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WIWW – Dork Dressing 101

22 Feb

Every single Wednesday morning, I sit at my kitchen island, a cup of coffee in hand, and I stalk bloggers to see what they wore all week.  I don’t know why I get so enraptured in people’s wardrobes, but it’s fun.  It’s like going through your roommate’s closet and trying on her clothes, only my roommate wears a lot of black and denim and it bores me to death.

Sorry love.  Black and denim look good on you, except when accented with camouflage, but I understand your need to blend into the foliage at a moment’s notice.  It’s a guy thing.  It’s why I enjoy What I Wore Wednesday, the meme I love from a distance.

Oh, I’ve shown you a few outfits, and as I recall, I bored you all to death really wowed the crowds.  I just cannot photograph my outfit every single day.  I mean, you’d get tired of seeing my pink fluffy bathrobe.

That was a joke.

I do change out of my robe and into normal clothes on most days.  Now you don’t believe me though.  I know.  I did this to myself.

So to prove that I get dressed, and because I have nothing else to blog about today, I submit to you a photo titled Dork Dressing – How to Look Like Your Home Decor.

My daughter snapped this picture and then quickly pointed out that I match our couch pillow exactly.

Sadly, she’s right.  Maybe I should go get my fluffy pink robe.

What about you?  Will you admit to stalking WIWW?  Or are you normal? As in, you don’t care what other people wore this Wednesday.

Oh, and I am supposed to tell you where my clothes came from.  Let’s see…

Jeans – Kohl’s, Long-sleeved t-shirt – Gap, Sweater – Express (I think…maybe Limited), Bracelet – Francesca’s, Boots & necklace – Target, Socks…naaah, you don’t care about those. ;-)

For other girls and their clothes, visit WIWW here.

The Thrill of The Find

20 Feb

I considered taking a week off from blogging, because winter only provides so much blogging fodder.  It’s not that it’s boring (because of my children, I’ve banned boring from our vocabulary), it just gets a little dull.  There are only so many times I can say, it snowed today, while I sat in front of the woodstove and constantly fed it logs.

via Pinterest, from Goodstuff

It gets dull.

I could tell you that my son had the stomach virus for 3 days last week, or that my daughter spent all of Sunday violently vomiting, or that I’ve taken to hanging a Clorox wipe from my belt loop and swiping everything/everyone within arm’s reach.

I just don’t want to relive those moments in detail.  And I suspect, neither do you.

I planned on mentioning that we escaped the sick house for a few hours on Saturday night and went to the mall.  It was cold, snowing like mad, and it was the only place we could let my newly healed son get some of his bugs out.  When a twelve year-old spends three days in the house, he has bugs he needs to free.  Before the snow came, he and his friend went on a cold bike ride, but that wasn’t enough.

You know times were desperate, because FringeMan suggested walking around the mall.  He’s allergic to malls.  More specifically, he’s allergic to my spending money in malls.

I was going to show you my two great deals of the day, but then I thought this old blog was experiencing too long a shallow slump, so I scrapped the idea.  Until I read this post.  Finally, I found validation for my red clearance sticker.

I snagged the most adorable pair of pink patent shoes for my daughter.  They will look delightful this spring.

I’m really digging the orange strap.  For $7.48, they were a must buy.  My children go through an awful lot of shoes, especially considering they only have two feet each.  It’s like wild monkeys chew on their shoes all day.  That’s what it looks and smells like.

Then I was browsing through the clearance rack in the Gap, and I spotted this t-shirt.

I thought it as a good deal at $5 dollars and change, but it rang up at $2 dollars and change.

I know it’s a teensy-bit neon, but I figured I could exercise in it.

Ha!

I know.

It just sounded really noble in the moment.

Do you shop between seasons?

Buy last year’s almost outdated goods at a fraction of the price?

Share your recent find in the comments.

And if you forgot to suggest something ridiculous for me to try, go HERE.

Try Something New

19 Feb

Via Pinterest by weheartit.com

I’ve been commissioned to try something new and then write an article about my experience with this new thing.

Easy, right?

Well, not so much.

It’s the “new thing” that can get tricky.

via Pinterest by quickmeme.com

I have an idea.  I’ve even started work on it, but I thought I should broaden my horizons.  Just in case.  You know?  I’d hate for my “one thing” to turn into a total flop.  Then all I’ll have to write about is a one-flop failure.  No fun!

So here’s where you come in.

I’m asking you nicely.

Please suggest something “new” for me to learn to do.

If your suggestion makes the cut, I will…I’m not sure yet, but you can at least know you’ve saved a girl from failure.  That’s enough reward, isn’t it?

I love you guys.  Be kind with your suggestions.

Fashion isn’t Nuclear Fission, or Is It?

17 Feb

So many in blogland participate in Fashion Friday, but I generally refrain.  Me giving you my opinions on fashion is a little like me weighing in on nuclear fission.  I’m just out of my league.

I’m no expert when it comes to “What to Wear;”  however, I do generally know what I like, and I have fun shopping.  I just don’t shop as often as I would like, but this weekend was an exception.  It was my birthday.

I know you’re all tired of me bringing up the birthday thing, but I promise today is the last time I’ll mention it until next February.  For my birthday I went on a crazy shopping spree.  I bought this bag, these shoes, and a dress.

The dress called to me when I was in H&M looking for a telephone.  I won’t embarrass myself further by retelling the story.  Today is all about the dress.

Here is the dress, only mine is greige (gray/beige combo).

Since I’m a good six inches shorter than the shortest super-model, the dress is longer on me.  It hits somewhere within an inch of my knee.

I like this dress because it is cotton, super-comfy, and it has pockets.  It’s a win-win in my spring/summer fashion book.  Here’s my question – Since the skirt is so flowy and full (much more than in this photo), and since it’s super windy where I live, can I wear legging underneath?

I’ve never tried this look before, but I think it might work.  Picture black leggings and cute shoes, maybe a cardigan.  Would that be too 2010?  Am I crossing style boundaries?

I told you, it’s like nuclear fission.

On the shoe front, these little lovelies should be delivered tomorrow.  I cannot wait.

Seychelles Asterisk Tan/Red

I really like the Seychelles brand.  (No they’re not paying me to say that.)  They have some very trendy, almost retro, styles.  The best part is that they have a blog…Seychelles Mise En Scène.  So fun.

So that’s my shopping spree.  Pretty good, huh?

Till next year…

Be sure to weigh in on the legging issue.  I need honest opinions before I go spend twenty-bucks on a pair of leggings.

Have you ever attempted the Legging + Dress look?  How did it work for you?

I thank each one of you fashion-lovely people.  Have a great weekend!

A Reason for my Sanity

14 Feb

Sanity is a touchy subject.  Some of us think we’re sane, but really we’re tip-toeing on the balance-beam of crazy.  You know?

Photo via Facebook

If any of you ever visit the old blog and don’t picture me with a thousand tiny marbles rolling all helter-skelter in my head, it’s because I have a fabulous family.

I mean it.

I am so blessed.

I don’t just feel love on Valentine’s Day, although that’s nice, I get to enjoy their love every single day.

Why just this week…

FringeBoy had two small bags of m&m’s and hand-made birthday card waiting for me at the breakfast table.

FringeKid made me one of her famous queen cards.

FringeMan came home for lunch and took me out to Subway – Eat Fresh & Love Your Wife – should be their new slogan.

FringeKid bought her brother a book from the school book fair.  With her own money.

FringeMan chopped me a bunch of wood and did not complain about how often I feed the stove.

FringeBoy looked for and found my lost cell phone.

This Valentine’s Day, I’m thinking about all the people who make my life wonderful.  It doesn’t matter if you’re married, single, widowed, divorced, or too young/old to care, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day.  I know there’s someone who could use an extra-special I Love You from you.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

XOXOXO

P.S.  If you need a laugh, my son said THIS last Valentine’s Day.

My Idea of a Super Bowl

5 Feb

Superbowl

The question on everyone’s mind -

GIANTS

or

patriots

I think you know where the FringeFamily stands in this bowl.

It Holds the Power to Change a Woman’s Life

4 Feb

SHOES

What?  Did you think I was talking about chocolate again?

Shoes hold the power to change a woman’s life.  It’s true.

I present:

Dorothy

and…

Cinderella

I’m sure we can add a few more women to that list, but I refrain from name-dropping whenever possible.

For my birthday, coming up in just eight days, I decided to buy myself a pair of shoes.  Apparently shoe shopping while in the throes of winter is becoming a habit.  I bought these last year.

I blame it on the lack of sunlight, SAD, and whatever the newest disorder is; however, I figure a pair of shoes is cheaper than both a tropical vacation and five sessions with a shrink.  Besides, it’s my birthday!

That’s reason enough to buy a pair of shoes.

I need a little help though.  Let’s pretend we’re all shoe-shopping together.  Wouldn’t that be fun?

I’ll show you some options and you tell me how wonderful they all are.

Kidding.

I do like honesty, and I realize my propensity for poor taste in everything from bedding to bangles.  I can be slightly tacky at times.  My husband says I have a bit of Mini Pearl in me, but I disagree.

I would never wear tags on my clothes.

Back to my birthday gift…

Let’s begin with The Wedge.  An entire post can be done on the wedge, and I think we have Spain to thank.  They showcased the Espedrille and now there are variations of all kinds, colors, and spots.

Nine West Blue Espadrille

Pink Polka-Dot by C Label

Red Nautical Stripe - Runway by KMart

I don’t want to buy wedges though, because with the help of a little hot glue, last year’s flower wedges will walk another mile or ten.

The next category is The Shiny Red Heel.

Maybe I have a bit of Dorothy syndrome going on, but I’ve longed for a pair of shiny red shoes for as long as I can remember.  Ok, I remember when the infatuation began.  It was in a Panera Bread and this woman’s patent leather red spiky heel dangled right in front of my eyes.

I thought, “I’m in lust.”

Then I thought, “Thou shalt not covet.”

Then I thought, “I’m really in love.”

I’ve never been able to shake the desire for a pair of these sexy and slightly powerful shoes.

Calvin Klein Carley

Because I live in a land where feet wear sneakers and snowboots, these would be terribly impractical; however, I’m getting old.  Who wants practical when you can own a pair of these.

Or these.

Gabriella Rocha Dancy

Aren’t they gorgeous?

Now you know why I am enamored.

It’s just that I have no place to wear a pair of these.  A night out at McDonald’s with the family usually doesn’t warrant red shiny heels; however, they are a dream I must fulfill.

I think I’ll put them on my bucket list.  I don’t have a bucket list, but I’ll make one for these shoes.

This is my honorary mention for Neutrals category.  I love these shoes, but I’m not buying a neutral.  I would if I had twenty pairs of shoes, but since I don’t, I need something a little happier.

Rockport Audrey Cross Strap

RSVP Akela

Winter Shoes I love.

Poetic Licence London Calling

Nine West Brown/Yellow

I really do love both of these shoes.  They aren’t totally impractical either.  They actually look like I can walk in them, and they go well with jeans.

Maybe cuffed jeans like this?

The top runner in my shoe selection…

Seychellis Asterisk Tan/Red

I like the colors, the style, and especially the heal.  I think the whole shoe is cute and since I can only pick one shoe, I’m leaning towards this one.

What do you think?

Should I reconsider?

Do you have a pair of favorite shoes?  Tell us about them.

Or

Are you secretly lusting for a certain pair of killer shoes that can potentially change your life? Do share in the comments.

P.S. If you click on the photo of any shoe, it will link you to Pinterest and then you can get to the actual shoe seller.

American Print Media Obsessed

26 Jan

I have no right to be a critic.  I am under skilled and over (or is that overly?) opinionated; however, my love for print media sometimes leaves me longing.

America obsesses with cutting fat and self-help.  Don’t worry ladies, I’m not even hinting at cutting out chocolate and potato chips.  I’m talking about fat in writing.

I’ve sat through all the college classes that taught me to cut unnecessary words (obviously I pay no mind to those rules) and eliminate ‘fat’ from our articles.  Heaven forbid our story is a size 14 instead of a size 4.

Most editors would die of fright if they were assigned my blog or yours.  They like neat little concise gifts of journalism in 500 words or less.

We’re losing something.  As we cut fat, slivers of meat follow.  Suddenly our writing is skin and bones, absolutely boring to look at and tiring to read.

Magazines are filled with countless self-help articles.

How My Woodstove Ruined My Nails in 300 Words

Help Johnny Overcome His Fear of The Toilet in 5 Flushes

10 Ways to Say I Love You, but I Hate Your Dog

Be Bikini Ready in Time for Your Grave

Don’t even tell me you only read Christian literature, because it’s just as bad.

Knowing God’s Will in Ninety Days

7 Ways to Raise Kids Who Will Attend Church

12 Envelopes to Financial Freedom

How To Masquerade as a Proverbs 31 Woman in 31 Days

We’re obsessed with these heartless, but neatly wrapped articles that help us do everything from birth a baby in a bathtub to walk the streets of gold in stilettos.

Is anyone else tired of reading this gibberish?

Maybe it’s just me.  I kind of long for the days when slighty wordy short stories, written by aspiring writers, appeared in monthly magazines.  I’d like for people to stop fixing me and start entertaining me with words, or challenging my depth of knowledge without planning my next 10, 30, or 90 days.

I honestly do not think most magazines are worth the $4.95 we are asked to pay for them.

Don’t even get me started on newspapers!

I’m always amazed when I read an article, glom all kinds of superficial facts and have no idea what is really going on or why the article was written in the first place.

Most of our print news media is self-help or tabloid, and I include CNN in that tabloid lot.  Take a gander at the headlines.

Come to think of it, I should have written this article in the format of -

8 Ways The Media Failed Me and My Fat

Alas, my rant is over in less than 500 words.  My editor will be pleased.

Thoughts and comments welcome, as long as they are in 3 Easy Steps or Less. ;-)

2011 in Review: Something from Every Category

1 Jan

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a smashing New Year’s Eve.  The FringeFamily rocked a mega-long Lego game and watched the ball drop online, because we currently don’t have cable and we don’t get a lick of reception at our house.  We did give reception our best shot though.  Just ask FringeMan.  Three hours, two digital antennas, and several bad word thoughts later, we still had no reception.

It’s all good though, because I killed more 1/2 inch block zombies than anyone else.  You should have seen the dead men totum poles I made.  I mounted them onto the monster bridge that connected two of the Lego paths to nowhere.  It was kind of like a tribute to the London Bridge, but with full bodies, not just heads.

Now if that isn’t a smashing New Year’s Eve, I don’t know what is.

Since it’s 2012 and I’m not ready to talk about resolutions (because at midnight last night I told FringeMan my resolution is to try the taco shop I see advertised all over, and that’s not really a good resolution), I’m opting for a year in review.  Don’t worry, I won’t go month-by-neverending-long-month like last year.  I’ll simply highlight one or two posts for each category.

Food

The Most Amazing Recipe – aka Focaccia Bread

This recipe is not only super-easy, but it will make you look like you actually know how to cook.  It’s all smoke and mirrors and onions and garlic.

Mrs. Claus’s Black-Eyed Peas

In places like Louisiana they are eaten on New Year’s Day, because tradition has it that they bring good luck for the new year.  Who needs good luck if you have victory in Jesus?  But, I like the tradition and I have a crock-pot full of black-eyed peas cooking today.

Family

In March I learned when the telephone rings, the world is a good and happy place – wrongs are righted, arguments cease, and tears dry.

I also learned a few other amusing lessons from my mama, namely never threaten your children, even in jest, because the proof will always come back to haunt you.

This year one of my dreams also came true.

Yes, I tied my son to a pole, but it’s all good with social services.  I promise.

Life

Date Night on The Fringe

My daughter helped me get ready for this big date by insulting me repeatedly.  Ok, maybe she had cause, but she’s one to talk!

This one of her tamer outfits.  After all, she doesn’t even have a stuffed animal on her head.

We were Attacked by a Nutter-Butter Eating vampire mouse.

And although I may have said that My Husband Didn’t Marry an Ax Murderer, maybe he should have.

The start of last year brought on a vicious mouse attack, but we survived.

Guest Bloggers

The Domestic Fringe had some pretty awesome guest bloggers in 2011.  I’ll just list a few stars (and they were all stars, believe me!) – Jeannie Oliver, Flower Patch Farmgirl, Meg from Whatever, and Emily from Remodeling This Life.

You really must browse through my guest blogger category.  There are great recipes (from people who know how to cook), fashion advice, stories about chicken voodoo, and so much more.

After a teaser that includes chicken voodoo, I know you’re all clicking the link as quickly as your finger will allow.

NOT!

Homeschooling

My son and I had a conversation Where I Ended Up In Jail.

And I threw in the towel on homeschooling.  Yes, my kids are back in public school and we are all amazingly happy with that decision.

Passions

In 2011, I began making, bottling, and selling Fringe Vanilla, the extract that will change your life.

There was my $10 lamp makeover.

It’s the only thing I’ve ever had “pinned” to Pinterest and so, I’m pretty proud.

We also gave FringeKid’s room a little facelift.

It was so much fun to do.  I love changing things up!

Faith

I wondered if our children see Love in The Church.

I had a meeting with An Angelic Serial Killer.

I also made A Plea to The Church.  I had more personal emails from this one post than I had from any of the other of the almost 800 posts I’ve written.

———————————————

So that’s a quick review of 2011.  I hope this New Year is filled with blessings, hope, health, and love.  Happy New Year friends!

Somewhere Between Bah-Humbug and Fluorescent Merry & Bright

13 Dec

I think I’m pretty low-key when it comes to holidays.  I don’t give thousands of dollars to my power company to keep my Christmas lights running.  I don’t bake forty-two pounds of cookies that get thrown into the garbage two weeks after Christmas, and I don’t have twenty-two credit cards that will take me until July to pay off.  I’m not Bah-Humbug, but I’m not exactly fluorescent Merry & Bright.

I do throw up some lights.

I do bake some cookies.

I do buy Christmas gifts.

I just don’t let these things run my life and ruin my December.

BUT, I kinda like the people who do.

I mean, really, who doesn’t like to stand in front of the house that has two point three million colored bulbs on it?  I love it!  I’m a kid that way.  I’ll clap for the poor soul who let his wife talk him into carrying Santa, a sleigh, and eight (are there eight?) reindeer three stories up to the roof.  Hats off to the woman who inflates her snow family up every single morning after the cold caused Frosty and his plastic children to collapse.  And I absolutely love the tacky Christmas sweater clad old woman who makes her body weight in cookies every year.

(of course these people are all fictional – no offense anyone)

It’s Christmas.  Let’s celebrate!

I’m just too lazy to spend two weeks baking.

I am making The Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls, some sugar cookies, and snickerdoodles.  I might make some other kind of cookie.  We’ll have to see what I let the kids talk me into baking.  I really loved THESE cookies, but if I make them, I may as well go out and buy a pair of jeans with an elastic waist.

And thumbprint cookies make the sugar-plums dance in my head.

Ok, so maybe I will spend two weeks baking.  Just don’t let me buy elastic waist pants.  Deal?

What about you?  What are you cooking up this Christmas?

Are you the house that lights up the neighborhood, or do the neighborhood kids whisper “Grinch” behind your back.

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