One Piece Many Ways link-up

Well it looks like I haven't blogged in over a year. Hello! Yeah so keeping up on my blog hasn't been a big priority, but when I find something fun to participate in, I pull it out again.  Today I'm joining Audrey's Link-up at Putting Me Together. I went exploring the links and y'all are way more creative than I am, but I'm posting anyway and here's why. I live in Phoenix and it.is.HOT.  So I can't layer and throw on a chambray, and so forth but if you are stuck in a tee-and-shorts climate, then you've come to the right place.  Today I'm styling my red ruffle shirt from Target.  Love this shirt, I also have one in white and I'd buy it in more colors if I didn't fear being called "that ruffle shirt girl." So here goes:


First up, this is how I wear this most often:

Because I think that this is a nicer tee and these are my nicer shorts, I often pair them together.  But I forgot as I staged this picture that I usually wear it with my red Toms, but here I'm wearing my black fake-Toms (from Kmart).  I often don't bother with a necklace because of the crew neckline, but here I'm wearing my black beads. (Shorts are Lee from Kohl's, necklace was inherited from my grandmother.)

Second outfit:

This day, I wanted to wear my new tan sandals so I wore my tan shorts. (Sadly it turned out my shoes did not fit well and I exchanged them for a different pair of tan sandals.  Earth Origins from Famous Footwear.  Shorts are Gloria Vanderbilt from Kohls.)  I kept it casual with no jewelry.

This third outfit I often wear to church. Option A, red shoes:

Option B, black shoes:

I don't remember why, but this day I wanted to wear my black sandals, so I styled my outfit with a black and red necklace.  This skirt is actually a skort from Athleta that I absolutely love and I wear it all the time whenever I want to dress up just a little bit or look pulled together.  Find it here.

Bonus outift:

I've not actually worn this yet because the shorts are a bit tight, but doesn't the red shirt look great with the madras plaid? Actually, my friend thinks the combo is too busy with the plaid plus the ruffles. What say you?  Shorts are from Lands End.

Thank you so much for stopping by, I had lots of fun with this challenge and dusting off the old blog. You can see my style evolution, such as it is, by checking out my other fashion posts.  

WIWW April 25

This is my first time joining What I Wore Wednesday at the Pleated Poppy.  It's already summer here in Phoenix and below are pretty good examples of my standard summer uniform--tees and shorts.  My goal is to somehow try to kick things up a notch, with nicer tees, cute shoes, and jewelry.  Hopefully, we'll see improvement as the summer goes on.

Tuesday 4/17

This is a new tee from Kohls. I'm barefoot in the picture but I wore my everday black sandals (you'll see them in Saturday's photo).  Shirt and shorts from Kohls.

 Wednesday 4/18
Very dull. I tried to add a necklace but I thought the outfit was too casual for jewelry so I took it off.What do you think, should I have added a necklace?
Shirt and shorts from Kohls, shoes are Bare Traps from Famous Footwear.

 Thursday 4/19
I love this new striped tee (so into stripes right now) but I need a better tank underneath.  Again, no shoes in the picture, I wore the black sandals as usual.
Tee from Old Navy, tank from H&M, shorts from Kohls.
I didn't get a close-up of my necklace but it's a strand of black beads and it's from my grandmother's collection.

 Saturday 4/21
I love this outfit and got compliments on my shirt.  I wore this to the Gluten Free Expo and out to lunch with Hubby.
Shirt and capris from Kohls.  Shoes are Bare Traps (above) from Famous Footwear.

 Tuesday 4/24
This is one of my new peasant tops for this summer.  I couldn't decide which shoes to wear, my everyday black sandals or my blue plaid boat shoes.  What do you think?
Shirt and shorts from Kohls, sandals same as above, boat shoes are Joe Boxer from Kmart (6 bucks!).

 In the end, I wore the blue plaid shoes. Am I crazy?

Linking up with the Pleated Poppy.

So tell me, How can I spice up my summer uniform????

UBP 2012--Let's Party

Hello and welcome! Here's what's going on in my world. T {my 3 year old daughter} vomited all over her bed at midnight last night. We threw her in the bath, gave her a Zofran and put her in our bed where she puked about 8 more times before 4:30 am. By the grace of God, we were able to get some sleep in between. (Hubby moved to the couch, but returned each time he heard retching--good man!) I'm happy to report she's now keeping down fluids and some bland food and we saw the nurse practitioner this morning who confirmed it's a stomach bug and ruled out strep and a UTI. Now my son has a fever and we're counting down till he starts puking.

Typical, am I right? This blog is about my frazzled life with two kids. L is my son--he'll be seven (gasp!) this summer and T as I mentioned is my 3 year old girl. I am a 37 years old SAHM {if you want to check out some "how did I get here" posts, you should read here and here.} I've been married to my awesome husband for 13 years. We live in Phoenix. T is in preschool, L is in kindergarten. They both go to speech therapy twice a week although L is about to graduate, hooray. L has food allergies to wheat, corn, peaches and pineapple, though he used to be allergic to everything, so it's not so bad. Technically, he has a chronic illness called Eosinophilic Esophagitis {check out the "About Eosinophilic Esophagitis" tab at the top of my blog}--it's been a long road but he is doing super awesome and we just avoid those trigger foods.

I like to do a "week in review" post on Fridays (or whenever) where I include what I'm reading and watching. Once upon a time, I thought I'd like to be a movie reviewer but it turns out I'm lousy at writing reviews--so I just write a few sentences about a show or a book and whether I recommend it or not. Nothing fancy.

My new thing is style, as in I'm trying to find some. I've started following style/daily outfit blogs so occasionally I'll post pics of my outfits {here's one such post}. This summer I will be attempting to spice up my regular shorts and t-shirt outfits with necklaces and cute shoes.

Okay, now I'm just rambling {that happens a lot}. PLEASE leave me a comment letting me know you were here and I'll return the visit. And feel free to click around here and check things out. Happy Partying!

Thanks for stopping by!!!Easter morning

Five Question Friday 3/30/12

It's Friday. Long week. Here are my thoughts of the day. I wish that a community college would offer me the following courses: How To Dress Like An Adult and How To Function for 16 Straight Hours. Because I'm failing on both counts. Anyway, on to this week's questions.......

1. What giveaway would you like to do on your blog?

In a fantasy world, hmmmm, I'll go with an iPad. Because everyone wants one (am I right?) but most average joes can't afford one or can't justify the expense. And of course I'd get one for hosting the giveaway. ;-)

2. If you had to choose between natural artistic ability and natural athletic ability, which would it be?

For sure the athletic ability, or even just an athletic "liking" or enjoyment. To be someone who enjoys running/tennis/biking--so I'd actually do it and be fitter and thinner because of it!

3. Do you ditch the coat the minute it becomes "spring" or are you a holdout for more cool temps?

Hmmmm {I say that a lot during 5QF, don't I?}, maybe because we live in Phoenix or maybe because I'm lazy, I don't put away one season and replace it with the other. All my clothes are around all the time. Even my heavy winter coat, which I would only need if I vacationed somewhere cold, is in my master closet. Oh but I did put all my winter scarves in the garage.

4. What would you do if you won the mega millions lotto of 1/2 billion dollars?

Well, I would just be thrilled that my husband could quit his job and we could travel wherever we want (hotels and airfare are So Expensive!). So he'd quit his job and we'd buy an RV and then we would just live pretty normal and just be very generous to everyone and to all our fave charities (oh and of course we'd pay off all our many debts).

5. You are at a hotel by yourself...what do you do?

I love hotels! Love! I'd order room service, I'd order a movie on the tv {that used to seem so special, now we do it every night with Instant Netflix}, maybe take a bubble bath. And I'd sleep A LOT!

Now it's your turn, answer on your blog or in the comments. And I want to know: did you buy a Mega Millions ticket?
We did not, we are holding out for a bigger jackpot. ;-)

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

Top Ten Tuesday--Candy-Free Easter Baskets

Perhaps you are like me and have yet to gather your Easter supplies--don't worry there's still time. Here are my Top Ten Ideas to fill those baskets with things Other Than Candy. Since Leo had so many food allergies--especially in those first years, I couldn't put any candy in the Easter basket--I've been filling our baskets every year with stuff you can't eat. Here are my favorite basket-stuffers:

1. Clearance stocking stuffers.* After Christmas is a great time to get small toys for cheap from the stocking stuffer aisle. T will be getting a small princess and a Polly Pocket from there this year.

2. Clearance toys.* When toys went on clearance at Target (was that the end of January?), I got a few more toys, like a Power Rangers phone that will go in L's basket.

3. Sand and water toys. I remember it must've been L's second Easter I filled his basket with sand toys--in fact his Easter "basket" was a big sand bucket. Hopefully your stores (like Target and Kmart) already have a sand and water aisle going, I know mine do and the toys are cheap!
4. Money. Since I couldn't fill plastic eggs with jelly beans and m&ms, I thought of other stuff to stuff them with, including coins. Put 4 quarters in an egg and that equals a trip to the dollar store!

5. Socks. This was always a feature in my basket growing up (later tights and hose as we got older) so they always make an appearance in my kids' baskets, often stuffed in plastic eggs. The funner the socks the better.

6. Stickers. Alone or stuffed in an egg, what kid doesn't love stickers?!

7. One big item. Sometimes rather than filling their baskets with little "junk," I like to buy a more substantial toy. I think this year it will be a lego Batman set for L (his current obsession). T will get a set of generic barbies I got on clearance (see #2 above).
8. Something they need anyway. This year I plan to put a cute t-shirt in each basket. I usually just buy the cheapest tees for their summer wardrobes (Walmart for $5 or less) so it's a treat when I splurge on character shirts (a whopping $8). This year it will be Lego or Angry Birds for L and Disney princesses for T. Other ideas might be a beach towel, summer hat, water shoes etc. that you would buy anyway, but can pep up a basket.

9. Crafts. My kids love crafts so I usually throw in something crafty. This year I have a little clay thing to paint for each kid.

10. Dollar stuff. The dollar store or the dollar area of Target is where I go for "filler." I might get bunny ears or a hat. It's where I buy the plastic eggs I stuff. I also might buy a chocolate bunny for each kid if I can find one without corn syrup (plain chocolate is really the only candy L can eat). Bonus if it's more than one thing for a dollar--like 2 decks of cards or 3 pinwheels--one for each kid!

What non-candy items do you like to put in your Easter baskets?

Top Ten Tuesday is now hosted by Many Little Blessings. Go here to join the fun.

*Sorry these two ideas don't help when Easter is 2 weeks away, but next year you can be on the lookout when clearance comes around.

Week in Review/Five Question Friday

I don't have much to say in terms of "review" right now. I'm reading and watching the same things as last time. We did have "Rodeo Day" at my daughter's preschool this morning. She had fun, and that's what's important {I was pretty bored}. I'm proud of myself that in my very limited alone time this morning, I actually went for a walk. I'm trying to "get healthy" yet this is maybe the 4th time I've gone walking in 2012.

My new favorite "thing" is that I bought plastic cups at Kmart a few weeks ago to stop using disposable. They were 4 cups for $2 and I bought 2 sets (so 8 cups for $4)--all red, so the kids won't argue who gets what color--and they are so handy. Exciting, I know.

Since I'm clearly out of clever things to say, I'll move on to 5QF.........

1. If you were free to just hop in the car and drive, where would you go? Or, if you could hop a plane and go anywhere, where?
Haha, I'm not much for spontaneity, so let's see. Assuming we're talking all expenses paid (and maybe we can throw in a nanny to accompany us, while we're at it), I'd like to fly to Indiana to see my BFF.

2. What's your most recently read favorite book?
Of the books I've read recently, my favorite was probably Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy.

3. What's your favorite Spring Break memory?

I was spoiled as a kid and most years we would travel for Spring Break. We had what I think you'd call a timeshare in Kiawah Island, South Carolina--a condo on the beach (told you, spoiled). Those were great vacations: pool time, beach time, a little exploring, a day trip to historic Charleston. Fun!

4. What do you put in your child's Easter basket? Or, for those w/o kids, what was put in your childhood basket?

Because of my son's food allergies, I've always had to be creative to fill our Easter baskets with stuff other than candy. Now I don't even think about candy! This year I have a few things I got on clearance from the "stocking stuffer" aisle after Christmas and I think each kid will get one bigger toy (L would love a Lego Batman set). For a few years, I had a theme going that I'd put religious books in their baskets, but I've gotten out of that habit.

5. Do you get a summer haircut?

I don't have a tradition of getting a summer haircut, but this year I plan to chop my hair. Since having kids, I've gone back and forth between my "favorite" hairstyle (a bob about chin length) and a super short cut (similar to Rachel Maddow, see below). I have the bob right now, though it's approaching my shoulders and I'm at the point where I throw my hair in a ponytail Every Single Day so it's time to chop it! Once the weather gets a few degrees hotter, I'll get the short 'do and it should last the 6 months of heat. {I'm really ambivalent about how I look with the short cut, sometimes I think I look like a 14-year-old boy. Other times I think it's a more sophisticated and grown-up look, which I like.}

That's it for today, please head to Mama M's for more Q&A fun!

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.