Fighting the Frump: Layers and Layers

anthropologie

As I look through photos of my favorite fall looks, I realize they all have one thing in common: layers and layers. I have one problem with this look. My under layers are pathetic. 

toast

Here's a little confession: most days, I can't take off my cardigan because my tank has a hole in it. Then there are those mornings I think, Eh I can get one more wear out of this tee with a strategically placed scarf. I could go on and on...

j. crew

The fact is, the under layers need some love too. Here are some of my favorites that do double-duty: they look great on their own, and they'll help you build the perfect layers for fall.

Start off with a couple super soft basics from James Perse

Add a little color and some drape with simple tees from Splendid

And remember: under layers don't have to be boring. Throw in a little fun with these tops from Ella Moss

Hope you're having a great week! 

UPDATE: Our friends at Splendid are offering you a 20% discount on all full-priced items on their shop. Simply use the discount code SPLDHOL2010 at checkout. (Offer valid 11/4-11/7). Happy Shopping!

Wish List

Loving the new holiday collection from TOMS Shoes
I'll take one pair of each, please.

gilded herringbone classic

grey wool fleck cordones

pink glitters

Work Sucks

Workday Recovery Kit

Scene: Bath time

Characters: Mom, Hudson, Charlotte

Mom: Sits Charlotte in the hallway; starts water in the tub

Charlotte: cries at top of lungs, for no obvious reason 

Hudson: (Bothered by screaming) Kicks soccer ball at Charlotte with astounding accuracy

Charlotte: Grunts as wind is knocked out of her. Once she recovers her breath, begins screaming again. This time an octave higher

Mom: Yell at Hudson, drag him (literally) to his room for time out. Bathe Charlotte to the tune of Hudson alternately sobbing and throwing things

Hudson: Finally calmed down, apologizes

Mom & Hudson: Make up and hug; meanwhile, Charlotte speed-crawls, naked, through the house

Mom: Get Hudson in tub, try to locate naked baby

(Phone rings) Family member needing love and support. Try to offer words of encouragement while unsuccessfully diapering Charlotte

Hudson: Screams for help

Mom: Hangs up on family member; runs to bathroom

Hudson: Standing in tub, just learned that a handful of soap + itchy eye = pain

Mom: Tries to flush eye out with water. Tub water is too soapy. Lifts him, dripping, out of tub and wraps him in towel. Lays him on bathroom counter and commences eye-flushing 

Hudson: Screeches and screams like a little girl during eye rinsing process

Charlotte: Meanwhile, still naked. Pees on carpet. Giggles about it

Hudson: The ordeal is over. Puts on pajamas. Still whimpering

(Phone rings) It's Daddy, calling to say he'll be home late. Wonders how our day is going.

And Scene.

I have yet to meet a person who loves every second of their job. My job is totally sweet, but I'll be the first to say it's not always pretty around here. 

Enter: Knock Knock products. They just made the ugly parts of work a little bit better. Whether you work in an office, a hospital, or a household they have a product that says exactly what you're thinking.

Deal With This

Complaint

Parenting Flash Cards

Intervention

A good sense of humor, with a side dish of wit really makes the sucky parts of work not so bad.

Halloween Birthday Weekend

Remember that monster party I was working on? Well, it was a hit. Charlotte had a spectacular birthday weekend. Here are a few of my favorite images from the weekend:

My Monster Cupcakes...see this post for more details.

I bet you'll never guess who requested the Mario Pumpkin. 

And B had the great idea of carving a number 1 pumpkin for Charlotte's first birthday.

Hand-Stitched Place Cards

Happy November! It's that time of year when families and friends gather 'round the table. So here's a quick, inexpensive place card that will pull your table setting together. After all, the magic is in the details, right?

Step 1: Gather your supplies (two colors of card stock, a scrap of patterned paper, needle, embroidery floss, awl).

Step 2: Print the names of your guests on the lighter piece of card stock. Just remember, you'll be embroidering them, so choose a font that's not too complicated. As an alternative to printing, you can hand-write the names (or have your kids do it!) 

Step 3: Using the awl (or needle, if you don't have an awl handy) poke holes along the printed text. 

Step 4: Thread your needle. I used four strands of embroidery floss, but you may have to adjust depending on the size of your font.

Step 5: Anchor the end of your floss to the backside of your paper using scotch tape. 

Step 6: Start stitching. I usually go up through the first hole, down through the second, up through the third, back down through the second. Continue with that pattern until the entire name is stitched.

Step 7: Tape the end of the floss to the back of the paper to hold it in place.

Step 8: Cut the stitched paper to desired size and glue to the patterned paper.

Step 9: Cut the patterned paper to desired size and glue to place card.

Step 10: Set the table and enjoy!