January 31, 2014

Mission #26, Day 5--Comfy Flats

On this last day of Mission Week, I have some very sad news.  Ladies--I will have to hang up my heels for a bit.  Pregnancy has been a pain in my butt.  Literally.

Not to get all TMI, but I've had the worst muscle pain.  In my butt.  Not in my back or legs like a normal pregnant woman, but in my butt.  And I've noticed that walking helps, but more that heels of any kind make it worse.  Like really bad.  Like I can't get out of bed or off the couch without help and crying bad.

I'm too stubborn to give them up completely, but you will find a lot more flats here on the blog for the next couple of months.  But really, some cute and comfy flats are a pregnant woman's best friend.  They are easier on the feet, legs and back in general, but also safer due to your suddenly craptastic balance. 

Also, I have to ask you guys something.  My InLink subscription is about up.  This is the tool that I use for the bi-weekly link ups for Mission Week.  I pay for them.

But since I started Mission Week, I haven't really had any participation in the link ups.  I'm thinking of continuing Mission Week (I like a good challenge), but I might get rid of the link ups.  

What say you?

Skinny Cargo Pants-Candie's; Black and White Striped Sweater-Old Navy; Leopard Flats-Payless; Mirrored Aviator Sunnies-Target; Diamond Stud Earrings-gifted

Also, January's over.  Whaaaaaaaat?



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January 30, 2014

Mission #26, Day 4--Elastic Band Pants

Day Four of Mission Week and I cannot stress to you enough how important elastic band pants are.  The necessity is obvious once you reach a certain point, but beyond need is the comfort factor.  These pants are actually maternity, but I don't actually have a lot of maternity pants.  Nearly any elastic band pants or leggings will do.  I do, however, recommend sizing up a size just to make sure that they last longer in your pregnancy and keep comfy.

I have been doing my posts the night before and scheduling them to post the next morning.  So currently, it is Wednesday evening, January 29th and thus Patrick's birthday!

Words cannot express to you or to him how grateful I am to have him in my life.  He is the definition of a perfect husband.  We compliment each other really well and I honestly don't know how I did this before I had him around.

He has stepped to the plate when others have backed down.  He is the world's best dad and step-dad (though he does not differentiate any difference between the kids) and I cannot wait until May when we have a new little member to our family!

He is kind, patient, funny and sweet.  Everyday he makes me smile and fills our lives with joy.  We've only been married for a little over a year, but it has been the best.

So happy birthday Patrick!  I love you more than words on a silly blog can say. 

Sweater-Old Navy; Black Skinny Maternity Jeans-Old Navy; Red Booties-Target; Fox Necklace-Charming Charlie's; Earrings-Kohl's; Sunnies-Target

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January 29, 2014

Mission #26, Day 3--Maxi Dresses

On this third day of Mission Week, I present to you my maternity savior--the maxi dress.  Whether it's actually "maternity" or not, it likely fits.  And it is for sure comfortable.  (Just FYI--I think some things that are labeled "maternity" are a rip off.  Maxi dresses are one of them.  And cardigans.  Maternity cardigan?  Really?)

I have really weird dreams in general.  I have even weirder dreams when I'm pregnant.  And when I am pregnant, they usually involve the baby.

I have had many dreams about my kids when I was pregnant with them--some of them absolutely horrifying, some funny and some just really sweet.  But there is little doubt that they will be freaking weird.

I've had about equal parts "the baby will be a boy" and "the baby will be a girl" dreams.  So I'm still at a loss there.  But I've had other dreams too.

Like a couple of weeks ago when I dreamed that my niece was tugging on my shirt and the baby just . . . fell out of my shirt.  I was freaking out because it was so early.  But the baby was just fine.  I was even able to breastfeed right away.  It was strange.

And this weekend, I had a dream that I had a baby boy.  He was perfect and adorable and healthy.  But he fit in my palm and was about three inches long.  And, for some reason, he was sleeping in an ashtray?

I have no idea.

(By the way, if it wasn't apparent, I haven't had a single cigarette since I found out I was pregnant.  The smell makes me gag and I am hoping this will prevent me from picking up the habit yet again.  Pregnant and smoking = gross.  Never have.  Never will.)

Peach Sheer Maxi Dress-vintage; Lace Tank-Ellen Ashley, thrifted; Chambray Button Down-Lee; Floral Flats-Payless; Sister Necklace-gifted; Earrings-gifted

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January 28, 2014

Mission #26, Day 2--Loose Sweaters and Tops

On Day 2 of Mission Week, it may seem like a no-brainer, but loose sweaters and tees are a MUST when you are expecting.  Tighter tops can be cute, but SO uncomfortable.

There are a lot of things I love about Patrick--his patience, his humor, his thoughtfulness, his compassion, his intelligence, his ambition--but one of my favorite things about Patrick is the fact that he can dance.

I love to dance.  And, raised during my early twenties by gay men, I am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.  I have not met many straight men that can keep up.  But Patrick is an AMAZING dancer.  For a military manly man, he can move his hips like none other.  I love it.

Unfortunately, we've never been OUT dancing.  We dance in our house and at our wedding and on different outings we've danced, but we've never been out like to a club to dance.  And this needs rectified.  ASAP.

Unfortunately, the dance-a-thon dreams are going to have to wait.  Because pregnant women in clubs are creepy.  And my jiggle juice is on hold for another 3 1/2 months.  And my center of gravity and therefore balance are completely thrown off.  But this summer?  It's on.

Camel Skinny Jeans-Jordache; Leopard Print Flats-Payless; Sweater with Floral Cuffs-thrifted; Trench Coat-DKNY; Bag-Target; Earrings-Kohl's; Sunnies-Target

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January 27, 2014

Mission #26, Day 1--Strechy Dresses

One of the best ways to start out on Mission Week is by using showing how to utilize your dresses while your belly grows.  When you are pregnant, a stretchy dress is your best friend. 

Over the weekend, I got a pedicure.  I've spoke about pedicures before.  I have mixed feelings on them.  I've always been a little self conscious about my feet, but it is nice to get all polished up and rubbed down.

But I've never had one while pregnant.  My belly is getting bigger by the minute, it feels like, and as with every pregnancy, I am getting varicose veins on my left leg.  I can't complain too much about it, as I escape the stretch marks and some other vain problems, but it is pretty grotesque.  Therefore, rolling up my pant legs and putting my big ole cankles up for all to see was a little intimidating.

But as my feet entered the warm bubbly bath and eventually got rubbed and my legs scrubbed and hot stoned and my overly chipped toenails (it's getting a little tiring and harder to bend over and got that done) painted, I got over it.

Plus, the one male that works at the place I frequent (CoCo Nails--check it out if you're local) was so cute.  He kept checking my water temp for my foot bath and he got me a heating pad and a blanket.  Out of nowhere.  For no apparent reason.  

Stretchy dresses and pedicures.  Absolute maternity essentials.

LBD-gifted; Mustard Tights-Target; Maroon Socks-Kohl's; Cognac Knee High Boots-vintage and gifted; Camel Leather Coat-vintage; Necklace-Charming Charlie's; Earrings-shop in mall; Earrings-gifted

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January 24, 2014

Dear Frannie Friday--Pros and Cons of Blog Self Photography

This blog will be three years old in April (wow!).  I have taken almost every single photo for this blog myself.  My husband and mom have taken a couple, but mostly it's been me.  A lot of bloggers prefer to take their own photos or have to.  Here are some pros and cons that I have learned from doing the "take my own photos thang":



Pro: Creative goals.  When you are your own photographer, you can essentially execute the shots that you have in your mind without having to direct someone.  You can chose your own locations, poses and time of day instead of feeling bossy or like a control freak about it.

Cons: Angles.  When you are your own photographer, you may limit yourself in terms of angles and locations you can take your photos.  There are a lot of times when I want to shoot myself (that sounds weird) from below or in a busy parking lot where there is a cool mural on the wall or something.  But I can't.  Because a tripod is limited in it's height and angles.  And it's not always possible, smart or safe for your camera to place a tripod in the middle of a busy parking lot.

Pros: Schedule.  When you take your own pictures, you don't have to schedule it around someone else.  You can take them whenever you want.  And thus, you can have photos ready to post at your will.

Cons: Perspective.  While it may be cool to be in control of the photo taking process, it can also be beneficial to have a second opinion to give you new and cool ideas that you might not have otherwise thought of.

Pro: Confidence.  You don't really have to worry about looking goofy when it's just you.  It might just be me, but I feel like a total freakshow when other people take my photos.  I feel much freer to be silly or smiley in front of the camera myself than if someone else was there.

Cons: Time.  The jury is out, I think, about which is quicker--taking your own photos or having someone take them for you--but I sometimes think it would be a lot quicker to have someone else take your photos.  The reason being, you can't very well see yourself while you are taking your photo.  So it might take you 12 shots of your shoes to get your whole shoe in the picture.  It takes a lot of practice.  And, without a remote, you might also have issues with focus and the actual picture itself if you are running back and forth from behind the camera and tripod  to in front of it.

 Cons: Looking weird.  It's a lot easier to not look like a freak when it's not just you and a tripod out in the middle of a park, alleyway or what have you.  If you have a photographer, you are able to pull off a vibe that's not "I just like taking pictures of myself in random places for no apparent reason."

Cons: Safety.  I take most of my photos in Boulder, Colorado.  In other words, a quiet little hippy mountain town where there is little chance of being mugged or raped or kidnapped really.  But I will say, it happens.  And, if you're like me and prefer to find secluded spots where you take your photos, it can be a little sketchy.  Even in this little corner of Colorado where I live, I've had a lot of run-ins with homeless people, druggies, police and other questionable encounters.  I carry pepper spray, but still, you're obviously less likely to be messed with if there is more than one of you.

Trousers-Walmart; Rust Colored Maternity Top-thrifted; Fur Vest-Marshall's; Booties-Sketchers; Elephant Cuff-vintage; Earrings-gifted; Mirrored Aviator Sunnies-Target

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