The Church Lady.

Crochet Tank Top, Eddie Bauer
Veronica Ikat Printed shorts, Lucky Brand Jeans
Candid sandals, Dr. Scholl's via DSW
earrings, Anthropologie
Idiom bangle, Kate Spade
Initial Charms necklace, Stella & Dot
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans
Sephora lipstick in "It Girl"

Sunday's fashion question of the day:

How can I get away with wearing as few clothes as possible without being completely inappropriate for church?

Vulnerability.

After Plaited tank, Anthropologie
Darlene Dobby skirt [petite], Anthropologie
T-strap wedges, Clarks
Dalton Posts earrings, Anthropologie (*Thanks Abby!)
Say yes "Cheers" necklace, Kate Spade
Decker watch, Fossil
Sephora lipstick in "It girl"

-back-

This blog has been liberating for me.  It is giving me a creative outlet and an escape from the everyday humdrum of a stay-at-home mom.

I like to debate serious issues, but also enjoy a healthy dose of all things frivolous.  I watch the Today show to keep up on world news and current events, then cheers with Kathie Lee and Hoda the fourth hour while they gab about Miley Cyrus's engagement.  It's all about balance.  And Miley is way too young.  But Liam is a total dreamboat (read: jailbait), so I get it.

Blogging can be validating, yet on the other hand, it can make me feel completely vulnerable.  I am having fun while I'm writing and editing photos.  Then as soon as I click PUBLISH, the negative thoughts seem to always surface:

I don't look skinny enough in those pictures.  People probably think, "She really let herself go."  Ugh, my thighs!  Do people think I'm full of myself because I'm posting my outfits?  I wish I had something new to wear.

Then I remind myself why I'm blogging:  it's just for FUN, Mollie!

Nope, I'm not tall and skinny... I'm short and I like to eat spaghetti.  Sure, I let myself go... but those two kiddos were totally worth it, and the spaghetti was too.  I will never have stick straight legs.  My thighs touched when I weighed 111 lbs... but my legs are strong and athletic.  I look totally cute today... and this IS a personal style blog, after all.  No, I don't have sponsors giving me new shoes and bags and jewelry to blog about...  (Wait.  Why don't I have sponsors?  Whatevs.)  I wear what I love.  And what would Jeff and I have to fight about if I didn't go shopping?

So I guess a little vulnerability is a good thing.  It forces you to grow, to reflect, to learn about yourself.  And gives you something to blog about.

Crappy photography.

Pinstripe dress, Anthropologie (circa 2010)
Intyce boots, Steve Madden
Initial necklace, Anthropologie
Decker watch, Fossil
Sephora lipstick in "It girl"

Got all dolled up tonight for our playgroup's MNO (Moms' Night Out).  It was so nice to catch up with the girls and meet a few new girls over some blood orange margaritas.

I want to start taking more outfit pics, but clearly I need some more practice with the self timer.  It took me 400 pictures to get this one.  And I didn't even get my feet.  I would ask Jeff to snap a few pics, but God bless him, he's the world's worst photographer.  (Love ya, Dude!)  Maybe I can train Noah... or even little Max.  Until then, it's me and the tripod, and crappy photos.    

This shot was the runner up.  There were about 300 of these.

Smooch.

Pucker up!

"Lips"
Andy Warhol
(art.com)

I say ditch the Hallmark store, and give your makeup case a treat today with a new lipstick.  It lasts longer than flowers and unlike chocolate, it's zero calories.

Rouge Cream Lipstick, Sephora Collection

My two new colors:

Décolleté
(warm pinkish beige)

Courtisane
(deep brick red)

Happy Valentine's Day!  

Love, Mollie

The Hunger Games

 Mollie's fake eyelash crush:
Elizabeth Banks as 'Effie Trinket' in Deer & Butterfly Eyelashes, Sephora

I wasn't a huge fan of the tween angst vampire trend.  I went to see the midnight release of one of the movies, but it was merely a social thing.  Wanting to get out with my girlfriends to eat popcorn and Raisinets, rather than to swoon over jailbait Bop magazine hunks.

However, I did get bit by The Hunger Games bug (by Suzanne Collins).  Breezing through the novels, counting down to the first Hollywood rendition of the books, and getting super excited over the potential for nail polish inspired by the hoop-la.  There was an OPI collection for The Muppets, so why not?

Well of course they are going to cash in on fashion conscious book worms such as myself!  I want Riveting and Smoke and Ashes.

China Glaze's Colours from the Capitol, nail polish inspired by The Hunger Games

How cute is this?!  Some Hunger Games fans over at thehob.org did their homework and connected the dots.  The 12 colors represent each of the 12 Districts and their specialties.

District 1:  Luxe and Lush  (Luxury)

District 2:  Stone Cold  (Masonry)

District 3:  Riveting  (Technology)

District 4:  Hook and Line (Fishing)

District 5:  Electrify  (Power)

District 6:  Fast Track  (Transportation)

District 7:  Mahogany Magic  (Lumber)

District 8:  Dress Me Up  (Textiles)

District 9:  Harvest Moon  (Grain)

District 10:  Foi Gras  (Livestock)

District 11:  Agro  (Agriculture)

District 12:  Smoke and Ashes  (Mining)

(Source: All things nail polish www.alllacqueredup.com, and all things Hunger Games thehob.org)

I wonder what Cinna would wear.

Factory Girl

Eye Makeup inspiration:
Edie Sedgwick, 1965 screentest

Edie Sedgwick.  Tragic "it girl" of the 60's and inspiration for the movie Factory Girl.  Like Edie, I never leave the house without a few dozen coats of jet back eyeliner and mascara.  These products are my latest raves.  

Master Drama Eye Studio eyeliner in Midnight Black, Maybelline
Eyelash Expert Tools eyelash curler, Maybelline
Benefit They're Real! mascara in jet black, Sephora
Sephora Collection Professional Heated Lash Curler, Sephora

After my face is prepped and primed, it's time for Factory eyes.

Step 1.

Line upper lids with Master Drama Eye Studio eyeliner in Midnight Black by Maybelline.  It goes on smooth like a crayon, but sets like a liquid.  Once set, it doesn't smudge and lasts forever.  You may need an act of God to wash it off your face.  Tip: I use Pampers Sensitive baby wipes to remove.  They are cheaper than eye makeup remover pads, and are plentiful in my house.  

Step 2.

Turn on Sephora Collection Professional Heated Lash Curler to start warming up while you work on your lashes.  Crimp eyelashes with your trusty drugstore eyelash curler.  

Step 3.

Apply a coat of Benefit They're Real! mascara in jet black.  I have 3 blonde eyelashes per eye and I'm obsessed with fattening them up.  Santa put this in my stocking and it is one of the best mascaras I have ever used.  So worth the $22.  Super fattening, lengthening, and lasts all day.  You never need to reapply.  (But if you do, beware of spider eyes.)

Step 4.

Use the Sephora Collection Professional Heated Lash Curler to "set" your lashes.  My lashes are straight as an arrow and I wonder how I ever lived without this new tool!  There are some tutorials and reviews on YouTube I checked out first.  Basically, you just comb your lashes through in the direction you want them to go; up and out towards the outer corner of your eyes.  The heated curler melts or softens the waxes in the mascara and then as it cools, it sets your lashes for the day in a curl.  It's magic!

There.  Now you too can look like a strung-out socialite of the 60's.