedrest until 37 weeks helped him stay put.

Sweet Baby Aidan Thomas. 3.5.02 6:57am, 7lb, 15.3ozs, 20"

4-5 months

6 months...the first night away from him and the day of the car wreck w/ grandma :(

17 months...what a character

17 months...had to hit the pumpkin patches w/o mama b/c I was on bedrest w/ the twins.

Sleepyhead at breakfast.

My boys, reading books in bed. He had such a fondness for his binkies.

Age 2. He LOVED books. Still does. Thank goodness he was always so content to have me read, both when I was on bedrest at home, in the hospital, and when I was nursing the twins.

Inspiration

2011-02-25T09:06:00.002-06:00

You ever have one of those days where you wallow in self pity or something like that?
Gosh...if this isn't inspirational and tear jerking happy, I don't know what is. No need to feel bad if this woman can overcome what she has.

Squee! Another day, another project...

2011-02-24T13:38:00.000-06:00

Ok, so technically, its not completed. Is that such a big deal? I am, however, one step closer to the Git 'R Dun phase!!!

Look what I am working on...take one guess? The husband is quite a happy camper.

In other news, I whipped these up recently. I am posting them now because I am finally getting around to giving them to one of our favorite little 5yr old girls. They're a belated birthday gift.

This one is actually teal. Good quality iPhone photos.

A free silhouette? You don't say?

2011-02-23T18:05:00.000-06:00

Do you follow Roeshel at The DIY Showoff? If you don't, take it from me, I think you should. Lots of fun & inspiring DIY projects. So many, that you can just sit there and admire and file away, and not *do* any (whoops).
Anyway, right now, she's giving away a Silhouette! Yeah - for, like, free! With vinyl and transfer paper! Rock on!
Go ahead...I dare you!

Master Bedroom, Part 3

2011-02-23T12:09:00.001-06:00

Baby steps.
In previous posts, I've talked about our MBR woes...the size, our limited options, etc. Well, I got the bedding, and I love it, but I need some decorating advice, please!

First, here's the bedding's real color.

Second...I intend on getting a 3rd layer of pillows to put against the headboard. If anyone has seen a fabric or a sham in the store that they think would look good, please share!

Third....I purchased a few of these leafy pillows yesterday, simply because they were a good form and on clearance for $3 at Target (woot!). My intention was to make a cover for them. Does it look horrid w/ the bed?
Note: the trim on the shams and comforter is actually labeled 'espresso', but in my eyes, its black.

Fourth...I think I am ok w/ the furniture being brown. It brings some warmth to the room. And well, it would have to be sprayed to be painted. And frankly, its a PITA to move b/c its clunky and huge. What I'd love to do is try and sell it on CL since I don't love it, but I want to find some new stuff, first. But anyway....

Finally....walls. Oh the walls. What color???

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-02-23T10:36:00.000-06:00

Another week, another Wednesday. But wait...this time, as I look back at the past 7 days, I appears as though 1) I forgot to take photos, or b) I didn't get my booty out of PJs many times this week. Did you pick 'b'?? If so...

Yeah, baby! I was a no good, lazy sloth! But wait. Isn't the purpose of WIWW to hold yourself accountable? To put some effort into getting dressed daily? Yes. Or at least, for me it is. It makes me feel good about myself when I look good. But apparently, I wasn't buying what it was selling this week.

Let's see....Thursday. It was kinda nice out, so I didn't have to dress like a yeti. I went to hang out at my auntie and uncle's house to visit w/ them and my cousin, her bambino, and my gramma. And then I got to take 2 of my 3 kids to CHW for a rousing round of immunotherapy.

top & skinnies- F21 :: tank- Target :: owl pendant- Charlotte Russe :: shoes- Eco Sneaks by Simple from REI

Friday I walked the dog and wore yoga clothes all. day. long. No need to share.

Saturday morning, my oldest had a basketball game and I decided that I would actually show the parents there that yes, I do indeed shower and own clothes. So I did just that. Except my hair looked awful and bowl-ish.

tshirt- Target :: cardi-Anthro :: jeans- Guess :: boots- Target

Sunday? Nope. Wasn't havin' it. Wore sweats all day, baby. But Monday I got dressed merely because I had to go to the library. And shovel. And its too cold to shovel in yoga pants. You may or may not notice that I am sporting a pony tail. Or that my hair is awkward in the photos above. Yeah - I am growing it out a bit. It doesn't look good. And I hate when it touches my collar. Oh, and also? I will not win any sort of fashion awards this week! But wait! I found my tripod! Yay...that's an improvement, no?

a really old sweater that I'd never wear in public- Banana Republic :: tank- Costco :: even older jeans- Target :: earrings! do you see I am wearing earrings?! - ok, so I have no idea where they are from. I think my husband got them for me years ago.

Today I am putting a leetle effort into it, but not too much. That would be just too much for this week. I am at home with a little girl who has pinkeye, so its not like we're venturing out. But I do have to take the boys to piano and my man is coming back from his biznezz trip, so I don't want to look like I've totally given up.

leggings- F21 :: tanks- target :: sweater- Target (girls) :: scarf- consignment :: pin- me

This week's post will always remind me to TRY HARDER. To put fort EFFORT.
And as usual, I am linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy. So I can get flogged this week, perhaps?

Take-a-Look-Tuesday

2011-02-22T15:15:00.000-06:00

After having purchased a yard of this gorgeous fabric on Cyber Monday from one of my fave local fabric stores, Drawstring Studio (she has an Etsy store, too!). The fabric is Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda. I fell in love with it when I first saw it in her store, but had no idea what to do with it. I brought a sample home with me and when I saw it on sale, I decided that it would be the perfect fabric to bring some color into my living room! Its got the yellow from my walls and the turquoise that I love so much and the browns from my sofa and chairs.

Why did I put off making the pillow covers for so long? Who knows. Procrastination is what I am best at. It was easy peasy lemon squeezy, that's certain! I just did some simple envelope covers for a set of 18x18 pillows I picked up at Target (their cheap ReStyle brand). 1 yard was the perfect amount for 2 of those pillows.

Ta da!

I am linking up with Mandy at Sugar Bee Craft Edition for her Take a Look Tuesday. Check it out!

Miscellaneous Monday

2011-02-21T11:02:00.001-06:00

First off...time for some blog love!
Have you heard of Flapper Fashions? No, you say? Well, check out her Etsy store. She makes pretty things like this

and this

If you 'like' her on Facebook, she posts Daily Deals (discounted + free shipping!) If you're the first to post a comment on her Daily Deal, its yours! I scored the ring/earrings combo above last night. Woot woot!!!

There's a new blog in the blogiverse...Alice and Bridget. Their tagline reads, "Not quite perfect...yet perfectly lovely." I think everyone should check it out. They've got great musings on crafting, entertaining, and decorating. Very eclectic and vintage style. Love it.

Little Miss Momma posted about this great website called My Job Chart dot com. I checked it out. And It. Looks. Awesome. My kids are always looking for ways to add responsibility and earn rewards. We're always looking for ways to teach them financial responsibility. So I think we're going to give this a go!

Speaking of decorating, I need some inspiration, because its time to start the hunt. My big little girl wants a bedroom re-do. She's done with the room I decorated around the Land of Nod bedding we got her when she moved into her big girl bed at age 3.

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I am thinking it would be a great 8th birthday gift. Her favorite color is green, but she also loves blue, so I'd do something fun that revolves around one of those. And I also want something that she won't outgrow. So I am looking for inspiration. Help! Help!

So In Love

2011-02-19T22:41:00.000-06:00

You know those times where you can just lay there and stare at them and just revel in their perfectness and your love for them?? This is one of those times. She and I... we're a team. And I love her so very very much. And I hope that we always have the relationship we do now. She is content to snuggle with me at any time. She loves sleeping with me. She loves to give me love. When I have a headache, she wants to make me feel better.
And now she's laying here, asleep, next to me. And I just keep staring at those beautiful long eyelashes and that perfect skin and her sweaty hair, plastered against the side of her face. And the way she clutches her lovey ("Green D"). And my heart aches because I love her So. Darn. Much.
How did we create this little human?

Jewelery to lift your mood

2011-02-16T22:25:00.000-06:00

Check out the seller, Nest Pretty Things, by Tamar, on Etsy. I stumbled across it and its that type of jewelery that is sunny and bright and just makes you want to smile. So pretty!!!

I am especially fond of this Blue Dahlia piece. I am going to have to buy it. Fo shizzle.

image source

And I love how this piece, the Esme, is just so fun, yet romantic.

image source

No, I do not know the seller. I just like her stuff :) Just tryin' to spread some crafty love.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-02-16T14:12:00.001-06:00

And now I bring you this week's edition of WIWW, complete with the back-from-vacation-blues.

Since we were in Costa Rica last Wednesday, I have 2 weeks worth of photos.

Last Wednesday evening...

I went out for a glass of vino with a good friend. She felt bad that our flight had been canceled.

Sweater - Target :: Necklace - Bloomingdales :: Belt - Target (my first time wearing a belted frock in public. I felt odd) :: jeans - Kohls :: boots - dept store :: cute dog - Castaway Rescue

Thursday

turtleneck - Kohl's :: sweater - Kohl's :: necklace - Silpada :: Bloom Bag - The Pleated Poppy

Friday

Cami - ATL :: Cardi - F21 :: Scarf - Charlotte Russe :: Flower pin - Eisley Rae :: Jeans - Kohl's :: Boots - Target :: Sunglesses - Anthro

Sunday

In sunny, beautiful Costa Rica and about to watch the Packers cream the Steelers (and this outfit is as close to Packer gear as I have)

yellow tank - Target :: blue tank - Walmart :: owl necklace - Charlotte Russe :: camo skirt - consignment :: glasses - Anthro :: flops - Teva from REI

Monday

Dinner at the resort

dress - consignment :: chunky bead necklace - J. Crew

Tuesday - at dinner after the day at Manuel Antonio

dress - consigment

Wednesday

At the beach in Jaco, after Ziplining

tank - F21 :: bermudas - Kohl's :: flops - Land's End :: glasses - Anthro :: purse - Target

At dinner that evening

orange top - Anthro :: cami - Costco :: capris - ATL

Yeah - there were a few days I missed. Oh well.

And now, back to cold weather wear. Le Sigh.

Monday

My trippod is missing. Hrm.

Volunteering at school and making a fun day for the fam for V-Day

Tank - Kohl's :: Cardi - J. Crew :: jeans - Target :: rolled rose pin - Me

Tuesday

I feel like a douche in a hat, but I hadn't washed my hair, so hence, the hat.

hat - Target :: shirt - Anthro :: necklaces - Cookie Lee :: jacket - H&M :: flower pin - Anthro (attached to jacket - can you see it? its black)

Wednesday

volunteering at school, errands, the whole Wednesday routine after school...

How cool is this ring that I got in Costa Rica? I love it! My man did, too.

Love these shoes. Cute, funky and comfortable! They're gold. Consignment (I think they're Mudd. Isn't that a Kohl's brand?). Its 50F out, so I don't need socks today. Yay!

top - Banana Republic :: skinnies - F21

I am linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for her weekly What I Wore Wednesday.

Costa Rica :: Pura Vida

2011-02-15T23:50:00.000-06:00

In honor of our 10th anniversary, the hubs and I ~~locked up the kids in the closet~~ left the kids with my parents and took off for a weeklong vacation to Costa Rica. We'd never been (and that's one of our deals...we don't go back to places we've been unless we're traveling on biz or its NOLA, until we've been everywhere we want to go) and everyone we know who has been, has only said fabulous things about it.
We chose to stay at the Marriott Los Suenos Ocean & Golf Resort, not because of reviews or location, but because my man travels a lot and had a ton of Marriott points and we could stay there for 5 nights, 6 days, all-inclusive, for freeeeeee! Ok, so we had to pay for the flight and whatnot, but yeah.
The resort was nestled between the towns of Jaco and Herradura on the pacific coast

While in Costa Rica, we did a lot of nothing but relaxing, which was absolutely fabulous. We also did some Ziplining, which was exhilarating! I loved it. He was scared.

We also did some exploring at Manuel Antonio National Park, which involved a guided tour where we saw sloths, monkeys of many kinds, birds, frogs, and many other species. And a beautiful, beautiful beach that we spent some hours lounging on.
On the way back to the resort, we stopped for a drink and snack at a place called El Avion, which had a breathtaking view of some of the park and beach.

We checked out Jaco, where we got to see some prostitutes (boo) and get our kids some gifts (much better) and watch surfers (cool). We also got to see some monster crocs hanging out in a very dirty river.

Our last day was spent at La Paz Waterfall Park. Wow. Breathless. Totally worth the drive that we thought we were going to die on whilst getting there in our car that had tires the size of my head, driving on "roads" (using term loosely) that mad dirt moguls left over from the Jan '09 earthquake.

After La Paz, we checked in to another hotel so we were closer to the airport. Hotel Buena Vista. A whole different world than the Marriott, but quaint and clean and nice people. The photo of the city lights at night? That's Alajuela. We ate at some place and that was our view. Wonderful.

The trip was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Could not have been better. Oh wait. I guess it could have been if, 1) Hubs has not lost his wallet in the first 1/2 hour of us being in CR, and 2) Frontier had not "lost" our reservation on our return flight. Or they'd be willing to give me back my money. That's all I care about.

Whenever we're on one of these trips, its good. Its good for us to re-connect like that. No internet, no work, no house, no kids, no other people, no phone. Just us. But we miss the kids and often talk about how much fun they'd have where ever we are. So yeah, I can't wait to take them on vacation. But I am glad we had that together. Because it was important. And we'll do it again.

And I highly recommend Costa Rica! We'll go back... with the kids... to another region

My Valentine

2011-02-15T17:45:00.001-06:00

My honey and I just spent our 14th Valentines Day together. 14 years. It certainly does not seem like we've spent that many together! Funny to think how Valentines used to center around us, starting with breakfast, and now, it centers around our family, starting with breakfast. I wouldn't change a darn thing :)

July 1997....the summer we started dating.

The day we said "I Do"

The day we became a family

10 years of wedded bliss

Happy Valentines Day to the love of my life. Thanks for weathering the road with me. I may not always make it easy, but I hope that I make it worth it.

Where do you do it?

2011-02-04T14:09:00.000-06:00

Your laundry, that is.

Get your mind out of the gutter, gals.

I keep seeing all these gorgeous re-done laundry rooms all over blog-ville.

Like this one at Shanty 2 Chic

or this one at Centsational Girl

or this one at Tatertots and Jello

and this one at House of Smiths

What about this cute laundry closet, on The Stories of A2Z

Check out this one at Saucy's Sprinkles

Ok, I'll stop here, because I could keep going. I am so green with envy. Why? My last house had a 1st floor mudroom/laundry room. But this 1920's house? No such thing. Laundry room is in the dungeon. That's the cold, dark basement. I want to beautify my space, so here's where I need some assistance...

There has got to be some of y'all who have cute basement laundry rooms, right? Share them! I need ideas on how to put up some storage and make it bright and cheery without spending too much $$!!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

2011-02-03T15:06:00.000-06:00

Giving this a shot.

Awkward:
When you are using a beauty training institute to save money to get your parts waxed in anticipation for vacation (swimsuits), and the instructor and waxing girl are conversing whilst hovering over your lady bits.

Sitting at the vanity bar in the women's locker room at the gym next to a lady who is standing there, applying her makeup, totally nude (not even undies. fo reals).

Answering the phone while you're typing an email. And when the caller asks how you are, you say "thank you", because that's what you were typing b/c you were finishing your email. Whoops.

Awesome:
Scoring some super cool pieces at Anthro that were on sale (and for the record, I don't think their sale prices are all that), including a cute dress that I can wear on vacation, wear to a wedding this summer, and wear layered with leggings and a cardi. Yay!

Listening to your 7 year olds read to you from books that, just a month or so ago, they struggled to get through or they couldn't even read.

Watching your daughter make a craft and then decide that she wants to give it to her teacher that she adores.

Listening to your kids play the piano.
Having your kids piano teacher thank you for encouraging your eldest child to play and making sure he does all his practice, because he is now a total rockstar at the piano.

So yo...

(and I am linking up with Sydney from The Daybook. For more A&A, click on the link)

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-02-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

Friday

(this is after the gym) and volunteering in the library at the kids school

Blazer- Bisou Bisou (consignment) :: Turtleneck -Target :: Owl necklace- Charlotte Russe :: Pants- BCBGirl :: Pin of sorts- me.

Saturday

Chaperoning Miss N's Daisy field trip to a cute play and grocery shopping (woot).

Sweater- Kohl's :: Turtleneck -Target :: Necklace- Payless Shoe Source :: Jeans- Kohl's :: Boots (that I seem to live in)- Target

Sunday

Sweet Baby Ethan's 1st birthday party!

Ok, I swear that I looked better in person. I think this photo makes me look like a 10lb sausage stuffed in a 5lb casing.

Sweater- Target :: Skirt (talk about nostalgia when I put on a high waisted item!)- F21 (consignment) :: Necklace-Walmart :: Tights- Target :: Super cool gold shoes I need to take a better photo of - consignment

Monday

Post-yoga class, um...catching up on last min trip errands, I think

Shirt- Limited (consignement) :: Skinny Jeans- F21 :: jacket - Target :: Necklace - Express :: Boots I always wear - Target

As you can see, a few days are missing. I don't think anyone needs to see my I-wore-nothing-but-a-hoodie-and-yoga-pants style.

I am linking up with the Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday! You should, too!

Meet Me on Monday

2011-01-31T14:11:00.000-06:00

Jenbug posted this on her blog, so I thought, hey! why not?

So, without further ado, here are the questions:

1. What do you put on your hot dog?

Nada. I don't partake in the dog. And I am not a fan of ketchup for the most part.

2. Do you play Sudoku?

No. Sadly, I have no desire.

This?

Does nothing for me.
image source

3. What is your favorite vegetable?

What isn't my favorite vegetable? I love veggies. Especially those grown in my garden or those from the farmer's market.
mnn. broccoli

Arugula - yum!

4. Do you color your hair?

Do flies like garbage? Is the ocean wet? Of course I do. I was blessed with beautiful blonde hair as a child

However, as I've gotten older, my hair has turned an ugly mousy ash color. Perhaps it would be ok if it were not so fine and thin and straight. So yeah, I color it. I waver between brown and blonde and everything between.

5. What is your favorite brand of clothing?

What I want vs. what is in the budget??

I love the style of Anthropologie

image source

and anything from a locally-owned boutique that is more unique. But my go-to stores that my wallet tolerates are

Target

image source

H&M

image source

Forever 21

image source

Also, locally we have an awesome consignment boutique that sells all high-end brands. I try and go in there every 1-2 weeks

Can you hear it?

2011-01-30T19:39:00.001-06:00

Tesla, that is.
Yes it's only gettin' better, better every day, aha yeah!!
Does that age me?
That's the song that went through my head as I finished sewing on the tie on Ethan's shirt. I was like, "I got this shiz down, baby! Imma figurin' it out! Yeah!"

We went to the cute baby's 1st birthday party today and so I made him those 3 shirts.

It's so close I can taste it!

2011-01-28T01:12:00.000-06:00

Vacations.

I live for them. When you live in a craptastic climate, you kinda have to in order to survive. Unless you like said climate, natch.

Just looking back at some fantastic vacation memories we've been fortunate enough to make. I wish I had more digital photos, but alas, BC (before child), it was all film. And those are tucked away. And older digi images, like Cabo, NOLA, AZ, CO, Napa, & Disney with the baby in my belly, aren't even on here. I was fortunate enough to have many of these on Shutterfly.

Young and in love.

{Twas our honeymoon in Ixtapa. And I was sporting some high waisted shorts and a really nice rack. These back in fashion? The high waist. Not the rack.}

Magical Moments.

{and that, my friends, was our first family vacation. Disney World. 1 week. 3 kids, aged 2 and under. The girls got a raging bout of stomach flu. But it was great}

Visiting Family.

{taken at a RR museum in Sacramento}

5 Years of Wedded Bliss

{The Bahamas. Ahhh. Look at that blue water. Just gorgeous.}

An Oasis.

{the spectacular view of Lake Travis in Austin, TX. we almost moved there. i still pine. sigh.}

Blackjack Queen

{Vegas in August. Love it. Hoover Dam was a bit stifling.}

Whirlwind New England Tour

{we flew into Boston and spent some time there. my kids big red puffy heart the subway}

{and drove to gorgeous Maine, where we spent a good chunk of down time}

Getaway!

(aka, you promised me we'd vacation every year since we didn't move to Austin)

{Puerto Vallerta}

[cue music] Holiday Row-o-o-o-o-o-o-oad[/music] First Family Major Road Trip

{swamp tour}

{Lake Pontchartrain}

{Jackson Square}

I failed to post photos of Memphis (en route to NOLA) and St. Louis (en route home), but they were wonderful.

And this is where it all started. Right here is where he proposed to me. I can't wait to hop a plane and go to Costa Rica with him and celebrate 10 years of being married and just enjoying each other. And relaxing. And warmth. Oh the warmth.

Of course, I will miss those kids, but when we get back, we can plan the next family vaca!

Living Out Loud

I'VE MOVED!!!

Thursday Latelies

What I Wore

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

So I married a marathon-er.

Friday.

What I Wore Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

Easy Peasy Craft

Real Momma, Real Style

ITS TIME TO VOTE!!!!!

Hi ho, hi ho. Its off to scrap I go!

Wordless Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday

Fashion, as defined by my 7 year old

What I Wore Wednesday

i SPY: Around My Home

EPIC MAKEOVER!!!!!

Monday's Musings

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

What I Wore Wednesday

I SPY: Neighborhood

And this is controversial, why?

{WOOT!} Spring Has Sprung!

Saturday Shout Out!

Thursday's Words of Wisdom

Gift Giving- kids or adults

Wordless Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday

Ten on Tuesday

{repost}That's just the way it works, don't you know?

{repost} Ohhhh. That explains it all.

Let's Do This Thang!!

Baby Boy

quick {inexpensive} closet DIY!

Thrift Find

Sweet Memories

DIY Curtains

Mindless Musings

What I Wore Wednesday

Can I get a heck yeah?

Five Senses Monday

Thoughts?

The one where things don't go as planned

Say what?

Flirting.

Pity.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Spring has sprung!

What I Wore Wednesday

Giveaway!

The one where I hold myself accountable...

Ten on Tuesday

The Adventure Project

A Tint of Green: A Fun Family Weekend

Awesome tutorial!

What I Wore Wednesday

Spade Swag?

Hit The Road, Jack...

But....what about *this* Wedensday?

What I Wore Wednesday

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Wardrobe Consult!!

Politics

WIWW

Crazy is as Crazy does...

Kitchen DIY on a Budget

Repurposing cute outgrown shirts

9 years.

Inspiration

Squee! Another day, another project...

A free silhouette? You don't say?

Master Bedroom, Part 3

What I Wore Wednesday

Take-a-Look-Tuesday

Miscellaneous Monday

So In Love

Jewelery to lift your mood

What I Wore Wednesday

But....what about this Wedensday?