"Fashion'y" stuff...

Well, I'm back at it. Posting pictures of what I wore and how I styled it because....I have no idea. 

But now that my hair is chopped all off, my style is evolving a bit. 

It is actually super fun to do stuff with this 'do! 

The chop has also upped my "funky factor." (So I'm told)

(I think it is also the fact that every single day that goes by, my children are older.)

I don't really think it has made me that much edgier...its just that the huge mop is no longer hiding stuff.

Like my double ear piercing on my left ear. Yes, I have two on only one side. On purpose. 

(And I have had that piercing since I turned 18!) 

And my nose piercing. 

(Which has actually been pierced since 2004.) 

Maybe piercings are just more expected with short hair? 

I have no idea.

Back to the whole "every single day, my children are getting older" idea.

First - motherhood is totally awesome. I mean, really. Fantastic. But it is also the hardest thing I've ever done. It is exhausting. Draining. Stretching. (In every possible way imaginable) But when you bring that screaming ball of human home with you...everything changes forever. Your title, the way the world views you, your responsibilities, your sleep patterns...everything. While that change is for a great cause and is wonderful; it is also hard. It's hard to remember who you are in all of that spit up, and poop, and feeding schedules, and laundry (OH, the LAUNDRY!). And when there are health complications - or self-induced back-to-back-to-back-to-back pregnancies - it can be extra hard to even catch glimpses of the YOU beyond Mama. 

I can't possibly be the only woman to struggle with all of those things. 

Because I look around at women who shower and get real clothes on and fix their hair everyday prior to having children...who suddenly stop caring as soon as a bean pops. Hear me clearly: For that first while....when you aren't sleeping, when your body is healing, when you are learning a new human....you should totally chill. So, I'm not talking about the early bit. (By early bit, I mean roughly the first year, although it depends on the kid!) What I'm talking about is women who are so completely "mama" when their beans are older, they forget who they were before.

I did.

As I worked like crazy to find my healthy body, as I started to sleep again, as life in general just calmed down...I was able to rediscover who I was. 

And...

Who I am is a wee bit crazy.

And not very good being all grown-up-y. 

I will happily discuss and talk about deep topics - but I also like to enjoy life and be silly.

I found that I was trying to be the "mom" picture that everyone said you should look like; and I'm just no good at that. But my children were specifically made with me to be their mama - so I want to be the Mama I am supposed to be.

And this mama likes to laugh. Heartily.

And wear bright colors.

And doesn't match socks. Ever.

And make everything an adventure.

And doesn't care if you want to dye your hair purple. 

(They do have to wait until they're 6)

And hash out the hard stuff of life with the beans - telling them when I don't know, instead of making up an answer.

And model a mama who loves life - with, because, even in spite of, her kids. 

(Because, some days? They are really total heathens.) 

Have you struggled to find your equilibrium in various phases?

Oh. I guess I'm supposed to say where I got my gear...

Headband - Urban Outfitters

Earrings - Target (clearance)

Shirt - Loft (clearance)

Tank - Old Navy

Jeans - Levi's (on sale)

~Whitney Copyright 2013

Mom Style

This is what I wore this weekend, mostly. (dirty, un-brushed hair, no make-up)

What I didn't get a picture of was the snugli pack on my back filled with a screaming, ANGRY, 2 year old boy.

What isn't captured in these pictures taken by my String Bean, is the exhaustion from battling my Boy Bean for hours. Hours that included a trip to the Commissary that HAD to happen. (We were completely out of food)

You can't see the struggle through the store with all 4 children...while one is screaming at the top of his lungs....trying to stay calm, trying to get all the items on my list.

You don't see how badly I wanted to cry because of embarrassment.
Because of all the people shaking their heads and raising their eyebrows.
If only they knew how hard I was working.

What isn't in these pictures is the kind young man who saw me battling in produce - 

he gave me two thumbs up and said "You've got this!" 

And how that encouraged me to persevere through our trip.

You don't see the thoughtful middle-aged man shopping with his teenage son in the freezer section. 

You don't see him coming up to me, placing his hand on my shoulder and saying, 

"You've got this. 

Don't give up. 

One day - he will be a fine young man. 

Battle on!"

You don't see the wounds from the judging or the bandages from the encouraging.

All you see is an outfit.
But this weekend?
It was my battle gear.

Gray Shirt - H&M (2011)
Gray Tank - Target (2012)
Belt - Hand me down
Levi's Straight leg (2012)
New Balance Sneakers (2007)
Earrings - gift from Jumping Bean
Scarf - gift (2010)

~Whitney
 Copyright 2013

Fashion again....seriously. :)

Well, apparently my "fashion" (yes, I will continue with the quotes around that word) was not completely abhorrent to the general public.

Which is both encouraging, and completely shocking. 

Here are a couple more of my thoughts regarding how you clothe yourself:

(Not like anyone should/does care....but, I'm writing it anyway with a rather skeptical face)

1. Few people have limitless budgets. (And I am not one of them)
I am a HUGE fan of hand-me-downs. (This belt is one!) But, I'm picky.
If the choices are:
A) article of clothing I'm not die-hard about
or 
B) go naked
I'm gonna pick A.
(Unless it is a muu-muu. Or Leopard print. Sorry, just not my thing)
The key with hand me downs is this: Just because it is FREE - doesn't mean you have to keep it; AND  it doesn't mean you have to keep it the way it is.  :)  Free clothes that don't fit perfectly are an excellent place to attempt some re-fashioning!

But, much of the time the choices are:
A) Article of clothing I'm not die-hard about
or
B) Wear the clothes I have
I don't like digging through 10 shirts I don't like (but kept, because they were free) to find the 2 shirts I love. That is wasting my time. And energy. If it was too big/small/itchy/weird cut/showed my stomach/too short sleeves/made me uncomfortable the last time I tried it on....then why do I keep trying it on??? (and then putting it away)  There are some things I've kept because they were just too beautiful to pass up. And even though I couldn't zip them when they were given to me - I kept them as motivation items. :)  But those items are few and far between. (but more on that later)

2. Figure out what you like....in light of your life AND your body that you have now. 
Whew. I'm about to get real honest. Since 2004, my body has gone from size 2/maternity/post-partum/size 14/12/10/8/6/maternity/post-partum/size 14/12/10/6/4/maternity....(you get the picture). I've had quite the varied sizes and shapes (OH THE SHAPES!) over the past 8 years. During that crazy who-the-heck-knows-what-size-I-am time, I just wore whatever kept me covered.
Hard-core mom jeans? Yep.
Shirts totally the wrong size? Indeed.
Stuff that fit but I wasn't comfortable? Of course.
Stuff that I absolutely hated the look of? Unfortunately, quite often.
I tried to look nice - but I wasn't gonna go buying or hunting down a bunch of things until I knew I was gonna stay a size. (I hope this is making sense.) Now that I am done with that body roller coaster....I am looking for pieces to fill the holes in my current wardrobe. The body I have now - although the same number as long ago - doesn't fit things the same way as it used to. And that is okay. But that also means many of the clothes from long ago that I wishfully held onto....aren't gonna work. EVER. Again.

(I can't believe you are still reading)

3. Just because it is sold in a store doesn't mean you should wear it. 

Seriously. Sweater dresses look ridiculous on me - but many people look lovely.  You aren't a failure if you go through an ENTIRE MALL and don't see anything you love (or that loves you back.) That has happened to me a'plenty. I'm picky.  Don't buy something because someone else thinks you should or everyone is wearing it - if you put it on, and don't LOVE it...put it back. (Or try it with something else. Sometimes you just need to pair stuff differently.)  ;)  If you aren't 100% about an item in crappy dressing room lighting - you aren't gonna like it more in the real world. It doesn't matter HOW good of a deal it is...$3 is $3. If you spend that money on something you will never wear again - purely because you want to feel like you bought something...go get a coffee. Same amount spent - but you didn't clutter  your house or add to your laundry pile. 

side note - yes, I wore black and brown. TOGETHER. They are Neutrals. It's allowed. :)

Happy Hunting!

Jacket - Buckle (2010)
Necklace - Gift from a friend (2009)
Shirt - Target (Spring 2012)
Belt - (fave) hand-me-down (2008)
Jeans - Levi's skinnies on clearance (All my jeans are Levi's....Love them!) (Fall 2012)
Silver cuff - Thrift store ($1.50!!)  :) (2013)
Boots - Off Broadway...Steve Madden (Fall 2012)
(I'm putting the years to show - it takes a while to collect a wardrobe!)

~Whitney
 Copyright 2013

Fashion?

Well, it has almost been a decade since My Love and I met....and I had quite the fashion sense at that time. We were recently reminiscing over some old pictures, and we came up with a label for my style back then:

Trashy Redneck

Yep, that was me. I owned a pair of overalls. And I wore them out and about - not just at the barn! Seriously. Iamsoashamed.
Clearly, that is the redneck part of my style....I'm not going into the trashy part. But, if my girls ever contemplate wearing a skirt that looks like an oversized belt - I may just lock them in a dungeon.

Since February of 2005, I've been sporting maternity, post-partum, and enough different sizes to open a small store.

Overall, I think I am a basic chick. Give me some comfy blue jeans, a soft shirt, a strong ponytail holder, and I'm good.

But, there is this place called Pinterest.
And it has totally messed me up.

First let me explain about pinterest....I fought tooth and nail about joining that time-sucker. I was gonna hold out and be the LAST person to join!
But then I realized I needed to buy clothes for myself that weren't maternity. 
And I had no idea what my style is now.  (I really didn't want to be Trashy-Redneck-Dance-Mom)
Thankfully, online shopping is not a temptation for me - I like to touch my clothes before I buy them - so pinterest is the perfect place for me to discover my style! I just hunt through their Women's fashion category and pin whatever I like...and you know what? I found a couple common themes!
I figured out My Style. Woohoo!

Potentially more on that in another post....if this doesn't turn out to be one of the dumbest things I've ever posted.

Side note - Pinterest is a completely selfish place for me. 

I don't look for kids stuff or recipes or cool crafts to make. 

I have pinned some....but that is because they have been mislabeled and placed in the "women's fashion," or "home decor" categories.  :)

I thought a couple posts about how I've been styling stuff would be fun.  Since I don't have a massive wardrobe - everything I own (winter/summer, tops, bottoms, dresses, pajamas, pants, skirts, workout clothes) everything, equals barely 3 loads of laundry. (Not including Jackets and accessories) Which is fine, because then I get to be creative!

I have 3 rules I follow about clothes -
1. Pajamas are not allowed in public. Ever. I try to not wear work-out clothes in public....but that doesn't always happen.  I get "dressed" every day....well, every day that I want to accomplish anything! Even if it is a work-out-clean-the-house kind of day - pajamas are switched out for work-out clothes. :)

2. I have to be able to move and be comfortable in them. If I can't get on the floor to change a diaper, or quick sprint to grab an errant Bean, or if I have to waste time constantly adjusting something....I don't buy it.

3. I have to like an item 100% for it to enter my  home. I would rather have 3 shirts I absolutely love (which is all I had for a long time), than 10 shirts I'm just "okay" with.  I'm really picky, and I don't have a limitless budget, so I don't have overflowing dresser drawers.

I don't really know how these fashion posts are supposed to work....but here's the run down:

Yes, half of the pictures were taken in the church bathroom. I took advantage of a child needing to poop. I'm a mother of four - I got dressed today - and brushed my teeth. 

You should stop judging my photo-op location.  

(I did not brush my hair....I went hard-core wild woman today.)  

Head band? Wrap? Whatever. The blue thing on my head - from a mall kiosk.
Jacket - L.L.Bean after Christmas clearance sale last year
Scarf - Gift last year
Shirt - Old Navy clearance. It had a hole in the side seam - I sewed it up in 5 minutes - so it was $5
Belt - Hand-me-down from 5 years ago from a super-stylish friend. (It is so exciting to finally be able to wear it!)
Jeans - Levi's clearance
Shoes - Plato's closet (Bluefish Malibu brand)
Watch - gift from hubby a year ago. :)


~Whitney Copyright 2013