Mission #48, Day 3

And speaking of all white casual looks, enter this look for Mission Week.  New Year's Eve is all about glitz and glamor--as it should be.  But this look is pretty perfect for a totally casual night in.

And that's what I have done for pretty much every New Year's Eve since I became a mother.  I've never really been all about New Year's.  I'm not much of a drinker or party-er and I have always liked to use the night to reflect on the year.

I do remember one year I did try to do it up and have some friends over for a party.  But I forgot that I was a lightweight.  And I poured myself a pre-party drink (Bloody Mary) while my girlfriend and I got ready.  And then I had one more.  And the next thing I knew, I was waking up in my bed at six in the morning.

I had missed my party.  Oh don't worry--my friends came.  They drank, they played games, they hung out.  They were even nice enough to record the whole she-bang so I could watch it later.  They did all this while I slept in my bed.  Woopsie.

Here's hoping you have a much more memorable New Year's!

White Leggings-gifted; White Sweater-vintage from Grandma; Cognac OTK Boots-Charlotte Russe; Brooch-vintage from Grandma; Earrings-Kohl's

Mission #48, Day 2

This is a little more of a casual approach to our winter whites theme for Mission Week this week with white jeans and a sheer white button down.  True--it's not totally all white as the fedora, booties and coat are not, but I think this goes to show that a bit of neutrals (yes, leopard is a neutral now) can help to balance out an all white outfit to make it a little less . . . aggressive.

Do you know the best part of Christmas?  When you give someone a gift that you just knoooow they will love or that they have wanted for a long time.  This happens tenfold with children--your own or others.  Their reactions are the best.

For example, much to my sister and brother in law's dismay, my nieces have become obsessed with the movie Frozen.  I can giggle a little because I introduced it to them, knowing that they would love it.  And I found this Elsa castle on Amazon that I just knew my niece Emma would love . . . 

 And she did!

Conner really wanted a 3DS.  I looked into them and they seemed not only too expensive but fairly hard to come by I guess (or I didn't look too hard once I saw the price tag . . . one or the other).   But I was able to find a DSi.  To be honest, I am not sure what the difference is and I was sure he would be really disappointed . . . 

 But he wasn't.

And Brielle used to have a Nook.  But it got put into our cloth grocery bags during a grocery trip and the bagger didn't notice it and pulled a bag out and it went flying and the screen smashed into a million pieces.  I was so proud of Brielle.  She didn't scream or cry or throw a fit or even get upset.  She totally understood and even still tried to use it for awhile.  But she got a Kindle Fire for Christmas anyway . . .

 And she was stoked about it.

And Kaden.  As kids get older, their gifts get more expensive.  Pretty much all he wanted for Christmas this year was an acoustic guitar.  My brother, brother in law and cousin play a guitar and he has been eager to learn on one.  But because he's older, we decided we could tease him a little bit.  My mother in law told Kaden she got him exactly what he wanted and gave him this . . . 

An acoustic guitar . . . ornament.  He got this on Christmas Eve, before Santa came.  He was kind of bummed out.  But on Christmas morning, he saw a large box under the tree . . . 

But the tag indicated that it was for Reilly.  So his mean old parents asked him to help Reilly open it for him.  And then he found . . .

The guitar that was actually for him.  Santa must have mixed up the tags I guess . . .

 And that was a happy mistake.

White Jeans-unknown; White Sheer Ruffle Button Down-thrifted; White Tank-unknown; Cognac Knotted Booties-Charlotte Russe; Fedora-Target; Carpet Bag-thrifted; Pearl Earrings-gifted from Qatar from Patrick; Leopard Coat-thrifted

Mission #48, Day 1--WINTER WHITES

On Christmas Day it started snowing here and it didn't stop until we had about a foot of snow.  This was so amazing after having virtually no winter (no complaints here on that front) to have snow on Christmas Day.  And Reilly's first Christmas nonetheless.

And, appropriately, this week we are going to celebrate wearing winter whites.  Unless you've been under a rock for the past six decades, it is absolutely ok to wear white after Labor Day now.  And it's a good thing because white in the winter is so elegant.

The trick, of course, is to be careful not to spill anything on yourself whilest wearing said head to toe white.  And trust me, during this challenge, I spilled something on myself at least 2 of the 5 days that I wore head to toe white.  It happens.

So how was everyone's holidays?   Ours was magical.  I cannot tell you how amazing it is to experience Christmas joy and spirit as a parent.  It is truly unparalleled to any other feeling.  There was one thing though . . .

We all got sick with a nasty stomach bug the day before Christmas Eve.  And Christmas Eve.  And Christmas morning.  It was not ideal.  And I have not been that sick in a really long time--like since Conner was a baby.  It was nasty.

But Patrick remained healthy and took care of everything, of course.  He took care of all the sickies.  He took care of the house.  He took care of our plans.  He took care of the last minute stuff.  He was amazing, as usual

And so even though I didn't have Conner and Brielle on Christmas morning and even though we were sick and even though the snow fell to crazy heavy amounts--it was great.  We have so much to be thankful for.  I hope you all had the same feelings this last week.

White Cotton Sundress-thrifted; White Cardigan-thrifted; Ostrich Feather Wrap-vintage; Platform Oxfords-Target; Necklace-gifted; Pearl Earrings-from Patrick from Qatar; Love Bracelet-gifted by Mom; White Beanie-thrifted

Dear Frannie Friday--Favorite Restaurants and thebesty.com

Recently I was contacted by thebesty.com to give my recommendations for the best restaurants.  It didn't have to be local so I added the amazing, unforgettable place that Patrick and I ate at on our honeymoon in Aruba, Barefoot, but I do have my top local restaurants for you today if you are ever in the northern/metro Colorado area.  They are, in no particular order:

1.  Aunt Alice's.  Location: Longmont, Colorado.  No website, but here's the menu.

Aunt Alice's is the best home cooked comfort food in all the world, in my opinion.  They offer amazing breakfast all day long (Eggs Benedict are my favorite there) and their pancakes are to die for.  They have great lunch and dinner options as well and even have a burrito special (I believe it is called the Big Daddy and I think it is a three pound burrito) where if you eat it all in an hour, you get it for free.  And the pies--oh the pies--so.  good.

2.  Illegal Pete's.   Location: Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado

Illegal Pete's is a burrito joint that uses only all natural ingredients.  The food is absolutely killer and the atmosphere is really laid back.  It is the perfect lunch spot to grab a quick bite.

3.  Raising Cane's.  Fort Collins, Colorado

This is just a simple chicken place--there is about four things on the menu.  But it is ALL delicious.  The chicken, the coleslaw, the fries and the garlic bread can't be beat.  But the main attraction is the sauce!  I don't know what they make it with but it is addictive!  I even had to go there twice during my pregnancy (a 45 minute drive without traffic) just to get jars of the stuff.  The best!

4.  The Buddha.  Boulder, Colorado

This is hands down the best Thai food I have ever had and the prices are really reasonable.  I have been served by the same waiter for five years now and I am never disappointed when I go.  Just be sure to go with an empty stomach!  You will get full and have extra for dinner!

Black and White Striped Sweater-Old Navy; White Lace Dress (worn as a skirt)-thrifted; Booties-Forever 21; Black Tights-Target; Earrings-gifted

Thursday Mixer--Black Maxi Dress

I got this black maxi dress on a whim a few months before I found out I was pregnant with Reilly.  It proved to be very versatile during the awkward pregnancy stages as well as after the pregnancy.  It was $15 and I've worn it 5 times here.  So the current price per wear is $3 and I don't see it staying stagnant for much longer.

Now, 2, 3, 4, 5

So you guys.  Guess what happened to me.  Kaden started hip hop dance class.  He's always been amazing at dancing (naturally takes after his mother) and really wanted to join.  He had to wait until after their last performance, but was able to start class on Tuesday night.

Naturally, he totally killed it.  So much so, in fact, that the dance teacher wanted to talk to me after class.  She wanted to offer Kaden a job assistant teaching her boys' hip hop class--which he can legall obtain at 14.  On Thursday.  For $8 per hour.

At first I was overjoyed for him, and I still am.  But I was suddenly overcome with emotion.  Oh my Gooooooood!  My baby has a job!  His first job!  He's going to have a paycheck and a W-2 and a work schedule.  He's going to have something to put on his resume.  He's going to be on the grid!!!!  He just turned 14 last month!

So I spent the evening rocking back and forth, forcing back tears and reminiscing over his first steps and his first words, blubbering inaudibly into his baby book.

Black Maxi Dress-Wal-Mart; Lace Blouse-thrifted; Booties-Nine West, gifted; Necklace-vintage from Grandma; Earrings-vintage from Grandma

Wordy Wednesday--Coping with Loss

Very unfortunately I have gotten more than one horrifying story in the last few weeks of people who have lost loved ones before they should have in very traumatic ways.  With the holidays here next week, I have thought of them more than once daily.  I share in the grief and I cannot imagine what they must be going through.  Hopefully, these will help them and anyone else going through heartbreak this holiday season.

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Black Track Pants-Wayf from Nordstrom's; White Oversized Button Down-Wal-Mart; Green Sweater-Target; Sparkle Oxfords-thrifted; Necklace-DIY and gifted; Earrings-gifted; Duster Trench Coat-Escada, thrifted