Mission #38, Day 4--Scarf in Your Hair

One of the funnest ways to wear a scarf is in your hair.  It can add a very vintage or boho spin on your look--depending on how you wear it.  There are about a billion examples of how to wear a scarf in your hair on Pinterest, but this is how I wore mine for Mission Week.

So you may recall that I was super nervous because two of my kids--Conner and Brielle--were going with their dad on a trip to Mexico.  Well, I am happy to report that they are back!

They had an awesome time.  They got to see a bunch of ocean life--sting rays, sea turtles, barracudas.  They ate good food and swam a ton.  My daughter is SO DARK!  And both of their blonde hair turned super light.

I am so glad that they had fun and even gladder that they are back safe and sound.  I really, truly miss my kids when they are not with me.  I always miss the little things about them when they are gone.

For example, when I first asked Brielle how her trip was, her first reaction was "well, it was good, but it was really humidity."  So cute.  And true.  But everywhere pretty much feels humid in comparison to Colorado.

Polka Dot Dress-souvenir from Aruba; Cropped Moto Jacket-Miley Cyrus; Striped Wedges-Payless; Sunnies-shop in mall; Polka Dot Scarf-vintage; Monogram Necklace-Target; Earrings-gifted

Mission #38, Day 3--Scarf as a Belt

Wearing a scarf as a belt is another way you can wear a scarf in the summer.  So this is the third look for Mission Week and to be honest, I liked wearing it.  A lot.

I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by.  Tomorrow is the last day of July.  The kids start school in three weeks.  Baseball just ended a week or so ago for both of the boys . . . and football starts already this week. 

Before we know it, we're going to be inundated with pumpkin, bundling up from a chilly breeze and getting ready for the holidays.  Isn't it so crazy?  It seems like forever ago that I was pregnant, but in reality, at the beginning of this year I was only 5 months pregnant.

In the seven months of this year, I've had a new son.  I've gone from full time employment to part time employment.  We've knocked down walls in our house and built a new bathroom.

 

 Time goes so fast, but so much can happen.  I know I'll miss the summer.  I know that there's still some summer left.  But I am kind of ready to move on.  I am looking forward to see what comes up next.

Red Trousers-New York & Co., thrifted; Grey Tee-Target; Aquamarine Polka Dot Scarf-vintage; Red Heels-thrifted; Necklace-Kohl's; Earrings-gifted

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Mission #38, Day 2--Scarf as an Accessory . . . to Your Accessory

What's another way to wear a scarf in the summer time?  Well that's what we're exploring for Mission Week this week and I have another answer for you: as an accessory! . . . To your accessory!  In other words, tie it to your bag.  It's a thing, trust me.

Not only will throwing a scarf on your bag add interest to your bag, but it also gives your whole look that extra umph!, if you catch my drift.  It can be a fun, easy and effortless way to add color, pattern or texture to your outfit.

Speaking of adding interest, I have a story for you.  A few months ago my brother got a new job at a warehouse of some kind making parts for coffee makers.  Now, warehouses are not exactly known for safe, clean or empathetic work places--amiwrong?

Well guess what?  My brother happens to work in a great warehouse.  Not only do they treat him like a person--being completely understanding and supportive of him, but they offer a whole slew of bonuses.

I'm not talking about financial bonuses.  For example, sometimes when their numbers are up--they will order pizza for the whole warehouse as a reward.  They heard someone talk about a backache from working so much and so hard and they now have a masseuse that comes once every week or so to give out free massages to the employees.  Free massages!

I love hearing about these kind of companies.  Not only because I'm glad that my brother is being taken care of, but you can tell that it raises morale with their staff to a point where they are not only loyal, but proud to work there!  Now that's pretty damn cool.

Black and White Striped Dress-Target; Pale Yellow Blazer-Petite Sophisticate, thrifted; Animal Print Wedge Sandals-Target; Bag-Bebe, gifted; Bubble Necklace-Charming Charlie's; Floral Scarf-vintage; Sunnies-shop in mall; Earrings-DIY and gifted

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Mission #38, Day 1--Scarf as a Tie

This week for Mission Week we are celebrating scarves and the great multitude of ways you can wear them--even in the summer!  For this first look, I chose to wear this vintage scarf as a tie.

Adding this polka dot scarf was a fun addition to the orange blazer and worked well off of the neutral palette of the black tights, chambray dress and modest booties.

What was not as great was the fact that I wore this (ridiculously) on a day when the temps were in the high 90's.  Hot as hell outside . . . and I opt to wear a tweed blazer, chambray dress, tights and booties.  Not the best decision.

But right after I got dressed, my daughter told me that I look like I am ready for a meeting.  I was, actually, because I had a very important lunch meeting on this day.  And Conner, my middle son, told me that he liked my outfit.

You don't argue with genuine compliments from some of my favorite people.  You just don't.  So you just sweat through it and shred the blazer as soon as humanely possible.

Orange Tweed Blazer-J. Crew, thrifted; Chambray Dress-thrifted; Polka Dot Scarf-vintage; Black Booties-Old Navy; Earrings-gifted; Footless Tights-Kohl's

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Dear Frannie Friday--Rainy Day Activities

When I took these photos, it was pouring rain and even hailing.  This reminded me of a Dear Frannie Friday post that I'd been wanting to do for a while now--what can you do with your kiddos when it's raining out?  Timely, I feel, since it's been raining like crazy this summer.  Dare I say, it's even been humid!

1.  Movie Night . . . Or Day

One of my kids' and I's favorite things to do on a yucky stay inside day is to watch a good family movie.  To make it extra fun, we sometimes make snacks like popcorn.  Maybe we'll set up sleeping bags or stay in PJs all day. 

2.  Make a Craft

Thanks to Pinterest my kids and I have tackled many different crafts from my craft board.  To date, we've made silly putty, moon dust and Mountain Dew lantern (it doesn't work).  And there are many more projects on the to-do list including bouncy balls and DIY I Spy Game.

3.  Bake Something!

Baking together is a wonderful way to spend time.  It teaches patience, teamwork and several self-sustaining skills.  My kids and I, namely my daughter, bake together all the time.  Her favorite part is the tasting. 

4.  Play a Board Game

We play board games all the time--Uno, Jenga, Trouble, Guess Who.  It's really understated and almost forgotten way to spend time with your family.  In the end, everyone wins.

Do you have a question or suggestion for Dear Frannie Fridays?  Feel free to email me at franniepantz{at}hotmail{dot}com 

Black Pencil Skirt-Old Navy; Camouflage Top-thrifted; Military Vest-Old Navy; Slingback Lace Up Booties-Nine West, gifted; Spiked Bracelet-Kohl's; Earrings-Charming Charlie's 

P.S. This is my 1,000th post!  Crazy right?!?

Thursday Mixer--Hot Pink Cardigan

I thrifted this cardigan last July before I was pregnant.  I haven't had as much opportunity to wear it as I like nor as I imagine I will in the future--summer heat, swollen everything while pregnant--but so far it's been fairly well utilized in my closet.

The bummer with this cardigan is that, like most thrifted things, it's missing a couple of buttons and thus can only be layered over something and left open.  The upside is that it's a cardigan and can pretty much go with anything.  So for the $4 it cost to buy, only four documented wears later, the current price per wear is $1.  And it lasted me prepregnancy (#1), postpartum (#2 and #4) and early pregnancy (#3).

Clockwise from Upper Left- 1, Now, 3, 4

I wore this a couple of weeks back to a wedding for Patrick's cousin.  It was a casual wedding, but I really wanted to get all dressed up.  It was a combination of a serious need to boost my confidence, an excuse to really dig into my currently neglected closet and a desire to make my whole family dress up.

I mean, I even made an effort to do my hair.  Like really doooo my hair.  That's kind of a big deal.  Usually I have three go-to styles--curly and down, straightened and down or wet and in a bun.  Four styles if you count when I put it in a quick ponytail.

And this is where I find clothing and style to be a lifesaver.  Despite my sincere efforts to be more positive about my body, it's still a hard concept to come to terms with.  But I felt pretty in this dress.  Like actually pretty.  And it helped a lot that Patrick's grandmother, who is a regular reader of my blog (hi Anjean!), gave me a special hug and told me that I'd always been beautiful after reading my post.  That meant a lot, especially since my grandmothers have both since passed.

It also helps lately that the trade off for being a bigger size comes with boobs.  I forgot that part and absent pregnancy/post-pregnancy, I don't have any chest at all.  Three cheers for boobs!

Floral Dress with Crinoline-gifted; Hot Pink Cardigan-thrifted; Nude Criss Cross Sandals-Marshall's; Sunnies-shop in mall; Pearl Necklace and Earrings-gifted by Patrick from Qatar

And the best part about dressing up for weddings?  FINALLY getting a family photo of all six of us all dolled up.  (Reilly is wearing a tux onesie, but it's hard to see.  But trust me, if you saw it, you would cry rainbow tears of adoration.)