Whimsical Wednesday, April 25, 2012

This week on Whimsical Wednesday, warm air and time off have inspired me to post some images from pinterest of clothing I'd absolutely love to wear, or styles that I love.  I hope it inspires you!  As always I'd love to hear if any of them stand out to you!

Source: theberry.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: tinyurl.ms via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Saturday Things

I started the morning lazily and slowly, laying awake in bed, puttering on my computer and watching some television online for several hours.

Fruit for breakfast.  Raspberries and Blackberries.

A shower.

Some self-pampering.

Then mom picked me up, I helped with a bit of baking for the upcoming wedding.

I started the process of shortening a pair of pants.

I remembered why I haven't shortened pants myself in well over a year, and why I prefer to pay someone else to do it.

I remembered that I don't like ironing either.

(And I haven't even gotten to the hand-stitching part of the hemming process.  That's the part I like the least.)

I cobbled together a costume for L's bachelorette party tonight.

Have I ever mentioned here that I am NOT a fan of games?  Any games really.

Particularly role-playing or acting type games.

Or really anything that requires me to wear a costume and draw attention to myself.

I'll happily watch others play, but please don't make me play.

(Except maybe Dutch Blitz, and one or two word games.  I don't mind those.)

We're doing a role-playing, acting, murder mystery game for the bachelorette, because she loves those sorts of games.

And I'm playing the role of a man.

Perfect.

(Can you feel my misery at the prospect?)

At least I get dinner at a restaurant I really enjoy out of the process.

Being in a wedding party, I've decided, is an expensive endeavor.

There are so many more gifts and clothes that must be purchased and parties that must be attended.

I did however try a new "instant" lunch that I'd purchased a while back.

Thai peanut rice noodles.

Very tasty, but could use some vegetables.

I'll add those next time for effect.

I also took photos of photos.

Scanning them didn't work out so well, so I photographed about 70 childhood photos of T and L.

Tomorrow and the remainder of the evenings that I'm free until their wedding will be dedicated to putting those photos and quite a lot of others into a slideshow for their wedding reception.

And with that, I'm off to find something to snack on, and maybe do a little bit of reading before I dive head-long into the unique "joys" of this evening's plans.

I'll be back later with a daily 5 list!

What Kind of Jeans are You?

I thought that this one was funny.  And, my current definition of the perfect jean cut is Gap's Curvy Flare.

You Are Flares

You are a true free spirit, and you enjoy playing with fashion. Your look tends to be eclectic. You tend to be a bit rebellious. You're more likely to dress for yourself than dress for the occasion. You are both peaceful and jovial. There is a happy calm that surrounds everything you do. You are broad minded, well read, and well traveled. You are open to anything that comes your way.

What Kind of Jeans Are You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist

Seriously? Seriously?

It was a rough night.

A full of dreams kind of night.

A finally have to give in and take painkillers in hopes of catching just an hour or two of sleep kind of night.

I think I slept about three hours. Maybe.

I'm still bemused by the events of yesterday. I wish I could share them publicly, but I can't at the moment. Suffice it to say that you would all have a very good laugh at my expense. Because God really does have a sense of humor.

Just as a taste, in the midst of a challenging conversation with a dear friend yesterday, we were talking about our hearts being changed, made new. I knew that I was in for an adventurous next little while when, driving home from work after the conversation, I got stuck for quite a distance behind a vehicle with custom license plates that read "NUHEART".

This is one of those backwards days at the office. I'm going to be hauling dirty boxes and totes full of mail for most of the day, and really should be wearing grubby clothes. However, I don't have time for a wardrobe change after work, and I need to be wearing nice clothes to meet my parents for dinner and attend the Christmas choir concert that my brother is a part of tonight. Figures that the one day of the week where I could be casual and grubby at work, I need to look nice for after work. I compromised with jeans and boots, a tanktop, blazer, and cute necklace and bracelet. Here's hoping I don't get the blazer too grubby while I'm hauling totes all day.

I think it's going to be an interesting weekend. Unique in oh so many ways.

In the meantime, I find myself returning to my Grey's Anatomy loving self and regularly looking heavenward, thinking of God's sense of humor and irony as currently on display in my life, and with a rather sarcasticly chuckling tone, quoting one of my favorite Meredith Grey lines, "Seriously? Seriously?"

Daily 5 - Day 51

I'm still feeling quite unwell. Probably just the cumulative effect of a very hard week, along with a lot of restless and even sleepless nights.

So, I'm going to list today's daily 5 for you, and head for a nice early bedtime.

1. Wearing new clothes to work today, and feeling like I looked pretty even though healthwise I was feeling lousy (even if I was so cold most of the day that my jacket was over top of them, and they mostly didn't get seen!)
2. Kim Walker's song "Can I have more of you?" playing over and over in my head as a refrain
3. A hug from my mom
4. A quiet evening at home alone, catching up on some emails, reading, researching for our trip, and resting
5. Learning that even in the midst of a lousy week, joy can be present and resilient. Finding it in a moment of humility and apology (though somewhat unnecessary) directed at me from a family member. And a hug. And securing a ride to the airport next week, and the promise of good things to come. And in managing to eat and keep down three meals and vitamins, despite the health challenges.
   

Daily 5 - Day 50

50 Days. How crazy is that? At what point do I stop numbering these posts, and just start dating them? I kind of like the numbers, though. They remind me that I've hit milestones of time. That I'm making little steps towards positive changes within myself. They help me feel like something is being achieved in showing up here each day. 50 days seems like a pretty good milestone.

In any case, here's today's daily 5:

1. Two sets of great deals while at the mall tonight. One at the Body Shop on products I wasn't out of, but use constantly. And one at my favorite clothing store, where, for about $90 of products, I only spent $45, since they gave me a $20 discount just for trying on a coat (that I loved but didn't buy), and since I had a gift card left over from my birthday to cover another portion of the bill. Plus, the two tops, cute sweater, and scarf that I bought will likely all become wardrobe staples for me.
2. Freshly laundered sheets, pajamas, and towels. I do love that clean, fresh smell.
3. Having a night off from cooking dinner and eating the great food that L. cooked for us
   
4. A quiet free evening with no commitments, and just time spent shopping with L.
5. That today was slightly (if only slightly) smoother at work than the previous two days this week.
   

Smile List

It's been a while since I've made a "smile list" here. For the uninitiated, a smile list is exactly what it sounds like - a list of things that make me smile - things that I'm grateful for. I started making them ages ago, when I heard a speaker cite a trauma specialist who had done research suggesting that taking the time to list things you're thankful for each day had the same effect on your brain chemistry as taking a mild dose of an anti-depressant.

I've found through the years that making smile lists is also a good way for me to pull out of (or at least bring some control to) a rapidly downward spiraling mood.

I'm needing a little bit of help with that today. It's been a trying week at work thanks to ongoing bumps in the process of the introduction of a new product before the training and staffing were in place to make it a smooth introduction. And I've spent a good part of the morning discovering that the process I need to go through to book a road test and (hopefully) wrap up my drivers license situation permanently is one of the more complicated, red-tape filled, and expensive processes I've encountered in a long while. (All told, I'll be spending around $350 or more to take care of this mess.) And, I also discovered that agents at Alberta Registry offices are not the most pleasant people around - I've spoken with several by phone today, and almost all of them were, if not rude, abrupt and very disinterested.

So, a smile list...

The things that are making me smile (that I'm thankful for) today include:

• a canning jar of daisies that a coworker brought me earlier this week
• casual Friday and jeans at work
• having a "hippy" day with my clothing (while still managing to appear business casual!)
• cream and brown wooden earrings - long time favorites
• a cream colored bracelet, formed from six resin roses
• that it won't be the end of the world if I don't get this driver's license mess sorted out in the next 24 hours
• Hemp hand protector and lip balm from The Body Shop
• the "Mennonite Tonight" video that Rik Leaf put up a while back. "you want passive but you like agressive..." or "a Menno good time costs $3.oo" (so great when you work for a Menno company full time)
• availability of clean, cool water to drink
• a toe ring on my right foot
• an office with a window that means I get natural light during the day
• lunch plans with a coworker
• that it's Friday!
• teasing from my dad who called this morning (I told him I was building another Ikea bookshelf this evening. Having seen the massive bruise I sustained while building the last one, his quick reply was, "Better have the bandages handy.")
• plans to make open faced turkey sandwiches with brie and nectarines, plus a salad on the side for dinner tonight
• that it was someone's birthday in the office today, and that meant that we got cake!
• that my latest piercing (though threatening a few times) has not become infected
• that I have family that loves me
• pictures of the new baby of some friends
• the memory of a conversation yesterday that made me chuckle (a conversation that centered around the fact that I carry a vial of annointing oil on my key-ring) "those are such old scents."
• An ikea trip that only cost me $55.
• the artwork in my office (more on that in an upcoming post)
• an email from a dear friend last night in a moment when I was feeling low and struggling deeply, reminding me that she loves me and was praying for me
• being called by name

That's not a bad list, actually. And it has helped. I'm in a less kerfuffled mood than I was. AND, I'm off to have lunch!

Tuesday Evening

I think I only slept about three hours last night. And I dreamt a lot in those three hours.

After work tonight, I ran errands. Picking up a book. A Father's Day gift and a birthday gift for my dad. Some quiet browsing in Ikea, looking for a new bed frame. (I've sold my current bed frame, and will be purchasing something new after we move.)

When I finally got home, I popped dinner in the oven, and headed for the shower, upon completion of which, I decided it was time to be wearing pajamas. The comfy new pajamas I bought recently.

I'm planning to be in bed early tonight. Hopefully with the plan to sleep many more hours and much more restfully than last night.

In the meantime, a little bit of M*A*S*H*, and a little bit of reading, and a little bit of writing.

Musings...

I have some thoughts in process... my drive in to work this morning was full. Sometimes I wish you could all spend a day in my head, and see the way the thoughts carry me around, see the different connections. Sometimes the connections and directions surprise even me.

There are many places I could go this morning, but I think I want to write them out somewhere other than a public space first.

I'm thinking about imperfection. About friends traveling. About transition. About discerning character.

I'm thinking about the shallower things too. Like the fact that the skirt I wore today may perhaps be a bit higher waisted than I thought, and could cause some discomfort through the day thanks to my piercing adventures on the weekend. And the fact that I dress differently for work when I'm meeting outside clients or sales reps. And the fact that I'm really bored with this "eating 3 meals a day" concept, but am sticking to it anyway. And the fact that my house is going to be invaded by the "attack of the bridesmaids who need dresses altered" again tonight, which means it'll be loud and obnoxious (and our internet still isn't working properly, preventing me from hiding in my bedroom.) And the fact that it's Wednesday, which means this could be a total gong show of a day.

More later!!

All in the clothes?

It's always funny to me how clothes make a difference in confidence levels. They seem like such a superficial thing, and yet they really do make a difference.

And, when I'm nervous about something, I dress very carefully for that event.

I was thinking about that this afternoon, because I'm feeling pretty rotten today. The headache is still hanging on, and my stomach is still working on recovering.

But, I'm wearing "the perfect dress" at the office today, and that's helping my confidence levels just a little. I may not feel great, but I look great!

This dress really is the perfect little number, and I scored it on a sale rack (with my roommate's help) on the weekend. Marked down from $78 to $20, it will perfectly fulfill the need for a dress to wear to two separate weddings this summer (dressed up for an evening one with heels, and down for a garden one with nice flip-flops) AND it absolutely works for the office. How often do you find one item that meets all of those criteria and is relatively comfortable to boot?

So, my stomach may ache, and my head may throb, and generally feel as if it's full of cotton, but today, today, I look good! :)

In Between Thoughts

I'm home for half an hour or so, in between work and a dinner engagement with a long-time friend. We try to see each other every month or two, for dinner. Lots of laughter, and sarcasm are always included. And usually some shopping. Tonight is cheap pasta night ($7.99 Entree's baby!) at a really good local restaurant, so we're going to go and eat and laugh and catch up.

I slept terribly last night. And by slept, I mean, despite taking the appropriate amounts of supplements, I was mostly awake. Or tossing my way in and out of moments of dreaming.

Today at work was full. I like full days that seem to just fly by. And in most ways, I'm loving my new job. I like having the ability to take initiative, and see my suggestions acted upon. I love the planning aspects for future events. I love the varied nature of it. And I love having an office with a window. Today I did everything from putting postage on envelopes, to filing, to answering phones, to making advertising inquiries, to ordering promotional items, to requesting proposals from a variety of facilities for a conference we're hosting next year. Oh, and I explained how central food is to any Mennonite event to someone who wasn't familiar with this idiosyncrasy.

I also managed to likely ruin the brand new white bohemian blouse I was so excited about on the weekend by getting red ink from the postage machine all over the front of it. Tide to go, spray and wash, and the laundry will tell the story, but it's looking like I'll be purchasing a new, new white bohemian blouse. Ah well, that way if the laundering works, I'll have two, and they'll last a while.

I'm thankful for a day that was filled with less heart-hurting conversations than yesterday. I don't know if I could have taken two days in a row like that right now.

I'm thinking about the difference between choosing to disagree about something while still showing respect versus disagreeing about something and treating the other individual like they are less valuable, or less intelligent if they fail to agree with you.

I walked out of the office to discover that it was raining. Not very much, but just enough that the air smelled clean and fresh. I love the smell of rain.

And with that, I think I'll go check on the progress of my blouse in the laundry, and finish getting ready to head out the door!

Who Said Bras Aren't Practical?

For all of those of you who've always hated the needing to wear a bra thing, apparently they can actually save your life!

Bra Deflects Bullet

Friday Morning I am...

I am...

• constantly amazed at how the oddest things can evoke memories. Scents. Noises. A texture. Any one of those things can throw me immediately back in time, and it always catches me off guard.
• having trouble regulating body heat this week. Practically, this means that I take my magic bags to work with me, and reheat them through the day, keeping myself warm.
• sipping a cup of passion tea.
• glad I made the drive in without anything on the stereo this morning. Just quiet, and a little bit of me praying out loud.
• looking forward to watching last night's episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice on the internet this weekend.
• wearing a very cute pink with red polka dots thermal top that I bought last weekend. I saw it in the store several months ago, when I bought the same top in black and white, and wanted it, but didn't want to buy two. It was on sale for $7 last weekend when I was back in that shop, and I immediately purchased it.
• generally not a fan of pink, but something about this top called my name. And it is quite cosy, which is great for a week where I can't seem to properly heat my body.
• looking forward to a quiet long weekend. A wedding dress fitting with my roommate on Monday, and a family birthday party Monday night, but generally just me and lots of quiet time to rest and read and write and think.
• re-reading Anne Lamott's "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith" and remembering all over again why I fell in love with her writing, and feeling grateful that there are other slightly neurotic and willing to admit it lovers of Jesus out there. Especially ones that write with that sort of humor and grace. Even when I don't agree with all of their politics!
• glad that I live someplace where clean water is readily availalble. I love water.
• glad for a heart that is somewhat more at rest right now.
• learning much about joy, and how closely connected joy and sorrow or suffering really are.
• waiting for the right words to flow to describe some of the deep things the Lord has been speaking to my heart about his promise to shield me.
• continually amazed by how much it helps my mood just to be able to wear jeans to work on Friday's.
• going to do some work tasks I actually really enjoy today.
• going to enjoy my usual Friday evening free of roommates in our house tonight - I love the quiet!
• looking forward to lunch with a co-worker today, and loving the fact that she's buying as an apology for a very funny joke she played on me earlier this week.
• looking at a calendar and realizing that it's Friday the Thirteenth, and remembering the hilarious stories my best friend used to tell about working in the hospital as a nurse on a full moon or a Friday the thirteenth.
• missing my best friend when I remember those sorts of stories, and going to send her an "I'm thinking about you" email, since she's on the other side of the planet at the moment.
• off to start the day.

Amazon Legs...

I bought new pj's tonight.

And when I got them home and put them on, I realized all over again just how short I really am.

I've rolled the pant legs up at least 4 inches, and they're still too long.

Apparently clothing designers think all women have the legs of an amazon.

Sigh.

5 foot 2 doesn't seem that small most of the time.

Wardrobe Issues

I’m having wardrobe issues, and financial issues. The financial issues are exacerbating the mild stress I’m feeling over my wardrobe issues.

It would seem that the weight I inadvertently lost while traveling (astounding given the fact that I ate meals consisting primarily of pasta, bread, meat and chocolate), in combination with the bit of weight I lost due to stress and illness before I left to begin traveling, has rendered all of my dress pants basically unwearable. I can wear one pair with a belt, if I wear a long top over it to hide the bunches of fabric. The other main pair doesn’t even have belt loops, and now sits on my hips in approximately the way a pair of low rise jeans would – which would almost be wearable, except that sitting that much lower has now rendered the pants about two inches two long.

I own many skirts, and thankfully, most of those seem to fit. However, those of you who know what winter is like in Alberta will realize that someone who commutes via walking and public transportation is not able to just wear a skirt. That someone will require tights, and possibly boots to wear with the skirt. I presently own one pair of tights, and one pair of boots. Both in brown. Which is fine, but only matches half of my clothing. So, despite the fact that I have only about $100 to my name (and all but $100 of the paycheque I receive this week will go to bills – travel is wonderful isn’t it??), I am going to be forced to spend $10-15 on a pair of black tights (in order to expand my work wardrobe options), with the logic that it is better to spend $10-15 on tights when money is tight, than $40-60 on a new pair of dress pants.

Ah, well… I suppose clothes being too big is a problem most women would jump at having… I’m certainly not upset about the weight loss, just the financial difficulties of the inability to wear certain key pieces of my wardrobe!

Appearance and Comfort

Can I be completely shallow for a few minutes and tell you that I looked really good today?

That I wore a really cute jean skirt, and one of my favorite slightly bohemian tops, with great earrings and a scarf from Malta. That I paired the skirt with comfy tights (since it's winter) and these really cute suede boots that I also bought in Malta.

That I showered and did my hair. That I wore my favorite perfume, and took time to carefully do my makeup.

That I felt pretty, and it was nice to feel that way.

Can I also just say that I am just presently taking great pleasure in the fact that I've come home for the evening, scrubbed my face clean of the make-up, re-applied some lip balm (my lips are dry since returning from the Mediterranean), and changed clothes. I'm comfortable and happy. I'm wearing my favorite yoga capris, and a flowy east indian top that someone gave my roommate, and she was wearing yesterday to clean our house. I commented on the top, and she asked if I wanted it, since she didn't particularly like it, and would never wear it out of the house. I jumped on the chance, and am already figuring out how to debut it in my everyday wardrobe, but, for the moment, I'm wearing it with yoga capris and relaxing comfortably on the couch.

Pretty is great. But comfortable is pretty good too.

The Belt

Lately I'm all about embracing the little things.

The changes, the items, the things that underscore for me personally what I see the Lord doing in my life, or the places where I see myself moving towards the lifestyle I dream about.

Today, the little thing is a belt.

I bought a fantastic belt yesterday. I was shopping for my mom's Christmas present, but found something great for me as well.

It's a coppery brown leather, printed with funky cream colored daisies. Some of the daisies have rhinestone centres, and the rest have these cool silver studs.

It's my hippie, embracing the feminine, fun parts of me belt, and I love it!

Compliments?

I was thinking yesterday about giving and receiving compliments.

I wore my hair in a different way than usual to work, by virtue of the fact that I overslept in the morning, and woke to curly hair going in every direction. With some quick work, I twisted it and piled it on top of my head in a fashion that looked cute (to me, in my bleary eyed early morning state, staring blankly at the mirror!) and seemed to show off the various red and blond shades that I paid a great deal of money to have added to my natural colors over a three hour time slot last weekend.

Apparently, however, the new style paid off, and I received a number of compliments on the style, and on my choice of clothing (also quick and utilitarian - designed around the fact that I had known I would be spending a large chunk of yesterday afternoon re-potting the office plants, and mucking around in the dirt).

However, there was one coworker (whom I generally find rather difficult to respect) who may have been trying (on two different occasions) to pay a genuine compliment, but came off as basically telling me that I should dress and wear my hair in this manner more regularly, because this looked "pretty" and the other ways and clothes do not.

The whole situation reminded me of the need to frame words carefully - to pay attention to even things like the tone with which they are delivered. I'm not sure this coworker in any way intended to be rude and critical (though he does have a general tendency to be tempermental and concerned about everything but his own job), but he came off this way none-the-less.

Pants!

Okay, so this may be the least profound post ever, but I just wanted to let you all know that I bought a pair of pants last night. This may seem very ordinary, but I seem to be in between sizes at the moment, and have been having great difficulty locating a pair of pants that fits properly (and I rather desperately needed pants - can't keep wearing the same two pairs in rotation to work for weeks on end!).

Now all I have to do is shorten them by six inches or so (blast the fact that girls pants don't come in lengths like guys do), and then I'll be happily wearing them around town!