Staving off Sickness!

I started feeling a little achy last night, and woke up feeling bad. I stayed in bed a long time, made some chicken soup, and am nursing a hot toddy as I write.

I feel better than I did earlier, and with a little luck, I'll wake up feeling back to normal. With all of the sickness that has been through our house of late, I'm surprised I managed to last this long

Maybe I was waiting for Christmas!

Teena Marie passed away today. She was a major musical presence in my house growing up!  For a thoughtful tribute read, r.i.p. lady t. 

She will certainly be missed.

Outfit:

Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Mossimo.

Pants: Goodwill. This is the Express "Editor" pant. I like the cut, but I feel that these are slightly tight. Richard said they look "fine", and that I just "need different underwear". I guess by that he means a girdle. Maybe they will fit better after the holiday season is through!

Still Rockin' the skirt

Shoes: Friend hand-me-down. Nine West.

Winter White!

I put on a completely different outfit this morning, but I decided to change because I though it was a little bit too fancy for today. I decided I would save it for Christmas. So stay tuned!

I opted instead to wear this mix of creams and white. Perfect for the day, and risky because I was surrounded by red wine and chili this evening. I also made a little Christmas punch, and, of course I spilled a few red drops down the front of my shirt right off the bat.  But that's what life's all about, right? Red stains on a white shirt.

I had an amazing evening seeing friends and family that I just don't get to see enough. I also got to tell my dear friend Tony that I am a jerk and very sorry for missing his birthday! In my defense, I was still in the hospital with HaHa on his birthday. However, that is really no excuse.

I hope to never forget Tony's birthday again because he is a truly amazing and talented person and I am very lucky to know him! So, happy belated birthday Totoro!!! You're the best!

Outfit:

Long sleeve shirt: Goodwill. James Pearse.

Sweater(Under): Old Navy.

Sweater (Outer): Cousin hand-me-down. Mossimo.

Skirt: Goodwill. This is a dress I cut off.

Skirt (Under): Salvation Army. I believe I got this in high school.


Shoes: Kenzie.

Still Sick HaHa!

So the rash that I thought I saw developing last night on HaHa's cheeks, was all over her torso today. After having an argument with Richard about what a "rash" was, he agreed, after looking at her, that HaHa did, indeed, have a rash. So we called the doctor.

As I was speaking to the doctor, I could hear screaming children in the back ground, so I thought she was at the ER or something. As I was telling her my homeopathic treatment remedies I have used in the past she said, "Excuse me, for one moment", and put down the phone. I heard her walk away and give her kid a "time out" for making such a racket while mommy was "on the phone". Her kids are 3 1/2 and 1 and 1/2.

I guess mommy doctors know the clarion call of toddlers too!

On a completely different note, I just found out that two of the most stylish and amazing women I know are writing about "Clothes Stories" here: http://theclothesstory.blogspot.com/ 

The outfits I have seen them wear over the years are to die for, and I am so excited I get to see some of the outfits I've missed! (Like Holly's Silver Stella McCartney Jumpsuit).

Outfit:

Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Mossimo. Very soft.

Skirt: Cousin hand-me-down. Ralph Lauren. Thank you cousin! See said cousin perform on Friday night! Very funny!

Shoes: American Eagle.

Sick HaHa!

I have given HaHa antibiotics, something I really hate to do, especially after reading the many side effects, most of which HaHa would not be able to tell us about. I am also freaking out a little bit because it looks like she is getting a rash on her cheeks, one of the "serious" side effects listed on the Patient Prescription Information. Or maybe I am just thinking that she has a rash because I am a Nervous Nellie. I'll wait until Richard gets home and see what he says...

At any rate, I've got to go. I have to go stare at HaHa.

Oh, I have a new equation: Sick HaHa + Nervous Nellie= Lame outfit and pictures.

Outfit:

Sweater: Clothing swap. J.Crew.

Shirt: Gift. Loupilou.

Pants: Cousin hand-me-down. Gap.

Shoes: Mossimo.

Small World!

Another lovely day here at POCC! I ended up running into two women I knew by complete coincidence! One was an amazing woman I used to work with, and the other randomly sat down next to me and said I looked familiar. When I saw her name tag, and the school she worked at, I realized that she was the lovely women who hired the rockin' band I sing with for her son's Bar Mitzvah! This was five years ago! What are the chances? 3000 people at this conference, and dozens of workshops, and we end up at siting next to each other. Amazing.

I also got to see Earnest Green, one of the "Little Rock Nine, speak. His presence and presentation was a welcome reminder of how far we've come, and the work we still have left to do. Amazing.

After the day's business, I got to attend an "alumni mixer". We had good food, good conversation, and I was with people that I truly admire and love... A- Ma-zing!!!

Thank you universe!!!




Outfit:

Jacket: George.

Sweater: Goodwill. New York & Co.

Pants: Goodwill. Next.

Shoes: Mossimo.

For the Birds!

I love this skirt very much. I get compliments on it whenever I wear it, and I found it at Goodwill! It was made by a company called Citron,  that makes very beautiful clothing. I have a few other items from Citron that I've received as gifts. They all have exquisite fabric and lovely detail. That said, I would have bought this skirt whether it was made by Citron or Old Navy. I just really love the print.

The other day when I was at school, I saw a women wearing a red jacket with the same crane print! She's had it for years, and its one of her favorites too!

I wore this skirt in it's regular form on November 4, for the first time this year. I saved this skirt for the end of this project because I was going to wear it everyday for one week, in 5 different ways (weekend excluded, of course). I decided against it because I didn't want kids asking me why I was wearing the same thing everyday. Today I had a little girl in my class eye me, then  ask, "Is that a skirt?". I asked her how she knew, and she remembered me wearing it awhile back.

Anyway, I may or may not wear this skirt another way before my year is over, but, one thing is certain: this is a skirt I will keep!

Outfit:

Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down: Mossimo.

Skirt (worn as dress): Goodwill. Citron.

Boots: Dansko.

Chez Cray-Cray!

It was another crazy night here at the Espy house, but what else is new? I won't go into details, but my evening involved my cell phone dying, Leo peeing in a cup, and me thinking my friend was in danger. She was fine, (Her cell phone was tucked away in the back seat, and she was late due to a pooping child and L.A. traffic), and we ended up having a fun night with our five kids.

After she left, I wrangled the kids into bed and promptly fell asleep with HaHa. Now I'm blogging at 2:00 a.m... Yikes!

Anyway, lovely readers, I have a favor to ask.

Can you please take the non-fashion related poll on the right? Also, please feel free to leave any comments! It would give me some insight, and perspective.


Thank you! I can't wait to see the results!




Outfit:

Brown print shirt: Cousin hand-me-down. Forever 21.

Under shirt: Forever 21.

Pants: Cousin hand-me-down, Gap! Thank you, cuz!

Shoes: Mossimo.

Playback!

 Often, and I think I've mentioned it before, so forgive me, I walk out of the house in the morning feeling quite confident in my outfit of the day. I am happy, comfortable, and feeling my style. And then, I see my photos. They do not capture the beauty of the fabrics. The textures and the colors. They simply do not measure up. Or it could be that my outfit wasn't that great to begin with. I'm not sure.

Case in point. Today I got a lot of compliments on my outfit. However, I got home late, and the flash photography doesn't really do the outfit justice. The colors look much better in natural light, I think.

Or,  it just wasn't as great as I thought. What-evs...

So. After a five-hours-of-sleep night I arrived home cranky and miserable. I made dinner, sent Charlie straight to bed, (apparently he was lacking sleep as well), and dealt with the other two. I also dropped a wooden and metal post on my foot, which hurt like hell. When Richard still wasn't home by 9:00 and HaHa was running around being a crazy toddler, I was certain I was going to lose it.

I walked to the front of the house and opened the door in the hope of rescue. Two cars rolled down our street. HaHa walked outside. A few moments later Richard pulled into the driveway. Thankfully, he put HaHa to bed.

Outfit:

Shirt: Forever 21. This was a pregnancy purchase.

Skirt: Goodwill. Citron. The fabric and print on this skirt is so, so lovely.

Belt: Also Goodwill.

Shoes: Mosimo. I was going to wear my gold sandals, but they were upstairs where HaHa was falling back to sleep this morning, and I couldn't risk disturbing her.

Matricide!

My daughter is killing me. One late, horrible, not-going-to-bed, at a time. Take tonight for instance. I had the boys in bed by 8, I had HaHa bathed and dressed and sleepy. I nursed her, which she still demands,(another way she kills me), and I lay down with her, sang to her, and still, no dice. 9 o'clock, 9:45, HaHa awake. My work is not getting done. My patience is worn thin. So, tonight, I decided that I was putting my foot down; HaHa was going to fall asleep on her own, in her own bed, no matter what.

Well, the no-matter-what was pretty awful, and it lasted until 10:45. There was screaming, blood-curdling shrieks and thrashing about. There was jumping on the bed, and "Mama's!" so pitiful, it took everything in me not to cave and pick her up. Everything.

It's not her fault. It's ours. From the time she was born she was in somebody's arms. And getting dragged about town in her car seat. No regular sleep schedule. I thought daycare would work out her sleeping kinks, but it didn't really change much. She's still a sleep demon. Or maybe I should call her an avoiding sleep demon. Whatever the case, these are the parts of motherhood that I could do without, but that is the stuff of life, I suppose. You can't have the sweet without the bitter...

Oh, and by the way, HaHa goes right to bed when Richard puts her down. Guess our mother-daughter stuff is starting early! Also, if they made baby cages, I would have put her in one!

And, now that it's 11:39, I guess it's another late night Chez Espy! Richard's still out too!



Outfit:

Still rocking the summer outfits, unfortunately. I am dreaming of chilly fall days, but it was 90 degrees today!

Tank: Old Navy.

Green shirt: Goodwill. Lux.

Pants: Salvation Army. Mossimo.

Shoes: Zoe & Zac.

In A Flash!

While I was scanning through my photos to make sure I was not in danger of repeating an outfit, I came upon a photo uploaded from Richard's i-phone. It was a photo of Hollis, minutes after she was born, lying on my mother's quilt. Our first birth was well documented. The second was filmed and made into a short film by Pollyanna, and HaHa's, little HaHa, got four photos on the i-phone! That's it.

I have come to terms with the fact that the third child does not get the same things the first child gets. HaHa has spent most of her life being schlepped around in the car fetching her brothers. I went back to work  full-time when HaHa was four months old. Charlie was one when I went back full-time, and Leo was 18 months. I did not want to go back when HaHa was four months old, but I had to, and I took off last year to make up for that. I am happy I had that year with HaHa, but the reality is that we spent much of it in the car en route to the boys' schools.

Anyway, this photo, along with kids I used to babysit who are now in law school, on Broadway, and about to graduate high-school, makes me realize how quickly time passes past the age of 30. Now, I feel like I am living in warp speed. This speed is illuminated when I see that I am almost done with this project. The time has flown. 10 months to be exact. And yet, if I close my eyes, I almost feel like I started yesterday.

By the way, I'd like to give a shout out to Claire in South Africa! She is the fourth person over seas who has connected with me in the comments. It's pretty awesome, and I thank her, as well as all the lovely readers who give me the time of day! I really do appreciate your stopping by. It means a lot to me!

Outfit:

Floral Shirt: Goodwill. Ann Taylor Loft.

Brown Shirt: Cousin Hand-me-down. Mossimo.

Pants: Cousin hand-me-down. Gap.

 Shoes: American Eagle.

294 Days Down!

I have 71 days left! If I can avoid making a careless outfit repeat, then I will have achieved what I set out to accomplish! I can honestly say that whether or not I repeat, I will NOT shop before 2010 is over. I can also say that when I do shop again, it will probably be secondhand. I think I can commit to avoiding retail unless I have a very specific need, or unless I see something that I am absolutely in love with.

As for footwear, I will avoid crazy shoes that I buy on sale, and will be on the lookout for classic and comfy well-made shoes. I am looking forward to new shoes.

I will be getting rid of a lot of clothes when this is done. I have so many hand-me-downs, and things that don't fit right, and clothes that I've been hanging on to that I have lost the love for. Time to let go. Edit. Move on.


Outfit:

Print Shirt: Forever 21.

Brown Shirt: Friend hand-me-down.

Skirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school... Maybe this should be on the out pile!

Shoes: American Eagle.

Jacket: Cousin hand-me-down. Mossimo.

Stage Fright!

Tomorrow I am doing something that I am quite nervous about: performing a musical theater piece I am not completely comfortable with in front of my whole school! Luckily it is a short piece so the torture will only last a few minutes. I wouldn't be doing it if not for the very talented and inspirational man I'm performing with. I guess as long as I remember my lines, I'll be okay.

Here's hoping!

When I picked HaHa up I noticed that she was wearing a super-cute outfit. I asked Richard if he picked it out, and he said that she's pretty much been picking out her outfits on her own for several weeks. He says it takes them a lot longer to get out of the house now.

Go figure. She's definitely a girl!

Anyway, since I am singing at the crack of dawn, I should get myself to bed!

Outfit:

When I got home and took my pictures I had yet another flash of "I've worn this before." And yet, I have not. However, it is a very Shelayna outfit, and I've definitely used this color palate before. I love me some pink and gray!

Shirt: Forever 21. I got this when I worked in admissions.

Sweater: Hand me down from cousin. Forever 21.

Skirt: Goodwill. Zara.

Slip: Thrift store.

Shoes: Mossimo.                                     The L.A. sky at dusk.

A Fall Day!

After the bizarre weather we've had these past few weeks, it was nice to have an actual fall day! However, it was chilly, and I spent almost the entire day wearing my jacket and scarf. I had three meetings today, which is uncommon, but made for an interesting day.

It also made for a long day, and when I finally left, I was tired. The boys and girl were also spent, and our last hours together before bed time were harried and very exhausting.

I am hoping we all get some good shut-eye tonight.

Outfit:

Brown shirt: Hand me down from friend. Mossimo.

Knit vest: I got this many years ago at a store on Jay Street in NYC. Everything in it was knit and very cool!

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Shoes: Wanted. 

Deja-Vu!

I got dressed quickly this morning and as I sat in traffic on the 10, I had an "Oh-no!" moment. I was certain that I had miscalculated, and was wearing a repeat outfit. I knew I've worn this tunic multiple times. I knew also that I've worn this skirt more than once. But I didn't think I had paired them together. However, as I cruised in my car I had the sudden feeling that I had made a mistake and simultaneously ended my project. Although some have protested, if I repeat, it's over. Mark my words!

So, as I sat and wondered, I knew there was only one way for me not to fret the whole way to work. I called Richard. I knew the post I had in mind. It was the day HaHa wore my hat and put her hands on her face. I told him to look in May. He did. Not there. Try April, I said. He did, and he found the post, Death and Taxes (you can see why I was skered). I asked him to read the outfit details and when he did I knew I was safe. I dodged a bullet. This time...

The thing is, for the most part, I remember every outfit I've worn this year. Or, if I don't remember every outfit exactly, I remember what pieces I've worn with what. Somehow, in this addled brain of mine, I've managed to keep it straight. And I only check my photos if I think I've worn something together, which has only happened a few times. I'm kind of amazed. Especially since I can't remember most things. I chalk it up to sheer stubborn luck!


Outfit:

Tunic: Goodwill.

Skirt: Goodwill. Forever 21. I was going to leave it in nyc because it has a stain, but I figured I could wear it under things.

Shoes: Mossimo.

HaHa rockin' her "glasses". She is a funny bee! 98 days to go!

Postponing the Post!

I have been sitting in front of the computer for an hour thinking about posting, but not posting. Let's call it: "Procrastiposting". The truth is, I am tired and I don't have anything illuminating to pontificate about. Another truth is that it is difficult to post everyday, especially after a late night "at the office". We didn't get home until 8: 30 and the kids didn't get to bed until 9. I could have fallen asleep with them, but I had to do my post...

So, short and sweet today, okay?

Outfit: I got dressed this morning with the intention of changing into my newly rediscovered sparkly bell-bottoms. However, as it got closer to the evening activities I realized that jeans were fine. And yet, this is one of the reasons I wanted to do this project: The Jean Trap. Wearing jeans everyday, just because it's easy... Oh well, I'll try to avoid jeans tomorrow! 

Shirt: Goodwill. James Perse. This is the first time I've worn this shirt this year!

Sweater: Hand me down from cousin. Mossimo.

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

Shoes: Predictions.

Summer's End!

We enjoyed the last day of summer with friends and leisure, a trip to the mall, and a little food shopping because our cupboards were very, very bare. I tried to get the boys into bed early, but it was not as easy as I would have liked. They were asleep by 9:00, which isn't too bad considering how late they've been up the past few weeks.

Once they were in bed I did my best to send HaHa off, but she would have none of it. I decided that I would go about my business, and pretend that she was not awake. That led to many an adventure for HaHa as I cooked and cleaned, and tried to organize things for the upcoming week. As it got later, I got more frustrated and less patient with my darling HaHa. I was getting flustered. Richard was at work, where he spent last night as well, working later than anyone should have to on a holiday. Or perhaps he has a secret family...

At 11:00 I decided I could take no more and I put HaHa in her bed with her favorite sleepy music. To my surprise she did not resist, and she was out in just a few songs! I can't remember the last time HaHa put herself to sleep, so I am hoping it is a sign of things to come!

Richard came home at midnight.


Outfit:

Dress: Goodwill. My "end of summer dress". This was one of my last purchases before my project started on January 1st. I went to Goodwill with Ayiko because I thought I should get a few things to "fill" my wardrobe, but once we were there I realized that that would defeat the purpose of the project and I only got this dress, a crazy belt, and some shoes. I got this dress because it had a little Anthropologie in it.

Shoes: Mossimo.

Charlie!

Today Charlie turned seven! I cannot believe that this many years have gone by so quickly! It seems like it was just yesterday that I was first pregnant and trying to figure it all out. I had always wanted a baby and a partner to raise that baby with. They came to me in such an unexpected way, that I was absolutely giddy and certain that it was all kismet. Sure enough, it was.

I had tried to plan a little get together for Char-Char, but because of many obstacles, it turned into just the family going to dinner for sushi (Charlie's choice). However, when the kids arrived to pick me up from work I learned they had been fighting all day, and that HaHa had not napped. Jordan and Richard were out and about picking up uniforms for high school, and Richard had to go back to work where he would be staying all night. I could not imagine going to a restaurant alone with cranky and tired kids, so I opted to cook instead.

We had a few surprise guests for Charlie's birthday dinner, including the lovely Pollyanna, the gorgeous Ayiko, and the ever handsome Josh and Brady. So, although it was completely spontaneous, it felt like a party. There was even some dancing! Happy Birthday Charlie!

Outfit:

Shirt: Hand me down from friend. Lux.

Pants: Forever 21.

Sweater: Clothing Swap. Express.

Shoes: Mossimo.

   

Cargo A-Go-Go!

Today we drove back down to Los Angeles after spending five lovely days away! The Browns, always the host/hostesses with the mostest, treated us like kings, and we had so much fun. They are a truly awesome and special family! In return for their hospitality, we left them with a broken sculpture/lamp that Leo ran into, a knocked-in baby tooth that occurred during one of the many trampoline sessions, and a bunch of dirty sheets... And Richard took their Kindle when we were walking out the door.

Does anyone else want to invite us over?! We're free next weekend.

Now, onto cargo pants. I decided to wear my ever-handy cargos for the seven hour drive down. They have pockets that you can stuff money and keys into, they are comfy, and they are cool. I think I've said before that they are one of my summer staples. However, since I first broke out these bad boys on May 30th, I have worn them 7 times (and four of those were in the last two weeks) ! That's a lot of times for someone who is trying to "mix it up" and "break out" of her fashion rut. So, although I have worn the cargos with seven different tops, I am retiring them. At least for a while. I may wear them come December, but I will bid adieu to my fair cargo pants anon!

Outfit:

Shirt: (Under) Forver 21.

Shirt: (Over) Hand me down from friend. Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Pants: Salvation Army. Mossimo.

Shoes: Fit Flops. Nice for traveling. Easy on and off.

Pictures from the Jelly Belly tour. The photo that would have been if technology had not sabotaged me,  and the boys.




   

Sac-Town!

After one night in Paso Robles, we continued up north to get to Sacramento. One of Richard's oldest and most handsome friends lives there with his beautiful wife and amazing children! Richard has known him  since 9th grade. The Browns are a very sweet and kind clan, and one of the most striking things about being around them is their joy and humor. They are always smiling. They were even smiling when we arrived at the awful hour of 9:15 on a school night!

It is really fun spending time with them. And, they have recently acquired chickens! I have wanted to get chickens for a long time, so we'll see if this inspires me to get my act together. By the way, speaking of inspiring, I apologize for not having more inspiring fashion of late, or have a total lack thereof (fashion, that is). Having been traveling, and posting out of a suitcase has made me rather lame.

Take today for instance. I knew I would be driving in a car for five hours, so I went for comfort. Nothing fancy, just sheer practicality. With some colors I enjoy together!

Side note: Last night as I was getting ready for bed I picked up what I thought was my contact lens case. I opened it to rinse it out and by the time I realized it was not my case, I had already droped one of Richard' s $300 lenses down the sink! Talk about money down the drain...

Richard was very sweet about it and his calm in the face of terribly annoying things is admirable, and very sexy!

Outfit:

More New York repeats. But in new combinations, of course!

Shirt: Goodwill. Express. I think I said it was by Old Navy last week. I was mistaken!

Pants: Salvation Army: Mossimo.

Shoes: zoe & zac.