Everyday Me

Creating is cathartic - and that is my purpose for this blog - my creative outlet, my cathartic outlet. So I was trying to think about what I could post this week, and I realized I haven't  gotten dressed in a real outfit all week. Part of my reason for sharing this blog, is to be real. I want more real-ness in the world, so I'm putting some out there. When I am out and about I often hear, "you always look so cute." This feels great to hear, but I have begun responding with. "I wear sweatpants sometimes." This I my way of saying I'm real. I don't wear this all the time. You do not have to look good or put together or do your hair and makeup all the time. I'm a working mom with 3 kids and I can't do it everyday. I marvel at the women who can, but I think to myself, that must be exhausting. If she is doing it for herself - more power to you! You do you! But don't do it for anyone else. 

As I think more about this, I get more complements from my husband when I am 'dressed down'. I look for the compliments from him when we get all dressed up to go out, but it always shocks me a bit when I'm wearing what I consider nothing special and he says, "You look cute today." What? This ? Perhaps it is because I look more like everyday me - less like someone dressed up for everyone else in the latest trends. 

Here is everyday me today in my favorite jeans and white t - telling Jason nevermind quit taking photos

Footloose

I watched the movie Footloose last weekend - the real one from 1984. I have been dreaming about Ariel's red cowboy boots ever since.  I remember wanting them as a child when I first saw this movie. I feel like they are a perfect expression of her rebellious nature and confidence. They seem to say, "Oh yeah?  Watch me!"  I mean how hot is Lori Singer in those boots!

A quick google search will help you find some. 

These look amazing from Nordstrom

We can use clothing and accessories to express our personality. You can make the outside match the inside. It can be a direct link to how you are feeling that day, or aspirational. For example, earlier this week I was completely exhausted.  I wore sweatpants - real, old fashion elastic waist and bottom sweatpants that said Truman Football - to go pick my son up from soccer practice. I was not ashamed. I was tired.  On the aspirational side of things - I often 'dressed up' in college when I had a test. It made me feel more confident if I looked put together. If I'm feeling a little down, a cute outfit can help put me in a better mood.  A little touch of leopard print always makes me feel a little feisty. I can't imagine putting on these red cowboy boots and not feeling like I could go kick a little ass!

What clothes or accessories do you have that are tied to your mood or personality?  Play around and have some fun! As always, #youdoyou.

I'm Back

I'm Back. It has been over two years since I retired as a fashion blogger. Ideas and thoughts and little nudges from the universe to return to this space have been coming at me for the last year, but it was while reading Jen Hatmaker's latest book, "Of Mess and Moxie" that put my fingers on this keyboard again....after I figured out how to log back into Blogger.

I will put her full passage about creating at the end of this post, but here are the words that hit home, "It can simply be for the love of it. .......If the only person it saves is you, that's enough."

I quit posting because of fear, because it felt frivolous and narcissistic, a cliché, because I was trying not to spend money on new clothes, and because I felt it didn't matter. But the truth is, I still love clothes and fashion! And I'm not talking New York Fashion Week fashion - although I enjoy that from an artistic point of view. I'm talking digging through the racks at Marshalls, playing in my closet to put together outfits, or helping a friend shop or clean out her closet. Clothes are my artistic expression. I can't paint or draw or decorate my house - but I love putting together a look. It brings me joy - and that's enough.

So onto the fashion.....

When I go shopping lately, I have been a bit disappointed and confused. I hate so much of what is out there right now. Hate is a strong word, but allow me to be over-dramatic for fun. I'm done with oversized flowy tops, shoulder cut outs, crop tops, high-waisted pants, lots of ruffles, baggy jeans, the list goes on. I mean there was an article in the Wall Street Journal style section last week about the return of pleated, cropped, wide-leg khakis. Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?  Where do these people work? They seriously tried to bring back overalls.

Okay the rant is over. All of this leads back to one of my core tenets  - fashion is different than style. And when it comes to style - you do you. When you shop, buy what you love, what you think looks good on you, what reflects your personality.  Do not buy something because you think it will make you look 'in style'.

I recently had a soul restoring weekend with my college roommates. Plans were loose but we knew we would go out for a nice meal and some drinks. This is a photo from our night out - and it makes me laugh because we clearly do not look like we are going to the same place. Everyone looks fabulous, and like an individual!

My sequin top was  $9.00 on clearance from Target. You have to dig to find a bargain!

My daughter and I roamed around Marshalls yesterday and I found this beautiful purse. I didn't buy it, but I wanted to. It had no recognizable brand name, but it was beautiful, and I felt it looked 'like me'. This version of me dresses in pencil skirts, silk blouses and impeccably tailored blazers when she carries this purse in the crook of her arm. It doesn't quite fit the majority of my lifestyle, but I still love it.

So when you shop some Labor Day sales or some Summer Clearance this weekend - you do you.

Here is the full passage from Jen Hatmaker's book:
"There is something courageous about acknowledging your ability and right to create, even in the midst of "a real job" or mothering or managing. Women have the innate capacity to nurture their own art without a paycheck, audience, outside permission, or charitable intentions. Do you understand what I mean by charity? You are not required to save the world, or anyone for that matter, with your art. It isn't valuable only if it rescues or raises money or makes an enormous impact. It can be simply for the love of it. That is not frivolous or selfish in the slightest. If the only person it saves is you, that's enough."    - Jen Hatmaker, "Of Mess and Moxie"