Last Year is Just Last Month

Because the purpose of the blog is to capture our life as a family. And because I took a 4 year break. I am going to have to play catch up. I won't go back too far. Because if I'm honest I don't remember her all that well. But I will fill you in on our recent past.

I've shared a bedroom since I was 17 (not so recent past). If my twins were the same gender I'm pretty sure I would insist they share a room until they are 17. Though I am an introvert, I hold very little value for personal space. As a family of 4 we live in 880 sq ft and I never dream of a bigger house. Only of a kitchen with 2 drawers. 

Just prior to the hubs I shared a room with a dear friend. We met one evening shortly after she had filled half our closet with her clothes. I knew it would be love at first sight when my first sight was her over sized stuffed bear Tim. And it was. We worked at the same company, had some of the same exact clothes (even some I hadn't seen on her before I bought them, hehe), and both had this deal where we had to fall asleep each night to good TV. SITC was our drug of choice. For us it was the TBS version, which was more of a ITC. Our biggest difference is perhaps my inability to get it together in the packing department. Before every trip I would stress her out by not packing until the day of. I'm a planner in so many areas. But this just isn't one of them. I do have a sensitive excited-dar. So maybe I subconsciously protect myself from getting overly excited about upcoming trips? No. It's because I'm lazy. That excuse didn't even make sense as I typed it. 

Well. Some things never change. And thank goodness bc I hate change. For our week long Christmas trip to Texas--first as a family of four--not one item had been packed as of 9 am on the morning of our flight.  It's how I roll, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. Though if I didn't project accountability onto fictitious blog readers than it could remain my little secret. The trip went off without a hitch. It was a very Merry Babies' First Christmas!

Don't Walk, RUN!!!!

Bradley Cooper is coming to Broadway!!!!!

And you can trust me on this one. Because I've seen him there before. It was 2006. I don't have to hit the google. I know this one.

So often people get hung up on why things happen. In a recent bible study we discussed lists of "Whys" and "What Ifs." It was therapeutic. For reals. Try it. When I came home we played all over again. It was fun to give these things a name. On paper. And then shred the paper.

But I digress. Back in 2006 the love of my life, who I had been dating for 2 years mind you, broke up with me. I've started saying that these kind of things happen to make you relatable. But maybe, just maybe after 6 1/2 years of marriage I can forgive, forget make lemonade out of these lemons? Because it was during this time when that stud, who we will now only refer to as "the hubs," bought me 2 tix to see Three Days of Rain on Broadway!!!!! (Apparently he knew the way to my heart in addition to how to break it?!) So me and one of the bestsies jumped in the 4Runner (really taking a walk run down memory lane aren't we?) and hightailed it to NYC for the day. Not even a full day. Just long enough to get a glimpse. Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper-- before he was even Bradley Cooper!! Just trust me. We drove back in the wee hours of the night. And we literally talked about his eyes THE.ENTIRE.RIDE. Talk about therapeutic!!!

So while I don't have profound answers to most of my "whys." And I still fill my head with the "what ifs." I know that only God can provide real peace. Forgiveness is an action that you have to initiate in your own heart despite how it was hurt. And New York is just a bus ride away!

Salad Secrets

I hate salad bars. Though that's not a secret. I'd say I hate all "do-it-yourself" options like this, but my sis just yesterday mentioned a pound cake bar with toppings. Yum please! I also die for the early 2000 trend of mashed potato bars at weddings. And everyone who knows me is embarrassed to know I love a good Golden Corral. Or a bad one.

Lucky for me I married well (read: class). Might be the overall mantra of this blog. With the good hubs came his wise sis. Who upon visiting at the birth of the twinks gave me some treasured advice. It's all about the soggy (my word) Butter (her word) lettuce, lots of avocados (thank you Texan) and lots of dressing. That's the real key. Because if someone puts lots of dressing on it for me then it takes away from the salad bar taste I can't say yes to. Sorry calorie counters this salad is not for you.

I have a go-to salad that I use Brianna's blush wine vinaigrette. In our running list of recipes (more on this later) we refer to it as the "go-to" salad.

If we are feeling fancy there is always the Arugula with shredded parmesan and a homemade Lemon Vinaigrette. Better known as lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper. Back in the good ole days of free lunches (I sure never said there was no such thing as a free lunch) I'd order this regularly at Tosca. It's not on the menu. Just trust me.

I am also a huge fan of the Pioneer Woman's ranch and caesar. The Ranch is especially good on a Tator Tot bar. HUGE fan.

Tonight we are headed to a friend's house and I'm going with the Mexican theme. Trying out a new one. (Original blogger's yummy pic below)  I'll keep you posted.

They Say All's Well That Ends Well

#thiswillnotendwell

Currently going through a season of taking every toy we own, which after Xmas is safe to refer to as EVERY toy, and placing them strategically all over the floor. And then proceeding to fight over the same (really crappy) toy. Makes you feel like quite the hero when you get down on the floor with them.  Except that I just admitted they are always fighting over the crap……….

There's a video that goes with this post. That was perhaps the whole reason for the post. But uploading it appears to be above my pay grade. One day. 

Time to change the LinkedIn Profile…..

So I got a new camera lens and a J.Crew gift card for Xmas, which means it's time for my big announcement.

I'm coming out of retirement.

Taking up a new career.

Lifestyle blogger. 

Perhaps this is simply the career I put on hold. I quit blogging because I was pretty sure that when I managed someone's retirement they felt more comfortable thinking I knew and cared very little about the Kardashians. That I was in fact not keeping up. But alas. Full disclosure. Similar to disclosing outside investments when on the job. It's not me. It's the hubs. He keeps up with the Kardashians and I LOVE him. These days I don't keep up with much. Upon putting the babes in the carseat this morning I realized I hadn't left the house since Monday. So I vowed to reconnect with the outside world. All of you at once in fact. Hello world. Meet your newest lifestyle blogger. Welcome to my daily rant. I keep having moments that I swear I will never forget, and yet I can't even remember my last shower. So as a gift to the littles and the hub's Iphone storage I'm heading back to the blogosphere. Capturing the moments as to not forget. PYOTing my lifestyle.

Outfit of the day (OOTD): Well today's we could probably just refer to as The Uniform. Stretchy gray pants from the Express (still a store?) from back when leggings were cool the first time. Hello late 90s, I don't miss you bc I wear you every.single.day. Pale pink hoodie (a gift from my aunt. who also gifted some pale pink flannel xmas tree pjs that are fashionably cozy year round. Also from the 90s). I would post a pic, but there's a decent chance I could save this task until tomorrow.

**Please expect to be overloaded with pictures. When they (whoever they were) told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up, I took them quite literally. Way too old in life I believed that I would be on the Supreme Court high school. Shortly after (right before I learned you had to major in marine biology) college, I was sure I would swim with Shamu. For money. And now at 32 and 9/12 I am sure that I am destined to be a child photographer. Of my child(ren). And a professional sharer of my life. So here we go…...**

Worth it

I do love to blog. Mainly bc I have so many words that I like to use in a day....a pretty hefty quota in fact..... and Mac wears out around 200. So this is my space for the rest of them. But as you (assuming "you" are still out there) may have noticed or assumed, I've been lost..... in the land of the way too busy....I've seen many of you there! Ha!

I need to catch you up on the rest of my glorious birthday events, before I'm a year older! My new job. Our dear friend Robert joining Jesus. I want to blog about so many big things that have been going on. Big things that I get lost in. But tonight I was found. Grounded. And no, it wasn't thanks to my dear hubby cooking dinner for the third night in a row. That is humbling. But I only share that to brag! The news that found me, the reason I blog tonight, is a message from Mac's best bud Oscar and his way-too-cute family. You can watch the video as I did at the link below.

web.mac.com/oscar.avalos

Cute kids, right? But the video really got me tonight. Recently I was challenged by a best bud of mine regarding wealth. She reminded me that we all have so much. Though as long as I'm being transparent, I admit to often complaining of the opposite. Way often. 180 out of my 200 words some days. But I get her point. And the most exciting thing is that part of my wealth is knowledge of a Savior....who much like you (you are reading this, right?) hasn't given up on me yet. He's faithful. And I forget this in my busyness. I forget to share this wealth while I'm busy trying to make my own wealth...... And I don't see my life slowing down. And I doubt you do either! For the most part, I like my busy. And no, I'm not trying to find an escape clause. This is not some kind of easy way out. I know, and am thankful, that my busyness allows me to connect in my space, with people that I might otherwise never know. But realize that it also allows me to make money to support dear friends and strangers who are then able to have full time jobs leading people to the greatest source of all wealth.

When I allow myself to slow down. When I sit back and realize what matters. What I want to be my success. Where I want to find my value. I know that I truly do have abundant wealth. And I feel lucky that I get to give!

I love the 23rd!

As many of you know (assuming only friends/family read this), today is an extremely special day, its Julie’s birthday! That’s right, April 23rd is a day that I will forever cherish. Also, this is Mac and yes it has been awhile since I have written, but if there is ever a reason to jump back in, this is it.

I’ll always remember the first birthday she celebrated after I met her. Only because of the emphasis she stressed that it was her “Golden Birthday” (turning 23 on the 23rd) In my mind I just thought she had the best birth – day, seeing as how my favorite basketball player wore the same number on his jersey. Anyways, realizing the importance of this particular birthday, I took her to her favorite play, Les Mis. After that night, we have made seeing plays and musicals a regular event in our lives, but that one will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart over the others.

Since the “Golden Birthday”, we have celebrated the 23rd many times. And without fail, every time this day rolls around, I count my blessings and am humbled that our amazing, personal and loving God chose to bless me with such an incredible person.

Julie – I love you more today, than any of the days before. You light up my world in a way nobody else can. You have the unique ability to make me laugh without reason, because to me, you are the funniest person I know. You sharpen and are patient with me as I learn to be the best husband for you. Thinking about all the things you are in my life, I can’t imagine where I would be without you.

My prayer for you today is that you know without a doubt how special and loved you are. Not just by me, but by everyone around you, because you deserve nothing less.

I love you and Happy Birthday!!

Still Lost

Dear Lost Writers,

You are my true Valentine and know the way to my heart. And to my friend Mark's heart (who is my new fave person to watch with, though he is leaving the country and the series is ending, better late than never, right?). Ladies, you might should listen to this one, Mark's heart is very much up for the grabbing!

Mark was, well you could say, pacified with the guyliner voyage on the Black Rock. The key to his heart=that silly ship.

I on the other hand have just been delivered my chocolate and roses as well. People.com reports that Lost producers have previously confirmed Elizabeth Mitchell will pop up again before the series ends.

Just when I thought you were going to leave me hanging. That you would never answer all of my questions in time, the way you show absolutely nothing in "next week's preview", while tearing me up to bagpiping Amazing Grace. You thought if I was crying I wouldn't notice the lack of new information you were shedding light on. But you are on to something. The chance of a "and then Sawyer and Juliette met in the sideways life, and lived happily ever after" was worth me giving the last 6 years of my life and potential at missing the Heels last game of the season. I got lucky. Games go into overtime and JJ Abrams pulled through once again. (I'm just going to give him the credit now in case this ends ugly).

Love you Lost. Miss you already.

Missing you like the Heels missed the tourney. But as a wise friend recently reminded me "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Loving Jesus means never having to check into rehab.....

So there are so many things I want to blog about. But life is sweeping me away at the moment, however, I just had to jump on. In honor of Holy week. and give a shout out to the Big guy. And you knew it would come back to Tiger. OR Jesse. OR whoever is going to rehab today. For the love, just confess you are sinful! Confess you are broken. To the Lord, not to me, though you know I love to hear every word they say, a sorta dreamer paparazzi wannabe.

Ok ok ok, I will start over. Like *most* things in life, there is a time and place for everything, including rehab...don't we all need it in one area or another? And hats off to people who need help and get it. I loooove me some time with a paid professional who can point out good, hard truths. Sometimes Mac will even do this for free. Aren't I lucky? BUT, I hate a cop out. so much that i don't even know if that's how you spell it. I'm not one to judge motives and talk about it on an open forum (and try not to behind any backs! yikes!), but pah-lease. You are not a sex addict. You just thought you could get away with it. I'm sure you are sorry....that you got caught! But for real. All your money in your fancy rehab won't cure your heart. Perhaps it will go far for your image. There's a chance it might go somewhere with your wife. But your heart needs saving. It needs something, even on your best day. And that's why we have Easter. You can work your whole life to be a good person and do good things. But you'll die trying, losing in comparison, to the one who lived life perfect.

At a wedding a few weeks ago the minister reminded us of a great truth. And I just keep repeating it to anyone that will listen. God did not create marriage to make us happy, but to make us holy. And His grace is enough to redeem us everyday. And we'll need it. Don't run away from your issues. Run to someone who can save you despite them.

Off the soapbox.....on to the pastel candy. I really do love this time of year.

Third Final Four in a Row!*

As long as you include the asterisk, couldn't be closer to my version of the truth.

TAAAAAAARRRRRRR..............(don't leave me hanging!)

Gives you chills doesn't it?

And now we can all giggle that the Final Four games are played on a Tuesday night. Really randy randar? You think I'm going to watch this instead of the 7th to last episode of Lost? Hmmm. Then you might have seen last night's episode and realize that NOTHING HAPPENED! Oh mister NIT commissioner, you are on to something. But go ahead and do me the favor of letting the Heels play in the 7 pm game. Just in case they explain the polar bears.

My sis thinks this could lead to one of those occasions you share with the grandkids...remember where you were when JFK was shot? The challenger blew up? Your team played for the NIT Championship? Big events. Often lead to onions.

Always a fan, just not always watching. Here's to hoping we end out the season as good ole 65.

A little game

Mac doesn't like it when I use girl adjectives. So I am not referring to his play-off basketball game this eve. The one I'm missing Lost to cheer on. I am however referring to a little real estate matchy match that I would like to play with you! You see. Every once in a while we speak of reproducing. Then we remember this.

Yes. That's right. Mac is feeding Baby Brennan. Without moving.

Sigh.

So while we are not expecting a child. We do realize we can't live in a one bedroom condo forever. And we (read me) LOVE our neighborhood. So on special Sundays. When the mood is right. We stop by neighborhood open houses. This weekend, the joke was on us (faded purple carpets, sinking hardwood floors, all around yuck). And so I hope to pass the joke along to you. Please match the pictures with the corresponding prices. And if you are brave you can pick which one we stopped by.













(3 bedroom condo in this building)



a. $7.12 Million. Like with loooots of 0s. $7,120,000.

b. $779,000. Still a 7, Less 0s.

c. $2,850,000

d. $1,195,000

Maybe this is only a fun game for me? The way that March Madness is now only fun for Mac :(

And this one, sadly is not in our neighborhood, but it sure does yell "GOOD TIMES!" for the asking price of $659,000.


If this blog thing doesn't take off soon I'm moving on to real estate.

Recognizing Yourself

So recently I haven't been able to recognize myself. And no I'm not referring to that extra softness that I've acquired from being so in love.....with thepioneerwoman.com. I've been a little less than faithful to my true love. And again I'm not referring to missing quiet times. Because that's a whole book of mess in and of itself. You see. I feel stuck. For the last 7 years I've headed up a March Madness bracket/pool/mania. It's been life changing. Mac used to joke that people should date a full year before they are married. So you can see each other through every season. He was referring to his need to see me during March. I LOVE MARCH. In fact if I think hard Mac broke up with me the second week in April. Perhaps my March-self makes people wonder. But I love myself in March. I love forcing my family to join a bracket and not even caring if I have to pay their buy-in. I love researching on ESPN and then CBS and then googling the odds only to find out that my company blocks that site. Every year. Every company.

That brings us to today. The first evening of the ACC tourney. The hope I feel comes close to the hope I felt on election day. (I love me some political jabs!) But seriously. I am taken back to yesteryear when I burned my Georgetown tee as they beat my Heels in the Dean Dome in the NIT!!!!!! This year I am giving my arm, leg, and most of my weekends to Georgetown. And yet my heart feels the loss and hurt of 2006. Ok not really, but that was really dramatic, eh? (did I mention I'm going to Canada, eh?)

So I have to poll. Do I even bother creating a pool? Will the 20 out of 25 people that usually pick UNC for that middle spot still try to get the computer to pick OUR team? Will Carolina pull the biggest upset in tourney history? Will they be the Cinderella at the dance? Or next week will I post pics from April 6, 2009?

I guess that's why you get married. Gig'em Aggies? My heart can only take so much.

Will you join my pool? OR should I try to fall asleep. And just wake up for my birthday.

**The picture above is full of great irony. The road did in fact end 4 hours after it was taken. And it might in fact end again 4 hours after I post this post"

Comfortable

So as I've hinted. I hate change. And I LOVE being "home". My mom used to joke that when I was little (perhaps 15) I used to assure her that I was going to live with her when I grew up. I was never leaving. She usually tells me this in a "and now you live so far away" tone. But I try to let it slide. Sprinkles is coming to Washington, DC. And I'm going to be here!

The ladies at the Starbucks across the street from my work know me. Not because I can afford a coffee every day. But bc I walk over with my colleagues. For the sole reason that I like to be known. I like to have my Starbucks home.....which is MUCH better than the "inefficient Starbucks" near my real home. And it's the same with the ladies at Wachovia. Who knows if Wachovia is even the best bank? Let's just say they've had a rough couple of years. But the ladies there know me. And I would recommend them to anyone.

So it wouldn't surprise you if I showed you a picture of my 8 best friends in high school. (yes, I acknowledge that one is missing...she was too cool..jk) And my 8 college roommates (from senior year)














Both groups=8 girls. Both groups= about to all be married off this calendar year. Both groups=only 1 girl has kids. Both of those who have 1 kids =have 2 kids. I'm quirky. Probably more than odd that I even noticed all of these parallels. But lucky to feel so loved? Change is hard. But growing families lended room for my perfect husband. And growing older has brought with it the most comfortable friends.




So the moral of the story is................................



CLAIRE GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (clearly I was going to find a way to make the entire post mostly about me) Claire is very home to me. And I've been waiting for this day my whole life. (Sounds dramatic. But so true.)

Almost Famous

I hope that you as the reader realize that you have as much invested in my fame as I do. (Here's to hoping that if my husband ever finds his way to this post that he can just smile and shake his head.)

My old cubemate Kaci, (I don't think she reads this blog, but I like to pretend everyone does), and I are trying to sell the idea of us as a reality show. We spend most of our convos selling the idea to ourselves, but for the record, we're in. I deferred to her last night that people would much prefer to watch her life over mine (she went on a first date to pick up Brazilian turtles from the UPS warehouse...I can't compete with that!). But for those of you who are questioning. My work life=endless hours of fun. For the viewing audience that is. One day. Until then, I'll just have to brush up next to fame.

You see, my bestie. She had a baby. Didn't name her for days!!!! And when she did, she named her Benjamin Bundchen Brady. Ok, she actually named her Gentry Elizabeth Wilson. But you see what I mean? So famous!




And my sister. She doesn't even cut her son's hair. I told her. Don't. SJP and Kate Hudson never did. (well for the record they both eventually did, but we're talking years into life, maybe 4.)We will call him Blake Wilkie. I like it. Ryder Blake? So famous!



I am SO famous. Or at least SO close.

New Camera (if you call it new, "they" don't expect you to know how to use it)

So right around our first anniversary we decided to invest in a camera. (if you call something an investment, "they" don't question the cost) We thought that it might be money better spent when the time came to have kids. But then decided that our life pre-kids was worth capturing as well. (Have I blogged this before or am I just so used to justification that it sounds routine? )Though we've been given numerous tips by all of our famous photographer friends, now over a year into photography we are still quite the novices. We don't have our hands on photoshop of any sorts, but sometimes you don't need editing you just need speed. I can't say that we always get "the picture", but so far we like the look of the world through our lil lense.

A precursor to "the picture"....our picture :)

Magic

Not sure what inspired this post. I realize I am way behind in posting about life events. Or perhaps I should say I started taking classes on the weekends and my adventures are less picture worthy. But I can post a few to make up for lost times. Perhaps what I'm really thinking as I post. Is that you can't stop change. Life happens. Every second. There's no pause. But not all change is bad. Growing families that barely all fit in one frame. It's a good change. Even with all the chaos that comes with it. I wouldn't trade it for a thing.

Welcome to the Magical World of Disney! (for the record we did not color coordinate the red and green to match the times.)

The Originals! (plus 1)


Because it was almost Christmas


The Obligatory Castle Pic


The Christmas Card...not ours, but my parents...one day we will catch on

mind of my own

Don't judge. Mac went to the movies. If I hadn't made them. I would have just been bored. Ok, that's not true. I made them at 10 pm after getting home from class and then came home for my Saturday lunch break and kept on keeping on. I've decided to try to jam as much into life as I can. Even if that includes cupcakes that make my husband feel 2. I'm up for any challenge. Just tell me what kind of cupcake you want. And then I'll help you create a theme around the cupcake. Sounds backwards. But it's fun! Especially when you've been practicing bowling on the Wii.

new all time low

Mac: (most recent email, after a near month long attempt at birthday celebration) "You really don’t need to make the cupcakes, seriously. I already feel loved without them."

me: (thought in my head) "I know. But sometimes loving you isn't about you. It's about me."

Sigh.

I'll keep you posted on the cupcakes.

Snowmageddon 2010

So I went to work last Friday till about 11 am. I might go tomorrow. I LOVE Snow! Every 10 minutes I feel convicted and try to pray for people who are sad or stuck or cold or hurt because of snow. But in the in between time. I LOVE it. Honestly. I don't know how to get bored. I can't say that this is my best trait. I wouldn't brag or anything. But I also wouldn't mind being stuck home for bit longer. Mac has had to work 2 of the days I've stayed home (one being today). So I'm trying to account for what I do while he is gone. I lost about 5 hours that last time. Who knows what I did. Perhaps just pondered life's greatest thoughts.

1. Should Betty White be offered the chance to host SNL? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY! Yes. I'm an SNL junkie. Yes I'm one of the 3 people left who Tivo every episode. Watch the whole thing. And then point out the highlights to my uninterested hubby, and trapped house guests. I also may or may not have watched 8-9 episodes of Golden Girls each day the months I lived at home right after college graduation. Who knew it came on so much? I did. Last night I told Mac that if I had to count the top 5 days in my life, 1 would be a sum of this snow week, and we all know a 2nd would be the live viewing of SNL attended on my bachelorette weekend in NYC. Mac fears this overshadowed our wedding......moving on :) JK.

2. Do I have a time slot in my life for American Idol? We used to do this AI rotation watch with our friends the Mitchells. We would alternate houses and cook for each other and enjoy what was in the end the battle of the Davids. But the Mitchells moved. And I was introduced to Vampire Diaries (Did you see that Dodge ad at the super bowl? it was meant for Mac. he would already own a new dodge if it weren't for the snow). Either way, we kinda said Idol will not be my Idol and decided to move on. Until Ellen. I was afraid of no more Paula. I knew the show would be canceled with no more Simon. BUT. There is a chance I would watch with only Ellen. You should check it out. If you have like 3 days each week of your life to give to the next "won't ever top Carrie Underwood" Idol.

3. Were the Super Bowl ads better than ever or was it just me? And did I start cheering a lil bit for the Colts? Did everyone? But then was I ok when it was over? Has Carolina bball ruined my sport watching ability? I loved the ads. They were SO much better than they were 8 years ago, when Kara was in the journalism school and had to watch them all for class. My fave was the whale one. The whale in the truck at the bachelor party. I don't know why. I just loved it. I would link you to it, but you would prob say you had a diff fave and I wouldn't blame you. There were so many good ones. We started eating Doritos before the 2nd Q. No joke. And I started cheering for both teams on offense. This made no sense. But I think I did this in the BCS Championship game as well. If I'm being honest. Mac doesn't like to watch football with me anymore. how's that for honesty?

4. Sarah Palin. Do I blame her personally or the Republican party for her glimmer of hope in running for President. A train wreck, that I can't even watch. I don't know who to be disappointed in. But I might just have to throw my name in the hat. Oh to be so over politics and live in their breeding ground. It's confusing. But it doesn't matter. Bc there is soooo much SNOW!!!!!!

I thought about making these all separate posts. To make me seem all blog writery. But I figured if you saw all the thoughts that have been going through my head at one time. You would confirm that 1. I am a girl. and 2. You would never be bored either. Maybe LOST (i love that show). But never bored. Oh yeah. And something about Iran and nuclear weapons. But who would want to sit around thinking about that?

Watch Out World

I've been trying for months/years to convince my boss that what he doesn't realize is that in my personal life, I'm kind of a big deal. (ha!) That though he sees me as lowly. One day I might be famous. And he will have known me back when.

I also try to convince Mac. Not that I'm famous. But that I should dress the part. Right? Isn't that what they say? Don't dress for the part you have. Dress for the part you want. I think my mom was referring to how I shouldn't wear a strapless dress to work even if it looked ok under a cardigan. Though I clearly use such tricks to justify the initial purchase (All purchases can be justified by total price divided by number of wears.....wearing slightly inappropriate clothes to work, really rocks the ratio...I highly recommend)

Newho. It is because of such theories that late last year I directed Mac to popsugar.com (which he still swears is going to give our Macbook a virus.....as likely as ESPN.com, which I'm pretty sure is hit-up daily)

Exhibit A. Lauren Conrad a la December 2009.



And then today.......

Exhibit B. Lauren Conrad a la February 2010.



I just want you all (read: Mac) to find comfort in the fact that (please don't find comfort in the fact that I notice what Lauren Conrad wears on a daily basis), but rather, if I one day find myself quite famous and owning such a superb coat, I too would wear it lots and be just fine photographed in it often.