Making Time

Y'all, I've lost my blogging mojo.

I don't know what happened.

I think of all these topics I want to blog on and post about and then, I'm just not making time for it...

I started working out with a trainer back in March. She's awesome, and I feel great. So that gets a little of my time, but not much because it's such a super efficient workout.

I'm going to sleep earlier. That's helping me feel better too - more awake and aware. Don't get me wrong - I still need at least two cups of coffee a day, but I'm not yawning all afternoon anymore, so that's an improvement.

I'm spending what seems like hours sitting in the bathroom with Caroline while she tinkles just a squirt on her potty and then talks about tinkling and then sings about tinkling and then I finally chase her down and put a diaper on her and she says, "I tinkled. Change diaper?"

I'm not sure exactly what Andrew's doing during these long minutes I'm hanging out in the bathroom. Mostly building with his Legos or watching Scooby I think.

It makes me proud that he's capable of keeping himself occupied for long stretches of time without needing too much from me. I love the independence. It's one of the traits I most want to foster in my children. Which makes me worry I'm just neglecting them and not giving them every opportunity to grow.

Like maybe they need to be playing soccer and singing in the choir and going back to swimming lessons, which are all things we decided not to do this fall. Instead we're taking them to the pumpkin patch and the SMU Boulevard to tailgate before football games, and teaching them (well, Andrew) about fantasy football and why we love the Cowboys, and going for long walks in our new neighborhood, hanging out with our cousins and making new friends at tennis lessons on Friday mornings.

I'm also spending way too much time reading fashion blogs and thinking about my fall wardrobe which is just silly, but also super important to me because just because we're moms, in and out of preschool pickup and Target all day, doesn't mean we have to wear yoga pants if we're not going to yoga. I need some style.

I'm making a conscious effort to go through my closet and find things that I feel good in and wear them again, mix them up in new ways.

How are you spending your days this fall?

*All photos taken with my awesome, yet neglected 50mm and Canon 7D in our playroom in the natural afternoon light while my heart swelled with love for these two cuties who can occasionally play in the same room without screaming at each other.

My Favorite Interior Design Blogs

One of my favorite parts of this moving/new house process has been finding so many awesome design sites and blogs.

I certainly don't want my space here to turn into all design all the time, but I wanted to share a few of my finds with y'all because there is a lot of awesomeness out there.

The mother of all design sites might just be Houzz.com.

Months ago my mom and my sister told me how amazing this site was, but it wasn't until we started finishing out the new house that I realized what an incredible resource it is. Its search function is amazing.

Want to see a white kitchen with a blue island? Here you go. How about a parsons desk? You'll find so many inspiration photos. I just love it! And their app is almost as addicting as Pinterest. I'll just warn you. :)

And then I made my way into the world of design bloggers.

My favorite might be Jenny Komenda at Little Green Notebook. She has such confidence in her design and makes bold decisions that all seem to work really, really well. She's in the middle of a move from New York to Arizona and I'm so looking forward to watching her transform their new home.

She posts about her own home, her client projects and LGN reader projects as well. I was really inspired by her series of posts sharing her friend Emily's self-designed home in North Carolina.

Emily Clark's blog is so inspiring and real. She's a busy mom and that shows in her design point of view and in her home. Lots of her ideas work for families with little kids - hello awesome book nook! I like that she talks about shopping your own house and making your existing stuff work. I need a boost in that area in a bad way! And check out her dining room turned office. It's so pretty!

Emily Henderson is an HGTV star and is so quirky and weird. Her style is so totally not mine, but her rooms are pretty and colorful and full of stuff that I want to look at. And she's pretty good at finding cool art to share.

I know I'm a better accountant than I am a designer, but there are so many amazing resources out there and so many generous people willing to share their expertise and their sources that I think I'm going to be able to make this new house work.

Even if it takes me years and years to get it all pulled together. :)

Do you have a favorite design blog? And do you have a gallery wall in your house? That's one of the first things on my list after we get moved in!

All Dressed Up

Brian and I got all dressed up in our snazzy best Saturday night and headed downtown with Kelsey and Matt and my parents to live it up at the Rockwall Women's League Charity Ball.

This was our second year to attend. Last year the ball was held in a huge barn in a pretty spot out in the country. And it was fun, but it was hot and humid and we all had fuzzy hair.

Last night's fancy ballroom party was much more comfortable.

Except for the shoes.

I wore these. Not only did I wear them all night, but I danced in them all night. My feet may never forgive me, but it was worth it. The band was fabulous. They were a bit like a toned town version of the Spazmatics - awesome.

The Reid girls all dressed up.

I was super happy with my dress and I'm bummed I didn't get a picture of the whole thing. It has a full ruffled skirt. I'm hoping I have a reason to wear it again soon. Kelsey was glowing in her coral dress and mom was just beautiful in her regal purple gown.

So fun to see Dad in his tux. As a member of the the Women's League, Mom worked hard to help set up and prepare for the party. It was so nice to see all their hard work pay off.

They had pretty flowers on the tables and they were up high so we could see around them. It's my favorite way to do centerpieces.

And maybe my favorite part of the party was the little flipbook we had made of us in silly costumes.

So much fun! (PicFlips had a little booth set up and they did a great job! I think this would be the BEST wedding party activity.) We'll treasure our little flip book for a long time. And Brian may grow a big mustache. :)

It's so fun to get dressed up and go to a party! I'm looking forward to next year's ball already!

Dress for the Day - Christmas Party Style

Brian reminded me on Monday morning that his office Christmas party is this Friday evening. I'm sure he told me much earlier, but I forgot to put it on my calendar which means I had NO IDEA it was coming up.

Oops.

His work party is a little different than most. It's for the whole family and it starts super early - like at 5PM and is usually over by ten.

We'll leave even earlier because we're taking the kids, and then later that night we have an MBA graduation party to attend.

I need an outfit!

I scoured my closet today and didn't really come up with anything I'm crazy about. I think this is a great excuse for a trip to Northpark (the world's greatest mall, where I once wore my pajama pants.)

I'm looking for this:

This outfit is so me. Seriously my sister will laugh when she sees this because it is so me. (Hi Kels!)

I love the bow and the pleats and the polka dots and the 50's-ish earrings.

Now I just need to find it all tomorrow with Caroline in tow. Ummmm....

Hopefully I'll have the real deal to show you next week.

This brings me to an important questions. We have a few other Christmas parties on our calendar this season. If I wear this to Brian's work party is it okay to wear the exact same thing to a party with old college friends? There shouldn't be overlap, but you never know.

I would normally say yes, but I'm curious what you would do.

// Sweater // Skirt // Tights // Earrings // 

Dress for the Day: Color Pops

It was the first day that looked like winter, gray skies and a cold wind.

So I decided it called for color.

Sometimes you just need to do the opposite of what the day calls for.

I had no idea how much I'd love my booties. I wear them way more than I thought I would. You need a pair! Yes - you!

I've been wearing these denim leggings all fall, and I thought they were pretty cute. And then I saw this photo, and now I'm questioning my choice. I feel a little bootylicious. But you know, Brian hasn't complained so maybe it's okay. Ha!

That's the craziest thing about doing these #dressfortheday posts. I'm really liking that I have to think about my outfits a bit more - I think I'm taking more chances and putting things together I might not have otherwise. But I also have to be willing to look at the photos.

It's a tough thing to look at your legs and your hips from all angles. (And you know I pick the most flattering photos to share with y'all!) It's eye opening for sure.

And some weeks it tests my confidence a bit. This week was one of those weeks.

I'll probably wear this outfit again - it's super comfortable and I like it. But I might need to find a longer shirt to cover the boot-ay a bit more. :)

// sweater // shirt // leggings // scarf (similar) // booties //

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Dress for the Day - Hit the Road

When I was a sophomore in high school I went to the Alamo Bowl with my friend Natalie and her parents. We drove from Tulsa to San Antonio, had a great trip, enjoyed the game and woke up and left San Antonio at some crazy hour early in the morning to head back to Tulsa.

Natalie and I, being in high school and all, thought we were really cool so we slept until the very last minute and then got in the car in our pajamas.

Which would have been fine except that Natalie's dad wanted to stop at Northpark mall in Dallas. I've never quite gotten over the fact that I walked through Northpark in my pj's. I've been there approximately 432 times in the years that I've lived in Dallas and I still very often think of the pajama trip when I walk in to Dillard's. It's kind of sad, really.

This Thanksgiving week we'll be in the car like so many other Americans off to visit family. And you know what I won't be wearing? My pajamas. :)

I will be wearing comfy clothes though.

Here is a fave stretchy dress from Target - it's kind of like wearing pajamas - paired with my often worn cardigan and flats from Banana. That's it.

Oh, and Spanx. I love them, and I think they're comfortable too. Maybe because I wear them so often? But they don't bother me one bit.

And I have to share Caroline's traveling outfit with you just because she's so dang cute.

Only a toddler can wear horizontal stripes on her hiney and look that adorable. And her shoes? Swoon. She likes them too.

And that's how I chose to #dressfortheday this week - ready to hit the road!

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This week of Thanksgiving I want to take a minute to thank all of you - my wonderful readers who come by this space so often and take the time to leave me a comment or send an email. It means the world to me that you are here.

I'm so very thankful for you.

xoxo

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Dress for the Day: Fan Style

It turned chilly here again last Sunday. And by chilly I mean 40's in the mornings and 60's during the day. It's been fabulous! I really, really love cool days.

And Sunday was also game day. My Cowboys may be a pretty mediocre team, but they're still my team and they had a big day against the Eagles so I thought I better dress to support them while I watched them at home on TV.

I'm here to say that wearing a t-shirt does not have to be frumpy! I still kicked it up a bit with bright blue denim leggings, my favorite tall boots, a snuggly cowl and a favorite cardigan.

So, so comfy to cheer on my team (and they won!)

How did you #dressfortheday this week?

// Denim Leggings // Sweater (similar) // Cowl // Boots

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Dress for the Day: Sweater Dress & Booties

I finally settled on a pair of booties, and when they arrived last week I couldn't wait to wear them.

So Saturday I was heading out with my sister and a few friends for a little shopping and a girls lunch, and I decided it was the perfect occasion for booties and a black sweater dress.

And it totally would have been if it were actually fall here in Dallas.

My feet almost burned up in my hot little boots.

I might look comfortable here, but don't be fooled. You just can't see the sweat trickling down my back.

So here's my #dressfortheday tip: Also remember to dress for the weather. Amen.

// Booties // Tights // Dress (similar) //

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Dress For the Day: Red Cords & a Scarf

So y'all know I'm a big believer in getting dressed every day.

I like putting on real pants and cute shoes. It just makes me feel good, productive and sometimes a little sassy.

Even if I'm going to spend the day on the floor with Andrew and twelve superheros I'd like to look put together doing it.

This does not mean I'm wearing heels and dress pants every day. Quite the contrary. I ditched my daily heels for flats after Andrew was born, and I haven't looked back. But rockin' my comfy clothes doesn't mean I can't look stylish.



Clothes can totally set the tone for your day and to that end, I'm joining in with Abby and her series dress for the day you want, not the one that's trying to have you.

I'm certainly not a fashion blogger, but I can share a few of my favorite outfits with y'all and hopefully encourage you to add just a touch of fun to the same ol' same ol'.

Both kids go to school on Tuesdays so I have to get them packed and out the door in the morning.

Most school days I get ready in the morning before I drop them off. Then I'm free to spend my one kid-free morning getting stuff done and not worrying about showering and getting dressed. 

I was in a big hurry, but I still thought about what I wanted to wear for the day. I was going to run errands, work from home, play with the kids outside.



These red cords are really comfortable, but way more snazzy than jeans. The white shirt is a favorite this season - I have it in three colors.



And the animal print scarf pulled it all together with my favorite brown flats.



That's it. No fuss, but still fun and put together. You don't have to be frumpy to be comfy!



What kind of day are you dressing for?

#dressfortheday

// Red Cords // White Shirt // Animal Print Scarf // Flats //

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Preschool Stylin'

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. //

So it's kinda time to think about back to school. Which is totally crazy to me, but here we are. 

Here in Dallas we don't start until the week after Labor Day, but I've seen a lot of kids around the country who are already headed back.

So I thought I'd show y'all what Andrew will be wearing on his first day of preschool.

Our style could definitely be labeled as traditional. 

I stock up on Polos when they go on sale so he'll have about six in different colors to start the year. I just love a little boy in a bright Polo. And these chino shorts are my favorite because I don't iron them (clearly!) and they never look wrinkled. 

And how adorable are those Top-Siders? Love!

Andrew is really into super heroes right now, but I'm really not into character clothes. I know he'd love a Spider-man backpack, but I'm going to wait until he's a little older and more insistent before we go down that road.

But I think the comic strip backpack from Land's End and the subtle Batman sunglasses are a nice little compromise. :)

And I had to include our favorite name bubbles. We've had these since Andrew was a baby and they're still perfectly stuck to all our cups even after many, many washes.

I'm a little in shock that Andrew is really old enough to go to preschool, but at least he'll look stylish when he walks through those doors. 

How are you getting ready for back to school? 

My Summer Makeup

If I were a better morning person I'd be up and dressed before my kids are ready to start the day.

But I'm so not.

Most days Caroline's chirps or Andrew's footsteps are my alarm clock.

I try to get dressed in a hurry, but I feel bad having them wait for me, hanging out in the bathroom while I put on my makeup.

So a few weeks ago I decided to pack it all up and make it portable.

Now I can do my makeup in the kitchen during breakfast or in Andrew's bedroom while he plays with trains.

Getting dressed and putting on makeup everyday makes me feel better about myself. Even if I'm just hanging out at home with the kids all day. At least I'm putting some effort in, and I think surely Brian appreciates it when he gets home.

So...what am I wearing this summer?



I have an interesting assortment of makeup. It's all kind of mish-mash, but it works for me.



I start with a tinted moisturizer mixed with a tiny bit of foundation. Bonus - SPF included!



Then I use an under eye concealer called Well Rested from bare minerals. I may not be rested, but my eyes are. Ha! I also use a bit of a finishing powder all over.



I've had the hardest time finding an eyeliner that will withstand the heat and humidity here, but so far this Stila is holding up. I also bought a new Dior color set last weekend with a creamy liner. I'm hoping that if I set it with a shadow it'll stay on well.

Time will tell I guess.

And there's no way I'll ever use the shadow part of that set, at least not during the day. I just don't ever take the time to put on eye shadow, and I'm not very good at it anyway, so I just skip it.



Right now I'm wearing the Benefit They're Real mascara. I like that it's easy to put on, doesn't clump and doesn't flake off at the end of the day.

But I also really love the Cover Girl in the orange tube. (Not pictured.) It's the best for making my lashes look thick and full without them being clumpy or sticky.

And I have to curl my eyelashes. I think it makes a huge difference.



I've been wearing a bronzer for my blush recently. It's got a bit of a shimmer to it and I kind of put it all over. I'm hoping it gives me a sun-kissed look and not a whoa she spent too much time in the tanning bed look. :)

And then my lipstick...



I wear all kinds of stuff - I have a Maybelline that I really like {sugared honey} and Smashbox {dazzling} and a bare minerals lipgloss {sugar}. Often I'll have all of these on at the same time.

And then this weekend I bought a new peachy lipstick from Chanel. I was feeling wild and crazy and totally splurged! It's a new color for me. I usually stick to browns and pinks and this is definitely a peach, but I'm enjoying it for a new summer color.

See, I really, really like lipstick. I have it on all the time. I wear lipstick like lots of people wear chapstick. Like I wake up and put lipstick on first thing in the morning. Silly? Maybe, but my lips are happy.

So looking at it all like that it seems like a lot of work...but it really takes me about five minutes total. Unless I get sidetracked by Andrew needing more peanut butter or the baby trying to climb the stairs, which, let's be honest, is what happens most days. :)

Do you put on makeup every day? Do you have any favorites that I should add to my routine?