Hmmm....

Maybe a more appropriate estimation of my style would be White Girl from Connecticut....


After all...I like...

Scarves

Sweaters

Outdoor Performance Clothing

Vintage

Hating People who wear Ed Hardy

Pea Coats

and most of the rest of the list...

Project Closet Part 1: Defining the goals

So...if I had to put a name to the type of style that I admire most, I'd have to go with Bohemian Preppy. You know, classic pieces with an unusual touch here and there. Levis with a black cashmere tee, a vintage clutch, and a multicolored scarf from Turkey (I actually own this look...I'll have to post a pic at some point). I wear wear jeans or corduroys most days this time of year - and I'm ok with that. I want to make an effort to organize and add to the tops and accessories that keep this from being boring or frumpy.

The trouble is - I am totally an impulse shopper and often don't consider what I have when I buy things. So now I am at the point where there are core classic pieces that I don't have, as well as some odd things that I love but never wear because I don't have anything to wear with them!

So...here is my "plan of attack"

1. Purge the closet. If I haven't worn it since before I had the kids - it goes. This will make it easier to see what I have and what I want to add.

2. Do a little more window-shopping/polyvoring and post some of my basic outfits for your viewing pleasure and for feedback on what I could add to jazz things up.

3. A style boost consultation with Mademoiselle Robot. I debated with myself about this one. I love her sense of style, but if I spend money on a consultation, it's less money I have to spend on clothes. Then I took a peek at some of the money hanging in my closet that never gets worn and decided it would be worth it. She has some very reasonable online consultations (or in person if you are in the UK and does a discount for twitter followers...I'm just saying...might be a nice Christmas present to yourself!)

So #3 will wait until after Christmas when I am ready to do some shopping...but #1 and 2 start NOW! (I need something to blog about don't I?!) along with a bit of soothe yourself during the holidays advice from me!

Let it Snow!

I'm ready! It keeps warming up into the 60's. I'm not complaining...I'm just ready. See!

Where are you going, Where have you been?

One of the things I love about blogging and reading blogs are the unexpected connections you find. Many of the blogger friends I've made also know or read each other. Or I'll find one new and interesting read, only to find a connection to another beloved blog.

For example, a few months ago, I couldn't sleep, decided to do some research online (this is code for getting absolutely nothing done except browsing through Anthropologie and trying to find out when shows I like come back from summer hiatus). A few wrong turns led me to Gublerland - web home of the amazing and talented Matthew Gray Gubler. Seriously, if you need a good laugh - take a minute and watch something from the Movies section.

So then, as a frequent Bitch Buzz reader, from time to time I check out their Buzz We Love section for new reads (Can you tell I have sleep issues?) I found Mademoiselle Robot - and it was love at first read. It was the name that drew me in (Love all things Parisian, Love Robots...)but the site itself is both visually beautiful and content rich, so I made it a regular read.

Then, I went looking for a green lemonade recipe (which turned out to be delicious) and found The Fantastical Life of Laura Dahl. So, for my troubles I found not only a fabulous green lemonade recipe, I found a fantastic designer and some pushes in the right direction for my fashion woes (See Monday's post) Funny thing is, Laura Dahl, who to the best of my knowledge completely unrelated to Roald and Sophie Dahl, is the sister of Matthew Gray Gubler.

Add to that - the lovely Mademoiselle Robot recently interviewed MGG. So my point here is not "all internet searches lead to Gubler" but rather, the connections we make through the craziness called technology are fascinating.

Which brings me to my question:

How did you find my blog and where has it led you? I see lots of interesting things in the feedjit widget. I am proud of the fact that a Google search for "Cozy things" has me as the FIRST entry (up from #3 a year ago...go me!). I know many of you who have been reading since early on and are also my FB/Twitter/offline friends. But if I don't - and you rarely comment - take a minute and tell me...

Awesome Possum

So, as some of you know, I have been having some sartorial "issues." I have a decent "dressy-uppy" wardrobe. But I have started to feel like my everyday wear could use a bit of improvement.



In an effort to move out of my formulaic fashion funk (how's that for alliteration?) I have been spending a bit more time reading some of my favorite fashion related blogs (and this one too.)



I am hoping by Christmas to break out of my constant one from column A (jeans/cords) one from column B (long sleeve t or cable knit sweater) and one from column C (Converse or Clogs). At least I have my awesome funky sock collection...but really - I feel like I need to let my creativity spill over into the rest of my wardrobe a bit too. It's easy for moms to put taking care of themselves on the back burner, to take care of everyone else first. I've always felt that we need to take care of ourselves (fashion and personal care included) to give us the fuel we need to do eveything else! Just because I'm "mom" doesn't mean "Kate" has to fall by the wayside.



I think it's the ensembles I see at Kindergarten drop off that have really scared me into this fashion intervention. There is one woman I see frequently who loves white lycra t-shirts with a too tight sports bra. She is not overweight per se, but the slinky white t and too tight bra gives her back boobs! It's awful...I want to befriend her just so I can let her know (Someone needs to tell her). And another woman wears Juicy sweatpants that are probably a better fit on her 5th grade daughter paired with a Planet Hollywood jean jacket. I know - I sound horribly snarky and judgmental - but really....is it too hard to pull on actual clothing suited for adult wear? Am I just a few years away from leaving the house in dirty pyjama bottoms and and sweatshirt appliqued with teddy bears? In any case, the horrific parade of outfits I see at the school (and a few ladies who get it right) are inspiring me to give the closet a bit of a detox. More to come on this over the next few weeks...

So what's the bit about the possum?























Mademoiselle Robot is doing a wonderful Awesome Possum Christmas Giveaway! If you check it out - let her know I sent you:) (Really...cute Christmassy possums pictured on her blog...with lots of fun & stylish things being given away....check it out!)

Freaky Friday

All week there were nagging little tasks that kept getting pushed off to the next day. Library books, an errand in an inconvenient part of town, get my zipper on my winter coat fixed, etc. You know, the kind of tasks that don't require immediate attention, but hang around the back of your mind like a dripping faucet. When I was doing my stress management cert. I learned that they actually present one of the most serious forms of chronic stress. Mental Chinese water torture...drip...drip...drip. And they all got pushed to today. The day when I have the least extra time to do them. So. That will be my afternoon. Fixing that leaky faucet in my brain.

But I thought I'd take a few minutes to blog first. If those are some of the things that lack immediacy for me, that can get pushed to the back-burner, what are some of the things I have to have?

Lara Bars Always on hand. I don't eat one every day, but they are my delicious emergency "don't know if I'll be able to get gluten-free food" food.

Burt's Bee Balm (and I just put my last tube throught the washer...guess what I will be picking up today?)

A good book If I run out of new things to read, I wander around the house staring at the various book shelves contemplating a reread. Just finished reading The Thirteenth Tale. HIGHLY recommend it.

Aveda Control Paste. If you have hair - you need it. Doesn't matter what type, but if you have fine hair...you REALLY need it. It's awesome. The jar lasts forever, but I never want to be in danger of running out.

Homemade Chicken stock. Always have it in the freezer. When I get down to a quart...it's time to make more. Everything tastes better.

Cetaphil Cream. Not the lotion. NOT the cleanser. The soap is ok. But the cream. Gotta have it.

My running shoes and the trail. This one isn't every day....but if it wasn't for running, I'd be a much less happy camper. I think it's one part endorphins, one part fresh air, and two parts head clearing time alone that make it so necessary.

Tea - Maybe it's because I'm Irish. And I do love coffee too. But I have to have tea. HAVE TO.

Moleskine Notebooks - I guess other notebooks could technically work in a pinch. But I'm a writer/doodler/list maker and love to have my itty bitty moleskine ready to go at all times.

Great socks. Some day I'll have to lay them all out & take a picture of my sock collection. I have super tiny feet, so I can borrow Caroline's socks too (so I am currently wearing polka dotted day of the week socks in "Saturday"). One of the best gifts I received in the past year was a pair of aloe socks...my feet are so happy when I wear them.

That's all. No mas. Intended to blog more this week, but all those pesky things like work, errands, housework, tending the children, and sleep got in the way.

Tonight for family movie night - The Ugly Dachshund. If you love dogs and haven't seen it - pick it up! Have a great weekend!

Baby it's (getting) cold outside

So, we are almost at the time of year when - typically - I stop running outdoors until spring. Sometimes I do a winter gym membership & treadmill it for awhile. Sometime I do other indoor sports (like Zumba, Spinning or similar). I do the occasional winter hike, snowshoeing and skiing when I can.

But I have to say...I am enjoying running so much lately - I don't really want to take everything inside and miss out on the rush I get from running outdoors. Now that my health issues are under control (see a few months back if you don't know what I'm talking about) I have very little joint pain. Amazing how a little thing like lack of excruciating pain can increase your love of running.

It's not really even an issue of being good exercise - it's like this huge stress relief/sanity/clarity/joy all bundled together. Some people take drugs, some people go to Church, some people go to a therapist. I have tried all of those - and running beats them all hands down!

So...for those of you who DO run outdoors during the winter - what are your must-haves clothing and gear-wise? My husband is giving me some tips too, but he is a more hard-core distance runner (3 marathons/2 tri's...mopey when he doesn't get to go for an hour long run every day...) I am more of a 5 miles or less, several days a week to clear my head & enjoy the endorphins kind of runner. Plus I like cool girly-looking running stuff. Suggestions?