What I Wore: Cleaned Up
Monday, September 22, 2014
It's been eight years since we built our home (seriously, we were baby fetuses when we built and had no idea what we were getting ourselves into) and we've always talked about doing it again, but in a dishwasher-ignited rage, I reminded my husband that we are never, EVER building again. Ugh, I'll put up with anything if it means I don't have to go searching for a screwdriver again. Our house is very quirky (thanks, logs) and nothing is standard, so we spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make things work. Yesterday, all the guys in my husbands family had to come over and lift our new fridge over our bar because the honkin' huge load-bearing log by the kitchen meant we couldn't just roll it in. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
After a weekend spent covered in dust and impatience, it's nice to see myself all cleaned up, even if it's just a super simple outfit. I have, however, been rocking my specs all weekend as well. Sometimes, contacts (or in my case, a contact) just isn't in the cards.
Labels: what I wore 2 comments Posted by Jae at 7:42 AM
What I Wore: Critical Mass
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
So the next couple of weeks will be super spotty posting-wise. We're about to embark on a couple weeks of traveling and between prepping for that and wrangling two kids solo while making the regular trek up to Canada, posting about clothes is kind of low on the priority list. I'm kind of at critical mass trying to get everything ready in time.
I'm typing up this post while on a conference call, I kid you not.
So uh, here's something I wore. And honestly, I can't even remember what it was for. But I liked it! So really, three cheers to me for being the best style blogger ever. It was last week. I can't remember something that happened six days ago and for which my hair looked really nice.
Jeans: Also Calvin Klein I'm so sorry they were having a sale: (here)
Labels: what I wore 11 comments Posted by Jae at 12:20 PM
What I Wore: Sneaky Lazy
Monday, August 25, 2014
Sometimes, when I don't want to get all dressed up and just be lazy, I use this sneaky trick: Wear normal, lazy clothes with pattern and texture. Like, a T-shirt and jeans is pretty lame, but add some leopard and leather and then I'm like "Hey everyone I got dressed today!"
This is totally a "Shopping around on a Saturday" outfit. Nothing too special, but adding some texture and pattern makes it a little more wear-worthy, right? Also, I don't wear a lot of makeup and jewelry on lazy Saturdays, so leopard loafters make it all better (I bought them at K-Mart when I went in to get my kids' school supplies because I am a gem).
Labels: what I wore 9 comments Posted by Jae at 8:05 AM
What I Wore: Calming Blue
Monday, August 18, 2014
Now I'm just sore and anxious because I get anxious about everything and meet-the-teacher day and the first day of school are no exceptions to that rule. I need to remember to add money to lunch accounts, wash backpacks and charm my children's teachers so they're OK with the fact that we're going on vacation in the next couple of weeks. Ugh.
Labels: what I wore 6 comments Posted by Jae at 8:33 AM
What I Wore: Newlywed Game
Monday, August 11, 2014
Speaking of newlyweds, on Saturday, we went and bought an entire new appliance package for our kitchen. We've been functioning with the same appliances we bought at like, garage sales when we first moved into our house eight years ago, so it was time. I am TOO excited to have a range that doesn't set off the smoke alarm every time I boil water.
Of course, after blowing that money, I feel like we're as poor as newlyweds. I might have to restrict my shopping to recover. It's a small price to pay for a better dishwasher, right?
Labels: what I wore 6 comments Posted by Jae at 6:53 AM
What I Wore: Rainy Days
Monday, August 4, 2014
So, this outfit is not seasonably appropriate for summer. It was cold and wet and puddle-y, even though it was still July. Thank goodness for layering: I wore this to work at the hospital, which means it's simultaneously freezing and boiling hot, depending on which floor you're on. I just shucked the sweater when I got hot.
I also dropped an entire large raspberry Diet Coke like, five minutes after I set foot in the hospital, so I was glad for the tall, indestructible boots. It looked like a freakin' crime scene.
Sweater: Calvin Klein (here) (similar) (plus)
Jeans: Calvin Klein (here)
Boots: Frye (here) (similar) (wide calf)
Labels: what I wore 2 comments Posted by Jae at 9:14 AM
What I Wore: Conversations About Food
Monday, July 28, 2014
Our little weekend away was a success, if only for the fact that I got to eat a very large fruit and cheese Danish and that's really all I look for in a getaway. My little brother (who is currently living in Burundi) and I spent this afternoon talking about all the foods that we'd like to eat the next time we're home in Canada. Things on the list: Schnitzel from our old neighborhood deli, snack cakes (he likes Hostess, I prefer Ah Caramel, both are trashy and gross) and baguettes torn up into pieces and eaten with spinach dip from the grocery store on our street, with pieces covertly fed to my parent's dog. I'll be heading up North in a month or two and it's only a successful trip if I get all of my favorite foods in.
Also, I maintain that if you have nothing to talk about in a large group of people, start talking about food. It wins always. I could talk about food all day, every day.
This outfit has nothing to do with food, except for the fact that the kimono would work well if you ate too much schnitzel and had to hide a food baby. Not that it every happens to me or anything *cough*
Labels: what I wore 5 comments Posted by Jae at 7:49 AM
What I Wore: Andrew's Mom
Monday, July 21, 2014
Lest you think I'm just some weirdo glamazon who stomps around in heels all summer long, I give you an accurate representation of what I look like on a daily basis. I hate blow drying in the summer and reserve it for Sundays, so every other day it's in a braid, bun or air dried. I wear like, mascara and some bronzer and gaze at my heels wistfully while slipping on flats.
On this day, my youngest was having a play date with a little girl whom he refers to as his "girlfriend," so I was playing the part of "Andrew's mom." You know, it's when the kid who comes to play with yours only refers to you as your child's mom, and never your actual name? Andrew's mom was setting up the slip and slide and doling out PB&Js all day, so Andrew's mom wore a T-shirt and jeans.
Labels: what I wore 4 comments Posted by Jae at 8:26 AM
What I Wore: Birthday Girl
Monday, July 14, 2014
I'm home and it's amazing! While I'm pretty outgoing, I consider myself to be an introvert, especially when it comes to being around other people. I'll join the group and have fun, but being with others completely drains me and I need to recharge with alone time.
So it only makes sense that I would go and help run a camp for 400 girls for five straight days, right? I shared a cabin with 20 people, taught a workshop, tried to explain to 200 girls at a time how to make a bracelet (which wasn't frustrating AT ALL), forgot matches, and sat out a torrential downpour.
It was totally fun and dirty and exhausting, but what I found to be the most challenging was never being ALONE. When I was finally done and pulled my Jeep off of the mountain where the camp was held, I was literally almost in tears just because for the first time in five days, I was all by myself.
I went home and because my kids were still with their aunt, I enjoyed like, a whole hour of Jae time before my family burst through the door and I was officially recharged. And, since Saturday was my birthday, I didn't have a lot of downtime. We went to my favorite breakfast place first thing and then spent the day shopping for new sunglasses (I could not have been MORE indecisive but ended up with a sweet pair of Wayfarers) and then my husband and I went out for our anniversary dinner (yes, we got married on my birthday) and for a little more shopping. SO basically, it was my perfect day. Shopping + Food = Happy Jae.
On the way home, we stopped to grab a cake for my family birthday dinner, and ended up with this giant hamburger, which I couldn't stop laughing at. My kids basically thought it was the best thing ever.
So yeah. Lots of camping, a seriously well-deserved nap, almost crying from relief, hamburger cake, 11th anniversary, and turning 30. That's what I did last week.
Oh. I also wore this:
Shoes: Nine West (similar) (these are adorable) (sassypants)
Labels: what I wore 10 comments Posted by Jae at 6:40 AM
What I Wore: Making Hay
Monday, June 30, 2014
I'm feeling a little frazzled today. I did that thing where you feel stressed about your to-do list and so you write down everything you need to get done so you feel better. But it just made me more stressed. I'm helping to run a girl's camp for 400 teenagers next week and I woke up in a cold sweat at 6 a.m. thinking about tents and what I did with my sleeping bag and how I needed to buy peanut butter to bring with me because I can't live without peanut butter.
Deep breaths. I do have some awesome friends who are helping out, to whom I am eternally grateful and very sorry. But I think I'm going to need a tranquilizer to get through the next week.
Here's one more thing to check off my list:
Labels: what I wore 3 comments Posted by Jae at 7:47 AM
What I Wore: GWO
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, Monday. After a girl's weekend out with my friends, I feel like my internal clock is having a meltdown. We didn't get to bed until after 2 a.m. both nights, but my brain likes to wake me up at 6 a.m. ALWAYS. I seriously pine for the days when I could sleep until noon. Teenagers have a pretty sweet setup.
But I did have a good time and I definitely did some major shopping, so I'm happy. I also ate a crapload of food and was introduced to the Whole Foods cookie bar so yeah. That happened.
It was still a little chilly on Thursday when we headed out on our adventure, and we were supposed to spend the night in the city, so I layered up accordingly:
Scarf: H&M (my brother bought it for me) (similar) (so cheap)
Labels: what I wore 14 comments Posted by Jae at 7:59 AM
What I Wore: Unseasonable
Monday, June 16, 2014
Ah, relaxed weekends are the best. I got a migraine Friday afternoon (they always start with my seeing flashing lights and it always takes me like, 10 minutes to realize what's happening. I also sent a client an invoice and a completely nonsensical email while in the "aura" of the migraine and read it back later and nothing made sense. So he also got an apology email). After downing some caffeine and medicating myself, we took the kids to see the new Dragons movie. I didn't cry.
JK I totally cried.
On Saturday we did some chores around the house and then my kids wanted to go to the Disney Store because they had allowance money and they're my children and as such, are spenders. I also happened upon an H&M sale. So I guess I'm living my life right.
It's been cool here the last few days, but I'm excited because it means I get to wear cute cotton jackets again. I totally wore this out and around on Saturday. Unseasonable temps for the win!
Labels: what I wore 5 comments Posted by Jae at 8:38 AM
What I Wore: Triumphant Return
Monday, June 9, 2014
I told you I'd be back! Things are starting to calm down around here: I handed in the majority of that big work project, my mom is here shuttling my kids around to swim lessons and feeding them breakfast, and I even had time to go sob with my friends over "The Fault in Our Stars" and then wonder what it would be like if grown men attended sad movies in groups like women do.
And, since my mom has been here, we've done a little shopping, so I have lots of fun things to show you. I also have a shopping-related girls trip next week so brace yourselves, people. Things are gonna get extreme and I don't just mean my carbohydrate intake.
Cardi: Gap (similar) (cheap!)
Skirt: Calvin Klein (here - you have to see it up close!) (similar)
Shoes: Top Moda
Necklace: Plunder
Labels: what I wore 4 comments Posted by Jae at 8:42 AM
What I Wore: American Hipster
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
I am inexplicably attracted to Americana, which is ironic because I'm not American at all. Wait, if I wear Americana ironically, does that make me a hipster? CRAP.
WHO AM I.
Labels: what I wore 5 comments Posted by Jae at 2:33 PM
What I Wore: Two Trick Pony
Monday, May 19, 2014
So I bought this cardigan last September, thinking it would be my favorite cardi in the world because it had leather inserts and we all know how much I enjoy leather. When I got it, I realized that literally the only thing it really went with was a white tank top. So I wore it like that all winter long and last week I went to pull it out of my closet and was like "NO I SHALL NOT WEAR YOU WITH A TANK TOP TODAY!"
Commence musical montage where I try it on with every piece of clothing I own.
I finally found a match with my favorite camp shirt, so hallelujah, my leather cardigan is a one trick pony no more.
Also this is what I do with my time.
Labels: what I wore 7 comments Posted by Jae at 7:20 AM
What I Wore: Mother's Day
Monday, May 12, 2014
We were at church yesterday and the woman speaking said something along the lines of "I've heard that some people don't like Mother's Day" and my husband shot me a very obvious look. I swear I don't hate it, it's just a lot for someone like me who is very uncomfortable accepting compliments. Also, I feel like more often than not, you end up doing everything a mom does on a regular day, but you have to slap on a smile because you're supposed to love it more than usual.
Whatever. I'm just in it for the presents. My daughter wrote a hilarious book about me and how I love to watch Shark Tank and eat shrimp from Costco, both of which are completely accurate. And my son made me a picture frame, and in addition to my beloved Naked 3, my other half got me a shower speaker so I can blast "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea while washing my hair and a pair of leopard print Reefs because I never shut up about how much I love my Reefs.
I also ate pie and got a three-hour (!!!) nap, so I'd say it was pretty successful. How did you guys do?
I felt like I should have worn something flowy and serene to show everyone what a sweet mom I was, but in the end I was like screw it, I wanna wear a pencil skirt. And very high heels.
Labels: what I wore 12 comments Posted by Jae at 8:00 AM
What I Wore: Baby Talk
Monday, May 5, 2014
So, in short, I wore this outfit to go see my cute friend and her equally cute new babe in the hospital the other day. I never ever get baby hungry but I'm so glad my friends are still procreating so I can hold and baby talk to something other than my parent's dog. I also am SO much more excited when my friends have babies. Back when mine were little, I was no enthused. If I wanted to look at a baby, I'd just hang out with my own. Now my kids are older I love being the designated baby holder.
Now, I've already checked preschool and a heinous butt workout off my list, so I must keep up this momentum. And by that, of course, I mean act productive until I remember I have an episode of "My Five Wives" saved on my DVR.
Labels: what I wore 2 comments Posted by Jae at 9:44 AM
What I Wore: Double Duty
Monday, April 28, 2014
I think one of the biggest challenges in getting dressed when you have a bunch of kids is the fact that you do so much in one day – and your usual gear isn't always appropriate for all of it.
Take Friday, for example (and no, this isn't a "woe is me I do so much" tale). In one day, I had a video call for work, my usual workout, that awful preschool field trip, running errands through the afternoon and then date night with my husband (finally saw Divergent). And all of those things required different types of clothes. If I'm not careful, I find myself changing three times a day or just saying "Screw it" and wearing my workout clothes to the grocery store.
To remedy my out-of-control laundry, I try getting dressed in a versatile base layer and then change it up through the day according to whatever I'm doing. This basic tee and jeans (worn with a scarf) was perfect for a casual business call, then dressed down with my fave hoodie for preschool happy times and dressed up for date night. Totally easy, right?
Doable, right? Just goes to show that buying up solid basics will probably serve you better than going crazy with a million trendy pieces, especially when it comes to laundry. And after spending a couple hours on laundry on Saturday, I'm ready to swear off getting dressed altogether, so this is a step up.
On today's docket: Work, driving to preschool, workout, library, Bath and Body Works because I'm out of Wallflowers and I might actually die if my house doesn't smell like fresh lilacs and vanilla at all times.
Hello, jeans.
Labels: what I wore 5 comments Posted by Jae at 7:57 AM
What I Wore: Remix
Monday, April 21, 2014
How was everyone's Easter weekend? I would like to point out that growing up in Canada, Easter constituted a four-day weekend. Here in the States, it's a measly two. I mean, I'm not saying Canada's a better country but it is.
(Said the person who is right in the middle of filling out her U.S. citizen paperwork ugh)
We had an awesome weekend where we just loafed around and went out to brunch and saw a movie and hung out and that's exactly what I want out of my weekends. And I made a delicious ham for dinner last night and the leftovers are calling to me. Don't worry, my pretties. You will be in an omelet soon.
And sorry that my last FOUR outfits have been skirt-based. That's all I've been wearing with the weather so nice!
Labels: what I wore 6 comments Posted by Jae at 8:10 AM