Christmas

Last night we went to the airport and picked up our favorite overnight guests, my sister and her hubs Adam. Today is one of our Christmas days since Brian's side of the family will be coming over for dinner, dessert, games, and presents. Even though Brian had to go into work today, it is kinda feeling like Christmas Day. Henry was up a couple times throughout the night and we were up together by 7:45, which is unlike any other Christmas in the last 10 years, which would have included sleeping in as long as possible.

So I put Henry in his warm fuzzy pants, bear slippers, made some coffee and took some pictures.

I got our wreath for $2 at Salvation Army

We love our little tree. It was a hand-me-down from Brian's brother. I made the garland with some yarn using finger knitting from this blog.

I put these Fair Trade garlands from India up and Brian said it looked "taste specific", haha. But that he liked them. The Christmas cards in the back are just hung with more yarn and clothing pins.

Some coffee that Tina and Adam brought back from Costa Rica for us.

Yum!

They had a very very long day of travel yesterday from Costa Rica, Atlanta, Detroit, then to Peoria. Which means they are still asleep. So for me, first shower, then baking an Apple Galette and getting things together to make a Warm Cherry Almond Cake just after we eat dinner. Neither of which I have ever made so hopefully at least one of them comes out alright.

Merry Christmas!

I.M.

Bathtime

How lucky am I? Very.

Winter

Winter in Illinois is very difficult for me. Especially once Christmas and New Year's Day has come and gone. I feel like there is no longer any reason for the cold and I just spend my days looking forward to spring. This morning as I was looking out my kitchen window and the newly fallen snow I was trying to think of ways that I can keep myself from feeling down and blue this winter. Here is what I have come up with:

• Make sure I keep myself busy. For me this includes keeping on top of housework. I hate how domestic this sounds, but I always feel better if everything is clean.
• Start with one goal and then move from there. If I wake up and think of all the things I should do that day, I end up in my PJ's watching talk shows all day.
• Don't turn on the TV. I used to watch The Today Show every morning when I was pregnant and when Henry was first born. But that leads me to more TV watching. Then I've wasted the day watching TV and I feel even worse.
• Light candles. Play music.
• Create.
• And remember that I am so lucky to be able to stay on with my little man all day and that there are so many people out there who would love to quit their job and stay home with their kids. Or work at home like I am able to do.

Any more you can think of?

I.M.

Indie Year 12.19

Bottom Layer Shirt: Have had since 2008
Top Layer Shirt: Mata Traders/Dignity Regained
Jeans: Had since 2008 (recognize them from yesterday?)
Shoes: Toms*
Hair Clip: Say Ohh/Dignity Regained
(paired with a hair band my mom put in my stocking one year)

*These are the shoes I would have worn today had it not snowed last night. I wore them in the morning but had to put on my fake Uggs to go to the post office/inlaws/grocery store.

Do you dig my whale eye impersonation?

Disclaimer

Indie Year 12.18

Long Sleeve Shirt: Alternative Apparel

Cami: Had since forever

Jeans: Had since 2008

Earrings: Dignity Regained

Disclaimer

Indie Year

Back to Illinois from California and back to reality. Which hit when Henry and I stepped off the plane into 8 degrees plus wind. Burr..

But when we got home and walked in the door we found everything clean and already decorated for Christmas thanks to Brian. I had a full tank of gas and some yummy treats in the fridge. What a nice husband I have. Especially since I then tore it all apart the next day preparing for a couple events that Dignity Regained was having.

A new regular post I've been thinking about for this blog has to do with incorporating responsible consumerism into your everyday wardrobe, not just a trinket on your shelve. I consider responsible consumerism to include: Fair Trade, recycled, second hand, organic, antique (which would be second hand as well, maybe even third and fourth hand,) and something that you bought a long time ago and still wear which keeps disposable fashion at bay.

Since I've been adding some of these pieces here and there to my wardrobe, I thought I would catalog some of it on my blog. I'll try to keep this up throughout 2010.

So here is today's. Sorry to start you off when it's laundry day. Hopefully I get better at taking timed pictures as well during this process.

Bottom Layer Shirt: Second Hand: Plato's Closet

Top Layer Shirt: Alternative Apparel

Jeans: Have had since 2004

Leggings underneath: Alternative Apparel

Disclaimer

Indie Year Disclaimer

Disclaimer

I do not claim to be any type of fashionista. I'm a work at home mom who doesn't require any business casual clothing for my daily attire. I realize every situation is different, I'm just explaining my closet and how I shop.

These posts are also not meant to make anyone feel bad. I am not in any way saying "look at me, I buy Fair Trade and you buy sweatshop". I just want to let people know that you can easily although sometimes slowly support a more responsible way of spending.

Thanks!