Thursday, October 31, 2013: Happy Halloween!

First off, my sincere apologies for the crappiness of this picture.  Being that it was pouring rain pretty much all day, the light was really bad, plus Moose just wouldn't stay out of the pictures!  The sweater is a dark green, and the jeans aren't quite a light of a wash as they appear; really they are just old, and they are getting too big.  Hubby keeps telling me to pitch them because they don't fit anymore, but I'm guessing the toddler-chasing weight loss is temporary.  If the weight isn't back after the holidays I'll consider pitching them.

So, the rain...  It poured rain pretty much all day.  And yes, trick or treating was today in our neighborhood.  Every kid that showed up at my door got at least two pieces of candy; if you had a really awesome costume and Babygirl was helping hand out candy, you might have got five pieces of candy at our house.  And we give out good candy.  Given the rain we got a fraction of our normal trick or treaters.  I was expecting to run out of candy and we have a whole pumpkin full of candy left. 

Babygirl was an awesome Holly Golightly, although most people thought she was a princess...  The people that got it thought it was awesome.  And a two year old sounds incredibly cute trying to pronounce "Holly Golightly"!  Hubby left work early and managed to take her around a block between cloudbursts.  She had a GREAT time and came home with her bag full of candy.  I guess I wasn't the only one giving out extra this year.  She also refused to wear a coat (good thing it was warmer than your average Wisconsin Halloween!) and splashed in every puddle she came across.  I guess Holly Golightly should have worn her "puddle boots"; she came back soaked.


On Mommy
Sweater: Maggie by Magaschoni; Jeans: Lucky; Earrings: World Market; Necklace: vintage; Belt: Nine West; NO SHOES!! :)

On Babygirl
Dress (turned inside out): vintage Gymboree; Tiara: Hobby Lobby; Glasses: Gymboree; Necklace: vintage; Brooch (on necklace): vintage; Gloves: amazon.com; Tights: TJ Maxx; Shoes: Unlisted; Treat Bag: TJ Maxx

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sweater: Tahari; Camisole: Old Navy; Jeans: Lucky; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own design; antique lavalier; Rings (right hand): TJ Maxx (sapphires), the other two (gold and gold with diamonds) are antique; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: Sofft

Monday, October 28, 2013

Sweater: Tweeds; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: antique; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: Nine West

Friday, September 27, 2013

Shirt: Gap; Cardigan: Gap; Jeans: Lucky; Scarf: Echo; Necklace (worn as bracelet): my own design; Shoes: Bandolino

Saturday, October 26, 2013: Trick or Treating

Today was trick or treating day for the local businesses; it doesn't happen in our neighborhood until Thursday.  Hubby and I like to take Babygirl to the business trick or treating because we have a dog who would go crazy if we left him home alone during trick or treating in our neighborhood, so we can't really take Babygirl in the neighborhood unless Hubby could get home early enough that she could go before her nap.  Given how busy he has been at work this does not seem likely this year.  That may seem like Babygirl is getting the short end of the stick, but she really loved putting on her costume and helping to hand out candy last year.  Added Bonus: she gets to show off her costume without wearing a coat over it OR freezing her butt off!

Sweater: Sophia Milano; Jeans: Lucky; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own design; Megan Goldkamp; Belt: Ralph Lauren; Boots: White Mountain

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Ugh.  Spent WAY too much money at the grocery store today.  I should not go shopping if I am even just a little bit hungry...

No idea what I am going to do with those key limes, maybe I can get motivated and make a pie this weekend?

Big plans to not leave the house tomorrow!

Sweater: Land's End; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Boots: Ugg

Wednesday, October 23, 2013: Long Delayed Pictures for Babygirl

FINALLY took Babygirl in for her two year old pictures today...  She is a February baby, so she is past 2 1/2 at this point, but we just hadn't gotten to it yet.

I feel really bad, because my MIL has been bugging me for them forever, but I just hadn't dealt with it for a couple of reasons.  The first reason is that my Aunt that Babygirl is named after passed away two days after Babygirl's second birthday after a battle with what was believed to be Parkinson's Disease at that time.  (The diagnosis has since been changed to Multiple Systems Atrophy.)  While it is a blessing that my Aunt no longer suffers, the whole family has been distressed at the loss of such a wonderful, caring, selfless person.  I hope my daughter grows up to be half the person her Great Aunt was.

Also, I have not really been happy with any of the pictures I have had professionally taken of her; she is very photogenic, yet their pictures typically seem not to capture "her".  For another thing, I am not a framed pictures person.  I can probably count on one hand the number of framed family pictures in the house.  It just isn't my thing.  I am more into digital images which I can display on my computer, digital frame, and make into printed books (of which I have several in the living room) and most of these places want a small fortune for the pictures cd, especially if you don't buy any prints.

That being said, I saw a groupon a few months ago for Picture People that included a high resolution cd for $75.  Having heard good things about Picture People, I figured it was worth a try, even though the closest location is about an hour away.  I must say that I was pleased enough with the pictures to even order some prints!  Which is really surprising considering Babygirl decided to be a total grumpy brat!  The photographer was great, really patient, and worked really hard to get some pleasant looks out of Babygirl.  I will be returning to Picture People in the future, even at double the price, however, I will not order prints from them in the future as I was not really thrilled with the quality of the paper they use (I know, I'm way to picky for my own good!)

Sweater: Autumn Cashmere; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Bracelet: Banana Republic; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: Cole Haan

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Top: Ann Taylor; Sweater: The Limited; Jeans: Lucky; Necklaces (from top): my own design, Megan Goldkamp; Belt: H&M; Boots: Ugg

Monday, October 21, 2013: Cold Weather Knitting

Sweater: Evelyn Grace Cashmere; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Nine West; Boots: Ugg; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Necklace (worn as bracelet): my own design

New knitting!  I made Babygirl and I matching fingerless gloves!

They are nice now that the weather is getting colder, and Babygirl can almost put them on by herself!  Plus, she thinks they are nifty so she actually wants to wear them!

Sunday, October 20, 2013: Happy BIrthday to Me!

Today is my birthday!  On a similar note, I am no longer getting older, just wiser...  (This has been the case for several years now.)

Hubby and Babygirl took me out for brunch and we had a lovely walk in a local lakeside resort town.  We got home to find that my brother and his girlfriend had just pulled up to visit!  Overall, it was a lovely day, but we did all eat too much at brunch!

These are my new boots (happy birthday!)  I chose the Brooks from Ugg.  Uggs may not be the best looking boots out there (but they are working on the styling), but they are the only boots I have found that keep my feet warm through our Wisconsin winters, so I am sold!  The Brooks are better looking than my old ones (the traditional suede tall boots), and I am sure I will get many years out of them as well.

Sweater: Gap; Camisole: Target; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: TJ Maxx; Boots: Ugg

Friday, October 18, 2013: Trip to the Aquarium

Hubby took the day off today so we could take Babygirl down to the "Big Fishy House" (a.k.a. the Shedd Aquarium) in Chicago.  Babygirl loves fish, so she thought it was loads of fun!  Neither Hubby nor I had been there in 15+ years, so we all  had a great time!

This was Babygirl's first big trip away from home in big girl underwear, so I must admit I was quite apprehensive, but all went well!  Hooray for (hopefully) no more pull-ups!

On Babygirl
Shirt: Gymboree; Sweater: Gymboree; Jeans: Levis; Boots: Igor
A side note, decent looking rain boots are rather difficult to find in toddler sizes, so I was thrilled to find these on My Habit about a month ago when Babygirl was insisting that she needed "puddle boots."

On Me
Shirt: Josephine Chaus; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Bag: Kate Spade; Bracelets (top to bottom): Banana Republic, J Crew; Boots: White Mountain

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Lots of running around today to get all of the things I didn't get done earlier in the week due to the insanity of this week.  BIG PLANS to stay home tomorrow and let Babygirl have a day to not be crazy!  Oh, and uncover the laundry room from the mound of laundry...

This is another sweater that I have had for several years.  It is so warm and cozy; like wearing a cashmere blanket!

Sweater: A. Giannetti; Shirt: Gap; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: J Crew; Belt: Ralph Lauren; Boots: White Mountain

Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Daytime outfit: story time with Babygirl, Lunch with MIL and GG, and assorted running around.  I have owned this sweater for a while, and it is one of my favorites.  It is just such a lovely soft cashmere, comfortable and warm.  My parents gave it to me for my birthday several years ago, and it gets worn quite frequently in cooler weather. 

Sweater: Daniel Bishop; Jeans: Pepe; Boots: White Mountain; Necklace (worn as bracelet): my own design





















This was the outfit I wore to attend the wake of the Deacon who performed our marriage ceremony and conducted the ceremony during which Babygirl was baptized, he was also a long time friend of Hubby's family.  I just felt that my outfit from earlier was a bit too casual for the service I was attending.  With a little more forethought and better weather I probably would have chosen different footwear as well...

The wake included a wonderful ceremony with thought and humor that Deacon would have enjoyed.  It even included a mention of the pink (!) sport coat that he wore to our wedding reception...  Needless to say for someone so well liked and  involved in the community, it was very well attended.

If Hubby were here instead of traveling for work (he was very upset not to be able to attend) we would probably attend the funeral mass tomorrow as well.  Given the busyness of this week, I think Babygirl and I will likely not attend. 

Deacon is fondly remembered and sadly missed by many.

Dress: Cynthia Rowley; Boots: White Mountain; Necklace (worn as bracelet): my own design

Monday, October 14, 2013

Jacket: Cinzia Picci (bought in Italy several years ago); Sweater: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Scarf: Echo; Boots: Vintage Lucchese (from the late 70s or early 80s: I bought them as old new stock from a store I used to work at when I was going to school); Belt: Ralph Lauren; Bracelets (top to bottom): Kate Spade, Target

It is going to be another long week.  We are finishing up moving Hubby's Gram to assisted living (although MIL corrects anyone who calls it assisted living--"its a senior community".)  Hence the lacking outfits from last week; I didn't really think you wanted to see my grubby packing clothes!  Gram's new apartment is beautiful with a great view of the forest preserve, and in my opinion, much nicer than her old apartment.  It does mean she is further from everyone, but only about 10-15 minutes further. 

As if that isn't depressing enough, we received the sad news last week that the Deacon who married Hubby and I and preformed the ceremony during which Babygirl was baptized (and has been a long time friend of Hubby's family) passed away suddenly due to an accident last week.  Hubby is traveling for work this week, and the services are mid week, so looks like Babygirl and I will be heading to this one without him.  Hubby was quite upset to find out that he was not going to be able to make any of the services.

On a happier note, we have plans to take Babygirl to Chicago to the Shedd Aquarium (she loves fishies!) on Friday.  We were going to take the train down because Babygirl is also currently a bit train obsessed, but I don't think the train is going to work out for us time-wise, so we will likely be driving down.

Hopefully we will also get a chance to stop at the Ugg store down there so I can replace my sorry looking pair (happy birthday me!)  I was trying to figure out how old my Uggs are the other day, and I'm pretty sure they are seven or eight years old!  I have the traditional suede ones, which I personally do not find very attractive, but they are one of the few pairs of boots that actually keep my feet warm throughout the winter here!  This time around the styles have gotten better looking; I think I want one of the smooth leather styles.  I'm sure there will be pictures in the near future!

Thursday, October 10, 2013: Trip to the Art Museum with Babygirl

Top: Green Envelope; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Ellen Tracey; Bracelets (top to bottom): Banana Republic, J Crew

Today was member preview day for the Thomas Sully exhibit at the art museum up in Milwaukee.  I received the card in the mail a few weeks back and thought I would like to go, so I stuck the card on the refrigerator to remind myself.  I was thinking I would find someone to watch Babygirl and either go see the exhibit by myself or ask one of my arty friends.  Babygirl (who is 2 1/2) saw the card on the fridge and asked if she could "Go see that picture?"  How could I refuse??  She was really excited this morning when I told her today was the day we could go to the museum to see the picture.  We both had a great time at the exhibit!  Babygirl particularly enjoyed the paintings of people with "funny clothes", hats, or animals.  I may return to see the exhibit again at a more Mommy pace, but I was glad Babygirl and I got to share the experience.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Sweater: Kenar; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Simply Vera; Earrings: World Market; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Bracelet: Banana Republic

Monday, October 7, 2013

This is one outfit, I just wanted to show the cute cape I wore in the morning before it warmed up.

Cape: Banana Republic; Sweater: Gap; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Ralph Lauren; Boots: White Mountain; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own design, Megan Goldkamp

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Farmer's market with Hubby and Babygirl! :)

Sweater: Kenar; Camisole: Target; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Cole Haan; Necklace: Megan Goldkamp; Bracelet: Kate Spade

Friday, October 4, 2013: More on the Knitting Obession

Top: Kenar; Sweater: Laundry by Shelli Segal; Jeans: Lucky; Necklace: vintage; Shoes: Cole Haan

Finished Babygirl's new pouf!  The new one is the one on the left.  As you can see it is much larger than the first one, and it is a spiral pattern that I kind of made up as I went along (after tearing it apart several times...)  It is a huge hit! 

Working on a pair of leg warmers for Babygirl now.  They are to go with her rain boots (a.k.a. "puddle boots") that came in the mail yesterday.  She was so excited about the boots that she didn't want to take them off even when it was bath time!  The leg warmers are in a spiral pattern and are a cute gray color.  They are turning out so cute that I think the next project will be a pair for me!  (I already got some chunkier gray yarn for mine! :) )

Thursday, October 3, 2013: New Boots!

Got to wear my cute new boots for the first time today!  (So excited!)  I was really excited when I finally found a pair of brown tall boots I liked at Marshalls last week.  They have a really cute zipper detail up the sides that I love and they were only $40!  The only bummer is that they are not real leather, but for the price and the look I decided I could live with that...

Sweater: Polo; Jeans: Lucky; Boots: White Mountain; Earrings: World Market; Bracelet: J Crew

Tuesday, October 1, 2013: The Latest Obsession

Sweater: Valerie Bertinelli; Camisole: Target; Jeans: Michael Kors; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: Cole Haan; Necklaces (top to bottom): my own design, Megan Goldkamp; Horn Bangle

Picked up knitting as a hobby earlier this year, but had not finished any actual projects until recently.  I started a knit pouf for Babygirl while we were on vacation, and now I am hooked!  I have been knitting constantly since then!  I finished Babygirl's pouf, made some additional poufs for Christmas presents, and have knit some small pumpkins...

Babygirl's pouf is by far my favorite so far.  I did make some slight changes from the original pattern; I cast on 60 stitches, and made my tube just over two feet long for a larger pouf.  I also lined mine (with an old tank top!  It fit two full size pillows and one throw pillow!  Who knew you could fit so much stuff in there!) so you wouldn't see the filling.  The lining also seemed to help with shape.  I do think I would have gotten a better shape with a duvet, but I didn't have any on hand.  I did make a trip to Ikea to purchase some duvets for $10(!) to stuff the ones I will be giving as Christmas gifts.

Babygirl loves it!  She has requested another one already!  Her next one is almost done, it is the same color (mostly because I bought a lot more yarn than I needed) and even bigger, but it is in a spiral pattern that I am improvising.  (Just learning and already I'm getting brave!)  I'm sure I'll be posting pictures later. 

I'm also working on a pair of leg warmers for Babygirl to wear with the rain boots she doesn't know she is getting yet.  She is a little obsessed with rain boots, or as she calls them "puddle boots" because of a book we picked up at a garage sale.  I guess that made a $0.50 book bad economy...