What My Kid Wearing Today

Twice a year, there is a kids consignment sale in our town.  Generally, I do not go because the prices tend to be outrageous.  This year, a friend invited me to go with her, so that is what we did this morning.  It was crowded and there were lots of overpriced things, but I did manage to find a few things for Bijou for spring and summer.  I bought seven or eight things and spent $30.  That is a splurge for me.  I am sure that they will be featured here at some point.  Anywho, this is what Zion wore today while we were out.

I found these sweet little white suede oxfords yesterday - FootMates ($1.99 at Goodwill)

grey leggings - Garanimals ($.99 at Goodwill)

denim skirt - Justice ($1.49 at Goodwill)

Grey striped Whiz Kid t-shirt - WonderKids ($.99 at Goodwill)

Striped button down - Children's Place ($1.49 at Goodwill)

Grey linen blazer - Gap ($3.99 at Goodwill)

(and her socks are hot pink even though you can't tell in the picture)

total outfit - approx. $11

What Was My Kid Wearing The Other Day...

I forgot about this outfit that Bijou wore the other day.  So, here it is...

Shoes - DC (previously featured)

pink floral leggings - Gap($.99 at Goodwill)

denim skirt - Gap ($1.49 at Goodwill)

striped t-shirt - Label of Graded Goods ($.99 at Goodwill)

jacket - Hawke & Co. ($3.99 at Goodwill)

Total Outfit - approx. $7.50

What's My Kid Wearing Today?

So there have been some big changes around the Brown-David compound.  Ashni (after having her hair locked for 7 years) and Jena (after having her hair locked for almost 4 years) decided that they wanted to cut their hair.  Now, I have always been the mom who was not attached to the girls hair or what they did with it (or so I thought).  Honestly, cutting it was a bit traumatic for me.  I couldn't sleep after I did it!  Because I knew that they didn't want to completely shave their heads, I agreed to help them "take their hair down".  That sounds so much simpler than it actually was.  We devoted an entire weekend (from sun up to sun down) wetting and picking their hair loose.  It was an ORDEAL!  The girls are very happy with their new look and it's starting to grow on me.  Now, I just have to get used to hair being a part of our daily routine.  That hasn't happened in ages.  Anywho, Jena has discovered that she can find how to hair videos on  YouTube and has been experimenting with different styles.  This was her do today and the outfit to go with.

brown desert boots - Rocket Dog ($9.99 at Tuesday Morning)

skinny jeans - Arizona ($3 at JCPenney)

shirt - Cherokee ($2.49 at Goodwill)

Total Outfit - approx. $15.50

Deconstructed Closet Organization

So, I will be the first one to admit that I am NOT a great housekeeper.  I own a lot of things.  I collect a lot of things.  I have a lot of things.  I am okay with that.  It's a part of who I am.  That being said, I am not a fan of being surrounded by tons of things with no particular place for them to go.  The current thorn in my side is my bedroom.  The hubs and I have a pretty good sized bedroom and closet, but it always seems like there are clothes everywhere.  The problem - we never put all of our laundry away.  Ever.  We wash, dry, fold and leave it in the basket.  Eventually, we need the basket for dirty clothes and so we dump the clean clothes on the chair or the bed with all intentions to put it away later.  It never happens.  So, I proposed that we stop even intending to put the laundry away.  Just don't.  It's a crazy concept, I know.  But here's what we've done.  I went to the store and bought two cheapy plastic storage shelves, like the ones that you would put in the garage, and 12 (yes 12) laundry baskets.  I set up the shelves in out closet (one for the hubs and one for me) and put two laundry baskets on each shelf (six for him, six for me).  The shelves and baskets serve as a sort of tiered laundry system.  The baskets on the top shelf contain clean t-shirts and tank tops, my middle shelf has pajamas, socks and underwear and those in between clothes that can be worn again before they have to be washed, and the bottom shelf is dirty laundry.  So when the dirty laundry basket is full, I just pull the whole basket out, dump it in the wash and toss the clean clothes back into their respective baskets.  Voila!  I still fold my jeans and put them on the closet shelf and hang my (very few) dresses, but I think this system will word out well for us.

It's definitely not the prettiest closet makeover you are going to find, but pretty doesn't always work for me.

What's My Kid Wearing Today

We are back to our hours of running around each day getting kids to and from their respective activities.  That means that Zion spends a lot of time in and out of the car.  On these days, we just need easy comfy (or "comfty" as Zion calls it) clothes. This is one of my favorite simple, run around outfits for Zion.  

Shoes - Gap ($3.99 at Goodwill)

Skinny Jeans - Faded Glory, I think ($.99 at Goodwill)

Sweatshirt - Cherokee ($2 at Goodwill in St. Louis)

Jacket - Gap (previously featured)

Total Outfit (minus the jacket) - $7

Jena really likes very simple clothes.  She's not super flashy.  She doesn't like a lot of patterns or cha cha (my word for fluff and frills and ruffles).  This is her basic look.  Black fleece (or some other jacket), skinny jeans and boots or sneakers.  She did jazz it up with this blue scarf.  

The Lady Clan makes sushi with Daddy

After the sushi party yesterday, the girls decided that they wanted more sushi.  Fortunately, they persuaded daddy to make more with them.  

Zion's Sushi Party

Ahhhh, another birthday party done.  Zion's sushi party was fun for everyone.  I think this has been my favorite theme to date, but I am glad that it's over.  Now for the pictures...

There were a ton of paper lanterns made for this party.  I was being super cheap and refused to pay $5 a piece for paper lanterns at the party supply store.  Fortunately, at the last minute, our friends at the public library offered to let us borrow these striped ones.

The older girls made cherry blossoms and attached them to a branch from our year for the centerpiece on the table.

The highlight of the party was definitely the sushi cupcakes.    They were indeed a labor of love.

I made a few little kokeshi dolls from the little wooden people you buy at the craft store.  The larger kokeshi doll is one I have had for a few years.

The snack line up for this party included fortune cookies, Pocky, shrimp flavored chips, sushi cupcakes and actual sushi (thanks to my wonderful husband)

Goodie bags were handed out with not a single piece of candy within.  You are welcome, parents.

Closeup of Zion's sushi sign.  I'm sure this will end up in her play kitchen.

Happy Birthday, Zion.  We had a great time, but I'm glad it's over for another....well...month.  Ashni has requested a Janelle Monae party for her last big party.  We'll see how that turns out.