Give Her the Chair
May 19, 2013 § 2 Comments
Last night at dinner my kids forgot all of their manners; talking with mouths full of mashed potatoes and stripping off clothes and kitchen dancing instead of “May I please be excused?”
General heathenism saved especially for their mother.
With only three more days of pre-school, I find it hard to believe that these nuts will be entering Kindergarten in a little more than three months.
Thankfully, having twins has provided some insight into what I might expect next year when they are no longer in class together (or with teachers who love them so that silly five year old behaviors are no big deal).
Turns out, Kid A, the one we call the wild woman (since the moment she was Baby A right out of the womb) innocently narcs out her sister enough that I’ve re-examined my beliefs about these kids whom I think I know so well.
Turns out, Kid B (known as the quiet, second-born leader) gets the time out chair an awful, awful lot.
While watching them at dinner, I asked Kid B why she got the chair this time.
The wheels turning in her head, she smiled a wickedly lumpy potato-toothed smile, clearly relishing the thing that got her into trouble to begin with.
Her explanation for the latest chair-putting infraction was weak.
Kid A may always be my wild one screaming into the lights of that hospital room the moment I laid eyes on her. Kid B may always be my quiet leader who from day one let her sister do most of the talking.
But out in the big wide world it seems that labels on kids are interchangeable.
“Dear Merrill Kindergarten Teachers,
Give ‘em the chair. I’ve got your back(s)!”
M.
Do your kids act differently at home than at school?
I’m the number one advocate for my kids, but am also a former teacher. Don’t be one of those parents whose kids could never do anything wrong. When you trust in teachers, they want to help your kids. But they’re human, too. So don’t be rude.
On Yoga Jeans and Winning
May 17, 2013 § 2 Comments
It appears, folks, that putting your name in the pot (so to speak) does actually result in winning.
After a week of ups and downs and more downs, I received an email from Canadian company, Second Yoga Jeans, letting me know that I’d won a pair from a giveaway on Attached To My Heart.
Out of 1400 people, aren’t I lucky?
There’s a lot of literature online about Yoga Jeans running large, but after corresponding with the company’s Marie Eve, I was advised that the ones I wanted (Mid Rise Skinny in Watermelon) are running small.
Unable to find a pair of the watermelon in my area to try, I called up the trusty helpers at Nordstrom to give me some advice (since they carry the brand in their stores and online).
Unlike Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (never judge until you try), the Nordstrom fit genius I spoke with told me that although the Yoga Jeans have stretch, they haven’t fallen victim to way off vanity sizing like the NYDJ’s pair I’ve got (size 8, isn’t that funny?), but they do tend to run on the larger side.
The only other pair of super stretchy jeans I own (with amazing memory… look good after wearing for three days) are Blank’s Spray on Skinny, which I took in my normal size (31).
What’s a gal to do?
Having weighed all of the input, I’ve requested a 31.
Let’s hope they fit!
M.
If you could choose, which would you order?
These are the BlankNYC Spray on Skinny that I seriously LOVE! Still available on Gilt.
Yoga Jeans Mid Rise Skinny Crop in Watermelon. I ordered the longer version.
Yoga Jeans Low Rise Skinny in Black. I find their color options much more interesting, but these could be a good wardrobe basic.
Yoga Jeans High Rise Straight in Ice Blue. Such a pretty color. I’m not crazy about a straight leg stretchy jean. I think straight legs look better a little baggier and rolled. But that’s just me.
Yoga Jeans Pull On Skinny in Ink. Most of the reviews on these have said they run big (by maybe a size or two).
So many more pretty colors…
A Girl Needs Gear
May 14, 2013 § 18 Comments
I’ve just returned home from a four mile run with two fantastic friends, who might be responsible for reigniting my running mojo.
Despite the fact that their comfortable run pace was closer to a minute per mile faster than mine, I was happy panting a good few feet behind.
I waved them ahead when I needed to slow, and sweet as they are, they always circled back to get me.
I know I’m predictable, but everything always comes around to what everyone wore.
Both girls chose capri tights and cute tanks, while I, the sun hater, covered up in a long sleeve shirt, my Luluemon pace shorts, and a good dose of sunscreen on all other exposed skin.
I’m completely over my entire running wardrobe right now (maybe because I’m heavier than when I was marathon training or because my legs no longer look 20 … my shorts seem really short), so for weeks I’ve been surfing the latest, newest, greatest.
Inspired running has inspired running clothes shopping.
And we all know how I love good gear.
M.
P.S. Notice how there’s no Lululemon in the bunch. Another post, another day.
Nike Sunset Legging. Pretty.
Nike Pro Print Capri in Fuchsia Stars. Compression and fun.
Sweaty Betty Easy Run Capri. Must have these….
Sweaty Betty Boyfriend Sunset Run Tee.
Adidas by Stella McCartney Run Performance Print Tank. Stella’s stuff is expensive, because you’re paying for design, but if you have a smaller chest and like tanks, watch for this to go down. It’s fantastic looking.
OIselle Run Tee in Indigo. Best tee shirts ever. They’ve got a bunch on the Oiselle website that have been marked down.
Oiselle BIG run tee in Violet. Never did buy the long sleeve, but probably good for early morning runs.
Sweaty Betty Protector Run Jacket. I completely killed my Lululemon lightweight jacket, so this could be a good replacement. The yoke and the pink toggles excite me.
The Drama for Your Mama
May 10, 2013 § 3 Comments
This has been a week for the record books in terms of drama that you take to your mama.
My poor mother fielded many calls in the midst of the drama, as had my sister and sister cousin (during work hours), and my circle of friends when the anxiety peaked so high that I needed to be coaxed off the cliff.
It’s said that you can ask a thousand people for their opinion and you’ll get a thousand answers.
My advisors all had thoughtful and helpful words of wisdom, some very different and others much the same. Each conversation helped me solidify my own stance.
It’s a funny thing, when out of your control a situation arises where people (acquaintances, business associates, employees) behave in a way that cause you to question yourself.
What are their motives?
What are your own?
I made many decisions this week that caused me to question myself, while circling around my decisions (and circling and circling).
Ultimately, I trusted myself. My motives were clear and fair.
Theirs? Not so much.
If it doesn’t feel right, it isn’t.
That there, you can always trust.
M.
Trust Yourself limited edition giclee print of an original illustration. By Helen Dardik.
*print available Helen Dardik @ Etsy
I Am Woman
May 8, 2013 § 4 Comments
For the first time in my life I understand what it feels like to be a woman classified as difficult, when if I was a man I’d be considered tough.
Thanks to pranayama (yoga breathing), my roar has softened.
But my fire might not be gone until sleep.
FYI.
I was on fire.
M.
Have you experienced this?
I am not a dinosaur.
*wall mural available @ wordybirdstudio on Etsy
Yogini Linguine Ballerini
May 3, 2013 § 6 Comments
As my bio states, “I’m wild about words.”
So when one of my yoga teachers shared this video explaining the common mispronunciation of the word yogini (the “super common way” to reference a practitioner of yoga, which I consider myself to be) I watched and listened with that ooey gooey feeling only word nerds get from lessons on language.
I won’t try to recap, because Ina does such a good job explaining the Sanskrit definitions and meanings, specifically the foundation of the words yoga and yogini (you must wear your thinking cap or forget it).
But the highlight of the video is the shocking realization that the word yogini is in fact not pronounced like linguine or ballerini, but actually sounds more like guinea.
Like, as in guinea pig.
This might be the one word rule where I choose rebellion over rightness.
M.
I’d much rather be a yogini linguine ballerini over a yoguinea pig.
You?
They Call It Mellow Yellow
May 2, 2013 § 8 Comments
Yellow is a funny color. With so many shades to choose from (pale lemon to butterscotch to neon flouro) I’m surprised I’ve not one piece of it in my closet.
I realized this last summer when I bought a strand of easy-going, yellow gratitude beads that I thought I’d wear like a neutral.
But every time I put them on they seemed to clash with everything else I was wearing.
Maybe it had more to do with my skin coloring?
Pale and pink, I am.
A tough backdrop to the primary that it is.
Heading into another summer I’m still attracted to hue, but am wondering if yellow on the feet might work better than yellow around the neck? Farther from the face, more of a sunny afterthought?
Whether you’re a yellow fan or not, one web-shop search tells the story; an abundance of sunshiny spring/summer sandals just begging to be worn.
M.
How do you feel about yellow? Would you wear any of these?
Neon Sandal from Zara. They look like Birkenstocks’ for toddlers, which I sort of love.
Asymmetric Flat Sandal at Zara. The consistent piece connecting the front and back on one side make these a little more interesting than your average ankle-strap flat.
Hanna Anderson Ugglebo in yellow patent. What can I say? I’m clog crazy. And they have matching ones for the kiddos.
Coach Coco in neon yellow and saddle. If you can do an extended thong these could be great. I have trouble with any thong … anywhere.
See by Chloe, similar to the Cole Haan. These I would do despite my thong aversion.
Swedish Hasbeens Pappilon in yellow. My mother has a papillon named Aerobella. She’s as sweet as this shoe.
Tory Burch Cameron in Daisy Yellow. Blahhhhh.
Toms Bimini Stitchout in Bright Yellow. I have friends that could pull these off. Not sure I can.
Matisse Medina Yellow Suede. Probably more of a spring/early fall shoe because of the suede, but they’re so pretty.
Cancer, Art, and the Hereafter
May 1, 2013 § 7 Comments
Last night via DVR my mother and I tuned into the special shortened season of The Big C, Hereafter; the new post script indicating the story’s coming end.
The dramedy, which has followed Cathy Jamison through her melanoma diagnosis (and all the ups and downs associated with such) charged into its first show of the final season by extending the programming time to one hour, giving all the characters a little more time to breathe.
Cathy’s cancer diagnosis has moved to a new stage, and we now find her making the tough decision to quit her next round of chemotherapy because her quality of life has dissipated so much that she doesn’t feel (anymore) like herself.
“Chemo isn’t a cure,” she explains to her son when she tells him her choice to quit.
For Cathy, saying, “No,” to drugs is saying, “Yes,” to life.
Almost five years out of my own melanoma nightmare (at this point the cure rate for me is roughly 92%), my experience is very entwined with that of Laura Linney’s character.
Of course, I connect on the cancer level.
But I also connected with Cathy’s independence, and her acceptance that she’s the only one in charge of her happiness.
She fiercely loves her kid.
She makes the best decisions with what she’s got.
She’s far from perfect, and she knows it.
Her journey has been her own.
Even though the subject is tough, the way it’s been presented is the best example of art as life. The best art makes us question ourselves, our beliefs, our lives. It can open our hearts or frighten us into closing ourselves off.
Despite the undercurrent of grief, The Big C writer’s have made humor an integral part of the story, pulling me (and so many) back, season after season.
But Hereafter implies death, which I find an unbearable truth.
Lose your dad at fourteen and see how much you accept the fairness of a life (any life) coming to an end?
Do I stop watching because the story might end with the one part of life that haunts me?
Absolutely not.
Hereafter’s message is not only about the end.
It’s the living part that matters.
And life for the living keeps going, no matter your diagnosis.
M.
Have you watched The Big C? I’ve written before about Cathy getting a tattoo over her cancer scar. Any thoughts about the tattoo I should get to go with mine? I’m thinking shooting stars with lots and lots of color …
Vintage Marquee Lights – Letter C available at Etsy. Created by Jerrad1.
A Distressing Trend
April 29, 2013 § 7 Comments
All weekend I web-surfed denim looking to replace my old Paige Jimmy Jimmy’s that’ve been tossed in the dryer far more often than any jeans ever should be.
My search resulted in two surprising discoveries.
The first being the sheer number of skinny jeans being sold (wowza).
The second, and frankly the bigger surprise, is the massive trend toward distressed denim. How long has this been going on, and more importantly, why hadn’t I noticed?
Distressing is nothing new.
As a teenager I took bleach and razor blades to my not-cool-enough denim. But what I learned back then is that unless you’re a DIY pro, it’s not easy to control the desired effect. Rip too far and you’ve got too big of a hole. Too much bleach and you look like a dish rag.
I actually do own two pair of distressed boyfriends that don’t get much wear. When I see them folded in my dresser drawer I can hear my mother’s whisper from far, far away, “Why are there holes in your pants?”
So they stay folded on top of the grey Genetic Shane’s that never, ever get worn; their own lives inching closer to an Ebay separation and divorce.
But the biggest resistance to wearing distressed denim (mostly) see-saws over the fact that I already rode that horse almost thirty years ago.
Do I really want to go there again? And with this amount of gusto?
I might.
I just might.
M.
Do you wear distressed denim? What do you think of the trend?
The Level 99 Relaxed Lily’s have been getting a lot of press. Loads of celebrities are wearing these and they aren’t as disgustingly priced as some of the others. Still, at $160.00 they aren’t being given away either.
Citizens of Humanity Dylan Boyfriend in Love Worn. I think these are fantastic, as far as the shape and distressing go. I happen to love the plain Dylan’s, too. $238.00.
Paige Jeans Lydia. These look awfully similar to the original Jimmy Jimmy boyfriend skinny. $209.00
Current Elliot The Stiletto in Shredded. $258.00.
Hudson Vintage Cameron Boyfriend in Pandemonium. The distressing and patches look reinforced, which probably accounts for the price. $317.00
Siwy Jeans Juliet Skinny Crop in Cerulean. $195.00.
Hudson Dax Crop Boyfriend in Anti-Establishment. Would you spend $260.00 on these? I vote no.
AG Stilt in 26 Years Thrasher. $215.00.
Rag and Bone Distressed Jean Jacket. $253.00
7 for all Mankind Pencil Skirt. Not very interesting, but at least it covers ones’ underpants.
This Junya Watanabe Jean Skort tickles my Seventies, hippy-child funny bone. OMG they’re so good! $895.00
Hunting. Killing. Kids. Food.
April 26, 2013 § 12 Comments
Yesterday I went for a run along my usual route.
Around familiar corners and through the prettiest neighborhood I came across a car with a sticker on the back that said, “It takes a HUNTER to make a HUNTER!” and below, “Become a hunting mentor.”
In the backseat was a gigantic rubber turkey. I jumped, it looked so real.
I jumped and then I made a face.
A disgusted face.
I hate dead things and I really hate hunting.
I know all the usual reasons that people are pro-hunting.
- People hunt for their food; food that’s free from man-made “intervention.”
- Hunters aid our economy by millions through licenses and taxes and fees.
- Hunting is considered “conservation,” keeping populations of animals from becoming disproportionate.
- It “helps” the animals whose habitats have declined due to pesky humans taking over their land. We pesky humans are doing them a favor, because they’d suffer and die from not having access to foods that they’d normally find in their natural environment.
- Some people believe hunting is a healthy sport for families, because it keeps kids off of computers.
- And last, but not least, death is a part of life.
That last one, I know is true.
I’m a fair-minded kind of girl. If it floats your boat and you’re not hurting anyone (do animals count?), then go ahead and do it.
But I’m stuck on the killing part.
Isn’t killing bad?
Just now I fed my kids rolled up turkey slices with apples and crackers.
Kid A asked if turkey was ham, to which I responded, “No, turkey’s a bird. Ham is a pig.”
Kid B said, “So do they kill the pig to make the ham?”
“Um. Yes. Yes, they do.”
“So do we put the pig in the oven and bake it?”
“Um. Um. Yes. Yes, we do.”
And as I watched them eat their organically fed “healthy” turkey rolls I realize that I’m a hypocrite.
Must go now … off to defrost a chicken for dinner, whilst figuring out how I can live with myself.
M.
I recognize that hunting and raising animals for human consumption are different processes. But it’s all killing, no matter how you slice it. Thoughts?
A hen named Duchess. Totally inedible.
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