Just In Time and Momster

 

Some days, weeks, or months are just busy.  It's not a bad busy but it's the kind that you keep chugging along feeling good and all of a sudden BAM you feel like you need to come up for air because you are drowning.  For me, October, and maybe September, have felt that way.  Most of the time I love running in the fast lane, with deadlines, commitments, events, but by the middle of last week the high was no longer there and I felt like quick sand was trying to take  me down.  Alas, we had a free weekend just in time and I declared that we needed to get away to the lake. 

 

Friday finally arrived and after a bad  Thursday night, with Anya waking up off and on in the night,  and an 6 am run, I was completely exhausted by the time evening rolled around .  The kids went to bed and so did I.  Halie wasn't feeling well and started hacking but I gave her some Tylenol and reassured her, and myself, that it would be fine.   Just as Logan and I laid down to watch a show, Anya started crying again and saying her tummy was hurting.  Off she wen to the bathroom and.....PINWORMS.  That was the breaking point.  I am not proud of it but I didn't handle it like a loving mother, it was more like a MOMSTER.  (not happy or proud of it but sometimes we have to admit we make mistakes and we are not perfect).  I said things like, "I keep telling you to wash your hands... keep your fingers out of your mouth....you've had this happen before, when will you learn."  Yes, I said all the wrong things and it really isn't a big deal but when you are running on empty these little bumps can appear like boulders.  Anyway we dealt with it, got the pills, had a shower, washed the sheets, clothes and towels, etc.

 

We pondered whether to go to the lake with one sick and one wormy kid, but I was adamant that we needed to get away.  It was raining all day on Saturday and it was the perfect.  There was no TO DO list, no playdates, no cleaning, no laundry, no phone calls, no 'just one more thing' to get done.  We had  nothing but time and boredom to help us be creative. We played Clue, Monopoly and Trouble.  We cooked supper together.  We watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and two Gilmore Girls.  We read.  The girls played.  We hiked.  I ran.  Logan and I talked.  We drank wine. 

 

 

 

We connected.  We felt like a family.  24 hours away from the fast lane was exactly what we needed.  We drove away and I felt like the mom I wanted to be, was meant to be, but I also felt human.  I felt ready for another week ahead and so did my little family.  As we drove away my 10 year old said, "I love the cabin.  I am glad we bought it."  And what I interpret that to mean is, "I love the cabin because I love the family time we get there."

 

What do you do to getaway from life's daily demands?

 

A Belted Blanket Scarf (and a Corn Maze)

 

 

Last weekend, also Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, our family hit the road to for our annual trip to the corn maze.  This has become a fall tradition for our little, not so little anymore, family.  It's a time to unwind and enjoy the fresh air, the open farm land, the outdoors, and the child within all of us.  It's so much more then just a corn maze, they have a petting zoo, a wall climb, a bouncy trampoline type of thing, a hay ride, you name it, they've thought of it.

 

Last year was the first time we successfully completed both corn mazes and we found all four of the hidden stamps.  This year we had a heck of a time but the girls were relentless and we spent a good hour and forty-five minutes in the two mazes searching for the stamps.  I was vetoed by my lovely husband and kids numerous times when I tried to persuade them to quit.  They were having none of it!!!!  

 

 

 

 

Success!  We found all four punches. 

 

 

Onto the outfit!

 

 

I layered up for the day as it's been quite chilly, and windy, around these parts.  Plaid shirt, gray cardigan, and then my blanket scarf!  I decided to switch  it up and use it as a poncho/cape rather than the traditional blanket scarf around the neck.  I belted it, belts are so in this fall,  and I love how it turned out, not to mention how warm it kept me.  Bonus!!!  

 

I'd love to hear what other ways you've styled your blanket scarves down in the comments. 

Shop This Look (top left to bottom right)

1.  Red & Green Plaid Scarf

2.  D & Y Fringe Scarf

3.  Patchwork Poncho/Cape Blanket

4.  Blanket Wrap

 

Have a great weekend!

Fashion Friday: Three Outfits from the Fall Style Challenge

 

Hello everyone, it's finally the end of the work week and we are heading into the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend.  I am super pumped to get away to the lake  and also to get together with family friends for a turkey dinner.

 

Today I am sharing three outfits that I have complied and made my own over the first couple of weeks of the Get Your Pretty On Fall 2017 Style Challenge.  I've shared my recaps before, here, here, and here.  If your are interested in joining one of the current style challenges, check out the links at the end of this post.  

Onto to three simple outfits you can re-create for your own lifestyle and with what's in your closet.  Enjoy!

  

 

Prompt #1:  Moto Jacket, White Tee, Olive Jeans, Printed Scarf & Slip on Sneakers

 

My Take:  Work Wear Culottes

 

I know, I know.  You are thinking, "you go this out of that prompt?!?"  Here is the deal, I don't have olive jeans, well I didn't at the time but do now.  I absolutely adore these culottes that I picked up in London last year and subbed them in for the olive pants.   I stuck to the white tee portion and printed scarf, but added a denim jacket with some heels for work. 

 

Let's talk culottes! To be honest I had been crushing on culottes forever but I never thought they would work on my short body, I am only 5'4".  Anyway, these do and what I feel is the trick for them is that they are high-waisted, making my lower body appear longer and also my waist smaller, which it's not as a result of over-indulging in pretzels dipped in Nutella.  

 

Here are a couple of culotte options from Modcloth to check out, here and here.

 

 

 

Prompt #2:  Gray Sweatshirt, Gray Jeans, Statement Necklace & Velvet Shoes

 

My take: Weekend Style

 

I was actually able to wear a casual look because it was finally the weekend.  I always wear jeans on the weekend because it's the only time I am really allowed to.  I just love this look.  It's casual, comfortable and stylish.  I especially love my new purse from H & M and  the deep, wine color of it (it's sold out in this color but they do have It in black here).  Oh, and did I mention these cute, lace up flats were only $11 at Walmart?!?

 

 

Prompt #3:  Gray Sweatshirt, Grayed Hem Jeans, Printed Scarf and Slip on Sneakers

 

My take:  From Office to Casual Mom

 

My favorite part of this outfit is that I got to do both a work look and casual look in one day.  I basically flipped the prompt for the office and had a TON of compliments on it; and to think that chambray shirt was on my "maybe"  pile.  Instead of the printed scarf I added some leopard print to my feet and classy pearls for the office.

 

For running the kids to gymnastics that evening I paired up this cute, ruffled tee from H & M  and I styled it with casual jeans, sneakers and a printed scarf. 

 

 

 

If you are interested in trying out a style challenge for yourself check the following challenges out:

 

 

Fall 2017 Menswear Bootcamp

https://vm235.isrefer.com/go/MWFALL17/BojanaK/ 

 

Fall 2017 Work Wear Capsule

https://vm235.isrefer.com/go/WWFALL17/BojanaK/

 

Fall 2017 GYPO Style Challenge

https://vm235.isrefer.com/go/GYPOFALL17/BojanaK/

Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends. 

Red Tweed Please & Thursday Moda Link-Up

 

 

My usual Fashion Friday post is coming live to you one day early this week as I co-host with the wonderful Ada over from Elegance & Mommyhood.  Ada is a mom to an adorable little girl, who takes after her mama and is well versed already in striking a pose.  Ada blogs from Europe and is a trendy working mom.  She showcases casual and dressier options so there is something for everyone.  Make sure you hop on over and check her out.

 

As for me this week, I've been super pumped to share this outfit with you.  My three top items for fall this year were something with embroidery, high-waisted/paper bag pants, and a bodysuit.  I got all three while in Edmonton in the later part of August.   

 

These Twik, red, tweed pants were an instant YES for me.  I immediately knew that I NEEDED to find a bodysuit to create a sleek, tucked-in, look, which you can also see styled with my new embroidered skirt here.  I love how this outfit came together without too much effort.  The red, beige, cognac and emerald green colors just fit so well into the outdoor fall color pallet.

 

What are your fall 2017 wish list items?

 

 

 

Shop This Look:

Tweed Pants (Simons)

Bodysuit (similar)

Hillberg & Berk One of a Kind Bracelet (similar)

 

 

On  to the link-up ladies! 

An InLinkz Link-up