Fall Fashion Week: Day 3

Shirt - From my neighbor; Jacket - From my neighbor or sister (can't remember); Belt - Forever 21; Jeans - From my sister; Heels - Charlotte Russe; Necklace - Belonged to my Great-Great-and maybe even one more Great-Grandmother; Cat - Dumped in a friend's driveway and adopted by us!

I not only have three children who follow me around, but a cat that does the same!  Everybody wants to be where Mommy is. <3

Today's outfit was easy peasy lemon squeezie. I have already worn this outfit once this fall and wore it to church this weekend.

But I have to ask...

Do you like it WITH the belt?...

Or without?...

There's always something off screen that is just so funny and smile-worthy, huh? ;-)

Thanks, Lexi, for giving me the idea of photographing my accessories up close!

The necklace is really something special.  It is made of jet which is considered to be a minor gemstone (according to wikipedia! Ha). Jet grew in popularity when Queen Victoria started cladding herself in everything black when Prince Albert of England died in 1861. It was considered mourning jewelry. Of course, during that same time period was the Civil War in America, so wearing mourning jewelry also grew in popularity on this side of the ocean.  I am not certain if these beads date back that far, or if they are from the Roaring 20's when they were "popular" again. Either way...they're old!

My grandma gave me the necklace seven or eight years ago, and I cannot remember if she said they belonged to her grandma, or her grandma's mother. I will have to ask her for sure!  I did restring them, though, as the necklace broke the second I put it on for the first time. Actually, a former co-worker friend helped me restring them while we were supposed to be working.  Ha.  That makes the necklace even more special, because not only does it remind me of my grandma, but my friend also.

How I feel when I wear an outfit like this:
I feel pretty normal....and thankful that my sister and neighbor have given me nice clothes. :-)

DaySep 23

Today's High was 57^°F at 2:05pm when conditions were Mostly Cloudy

It was chilly today!  Almost too chilly for short sleeves.

Fall in my backyard:

Oak tree already looking bare

I will soooooo miss picking tomatoes off the vine

These flowers still look great!

Meow

Fall clouds

Burning bush beginning to "burn"

Gourds! 

Fall Fashion Week: Day 2

Shirt - Boyfriend T from Target; Sweater - Former occupant of my sister's closet;  Pants - $2 J.C. Penney; Shoes - K&G; Necklace - Gift from my sister; Sunglasses - $5 Wal Mart

Yesterday (and by yesterday I mean Friday...I need to stop doing these a day ahead...too confusing!) when I found out about Fall Fashion Week, I was already wearing something cute...so I ran outside to take pictures. My son had a football game this morning, so I definitely did not start my day wearing this...and come on, who dresses like this on a Saturday?

And who *really* wears these colors out in public?!?  I feel like I took a risk with this outfit, but that is part of the fun.

I knew I wanted to incorporate this sweater for Fall Fashion Week.  I originally put on a plain white tee underneath and thought...why not try another color?  I tried a grass green and cranberry shirt before settling on this ummmmmm purplish pink one (can someone name that color for me?).

Don't look too close, or you'll see lots of tiny holes in the shirt. I only wear this under things in the winter. And, since it's THE BOYFRIEND TEE from Target, I cannot get rid of it. It is wayyyy too comfortable. I love those tees.

Even though I might be a little hesitant to wear these red shoes with the pink pants out in public, I really like the idea of pairing colors that historically haven't been well accepted together. Red Hat Society, here I come!  :-) I think that's why I like the color blocking trend so much...anything goes, and there is such freedom in that!

Today, I had trouble taking pictures because of little ones. Getting some decent shots of yourself with a tripod and self-timer is challenging enough!  My pictures went like this:

My oldest son said about the pictures, "I like the one with your head cut off." Thanks, sweetie.

How I feel when I wear an outfit like this:

I feel ready to go out some place!  Maybe it's because of the heels? Maybe it's because the husband looked at me and asked, "Where are you going?" Ha. I also feel a mix of boldness and hesitancy. Bold because of the color choices...hesitant because of the color choices...

Oh, and we are definitely feeling the fall weather...cold, sun, warmth, clouds, rain...everything.

This day's fall weather:

DaySep 22

Today's High was 63^°F at 2:45pm when conditions were Mostly Cloudy

I wanted a decent picture of me in front of my husband's car, but I don't think that worked out too well.  I just absolutely love that every family seems to have old pictures of their relatives sitting on or standing in front of cars. Cars were a big deal back then! Here are some from our family:

And I just KNOW I've seen a picture of my mother as a preteen presenting a car to the camera...but we can't seem to locate it. :-/

Fall Fashion Week: Day 1

Shirt - Former occupant of my sister's closet; Skort - $1 Wal Mart; Leggings - Charlotte Russe; Jelly shoes - can't remember, but they were cheap; Necklace - Sooooooo old, I can't remember; Ring - Belonged to my husband's grandmother

Okay. So, ten seconds of the self-timer isn't enough time to run to position, find a position, fix your hair and make sure your shirt lies flat. Oh well.

You might see my hair like this every day. You might see those leggings quite a bit. I also might wear lots of these this week:

My sweet boy gave me a sticker to wear today. :-) I did take it off for the pictures, though.

How I feel when I wear an outfit like this:

I feel playful. I bought the necklace ten or twelve years ago, so it reminds me of youth. The jelly shoes just scream "little girl"...so, they are awfully fun to wear!


This day's fall weather:

DaySep 21

Today's High was 70^°F at 2:45pm when conditions were Mostly Cloudy

Fall Fashion Week 2012

I will be participating in Fall Fashion Week in blog land this year, even though I am really not that fashionable.

My friend Lexi (check out Lexi's blog here: Vessel Unto Honour) convinced me, fairly easily, to link up to Fall Fashion Week at Delirious Rhapsody.

What all does that entail?

I think it just means that I put on a pretty outfit, prance around the yard and take pictures of myself.

I will try my best to be fashionable...but seriously, my wardrobe is made up of hand-me-downs and clearance rack items, and I can count on one hand how many brand new clothing items I've bought myself in the past year...so, this should be interesting!

Aw, it'll be fun.

Things That Make My Life Easier: Mason Jars

Ha. Couldn't resist. 

I bought quart-sized mason jars this summer when I made pickles and pint-sized jars when I made ketchup. You get 12 jars in each case that you buy, so I've had some extra to use for leftovers.

And let me just say...that I LOVE storing leftovers in mason jars!  Wow. They slide so nicely into the fridge, and since they are upright instead of horizontal they fit wonderfully as well.

I like that they are glass, instead of plastic. Even though I believe newer plastic containers no longer have BPA in them...I have not bought new plastic containers. Ha.

And a big bonus is that everyone can plainly see what each jar holds. Kids can help themselves easily, and  there is no more waste, and no more moldy leftovers because no one bothered to open the container to look inside.

I know mason jars have been around forever, but I am just now implementing them in my fridge and I love. <3

Things That Make My Life Easier - Jug for Storing Christmas Lights

Glittered Acorn Wreath

My friends think I'm nuts. And I feel squirrley like an acorn-hoarder. :-P

Acorns!

When we went camping a few weekends ago, the boys and I started collecting acorns. They were huge and beautiful, and well...if you're *my* son, apparently you can't resist collecting them. My mom and dad's oak trees are producing bountifully this year so we collected some more...and I was bound and determined to actually DO something with them instead of letting them sit in a plastic grocery bag for a few years.

Some of these dandies were HUGE!  Love it.

I've collected so many now, I've become picky. Only choosing the BIG ones...or just the caps....

Caps!  Are you on acorn-picture overload, yet?

...Because...with a little styrofoam, paint, Mod Podge and glitter...look how pretty those acorn caps turn out!

You can make a wreath, too.

Here is what you need: Styrofoam wreath, brown paint, acorn caps, hot glue gun, Mod Podge or glue (optional), glitter (optional) and ribbon. 

Step 1 - Paint your Styrofoam wreath brown. You don't need perfect coverage since it will mostly be covered.

Step 2 - Start pressing the acorn caps into the wreath. Some of them would stay just fine without glue, but it is best to just go ahead and hot glue every single one. :-)

Continue, continue, continue!...

...until you have the whole wreath covered. I went as far down with the caps on the inside and outside of the wreath as I could go without disturbing the wreath's ability to lay flat. Did you know that wreaths have abilities? Ha.

Step 4 - Glitter, baby! Apply Mod Podge or glue just to the top edges of the acorn caps and sprinkle away. Small children are helpful in this endeavor.

I debated whether to add glitter or not. I think the wreath is very pretty and natural-looking without it and could be finished off beautifully with some flowers, grass, and ribbon...but I went for glitter!

Step 5 - Add a ribbon hanger and bow, and wish you still lived with your mother so she could tie a pretty bow for you.

I can't decide if I like the wreath better hanging on the door, or inside the house. :-)

First Days of Preschool

Both Emory and Marin started preschool this week--Marin in the 3-year-old class and Emory in the 4-year-old class.  This means I will be running up town every single morning...double the tuition...double the fundraisers...double the fun! :-)  It will be a busy school year.

Marin's birthday is at that point in the year where we're like...should we send her?  Should we not?  I have to admit that unfortunately, I have been very judgmental of those who send their September babies to school "early," assuming that those kids just aren't ready.  But the more I have thought of it, the more I think that a birthday one day is really no different than a birthday a week prior. It is up to the individual child as to whether or not they are ready for school.  Well, it's not the child's opinion...but you know what I mean!

And Marin was raring to go! :-)

Could she be any more excited?  I don't think so.  She watched her brothers go to school her whole life and FINALLY she gets to stay. :-)

Emory was just as excited for his first day of school!

Compare last year's tree picture...

I think both the tree and the boy have grown! :-)

In addition to always taking a picture by the tree on the first day of school, I have tried to get the kids' pictures in front of the water tower at their preschool:

Wait...where's the water tower?!?!?  Ha. It was very foggy today.  As you can see, Marin was fully ready to go to school on Emory's day, too.

Emory was very ready to be back with his buddies. Before we even got to the door, his friend Addison came up to him and said, "Hi, Emory!  Remember me? It's Addison! Want to play Scooby-Doo with me?" :-)

Not quite ready for that last pic, huh?  This was at the end of school and the children were patiently waiting for their parents to come in and get them.  The parents were patiently waiting behind me as I popped in to snap a pic.

I am excited to watch this school year unfold!  These two have great teachers who prepare the kids so very well for kindergarten. Preschool is a fun bridge to kindergarten.  I was just thinking today that in one year my Emory will be gone at school all day and it made me sad. All the more reason to make each moment count!

A-Dora-ble Birthday Girl

I can't believe my baby girl is THREE years old!  Time seems to be going faster and faster...I guess because with three kids it's just busy, busy, busy around here!  

Marin chose to have a Dora-themed birthday party. I feel like I soooooo dropped the ball on this party in regards to planning...but, we just had family over, so I think it was fine. The kids basically just wanted to play with their cousin, Anna, which is what I planned on happening!  Ha. So, I guess I did plan one thing.  You kids---play together!

Marin was so sweet when we would ask her what she wanted for her birthday. Each time she answered, "Cake," and "a Choo-choo." We nixed the choo-choo idea since we have plenty of those already...but I am so happy to report we made Marin's day by serving her cake. ;-)

My mom did the cake and cupcakes since I don't do cakes. Ha. They turned out fantastic!

Marin reeeeeeeally loves deer. Her favorite stuffed lovey is a deer she got last year for her birthday...and this year, she got a baby to go with it!...

...and a deer family to play with.  I was just listening to her play with these this afternoon--too cute to hear her make them talk.

She got an awesome backpack to take to preschool. She pretty much screamed and squealed when she opened everything...Dora...deer...princesses...such a happy girl!

Marin just absolutely loves her cousin, Anna. :-) Here they are laying on the corn hole board, I've yet to finish painting, while we were trying to play!

Marin wore her Dora dress that she got from her Popper and Cinder. :-)

BIRTHDAY QUESTIONNAIRE (I put her answers in quotations...mine are not)

Marin, Age 3

Nicknames: 

Baybuh, Baby Girl, Sweet Pea, Pumpkin Pie Sweety Baby Face, Loo Loo

How old are you? 

"Two" ha "Three!" She corrected herself.

What is your favorite color? 

"Cutest Lilo. Ummmmm...purple!"

What is your favorite animal? 

"Kitty...and deerie."

What is your favorite book? 

What is a Princess?

What is your favorite TV show? 

"Dora." and Doc McStuffins

What is your favorite movie? 

Any one-hour special on Disney or Nick

What is your favorite song? 

"Happy birthday" but I catch her singing Our God and any and every other song she knows ALL of the time. :-)

What is your favorite food? 

"Pizza!!!!"

What is your favorite drink? 

Orange juice

What is your favorite breakfast food? 

Hot bread

What is your favorite snack? 

"A cookie"

What is your favorite outfit? 

Any pretty dress that Anna wore

What is your favorite game? 

"Ms. Julie says not to go round and round and I cry."

What is your favorite toy? 

She really loves her dollhouse, ponies and play kitchen

Who is your best friend?

 "Anna."

What is your favorite thing to do?  

"Play the iPad. Stay in my bed and get a sticker!!!!" Glad to know her *favorite* thing is staying in her bed. I will remind her of this.

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

"The swing!"

What is your favorite holiday? 

"Miss Julie. Holiday at school."

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 

"With kitty. With deerie. My mommy! My blankie."

Where is your favorite place to go? 

"Playground"

What is your favorite restaurant? 

"Pizza"

Where do you want to go on vacation? 

"Arizona"

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

"A baby!" 

What did you do on your birthday? 

"Cake!"

Marin---I love your sweetness and how lovey you are and willing to give hugs and kisses. I love how you love your brothers.  I love that your face is full of expression and excitement. I love how you sing. I love that you love pizza...and hummus...and feta cheese...and olives...and salad...all the things that I love to eat. :-) 

I feel so blessed to be your mommy and I love YOU!