Old Clothes, New Outfits

While I enjoy my thrifting outings and adding some new to me things to my closet, there’s nothing like the high of creating a new outfit from pieces that have been in my closet for a while and thinking: ” oh, I really like this outfit!”.  Such a moment happened a couple weeks ago, when I was planning outfits for the week after our vacation and decided to wear a couple pieces I hadn’t worn much or at all in a while. I really haven’t gotten rid of much this past year, but I also have been thrifting a little more than in the past, so I am working on enjoying what I have right now.

This outfit started with this colorful blouse: while it is not my favorite type of material (no natural fibers here), I do love the print and it’s been in my closet a few years. I have worn it with olive and with shorts a lot, but I wanted to do something a little different. Here is where a simple cotton skirt comes in: I thrifted it 4 to 5 years ago and wore it a lot at first. The last couple of years, not so much, but it is a classic style so it definitely deserves a spot in my closet.

This outfit worked for church and since I wasn’t going to be walking much, my cute but not so comfortable sandals were a good match. They hurt in between the toes: I should figure out a solution for that. I carried the teal/turquoise theme with my jewelry. I am loving my new earrings I bought in Grand Lake, CO on our vacation!

I have been working on helping the kids be more tidy and organized, but it like herding cats: it’s seems that no matter how many times I rearrange and create new systems, they don’t work for long. It gets worse as they get older. Right now I moved things around a little in the youngest 2 rooms: they still do play with stuffed animals, legos, and they read a lot and I tried to make the cleaning up easier. We shall see if it sticks! I am trying to show them how corralling their toys just makes the place tidier and more conducive to play.

Another thing we are doing this summer is trying to spend less time on electronics: it always takes a few days or more before the kids become less “bored” and more creative! We have a lot of outdoor toys, we have arts and crafts, books, and a  lot of games. They just have become too dependent on their devices and this was suggested by my 12 year old. We will have some rewards each week whether it is an outing, a treat or the opportunity to order a Lego set or a book. I’ll try to remember to keep you posted as to how it works. First day of this was mid June and my 15 year old decided to not participate. *update: one child did it for one week… but while they haven’t cut out their electronics time, they have been playing outside a lot with the neighborhood kids!

A bientôt!

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