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.

Battle of the Babes!

It's a good thing that toddlers are so small. If HaHa were he same size as me, and we were in a battle,  like we were just a few hours ago, she would absolutely win. First of all, she refused to put on her pajamas. Then she screamed when I told her she had to take off her five necklaces before bed, and insisted on sleeping with an old bill she seized from a book I was reading. She also was having melt-downs about not having enough toothpaste, which is like candy to her.

After all of this, she finally settled, but then changed her mind and decided that she wanted to "go downstairs" to see grandma and Aunt Janine. I spent the next half hour holding her still while she tried to escape my clutches. It was horrible and I was glad when she finally gave into sleep.

We have also been having a lot of battles over clothes. Believe it or not,  HaHa has a very keen sense of what she will and will not wear. Usually, every outfit battle begins with a "bathing suit" (an actual bathing suit or a pair of bloomer-like bottoms). It's amazing to me that she is so enamored with bathing suits, because I would do anything to avoid getting into one! I guess that's the joy of being a baby; your world view is minuscule. Societal pressure means as much to you as your mother saying,"It's time for bed". Body image does not exist. You are the perfect expression of presence in your body and your body is full of joy and cuteness!!!

Ah... to be young again!

Outfit:

Had very serious outfit deja-vu, but think I am just being paranoid... Ah well, only eight more days that I have to think of this stuff!!!

 HaHa in a victory pose after getting her way!

White shirt: Gift from friend.

Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Old Navy.

Skirt: High school find. Salvation army.

Boots: Friend hand-me-down. Outside wear.

Shoes: American Eagle. Inside wear!

Exhaustion!

This is what happens when you're exhausted. My outfit and pictures are lacking. I just didn't have the energy to keep taking photos. I had a rough day, and it seems to be turning into a rough night. HaHa is experiencing some sort of PTSD, and refuses to sleep alone. She wakes up every time we put her down, so she's tired, and we are too.

The boys are also suffering because right now, they're an after-thought, and I'm cranky.

I know this too shall pass, but right now, it's exhausting.
I am including some photos from the beginning of the saga that I just got from my phone. You can really see how horrible HaHa was.


Outfit:

Shirt: Old Navy.

Pants: Gap.

I am including some photos from the beginning of the saga that I just got from my phone. You can really see how horrible HaHa was.

Me and HaHa in the ER.

HaHa being transported to UCLA.

The next day at UCLA. This is how she looked when I arrived.

Giving Thanks!

I am thankful for all of the gifts in my life. The good times, the bad times and everything in between.

I am thankful for my amazing family and awesome friends.

I am thankful for the wonderful people I work with. The adults and the children.

I am thankful for the delicious meal prepared for us by the extraordinary and kind chef Palver.

I am thankful that today I got to "unplug" and read magazines, listen to the radio and hang at home. I kept my cell phone off and tucked away my computer. I did laundry, I baked, and I barely ate anything, much like yesterday, so I could stuff myself with all the Thanksgiving foods I love!

This turned out to be a mistake. I think that not eating much in two days made my stomach slightly smaller, so I got full really fast. And, this is the first Thanksgiving I can remember ever, that I did NOT eat desert!!! Me not eating desert is a big deal. I'm not really sure why I didn't. I guess I was too full.

I will have some pumpkin pie tomorrow, though. Actually, pumpkin-sweet-potato-pie! Yummy!

Oh, I am  also thankful for you kind souls who give my blog the time of day! Thank you all, so much! I hope you all had a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving!!!

Outfit:

Shirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school. I love the texture and color.

Sweater: Fresh friend hand-me-down. H&M.

Skirt: Thrift store. Zara.

Shoes: Old Navy.

Fashion Risks!

Okay. I think everybody knows by now that I have sleep issues. I cannot say that I am very different from most Americans, so I'll shut up about my sleeping (or lack thereof) from now on. For the remainder of One Closet One Year, it's style and gossip! Or something like that.

In the era of Flashdance...

Now, I'm sure you've noticed that I love to layer. In fact, my friend Pollyanna dubbed me the "longest-serving current head of the state of Layer-dome". I have been layering as long as I can remember, and I have photographic evidence. You can take a look at my outfit from the 6th grade, and see that I really thought about it. This particular outfit was the result of Pollyanna and I deciding we were going to "dress crazy" for a day. We wore these outfits to school. We were not afraid to put ourselves out there fashion-wise.

Two girls dare to make a statement!

I still love to experiment with my clothes. Skirts as dresses, clothes worn backwards, pattern-mixing, and whatever else strikes me as interesting. By the way, one of my fashionably gifted friends told me that The Huffington Post had an article about Michelle Obama wearing her sweater backwards! That's my girl! The First Lady getting her style on by rocking a look in reverse is awesome!

Outfit:

Print Shirt: Goodwill. Lux.

Jacket: Forever 21.

Skirt: Thrift store.

Dress (under skirt): Goodwill. Old Navy.

Shoes: American Eagle.

Early to Bed!

After my mom wrote: "You need more sleep!" with a dozen exclamation points in the comments section today, I realized that, maybe, even though I am a 37 year-old woman, I should listen to my mother...

I wonder if, when my children are adults, they will listen to me. Heck, I wonder if they will listen to me tomorrow!

It will be very interesting seeing how it all turns out.

In thinking about this, I do know, that teenagers are monsters. I don't look forward those days. The attitude, the moping, the smell...

When my kids turn into teenagers I am moving to Paris. And I know Richard won't search for me because he will only go to the city of lights if it's free! Lucky me!



Outfit:

Brown shirt: Clothing swap. Old Navy.

Pink tank: Old Navy.

Floral Skirt: Goodwill. To The Max!

Coral Skirt: Old Navy.

Shoes: American Eagle.


Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Merona.

Math!

I had a fine day, but I really can't write about it right now because I have hundreds of math papers to correct and file. Literally. So, I will put up my pics and list my outfits, and tell you again that I have 297 days under my belt and 68 days left!!!

I can't believe it! I am almost there! So close, yet I still have 68 days to avoid repeated outfits. I gotta keep my game face on, and my eye on the prize!

It is raining! I love the sound!

Outfit:

Top: Old Navy. I think it's a little too maternity. I may have to ditch it in a few months!

Jeans: Big Sunday.

Shoes: Zoe & Zac.

Jacket: Goodwill. Allegory.

Realization!

Last night as I did another "excuse post", I realized that I would have never been able to start this project if I had been working full time. I just wouldn't have had the time or steam. Also, it took me awhile to learn how to take, upload, and edit my photos. I wasn't so savvy with the posting either. However, I do think my early writing was much more enthusiastic. I was excited, and it was new.

Now, after I get the kids to bed I have more to do than before, and, often, the last thing I want to do is write. But I do. And, lately, it has been lacking. Sorry, lovely readers. I promise to do better as I reach the home stretch. I love the idea of going out with a bang!

That said, I'm giving myself a gold star for perseverance!

All of our plans for the day were canceled on account of the rain. It was a blessing in disguise. I think the boys would have been exhausted by the day. All we did today was drive Aunt Janine home. Aunt Janine was also kind enough to sit in the car with kids while I popped into Trader Joe's.

Outfit:

Keeping it simple.

Sweater: Cousin hand-me-down. Old Navy.

Shirt: This was a gift from a first grade class. The kids each made a leaf, and the amazing art teacher hand painted them along with a lovely tree! American Apparel.

Jeans: I think these were from a clothing swap. Gap.

Boots: Fresh Friend hand-me-down.

A Mess!

Oh. My. What has wearing a different outfit everyday turned me into?

A person who experiments.

A person who has to think about what they wear.

A person who looks ridiculous.

I have had many a day up here where I look at my photos and say, "What was I thinking?" (Today, anyone?)

However, I do have to admit that I've been pretty pleased with some of my outfits. And, I would like to reiterate that most of my outfits are "new". That is, I've never worn them before...

I guess my primary thought is, "Did I wear this combination yet?"

And not shopping? It's pretty easy, especially since I can't. And, contrary to expectations, I have not channeled my shopping urges into sprees for HaHa or the boys. They have closets full of hand-me-downs too. And, like me, they're fine with it!

Outfit:

Shirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school. I love it. It had big huge shoulder pads that I removed. Shoulder pads and I do not mix. Chaus.

Skirt: Friend hand-me-down. Ella Moss. Dress worn as skirt.

Shoes: Capezio. However, I wanted to wear these lovely heels. Working with first graders, I just can't wear heels all day!

HaHa sitting with Daddy in the back room! She's my smile bear! I asked her to say cheese, and she obliged!

81 Days Left!

After I got home today, and was thinking about a variety of things, it occurred to me that I have just over two months left of this thing. Two and a half months to be exact. I can't believe it! It seems to have gone by fairly fast. Amazingly, I haven't really missed shopping that much. Occasionally I have wanted a "Goodwill fix", but not being allowed to have one hasn't really been an issue.

I window shop and I find new ways of wearing clothes I've had for years. Fun, fun!

Newsflash! I just found out friends of ours (Richard and mine, that is) are expecting a baby!!! I am ecstatic! I cannot think of any better news! Yay, yay, yaaaaaayyyy!!!! Awesome!

Okay. Back to blahgging. People have been asking me what I will do after I'm done, and I say nothing. I will not be starting another blog unless somebody pays me to do it! This was a project, an idea, and I have been sticking it out, and sticking to my goal. One closet. One year.

Outfit:

Shirt: Old Navy Maternity. I bought this when I was pregnant with HaHa. I didn't buy many maternity things, but the ones I did, I made sure I could wear them after the babies came!

Pants: Thrift store. This was a jumpsuit I cut for some dumb reason! I have worn these pants a lot this year!

Shoes: zoe & zac.

Belt: Believe it or not, this belt did NOT come with this shirt, but they match perfectly!

Home Day!

We don't have them that often, but occasionally we have days when we get to stay home! It is always nice. No car, no getting dressed up, no need to put a comb through my hair... Wait, that's most days.

We did have a few impromptu guests, and we did throw the football around outside, but other than that it was a quiet day with just me and the kids. Richard was out all day, and is at poker night right now.
At some point during the day my nose started to pour. Really, really, pour. I guess that my fatigue last night may have been because my body was trying to fight something off.

Our bodies are amazing!

What was also amazing was listening to the boys create a "playhouse" for one of Leo's little stuffed animal called "Tiki". They worked collaboratively and sweetly and it was nice to see them at peace for such a length of time. It also always makes me happy that my boys can amuse themselves with their minds and a few random items.

As for me, I am going to amuse myself with a hot beverage and a warm bed! Hopefully I will wake up feeling much better! Good night!


Outfit:

Since we stayed at home, I kept it simple.

Tank: Old Navy.

Pants: Hand me down from cousin. Gap. My cousin gave me these with the tags still on! Thanks 'cuz!


Two snapshots from "Tiki's Playhouse". It had a tight rope!

Happy Birthday HaHa!

Today is the second birthday of my beautiful little HaHa! I cannot believe how quickly these past two years have flown!

HaHa was a complete surprise, although I had secretly felt that I would have a little girl one day. It's not that I wanted a girl, but rather, I had visions of one in our family. In truth, I bought a dress at a thrift store years before HaHa was born.

When I was pregnant with HaHa I did not know what I was having. I prepared myself for a fourth boy in our family, but I really thought I was going to have a girl. I never even thought of one boy name.

Strangers on the street would predict a boy, based on the way I was "carrying" my bundle, however, they were wrong!

So now, we have a girl in our family. More balance. Sweetness. Pink. Of course, the boys were and are just as sweet as Hollis, but there is something about her little voice, her adorable face, and her thoughtful presence that makes our house more of a home! Happy Birthday HaHa!


Outfit:

Shirt: Goodwill. Ann Taylor.

Skirt: Thrift store.

Skirt: Friend hand me down. Old Navy.

Shoes: American Eagle.

Blowing out her candles, my little light!

270 Days!

It's been a looooong weekend and I am spent! Today I went from wedding brunch, to band rehearsal, to the annual party my school throws! Wow! What a day.

And it was fun.

That's about all I have in me right now. Tomorrow is another day.

If you want to read a thoughtful and well written post, check out my Fresh Friends' PSA, "In Defense of Children".

Outfit:

Shirt: Goodwill. Old Navy. It's a maternity shirt.

Dress: Hand me down from friend. Ella moss.

Shoes: zoe & zac.

The Pants!

I finally decided to break out the awesome pants from my thrift-store-leisure-suit-score of yore. In addition to them being ultra-awesome, they also have the excellent quality of being an unworn element! This makes it extra-easy for me to know that I have not inadvertently repeated a combo of clothes! I have a few of these unworn items left, and they are my lynch pins as I get closer to the end. Heaven knows I'm going to need them!

Richard and I finally went out for our anniversary dinner. Thanks to his mom for sending us, and my aunt for baby sitting! We went out early because it had been a long day. A fun day, but a long one. This morning I had the pleasure of playing "Apples to Apples" with First Graders. A little girl brought it in, and it was hysterically funny helping them navigate the adult version. 

I have to mend my prom dress for tomorrow, so I need to keep my post short! Happy Friday! Until tomorrow!!!




Outfit:

Shirt: Hand me down from talented and stylish cousin.  Old Navy.

Pants: Thrift Store. I bought this so long ago, I don't remember which one.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

LAX!

Long story. Short post. That's all I can say for now as it is 12:33 a.m., and I have to get up at 6:30. It's a school night for goodness sakes! That said, you have to go with the flow and enjoy the now as much as possible.

I did. So now I am going to bed. And...

Oh!  The  Hanson's shirt, as my cousin pointed out is NOT 17 years old. It's Probably more like 13 years old, which means I bought it when I was 24. But, ohhh man, I can tell you- 24 feels like 17 years ago.

Apparently, someone who read this post also rocked the same shirt back in the day! Awesome! I guess I could ask her when she got it for confirmation.

Outfit:

Tee Shirt: From friend. Crowded Teeth (perfect for first grade!)

Sheer blouse: Thrift store. Very old.

Skirt: Hand me down from friend, which she got from a friend. Old Navy.

Shoes: American Eagle.