ellie channels crewcuts.

i think ellie looked very crewcuts in this outfit.
nanny thought she looked like a girl scout.
jo jo thought she looked like a medic in africa.
bottom line: she looked precious.

shirt: (now defunct) babystyle, thrifted
shorts: hand-me-down
socks: target
moccasin boots: old navy
headband: target

30 for 30 winter, a little over half way.

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sixteen down, 14 to go. check out the daily posts at what mom wore. looking at all of my remixed outfits at once makes me feel like i really am successfully making unique outfits out of 30 items. the shopping ban is wearing on me, i must admit.

30 for 30.

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if you're looking for something to do while stuck in all the ice, click over to what mom wore to check out the first few days of my 30 for 30 remix. i'm four days in and learning quite a bit. even if you don't dig the posting of daily photos for the world to see, i suggest you take on kendi's challenge to gain a new perspective on your closet.

just in case.

just in case you're someone who checks out my super sparsely updated "fashion" (i don't think we can really call it that) blog, click here to see my first attempt at real outfit photos (read: not in the bathroom mirror with a cell phone camera). i keep a separate blog because i don't think all of my readers here (ahem, hi grandmother!, ahem) really care to see me taking photos of myself. if, however, people really are interested in regular updates, maybe i can feature an outfit on ourhenryhome every so often. one of my goals is to be more regular in updating whatmomwore. i really do enjoy it. even if it does seem narcissistic. it's another creative outlet. what can i say?

thrifted treasure.

one of my most favorite things to do is thrift. i love finding good quality items with lots of life left in them at great prices. as an added bonus, we are wearing/decorating with/using things that not everyone else is wearing/decorating with/using. i dig the uniqueness. i'm thinking of starting a little series on my blog about my finds since i get such a kick out of scoring them. also, landon and i had a multi-hour-long budget conversation yesterday where we set some pretty ambitious financial goals. these goals are are likely going to limit me to thrifting for my shopping thrill for the next several months. sounds like a double challenge!

first up...

...this sweet little green lands' end dress.
i found it at salvation army for $1.49.
it soft, thick cotton that feels high quality and looks adorable.

the jean jacket is mossimo from target.
i bought it at once upon a child in plano for $2 (i think).
i typically don't buy brands like target, walmart, or even old navy at thrift/second-hand stores because they are fairly cheap to start with.
but this was a great price on a super cute, super versatile jacket.

her tights and boots are not thrifted, but they were bought on sale at target (98 cents) and old navy ($8), respectively. (yes, we are posing on the potty. what can i say? that bathroom has good light.)

oh! how'd that get in there? he's not wearing anything thrifted today. but he sure is cute!

hello, denim leggings. i love you. (and my fashion shopping list.)

about a month ago, i made an index card that i've since been carrying in my wallet. on it, a list of things i'd like to add to my wardrobe. the idea came to me while i was perusing fashion sites that were all aflutter with spring trends. first, i looked through my closet for things i already owned (i found quite a few!) that would work to keep my look fresh and forward. then, on the index card, i listed a few things i would like to have for spring and summer that i didn't already own.

the goal? to focus my purchases on things i have had the forethought to know i want. in other words, an attempt to keep from buying things just because they're on sale. if it's on the card AND on sale? BONUS! this is what happened with these denim leggings. i came across them on the target sale rack for $9.99. i love how they have the look of leggings, but are a bit more structured and forgiving than regular knit leggings. they're cute with tunics and short dresses. i've had them for five days, and i think i've had them on at least three of those days.

i have been coming up with a lot of processes, strategies and methods for my life over the past months. it's like i'm becoming an adult. or my dad. (hi, daddy! i love you!) they are far from perfect, but i am making some progress in streamlining my life. progress is encouraging.

and, just in case you're wondering, i got three bright-colored skinny belts at goodwill for $1.99 each. a-ma-zing. grayson is holding my kelly green one hostage, though. he loves to wear it around his neck while he tries, very determinedly, to buckle and unbuckle it. silly boy.

here are links to things i'm loving that are left on my list: chucks; linen pants; chambray shirt; gold sandals; neutral, taper-heel shoe & etsy shoe clips.

saturday night style.

introducing, my latest time waster: shopstyle. basically the google of fashion, you can browse hundreds of thousands of apparel items from hundreds of stores all on one site. by "favorite-ing" an item, it is added to your stylebook, and from there you can create wish lists and put together different looks.

as you can see, my favorite thing to do is to put together looks. what i like to do is search items that i already own -- or are at least similar -- and put together different outfits. the exercise satisfies my urge to shop while surfing the net, allowing me to be creative with pieces already in my closet. i also just discovered that you can upload your own photos, which is great if you want to include items from, say, etsy.

anyway...frivolous, i know. but fun. and what are weekends for if not for fun?

Skinny Denim by Old Navy
Flats by Blowfish

Tanks by Martin + Osa
Wedges by Merona

Tees by Oasis
Sandals by Cole Haan

Sandals by Bandolino
Shoulder Bags by Nine West

Mid-length Skirts by Old Navy
Wedges by Old Navy

Skinny Denim by J Brand
Wedges by Old Navy

Cardigans by Lutz & Patmos
Pumps by Mia

thoughts. and an "already pretty" poll.

i wrote in my train of thought post from awhile back that i've been playing with clothes a lot lately. that trend continues. in playing with clothes, i am, obviously, looking at my body. as has been my custom since adolescence (along with every woman, everywhere, right?), i am less-than-thrilled with my body most every time i look at it. how different has my body been from age 12 to age 27? ridiculously. how different will my body be from 27 to 42? ridiculously. the one constant is my discontent.

today, it's a less-than-flat tummy (always, always, always), the cowlick on the back of my head that gives me an eternal flat spot in my hair and blindingly pale legs in my first tightless/leggingless skirt of the season. oh, and i see spider veins in my legs. you'd have to be on top of my leg to see them, but i can see them. all too clearly. my own personal neon sign of imperfection.

we have a family photo shoot coming up, and, as always, i am anxiety-ridden. i just know that i will look fat, dorky and ridiculous. honestly, i would rather just have pictures made of the kids because then i don't have to endure the stress.

i waste so much energy on this kind of thing. i really do. and i am doing such a disservice to hone in on a silly cowlick, of all things, instead of looking at myself as a whole, a work in progress inside and out. it's a disservice to myself, to my children, to my husband and to God. thinking this way brings about despair, which brings about poor choices and wasted time. a vicious cycle.

i am tired of wasting time.

through my most recent play with fashion, i've found several style bloggers that feature attainable ensembles in terms of budget and body shape. i love them! on one in particular, i saw a post with an "already pretty" poll. the blogger posted her five favorite things about her body and invited her readers to do the same in the comments.

i am going to copy her.

i want to stop focusing on the imperfect. because it's not going away. instead, i will focus on the things i like about my body, the things it can do. i have been and will continue to focus on working toward practices that aid in my appreciation for this temple i have been given by God, practical ways of taking care of it.

ultimately, it's not about body love, but body acceptance and respect so that i can be free to focus on what's important. because spending hours staring at my flaws is not important. it's causing me to miss what's important. and that's not cool.

so, without further ado, my "already pretty" list:

1.) my body can carry and nurture children. it is an undertaking that is not without scars, but what could be more beautiful than a body that can sustain another body?

2.) my eyelashes are long and dark.

3.) my ankles are slender, and i like the way most any shoe looks on my foot.

4.) i can rock short hair confidently.

5.) my hands work hard for me while still being lovely. i can use them to type super fast, hold my husband's hand, bake, change diapers, display pretty rings, touch soft baby skin, express emotion while talking, cover my face for laughing so hard, wipe away tears -- mine and anyone else's, and, this is my favorite, raise in praise to my Jesus.

won't you play along? tell me your "already pretty" list.