Quick Takes #208

1. 1. The Birthdays were fun and tasty; carrot cake cupcakes for his and cheesecake for mine. Two actually due to a communication miss!!
   2. The Penn Newman Center released a video which brought back so many memories and made me so proud to have been a part of this wonderful place both as a student and now an alumni.
   3. The sun decided to shine and we seize the moment with walks and bike rides; allowing me to try out the bike trailer I received for my birthday!
   4. Really appreciated this post from Anne the Modern Mrs Darcy. As I switch out clothes for the change of seasons I'm trying to purge and learning more about what works for me is always helpful.
   5. Having heard that this was Grey's last season (not true by the way) after not watching for awhile have started up again and overall liked the finale ~ aside from my usual rant that it seems like TV shows can never just let a woman give birth!!
   6. Crowd sourcing: I'm not a good water drinker and aside from just getting over it and drinking the water ~ what are your best tips for getting in your water consumption?
   7. Have a wonderful weekend!!
   
   Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's
   
   
   

Quick Takes #159: the many link edition

1. Wishing everyone headed to Edel this weekend safe travel and a wonderful time. Truly wants this conference to be a fabulous success ~ in small part so that there will be another that perhaps I get  to go to.
2. Please head over to Lisa Jo's for a big announcement re: 5 minute friday
3. Another excellent post by Laura about pulling together a stylish summer uniform.
4. Moving has had the interesting effect of having me rediscovering some summer stuff I haven't seen in years and a few of my planned core pieces have yet to resurface 3 weeks in. 
5. As NFP Awareness Week wraps up here are a couple of my favorite posts by Kendra and Rosie
6. Free one
7. This week's link-up hosted by Carolyn Svellerella ~ please head on over.

Have a good weekend!

My mom uniform made a bit better.

   It is an often-repeated adage that you should not only dress for the job you have, but also the one you want; at the moment they are one and the same ~ I want to be a stay at home mom and live out that vocation in such a way that reflects to my daughters and the world around me the pride and enjoyment I have in using my charism for caring primarily to care for my family.  (I teach part-time at a local university one semester a year.)  And how I dress helps with that.

Head over to This Felicitous Life for the rest of my guest post.

No Pony November: Wrap-up!

With just a few hours left in the month and feeling confident that I will survive the day without a pony tail; I thought I would share a few thoughts.

Firstly ~ my thanks to Elizabeth for sponsoring this challenge, it was a funny way to remember and make an effort with myself and my appearance.

Overall no major new styles, having discovered I'm just not coordinated enough for the multiple bobby pin up-styles especially in the time I normally have before little ones are pulling at my hands.  But did pick-up a couple new fabric headbands which will hopefully make a more regular appearance.   This challenge was also a great incentive to get back in the habit of braiding my hair, which only really only takes a minute or two longer than the traditional pony tail.

So while the simple pony tail will likely make its appearance again, hopefully far less often.
My thanks again to Elizabeth of That Married Couple.

So how did your month go?

Quick takes 95: Style edition

1. Having enjoyed the wonderful posts on personal style by Elizabeth of That Married Couple and Lauren of Magnify the Lord ~ and being a happy follower of Betty Beguiles for many months ~ I thought it was time I took a look at my closet.
2. Given that in the past four years there has been pregnancies, nursing time, and the loss of about thirty pounds this inventory is long overdue ~ and so inspired by those who have inspired me (like my logic) I promise to get rid of what does not fit or does not flatter.  As 'me time' is limited this will  most likely take a couple of weeks but I figured the change of seasons will help as I will be looking at much of what I own in the semi-annual wardrobe shift.
3. Also given that 'me time' is elusive there is not a lot of time in the morning for outfit selection so paring down and building a closet of pieces that work for me and work together really appeals ~ and while definitely still an evolving concept I have, thanks to my reading, a sense of the image as full-time mom, part-time nursing instructor, and all the time me; I want to convey to the world. 
4. Footwear: I have of late definitely settled into a uniform of ease and functionality as a mom with a nursling and an active toddler but one area where I've enjoyed having some fun is footwear. I had great luck this summer finding a couple pairs of cute flats ~ and am now hoping to replicate that same style boost from two new pairs of boots ~ one from the lovely Sarah of Fumbling toward Grace, and one I picked up this week.

5. Skirts: One day earlier this summer I suggested a dress to Lisbeth and she declined pointing out that  we were not going to church ~ and I explained that we could wear skirts and dresses even on non-church days, but also know that if I wanted her to really believe me I would have to model that ~ and besides I love skirts and have picked up a couple heavier weight ones for autumn and winter.




6. Reality: I'm terrible at purging and most days you will most likely find me in jeans and my black clogs (and maybe even a hoodie) but I am so excited and inspired about all that I'm learning about developing a personal style

7. Yup that's me ~ a mom with a bit of style!









Please visit Conversion Diary to enjoy the rest of this weeks Quick Takes

Quick Takes #83

1 Congratulations to Jen and her husband on the birth of their new daughter!

2. Discreet nursing is made difficult when your nursling wants to play peek-a-boo with the cover.

3. Style icon: I have been thinking about this idea since reading about the concept on our host site and here ~ perhaps Mary Tyler Moore as Laura Petrie ~ nice tops, capri and cute shoes.

4. However given that I am living outside of Philadelphia, raising kids ~ and am of that uncertain age ~ perhaps Mel Harris as Hope would be the better fit. I just don't think of the fashions of that show as iconic.

5. Letter writing sessions with Lisbeth continue with much silliness, but as she spontaneously started writing 'H' this week, maybe some learning is happening.

6. Favorite summer moment of the week ~ sitting on the front step sharing a popsicle. Not sure who enjoyed more the happy toddler or the teething baby!

7. Weekend plans ~ family time, grass cutting and perhaps some strawberry picking.

Please head over to Betty Beguiles for the rest of this weeks round-up