Boat Song

Thought this was so sweet...

 

Happy Leap Day

 

The Pirates of Bathroom Cove

There are pirates living in my bathroom.  They docked quite some time ago.... right on the counter top.  Sometimes they venture out to sea, but they always return.  A bit soggy.

Once I turned on the bathroom light, just trying to go about my business.  I was shocked to see that they were engaged in a duel, right in front of my sink.  How does one wash their hands without getting slashed by dueling pirates?  I had to use the kitchen sink that day.  I didn't want to take the risk.

I thought the red one had succumbed to an untimely demise.  He was aboard his ship with the green one standing over him gloating, with dark victory in his eyes.  Red must have only taken a bad fall from the mast though, because he was back to his dastardly deeds within the week.

At first I didn't know how I felt about these swarthy fellows taking up residence next to the throne.  But I am at peace with them now.  Someday they will set sail and find another port, undoubtedly wrecking havoc along the way.  In their place will be razors and shaving gel, hair products and deodorant.  The mirror will no longer reflect imaginations at play, but handsome young men grooming and primping for dates with pretty young women who have stolen the treasure of their hearts.  Young men who will dream of other adventures in life... dreams that reach far beyond the shelter of Bathroom Cove.

But for now, I'm glad that there are little buccaneers who pilfer my heart everyday.

Skirts in Winter

WIWW #22

I've been wearing a lot of skirts and dresses lately. 

 That seems logical seeing that it's winter, right?

 

 Dress: Goodwill; Necklace: Thrifted; Rust Tights: Target; Shoes: Rummage Sale

I guess this outfit is an experiment in extreme thrifting.  

I think the entire thing cost around $12-13.

Aside from the fact that my tights are blending in to the floor, that's not bad.

Then again, it might look a little bit Halloween.

What would you do with a black and white dress?

Sweater: Old Navy; Pleated Skirt:  Goodwill; Boots: gift/Bandolino via Macys;

Bag: Calvin Klein

I don't think this outfit does much of anything for me, except make me comfortable.

I included it because I wanted to show you that Mama's got a brand new bag.

I saw Midnight in Paris and I got a crush on Rachel McAdams bag in the movie.

This has never happened to me before.  

It's just a bag.  I usually pay about $25 for a purse and use it until it wears out.

I did some research and discovered that this is a Chanel bag that runs around $4,000.

Shazam! That's like a car.

I guess if I was going to suddenly like a bag, it may as well be a really good one... but yikes!

(And off the subject... have you seen The Vow?  Is it good?)

So I looked around and found a Kate Spade bag for only $400 something... 

that would be around 90% off the Chanel, but that is still nowhere near my $25 range.

I finally found a Calvin Klein bag on eBay for around $70, but I got sniped at the last second.

Grrrrr, snipers!  I really liked that one.

I ended up finding this CK bag on eBay for only $59 & free shipping, so I bought it with some b'day money.

It doesn't have chain details, and it's more of a hobo, but I think it actually suits me better.

And it's really soft.  

I wouldn't admit to petting it though... that would be embarrassing.

Top: Marshalls; Flower: Crocheted by me; Skirt: old Casual Corner;

Boots: same; Socks; Macys

This is what I wore on Valentine's Day. 

Patrick thinks this top is a throw back to the 80's.

I thought it was more of a kimono kind of thing.

My mom and dad took us out for a big family date!

It was to a Japanese restaurant... so therefore it must be a kimono top.

Sorry, Patrick, but we can banter about it if you want.

Did you have a happy heart day?

My Favorite Sonnet

 source

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. 

Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come: 

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
   If this be error and upon me proved,
   I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 

Happy Valentine's Day

Romantic Banter

A couple days ago I Facebook linked to an interesting and helpful article on parenting.  An old friend (as in longtime, not old... well, he's our elder, so he's kind of old)  of ours who happens to be a newlywed (as in just married in November) reposted the article.  I was curious as to why.

The following conversation ensued.

Me:  You studying up there, Mike? :)

Patrick:  Time to get going there, bud...

Me:  I was trying to be more subtle...

Patrick:  I was trying to be more direct. ;-)

Me:  My way might have been better.

        I'm enjoying this early Monday morning banter. A lot. :)

Patrick:  Does that mean what I think it means?

Me:  You can infer what you would like, but not in front of the children, Mr. Cunningham.

Patrick:  Mmmm Frisky...

Mike:  You guys are too much.

            And by 'too much' I mean, awesome.    

Maybe this conversation is a bit much for Facebook or a bit much for my blog.  If so, you can just tell us to get a room, and I'll understand.  And I will... get a room, that is.

But, seriously, I do think it is really important for married people to be playful.  Life gets hard, and oftentimes marriage can take the brunt of it, because it is our closest, most intimate relationship.  Our conversations end up revolving around school choices for the kids, meal plans, doctors appointments, crises, and finances.   

In the midst of all that, I think we sometimes forget to enjoy one another.  To play.  To banter and laugh and smile.   It is such a good thing to delight in one another and find joy in the relationship.  To revisit and rekindle old romantic feelings and the playfulness and enjoyment of friendship.  It's good not to let it get buried in the day to day.

So don't forget to play today! 

 

Smitten Mittens

Or maybe Love Gloves?

I saw some cute heart gloves on Etsy the other day... or maybe it was Pinterest.  I'm not sure.

I decided to make my own while watching the Super Bowl yesterday.  (I am upset that my usually successful technique of choosing the winning team based on the color combo I liked best didn't work this time.  Apparently the Patriots did not get my memo.)

Anyway, I got out a pair of $0.70 clearance gloves from Target and found a random piece of felt.  I didn't have any red, so I used tangerine.

Then, I cut out a heart, cut it in half, and hand-sewed each half on to the the gloves using red thread and a blanket stitch.  Pretty simple.

Warm hands, warm heart.

Written Blessing

I got an email from my mom this week.  She was talking to her sister Nancy a few days ago, because unfortunately, my aunt had broken her arm.  They got to talking about me during the course of their conversation (I knew I felt my ears burning!)  My mom asked her if she'd ever seen the photos I had taken of her art studio a few years ago.  I had had the privilege of sleeping in the studio surrounded by her lovely paintings and art supplies and I loved it.  She is so inspiring, and I feel more artistic just being in her presence.

Back to the email.  Aunt Nancy wrote a little something about me and passed it along to my mom.  I know that she is completely biased in her assessment of me, but it was such a complete blessing to read these sweet words that she wrote about me.  It meant so much... because I love her so much.

she sings like an angel.

   

    she writes with the heart of a poet.

 

    she sees with the eye of an artist.

 

    she is sweet as apple pie.

 

    the whole world must love her.

 

    that’s our linda!   

    

 

 Do you speak and write blessings into the lives of those you love?  Have you ever had a specific blessing spoken to you that somehow changed or affirmed the course of your life?  I think words have so much power.  It's so important to say them with wisdom and goodness.  Who will you bless today?

Navy & Salmon on the Brain

WIWW #21

Lately, I keep dressing in variations of navy & stripes, salmon, and tangerine. 

Maybe the current heat wave has me thinking of spring.  

Or maybe my little son Jason is wearing off on me... he loves orange.

And I love him.

 

 Necklace: F21; Cardigan: Target; Top: Ralph Lauren Outlet;

Jeans: Gap via Goodwill; Heels; Nine West Outlet clearance

I have to admit that I got the idea for this outfit from Audrey over at Putting Me Together.

She was inspired by Linda at Little Tin Soldier.

They are both very cute.

So I guess this is a copy of a copy.

I'm ok with not being that original... I need the help.

Cardigan: Target; Top: Marshalls; Tank: Nordstrom Rack;

Jeans: Walmart; Boots: Gift, Bandolino

I wore this on our impromptu visit to Hearst Castle.

It was a beautiful day. 

Except my top kept riding up funny... bad top!

Top: Marshalls; Necklace: gift, Linkel Designs on Etsy;

Skirt: Goodwill; Shoes: Sperrys

I got my hairs cut... did you catch that?

If you did, you get an A+ for eagle eye observation skills.

It feels so much lighter... my locks were getting so out of control and heavy.

I have had salmon pants or skirt on my mental thrifting list for quite a while now.

It's like "Go Fish."   I finally got what I wanted... just took a little patience and about 3 bucks.

Dress: Nordstrom Rack; Boots: Bandolino

I got this dress over the summer and I'm finally getting around to wearing it.

I'm slow that way.

Anyway, I should probably accessorize it somehow.

Do you have any ideas for me?