Dress 4: Blame It On The Dog

Drake the Dog is such a media hog!

It’s really all his fault.  What’s his fault?  Everything!
Cardigan – ShopRuche; Dress – can’t remember; Boots – somewhere in NYC

This morning I had a wonderful coffee date with three fabulous moms I met through a mommy group.  We get along great and it’s always wonderful to see them.  It’s fantastic to have a group of women who are going through the same thing I am at the same time.  We chat, and talk about baby stuff and no one is bored ’cause we all have kids.  It’s not like talking about babies to people who don’t have babies – they just don’t care!  And I don’t blame them, I didn’t care before I had kids either.  That’s just how it goes.  Anyway, we chatted and had a great time. 

Anyway, remember how I told you have dresses from waaaay back?  Well, this is one of them.  I bought it when I was in grade 11.  That’s right, in High School! I actually own two very similar dresses – same style, just different pattern and color – both of which I bought at the same time.  And I just love them.   Sometimes I go off them for a while and shove them to the back of the closet but eventually I return.  This dress is like that one boy you can’t seem to get over – except that this dress won’t break your heart! 

So sell, stash or save?  Definitely a save!

Dress 3: Why Don’t You All Kick the Bucket Then

The Dress

Styled for winter

Cardigan – Jacob; T-shirt – Smart Set; Belt – American Eagle; Dress – bought in Lagos, Portugal; Boots – Feet First

Okay, I actually wore this dress yesterday but since I already posted yesterday with a dress look I decided to wait and post this one today.  I wasn’t sure about the whole thing until I was in a store and the lovely salesperson said that she loved the color of my skirt.  Yay! I love the color of the dress too.  It’s what originally attracted me to it.  And I also love complements!  But who doesn’t right?

Sell, Stash or Save?  This dress is definitely a save!

Now onto something a little different. 

Everyone seems to be writing a Bucket List.  Everywhere I look it’s bucket-this, and bucket-that.  Frankly, I’m against it.  It’s not that I’m against living your life to the fullest and fullfilling goals and dreams.  It’s that I’m against doing it out of fear.  And the bucket list comes from fear – the fear that you’re not going to live the life you want before you die, the fear that your life will lack meaning, the fear that you won’t do/achieve what you want to do.  It assumes a negative – that you will die without something (having done or experienced something).  Chances are you will die without doing everything you ever wanted – that’s the nature of being human.  So if you set yourself up like that – you will die dissappointed.  Fear is not a good starting point. 

Why can’t we switch gears and look from joy?  Be joyful about what you have right now.  Be joyful about what you have achieved.  And be joyful about what you want to achieve.  Write your goals.  Write the things you want to see and do.  But do it from joy.  Look forward to it with glee.  Not a dread that you may die before you do it all, or that you have to do it all because you may die.  Do the things on your list because you want to have the best life ever.  Do those things because you want to experience meaning and wonder.  Do it because life matters – not death.    I’m going to write a Life List.  I’m going to die, everyone is eventually, but will everyone really live?

Dress 2: A Slice of Football

Me trying to look cool
And failing!   Dress – H&M; Scarf – thrifted; Cardigan – H&M; Boots – Feet First; Leggings – Forever XXI

Okay, the dress challenge continues.  This little number was worn last night on air.  And the best part of working last night?  Spending time with our camera operator, the lovely Olivia.  She rocks!  She’s the only woman I know who can pull off a shaved head and a headband with a leopard bow!  Not at the same time, but I wouldn’t put it past her to do that either.  Yes, I’m talkin’ you up Olivia *she reads this blog*.  We watched trashy TV during our break and I commented/heckled throughout the show.  We used to watch HGTV; I was obsessed when I was renovating my house *read: gutting it out completely and rebiulding*.   Now when I say I watched HGTV I mean I watched it like a sports obsessed man watches football:  I yelled at the screen, I trash talked the players, and I criticized their plays.  Now that the house is over I turn to SLICE – trashy and terrible reality TV.  Yes, I know.  I KNOW!  But I can’t help it.  It’s the vice that I indulge in once a week.  And yes, it’s my new football.  Pass the chips.

Waking Up In The Morning Is Hard To Do

All I could manage today

Sweater – C’est Moi; Shirt – Reserved; Leggings – Forever XXI; Leg warmers – Legs Beautiful

6:15 am: Baby’s banging on her bed like a bongo drum.  Just five more minutes Mom…oh wait, crap, I’m the Mom and I don’t get two minutes, much less five.  No, I don’t want to be up.  But as I’ve learned recently, when you’re a parent it’s never about you.  So up I get, throw baby over one shoulder and head downstairs.  Baby goes onto the floor on her blanket with her toys, while I feel an irresistible pull towards one particular kitchen cabinet – where we keep the coffee…

Sort of awake now, thanks to Coffee Tree.  Love their fresh roasted coffee – I need to see an oily film on my cup or it’s not really coffee, you know? It’s not that I’m a coffee snob, it’s just that if I’m going to indulge in a vice I’m going to do it right.

Now I’ve got to work up the motivation to shower and get dressed.  Suggestions?  What gets you going in the morning?

Settlers of Catan: The Death Match!

Sorry guys, I missed a Sunday last week.  It’s the holidays and my mind went blank (which, yes, happens more than I like to admit).  But I’m back.  And today I even have two posts (this being the second) because not only is it random sundays, but it’s also the first day of my dress challenge.  So it’s a double whammy.

As I mentioned in today’s previous post, my Bestie came over and hung out with Drake the Dog and Baby.  She also took a lot of my clothes – which is cool. She made off with two whole bags worth of stuff (which is surprising because she’s got larger puppies than I do).   I got some really cute pictures (though I’m upset that my camera has not yet come ’cause I could’ve had even cuter pictures).  It’s hard to grab a good shot in focus because everyone is wriggling all the time! But I managed to get at least a few. 

Not too sure about Drake the Dog.

Then Her Man came over and hung out with Drake the Dog (though they don’t seem too sure of each other). And after we put Baby to bed we played Settlers of Catan.  And (oh yeah!)I won!

I won (yes, I had to say it again).  I told you – it’s on b@#%h!  I mean business when I play games.  Next time, Carcassone.  Good night all.  See you tomorrow.

Dress 1: Amish Much?

The  dress by itself

Once I added some things to spice it up. Dress – somewhere in Madrid; Scarf – somewhere Toronto; Boots – somewhere in New York City; Belt – American Eagle

Today’s the first day of my dress challenge.  Hope you’re all as excited as I am.  I thought I’d start with a dress that I hardly wear and one that’s not a favorite of mine.   I figure since I can only wear it once  until the challenge is over I should save and cherish my favorites.

This dress is hard to style.  It has puffy sleeves that eliminate the possibility of wearing a cardigan, and I tried it with a vest but I looked like I was auditioning for Sisterwives.  Husband actually suggested a scarf and that ended up working.   Overall, I’m not sure it flatters my small frame, you know?  I feel it makes me look a bit frumpy.  And yes, a leather jacket, boyfriend blazer or jean jacket can make anything look decent, but do I want to keep something around that I only feel “decent” about? What do you think? Your comments are helpful and I need help deciding these things.  I have trouble letting go of my clothes. Donate, store, or save?

Moving on.

My Bestie is coming over today.  Haven’t seen her in about three weeks – and we never go that long without seeing each other.  So we’re going to be chatting it up like mad.  Husband will probably escape into his basement cave to get a break.  But it’s going to be fun.  Then Her Man is coming over and it’s games night.  Yes, that’s right, game night! We’re playing either Settles of Catan or Carcassone.  It doesn’t matter which because either way they’re going down!  It’s on B@#%h!  (Disclaimer: I’m intense about my gaming)

85 Dresses: The Challenge Is Issued

Happy New Year!   Around this time I always feel the need to purge things and simplify my life.  Recently, I’ve been going through my weardrobe – clothes and accessories – and realized that I own way too much stuff.  So today I’ve been sorting through it and I’ve gotten rid of quite a few things.  I’m storing and donating (to Value Village and to friends).  It’s also showed me that I should stop buying things (except for the very rare “must-have”).  I need to wear what I have and find out what I really love.  One thing I’ve discovered already:  I hate wearing turtlenecks!  I own a few and I haven’t worn them in at least 3 years.  Gone!!!  They’re out of here!

In this spirit of discovery and wearing what I have, I’m issuing myself a little challenge: to wear all my dresses – every single one I own – at least once and to not repeat a single one until I have gone through the whole collection.  That may not seem like a hard challenge, but I own upwards of 80 dresses.  And the collection is still growing.  Some I’ve had for years (think 10 years), others are recent purchases. I sometimes forget about the ones at the back only to see them and regret not wearing them.  This will also be an experiment. My body has changed since giving birth – as has my mind –  and there are some things that I can’t do up yet (namely in the bust area as those puppies are still larger than usual because of nursing).  So, this will be a great way to test my wardrobe, and to test myself to see which dresses I have outgrown – both physically and mentally.

I’d like it if you came with me on this journey and please leave your comments to let me know which ones you like, which you don’t and which ones should perhaps be stored away/given away.

What’s This Spoon For Again?

I’m not much of a cook.  I’ll freely admit to that.  When it comes to the domestic arts, I’m a complete failure.  It’s not that I’m incapable of it, it’s just that I don’t want to and will do anything other than cook and clean.  Mind you, I know it has to be done, I’m just a master procrastinator in that respect.  You could never give me a white glove test!  But since Baby has begun eating solids, I have taken a larger role in the kitchen.  Not for me, but for her.  I steam and puree and make sure that her food is the best that it can be.  Hence, I have recently needed aprons (two to be exact).  One to have while the other is in the laundry.  I have realized that if I want to remain relatively clean, these are a must for a Mom – just like bibs for babies.  When feeding Baby, the bib does the trick for her, and the apron does the trick for me.

So when Husband was in Montreal on a business trip he picked me up this lovely apron as my second (the first was a purchase from Anthropologie ).  I loved it of course!  It’s purple and frilly and completely girly.  I would like to have a dress like this – with a back of course – ’cause otherwise that would just be obscene!

No if only I could figure out what this wooden spoon does…

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yes that’s right, it’s my birthday! *Several odd number of years ago* I was born on this day.  And as always Husband has come through wonderfully.  I woke up to fresh coffee and had him “at my beck and call”  (according to him).  So, I played my newest addiction, a video game called Torchlight, had an unhealthy breakfast which included choclate, and indulged in a hard, fast-paced run.  Afterwards I headed out on my own for a little shopping and tea.  I love the boxing day goodies I picked up:  a tea filter, and Body Shopr treats!

Once at home, I headed upstairs to play with my camera and photoshop.  Here are some results:

I can’t wait until my new one gets here!  Should be early in the new year.  And yes, that’s my new scarf that I’m modelling.  My latest arrival from ShopRuche.  It’s not quite what I was expecting, but it’s still delightful!

I finished off the night with tea, chocolate, and a foot massage.  And a surprisingly good film  – “The Jane Austen Book Club.”  Being an Austen fan myself I was able to forgive the “As Ifs” in the film and just have a great time.  Good Night!  See you all tomorrow!

And Now It’s Husband’s Turn

This morning Husband came downstairs and said, “I think you should take a picture of me for your fashion blog.  ‘Cause I’m looking snazzy today.”  I swear he said the word “snazzy.”  The whole day went by and in the evening he said. “So when you gonna take those pictures?  I think you should now.”  And the second I pointed the camera at him he got all shy and self-conscious.  Isn’t he cute?

So here I managed to catch a few shots of him not being all awkward in front of the camera.  Yes, the tie is crocked, but other than that do you think he looks “snazzy”?  I think so.  With a capital Snazz.

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