My Dreamy Mother-in-law

I am a sucker for generational photos (as you can see from Magic Man's bday present this year):  

When I saw this photo of my Mom-in-Law I could not believe how much it looked like Annie.

I tried to capture her with a similar expression but she does Not like to hold still so the closest I got was a shot of Annie with chocolate lips but you can see the resemblance, right?

How about now?

Even Lil' Dude has his beautiful Grandma's . . . everything.   

Back to my Perfect Mother-in-Law. . .

From the moment I met her I knew she was someone I wanted to emulate and let me tell you why:

She always finds time to have fun. Example: She'll hide out in the woods near their MS. home and when you're walking back home at night she'll pop out and scare the heck out of you.

She is a refined lady, who is also a sharp shooter (her dad taught her how to shoot birds when she was 7).

She nailed the stone cold fox look in the 80s.

She is the epitome of class and will not say anything negative about ANYONE.

She effortlessly keeps a super clean house and can whip up a delicious meal at a moment's notice.

She has boundless energy and always has time to play with her grandkiddies:

(P.S. I love it when C.C. does cartwheels.)

She welcomes anyone into her house at anytime and makes them feel  at home. 

She learned to drive when she was 8.  No lie.

She is a grandma and looks like this:

Plus, she's responsible for this guy.

My Dream Happens to be Hubbo's Nightmare

My Nana was a formal lady.  My mom said that she would change herself, my uncle and mom into their dinner clothes and re-do everyone's hair before my Tata would come home from work, so he would be greeted by a beautiful family.

Needles to say my mom grew up to be very proper and she had strict rules for Sunday church attire: which fabrics were appropriate, the amount of embellishments allowed and don't even get me started on shoes.

My little sister and I knew that after church we had to change from our Sunday clothes ASAP and the choices were a casual dress or a casual dress.  

(This might actually be us in our casual dresses - it's seriously hard to tell now.)

When I was single, getting dressed for church was something I respectfully put thought into and I'd always wear make-up (even though weekdays were spent bare faced with messy hair).  The greatest compliment I ever received was someone said that I 'didn't get dressed for church but that I dress for church.' 

This is something all my sisters adhere to.  (Mom is in the A1st necklace, in case you can't tell).

That's all changed now.  There are some Sunday's when we'll be driving to the chapel and I realize my hair is still in the messy bun I slept in.  

I struggle with getting 4 kids fed, hair brushed, dressed and ready for church by 9AM (ideally even earlier because the chapel fills up so fast).  I know, I know, not impossible, more like  super easy, but I'm new at this!  And, it's not so much getting them ready as it is getting them out the door that we struggle with.  There's always something - a fight - a forgotten item - a bathroom stop - Something!

We usually arrive flustered, speed walking in, BUT that does't stop me from snapping photos (Magic Man's nightmare).  I can't help it - they're 90% of the time in matching dresses with their hair done and I even match Lil' Dude's outfit to his sisters. 

As Hubbo does not like to stop walking once we get out of the car  (for obvious reasons), I've gotten better at the 'quickly pose while still heading to the chapel' shot. 

(P.S. My mom would be mortified at Lil' Dude's sneakers but Hubbo promised those were the only ones he'd wear without screaming. I think they're cute, though.) 

And yes, if we have to sit outside in the overflow area I continue to snap a photo or two.  What!? It's for Grandma!

And they're getting better at staying dressed for the drive home just in case I need to get one more shot.  Or three.

Note: CC and Binky are wearing their hair in the same style I did for my 1st Grade portrait in 1983.  Thank goodness my mom was more into 1960s hair for kids than 1980s. 

Dreaming of a Southern Lane

Considering this is a photo of a young Caroline Herrera, this probably wasn't shot near Birmingham.  But it resembles it so much, I'm going to pretend it was shot here.  Then I'm going to try and recreate it.  But not yet.

Dreamiest Little Sister

March is my little sister's Birthday Month.

(She's the charmer on the left and I'm reading the age-inappropriate magazine on the right.) 

And there are two things you need to know about her:

 She's a Rock Star.

And she's a World Champion Athlete.

Like THE World.  Planet Earth.  El Mundo. 

And she's my favorite.

Dreams and Grandparents

My Tata left us last Saturday. 

He's now with my Nana

 My aunt told us the last two nights of his life Tata said my abuela would wake him up and tell him it was time to go and he would respond, 'Not yet, I want to live to 100.'

I think 96 is a fine age to live to.

As I Continue to Dream About Beachwear...

Remember when I was dreaming of wearing Vintage-Inspired Maillots for my everyday clothes?


You should it was only a few days ago.


Well, I want to take that one step further -- and wear hats that match my swimwear.

APC first gave me the idea last summer with this:

I have become quite obsessed with this actually because I bought this two-piece but passed on the hat.  It seemed like a silly extravagance and a bit much.  I must have been in a bad place at the time because normally 'silly' and 'too much' describe most of my ensembles.  The hat has since sold out and I've turned into a bit of a maniac every few weeks checking to see if someone is selling it online.  Such a sad story.  I'm weeping as I recount it.


Moving on. . . 

I did buy a sewing pattern 

for a bathing suit and hat -- maybe I can find a madras plaid in a similar enough color to Look like it matches?


I know, I know, call me Ahab.  I need to stop before I drown in my own obsessive manner.


In the meantime I will just soothe myself with images of suits and matching hats:

Plus maybe this visualization will help the plaid sun hat find its way into my life.  

Wearing a Dreamy Swimsuit Everyday...

This new Beach Life has really agreed with me.  Our favorite family activity is renting a boat and cruising around the harbor, pretending we're in Arrested Development.

Loose Seal!

I've been obsessed with maillots since we moved here.  I picture wearing them as everyday clothing, with a long skirt and platforms. That way I'm always prepared to jump in the water.

I need to prepared for constant water fun.

  

If I had a modest wool maillot like these bathing beauties I would wear it alone:  

There were some lovely options shown in the 

ready-to-wear Spring 2012 shows.

 This Prada number has been all over the place:

And while I think it's fab,

I'd prefer this pink/green one:

If I'm going to wear a Prada granny-inspired swimsuit, 

I want it look like a proper granny.

Speaking of hot-granny looks, this Dolce & Gabbana one-piece is amazing.  Paired with a red flared skirt and brown sandals, I would pretend I was on Lido Isle near Venice.  Or Lido Isle off Newport Beach.  Both are equally stunning and the latter is much closer. 

But if I'm going to wear a Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit I would have to go with the glam, sequined version.  

Otherwise, what's the point?

 As far as ubiquitous maillots go, 

these sparkly beauties were unstoppable.  

If I'm going to wear an over-the-top bathing suit, why stop at sequins and jewels?

Why not not just wear a one-piece with a feather bustle?

Or just a spacey, metallic color-burst?

Because that would be taking it too far.  

That's why.