30 Things Series - My Thoughts on Age & Numbers 3, 4

I haven't posted a 30 Things blog in a while. This is mostly because I've been so dang busy with other things (end of the school year, making travel plans, wedding stuff, house stuff, running, whatever). It's also maybe because I've been thinking about getting old, myself.

Seriously, don't laugh. Peter Pan Syndrome Miss Lindsey has those days, too!

I remember when I was 22, on my way to Disney World for an internship, when I discovered my first wrinkles on my forehead. I blogged about them then, horrified. Life was going to be over after Disney, I may as well buy a dozen cats, start drinking martinis and sign up for regular Botox shots. Then, I got to Disney and forgot how old I was. While I can't visit Disney every time I start to feel old, I can recapture the wonder of being young.

Age is nothing more than a number. In many ways, I'm more mature now than I was 10 years ago. I'm many other ways, I'm still the same kid at heart. It's important to find what makes you happy. Bring yourself back to whatever that is, whether it be in person or in memory, and hold onto whatever it is. Take a walk, see something new, read a book, learn something, make things, set unreasonable goals, or simply hang out with kids and see the world through their eyes. It'll keep you young, always, no matter what your number may be.

Now, to get caught up with 30 Things. I feel like 3 and 4 can be lumped together in one post. Here goes:

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or the man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.

I own several suits which fit me. I've amassed this collection throughout my 20s, making sure to choose stylish, yet classic looks so I can wear them for many years. Some weren't expensive, found at Marshalls or on Ebay for a steal. Sure, you may not think you have an excuse to own a suit, but just wait until you need one last minute. You'll wish you had some in stock. Buy something you can use the pieces of during your regular work week, like a black skirt suit, and wear the skirt or jacket with other items from your closet.

On the other side of the coin, you need to own a little black dress. Nothing too slinky or short. Just something that hangs just right on whatever your frame may be. If black isn't your color, find something in a solid, reasonable color. You can never go wrong with a great, simple dress. They can be dressed up or down for whatever the occasion may be.

Though, truly, I'm the kind of girl to show up to meet the man of her dreams while wearing jeans, tennies and whatever random shirt looked good at the time. He ought to love me like that if he is the man of my dreams, right? ;)

As far as the purse, suitcase and umbrella go, I wouldn't say they are staples a woman must have before 30, but are good ideas. There's no reason to be carrying around purses a teenager might carry, toting a SpiderMan umbrella and a beat up, 5th generation thrift store suitcase.

The Christmas before I left for Houston, my aunt Barbara bought me a black umbrella which folded up small enough to fit in most purses. I still have it and prefer it. I suggest something like this. Though, I also have a bundle of Disney World umbrellas, since I never seemed to have one when I needed one in Florida, which I find acceptable.

My fantastic suitcases I stole from my mother. I'll be honest. They're great and a result of me traveling to El Paso with a tiny bag, necessitating a larger, or second bag, for the return trip. (Thanks, Mom!). While shopping at your parents house seems like a good idea, Marshalls or Burlington Coat Factory are really great for finding decent luggage at reasonable prices.

Two Things Tuesday - Middle School Fashion Edition

While the school at which I teach has a dress code, the students nevertheless find ways in which to personalize their look. Today, my 2tT focuses on a couple of fashion choices the kids make.

1. Bows - This one surprised me last year. I did not expect the girls to wear bows in middle school. I grew out of them well before 4th grade, opting for headbands for the rest of my life. The girls at my school absolutely love bows. The bows are big, floppy numbers. It's adorable on the kids. It makes them seem more like the kids they are than the teenagers they're turning into.
2. Sagging pants - I know. This has been around forever and shouldn't have surprised me. For some reason, I had expected this trend to die out at some point in the last 10 years. No dice. However, to add to the ridiculousness, there are boys who are sagging skinny jeans. Try to get a visual on that. They all look like penguins or little kids with poopy diapers. It's hilarious. I assume they continue to sag because they have no idea how they look. One would hope they wouldn't continue sagging if they actually knew how they looked.

Wrapped Up (Part 3)

My original intention was to go old style pilot - which translates in my head to black leggings, knee high boots (I have some amazing boots), some kind of shirt I didn't give any thought to, and a white scarf tied around my neck.  I was most excited about the boots and leggings.  Pairing the two make me want to climb things  and crouch around like Catwoman.

Alas, I was too tired this morning to figure out a solution to the problem of not knowing what shirt to wear, so the whole idea was scrapped in favor of tennies, jeans, a navy shirt and a white scarf.  The V neck of my shirt went well with the style of the scarf.  I don't know what the actual name of the style is, so I'm going to call it the lazy ascot.  I'm not sure I'd wear this style again, though I think it looked good.

I'm getting bored with these bathroom pictures, so expect more odd poses.  I have no idea why I am contemplating the ceiling.

 

Wrapped Up (Part 2)

My good friend, Arianne, sent me a whole slew of ways to wear a scarf.  I liked the way this one was tied.  You pretty much fold it in half, put it around your neck, thread one end of the scarf through the end loop, twist the loop once and thread the other end of the scarf through.  Viola.  

I was concerned the scarf would be too heavy - it's a silk scarf by Anne Klein.  However, it was the only thing keeping me mildly warm today.  I forgot how thin the leggings and shirts from Victoria's Secret are and how cold the trainings for school are typically.  

Since the whole outfit looked nicely put together, I'll probably wear the whole ensemble again.  

Yes, that was taken in the bathroom.  Enjoy the peek at my shower curtain and rug.

In other news, my Sebring was posted for sale at a dealership in El Paso, TX.  It was pretty much my first car.  I exclude my Porsche 944, though it truly was my first car, because I never really learned how to drive it.  I'm really going to miss the Sebring.  Here's hoping somebody buys the car and loves it as much as I did.

Sebring LXi Listing

Wrapped Up (Part 1)

Last summer I bought a bunch of summery (read: not heavy) scarves with the intention of wearing them and looking absolutely fabulous and chic (not like a hobo, like one suggested).  I got them home and realized, after a little bit of trial and almost all error, that I had no idea how to wear a scarf.  So into a box they went.

I recently re-discovered this magical box of scarves and instantly became re-frustrated with the concept of summer scarves.  In my frustration, I turned to Facebook and asked my friends how in the heck to wear a scarf in the summer.  I got varied responses.

I've decided to try them all and document them for you here.  I'm unsure how "wear it like a pirate" day will go, but I'm game.

Today's adventure in scarf land was the "square scarf around the neck and tied to the side".  Half the battle was finding a shirt to pair with this style.

I got a few remarks about the scarf - mostly positive, some entertaining.  All in all, I'd say I would wear this style again.

I know the coloring of the picture sucks.  My apologies.  Maybe I'll take the next one outside.  Maybe.

"New" Things

While staying home with the plague, I decided I ought to find a box large enough to ship out my first wedding gown.

About that... I am a confirmed online-shopaholic.  So, when I got engaged, I began scouring the internet for a gown.  This is before I ever tried on a gown and had any idea of what would look good or what I truly wanted.  So, needless to say, I bought a gown I later regretted (not what I was looking for, way too big, etc.).  Fortunately, I was able to list the dress on Once Wed and it sold fairly quickly to someone who will likely appreciate it more than me.  I digress.

In my closet I had a big Disney box large enough in which to ship a wedding gown.  However, in this box was a bunch of clothes I had packed up after I had gained weight.  As of today, I've lost 18 lbs since August 2010.  It's amazing what a massive amount of walking and limiting portion sizes as well as junk food intake will do.  Anywho, I decided to try on everything in the box.  All of it fit!  Half of it was so out of style there was no reason to keep it, so it went into another box to donate.  It was like getting new stuff for free!

While going outside for a moment, I discovered the "Walking Iris" plant had bloomed!  This thing rarely blooms.  Even when it does, it never has more than 2 blooms at once.  This time, there were 4 blooms!