I'm Wearing Lulus. What?

Top - H&M; Tank - Smart Set; Pants - Lululemon; Flip Flops - Abercrombie&Fitch.

Yesterday I was so pooped and lazy that yes, I wore the Lulus I rant and raved against.  It's not that I'm against them, I'm not. They're very comfy pants.  It's just that I'm against them becoming one's daily uniform - yoga teachers excepted.  But I will be the first to admit that we all have our Lulu days/Sweat pant days. And yesterday was mine.

But today is a different story!  I'll show you that later. 

Babies Have The Perfect Curls

 

Honestly, what is it with kids and their perfect hair?  

It seems that every child I see has the perfect mop of hair - be it straight or curly.   

When do we lose that trait?  

And can we please get it back?

On Sunday...

Jacket - Old Navy; Dress - H&M; Belt - Threadsence; Shoes - Payless.

...I went to a friend's house to play the Battlestar Galactica Board Game *with both expansions* and it was awesome!  what was great was that everyone around the table, six people in total, could reference esoteric things of the show and everyone else knew what they were talking about.   Sometimes I can't believe how much of a nerd I am! C'est la vie.

Then last night Husband and I got to go out together after the sun went down.  That has not happened in 14 months!  *the exception being our anniversary weekend away*  We put Baby to bed, and left for tea and dessert, leaving her in the capable hands of Uncle Rob.  Really, since Baby was in bed all he had to do was play video games, but still.  It was nice.  We weren't out too long since both of us are really pooped, but regardless it felt good to get out for a bit.

And while we were out, I managed to grab the Vogue September issue!  I look forward to this issue all summer and I've been keeping my eye out for it.  Last night I saw it was on news stands so I snagged it!  I'm really looking forward to perusing it and getting a lot of inspiration. 

True Story:

*sometimes a picture is all you need*

Yeah.

Tuesday In Review: All Natural Shampoo and Conditioner

In review today is an super easy, cheap and all natural shampoo and conditioner: Baking Soda and Apple Cider vinegar.  It really worked!  I was a little hesitant about it, but thought it was incredibly easy worked better than any other product I've tried - organic, expensive shampoos to drug-store cheap brands.

Here's what I did:

I made myself tea, than enjoyed that morning cup of brew.

Once finished I got a regular sized drinking cup and put about two tablespoons of baking soda inside.  Then I filled the cup with the leftover kettle water which was by now warm not hot.  Then I grabbed the cup, vinegar and spoon and headed up to the shower.  Once in the shower, I poured the baking soda and water *it looked clear, maybe slightly foggy* over my hair thoroughly.  I made sure that it hit every spot of my hair.  Once empty, I rubbed and massaged my head just like with any other shampoo.  It does feel odd as there is no lather and your hair just feels wet, but don't worry about that. When you're done, rinse well.

Take the spoon and pour about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into the cup you just used.  Then put the cup under your shower to fill it with warm water up to the top.   Once that's ready, pour that mixture all over your hair thoroughly as well.   Leave it for a bit *I did some other washing up in that time* and then again rinse thoroughly. 

Now at this point I was a little dubious because my hair felt a little odd but I wanted to see the result.

Fast forward.

My hair was incredibly silky smooth!  Seriously, it hasn't been this silky for as long as I can remember.  I can probably quote a friend here, "My hair is just too silky today!"  You have got to try this!

This isn't recommended for frequent use for color treated hair. 

Happy Monday Pickle!

Bag - thrifted; Top - The Bay; Jeans - Gap; Leather Jacket - ?; Shoes - Payless.

Happy Monday to everyone!  I know it's the start of a new work week and most people hate that, but I like to think of it as a fresh start.  It's a new week, anything's possible.  I'm hoping to get a haircut this week - trying to book an appt with the fabulous Tanya!  There's other things too.  I don't want you to think that haircuts are the be all and end off of my week; it's just what I thought of as I looked over these pics. 

I'm actually in a fashion pickle these days.  I don't have a clear sense of self right now *too tired maybe?* and so I'm feeling like alllll my clothes just aren't me.  So everything I wear feels off somehow.  Do you ever get that?   It's a very weird feeling. Not bad.  Not good. Just weird.  So I'm navigating this highway right now, and in the meantime I'm going to enjoy the cookies Husband baked this morning.  *I know, right?*

True Story:

Baby walks over to pick up her favorite book, "The Paper Bag Princess,"  brings it over and plunks it down on Husband's lap.  Then proceeds to struggle to get on to the couch and having managed that she settles in next to Husband and looks at him expectantly.  So, he has to read it. 

Random Sundays: Kevin Sorbo

Last night I went to see this show.

With these awesome folks.

And saw this awesome guy.

Awesome show, really was...awesome. 

*sorry for the bad shots but all I had with me was a little point and shoot*

Molars Are A Mother's Madness

Cardi - F21; Tee - can't remember; Jeans - Guess; Shoes - Payless.

These shots were taken at the end of the day.  After a whoooooooole day spent with what we believe to be a teething - probably cutting her molars  - baby.  I'm pooped, tired, and really less than impressed.  *not to mention that she woke up today at 5am.  5!  Kid, are you nuts?!?!*  So hopefully you'll understand why I may be a little less than fresh.

True Story:

A baby with a towel draped over her head and down her back insists on walking herself naked self to her own room. No picking her up! 

Mama! It's My Turn!

Baby complained to me today.  She's upset that while I constantly write about her in this blog, she never gets a chance to share her own voice with you.  So, being the magnanimous mother that I am, I've allowed her to share what a typical day in her life looks like.  Enjoy!


Day in the life of Baby from Joanna Haughton on Vimeo.

*she can't talk yet, so she didn't actually complain*

Looking Forward To

Hat - Zellers; Shirt - Jacob; Dress - thrifted; Undertunic - Ruche; Shoes - Payless.

We're enjoying the last days of summer here.  Who knows how long they'll stick around.  It could be a week or another few months.   We'll see.  I love summer.  I really do.  And I'm going to be very sad to see it go.  But I know that it must go at some point, so I'm trying to reconcile myself to that by thinking about the good things ahead.  I'm really looking forward to chunky knit sweaters, and warm scarves.  I'm also looking forward to a potty trained baby.  That happens at 15 months right?

*crickets*

3 years?!?!

*sigh*

True Story:

Baby insists on walking Drake herself.

Thunder And Lightning

We had a huge thunderstorm in Toronto receently.  It was crazy!  Crazy and awesome!  

It was pitch black outside, but the lightning made it feel like the middle of the day.

 Can you believe it?   

Pitch black and yet this is what my camera captured when the lightning was going full force.

The Boot Fairy

Jacket - Old Navy; Dress - Dear Creatures from Ruche; Belt - AE: Socks - Hue; Wellies - Petite Pieds.

Okay, I'll fully admit that these aren't the bets pics.  But if you read about me, you'll see that I preface this whole blog by saying I'll make plenty of mistakes.  First, the humidity in the air completely ruined my hair, so by the time I took the pics I had to throw it up in a ponytail and even then it looked just plain baaad.   Second, why does it always stop raining when I put on my wellies???  Is it some cruel joke being played on me?  Make Joanna look silly by making it sunny when she gets her rain boots on?  *sigh*  Well, the jokes on you, 'cause I wore them anyway. 

Speaking of rain boots, I want a pair of hunter wellies, but I know I won't find the room in my budget.  So hopefully one day someone will give me a pair as a gift.  The magic boot fairy perhaps?  What, she exists doesn't she? 

Oh, and did your enter my Ruche giveaway?  And have you checked out these stills from the Posthuman Episode 9 shoot?  You have?  Awesome! 

True Story:

Baby is sitting under my desk, sucking her thumb and cuddling with her blanket.  So cute!!

Forget Bachelor Pad, Splash Pad's Where It's At!

The great thing about having kids is that you get to see everything fresh - through their eyes.  You get to go back and experience a lot of pleasures that have been forgotten along the way.  One such experience came along for me when we took Baby to the splash pad.  The squeals and screams of excitement coming from her were so joyous!  When the water would disappear she would stop, look at it very seriously, look at us, then back down and wait.  And wait.  And then the water would suddenly start up again, and she would wriggle and wave her arms and squeal in excitement!  Of course, when she put her face right up to it and got a nose full of water she was less than impressed, to say the least.  She reached for me, and after being safely secured away in my arms, gave that sprinkler a stern scolding.  I could tell.  I've heard that tone of voice before.  That sprinkler was given a strict talking to.

But neither she, nor it, learned their lesson because the whole event was repeated less than five minutes later.

Honestly, I think this is one of my favorite memories from the summer!

True Story:

I recently had about 500 business cards printed.  

How do I know there's that many? 

'Cause they're all on my living room floor currently.  

Quality control via Baby.

When 'Naked' Or 'Bathrobe' Won't Do

Blazer - Ezra; Scarf - Old Navy; Jeans - Guess; Shirt - Lucca Couture; Shoes - Payless.

Okay, so sometimes I don't actually want to get dressed.  Not that I want to walk around naked, more that I don't want to actually think about what I'm wearing.  I was having one of those days, but I had no choice as I had to go to work...on tv...in front of the nation...so I had no choice.  Even if I don't feel like getting dressed.  I just start one thing at a time and build up from there. And thank goodness my dress code is super casual though because here's how my brain works:

I don't want to get dressed. I don't want a cute outfit or dress.  I want to stay in my bathrobe.  But I can't.  Okay, I'll wear jeans.  And what else?   I want to be cozy and covered up today.  Nerdy t-shirt.  No.  Plain gray t-shirt  because it's soooooft.  I want a cozy scarf.  Can I deal with some color?  Maaaaaybe.  Oh bright orange!  Okay that works.  Maybe I should try to look good. Meh.  Ruched sleeve blazer...in black.  Nice!  Easy. No fuss, no muss. *looks down* Crap!  No shoes.  Okaay.  Comfy broken in ballerina flats.  Done.

p.s. Check out some pics from the Posthuman shoot here.  Oh, and I read a great article over here on Bethany's blog. 

True Story:

Two very tired parents.  One veeeery stinky diaper.  

No one wants to change it.  

While trying to convince the other to change it, the whole house slowly starts to smell like a biological warfare testing ground.  

Parenthood. It doesn't make sense.

Tuesday in Review: Pure+Simple Calendula Mask

I have sensitive skin.  My skin does not like a lot of products.  It gets all ragged, red, blotchy, splotchy, and breaks out.  It hates a lot of things.  But it loooves this mask: the Pure+Simple Calendula Mask. It's a soothing, moisturizing, calming mask.  The label says you can wear it for 15 minutes or leave it on all night as a treatment.  I do the later.  I put it on just before bed and then sometimes wait until long after breakfast to wash it off.  You can get away with that because once dry it's quite clear and most people won't notice you're wearing anything. 

I'm a big fan of Pure+Simple *a Toronto brand* because it uses all natural and, when possible, organic products.  Their whole mantra is to be as gentle, natural and unintrusive with their skin care products. 

My skin thanks you.

Wearing My Walkin' Hat

Hat - Ruche; Skirt as dress - on the beach in Barcelona; Belt - F21; Shoes - Zellers.

Here's why I love fashion:  You can be endlessly creative with it.  You can nip, tuck, pin, twist, tie, belt, and loop to you hearts content and create an ever varying assortment of outfits.  And one of my fave things is the miraculous ability of maxi skirts to become dresses just by nipping a belt around your waist.

And though you're probably tired of seeing my summer staples - large sunglasses and a wide brim hat - I'm loving them.  Sun protection hound that I am, I wear both these things and SPF 45 on my face.  What can I say?  I rock the pasty white look.

True Story:

Drake the Dog lying asleep on the couch.  Baby comes over and I expect her to smack him or poke him, but what does she do instead?  She leans in real close and puts her little nose right up against his and just stares at him. 

For a really long time.   

Then she pokes him. 

Still, it's an improvement.

Regrets, I've Had a Few

Scarf - Trove; Dress & Ring - Spotted Moth; Booties - Ruche.

Do you have regrets?  I do.  I used to say I didn't.  I think I said it because I was prideful, as in "everything is perfect, exactly how I want it and I don't make mistakes." And I don't know if it was true at the time or not, but these days I have them.  Yes, the choices I've made have led me to the point I'm at now and there are so many things I'm thankful for.  But the nature of regrets is the 'could-have-been' nature to them.  You wonder, "Was that the better choice?"   I think I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, but that doesn't mean that at 5am in the morning I don't regret. I regret choices. *I was younger and stupider...hard to believe I know* I regret actions.  I regret things I said, and things I didn't say.

I think regrets aren't a bad thing.  It means you've grown and if you knew then what you know now, you would behave different.

Sorry, don't mean to be a downer.  Ice cream anyone?

  True Story:

I come into the living room last night and Drake the Dog is sprawled, spread eagled on his back on Husband's lap, who's giving him belly scratches. 

I felt like I was intruding.