Today has been an odd day.  We were supposed to get a snowstorm overnight but didn't.  Then all day the forecasters kept saying we were just about to be snowed on, but nothing ever materialized.  Schools were dismissed early anyway, and in true Murphy's Law fashion it began sleeting just as I walked out the door to  drive across town and pick up my daughter.  Driving on slick roads is nothing new for me, but it always makes me hyper aware of all the potential hazards in my car, and what a pain it would be to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck,  if I were to be involved in an accident.   Thus I resolved (and not for the first time) to clean out my car.  I kept hearing my boyfriend's voice saying "your car will be so clean, the only thing in it will be car".  That's what he said the day he took lil blue and me to the AutoSpa in Timonium and got her the deluxe spa day.   I guess my new commitment to clothing minimalism is bleeding over into other areas of my life.  I did indeed unload a bunch of crap out of my car today, and hope to do some more tomorrow.  Who knows, maybe I'll go whole hog and get her washed and waxed!

At any rate, today was a very, very casual day at Casa Curmudgeon.

Blue V Neck Cashmere Sweater

Old Jeans

Brown High Heel shoes. 

Yup.  Majorly boring outfit.  Later I did add a brown embroidered scarf and my brown vest, to go to Target and the grocery.   

I'm delighted to have the desire to declutter more areas of my life.  But I also wish I didn't feel so blah today.  Maybe I'll feel sparkier tomorrow.  

It's a Twofer!

Yup I missed blogging yesterday.  I spent the weekend out of town so didn't have access to my computer or the time really.  But I did find it extremely easy to pack for my overnight trip.  I knew what my activities would be while I was away, and with my newly pared down wardrobe it was a cinch to throw a couple of items in my bag and hit the road.

Saturday evening we went to the Baltimore Emerald Isle Club ceili and had a fabulous time with our friends, dancing, talking, laughing.  The ceilis are always fun,and a great way to spend an evening.  The dress is definitely comfort first.  You burn a lot of calories when you dance, and staying cool and comfy is the key.

Sunday, was devoted to Ravens football!  We headed down to Cross Street Market in Federal Hill to meet up with a different group of friends, watch the game, drink beer and eat seafood.  What could be more fun?   Game day apparel always runs to Purple and Black.  I definitely had the black covered, with just enough purple to stay on the good side of my Charm City crew.

Black EMS tech top (with purple top stitching detail)

Old Jeans

Black HH Boots

awesome hat! (thx MOM!)

Today was a laid back at home day, with the exception of a pre-dinner appointment.  So for the most part I just wanted comfortable, but still pulled together.  We're expecting snow tonight and the temperature here definitely is commensurate with that forecast.

Grey Ruffled Cardi

Black Drape Neck Top

Old Jeans

Black HH Boots.

So far I'm finding the ease of dressing enjoyable.  I haven't worked too hard at accessorizing, aside from the obvious hats.  I expect when the semester starts up again at the end of the month, I'll be more attentive to using accessories to vary my looks.  For now, the dogs and the kid don't really care about my "flair".  

Day 2

Alrighty then! Spent last night pulling out all the clothes from closet and dresser and only putting back the items on my list. I know, quite an exciting Friday night!

I still need to get a bin to put all the removed items in, but that can wait until tomorrow.  Looking at my closet now is both an anxious and exciting thing.  On the one hand I am delighted to have space and lightness.  On the other hand, when I pulled back the curtain this morning to put together today's look, I was a bit shocked by what at first seemed a distinct lack of choice.  But I quickly rebounded and put together the outfit below.  Since it is Saturday and was snowing when I got dressed, I have a definite casual thing going on.  Today's agenda included groceries, cooking, and hanging out at home.  Later I'll be driving a couple of hours north to attend a monthly Irish Dance (ceili) in Baltimore.  Versatile and layered was the theme.

Flare Jeans

White V Neck top

Snowflake Cardi

Black Mary-Janes

accessories not pictured but worn earlier: faux fur 'trapper' hat

See you all tomorrow!

Project333 and Me!

I briefly considered starting a new blog entirely to document my progress with Project333 which you can learn more about HERE  .  But that would require too much effort, and if nothing else I am a master at taking the easy way out.  So instead of wasting time thinking up a great name and catchy hook for a new blog, I'll just repurpose this one.  Jus'sayin, will for the next three months, be devoted to my progress, feelings, and struggles, with Project333.  

Today is my first official day and thus far I have made my list, and documented my outfit du jour with a photo. I am also tracking all of this in a delightful little black book I purchased specifically for daily outfit descriptions.  This way, if I am away from the computer (oh no!) I can still update you. You're welcome.

I am also bending/customizing the rules a bit to accommodate my lifestyle.  In the basic rules, sleep wear, at-home lounge wear, and workout wear are excluded from the 33 items.  Well, sorry, but I don't do sleep wear, or at home lounge wear.  So, I am combining those two categories and renaming them "Scarves, hats, gloves, purses, shoes, coats" and including in the workout wear my sport/fitness/outdoor items...ie my ski gloves/boots/jacket, my motorcycling clothes/helmet, and hiking boots.  The originator of this program stresses that it has to work for  the person doing it.  So that's what I'm doing.   But before you cry foul, know that I am limiting my purses to: Teal day bag, Brown day bag, Red day bag, recycled sari evening bag.  My shoes will be: Black high heel boots, Black low heel boots, Brown high heels, Black mary-janes, Black Satin evening shoes, Metallic evening sandals.  Coats will be limited to: Tan Trench, Brown vest, Black leather jacket.  I actually don't have a decent pair of gloves at the moment, and I received two ADORABLE hats at Christmas that I just can't stop wearing.

So here is my list of 33:

1. Flare Jeans
2. Boot Cut Jeans
3. Old jeans
4. Black pants
5. Purple Drape Neck top
6. Black    "         "       "
7. Cream   "         "        "
8. Black V Neck top   Black Lace top
9. White V Neck top
10. Blue  V Neck top
11. Red Blouse
12. White Blouse
13. Black Blouse
14. Grey Ruffled Cardi
15. Snowflake Cardi
16. Black Turtleneck wool sweater
17. Red Turtleneck wool sweater
18. Rose Cowl Neck wool sweater
19. Blue V Neck Merino wool sweater
20. Brown V Neck Cashmere sweater  Grey Scoop Neck Silk/wool Sweater
21. Blue V Neck Cashmere sweater
22. Black and White print dress
23. Black wrap dress
24. Blue sweater dress
25. Black wool pencil skirt
26. Grey flare skirt
27. Green Velvet jacket
28. Black cocktail dress
29. Black shrug
30. Gold silk Tank
31. Black silk Tank
32. Maroon REI shirt
33. Black EMS tech fabric shirt

So there you have it.  My 33.  

And here is what I put together today, based on my scheduled activities of helping stuff envelopes for a school fundraising auction, and shopping for new black boots to replace my falling apart pair. 

This outfit is: Purple Drape Neck Top

Flare Jeans

Grey Ruffled Cardi

Black HH Boots

Rust 30's crochet hat w/flower

Hmm. maybe I should consider just putting the numbers for the items, who knows maybe they'll hit in the lottery and we'll all get rich!


****edited already!****  I made the decision to swap out the Black V Neck top for a Black Lace top, and to swap the Brown V Neck Cashmere sweater for a Grey Scoop Neck Silk/Wool sweater.  I reserve the right to continue to make adjustments if needed. 

My Summer Fling

After five years of sitting on the fence, I finally jumped and went to Celtic Fling.  For those of you who are wondering, CF is a weekend long music festival/highland games competition in Lancaster County, PA.  Bands and athletes come from all over and it's one big party for three days.  There are also plenty of vendors who want to sell you expensive gear (kilts, leather goods, pottery etc) in addition to the entertainment.

Dave and I made the drive up on Friday evening, and met up with our friends who had already been there for several hours (and several cocktails).  The plan for Saturday was hatched, off we went to dinner and then bed.

I won't bore you with a blow by blow of the weekend, but suffice to say, the gang you see in the above picture are a great lot to go anywhere with, but especially a music festival.

Dancing, drinking, singing and laughing were the featured activities.

Never a dull moment!

Just when the semester had ended and I was FINALLY about to head out on my long awaited, much anticipated, and desperately needed camping trip.....BOOM!  My darling daughter came down with Appendicitis.  I didn't think people still got Appendicitis, but apparently they do.  And when they do, it goes from zero to sixty faster than a Ferrari!

Thanks to the staff at PRMC, Lani was diagnosed and operated on within a few hours of the onset of her symptoms.  I must thank the nurses of Pediatrics for  the exceptional care they showed her, and her surgeon for the concern and care he demonstrated.  It is absolutely horrible to watch your child lie in a hospital bed, but the nurses made it bearable for us.

A week later, Lani is home and enjoying her first shower in 7 days...she has a long 5 weeks of recovery ahead, but that's a small price to pay for a healthy body.

Additional Thanks to all our friends and family who came to visit, or sent cards and gifts to the hospital.  It really helped Lani keep her positive attitude, knowing that so many people love her.  And of course; Dave, Mom and Monica.  You three kept ME sane and Lani giggling.

new things afoot!

That's right, things are afoot.  Tonight I completed Day1 Week1 of the Couch to 5k program.  I haven't really run since my sophomore year of high school, which was about mbmmdmbm years ago.   But tonight I laced up my new running shoes, turned on my IPOD and hit the streets.  Thanks to the wonder of podcasts, no thinking was required.  A nice man told me when to run, and when to walk and when I was finished.  EXCELLENT!  If I have to THINK and RUN at the same time....well, let's just not go there.

My first semester back at University ends in a week.  So I'm a bit stressed and overwhelmed, hopefully the running will help with that.  And with any luck, I'll get back to this blog a bit more regularly.

ciao!