The Calm Before the Storm, or something

via: i love dust

I know it's going to get really crazy around here once the semester is underway, but for now things are fairly quiet.

We had a great pre-school weekend! James and I camped out in the living room Friday night and on Saturday night the kids slept over at their grandparents'. We had our friend Josh over and we caught up on some TV (Breaking Bad, Portlandia, Louie) and video games (Marvel Pinball). I'm pretty bad at video gaming, but Marvel Pinball is definitely something I could get into...

We got to sleep in on Sunday morning. Until 8am. That's super late for the likes of us. Then we went to the gym. I LOVE our gym, especially because there is never anyone there and it was last painted in the 80s (think Miami Vice). But I love it so much more when James is there with me! Everything is fun and funny when we are together. (Well, together on our own. Things are often funny when the kids are around. But. Not always. Besides, we have to be appropriate.)

After a good workout and sauna, we went out for breakfast. At Waffle House, which I realize was counter productive, but whatever. We talked and talked. It was just what I needed going into this semester. I felt so refreshed and inspired!

The rest of Sunday, James and Amby helped James' dad with stuff around their house while Bea and I set up the nursery. It was really neat to spend some good one-on-one time with my girl. We were both in sweatsuits and metallic shoes inspired by a reader comment about how one of the best perks of having a daughter is dressing to match.

So yesterday was my first day back. I am soooo excited about everything I'm going to learn! AND my friend Beth is in both of my on-campus classes so we have companionship and competition- Bring it on!

Oh, one more thing. Did everyone see this? Invaluable.

Personal Style: Unmentionables

By unmentionables, I mean undergarments. They should fit right, be comfortable and do their job: Support!

When you purchase a new garment, do you think about what you will wear under it? Do you have a  variety in your lingerie drawer? I tend not to think of underneaths as fashion because no one will ever see them (except James), but they are the foundation to everything we wear and they determine whether our clothes will look right.

Beyond the basics, I added some items to my closet in the past year that I can't imagine living without now. I can wear strapless, backless dresses/tops and still have sufficient support. Previously I thought only perky, non-mothers could wear those! It's basically a backless, strapless bra that extends down to the waist with ribbing for support. Also, I found a pair of vintage slip-shorts in baby blue. Best thing ever. They are pretty, short and discrete and I am modest No Matter What. (I also now own a girdle and I love it.)

Do you have clothes that you have never worn because you don't have the right unmentionables? Time to shop!

Make sure that your undergarments are the correct size! A well fit bra should be comfortable and give you a nice contour. It shouldn't cause any bulges across your back or under your arms and it shouldn't ride up if you lift your arms. It absolutely shouldn't interfere with your breathing. In fact, you should be able to comfortably slide your finger under the band.

Regardless of your size, try out a girdle. It will refine your curves and give your silhouette a smooth look. It's okay if you call me old-fashioned.

One more thing: Beyond being practical and necessary, undergarments that are attractive and neat will boost your morale. Invest in little lovelies for your own sake.

A New Start

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring Term!

The other day, I posted about the school's daycare facility where my children were going to be spending their Wednesdays. Well, when Mama heard about it, she generously offered to keep the kids at her house on Mondays and Wednesday!! I couldn't be happier! I know it will be a lot for Mama to take on- she works and homeschools, but I am going to do everything I can to make it easier on her.

This afternoon, I cleaned out a recently vacated room in her house and turned it into an impromptu nursery. There is a youth bed for Bea and a small crib for Am, a bookshelf, a cradle full of stuffed animals, a rocking chair and a dresser full of diapers and back-up clothes. My brother Reuben secured the window with screws so there is NO WAY the kids could open it- which is good because the room is upstairs. Then I went to the store and got all the food for this week. I feel so much happer about going back to school without the stress of childcare heavy on my shoulders!

Can you believe that for me to provide organic food and raw milk for my kids, the day care required a doctor's note?!

How To: Make a Lace Bow

With items you most likely have already, you can easily make these cute little bows! Such tiny hair accessories are adorable and the pop of a bright color can make any day a good hair day. Well, maybe. Not always true for me, I guess.

You will need:

scissors, some lace or ribbon, embroidery thread, bobbie pins

Cut a length of lace just a few inches long:

Cut a length of thread as well:

Fold the lace into a short rectangle:

Center the thread under the folded lace:

Wind the thread around the lace, carefully seeing that the thread does not come off-center and the lace does not unfold:

Tie off the thread:

Trim the thread:

Slip the bobbie pin through the thread on the knotted side of the bow.

Repeat until you have a few and put them someplace cute until you are ready to wear them!

In This Year

I want to

-be ok with looking silly

-read a few biographies

-teach Bea to read

-teach Am his alphabet and 1-10

-live more sustainably

-move into our long-term home

-get lotsa college credits

Inspiration: Bedroom

1-2-3-4-5-6

James and I have pretty much decided on the color story for our entire house. We aren't moving until April or May so we have time to paint. In the Master Bedroom, we know we want to have RED- probably on all the walls. I like the idea of using bold black and white patterns/prints in conjunction with natural textures such as woodgrain and fur. It should be daring and exciting, but also comfortable. 

What I (and they) Wore

I know Christmas has long since passed, but I am still going to parade around here on my blog in my holiday finery. Just once. This is what I wore for the Christmas Brunch at my folks' house.

The dress and belt are thrifted vintage. The shoes are from ebay and the tights are from Target. Below you may see what everyone else in our little family wore.