Stranded

The lovely Lara of Her Name Was Lola asked me what I would want to have with me if I were stranded on a desert island... Here are a couple hints:



Check out her blog to find out what I said... Read More.. Read More..

The 2 Week Countdown

Remember when I was contemplating where to move??? Back in March I had pulled together a few outfits to get an idea of what I would wear in said corresponding cities (Portland, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco).

Well, we've decided on a place and we move in 2 WEEKS!!!

PORTLAND here we come!!!


(Portland's outfit from March's Where Next post)

So, now I need to know... Am I going to need a total rain-proof look by Slow and Steady Wins the Race & Stand Up Comedy??? The waterproof pumps are kind of intriguing...



Now the job and apartment hunt begins... If you live in Portland, I'd love to hear from you! Read More.. Read More..

Sometimes

Sometimes, even in the Spring and Summer, Black is just the best...



I love the paper-bag waist shorts she has on. From what I could decipher from the Swedish, the shorts are from Gina Tricot... Which upon further inspection seems to be a lower priced fashion retailer in the Scandinavian countries... Hmmm, slight feelings of jealousy!

Here are some other simple but lovely peices from the Gina Tricot site... (sigh)


(street style pic via Stockholm Street Style) Read More.. Read More..

Festival Ready

With the Summer music festival season already upon us, it's time to get in the mood for some music-filled, sun-drenched, summer-lovin' days! Here are a couple festival ready outfits for your viewing pleasure... (Don't forget the sunscreen!)


F21 Floral Sundress ($22.90), Shinzi Katoh Aluminum Bottle ($23.99), Parasol at ModCloth ($49.99), Mociun Caravan Tote ($150), Alba Green Tea SPF 30 ($8.95), Havaianas Brasil ($22), F21 Denim Frayed Short ($15.80).


Topshop Bikini Top ($16) and Cheeky Bottom ($14), Alba Green Tea SPF 30 ($8.95), APC Madras Jumpsuit ($160), Tsumori Chisato Espadrilles ($120), Shinzi Katoh Aluminum Bottle ($23.99), Karen Walker Sunglasses ($180), Brooklyn Industries Pigeon Tote ($24).

Click on the pic to enlarge for details!

Anyone planning to attend one (or many) of this year's music festivals??? Read More.. Read More..

Baby Must Haves

I've had "baby" on the brain lately. I think back to when I was expecting my first and how overwhelmed I was by all the stuff I needed for the baby! I registered at Babies R Us for everything from baby monitors to swings to shoes, diaper wipe warmers, and baby bathtubs. I had no idea what would really be useful. I now have a better idea of what items are terribly practical to have for a new baby and I compiled a list. These are things that I think are really great and I used all the time. Other moms may have different ideas and I would love to hear your comments on the baby items you can't live without.

I didn't have a nursing cover with my first child and I am not sure how I survived. My cousin gave me a Hooter Hider for a gift and the practical item was always with me!

The Hooter Hider is designed with a rigid piece at the top to allow easy viewing of the baby while nursing for mom only. Everyone else only sees a stylish, cute fabric that helps keep breast feeding modest for shy types, like me. You can buy the nursing covers or easily sew one. I should do a tutorial next time I make one -- they are really simple to make.

For baby's fashion needs, Robeez shoes (and they are practical too):

Socks seem to refuse to stay on a tiny one's feet. These stylish, soft shoes stay on and keep the sock on too. I also like how the Robeez complete the outfit for a baby -- so important, I know. I only had one size with my first child, the 12-18 month size and those work well for beginner walkers. For Mandy, I knew how great the shoes are, so I found some used in the smaller sizes too. But I only have girl ones!

This next item isn't normally considered a baby necessity, but I found I used an exercise ball all the time, several times a day with my babies.

I used it for bouncing my fussy newborn while I was sitting and watching tv. Nothing silences Emma's cries like the bouncy ball. Later, like a year after Emma was born,  I realized that the baby weight wasn't just going to fall off my body, I used the ball for exercise. It is very versitile and is now my children's favorite toy outside for rolling around in the yard. You can find these balls used all over the place or new for about $10.

The next practical baby item is sling or carrier to hold the baby close to my body.
The first time around I used a Baby Bjorn. It works okay, but hurt my back after about 20 minutes and was tedious to put on. With my second, I used a cotton sling (my hubby still preferred the Baby Bjorn for carrying the baby). It was faster and I used it constantly until she was over a year old. It still hurt my back a little, but not as bad as trying to lug the infant car seat around or carrying the baby in one arm while I tried to do something else. With my third child,  I will still use a sling for the infant stage and then I would really like an Ergo Baby Carrier (pictured above). You can wear it on the front, back, or side, up to a 40lb child. You won't catch me carrying a 40 pound child anywhere, but it shows just how strong the Ergo is. They are really innovative and I spent about half an hour yesterday watching how-to videos on the website. Now to find a used one for cheap...

A stroller is a deffinatly handy item to have for a baby.
Many people will have opinions about what stroller is the best, but I found I needed 2 strollers. I used the jogging stroller on my rural road for every day walks and a regular folding stroller with small wheels for mall/city trips. I've seen a lot of women try to get away with the jogging stroller at the mall and it is seriously TOO BIG. The double joggers are especially big, but so necessary if you are going on uneven surfaces and/or jogging, just not in the mall. Now I use a double jogging stroller and I have a Sit n' Stand stroller that will be handy when the new baby comes. I also have a Jeep umbrella stroller, and the regular folding stroller. It is a bit excessive, and I need to get rid of a few before they replace my car in the garage.

I also used and still use a pack n' play type portable crib often.
Thankfully I received one of these as a gift, because I had no idea how practical a portable crib would be. We kept ours in the car and it was great for naps or overnight at other people's houses and good outside too. It was also good to have if other babies came to visit us.

Besides the Robeez, there is an item of clothing I think is fantastic for babies and that is the long sleeved onesie.
Carter's makes a onesie that is quite thick and fits babies that are long in the torso very well. I loved long sleeved onesies for my fall babies. The short sleeved ones always left me a bit confused with what to put over it during the day to keep baby warm. I also like the little cotton pants that are often sold right along side the onesies. They are so practical and cute for every day oufits.

A good diaper bag, I think, is an essential.
I had no idea with my first that a great diaper bag would come in so handy. A place to store bottles upright, great organizational pockets, a changing pad, and comfortable strap, plus a cute design are necessary. I am going to have to rethink my diaper bag situation with my third since I'll have 2 in diapers and the pink camo diaper bag I have isn't terribly appropriate for a boy. The one above is from Target and is a little pricey at $60. Anyone have some rich grandparents I can borrow to give me this item?

So moms, what items are on your "must haves" for baby? 

Read More.. Read More..

More Strappy Sandals

More lovely leather strappy sandals I love but probably don't need...



JCrew ($150) and Park Lane at Pixie Market ($62). Read More.. Read More..

Wednesday Morning Inspiration

Two looks inspiring me today... Think I will go for a white tee and something high-waisted today!



Pictures via here and here. Read More.. Read More..

Attaining Perfection

We all know people who seem to live life with a bit too much perfection. Everything seems to be easy for them and it isn't fair! Women compare themselves a lot to each other and we see how easy and carefree someone else's life is and not the work that it takes to make it that way. Perfect hair, body, clothes, children, husband, home, cooking, canning, homeschooling, gardening, yard, car don't come without a price. Sometimes the person might just have better genetics than me or more money than me, but other times I think it is effort and attitude.

While looking at pictures from my most recent photo shoot, a sweet little 4 year old guy, I realized how much perspective can change a picture and a life too. I took quite a few pictures of Jackson on this window ledge before I realized there was a reflection in the window from a red sign that said "No Smoking." I could probably Photoshop it out without too much work, but why when I could just move over and erase the imperfection?

I moved my vantage point over a few feet and the sign was not in the frame any more. I physically had to move in order to change my perspective to have a perfect picture.

Changing my perspective on real life also takes effort. It is easier to sit in one place and complain about the literal or figurative "No Smoking" sign than to actually move and see life differently. Could I actually have the perfect life in my grasp and not even know it? 

This thought was reinforced when I read a post on Resolved to Worship. You can read the post here called "Happiness is Not the Absence of Problems." The writer of this blog appears perfect to me! She is beautiful (even 10 months pregnant with her 7th), an amazing photographer, decorator and mother. Yet even she was talking about how a shift in attitude makes all the difference in her own life.

I was struggling with a bad attitude yesterday when I woke up. Summer holidays are the hardest for me to get through as a farmer's wife and yesterday was a holiday, but not for my husband. He was busy raking hay, "making hay while the sun shines" and I was bored and irritated. I thought of all the people with their perfect lives having perfect camping trips with their perfect families or having BBQs with their perfect friends. And I was home alone while my husband worked, yet again.

I thought of my great "perspective epiphany" and wondered if I could make my life perfect too. It would be my version of perfect with happy kids, entertainment, blue sky, no yelling, shopping and eating out. And did I mention no yelling and happy kids? I could have probably made my perfect day at home too, but I was in the mood to go somewhere.

I packed up and headed to the beach and was there by 10:30. The weather was PERFECT. There was no wind and my kids were happy, happy, happy. My plan was going swimmingly. I began to think that having the perfect life wasn't so hard after all.

We played in the sand and I took pictures. I resolved to think only of the positive and deal with the negative and move on if necessary. I was amazed at how happy I was because of this change. An older lady came by and said, "Enjoy them while they are young. They grow up so fast!" I really was enjoying this moment in time. 

As the morning wore on, the girls got dirty and wet. Mandy ate sand, a lot of sand. And I forced a smile on my face and a calm tone to my voice.

And you know what? My good attitude remained with a lot of work. My children were incredibly sandy, I had to pee, and Mandy decided she didn't know how to walk while I was carrying too many sand toys, a towel, and backpack. I kept going and dealt with each situation much better than I would have ordinarily. My first reaction would be to get frustrated, yell, and try to hurry everyone along. Slowing down and waiting for my sand collecting children didn't kill me and my bladder didn't even burst. 

There was still sand in diapers and whining for food I didn't have. The children didn't stay happy, happy, happy. But I think they did really well on our adventure with their happy mom. We ate at Burger King and we even made it to the crowded outlet malls and found a few good deals.

I am the first to stand in the "imperfect" line. My little paradise here is not always sunny with palm trees, but I think I am on to something with this perspective thing. I may write a book and become famous and then I'll be rich and will be able to buy the perfect life. I'll be able to hire someone to hose off sandy, hungry children after fun at the beach while I go to the bathroom by myself -- what a novelty! This idea has a lot of merit to me: sitting in the same spot complaining is easier than moving to make the perfect frame. But isn't the effort worth it? Maybe all of us could use a little attitude adjustment from time to time.

Read More.. Read More..

The Perfect Koople

3 things I am currently drooling over from The Kooples....


Read More.. Read More..

The Wilds Things

A gathering of animal jewelry that has caught my eye...




Veramet Pony Earrings ($72), Anthropologie Tentacles Ring ($178), Pamela Love Peacock Ring ($320), Digby & Iona Octopus Necklace ($280 - $640), 14pt Stag Ring ($210 - $330) & Fighting Cockerel Necklace ($180 - $230). Read More.. Read More..

Remembering Memorial Day

Last year I was in Washington DC for Memorial Day weekend. When I made my travel plans, I didn't even realize I would be in our nation's capitol for such a special occasion. I am so glad the timing worked out because Washington DC knows patriotism!

Arlington Cemetery was decorated with flags on every grave and the sight was breathtaking. The loss of life for freedom has never been more real to me. I was able to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Such honor is given to those who serve our country and it was awesome to be a part of it, if only for a day.

The Iwo Jima Memorial was very interesting. The whole experience of Washington DC made me realize how little I remember of my American history. When I got home, I was inspired to study up. The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in the World War II, with more than 6,800 American and 23,000 Japanese casualties. Of the six soldiers shown  on the memorial (from the original photo), only three survived the war. The other three were killed during further battles at Iwo Jima. The movie, "Flags of Our Fathers," does a good job of telling the story, but it is bloody and sad, as is the reality of war.

I can't remember Memorial Day Weekend last year without remembering my baby! I took her with me on the trip and she was a trooper most of the time. I am still waiting for my merit badge for "Successfully Traveling Solo Across the Country with a Baby." I am also waiting on a few other badges for my mom vest actually. I need one for "Potty Training a Toddler," "Chasing Cows While 9 Months Pregnant," and "Best Chocolate Chip Cookies." I was also told to expect a merit badge for "Best Wife of the Year Award 2008," but I haven't received that one either. These discrepancies are most likely a clerical error that would be  helped by that "Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe, if I remember how to bake with sugar. But more on that in another post.

I visited a few people on my trip East. In Washington DC was my cousin Jessi who lives with her husband 2 hours away from the DC in Virginia. She was my tour guide and did a wonderful job. She deserves a merit badge for "Showing a Cousin with an 8 Month Old Baby the Entire City of Washington DC in One Day." We were worn out, but had tons of fun.

Ah, remembering when I was 20 pounds skinnier.... And when I could carry around a baby all day without falling over from exhaustion. My hair was pretty pathetic though... I must not have met Trisha at Solstice Hair Studio yet. And is that nail polish I am wearing? I am not sure what I was thinking, but I guess I got a little crazy with my respite from farm life.

Earlier in the week (last year), I was in Tennessee with my friend Laura, who lives there, and Hillary, who flew in from California. We had a great time hanging out and just being together. We also saw the sights of Nashville. The building above is a recreation of the Parthenon (in Athens). Nashville isn't just the home of the Grand 'Ole Opry! We had a great time.

Here is my baby again. What a cutie! I hardly remember when she was so small and chubby. The running, talkative toddler we now chase around is far different, but just as cute. And she usually sleeps all night now. That is a plus!

So, that is my trip in review. Now I have the travel bug again. I want to fly off on a great adventure, but my pictures will have to do for the next while. Have a great long weekend!

Read More.. Read More..

Style Muse: Alela Diane

Not only do I highly recommend Alela Diane's beautiful nouveau-folk music... Her laid back, 70's influenced, hippie leaning style looks fresh for Summer.



A.P.C Tank ($88), JBrand Love Story Jeans ($209), Steve Madden Flats ($69.95), UO Suede Braid Bracelet ($28).

Check out her music and more photos here. Read More.. Read More..

Have a Good Weekend!

I am off early for a mini road-trip adventure with the husband and dog - Hope everyone has a good weekend!

My road outfit (on the cheap):


Print Liberation Tee ($22), Old Navy Gauze Scarf ($12.50), Target Sandals ($24.99), F21 Shorts ($16.90)

(Apologies if you have noticed any changes in the blog this morning - I have been having some technical difficulties - Thanks for reading!) Read More.. Read More..