Project Life 2013: Weeks 15 and 16
Posted: May 19, 2013 Filed under: Project Life Leave a comment »WEEK 15
I did a lot more of this last year, I am not sure why I haven’t done much this year, but I like the look of continuity offered when journaling across two similar pages…
I have always loved the end of the game team cheer. Jake has been making everyone laugh at games. Not the least bit interested in the game, instead his legs are often crossed, shade up, Kindle-ing away:
WEEK 16
Finally figured out how to use the little SC sequins. This was an INSANELY busy week for us: parent/teacher conferences, baseball games, spring sing, an impromptu coffee date with an old friend, and the return of one of my most FAVORITE shows on television…
I find nothing cuter than Tyson all decked out in his catcher gear and had I been paying attention, I would have noticed I used the same phrase the week before…meh. Not going to make any changes. I love how the photo of him is the highlight of the week:
I have a feeling I will be doing this a lot more often, I love the idea of highlighting favorite moments/photos like this:
60 Day Closet Challenge
Posted: May 16, 2013 Filed under: Goals, Mommy Notes Leave a comment »I have been on a de-cluttering and organizing spree around our house. It started with the pantry and kitchen. We moved into this house December of 2006 and I was embarrassed to have found items from 2005 in our pantry, clearly well past their expiration date.
I figured it was time to take on my closet.
Not just a passing purge of obvious unworns and outdated pieces.
A true overhaul. An honest separation of items that are worn and those that are just taking up space. A closer examination of the goods in my closet reveals multiple wardrobes: college remnants in case I lose the equivalent of a small person’s worth of weight, pre-baby work clothes that would also require massive weight loss, pregnancy clothes, post pregnancy clothes, ten lifetime’s worth of yoga pants, and current work wear.
It was time to realize that no matter how far I run, how much weight I lift, how many salads I eat…I will never wear a 7.5 shoe again. Everrrr. Do you lose weight in your feet?
It was also time to realize that I am continually buying things…and never wearing them. Despite the plethora of items in my closet, I am sure I likely wear about a third of them. At best.
SO, about two weeks ago I decided to challenge myself to a “60 Day Closet Challenge“: shop ONLY from my closet for 60 days. No outside clothing purchases. Accessory purchases only if need be. First order of business, donate and purge all items that are multiple sizes too small or haven’t been worn in the last few years. Embarrassingly, there were quite a few things that fell into this category.
The challenge is twofold for me. On one hand, I’ll see what I truly wear and hopefully reach for things I would normally overlook. I will then purge/donate/clear out the items not worn. It will also force me to finally breakdown and bust out of my yoga wearing, unflattering, schlepy mom clothes. Daily photos will be a waaaaaake up call.
CASE IN POINT:
I often purchase cute pieces because I tell myself THIS will be the year I step up my game, take pride in my appearance, yada yada yada…
But the reality is that I fall back into my comfort pieces. Pants I’ve had for years. They are mostly black, misshapen, miserably faded, but ridiculously comfortable. Hat. Comfy sneakers. How incredibly humbling to see this photo staring back at me, but it is the truth and daily reality:
I found myself re-entering the work world this year for the first time in five years after having stayed home with the boys. The last five years sparked what has now become a pretty bountiful collection of yoga gear, t-shirts, drawstring pants, and hats. I have enjoyed shopping for work clothes again and having a “reason” to really get dressed. More so, a reason that “forces” me to get dressed.
I hope to document my journey over the next 60 days honestly, often schlepy, but hopefully the outcome is wardrobe wisdom. Hopefully, I learn about the pieces I really use and those I may need. Hopefully, I learn to balance my work days with the days I stay at home with Jake so it’s not THIS- my work wear the over the last few days:
And then THIS, what I am currently wearing:
But rather a happy, stylish medium. I am not a fashionista, nor do I admit to being one. I am just a mama who wants to be smarter about her clothing purchases, USE what I’ve got, and attempt to wean myself from my yoga pant wearing obsession. Wish me luck…
A Day in the Life…
Posted: May 7, 2013 Filed under: Project Life 1 Comment »It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I’ve taken on the “Day in the Life” Challenge. SO MUCH has changed since THEN…
MONDAY, MAY 6
Up early to make lunches x 2, snacks x 3, and breakfast x 3:
Feed, clean, dress boys. Beginning of our daily amassing of laundry:
Lunches, shoes, backpack: check…
After feeding, cleaning, and dressing the boys, I have approximately ten minutes to get ready. Starting the “60 Day Closet Challenge” today:
7:50: in the car, head to drop off number one:
Ty to before school care:
8:20: back in the car, head for drop off number two. I don’t think I realized until today just how much time I spend in the car:
8:45: drop Jake off and join him for a round of hopscotch:
Waaaaaaaaaait for Jake to settle in, wash hands…
9:00: back in the car, head to work.
9:20: love walking into the hallway every morning…
Grade papers, lesson plans, check emails, return phone calls…work schtuff:
10:55: catch a peek of Ty playing during his recess while walking to the teacher’s lounge during morning recess.
12:30: finish teaching just in time to walk over and pick Ty up.
Super Hero art project day…heh:
12:45: back in the car to pick up Jake. Who is always without shoes…every.single.day:
But he’s HAPPY.
And fulllllllllllll of SAND. I am sure that Jake took home half the sand box today. Before we head inside, I vacuum the backseat of the car:
We ran a couple errands on our way home. We are all hungry. I make the boys a snack and finally make myself some lunch. Likely the one part of my day I need to work on/change. It’s always about 2:00 by the time I sit down to eat which is a little late for lunch. I need to be better about packing a snack…I think.
2:30: a little Kindle play time.
While I begin a load of laundry:
3:00: Jake colors, Ty works on his “All About Words” book for his teacher:
4:00: I sit down to organize the last-minute details for Ty’s teacher appreciation week this week. I realize I sent out the right days, wrong dates. Send new emails off…
4:30: pack the boys up, grab a water bottle, and back in the car. Mommy “gym” time. My happy place:
6:30: it’s late by the time we walk in the door. It’s a Costco dinner night: kale salad and black bean burgers. LOVING my new panini maker, dinner is ready in less than 10 minutes.
Boys eat…
7: 15: bath time fun…
Post-bath crazies:
7: 45: finally PJ’d and settled in for a show. This kid is totally NOT tired:
Never ending laundry…
A little secret: I loathe folding socks. Like, I’d rather BUY new socks than fold old ones. I often wait and wait and wait until someone starts to complain that he can’t find any cleans ones. Unfortunately, this morning we struggled to find Ty a pair which meant today was the day…I attacked the mountain of socks. LUCKILY, Tyson thinks matching socks is a fun game. He helps.
8: 15: Daddy sneaks in at some point. During the daddy-is-home and sock folding excitement, this one fell asleep:
Which means quiet one on one book reading with Ty before bed:
Put Ty to bed, FINALLY shower, and sit down…it’s just about 9:00. Tired Mama.
Project Life 2013: Weeks Thirteen and Fourteen
Posted: April 27, 2013 Filed under: Project Life 8 Comments »WEEK FOURTEEN
Had a lot of fun with this week in spite of the length of time it took me to actually complete it. Both the color scheme and content made me smile as I looked back on our Spring Break. Lots of laughter, memories made, and quality family time…
We had a super laid back Easter Sunday, just the four us. The boys had two egg hunts and spent most of the day playing with their Easter goodies. I then packed up the car and the boys and I headed up to the Lake…inside the road trip envelope, I plan to include receipts and funny things the boys said in the car. They were not allowed to complain about the music I had on rotation: over and over and over…
I ended up using most of the Instagram shots I’d put in the journal slots as actual photos this week. I didn’t have quite enough to fill up the entire insert page, so I just cut off the bottom third:
Silly girls day out, we had so much fun:
Tyson STILL talks bout this outing. I LOVE just how much the boys love their Auntie and Uncle. Having just returned from his Afghanistan deployment, we were all eating up the time with Uncle Dustin:
I couldn’t get enough of my adorable niece. The boys, however, were not so sure about “gwurls”…
WEEK THIRTEEN
Another insert heavy week as my brother and SIL were in town for a few days…
I challenged myself to use as much of the Studio Calico kit as possible this month…it was a lot harder than I expected:
The insert threw me. I had enough pictures but not enough journaling for six journal cards. I ended up browsing Pinterest and found the perfect solution. Love how she cut the insert page to just have the three journal slots isolated, so clever:
I am certain my husband would die if he knew that picture of Jake was included but I can’t get enough of it. I was laughing so hard, I got teary. His imagination, love of dress up, and crazy dress inspire me. I will be so so sad when he outgrows it.
UPCOMING WEEKS: I had a lot of fun incorporating bigger photos in the upcoming weeks. I LOOOOOOVE Tyson in his Little League uniform, there is nothing cuter. He was beyond excited to play catcher and I died with cuteness. I printed the photo as an 8 x 10 but didn’t want to just have it sit as an insert. I like the way it stands out in this particular week as baseball has become such a huge part of our weekly routine.
Project Life Giveaway: Winner
Posted: April 9, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »Annnnd apparently, it’s only Tuesday. Heh. I will still honor the winner. And improve my giveaway hosting skills in the future…
Louise, if you could message me your information, I’ll send the cards out tomorrow. Enjoy!! Happy Project Life-ing…I hope you’ll share your creations.
Project Life 2013: Week Twelve
Posted: April 8, 2013 Filed under: Project Life 5 Comments »I am so so in love with Jade…bright, fun, gorgeous font:
This was an absolutely crazy week around these parts. While it doesn’t necessarily translate in the pictures, it was definitely madness of a different variety:
The last two journal spots gave me fits this week…some weeks are easier than others. Embracing the “done” over “perfection” mentality. Trying.
Will be linking up with The Mom Creative…
Project Life: Giveaway
Posted: April 7, 2013 Filed under: Project Life 60 Comments »I debated swapping. I debated selling with some other goodies. But ultimately, I decided it would be fun to share the Project Life love. Hopefully, the person selected will make magic happen with these cards. I know I’ll never use them…
Leave a comment and I will select a winner Wednesday evening. Random cards from Studio Calico, SC PL kit, CT PL kit, Snap, and a few leftover Clementine cards.
