Showing posts with label cozy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cozy. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 19

Excess

More than ever before, I have noticed that I have a lot of clothes. Like, a lot. Enough that I'm sure I could wear a different shirt every day for a year without duplicating. I've never counted, but I'm fairly certain that is a true statement. 

Let me just make one thing clear. I am not fashionable. I don't really try to be. I dress for comfort and if I happen to look stylish I can pretty much guarantee it's an accident or someone else picked out the outfit. I think being fashionable is fine of course, but in all honesty it ranks very, very low in my priorities as well as on my list of important traits. Like somewhere between having matching socks and choosing a brand of shampoo. For me, clothes are just something I wear because one, it's the law (at least where I live...) and two, I hate being cold. But if you peek into my house at any given hour of the day (which I strongly advise against doing), there is a high probability I'm in pajamas, a long shirt, or more likely, just underwear because of breastfeeding and laziness and it's my house and I prefer being comfortable. 

Fashion can require a tremendous effort--especially if comfort is as much a priority--and the only times I make a real effort to dress to impress is when I know I am getting my picture taken (family photos, for example), I am going on a date with Dalin (let's be clear, that doesn't mean "fancy" just stylish-ish), or when I am going to church or the temple (because those are important places and deserve a little extra effort). 

But anyway, let's take a little look into my wardrobe so you can see what I mean about having plenty (also, I'm showing off how organized it is because I just reorganized today). 
These are my shirts. My long-sleeve shirts. Just my long-sleeve shirts. Do I need more? Nah, I think I'm good. I even have a few in the dirty laundry and added a few more to this drawer after I took this pic. If we're analyzing my color choices, it would seem that I have an excess of blue and gray. Mostly gray. When I looked that up to see what it might mean, I learned that gray became fashionable in the 18th century (so, at least I would have been considered fashionable then...). Gray also is the color (or lack thereof) of conformity, boredom, reflection and uncertainty, secrecy, old age, and poverty. Hmm. Well those adjectives all really suck and pretty much are the opposite of me since I'm supposed to be red or yellow personality-wise, but it's okay because in my heart I know I wear gray because it makes my blue eyes kind of pop. I don't think I'm boring (correct me if I'm wrong though). 

Anyhow, that was a tangent. So let's move on to part two of our tour: my t-shirts. 
I think I'm good there, too. By the way, these are only my "nice" t-shirts. My fun shirts (like the ones you get as souvenirs from colleges and vacations and such) are mixed with Dalin's in another location. 
Now if we're analyzing my short-sleeved shirts, it's apparent that I own a lot of white....which is peculiar because I do not wear white all that much. I like white just fine, but I'm a professional at ruining white shirts so I only wear it when I'm feeling dangerous. Or when I think I'm probably not going near food or drinks or spit up that day (so never). I do like white though, I just don't get around to wearing it that much. I'll work on that. 

Part three of our tour is button-up sweaters, shawls, shrugs, that kind of thing.
Again, what's with all the gray and white. Not sure, but I have a sufficient amount of sweaters, wouldn't you say? I love these sweaters but I don't wear them nearly as much anymore. Time to fix that, too. 

And last (for now), button-up shirts.
As is obvious, I have a respectable amount. The only trouble is, I NEVER wear these. I don't like button-up shirts much at all. Much like polos. Reasons: The collars and the buttons. I do not like how I look in them and I just do not care for them in general. My mom does, which is why I have these in the first place. The only button-up shirt I wear regularly is my chambray shirt, ironically not pictured here because it's in the dirty laundry bin since I wore it recently. But yeah, button-up shirts--not a terrific thing to buy me if you hope to see me in it.

One thing I noticed about my shirts (besides that I have every color imaginable) is that very few of them have logos or patterns. I pretty much just have a ton of plain, one-colored shirts. Kind of lame, but I'm over it. I also noticed, or rather, felt justified in my attempt to not buy clothes for a year. So far so good and I must say, I have not regretted it yet. Even when I've seen something cute and been tempted, I've realized later (when I've completely forgotten the item) that I obviously survived without it and I'll continue to survive. And I've saved a significant amount of money, too, so that's been wonderful of course!

In summary, I'm doing fine in the shirt department. So unless you (I'm talking to you, Mom and family mostly) find a really, really cute shirt that is not a button-up, not a button-up sweater, is not gray or white, and is easy to nurse in, I would probably reconsider. The only things I actually need (meaning want because I definitely don't "need" anything at all) are dresses. A girl can never have too many dresses. Especially a Mormon girl because thanks to church, they'll get plenty of use out of them. Just remember that nursing friendly dresses are a huge plus since I'll probably be breastfeeding on and off for the next ten years while we are growing our little family. Something to think about...

By the way, as I reorganized, I filled a large bag with shirts and sweaters and stuff to give away. And I still have way more than I need. I'll have to go through again in 3 or 6 months. Now just wait until I show you my skirts, pants, and pajamas (that is, if I get around to it)...I have plenty of those as well. Again, dresses or maternity clothes (for later) are what I'm into. Or stuff for a nine-month old (and up) girl because Tenley has loads of outfits for 6 months and down. And my baby is already six months! Yikes, time sure flies. 

What color or shirt-style does your wardrobe mainly consist of?
Is fashion important to you? Why or why not?
Would you rather be comfortable or stylish?
Do you get dressed right when you get up or, like me, are you in pajamas or less most of the day?

Tuesday, November 13

Day 13: A Warm Home

Old picture of the living room. I'd show a more recent one but...it's a disaster
 I am grateful for a warm apartment and our friendly neighbors.

I am thankful that we can afford to live so close to BYU campus, and for the ward we are in. The BYU Married 4th Ward is terrific. We have so many great couples who are always willing to serve one another. If nothing else, being with such a great ward gives me hope for the future of the Church. It is amazing how quick everyone is to fill a need for someone else. 

Thank you for wonderful neighbors and ward friends. I am so blessed to be so close to so many saints.
Add caption
Ward friends (last year). Now the couple on the left have a baby girl :) and the couple in the middle has moved away :(

Monday, November 12

Day 12: Christmas Music

I am grateful for Christmas and Holiday music. 

Yes, I am kind of crazy and like to listen to it year round, but that is just because it makes me so happy! It always puts me in a good mood. My favorite holiday songs are the classics by Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Gene Autry, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, etc. They just have the classiest voices. I wish all music was still like that...

When I listen to Christmas music, I feel warm and cozy. I imagine my home at Christmas and feel so much joy. I love when we have a cheerful fire burning and our fresh-smelling Christmas tree lit, and our stockings on the mantle, with lots of cute elfish decorations scattered around the house. I love getting Christmas cards with family pictures to hang. I always look forward to watching holiday specials on the Hallmark channel--as corny as they often are. I like that hymns and carols can be heard almost constantly. I love the smells of Christmas--pine, oranges, cinnamon, wrapping paper, wood, and balsam fir all mixed together. I love setting up the creche and imagining how the characters in the nativity would have looked and felt upon seeing their newborn Savior. 

Christmas music reminds me of all these things and more. So next time you hear some cheerful holiday music, try to remember what it represents and the emotions and memories associated with it. You might just realize that you love what it represents, too.

Thank you for Christmas music!!!!

Here is a link to a terrific holiday playlist!

Here is a link to MoTab Christmas carols and hymns!