Getting Dressed

I'm not big on fashion. Sure, I like to look cute and presentable, but what I really like is to be comfortable and functional. As a SAHM of a 16 month old I don't really feel like it is practical to be dressed to the nines every day. I don't wear a lot of jewelry. I don't cake on the make-up and I don't spend hours on my hair. I don't have the time or patience for all that stuff. Throughout the day I'm cleaning the house (which involves scrubbing the toilet, doing laundry, wiping down the litter box, mopping the floor on my hands-and-knees, vacuuming, etc), walking around outside or playing on the floor with Julian, nursing, and laying in bed attempting to get aforementioned toddler down for a nap.

Being a SAHM, oftentimes I don't feel like getting dressed or even brushing my hair and putting on a hint of make-up. That's bad. That's very bad. I should still take pride in my appearance and instill the value of "routine, put-togetherness, hygiene and self-care" to my son and future children. I also really should want to look good for my awesome husband. I started reading from the website www.flylady.net. She's really encouraged me to get myself together in the morning for the sake of my home and my family and of course, myself. I'm on day 3 of "getting dressed, fixing my hair and putting on make up". True, yesterday this didn't happen until after noon, but those days will happen. Julian was being extra clingy and needed me to take care of him more than I needed to get out of my pjs.

Now, I'm a really big believer in being natural. Letting your skin breath and bring comfortable going make-up free. Typically, in the past, I would only put on make up on Sunday for church. But, I'm making a change for myself. I DO feel comfortable in my own skin sans make-up, however when I put on a little tinted moisturizer, some bronzer and mascara, I feel better. I feel like I'm ready to really face the day. If you really feel ready to face the day without a stitch of make up, that's awesome! More power to you! Like I said, I'm a firm believer in letting your skin be bare. But for me, I have to make this change.

My make up routine is simple. I put on a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15. Right now I'm using Physician's Formula. It's light and feel like I'm just putting on a little screen. Then I I use a little bronzer to help my pale face look "alive". (Can we say "vampire-esque w/o it?!). Next I run a small amount of eye-liner over my top eyelids. Then I curl my eye lashes and apply a generous amount of waterproof black mascara. And finally, I dab on some lip gloss. It takes me about 5-10 minutes. I think because I have dark features (i.e. thick, dark (unruly) eyebrows, hazel eyes and dark eyelashes) I never really look like I'm wearing a ton of make up...even when I put a lot on. I guess that's a good thing?

Along with putting make up on every day I've also started "getting dressed". For me, getting dressed means throwing on something that I didn't sleep in. Whether that be a clean pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt or some shorts and a tank. The FlyLady suggested laying out my clothes before I go to bed. So I've been doing that. I think it's really helped. I've even picked out a necklace or bracelet to spruce up my outfits. My daily wardrobe is simple, comfortable, cute enough to be seen in public, and most importantly functional! I can chase Julian around, nurse, clean the house and run errands in it. Most of my clothes are from "cheap" places such as Target, Ross, Old Navy and Kohl's. I don't have the money or the patience or the fashion-sense to go to some fancier type place, pick out something cute and attempt to make a great outfit. I can pin stuff all I want, but when it comes right down to it, I'm not going to wear that puffy vest with the cool necklace and the awesome knee-high boots. Oh, and let's not forget the spiffy sunglasses and over-sized bag. Maybe in my dreams, but this is reality and reality says it's a no-go until I have a)enough money and b)a personal shopper.

So this is what I wore this week, so far (please keep in mind that I am NOT a fancy person. I am simple. My style is simple):

Monday

Burgandy yoga pants - Target

White boyfriend T - Old Navy

Beaded multi-color bracelet - Target

Pink/Black/White "converse" - SUPER OLD from Payless

Tuesday

Dark washed denim shorts - Target

Black comfy T - Target

Black/grey beaded bracelet - Target

Pewter heart necklace - The Parable

Silver flip flops - Old Navy

Wednesday

Pink cami - Kohls

Tan tank - Forever21

Light wash denim shorts - Target

Pink beaded bracelet - handmade by my sister, Tessa

Charm necklace - Forever21

Gold sandals - BellaB (SLO)

All this "getting dressed" stuff may not seem like a big deal to some, but for me, it is. I'm lazy by nature. I want to be comfortable. I want to lounge. I want to sit at the computer and watch movies. I want to lay in bed and play on my phone. I NEED TO STOP BEING LAZY. Getting dressed and putting on make-up is what is inspiring me to DO WORK.