Children's Museum road trip

      Remember those Mavi jeans I splurged on with Christmas money last spring? I still love them! They were a justifiable purchase, because I haven't bought another pair of jeans since. And I wear them at least 4 or 5 days a week, every week.
     Sweater, 30, Gap. Scarf, 8, Vera Wang for Kohls, on clearance last year. Earrings, 4, Buckle.

     Boots, Ariat from Cavender's in Texas. They were around 200 I think...but at cost per wear, they are cheap because I wear them a lot. And I love them so I am rarely tempted to buy cheap stuff that will fall apart because I love these more. Another expensive but justifiable purchase. True story: It was a 115 heat index when we were in Corpus and I still wore them on the beach!

Embrace JoY

     Martyr-moms. I bet you know one or two. They always have a long list of the things they've done for their family on the tip of the tongue. And of course, as they are quick to tell you, all these things they've done for the greater good is at the sacrifice of their
own self. I'm not talking about putting other first-God commands us to do that. I mean wearing a list of chores and sacrifices as your super-hero cape. (You're not a super hero, no need to pretend!)
     One part of the fruit of the spirit is JOY! God does require us to be selfless with our family and our world, but that does not mean losing your identity in the mop water. He says that He made us wonderfully, and in His image. He is the creator, and so it stands to reason that we are made to be creative too. I know that I am, and I thrive when I am creating something- a cozy home, a pretty outfit, a painting, dinner...really it is the act of creation more than the result for me.
     Maybe you're inspired by something totally different. As a mom, the time for these things is limited, but not gone. It's a delicate balance, but totally worth the effort to carve out some time to get passionate! Enjoy the way He made you, embrace what makes you you. Discard entirely the ideas that you can be perfect, have it all, etc. You can't.
     What you get in exchange is freedom to be joyful! If you have Christ, you are free from trying to do it all,  because you know He is doing it all. It is NOT all you! And when you accept this gift, you are so liberated to just enJOY the good life He has planned for you. Love the way He made you by nurturing the person He designed you to be. Because you alone can never give enough. But if He fills you up? The pressure is off, because you will never run dry!
     I want this so much for all of us as women, and especially as moms. It's so easy to give it all away, to lose your self in the to-do list. But here's the thing-the list is always there. Your babies are not. Nor are your kids, teenagers, your grand-babies. Wring all the joyful memories you can from the phase you are in, with out too much worry for the days ahead. Love the panda track suit, the pink cowboy boots, the plastic jewelry, the Grinch (For the 102nd time. This week.) the PB and H sandwiches that look like crowns.
     And also? The time you have after they go to bed to read Gone With The Wind, drink wine, paint, plan and dream. Let God fill you up!
      If the kids play together for a few minutes here and there, accept the gift and do something fun! If you keep a sketch book and pencils in the kitchen drawer for just such an occasion, so much the better.
     Embrace the life God has given you with JOY, knowing that this world is only temporary, and the best days here are only a pale reflection of what awaits you when you are with Him in heaven.

    And do tell me, what brings you JOY? Do you make time for it?

Sunday Style

      I'm back! Thanks to a few of you for encouraging me, I am inspired to do this all over again!
A lot has happened since September when I last posted. My soldier husband returned from Iraq. On the way to pick him up about an hour away, my girls and I had a horrible accident and our SUV flipped and rolled multiple times. God was with us and saved our lives. My girls were unscathed!

     I am hoping to post at least once a week on here. Any requests for topics?

 Sunday morning: Lips, L'Oreal, British Red, $5. Jacket, Old Navy, $29 2 years ago. Sweater, $6, 3 years ago. Skirt, Limited, $6, 6 years ago. Tote, Urban Outfitters, $29 this fall. Shoes, Steve Madden, $39 this fall on ideeli.com. Earrings, vintage turquoise and sterling, $15, 2nd Street Antique Mall.

 

Later in the day, I changed to go to a tea party at a friend's house. I love dressing up for church on Sunday morning, then changing into jeans as soon as I get home!

 Jeans, $90, Mavi via InSeam Denim, Scarf, Target, $15. Vintage wool and mink coat, $1 at a garage sale 8 years ago.

     It's so good to be back!

Small Style (Little Leps) *cowgirl edition*

 Ava is in a huge cowgirl phase right now. Obviously.

 On her: Dres, garage sale, .50. Bandanna, garage sale, .50. Boots, Gymboree sale, 13.

 On Clementine: Dress, made by me from scraps. Leggings, Target, gift.

 As always I am linking up with Morgan this week!

outfit of the day LeOpArd

Top, borrowed, Forever 21. Shorts, American eagle (5 years ago) 12. Sandals, Target, 25 with gift $$$.

Still lovin' leopard!

Sunday morning church style (PoLkA dOtS)

Shirt, 3, garage sale. Mavi Jeans, 90, Inseam. Shoes, Jessica Simpson via Goodwill ,4.50. Nail polish, Rimmel.

Antique gold bracelets. Top, 33 in Chicago. Middle, family heirloom. Bottom, friendship bracelet.

Outfit for antiques road trip

 Leopard to, Forever 21, and bracelet Forever 21, borrowed from my sister. (PS: Dear T, I am living in them. I may never return them...sorry:/)

Jeans, Mavi, 90 (gift $$$), Birks, 60, eBay. Vintage French Bakelite barrette, .25 at a yardsale.

Small Style (Little Leps) BiRtHdAy sPeCiAl!

Sending a birthday box to Daddy Dog.

Sunsuit, vintage from my aunt. It was hers in the early 60's. Fun fact: she was named after Miss America the year she was born-Sharon Kay.

Dress, Gymboree, 13 with Christmas $$$.

As always, I'm linking up with Morgan for Small Style!

Style Milestones + outfit of the day

Tee, WalMart, 5. Jeans, Gap, 30. Birks, eBay, 60. Ray Ban Wayfarers, gift.

 

Hedge hog ring, nOir via Swirl, 15.

I love the clean lines of this outfit, with the print on the tee for interest. I became of fashion-age in the retro-grunge era, what more can I say? 10 years ago, I would've never shopped at Gap. The tee and ring would have been paired with a pooofy fifties formal skirt, rhinestone chokers and army boots I got at Salvation Army for a buck. So I guess we all grow up sometime, huh?

This actually brings me to another post I've been mulling over: Where I cemented my style along my journey.
In one sense, I've always been different. Otherwise known as unique. Or Not-Like-The-Others, depending on which stance you take on conformity.
In a second sense, in high school I tried a lot of artsy things, mostly inspired by music (still my biggest fashion muse by far).
Third, a few years later I was forced to constantly defend my right to a personal style in a church that was hell-bent on women conforming. I mean vigilante style. I was even told that there would be a dress code posted on the church door due to me. I didn't stick around much longer to find out.

Fourth, I lost myself during my first pregnancy and after my first baby. I was miserable at work, couldn't lose the baby weight and really loathed myself. Which I didn't fully realize until the final stop; now, where I finally feel like myself again. Only more confident and secure. And although I'm still a little heavier than I was before kids, I appreciate the size I am after not being this small for 4 years!

So I've come a long way! But I still like that edge in an outfit. The edge that says "I don't care what you think" even though I am not opposed to looking like a mommy whose stays home and needs to be practical. I'm still me. I was lost, but I am found. And I like me, God made me different and I accept that gift with wide open arms.

But you know what? I have been cut deeply by that church experience. I saw some congregants out in the community tonight, and I'm still shaking, writing this, five hours later. Just SEEING them. It's as though I have post traumatic stress syndrome. I wish that this was not the case, but I am thankful that I have my eyes open. I've learned a lot. I have never been tempted to change to please man, and I have yet to find a Biblical law regarding all women dressing alike. In fact it has only strengthened my belief that God created diversity in nature because He enjoys it.

So after I had Ava, I really felt awful about myself. I think it took me being able to quit my job and really do some spiritual growth to be happy about myself again. About 2 years later, I was trying to find my groove again, but still feeling blah a lot. Finally after Clementine I lost all of the weight and then some! And I feel great. I'm in 8's which I haven't seen in about 6 years, and feel like my GOOD self again! I'm constantly finding inspiration and motivation! It's priceless. And yeah, Obviously I'm still a "creative dresser" which is my sweet spot.

Do you have a style journey and style milestones? Has your style changed drastically or just a bit over the years? Come on, I need to know!

Sunday morning church style

BCBG via TJMaxx, sold to my sister several years ago when I was done, then saved from her Goodwill basket this summer.

Local, Second Street Antiques Mall, 15.

Loreal Rebel Red lip gloss.

 

Top, Goodwill, 3.50. Jeans, Mavi, 90. bought with gift money. My attitude, free and plenty of it;)

Small Style (Little Leps)

 At the fair, dress made from a vintage ladies dress by me. This snap reminds me of Andy Warhol's cow wallpaper and flower series!
Sanals, Old Navy clearance last year, 7. Sunglasses, Disney Store, 3.

 Onsie, Barley and Birch, gift. Sandals, Target, gift.

 amber beads, Pure Comfort (etsy)

Sleeping Beauty costume, borrowed. Lady bug costume, yard sale, 3. Clem and I had a little saleing date Saturday, and she had to have this! She snuggled with it all over town and just loves it. Never let it be said my girls aren't opinionated about their clothes!

 Romper, vintage, 6.

As usual, I'm linking up with Morgan.

Sunday morning church style

 Sunday I wore this thrifted dress, 14. I was going to wear flats, but Ava told me to wear these BCBG wedges instead. I got them at TJMaxx several years ago for 40.

 The souvenir bag is from Goodwill, 4.

 And I accessorized with these antique gold bracelets, the top one I got in Chicago, 33, and the bottom is a family heirloom.

I love this outfit because the cut of the dress makes my waist look slim, the shoes make my legs look longer, and both together definitely make me appear thinner AND taller. And of course I love to accessorize with quirky stuff, the Victorian bracelets and straw bag make it a little off kilter and fun.

What did you wear? Do you dress up, or down in jeans? I do both, but I have had the dress itch this year. I think it's because I don't get to dress up for anything else. Next year: dates, parties, something!!

Small Style (Little Leps)

 Ava went on a road trip to visit her cousins this week. She chose a 1940's couture "Heidi" dress (.10 when she was a newborn at a yard sale! The lady said her mom had a great job when she was little and had all her clothes custom made. They lived in Hollywood! And she had kept them for years and was cleaning out...She was very sweet.)

 Red "cowboots" from Gymboree, 13. Bow from Hobby Lobby ribbon.

 I ADORE this shot-so whimsical!

 While she was gone, Clemmie and Mamam sewed up a few dresses.

 Hers is from Hobby Lobby fabric, years ago, and left over from another project. The red glass buttons at the waist are from the 1800's.

 And Ava's is from a vintage dress that was falling apart after I soaked it in Oxi Clean, lesson learned.

Another classic Ava shot!

I'm linking up again this week at Mama Loves Papa!