Duuude.

I've been really out of my own blogging loop for a while. I've been sort of keeping up with some reading, mostly keeping in touch through Instagram, but what I've gathered is that Capsule Wardrobes are "in" and they're filled with neutrals and stripes.

Well, I guess I've been accidentally capsule wardrobing for a really long time, then.

I'm taking the capsule-chic one step closer to lazy and have been doing two things with what I've been wearing lately. 1. Replace a lot of dead and dying clothes (China water is really mineral-y and makes clothes crunchy and gross much more quickly. Goodbye, old worn out favorites) with pieces that are a little oversized, since my intention is to be pregnant on repeat and knock out the whole "let's have lots of kids" thing bing bang boom style. And slouchy/ comfortable works in pregnancy, post-partum, and toddler chasing. 2. I'm buying the bulk of my new favorites in the men's section. Been doin' that since my belly got big, like here, here, here.

Casual Fall and Life Lately

It's the peeeerfect weather in Suzhou right now. We're in the midst of sunshine days with a nip in the air- perfect for jeans and something with long sleeves during the lunch hour. And, for the most part, we can still get away with no socks and lighter layers on little Violet if I wear her since we're sweaty torso to sweaty torso, but I fear those days are going away soon. Now, if only I could find socks that fit her.

Sorry for the long absence, friends! We've been traveling some, but mostly I have been enjoying the bejesus out of wasting my days staring into Violet's eyes, spending hours making fart noises at one another, taking long shuffling walks with the dog. Life is wonderfully slow lately and I'm so grateful for this little moment in time where I can finally enjoy my kid after all of the undeveloped digestive tract yelling, the thrush and nursing nightmares now behind us and in a good groove. It's days filled with lots of really great little moments of fingers tangled in my hair, raspberry spit-bubbles being smeared all over my cheek, that one crazy dimple that shows up on her upper right cheek when she smiles her crooked whole-faced grin, especially when she's super proud of herself for sitting on her own for a few seconds. I'm really loving it.

Making Buddies

This kid is so her dad's clone. Blonde, blue eyes, and really loves going out. I'm a homebody, no question, but Violet is so nosy and happy to spend her days walking around Suzhou making friends. It really cracks me up- the 35-65 year old women are more likely to be judgey and unpleasant about how she's so small, or she must be cold, or why isn't she wearing a hat or socks. However, men of all ages, from college boys to retirees, are the absolute cutest about making a silly face for her and waving, which usually illicits a grin or concentrated eyebrow twitch and there's kind of nothing more adorable than a man who is melted into a pile of giggles and mush by a baby making eye contact.

Flashback: Too-Small Tops

Oh, Kate, you shoulda stopped trying to wear your shorty shirts. You wore this when you still had 5 weeks until your due date. There was a decided lack of shirt stretch happening. Good try, lady. Next time, stick with rotating your small handful of maternity shirts and stop trying to sausage-encase yourself in your XS collection. It's not a good look.

Hope I learned my lesson- don't wear stuff optimistically, I just look like the Stay-puffed marshmallow man if it's too tight. Hehehe, it was a cute concept, but the fit didn't work in my favor. At all. 

The Grind

Daaangit. I'm back to work.

It's a big week to be fresh back at it and rolling at full steam- we have over 100 prospective students arriving for two days to audition for the music program and take diagnostic tests for musical knowledge. The Chinese higher educational system is really different from Europe or the States; students typically have to apply for the University, complete an audition (pretty normal), but the tricky part is the "quota system" where there's a minimum score on the entrance audition and a percentage allotted to each province based on how many applications we receive. On top of that percentage divided into 40, the maximum we can accept, a student's attendance depends on a passing grade on the National Test and our school being on the top of their list of acceptable schools. Lots of stuff has to line up to get kids in the doors!

So, wish me and my only legit pair of maternity pants (hauled all the way over from the States with fingers crossed that they would fit!) good luck, and keep your fingers crossed that we wind up with some great students for next year. Mostly my office mates need the good vibes, I just need to keep up a good attitude. Don't want to go back! I really liked managing my house and family for a month.

 

 

Wrapping Up

Skirt: Target...Tee: J Crew Factory...Scarf: TJ Maxx...Belt: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

It's been so. darn. cold in our office the last month. AC is my nemesis. My fingers are literally freezing after having them exposed and elevated to work on the computer. Solution? Dress like it's early spring: lighter, happy colors, worn in pretty extreme layers (there's totally two long sleeved shirts going on up there), along with an oversized scarf. Oh, yeah, and then die of heat stroke once you step out into Houston's 96 F, 80% humidity afternoon weather.


Guys, it's my very last day at work today. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, and I'm definitely glad to be trotting off to China soon.

I won't say I'm not a little sad. This job has had its challenges- grants writing (but mostly grants reporting on Education and programs which I know nothing about) is hard. And diving into it with no prior experience and being given very little training made it tougher. But, I was surrounded by really good people, extraordinary work being accomplished, and, if nothing else, I was part of a shift in the the energy of the office after a few years of tricky office dynamics and leadership. If nothing else, I contributed to creating a cheerful and positive culture and working relationships. Was the position itself my best fit? Probably not. The Gala, streamlined branding and templates, and positive energy are things I'm proud to put my name on, though.

But, as of today at 5:00, I'm unemployed. Rather, I'm officially on vacation. Rob and I are going on a cruise to Belize, Isla Roatan, and Cozumel. And then we get one final week to soak up friend time and finish painting and cleaning this apartment that's been home for four years.

And then three weeks stuffed full of family time! I just saw my family during my brother's HS graduation a few short weeks ago, but I'm beyond excited for this.

And then we're getting onto a plane to move halfway across the world.

Move. Across the world.



Whoa.

Trenches and Dugouts

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Button-down: Target...Trench: Target...Shoes: Cole Haan via DSW...Necklace: Etsy

Second baseball game toniiiight! Crap, I love Tigers Baseball.

Plus, our buddy is coming back for a visit. Little Roo, Rob's adopted baby sister, moved to LA for her graduate program last year and it's been darn lonely without her!

Happy weekend, dear friends.

Stripes, Mint, and Confessions

Skirt: Beijing Tailor...Tee: J Crew Outlet...Belt: Target...Scarf: Target...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

I was told I looked "very J Crew" in this. I'll take the compliment, even if I'm dressing for the wrong season.

So, did you all get a chance to see my news (ha, I say "my news" like I had anything to do with it)? I'm really sorry about floating away with no explanation for over a week, but we were waiting on paperwork and researching our brains out and with my normal easy-and-hidden outdoor photo spot still out of commission, taking daily shots was a drag, so I decided the logical thing to do was go missing rather than subject you guys to dust-and-dog-fur mirror shots. Anyway, mumbling aside, I've missed you all and promise to retain a more normal schedule. Because ditching your friends is lame. I have been silently keeping up with you guys, even if I haven't been commenting.

Lots of other big stuff has been happening for my family, too, so I'll either have lots of good stuff to tell you soon or more secrets to keep. TBD.

Chilled and Crabby

Jeans: H&M...Button Down: J Crew...Sweater: Zara...Coat: BB Dakota via Piperlime...Shoes: Naturalizer..Bag: Longchamp knockoff

Hey, remember this sweater? That little trick was a great discovery!

It's been darn cold around here these last few days. Which sucks, but I'll survive the trek in to my office on chilly mornings and late night dog walks with bundled layers and fluffy socks stuffed into flip flop sandals (gosh, I really need a pair of pull-on boots...). The big, fat negative is being home in the evenings. Our apartment is really old and drafty, we're on the first floor above a crawlspace, thiiiin subflooring and wood floors. Non-energy efficient windows transfer a lot of the chill in. I love the character of our place, but brrrr! Even the rugs and draperies we have don't help a ton. Only a window AC/Heater in the living room and crappy space heaters in our bedroom. If we try to run them both on high to heat up our room for the night while we're watching tv, we're guaranteed to trip the breaker. Which we have to travel down the complex's hallway toward the parking lot out back to reset.

This is really only a "thing" because I was feeling especially chilled last night. I spent as much time as I could coaxing any critter that would get near me to stay for a snuggle. Thank goodness Miles and Eddie were both feeling cold, too.

A Good Old Fashioned Giggle

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Sweater: Target...Scarf: Zara Sweater...Flats: Target...Bag: Longchamp

Are you linking up Stripes with Marionberry Style? You better be (and regularly reading her blog too, homegirl's hilarious and oh-so-fashionable). P.S.- I'm super proud of this creative stripe wearing. A sweater with the arms tucked in as an infinity scarf? The game's called "I Win!"

Speaking of "I Win," I've been able to pull a few dead-pan jokes on my husband lately. Like the time I convinced him that I save and reuse coffee grounds and he felt bad for prematurely throwing them out (he's not a coffee drinker, he has no idea how it works). And after my shower last night, I asked him to toss me pajamas and underpants. He sweetly asked if I wanted a specific new pair, so I replied, "Nah, just the same ones from earlier today." Dead-pan. And he abandoned my skivvies drawer to comply with my dead-pan joke request for used undergarments. I burst into giggles, he grumped at me and gave me my pj's and a new pair... And then I told him, "Hey, I found something out today- if you say oranges reeeeally slow, it kind of sounds like 'gullible.'"

His lips made the O. Thank goodness he stopped.

And then I died of laughter.

Little Black Jacket

Skirt: Target...Sweater: Zara...Jacket: Armani Exchange via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Gap Men's...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...

It was a meeting day off-site. Simple, profesh, easy, and wrinkle-free. Black and white pattern-mixing for the win. Seriously, between these Target skirts and those Naturalizer pumps with a barely 3" heel (over 6 years old, baby!) I have no-brainer dressing handled.

And this silly jacket. Bromance and I did a little shopping together the weekend my Guy was out of town and I found this weird little number buried in the racks. It isn't a raincoat. It isn't a trench. It isn't a swing coat. It isn't peplum. It's just its own funny little thing. And I love it.

Overdressed. Again.

Dress: ASOS...Cardigan: Target...Trench: Target...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Target...Shades: via TJ Maxx

I actually wore this to a concert a few days ago. And, per my whining and moaning about what's appropriate, I was far-and-away the most overdressed person there, excluding performers. And I'm over the whole conundrum. If I have to look nice for work, what's the fun of dressing like a schlub in a concert hall? None. That's right. It's more fun to look nice for 18 hours than like a varsity-basketball-cheering undergrad goon.

And if you wear manageable heels, you can rock 'em all day. So, that's a bonus.

Dressed Up Casual

Jeans: Gap Perfect Boot...Tee: H&M...Cardigan: thrifted...Shoes: Target...Necklace: Target...Bracelet: thrifted...Bag: D&B via  Buffalo Exchange...Shades: via TJ Maxx

Just a little something for the style side of the blog... I wore this for Saturday morning, changed back into PJ's and then put it on again for the evening. Classy.

The weekend was a funny juxtaposition between napping and doing something during which we needed to be "on." Saturday morning, early, we accompanied a guest composer to the music school to breakfast and took him and his wife to a Houston institution- The Breakfast Klub. They're known for chicken and waffles and phenomenal people watching... and it sure didn't disappoint. We had a lovely morning with them and enjoyed soaking the the experience. We napped our way through the afternoon because my Guy is home and unoccupied, so why not? We also watched our way through the latest season of How I Met Your Mother. Saturday night, we were able to attend a get-together hosted by one of my Guy's professors. Chatting with some of the newer doctoral candidates and getting to know them better was a blast, plus I got to eat food deliciously prepared by my Guy's Bromance... Geez Louise, he's an awesome chef.

Sunday was a nice lazy morning (we decided to bring our neighbor's doggies over for a sleep over their last night before our neighbor came home. There's something wonderful about seeing Miles snuggle in next to his new friends for a Sunday morning nap. We also had our first photoshoot with our super talented neighbor- I am so excited to see how they all turned out. She treated it as a simple "couple photoshoot" rather than an engagement shoot and rather than anything witha theme. We did some lounging on our sofa, played cards, listened to music together, got crawled on my animals... I hope we have a few good ones- we never did engagement photos or real wedding pictures, so I'm beyond thrilled to have some killer photos of the two of us!

How was your weekend? Were you up to anything legen-waitforit-dary My naps were pretty epic, just sayin'.

Repairs

Dress: ASOS...Sweater: Target...Belt: Target...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

Thank goodness it's Wednesday- my Guy is completing the 2-hour oral exam part of his comprehensives (they made him wait two weeks between the 3 days of written exams and the orals... which means he had to maintain all of that extensive musical knowledge for an extra long period of time because once he walks into that room tomorrow they could conceivably ask him anything.) Once he's done with this hurdle, he's down to writing his dissertation piece (for symphony and with a springtime target date), passing a language translation written exam, orally defending the dissertation upon completion and that's about it. After 23 straight years of school, he's nearly to the end of the line. Thank. Goodness. I'm so sick of being a sugar momma.

In totally unrelated news, I get to pick up a few pairs of shoes that I took in for stretching and repair at the end of the day today. Including my amazing thrifted boots that I was only able to wear once last year and then the dry, old, cruddy leather soles crapped out. Seriously, they were so brittle, they shattered. Pricy fix? A little. Worth it? I am going to go with a big, fat "yes." There's nothing better than finding a pair of boots with character, a proper calf circumference and at a thrift store price. I have yet to purchase a pair of boots from a "real" store... they are never a sold fit. And the options with a nice, narrow, structured shaft are north of the $500 price range. Um, no.

What fall favorites have you found on the cheap? What thrifted item have you paid big bucks to make perfect?

Linking up... because it's Wednesday! Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday and Rolled Up Pretty's Whatever Wherever Wednesday.

Comps Countdown

Jeans: UO...Tank: J Crew...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Nine West Outlet...Jewelry: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shades: Coach via TJ Maxx

It's nearly the weekend, which for our family means a whole lot of hooey. MONDAY- WEDNESDAY next week- Comprehensive Exams will come and go and I am anticipating a whole lot of booty kicking by my Guy, Bromance, Swarley and the rest of the gang. My Guy is going to melt his brain into oblivion this weekend with music history, theory and musical score identification cramming, I'm going to quiz the crap out of him. I'm going to do very little cleaning, we're going to do a lot of fresh food eating. Eggs, toast and bananas with a tall glass of OJ Monday morning. (Or do you guys have a big test/ presentation power breakfast to share?)

Happiest weekend to you all, do something lovely with your days for me! I'll join ya next week.

Labor Day Weekend

Dress: Target...Chambray: Target...Shoes: J Jill via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

I would talk about Labor Day weekend, but it was kind of a non-event. We hit the Zoo with Natalie and her boyfriend on Sunday morning, helped a friend move on Saturday, I did laundry on Monday evening and watched a lot of Wipeout and altered things. Highlights that are mediocre at best.

BTW, say adios to the fluttery skirt of this pajama dress- I altered the navy version to be more straight and I love it!

I'm a piggy- chips, avocado scooped out, sliced cheese not on top of anything, lemonade... Just keeping it real with you guys.