Personal Makeover

Posted by Amy Baranski

When I was pregnant I discovered interior stylist, blogger, DIY-er, and general creative Justina Blakeney. With close to 2M followers, she quite a popular person on Pinterest. I happened upon her through her board called "Boomba" - a nickname for her daughter who was incidentally born after my Babeski. I was looking for inspiration around baby things and just dreaming of the new shapes and colors that would soon take over my living space. Having a baby was a celebration for all the things in my life that would be wonderfully turned upside down.

This bookcase is a hot mess. What my style has sadly become.

I started following Blakeney's blog and Instagram feed. I find inspiration daily from the shapes, patterns and colors she shares. From botanicals to global textiles and MCM architecture to vintage curios her eye has helped me to get in touch with my own style aspirations.

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I've always enjoyed staring at a blank wall. Literally just looking at a white wall--it gets me every time. I often write that way or problem solve. It's an open canvass--an abyss--but one that allows me to sort through my thoughts and the pictures in my mind.

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When I had the idea for styling month I thought that it would be a fun way bring more intention to how my space looks and how I look. I also thought of it as a good opportunity to bring some more DIY elements into my life and exercise my creative muscles.

I'm starting late this month (hey at least I'm starting) I can say that my goals are three-part:

1. To improve my living space
2. To renovate my own look
3. To set a beautiful table for a summer dinner

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I have to make some changes to my apartment. It's stale and I'm tired of the current mix of things and arrangements. Since Babeski arrived and started moving, my interior styling has solely become abut function. I want the space to be safe and welcoming for Babeski so he can explore his environment and feel at home. I also feel stymied by the fact that I'm a renter and some of the changes I want to make to my home's interior would require a considerable investment--or DIY skills above-and-beyond what I'm currently capable of.

In terms of my wardrobe I'm totally ho-hum. Having my body go through so much change this past year I feel that I have lost some of my personal self-expression. I can't fit into some of my older pieces and my newer pieces just feel way to "Mom" for me. I need clothes that can cross from weekend-casual to professional pretty easily so that I represent myself better at work. I also don't have much time to shop. It's one of my least favorite activities to do with Babeski. It just feels so commercial and weird to do with him. So my new method of shopping is to go to Ann Taylor loft 2 times a year and buy all the tops I can afford that accommodate nursing. Then to Old Navy to purchase cheap pants that fit me. But this is so unsatisfying. I desperately need to improve the current Baranski dress code.

Lastly, I'm interested in teaming up with my blog partner on how to style food and place settings for a summer dinner. I haven't talked with her about this--but I'm remembering our beautiful urban farm to table sidewalk feast and Pallea celebration that was so spur of the moment and DIY it caught us all off guard. I don't want to recreate the past but I do want to conjure that same kind of energy to see what we can do next. Plus who doesn't love an occasion to break bread with friends.

There's not much time left in this month--exactly ten days excluding today. But next month's iPhotography challenge is a great cross-over month since styling necessitates a lot of before and after pictures as well as styling for the camera!

Clothes comfort zones

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I have to admit, I have not been very "styling" the past couple days.  I was up, literally, all night long at a birth night before last and have been in yoga pants and a t-shirt since then.  I had a total of 30 minutes of sleep in 36+ hours.  Sometimes I kinda like that sleep deprivation, like you're not really in everyone else's reality, but floating through your own.  That is, until your slammed with driving your kid's everywhere (Oh, hello, reality!  I've not missed you in the least.) and it's just too much.  I had a crazy sobbing meltdown while driving home, at least I hope it was good fodder for my fellow drivers to make up some great stories.

Back to styling, though.  The thing I am most "stepping out of my box" about this month is shopping for a bikini.  I can't believe I am telling everyone this.  Before you get all proud of me for loving my body just the way it is, you must know...I am on this crazy diet to drop as many pounds as possible before Aug. 2, when I have a trip planned to go to Palm Springs with a couple  (of skinny) girlfriends.  I think if I can lose as close to 10 more pounds as possible, I'll be ok to try to wear a bikini.  People, I am 40 years old and have NEVER worn on in my life. It's kinda a big deal for me.

In other fashion news, I bought this skirt, but I am going to return it.  Maybe go for an all black version.  That's the thing with this month that even I am confused about.  Black is my go-to color for clothes, but if black and white stripes just don't work, do I have to step out of my comfort zone?  

I am also thinking of finding tips for styling on a budget.  Because I found this amazingly perfect rug for my living room, but even at half price, I just cannot justify the cost.  But let me tell you, I would feel so stylin' every time I walked into my apartment if I could.

Fashionably Late

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
There are some months in GLWT history that just don't take off.  I think sometimes it is the subject matter, and other times life gets in the way.  I can remember salsa month back in the first year, I really wanted to do it, but Jamie and I kept fighting and never wanted to dance together.  Then there was writing month, I was shocked I never really wrote that month, since I picked it.  I suppose we all need a break sometime.

Lily and her BFF Lili, these girls are "styling."

This month was supposed to be "Styling" month.  And there's still time, so it still is!  I think what Amy had in mind was re-styling our wardrobes, our homes and anything else that needs a little boost of extra creative attention. 

I looked up online definitions for styling and here is what I found:

From the Free Dictionary -

• A quality of imagination and individuality expressed in one's actions and tastes: does things with style.
• A comfortable and elegant mode of existence: living in style.
• A mode of living: the style of the very rich.
• The fashion of the moment, especially of dress; vogue. A particular fashion.

 From Urban Dictionary -

• Verb - To be pursuing someone for romantic purposes or sexual purposes.
  "I was styling Cara-Ann there for the longest of times, but she was tighter than a Catholic school girl, so nothing came out of it."  (OMG!  Must start using this one.)

• To be wearing an outfit or to dress in a mismatched, individual interesting and ultimately fashoinable and attractive way.  First heard in Bolivar, OH.  as in "that sweater vest and oversized hat are rather styling."
   

I make no promises over the course of the next two weeks about how styling I'll be, but just know that we haven't gone anywhere.  We're still here, and I expect next month's iPhotography to be really fun.  Oh, and my toe doesn't hurt anymore!  It kinda feels like it's not really attached to my foot, but that's ok, the pain is over.  Maybe I can start running again!

I think of u as the letter writing type

If I were here today, I'd write you all a postcard!  Promise!

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I didn't mean to come across as a letter-writing-hater.  I have just come to be such a texter and emailer, so much so in fact, that I bemoan even a phone call most of the time. It's just another quality I have added to the "things that suck about me" category.  The list that started sometime before I can recall anything that isn't documented in a family photo book...and that continues to grow.

Actually, when I really think about it, I don't mind moving on with the times.  Just because other people think we should be more like we used to doesn't mean that any of us are right or wrong.  Maybe during "Self Care" month I'll take a long critical look at that list and re-frame the whole thing.  Or better yet, I could re-sytle it during "Styling" month even sooner.

I got a FB message from an old friend yesterday.  A friend that I probably would never call, but love to find the occasional message pop up.  It's not that I don't like her, it's just the phone.  Here's what she had to say:

Hi Melissa, I'm surprised at your dislike of letter writing. Of course I don't know you in these days and times, but in general I think of u as the letter writing type. I have a little stack of letters from you from various points in our journey together and always thought they were nicely written. Maybe it's your swirly writing that makes them seem so effortless. Anyhow, I am enjoying your blog as always. Be well.

I can't believe she still has all my letters.  I never save anything.  I read cards and they go directly in the recycling.  That being said, from the outsider looking into a savers point of view, it was interesting to hear that although I was beating myself up for not being a letter-writer, someone else has a completely different idea.

Who knows what the world thinks of us.  Why not think the best of ourselves?

Easier said than done, for sure.