Romeo and Juliet Dress #1

So here it is, my first outfit.  It's a dress (couldn't find the exact same one but here's a Similar One) I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law, Argyle (and my brother-in-law, Slacks - THANKS!).  This year Argyle asked me if I wanted to buy my own Christmas gift, and I said YES!  I love shopping (obviously) and what's better than shopping for yourself with someone else's money? 

The sweater came from Motherhood Maternity (but here's non-maternity sweater just like it).  Normally I try to put away all maternity clothes after giving birth...first, because I've worn them for the last 9 months and really, I'm ready for a "new" wardrobe.  And second, because they remind me that I have this belly blob and no baby inside.  (Why don't people tell you that your uterus is huge after giving birth and you still look pregnant, except your belly now jiggles?!!!)

SHOPPING TIP: The Combat Boots are from Nordstrom.  I got $50 off because they ran out of them during their sale, so when I saw them available online later, I just asked if I could get the sale price and they agreed.  It never hurts to ask and Nordstrom is often quite accomodating.  Nothing better than getting a good deal.  Except getting a good deal while shopping for yourself with someone else's money!

Motherhood, Has It Changed Me?

I was in a Mommy and Me class last week when the discussion question was posed... "Has becoming a mom changed you?"

I thought to myself, "uh...yeah!  I'm more tired, fatter, can't go to the movies, can't go out to dinner, and sometimes when I cough unexpectedly, I might pee a little in my pants (sorry for that visual, especially to all you non-parents, but it's true...and it sucks).

But in all honesty, becoming a mother, while torturous as it is much of the time (like when I "need" to go shopping and decide to bring both kids and neither has napped, and no one wants to ride in the stroller), it's those small moments of joy (like when you change a diaper and it hasn't leaked, or your child actually eats the food you made) that make it all worthwhile.

And although I'd like to think I'm still the same old me, I've changed...a lot.  The things that were important to me before (like my career, which was really REALLY important to me) have been put lower on the list (to get to eventually).  And in their place I go to kiddy classes, playdates, and birthday parties.  I do miss the days when I could do what I wanted when I wanted, but now I can wake up with a bed full of people and an, "I love you, Mommy," and seriously, it's the best.

Of course, much of what I do goes unappreciated, but someday (hopefully), my kids will grow up, have their own kids and realize, "wow, my mom was awesome!" And then they'll appreciate me.  I know, "too little, too late."  But then again, "better late than never," right?

Claire's Clean Closet!!!

Ever since I saw Kimora Lee's closet (or for most of us, a gigantic bedroom full of clothes) in InStyle magazine, I've dreamt of having a walk-in closet where I could line up my clothes and accessories and bask in their glory... I mean, have enough room to organize them. 

And I've done it.  Not only do I have a walk-in closet (although nowhere near the size of Kimora's) but it's also organized!  Yay!  The only thing that would make it better (well, besides it being larger and filled with rows of Louboutins) is if my husband would kindly remove his stuff and put it somewhere else.  Not gonna happen.  Oh well.  Anyway, here's what I did...

- hung up my clothes by type and color
- arranged my shoes on the racks
- bought hanging organizers for my jewelry
- put all my accessories in plastic bins (thanks, Target!)

My husband also bought me the coolest stepping stool from Home Depot, which makes even those high shelves (the ones with my designer handbags from my past life, before I had to carry the big fat diaper bag) easily accessible. 

I'm loving going in there to get dressed.  Seeing everything by color makes me happy, and having it all organized makes it much easier to know what I have and what I need (I use that word loosely) to go out and buy (like a black tuxedo jacket or some bell bottom jeans!).

Say Cheese

I'm excited about "cataloging" my closet.  I just spent 3+ hours in there putting together outfits.  Yes, you heard right.  THREE HOURS (no wonder my husband goes crazy everytime I get dressed to go out).  I enjoyed every minute of it!  Combining dresses, with belts and jackets and shoes...man, I can see why celebrities have stylists. 

Polka Dots and I went shopping today at our favorite store, LAST CHANCE BOUTIQUE.  They were having a sale.  I, of course, could NOT help myself and bought three dresses (all for $50 total!!!).  Oh, and a fringe purse (because who can resist one of those?). 

My purse looks like this JJ Winters one except mine was $35 and this one is $385!!!

I also took my first photos today (which I'll post soon).  I had Polka Dots do it.  What would I do without my sister?  I mean who else would tell me "yeah, those stripes make you look wide" and "your legs look much fatter in the picture?" 

It's kind of embarrassing posing for these pictures.  I don't know whether to smile, turn to the side, put my hands on my hips (and it's even harder when my sister is behind the camera laughing and telling me to put my hand on the wall in a half twist, lean back and make the "magnum" face).  I feel like a dork (and not a tall/skinny one either!).  Maybe when they said, "say cheese," they were talking about how I feel when I take these pictures.

Claire's Cluttered Closet

Yikes!  I'm cringing looking at this picture.  I know what you're thinking (probably the same thing as my husband), I have way too many clothes.  But really, can anyone have too many clothes (or boots for that matter)?  I decided I would start a fashion blog to:

1. Get me to organize my closet
2. Get me to start writing again
3. Get a tax write off for all those clothing purchases?!!!

Anyway, I thought this could be fun.  And my little sister, I'll call her Polka Dots, came up with this fantastic idea... "Why not do one piece from your closet, three ways!"  Brilliant!  I thought.  No wonder she's the smart one in the family and I'm the...uh... "creative one."

So that's what I plan to do.  ONE PIECE, THREE WAYS.  It's honestly a rule to live by.  Because if you can't wear it three ways, then you probably shouldn't be buying it (unless it's your wedding dress...ooohhh, a challenge.  Maybe I'll eventually take that one on!).