Getting Older & Trying New Things

Still Life-Blue Fondant from JanetHillStudio

    Birthdays have always been a associated with disappointment for me.  Not just the recent ones, but the early ones too.  On the earliest birthday I can remember, another little girl blew out the candles on my cake and then threw a tantrum.  They didn't re-light the candles for me.  That was it.  She stole my wish and the birthday was over; let's eat cake!  There was the tweenage year that I told my backstabbing friend that I was going to have a big birthday party and she decided she would have a party too (even though her birthday was months away). She planned it for the weekend of my birthday and invited all our friends...except me. 
    On my thirteenth birthday, everyone forgot, except my mom who wished me a quick happy birthday on her way out the door as she headed to work.  And that was that.  Birthday over; no cake.  There was the 15th birthday my dearly loved grandmother died. On my 16th birthday I said goodbye to all my friends as they went back to school and I chose a different path of homeschooling and beginning college early.  And the list goes on and on.  Not all bad of course, but the good ones seemed more sparsely occurring than the bad after a while.
    I really am very blessed and I don't like to linger on disappointments.  To counteract the growing dread of birthdays, I decided on my 18th birthday that each year I would stop expecting other people to make my birthday great and start focusing on doing something for myself.  It had to be something I had always wanted to do, but for whatever reason (fear, finances, or just a hectic schedule) I had never done.  I was now solely responsible for making this day great and memorable or just another year turning over.  In this small way, birthdays improved. 
    One year I turned my curly lion's mane hair into a sleek pixie cut.  One year I decided to try skate boarding (the first time I hit a rock and went flying off that board face first, I realized there are good reasons for not doing certain things).  One year I had just become a mother for the second time and sat in the midst of all the chaos and the messy house to soak in all the joy I felt over having these two precious girls.  One year I started my own jewelry business, an endeavor which lasted for several successful years.  And one year, I threw a fancy tea party complete with frilly dresses, pearls, finger sandwiches and french macrons for my girls and me.  These are things I may not have made a permanent part of my life, but I would definitely have regretted it if I had never tried them.  They made that day memorable and if not always good then at least very interesting.

Portrait-The English Major from JanetHillStudio

    That brings us to this year.  This year is kind of a big deal.  It marks the approximate half-way point of my life.  It's startling to think that half of my life is over.  I don't know why it's so looming this year.  I didn't fall apart at 29 or 30.  But, this past year has been full of doctor visits for various reasons, and at each of them my younger-than-me doctors have reminded me that some of these issues are unavoidable as I become "older," "middle aged," or, my favorite term, "advanced maternal age."  Funny, I was feeling on top of the world, not over the hill.
    All those words describing me in a way I hadn't considered myself before really has me thinking about my life and contemplating what to do this year.  I'll admit that there's a small part of me that feels on the verge of falling apart and having a midlife crisis, but there are too many people depending on me for that.  Plus, it sounds like a lot of drama and drama is such an unpleasant chore. 
   What should I do this year?  Tattoos?  Piercings? Smoking? Wild Hair?  Done, done, done, and done.  Painting? Photography? Foreign Travel?  Check, check, check.  Sewing? Fitness? Gardening? All done or at least attempted.  Now, I'm at a bit of a loss.  What should I do to mark this momentous day, this personal milestone?  I'm sure the sure the answer will come in time for the big day; it's still a few months away.  Until then though, I'm open to suggestions.

Still Life-The Go Getter from JanetHillStudio

Spring Plaid

    It's almost time for all those wonderful Renn Faire's and festivals to start back in the States and I miss them so much.  Japan has plenty of festivals of its own, but it's never quite the same as home.  Still, I intend to be a trooper and get out there to as many local festivals as possible while this gorgeous weather lasts, and I have found the perfect dress for it.  

    I've always thought of plaid as a cold weather print usually for cozy flannel fabrics, but when I saw this cheery plaid sundress by Forever 21, I couldn't imagine why there aren't more plaid sundresses in the world.  I guess gingham is the go-to for springtime prints.  I'm sporting a little damage to my arm today as I tried a roller-slide for the first time yesterday.  I was told to keep my arms tucked in, but the bolts lining the sides still hit me while moving a pretty high speed.  Oh, well, I tried it and it was awesome.  Plus, it kept the kids busy for hours so I could stand around and enjoy some mom talk with friends.  

 Shop the Look:
Forever 21 Plaid Dress from ThredUp.
Use this link to save $20 off your first order http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5
Ring made by me
Sandals from Target

Ocean Whispers: ootd

    I didn't grow up near the ocean, far from it, but the first time I stood on a beach staring out across the Atlantic and the most beautiful sunrise I'd ever seen, I was in love.  I've been a collector of all things nautical ever since.  When I found this Pitter Patter Skirt by Maeve on ThredUp for $17.50 and I was instantly drawn to it.  The colors reminded me of ocean waves thick with foam.  

    On the same trip browsing ThredUp, I also found this lace blazer from Forever 21 for only $8 and I knew these two were meant to be.  My favorite thing about this jacket is the little gathering at the back.  Very sweet and unexpected, it gives it that extra something.  

    I accessorized with nautical and seashell jewelry just to tie in that ocean wave feeling I got when I first saw it.  This outfit, especially the jacket, is surprisingly comfortable.  I'll switch the heels for walking flats and this will be my new running errands outfit. 

Shop the Look:

New to ThredUp?  Use this link to save $20 off your first order  http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5

Blazer by Forever 21 

Pitter Patter Skirt by Maeve

Necklace made by me

Other Jewelry is family heirlooms

Heels by Report

Earrings from Claire's

Sunny How That Works Dress Review

I've had my eye on this little coral/ivory striped dress by Anthropologie for a while now on Ebay,but it's never dropped below $80.  When I saw this Sunny How That Works Dress in pink stripes at ModCloth for $70 I was still a little hesitant.  With the 20% off coupon they were offering I decided it was time to buy.  The dress didn't come in my size, but I chose to chance it since my alteration skills have reached mad levels.  Besides, I'm kind of a sucker for anything with pale pink and ivory stripes.  I have no idea why, maybe because I just don't see that combo very often.  Also, I've been desperate for some strawberries and cream outfit to come along so I can bring out my biscuit purse to go with it.  So, let's get to the dress review!

    Pros:  It's 100% cotton and the bodice and skirt are both lined.  I ordered this in a size up, but it fits like a glove, so really compare measurements before you order or this could be a con.  Love the length, love the tie at the bust.  Yay for pockets; this dress has them!.  I don't have any cons to mention which is rare but awesome.  Today's post is just the dress, outfits will follow soon!

Shop the Look:
Ring is handmade by me
Rocket Dog Flats from ModCloth
Sunny How That Works Dress by Ixia
Earrings from Claire's
Biscuit Purse

Call It Puppy Love

    A year ago one of my husband's co-workers was going on a trip and needed someone to watch her dog, a little black and white papillon named Pippin.  I had no interest in watching him for a few days.  It's not that I don't love dogs, because I do.  It had more to do with the fact that every dog I'd ever met that belonged to a small breed was, well....a complete jerk.  

    They barked, they snapped, they were overly aggressive and I'd never met one I liked.  This dog spent most of his days all alone as both owners worked full time and I feared he would be overwhelmed by the difference of life at our house.  With two giggly little girls who wanted to shower attention on something so cute, I felt almost certain one or both of them was going to get bit.  

   Somehow my family convinced me that it would be OK, so we agreed to watch him.  For the first day I felt like I was constantly on guard, watching the dog for signs of frustration or anger and constantly warning the girls to "give him some space."  By the end of the second day I had relaxed and begun to notice that Pippin not only tolerated all this attention, he relished it.  Anywhere the girls were that is where he wanted to be.  He loved all the petting and carrying and being included.  Anytime someone left the room he was right at their heels.  At the end of our three days with Pippin, the girls were heart-broken to see him go.  I was pretty sad too.  But, his people promised that now that they had someone they could trust to take care of him, they would take lots of trips and always let us watch him.  And they did.  

    Over the course of the year, before they moved away, we watched him about half a dozen times for up to a month at a go.  He was always wonderful, never lost his temper, and has convinced me that when we are able to get a dog of our own, Papillon is the way to go.  So, in honor of that sweet boy, today's outfit is for the dogs, my Paws & Poise Dress from ModCloth.  I bought it about two years ago and still find new colors to wear with it and it always looks lovely.

 Shop the Look:

Paws & Poise Dress from ModCloth

Vintage bow belt

Nine West Heels are old

Ann Taylor Loft Cardi from ThredUp   

Use this link to save $20 off your first purchase http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5

Kyudo: Japanese Archery Competition

This photo is of Japanese archers circa 1870-1880

Kyudo, Japanese archery has been in practice since feudal era and the days of the samurai.  Today it is practiced just for fun and to carry on tradition.  Every year our little town hosts its own competition in which skilled kyudoka in full traditional dress wield long bows and attempt to hit their target from the back of a galloping horse.  Beautiful and breathtaking, watching this display is like stepping back in time.

 After each pass, the sand is smoothed over and made ready for the next competitor.  The difficulty of it and the skill involved combined with the brilliant costumes and the pressing throngs cheering for every competitor; it was all so exciting and reminded me very much of a medieval jousting tournament.

At the end of the tournament, the festivities carried on with lunch on the beach and booths to visit.  We headed to a dumpling vendor to sample some of the local fair.  My husband is beyond happy that we have access to so much fresh seafood here.

And thankfully my girls are pretty adventurous when it comes to food as well.  My oldest was thrilled when she pulled a whole octopus from her dumpling.  She paused long enough to let me snap a pic before she gobbled it up in one bite.

Rompers: Come Out & Play!

    I remember when rompers were just for little girls.  Those days are gone and there are so many lovely options to choose from for us grown-ups, but as with many fashion trends, I have dragged my feet.  It's not that I don't think they're cute.  I loved them when I was a girl and loved dressing my girls in them as well.  I just wasn't sure if they counted as "grown-up clothes."  

    I've seen a lot of strapless rompers and I can't imagine how one could go more than a few seconds  without the top coming down or the bottoms riding up.  Or both.  Madness!  There's also the fact that in order to use the bathroom, you have to almost completely disrobe.  That seems like a pretty big design flaw, even for kids' clothes.  Never the less, when this cute little romper by My Beloved popped up on ThredUp for only $10 I decided to give it a try.  And, it just so happened that this weekend was perfect for a picnic and a playful romper.

     The results?  Well, I was right about all the cons, and I'd like to add to that list that I've seen quite a few rompers that leave so little to the imagination, they seem more like underwear than an outfit.  But, the romper has a few pros that are worth mentioning too.  First of all it's a single piece so no need to coordinate as you would with separates.  It's flowy and comfortable but still has a shape.  And last but not least, it's pretty darn cute and it's one of the few things I own that I think I look better in from behind.  While I may not ever own more than one (it's pretty likely that I won't), I'm glad I tried this trend.  I hope it will be the first of many trends tried and I think it is going to get a lot of wear this summer.

Here are a few rompers that I love:

Sightseeing Essential Romper $54.99  &  Read It And Steep Romper $54.99

Usoa Eyelet Romper $128  &  Candy Stripe Romper $160

New Look Petite Romper $33  &  Embroidered Cotton Romper $55

Rose Print Halter Romper $22.90  &  Ornate Print Cami Romper $19.90