I have had so much fun this week!

I loved getting dressed up each day, meeting so many wonderful ladies, being continually inspired by everyone's unique styles, and feelin' the love in the comment section.

Thank you to all who participated.

And a great BIG thank you to Emery for hosting.

I too thought it would be fun to do a day-to-evening look since it's Friday.

But be warned, I didn't have a chance to take pics until little man went to sleep this afternoon, so once I set up the tripod and realized I had at least an hour and a half of uninterrupted time, I took A LOT of pictures.

DAY

lace blouse: free people, gift from sister
tank: anthro
skirt: paige denim
boots: frye
jacket: stewart + brown sample sale

NIGHT

necklace & headband: f21
pants: zara
shoes: calvin klein 

I rarely wear heals since I'm nearly 5' 9" and when I put them on I tower over everyone.

Except my dear husband. When I met RJ in college we were the same height. He was so cute I stoically  mourned the loss of heels forever and settled on a life of ballet flats. Then God gave me an crazy unexpected gift and the man grew 4 inches his 21st year!!

Anyway, I got these heels a few months ago for my 10 year high school reunion and I am absolutely obsessed with them. The wide heel makes them super comfortable and the color goes with everything.

RINGS

This ring, from the Day Look, was from my great aunt

And this amazing ring (not the greatest pic) my sister brought back for me from Portugal.

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
My two guys are going out together tonight so I'll actually be in my yoga pants at Barnes & Nobles sipping a carmel macchiato and reading a book. ahhhh

I have truly enjoyed "meeting" so many of you.

Lets stay in touch. 

Fall Fashion Week 2011 - Thursday

The sun has been breaking free during the afternoons so today's fashion is a bit more spring than fall.

I was just excited to get one more wear out of my favorite summer straw hat.

Not much else to report today.

We too are off to the library to return some late books and movies.

Then maybe a smoothie date downtown with the little munchkin and some park time.

hat: anthro
shirt: anthro
pants: levi
shoes: old navy
braclet: f21

Hope everyone has a great Thursday. 

Fall Fashion Week 2011 - Wednesday

This is my Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen look: oversized, big, comfortable.

I just need some enormous sunglasses and a human-sized handbag.

Once again it's an attempt to take a summer maxi dress into fall.

I just threw what my husband calls my "grandma sweater" over the top and added boots.

But to be honest I'm going to be changing into something summer in a moment. The fog is already lifting and it's going to be warm out.

Sweater: thrifted
Dress: f21
boots: zulily

I was so concerned about my son having an accident yesterday that I forgot to take up Emery's challenge. I'm on it today for sure. How fun to encourage someone with a compliment. I know it always makes my day when people reach out and say something nice. 

Fall Fashion Week 2011 - Day 3

Today's a BIG day

so I thought I would dress up a little.

This is one of my favorite skirts. My hubby brought it home for me from a business trip a few years ago. He saw it hanging in a window display and thought I would like it. 

He's the best. Seriously. He really is.

shirt: anthro
belt: target
skirt: anthro
boots: frye
below:
shoes: target
bracelet: f21

I tried two different shoes just for fun.

Throw a cowgirl hat on my head and it almost looks like I'm ready for a hoe-down in this picture.
Bring on the fiddle dancing!

And our BIG day today:

Landon's going to venture out into the world in his underpants.

After a week of potty training we are leaving the feakishly absorbent Huggie-pants at home and stepping out in big-boy Lighting McQueen under-roos. 

A huge step in the life of a stay-at-home mom.

I'm pretty excited. And incredibly nervous.

When this boy has an accident it's no little leg dribble; he creates an enormous puddle of epic proportions. So I'm packing a towel next to the extra pants.

Wish us luck. 

Fall Fashion Week 2011 - Day 2

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments.

They seriously made-my-day!

Emery's blog really has a way of brining together the most wonderful people.

These jeans have stirrups - which I think is just about the most awesome thing ever!

They stay tucked into my boots so easily and I don't have to worry about bunchy knees.

I hadn't worn stirrup pants since my horse-riding days in the 4th grade. 

Pretty soon you'll might see me in a bodysuit again too.

Tee - f21
cardi - f21
stirrup jeans - gap
boots - zulily

The sick little peanut wanted to get into the action too.

I can't wait for little guys nap so I can take a moment to see what all you gorgeous ladies are wearing too.

Fall Fashion Week 2011 - Sunday

Thank you Emery for hosting!
(And if you don't know Emery you really must. Head over to her blog.
I've been a faithful reader for 4 YEARS. She's that delightful.)

WoooooHoooo!!!! It's Fall Fashion Week.

The only week of the entire year where I put conscious effort into my wardrobe choices for 7 straight days. 

I am so bummed I missed yesterday's fun. 

The little man has Roseola and he has been all consuming.

Irritable does not even begin to describe his behavior.

Poor little bug. 

But Dad is back from his work trip giving me a few extra moments to dress up. 

Living in Southern California I never actually pack away my spring and summer clothes.

Because, you know, sometimes it's 80 degrees on Christmas day.

And I have a teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy closet so I have to find ways to incorporate my

lighter stuff into fall and winter fashion. 

There is actually a chill in the air today so I was excited to bring out a sweater and boots.

Which I paired and layered with one of my favorite maxi dresses from this summer.

Long sleeve shirt - J.Crew
Maxi - f21
Sweater vest - Anthro
Boots - Buffalo Exchange

Runny Noses and Cutie Pies

On Saturday mornings Landon helps RJ with the yard work. He's got his very own sheath to carry around his "pruners" (a pair of dull pliers). He's also insistent on wearing his Easter hat.

Last weekend the three of us were sitting on the front porch having breakfast before starting chores. I looked at my two guys snuggled up next to one another and couldn't help exclaiming, "The two of you are just so cute!"

"You're cute too mom," Landon replied.    Made.My.Day!

This boy cracks me up.

A few weeks ago L and I were laying in bed together. He had a cold and RJ was out of town so I let him sleep with me. He was laying there sniffling. sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, over and over again. Poor kid had a leaky faucet. Suddenly he turned to me in panic. "Mama!," he yelled. "My nose isn't working!" 

Don't you just hate it when your nose doesn't work. 

4 Months Waiting

Although it is months and months and months away I am still so excited to get "the call."

The referral call from our agency when we will finally learn your name, your story, and see your sweet picture. 

Then we will get to travel to Ethiopia to meet you, hold you, squeeze you and love on you.

After that will come the agonizing waiting period as we wait to pass court, clear embassy, and prepare to bring you home.

Then we will go back to pick you up as part of our family forever. 

There will be a really long plane ride.

Finally we will bring you through the door of your new home.

That is the part I am most excited for.

The part when you come home. 

Like a pregnancy before delivery, or a wedding before marriage, this adoption journey is crazy.

It's exciting and full of anticipation.

There are twists and turns and unexpected hurdles, as well as blessings. 

But it's all a just a precursor to the real-deal. 

When you finally come home. 

All summer we grew Landon's hair out. We are big fans of the shaggy haired look. It's very beach boy. Very Renaissance Man. 

But inevitably a mullet begins to grow and you're stuck in a conundrum: suffer through the mullet phase until the hair gets longer or go back to a freshly shorn, cropped coif. 

I thought I would get all clever and just "clean up" Landon's mullet myself. RJ and I were pretty pleased with my hairdressing skills for a day or two. And then I took a photo of my little man and my eyes were opened:

I'm sorry sweet boy. Mama made you look like a goon.

Back to the barber we went. 

(It is near impossible to get a pic of this child smiling sweetly)

Much better.

The Solicitor

I had a solicitor come by at 7:30 A.M (!!!) yesterday. A college student going door-to-door selling educational materials for preschoolers. (Yup, she caught me in sweats, messy bun on the top of my head, dark circles under my eyes, and a breakfast-wearing toddler reeking havoc behind me). Who knocks on someones door at 7:30 in the morning?! Unless you're an immediate family member I probably don't want to see you before 8 (and you really don't want to see me either).

Maybe the early morning approach was because she was trying to reach working mothers? I'm not a working mom, but I can image that if I was one 7:30 would probably be the most opportune time to sit down for a warm chat about preschool language education. Perfect timing to take 15 minutes to pursue colorful workbooks and discuss the merits of early second language intervention; because most working mothers naturally build in an extra twenty minutes into their calm, organized morning routine for unexpected interruptions and exciting buying opportunities. [insert sarcasm throughout paragraph.]

I might be acting a bit hard on the girl. She was a college student after all; she was probably trying to pay off her bar tab tuition. And normally I would feel more compassionate for her unfortunate sales position, however, all compassion was lost when she got a bit hostile with me after I very politely decline her materials. Maybe it was my morning breath.

Our little neighborhood gets quite a few product peddlers throughout the week. I've been wanting to put up a small "No Soliciting" sign in our front window, but RJ things it makes us look unwelcoming. I'm curious, what do you think? Do you open your door to sales people? And do you ever buy anything?

3 (1/2) Months Waiting

You know who can not wait for your arrival: Your big brother Landon!

He might not completely understand adoption or know where Ethiopia is but he loves talking about brothers and sisters. And he loves playing with friends;

so I just know he's going to be thrilled with you get here.

You are going to have so much fun together.