Ootd, hobby, and adult beverage.

First the Ootd:

Avenue Dress....that is it. Wore my ugly black sandals, and went out the door. I haven't posted an OOTD for awhile, because I still can't figure out where to take the pictures, and how to pose. I also should take at the beginning of the day when my makeup hadn't melted off, and my hair looks better. But....I have been wanting to do this since the beginning of my blog, and I determined to get better at it! Suggestions??? Please ignore, the pale face, and bizarre expressions in these pictures....

I bought a sewing machine for $25 bucks, my oldest and I are trying to acquaint ourselves with it, one little mistake at a time. Note to self....put the foot down before sewing otherwise it gets tangled in the bobbin. My goal is to make myself a skirt this fall, but I think sewing classes may be in order. Hannah is concentrating on making barbie clothes for her little sister, and pillows.

With the weather being so miserable here lately, sometimes the only cure is cold bear with bloody mary mix. So tasty.....just one a night though.....

Last picture, this is my hair now days. Longer, not as long as I would like, but I am doing well so far at not just whacking it off into another pixie cut. After I saw how my hair looked in the first pictures, I went and brushed it, and had my darling Jaded J, take a decent picture of it. What you can't tell is it is deep auburn with brighter red highlights. My natural hair color is really deep brown, but not quite black. Anyway...thought you guys might be interested in my progress.

It's a new dawn, it's a new day and I'm feeling OLD?

Update on my friend Joan, she is making a slow recovery. Two more weeks in ICU, and as of right now her kidneys are still on vacation, but....her LIVER is growing, and there is lots of HOPE that everything is going to come out fine. So onward baby steps, and please keep her in your thoughts.

Today my oldest daughter got her braces on, and it drove home that she is starting her journey to womanhood. She starts high school next year, she is making decisions about her future that will hopefully lead to her a fulfilling career. She still talks to me candidly about almost everything, and it is such a joy to find her discovering herself and abilities. I think this part of motherhood excites me more than the baby, and toddler years. It certainly is challenging, but I feel we are closer. She asked me to dye her hair black today, I have resisted this request for two years. I don't know exactly what changed my mind, but I think I felt comfortable with her ability to make the decision. I personally am not a fan of dyed black hair, because it usually looks, well I guess ...dyed. I am one to talk though, as I am sure the colors of my hair have never been seen in nature on their own occurrence. Especially the glob of bright pink hair that I had last summer. So she is sitting right now with black on her hair, ready to change, scared of the difference, a great parallel to the place she is right now in her journey.

Fashion news! I bought a cardi yesterday with an brown leopard or cheetah print (can't tell which one). This is very surprising for me, as I am not huge fan of the animal prints. But, since I have been chasing after a more vintage look, this seems to fit right in. I thought about getting a skirt with that kind of print, but I am more excited about the prospect of the cardi. I also ordered a great dress from Avenue last night. I had a coupon for 50% of my highest priced item, if I bought two things. So I found some clearance panties for $3.99, and my dress ended up being only 29.99, when it started out at 59.99. YEAH ME!

I am not above buying used clothes. I found a board called the fatshion exchange board. Most of the stuff is too small for me, but I did find a cute boho skirt and sweater. I paid for it two weeks ago, and I have yet to get it. The seller disappeared, so I started a claim with paypal. That finally brought the seller out of the woodwork, she had a virus on computer,blah blah blah. Still no clothes, and now she won't reply again. Very frustrating. I just don't understand someone who tries to scam through these boards, it makes a bad experience for everyone. Oh well.....in a couple of weeks I should have my money back.

Simple and Classic......

Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction, and excessive solicitude about it often destroys its own aim.
Jane Austen

Today nothing cried out to me to be worn. So I put on a trusted black sweater, with grey skirt. WA LA! Instant comfy outfit. I usually wear my black and grey scarf with this, but decided today to break out the pearls. The other two pictures are my youngest daughter, she photographs so much better than me! Anyway...not much new to report in my world.

Skirt & Sweater & Tights: Avenue
Pearl necklaces: Mom
Shoes: Mootsie Tootsies

Hi Ho Sailor OOTD...plus TREASURES!

Last night my daughters and I went on a late night shopping trip to a local antique store. We weren't looking for anything in particular, just wanted to look around, and we were stir crazy! My youngest daughter found a beautiful non vintage ring with a citrine stone in it. My oldest daughter who was in up most despair of finding something, found herself a Beatles book. I found the purse below. It was tucked behind something else, and I found it, bonus it was 15% off!

My outfit today was not inspired by anything, but seemed to have a nautical theme once I looked at the pictures. My shoes I assume would very un sailor like or pirate like as they consisted of sequins, LOL! The breakdown is as follows:

Lace Cami- Lane Bryant
Sweater-Target
Pants-Avenue (bought off of eBay)
Flats-Target

Today my oldest daughter and I went to some antique store downtown. The first shop we went to was a jewelry lovers paradise! It had beautiful pieces, mostly vintage. I am putting myself on a strict budget for the next couple of months, so I have to REALLY love something before I buy it. I can normally justify any purchase, but I am (starting today) trying to be more budget minded. I have my ears pierced, but can no longer wear earrings due to any allergy. I have had shopping for clip ons on my mental list for awhile, and we found 3 pairs that each cost a dollar. I went up to pay, I only had my credit card with me, which I know can cost a merchant a lot if they use it. I asked if I could purchase them with my card, and I would have totally understood if they said "no". The guy instead of making me pay or putting them back let me have the earrings! I felt so bad about this, as I know they are there trying to make a living. I insisted that this was not necessary. The nice gentleman and his wife stated that I just needed to come back in the future and buy other things, and that this was my valentines gift from them!!! So I am going to give them an official shout out, if you are in Lincoln, NE and you need some antique or vintage items please go to Burlington Antique Mall in the Haymarket. I guess they also have some eBay listings, so if you can't get here, let them ship to you!
All in all this was a great weekend!

Strolling the Avenue

Some more of my new lovelies arrived today. I came home from work with a migraine, so I haven't had time to enjoy them until now. Thank goodness for excederin migraine, and dark rooms, and sleep. Anyway my new children came from Avenue. Avenue is probably my favorite bricks and mortar store in my town. The clerks here are awesome, they know me, and everything is very laid back. Sometimes if I can't get the size in my store I will do an online order. This time, I wanted the boots which were actually from their sister site Jessica London, and then I found some other great bargains in the clearance section, and I also had a 30% coupon.

The boots I got are grey, not the turquoise color in the picture. I liked them even better in person, super soft, and the grey is a nice medium steel grey color. I think have mentioned this before, but my favorite color is grey. Dark, light, heathered. I LOVE GREY!

The tops were cute, and not a weird length. I have bought cami's in the past from Avenue and usually they are too short, or too tight. These were neither...yeah!

The jacket is so cute in person, I see lots of potential for this item. Nice dark color, and I am into the military look, so this totally fit the bill.

I love getting packages......