Organizing my wardrobe

Did you ever watch the movie Clueless staring Alicia Silverstone? Well, there is a scene in the movie where Alicia uses a computer to digitally choose her outfits. I think I was thirteen or so when I first saw the movie and I have never forgotten how cool it was.  Obviously, I will never have such a high tech system, or such a vast array of clothing to choose from, but I have come up with something that will hopefully help me make the most of my small wardrobe.

Basically, I plan to systematically work through each pair of jeans and dress pants and figure out what shoes, shirts, jackets and accessories work with them. That way, when I want to get dressed in the morning I can quickly glace at my album of photographed "looks" and choose an outfit that appeals to me. Eventually, I will do the same with my skirts and dresses. Each photograph will have an itemized list of clothing and accessories written on the back, so that I remember to include all the components. Hopefully, this will not only help me make use of the clothing that I seldom wear, but also help me weed out the items that don't work.  I'm also hoping that my "outfit album" will help me pack my suitcase more efficiently when I know that I am going to be away for a few days. Futhermore, I hope that this process will help me focus on "basics" rather than graviating towards whatever is on sale or makes my heart flutter.

 

Honestly, I don't have that many clothes. What I do have, however, is composed of sale items, thrift store finds and castoffs. Nevertheless, I have quite a collection of rarely used scarves, purses, necklaces and high heeled shoes.  I'm hoping that through this process I will figure out which items my wardrobe lacks and which I have an excess of. Here are two pictures I took earlier this week. Hopefully, when my hubby gets home from his hunting trip, I will have more time to play "dress up" !

 

Pants: Zellers / Earrings and belt: Bootlegger / Boots: Value Village /Undershirt: Norway / Sweater: From Holly

 

Top: Value Village / White cropped jacket and necklace: Bootlegger / Shoes: Joe fresh (Superstore) / Jeans: Holly's closet

 

 

 

 

Who wants to participate?

 



Perfect way to start the day.....

 

This morning the girls and I took Chester for a walk at Westwood Lake. We normally head to an off leash park where Chester can run free, but today I needed a change of scenery. It was a perfect morning. The sun was warm, the lake was calm, fish were jumping (much to Amelia's delight) and we practically had the place to ourselves. I surveyed my surrounding and my whole body sighed with joy. Sometimes the simplest things make me the most happy. Watching my girls play together, feeling the warmth of the fun on my skin and hearing crickets in the grass.

I love how Amelia clamped her hands over Claire's to prevent her from falling off the tire swing. She is really starting to shine as a big sister!

Apple Galette

 

 

You can pretty much assume that nearly every post, from now, until the Christmas season arrives, will have some sort of autumn theme. Today Amelia and I made our first apple galette. I had some leftover pate brisee (french pastry dough) in the freezer and it was begging to become something tasty. I have only ever had a galette at Granville Island market, so it was fun to make my own . I used this recipe.

 

We have been picking bags and bags of apples from a tree down the road. Yesterday we made an obscene amount of applesauce.

 

Claire loved being Amelia's helper 

The blackberries are still as sweet as can be and are nearly dropping off the branches 

 

 

 

I love this vase full of acorn branches.

 

 

 

Changes

I don't know about you, but for me, fall has always felt like a new beginning. Summer is always full of fun, but lacks any sort of schedule or routine. It is refreshing to have a break from these things, but by the time the leaves start turning and the apples start ripening, I am ready for some semblance of order. This year, Amelia is enrolled in preschool and while it is only three days a week for three hours, it is AWESOME! As you have noticed, I am NOT the sort of mother that mourns the passing of "babyhood".  In fact, I relish it. Thankfully,She LOVES preschool and happily bids me farewell at the door of her classroom. If I was capable of a cartwheel, I would do one each morning when I drop her off.
 

On the mornings when Amelia does not have preschool, we attend one of the strong start programs in our area. I love having the opportunity to meet and visit with other moms, spend quality time with my girls and watch my them interact with others their age. I find it difficult to carve out "quality play time" with my girls at home, as I am easily distracted by  everything that needs doing. I enjoy motherhood and my children MUCH more when we get out of the house.

 

When I have somewhere to go in the morning, I am more likely to.....

 

A) Get dressed (preferably in something attractive)

B) Be patient with my children throughout the remainder of my day

C) Be organized and efficient

D) Have my social needs met

 

.........which ultimately means that I am happier and more balanced. How about you? What are your thoughts about the changes that this season has brought to your life?

A bunch of new goodies

 

A couple of weeks ago, I spotted some cute fall inspired pie top cutters at superstore. Years ago I saw something similar at Williams and Sonoma boutique in Vancouver and I have always regretted NOT buying them. While the superstore brand is not nearly as fancy, they will definitely add some festivity to my pies. My neighbor was over for tea the other day when we started chatting about our mutual love of pie making. After we mused over our favorites, she suggested that we organize a bake off for the woman at our church. I think that it not only be a great way to connect with them but also  a fabulous excuse to eat LOTS of pie.I apologize in advance if these gave you a hankering for pie, but these are too pretty not to share: 

 

 

This pie with the apple flowers is just lovely. I am determined to try this sometime!

 

While I was dropping my anticipated pie top cutters into my cart I spotted a pastry decorating set and a super fun A to Z cookie set. Amelia will love the alphabet cookie cutters and the pastry set will make decorating cookies and clean-up easier for both of us. I borrowed a similar pastry set from Holly when I hosted a cupcake decorating party and I have been keeping my eyes open for one since. I have also wanted a whoopie pie mould since Holly and I made them last fall. As it turns out Superstore had some of those on sale for 1.75$ The best part was that I got everything for free with the gift card I found buried in my wallet. This of course, comes on the heels of my decision to start cutting out sugar and start weighing my food again. Why do I do this to myself just as my favorite baking season arrives? Perhaps it is because I know that if I don't, I will not have any self control. I still fully intend to bake pumpkin spice muffins, pecan pie, pumpkin spice whoopie pies, and pumpkin pie but I will only allow myself one slice/muffin a day.
 

A whole slew of camping photos

 

It is hard to believe that it is September 1st, and that it is time to bid summer farewell. Before I launch into autumn fever I wanted to share a few photos from our camping trip at the beginning of August.  We spent two night at Little Qualicum falls with family (my brother and his wife Jill, my sister and her son, my parents and my cousin and her family). I was initially a bit apprehensive about going but I knew that I just HAD to try it. Nathaniel and I have not camped since we had children and we were determined to do so this year. I am so thankful that my sister in law Jill organized the whole thing, slept on a beach to get us side by side camp sites and then provided a ton of fun things to do in and around Qualicum.

Spending quality time with Opa
 

She hardly said a peep all weekend.

My absolute favorite camping mug. My parents have had these mugs for at least 20 years. 

 

The girl's were excited to see their cousins Sam and Kai

 

Painting rocks during some "quiet time'.

My parents enjoying a very refreshing ( I mean "freezing") dip.

Sweet Sam and my "little" sister Rachel.

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo of my cousin Kara and her son Kai. Isn't he a cutie?

 

 

My happy early riser!

As a child I remember getting so excited about being able to eat my cereal straight out of the box. It is fun being able to share these things with my girls!

 

 

An "attempt" at a family photo.....

A REALLY tasty smore!

Thankfully the girls were great around the fire and sat 

contentedly in their chairs.

 

 

 

I have a ton more photos but uploading them to blogger is time consuming and frustrating. If you want to see more check my albums on facebook