Rockin' Out!

I just got home at 10:30 (p.m.), after being gone since 7:10 this morning. I went to work, had parent-teacher conferences, grabbed the boys, picked HaHa up from daycare, took Leo to get new sneakers, dropped the kids off at Richard's office, and drove straight to rehearsal with the Monte Carlo Band.

We have a wedding to perform at on Saturday, so we wanted to get in one last practice. We also have a new guitar player. He is really great, and he sings. The more voices, the merrier! I have to say, despite the oppressive heat in our rehearsal space, we rocked! And we had so much fun. It is really great to sing and play with a bunch of skilled and talented musicians. And they are. I am the least talented of the bunch.

Anyway, when I got home, I was shocked to be greeted by my little HaHa bear! She came running to the door shouting "Hi mom!"  She seems to be a night owl like some other people I know...

I didn't bring my camera to work, so I had to take my photos when I got home. I dislike the indoor light, but at least you can see that I am not wearing a repeated outfit!

OUTFIT:

Wrap shirt: I scored this at a photo shoot! Deletta.

Butterfly skirt: Salvation Army. I got this in high school. It's falling apart, but I love it!

Green dress (under layer): Friend hand-me-down. Ella Moss.

Shoes: Predictions. This is the last time I will wear these. They have a hole, and they stink!

Brown Town!

Brown is my new black. Well, actually, I haven't been into wearing black since my early days in New York. I don't even own a pair of black pants anymore, although I used to wear them all the time. These days I love color, and prints, and brown. I love me some brown.

I think brown perfectly compliments so many colors. It is warm and strong, and it reminds me of chocolate.

And coffee.

And skin.

I am down with brown. And I have 99 days to go!

Please excuse the short post. I was literally falling asleep when I wrote this.

Outfit:

Ruffle top: Goodwill.

Purple shirt: Forever 21.

Brown pants: Goodwill. I.N.C.

Shoes: Predictions.

Day 261! 104 to Go!

I fell asleep on the couch tonight. This is a sign that I have not been going to sleep early enough during the week. And in truth, I know this to be the case. I find getting myself into bed a difficult task. However, unlike my other half, I will crash and burn on the weekends. I might sleep until noon on Saturday and Sunday, if I am able. I am keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow! I could use some long and luxurious shut-eye!

I realize that I am in the home stretch now. All I have to do for these last 100 days is keep my eye on the prize, and my wardrobe rotating! I feel pretty confident that I can come up with 100+ new combinations from my closet. That said, more and more I leave the house with that "Did I wear this already?" feeling. I have to do my "Pic of the Day" addendum soon! I hope this will make it easier for me. I also have to remind myself that I am supposed to be "mixing it up". Working with 6 and 7-year-olds is very conducive to jean wearing!

Outfit:

I had to wear black on top for a little presentation I was part of this morning. I also had to wear a hat. I chose this floral number that I got when I was in high school. I found this hat on Venice Beach and I fell in love with it. I wore it all the time, and, I even bought two because I lost one. I thought it was the greatest. Wearing it today I realize that it is really like a chef's hat gone wrong. At least I have the common sense to no longer sport said chapeau! Ah, youth. A time for experimentation.

Black shirt: Goodwill. Forever 21.

Sweater: From cousin. Mossimo.

Jacket: Jones New York.

Jeans: Goodwill. Gap.

The kids.

Shoes: Predictions.

Spider Webs.

Feelin' himself!

Turn-Around!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen! HaHa must have read my post yesterday because she went from terrific to terror in no time flat. She was quite unlike herself today, crying and screaming, and carrying on. It made me realize how grateful I am that I did not give birth to constant criers, and, it made me wonder what in the world was wrong with her? Does she have the pre-terrible twos blues? (try saying that three times quickly)

I guess she must have had an off day. Perhaps it's because she was wearing shoes two sizes too big... Perhaps it was because she was wearing a mismatched outfit... I don't know.

When I was putting the boys to bed she was jumping on me, and dragging pillows about, and hiding under the blankets. After I left the boys she was doing all kind of crazy things, including dumping out my fresh out-of-the-dryer laundry so she could play in the basket. Oh well.
                  Tomorrow is another day!

Leo has a contemplative moment.

Outfit:

White shirt: From cousin. Old Navy.

Floral shirt: Goodwill. Clio. (I threw this on because I wanted to make sure I did not repeat.) HaHa's daycare provider said that Lilly of the Valley is her favorite flower, so this shirt will be going her way soon!

Skirt: Salvation Army. This was a dress that I cut. I'm wishing I had kept it intact. Oh well. Hindsight.

Shoes: Predictions.

Brother and sister.

Sweet Beans!

Getting back into the full-time swing of things has been a pretty gentle transition. However, I realized today that I went from being with HaHa 24/7 to 7/24. It's really strange. Yesterday I had to work late and I barely saw her. It made me feel bad. I can't imagine not having spent the last year with my little HaHa bear. She is the sweetest bean in the world!

There are some other sweet beans in my life, and they are the children in my new class! Getting to spend time with them these past few days has been splendid. They are very smart and funny, and interesting to boot! I think I am going to have a blast with them these next few months. I am also working with a new teacher who is really great and a lot of fun. Good times!





Outfit:

Dress: Goodwill.

Shirt: Goodwill. James Perse. (same as yesterday)

Skirt: My mom gave it to me! Express.

Shoes: Predictions

Positive Thinking Day!

Today is Positive Thinking Day! I will use this knowledge to transform my somewhat stressful day into gold! Positive thinking! Positive thinking! Positive thinking!

I actually did not know that it was Positive Thinking Day until I checked my email this evening. Perhaps if I had, my day would have gone more smoothly! Just kidding! The day was fine, but I'm going to parlay this positive thinking thing into a perfect tomorrow! You can tell it's working because I've used 3 exclamation points in the last minute! Yay!

Okay. Time to get to clothes. Today, by some strange coincidence there were 8 teachers wearing purple at school! That's what I call synchronicity! Purple reign!!!






Outfit:

Paisley tunic: Goodwill. I believe this was handmade. I adore the print.

Polka-dot wrap: Thrift store. Express.

Jeans: Clothing Swap. J.Crew.

Shoes: Predictions.

Buried Treasure!

I've talked about my love of thrift store shopping many a time on this blog. I really do love to thrift store shop! I really, really do! It is meditative and contemplative, and it is a slow process. You pick through the racks and look for cast-off gems. It really doesn't work so well when you're in a rush. It's almost like shopping in a time capsule. And, now and again, you find some real treasures.

A long time ago I found such treasure in a New York thrift store. I don't even remember which store it was, but it was in Brooklyn, and I found an amazing polyester leisure suit. It was metallic with an awesome tropical print, and the pants were bell bottoms! I bought the suit, even though the pants were too tight, because, in my heart I knew they would fit me one day. (Ah, that famous phrase used by hopeful folks everywhere; One Day.) And, because I couldn't pass it up. It was such a great find.

Well, when I moved I had some clothes that I put in a suitcase in my closet because I was either saving them for sentiment or in the hopes of wearing them one day. I didn't think about these when I started my project because they are mostly impractical garments. However, just for fun, I pulled the suitcase out last night because I have a wedding coming up soon. I wanted to see if there was a dress I could wear. I was surprised and excited when I saw my leisure suit. I had forgotten about it!

Anyway, I tried it on. The pants fit! Finally! I decided to wear the jacket today, and you will be seeing the pants in the near future. Maybe I'll wear them to Back-to-School Night...

Outfit:

When we left for the zoo this morning it was chilly. However, by the time we started walking around, I had to lose my new found treasure.

Shirt: (under) Forever 21.

Striped Shirt: Goodwill. Banana Republic.

Jeans: Clothing swap. J. Crew.

Jacket: Thrift store.

Shoes: Predictions.

Multi-Tasking!

I had an impromptu get-together with my BFF Pollyanna. We decided very last minute to meet up at the new "New Mall" to have a nosh and some drinks. When we were kids, the Santa Monica Place was erected and we had a brand new locale to hang out and shop. Our former stomping ground across the street, known as the "Old Mall", was over.

The "Old Mall" had a Woolworths, a few dive-y restaurants, and a bunch of other stores I can't quite remember. Before the "New Mall" opened up we would roam up and down the three blocks between Broadway and Wilshire, and find fun things to do. Often we would do those things in peculiar outfits and forbidden eyeliner. At least, eyeliner was forbidden for me. One time I remember that my aunts were driving down the street and they happened to see Pollyanna and I walking to the mall wearing makeup. They called my mom and I got into BIG trouble. Makeup was a big no-no. It's kind of funny that I don't wear makeup now that I'm a grown up.

The new life that was breathed into our social scene by the Santa Monica Place was a welcome change. We would get smoothies, raid the Sanrio store, and walk around in mens boxer shorts singing, "We're the Joe Boxer Tattoo girls. We're the Joe Boxer Tattoo girls..." Our friend Sarah was one of the masterminds behind that little adventure, too. Good Times!

I was walking around the renovated Santa Monica Place with Pollyanna tonight. 28 years have gone by and we're still two girls, roaming around the mall, talking about boys and clothes!


Outfit:

White knit shirt: Old Navy.

Blue Shirt: Emma & Sam.

Pants: You saw them yesterday. Isaac Mizrahi!

Shoes: Predictions. I think I am going to have to ditch these soon...

Pollyanna!

Today is the birthday of the beautiful and sweet Pollyanna! Talented and witty, generous and kind, she is a true Renaissance woman, and she is also one of my very best friends. We have been through everything together.

We met in fourth grade and became fast friends. We went everywhere together and practically lived together at one point. I was an only child, and I inserted myself into her four-sibling family. At her house we would have seances, dance-offs, and play Ouji board. We would take the bus to her dad's house and swim all day.

At my house we played "models" and "spies" and made up songs. We read books, and made funny tape recordings, and wrote stories and plays. Listening to those tapes now, it is clear that Pollyanna was the funnier, wiser, talent. She was and is the sharpest of sharp.

Looking back at those years between 4th and 6th grade, I cannot imagine having a different best friend. We had so many adventures. Rich and priceless. And, of course, there are all those years after... And, of course, the years to come!

It is late and I went to bed at 3:30 last night, so I am keeping it short! Happy Birthday Pollyanna!!! Thank you for the pizza, and for commenting on my posts every day!!! You're the best!

Outfit:

Dress: Goodwill. Apparently I left this dress at my sister's house last year. I had been wondering where it was and thought that maybe I had given it away. I was ecstatic when she showed it to me because I am in love with the print! Roody Kazoody.

Skirt: Hand me down from friend.

Shoes: Predictions.

Sweater: Clothing swap. Express.

Belt: This belongs to another dress my friend gave me.

Inception!

Richard and I just got back from the movies. This is a rare occurrence for us, and it was fun to sit next to Richard and watch him get excited as Cristopher Nolan's crazy plot unfolded. If you could call it a plot. More like a labyrinth, I think. It actually made my mind hurt at points, but it was entertaining.

We rushed right back home because I have to finish packing for my journey to New York. I have to leave at  6 a.m., and I still have things to gather. Even though we got home at 10 something the boys were awake. I guess this is good because I got to give them extra hugs and kisses, and say a proper good-bye.

On account of all this, I'm keeping this post short. I am also about to write tomorrow's post because I will be in transit and don't want to miss a post if I can't find internet, and what not. I will also be working with no tripod, a broken camera, and sweltering hot temperatures. It should be awesome! Stay tuned!


Outfit:

I forced the kids out of the house to go meet the honorable and talented proprietress of I Heart Guts.
She was kind enough to bring me some gutsy stuff fro my New York peeps! We met at Griffith Park and we had a lovely time!

Shirt: In honor of I Heart Guts, I wore a tee!

Sweater: This was a hand me down from a friend. When I left the house this morning I actually had two sweaters, but as soon as I got to the park I took one off.

Jeans: Hand me down from cousin! Gap.

Shoes: Predictions.

Las Fuentes!

Today we had a mini-family reunion lunch at the yummy Las Fuentes in Reseda. I say mini-reunion because it was only two small branches of our very large family tree that got together. My mom is in town so we were going to have a BIG pow-wow/ get together. However, my very ambitious and generous aunt had surgery, so I thought that maybe we should save the big party for another time when she is up for a long day of festivities! Hopefully, soon!

At any rate, the food and the family was great, and it reminded me that I need to get up off my butt and make more time for family members that I don't see enough! I have such a funny and sweet family. They really are amazing.

On another note, It is my dad's and my aunt's birthday today!!! They are 59!!! Whoo-hoo!!! They are not twins. It's my mom's sister... Rock it lovely Lions! Happy Birthday to you!!!!!! Love to you both! And many more!!!

By the way, as I type this at 10:53 p.m., HaHa is jumping all over my mom on the futon and refusing to go to sleep. This little girl is sweet as the day is long, but she is cray-cray!

Outfit:

Grey shirt: Forever 21.

Skirt: Thrift store. This is a dress that the spaghetti straps broke off of, so I wear it as a skirt. I got it a long time ago, and I don't wear it that often. Maybe because it's white?

Shoes: Predictions. They are starting to crack. This will be the third pair of shoes to die this year. They are old. What can I say?

Rusty looking angry about the plant I moved outside!

218 Down, 147 to Go!

Okay... so every once and a while I have to remind myself of what I set out to do with this project, and that is: A - Not shop or collect more clothes, and B - Get out of my clothing rut.  When I say "not shop", it is not that I did not want to spend money, but rather, I wanted to limit my consumption of new (and used) materials, and challenge myself to use what is already in my possession. I also wanted to get out of my fashion rut, i.e.: jeans and shirt uniform.

So how have I done so far? Well, I have definitely worn hundreds of outfits that I have never worn before, and that, to me, is pretty cool. The introduction of the "no repeat" rule was enough to widen my wardrobe horizon, and make me get creative with my clothes. I promise you, if you want to feel like you have a new wardrobe, just vow to wear something different every day! It really works. You will see your old clothes with new eyes, and you will be surprised.

I have four months to go, so you will probably start recognizing more things as I wear them over and over... and over. I have recently started having major "Outfit DejaVu". I get out of the house and on my way to wherever I'm going, and I think "Oh no! I wore this already!" Blog death by default. However, every time that happens, when I get home and check my computer, I'm safe. My blog is still alive.

Outfit:

Lace shirt (under): Thrift store. Half of a dress that I cut on a whim.

Polka-dot skirt: My mom gave this to me at least 15 years ago. Express.

Denim dress: Goodwill. This was an eighties wonder that I de-constructed. It had big puffy sleeves that I tore off, and an extra tier that I took off.  Seen in: Attack of the Silverfish!


Shoes: Predictions.

Again!

Once again I find myself in the ridiculous situation of starting my post way too late, for not a very great reason. Or at least, not a very satisfying one. Because I was spending too much time drafting an e-mail for work, I arrived on Blogger at 11:23 p.m. Oy!

It's a mess! I really need to get some shut-eye!

I guess I can write a super-short post reminiscent of my first days on blogger. At least as far as writing about the outfits is concerned...

Actually, I just checked my early posts, and I have only one that is "super- short". I simply can't avoid blabbing on about whatever topic happens to come to my mind on any particular day!

Outfit:

Print shirt/dress: This was a gift from a very sweet friend I am going to see in NYC next week!!! This outfit is very close to an outfit I've worn already, but I added the sweater vest to avoid repeat action!!!

Blue sweater: Bought around the corner from said friend's old pad. I don't remember the store, but it had really cool and unusual knit-wear. It's at least 12 years old! 

Jeans: Hand me down from friend. Express.

Shoes:Predictions

Downtown!

Today I took a little impromptu trip Downtown with Tay-Tay and HaHa. Tay-Tay had to get her newly re-sized engagement ring fixed, and I offered to accompany her. After we dropped off her ring, we strolled the streets and ended up in Pershing Square, the Metro station, the historic Alexandria Hotel, and a strange little shopping area complete with electronic fish tanks and velveteen dogs!

It was very fun to explore the city and see the interesting folk that roam the Downtown streets. For those of you who are interested, the Alexandria hosts free movie screenings on Wednesday nights. On August 4th they will be showing (500) Days of Summer in the Mezzanine for free! Refreshments are complimentary, and downstairs is the intriguing restaurant The Gorbals. I'm not one for chicken-skin sandwiches and haggis burgers, but I'd love to try the bacon-covered matzoh balls! Mmmm... bacon!

Outfit:

Shirt: Getting ready for my trip next week! I got this on the street in NYC several years ago.

Black shirt/dress: Forever 21. I bought this for a wedding when I was preggers with Leo.

Skirt: Salvation Army. I got this skirt in high school. That means it is SUPER old!

Shoes: Predictions.   HaHa in front of a rad sign!

Some creepy dolls at the bazaar.

The Jonathan Club!

Today, Richard's company hosted a beach day at The Jonathan Club, which proved to be quite lovely. I hadn't really wanted to go, because I hate to schmooze, but I ended up talking to people I wanted to, and it was great! There was yummy food, a water slide for the kids, and cocktails! Drinking on the beach in the afternoon! How decadent! (My exclamation point addiction is rearing it's ugly head!)

My poor husband has been working non-stop for the past few weeks. We actually have not seen each other since I left for Comic-Con. Today was the first time we have spent time with each other in two weeks. Literally. We've talked on the phone a lot.

Last night, he said he would be home at midnight, and, at four a.m, I was startled from my sleep by the cries of "Mama, mama!" I sat up and realized that Richard's side of the bed was empty. I rushed to get HaHa, and then I immediately called Richard. He was still at work. Four a.m. and change. I was relieved he was alive.

Now, another interesting that happened at this four a.m. wake up call was that upon entry to the kid's room, I found HaHa was not in her crib. This was my second shock of the early morn. No Richard. No HaHa. My little not-yet-two-year-old was walking up the stairs. In the dark. That means she climbed down the stairs in the dark. Yikes!

At first I thought that perhaps one of the boys lifted her out of her crib, but seeing that they were asleep, I quickly had to realize that my HaHa bear can climb out of her crib. Richard told me last week that she was out of her crib, but again, I thought it was the boys. They have gotten her out of her crib a few times before when she was crying. I guess that was wishful thinking.

Today, I asked my Ha if she would show me how she got out of her crib. After a little nudging, she agreed. Richard and I put her in her crib an we video taped her escape. Three times she made her exit with perfect execution. Richard is going to try to embed the footage here. We'll see if it works!

Below a shot of the progeny in action!

Outfit:

Shirt: This was a gift from my first grade class. One of the mothers, a gifted artist, had the children draw leaves, which she turned in to stencils, and painted on the shirt. American Apparel.

Dress: I got this at a street fair in New York over 15 years ago. The label is long gone. Seen in: Happy Anniversary!

Slip: I got this at a thrift store a long time ago.

Shoes:Prediction.

Sweater: Hand me down from friend. Alfani. There is still a lot of chill in the air!

By the way, it is 2:30 a.m. right now and Richard is still working! I fell asleep earlier, so I am posting while he works!