Revising Policies

Last month I discussed how I have adopted LHdM's carrot (not-the-stick) approach to meeting professional goals: I vowed not to wear the Twinkle Twinkle Dress until I completed Chapter One. I broke that vow Thursday night, but I also realized that that particular policy was completely unrealistic.

1. Dress - Anthro
Cardi - Ann Taylor Loft
Rain Boots - Capelli via Marshalls
*The dress is a size 8; Jess, if you're interested in it, you might need to size down to a 6*

The occasion of wearing the dress was my husband's birthday, but before we went to dinner I did some major work in the library. In a way, it was my academic Wonder Woman dress (sadly, my WW pose came out horribly blurry). Instead of barring myself from wearing it I will instead wear it on the occasion of hitting major goals--including completing Chapter One. I also realized that Chapter One is just going to have to wait for a few weeks and that I have legitimate reasons for holding off: getting my Fall term course off to a good start, a separate teaching project, and a lengthy and important paper due for a professional organization. All of these things have to be done before I can get back to Chapter One. I think my new policy makes more sense.

Back to my outfit: It was rainy and cooler, so I donned new rain boots and stuffed my favorite brown mary janes into my bag. In the end, I wore the boots to the restaurant because I liked how they looked with the dress. Here's a closer shot of the boots:

I feel more comfortable with the slight wedge on these boots. They won't do in the snow, but I have an embarrassingly awesome pair of bright orange Land's End boots for that sort of weather.

Also, when I took these pictures both Shakespeare's Masculine Ending and a friend of mine were present and they laughed the entire time. Even though they know about my blogging, they thought that I looked insane while posing. After watching me pose multiple times for the timed camera, SME demanded that I let him take the shot of my boots so we could change and have cake and champagne.* I know a fair amount of us use a timer and a tripod for our photos--how do your partners, friends, and roommates react to your posing?

*Ann Underfunded Humanity: We saved the Rosa Regale you gave me for passing my exams until we had a proper pairing. On SME's birthday we finally popped it open alongside a flour-less chocolate cake. It was lovely!

Birthday Giveaway Sponsored by Shop Kim Winner

The winner of the lovely ring from Shop Kim is JoAnn of Sidewalk Chalk.

She said, "One tradition is that my mom celebrates my birthday a day early as well, because I was born in the Philippines and it would be my birthday then too because of the 13 hour difference."  JoAnn, I'll be getting in touch with you soon.

I really loved reading all your birthday traditions!  Now I'm off to eat a birthday brunch!  I'll be back later with an outfit post.

Birthday Giveaway Sponsored by Shop Kim

As many of you know, I used to live in Spain, and I specialize in its history.  It is a Spanish custom to treat your friends and co-workers on your birthday.  You might take your friends out to a bar and buy them a round of drinks.  You might bring in candies or cookies or some other treat to work the morning of your birthday to share with your colleagues.  Well, my birthday is a week from today, and it is what we might call (ahem) a milestone year....  While I'm not actually Spanish (or Irish in spite of having a St. Patty's day arrival on this earth), I wanted to share a little bit of this wonderful custom with you.  I'm so excited to be able to do so!

On my birthday, I will select a lucky reader to win this gorgeous ring that the lovely Kim has offered from her Etsy shop.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with a valid email address on this post by 11:59 pm (EST) on March 16th.  For a second chance to win, leave a second comment telling us what one of your birthday traditions is.  On the morning of my birthday, I will randomly select a winner.

Thanks so much to Kim for sponsoring my birthday giveaway!

Besitos,
La Historiadora de Moda

To My Little Man Jackson!

It was 4 years ago on the 23rd of August that you decided to come into this world, well you decided but so did I since I scheduled to be induced but was already having contractions when we arrived as the hospital so I guess it was a bit of a joint effort.

When I first found out I was having a boy I was a bit worried, I had never been around boys, who was going to teach me how to take care of a boy? Luckily it all came naturally and you have been a joy to watch grow.

From the start I called you my little man but that was not true at all you were quite the big man tipping the scales at a whopping 10lbs 2 oz and 22 inches long ! When they wheeled me by the nursery on my way to my room they asked if I knew which one was you and I said "of course the 3 months old in the center there!" You will always be my little man, my silly man and goofy man who likes to talk and explore. Happy 4th birthday little man!

Happy Flipping Birthday to me!!!!

Look at what the hubby got me for my birthday! Yup that's right a Brand new BMW 328i! I guess he got tired of me saying what a rattle trap the 1996 Maxima was that I was driving to and from work. Thanks honey I love you with all my heart!!!

Sorry ladies he is taken and he is all mine ! LOL

Pop Pop's Birthday!!!!

My father in law (FIL) turn 70 yesterday! He is in sunny FL with a few other couples celebrating. Sure beats upstate NY this time of year. We called him to let the kids wish him a happy birthday which was so cute, they did there best to get the whole way through Happy birthday on the phone. After 70 years on this earth Pop Pop is a bit hard to buy for. He doesn't want "stuff" you know what I am talking about the kind of stuff that sits and collects dust. Plus my husband and I aren't really into joint gifts so that rules out big ticket items with the other siblings, we try our best to come up with unique yet thoughtful presents for our family members.

In my blogging travels I came across Rick Green's Blog, Rick has an incredible gift, he is an artist and a damn good one I might add. Go check out his blog ! So as I was looking at Rick's blog for the first time I thought wow what a cool gift idea. I contacted Rick right before Christmas but he was pretty swamped so I thought you know what I will ask Rick to create a drawing for Pop Pops 70th birthday. I contacted Rick about a month ago and while time was tight he was able to honor my request. I think he did a great Job, don't you?

There are 6 grand kids in the family (each sibling has 2) so I thought it would be a cute idea to have them all in the drawing with him and the theme would be something to do with Pop Pops former life as a NY state trooper and investigator. Rick came up with some great ideas and we settled on Pop Pops Posse.

My FIL has not seen his present yet, I didn't want to send it while they were out of town, I can't wait to send it to him, better yet I can't wait to see his face when he opens it. I have prepared Nana that she is to have a camera when he opens it.

So thanks Rick I know I will be back! To all my bloggy friends go check out his work I think you will be very impressed.