We did the Monster Mash!

Everyone loves the food & family holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for me, Halloween beats them both for sheer childlike glee. I'll use any excuse to dress up, and no one looks at you funny if you wear a hoop skirt or a sword on Halloween. I start scheming about my costume in July. It's even more fun now with Jesse, because I have someone who will dress up with me! Jon tends to be a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Halloween (Except for the candy part--this year he bought 24 pounds. On October 5th. It was not a positive contribution to my weight loss endeavors!)

Part of the fun of Halloween is showing off your clever costume (at least, for the little diva in my head). I wasn't really sure I would get to show mine off this year: I'm too old and Jesse's too young to go trick-or-treating, and none of our friends were throwing parties. I decided to just go trunk-or-treating with my parents and siblings, so at least the people in our ward could admire our costumes.

I usually go over to help my sisters get ready for school on Halloween morning. The excitement and creativity of finding the perfect way to put a costume together is one of my favorite parts. This year we had a pirate, a Cirque de Soleil dancer, a bottle of ketchup, a knight, and a cowgirl. Mom invited me to go to the various costume parades at my siblings' schools, and also asked for my help with Dad's costume. I ended up spending the whole day with her, at two different schools, Costco, a party supply store and a craft store. LOTS of people saw my costume, and I got lots of comments! I loved the attention, although that's not a surprise to most of you.

I really wanted to do paired costumes for Jesse and I, but I wanted him to be comfortable as well, so no itchy polyester suits. After tossing around a ton of ideas, I saw this hat at the farmer's market. Frankenbaby was born!

Of course, when Dr. Frankenstein realized that his creature was actually a baby, he needed someone to care for him (at least until he was old enough to pillage on his own). Enter the Nanny of Frankenstein!

It's a mix between Mary Poppins and the Bride of Frankenstein. Any day I get to wear a wig and a poofy skirt is a good day in my book! Excepting the wig, I actually already owned all the pieces for this outfit, including the slip from my wedding dress. You'd be surprised how much use I've gotten out of that...

My mom and I spent most of the day gathering things for my dad's costume. He's the bishop of our church congregation, so we've often talked about making him a bishop chess piece costume. Neither my mom or I sew--our lack of skill is actually a running joke in my family. That said, who needs a sewing machine when you've got duct tape, staples and safety pins?

The finished product:

Not bad for six hours and duct tape. Pretty much, we rock.

One of my life achievements happened while we were working on Dad's costume. Mom will often say "YOU can be replaced" when we are giving her a hard time about something. I teased her about her sewing skills as we were finishing, and she said, "You can...well, actually, I don't think I could replace you!" She said that the costume would never have gotten finished without my help and encouragement. Basically, I win at being a CHODAT! (I understand that few to none of you will get that reference, please pardon my self-indulgence.)

After trunk-or-treat, various friends stopped by to show off THEIR costumes - Betty, Barney and Bam-Bam Rubble, the Tenth Doctor and a Plasma-vore. All in all, a fantastic Halloween! I'm already planning what we can do next year when Jesse can walk...

Coral Conundrum

I noticed during the 21 Day Challenge that basically all of my skirts and pants are neutrals. I'm now on the lookout for anything colored, but i need to work with what I've got! I DO have these awesome coral capris that I LOVE. I want to keep wearing them into the fall, but they are such a summery color that I'm not sure how to transition them. This was my first attempt:

What do you think? Does it work, or is it still summery?

Kate styled some similar pants like this, but I don't have a bronze-ish cardigan like hers. Or a lovely printed blouse, either.

I do have this that I think might pair nicely, maybe with some brown boots? (It's a little more orangey in person)

Am I fighting a losing battle, trying to use these summery pants into the fall? Anyone have any suggestions?

Lacy shirt: Gift from Mom
Blue shirt: Macy's
Coral capris: Gift from a friend
Blue shoes: Forever Young
Gold earrings: Forever 21

Copy-Kendi

I am now the proud owner of an awesome striped shirt! I looked around for some inspiration and found this outfit from Kendi.

And my take, with smaller stripes:

Ooh la la, this outfit is so French! I feel like I should be sitting at a sidewalk cafe outside of the Eiffel Tower!

Unfortunately, there aren't any restaurants near the Eiffel Tower that aren't ridiculously expensive and touristy. I should know - my friends and I walked around for 45 minutes trying to find something that wasn't insanely priced! There is, however, an unassuming carnival-type stand right across from the Tower that has the most amazing crepes for about a euro. Get lemon and sugar - c'est magnifique!

(see that yellow on the left? That's it!)

Also, the walk from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower is about a 5k. It's a little painful in strappy sandals, and is not recommended to do on an empty stomach. Best to just chin up and deal with the rude French cabbie.

(At Notre Dame Cathedral in 2010 on my anniversary trip with Jon)

Apparently, this is just a French scarf!


Striped top: Forever 21
Orange scarf: Gift from grandparents from Mongolia
Brown belt: Borrowed from Jon
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Brown heels: Don't remember
Black earrings: Forever 21

Day 21: Elegant and a Bit Flirty

Retrohipmama said that my patterned tights were "elegant and a bit flirty" and I thought, "That is EXACTLY the look I'm going for." I have never been able to articulate what my style was, and in just a few words she hit it on the nose!

That's one of the things I've loved most about this challenge. I feel like I have a better handle on how I want to dress. I want to be lady-like without being stuffy, to be as comfortable and stylish in a tee shirt as in stilettos. I want to put together my favorite colors in new ways, like I did here, and add some of my favorite jewelry and feel lovely all day. I need to be on the lookout for more patterns, though.



It's also done wonders for my self-esteem - all of you lovely people saying kind things have made me feel much better about my post-baby body. Thank you! I'm so excited to have made new friends, and gotten in better contact with beloved old ones. I hope you all will stick around and see what else our crazy family can come up with.

I'm sad that today is the last day. This has been so much fun! The inspiration to get ready every day has been really good for getting me in the habit. I do have to say, I may lounge around in pajamas ALL DAY tomorrow, just because I can.



Anything you think just didn't really work on me? Any favorite outfits I shouldn't miss repeating?

Plum sweater: Mervyn's
Mustard shirt: Macy's
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Plum shoes: Primark in London
Pearl-like necklace: Thrifted
Gold necklace: Tower of London
Mayflower earrings: Plimoth

Day 20: Hello New Shoes, Bye Bye Blues!

(I did take these pictures on Saturday, I just didn't have time to put them up)

I was going for something a little more casual today. I feel like I have the dressy thing down pretty well, but I still want to feel put together and interesting when I'm just lounging around too.



I really liked the way this turned out. It was comfy and fun - we watched BYU barely beat Ole Miss with a whole group of friends, and I didn't feel overdressed at all. (Yes, the all blue was intentional. Gotta show my team spirit!) I'll admit to kicking off my heels, though, the better to jump around when BYU (finally) scored.



The only thing I won't redo is the hair. It sits at the widest part of my face and just looks really...matronly. And not in a fun school marm kind of way.

Striped shirt: Swapped from Nicole
White tank top: Shade
Jeans: Motherhood
Blue heels: Forever Young
Cream necklace: Maurice's
Rose earrings: Provo Farmers' Market

Day 19: Ahead of the Game

I really, desperately, want to wear hats. They add a certain joie de vivre to an outfit, don't you think? The only problem - My head is so big that hats NEVER fit me. It might be brains, it might be poofy hair, or it might just be a huge noggin! But even with all this, I still try on hats everywhere I go. I must just be eternally hopeful.



It paid off! I found this hat at Target and IT FIT! You better believe that I snatched it up. It's even big enough to cover Jesse when he's in the sling.



I was actually planning on wearing this today anyways - we're spending all day at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and I'm bringing Jesse along. I look forward to this every summer!



Pink shirt: Swapped from Nicole
Blue dress: Forever 21
Floppy hat: Target
White earrings: Gift from Mom
Silver necklace: Gift from sister, Savannah
Sandals: Old Navy
Flower scarf: Target

Day 18: Kal Ho Naa Ho

Right before I graduated from high school my dad tried to get me to watch a new movie called Bride and Prejudice with the family. "You'll love it!" he said. "It's Jane Austen as a musical in India!" But I was busy with finals and dates, so they watched it without me.

Finally, just before I moved out for college, my dad and I sat down and watched it together. He was absolutely right. It was EXACTLY my style - the colors, the dancing, even just the general exuberance were all amazing. I've always been fascinated by Indian culture, so that was just a plus. I was totally hooked.



Last year, I was gushing to a friend about how much I loved this movie, and she laughed at me. "Sweetie, Bride and Prejudice BARELY counts as Bollywood. Try these." So I went home at watched Kal Ho Naa Ho (Tomorrow May Never Come).

Three hours later, I was so glad Jon wasn't home. Kal Ho Naa Ho had a great love triangle, a super dramatic story, and a spectacular musical number in the streets of New York that had me laughing out loud at the craziness. All part of a typical Bollywood movie. But it also had a tragedy that left me sobbing. It was actually really cathartic - sometimes you just need to cry, even though there's no particular reason.



Ever since, I've been picking up Bollywood movies on Netflix whenever I can. I even watched one this morning, which probably inspired my outfit. I've never worn this bracelet before. My sister Nikki brought it back from her trip to India, where she taught dance for a summer. Even before I loved Bollywood, India was on my list of places to travel to. Someday she and I will go back together.

(Also, it was awesomely windy today, which was really appropriate with my flowy skirt and scarf!)

Black shirt: Shade
Black skirt: Borrowed from Laura, my sister-in-law
Gold sandals: Forever Young
Green silk scarf: Gift from parents from India
Gold earrings: Gift from Jocelyn, my sister-in-law
Bracelet: Gift from my sister, Nikki, from India

Day 17: The Fire of Vest-a

I've had this red shirt in my repair pile for almost a year, I think. I loved the lace, but the sleeves were too short, and the whole thing was just...not right (as you can see from my face). When I was looking through my repairs for today, I thought, "Hey, a little unpicking and I can turn this into a vest!" What do you think?



I saw this blue and red combo a ton during Christmas a few years ago. It's only recently that I've realized that I can use design and fabrics as color-matching inspiration. I really like the way it turns out here!



These shoes are Nicole's miracle wedges! I got them in the swap. I felt a little guilty taking these shoes that obviously wanted to go with her, but then I decided they just knew that that was the best way to get to me. I didn't have any wedges, but now I have RED ones!



Vesta is the Roman goddess of hearth, home and family. I thought it was appropriate, since this mama has a new-found fascination with vests!



Blue shirt: Costco
Red shirt: Target, made into vest by me.
Jeans: Motherhood
Red wedges: Swapped from Nicole
Gold necklace: Tower of London
Gold earrings: Forever 21

Day 16: Lime Rickey

This vest was the perfect thing to pick for a remix piece. It needed more love - it's so flattering!



These aren't new glasses, but I never wear them. Maybe I need to!

I also tried a smokey eye with my makeup. I'm not sure if it works or if I look like I got punched. What do you think?



White button-up: Macy's
Black vest: Gift from Mom (3rd remix, so 4th time wearing it)
Lime tie: Borrowed from Jon
Jeans: Motherhood
Plum shoes: My wedding shoes!
Earrings: Icing

Day 15: Modern Day Princess

I used to put necklaces on my hair like this when I was a little girl and pretend to be a medieval princess. After a few History of Britain classes, I know better - I'd rather be a strong, elegant, hardworking woman now than bleed myself to look pale, and then die really young of gum disease.



I still like the look, though. And I don't mind a little waiting-on-hand-and-foot.



This outfit is another example of what I've learned from this challenge! I chose the green dress because I wanted to evoke "princess" without being too precious. When I looked at it, I thought "This needs another texture..." I NEVER would have thought to put this lacy shirt under this dress before now.



I'm so excited to see what people come up with today! I'm always looking for new hairstyles. I tend to get into a half-back rut.



Green dress: Old Navy
Lacy shirt: Gift from Mom
Cream shirt: Halftee
Nude heels: Thrifted
Gold necklace: The Tower of London
Necklace in hair: Forever 21
Hair tutorial by Loepsie here

Day 14: Two Weeks!

When I get new clothes, I tend to be obsessive about them. I'll forget I have other clothes, because I'm too busy playing with my new stuff. As evidenced by the fact that I am wearing something from Nicole. Again. However, today I have an excuse: I needed it for my inspiration outfit!



I know it's a little silly to wear a cardigan in August, when Utah is typically hottest, but our church building is COLD! (I confess that as soon as church was over, I took off my scarf. Too hot!)



Here's my inspiration shot - it's from a Boden ad in a Real Simple magazine. I really love the idea of putting my own spin on someone else's outfit. It was really fun!



"Oh my goodness! Mom has gotten dressed EVERY DAY for two whole weeks! Wow!"



Blue striped shirt: Swapped from Nicole
Purple cardigan: Mervyns, before they went out of business
Polka dot scarf: Thrifted
Black skirt: Mr. Mac
Purple shoes: JCPenney Wedding shoes
Silver earrings: Forever 21