Fashion Friday and other "Junk"

Did I tell you that Race is home??!! Oh my goodness, I can’t tell you the relief that I experience after he gets back from a trip. And this was definitely our most difficult deployment to date. So, we are getting adjusted to all being together again. We haven’t had any time off to help him adjust back into civilization, so he has been thrown head first into the quagmire that is our daily schedule, without even so much as a minute to de-compress. But the kids are beyond delighted to have their dad back home, and I am continually amazed at how differently our family functions when Race is gone. And how much more COMPLETE it is when he returns home.

Why, just last night the boys experienced this first hand. Race and the boys were in the car on the way home from a baseball game. ( No sooner than he had stepped off a plane, Race was thrown immediately into the position of head baseball coach for Austin’s high school team. ) They had just lost a hard fought, close game, and Race had kept the team up-beat and the playing was fun. They pulled out all their tricks and it was just a great game, so they were all feeling pretty good.
Jackson was discussing with his dad all the equipment that he needed for baseball this year, and mentioned that he needed a new cup. To which Race answered, “A new CUP? Whadya mean…..is your junk getting bigger or something?” Now this resulted in loud guffaws of laughter, with Jackson managing to spit out, ”Wwwwhat do you mean “junk”?” (Having never heard this term before used in that particular way………because his mother is a lady and doesn’t speak of such things. Right, mom?) Race quickly explained, as only a father can, “Ya know……your. junk……Your boys…... The twins…..” Riotous laughter ensued, and the boys knew that all was once again right with the world.
Dad was home.
Apparently this sort of banter continued for a bit of the car ride, but thankfully, no one felt the need to fill me in on any of the REST of the details. And I am absolutely ELATED that I do not have to haul my son to the store to buy a bigger cup.

Now, since it *IS* Fashion Friday, I thought I’d give a nod to one of my all-time favorite spring pieces. I didn’t even own one of these until 3 years ago, and I can tell you, life was bad. I didn’t know it. But looking back, life was definitely bad. Now I own 2 of these beauties, and I have my eye on one more.
SO. If you were only going to buy ONE piece this spring, may I humbly suggest that you consider the TRENCHCOAT.



This one is on sale at www.bananarepublic.com for $149.00, but www.target.com has some EXCELLENT, colorful and tailored trenches for less than $25. and www.oldnavy.com has some that are less than $50. (too lazy for linking right now...sorry)
I bought my first trenchcoat 3 years ago, it is from Banana Republic, and it is kelly green. I also own an alabaster colored one that is slightly less classic, and more feminine. Hands-down these coats get more wear in spring and summer, than any others. They keep you dry(but not hot) and can really help you look a little more "pulled together" even when all you have on is a t-shirt and jeans underneath. You know how, some times you depend on your sunglasses to hide what you just didn't have time to do??? Well....the trenchcoat works the same way.This makes a wonderful pull-on for those pouring-down-rain-church-mornings. It's a great staple for this time of the year, and you will wear it over, and over, and over.
I have a dinner date tonight with a hot baseball coach and our kids. Of course, it's over cast and dreary, but we are going to a nice restaurant to celebrate being together again as a family. Can you guess what jacket I'll be grabbing?
Cheers!
melissa

Fashion Friday.....or wHA? It's Friday again??

Since Laney over atRun Mother Run stole my idea to talk about skinny jeans and flats,(Great minds.. and all that jazz). I thought maybe I'd take a different direction and talk nails and lips.

I mean Spring is here, finally! Bare toes and heels sticking out of sandals everywhere, and of course lip colors take on a whole new trend each spring. Now. Before I go any further, let me just go ahead and say that I am NOT a slave to the trends. And the older that I get, the more I find this to be true. But I always like to keep one eye on new styles and colors, and try to be current. But let's face it. We all have our "go to" colors, no matter WHAT the runways are sporting each year. You know the color I'm talking about. That ONE lipstick you have that is worn down to a nub, but you continue to dig out the color with a Q-Tip because you love it SO much? I think it is important to have those, because after all "Style" is just an expression of who you are. It is an extension of your personality. So use that as your filter while you look at all the new spring colors.....and then edit for your own personal use!

For nails this spring, Essie has this beautiful spring collection:



With such lovely pastels and a classic red, along with color names like "Lilacism", and "Van D' Go", what's not to like, here? I really love these!
Now Opi went a slightly different direction this year and did some "Alice In Wonderland" colors. And while I like the deep, saturated colors, they wouldn't look good on my long, bony, 40 yr old hand, and they just don't scream "Spring" to me, like the other palette does.


And can I just interject here that if you have cracked, scaly heels and just haven't gotten around to de-scaling yet and I mean let's face it, we've all been there. We have lives. We have things of real importance to attend to, and we don't always get to our foot care as often as we'd like. But if you have feet that look like a giant flake of skin could fall off of them at any second......well.......DON'T WEAR SANDALS. Don't do that. It's not O.K. It's just NOT. I am sorry if your mother didn't tell you, but I am telling you now. It Is NOT O.K. Just wear something else till you get a few minutes with the pumice stone. Think of others. (I had a bad experience one time in a yoga class and I'd prefer not to talk about it. Those feet still haunt me.)

So how about that pout?? What's new? Well, this is very near and dear to my heart.And I must tell you that I LOVE lipstick. Always have. Even as a little girl, sneaking into my mom's vanity drawer and fawning over all the beautiful lipstick colors it contained. LOVE IT.

But here is an example of editing. When I was in my 20's I would DEFINITELY have rocked the hot pink that is one of the trends this spring. I mean with a vengeance I would have worn that color.



But if I have learned nothing else....and I do mean NOTHING ELSE, from watching Real Housewives of Orange County, it's that as you age....Less is More. I mean, holy moley, ladies...ever heard of "MOD-ER-A-TION"? Sheesh.
But alas, lucky for me, nude lips are still all the rage, as well as a classic red and that oh-so-perfect berry stain.

Sephora says that the sky's the limit. But I will more than likely be sticking with my tried and true favorite from Bare Escentuals in the color "Dolly". Love it so much.
So what color toenails will you be sporting in your sandals or flip-flops this spring? Will you go out on a limb and try a new, bright lip color, or will you be sticking with your tried and true favorites. No matter what you decide, it's nice to be able to spend a few minutes on yourself once in awhile. Just finding a little shot of color that makes you happy when you look at it can really put a little spring in your step!
Cheers!
Melissa

Fashion Friday

O.K. I admit it. I am struggling getting back to blogging. Actually I am struggling with ANYTHING right now that requires concentrating for more than...oh.....I dunno....60 seconds?

And just when I was blowing off blogging for one.more.day, Dy over at Classic Adventures and
Urban Mom actually asked me to write something on 2010 Spring Fashion For the Busy Mom.(Why? Because they are super-awesome friends and knew I could use a good distraction with something that I love right now) And as if that wasn't enough to make me almost wet my pants with excitement, right outta left field comes Laney over at Run Mother Run with FASHION FRIDAY!?! Holy cow! How have I missed this??? Obviously, someone is sending me a message.Obviously this is a sign. Obviously I am MEANT to blog again.

So let's get to it, shall we?



The looks this spring are some of my favorites. Classic but comfortable. There is something for EVERYONE this year! But I want to talk about spring fashion for a special group of women. The women who are 30-something to 40-something who have small children at home. The women whose lives still involve a lot of diaper changes and potty training. The women who are at the stage in life where just getting all the children out of the house clean and clothed, is chalked up as a triumphant day. No really.....TRIUMPHANT. As in choirs and angels.

I've been there.



I was lucky to get the crumbs out of my hair, and the goop off the back of my shoulder before going anywhere. (I had 2 kids before I realized that there is ALWAYS goop on the back of your shoulder. No one told me.) I had no time to look or care about what was fashionable. I was too busy wiping mouths, changing diapers and keeping the youngest from escaping to freedom every time his feet hit the floor.

It would have been great to have had some uncomplicated "go to's" during that time. You know, something that made me feel comfortable and yet didn't look like I had just "given up" and thrown in the ole' towel. Something that made me feel confident and something that I actually LIKED. You DO realize that you should LIKE what you wear, right?

So. I am going to take a few posts to pull out what *I* believe to be perfect for the busy mom this season.The mom who is caught between lessons and practices and recitals and tantrums and diapers and dinner. Style for THAT mom. Feel free to give me some feedback and let me know if you think I've stepped off the deep end.

One of this seasons best trends, for me, is all about opposites. Pair your best looking, jeans-that-you-love-but-are-way-worn-in/out, with a beautiful feminine top and some pretty new sandals.

This look is a total winner with denim shorts too. (Take those old jeans that you still love, but that have holes in the knee, and CHOP EM OFF! Cut them just below the knee, and give em' a few tight rolls)These jean short are from http://www.jcrew.com/ and while the look that this model is wearing would be way too hot and impractical for a kids baseball game, you could pair the same shorts with something more feminine.

Below is another take on the same trend. Pairing the feminine blouse and earrings with the sturdy boots and strong jeans. Those boots make me quiver just a little when I look at them, they are the "I can take on anything" shoe. You could TOTALLY catch a darting kid in these.

Breezy Afternoon by Piperlime .

And again comfy, rolled up jeans and snazzy flat sandals with a beautiful feminine top.(And just think of all the sippy cups and diapers that can be held in that hobo bag!)

Vintage City Living by Piperlime

And again! Could we just bow our heads a moment to say a prayer of thanksgiving for the return of the TUNIC! You can hide that winter fat layer under there with no problem. And should the stars align themselves properly one night, and you and your main squeeze get to head out for dinner after a day of lessons and practices, just stash your heeled sandals in your sons baseball bag (so you'll be sure not to forget them). One lightening quick shoe change in the car and you're good to go.

pretty delightful by Piperlime

This same trend is hot with military-inspired pieces. Got some light weight cargo pants from way-back-when? Roll them up a bit, add some pretty flat sandals and a feminine print tee, like the ones below from http://www.sundancecatalog.com/ Wall-ah! Instant style update. Just think how the other mom's will admire your sense of style as you pass out the snacks after practice.

Now, I have added the photos from Piperlime and JCrew because they just pull things together SO WELL visually. But you can find these same looks EVERYWHERE right now. Target has some gorgeous, well made pieces, including shoes. And the best part is that you may already have some things in your closet to pull together right now. So get crackin' while the kids are asleep. Pull out the stuff that you really LOVE and put it with some new, feminine pieces.

Still fearful? For you, dear reader,here is your sure-fire, never fail go to for casual this spring: Rolled denim shorts, or jeans, flat thong sandals, and a crisp, white button down, untucked. Simple jewelry, or none at all. Cool, clean, classic. Never wrong.

The old with the new. What's not to love about that?

Cheers!

Melissa

An assortment, to be sure...

Well, for cryin' out loud! It's March already! Eh. Good-bye to February, and don't let the screen door hit ya.

You know the Little House on the Prarie book that is titled "The Long Winter"? Yeah...that's what it's been like.

Only WITHOUT Pa.

The first day of Spring Break, and it snowed. again.

An unexpected benefit to all this snow, is that now you can go to Barnes and Noble and pick up "An Inconvenient Truth" for a mere $5. Even less if you have a membership card. Poor Al.

On the school front, things are going fairly smoothly. Austin continues to work incredibly hard and score high in all his co-op classes, and continues to drag his feet and stare, open mouthed during his one course at home. Going away to college? Yes. It.Is.Time.

It really *is* time. And that is a great feeling. To know that he is prepared and ready to jump out there and test his own metal. It's true.....they DO grow up. He is a great kid with a lot to offer, and I am SO excited to see what lies ahead with that one.

(His electric guitar and the giant amp, I won't miss as much....)

Savannah is my wonderfully independent student. She is what has made it all possible this year!What a work ethic that girl has! She does great with all her work, because she is disciplined and she just knows how to work hard. Love.That.Girl. That work ethic has carried over into her MMA training. It's cool to see my sweet, quiet girl whip up on the boys in her class. She is the ONLY girl in the class. She is going to test for her driving permit next week.

Jackson still has the attention span of a puppy. But he has gotten HUGE, so...it would be more like Great Dane puppy. And that, my friends, can be hard to handle. It's true, I am looking UP to my 12 yr old, now.

He has come such a long way in his schooling this year, and he really does all that is asked of him. But his dyslexia is no.joke. And it is a constant frustration and stumbling block to him. We trudge ahead. And we rejoice in all the little hurdles that we continue to overcome. And we do continue! He definitely is still his own person and most recently surprised his poor, frazzled mother, by returning home from a reptile show in PA, with a python. Yes, you read that right. A python.

I guess tattoos and motorcycles are in our future???

So...Jackson continues to keep life interesting here at our house!

My focus during this ridiculously hard winter.....my little getaway in my mind......has been working out. I thought about concentrating on food. Or alcohol. But those outcomes didn't seem all that bright. So I decided to concentrate on my fitness. Seriously. I am working out like a prison inmate. Crazy push-ups, handstands, big olympic weights,in the Crossfit-style http://www.crossfit.com/ . It's nuts I tell ya. But it keeps me from losing my mind. And it keeps me fitting into my clothes. And it feels good to get stonger! So, I have my little goals. One of which, at the moment is to be able to do handstand push-ups. Grrrr....I can do handstands. I can do push-ups. So *WHY* can't I do handstand-push-ups???(and don't say"because you're old") And so it continues.....

Eventually Race will come home. I can't wait for that day.I can't WAIT for that day! Until he does, I will watch with pride, our almost-grown brood continue with their own personal goals and acheivements as they begin to carve out the next phases of their own lives. There will be plenty of MMA and baseball games to watch in the coming months. I will keep working on pull-ups and handstand push-ups with a vigor that would make an inmate cry. And of course, there's also...the python. Race is NOT gonna be too keen on THAT one. (big grin)

One of the best ways to enjoy winter: On the Slopes!

And THIS is Bejamin.

Cheers!

Melissa