Dear Mom

I love you.

An Adventure!

Our trip to Chile and Argentina is soon, and I can't wait! This will be my first trip to South America!

We will take an overnight flight to Santiago (via a layover in Dallas, where we'll drop off our dog to stay with family!), and when we get there we're renting a car and will start our drive crossing the Andes (!!) into Mendoza, Argentina, where I hope to see sights like this:

We will head back to Chile and spend some time in Santiago:

As well as in Valparaiso:

Should be an adventure! Have you been? Where in the world are you wanting to go next?

Clicking on an image will take you to its Pinterest link

Eternal Life

Happy Easter to you all. I've been thinking much about the meaning of Easter this season. My beloved grandpa passed away a month ago, and it's so hard to think about how he's no longer here with us.

I went home to Texas last weekend for his memorial service. He was a minister of music, directing church choirs all over (including a 6 month tour of Africa), and it was so special to be able to hear his voice from a recording with one of his choirs in Dallas many years ago. 

A family friend spoke of one of my favorite memories of him -- how at Texas Rangers games, everyone within hearing distance to our seats would turn around in wonder as he unabashedly belted out the Star Spangled Banner in his rich baritone voice. One of the ministers then told a story that I hadn't heard before -- that it's tradition in their church to sing the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the Easter service, and members are invited to come up and join the choir in singing it. He said he'll never forget how last year he watched my grandfather, 91 years young last Easter, immediately get up and make his way down the aisle with a determined look in his face to join the baritone section to sing those words of joy.

Easter holds the promise of eternal life, and I'm thankful for that reminder. I know Grandpa was with a new choir today, singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

Life is Short

Having a difficult day here, thinking about my dear, sweet, amazing grandpa and wishing I was home in Texas to give him one last hug and kiss.

I really like the Holstee Manifesto, and when I saw it on sale on Fab.com today, I knew I needed to get it. Life is precious, and I'd like a daily reminder of that.

Treat Yo Self

I finally made a New Year's resolution that I think I can stick with - 2012 is the Year of Treat Yo Self!

Each month, I'm going to treat myself to something my wardrobe needs that I didn't buy quality the first time around or I was able to put off because I wouldn't use that much. (I quickly found that dressing for when I was in Texas, where it is hot most of the year and everyone drives so much, is very different than Chicago, where you truly need gear for cold weather and for walking everywhere.)

By the end of the year, I hope to have 12 pieces that will be around for many a season!

I will probably always be a $20 cute-shirt-from-H&M type of gal (no question when it comes to trendy pieces), but I'm really trying to think about cost per wear and embrace the "buy it once, buy it right" and the "quality over quantity" mentality.

January
For January, I bought the Hunter Regent Carlyle rain boot that I was debating back in this post. While they were a little more expensive than other options, I kept coming back to them and I love that they go with both my black and brown coats. 

Side note: I thought they were the perfect solution for both a snow boot and for rainy days year-round. They aren't as warm as I thought they would be (after seeing ladies wearing them all around Chicago this winter and doing a little research online I thought they'd be a little bit better), but I do already have Uggs for when I just need warmth and I plan to start pairing them with some warmer socks to see if it helps. I've been blessed with a mild first winter here, so I'm hoping if it's bad next year that I don't end up also buying a pair of snow boots!



So what next? Matchbook Mag's 50 Classics for Your Closet is going to be a great source as I decide what to buy each month, as I am definitely missing some things on the list!

February
The very first thing on Matchbook's list is ballet flats. I had a decent all-around black pair, but they were getting a little worn and I accidentally left them in a rental car several months ago. (Oops!) So for February, I just ordered these zipper bow ballet flats in black. I just returned a cheap pair of boots and a similar pair of not-quite-right flats that I purchased late last year from Nordstrom in exchange for these, so that helped me feel better after last month's splurge! Hopefully they are comfortable; otherwise, I will probably exchange them for this.

March, April, May?
The boots I returned where the quality was not up to snuff were a "they're cute and inexpensive and on sale" mistake. I now have my eye on the Frye Melissa Button. I've never spent so much on a pair of shoes, but I need to think about cost per wear -- the glowing reviews say they will last a mighty long time! (I have a Zappos credit that will make this one easier on the pocketbook, thank goodness.) I wish I had bought them last fall so that I could have been wearing them this whole time!

I am also thinking of jumping on the Sperry bandwagon, which could satisfy Matchbook's entry for loafers since I don't have anything like that. I previously thought they were maybe too preppy for my style, but I've had a change of heart as I've seen how adorable they are on everyone and their mom. I've heard that they are incredibly comfortable, which is what I need for the walking I'll be doing on upcoming trips to Chile/Argentina and Disney World! (Husband, these are practical.)

And just so I don't end up with a new pair of shoes every single month of the Year of Treat Yo Self, a trench coat is in the cards, too. I have a pink one from Old Navy that I got back in college that sits in my closet because it's kind of sad, so it is time to upgrade to a classic trench! 

If I were really subscribing to "buy it once, buy it right", I would get a beautiful Burberry trench just like Kate. I have no doubt that I would own it forever and could probably pass it down to the next generation (talk about cost per wear!), but a grand is just way. too. much.

I think I'm going to try this Calvin Klein trench instead - cute and functional, with a removable liner and hood (hard to find!).

I think I need to pace myself, but it's fun focusing on specific things that will improve my closet!


What's on your wardrobe wishlist? Anything you've splurged on that you're so glad you did? (Or vice versa!)