New Hairstyle: The Frun

In the last month or so, I keep hearing about the "hun" hairstyle, which is just a half-up bun.  But sounds stupid and disappointingly has nothing to do with Attila.  So I invented a new, even dumber sounding and looking hairstyle, called the "Frun."  It's a bun, but with SO MUCH FRIZZ!

Seriously, I didn't realize how bad my hair looked until we took pictures.  This is a risk you take when getting yourself ready at the same time as a 4-month-old.  I thought the bun was higher, and less frizzy.  More like this one.    I'm sure taking pictures in front of the white garage door made it worse, too.  Maybe in a few years, I'll be able to wear my hair down all the time again.  

Anyway, it's the next big thing!  Tell all the movie stars and bloggers!  A quick google search assures me no one else has invented this hairstyle yet, so I'm pretty sure I'll be famous.  I also learned that Frun is the definite singular way to say lady or wife in Swedish, and is also a Star Wars thing.

Necklace: Limited (similar)
Top: Loft outlet (similar, fancy)
Jacket: JCF (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Staying Home

So, I need to tell you guys something:  I quit my job.  Well, that sounds harsher than it ought to.  I retired?  At least for now.  I'm going to try the stay-at-home-mom thing (although, I prefer "leave-the-house-any-time-I-want-or-need-to-mom") and see how that works out for us.  And since I knew I wasn't going to be taking an actual maternity leave, I decided to be done a few weeks before my due date, to have some time to rest up and hopefully accomplish all the crazy little things that I want to get done.  And I'm glad I did, because I have had visitors for the last 2 weeks, and it has been awesome to not have to worry about work!

Warning- I might get a little ranty here...

It's really weird to explain the "stay-at-home-mom" plan to people.  I've learned that there are very strong opinions about this decision (as with every parent-related decision: it's insane!).  A handful of women go into rants about how it's the best decision ever, and they stayed home with their kids, and they just can't believe that everyone doesn't do it.  Another subset seems to think I have betrayed all women by abandoning my career for the menial task of taking care of a baby, and won't I be so bored?  And how will I pick back up if I want to start working again???  The good news is that most people seem okay with either option, and just say they are happy for me, and we go along on our ways.

To be 100% clear - I know plenty of amazing parents, some of them stay home, some of them work part-time, some of them work full-time.  They all love their kids and are doing what works best for their own families and their own situations.  (Apply this logic to pretty much every parenting decision anyone can make).

So for me, for my family, for right now, quitting my job is the right decision.  I'm super excited that I won't have an end date to staying home with my baby.  If 3 months go by (or 3 years), and I want or need to go back to work, maybe I will.  Or maybe I will never have a job again?  I really don't know.

And I might get in trouble for saying this, but I keep seeing posts on Facebook or wherever about how stay at home moms should get paid x-million dollars a year, because they are the daycare, and the laundromat, and the cook, maid, therapist, blah blah blah.  While I do think it's important to value parents who stay home, that kind of thing annoys me.  Moms and dads who work also do the laundry, right?  Also cook dinner?  Also care for their children the majority of the hours in the week?  I mean, I've been working for the last 8 years, and no one says I should get paid extra for vacuuming the living room on the weekends.  It's called being a person.  Sure, I could hire a personal chef to cook for me, and it would cost $13000 a year.  That doesn't mean I should get paid $13000 a year to feed myself.  Right?  Okay, don't hate me for saying that!

Oh, and I still get to like weekends because it means John isn't at work.  So Happy Friday!


*this is the outfit I wore on my last day of work, a couple weeks ago.  The blog is all out of order at the moment!

Cardigan: Gap factory
Scarf: JCF (top 10 remix item)
Tee: Target maternity
Skirt: Macy's

Spring Mix

Everyone thinks of floral print in the spring, right?  And stripes just seem to go so perfectly with florals, right?  I was planning on wearing my coral boyfriend cardigan with this outfit, but apparently I got rid of it (or lost it??), so the pink one was an emergency substitution, as I was running late (pretty typical) and didn't have time to think of anything else to wear.  I was also planning on wearing my navy shoes, but they are feeling a little tight lately (thanks swollen feet!), so the gold flats sitting by the door seemed like a decent option, and I snagged my gold chain necklace to make them match better.

I felt pretty great in this outfit, and specifically very "great with child," because this tank top is a very fitted maternity style.

Weekend update?  Well, it the weather was about as perfect as possible, so John and I got takeout on Friday night and found a park bench next to a duck pond.  Pretty good date.  Saturday was spent getting the baby room mostly in order.  I just have to do a few more little projects, but all the big furniture is arranged.  Sunday, I was exhausted (this is becoming a trend), so I was kind of a bum between church services and got just a few things done.  Late pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis are not a great combination for efficiency.

Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: F21
Tank: Old Navy Maternity
Skirt; Macy's
Shoes: Target

Cowgirl, Take 2

Okay, this outfit is like 2 months old.  What???  I think I kept bumping it back because I wear this skirt too often.  Anyway, I promise I'm not 2 months behind every day.

Maybe wearing these boots with a dress but no tights just makes them seem like cowboy boots, but I totally felt like a cowgirl in this outfit.  Again.  Not in a bad way, just in a not quite myself way.  I think this outfit might look cuter in the spring or fall with my cognac wedges, instead of the boots.

Okay, now I really think this is the last of the green grass pictures until the spring.  I think.  

Shirt: JCF (exact)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Coral and Floral

I hadn't paired my current favorite skirt with coral yet, so I had to do it.  And you know I love mixing prints, so the stripes were also pretty much a given.  This was one of those outfits that probably just has too much going on for the average person, but I quite liked it.  And I am quite fondly looking back on those balmy fall days when I could get away with bare legs.  Don't worry, I'll run out of these type of outfit photos soon, and then I won't keep talking about it.

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact, Similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Unexpected Visitor

I wore this outfit to church a few Sundays ago.  After lunch, we ventured into the backyard to take pictures.  John was trying to get me to go over by the tree, but I was freaking out because there was an uninvited guest that had made the tree home: 

I'm guessing this cat belongs to one of our neighbors, because it looked a little too fat and fluffy to be a stray.  We went ahead and took pictures, but I was nervous the whole time that this cat would jump out and tackle me.  I really don't trust cats. 

Cardigan: Loft
Tank: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Graphic Tee Week - Cardinals

A pretty decent section of my t-shirt drawer contains St. Louis Cardinals tees.  Even more have come and gone over the years (and I'm about due for some new options - birthday hint!!).  I've mentioned before that Cardinals games were a big tradition for my Dad and me, for at least 10 years.  I wish we could still go every summer, but it's been harder since I've been a real grown-up.  Anyway, I couldn't let the week go by without working in one of these tees.  I was hoping they'd be playing in the World Series right now, but they couldn't quite make it.  So I'm voting for the Royals!

Since this is a sporty t-shirt, I decided to go the "opposites attract" route and wear my frilliest floral skirt.  I really loved this outfit, but I suspect others thought it was a bit weird.  I'm okay with that.   

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
T-shirt: some sports store at the mall
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

A Little Bit Country

Something about a tied shirt just makes me feel like a country girl.  I'm actually the opposite.  But I did read a lot of books when I was a kid about growing up on the prairie, so I am pretty good at playing Little House with my nieces.  It's just like when I was a kid - they make me be Pa, because I'm the tallest.  Totally unfair.  And it's pretty boring until tigers attack, and then things get crazy.  Imagination games are dangerous business.

Anyway, I'm linking up with Laura for Confident Twosday!

Top: F21 (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#28 - Like+Love+Bling

I recently discovered a couple seasons of What Not To Wear on Netflix and have been watching them while I do things like fold laundry and iron.  I just love Stacey and Clinton - they are so snarky but still sweet.  It's just such a fun show!  I wish it was still on!  Are there any similar makeover shows still happening?

Stacey and Clinton tend to come up with little sayings to help the women know how to shop or how to put together an outfit.  One episode I recently watched included them saying "Pick and item you love, pair with an item you like, and then add bling!" For some reason, this really resonated with me.  I want to LOVE all my clothes, but honestly, I don't love things that are super plain.  So I need to make sure I have some neutrals that I really like to pair with my colorful printed items that I love.  I think this outfit is a good example.  I love the skirt (super a lot!).  I really like the sweater.  And then I added accessories.  Pay no attention to the crooked belt.  (I should really keep a full-length mirror in my car so I can make sure I'm put together before I take pictures.)

My main complaint with WNTW is that they straighten everyone's hair.  Come on, makeover stylists!  Curly hair can be pretty, too!!!

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Sandals: Target  (exact, similar)

 

#25 - Another Weekend, Another Wrap-Up

How was the weekend?  Mine was pretty good.  John and I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy on Friday night.  It was pretty good.  I actually liked it more than most of the recent superhero movies.  My apologies to everyone who loved The Avengers, but I didn't.  On Saturday, I had a coffee shop date with a friend, but neither of us drank coffee, because we are cool like that. Then I just spent the rest of the day doing miscellaneous things around the house.  Sundays are generally the same around here - church, lunch, housework, church, dinner.  Sometimes our Sunday school class hangs out in the evenings, which we did again this weekend.  And in an interesting turn of events, I made a last minute decision to visit my family next weekend.  I had a quick video-conference with my nieces to tell them, and they are pretty excited.  My campaign for favorite aunt continues...

And now I'm a little concerned that I need to leave town in just a few days!  At least I'm driving, so don't have to worry about airline approved packing.

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#11 - Navy Week - Floral Skirt

So many things going on today!  First off, it's NAVY WEEK, so be sure to link up (after the jump) with your looks featuring one of my favorite neutrals.  But more thoughts about navy later this week.  (I know, the suspense must be killing you!). 

Second, if you have been paying attention to the 30X30, you are probably like "flag on the play!" because 75% of this outfit is not in my official 30 items post.  Well, here's what happened.  It's Danielle's fault.  Her floral skirt inspiration post reminded me that I wanted a multi-colored floral skirt.  And then she went and linked to this one at Macy's, which is pretty much exactly what I had in mind.  And it was on sale, and they were having an additional 30% off.  So I ordered it with the full intent that it would be my 30th item.  

Then, I just haven't worn either my white jeans or my anchor print tee.  I think they are too similar to other items.  I mean, the white jeans pretty much make the same outfit as the white shorts and the white skirt.  Which makes it easy, but not really interesting.  And the anchor print tee is white with navy/blue on it.  Just like my floral oxford and striped tee.  Again, great idea for easy remixing, but kind of boring.  So I was planning on dumping those items.  Which meant I had 2 open spots.  I thought about not filling them.  28X30 would have been fine.  

When this skirt arrived, I wanted to wear it the next day.  And most of my 30 items were in the laundry.  This space-dyed tank was hanging right at the front of my closet and it caught my eye.  I was going to wear my navy flats, but I felt like the length of this skirt needed heels, so I grabbed my trusty nude pumps (which have been so neglected recently).  I think they will play nicely enough with the rest of the items.  

Cardigan: Gap (option, option)

Tank: Gap (exact)

Skirt: Macy's (exact)

Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar)