Dear Weekend: I Love You

 Sweater: H&M / Jeans, Earrings: AE sale / Boots: TJ Maxx / Necklaces: Maurices / Bracelet: DC Street Market / Glasses: BonLook

Oh, how I love the weekends. Oh, how I love a break from school.  This is my life right now.

Two more weeks till the end of the semester. It can't come fast enough. Two more weeks...

In other news, I shamelessly caved to the promotion of all the cool and popular blogs out there and got a pair of hipster glasses. And I kind of love them. The timing was perfect because the Husband just gave me a new prescription, and Bonlook is having a sale for $10 off your first pair. They also have a really nifty virtual try-on feature that makes it easy to select a pair, and they have free shipping.

I first got glasses in the 2nd grade. A horrid pair of thin purple plastic that covered the entire top two-thirds of my head...Like all the other myopes out there, I recall the amazement that I could see, from the ground, the individual leaves of trees. Even the ones that were far away! That day, I rode home seeing a whole new world of wonder from the back of my dad's pick-up. It was the early 90s...My joy was promptly over the second we got home and my brother made fun of my new 4-eyed look. He had issues being the only boy with 4 sisters.
 
At that point, my sight wasn't too terrible, so I could get away without wearing them if I sat in the front of the classroom to see the board.  In other words, I sacrificed the privilege to see leaves for the sake of style and went without. These days, I can't even see that the that the board is there. Here's looking at you, -6.25. Actually, I can't see you without you.

For a long time I was quite bitter about my need for myopic correction. Both of my parents, in their 50s now, still see at 20/15. "C'est pas juste!" I whined { In my memories, I whined in French. Makes it seem more pithy. }  And I vividly remember my doctors telling me that eventually my eyes would stop getting worse as I matured and reached adulthood. Whelp, guess I missed that mark...But now that glasses are popular, I suppose I really oughtn't complain anymore, and be glad that I'm not forced to suffer the indecision of whether to pay for spectacles I don't need in the name of accessorizing.

And today, ladies and gents, after boring you with this ridiculous diatribe about my eyes, I'll conclude by admitting that these days I'm grateful for my abnormally long eyeballs. Their habit of continual elongation provides me many an opportunity to keep up with the world of fashionable eye-wear.

Also, it's fun to look at Christmas trees without them. What? You don't keep yours up till Valentine's?

P.S. Linked up to The Pleated Poppy's WIWW!

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*C'est pas juste = Ce n'est pas juste = It's not fair!

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A True Story About the Husband and the Hound

   Cashmere Sweater, Skirt: Consigned at Periwinkle (Vintage Saks made in Scotland, Old Navy) / Bracelets:  F21 & Christmas gift (J Crew) / Leather Bracelet & Earrings:  DC Holiday Street Market / Crystal Necklace: Grandmother's

Once upon a time there was a lonesome non-Husband working his way through long hours of medical school in Missouri. One day, he saw an ad for beagle puppies and thought, "Hey, that would be fun!" Upon meeting the seller, he found a mess of tri-colored pups in the back of a pick-up. He paid the man $50, plucked out the wiggliest, squiggliest, smallest Hound-pup of the bunch, and put her in his car.

She whined and whimpered on the ride home till the non-Husband put her in his lap. Then the Hound-pup was very contented. They lived happily the next couple of years, learning to howl at rabbits and having adventures and such, providing one another quite good company.

Then one day the non-Husband had to go away for his internship and residency and couldn't take the Hound-pup, who was practically all Hound by this time. So she moved to Nevada with the non-Husband's brother, and then to Utah with the non-Husband's parents after the howling didn't work out too swell with the Vegas neighbors.

Meanwhile, the non-Husband completed his intern year in Arizona, and then went off to West Virginia for his residency. This is where he semi-met Girl by asking her to play football at a picnic. Girl declined, by the way, so he arranged to pick her up for a trip with mutual friends to jump off of a waterfall the next day. This was a surprise for Girl.  Pretty soon, the non-Husband was showing up at Girl's apartment and asking her to go for ice-cream. Where he told her stories about his Hound, kept her out to the wee hours on a playground, and tried to teach her to drive a stick at the end of the night. Girl is pretty sure that last part was because he didn't want the night to be over. She didn't either.

The weekend of Girl's birthday, the non-Husband flew to Utah for his sister's wedding. He'd invited Girl to go with him. He'd even offered to pay halfsies. But that Sunday was Girl's birthday and she was expecting family. And she'd only just begun to date the non-Husband, after-all, and didn't want to appear presumptuous.

The non-husband returned on Girl's birthday, bringing the Hound with him. They arrived in time to both be big hits with Girl's family. Pretty soon, the Hound was whining at the door for Girl after she left from visiting the non-Husband at his place. Then the Hound began staying the nights with Girl, whose job allowed her to walk the Hound throughout the day. It wasn't long before the Hound moved in with Girl, and not long after that the non-Husband became the Husband, and he moved in too.

And that, friends, is a true story of how the Husband became the Husband, the Hound got a mama, and the Girl found herself with a Husband and a Hound fighting for snuggle space in her bed.

  Clockwise from top left:  non-Husband and Hound-pup, Girl jumps off waterfall and is photographed by non-Husband on that fateful day, non-Husband becomes Girl's Husband, Hound takes over Girl's bed

And you thought this post was going to be about my outfit...

P.S. It's black and white day at Everybody, Everywear! C'est très chic, le noir et blanc, n'est-ce pas?*

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C'est très chic, le noir et blanc, n'est-ce pas? = Black and white is very chic, is it not?

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Mme Consignor

 Skirt, Sweater, Coat:  Consigned at Periwinkle (Chelsea and Theodore, Pink Rose, Banana Republic) / Shoes: Gabes (Very Volatile) / Tights: We Love Colors / Bracelets:  F21,Christmas gift (J Crew final sale) / Watch:  Christmas gift (Fossil)

So, have I mentioned I started consigning? I'm practically a businesswoman now. Except that I'm a full time teacher instead. But never mind that. You can just call me Madame Consignor, Extraordinaire {optional, of course.} Boy, is it fun. Old clothes out, new clothes in. It's like shopping for free. Free. Doesn't get much better than that.

Although, apparently it does. Though I have gotten lucky at my local shop with a few unique finds like this silk dress and this silk top  and Scottish skirt, I never find the thrift-store designer gems that Jentine finds, like Donna Karan skirts, Diane von Furtsenbug, Victor Costa, and Marchesa dresses, sparkling wool sheaths and handbags, and so many vintage blazers your eyes will roll.

The biggest brand thrill I ever get is from J. Crew.  If I ever do see anything designer, which has only happened for me at Annie Cream Cheese in D.C., it's way expensive. Très cher* is not my cup of tea. Perhaps my problem is shopping mostly in consignment { That's where my credit is...}  Perhaps it's because I live in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps it's because when I do get to thrift in a more affluent area, I'm only visiting and luck requires repetition and persistence.

Whatever the cause, meanwhile I'll be happy with the opportunity to turn old clothes into new ones that are more practical for teaching and church anyways...

P.S.  While taking these photos, the Husband kept telling me that my sweater was partially tucked into my skirt. I kept telling him to never-mind that, thank you very much. Then he began to focus on the wrinkles created by the half-tuck, trying to convince me that there was, in fact, a problem. Um, no dear. Actually, I'm going for that effortless, I'm too chic and breezy to care, J. Crew half-tuck look. But thanks for pointing out my awkwardness.  

P.P.S. Speaking of being practical for church, this is what I wore to church yesterday, so I'm linking up to a new party!

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*Tres cher = Very expensive { I bet you knew that...}

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This post was featured on G-Rated's Sunday Best! Thanks, Chelz!

Bonne Année, 2012!

Dress: Old Navy ($9!) / Skirt (worn as peek-a-boo slip): ModCloth / Shoes: Ross / Sweater, Belt, Earrings, Clutch: Gabes / Watch: Christmas gift (Fossil) / Bracelets: Christmas gifts (J Crew final sale), F21 / Necklace: Thrifted

Happy New Year! I decided to herald in the New Year in something bright, in hopes of having a brighter year. Finding a bright dress for $9 (amazing deals going on at Old Navy right now!) is certainly a good way to start off a bright year, no?

I've never been super at keeping resolutions, but hey, it's a new year, so let's have a go, shall we?

1. Learn to use camera and Photoshop. Apply to enhance blog with crisper photos of the Hound.

2. Use that treadmill we got for Black Friday. Then run a half-marathon.
3. Work on more meaningful prayers. Perhaps more yoga/meditation will help?
4. Organize and clean out. Everything. Begin with Box Room. Yep, it's a room full of boxes.
5. Get a bun, or two, but please not three, in the oven. Come on, 2012.

That oughtta do it!

P.S. Linked up to the Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Party!

P.P.S. Scott gave up Diet Coke this year. Diet. Coke. I hear it's ever so addictive, so let's all cheer him on. I've been waiting for this victory since we met :) In fact, I've a rather funny story about one attempt in particular, involving this pair of Burberry Boots.  I'll have to get a post up on that story soon...

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Bonne Année = Happy New Year!

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Christmas, in a Chestnut-Shell

Top: Old Navy / Jeans: Guess via Macy's / Boots: Born / Bracelets: Christmas Gift (J Crew) / Watch: Christmas Gift (Fossil) / Scarf: Christmas Gift

*The Hound got to be in the Snow Flake Parade as we chaperoned my school's float. The Husband made her wave to all the kids. They shouted with joy,  trilling "Look, that doggie is waving at me!" She just wanted to lick them. I'm not sure whether Husband or Hound had more fun.

*We roasted plenty of chestnuts while listening to Christmas music. I may be addicted...

*We went to see two of my students debut in our town's musical production of  A Christmas Carol. 

*We continued to sleep by the warmth of our fire and under the lights of our Christmas tree. Lights per Husband's request, on behalf of his childhood :)



*Then, we headed East to spend the holiday with my family.  First, we stayed with my cousin in DC where we enjoyed PB&J cupcakes while catching up and playing with her baby boy.  PB&J cupcakes. Genius.

*The next day we hit up Dupont Circle, visited a holiday street market and the National Archives, and checked out all the city's sapins de Noël*. First we saw the tree at the capitol, then passed by the White House, and then we met up with my brother and his girlfriend, who'd flown in from Cali, at the National Tree. Oh, Christmas Tree...

*That night we stayed with my uncle and his adorable family in Chesapeake Beach, where we enjoyed playing with our little cousins.  The next morning we walked the Mall and took in the Cosmic Collisions show in the planetarium of the Air and Space Museum before heading to Georgetown. Husband used the show as an opportunity for a nap, which he blamed on the McD's oatmeal we'd had just before. Food comas are his thing.

*We enjoyed loads of festive decorations and lights. The owl tree in the Smithsonian Castle made me want to experience Christmas at Hogwarts. Geek, I know.

*There may also have been some shopping, vintage ogling, and cupcake hunting. Details later! 



*On our way to WV, we stopped to see the lights at the DC Temple, where we were married. Breathtaking. Merveilleux. Incroyable.

 
*There was a really neat exhibit of nativities from around the world in the visitor's center. The Husband's favorite was one from South Africa, which was made of Coke cans. Big. Surprise. I personally preferred their beaded version.

*Our first stop in WV was Morgantown, our old college town where Scott and I met. There was supposed to be a walk down memory lane, which just so happens to be the tree-lined lane leading to Friendship Hill, our favorite park. But it was raining dreadfully. So instead, there may have been more shopping. At Gabes. Where I found Express liquid leggings for $7. Merry Christmas to me!

*We made our way to OH where we enjoyed Christmas Eve at my sister's house and the boys laughed as the girls took turns shooting her bow. Turns out you need muscle to even pull the darn thing back.

*At home in WV, my mom made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Cocoa Wheats and toast. Do you know what Cocoa Wheats are? Heavenly, that's what.

*After opening presents, we had Christmas dinner at my Grandpa's with cousins and aunts and uncles and plenty of sweets. Did you catch my sparkly new watch up top? Ha- how could you not with all that smarmsing going on? { If you can smile with your eyes, you can with your arms...} I finally joined the trend after admiring my sister's version from her bf. 

*Despite the fact that we got a wet Christmas, rather than the preferred white, it was a jolly good way to spend the holiday. I hope yours was just as merry and bright!

P.S. I just realized I have no photos with my family. They need to get over their photo aversions. New Years Resolution: Stop taking so many photos of yourself and take a few with others...

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*sapins de Noël = Christmas trees

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