It’s August in Texas, which means we are roasting in the heat, but my mind wanders to cooler days in the coming months. Fall will mark the first year that both boys are in school two days a week, and I’ll have more time to get out a bit on my own. I’ve always been a fan of flats, for their easy on-and-off quality, but this year, I’m thinking of going out on a limb with boots. Since my ankles get claustrophobic, I’m daydreaming of soft suede ankle boots in a light grey color, like the sky on a rainy fall day. Realistically, it will be November before I can wear these, but there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead, and they will work well into the winter, with both skirts and jeans. Now, which pair should I get?
bodenusa.com
dsw.com
amazon.com
Because of this, I had a small bump on my thumb biopsied (ouch!), which meant two stitches and band-aids for a whole week. I’m a terrible patient when it comes to my hands, since I use them all day long to care for my little boys. Changing diapers and wiping noses means I wash my hands A LOT, so I was constantly switching bandages and working hard to keep my tiny wound clean. I’m now happy to report that my stitches are out and my band-aid wearing days are over!
To celebrate, I gave myself a pedicure (manicures don’t last long with all the hand washing) and tried a new color my sister gave me for my birthday, along with a Sephora gift card that I am saving until I actually need beauty products again after my birthday haul. I normally don’t wear orange, mostly because I live in Austin, home of the University of Texas Longhorns; and since I’m not a football fan in any way, shape, or form, I avoid all associations (fashion or otherwise) with what folks down here call “Burnt Orange.” But Sephora’s Burst of Mango Lacquer Nail Polish, inspired by Pantone’s Color of the Year, was just too much fun to pass up. Plus, I’m trying to spread my fashion wings a little and take a risk or two.
When I applied the color initially, it was too bright for my taste, so after applying two coats and letting it dry a bit, I reached for Revlon’s Color Beam Sheer Nail Polish in 815 Glow Rosy (now discontinued). Together, the orange base and sheer, pinky-peach topcoat created a very pretty sunset color that is gorgeous for late summer. I tried taking pictures of the finished product, but my size ten clodhoppers grossed me out too much to post pictures online. (You know you have big feet when your gynecologist mentions them in the middle of an exam.)
(Revlon’s Color Beam Sheer Nail Polish in 815 Glow Rosy and Sephora’s Burst of Mango Lacquer Nail Polish.)
Maybe it’s the fumes, but pedicures seem to bring out my creative side lately. Have you taken any fashion risks recently?
(And FYI: this weekend, August 17th through 19th, is VIB (Very Important Beauty Insiders) Weekend at Sephora. All VIBs will receive a free clutch filled with samples, with a purchase of $35. Use the code, VIBCLUTCH, to shop online. I just might have to cash in that gift card!)
We went to the mall on a recent Saturday, just to look around and let the boys run wild in air-conditioned comfort. Our local mall is very child-friendly, with an indoor playground and lots of children’s stores, and several health organizations were hosting a family nutrition fair.
As we came out of the elevator, a woman saw me pushing Rhys in the stroller (he was tired after running all over the upper level), and handed me a bag of informational materials. She mentioned that August is National Breastfeeding Month and that they were promoting breastfeeding awareness at the fair. When I told her that I had nursed both boys and am still nursing Rhys, she led me over to the fair and told me to pick out a blanket, made especially for nursing moms. I protested at first, since I’m not a new mom and don’t need a blanket to cover a baby now, but she insisted, so I came home with this gorgeous knitted afghan.
It was wonderful to be publicly thanked for something I’ve been honored to give my boys, and this beautiful gift really made my day. The tag attached to the blanket said it was made by Nancy from The Linus Connection, a local organization that supplies handmade blankets to children who need them. I was so touched to be given such a special treasure, and the blanket’s story is meaningful, too.
When we got home from the mall, I looked up Breastmilk Counts, one of the organizations that hosted the fair, and saw my friend Melek on the site’s homepage (see her smiling on the bottom left)! That’s when I remembered that she made a video about breastfeeding with her second son last year, so I watched it again. It is very well done and I am incredibly proud of her!
Who knew a weekend trip to the mall would turn into such a special occasion?
