Week in Review 2/22/12

I was searching through this here blog the other day and was reminded of my Week In Review posts that I liked doing as a quick round up of what I'm watching, reading, doing etc. That fits well with my "plan" to post once a week so here goes.

What I'm Reading

I am currently reading In the Company of Others by Jan Karon, the second in the Father Tim series, which is an offshoot/continuation/sequel of the Mitford series. I don't love the Father Tim series as much as I loved Mitford, but right away I was drawn into this installment and it's nearing can't-put-it-down status.

What I'm Watching

Like the rest of the world/country/blogosphere, I've fallen in love with Downton Abbey. Love Love Love. And I can't get enough of their fashion, I have a board devoted to Downton Abbey Fashion on Pinterest. Sadly, the second season ended the other night (wasn't it a wonderful finale?!), I can't wait for it to return!

Hubby and I also like The Walking Dead, which just returned on AMC. However, we watched the most recent episode last night and were disappointed in the writing.

I watched the pilot episode of Smash because it looked like my cup of tea--I love musical theater and Glee and Broadway. I only sort of liked it. I think I'll watch another episode before I commit or give up.

One more thing I want to mention. Perhaps inspired by Downton Abbey, we've been watching other British dramas on Netflix. We found and loved Bleak House. It was confusing to follow at the beginning (it's Dickens so there are loads of characters), but we soon got into it. I highly recommend it.

In Other News

Not much life-shattering going on around here. We've all been sick a number of times this winter. The kids just never get over their colds. My new philosophy is "there is no normal, only troubleshooting." Lots of troubleshooting of illness lately.

Lent starts today. I suppose I could do a whole post about my "plan" but I'm here now so here goes. Last week in a bout of the blues, I emailed my BFF that I was struggling with What's my purpose? What's the point? Why do I bother? She didn't pretend to have the answer, just empathy and she reminded me that Hubby and the kids need me and she needs me as a friend etc. The next day, her words "clicked" and I turned her thoughts into a purpose statement, that my purpose is To Serve Others, to serve Hubby and L and T and my BFF and so on. So far, while not life-changing and not enough to fend off the negative thoughts, that has been a pretty helpful mantra/philosophy. And now it's Lent and I'm not motivated to give up sweets or caffeine or another bad habit (cough, computer, cough) for fear I'll lose whatever sanity I have left, but I can use this as my Lenten promise. Therefore, I have chosen this Lent to focus on how I can serve others and also Less Yelling. My kids are so crazy/rambunctious/loud that sometimes I'm not even yelling out of temper but just for volume. Just to be heard. Now I'm trying to get their attention by clapping. I can tell you that Day 1 isn't off to the best start. I will try to log my progress in future posts.

Fashion Challenge WInter Edition Part 2

In for a penny, in for a pound. I'm participating in another day of the Winter Fashion Challenge hosted by Kayla. Today was Winter Brights. I actually wore this yesterday when I couldn't come up with Decade/Region--I skipped ahead. I was inspired to wear jeans other than my new bootcuts I've been wearing so often, so I grabbed my black jeans, BRIGHT pink tee and black soft blazer. Tada:

Sorry for the terrible picture quality, I will never be a fashion blogger. The jeans are from Kohls, tee from Kmart, blazer was a gift (okay, I'll admit this is also Motherhood Maternity, what is with me wearing my old maternity clothes?!), shoes are the same ones from DSW.

For my previous foray into fashion photography, go here.

For more Challenge photos, go here.

Fashion Challenge--Winter Edition

Okay, so when I decided that my style needed a kick in the butt, I started reading fashion blogs (love them!) and one of them, Freckles in April, is doing a 2-week fashion challenge. I couldn't help but join in. This is what I wore on Tuesday when the prompt was MONOCHROME:

Brown is my favorite color so I had plenty to work with, but I'd never worn this sweater vest with my brown jeans before because I felt the 2 shades of brown clashed. But when I tried it this week, I thought the lighter brown tee served as a barrier between the two and eliminated the conflict. What do you think?

sweater vest: Steinmart; long sleeve tee: Target; jeans: Eddie Bauer; shoes: DSW

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Today's prompt was to "channel someone." It took me a long time to think of an inspiration that matched things I own, but eventually I came up with this outfit inspired by Disney's Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.

The plain tee and cardigan didn't feel evocative enough until I added the jewelry. The necklace has small lavender stones in it (Tiana's other signature color, right?) and the bracelet has green and yellow flowers that reminded me of lilypads. It was fun to go around today knowing I chose my clothes based on a cartoon character!

white tee: Kohls; green sweater: Motherhood Maternity (no, I'm not pregnant); jeans: Eddie Bauer; shoes (same as above): DSW; jewelry: unknown, from a long time ago

The inspiration:

For more fashion fun, go to Freckles in April.

I'm Baaaa-aaaaack!

Haha, that was an unplanned blogging break. And honestly, I didn't miss it too much. But I think I'm going to try posting weekly. Every Friday I'd like to try to share one thing from my life/ the previous week. It may be a thing I'm loving, or something working for me, or a political rant, or like today, just a Five Question Friday. Let's dig in, shall we?

Oh and by the way, my background seems to have disappeared. That may be that kick in the butt I need to find a new design. But I digress....

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it?

I am in Phoenix and usually this is our "cold" season but lately we are in the '70s. Part of me wishes I could be wearing my sweaters, since I only have a short "winter" to wear them--and I am indeed a sweater girl. But mostly I'm really enjoying this weather! Jeans plus short sleeves, hot in the sun but with a nice breeze. I'll take it!

2. When you're sick what do you seek comfort from?

My bed. I LOVE SLEEP and I don't think you can heal without lots of it.

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?

I'm taking a pretty laid-back approach to this month after the crazy holiday season, but I'd be overjoyed if I finished thank you notes by the end of this month. :-)

4. Have you ever served on a jury?

Yes. When I was home from college one summer, I was called to jury duty. I really wanted to get out of it, but I was chosen and was on a jury for basically a mugging. It was a HORRIBLE experience (one juror refused to cooperate with the other 11 of us and what should have taken a couple hours of deliberation dragged into a second day). Grrrrr. But I learned a lot (mostly about how the jury system is broken) and all these years later I can appreciate that I had that experience. However, I would not want to do it again!!!

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

Well, my favorite animals are the peacock and alligators/crocodiles. Not sure I'd want to be one of those. What's the laziest animal on Earth, that's what I'd like to be. Like pandas, they literally just eat and sleep. Yeah, I think I'd like to be a panda. {That answer probably wouldn't go over well in a job interview.}

For more Q&A fun, head over to Mama M's. Have a great weekend!

Feminism, Fashion & Other Ramblings

I read a post on Modern Mrs. Darcy about women's choices to work or stay home. Then a fashion blog I read (I've recently started checking out a few fashion blogs as I think about kicking up my personal style) directed me toward "feminist fashion bloggers," which led me to this post by a computer programmer who hides her love of fashion... and now I have various thoughts in my head to share.

I should mention that I AM A FEMINIST. No disclaimers, no buts. I am a feminist. Sadly, there seem to be a bunch of misconceptions about what that means, such that people who are feminists say they aren't and I've even read a bunch of bloggers who blame feminists for this that and the other thing--and they are just wrong.

Feminism is (textbook definition here) the belief that men and women are equal. Not the same, but of equivalent worth. {What exactly is my authority? I have taken a variety of classes on feminism, including Sex Equality and Feminist Legal Theory, taught by my idol Catharine MacKinnon. So I have some credibility on the subject.}

For the record, Miriam Webster's online definition is: "the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes."

Feminism is not the belief that women should be like men. Have individual women tried to advance through our patriarchy by being more "manly"? Certainly. But that doesn't change the definition of feminism. Have some women claimed that they do what they do (e.g. dress like tramps or act bossy) because they are feminists? Yes, but that doesn't mean the doctrine of feminism includes "act bossy and dress like a slut."

Also, being a feminist and being a SAHM are not mutually exclusive. Hello, I am both and proud of it! It is not un-feminist to sew or like fashion or do other "girly" things. Feminism is about CHOICES. Women can do anything (be CEO, be a SAHM, run for President, make clothes, fix cars, be a nurse) and so can men (be CEO, be a SAHD, run for President, make clothes, fix cars, be a nurse). Ideally to a point where sewing isn't considered "girly" and fixing cars isn't considered "manly."

I don't deny that there are biological differences between men and women (another thing feminists are accused of). There are physical differences. {Also, feminism doesn't mean we will no longer have separate bathrooms--all the laws governing equality for the sexes have an exception for things that are biologically different. Rest assured.} It's true that even outside of socialization, females tend to be drawn to dolls and boys to cars. I think there are 2 main points to feminism. First there's the traditional: you shouldn't have to be a man in order to get the highest paying jobs, the promotion, the raise etc; but also there's the broader point: if you aren't a girly woman or a manly man, you shouldn't be penalized for it.

Okay, I could go on and on, but I think I'll just do some future posts on some spinoff topics. Meanwhile, I had to add, I am a feminist and I've spent this morning doing laundry, calming a screaming toddler and getting dinner in the crockpot. Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing with my life but I don't doubt my feminist cred. ;-) In fact, I want to get one of those T-shirts that says "This is what a radical feminist looks like" and wear it to the playground and other SAHM activities. :-) But I digress.

Ugh, I wish this post was better written, because I think this is an important topic. Alas, this is all I have time for. Hopefully, I can devote more time to the subject soon! I guess the main point of this post is: you can be both a feminist and unapologetically girly.

What do you think?

I ADORE Adele's "Someone Like You"

Just this morning, I was reading Big Mama and she recommended this video of Adele singing "Someone Like You" at the VMAs, so I clicked over and was Ah-Mazed. Seriously. The talent! The poise! To belt that out just standing there. {And she's a kid, like 22 years old, wher does she find that composure?!}

So then the video froze so I went to youtube and listened over and over, seriously this is how I spent a chunk of my day (on and off, because of the whole parenting thing). Must buy her album. Or at least download that and "Rolling in the Deep" on iTunes.

I feel like I was a little late to the Adele party. I'd heard "Rolling in the Deep" many times (and loved it) before Jill at Diaper Diaries clued me in that she's a young (white) British woman. And it took Big Mama today to turn me onto this song. I am now officially an Adele fan(atic).

I have no words, just thought I'd share. Enjoy:

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

Top Ten Tuesday--Excited for Fall

We live in Phoenix, so we have at least two more months of HOT weather. {That stinks!} For the sake of my mental health, I'm thinking a lot about Fall. Here's what I'm looking forward to....

1. Nice weather. Duh, I'll be happy when it's no longer 116 degrees.

2. The park. We live almost next door to a great park and that is the cheapest way to entertain the kids. Can't wait to get back there in the cooler weather!

3. My birthday. It's at the beginning of October and although the day itself is nothing special, I won't mind getting some goodies. Heehee.

4. T's birthday. My baby turns 3 in mid-September. I'm having fun picking out clothes, toys and books for her.

5. Halloween. My love of Halloween is well-documented. I love the decor, costumes and food. Bring it on, I can't wait!

6. Warm clothes. I love jeans, I love sweaters, I can't wait to break out my warm clothes and maybe add some new pieces.

7. No more sandals. I hate my sandals. Well, I don't hate them, they are very comfortable, but they're kind of ugly. I've had them for 4 summers and I'm done. {Yes, I've been browsing for new ones, but I'm quite picky and have not found anything to replace them. So now I'm just looking forward to sneaker weather.}

8. Matching pajamas. Again, my love of pajamas is well-documented. Most of my cute sets are for cold weather so I look forward to busting those out this Fall.

9. Our anniversary. We'll celebrate 13 years of marriage this October. Hopefully my parents will babysit and we'll hit the town (or at least Carabba's).

10. Football season. Hubby is a huge football fan, especially college football, and we are counting down the days (less than 2 weeks to go!). I get excited because he's excited. And L is too. He told someone today "we like Michigan football." Yeah baby, Go Blue!

What's your favorite thing about Fall?

I'm linking up with Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday.