A Flare for Fashion

I first saw these killer flares on Callandra, Amy and Kim, and they wore theirs so well that I couldn't help but be inspired. So I snagged a similar pair on Ebay (J. Crew, you make the darn good denim - now bring back the hipslungs and petite inseams so I'm not stuck scouring the web for your jeans that fit me) and am happily hustlin' and bumpin' my way through this Friday. Anyone wanna play some Twister?

What I love about this style blogging community is also my wallet's downfall - I'll often see another gal look so good in a piece I never even considered before that I end up going on a crazed hunt to find that exact item or something similar - all-the-while trying to decide whether I really like it, or am just being inadvertantly fashion-enabled (I do mean you, d'armee). Or I get in full-blown butt-kick mode for missing out on pieces that everyone seems to look gorgeous in - yep, you, field game, and you, horizon line, and you, liberty bouquet. I've got to learn to put my fashion blinders on more often - but then again, I would've missed out on these groovy new jeans.

Any of you gals see a fella blogger rock something so well that you immediately had to go out and snag one of your own?

(BTW, thanks so much to Mugdha from A Vigilant Muse for the blog award!)

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Top: Forever 21 extended hem dot
Jeans: J. Crew high heel flare (similar here or here)
Belt: Forever 21 metal bead skinny (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here, here or here)
Bracelet: J. Crew studded bangle (similar here)

Things of beauty...

Here we are again! Some weeks, Friday arrives and I feel like I blinked and the week flew by; today is one such Friday.

I have been thinking about childhood and how each stage of your children's lives seems to be the defining stage. But then it passes and you realise that it was just one phase in the whole journey of parenthood. I have attended lots of school events this week and have observed the Boos standing amongst their peers. The realisation hits every time how much they have grown. Especially my daughter, whose contemporaries have been by her side at her school since she was 4. To see them all grow up - how worldly and mature they seem now. And just to cement that view, Boo then returns home and asks me 'what is antidisestablishmentarianism Mummy?'. Pipped to the post by 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' for being the longest word in the dictionary, apparently. You have to think on your feet as a parent! They break up from school today for nearly a month....eeek.

A weekend ahead of more activities - I am longing for some quiet time. It's Mothers Day on Sunday so maybe then? I have tactically scheduled a duvet day on Monday...can't wait.

...the stunning Natalia Vodianova photograph by Annie Leibovitz...
via Toast home
Vilhelm Hammershøi, Portrait of a Young Girl, 1885
photograph by Polly Wreford
I just love this buttonhole...the second I have posted lately...buttonholes should be worn more often I think.

Photograph by Braedon Photography

Photograph by Mario Sierra
via skona hem
Almost certainly, we will have some beach time this Easter holidays...



There is something about this row of scarves that I  just love...

via tiny white daisies

The bun: my new happy hair do - although mine will never be quite as resplendent as SJP's...


Photograph by Sara Kauss via Hey Gorgeous

Daddy has been working alot lately...


Photograph by Mario Sierra via Sarah Klassen Haute Design
Photograph by Lars Ranek
Photograph Mikkel Vang

Have a wonderful, restful weekend...!

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all photos by stop and look and listen.
special thanks to Stephen Blythe for his kind work.


Playing to be Mom

My pup Pacey was acting her normal rambunctious self today when she decided to play doctor on her latest fluffy chew toy (i.e., victim), redman, and remove his squeaker. The life cycle of a toy around these parts is about five minutes, so I decided to break out the ole sewing kit and restuff the redman, squeaker and all. This surgery was being done on my lap and poor Pacey couldn't stand to be away from her new BFF for even a second, so she was making grabs for the redman. And here I am, at the end of a long day of work and pricking myself on the finger relentlessly, so without even thinking much about it, I smacked her on the head one.

Though all Pacey did was sit there and stare at me with a look that almost read as "is that all you've got?", I couldn't help instantly feeling the guilt build up. I shouldn't take my frustration out at a dog, I was messing with her toy within her line of sight, blah, blah, blah. And the point of this post isn't really even about a dog, because not five minutes after redman was fixed did I find him in the bedroom missing an arm and hemorrhaging stuffing - but it got me thinking: if and when I become a parent, is striking out going to be my first reaction to my kid?

(This isn't a post that tells the world that I've changed my mind and I am suddenly ready and open to having children. No, ma' am ... But as most any woman of child-bearing age does wonder from time to time, what kind of parent would I be?)

BF is convinced I am going to be a big softie because I treat the pup like a baby. I feel completely different because he seems to forget I was raised from immigrant asian parents (see the nods of understanding from my asian sisters out there) - meaning schoolwork above all else, helping around the house is not a request, if you can take the bus by yourself that means you're old enough to have a job, and disciplining offspring does not mean taking away their iPhone for 30 minutes.

I am pretty sure I am going to be the hated parent, as I've already made rules for the imaginary child in my head. Such as if you're going to whine about wanting to stay in the store, I will leave you there. I am not a short order cook, so if you don't like what I make, then you're going to go hungry. You don't have to eat everything off your plate, but you better at least try everything. You don't get negotiating power until you're making your own money. When I say "now," I don't mean "later." You get the point.

I guess I really won't know for sure until it happens, huh. I may freak my current-self out and become a total child-cooer. So what about you? For you gals out there with no kids, what kind of parent do you think you'll be? For the mothers out there, are you the parent you thought you would be (hope I didn't just ask a loaded question)?

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Dress: Garnet Hill piazza knit (similar strapless here or not close but wow here)
Sweater: J. Crew featherweight (worn here before - similar 3/4 here)
Belt: Anthropologie looping lanes (worn here before - similar here)
Tights: Target
Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here)
Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral (worn here before)

And don't worry, Pacey is still with us ...

buzztongue

rough recording from the recent jams with Alex Nitkowski and James Palehorse. serious rhythm section.