I Dare You Not To Look *Dressember Link Up*

Top – hand me down  //  Dress – c/o eShakti  //  Tights – HUE
Shoes – Payless  //  Necklaces & Earrings – Ruche 

I could not be happier with this red dress from eShakti.  Since having received it back in September and featuring it then, it has just grown and grown in my eyes.  I think I love the LRD more than I love the LBD.   There’s something so coy about  a simply cut dress in such a bold color.  It’s as if you’re outwardly blending in, but inwardly daring people not to look at you.  The subtly subversive side.

I also couldn’t resist featuring my sister in her kick ass animal print dress.  I would so totally steal that.

This week is the last link up for Dressember – so show me your best!!!

ModaMama

ModaMama

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At Mom’s House

Sweater – Dear Creatures via Emerging Thoughts  //  Dress – Monteau
Tights – HUE  //  Boots – Feet First

 
When I’m at my mom’s house I just want to sit and chill in comfy sweaters and under cozy blankets.  So that’s what I did, when I wasn’t running around after a little toddler obsessed with the piano.  I kind of miss the days when I was the kid when I came home, and just had the chance to laze and lounge.  That’s no longer the case as I have my own little one, though it is fun to see her oooh and aaah at the big Christmas tree.

And her obsession with Grandpa does help to give me some time to myself.

Eye Sneezing Conundrum

Vest & Necklace – F21  //  Shirt – Campus Crew
Tank – hand me down  //  Jeans – Gap  //  Boots – Locale

I know.  Epic fail on Dressember, but hear me out.  I’m sick.  Like super sick.  Like I can’t breathe, and can’t wear mascara because every single time I feel like I’m going to sneeze my left eye tears up, and this happens about once per minute.

So I said to Andrew, “I’m wearing jeans and a shirt today.”  I went upstairs and put on jeans and my comfy plaid shirt.  Then I thought to myself that it’d be real fun to pair it with a glam necklace.  So I put one on.  And somehow a vest just seemed to pop in my brain to complete the outfit.  I didn’t put on any make up because of aforementioned eye sneezing problem and didn’t bother running a brush through my hair. 

When I came downstairs Andrew laughed, “That’s your idea of jeans and a shirt?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?”

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!  
Don’t worry, you’ll survive the family dinners. 

Vino For The Holidays

Top – Hand me down  //  Skirt –  Moon Collection   //  Tights – HUE
Boots – Feet First  //  Bow – Ruche  //  Earrings – gift
Everyone loves the holidays, so I know I’m going to get myself stoned here by saying that really I could do without it all.  It’s stressful, it’s always hectic, and frankly it always gets me down.  Maybe it’s because not only is it Christmas and New Years, but it’s also my birthday and that starts this whole downward spiral of self examination.  For someone who’s very hard on themselves, and also very ambitious, that means a lot of vino as I always wish I was further ahead in a lot of areas in life.  I know I’m not the only one here.  The good thing is that it usually comes with a kick in the rear end to get things going.
This year I will get better at not being so tough on myself, and at enjoying and appreciating that which I do have. 
*snort*
Pass the vino.

Random Sundays: More Two Yr. Old Photography

Baby Girl has moved on from mostly finger shots – though there are still plenty of those – to photos of her balloon and creative self-portraits.  That, and pictures of the dog’s butt.

Dressember Week Three Link Up

Dress – ModCloth  //  Cardi – H&M  //  Tights – HUE
Boots – Feet First  //  Necklace and Belt – F21
It may be sweet dressing, but I am drawn to big classic floral dresses like this one.  Perhaps my own biting and sarcastic mind is starving to create some sort of balance.  Or perhaps it’s a soft exterior designed to fool and lull into submission.   Whatever the reason, this is the exterior.
Now, let’s see how week three of Dressember went for you.  Link up your post, FB pic or twitter pic.  I’d love to see how things went.  And of course, a link back or button display is much appreciated.  

ModaMama

ModaMama

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Out of Office

 Dress – c/o Fresh Produce  //  Top – H&M  //  Belt & Ring – Ruche  //  Socks – Walmart
Boots – bought in Rome, Italy  //  Necklace – really old so I don’t remember.

I don’t work in an office, but sometimes I like to dress a little office-like and pretend that while I write, change diapers, edit photos, and sing nursery rhymes I’m doing it in a corporate office setting.  Though I’m pretty sure if I changed diapers in a cubicle someone would complain.  Just going out on a limb here.

I am pretty excited about this recent addition to my wardrobe.  The dress is so soft and the material feels almost like faux suede.  It just feels really luxurious you know?  Which is what prompted me to later in the day switch into a chunky sweater.  Well, that and the shake and yogurt Baby Girl got on the above shirt.  But I loved how quickly this dress shifted from office appropriate to weekend chic. Not that it’s the weekend, or I’m ‘chic.’  Did I mention the yogurt?

Sweater – C’est Moi
p.s.  Can I say just how in love I am with Fresh Produce?  This shop has such comfy clothes – perfect for that active vacation where you still need to move.  But beyond that, I just stare at their site because it just reminds me of being on the beach in Cali.  Ugh, I could definitely use that right now!

When The Walls Come Down

Dress – Lace Affair  //  Sweater – Kensie  //  Fringe Cardi – Reverse 
Necklace – Threadsence  //  Tights – HUE  //  Booties – Walmart  //  Headband – The Trendy Owl
Sometimes the very notion of something fitted and something directly touching my skin and creating any friction is repellent.  On those days I turn to loose, flowing layers and gentle, soft fabrics.  If something must touch my skin it better be a soft and serene graze.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that on those days I also reach for florals, cozy blankets, tea, and comforting books.   Sometimes our adult thick skin wears a bit thin and we need to feel safe and comforted.  A lazy walk with a cute little girl doesn’t hurt either.
True Story:
Andrew was working on fixing the window in Baby Girl’s room.  
She decided to show off by climbing into her crib.  Once inside she wanted out.  
Andrew, knowing she was well contained in there, kept delaying and putting her off.  
When he finally lifted her out of the crib and set her down.  
She looked him right in the eyes, gave him a big smile, and smacked him a good one on the arm. 
Then she ran off fully satisfied that he got his comeuppance.

Do Not Go Gentle

Dress – Threadsence  //  Necklace – Ruche  //  Tights & Belts – F21  //  Shoes – Walmart

I know many today are staying silent on their blogs in support of the Sandy Hook elementary staff, and I’m not saying that’s wrong.  I’m not saying you should continue writing about cute crafty DIYs today.  But I’m not a silent person and I urge you not to be either.  I’m not an American citizen so I can’t write to my congressman stating my outrage at the lack of gun control, and support for mental health funding.  I can’t write or demonstrate my disgrace in my government’s failure to support it’s mentally ill citizens, or to protest media coverage.  I can’t write and say anything of the sort to effect change, because I am not an American citizen.  But I can urge those of you who are to not be silent today.

If you are staying silent on your blog today, do so because you are too busy writing to your government representatives to express your views, do so because you are out volunteering, do so because you are too busy today focusing on change to think about anything else.  In support of recent events, silence is not a solution in my mind. Fight against the dying of the light.