I’m so happy it is Friday! This week seemed exceptionally long, but I did accomplish quite a bit. Finishing a few projects that have been lingering always feels good. Fall officially starts next week, but I can already feel it in the air. I swapped out my closet and I am ready for long sleeves and boots. What are you up to this weekend?
A few things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. The epitome of cool. This snap shot of Lauren Hutton feels like it could have been taken on the streets of NY this week.
2. This salad sounds so delicious. If peaches are out of season, I’m thinking you could swap pears in their place.
3. Looking for something different to do in Seattle? The Smith Tower has been re-imagined with a general store and a speak-easy bar. Great views of the city in a historical building.
4. These jeans. Is 42 too old for rips and frays? I say, no.
5. Colder weather is on its way. Time to cuddle up and read. How perfect is this blanket?
6. A positive message each and every morning. Everyone could use a friendly bathmat.
8. A modern farmhouse in Missouri. This family knows how to dwell well.
And just like that it is Friday again! Amen, to that. I am thinking that every work/school week should be 4 days. So much better! Little Man is off to a camp out with Dad this weekend, so it’s just me and Big W. It is so nice to have a little time one-on-one with my kids. The weather is going to be awesome in Seattle, so I have a feeling it’s going to be a great couple of days.
A few things that inspire and interest me this week:
And some how it is Memorial Day weekend. The boys have exactly one month until summer break begins. I think we might JUST make it! I hope you have something planned for the long weekend. We are spending time near the river in the woods. Food, wine and babies! I look forward to time holding my two month old nephew, while my unruly children shoot BB guns and throw rocks in the river for hours!
A collection that inspires and interests me this week:
1. Anjelica Houston and friend circa 1971. Their patriotic style is everything. I feel this picture could have been taken today!
2. This garden mint candle fills the room with the most lovely scent almost instantly.
3. My birthday is months away, but this rose gold bracelet will be on the top of the list. It is even better in person!
7. My grandfather Giuseppe Scarcello, an Italian immigrant. He served in the US Army in WWI, which earned him United States citizenship. Thank you to all who have served our country. xoxo
When you write, whether for a living or as a hobby, it is saddening when the words don’t come. In the last few months I have started and not finished post after post. During the day I would think to myself, “Oh, that would be a great idea for a post.” Many days I didn’t have enough motivation to sit down and write. Some days I would get started and not follow through. The cycle was vicious.
I have written before about my self-diagnosed struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder {SAD}. While I still haven’t seen a professional about it, I am 100% convinced that each winter I am faced with the crushing reality of being depressed. It isn’t something that makes any sense. My family is wonderful. We are all healthy. We have everything we need and then some. From the outside it makes no sense to be sad. However, it is impossible to talk yourself into shaking it off. {Believe me, I have tried.} And while it is quite personal it is also quite real. This year was exceptionally bad. With a few extra concerns/battles piled onto my usual doldrums, this winter was unusually long and brutal.
The light is returning literally and metaphorically. I am seriously hard wired to the sun. I find joy in spending time with friends, loving on my boys, planning adventures, and laughing with my husband. After too many months of being sedentary, I begin the slow road back to being fit. I plan to write more consistently but in the spirit of being kind to myself, it won’t be everyday. While there isn’t immediate recovery, new things like acupuncture, yoga, and mediation are helping me fight my way back to happy.
I hope you are well. Thank you for reading and being supportive of my little corner.
While it may be a bit too predictable, I can see that I truly have created a uniform. With a dramatically edited closet, basics become your best friends! Have you ever tried to describe your style? It is hard to put into words. {At least it is for me.} My style….. Casual, cool? Laid-back, rocker? Minimal edge? Finally, after years of loving fashion and shopping, I have slowly discovered the pieces that truly look the best on my body and a style that I love. It is fun to get dressed!
OK! On to the real point of this post, my latest mom uniform. We are officially into the thick of little league baseball season! With four games a week, I feel like I am always in the bleachers. The uniform must be sporty and comfortable, but of course stylish.
Let’s break down the essential pieces to this uniform:
Distressed, mid-rise skinnies
Old Navy Rock Star mid-rise skinny jeans are kind of perfect. They have lots of stretch and the price point is fantastic! Don’t worry… the mid-rise isn’t too high, but kindly covers my middle-aged tummy. Because let’s be honest. Low rise jeans hit in JUST the wrong spot for women who have given birth. {Or at least most of them!}
Feminine, pink raglan sweatshirt
This sweet, Who What Wear pink sweatshirt is great for layering. I would wear it with a long ribbed tank underneath.
Black, lightweight bomber jacket
I am in love with this bomber jacket! {Admittedly, I now own three bomber jackets. There may be a problem brewing.} The sleeves are not lined, so they can easily be pushed up. It is cropped in just the right way and is effortlessly cool.
Gray sneakers
Needing these New Balance sneaks! The color is perfect for NW rainy, spring weather. Simple and retro awesome! And of course, comfortable.
Rose gold aviators
Sadly, my aviators are probably entering their last season. I adore them, but Ray-Ban doesn’t make the size/style anymore. These rose-gold aviators from J.Crew might be the perfect replacement.
PS//
In full disclosure, my usual “game uniform” is skinny jeans, 10 year-old UGG boots, fleece, Patagonia puffy jacket, baseball hat, Patagonia rain shell, running gloves and a waterproof blanket. Living in Seattle in the spring is not glamorous or for the faint of heart. The above uniform is for those few days that sun shines and the temp rises above 60 degrees.
Not all who wander are lost. I have recently come to love that phrase. Though I was never that girl who threw a change of clothes in a backpack and just took off-I have come to crave travel and discovering a new place. My husband usually shakes his head at me. Lucky for me, the boys are slowing getting the travel bug as well and three against one is beneficial for my cause.
Aaron, Big W, and I have been watching Sonic Highways. A documentary created by the band Foo Fighters that W got for Christmas. He loves music and this documentary follows the band as they visit eight cities in the United States as they record the album Sonic Highways. In each city they explore the the music scene, which is totally fascinating. This weekend we watched the episode featuring Nashville. All three of us agreed, we should GO! We have added it to the short list of places to visit.
Topping our list of places to visit is The Bluebird Cafe. A small cafe that has live music every night. They play in the round and features original music by songwriters. In the episode, natives shared that playing the Bluebird was rite of passage in Nashville. What else could we do and see? Of course there is the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, but like any city there are hidden gems.
Have you been to Nashville? I’d love to hear all of your “insider” information!
Not sure how we are mid-way through January, but we are on the downhill slide into February. The beginning of a new year always brings renewed desire for creativity. I’m always looking. We are about to tackle a bathroom remodel, so I’m back on the hunt for inspiration in design. I’m also facing swim suit shopping in my near future. Pretty sure trying on swim suits can, and should be, classified a form of torture for middle aged women. {More on that FUN topic in the near future!} What are you up to this weekend? Our town is Seahawk crazy again! Hoping for a big win on Sunday.
Here is what has me inspired and interested this week:
1. I {heart} snowy evergreens! I’m heading up to ski with a girlfriend today. If all goes well, I will post a thumbs-up picture on Instagram.
2016 is well underway and I am ready for a year of more! I have written before that I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. They always seem to elicit guilt and our world doesn’t need more people feeling guilty, especially women. Every year I make a list of all the things I would love in the upcoming year. Sometimes they are big and some are small. They are always things that will make me smile. This year I want four things in abundance: challenges, adventure, health, and family.
Challenges
Continuing to challenge myself is what keeps me motivated and excited for each new season. This year I have challenged myself to learn to ski. After four seasons doing the lodge bunny thing, I am ready to be part of the fun. While I don’t see black diamonds in my future, it has been such a thrill to ride the chair lift with my boys, chatting and talking without any interruptions. That time alone is worth the embarrassment of learning something new at 41. Here’s hoping for an injury free season.
Adventure
At this time last year a trip to Argentina was not on the calendar. I had never heard of Iguazu Falls. How wonderful to have experienced this amazing spot with my sweet husband and to have this “after” picture to remember it. Not all adventures need to be this grand {or so far away}. Where will our next adventure take us?
Health
Continued health for my family and myself is always at the forefront of my mind. Being healthy trumps all else, doesn’t it? Lucky for me being active makes me really happy. And spending time with my friends is a really great bonus! I am looking forward to more fun surrounding being healthy together. A highlight of 2015 was breaking the 1:50 barrier at the Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon. This video perfectly sums up the energy of the race. {Pay close attention around the 1:04 mark!} Can’t wait to run it again in August!
Family
Actually, time with this crazy crew is all I really need! We are not perfect. It isn’t always pretty. But building memories with my three boys is what fills my heart. They make me feel most complete. They are my best friends in every sense of the word.
Oh boy, it’s getting real! Time is ticking and you are running around like a crazy person. You are existing on little sleep, too much caffeine, and not enough workouts. You have lists. Many lists. With only a week until the big holiday, it is somewhat risky ordering something online. I thought I would share a few “down to the wire” gift ideas that I have seen while out and about. Many are still available for shipment as well. In my opinion, they are all winners!
1. Instax camera. Instant camera fun for kids, teens and adults. Shake it like a…..
2. Pocket square. For the gentleman in your life. Keep him classy.
3. Marble candle. Smells woodsy and looks beautiful on your bedside table. #targetdoesitagain
4. Faux fur vest. In black or pink, this little vest is fantastic.
5. Wild Hog Popper. The gift of the season, in my opinion. Tons of creatures to choose from.
6. Salted caramels. Good food is always a great gift. Buy local. Shop small.
7. Swell water bottle. Keeps liquids cold or hot. Many colorways for everyone on your list.
8. The 52 Lists Project. A diary of lists. Out of stock at Amazon, but many stores have it stocked.
Sometimes you need a quick switch. That is this week’s inspiration for the Outfit of the Week. This little black dress has a modest cut for work, but is also interesting and different. For work it would look great with flats and a blazer. After work or on the weekend you can easily dress it up! Since I don’t work in an office {or outside of my home} I pulled together pieces that will take this dress into the evening. By adding a faux fur jacket, pink pumps and an armful of bangles the dress is totally transformed.
I love the idea of having one dress that you can wear multiple ways. Shop the whole look in the Where is June? shop now!
