Archive for the 'note to self' Category

Making a Wardrobe

Published on October 22, 2007 in Flickr, about me, color, cool ideas, couture, fashion design, favorites, inspiration, note to self, photos and wardrobe. 2 Comments

It’s been a strange switch going from the 10-12 hour days at the office to staying home and raising our Iz. I remember when Iz was just 8 weeks old, and I had to go back to work. Ugh. I remember crying as I would leave the house, and once I got to the subway, I felt this unbelievable relief. This crazy lightness. I’d get to work and was so sad about missing Iz, I’d throw myself into the day (stopping to pump in the closet twice a day, and crying again, in the closet, while the rest of the office was outside joking about the pump…sigh..). I remember thinking what’s wrong with me, this going to work thing is SO EASY compared to the 24/7 momhood, why would I want to give that up?

But I did. It was important to me to be with Iz. To spend our days together. I planned on doing freelance or something, but it had to be from home, so I had the flexibility I need for playgroups and adventures. It sure isn’t easy, and some days, it’s just not fun, but all the good times make up for it. We have tons of fun together.

But other things have changed too. My wardrobe. I know, trivial in comparison to everything else, but important none the less. My changed body would certainly benefit from regular visits to the gym, less carbs (hell, eliminate them all together…) and a much better bra (maybe 10 of them…at once). I wear jeans all the time (I’m grateful I don’t have sweats, while they would be perfect for bending down and running around, and oh so comfy, I just can’t bring myself to do it, I would surely then be the girl in the don’t picture with the black tape across my eyes), I have a handful of knit shirts (v-neck is so much more flattering on me), some lovely sweaters. You know…all the basics. But I’m really ready to expand my wardrobe.

I regulary check wardrobe_remix for inspiration. The outfits are spectacular. The colors are really amazing. As I sit looking this morning, I find myself wanting more color in my closet. I have a lot of black. A lot of black. And I love it, but I’d love to throw together some blue and orange, or aqua and red, or pink and green. Red and Purple.

wardrobe_remix favorites

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Click here to visit the wardrobe_remix
Click here to read more about wardrobe_remix.

It is yours, but I’m going to hold it for you.

Published on September 9, 2007 in family and note to self. 0 Comments

Iz
Iz discovered something that belonged to Mommy and Daddy, and wasn’t going to give it up. When I explained that it belonged to Mommy and Daddy and wasn’t for Iz, she replied” It is yours, but I’m going to hold it for you.” (can you picture us rolling on the floor with laughter?) Finally, we convinced her to place said article down. She’s only 2. Every day we are amazed at her vocabulary, sentences and actions. We look at each other during a conversation at the dinner table and I know we are thinking the same thing. “This is surreal. How did we become parents? How did we become parents of this 2 year old who can tell us what she likes, doesn’t like, what she wants to eat, wear, read?”

Before May of 2004, you couldn’t have told us that we would be parents. It just wasn’t in the mix. We lived in a darling tiny one bedroom garden apartment in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. We were doing really fun things at our wonderful jobs. We daydreamed about traveling to Italy, maybe even moving there. No one could tell us what we was coming. No one could prepare us for PARENTING. Now, things have changed so much! We live in New England, with a big home and a yard in the country. I stay home with Iz, work on a few freelance projects and working on starting a business around sewing (which I LOVE), that will me allow the flexibility to bring Iz with me, play with Iz on playdates, take her places. Rob is working and planning for a teaching job to come his way (which it will). We are updating/renovating our 250+ year old house, make it more liveable for us, and perhaps more marketable if we decide to sell it and move. Thinking about the future, we are strongly considering joining/starting a homeschool co-op. We are both pro public school, at least we used to be, and we know that there are some really amazing public schools out there, just not near us right now.

Life is funny. Things that happen every day can change what will happen forever. Being parents has helped us embrace this and learn to enjoy every minute of it.

Taking the Time

Published on July 27, 2007 in family, inspiration, kindness and note to self. 0 Comments

Clouds

I have forgotten how important it is to take time for things. I’ve kind of forgotten how to do it I think. I’ve forgotten to take a few moments some time during the day to think about what is going on, put thoughts and feelings into perspective and focus on the day and what is important. I’m always busy thinking about what’s next, what does she need? a nap? a snack? a potty break? What goes in his lunch today, tomorrow, this week? Is the laundry done? Did I empty the dishwasher? What should I make for dinner?

flowers on my table

This morning during our weekly ritual of breakfast at the local joint, I got about 5 minutes to myself. Iz and her dad were out walking around saying hi to all the other diners. No one asking me for anything. No one demanding my attention. No one needing me to entertain. Since we weren’t home, I couldn’t be distracted by the daily do’s.

This last week I remembered to take a wee break after dropping Iz off for the morning. I took my tea outside and sat on our big rock, and just noticed things around me. Now sitting there this morning for my 5 minutes, I realized that I really need this time to myself, to organize my thoughts and just relax and focus.

Happy Bracelets

I know that taking this time will help me enjoy all the little things.  I don’t want to miss or waste a second of these years.  Iz is so little still, and it will just fly right by me if I don’t pay attention.

Note To Self

Published on July 22, 2007 in note to self. 2 Comments

Dear Me,

Please, please remember while wearing a skirt in buggy Western Massachusetts, apply bug spray.  Those buggers go all the way up!  (and no one wants to see you scratching the tush…non-stop) Or wear full length pants. Always.

xo. Me