Prepare Yourself for Something Dreadful

I am very nervous to post this.

Let's remember 2 things when looking at these pictures 1. I am undoubtedly the least photogenic person on the planet. 2. These are self-taken timer shots, not the best quality.

I know. It looks like I am wearing a wig, right? It does. All-over color does that. I was told by my trusty hair-care professional, Robin, that it will calm down in the next few weeks. We will see. I had to go a shade darker to cover all my old blonde.

Pros: Love having a change. Love not fighting regrowth. Love not having to pay serious $$$ every 8 weeks. Love having my ponytail be all the same color.

Cons: Wig-like appearance. Will take some getting used to. Wondering if my children will recognize me. Not sure if I can pull this off.

Husband's response- and let's be honest, what opinion matters more than his?- "I fell in love with you as a brunette." (Although I was not nearly this dark, I might add.)

Give it to me straight people - I can take it- what say you?

Picture clues

See if you can use these picture clues to figure out what I plan to do today at my hair appointment:

Wish me luck. I will post real life pictures after.

I do not cough for my own amusement

("Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.''

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,'' said her father; "she times them ill.''

"I do not cough for my own amusement,'' replied Kitty fretfully.)

I have been sick the last several days. The worse kind of sick: just sick enough to feel awful but not quite sick enough to fully take advantage of the "sick card." I gave about a half day every day. It was all I could muster.

I seem to finally be on the mend. One more good night's rest and I will be good as new. About time because my house is desperately needing my attention.

Clothes of Note

Old Navy has a really fantastic line of clothes for baby girls/big girls. Very crewcuts.






And plenty more in stores that couldn't find online.

Pom-Pom Love

I love, love, love this picture from Anthropologie.

I bought this tissue pom-pom kit from Martha (a few years ago) to use as decor for my daughter's bday.

After the party, my oldest ended up putting them up in her room. Not hanging from the ceiling but she stuck them right on the walls. They look adorable. She's so clever.

I saw these in the latest Potterybarn Teen and thought they would go perfect in her room.

I am sure I could make them myself but for this price, I think it will it is worth ordering them.

I don't think they still sell the Pom-Pom kit, but you can find instructions on how to make them here and use them for all sorts of fun things.

Fashion Blogs

In accordance with my frivolous New Year's resolution to "branch out" with my clothing, I have like any good student been doing my homework. Which mostly means checking out some new blogs.

First- The Anthropologie Blogs. Did you know there are people who devote their entire blog to one store? In this, case Anthropologie. And they post nearly every day. Can you imagine having something to say about Anthro everyday? They do.

My two favorite Anthropologie blogs are:

Anthroholic
Effortless Anthropologie

Both of these blogs are super helpful and chock full of information. What's new? What's on sale? How does it fit? For example: did you know that Anthropologie does mark downs on Tuesdays? It's true. These women go into the store and try and clothes and give reviews. Really. They post what's been marked down. They give an overview of new arrivals. It is really quite something.

Other Fashion Blogs I discovered:

Fabulous Florida Mommy (I kind of hate the name, no offense FFM.) This blog is an all around/general fashion blog. She posts all the deals happening in stores (Loft clearance extra 50% off, etc.) Very helpful. She posts outfit ideas (via polyvore for those of you in the know.) Her style is quite similar to mine: classic JCrew-ish, so I especially like to see what she puts together. She also posts what Stuart Smalley might call Daily Affirmations, a little cheesy yes but a helpful well written blog nonetheless.

Kenneday's Outfits A cute teenager with a fun fashion sense posts some of her outfits. If I was to name the blog, I would have called it "I'm Bringing Preppy Back."

What's Up My Nerds? I love how she just goes for it. This would be someone I would love to have live near me. (boo hoo.)

My New Favorite Blog:

Modestly Styled. Modestly Me. This blog is a favorite because it is written by an LDS mom - just like me. She likes to shop at Loft, Downeast, JCrew, Boden, and Anthropologie - just like me. She believes that you can be fashionable while being modest and a mom - just like me. (From what I can tell from her blog) She has a huge shopping monthly shopping budget - not like me. But it is still pretty fun to watch her spend. I like to see how she layers her outfits (code for: makes things modest.)

Here are a few of my attempts as of late, from mostly previously-owned items:


Top- Gap, Jeans- AE Boyfriend rolled, Shoes- Baretrap Katice knee-length boot.*Heidiluxe put this together for me.


White shirt- Layers. Tee- Jcrew. Necklace- AE. Pants- Loft. Shoes- Converse OneStar. Coat- Gap. *Inspired by a FFM post.


Dress- Gap. Sweater&tights- Loft. Shoes- Gap outlet. Belt- Made by me from Old Navy skinny belt and Gap flower pin.


Shirt- Target. Sweater- Old Navy. Cords- Loft. Belt- Gap. *Inspired by a picture in a Jcrew catalog.

Here is the dress.

I didn't have the chance to pair it with anything fun, I spent the morning dressing kids and had no time left for me! But I told you it was cute.

Do you have any Clothing Blogs you follow?

The Beginning of the End

I get LOST in your eyes and I feel my spirits rise and soar like the wind.

Is it love that I am in?
I get weak in a glance isn't that what's called romance?... And now I know 'cause when I'm LOST I can't let go.
I don't mind not knowing what I'm headed for. You can take me to the skies.

It's like being LOST in heaven. When I'm LOST in your eyes.
I just fell, don't know why something's there we can't deny...And when I first knew was when I first looked at you.
And if I can't find my way, if salvation seems worlds away. Oh, I'll be found when I am LOST in your eyes.
I don't mind not knowing what I'm headed for. You can take me to the skies.

Oh it's like being LOST in heaven when I'm LOST in your eyes.

I get weak in a glance. Isn't this what's called romance? Oh, I'll be found. When I am LOST in your eyes.
(Published this 2 years ago on my private blog. Seems an appropriate time for a re-post.)

i heart

this shirt too.



(from crewcuts)

i heart

this shirt.



(from crewcuts)

Family Stuff

www.carie-list.blogspot.com

Trust me, this is worth clicking over to (if you've got an invite.)

Perfection

I am happy to announce the arrival of this dress to my closet.

I saw it at Target and knew it had to be mine. Fully lined. Hits just below knee. A sleeve to show off my only truly admirable feature: my arms. Adorable ruffle along neckline. Perfection. And the price is unbelievably reasonable. Really.

Don't think I've forgotten about you, black and white polka dot. I will be back for you soon.

If either of these look remotely dorky in the pictures, I'm going to go ahead and blame it on a bad picture because trust me: to die for.

Let's play a little word association. Target Black Ruffle Dress is to J Crew as Target Polka Dot Dress is to Shabby Apple.

If you would like to see it live and in person, feel free to join me at church tomorrow. I may have to post a picture as well.

I Don't Know Whether To Laugh or Cry

It comes in pink too. Again, look beyond the lame picture: in real life, this is a salmony-reddish pink. Sometimes known as Carie pink (around these parts.) It is lame to own the dress in 2 colors?

Sigh*

*sigh that is completely appropriate for happily married middle aged (am I middle aged?) mother.

Just found out he is coming in concert to my city. This time I won't have to drive all the way to Minnesota to see him.

Welcome Back

Your (re)arrival has been greatly anticipated. It will take some getting used to, seeing you on Wednesday nights, but we are willing to go with the flow.