What I Think About--Tennis Shoes

Wednesdays are my most popular days.  Wednesdays are my "free therapy" days where I just pour out what's on my heart and mind.  I'm always humbled by the response I get for just saying what I think--even if it doesn't make any sense a difference.

I just want to take a minute to say thank you.  Thank you for reading my thoughts. Thanks for agreeing with them. Thanks for disagreeing with them.  I know this blog can be all over the map but that's kinda what it's all about.  It's about finding balance between everything I love that makes me the mom, wife, and woman that I am.  You're the best for sticking with me!

Lately my "What I Think About Wednesdays" have been pretty intense.  I mean, I've covered everything from capital punishment and relationships to not being a helicopter mom and our role in world humanitarian efforts.

This week let me share with you a little fashion based pet-peeve.

Tennis shoes.

I have a pair of lavender and white Asics GEL tennis shoes.  I wear them when I do P90X. I wear them when I run.  I DO NOT wear them to the grocery store, on dates, to church, or on girl's night out.

Ladies,  ladies, ladies, tennis shoes are not a fashion statement unless you are going on an athletic outing. (Don't confuse gym-type tennis shoes with uber trendy sneakers.)  I know they are comfy and I'm all for wearing them if you're going to be on your feet all day long at an amusement park or zoo. But if your darling husband is taking you out on the town, ditch the tennis shoes.  

Shoes can make or break an outfit.

I submit to you Exhibit #1.  A super cute outfit but the shoes make it feel incomplete--like the wearer stopped short.

Athletic Shoes by Asics
Totes by Forever 21

Exhibit #2--See how much more "pulled together" the outfit looks when shoes aren't an afterthought?

Mules & Clogs by Børn
Totes by Forever 21

Most gals I know won't wear cute shoes because they aren't comfortable.  

It's time for some MYTH BUSTING!

Repeat after me: Cute AND comfortable shoes do exist.

Brands I love when I want something built for comfort and speed: Born, Keen, Chaco, and Dansko.  

Strappy, comfy, AND stylish

Sandals by Børn
Sandals by Eddie Bauer

Comfort comes in heels and wedges, too.

Sandals by Dansko
Platforms by Stuart Weitzman

These shoes are practical enough to chase kids in (all day long) but cute enough to make you look like a hot and trendy mom woman!

What I think is you need to get out of your tennis shoe rut.  

Remember this should be rule of thumb:
If you aren't going to an athletic event, working out, or going to be on your feet--literally--all day long, leave your tennis shoes at home.

Your Words--You know you're a mom when ...

You know you're a mom when:

• You've used your spit to clean another human's face.
• You've wiped a runny nose with nothing but your hand.
• You've excused yourself to "go potty" to a room full of adults.
• You've discussed color, quantity, and consistency of poop at the dinner table.
• You've started a diet that required you to not eat left overs off your kids' plates.
• You've said, "Because I said so!" or "I'll give you something to cry about!"
• You've caught yourself singing the theme song to Dora the Explorer when no one else was around.
• You've daydreamed about the days when you used to just work forty hours a week.
• You've busted a move when someone went tickle in the big potty.
• Everyone in your house has the stomach flu but you still have to comfort and entertain your husband.
• You can't see the front of your fridge through all the art work.
• You can't remember the last time you finished a dessert or treat without sharing some of it.
• You magically know where dad's keys are (under the couch), where son's pacifier went to (in the soup pot to the right the stove), and where daughter's school bag is (in the dress up bin).

Your turn!
You know you're a mom when ...

What's Cooking 7/5-7/11

Matt and I have officially started P90X.  More on that later.

Anyhow, I didn't post a menu plan last week because we are trying to adjust to our new high-protein, low carb diet.

This week we'll be eating:

Monday--Chicken marsala and salad

Tuesday--Quinoa stuffed peppers

Wednesday--Grilled pepper steak and coucous with spinach

Thursday--Chicken cacciatore with salad

Friday--Dijon pork loin with wild rice

Saturday--Orange Honey Teriyaki chicken and brown rice

Sunday--Mystery dinner (which means I haven't decided yet!).

4th of July Gear for my Littles

Here's some American as Apple Pie looks for my kiddos!

Girls' Outerwear by Old Navy
Infant Boys' Outerwear by Old Navy

Days of Play--4th of July Crafts

Yesterday we went to a 4th of July craft extravaganza at my friend Sarah's house.  I love to make Fourth of July crafts.

Today, make a craft with your kids.  It could be as simple as drawing American flags on the driveway with chalk or making sugar cookie star cutouts.  Of course you could try this red, white and blue recipe if you want something simple and simply decadent.

Need more ideas?  Head on over to Family Fun Magazine and check out their selection of themed crafts and recipes.  Isn't this welcoming wreath too cute?!?!

Frugal Fashion Friday: White Out!

Have you noticed that WHITE is hot right now?  Pants, skirts, tops, accessories ... you name it, and people are wearing it right. I've even seen people breaking the white/cream rule and, you know, wearing white and cream together *gasp*!  But read here for how to do it right!


Anyhow, here are some little outfits to get your mind focused on how to wear white.
A sweet and sexy little dress (and I'm not a dress gal)

Day Dresses by American Eagle
Wedges by Old Navy

White with Military? Yes, please!

Shortsleeve Tops by Charlotte Russe
Sandals by Forever 21

Okay, okay. If you are like me you probably can't commit to wearing a major clothing piece in white because your kids will inevitably get ketchup or mystery goo on you. Therefore, I present:

Accessories in White

Satchels by Charlotte Russe
Sunglasses by Charlotte Russe

Are you sold or are you still waiting for Labor Day so white will be out (don't hold your breath, that fashion rule is simply outdated!)

The "IT" List

Hooray for a holiday weekend... hopefully you have some fun and some blog reading scheduled for this nice long holiday weekend! Take some time to check out all of these lovely blogs, you will be glad you did! (say hello while you are there!)

• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle turns an old mirror into a fun new chalkboard... she's definitely got an eye for style. I love this DIY!
• good life for less celebrates Independence Day all week with "red, white and blue week" - these beach outfits are perfect for a long weekend in the sun!
• one hundred inspirations brings you Jessica Alba's chic-mom-on-the-go outfit for less than $100!
• where is the me in mommy dresses in red/black/white for the Eclipse premiere... I am loving this look! (ps, how was the movie!?!?)
• the pretty bee makes old frames into fun jewelry displays... fun for jewelry creators and collectors alike!
• style your life pulls together an amazing ensemble for a summer pool party... I love that she included a cocktail, my kind of gal!
• merci blah blah once again pronounces her love for ASOS (this time accessories) and you will fall in love too!
• a spot of whimsy honors female legends... this month it is Princess Diana. So, so lovely. These photos are just amazing and it was inspiring to re-visit her amazing life. LOVE.
• penguins gift has the Tour de France in mind with these bicycle inspired gifts... I have a lot of bike lovers in my family. Such fun finds!
• spry on the wall has an amazing knack for hunting down the best in runway style... don't think runway style is for you? Check out how her take on Chris Benz's Resort 2011 collection. Nice!
• really cute stuff has an opportunity to win their new monogrammed card collection before you can buy them - hurry! Go check this out!

Things I Love--Inexpensive Art

Don't get me wrong. If I had my way, this would be hanging in my entry way niche.

Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles

Until one of Pollock's paintings is on the wall, we're making due with some of inexpensive artwork.

What I love about this artwork is that Matt and I put it together.  

Okay, what I really love is that it was cheap!

How?  With the exception of the photos, all the artwork is scrapbook paper (around $.50-$1.00 a sheet). 

Dining Room Ecological Prints

The square frames in the dining room were $8 each.  With paper we spent $34 dollars on art.  If you add in the quart of paint for my brown tree-trunk stripe, the artistic wall cost $40!

I love the ecological feel of this green, leafy work in our dining room.

The art pieces are arranged on a chocolate turtle stripe that compliments our brown leather furniture and cake platter blue opposing wall quite well.  It feels like my own little garden!

Stair-Step Conversation Piece

We spent the most money on our living room art because we knew it would double as a focal point AND a conversation piece.  Three frames cost $5.  One frame cost $10.  One cost $12.  The biggest frame cost $20.  

Even though we had $57 dollars on picture frames, the photos were cheap to develop.  We spent less than $10 getting photos from our European vacation printed.

What we love about this little collection is explaining to people what the photos are of--a crowd of umbrellas on a rainy day in Prauge, a six hundred year old castle ruin in Baden Baden, The Colosseum...

Photographs of Europe hang over our couch.  The stair-step pattern mimics 

the stairway right behind the wall.

Bright and Bold Master Bedroom

The 12x12 frames for our master bedroom were $4 each (that means with paper, we spent about $27 on artwork for our bedroom).

These bold colors and patterns make our master bedroom spicy!

The full layout--clearly we love geometrical design.

Need to spice up the walls on a dime?

• Head to your local craft store and look at scrapbooking paper
• Hit some thrift stores or garage sales and get some frames
• Buy a can a spray paint for frames as needed
• Go through you photos and find ones that would make good works of art (play with color--black and white, sepia ...)

Red, White, and Blue

I seriously can't believe it is almost the 4th of July.  Doesn't that mean summer is half over!?!

Stop hyperventilating ...

Need some red, white, and blue inspiration?  Feast your eyes on these!

Backyard BBQ

Wide Leg Pants by Old Navy
Sandals by Old Navy

Fireworks at the lake

Shorts by Old Navy
Sandals by Old Navy

As American as apple pie

Mid-length Skirts by Old Navy
Sandals by Forever 21

A 4th with (fashionable) friends

Button Front Tops by Charlotte Russe
Wedges by Old Navy

What are your plans for the 4th?

What I Think About--Capital Punishment

Two Fridays ago I put a little post on my personal Facebook page saying Utah was on my poop list because 1) They left the Mountain West Tournament (money over 80 years of tradition--slime balls--sorry if you're a Ute fan!) and 2) They executed Ronnie Lee Gardner.

I put it like that, in that order.

Boy oh boy did that start a firestorm!  I ended up having to delete comments.  It was dramatic. 

One comment simply asked: “Are you anti-capital punishment?”

Why yes I am.  Here's why.

Whenever capital punishment is mentioned, I hear the same arguments.

If we killed more people there would be less crime. 

Sadly research is conflicting.  The data in this research indicate that after an execution, there are 18 fewer murders.  The problem is, correlation does not equal causation.  The moon phases could play into those 18 fewer deaths just as easily.  Other data found there is no correlation because those who commit violent crimes rarely think of consequences prior to committing the crime.  It’s a draw. 

What isn’t a draw is the fact that since DNA testing has been used in courts, many people serving life sentences have been freed and 8 others have been “executed but possibly innocent.”  39 more executed people have been killed in the face of evidence that they were innocent.

Why do I mention this?  Because what I generally hear is my dad people saying, "even if it only deters one crime, even if it saves just one life, I'm for the death penalty."  In my estimation, being against the death penalty might save innocent lives as much, or more, than hoping for capital punishment to be a deterrent.  I guess I'd rather keep one proven and convicted killer in prison for life than "accidentally" killing a person who actually WAS innocent.

We save money killing criminals 

Hate to say it, but WRONG-O!

One study counted death penalty case costs through to execution and found that the median death penalty case costs $1.26 million. Non-death penalty cases were counted through to the end of incarceration and were found to have a median cost of $740,000.   You do the math.  Want more info on how much more money taxpayers pay to execute someone?  Click here.

Lethal Injection is humane

Really?  For some reason I think the majority of humans fear death whether it is "humane" or not.  New data suggest that lethal injection is not as painless as first believed.  And it can be botched.  Actually, the man in Utah who was recently executed chose the firing squad because it is 100% effective.  The same thing can't be said of lethal injection.  Or the chair. 


He Deserved It
Don't even get me started on the systemic issues that skew capital punishment.  Borrowing from Thomas More, "We create criminals and then punish them." (Don't believe me?  Gardner was alone on a highway at 2, addicted to sniffing at 6, a robbery lookout at 10, sexually molested by his state-paid foster parents ... don't tell me he wasn't partially failed by his culture and society.) 

Eye for an Eye

Ah yes, and now the religious excuse for capital punishment.  

It is true that you'll find this statement in the Old Testament (Lev. 24:19-21).  However, you have to look at it contextually.  In ancient days, punishments generally FAR exceeded the crime (think of stoning a woman to death for adultery--not exactly just).  Thus, this command, "an eye for an eye" was actually a call for mercy--that the worst you could do to someone was what they did to you.  This original command was set up so people wouldn't capriciously seek revenge and retribution.  The intent was to solve problems with justice--not revenge.

What I want people to know is that they can't throw Leviticus at me while forgetting Matthew 5:38-39.

You have heard it said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist and evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.


Again, it is all about context. Jesus ISN'T saying we have to be pacifists and never defend ourselves.  He is saying "don't compete with an evil person through retaliation." Don't do to them what they do to you.  

Some other good New Testament stuff: 

• James 4:12 says God is the only lawgiver and judge who can take a life in the name of justice. 
• Romans 12:17-21 warns us against answering evil with evil and assures us that God will see to justice in the afterlife. 
• In John 8:7 Jesus points out that all humans are imperfect, and are therefore unqualified to decide whether someone lives or dies. 
• And a personal little favorite James 1:20: “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

The Bible doesn't steadfastly say YES or NO to capital punishment (so it's probably best not to use the "eye of an eye" defense).


What I Think:
As a Christ following woman, I am against capital punishment.  I believe and trust that Christ came for the "least of these" and that He can redeem people (heck, look what He's done for me!). 


I believe this is a heart issue, not a salvation issue.  If you disagree, you certainly have that right but I personally can't reconcile "loving your neighbor as yourself"with capital punishment.  


What Do You Think?
Even if we disagree, I'd love to hear your side of this issue.  Respectful comments are welcome
~I trust we can all disagree without being disagreeable~ (Comments will be moderated as needed).

Sorry for the photo.  Turns out there aren't many inspirational capital punishment photos!

To Do Tuesday--Make Your Butt Look Smaller

There are seven words that make men shrivel up into raisins.

You are guilty of saying them.  Admit it.

Say it with me.

Does this make my butt look fat?

If you've said this to your husband, lately or ever, take a few minutes today to rid yourself of FOUR of the issues that make your butt look bigger.  Of course if you actually want your butt to be smaller, and not just appear smaller, I suggest diet and exercise.  Doctors have been recommending it for years!

Get rid of high waisted pants.

• High waists cling to the width of your bum while accentuating the length. All this means is high waistbands make your arse look like a football field.  (P.S.  Those high pants don't cover up tummy flab either. They just make you look like you have a front butt.  Not awesome.  Don't pull up to cover up!)
• If you have a pair (or many pairs) of these jeans, it's time to say adios! 
• Replace your mom-jeans with some hipsters to half the size of your bum in no time. (Something 1 inch below your belly button will suffice but if you can go a bit lower, do it!).  
• Remember not to go too low or all you'll do is switch mom butt for muffin top.

Friends don't let friends have mom butt (or mom jeans).

Get rid of pants that have words on the derrière.

• Here's a news flash but if you don't want to draw attention to your backside, it's probably best not to advertise on it.
• Even if it is Juicy, do you really want everyone to notice it?
• This goes double for other cute "look at my butt" words like: PINK, Sexy, and Baby (because sweetie, if that thing looks like there's a baby under there you shouldn't brag about it!).
• If you have pants with words on the butt, wear them when you are sick.  Wear them to bed.  Wear them to mop the floor.  Don't wear them out in public and then wonder if they make your butt look big.  They do. (There.  I said it!  Now leave your husband alone).

Did people miss Clinton Kelly's diatribe on the casualization of America?  

Pajamas are for bedtime, people!

 

Stay away from skinny jeans.

• Alas, one more trend that celebrates anorexia.  If you have a large bum, it is best to steer clear of skinny jeans because the lack of volume at your feet makes your tush look tremendous.
• Love the look? Then you'll love this caveat.  If you have bigger bum just even out your skinny jean proportions by tucking them into chunky, high-heeled boots.

Not that these gals need help, but you see how the boots even out the bum?

Avoid excess bulk below the belt.

• Layers are hot.  Cardigans are hot.  Purposely wearing thirteen shirts in hopes of hiding your butt is not hot.
• Adding more layers to your bum region just makes it look thicker.  Thick does not equal small.
• Choosing tops that cover your waistband is smart.  Stay away from short shirts.
• If you want to wear a longer shirt, make it well-fitted and a thin fabric.  
• Repeat after me.  The less bulk the better.

Is this look on or off?

Know what you can wear to make your butt look like a million bucks!

• Dark colors on bottom are key.  
• Don't wear jeans that are distressed on your butt.  It draws attention there.  This goes for  "look at me" pockets, too.
• For jeans, get a great pair of wide-legged jeans or boot cut jeans.  Both help with proportions.
• Wear low slung belts to make your bum look smaller and higher.
• Have clothing hug your body--not cling to it.  
• Wear A-Line skirts (it's all about proportions!).
• Accentuate another part of your body to take the focus off your tush.  Wear a bold statement necklace, a top with interest, a low-cut top if the girls are worth showing off a bit ...

Go!  

ECLIPSE--My Outfit, Your Words

I've been on a real black/white/red kick (maybe because Eclipse comes out this week?).  The last time I tried the red/white/black combo, though, a woman looked at me and said, "Oh. You look so cute--just like a pirate."

WHAT?

I almost retorted with a line from Dodgeball "I'm more of a pirate then you'll ever be" but instead just smiled and said "thanks" as sincerely as possible.

Here's my latest, layered attempt to combine black, red, and white (in a less-piratey manner).

Tank, tee, and leather jacket.

My necklaces were layered which Matt thought would be weird but decided was hot!

Pirate?  I think not!

So now it's time for YOUR WORDS.  

• Are you going to Eclipse?  
• Are you going in Black/White/Red gear?  
• Is it a girl's night out?  
• Do you hate all things Twilight?  

Dish, girl! Dish!

Stopping by from the "IT" list?  Please take a moment to share your views on the Twilight Saga.  Love it?  Hate it? Do tell!

And if you want to know more of my rambling thoughts on Edward Twilight, click here. For my general thoughts on chick flicks, click here.   To see more outfit inspiration (on a dime), click here!

Days of Play--Swimming

What is it with kids and water? 

You put a kid within a billion bilometers of water and he's gonna get wet.  

If you can't beat 'em you might as well join 'em.

Today, get into your swimsuit (YIKES), fill up the kiddie pool, and go for a dip with your kids.

Sure you can take them to a big pool and let them swim alone to their hearts' content but what they'd really love is YOUR time.  

                                                                   YOUR attention. 

They'll love seeing you squeeze your legs into the pool.

They'll love squirting you with a water toy.

They'll love watching you oooo! and eeeeek! over the cold water.

They'll love watching you run around like a crazy woman trying to find a towel and a warm place to sit.

They won't notice your cellulite, baby belly, arm flap jabbies, bathing suit butt, desperate need for a Brazilian bathing suit imperfections.

They will notice you noticing them.  And it will make a difference!

Date Night In--Ice Cream Sculptures (YUM and WOW!)

WARNING 

The date you are about to read is cold, messy, daring, and sexy.  If you aren't game for cold or messy, check out some older date night in ideas here.  If you aren't game for daring and sexy, re-think it--your husband will love it!

What you'll need:

• A half-gallon of ice cream (get a kind that is in a block not a tub).
• A tarp or plastic paint cover
• table and chairs (card table or plastic tables are great because you can hose them down)
• tools like butter knives, spoons, scoops, etc.
• Food coloring if you are feeling VERY adventurous.
• Mood lighting (either a dimmer, a lamp with a scarf draped over the shade, some candles ... you won't want any harsh shadows for this date!).
• Some time alone.
• A robe
• A dash of gumption (well, in my case a cup of gumption--you might just need a dash).

What to do:

1. Carve out some alone time.  Want to know why?  Read here.
2. Find a private place in your home and lay down a tarp, plastic paint cover, etc.
3. Set up a table and chairs OVER the tarp.
4. Get into the robe.  And that's it.
5. Invite your darling hubs into the secluded date spot and lock the doors.
6. Explain to him that you want to see his artistic side.
7. Hand him the block of ice cream and tools and explain that he is going to sculpt something--YOU.
8. Disrobe and get into a comfy position (luckily the ice cream means he'll have to sculpt quickly so you won't have to be naked long hold your position for too long).
9. Reverse roles if desired and see who can make the best sculpture.
10. Eat what's left of the ice cream (as needed).

The "IT" List

The weekend is finally upon us! Take some time to check out this amazing inspiration from around the web this week!

• style your life whips up a fabulous ensemble in grey and white... I just love the fresh and modern feel of this outfit!
• the pretty bee makes over her family room... she shows before and after shots (gotta love a "before and after!") that includes this sunny vignette.
• where is the me in mommy? reminds us of five simple things to add to our to-do list that is sure to brighten our day... my fave: more time for reading to our kids!
• do. think. wear. see. love. dream. takes on a safari wardrobe challenge and totally knocks it out of the ballpark, or more aptly the wildlife reserve.
• a spot of whimsy reorganizes her bookshelves... and rainbow-itizes them! (much more pretty than alphabetizing them)
• karina, ink reopens her shop and has a pretty awesome freebie for bloggers - you won't want to miss this!
• one hundred inspirations gets us this french-chic Leighton Meester look for less than $100 (well actually, less than $82 to be exact!!)
• good life for less takes us south of the border for some fun wardrobe inspiration that just screams summer!
• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle is coveting sand & sea... um, yes me too! Especially this blinged out swimsuit!
• merci blah blah gets disco fabulous and I couldn't love this belt/necklace combo more! Can you say "whoooo, whooo"?

Interested in finding out how you can be featured on the "it" list? Email goodlifeforless @ gmail.com!

Things I love--Kick A$$ Workout Music

I'm kind of a music snob.  I'll never have Beiber Fever.  I've never heard a Jonas Brother song.  Lady Gaga... who?

Don't get me wrong, I love bands that have music labels just not "those" type of bands.

I really love Everything Absent or Distorted, Neutral Milk Hotel, Broken Social Scene, Guided by Voices, and the "The" bands (The Hives, The Kooks, The Whigs ...).

Sadly my husband is a sucker for Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus.  I love him anyway.

Where was I going with this?

Oh ya, workout jams.

My favorite time to listen to music is when I'm working out.  But I'm funny about my workout music.  It has to pretty heavy sounding but mostly punk and must have fun, singable lyrics (because if you ever saw me work out you'd think I was a one-woman band putting in the performance of a lifetime).

Last week I made a new workout playlist.  The songs have been around a while but the list is new to me.  

My new workout playlist includes:

Dirty Little Secret--All-American Rejects
Teenagers--My Chemical Romance
Girlfriend--Avril Lavigne (judge me all you want for that one)
Gives you Hell--All-American Rejects
Mess of Me--Switchfoot
Beat It--Fall Out Boy (sorry, I'm really NOT a MJ fan)
Fire it Up--Thousand Foot Krutch
Geeks Get the Girls--American Hi-Fi
Thanks for the Memories--Fall Out Boy
Famous Last Words--My Chemical Romance
The Fight Song--Sanctus Real
Supermassive Black Hole--Muse
Flavor of the Week--American HiFi
Hate to Say I Told You So--The Hives
Are You Gonna Be My Girl--JET
Mother Mary--Foxboro Hottubs
Uprising--Muse
Smells Like Teen Spirit--Nirvana
Fight For Your Right To Party--Beastie Boys
Ice Ice Baby--Vanilla Ice (loud and proud, baby!)

Did I miss a rockin' fun song that's on your workout list?  Am I missing a must-have song?  Do share! (But please DON'T let it be anything from Journey.  Not that I don't love them, I just can run to them!)

What I Think About--Giving Away Half of My Money

Did you hear that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have joined together and are asking American billionaires to donate half of their wealth (that's 50%) to charity?

At first glance I thought, "good.  They should.  They can afford it!"

Then I remembered this little book, The Hole in Our Gospel, that I read over Christmas break (it was a gift--this is not a sponsored blog).  Boy did that book rock my world!

Consider this.

I bought this dress at a garage sale for $2. (What a steal!  I know!).

Here's the catch.

My dress = what 40% of the world's people make in one day.

You read that correctly.  2.6 billion people make less than $2 a day.

Here's a photo of one half of one of my pantries (yes, it always looks like this).

And the reality?  

1 in 7 people worldwide--that's 854 million--do not have enough food to sustain them.

25,000 people die of hunger and hunger related causes a day--that's 9 million people a year.

When I'm thirsty, I have access to clean water.  Like most Americans, I use 80-100 gallons of water a day.

Meanwhile, 1.1 billion people have no access to adequate water.  Five million die every year because of water-related illnesses.

Finally, in 1998, Americans spent:

• $8 billion on cosmetics
• $17 billion on pet food
• $400 billion on narcotics

In comparison, what would it take to offer basic social necessities to all global citizens?

• $6 billion to offer everyone a basic education
• $9 billion to provide clean water and basic sanitation
• $13 billion to offer basic health care and nutrition to all

What I think is Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are to be commended for doing their part to offer all people a chance for a better future.

What I REALLY think is we--you and me--can do better than this.

Do we have to give away half of our income to make a difference?  No!

Do we have to start somewhere? Yes.

How?

• Take food to a local food bank
• Clean out our closet and donate unwanted clothing
• Adopt a child for $30 bucks a month

Your thoughts?  Your simple ideas on how we can give?

Your Words

Not an overwhelming response last week but I'll give it one more shot.

If you were going to get a tattoo (or another tattoo), what would you get, where would you put it, and why?


Need some inspiration?  Feast your eyes on this.  Maybe not ...

One Style Two Ways

For the life of me I can't understand why Maxi Dresses are so popular.  They are cute and all but they seem so impractical.  Maybe it's just that I'm not a dress girl.  I don't know (if it helps I did find a Maxi Dress at a garage sale this weekend so I'll wear it and see if it makes me less critical ... no promises...).

Anyhow, if you are a dress girl, you should know that you can style Maxi Dresses up or down.  Wedges, a bold necklace, and a killer bag will have you ready for a night on the town.  A sheer summer scarf, boho bag, and strappy sandals will keep the look pulled together but casual.

Happy dress wearing (if you insist)!

Uptown Girl

Platforms by J.Crew
Hobos by Forever 21

Downtown Charlie Brown

Sandals by Forever 21
Sunglasses by Forever 21