Anthro Reviews: Bottlegreen Dress, Striped Sunglow Blazer

I had to go to the dentist on Saturday.  I had 45 minutes to kill before my appointment and decided to stop by the Anthropologie store across the street. 

I don't know if it was the thrill of being in an actual Anthro store, or all the bright colored clothes.  Maybe it was the scented candles tantalizing my senses or all the smiling sales associates.   But I had the overwhelming urge to buy something.  The sun was shining, I was shopping with the ocean as my backdrop.  No kids to worry about.  It was glorious!

I tried on and fell in love with the Bottlegreen Dress.  Let's face it, the last thing I need is another pretty dress.  I don't go anywhere!  I barely have a chance to wear all the dresses I already own.  So I blame it on being in Newport Beach surrounded by all those beautiful people and too much sunshine.  I feel a bit guilty because of the price tag but I confess I made the purchase.

Sigh, this dress is just lovely.  I am wearing a size 6, my usual size, and it fit like a glove.  The mint color is so summery and fresh.  I am determined to find an occasion to wear this dress.

I also tried on a blazer that had caught my eye online, the Striped Sunglow Blazer.

I'm glad I tried this on in person.  It is a lightweight jacket, but still has some structure.  I am wearing a size 6, which fit true to size.  But something about the stripes and material reminded me of a circus clown or a train conductor.  I am happy to report that I was able to resist temptation and did not bring this blazer home with me.

Mixed Nuts

I am thankful for my mom and dad and I love them with all of my heart.  Please know that I mean no disrespect when I say this... but they are kind of crazy.  We all have some crazy in our families.  And I am no exception.  The scary thing is that I am beginning to see some of their nuttiness in my sisters and me. 

Growing up, I basically did everything possible NOT to be like my mom.  Where she was free spirited and flighty, I was predictable and routine.  I balanced her emotional and often unstable nature by being rational and reliable.  She listened to her heart.  I listened to my head.   She was a teeny bopper stuck in a forty something body.  I was a wise old woman stuck in a teenager's body.

I look back and realize that much of who I have become was based on making decisions for my life that were the opposite of the ones she made for herself.

As much as I have fought to be a different person and avoid her shortcomings, I am discovering aspects of my mom showing up in me.  Her restlessness, her overwhelming need to be more than ordinary.  The way she chooses the extremes to avoid being stuck in neutral. 

Then there are the quirky things.  Like how we are both obsessed with altering and modifying our clothes (I can't even sew!).  How we both physically can't stop ourselves from putting things away or leaving things unpacked.  Perhaps I have been in denial and these characteristics have been a part of me all along, and I just didn't realize it.

I hear Big Sis complain about our dad.  How he prefers to alienate himself and be alone than deal with the burden of obligation.  How he is stubborn and dogmatic, often to his own detriment.  And I have to laugh.   Because she is just like him (sorry, Sis, but it's true).

Even Lil Sis could not escape her fate.   Every time I see her take out a bottle of Purell I crack up.  All you have to do is go to lunch with Lil Sis, my grandmother and my dad to see three generations of germaphobia in action.  They all obsessively rinse out their cups and silverware with hot tea and wipe off every plate before use.  When someone sneezes at the next table, they all share the same look of horror and disgust. 

Like it or not, it is written in our DNA.  I catch glimpses of it in things that we do, decisions that we make.   It's there, silently hibernating, waiting for the perfect time to rear its head.  Perhaps the craziness that exists in every family is not always a bad thing.  After all, the traits and quirks that we inherit from our parents (both the good and the bad) make us who we are.  In the end, I suppose, we are all a little nutty. 

OOTD: Less Is More

Splendid Tee Maxi Dress (similar here and here)

Anthropologie Schuler and Sons Merged Flatform Sandal

Anthropologie Sparked Agate Necklace

I am all for accessories and making a statement.  But sometimes, less is more.

Mr. and Little Miss Family

Me

The Hubs

The Girl

 

The Little Guy

OOTD: Cardigan + Shorts

Loft Cardigan (similar) and Loft Polka Dot Stretch Belt

J. Crew Shorts (cut off from jeans)

Gap V-Neck T-Shirt

Crocs A-Leigh Wedge Leather Sandal

Necklace- freebie gift from conference

The Girl ran into this shot at the last second and photobombed me.
I can't say for sure, but I have a sneaky suspicion that she is mocking my OOTD poses...

Happy Mother's Day!

Glass Half Full

I went to work this morning and was greeted with water. 

Apparently someone in the chiropractor's office next door used the toilet and didn't notice after they flushed that it was clogged and overflowing.  They closed up the office last night with the toilet running over.

And run it did.  It ran until we discovered the lake that had formed in our office in the morning.  It kept running until we were able to locate the chiropractor at his home and tell him to come down to his office pronto.


The flood from next door seeped under the walls and pooled into my office space.  It was a mess.  To say I was stressed would be an understatement.  When I am stressed, I clean.  So I was on my hand and knees trying to soak and mop up all that water.  I finally gave up and just waited for the plumber to arrive with his fancy rescue and clean up machines.

Let's just say that I have new found respect for plumbers.

I suppose I can be positive and look at the cup as half full rather than half empty.  Besides the water damage to the carpet and walls, no equipment or electronics were damaged.  It could have been a busted pipe in the walls or floor, which would have meant knocking a hole in the wall to make repairs.  So I guess an overflowing toilet was the best possible scenario. 

It's been a long day.

Day 27

I was checking out the Kate Spade website and they have the cutest collection of outfits, 30 Days of Outfits.  Day 27 is very me.  What day are you?

Kate Spade Leora Dress

Kate Spade Bourbon Street Fabric Skyler

Maybe a little Day 15 in me too...

Kate Spade Broome Street Denim

Kate Spade Tatiana Top

Kate Spade Bourbon Street Elsye

OOTD: Glasses Print Blouse

I stumbled across this top and was drawn to the print.  I have a special place in my heart for all things glasses (see previous post).  But for the life of me, I just cannot make this blouse work.

Nordstrom Pleione Scoop Neck Short Sleeve Blouse

I usually stay away from loose fitting blouse type tops and prefer more structured and tailored shirts.  Am I just wearing it wrong?  Any ideas?  I am leaning towards returning it.  This is an XS and I still feel like it is shapeless and not very flattering.

AG Stevie Jeans, Fossil shoes

What do you think?  Keep it or bring it back?

UnHappy Meal

Today was the Mother's Day lunch at The Girl's school.  I needed to be at her school with lunch for two and a large blanket for the class picnic.  She was all excited to present me with the surprise gift she made in art.

I had my morning schedule delicately planned out.  I would drop The Girl off at 8:20, pick up donuts for the office staff meeting, get to my office by 9, moderate the meeting, leave by 10:20, pick up a Happy Meal, then get to her school by 11.  I had received two emails during the week from her teacher to be on time as the program would start promptly at 11 and the students were going to sing for the mommies and give them their gifts.

Sigh.  What I didn't account for was the meeting running overtime and traffic on the freeway.  I got to her school at 11:20.  Her teacher even called me at 11:15 (I know it is only Pre-Kindergarten but she scares the @#$% out of me) to see if I was still coming. 

The whole drive over, I was picturing her sitting by herself on the grass waiting for me.  All the good moms sharing a healthy lunch with their kids, while my kid sat alone wondering if I would show up.  I could literally feel the stress and acids in my gut churning and my future ulcer forming while I sat in traffic watching the minutes tick by, making me later and later.

I kept thinking how much it sucks to disappoint my kid.  Days like these, I feel like a failure as a career woman, a failure as a mom.  I know I'm being too hard on myself, but it really is tough to balance it all with one foot in both worlds.  The only things happy in my car were the nuggets in the Happy Meal.