Babies!

I took all three kids to see Babies today. My cousin Taylor went with me, so it was much more pleasant than it might have been without her. The kids were fine, but they got a little restless close to the end of the film. It is 80 minutes long with no dialogue, and it has a pretty slow pace. Plus, it started right near lunchtime, so I think they became quite peckish. HaHa did okay, all things considered, but she did leave the theater twice. I guess she just needed to move. This was the first movie she's seen in a theater and I hope it sets a precedent!

It was interesting to see how parenting is managed in different parts of the world. It definitely made me realize that I think American parents are much more "involved" with their kids. And I don't mean interested. I mean I think we are more prone to intervening and managing our kids social and emotional lives. This can have both positive as well as negative outcomes. But I could be completely wrong. Maybe I am just too involved with my kids' behavior and trying to control it. I think I have raised pretty independent children, and I don't coddle them, but I do get involved when they have conflicts and bad behavior. Maybe I need to take a step back in these situations. I don't know. But Babies definitely made me think about it!

I have some summer school deadlines to meet, so I must end my post here! As per usual, I am the queen of procrastination! Will I ever learn?

Outfit:

Print Shirt: From cousin. Forever 21. I am wearing backwards. Seen regular style in: Showers!

Brown Wrap knit shirt: Thrift store. Very old. I don't remember when I got this, or where!

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Shoes: Predictions.

Sex ATC!

Okay. Although it pains me to admit it, every time I see an add for the new Sex and the City movie, I get a little giddy and I actually watch it rather than fast forward through it. When I lived in New York, I never saw a SATC episode. For starters, I didn't have a TV, and second, it just wasn't of interest to me. I even babysat for a woman who would constantly tell me that her best friend was one of "the producers of Sex and the City!" I would just nod my head enthusiastically and smile while thinking, "So what?" Later on I would look up said friend, and sure enough there she was on the credit list.

I also had a friend who was an extra on an episode and though I was happy that she had gotten some work, it didn't really matter that it was on that show. Again, I had no connection to the show, so I congratulated her and we moved on in the conversation. I didn't grill her about the cast, or Patricia Field, or being on set. Cut to March, 2001. I move from New York back to Los Angeles after 10 years of living in the Big Apple. 10 crazy and important years. Years I grew from girl to woman. Starting as an NYU freshman and ending up as a single pre-school teacher and nanny. I learned so much about life and myself in those year, and I had a lot of fun.

So it's  March 2001, I'm back in L.A. and I'm living with my mom and step dad thanks to NYU's exorbitant tuition that ate through my "moving to L.A." savings account. (But that's another story.) My mom has a TV, and she has HBO. I sit down to watch an episode with her and I am instantly filled with nostalgia and palpable love for the city I just left. I'm hooked. I relate to the story line and to the ladies as well. I can't believe I've been missing out on this pop culture treat.

After Charlie was first born I was alone a lot because we had moved, I didn't drive, and my friends and family all had jobs. Lucky for me, it just so happened that HBO was showing ALL of the SATC episodes from Season One to the present season! I can't explain what a comfort it was, but it was really helpful to me at the time. It gave me a daily dose of the city, and a dose of entertainment when I needed distraction.

So why am I telling you all this? Because The Richard and I are going to see SATC tonight and I am excited even though I am fairly certain it is going to stink up the joint. I liken it to fashion porn. It will be totally gratuitous and over the top, but can't a girl have a little mindless fun every now and then?

Outfit:

Inspired by SATC. I think there's a little Carrie in it.

Shirt: Goodwill. Isabel Marant.

Blue tank: Urban Outfitters. Very Old.

Pants: Massachusetts thrift store. Mossimo.

Shoes: Patricia Field for Payless. I saw these shoes in Lucky Magazine (shopping porn). My friend gives me her old copies. I thought they were very cute and I found them a couple of months later on sale for 12 bucks! Whoo-hoo! 

HaHa is feeling better! Thank you for the kind words!

Political Parties!

Today we hosted one of our political parties in order discuss the ballot measures in the upcoming elections. We have these whenever there are state elections and Richard is the arbiter and master of ceremonies. Richard is quite knowledgeable and opinionated and the highlight is watching him debate politics while throwing back shots of booze. One year he fell down some stairs. Another year he made someone cry and leave. True story.

The political parties are the most fun when people with disparate views discuss their opinions. Or, when people dare to challenge the master of ceremonies. He can tend to be quite boorish at these things. However, we have some feisty and knowledgeable friends, who are not afraid to stand up to The Richard. Yesterday, we even had one attendee who declared "However Richard is voting, I'm voting the opposite!" In the end, she found they were actually on the same page for the most part. Her statement was really a testament to the strong emotions The Richard inspires at these parties. Perhaps it is merely that Richard is not afraid to talk openly about political matters, as many of us have been warned not to do. Or perhaps it is the booze.

The ballot measures were a breeze this time around, but we know the party for the November elections is going to be a doozy!   






Outfit:

White Shirt: Purchased long ago in a store in NY. It's got to be at least 15 years old. Matches. Believe it or not, I used to rock this bad boy all on its own, thereby showing my tum-tum, which I was quite fond of. No longer, but I wear this shirt UNDER a lot of other things.

Purple camisole: Old Navy.

Pants: Isaac Mizrahi for Target.

Shoes: janet & janet.

This is actually the first outfit I can think of where everything I am wearing was purchased in retail stores brand new.

Death and Pimples!

At some point in this day I had discussed what I was going to write about with a friend, and I was happy with the subject matter. However, it is hours into the night, and I don't remember what I was going to say. This is yet another example of my old age. How the hell am I going to remember anything in ten years?!

Oh! I remember one thing I was thinking about. Pimples. Now, I'm sure this is a subject everyone is dying to hear me pontificate about. Well, I have a good size zit on my cheek, and it has really been bothering me. I tried to "alleviate" it, but it was not willing to cooperate. I have to admit, although it is totally disgusting, that I love popping pimples! I remember being given a gift certificate for a facial one year. I lay there on the table with goop on my face, and, as the esthetician squeezed my blemishes, I told her I though it would be so fun to get to do that for a living. I think there was an awkward silence for a bit, and eventually the woman said, "There's a lot more to it than that." I think I unwittingly insulted her, but I was really just trying to let her know I thought she had a really cool gig. 

Anyway, one of the last memories I have of my grandmother is visiting her in a nursing home and looking at her as she lay in her bed. She was somewhat out of it, so I really studied her face and her features. At some point I noticed a HUGE blackhead on her chin and I knew it was one of those types of craters that would deliver a copious amount of stuff. I kept staring at it and I really wanted to ask my grandma if I could squeeze it. But I didn't. It just didn't seem like the right thing to do. My grandmother was sick, and she was a pretty crabby lady. I'm sure it would have just pissed her off if I tried to grab her face and squeeze her zit. But it would have been fun for me!


Outfit:

For the past few nights, when I've put on my pajamas, I've thrown this gray sweater on because it's been somewhat chilly. It is so cozy, and it was given to me by my cousin (like many other things I've worn this year). Yesterday, she wrote an excellent post titled: One Closet, Many Years where she commented on the amount of things she has given me!


Sweater: From Cousin. Mossimo.  I needed comfort today so I opted to wear this out.

Tank: Old Navy.


Skirt: Marshall's. I got this skirt in 1988 when I was visiting my best friend in Texas. I didn't wear it for a very long time, but now it is one of my summer staples. It is perfect for travel because it can't wrinkle and it can be worn several different ways.


Shoes: zoe & zac.

Necklace: This is actually a bracelet that I have attached to a necklace. I highly recommend trying this at home. You might come up with some really cool "new" jewelry!

HaHa is still sick. Here she is sitting in Daddy's arms on the couch. I nursed her practically the whole night and was exhausted today.

Fever!

HaHa is with fever, so I am holding her and trying to type, and it really isn't going well. I think that despite Richard's mandate, I may have to take a pass. I have 218 more days of this blogging stuff, so surely a day or two of slackin' is warranted, Right?  And right now, I am not slackin', I'm comforting and mothering. Of course, as is usually the case, HaHa started crying the moment I picked up my computer.

Maybe instead of reading my blatherings you could go to two other blogs that I have been enjoying immensely of late. One is called Mad on a Gray Sea and the other is called 12x12. They are both written by women who are far more intelligent and useful than me. They can actually grow food and bake bread and make yogurt and stuff. All I can do is tell you how to layer an outfit!  They are excellent writers and very intelligent people so check 'em out! Baby HaHa beckons!

Outfit:

After nursing and holding HaHa all day, I had to get dressed in a flash to get the boys. My primary goal was not repeating, of course. I started with this skirt, worn as a shirt, and built up.

Skirt: Thrift store. Seen in Open House.

Jeans: From Big Sunday sale.

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. H&M.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

Appreciation!

So now, every time I write, I have a little monkey on my back going "Is this interesting? Is this smart? Is this worth writing?" I must say, that while I have enjoyed getting this little project off the ground, there are some days I just don't have much to say. This is how the Topics! conversation came up with Richard the other night. He has given me a "No writing about not having anything to write about!" mandate, so I will pull something out of my a-, I mean hat.

How about appreciation? Yesterday I was visiting with a friend, and while we were chatting she got a call from one of her buddies. This other friend stopped by, and it turned out that we had met before, because we have yet another friend in common.  She had been at my house years ago when we were throwing a party for Charlie. What a small world!

She also has a son, and her son is nearly the same age as Charlie. Her son, like my sons, can be a bit challenging with his behavior sometimes, and we commiserated about this. Her son, unlike my sons, was diagnosed with Leukemia last year. When she said this, I was so surprised I did not know what to say. What could I say that would sufficiently illustrate how deeply sorry I was to hear this? That showed I could not imagine how truly painful it must be to endure watching your child suffer? I found some words, but mostly I felt like a jerk for complaining about my boys' bad listening, and less than charming qualities, while she actually had something to complain about.


Which leads me back to gratitude.  I must remember to appreciate ALL of the qualities of my children. The good and the bad, because they are children, and they are learning, and they are imperfect, and they are perfect, and they are my babies, and they are human, and they certainly have accepted me with my multitude of flaws. And, they are healthy. I must give thanks to good health. And thanks to everything in my life. Both good and bad. Yes, thanks to EVERYTHING in my life. Thank you, everything!

Outfit:

White shirt (underneath): Goodwill. Isabel Marant.

Print Shirt: Bought in the Bronx while visiting Josh and Brady! It's a bit big, but I love the print!

Brown Pants: From cousin. Gap. They still had the tags on them when she gave them to me!

Shoes: Mossimo.


I happened upon the scene below in the kitchen, and I thought it was so sweet!

Girls!

It's amazing to me the things that HaHa will do, without being asked, that the three boys won't do after being asked a million times. HaHa, little HaHa, not yet two, will pick her clothes up off of the floor after her bath and put them in the hamper. HaHa will immediately wipe up her spills when she has an accident. And my little baby HaHa says "thank you" when I do things for her all the time. It amazes me! Are girls really that advanced? Did I make a mistake in not having a girl first?

If HaHa were my eldest child, I'm sure it would like having an assistant!  She could help me with chores and take care of her little brothers, (rather than being tackled by them and led down the path of crazy-town).  HaHa would NOT have scratches all over her face because she was trying to climb the things 5 and 6 year old boys climb. She would listen to me, and understand me, and - wait, that's a lot of pressure for a kid. Too much pressure. No child deserves that. Better that HaHa be the little light that softens all of our hearts. That she follow Leo and Charlie around like a puppy and delight in them. That she grow up tough and rumble and protected and adored. Better she be the last baby. Girl.

Outfit:

I call this a "momfit", because I feel like a total mom in this. Or, that is, I feel like I look  like a mom. Maybe I always look like a mom, but sometimes less so. I mean, what does a mom look like? Maybe what I mean is a stereotypical mom...  Either way, I am actually a mom, so I guess looking like one is okay. Right?

Shirt: Hand me down from my Cousin. Converse One Star.

Pants: Thrift Store. They used to be a jumpsuit, then I cut it! I am sorry I did. Especially after seeing this season of Top Model. Did I mention that Mr.Jay was the first person to ever pluck my eyebrows?!

Shoes: Fit Flops.

Belt: Goodwill. I bought just a bit before the new year because I thought it might come in handy!

Also, just to clarify, Richard and I were not sharing our crushes or fantasy loves, he was merely telling me about a conversation he had had at work. I'm sure he won't be doing that again for a long time!

Topics!

Richard read my post yesterday and informed me that I need more topics. I usually just write about what comes to me at the time I am sitting in front of my computer. Occasionally I write about something I've been thinking about for a while, but not usually. This lack of planning is why lyrics to songs written 27 years ago appeared here a while back... I just go with the flow, and sometimes the flow is not so... flow.  

So. A topic that Richard inspired me to write about today is: "What Things Should You Not Share With Your Partner?" I think it is often implied that honesty is tantamount to intimacy. You and your loved one can only be as close as you are willing to truth tell. Well, I disagree. I think some things are better left unsaid. One of these things is: "Lindsay Lohan is the type of woman you would want to sleep with, but never date." This comment developed from a conversation Richard had with one of his co-workers. Actually, the person they were speaking about first was Tyra Banks. Then Lindsay just happened to appear on our television screen and she joined the dialogue. Now, I, of course, was disgusted because, in addition to Lindsay being so clearly troubled, she is also young enough to be Richard's daughter. Yuck! Why did he have to say that? It was such a turn off! I understand that men are visually stimulated by trashy ladies, or beautiful ladies, or sweet ladies, or just ladies, period, but I don't want know if Richard has a secret hankering for LiLO. Why? Why? Why?

Now, according to Web M.D., " Study after study illustrates that men's sex drives are not only stronger than women's, but much more straightforward." "Straightforward" means turned on by anything female with breasts! It could be female eggplant!  (Unless, of course, the men in question are gay!) Web M.D also goes on to say that, "The sources of women's libidos, by contrast, are much more difficult to pin down." And later, "It's common wisdom that women place more value on emotional connection as a spark of sexual desire". This is exactly the reason my desire went down to nilch the moment Richard told me about The Linds. And please, do not think me prude. I was not grossed out by the fact that Richard is turned on by other women, it's just that this particular woman is SO disappointing. Why couldn't he be turned on by someone more classy? Like Oprah! Oh yeah, he is, I'm sure... As long as there are breasts involved!

(Please note that I am aware that these are generalizations and do not believe that they apply to everyone!)

Outfit:

I pulled out this long forgotten gray heather-ed unitard from my drawer and added on from there. I have kept this unitard for exercise purposes, but it rarely gets used these days!

Unitard: Goodwill. Star Cody. A label that died long ago. One day I will wear this to a Jazzercise class with a headband! Ladies, don't let your unitards go to waste! 

Iron Lung Shirt: I Heart Guts.

Skirt: Walmart. George. Purchased in my mom's tiny Massachusetts town!

Sweater: Hand me down from friend.

Shoes: Airwalk.

Give 'Em The Slip!

First of all, I must inform all of the kind and concerned people who contacted me, that Richard was NOT frightened by his fall. I guess I was projecting, as us female types are prone to do. It is also me projecting when I say that Richard would probably not admit it if scared him because he is too macho. Another projection? Richard fell into the hole on purpose because I had been nagging him about finishing the fence. Could I be on to something?...

Whatever the case, Richard is still hobbling around like a maimed animal and is moving at the speed of molasses. We'll see if he improves, or if he gets himself to a doctor... It is 10:13 as I type and HaHa is just now going to bed. I am nursing and typing. I see that she may be following in her parents footsteps. Last night, both Richard and I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. His poker pals left at 2:45, but what, pray tell, was my excuse? Perhaps it is that on account of all the kids, and HaHa's crazy schedule (not her fault-her sleep is always interrupted), I have to stay up late in order to get some much needed time to myself. Perhaps. One of the things I was up doing last night was washing and combing out my hair for the first time in a week. At any rate, I will do my best to get to bed by midnight! If that is my quest, then I must end here and wish you all a happy start to the week, and thank you for spending some time here!


Outfit:

Shirt: This shirt is similar to the shirt I wore yesterday, and they were both given to me by my cousin! I find it interesting that often we buy the same types of clothes over and over.  This shirt is by Converse One Star. It has a belt, but I wore it without. HaHa borrowed it!

Slip: This is from a thrift store. Not sure where. I have been collecting slips, and wearing them with jeans since high school. I love the contrast of the delicate with the rugged. I have at least seven vintage slips and I love them. There are couple that aren't even functional, but I just love the lace!

Jeans: Hand me down from friend. Express.

Shoes: Mossimo.

HaHa helping me make Dutch Babies for dinner. She loves to mix!

On The Fence!

Richard fell into a hole last night when he was moving the fence. It was about four feet deep. He hurt himself bad. Very bad. He was walking backwards holding one half of the fence and he stepped into the hole! He was bleeding and in so much pain that he, the man who "never rests", limped up to bed and lay down. He had to get up to work at 10:00 p.m., but I think it frightened him. Me too. He is still limping today.

Poker night is upon us, so I am keeping my post short!

Outfit:                                           

I knew I wanted to wear something that my FRESH friend passed on to me because I wanted to link to her very cool blog that she is now ready for the world to see! It is called Fresh Air Frolics and it is a smart and creative hodgepodge of really cool stuff. Here is an example of her clever mind: "i should be grabbing the world by the balls and smacking fools across the face with my ovaries. instead, i hesitate." She is always telling me about interesting sites and articles, and she has introduced me to some incredible music. She's amazing!

Dress: From friend. Laundry by Shelli Segal. This is actually the first time I've worn this dress. Taking the Ralph Lauren spring collection as inspiration, I am mixing something formal with something casual.

Shirt: From cousin. Mossimo.

Scarf: (Worn as belt). I got this at a thrift store in New York. It is very old. I couldn't find the belt that goes with the shirt, so I grabbed this. I thought the grays complimented the purple in the dress. Because there are some yellow tones in the scarf I added the yellow shoes. Go Lakers! (Although I wouldn't mid seeing Boston come out on top...)  

Cuff: This was given to me by a woman I worked for in NYC who had a home daycare. The two of us watched 6 two year olds, and a couple of older kids. I likened working with the two year olds to working with Tourette Syndrome patients in a group setting. We would dress 6 toddlers up in their snow suits and take them out in the snow to play for all of about 10 minutes before one of them would start crying or get cold or wet... Good times!

Shoes: Miz Mooz by Gazith.  HaHa's dress from Aunt Diane!!! So cute!

Comments!

I got all the inspiration I needed to post today from the comments section of this blog! This is a huge help as I have been in some kind of slump this past week.  First, my very beautiful, stylish and talented friend Laura said that my outfit yesterday reminded her of the Ralph Lauren, Spring 2010 Collection, which has a lot of "denim dressed up in an elegant, yet fun way." I was very flattered, as I always am when she compliments me (because she is the bee's knees), and I went to look at Mr. Lauren's designs. They were stunning! The delicate and shimmery T-straps, the mix of masculine and feminine, casual paired with formal, and the stunning fabrics, all were enough to make me want to run right out and shop! Of course I can't, but a girl can day dream right? Laura also said that she loves ruffles! I love ruffles too, and there are some truly gorgeous ruffles in the collection as well. Just dreamy!

The second inspiration came from another beautiful, totally stylish and talented friend named Carol. She commented that she, too has Spice Girls Chupa Chups circa 1997! I knew I loved Carol the moment I met her and now I understood why! You have to have a certain amount of specialness to save a bunch of suckers in wrappers adorned with the faces of the British lasses who first crooned those fantastic lyrics "all you have to do is zig-a-zig-ahh"! Carol also said that she and I are destined for A&E's Hoarders. It is always good to to have someone who "gets" you, and I definitely have hoarding in my DNA! Could this be why I have clothes from the late 80's in my closet?...

The last inspiring comment came from my beautiful and brilliant Aunt Diane. She is knowledgeable about many things, and she informed me that silverfish (and other creepy crawlies) cannot gather or spawn when there are cedar blocks around! She also said that she ordered some of these non-toxic life savers for me! Did I mention that Aunt D is also one of the most generous people I know? Just knowing that silverfish will no longer be a part of my life in the not too distant future fills me with glee! 

Outfit:

Red, White, and Blue.

White Shirt: Goodwill. Vintage.

Blue Shirt: Walmart. I got it when I was visiting my mom. It is one of the only stores in her particular tiny Massachusetts  town. I got this in the summer one year for 5 smackers! I think it was on sale because it is odd.

Blue Jeans: From friend. Express.

Red Shoes: Carlos by Carlos Falchi.

Attack of the Silverfish!

When I was choosing my outfit for the day, I opened my top drawer to fish out some undergarments and what did I see scurry about, but a silverfish?! I was mortified and disgusted and I proceeded to empty out every drawer in my dresser, and search meticulously through everything. I pulled the drawers out, vacuumed every crevice, and took out some non-clothing items that may have lured the silverfish there. One of them being a set of wrapped Goody hairbands circa 1975. The wrapping is crumbling and I don't know why I've kept them around for so long. I guess I was saving them for HaHa?... I don't know...

Actually, I do know. I loved the novelty of having "new" things from 35 years ago. I also have a bunch of Spice Girls lollipops made by Chupa Chups that I keep for the same reason. They are only about 13 years old, however. Maybe it is time to let them go...


After my encounter with the scaly visitor I called Richard and told him that we had to do something! The first thing was getting our paper problem under control. Silverfish like paper. Charlie is probably responsible for a third of the world's paper usage, and his papers are everywhere. We also have boxes of other people's paper we've been harboring. Richard also reminded me that we have books. He asked if I want to get rid of all of our books, too. That's just like Richard. All I want is a house where I never have to see a silverfish again!

Outfit:

It was Open House at Charlie's school, so I wanted to dress up a bit. I instantly reached for my re-styled denim dress, but feeling that my legs were not prepared to be shown to the world, I added this beautiful skirt as a bottom layer.

Tank: This was a hand me down from Pollyanna. Old Navy.

Denim Dress: This was a Goodwill find. It had two ruffles, but I cut one of them off. I also cut off the big puffy sleeves to reveal these little black wings. I, of course, am wearing it backwards, for nursing.

Skirt: From Cousin. Ralph Lauren.

Shoes: Mossimo.