Movin'!

I had a busy day. I took a writing class, and then I helped my Fresh friend move. It was a good work out! We walked up and down her flight of stairs at least a dozen times!

Anyway, I wanted to write about the writing class and all of the numerous moments of the class when I was laughing so hard I had to hold back tears, but I am dozing as I write this. I have to sleep. It's 12:40 a.m. Tomorrow is another day, and another post!

Oh, someone is using my American Idol costume to wear to a party. Imitation is the best form of flattery! And, it is an easy and fun idea! Happy Halloween ladies and gents!

Outfit:

Tunic: Goodwill.

Green shirt: Goodwill. Kenneth Cole. I think I will have to give this shirt away because the fabric is too difficult to keep clean.

Jeans: Friend hand-me-down.

Shoes: Miz Moos. I had to wear different shoes to go moving because I stepped in dog poop on my way out of the house.

This is not one of my favorite outfits, but sometimes I just need to go with flow!

Conferenced Out!

There is something absolutely wonderful about parent-teacher conferences, and then, there is something absolutely exhausting that comes with talking non-stop for hours about important matters. I got to be on both ends of conferences this year, as parent and teacher. Both were swell.

I always feel guilty when I've done a short post, but It was a long day, and I had company over for dinner. Lovely company. My cousin made red-velvet cake balls. Yummy and unexpected.

One day I will write a substantial post, but for now I have to respect my limitations!

Outfit:

Lace shirt: Hand me down from friend. I think it must have been from a play or movie because it has no labels, but it has some numbers in black ink written on the inside.

Grey shirt: Another friend hand-me-down. I put it underneath so I would not show any skin at school.

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Shoes: Miz Mooz by Gazith.

Help!

Oh, boy! The things I get myself into! What can I say? I like to live on the edge. Or, I am just plain lame!

Ugh! I just realized that I have to write my "sub plans" out in a coherent way for my class tomorrow, which I will not be attending. One more thing on the list...

Anyway, I think I should keep it short and sweet today. Tomorrow should be promising, what with the Comic Con location and all! Stay tuned!

Outfit:

Shirt: My friend bought this for me when I was preggo. She saw that I liked it, and was kind enough to buy it for me! Target. Mossimo.

Pants: Goodwill. This was a jumpsuit I stupidly cut. It had little anchors on the straps! What a fool am I!

Shoes: Miz Moos by Gazith.

Here is a picture of the boys clowning around. I guess they get the pop culture references through osmosis!

Baronial Gothic!

Today when I was at work I got a message from my brother-in-law telling me there was an open house nearby that I had to see. He was right. I did have to see it. It was an awesome display of craftsmanship and history. Stained glass, multiple staircases, two fireplaces, servant's quarters, attic, basement, and so many rooms, I literally lost the boys. For a minute.

When I asked the man hosting the open house why the owners were selling he told me that he was the owner and he was selling because he was moving. He bought the house 13 years ago and did the rehab himself. When he bought the house it was a mess. My brother-in-law confirmed this. He had actually been in the house when he was younger and he said it was beat down. It had also been stucco-ed. I am not sure why anyone would cover a historical landmark with stucco, but I've seen it many a time in my hood.

If you are an open house junkie like I am, you should try to see this stunning example of Baronial Gothic architecture. It is also tastefully decorated, and the owner is an artist, so there is lots and lots of beauty to behold. The pictures on the website actually do not do the home justice. You just feel as though you are walking through a piece of history. I think we could afford it if we went in with a few other families and it is definitely big enough to share. Interested?

Outfit:

I pulled this old slip out of my drawer yesterday and decided that I should build an outfit around it. I have always been drawn to old slips and nightgowns. I just love them. I loved this one because the print is so lovely.


Sweater: Goodwill.

Slip: Thrift store. I've had this slip since I was in high school. I tied it in the back.

Skirt. Salvation Army. I bought this in high school as well. It is on it's last legs, but it is an oldie but goodie!

Shoes: Miz Moos by Gazith.

Here are the kids, 'cause I've had some requests!

The Graduate!

Today I was supposed to go to Royce Hall to watch my fabulously talented cousin walk in her graduation cap and gown (which was compostable by the way). However,  I got a call in the morning from her asking if it would be okay with me if she skipped out on the ceremony and we celebrated at her house instead. Being someone who did not attend her own graduation, I was fine with it. In truth, I was relieved because she said the ceremony was going to be 3 hours long! The rest of her family was fine with it too, I suppose... Congratulations Taylor!!!
There was a period of time when HaHa would leap out of my arms and into Taylor's whenever she had the chance. Once Taylor and I came home after being out all day and HaHa ran into Taylor's arms when the door opened. At least HaHa has good taste!

Outfit:

Shirt: Salvation Army. This is a skirt that I have looped a tie through the belt loops to make a halter style strap. I got this skirt in high school and I am in love with the butterfly print. Seen in: V-Day! and Re-Fashionista!

Black Tank: (under) I have no idea where or when I got this. It is at least a few years old. I got it to exercise  in.

Jeans: Hand me down from friend. Express.

Shoes: Miz Moos by Gazith.

This is Taylor and her Fiance Adam! They are newly engaged and our whole family is thrilled!

Taylor is modeling her cap for us!

The best picture of my outfit did not include my face, but that's fine with me! Hopefully people won't think it's too weird.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today I spent more summer leisure time with the kids before I head off to the office tomorrow. I haven't done summer school for a few years, so it should be fun. I also think that it will be the perfect way to ease into a full-time work schedule in the fall.

We went to the library. It was peaceful and sweet to see the boys grab books they found interesting and settle in at a table, while I looked for books for my class. HaHa was kind enough to nap during this time. We left and came home to bake a cake for my lovely friend Ayiko. She is a truly wonderful and brilliant person, and I've known her since I was 9! That's a long, long time, and I am so glad our crazy paths crossed those years ago.


Richard had to work until 2:00 a.m., so I needed to scramble for childcare this evening. For some reason, I guess because of experience, I cannot leave Jordan alone with all of the kids for more than a little bit of time. He is almost there, but not quite. I was getting paid to watch four kids under the age of 7 when I was 15, so it is hard for me to understand why I can't have Jordan stay with the kids for several hours. I just can't. Maybe soon.


Anyway, I am rambling, so let me just say that Ayiko's birthday dinner was filled with laughs, good conversation, yummy food, and cocktails! They were strong, so I only had one. And, I was lucky because Richard's brother agreed to sit with the kids while I was out. I was home by 9:45, and all three kids were awake.

Outfit:

Black Shirt: This was given to me by a friend who used to work for the designer of the shirt, Alicia Lawhon. I love the simplicity of this shirt with the rainbow detail.

White skirt: Ayiko gave this to me several years ago, so I decided to wear it today. Free People.

Black Leggings: So old, I don't know where or when I got them!

Shoes: Miz Mooz by Gazith.

Bag: I usually do not carry a purse and would do anything to not carry one, but sometimes, I just have to. I found this purse at a thrift store long ago and it was five bucks. It isn't leather, and that's fine with me. While I appreciate really gorgeous handbags and the ilk, they're just not something I covet.

Procrastination!

Why am I so good at procrastination? I don't know. I can't say I was born with this particular talent because, in truth, I was two months premature. I should have been born a Gemini.
Thank goodness I popped out early! Geminis are so complicated.

Just kidding! I don't really know that much about Geminis. I am sure they are no more or less complicated than their astrological brethren. But they are weird. Kidding again. If you are a Gemini, please don't leave me any angry comments...

So, procrastination. A skill I have cultivated and nurtured over the years. Always, always, waiting 'til the last moment. To start. To leave. To finish. To plan. I actually was very worried there was something pathological about my behavior until I heard a lecture by a neurologist who said that procrastination was the norm. I was so relieved. Soooo relieved. I was normal!

And now, I don't worry about it so much. And everything always gets done.

Unless, of course, I forget... But that's another story...


Outfit:

Tie: I pulled out this tie for Leo last week to wear at his culmination, but he said "No thanks". After I found it again, I wanted to wear it. But, I have learned that I have no button down shirts that I can wear ties with. Actually I have one classic collared shirt, but it is dark brown and has some detail on the front that wouldn't work with this tie. So I decided to wear it without a collared shirt. I'm going to start looking weirder and weirder as the days go on, so why not start now?
It was given to me by a friend.  It is vintage and was hand painted. I really love it and I'm glad I've kept it all these years.

Shirt: Hanes.

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

Skirt: George. I got this at Walmart when I was visiting my mother. I don't usually shop at Walmart for clothing, but, if you visit my mother, you will find that it is one of the only stores close to her town. So when I'm there I go to Walmart, and I find myself perusing the clothing. I was working in admissions at the time I bought this.

Leggings: Don't know where these came from, but I've had them forever. Probably about 17 years.

Shoes: Miz Moos.

Panic, Day 161!

I spent the morning baking banana bread and doing some house work. Very domestic!  I played with HaHa and then had to get out of the house in order to pick up camping gear from UCLA , where my brilliant and generous friend is doing research! I left on the early side, because I wasn't sure what traffic would be like. When I found the building I was looking for I realized I was half an hour early, so I decided to take my pictures in front of a beautiful tree I saw. I was not sure about the light and when I finally uploaded my pictures they were a mess! So please forgive the shabby photography!

Now, after I loaded the baby and gear into the car, I started to have the feeling that I was wearing a repeat outfit. So far, I have remembered what I've worn when I'm picking in the morning, and I thought I had this morning as well. But as I drove down the streets of Westwood, I got very, very worried. I knew I had worn these pants three times, and I started to think one of these times was with this shirt. What if I ruined my project just by being careless? It might happen one day, but now? It's too soon.

So, I drove home, which wasn't in my plan, and I scrolled through my blog looking at my outfits. I found the outfit that I had confused with the outfit I'm wearing today. I guess it's because both of the tops have lacy straps and there's a blue top and blue jacket. The other time I wore this flower top was in Tuesday Blues.  Phew! What a relief!

Now I need to finish my Picassa page so I can keep track more easily. When I was scrolling today I realized there are a lot of outfits I have forgotten. I am at day 161. I guess it's time to start paying attention! Also, if you don't mind, can you tell me if you voted Tuesday? I am just curious because the polls were dead when I was there. It's anonymous. I promise! Poll on the top right!

Outfit:

Flower shirt: This is from a thrift store. It was a dress that I cut in half.  

Pink tank underneath: Old Navy.

Jacket: Goodwill. Ann Taylor.

Pants: From Cousin. Gap.

Shoes: Miz Mooz.


HaHa was very intrigued by the mannequins in the front of Old Navy as we were promenading on the promenade. She held all of the hands, pet the dog, and pushed one mannequin over. But I caught it before it fell!

Fried Egg!

I did not eat a fried egg today, but I didn't know what to call this post and those words popped into my head. I would have eaten a fried egg if I had the time to make one. However, my morning was spent hurry-scurrying about gathering the boys' belongings for a sleep over with Aunt Janine and dealing with a dead battery in our oh-so-reliable Toyota.  On top of that our AAA membership had lapsed, but they were completely accommodating. For the record, I would like to say that I love Triple A!

I was out of the house the entire day and returned home around 8:30pm. After I put Haha down, I bee-lined for my computer so I could check my emails, see if I had any new comments, and all of that fun, computer-related stuff. Imagine my surprise when I got an email from Intact America saying that last week the America Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a new statement proposing changes to the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act, a law that has prohibited any form of FGM in the U.S. since 1996. You can download the abstract on their site.


In an attempt to be culturally sensitive, and to stop parents from sending their girls abroad to have the ritual genital cutting performed, the AAP suggests that doctors perform a "nicking" of the girls' genitals instead. Interestingly, one of the things that the abstract said was that the term Female Genital Mutilation in itself was "inflammatory", and that "some forms of FGC are less extensive than the newborn male circumcision commonly performed in the West." Ha! Take that male circumcision advocates! You may or may not have read my post Cut!, but I can't wait to hear what pro-male circumcision folks have to say about this new recommendation from the AAP.

Outfit:

I took my pictures while I was out and about today and they are a bit sketchy. Needless to say, I have a lot more respect for models after doing this blog! 

Shirt: This is the shirt I wore underneath the sweater yesterday. I got it at Goodwill and I said that it did not have a label, but when I read the care label and saw a replacement button with an M on it today I  saw the name Isabel Marant.



Skirt: Forever 21. I got it when I was pregnant because it had the stretch that I needed!

Shoes: Miz Mooz. Since my outfit was so plain I thought I would jazz it up with bright shoes!


Oh the pain of posing! It hurts!

Mad Monday!

Okay. Today wasn't mad, but I couldn't think of a title for my post. It was a little maddening trying to get the boys to clean up, as per usual. I have nothing to wax poetic about today, but I am excited because my mom is coming for a visit! That means an extra pair of hands around when the kids are driving me nutso! I am also hoping that it means time to catch up with some of my friends and myself. We shall see. It always nice to have my mom around. She is a fun and sweet person!

Outfit:

I got this dress when I worked in admissions and it is pretty boring, although I do like the print. I have not worn it for at least three years. Since I am not at liberty to get rid of any clothes at this time, I decided I would wear this today as I was staying home due to rain and missing wallet and no shoes for Hollis ( I left my bag/HaHa's diaper bag in the car after last night's festivities, and Richard drove off to work with it). 

Since I hate the plain cut of this dress, I decided to make it more exciting and better for nursing by turning it inside out, wearing it backwards, and using the belt and zipper to re-fashion it. Another thing in my bag was the camera, so I had to wait to take pictures, and the light was fading. Hopefully, you can still see the details.

Hot Gossip: The Easter Bunny is on strike after being taken advantage of by corporate moguls and plushies and furries!

Dress: Goodwill. Limited America.

Shirt: Forever 21.

Shoes: Miz Moos by Gazith.

In Defense of Thrift!

Last night at the theater a friend asked, "What are you wearing?" I replied, "a dress". He then asked: "Is it from Goodwill, or Forever 21?" Ouch! Very snarky! After I got over being offended, I thought about it and I realized that he had a point. In the past few years I have bought more things at Goodwill than any other place. Forever 21 is probably second. In addition to those, I've shopped at Gap, Old Navy, and Anthropologie. Very sparingly, of course!

This weekend, a friend I went to high school with, and I were talking about our glory days. He commented that when we were in high school, a private school, it was much hipper to wear clothes from thrift stores, than to wear labels and expensive things. Of course, there were some kids who were into that stuff, and I did go through an ESPRIT phase in 7th grade, but for the most part, labels were out. We were artists. We were anti-establishment (at least we thought we were). We were individuals. Why would we go to a retail store and buy something everybody else had? Much cooler to crawl the aisles of some second hand store and find a vintage polyester jump suit, bell bottoms, or an old T-shirt.

As I got older, the habit stuck. Scouring the aisles was akin to a treasure hunt. It was meditative, and it was satisfying. Much more so for me than retail therapy. It also quelled the guilt I felt about consumption. Thrift store items had already been bought and purchased. They were recycled. They were not adding dyes and bleach into the ecosystem. They were not using new resources. Little children were not being forced to make them in factories. This gave me comfort. 


Now, in direct contrast, is Forever 21. I'm sure this seems like a contradiction. You have to wonder how they make the stuff so cheaply? I met someone who said they had "sweat shops" in L.A., that her mom worked there, and that it was awful. I have since avoided the store, even though it is a delightful cornucopia of trendy fashion!

Outfit:

One of the "trends" for spring is tribal prints and accessories. I thought that I ought to challenge myself and my closet by keeping up with the fashion Joneses. I actually think this shirt is pretty ugly, and I think I bought it because of the detail on the back (and it was 4 bucks!) I was shopping with a group of gals for a birthday celebration last November. After my year is up, I can see this in the give away pile!


Shirt: Forever 21. In honor of my friend!

Jeans: Cousin. Gap.

Shoes: Miz Mooz by Gazith.

Jacket: Old Navy Maternity. I still wear it, when I get the urge.

I've included a picture of how I dressed up my dress last night for the play! This was taken at 12:30 a.m. and I really just wanted to be done!