It's about that time to do it again

Like most parents I am about to start prepping for the first day of school. It's that time of year when there is excitement, anxiety and annoyance all rolled in one. OMG! I hate having to deal with the long lines at the local Walmart and the department stores looking for the best bargains on pencils, paper and the coolest must have tween clothing accessories. Don't get me wrong I love the bargains, I just hate feeling like I'm in competition with a million other parents to get them.

Then there is the anxiety of wondering who the new teacher is going to be. What type of kids will be in class with my kids every day? It's back to packing lunches and handing out lunch money. Or in my case, having to apologize to my kids because I forgot to give them the a'fore mentioned items which results in an embarrassing situation with the cafeteria lady giving my kid a PB &J wrapped in wax paper and a cup for water until they come back with cash. Those lunch ladies are merciless I tell ya!And of course filling out all those doggone papers the first two weeks. I just about feel like I'm buying my house all over again with all the paper signing that I have to do.

Then, there is the happy side that I enjoy so much. That look of excitement that is on their faces when they are looking on the list to see where they have been assigned, hoping that their classroom buddies from last year will be with them this year. It's that sense of pride I get when I hear each child tell me how much harder they will work this school term than they did the year before. Without a doubt, they always looks so cute rockin' the new outfits on the first day. It's such a confidence booster.

And of course they always make my heart melt when they wave goodbye and blow me kisses as they ride away on the school bus. I quickly get over it however, as I sit at my kitchen table sipping my coffee flavored with caramel macchiato creamer and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Enjoying the sweet sound of quiet.....hmmmmm, oh yeah it's back school time bayyyybeeee! Can't you hear the bells ringing?

My fashion is ALWAYS a work in progress

I'll admit it to you, I've never been blessed with the gift of having a totally dope styling sense. 90% of the time I am in heavy analysis over what to wear before going out for a social or professional event. I'm not horrible at putting together an outfit I mean, I can "pass". I think that I got this issue from my momma (hehe, everything always goes back to momma), maybe it was because she never encouraged me to develop my own fashion sense as a child. I rarely had creative control over my own wardrobe until I was 12 years old. *sigh* I fought hard for my styling Independence and finally won it at the age of 13 and it's been a roller coaster ride ever since.

In the last 12 years with the birthing of two children, being a stay at home mom and then an entrepreneur in the wellness industry, I have fallen into some fashion traps. Due to work with clients, clinic hours at school, or running around with kids my outfit consists of black yoga pants, black t-shirts and sneakers. WTH? So boring ! It's okay when I HAVE to wear it but the problem comes in when I DON'T have to. What is even worse is that I have TWO friends who are FIERCE with their style and do styling for a living. I really have no excuse right?

Someone else that is awesome at styling for a living is VirtuousOne. She and the Execumamma will be blogging live on Saturday morning ALL ABOUT STYLE ! They are gonna be sharing all types of delicious tips I'm so sure. Giving advice on topics such as emotional shopping to Hootchie Mamma dressing...mmmhmmm !. I'm going to be at school getting my clinic hours and can't participate...boooooo! But please believe I will be checking in on twitter, following hastag #BlogLive5 as soon as I get a break, this Sistar has got's ta do betta!

I wish my jeans could travel, or something like that.

Yeah, something like that...kind of like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Honestly, I never saw the movie or read the books (although I plan too), but the name and the concept speaks for itself and I think its kind of cool.

Unfortunately, my jeans and I do not belong to the Traveling Pants group. The exact reason why I am sad and saying Rest In Peace to them. In case you did not know by now, these are not JUST a pair of jeans. No, these are my FAVORITE pair of jeans. These jeans have seen me through thick and thin, literally. They are the only jeans I could wear through my yo-yo weight and still look good on me. They just adjusted to every curve I gained and each inch I lost. These jeans loved me and were loyal to me no matter what!

Over the years after much washing they began to get those tears and rips. I didn't care, it just made me and my jeans look "cooler", "hip" and "funkier". We had rips in the front and rips in the back and we were okay with it. That is until recently.....I tried them on and came to the conclusion that old faithful has gone as far as she could go. I have pushed her to her limit and it seems that she cannot adjust herself to accept my "newest set of curves." We no longer look cool , hip and funky. We just look like...well, you get the point.

So I have to say goodbye, I wish I could pack her up and send her off to the next woman in some other town, some other country, some other city. I just cannot stand to throw her away. Maybe I could donate her to the goodwill! *side eyes* Then one day I will be walking down the street minding my own business with my NEW JEANS and look over to see Her with someone else. Looking cool, hip and funky. My mind would quickly shift back to all the fun times we had back in 'da day. Remembering how she used to fit me like that too. **sigh** I know, I know, I need to just let go ...

Do you think all good jeans go to HEAVEN?

Something Swarthy

Do you like cool and unique clothing? I do too, that's why I have to tell you about this new clothing line I had the opportunity to wear, Swarthy Daisy. First of all I must say that I absolutely love, love, love the Logo! It seems like the Daisy just "spoke" to me (I'm really not crazy). The fabric feels good and fits nicely. It is a style that can be worn by anyone, I think the shirts are perfect for those days when you just want to look simple, but still effortlessly cute.

The designer and owner of Swarthy Daisy, Erica Christie has a great vision for her company and I am eagerly waiting to see how she continues to develop it. She currently has available; shirts for women and really cute bags. Coming soon will be a Swarthy Daisy children's line, as well as a men's line.

So Now, don't just take my word for it. Check out Swarthy Daisy for yourself. Click HERE for her online store and click HERE to check out her awesome blog of randomness!

Seven going on seventeen

I don't know how this happened, but my 7 yr old has turned into a 17 yr old. I used to think it was sooo cute when she would try to pick out my outfits, suggest which color of lipstick looked the best, and tell me " those shoes are sharp! mommy!"

She awoke this morning with a major whiny attitude about not having any clothes. I'm thinking, " are you kidding me?" I feel like she is the only one in the house who ever gets new clothes(And Mommy could use a few things herself these days). Is it a coincidence that I find my clothing in her closet? My blush in her drawer? Or that her room smells like a bottle of nail polish with a hint of body splash? She "never has anything to wear" I mean, according to her , she has nothing! right down to socks and underwear. Everyday it's the same ole conversation; Daughter-"Mmmoomm! I got nothing to wear! Mommy- " yes you dooooo! wear that one thingy I bought you before!" Then I have to go digging in the her closet, in her dresser and in the laundry before we can find an outfit that is worthy of being worn by lil' miss thang.

Not to mention she might have more clothing options if she were to stop storing what she does have under her bed and oh don't forget the stash of dirty clothes in the drawer that never get washed because I don't know they are dirty. How about the socks and sweaters I find in the back seat of our car? Or under her brothers bookshelf? Hmmm could this be the reason there are never any clothes?

Off we go to the store, she walks in with a smirk on her lips and an adrenaline rush that is a Little more than a 7 yr old should be able to handle. An hour and a half later she walks out with 5 outfits and a slightly bouncier step. And I'm thinking... "this is only the beginning"