Style that's effortless- or just lazy

Going for an "effortless" look is more work that one would imagine, but I hope I'm sort of pulling it off. My tips to achieve this look are to wear glasses because your eyes are itching with allergies, don't wash your hair for a week and have a baby who loves grabbing hair so your only option is the greasy ponytail, and throw on some new boots to make yourself feel better. 

Sweater: Marshalls, 

gingham shirt: Target, 

jeans: lands end (I know, it's scary, but true),

boots: Bjorn

Winter Happenings

Winter is taking it's sweet time bowing out this year. We've had more snow this year than we've had the past two years combined, it seems. I do love the snow, but I'm ready for Spring. 

In the meantime though, we're trying our best to enjoy the season. Evie and I took a nice wintry walk with my sister Elsie one day. It was gently snowing, and we walked across a frozen lake. It was really beautiful (and a good workout).

I whipped up (ok, maybe whipped isn't the right word, since it took 3 hours) a pair of new baby booties. I really love this pattern. These ones are going to my mother-in-law's friend.

Evie is just getting sweeter and sweeter. She is definitely a curious, chatty little thing. When she's awake she is always making noises of some sort, or chewing/drooling on everything in sight. 

The best days are when we get to see friends or family members, like last Monday when we spent all day with my sister Morna. We made quiche, drank tea, went to H & M, and just had a great day.

Soon, winter will be over and we will welcome the bright sunshine and warmth with open arms. But for now, we'll warm up with countless cups of hot tea and be all the more grateful when Spring appears.

Flowered Boots for Baby Girl

 

A couple months ago, I pulled out my dusty sewing machine and made a fun pair of booties for Evie. I wanted her to have something special to wear for her dedication at church, and this pattern was the perfect thing.

 

 

I did make a couple of changes to the pattern- I used fleece on the inside instead of terry cloth, and I ended up having to reattach the elastic because it kept falling out. But all in all, I was really happy with the pattern and I plan to make a few more pairs to give away! I would definitely recommend this pattern, I think the fabric could easily be changed up to make it boy-appropiate as well. 

 

Sadly, these will have to be packed away soon for future kiddos since Evie is growing so fast! =(

Stylin' (at Home)

Well, these days my "fashion" sense is all about what is easiest, quickest, most comfortable, and washable. Don't get me wrong- I definitely don't live in sweats! Thank goodness. =) There's nothing bad about that, I just know that for myself, I feel so much better when I actually get dressed and feel at least semi-cute!

Also, I seem to have lost that little thing that goes on top of the tripod and attaches your camera to the tripod. I knew that would happen, and it finally did. So for now, my outfit posts may look a little wonky as I probably balance a child on my hip and the camera in one hand.

I was super excited to put this outfit together, because I got 2 of the pieces half off at Goodwill! The yellow striped shirt at the teal blue leather handbag were 50% off because of the President's Day sale. I think I paid $4 for them together. I wore it with dark-wash skinny jeans and bare feet because, alas, all I did today was stay home with Evie and do laundry.

That brings me to one of my points: Don't you hate it when you waste a cute outfit by staying home? Ah well. As I said before, it helps me feel better and more productive when I look nice. Plus, I can always put a picture up on the blog...

Outfit details: Sweater- Loft/Shirt- Thrifted (Report brand)/Bag- Loft/Necklace- From my Sis

Simplify

Life has really been feeling cluttered lately. I walk into my closet and feel overwhelmed by all the clothes, our china cabinet is so full of vases that I can barely shut it, our pantry is in dire need of a cleaning. Not only that, but I feel like I'm constantly busy. Not a good kind of busy, just needless busy. Even some relationships in my life have become more of a burden (don't worry, if you are reading this, you are NOT one of them!). My body is also feeling the effects of a diet that is cluttered with unhealthy food. 

In an effort to regain some sense of peace and tranquility, I've slowly started clearing away the unnecessary things of life. A couple trips to Goodwill has made my closet lighter, and I can finally see the clothes that I really love to wear, which makes getting dressed in the morning all the more easy. I've said "no" to some social events that I really don't need to attend in favor of spending time with my family, and it feels really good.

I used to feel more dissatisfied with our townhome- I viewed it as a "temporary" home for us. Well, we've been here almost four years now and God has really been teaching me what it means to be satisfied. Instead of thinking "I need a bigger house for all the things" I'm starting to realize that I just need less things and more contentment with where we are now. It's something that's been ruminating in my mind for about a year now, and I've found such peace with this realization.

So here's to learning how to live a contented, peaceful, less cluttered life. Heaven knows we could all use a little more of that! 

Glasses + Tea

For the first time in 4 years, I bought some new glasses. I am still getting used to them, but so far I think I like them a lot. I may even wear them out and about once in a while instead of just at home! 

Evie likes them too- they're like another toy for her to grab at and attempt to eat. She's at that stage now where everything goes in her mouth- it's really keeping me on my toes!

On a completely unrelated note- I really love my family. We got together last week for an impromptu dinner, and this is what the kitchen looked like afterwards. We chatted for an hour like this, holding warm mugs of tea and sipping while we conversed. What a perfect evening it was.

Baby Fashion

I love putting cute clothes on my baby, even though she seldom makes it more than 10 minutes before covering herself in drool and/or spit up. I must confess, many days she stays in her PJs, but when we go out I try to put her in some of the ADORABLE clothes we were given. Like the sweet little sweater/hat combo above, made by my mother-in-law, Evie's doting Grandma. 

This little white dress was made by my mother-in-law's friend. She has a lot of friends who knit and crochet like she does, so we got a ton of beautiful hand made clothes for Evie. 

This super sweet pink skirt is one of my favorites too. I love the little pom-pom trim. Paired with some fur boots (her feet look huge here I know, it's the camera angle, oops!) it's perfection. She'll probably be wearing this little ensemble for Valentines Day today!

Speaking of Valentines- we are going out to dinner with my Grandma. What are you going to do this Valentines? Happy Heart Day!