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...

Back-to-School!

The kids go back to school tomorrow! It is exciting, and scary, and strange... Do I really have a seven-year-old? I guess I do. Not to mention a 15 (by proxy), 5, and almost two-year-old. Oh my god. It's true - I'm an adult!

I guess I should not be surprised. It seems that it's been a long time coming...

Today I experienced something I've had happen to me many a time on this blog: I wear something out feeling very cute and put together, and then, when I see my photos of said outfit, I feel lame. It doesn't hold up. I did get a few compliments on my ensemble today. Three cheers for Red, White, and Blue!

Okay. I went to bed at 1-something and woke up at 6:30. I'm a little punchy and I really have no idea what I'm writing. I'm sure I will scare people off with this post, but hopefully I will redeem myself one day! Alright. To bed!

Happy Back-to-School!

Outfit:

Shirt: Gift from mom in high school. I love it even though it is fading and falling apart.

Pants: Isaac Mizrahi.

Shoes: American Eagle.

Sweater: Salvation Army. Express.

HaHa sleeps for a change!

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.

Labor Day Laze!

Since it's Labor Day weekend I figured I'd give myself a break. I mean, I've labored pretty dilligently on this blog since I gave birth to it on January 1st. In fact, I started it a couple of days before that in order to  check my closets' contents and take pictures. It has been 248 days that I've been wearing "different" outfits and writing everyday. This is a pretty big feat for a procrastinator extraordinaire like me!

A few times I thought I had repeated an ensemble, and thus would have to throw in the towel, but no!  I've somehow managed to avoid this. I seem to have a pretty good memory for what I have worn together, so I think I'll make it through the year! I have been working on a Picassa album which will show my daily outfits from the first through the present. I would like to finish it soon.

I hope you all do something you love on Labor Day, the "symbolic end of summer"! 

Outfit:

Shirt: This was given to me by my cousin, and I had loaned it to Pollyanna a while ago. She gave it back to me recently, so this is the first time I've worn it this year! Mossimo.

Pants: Forever 21.

Shoes: Miz Moos by Gazith.

Belt: This belonged to a polyester dress that I loved but got rid of for some reason. Maybe because it was polyester. I now have a no-polyester policy when thrifting!

More fair photos in lieu om my blabbing! I'd say that's more than a fair trade!

HaHa wearing a Shreck crown that she chose and put on herself.

Charlie poses in Dr. Bob's Ice Cream parlor.

the littlest knight was cracking us up!

she was very stubborn  about her "look".

The State Fair!

We spent 12 fun-filled hours at the state fair today. It was a ton of fun once the temperature dropped a bit. We did everything from eating chocolate covered bacon to petting baby goats, and it is two a.m. now, so I'm going to do a post in pictures today!



Outfit:

I had to get dressed in a flash, and I knew it was going to be hot, so I immediately thought skirt. I grabbed this skirt and quickly looked for a top to go with it. As I had just worn this top yesterday it was close by and I thought it would do. The only problem is that it is a bubble top that I dismantled and it has two layers. What was I thinking? I was so hot and miserable with the extra layer, that I had to tie it up. That was better.

Shirt: emma & sam.
Skirt: Thrift Store.

Shoes: Fit Flops. My feet were comfy the whole day!

Sweater: I've had this since high school. One of my faves. I think it was my grandpa's.

All good things must come to an end!!!

Robin-Woman!

Today when I arrived home I unloaded the car, went upstairs, got undressed, and crawled into bed. It was only 9:00 p.m., but it's been a long week. And, I did not sleep very much the past two nights...

Anyway, Richard woke me up in order for me to post, and finally I made it downstairs to my computer. When I uploaded my pictures, they were overexposed, and I was going to try to re-take them. However, I decided that over-exposure is fine for today.

At the park the kids and I played "Robin-Boy (Charlie), Robin-Baby(Leo), Robin-Girl(Ha-Ha), and Robin-Woman(me). It was a lot of fun and a good reminder to play. We also got to play at my lovely friend Wendy's house, and a good time was had by all!!!

Outfit:

I was in a rush to get out this morning, so I just made sure I was wearing something I hadn't worn together yet... Not my most favorite outfit.

Black Shirt: Goodwill. Anne Klein.

Purple shirt: Emma &Sam.

Jeans: Big Sunday. Bu by Malibu Jeans.

Shoes: American Eagle.

Leo's favorite pose!

"Hi MOM!"

HaHa has started calling me mom. It's a bit strange for me because she is little, and "mama" seems much more appropriate. Furthermore, when she says "Hi, Mom!", she says it with such verve, she  really sounds like a teenager.

Another current HaHa favorite phrase is: "Bah-bah dees one"(Bah-bah this one). She is still completely interested in nursing despite the fact that I am completely not interested in it. I feel done. I nursed Charlie until he was 15 months old. I was six months pregnant at the time, and I remember him coming toward my boobuses. I said a firm "No!" and pushed him away. I felt really guilty, but it was as if my body had had as much as it could take. I was growing a baby, nursing a toddler, and working full-time as a teacher.  I had reached my limit.

Leo was 18 months when he finally weaned, and that was prompted by his introduction to day care when I returned to work. It wasn't immediate, but it happened pretty seamlessly. I had been hoping HaHa would follow in his footsteps. I guess it's only been two days, so I'll try to be a bit more patient.

On a more serious and very sad note, I learned today that one of my very dear friends lost her brother last night. It was unexpected, and he was only 44 years old. He leaves behind two young daughters, a wife, and a family that I can only imagine is devastated. As my friend so eloquently put it, "the enormity of their loss has no words to describe it".
My heart goes out to them.

Outfit:

I did not sleep very much last night, so I was going for comfort over everything else today.

Shirt: Street vendor in NYC many years ago.

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

Pants: These were given to me by my cousin who has a new One Green Wedding blog! She got pants these at EMS. They are biking pants!

Shoes: American Eagle. Red shoes rock!!!

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.

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.

   

HAIResy!

 From Wikipedia:

"Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma...The founder or leader of a heretical movement is called a heresiarch, while individuals who espouse heresy are known as heretics. Heresiology is the study of heresy. 

 Etymology: The word "heresy" comes from the Greek hairetikos "able to choose" (haireisthai "to choose"). The term heresy is often perceived as a value judgment and the expression of a view from within an established belief system."

I am pronouncing myself a Hair-etic. Despite popular opinion, I believe that my children, with their wild and crazy locks, are fine. I don't feel the need to tame or control or style their hair. They are little kids, and they are fine. All yesterday, I kept looking at HaHa, and thinking she looked like a boy with her new fancy hairdo. I like her crazy curls just the way they are. And yes, they do get frizzy when she sleeps on them, or rubs her head against the car-seat, or puts food in her hair. 


As for Charlie, he happens to have some of the thickest, most dense, hair I have ever seen. When it gets wet it glistens as if it had dew drops on it. If you pour a cup of water on his head, his scalp doesn't get wet. When he sleeps on his hair, it gets extra frizzy and dry. I have been looking for product to put in his hair in the mornings, but I haven't found the exact right thing yet. However, the reason why I keep Charlie's hair longer than some people care for, is because he likes it. He doesn't want me to cut it short, although the more people talk about it, the more I'm sure the more he will get self-conscious about it. 


When I was out with my sister and the kids on Saturday night, she was surprised when a stranger complimented Charlie's hair. He gets a lot of compliments on his hair, actually. However, he also gets a lot of negative comments as well. I really don't understand why people are so concerned with the hair of my children. When they are older they can decide what they want to do with it. And, I do comb Charlie's hair, by the way. We'll see what happens after he turns seven tomorrow!


Outfit: 


Print shirt: I got this in the Bronx a few years ago.

Striped shirt: Goodwill. Banana Republic.


Pants: Goodwill. I.N.C.


Shoes: Capezio.

Home Again, Home Again!

We drove back to Cali today. The kids did not want to leave, and I wish we could have stayed a bit longer, too. However, duty calls!

Arizona is muy caliente! Too caliente, if you ask me. I did not enjoy the heat. Nor did I enjoy getting into the car and burning my body and my children. I also did not like having to stay inside all day because it was too hot to play outside.

I did enjoy the clouds, the company, and going out in the evenings.

So, I need to start practicing my super-short posts, and now seems like a pretty good time considering the fact that I start work tomorrow, and it is approaching midnight. Thinking about work and starting a new partnership in a new classroom has brought out some excitement and some trepidation in me. There are many "what ifs?" in my mind, and now that I am typing I realize that I need to live "in the moment", and see what unfolds, without worrying about the unknowns. Okay.

Outfit:

Tank: Hand me down. Old Navy.

Skirt: Goodwill. Old Navy. Same as yesterday, but I wore it inside out yesterday, so the texture was obscured. Worn as skirt. See it as a dress in: Backtracking!

Shoes: Fit Flops. These were all I packed for my Arizona excursion.



HaHa had her hair did by my sister twice! She sat still the whole time, and seemed to enjoy it. Sadly, she wont be getting her hair done again for a while. It's just not my thing. Anyone who's seen this blog, and my hair, can figure that one out. Sorry, HaHa!

Here are the kids in the backseat as I filled the car with gas. They were very easy travelers, for the most part. I think they'll be more than ready when we drive cross-country next year!

Midnight Blues!

Picture two women typing on their computers after a long day out of the house with five busy children. Picture three boys upstairs in bunk beds after being tucked in at 11:00 p.m., tuckered out. They are 9, almost seven, and five.
Downstairs, with the women, are 2 girls, ages 3 and almost two. As the midnight hour approaches they play and disagree about what to do with two baby dolls. They push strollers and try on random socks from the floor. They roll about and click and un-click stroller straps.

Did I mention that it is after midnight? As in the Witching Hour. I tell you, these girls are something. HaHa is now offering me some tea from a plastic tea pot. When I was in New York I was out several nights with HaHa on the train after 11:00 p.m. When I  used to live in New York and happened to take the train late at night, I would always cast aspersions when I would see mothers and their children on the subway. Who would have their kids out on all the train all night? Bad parents, I thought. And here, years later, it seemed that I was one of them. Of course, now that I have been through the late night train rides with HaHa in tow, I  realize they could have been parents that had just come from a party, or visiting relatives, or picking up their kid from a friend's house, or whatever. It doesn't really matter. I was judgmental, and I need not have been.

Tonight my sister and I kept the kids out at Chuck E. Cheese's until 9:30. After their pizza-fueled gaming experience we stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up some milk. Of course, this turned into an hour-long excursion filled with wishes for stuff, and five kids jumping all over the place. We decided to get out of there when my sister's blood sugar started to plunge, and the kids had not broken anything yet. Just in the nick of time!

Outfit:

Shirt: Hand me down from friend. Lux.

Skirt: Goodwill. Old Navy. This is actually a halter that I am wearing as a skirt.

Shoes: Fit Flops. Some snap shots of the day.  My beautiful Sister. Charlie at Chuck E's. Gorgeous Arizona clouds. They were stunning! P.S. It is 1:58 a.m. and HaHa is still going strong!