Dining Room update

The Sock Bun (or, my own Mythbusters Special)

The results.

If you follow just about any woman's blog or if you look through recent Pinterest style boards, you have probably heard of the Sock Bun.  The claim?  It just takes a clean dress sock, a couple of minutes, and no products or heat.  Your hair will curl beautifully.   I was curious, so before blindly re-pinning the idea, I thought I'd give it a go.

I followed the instructions (tie hair into high pony tail, dampen the pony tail) and used my rolled up sock (snip off the toe of the dress sock, roll the sock) to roll my long pony tail down into a bun.  I didn't have a spray bottle handy and I think I didn't get the ponytail quite damp enough; the bottom layer of my hair did not curl as much as the top.

Evelyn was very interested in what I was doing with Daddy's sock and a pair of scissors.  She was also a little concerned that I was putting it into my hair.  Mommies are so silly sometimes!  I'm glad I could provide a little bed time snack entertainment.  

Not very wearable from the front due to the elastic line.  I'd soften this with my hot tools curling iron.

Snapshot: Update, tights work just fine!

What do you think?

I have a style conundrum.  Evelyn's rain boots finally cracked, literally, under the pressure of almost daily wear for one year.  Now, call me an idealist but I hoped that her boots would remain in wearable condition until she outgrew them.  Unfortunately, it seems that they were designed to be adorable and reasonably functional but they were just no match for my adventurous toddler.  I decided to order a new pair of boots, this time from the same company that made the snow boots I bought for Evelyn.  The construction is wonderful and the reviews are consistently high.  

Evelyn chose yellow boots (though I was hoping she'd pick the hot pink or bright red ones because they looked pretty fun).  It occurred to me that Evelyn does not go tromping off into barnyard muck or nature trails by herself.  I am always with her, tip-toeing around the puddles in my ballet flats-- or if I am feeling especially prepared, my hiking boots.  I ordered a pair of rain boots for myself.  Now, I can't decide whether or not to keep the boots.  They're comfortable, but I am not sure if I will actually wear them.  Why wouldn't I wear them?  Well, I had imagined that my jeans would fit nicely inside the boots, so as to keep them dry while we traipse over soggy grass and mushy downed-trees.  Unfortunately (or fortunately?), the boots were designed to fit snugly at the top-- probably to seal out moisture.  Chris suggested that I roll my pants a bit to keep them dry, but I am not convinced that this method won't leave me looking a bit ridiculous.  What do you do (if you are apt to take walks in wet conditions or through the woods)? 

  

On an unrelated note, Henry happily posed for the camera this evening before forgetting all about the photo shoot in favor of studying his hand.   

Snapshot: Boots

To be fair, I did tell Evelyn to put on boots before going to play in the snow.

Wearable Art

My Dad and Stepmom are visiting and we are having a fabulous time. I wanted to share this creative tshirt that Evelyn received-- a chalk board shirt! It's even machine washable.

Evelyn says, "We're twins!"

These coordinating outfits were a gift from a friend. Aren't they fabulous?

Pajama Photoshoot!

"Look, Mama! We two have woolly lambs!" Evelyn was very happy to match her younger brother. Mimi gave the kids coordinating pajamas and tonight they wore them for the first time. I couldn't contain myself, so I broke out the camera. They looked so adorable! The last photo is slightly washed out, but Henry had started to smile for the pictures, so I'm including it.

Impulse

This afternoon (after having spent the morning and early afternoon at home with both Evelyn and Henry), I spent two wonderful hours at the salon. First, I have to say that this appointment was only really possible because the salon is literally on the property of my husband's company (that it is also an organic salon is icing on the cake!) so Chris was able to wear sleeping Henry in a carrier and play with Evelyn very close to me. Henry did need to come in for a Mama-visit to nurse toward the end, so it worked out well that they stayed nearby.

Anyway, the plan was for me to get a quick trim and some highlights and call it a day. The stylist made a suggestion before she began the facial framing: bangs. Not wispy 1994 bangs, but "now" bangs. On an impulse, I said "sure." After all, if I didn't like them they'd grow pretty quickly and I could always sweep them to the side. Evelyn declared that she loves Mama's bangs. Chris thought I looked cute and I think I look a little like a totally different person.

It's fun to have a change. A Mama in the 'burbs can still be spontaneous. I'm glad I acted on impulse. Yes, I drive a Sienna that almost shouts "I have children! Possibly loads of soccer balls!" but I like to think that I'm still me-- and even a small decision that isn't the "safe" choice feels good once in a while.

Adorable (non pastel) clothes for newborn girls

Fun clothes for baby girls: they do exist!

While Evelyn certainly had her share of timeless, dainty outfits in soft colors, I had a lot of fun dressing her in bright colors and prints from the very beginning. So, whether you're expecting a little girl or just shopping for a friend's newborn, remember that there are some pretty fun options!

Newborn in red and white stripes


Bright fall dress and hat


Adorable fruit onesie


Fall dress- floral print in aqua blue, orange, and black

Adorable clothes for boys

Baby-on-board is all set for clothing for the first three months (and somewhat set into months four and five, depending on his size). I still need to wash our receiving blankets and prepare for his birth (towels, sheets, and the like). I did not prepare this much for Evelyn, but this pregnancy seems to be going much more quickly and so I want to be sure that we have the basics on hand. I have a feeling that the next two months are going fly by and then I will be way too tired to organize things like clothes, diapers, and furniture. Speaking of clothes, the Mamas who say that little girl's clothing is so much more fun than boy's clothing must not be looking in the same places I've been looking.

Exhibit A:



Exhibit B (and C, D, E, F):

A little girl's room

Evelyn's "little girl room" (because she's still not quite a big girl in my book-- she's still my little girl!) is finally beginning to take shape. I haven't yet decided on a paint color or settled on a duvet cover, but her bed frame is up and she is thrilled!



She has been sleeping in this bed (minus the frame) and in this room since January, so hopefully the frame won't throw her off too much.



"Up in new bed!" Evelyn couldn't wait to test out the big bed and make sure it was still cozy (and still just as fun to bounce on). Fortunately, it passed the test.

Thinking in Public: Style Edition

Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare,
And beauty draws us with a single hair.
-Alexander Pope

Let's take a giant step back from baby name debacle '10 for a moment.* Today, it is all about hair. It's recently occurred to me that I've had the same hair style for almost a year, give or take some low-lights, and that is probably a record for me. For about the past ten years I've made at least one or two major changes to my hair each year.

I've been a redhead-- a fun idea because red does make blue eyes pop, but not the right color for my skin tone. I've been dark brunette, again, unless the shade is just right, my skin tone completely washes out. I've been very blonde, blonde, dark blonde, and light brown. I've had layered and textured styles, shoulder-length hair with side-swept bangs, and one very pricey chin-length cut which was a monster to grow out: goodbye awkward in-between stage!

I have enjoyed my (almost) natural color and a nice, long length (mid-chest) for a while now. It's time for a change, and I have an appointment with my stylist (she owns a local Aveda salon). I found a stylist I love-- which isn't nearly as easy a task as one would think. I usually just ask for a trim and for some slight shaping of the layers near my face. This week, however, I'm wondering if it might be fun to really make a change. There comes a point where long hair starts to feel style-less. So, what do you think?

Brief walk down memory lane:



Short hair at Mt Rainier in 2007



Hair grazing shoulders (and lighter) just after Evelyn was born.



Current length and style (unfortunately featured in a poorly lit photo)

I think best when I'm writing or talking through an issue, but nothing is coming to me yet. Perhaps I'll submit to this blog for suggestions? I imagine she won't get back to me before tomorrow evening though!


*The baby name security breach has really been a bit of a blessing in disguise. I realized, in my heightened defensiveness of the name in question, just how much I love it.

(Slightly) Fashion-forward

I have never been an impeccable dresser, if only because I did not grow up with an inexhaustible source of funds and, now, see no reason to burn through savings and investments in the name of vanity. Nevertheless, I have always enjoyed clothing and accessories. I think that they tell a bit of a story and I am a believer in first-impressions, which often rely at least somewhat on appearance. I also think that clothing, in ways both tactile and visual, has the potential to inspire particular feelings of confidence, comfort, membership, and even well-being. Most of the positive emotions and pleasures of clothing stem from how well or poorly the items fit the wearer. If you like a loose pant, for instance, you're bound to feel happier in a roomy pair of jeans than you would in tight leggings and a skirt. I happen to feel best in clothing that fits well against my body and I try to accentuate the areas I'm happy with and downplay those I'd rather not highlight. This certainly isn't rocket science, and I'm sure that many people do the same.

But, what happens during the second half of pregnancy (or the whole nine to ten months, if you happen to experience weight gain earlier)? I don't feel like myself in loose clothing; it actually reminds me of being sick and wearing pajamas during the day. I have never owned sweatpants and I have not worn a baggy t-shirt in daily life since my pals and I went through the "let's wear athletic clothing all the time" phase in sixth grade. My current clothing still fits, but the tops are increasingly ill-fitting on my growing abdomen. I end up looking like a person who ate a large lunch rather than one who is heading into her eighteenth week of pregnancy.

The best solution is to wear actual maternity shirts that were designed specifically for pregnant bodies; that is, they are a bit longer in the torso and often have more stretch in the fabric. Good maternity stores are not easy to come by and it can be difficult to justify spending hundreds of dollars on clothing you'll wear for just a few months. I compromised and purchased a few nice pieces when I was expecting Evelyn because I knew that we planned to have at least one more child after her birth and I could wear the clothes again. I also have sisters and friends who I'll be happy to share clothes with if they should need them. This time around, however, I find the search for a few stylish maternity items to be much harder. My favorite maternity shop went out of business and the others leave much to be desired unless you hunt through every single rack-- not easy to do with a toddler running through the store! Sure, I could wear a big long-sleeved t-shirt and call it a day, but I would not feel "put together." Life with a tot can be unpredictable to say the least and I am not my own first priority, but I can allow myself a few tiny "luxuries" here and there and dressing (somewhat) well is one of them!