There's something about lipstick.

I love this new lip color for summer.  MAC calls the color "Saint Germain."  I call it "Magda."

"Magda"
There's Something About Mary
*Image courtesy of rotten tomatoes.com

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?

Yay me!

Winding Rope tank, Anthropologie

(cute little button courtesy of the Bud to Bloom dress, Anthropologie)

Smocked Button-front Denim skirt, Old Navy

Embossed Gladiator sandals, Steve Madden

Itty bitty bow earrings, Anthropologie

Silver Heart Tag bracelet, Tiffany & Co.

Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans

Maybelline lipstick in "Eternal Rose" 

I'm not sure if gladiator sandals are still considered en vogue.  

But I'm going to go out on a limb and say, yes.  They are.

Obligatory look-at-your-shoes-blogger pose.

That's what the popular girls do.

Someone told me to own my blog voice, and quit all the self-deprecating talk.  And by someone, I mean my sister.  She might be my baby sister, but she's awesome at kicking my emotional ass sometimes.

I guess my sarcasm doesn't translate well via blog.  I would definitely characterize myself as a pretty confident person.  Some even might go as far as calling me a "know-it-all."  And by some, I mean my best friend.  When we first met at cheerleading clinics way back in 1998, I did not make a good first impression.  Well, the jokes on him.  He ended up marrying this little smarty pants.

My mom tells me I have a chip on my shoulder that I need to keep in check.  True.  I can be obnoxious, and unapologetic at that.  But my confidence has been a source of some amazing accomplishments in my life.  So sometimes it's good to toot your own horn.

But I'm fully aware of the fine line between self assurance and being full of oneself.  Confidence can quickly turn into cockiness.  But on the other hand, humility can also lead to devaluing oneself.  And meekness is never in style.          

So, I guess the moral of the story is this:   

I'm Mollie.  I am proud of my little blog.  And I look freaking cute today.

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.

Smee.

Striped Knit dress, Old Navy
Floral Embossed belt, Lucky Brand
Classic Canvas flats, TOMS
Boyfriend watch, Fossil
itty bitty silver locket, (Love, Jeff)
earrings, Forever 21
Original Wayfarer sunnies, Ray Bans
Maybelline "Very Cherry" lipstick

Noah:  "Mom, you've got a mosquito bite on your forehead!"  

Me:  "Thanks, Sweetie.  That would be a zit.  And thank you for pointing it out."  

I'm 34.  I'm not supposed to have to order Proactiv Solution for crying out loud!

I do indeed have a mosquito bite, but that would be on the top of my foot.  So all weekend I was switching between flip flops and sandals, but everything rubbed right on my bite and it itched like crazy!  So I opted for TOMS.  But honestly, I can't wear TOMS beyond 70 degrees.  And although it was unseasonably cool, hovering around 80 today, still my feet got nice and sweaty.  

So other than the bindi on my forehead and having to dump a bottle of baby powder in my shoes, my outfit seemed to resemble a dimwitted Disney sidekick.  

That's right, people... keeping it classy here.

Outfit inspiration:
"Smee"

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.

Presidential.

In honor of George Washington chopping down that cherry tree, how about some cherry red lips today!

Maybelline Color Sensational in Very Cherry #635

Then add this darling little ensemble.

Pull Up a Cherry Dress, Modcloth
Green Bow Pointelle Cardigan, Dorothy Perkins
A Trip to Bountiful Cherry Bracelet, Juicy Couture
Camila Black Leather Ballet Flats, TOMS

Finish the day with Mom's cherry pie... yum!  

Happy Presidents Day!

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

Lipstick Jungle

My lip crushes.

I have been on a lipstick kick lately.  I guess my lips were feeling a bit blah from the nude lip trend over the past decade.  Loving all the hot pinks, corals, deep wines and cherry reds out there.  I'm so happy color is back!

I can remember Grandma putting on fresh lipstick right before supper every night.  So 50's housewife.  Love!  I think I'll dress up my lips for supper too.  Going glam for taco night.