This Life, Redefined...: I don't want to grow up...

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I don't want to grow up...

I put together an Amazon wishlist for my birthday this past February, because various family members were looking for suggestions, and it seemed to be the easiest way to get the word out about what I needed (various camera/computer equipment pieces) and what I wanted (clothes and a travel coffee mug). I added this skirt on a whim, not feeling quite sure how I would style it if I did end up owning it, but wanting it just the same.

The skirt was still on the list when Steve went shopping for my birthday, and in addition to his main gift idea of having my family blog (Laundry is NOT a Hobby, if you want to check it out) printed and bound in hardcover (quite possibly the most awesome gift idea, ever…it’s like having a family yearbook to flip through), he picked it up as well. He’s a keeper, no?

And wouldn’t you know it, the skirt has turned out to be much more versatile than I expected. Work, church, outdoor activities, I’ve worn it for everything so far this summer. And I think I have some amazing tights I can wear with it when the weather gets cooler again, which will happen, whether I want it to or not.

Unfortunately, I think the success of this endeavor may feed a little too much into my nasty habit of ‘buy now, figure out how it works later’, instead of the new habit I’m trying to pick up of ‘buy only things that I can immediately work into at least five different outfits with what I already own’, which seems less fun, but much more responsible. At some point, responsibility will start to win out, right? Right?!?!?

Worn Friday 5/20 to work
tank top: Target
jacket: Kenneth Cole
skirt: Gap
shoes: Steve Madden (from DSW)

4 comments:

CMay 25, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Umm... I didn't wish you a happy birthday?! I'm a horrible friend. Happy belated, Tara! (3 months later is better than never :D) I remember this Gap skirt when it was in stores, marveled at the print, but couldn't fit it into my wardrobe. More outfit posts with this skirt, please :)

PS - The first pic of your cat staring at you? Too cute!
ReplyDelete
Replies
TiffanyMay 25, 2011 at 8:20 PM
How thoughtful! Your guy is most definitely a keeper. Love that skirt! You look gorgeous!
ReplyDelete
Replies
ClaireMay 26, 2011 at 3:06 AM
very cute skirt. and i do think it's important to be able to wear things at least a couple different ways. that's why i do my 3 ways to wear it post. a lot of times i don't even know the piece will go with so many outfits until i play around for that post!

Claire @
spinning-threads.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete
Replies
CharisseMay 26, 2011 at 9:27 AM
This skirt is actually really great. I love it. The details in it are sooo pretty. And I think it would look great in the winter with some raspberry tights!!

prettyinandout.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Leave a comment, if you'd like...I'd love to hear from you!

2014 List

1) Send more mail...thank you notes, birthday cards, and 'just because' messages.

2) Be nicer, in general, to my husband and family. They deserve a much less crabby me than the one they were stuck with for most of 2013.

3) Make more of an effort to communicate with the long-distance people in my life. I got away from facetiming with my sister on a regular basis, and I miss it. Plus, now that she's making me an aunt, I think it's even more important that we get back into the habit of seeing each other every week. I do not need her new baby asking 'are you SURE you have more than one sister?', just because Aunt Mary lives in Indiana and Aunt Tara lives all of the way in Georgia.

4) Call or email or even text my friends from college more than I do now, which is hardly at all. Just because we can pick up after not talking to each other for months like no time has passed at all does not mean I should keep letting all of those months pass without the talking. I'm afraid the picking back up can't keep happening in a friendship like that.

5) Do one fitness/health related challenge each month. - You know all of those '0 to 1,000 sit-ups in just 30 days!!' kind of schedules that pop up on Pinterest all of the time? I'm going to start doing those. One each month. Fifteen minute plank? I'M COMING FOR YOU. I'm also throwing my meat-free/sugar-free/alcohol-free months in this category, as well.

6) Run another organized 5K. - It was so much more fun than I expected. Minus the running up a hill part, anyway.

7) Renew my vows with Steve, in Vegas, by Elvis, for our 10th anniversary in October.

8) Create an art wall somewhere in my house.

9) Organize a workspace for me

10) Attend The Blathering in Seattle. - Charleston was such a great time, I'd love to make it back for the Seattle trip.

11) Read at least two books a month.

12) Take Brigid camping.

13) Find a yoga studio and start taking classes regularly.

14) Write something, anything, not blog related.

15) No spending money on new clothes this year. Using gift cards and rewards points are fine, but I need to get out of the habit of spending money on new stuff, just to make myself feel better. I swear, shopping is my addiction, but the high I get from buying a new sweater probably isn't enough to justify the amount of money I spend on clothes I don't need.

16) No buying anything at all unless I absolutely need it. I have a bad habit of stocking up on things at sales (candles, lotions, make-up, beauty products), even if I have a cabinet full of the same stuff already at home. I will use the cabinet full of crap before I add more crap.

17) Be more consistent in updating my family blog, because my parents give me a hard time when I let it lag, and my personal blog, because I'm not as happy with myself when I let it lag.

18) Find a general practitioner and get a physical.

19) Post at least one picture a day on Instagram, to get myself into the habit of taking more pictures of my sweet girls, since I find entire events have passed where I've forgotten to photograph said events. Like Christmas. Sadly.

20) Get a haircut. - You can laugh at this one, if you must, but I did not get one single haircut in 2013. In fact, I haven't had a haircut since before Caitlin was born in November of 2012. I do not even know how this happens, but I know it must end. Soon. I think a Locks of Love kind of donation might be in order. My hair, it is long.

21) Make an effort to get to know the neighbors. - I tend to not get dressed/leave the house on the weekends, and this extends to not fraternizing with anyone who lives near me, because I'm afraid people will judge me for my make-up free, sweatpants clad weekend laze. I should probably get over that.

22) Write more thank you notes. - I am terrible at writing thank you notes. I should not be so terrible.

23) Buy new rugs for my new house. - The sunroom and foyer, in particular, need something fun.

24) Be more fearless in forming and maintaining relationships. - There are many times where I think of something I want to send to someone, whether it's an email, text, card, or what have you, and I don't, because I'm afraid I've maybe overestimated whether we have the type of friendship where I can do something like that. I don't want to worry about stuff like that anymore.

25) Put together an Advent/Christmas activity calendar for Brigid and Caitlin. - I did that for Brigid when I was home on maternity leave after Caitlin's birth, and it was so much fun. I didn't get the chance to do it this year, and I feel like I missed out on some part of the excitement of the season. I'm bringing it back.

26) Institute a once-a-month date night with Steve. Or date lunch, I guess, if necessary.

27) Institute a once-a-month girls' night, whether it be with my old college roommate, my SiLs, or the neighbors. I should get out of the house at least once a month with people who do not live in my house.