september

by

Keepin’ It Real: September 2014

September did it. It almost broke my blog. It almost broke me. I was feeling so incredibly down. But I am feeling better. Some situations have not improved, but I am doing everything in my power to make them better. And that is all I can do. It seems as though September was felt this way by a great many people. This post by Dane on the blog, Dooce, helped bring a little more insight into what I was feeling.

And I am one day late with this post. I had been counting down the days until September would be over, and yet, my blog calendar was off. Blame it on the date on my bread (which said it expired on 9/31/14, but I forgot to get a picture of it). My husband told me that since the date does not exist, it must mean that our bread is good forever. I did not test his theory. We ate it last night with Spaghetti Carbonara.

IMG_9848.JPG

I have been cooking and cooking all month. Nothing makes me feel better than whipping up something good in the kitchen. I even experimented with my cookie recipe. I cannot wait to share a new trick I learned.

Outfit Outtakes:

IMG_9951.JPG

It would not be a close up without me scratching my nose (original outfit post here).

IMG_9952.JPG

And having a moment with my son (original outfit post here).

IMG_9956.JPG

I needed an easy read. I used to hate books filled with short stories, but as I have gotten older, they have become some of my favorite reading materials. I love David Sedaris and I am halfway through this book, “When You Are Engulfed In Flames,” I found in the Barnes and Noble bargain bin a few days ago.

IMG_9950.JPG

September was my no-buy clothing month. So, how did I do? Well, I would love to say I made it through the whole month. But that would be a lie. I am obsessed with Otomi and when Carolina K’s (one of my very favorite designers) Aurora Dress in the Otomi-like print went 50% off, I had to buy it (my husband made me. He said the dress was perfectly “me”). It is VERY short. I layered a tulle slip underneath mine to add some length. It is dramatically low-cut, so I layer in the front, as well. I took a medium. I LOVE it. Heather from The Peacock Fairy recently wrote a post about her new Otomi inspired dress. It is so pretty.

I also finally purchased this dress when it went more than 75% off during Anthropologie’s latest promotion and this skirt (because of the over 75% off price and the Otomi-like print). So, three things went home with me. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. All three items have lifted my spirits in this hard month.

I am only purchasing things I truly, truly love. I am still not looking to purchase any clothing in October, but if something amazing comes along, then I will contemplate it. In the meantime I am having a great time shopping my closet.

Oh! I almost forgot. I also purchased an accessory with a gift card (making it free! Thanks Mandi), but I am not linking to it due to the customer service I received from the company.

Some random info: Someone wrote me awhile back about my Mara Hoffman Eye Wrap seen here. I am sorry, but I cannot find that email. I am still not selling mine (in fact, I cannot wait for it to get cold enough to wear it), but the preview for The Golden Tote in October looks like it might have it? I am not sure. I am simply basing my guess from the picture of the clothes found here. I have never purchased from Golden Tote, but if you are looking for that wrap, you might want to check their site on October 6th. UPDATE 10/6/14: The wrap is not the same as my eye shawl. It is missing the eye on the back. Sorry for getting anyone’s hopes up!

IMG_9832.JPG

Coming up in October (I still have not posted my Pee Wee Herman story. This is because I am searching for the prop I lost in my house to photograph. Hopefully it will go up soon):

Ruffle Me This
I Hate Pigeons
Tamale Casserole
Sunny Skirt
How The Jenni Got Her Gripes

How was your September? Are you glad the month is over? Any plans for October? My daughter turns fifteen in a few weeks and I am at a loss as to what to get her. She has requested no clothes (be still my heart). Any ideas?

*If you missed last month’s Keepin’ It Real Post, it can be found here.

by

Overheard In September

20130929-123344.jpg

I am continuing with my monthly feature, “Overheard in…” It is the tidbits of conversations I “happen” to overhear each month, written down in one place. I only publish the nice ones. If you missed last month’s, here it is. Let’s snoop into September:

20130928-225011.jpg

We were at Disneyland on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride. There was a row of four little girls behind us ranging in ages of what appeared to be 5-8. Besides pulling our hair, it was cute. If you are not familiar with the ride: As the ride nears the end, your boat travels under broken bits of wood. There is even a chair hanging. This is what I heard two of the little girls say behind me:

“Is that a chair up there?”

“Shhhh. Yes.”

“What’s a chair doing up there?”

“It’s how this place was built. With chairs.”

It was quiet for a moment as they stared at the broken creation above their heads.

This made all of the hair pulling worth it. I missed snapping a picture of “the” chair. However, I did get a picture of the broken pieces of wood overhead. It made me smile to myself imagining these little girls thinking of rickety rides made from broken chairs. And also, thankful that is not truly the case!

20130929-223148.jpg

I was at the nail salon and it was packed. Two older women were waiting to get their nails done together.

The owner was ready for them to go to the chairs and they walked over to me.

Then he seated the two sweet elderly women next to me and told them, “Here you go. Seats right next to each other. Now you can hold hands and sing the same song.”

Now, whenever I go out with my girlfriends, I secretly think of this phrase and laugh to myself.

20130929-223445.jpg

At a winery, two middle aged men were standing next to us trying to muddle through a conversation.

One turned to the other and said, “I love the decor in here.”

It was all wood. Stuffy. 1980s lodge feeling.

The other one said, “Me too…But…Wait is that a stuffed cat?”

20130929-123922.jpg

Our bug man (exterminator) came around the corner and stopped when he saw us. He paused sheepishly.

“Oh!” He exclaimed. “I hope you did not hear me cursing over there. I saw two alligator lizards on the side of your house. Those things are scary.”

This did not give me faith in my exterminator. My husband said, “Yes, but they eat the bugs.”

The exterminator responded, “They’ll eat ANYTHING!”

I went into the house chuckling. These are the times when growing up in the country pays off.

20130929-222801.jpg

We were at a wedding and two young men (in their twenties) were having an interesting conversation regarding the timing of the wedding:

“I can’t believe they are starting the wedding at 6:00,” one young man said.

“Why?” Asked the other young man.

“You should never get married on the hour, because the only direction for the marriage to go is down. A wedding should always start on the half hour, so the hand is moving upward.”

They pondered this for a moment.

“Well,” started the second young man, “I guess she could be late.”

Hmmm. I had never heard of this before. Have you? I honestly cannot remember what time my wedding started. I should have consulted the first gentleman prior to the day (of course, he would have been about ten years old, so who knows what help he would have been)!

20130929-223121.jpg

And one last small one. I was at the post office waiting in line to send back two returns and the music got very loud. Who even knew the post office had music? This is what was playing at our local post office:

“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-Alot.

Yup.

There was a local police officer talking to a postal worker when the song came on.

The police officer looked at the postman and said, “Interesting choice of music you’re playing here.”

His comment was ignored. But not by me. I smiled…And tapped my foot to the beat.

20130929-123422.jpg

Have you heard any funny or nice conversations lately? I would love to “hear” them!

by

Six Month Blog Giveaway: Two Winners! NOW CLOSED

20130909-230101.jpg

Sorry, this giveaway is now over. Please stay tuned for a new one next month!

This month, being my sixth month of blogging, I have decided to give away two items to commemorate the occasion. The necklaces being given away are two layering necklaces from Anthropologie. Because I just love you guys! And I did not know if I would make it to six months! Thank you!

There will be two winners this time! I am so weirdly crazy excited about this! : )

20130907-134520.jpg

I love this necklace. I wear mine all of the time!

20130909-230132.jpg

To enter simply leave a comment telling me what you will wear the necklace with. Or who you will give your necklace to, if you do not wear necklaces.

You can earn up to two additional entries by doing either or both of the following:

1. Be a follower or become follower (there are many ways to do so on the right hand side of this post). Then leave one additional comment.

2. Share this post on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or your blog page. Just one method please. (This is what I have seen other bloggers do for giveaways. I decided to try it out this month). Then leave a comment with which method you chose to do.

PLEASE LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENTS FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY METHOD CHOOSEN.

A note: I simply type the names from the comments into random.org. If you forget to comment, I cannot count it. And that makes my stomach churn. And I get sad. So, please follow the rules. : )

That is it!

Easy Peasy!

20130909-230206.jpg

This giveaway begins Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 12:00 am PST. All entries must be received before the giveaway closes on Friday, September 14, 2013 at 11:59 pm PST.

I will be drawing one winner by using Random.org. I will contact the winner on Saturday, September 15, 2013. I will post the winner’s name on September 16, 2013 on my blog. I will be shipping the necklaces out to the winners on Monday, September 17th.

Please: Do not forget to comment to enter. The comments are your entries! One comment per person. Except for the extra comment entry/entries for followers and/ or social media sharing option.

*Please enter the giveaway with a valid email address. I will attempt to contact the winner three times using the email given. If within fourteen days of the giveaway’s closing, I have not heard from the winner, the prize will be forfeit. A new winner will be drawn.

*This giveaway is sponsored by me and is not affiliated with/by Anthropologie.

* If Random.org picks the same name twice, I will redraw for the second necklace to pick a different name so there will be two winners. One person cannot win both necklaces. Sorry! I want to spread the love! : )

Sorry this giveaway is now over. Thank you to those who entered!
: )