voilà.

Before the movers show up tomorrow and pack our stuff up in a truck, I thought I might show you the dresser makeover that I started, oh forever ago.

Here's hoping the new paint job doesn't get chipped in the move...

If I had known how ridiculously better this dresser would look, post-makeover, I wouldn't have spent the several months it took me to get the guts to paint it.   I can't believe that I thought this: 

might be better than this.

I further can't believe what a little paint and hardware can do to completely transform a piece of furniture.

I am having to physically resist the urge to go ahead and paint every single piece of furniture in my house.  

They are packing up our house tomorrow, after all.  

A few observations from the project:

1.Krylon is just as much the bomb spray paint as every DIY blogger tells you it is.  It's not just because they are sponsored by them.  It really looks profesh.  I will NEVER go back to the paint can and a foam roller method again.

2. Krylon Fusion is the bomb, because you don't have to prime.  

3. Buying 20 drawer pulls can get a little pricey, but it's still cheaper than buying a whole new dresser.  Thank you Lowe's for having a way better selection than Home Depot.  (And for selling these babies for less than 3$ a pop.)

4.  It takes about 13 cans of spray paint to cover a dresser this size, it's accompanying mirror and 2 nightstands.  My index finger is still sore.

5. Using 13 cans of spray paint in your garage (even with the door open) will cover every. single. surface. in a white dust that is a little difficult to sweep up.  (Yes I put down a plastic cover)

6. You can still use spray paint even if you're not within the temperature suggestion of 70-90 degrees.  In fact, even if you're 20 degrees above it.  Like 110.  I'm sad to say I know this from experience.  

Drenched.  In.  Sweat.

Oh, and so you don't think the nightstands are the ugly step-children:

They turned out just as lovely.

The end.

Happy Wednesday.

look, i found shade!

Skirt, Blouse, Sunglasses:  The Loft.  Shoes, Watch: Target.  Earrings: Mexaco circa2008.  Necklace: Walmart.  (shh.)

Some random musings from the weekend:

1.Have you ever noticed that the women who work in nail salons never have their nails done?  I know there is a perfectly practical reason for this, but it's still ironic.

2.I saw this skirt on the Loft's website and my first order of business was to load up my kids and drive right over to purchase it.  When it wasn't on sale in store like it was online I made the sales lady go check (cause I'm tacky) and it was on sale.  And since they were also having a 40% off all sale items, I got this skirt for a steal.  I told you I'm a ninja bargain shopper.  And I've already thought of about 10 different ways to wear this skirt.  Plus, it fits like a glove.  This is skirt love.

3.Also, the Loft tells me that blue is the new neutral.  This makes me happy.

4.Turns out there's a lot of stuff to do when you are moving half your house 1,500 miles away and leaving the rest here.  This is going to be a manic week.

5.We went to see Cars 2 this weekend and I was sort of underwhelmed by it.  Plus it was long.  The entire theater seemed to disagree though, so I guess my head just wasn't in it.  All the craziness going on must be affecting my ability to enjoy cartoons.  Tragic, I know.

6.The more I hear about how awesome Seattle is, the more I can't wait to get up there.  Even if I am slightly nervous about how we are going to get 5 people and all our junk onto the airplane on Friday.  5 people= 10 bags.  And only 2 of us are able to lug anything substantial.  They should have a concierge at the airport.  Seriously, they should.

7. We told the kids they could camp out in the backyard this weekend.  But when we were driving home from the movies on Friday and it was still 110 outside at 8:30 at night we decided we better make other plans.  This is backyard camping.  Arizona summer style.

Happy Monday.

go north.

Maxi, Undershirt: Forever 21.  Necklace: Ross.  Ring: Bought in Mexico.  Shoes, Watch: Target.

I finally jumped on the maxi wagon.  And it only took mustard yellow stripes to get me there.  Figures.  I really genuinely thought that a maxi would make me look like an umpa lumpa, but I decided that they are so ridiculously comfortable that it might not matter.  Okay, it still matters.  We're not going to talk about how I still had to take about 7 inches off this dress, and how much I hate hemming knits.  Is anyone out there good at working with knits?  I would love to know the secret...

Speaking of secrets...

You all know that my husband has been traveling almost non-stop for the past month.  Which pretty much stinks.  I'm not good at being a long-distance wife.  Unfortunately, the really important testing that had Mr. Husband jetting all over the country will be continuing for the foreseeable future.  As in the next 5 months.  So in lieu of a summer and fall spent sans the Mr, we accepted a DTA from the company.  (DTA means domestic temporary assignment, if you are like me and didn't know what the acronym meant)  Which means, that next Thursday a big truck and a couple of movers with show up and pack up part of our house (we're not taking everything), and load our cars onto a big fancy car moving truck.  And next Friday, the five of us will climb onto a plane and jet off to Seattle for the next 5 months.  Seattle.  The land of Rain.  After broiling in the land of the sun all spring, I am happy to avoid another July in Arizona.  I'm already dreaming of cardigans...

Yes, it's a little crazy.
But, I love a little crazy.

Arizona's decided to bid me a fond farewell.  110 or over all of next week.  Lovely.

ps. If you're from Seattle, give me a shout out.  I need some northern friends...

plain white tee.

Tee: Forever 21.  Shorts: Ross.  Shoes/Belt: Target.

When I asked Mr. Husband to snap a few pictures of me yesterday evening, he responded with, "Are you really going to blog that outfit?"  Huh.  I looked down at myself. Yeah, I guess it's pretty vanilla.  But this is what I really wore.  I'm not fabulous everyday. I know, big surprise.  

But I get a lot of questions about how I dress in the hades-like heat we have in Arizona.

And sometimes, this is all I can come up with.

I've been seeing facebook posts all day about how summer has finally arrived.

We've been blasting summer for months here.

It was 108 yesterday.  

I don't even want to talk about July.

Yesterday miss Hannah told me that summer is boring.

I kind of have to agree with her.

In Arizona, summer is boring.  

You are either swimming, like totally submersed in water, or you are doing something inside.

Anything else is just too hot.

I send my kids out back to play and they come in with red faces and heat exhaustion in five minutes.

And heat like that turns me into a minimalist.

Or, basically, a boring dresser.

Nothing but a plain white tee and shorts.

the girlz.

Pants: Gap.  Shirt: Forever 21.  Shoes: Ross. Belt: Thrifted.  Watch, Earrings: Target.

Do you guys like my hair?  Yeah, that's "I've been at the pool all day, and didn't want to fix myself up after, hair."  So sexy.  I did put on a little make-up for you guys, because I love you, but looking at the pictures you can't really tell.  Sad.

It's so hot here.  I know I whine about that a lot but seriously, it's so hot.  It's a good thing this is kind of a faux chambray shirt and really light weight.  The only problem is, it has this nasty little habit of unbuttoning itself right around the area where my girls sit.  Not that this is all that exciting.  May I remind you that the ladies are not much to look at post child nursing (x3). And in all reality, they weren't much to look at before.  But I still don't want to flash the entire Walmart parking lot whilst waltzing in to pick up a few cans of spray paint.  Not that I am saying I did that, but if I had it would have been really embarrassing.

 This means every time I wear this shirt I have to glance down every few minutes and make sure I'm still buttoned up.  Especially since my days pretty much always consist of wrestling the littles from dawn till dusk.  

Other than that, this outfit is super comfy and functional.  Win, win. 

Also, I decided that these sandals had a bit too much foliage going on for my tastes, so I nixed one of the blooms.  I like them much better now.  And they still hide the sausage toes decidedly well.  Comfy outfit, good shoes, camouflage for the ugly feet.  Win, win, win.

iwear, ikat.

How much are we all loving the new ikat trend that is everywhere right now?  It makes me feel all proud of myself for coming up with my own little ikat design.  But seriously.  This stuff is everywhere, home decor, clothing, you name it.  So it makes me wonder why the girl at the store looked at me like I was nuts when I asked her if they had any of the fabulous ikat maxi dresses (hanging in the window) in a size XS.  How can you work at clothing store and not know the term ikat?  Pft.  I mean, I've known it for like 3 whole weeks.

via

Just in case you were like me and didn't know the actual name of this print/style until you googled it.


Ikat, or Ikkat, is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres.


To read more about the fabric, click here.

Want your own ikat skirt?  I'm selling this one here:

all I wore.

Skirt: Made by me.  Blouse: Thrifted.  Sweater: Nordstrom Rack.  Shoes: TJMaxx.

 I'm still excited about this outfit, even though I wore it last Sunday and it's now Saturday.  That might be because all I wore this week was my workout clothes and a swim suit.  Okay, I got dressed for real 3 times this week when I had a doctor's appointment or to run errands, but I was too lame to take pictures on those days.  I promise to be better next week.  Maybe.  We'll see.  That's what you do when you live in Arizona though.  Your summer uniform consists of workout clothes and swim suits.  Which is why I have a lot of cute swim suits.  And why I always want more.

 But would you like to know why I'm really truly excited about this outfit?  Okay, I'll tell you anyway.  That navy polka dot shirt.  I have been stalking the internet for a navy blue and white polka dot blouse with a tie for months, months I tell you!  And nothing.  Then a few weeks ago I a moseying down the isle at the new Goodwill in Mesa and BOOM!  There it is, hanging in the small section, for 3$.  Sold.

Also, I have a big brooch that I made out of the same fabric from the skirt, that I decided to forego because I didn't want the outfit to look too busy, but now seeing it in the pictures, I think it could have used a brooch.  Once again reaffirming my belief that pictures are essential to getting dressed.  Mirrors lie.  Use a camera.

"I don't rely on mirrors, so I always take polaroids."  Cher-Clueless

16 years later, that girl still knows her stuff.

(except insert digital camera.)

Dear Readers,

I didn't sleep last night.  Like I literally never went to bed.  I was still sitting up working in my sewing room when I saw the sun rise through the blinds.  Yesterday, I wrote a post.  I thought it was harmless, and in my hurried state put it out there for all the world to see.  And then I got a comment in the evening saying that I had really offended one of my readers.  To say I felt horrible would be a huge understatement.  I went back and read my post, realized how callous and insensitive I came across and deleted a bunch of it. I felt so bad.  I hate making people feel bad.  It's probably the thing I hate most.  Then I started thinking about all the other people I might have offended and I felt even worse.  And when something eats at me, I can't sleep.  And usually I have my husband here to lay by and make me feel like everything is okay and normal, but he's gone 3,000 miles away in Philadelphia.   And so I stayed up all night wondering what to do about this and really the only thing is to say is that I am so very sorry for being insensitive.  I never meant to offend anyone or insult a country that many hold dear.  And to the reader that made the comment, thank you for pointing out that even something written in good fun, can hurt another person.  I won't forget.

shenanigans.

Cropped pants: Gap.  Stiped tee, flip flops: Old Navy. Bag: Target.  Belt: Thrifted.  Friend: Kelsey.

Our day in Ensenada was a total blast.  Before I begin with our on shore shenanigans, let me just start by saying that we were probably the biggest slackers on the ship.  A long stressful year coupled with our dark-as-a-cave state room without a window meant that all three of us slept in until at least 10 o'clock (sometimes later) every single day.  Add a good workout, a leisurely breakfast, and a shower, and none of us were ready until around 2 pm.  It was quite glorious.  But it also meant that we didn't disembark until quite late.  When we asked the lady at the guest services desk where to go to get off, she actually responded "You're just now leaving?  For the first time?"  Yeah.  We're losers.  And since none of us were drinking, we didn't even have a hangover as an excuse.

Warning, if you go to Mexico, prepare for a whirlwind as soon as you get there.  We got off the ship, got onto a bus that drove us to a busy street where we got off the bus, ran across said busy street, and got on another bus out to a place called "La Bufadora."  Or the blow-hole.  But "La Bufadora" sounds so much better than "blow-hole" and is possibly the most fun word to say with a Spanish accent.  Ever.  Try saying it.  See...

To say that the bus ride was bumpy would be an understatement.  But 45 minutes later, we were unloading in front of the little open air market leading to La Bufadora.  Let the shenanigans begin.

 Something really yummy, right out of a clam.

 World's greasiest churros.  Yum.

 I got doused by La Bufandora, insert frizzy hair.

Our own serenade.

two Armenian guys from our tour bus, who wore those oversized sombreros for the next day and a half on the cruise ship and pounded back so many tequila shots while we waited for the bus that I lost count.

  

Enough said.

fail.

Skirt/Top: Made by me.  Shoes: Thrifted.  Necklace: Downeat basics.

Not everything I make for myself turns out fabulous.  Sometimes I think a fabric is going to look amazing as this or that and then when it gets made, it sort of falls flat.  Case in point: my dress separate ensemble I wore for formal night on my cruise.  I genuinely thought this gold and green striped fabric was going to look amazing as a skirt, but when I saw it in the pictures all I could think was "puke." I don't think I'm a gold person.  I was willing to give it a try but I think it's out.  Also, these stripes are not doing me any favors, especially since by this point I had been gorging myself for 2 days.  I know, disgusting.  I promise that's just a food baby.

But I do love my shoes.  I found them during my epic visit to the new Goodwill a few weeks ago, wherein I found so much loot, even I couldn't believe it.  Anyways, they are the cutest shoes, don't make my legs look shorter even with the ankle strap, they actually fit and they were made in Spain.  Plus, they are green.  Win, win, win.

Also, I really miss my husband.  He's across the country again for the week and basically it stinks.  He won't even be home for Father's day.  Lame.  I try to get used to being away from him, because that's what grown-ups are supposed to do, but I can't.  I even slept on the couch last night, and I hate sleeping on the couch.  But I hate going to bed without him even worse.  I don't think I talk about it very much on here, cause this is a blog about my clothes, and not my marriage, but I have the most out-of-this-world amazing husband.  Even 8 years, 3 kids, 2 houses, 8 cars, 3 degrees, 4 states, 2 jobs, and lots of stress later, he still treats me like a queen.  I am so blessed.  

BTW: did you know I have another sister?  Actually I have 4 sisters and they are all beautiful and fabulous, but my little sister Meg loves to sew like I do and she comes up with the coolest ideas for re-purposing stuff (table cloths, old shirts, etc.)  I think it's safe to say that re-purposing  isn't so much my strong point.  Anyways, you've got to check out what she did with an old men's shirt.  Seriously, I died.

Catalina has my heart.

Cropped pants: Gap.  Tee, braided belt: The Loft.  Messanger Bag: Target.  Flip-flops: Old Navy.

 I couldn't have handpicked better weather for the day we were in Catalina.  70 degrees and sunny with that crisp breeze that only comes from air that glides along atop sea water and makes you feel clean and wonderful all at the same time, while also giving you goosebumps.

We disembarked from our cruise ship (which we lovingly named "Wally" because, ahem, we observed that cruise ships seem to attract many of the same types of people as Wallyworld) and rode a small boat over to the island.  I could hardly pull my eyes away from Avalon even to look at the cobalt water around me or the parasailers in the distance.

Avalon is just about the most happily situated little city I have ever seen.  No bigger than a teaspoon, and set right on a tiny bay filled with sailboats, it looks like a mix between California and the Italian coastline with a little bit of Mexico mixed in.  The streets are lined with shops, candy stores, and one-of-a-kind restaurants, and the hills that rise up behind the small city are adorned with the prettiest  and most interesting hillside houses I have ever seen.  Catalina breathes charm, from the  water to the hilltop.

 I found myself wandering happily through the palm lined streets into cobblestone courtyards, and down to the water where the waves practically kiss the main walkway eating my perfectly deep-fried corndog and stealing my sisters french fries.  And of course, because I associate good food with any kind of majestic setting, a funnel cake was also in order.  Who cares that it covered me, my purse and my camera in powdered sugar?

A day filled with so many visual and culinary delights called for an equally scrumptious ensemble.  And when I say scrumptious, I mean comfortable, breezy, and effortlessly relaxed.  Guys, these pants from Gap are delectable.  They are so ridiculously comfortable, and the color is so spot on, I have to physically force myself not to throw all social and fashion stigmas out the window and just wear them every single day.  I've limited myself to at least twice a week, and I am so glad I bought these in a butter yellow as well.  Yes, I sometimes buy the same pair of pants in two different colors.  What can I say?  When I find something I love that actually fits, I buy a second pair.

ps.  my big sister is pretty much the most gorgeous thing on the planet.  Don't you think?