Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Uniform Project

A coworker sent me this link and said I should try this out. Here's the skinny....and yes, I am painfully aware of how behind the curve I am on this one.

Uniform Project™ started in 2009 when a young woman realized she was drowning in the uninspired doldrums of an advertising career. Creatively and ethically drained by the corporate world, she came up with an unusual creative challenge; to wear the same dress for an entire year–but, and this is where the real challenge came in, she’d have to make it look unique every single day. She also vowed to make the challenge more meaningful by turning it into a fundraiser to send less fortunate kids to school.

The Little Black Dress
The LBD was a button down reversible A-line, designed to be worn front to back or as an open tunic.
1 Dress. 365 Days. (it is worth watching!)

Uniform Project Picture Book from Uniform Project on Vimeo.


Although, I don't think this is something I have the time/creativity/energy for, I am moved at the creativity and passion this woman has. She took something she loves and turned it into something that brought a lot of happiness and good to less fortunate people. I thought about this all day. The goodness in people. It sounds corny but in a world where you don't hear a lot of "good" in the news, it's really refreshing and inspiring to hear about people like this who are making a difference in others lives and don't want anything in return.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Fashion that makes you want to travel!

Love this storyboard from Anthro..........

plus these rings.....


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Dresses

I love dresses. In the summer it is basically all I wear. I await the arrive of "acceptable" dress wearing weather like most kids anticipate the last day of school or the first day the pool is open. About 4 years ago, a co-worker dared me to wear a dress everyday for an entire month (weekends excluded) without purchasing anything new. Killed it. Wore a different dress for 4 work weeks and had two dresses to spare. Granted, I didn't love every selection, but that is beside the point. Every woman has a signature piece of clothing they like. A particular style they wear with confidence. I feel good in a dress. Always have. Growing up my grandmother would make me an Easter and a Christmas dress every year. I would be so excited in the weeks leading up to the arrival of the "dress package." I vividly remember the year she made me a beautiful red velvet dress for Christmas and made a matching dress for my Cabbage Patch. Most all of the dresses are still hanging in my closet at my parents house in Stillwater. They are so special and I don't think my mom or I either have the heart to part with them. My childhood love of a good dress has never faded. In fact, when Anthropologie sends me an email saying they have just freshly cut dresses and they are on SALE.....you can imagine my reaction! Here are a few of my current favorites. **Technically, the last two are the sale dresses. I just loved the green & orange dress too much not to blog about it.

Monday, June 20, 2011

A Million Years




Alexander - A Million Years
I love this song. The video made is that much better.
Really unique idea.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Moroccan Oil

My dry, curly hair is literally cheering. This stuff is amazing!
Every woman should be using this product on their hair.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

For Charlotte


Today was your birthday. You would have been 1-year-old. I have had a whole year to think about what I would write to you. The words have not come with ease. I have reflected on the last year and here are a few things I know for certain. You have two incredible parents who love you more than you will ever realize. Their love has grown to a new level and they have developed a bond only a couple who has experience something similar could understand. They take care of each other and realize the everyday uncertainties life can bring.

I am sad you won't get to know your Mom & Dad. I know you would have possessed their witty humor and easy going temperament. I am sad I won't get to teach you about fashion and take you shopping. I am sad that your grandma & grandpa won't get to take you out to their garden to plant flowers or teach you how to cook. I am sad your Uncle Zach won't get to take your senior pictures or take you to eat Pho. Most of all, I am sad we don't get the opportunity to see you turn into the remarkable woman I know you would have become.

This past year has been filled with grief, some good times and many hard times. Last night, we celebrated you with a lovely little party in your honor. We laughed a lot and for the first time in a very long time, I felt hopeful and saw all the promise the coming year has in store for our family. We miss you everyday and love you very much.

oxox,
Your Aunt K

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The perfect summer duds


Shirt: J. Crew


Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell


Earrings: Anthropologie

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Observations & Annoyances

This post is dedicated to a few things I either need to get off my chest or things I have observed about the general public. Feel free to stop reading if you were expecting this post to be about cute summer shoes or my latest picks from Anthro.

1. People are loyal to which peanut butter they prefer. And they take it very seriously. I grew up eating Jif. As an adult, I tasted Peter Pan and have never gone back. Peter Pan is just better and you will never convince me otherwise.

2. All men hate animal print and sequins. That is a bold statement. I am well aware. I have honestly never heard a man say he likes either. In fact, they usually have a pretty concrete feeling about both, somewhat like my husband. He would prefer I not wear either. Ever, ever, ever.

3. Loud talkers on airplanes. What is with these people? Why does every person over the age of 70 feel the need to shout into their cell phones upon landing? I am really asking. There are others aboard the plane and we do not need to know your plans to eat at Chili's as soon as your ride picks you up in baggage claim. I don't know why this goes all over me, but it does. I feel like in general people don't realize how loud they talk in public. Overall, I am a fairly loud person and I seem to be able to control my volume in public. You should do me the same courtesy.

4. Dry cleaning. It's kind of gross if you think about it. It doesn't really clean your clothing. Am I wrong? Actually, to me it appears to bake steam in the dirt, sweat, etc. So, the next time you decide to pull out that power suit, make sure you don't sweat in it.

5. Condensed milk is weird. Plain and simple. I recently Facebooked about this and I got so many responses that went somewhat like this....."Have you been living in a hole?" "You've never tried condensed milk?" Yes, I am a 33-year-old woman who has never used condensed milk until last month. I had never seen it before, so when I opened the can my first reaction was I should call my mother, surely this has gone bad. It so thick and weird. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted.

6. NBA players are dramatic. Whew. I mean Oscar winning dramatic. I grew up watching NBA basketball with my dad and little brother. They were huge Chicago Bulls fans along with the rest of the country in the 90's. With that being said, I never remember players throwing themselves on the floor after a gentle nudge from and opposing player, like they do in present day. It is just comical.

7. This next thing pains me to write....scrunchies are back. Remember that episode of Sex in the City where Carrie gives Berger a hard time about writing in a "scrunchy wearing character" into his book? Welcome to present day 2011. The land where I see scrunchies in all the stores I love. I am appalled. What has happened?

8. Oklahomans are generally thought to be friendly and relatively "leisurely" moving people. I will agree with this statement unless in reference to driving. Holy. Cow. When the stoplight turns from red to green, if you have not moved your foot from the brake to the gas IMMEDIATELY, then you should be prepared for one or all of the following things to happen. You will be honked at (with anger), flipped off or cursed at. We all have places to be people, but I can wait the 5-10 seconds it takes your brain to register the light changing and then telling your foot to press the gas not the brake. Sheesh. Relax.

9. The wind (This one is for you Becky. But I really feel strongly about this topic). I understand we live in a windy state. Correct me if I am wrong, the last time I checked I did not live in the Panhandle. "Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains" Yup, I haven't forgotten the ol' state song. However, I also never remember the wind being this out of control. Maybe I blocked it out. But when you have to check outside before you get dressed for work to see if it's a pants and ponytail kind of day or if you might chance it and wear a dress, that is too windy for my taste. In comes my next issue. My giant curly hair, which grows to double in size every single time I step out in this wind. I am either going to have to shave my head or move to a relatively windless state (thanks to Google I am told that is Oak Ridge, TN).