El Douche

...

I just got finished reading John Mayer's ridiculous Playboy interview and I am baffled and appalled. He spends a lot of time trying to discredit claims that he is a "douchebag", then goes on to say a number of things that could only be said by... a douchebag. First of all, what kind of guy kisses and tells in such a public way? A douchebag. What kind of guy says that "during sex, I’m just going to run a filmstrip. I’m still masturbating"? A douche. What kind of man, when asked if he is hit on by black women, rather than saying "I have been, but I haven't dated any" says: "My d**k is a white supremacist." Douche squared. Next, said douche goes on to use the N-word and describes being black as: "Taking something that’s seen as a struggle and making it work for you, or you’ll die inside." Nice. Thanks John Mayer, for so succinctly describing my experience as a black person. I am "making it work." I think Mr. Mayer may have a future as a spokesperson for black people. Maybe el-douche thinks he can say this stuff because he thinks, "black people love me". We'll see how much they love him now. I had previously thought John Mayer was an okay guy, but as of today I am dubbing him The Douchebag. Enough said.

I spent all day with Hollis in Urgent Care waiting for her to pee. She did not, so I was sent home with a cup and a bag. Hollis was up all night with a very high fever still and when she woke up this morning she cried cries of pain and said "pee-pee", thus the urgent care. The doctor thinks the fever is from her virus, but I have my doubts.

My outfit is similar to yesterday. Built for illness. I know I will win no fashion kudos, but I tried to overshadow it by doing an avant-garde pose. I am supposed to go to a friend's birthday party tonight, so I will try to make up for the last two days in the doldrums of my closet.

Outfit:

Shirt: From cousin. It is exactly the same as yesterday, but black. Mossimo.

Grey Sweater: I gave this to my friend many years ago. I got it in NYC. She was ditching it, so I took it back.

Jeans: Old Navy.

Tank (underneath): From sister.

Sling: Kangaroo Korner. This sling is soooo comfy! It's been through three kids and it's still going strong! It has been a huge help these past few days.

Shoes: Fit Flops.

Fr!day!!!!

Another day of Hollis as static cling. I really feel for her because she seems so miserable. Last night her fever reached 103.5 and I got a little worried. She felt so hot and yet she was shivering. Richard, as usual, said, "She's fine." Unless blood is pouring out of the children's eye sockets, they are "fine". Richard also commented on my post yesterday that I used "a lot" of exclamation points! I told him I know that I do, it is a habit I have had a long time. The truth is, if I were talking to you, I would be exclaiming on a regular basis. I am very animated when I talk. I gesticulate. I make faces. Perhaps it is the Italian in me. I'll try to cut back on my favorite punctuation mark.

Since I knew it would be another day of carrying Hollis around in the sling, I decided not to "waste" an outfit. I am wearing instead, a total "mom" outfit that is ready to soak up stains, be comfortable, and scream "I am not fashion!"

Outfit:

Brown Button Down with pockets: From cousin. Mossimo.

Brown Sweater (underneath): From cousin. Mossimo.

Jeans: These I bought at Old Navy when I was pregnant. They are slightly too big, so I always wear a long shirt with them. I am sure they will be in the out pile one of these days.

Charlie and Leo are going to have a sleep over at Aunt Janine's tonight! While they were getting supplies ready, Hollis lay down on their stuff. This shows how truly awful she feels. You can see it in her eyes.

Sick Baby Trumps Blog!!!

It is very difficult to do much with a sick baby around. Hollis has been attached to me like glue for the past two days. It's kind of nice because she isn't climbing everything in sight or chasing anything with the speed and intensity of the Tasmanian Devil.

I have to figure out how to bake 2 dozen cookies while holding my little HaHa bear. (It is Staff Appreciation Day at Charlie's school tomorrow). I guess that's what slings were made for! Leo and I sneaked these pictures while Hollis was asleep in the car seat! That didn't last long!

Outfit:

Polka-dot shirt: From Goodwill. Forever 21.

Sweater: From Cousin. Mossimo.

Jeans: From same Cousin (see Comedy Tonight).

Shoes: Airwalk





I am deeply sad to hear about Alexander McQueen. He is a true fashion genius and legend. Tragic. He will be missed.

Whack-y Wednesday!

So HaHa threw up EVERYTHING in her little body last night. I recognized the various foods from the course of the day, and I promise you, not a morsel was left behind. After this lovely presentation, which of course occurred at bedtime, she spiked a fever so high that it literally felt like I was touching a furnace. The boys watched the whole thing and they were very sweet about the interruption to their bedtime routine. Leo said "Hollis puped!", which made me chuckle. Hollis lay on the bed listless as I cleaned her, making me feel horrible and so thankful that my kids are healthy most of the time. I know there are people dealing with chronically ill kids, or children with horrible diseases and I cannot imagine the terrible pain they must go through. Really. I cannot imagine.

The reason I tell the HaHa story is because it threw me off course for my post today as I spent most of the morning nursing and holding her. When it finally got to be so close to the time I needed to leave, I just threw this outfit together simply making sure it was not a repeat of anything I've worn so far, although it has repeated elements from yesterday!

After I picked up Leo, I was planning on posting, but I got a call from Richard saying the school nurse had called about Charlie injuring his head. I went to pick up Charlie, and he, indeed, had a huge lump on his head. He appeared to be fine. We came home and I finally got to take my pictures and do my post. You can see in these pictures that I have very hammy kids. I did not get the chance to take the best pictures today because my hams kept interrupting, but sometimes you have to concede.

Outfit:

Orange Sweater: From cousin. Mossimo.

Grey Sweater-Coat: Goodwill. Forever 21.

Jeans: From Cousin.

Sneakers: Wanted. Very Old. I love them and am sad to see them on their last legs.

This is the boys jumping in front of the camera as I'm trying to pose!

2's Day

I thought that I would have a lot more backlash after yesterday's inflammatory post. But no. Either no one is reading this blog besides my best friend Pollyanna, or the people who are reading it agree with me, or don't care. Maybe it's all of the above. I don't know. Moving on. I volunteered to bake muffins for a meeting at Leo's school this morning. They had to be in Santa Monica by 8:30 and I forgot that it was "late day" for the boys and therefore Richard would not be able to deliver them.

I packed ALL of the possible supplies one might need while hanging out in Santa Monica for 8 hours and the car looks like I am going on a two week trip. I have to do my post from Richard's office so I am typing while he is feeding Hollis whole grapes, despite my protests.

Anyway, I will keep it brief today because I have to run to get Leo.

Outfit:

Everything I'm wearing today is second-hand!

Top: I got this at Salvation Army when I was in high school. I was drawn to the color and texture. It's very 70's I think.

Sweater: Goodwill. From Forever 21.

Jeans: From cousin Taylor (See Comedy Tonight).

Shoes: Goodwill. I found these and thought they were too small for me then I got excited when I saw they were 10's!!!

Back-UP!

The Superbowl, along with American sports fanaticism, and patriotism, is all about commercialism. It is the one time during the year that our boys get to see commercials without us first pausing the DVR or making them leave the room. They love it! I noticed last night that there was a theme of harried, hen-pecked manhood, and I did a lot of eye rolling as I eyed Richard across the room nodding in sympathy with the beleaguered males.

The one ad that made my eyes pop out was the trailer for J-Lo's new chick-flick The Back Up Plan. The commercial started with a deep voice saying "Warning. What you are about to witness..." Black screen. Red letters (see it here). Next, a group of women, one beating a drum, surround a kiddie pool while a woman labors horror film style. Now, I have a hard enough time defending my choice to birth at home, without the film industry's portrayal of home-birthers as crazy, hippy-dippy morons who sit around in groups drumming babies into the world. I am tired of films presenting labor as hysterical, out of control, and horrific. All of the images I had of birth, before my own births, were of women screaming "I hate you!" at their men and huffing and puffing to distraction. Now, while there can be some truth (and comedy) to these representations, they really do a disservice to women and the birth process. They scare us into thinking we can't handle birth and they contribute to the intervention-heavy delivery that is common-place in this country. I am amazed at how many women, most of whom took extra care to eat and live perfectly while they nurtured their fetuses in-utero, sign up for a heavy dose of drugs right before the baby enters the world. The umbilical cord is still attached. To me it's like running a marathon and getting to the 24th mile and saying "Okay, give me some drugs!"

It is my personal belief that almost all of the emotions one can feel in this world are experienced in childbirth. Excitement, fear, pain, pleasure, exhaustion, hope, agony, triumph, relief, and ecstasy, to name a few. Unnecessary interventions rob women of the satisfaction of knowing that their bodies are capable of such a feat and that they can trust themselves. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that sometimes things go awry and there are complications, but I feel like doctors have made women doubt their own power, and have taken something magical and turned it medical.

And please, to those of you who had to get drugs, for whatever reason, I mean you no disrespect. I would have taken drugs too, I'm sure, If I had been offered them every hour while I was in labor. That's precisely why I had a home birth. In a birthing pool, with a little bit of screaming and NO drums!

Outfit:

Cap Sleeve knit shirt: From cousin (see Comedy Tonight). Old Navy.

Blue Tank underneath: Old Navy

Cream Sweater: From cousin. Merona.

Black, Red and White Checkered Skirt: From Salvation Army. I got this in high school!

Black leggings: Richard gave these to me. They are wool and they have many moth holes, so I have tights underneath.

Shoes: Payless. 5 bucks!

Superbowl Smackdown!

Go Saints!!!!! Of course, I know nothing about football and The Superbowl is usually the only game I watch all year. Besides my son Leo's. Since it's Superbowl Sunday, I figured no one would be looking at my blog, so I decided to wear the second most hideous shirt in my closet. I think I have one other one that tops it. This one is going to the donation pile soon. I truly don't know what I saw in it. Maybe it was the $4.99 price tag on sale from $17.99 at Target. I think I was there to buy a juicer, but of course I had to stop in the clothing section. This was before the new year and I am happy that my One Closet mandate will save me from shirts like this, and myself!

Outfit:

Shirt: Mossimo from Target.

Sweater: Clothing swap. J. Crew.

Jeans: From Big Sunday fundraiser

Shoes: Fit Flops

This is our feral rescue cat, Rusty. Leo originally named him Coco Butter Formula, which I really liked, but he changed it. He is very sweet and really wants to live inside with us, but we are allergic. He never harms Hollis, even when she is pestering him. He has started giving her the cold shoulder though.

Into the Woods!

I am literally running out the door to see a play presented to the Alumni of the High School I attended. It is Into the Woods, one of my favorite productions! I am hoping other people dress up because this is L.A. and you just never know. I am bringing my rain boots just in case!

Outfit:

Maroon Shirt: I found this at a Thrift Store and fell in love with the details. It is by Antik Batik.

Velvet Jacket: I found this at Forever 21. The fabric and cut drew me in.

Tweed Skirt: Thrift store.

Tights: Hue

Shoes: American Eagle from Payless. These are the most comfortable heels ever. I have worn them to many wedding gigs and my feet never hurt.

This outfit is all about texture! Happy Saturday!

Comedy Tonight!

This is the kind of day you want to be home, and lucky for me, I am! For the first time this week I was NOT called to sub. However, I had a great time these past four days. The class I was in was very settled and sweet. They were also very funny and reminded me of why I love teaching so much. That said, with the rain, it's nice I didn't have to go out with HaHa this morning.

Tonight I am thrilled because I get to see my cousin Tay Tay (Taylor Parker) do stand up at the Improv! She is hilarious and talented and beautiful and she is also Hollis' real mom. That is, Hollis, if given the choice between Taylor and me, will leap into Taylor's arms, and out of mine. I kid you not. She loves her some Taylor Parker. This just proves how smart HaHa is. Taylor is obviously the better choice. Taylor is also "The Cousin" when I say "I got this from my cousin" in my outfits section. She has given me several wonderful items of clothing. I am wearing two of them today!

Outfit:

Grey Sweater: From Tay Tay. Mossimo.

Maroon Dress: From Tay Tay.

Blue Dress: I got this in NYC at a street fair about 15 years ago. I wear it as an under layer often.

Boots: From Friend.

Blursday...

This week, (with the full-time working, and three-kid wrangling), has been a blur. I actually don't know how I went back to work last year when Hollis was 4 months old. I'm sure I was a mess, but hopefully I held it together pretty well. I think of the haze mothers of newborns live in and wonder what would happen if we had a better national family leave policy. I know America is a huge country, but a Canadian teacher I connected with on Etsy, said they get one year of paid leave with the option of taking a second year off (with no pay), and they get their job back. I guess we can't afford it now, but maybe one day!

I'm rushing to finish now because I have to get back to class. Could this be my lamest post ever? Could be. But I don't have time to worry about it!

Outfit:

Sweater: From cousin. Mossimo. She gave me an identical one in cream.

Shirt: From Goodwill. I got this when I was working in admissions. I love the bluebells!

Pants: From a thrift store. Not sure which one. These are brown and they have a plaid print to them that's very subtle.

Shoes: These are dance sandals that I wore in a play many moons ago. I cut the ties so they just tie in back.


This is Richard "watching" Hollis. He claims he is never tired, but this picture suggests otherwise.

Tuesday Blues

I am breaking up with myself. My camera, my poses, my outfits... I can't stand any of them. Perhaps it is just one of those days, or perhaps I am suffering from PMS. I don't know, but it is a messy day. Maybe I feel yucky because Charlie gnawed through one of those florescent light up tubes in my bed and my pillow smelled like chemicals all night - not to mention the sandy granules that must have also come from the tube. Could it be that I got two pieces of bad news last week? Which caused me to ponder why? I used to say "Everything happens for a reason." But in the wake of Haiti and other news I've heard recently, I'm changing this mantra to "Everything Happens." Period. Good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people, and everything in between. Everything Happens. C'est la vie! I am just grateful for the opportunity to live and learn.

Outfit:

I felt like dressing a little crazy today. I also pondered why it is that kids can wear anything and look cute. Hollis is wearing striped tights, Uggs, and a gingham dress and she looks adorable. Could you imaging an adult wearing that?

Dress: I got this at Goodwill when I was pregnant.

Lace Shirt: This is the top of a dress that I cut in half. I plan on doing something with the bottom of it one day, but as a dress it was too lounge-y to pull off.

Skirt: I believe I got this skirt at a thrift store when I was working in admissions, but I don't remember which one.

Tights: Hue

Shoes: American Eagle

Pajama Day!

Third time on this site I've been caught in my jammies! This time, it's required. I am subbing again today and everyone will be in pj's. It's Pajama Day! I was hoping that I would get to be here today, and I do! Yay, Pajama Day!!!

Now on a more serious note, I got two emails yesterday about Los Angeles City Council. One from UCLA Live! and one from my talented friend Maura (hear her here). She sings with me in The Monte Carlo Band and she rocks! The City Council is "considering eliminating the Department of Cultural Affairs' sole dedicated revenue stream, the 1% allocation from the Transient Occupancy Tax that currently funds much of the Department's programming and operations". You can read about it at Take Action: Arts for LA.

I understand that the City of L.A. is strapped for cash, but it is frustrating to see our tax dollars going to $100,000+ pensions, while we have to fight to keep art in our smog-filled city. I'm all for retirement plans, but I get a little peeved when I hear that Bernard Parks is getting a $265,000 pension ON TOP of his $178,789 salary. I mean if he's working, he's not really retired, right? Maybe he should get his fat pension after he retires from public service. Or maybe we should continue to pay his, and other city employees pensions and forgo the little extras that make this city semi-habitable.

Outfit:


PJ Bottoms: These belonged to my high school boyfriend.

Fleece Pullover: This belongs to my current boyfriend! We'll talk about his Clippers fanaticism later.

Shoes (not pictured): Fit Flops!

Doppelganger: Leo

6 a.m....

I got called at 6 a.m. to sub today. Fourth grade here I come! Hollis woke up when the phone rang, so I had to wake up and get dressed while trying to "entertain" her. I threw this outfit together in a flash and tried to get out of the door as quickly as I could. Of course, with 3 kids this is nearly impossible.

Once I got on the freeway I was distraught at the HORRIBLE traffic. On the way to school we passed 6 fender benders! The final accident I saw included a teacher at the school I work at who happens also to be my best friend's boyfriend. What are the chances?! Today is the first time I have posted away from home, and I had technical difficulties.

Outfit:

Brown Shirt: From Goodwill.

Sweater with Floral detail: Goodwill. Lux.

Pants: Isaac Mizrahi for Target. I got these for 8 bucks!

Shoes: Airwalk.

The First Month!

One month in and I am having a ball. My closet is my friend again, and I am seeing my clothes with a fresh eye. I have worn things in the past month that I haven't worn in years. I wore high heels in the day, for goodness sake! This is something I wouldn't ordinarily do. It is nice to make experimentation a mandate. I have no idea how this will progress, and by summer, I could be wearing absolutely crazy outfits.

Today, I went outside to see Charlie and Richard off and when the car backed out there was a dead rodent in the driveway! I screamed three times and the neighbors came out to see what was wrong. I was disgusted by the long tail attached to an unidentifiable body. Possum... Rat... Mouse?... Sickening. Hollis wanted to visit the neighbors across the street and I actually went to their house in these clothes! Last night, I did not change for dinner. Today, I am staying in my p.j.'s to mark month one of One Closet, One Year. I am celebrating by not getting dressed, but I made sure this is different than my airport angst outfit! Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any suggestions! xoxoxo-S!

Skating Time!

Greetings! We are off to the park to skate. I am going to bring my brown suede roller skates with pink wheels circa 1990, and push Hollis in the stroller. These bad boys were my primary source of transportation in high school (granted I wasn't going that far) and they brought me much joy. They are yet another item in my closet that I am glad I've kept all these years. Tonight, Richard and I are going to our friend's new house for the first time, for dinner. I decided to wear something to the park that I could wear into evening with a few changes. Taking pictures today was frustrating and once again I renewed my respect for models. Speaking of which, I was delighted when my best friend told me that Giselle Bundchen is a home birther like me!!!! Rock on Gizzy!!!!

Outfit:

Navy Shirt: This was a hand me down from my cousin. I think it's Forever 21.

Sweater: From same cousin. Merona.

Jeans: From Goodwill. Gap. I call these my "mom jeans".

Knit Scarf: I pulled this out of my cedar chest last night when I was looking for old baby clothes to pass along to a friend who is having a girl. I actually got this scarf at her first baby shower. A friend of hers, who is an incredible designer, had a bunch of these very special scarves that she was giving away. Some of the yarn is handmade and the colors and textures are gorgeous!

Gathering!

This morning Charlie's class is having a Gathering. At the school he attends, Gathering is a Friday tradition where the entire school "gathers" to share music, a class project, or any kind of information. I am looking forward to seeing my firstborn express himself in front of an audience and I know he is thrilled to have the chance! He is, I have found, also a ham. I guess it runs in the family!

Outfit: I decided to ditch the jeans for the first time this week (besides Pee Wee). Staying with a pink theme...

Shirt: I got this at Goodwill. Forever 21. I took the string out of the bottom (it was one of those paper-bag type shirts that looks like you're storing nuts) and tied it around the waist.

Skirt: Given to me by a friend. At first I thought it was too long and too pink, but it grew on me.

Sweater: Salvation Army. Express.

Shoes: Mossimo

After Gathering I am heading to the park. I will ditch the heels for my FitFlops, I think. Sorry that the pictures are so awful. I am in a rush and I couldn't get the lighting right. I also might have some typos, but I'll check them later I guess. Happy Friday!!!!!