Vintage

How old does something have to be to be considered "vintage"?

Back in High School I was at my Grandma's house and my sister and I were trying on my Mom's wedding dress.  Turns out she is kind 4 inches shorter than I am so the waist hit at an empire level and my Mom was tiny, and I didn't want to rip the dress.  But, in the spirit of trying things on my Grandma brings out one of her Mom's outfits.  I often hear how she was always so well dressed and in every picture I've seen it sure appears so.

But for some reason I didn't try it on.  I think I was too afraid it was too small.  So, I went home and put it in my closet.  I was always sure it was just too small and wouldn't fit me.  So I never tried it on.

I have been looking for a nice skirt that hits at the waist and goes down past my knee's.  I can't seem to find one.  But then I remembered this whole suit set I have had in my closet for the last 7 years.  A whole tailored set: suit pants, vest, jacket and skirt.  I pulled it out and finally looked at the faded tag.  Size 6.  What?!  Why didn't I look at it sooner??

So I put on the skirt and I'm in love.

 

The sad part?  I took it to wear to church over Christmas at my parents house and had just finished changing Naomi's diaper and went to get off the bed and did a bit of the splits and "rrrrrriip".  Gasp. Tears.  Run around like a crazy person trying to find needle and thread.  So, I sewed it as best I could in the 3 minutes before we were supposed to walk out the door.  But I still need to go seam rip it again and do it right on my sewing machine.  

I still feel awful, but I'll fix it and if I can't do a good enough job I'll find someone who will.  

Isn't it beautiful?  Well, I think it is and mostly probably because it belonged to my Great Grandmother.  She passed away in 2006 and I don't remember a lot of her.  She had Alzheimers and by the time she couldn't remember who I was I was around 10 - 12 years old.  But I do enjoy the stories my Grandma tells me about her in the nursing home :)  And anything I learn about her past.  

Wasn't she beautiful?  I love this picture.  And Grandma... I'm sorry I ripped your skirt because I'm stupid sometimes and don't think that some fabrics don't stretch.  I hope it wasn't your favorite.  Don't worry.... I'll fix it.

Bucket List

My friend, Paloma, left a comment on my post below about how a pair of those fantastic beautiful shoes were on her bucket list.  It got me thinking.... a bucket list!  What a great idea.  I'm making one.  So here is my first few things (in no particular order) (and some may be done already):

1.  Visit the Harry Potter Theme Park.

2.  Go on a Caribbean Cruise. 

3.  Surf in Hawaii (CHECK!)

4.  Skydive or bungee jump

5.  Visit New York City

6.  Eat at the top of the Space Needle

7.  Own a pair of Christian Louboutin Shoes

And that's it for now!  I think this will get pretty long at one point.  I can't forget the things I've already done, but should be on there anyway. 

Oh, and Happy Valentines Day!  Jaren came home with chocolates and a dozen, long stemmed red roses that are more beautiful than any that he has given me before.  And what did he want for his Valentines dinner?  Risotto?  Chicken Cordon Bleu?  New York Steak?  Fettuccine Alfredo?  Anything dinnery and something specialy?!  Nope.  Turkey bacon sandwich.  So, of course I smoked up the house and burnt the bacon.  But he still said it was delicious and exactly what he wanted.  Ahhh, he's the perfect Valentine. 

If I Had 7,387.49 Dollars

I would buy these things on my (mostly)frivolous wish list:

$399.00   Bose Sound Dock.  

I love music.  I listen to it all the time.  My daughter is evidence enough since she has been dancing since she was 7 months old and could sit up and bounce/sway/move her shoulders.  Currently I am toting around a pair of old computer speakers and my iPod.  Works alright, but doesn't have the sound or the look this much prettier choice has. 

$164.99  16 gig iPod Nano - Pink

Again, I love music!  I am currently using my 4 gig Nano that I bought with 4 months worth of tips back in August of 2006.  I paid $250 for it and I can't believe how the price and style has changed.  I love this new model since it's perfect for running and I wont have to have the tan-line from my arm band that I have to carry my current iPod in.  Not to mention I can get it in pink.  Or Graphite since it looks gold and it's fantastic.

$695.00  Black Pump - Christian Louboutin

Since it seems that in any given month I am dressing up in dresses and heels 4-5 times I want timeless staples.  And that would be some black leather pumps.  I love shoes and when I'm in a dress I prefer heels.  Since chances are more likely I'll never be able to afford a pair of these I could settle for the below example.

$89.95 Black Pump - Steve Madden

Cheaper, not as luxurious and comfortable and beautiful, but $600 cheaper, so who cares?  Me. Oh well, I can dream.

$795.00 Red Pump - Christian Louboutin

I really like paring red shoes with black and white outfits.  I have quite a few black and white outfits.  I don't know why the red is more than the black, but if I was ever able to afford the black I'm sure I'd be in the position to afford the red.  And they would last me forever - my entire life and then some, right?  Would that justify it? 

$89.95 Red Pump - Steve Madden

And here is the much, much cheaper (but not as beautiful, comfortable and not even real leather) option.  Right now I am using an open toed pump that I bought for $10 back in September of 2006.  They have a few scuff marks on the sides but otherwise are alright.  Oh, they are horribly uncomfortable.  I'm ready for an upgrade.  How about a $785 upgrade?  I know, stop rolling your eyes.  Or maybe you're nodding your head and drooling?

$89.95 Nude Pump - Steve Madden

Nude is supposed to go with everything and there are a few things I have that I don't exactly have the perfect shoe for.  So, I'm on the market for a Nude Pump.  And I really like the look of the hidden platform.  Which most of these options have.

$580.00  Nude Pump - Brian Atwood

I had to.  I believe I have a fetish with expensive beautiful shoes the same reason I have one with jeans.  They are better made and are more comfortable.  They also last longer - assuming you care for them properly.  I don't have any of these expensive heels, though.  I do have really nice jeans (although I am proud to say I have never paid full price for a pair) and can testify of their value.

$895  Nude Pump - Christian Louboutin

So, I know I'm looking for regular timeless pumps, but this is beautiful and I think I'd do it instead of the others if it were ever an option.  I think someday when we are ever somewhere where I can try a pair of Loutoutin's on, I will.  And I'll blog about the experience.  :)

$2,306.50  Canon 5D Mark II

I don't even think I have to explain this.  But the picture taking quality, the options, the high ISO - everything about it makes it loads better than my scrony t1i.  It's a purchase I hope to make in the next year - assuming I can save enough and book enough clients to make the money. 

$1419.00  Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L

I want a wide angle lens.  I wouldn't mind the fixed 35mm as I really love my fixed 50mm, but I want the zoom this provides.  I've found that with taking pictures of kids you need to be able to be further away and at a moments notice catch an expression closer up.  I would probably buy this before the camera body above - which would mean putting it off for longer than a year.

$179.00  Shoot Sac

Currently I'm using a bulky camera bag backpack thing that I have to take off my shoulder, unzip and pull out the lens I want to use, then change the lenses, put the other back in, zip it back up and put it back on my back.  Time consuming and inconvenient and costly since I lose shooting opportunities.  I have heard good reviews about this bag -so it's on my list of priorities.

$395.00  Black Studded Boot

I'm looking for a black boot with around a 3 inch heel to wear with jeans.  I've been on the look out for a while now, but haven't found anything that strikes my fancy enough.  These are beautiful and would work great.  But if I had $400 to spend on shoes, I'm not totally sure if I would choose these.  Although, I would use them more than any of the pumps that are on my list.

$139.00  Kindle

I love love love to read.  The library here is found wanting and I can't afford the amount of books I want to read.  Since books only cost a few bucks with the kindle I wouldn't feel so bad buying a book that I'm not exactly sure I'd want to read again.  Since I re-read books every few years I don't mind buying a book if it's good enough to re-read.  The only problem is buying one that I don't want to have in my library and not being able to return it.  It's a waste.  With this it would be alright.

And this, ladies and gentlemen concludes my current lust list.  What is on yours?

Therapeuting

I didn't make any resolutions this year.  I did it on purpose.  Well, I thought about it, but I let it slip by, then I was two weeks into the new year and decided "oh well". 

You see, I do really well with one of my 5 plus resolutions all year, but the others fall away eventually.  I don't want to be a failure this year.  So I decided to not set lofty goals for a whole year.  I'll do some as I go and if I don't keep up I'm not too worried.  Because a week ore two or a month later I usually pick back up where I left off. 

So, here I am over a month into 2011 and I have decided to come out of hibernation.  My hibernating consisted of playing with Naomi, reading, making a headboard, ironing all of Jarens 17 shirts, watching Prison Break, reading some more, cooking, reading again, Naomi, Naomi, sleeping, reading, occasional cleaning, laundry once a week and even more reading. 

I haven't even been taking pictures.  What kind of mother am I?!  But I have been videoing so don't get your panties in a bunch.  Or knot.  However that works. 

I decided I'm going to start therapeuting.  What is theraputing, you ask?  Well, it's doing things that are therapeutic to you.  Or ends with the resulted feeling like you've been lying on a couch talking someone's ear off about all of your worries and troubles so you leave feeling elated, light, happy and effervescent. 

Here are my therapies:

Write:  because if you've read more than one post you know I like to talk.  You may also know talking makes me feel better.  So I'm going to blab all I want here and not feel bad if I don't post a picture or if no one reads.  Because I feel better.  But I do like comments...

Exercise:  Because I feel free.  I love being in shape and shame on me for not keeping up with an exercise routine for more than 2 weeks since JUNE.  I started running again last week and as long as I do it 3-5 times a week I'll be happy. 

Clean:  the actual cleaning is NOT therapeutic for me.  In fact, I really don't care for it and I have to be in a really special mood to get going.  But the end result is what makes me happy.  And it makes Jaren even more happy than it makes me and that adds to my happiness.  Right now my house is disgusting.  I'm not going to get it all done in a day - or a week.  I'm going to pick a small thing each day and maybe over the course of the next month my house will sparkle.  Literally.  And maybe even I'll pick up a good habit of staying on top of it all.  (Again, I'm not getting my hopes up).

Naomi:  I'm going to take more pictures and video even more.  Because she is awesome.  And really whiny right now because she is getting 2 pre-molars and 2-4 k-9 teeth.  And she is a dancing machine.  And blabbers.  And I need to entertain her and help her to find more things to entertain her other than Dora, Baby MacDonald and Baby signing time.  Not that any of those are bad choices to spend one's time, but I would rather her run around and laugh and play. And I need to get her pooping regularly.  Poor thing.  It's a good thing she likes Prunes.  Oh, AND I need her to feed herself!  UGH.  AND I need to figure out how to wean her off a bottle because she is quite attached.  QUITE. 

So.  Here I go.