Ready for Take Off

Aaaaaah. What a wonderfully clear and chilly day it is today. I think that this has been the mildest winter I have ever experienced since moving to Northern Virginia. It has been a wee bit disappointing as we just bought a Snow Joe and everyone in my family currently has puffy vests, coats, and snow boats that fit. Also, my current job allows me to bring my kids with if needed on Snow Days. Oh well, still good to know that I am prepared for next year.

I am now taking steps to a new and improved self:

1. Today I met with a trainer and have a fitness program on paper at the gym.

2. I have purchased some decent workout clothes that look like they were purchased in this century so that I don't look like this:
 I mean Olivia Newton-John is cute and all. It's just that the look wouldn't work for me. I would like to look more like the models in the Athleta catalogue.

3. I have a hair appointment for Friday to see what we can do to update and get this hair healthy again.

The only three outstanding action items are - annual visit to my doctor, a visit to set up a new dentist, and finding a church home. These are actually really important- if not the most important. That last item is the absolute hardest thing I've ever had to do - in the top 5 anyway. But, that's a post for a different day. I digress.

Now if only I could find someway to pay for Law School, oops. Again, I digress.

So back to me and my lifestyle improvement program. I have been making some really terrific (if I do say so myself) winter comfort meals from whole foods (not the store mind you). I am now taking notes whilst watching Emeril Green.  If you  haven't seen Emeril Lagasse's new show on Planet Green and you are trying to eat real food, you need to give it a watch. Honestly, I was not even a huge fan of his on any of his other shows. I mean he seems like a nice enough guy but the big "BAM!" and the habit of "kicking things up a notch" just didn't draw me in. OH, but this new one is Uh-mazing! I don't know if it's because he clearly is a certifiable CHEF by the way he wields a knife and throws off the fancy cooking terms; or, if it's because it seems to be filmed locally (somewhere within 100 miles of my house); or, if the sun always seems to be shining on the days he films. In any case, the show totally rocks. The information he shares on being green in the kitchen and on how to feed our bodies (and our families' bodies) better is just sooooo good.


I wonder if there are other chef's making little/no pre-processed meals accessible to the masses. Do you know of any?

As the pot called the kettle...

October is swooshing by and I can hardly stand it. I simple must get a few more bike rides in before the rain and snow begin to fall with greater regularity but it's getting harder to make the time to do that now that I am working.


I mentioned in an earlier post - here - that I might begin a new job working with children. At that time, I was unsure as to how to style a required tee for the uniform into an appropriate look for a lady of my stature (so to speak). I first tried it in a basic and pure form. Not cute at all. After several iterations, I figured out my that the best way for me to give the legible tee some dignity is to pair it with a khaki or denim knee length skirt or black slim legging/pant and a woven button front skirt underneath the tee. As Dionne said to Cher in Clueless - "Not a total Betty but a vast improvement."  I wear a belt and coordinating shoes with pearl studs and I think this is probably as good as it gets...until I splash bleach water or baby formula on one of my new "work skirts."

I have worked several shifts and I think things are going well. I have a few ideas for improving processes/environment; but, am reluctant to offer them until I'm asked or sometime in January - whichever comes first. Nobody likes the arrogance of some random "new kid on the block" who thinks she knows everything and tries to implement changes straight away.

So, I had an odd and unexpected experience the other day. As background, you should know that I am an american who's probably of african descent whose skin this time of year is about the color of an ordinary cup of cafe au lait.

Image courtesy of momandtinas.com

Imagine my surprise when an adorable little towheaded boy of about 3 years noticed my presence in the room. He began staring at me with wide hazel eyes and eyebrows raised with concern (read: horror). He finally approached me as I sat on the floor with a few children whom I was guiding through strategies on how to assemble more challenging puzzles. He sat on the perimeter of our group then moved in close and the following exchange took place:

Boy Toddler whispers at me: "Your bwack."

Me: "Oh. It's okay. I'm okay, Sweetie, my back doesn't hurt. I'm fine."

Boy Toddler whispers as little louder, touching his face with his own fingertips, not blinking and turned down corners on his mouth: "No. You're a bwack."

(I just now get that he is saying "You're Black." Hmmm, this is an interesting situation.)

Me (letting out a sigh with a smile): "Oh. Yes. Some people call this skin color "black." We can call it black but really it's more of a brown, don't you think?"

Me (continuing with a smile because he still looked a wee bit frightened/confused.): "Oh but I love it. It's just right for me. It's soft and pretty and it keeps my insides in. (I chuckle.) It really is quite wonderful!"

Boy relaxing a bit: "Why bwack?" 

Me: Well, both of my parents had skin color kind of like this. It's cool. My whole family has it.

Boy fully relaxed: "Why?"

Me: "Because that's what happens in families. They sometimes look alike."

Boy no longer interested in conversation. Resumes playing.

I wonder if I handled that in the best possible way. I wonder if I made a difference in that kid's life. I think maybe I did. I wonder if the parents would approve. I hope so.

Also, is it weird that I really want a cup of cafe au lait, now?

Dress + Color = Fun

I love dresses! I mean it. I. Love. Dresses. Specifically, ones with defined waists and full bottoms. Perhaps because that's my preferred silhouette. Actually, this is also my personal physical silhouette. (Work with what you have, right?) So, I received an advertisement via email and Lilly Pulitzer today. And now - without further ado, I give you - The Eryn:  

The Eryn
PC's Unscientific Color Psychology Analysis
White - Purity & Openness
Pink  - Kindness & Hope
Blue - Calmness & Loyalty

Oh, Eryn, sweetie, you're almost too cute! You're super adorable. You totally make me smile. And isn't that what Lilly is all about? Happy dressing?

What wonderful memories we could make together!

I am a big believer in the psychology of color. While I have no true evidence of the affects of what I wear on how I behave and how people respond to me, I have a strong suspicion that it is real! I have things in my wardrobe that absolutely affects people's moods. I am usually very intentional in my dressing. This goes back to my corporate days. I used color and structure to project both my mood and how I wished to be engaged on any given day (IE., tailored dark suit jacket with heels for serious business meetings or a soft or bright sweater/knit with loafers for team building pizza and/or putting.)

During my stay-at-home-mother of preschoolers phase, I always wore color when with the children deferring to black, greys and taupe for "mom's night out" events.


As I've transitioned into being a mother with elementary school-aged children, I continue to use color and structure to support me as in whatever activity I have planned for the day - be it professional meetings with an accountants (all business), political leaders or educators (all business), volunteering at the school's book fair or substitute teaching (comfortable yet business),  going to church (lovely and business), playing tennis with my sons (sporty whites), playing bridge with my friends (cute top and accessories), date night with the Husband (it is imperative to look ladylike, cute and fresh on date night - one of the ways to keep husband).

I can't justify the cost of the pretty Eryn for the date night dress. (Boo, pout.) So for now, I will commit Eryn's color combination to memory (knowing that the pattern is half the fun) and will put something together that mimics the feeling of the dress.

Thank you, Lilly Pulitzer, for inspiring a fun new ensemble for me and those in my circle.

Legible Tees - How to Wear with Style

A fantastic opportunity has come my way. I may soon begin working a part-time job at a really wonderful place - particularly for this mom who has been carrying too much weight in the middle (and the bottom) to be considered healthy or pleasing to my eye.

There is a fitness center in my town. This center has a babysitting service (in the way that IKEA has Småland) for children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years. Members of the center are allowed to drop their children for up to two hours while they exercise. Employees are also allowed to drop their children there (rarely more than 4 hours). There is also a pre-school attached for which I was asked to be a "substitute."


I interviewed earlier this week and (fingers crossed) I will begin working there very soon. In addition to earning some pocket money, the major perks are 1.) if I work more than 8 hours a week, I get FREE membership as do my children (my darling husband would pay about $30 per month and, 2.) I can bring my children to work with me any time and every time if I want or need to which is uh-mazing since I still don't have a proper regular babysitter nor have I family members in the area.


Great opportunity for a mother of two right? But here's the rub, there is a uniform which involves a t-shirt with writing on it. I immediately thought of Paul Fussell's Class - which I first read about 20 years ago - and his dissertation which mirrors my opinion on clothes that have writing on them. If you've never read this classic tome, I totally recommend it. Tres funny. It rather reminds me of Lisa Birnbach, et al's The Original Preppy Handbook in the way it is written. And they were published around the same time, too.


So, here I am a shortish, rubenesque lady being offered the chance of free gym membership. I'm going to have to take it. But, how can I walk in with my head held high if I feel all slovenly. I am trying to figure out how to pull off this look without looking ridiculous or like I'm trying to hard. I just want to look neat and appropriate and nice and not feel like a slob (if you'll pardon the expression).

I would feel like the female version of the guy on the far right. Ugh!

Image courtesy of Three Quarks Daily

I think it takes a certain type of woman in her forties to be able to look right in tee shirt that has writing across the chest. That type of woman would be slim and a bit less endowed bustwise. As stated, at present, I am neither. I can't wear accessories (babies, you know) nor should I wear layers (too bulky).


By the way, on the bottom, I can't make myself wear the obligatory jeans, khakis or yoga pants. My bum is just too dang big. I'm a skirt and dress wearer unless an activity (skiing, riding horses, trips to the farm, camping, etc.) demands it.


And I do understand and agree that parents, co-workers and children must be able to immediately recognize the employees of the center. I completely get that this is a uniform for work and not an article of "fashion" clothing with some random (or not so random)saying, logo or advertisement. I just need to work out how I am going to be able to do it with flair.

I'd ask Muffy at The Daily Prep; but, I'm pretty sure even she wouldn't have the answer for a fluffy gal such as I.

What about sewing on a lace peter pan (round) collar and adding small shoulder pads? What about taking it to a seamstress to change the ribbed crewneck into a ballet neckline and belting it with a Vera Bradley belt? Too much? But seriously, is it even possible for one to do this in a dignified way?

Edited on 10/21/11 to remove some details about the workplace (sorry about that -   confidentiality matters).