Todays outfit- mulching and herding chickens

This is what one wears whilst doing these things.


But the pants are cool- more or my extended Thai Fisherman pants collection. I heart them. These are my favorite pair. They are raspberry colored with tiny pinstripes.
The tank is old- from Old Navy. And the necklace is the Possible New York necklace I won from Sugar Rock Catwalk!
Ok, the shoes...not so practical. I may have worn boots. Shut up.

I'm super tired after getting home late last night from band practice. "What?" you ask? (although you didn't ask...I'll go on) I'm totally stoke to get to sing with a group that does music for big parties and soiree's. They do mostly oldies and folk- stuff everyone knows, but they do it very well, and sometimes with a twist. It's a basic band: 2 guitars, bass, drums- but with an incredible guy that plays sax, flute and and clarinet. I'm there because I'm a master at harmonies! I have no desire to sing alone ever (hence dropping out of college as a voice major), but I love the richness of great harmonies on classic old songs like Peaceful, Easy Feeling, or even something fun like Wake Up Little Susie.

I know, you're thinking...."What a dork." But trust me- you'd sing along...you know the words....

(and I haven't even mentioned my love of all things Star Trek, have I?)

Todays actual outfit- Teal Romper AGAIN

So, I took my mom to her biopsy, which actually ended up being a simple aspiration of a cyst. No cancer! Phew!

Anyway, she took this picture of me when I picked her up. That's her house in the background, actually. And if you are looking for a quiet house in the country, this one is for sale!


It's warm again today, so I choose the teal romper again. I still am so glad I kept this and hemmed it. I keep wearing it! It's so easy and the color is superb. I started the day with my thrifted denim jacket, which came off just and hour ago. I choose more shoes that Mandee gave- these being wooden platform wedges by MIA that are totally comfortable. And my trusty Target belt, as usual.


Red lipstick is totally a comfort thing for me. It's the natural choice for me- I gravitate to it and it feels like "my face" when I put it on. Right now, the red I'm wearing is actually by Kat Von D, I think it's called Misfit. It really wears well- it's matte, but not drying at all! And it doesn't wear off and leave a red line around my mouth. I get the feeling its for serious lipstick-wearers. And that's what I am. You can always tell which glass is mine. (or my moms...I guess it runs in the family)

Monday night outfit- trying a maxi!

So, I'm in a massive hurry today- have to get my mom to a biopsy, actually (good vibes a dn prayers appreciated), so, not photo this morning. I forgot that Matt took a picture of me on our way to dinner the other night.


My sister in law Mandee, also bought me this dress for my birthday (which was in June, she forgot to get it to me!), so I wore it out the other night. I don't usually choose long dresses because I'm mildly short (5' 4") and mildly smallish (135 pounds...small if you're in you 30's and have 3 kids....), and the length usually swallows me.

But, I love this dress- it's very soft- a sort of woven fabric. I wore some of the tall shoes she gave me to get the hem off the ground! I also belted it, since I couldn't resist mixing my favorite belt with this!

SOrt of a horrible picture- but you get the idea, right? I'll post properly later!

Todays OTHER outfit- vintage floral dress

Art class looming over me in my congested state, I decided to don something a tad more creative this afternoon!


I found this dress at the Salvation Army and fell in love with the flowers. It was too long, though- terribly matronly and just plain too big. So, I took in the waist, and hemmed it by lots of inches. I like the result- it's still a bit large through the bust and hips, but I kind of like the effect. I thought I'd wear a belt with this- but the back has this sort of bustle-thing that I didn't want to obscure! (hard to see in the photo- if you click on the photo, it's easier to see)


I'm so mad, though- these are my favorite tights- grey fishnets, I think they're DKNY? They have a hole in them! I'm so mad. Anyone know if you can repair them? Stitch them or something? Ugh. I'm pissed.

The shoes I bought at like, Kohls or something last year.

Todays-outfit, T-shirt and quasi-jeans

I've got a cold! Agh!!! I can't be sick today- I have class tonight, and I really can't miss even one of them, since they are a one-night-a-week class. I'll be ok. I'll load up on stuff tonight before I go.

So, I'm not feeling super stylish today, what with all my congestion and coughing. My sister in law also passed along these pants, which are not jeans, but actually leggings? But not like my denim-look leggings I got from eBay- these have all the pockets and stuff like regular jeans! They're a tad loose, but feel like you could sleep in them.

On top is my NaNoWriMo shirt from 2007. What is this? Well, allow me to shamelessly link you to my other blog, Fruit of my Daydreams. It's become the neglected step-child to this blog of late, but I'm starting to ponder posts for it once again. Not only do thrift-shop, draw/paint and parent. I also write. Or, rather, try to write. Mostly I dream up wonderful stories and them try to figure out how to translate those dreams into actual words. NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, is in November. Thousands of budding writers sign up to a challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.


My husband started doing this in 2006, and by 2007, I was convinced to give it a try. It's not a contest, you don't win anything, but the motivation and support you get is awesome. I have finished NaNo two years in a row now, and I'm excited to go for it again in November. There is no pressure, really- no one will read your novel. It's just a tool to get people started, and there have been some great books that have come out of it, one being Water For Elephants, by Sara Gruen.

My shoes are from Mandee, my sister in law- part of her giant load of shoes she gave me. (and yes, she is named after the Mandee stores!) I have them in white and in brown and they are suprisingly supportive and comfortable! I never buy white shoes- I'm just not drawn to them, but I keep grabbing these!

As far as the blogging and internet world is concerned, I've found there are lots of blogging moms who write ad paint. And I've found there are a lot of fashion-ladies who write and draw. But, I don't know of any other writing, drawing, painting, thrifting, fashion-obsessed moms living in rural California who are obsessed with Harry Potter AND getting the perfect belt. I'm the perfect blend of nerdery and cool.

Todays outfit- Cool again

Finally, right? I felt cool today. Like I could go to the city and not feel lame- thats how I measure "cool", I suppose.

I just felt like wearing these pants again- they are totally comfortable and seem to go with everything. The sweater, is from Target- Thakoon. My absolute favorite cardigan EVER, perhaps. These are good examples of items that match with nothing, thus, they go with everything.




The grey top was thrifted, it's super stretchy and great. The shoes? Yep- more from my sister in law. These are so cute. Not walking-friendly, but date night? Oh yes!

Todays outfit- Art Teacher?

I think I can get through this post without some sort of rant about being broke, feeling sorry for myself, or generally bringing my readers down!!

Today I went to my son and daughter elementary school to teach art. I've been doing this for a few years- our school district, like many others, no longer has money for Art, at all! So, I go up about twice a month and teach K-5 art. And I LOVE it!

My sister in law visited from New Jersey this weekend, and brought me some shoes that she couldn't wear due to an allergy she has. I totally scored! I will have to take a picture of the PILE of shoes she brought me. My favorites are these:


BCBG black patent heels. I love them! And they just what I needed for fall!


Also on me are my Gap jeans I bought after losing baby weight a few years ago. I wish they had a higher rise- then they'd be almost perfect. The blouse is my favorite J Jill blouse, the velvet vest is thrifted, and the wool blazer is also thrifted. The necklace is my old stand-by that I made myself.



Do I look responsible enough to teach? I think so. My feet hurt by 2pm, as I'm not used to non-comfort heels, but it was worth it!

Onemore shot of me in front of one of my paintings...just to prove I DO paint. I may not get paid for my non-commissioned stuff...yet....but I'm an artist.