random ootd photo & new hair!

It's summer time and the living is easy.  Let's have a random style related outfit of the day post, shall we?

The big news is (drum roll please):

I got my first hair cut in 4 years!

Yup, that's right, four years ago I got my last cut before chemo. After treatment my hair grew back very slowly, and very differently from how it was.  First it came in tight little curls, then course, wirey waves.  It didn't grow evenly either.  So I simply trimmed my bangs and kept cutting off strange wayward waves until something akin to my previous hair emerged.  It was finally time to get a real grown up hairstyle again.  The result is this simple layered bob.  I like it...though it is a wee bit shorter than anticipated. 

Anyway, I wore this outfit last week when the weather took a cooler turn.  We've been calling this old zebra striped blouse from Kohls my magic top...it seems to go with everything...paired with any color cardigan it works.  It has also fit me at several different weights -- yeah, it really is magic.

The new lightweight cropped cardi is from Target and I'm in love with the orange color.

My dark jeans are Sante Fe bootcut from the Avenue.  The bone colored Dansko Sissy sandals are thrifted and I live in them for the summer...truly the most comfy pair of shoes I own.  I often find them for sale new on eBay and have them in other colors. 

So, there you go, an ootd.  Hope everyone enjoys these early days of summer!

define this

Someone asked me recently if I was going to go back to posting daily outfit pix. I don’t think so, though I’m sure I’ll do one now and then. I guess the nature of this blog has changed a bit...as I have, certainly. Then came the question, are you going to change your blog name? I hadn’t really thought about that.  Does the name, Fashionably Later still fit?  

I’ve been getting back to basics on many fronts in my life so maybe I should try including this blog in that effort, too. Since one of the first rules of blogging is to find your niche, that means you need to define yourself. I decided to start there.  For inspiration I searched on the present name of this blog, Fashionably Later, and I got...well, my blog, but after that came a review in the Boston Globe of the Sex In The City movie from 2008 and some tumblr picture of a person wearing cut-off denim shorts. Not exactly helpful. So instead I tried Googling the phrase of origin, Fashionably Late.  Here is some of what came up from that:

 

-The refined art of being just late enough.

 

-When you show up late, so everyone will think you have a life.

 

-Getting noticed by arriving at that time, in other words standing out by being late.

 

-Arriving late to an event to give the impression that you are a busy, popular person.

 

I kinda like the first one. The second one made me laugh -- none of them really helped, though.  Maybe I should go back to the beginning. When I started Fashionably Later it was supposed to be a fun little wardrobe diary for a middle-aged mom, with a small slice of life tossed in now and then. I wanted to rebuild my confidence and prove that style was something any woman could create regardless of her size, vocation, budget or age. It wasn’t about making a major fashion statement...it wasn’t about fashion at all, not in the sense that word is typically used. For me this was about one woman’s "re-found" desire to look her best as a simple act of personal empowerment, and doing so a little later in life. I shared it for entertainment, and because I thought just maybe it would inspire someone else in a similar situation...you never know.

 

But then a funny thing happened on the way to the style blog – I got diagnosed with breast cancer. And what I had intended as a positive but fairly lighthearted endeavor quickly became something very different.

 

I wrote about my cancer journey, about my life, about things way beyond what I was wearing. And the people who once commented on outfit choices or accessories now were leaving me the most amazing comments that carried me through the worst time of my entire life. They gave me hope, they cried with me, they uplifted me and some even kept vigil when I wasn’t here. I “met” other women with cancer as well as a slew of talented and supportive writers...a diverse little gathering coalesced for me here. The outpouring from my tiny corner of the blogosphere was one of the most touching things that has ever happened to me. I’ll never forget it. Never.

 

A lot has changed since my cancer diagnosis four years ago. I’ve changed, my body has changed, my goals, even my tastes have changed. In some ways perhaps for the better, but to be honest, in many ways I still mourn for the woman I once was. I miss her. Of course, everything always changes...you don’t need cancer to have that happen. That’s just life.

 

As I try to find my voice again and recreate myself I don’t completely know what is in store for this blog (let alone anything else). I don’t see it returning exclusively to style commentary or a wardrobe diary, but I’m not ready to say goodbye to all that completely either. There are so many other things I want to write about, too, things I've got on my mind.  Perhaps despite typical blogging advice I shouldn’t focus on finding my niche or defining this blog any more than I should try to strictly define myself. I don't need any more limitations at this point in my life.

 

I've decided for now not to worry about descriptions anymore.  This is who I am, this is what I like and here’s what I feel like writing about. It might not always be cohesive, but I'm still doing it with my own sense of style...and definitely a little later than I had originally planned. Based on that, the name Fashionably Later still fits pretty well, I think -- so I guess in the end some things haven’t changed that much after all ;)

 

in the eyes of the beholder

Beauty is by nature objective.  And like the old 1970's song says, everyone is beautiful in their own way.  Yet rarely do I ever appreciate my own beauty in the present tense.  Instead I tend to see it most in images from the past.  Whenever I see photos of myself  I think wow, I didn’t realize how nice I looked then.  The mirror of today often tells me a much different story than the lens of yesterday. 

When I created this blog and began posting outfit pix here it was an attempt at self-acceptance.  I was trying to appreciate my inherent beauty...a beauty I believe everyone possesses.  While society often has unrealistic ideals for what is considered attractive, I’m not interested in that.  As a nearly 50 year old woman those impossible standards left me in the dust years ago.  I’m talking about the kind of beauty that is personal.  The kind where you are pleased with the image in the mirror because you look your best and it represents who you are as a whole, real person -- not some narrowed view based on arbitrarily defined criteria meant for a ridiculously select few. 

But lately beautiful is a bit far from how I feel.  When I look in the mirror today I see a woman radically altered.  From a 40+ pound weight gain due to ongoing cancer meds, to a head of hair grown back after chemo that doesn’t feel like my own, not to mention the accelerated progression of aging as a result of treatment -- all have left me feeling a little less than pretty at the moment.  I confess, I’ve been avoiding the mirror, let alone the lens. 

 

I remember feeling this way before.  Sandwiched between my late twenties and thirties I began a weight gain spiral that eventually resulted in "significant obesity."  I disliked my reflection in the mirror then, too.  I don’t even have any pictures of myself from that period, but other people have one or two.  I saw them not long ago and you know what?  Once again, in the rearview mirror of history I could see myself as attractive...I could find plenty to recognize as beautiful.  What a shame I didn’t see it back then.  I would have gained so much from even a little bit more self-esteem. 

Maybe part of how we judge our own appearance should also be relative to our experience, to what is going on in our lives.  For me that means focusing on how I feel, on making  positive strides every day to regain my health.  I want to reclaim wellness post-cancer.  Meanwhile I will try harder to embrace the body I am in right now because it sure has been through a lot and served me pretty well in the process, all things considered. 

So I took these pictures. I posed on my back deck for the first time in years.  I may not immediately love what I see.  It may be obvious how cancer has changed me, and unwanted change is never easy.  But now I will always have these images to look at and remember I was beautiful...I was beautiful today.

 

Photo finish

Last November I blogged about what my mom wore to chemotherapy when she had breast cancer a couple years ago. I decided that when I went for my own treatment, rather than dress strictly for comfort alone, I would also try to put together and wear outfits that made me feel good about the way I looked, sort of as an act of empowerment. I also planned to take pix throughout.

But I didn’t take pictures.

Mind you, I actually did manage to dress pretty cute for every single infusion. In fact, chemo-day was practically the only time I donned real clothes, the only time I wore my wig or tried to put on any make-up. Most of the rest of the time I spent in baggy sweats, bald, no make-up, laying around and trying not to completely cave in.

On chemo-days, though, I made the monumental effort to look better, and it did make me feel stronger. But whenever I would catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror I was downright unrecognizable, though to someone who didn’t already know me, well, they might never have guessed I was in the midst of cancer treatment. Dear Michael used to lovingly joke I had better start looking worse otherwise people wouldn’t believe I was sick.

But all the same, I never felt like posting a picture.

I had wanted to take photographs during treatment as a sort of visual record of the experience, something tangible to illustrate the evolution I’d inevitably be going thru. See, when I was obese I never had any pictures taken. For almost ten years of my life there’s scarcely any evidence of me existing. I’m not there in the holiday photos…barely any wedding pix, certainly no candid vacation albums. So many memories are just in my head without anything to show or share. I virtually edited myself right out of my own life. And once I lost the weight I realized what a shame that was, such a waste…how sad. I vowed I would never do that again.

But when reality hit and the chemo side-effects took their inevitable toll the thought of seeing all that laid out in living color, let alone plastered in the blogosphere, became much too painful -- I completely changed my mind. In light of what was going on it just didn’t seem important. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to memorialize any of that in pictures for posterity.

After treatment ended and the summer months wore on I still didn't want any photos, for here or anywhere else. Understandable, I’d been thru a lot…but…would I ever? I secretly mourned the possibility that I might not. That would feel like yet another loss to cancer amongst so many others.

But then, very slowly, I started to feel a little better, and subsequently my appearance in the mirror reflected that back to me. Amazingly even as the whole pulmonary nodule episode unfolded and wracked me with fear to my core…despite even that, bit by bit I started to vaguely recognize myself.

Day by day I look more and more like me – and I’ve decided whether it looks like the same me as before is totally beside the point at the moment. What really matters is I am alive…I’m living my life and getting well again.

What lies beneath

On the left you see me and my wound VAC ready for a Sunday outing. Looks like a purse, albeit fairly unstylish, lol.

But sans blouse & vest you can see some of what goes on with the tubing (yes, I really DID pose on my deck in just a sports bra -- crazy or brave, take your pick!) The tube comes out of the top of my bra from my right breast and then I hook it thru my belt loops to help control it since I carry the VAC on my opposite shoulder.

(You can also get a glimpse of the results from my tummy tuck.)

I can tell you that this VAC is a miracle healing apparatus, the wound looks much better than it did -- surprisingly so. I never would have thought it could heal to this extent.

I felt compelled to share this because when I describe the machine to most people it sounds scary or barbaric...a sterile sponge taped over a wound with a tube attached to a machine that constantly sucks on it is not exactly appealing to say the least. But in reality it's not so bad, as you can clearly see.

Michael and I had a lovely lunch and did some shopping...oh, and I was fully dressed during all of it, I swear ;)

First post-op photo!

Thought it was time to show my face...and the rest of me too ;)

It's been around 40 days since my surgery. Other than my necrotic wound issue I am feeling quite good physically...I can move around fairly well now. My abdominal area is no longer what I'd describe as painful, simply a sort of stretched, bloated ache at worst. Trust me, I'm a total wimp when it comes to pain so I'm not being blase' about it in the least. The new breast is pretty much comfortably numb, tho there's surface feeling here and there. Thankfully it doesnt hurt either, tho certain arm movements can cause a bit of tenderness where they removed my two lymph nodes.

Since my midsection is quite swollen yet I went out and bought new jeans in a larger size -- plus size 14 to be exact. Pre-surgery I was typically a regular size 12-14 but even my loosest jeans still feel too snug on my middle. The fuller cut of a plus size is better on my tummy, but they tend to droop a bit and require discreet antics to yank them back up into place, lol. Small price to pay in order to FINALLY wear real pants, tho. And I actually like the coloring & leg cut too...they are from The Avenue and are their Easy Going Boyfriend Jean. It's been a while since I shopped at The Avenue but I noticed alot more clothes I liked than the last time I was there.

The plain brown camisole is from Target as is the cardigan worn before here. The polka dots sort of detract from all the bandaging and a print camouflages the ever-so-lovely position of my "girls" sans bra. I can't wait till I can wear a bra again! So many of my tops look absolutely atrocious without one. Last year I went for a professional bra fitting and I swear a proper bra can take 10 years & 10 pounds off any woman -- and I can totally tell the difference without my favorite Wacoals keeping things in their proper place.

Oh, and the necklace is from The Avenue too (couldn't resist as I was checking out).

Gee, wow, how normal is THIS??? Another post about clothes complete with pictures even. Huh, guess it's like riding a bicycle :)

PHOTO: growing on me

After my first photo of the new doo I decided to take the marvelous advice of some commenters and try doing my hair curly. The good news is I kinda like it, the bad news is it required even more help from a curling iron than when it was longer! Without the taming effect of a few well placed curls I looked more like a Celtic version of Roseanne Roseannadanna. (Ah, Gilda, how we miss you.)

Anyway, not quite the easy maintenance style I was shooting for post mastectomy-wise. I'm thinking hats and scarves could make an appearance after the surgery before I even lose a lock to chemo. At least in the meantime I hate it alot less -- in fact, it's actually kinda growing on me and I also like it when I wear it smooth now, too. Funny how so many things take alot of getting used to...big or small, change can be a real bitch.

Hope everyone that celebrates had a GREAT 4th!

PHOTO: Hair today, gone tomorrow :(

I've been told that doing my hair after my mastectomy will be a challenge. I won't be able to shower for a long time and even when I finally can, raising my arms above my head to shampoo could be difficult. Someone will probably have to help me wash my hair over the kitchen sink.

Needless to say, I figured a haircut was in order. I was overdue for a trim anyway because I like my hair around shoulder length. So, I printed out a copy of my profile photo over there at the right and asked the hairdresser to recreate it.

This is the result and I absolutely HATE it. Silly as it sounds, if I stand a certain way it doesn't look as awful, but beyond that...

It's considerably shorter and even the shape isn't the same...more of a bob, longer in the front than the back.

At first I figured, so what? It's only hair...and I tried to get over it. But this may be my last haircut for a while...I may end up doing chemo before I know it and this will be the last style I have before it all falls out.

I wish I hadn't gone someplace new, wish I'd left it alone or gone to my regular hairdresser. I am really upset about it. I am sure people will say it looks nice and maybe it even does -- I keep trying to comfort myself with the fact that it grows back...but what I really wish was that my damn nipple would grow back. And it won't. And so I'm putting all my anguish into my stupid hair instead of that.

I guess this goes beyond a bad hair day.

PHOTO: My newest accessory

Several people remarked that I looked different in the recent photo I posted...meaning 'different' in a good way :)

First of all, thank you!

If I do look changed it could be due to the fact that I've lost a little bit of weight by modifying how I eat. In order to prepare myself for the battle ahead I have given my diet a major overhaul.

Food-wise, I am in warrior mode.

I've been a vegetarian for almost 8 years now, and a vegan for a little over 6. Prior to that, when I weighed as much as 300 lbs, my diet consisted of alot of junk food punctuated by frequent but failed attempts to turn over a new leaf. When Megan was born, that leaf was in a sense turned over for me, as I recently blogged about. (hey, that whole leaf metaphor works rather well since I'm a plant-eater, huh?)

Anyway, people unfamiliar with a plant based diet often think it is limiting or all about deprivation. Trust me, it's not. Gourmet food abounds that is veggie friendly. And while many of us can be rather health conscious it is still possible to pig out on plenty of junk food, too. French fries -- vegan. Oreos -- yup, vegan. You'd be surprised at all the readily available vegan foods, not to mention that places like Whole Foods have an array of temptations at the ready for even the strictest vegetarian gourmand.

Clearly I didn't lose 130 lbs and maintain it for all this time by indulging in too many Oreos or french fries, lol. Once I went veg, compared to typical Western standards, I ate a pretty healthy diet. But after Daniel was born and life got more hectic I admit to relying more and more on convenience foods instead of eating the fresh, home-cooked meals as often as we did before.

However since my breast cancer diagnosis I have been back to following a leaner, cleaner version of my usual vegan diet, and then some. Now I eat virtually no processed foods and absolutely no sugar -- no sweeteners of any kind, in fact. Sugar is inflammatory and the last thing you want if you are dealing with an illness is increased inflammation, especially when it comes to cancer.
I've also tried incorporating alot of macrobiotic principles into my new approach to food as medicine. A typical day has me easily eating at least 9 servings of fruits and veggies, (more veg than fruit, even fruit has natural sugars) and 3 or 4 large servings of whole grains...a couple servings of beans and some sea vegetables too. I still microwave some of my food (a no-no in macrobiotics) but rely more now on steaming, blanching or light sauteing. I always bought organic if available before, but I've stepped that up to eating at least 90% organic now.

The results are that I feel -- well, great, actually. If I didn't have cancer I'd swear I was the healthiest I've ever been. My energy level and ability to stay calm (relatively speaking) under dire circumstances is evidence enough that this way of eating is healing and serving me well.

And I really enjoy the foods I eat! A dinner plate half covered with a rainbow swath of a variety of veggies and a luscious mound of rice & beans is beautiful, colorful, and more hearty than you can even imagine. Real food tastes delicious, especially if you give your taste buds half the chance to recover and again relish the vitality of natural flavors.

So, maybe this is why I look different. I guess you could say quality food has become my best new accessory :)

Finally -- a photo!

While I'm still coming to terms with what's about to happen and all the ramifications, life goes on...so, it's about time for a picture, don't you think?

Granted, this is not the most auspicious shot to restart with, it's a bit in the shadows and I look strangely green, lol. But Michael and I are out of practice since the last one and the light has changed now that summer is approaching.

After my diagnosis at first it was simply hard to have even a remotely pleasant expression on my face, so posting pix seemed, well, odd. Then after a while I was deeply absorbed in research and only dressed to go to the doctors -- which didn't induce a feeling of wanting to take a snap shot either.

But always in the back of my mind I knew that returning to at least a picture here and there was somehow important. I can't quite define why...perhaps it could give me a feeling of normalcy? Maybe it would add a visual record to the written one of my journey...and in years to come my kids would see how their mom went thru this awful thing but came out on the other side. That could be a life lesson for them to hold on to, surely.

And further, in my own more broad-reaching motherly/sisterly way, I'm hoping that any other woman who has to experience this could take some comfort in seeing that no matter what I end up looking like for a while, there will be eventually a return to the simple act of choosing clothes and trying to project my own best image as an empowering & creative expression of personal style.

So I've decided not just to document this journey with my words, but to try and illustrate it now too by including pre and post op pix, even photos of me going thru chemo (if necessary), the whole kit and caboodle. Mind you, I won't post a pic every day...but my goal is to put up a few with some semblance of regularity.

Most importantly, for those that need or want it, when it's all over & done with, I will even provide before, during & after photos of my breasts. I know that looking at reconstruction photos has been very important in my own process so if I can add to that for another woman I am glad to do it. Oh, and for my regular readers, now my dear beloved friends, if ya just wanna see what they look like I'll be happy to show you too ;) I know I'd be curious. (there'll be a password or email type deal so I'm not plastering my boobs up indiscriminately, fyi!)

Obviously this blog has morphed a little, changed a bit -- and certainly so have/will I. But the core principle remains fundamentally the same. This is my journey...thanks to all who join me for a any stretch of the road. It's a comfort to have such great company.

See ya...

Rainy Days and Mondays

Ok, I know it's not Monday -- but I took these pictures yesterday, so it still counts. They are both bad pictures of a good coat, so I'm hoping that the two added together will equal one decent view.

The trench was bought at Target last summer, off the clearance rack for about 15 bucks or so. It is a lovely peachy coral color -- the blurry picture is more true to the real color than the clear shot w/the flash.

There's something very cheerful about a bright trench like this on a dark rainy day...helps you remember that pretty spring flowers need those torrential April showers. Plus, I'm very easy to spot -- no chance of me getting lost in the fog, lol!

The umbrella was from Target too, and the waterproof tote bag is from Borders (where the rest of my money goes that doesn't get spent at Target, lol!)

Have a peachy keen day -- see ya tomorrow!

Just in time

Egads, busy day, very late to get this posted!

Right after we snapped this photo the torrential downpours let loose -- and it's supposed to continue until late tomorrow. My timing was good, tho, because I managed to get to the market and back, AND lug in all the groceries first. Oh, and I got the mail, too. A perfect (and dry) trifecta :D

The blouse is from Kohls and I love, love, love the watery blue & green colors. The cardigan is from NY&Co, the jeans from Target and the plum Sofft Maryjanes are secondhand.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend replete with perfect timing!!!

PS: Busy day coming on Monday, might not get a picture up until Tuesday. See ya then :D

Blizzard!!!

Ha, made ya look -- April Fool's!

It's nice and sunny, no snow in the forecast :)

This gray Croft & Barrow shirt from Kohls is more of a winter one, so it's the last time I'll probably wear it till the fall. Spring is sometimes bittersweet, you have to say goodbye to seasonal clothing you've come to rely on frequently.

The aqua cardigan is from NY&Co, the pin was from an Etsy destash purchase and the heart locket was a gift from my mother.

The jeans are Target, the gray Maryjane Franco Sarto pumps are secondhand.

I hope everyone has a great day -- and that's no foolin :)

See Spot. See Spot run.

This is only the second time I've worn this cardigan...hmmm, I wonder just how many different punny titles I can come up with involving spots, dots or other references pertaining to the pattern? The possibilities boggle the mind :)

Today my spotted cardigan and I are on the run, out early this morning to do errands and now home for a pit stop before heading back out again.

See Kayleigh. See Kayleigh run. See Kayleigh run in her spotted cardi from Target, along with the jeans. The top is from Kohls, see Kayleigh wear it before in 2 other colors, green and lavender.

Now see Kayleigh accessorize her spotted cardi with a dollar store necklace and discount bracelet. See Kayleigh run in her secondhand Franco Sarto Maryjane pumps.

Funny Kayleigh. See funny Kayleigh say, bye-bye.

(I hope I'm not the only one out there old enough to remember the Dick and Jane books, because if so, this whole post makes absolutely no sense!)

Off the deck!

It seems like ages since I took a picture elsewhere in the yard, doesn't it?

Today it is supposed to be in the high 60's, so we're going off to enjoy the weather this afternoon. Perhaps a park, a walk on the beach by the lake, not sure -- I just know the kids, DH and I need to get out and celebrate the lovely warmth!

The shirt is from Kohls, the green shoes and distsressed jeans are from Target. I'm wearing the same necklace as Wednesday -- a gift from my mother that just never seems to photograph well, but it is a fave of mine and goes with nearly anything I own :)

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend -- enjoy!!!!

Radioactive

Snow?

Heck, no bother, I can always melt it with my radioactive shirt, lol!

Ok, truly, the shirt is a bright green, but it's not quite as glowing as this picture depicts. I got it at Macy's and have two other colors (but of course)...it's a faux layered piece that is a great thing to just throw on and go.

I promise, this is the last picture with snow in it till next winter :)

Have a bright and glowing day everyone!

DMV Blues

Ah yes, getting one's license renewed can be oh so much fun -- NOT!

Today I've been to the DMV twice...and it's a 30 minute ride each way. Apparently my SS# doesn't match my name in their computer -- it's still in my maiden name. Except that I've been married for over 15 years, physically went to the SS office to change it, and this is the 3rd or 4th time this has happened to me at the DMV. So I had to go all the way home for more documentation. I know what you're thinking...you are thinking I should have learned by now and brought every single document that exists proving I am who I say I am.

Yes, I should have. What's your point?

:) Oh well, national security and all, I guess.

ANYWAY, to move beyond my little rant, lol, I had to get the whole family ready and out the door this morning to go with me because the kids both desperately need shoes and the best shoe store is near the DMV. I needed an outfit that was a total no-brainer. This fit the bill :)

The blouse is from Target and goes with practically anything and everything since there are so many colors in it, yet it is also fairly neutral since the pattern is small. The jeans are Target as well, and the Sofft Maryjanes are secondhand. The cardigan is from NY&Co, and I wore it for the color in case I needed a new license picture (I didn't). The necklace, barely seen, is a gift from my mother.

Hope you all have a wonderful, completely frustration-free day!

Three strikes they're out!

These are three photos of what I thought were BAD outfits. The minute I uploaded each one of these pix I decided not to post them and changed clothes. Brave soul that I am, I've decided to share them anyway...mainly because I didn't have a new picture today, lol, but also to share my mistakes...that's part of the journey, after all.




Here's a great example of why taking pix can be a beneficial tool in discovering how things really look. Mirrors can be deceiving. This sherbet colored cardigan added way too much bulk and the color combo was a little off on me. I felt frumpy & top heavy :(

















And this is why I don't wear hats.


Actually, that's not the worst part, although it's not good, either.


Look at the darting on the jacket -- there's some sort of weirdness that makes it look like my breasts are oddly situated and hanging a bit lower than they are (trust me, between breastfeeding, huge weight loss & simple gravity I don't need the girls looking any lower than they actually are, thank you very much!)











Ok, this last outfit doesn't look too bad, especially since it was only my second adventure in tucking a blouse in. Granted, I'm not crazy about the tights, but that's no big deal.


What was the problem? It was totally impractical to wear unless I planned on standing up the entire time I was in it. Sitting or moving much at all caused things to become twisted or untucked, belts moved in unflattering ways -- just not a real world ensemble.

But DH liked taking the picture ;)

Ok, that's enough bad outfit photos for one post, wouldn't you say? See ya tomorrow with something better (she said hopefully)!

Made with love

So, today I have a bunch of errands and an appointment, no time to snap a pic -- but I planned ahead, Virgo that I am, and whilst I wore my kinky doo on Thursday I also took a second photo.


This is a new top from Kohls, I have it in green and liked the cut so decided to try another one, but I'm not sure about the pastel color. I kinda like it, tho it could be a little washed out...opinions?





The necklace is REALLY, REALLY special...my daughter made it when she was barely four years old. DH took her to a specialty bead shop and she picked out every single bead herself, strung it together exactly the way she wanted it and then all the shop keeper did was put on the clasp. I adored my husband for thinking of the idea and was tickled by the image of him walking around the store with her while DD chose each and every bead she wanted, a long process to be sure. And the look of pride on her face when she presented it to me, a real necklace made by her, well, it is my most treasured piece of jewelry.

Have a great day everyone, see ya tomorrow!

Going kinky!

With my hair, that is ;)

This is what my hair looks like if I don't blow it out and let it dry naturally -- well, "natural" being a relative term...I repeatedly scrunch it up with my hands while it's wet and once it is finally dry I add about 5 or 6 random pin curls using a small barrelled curling iron, just to make it look more even.

This style can be fragile and fickle -- humidity, high winds and active small children can wreak havoc on my doo when it's done this way. But once in a while I get the urge to go kinky, you know?

The cardi is NY&Co. the tee is JC Penney. Distressed jeans are Target as well as the green platform wedge sandals. The necklace is from Kohls, not sure where the bracelets are from.

Have a great day!