Dichotomy of Excitment

Top & Shoes – Lulus
Jeans – Gap
Jacket, Necklace and Bracelet – F21

This weekend went by so fast!  Actually the whole week went by in a blur.  I’ve been so busy and excited.  I’ll have plenty of updates on my acting site soon – I did something really fun and cool this weekend!  And plenty of updates coming up on the picture site – did a great shoot recently and you can see a sneak peak here, but for now I have to go rest.  Seriously, my doctor says I’m suffering from signs of exhaustion and I need to slow down, which I guess I should take seriously, but…fat chance of that happening with my life as it is.  It’s like a great dichotomy – I know I need to slow down, but I really don’t want to, you know?  I guess I’ll give it a shot though!  
Hope you guys are great. Can’t wait to share all these amazing fun times I’ve been having with you.  
Stay tuned! 

By The Duck Pond

Spring time is here and that means we’re able to spend hours outside and by the pond.
Everyone’s loving it.

Orchestra of Women

Recently there has been speculation and criticism over Ashley Judd’s appearance.  Rank speculation and discussion prompted Ms. Judd to write this essay as a response.  I encourage you to read it.

Recently, an entire issue of Marie Claire was dedicated to the continuing unequal treatment of women.  I’ve come across this phenomenon in the arts as well.  As a female actor and photographer, I often come face to face with the attitude that for some reason my male compatriots time is more valuable than mine.  This is done in small and subtle, but powerful ways.  Often times the undermining of the female consciousness comes in the very art form that I work in daily.  I remember an acting teacher saying, “For women, it’s important that you look good while listening because most scripts are men talking at women and women listening.”  Said years ago, this has stayed with me as I progress through this medium, mostly because time and time again I’m faced with a script in which this is true. While there are directors and writers challenging that norm, and I applaud them, they are far too few. 

Some of you may challenge me saying that I, as a fashion blogger, may be falling victim to this exact system.   I say that my fashion, my love of the creative play of dressing, is an expression of me and for myself.  It’s my canvas since I can’t draw, it’s my instrument since I can’t play.  And it’s my voice, not the nodding of my head while a man talks at me.

I add my voice to the orchestra of women shouting for equal treatment and dissolution of the patriachical gaze.

Like Kate Moss Has Plus Size Ad Campaigns

Tie – Sears
Vest – AE
Top – Smart Set
Jeans – Gap
Shoes – Payless

I’ve been doing the sock bun for a long time now, and it used to be that you were embarrassed to admit that you had footwear in your hair.  It was like showing your knickers or your slip – a lady never does that.  Now it’s become a source of blogging pride to show exact details of this, frankly, lazy ass hairdo.  It’s actually really amusing to me. *p.s. if you want a tutorial just google it, there are literally dozens of them and I’m not adding to that pile*  What’s next?  Do I show you how I use a hair elastic to keep my pants up? 

Digressing just a touch…can we just take a moment to appreciate how the right pants, combined with the right pose make it look like I have a smokin’ hot J.Lo booty in that first shot?  Usually, I’ve got curves like Kate Moss has plus size ad campaigns, but in this shot I’ve got the booty goin’ on!

I wonder if I can get a life size cardboard cutout of this picture and wear it everywhere like those guys at the side of the road advertizing car washes.  It’s like, “No, this here in the picture with the J.Lo butt is the real me.”

True Story:
Speaking of things you don’t admit too…
Baby put on my bra and rubbed my perfume on herself and pranced around my bedroom.  
How does a 22 month old prance?  
Very awkwardly and unsteadily, but prance she did.

Good Ol’ Scotch

Sunglasses & Tee – F21
White shirt – Smart Set
Cargos – Esprit Shoes – Sketchers

I was recently cuddling with my baby and had this crazy thought:  She’s part of my body.  Well, not actually, we’re not Siamese mother-daughter of anything, but she was grown and created out of my body material.  She grew inside me – we shared a blood supply.  That’s a freaky thought, that you share a blood supply with another person.  I was a little freaked out.  Then Andrew said, ” Yeah, you did good. High five!” and she grinned her toothy grin right on cue.  I did do good.

On the same note though…

I quit!  She’s in bed, Andrew away for the night at work and I quit!  I quit being a mama.  I’m going to go watch Stargate SG1, play Civilization on my computer, and have a stiff drink of good ol’ scotch. 
This Mama’s off the clock!

p.s. Happy Birthday to my Husband!  I might even let you sleep in today….maybe.

Quote of Today:
“She laughed so hard she farted in my hand.”

Dino-Saur!

Earrings – c/o Scarlet Samples
Sweater – Joe Fresh
Necklace – F21
Jeans – Gap
Boots – Feet First

How do you know you’re a nerd?  Your husband comes home and tells you he has a big surprise for you.  Then he pulls out a dinosaur board game.  And you light up and squeal just a little because you’ve been lusting after it for a while now.  That’s how you know. 

Don’t feel sorry for him.  He knows who he married.

 p.s. Like these earrings?  Win your own pair here!

True Story:
My bed is no longer my own. It was bound to happen. 

Alien Zombie Baby

Cardi – Nick&Mo from Trixie in Toronto
Top – Gap
Scarf – Le Chateau
Necklace and Skirt – Ruche
Tights & Earrings – F21
Boots – Feet First

Do you watch The Walking Dead?  Have you
seen the season finale?  It kicked butt!  I saw it late because I’ve
been busy, but here’s a thought.  In the show they’ve discovered that
they are all infected and that when they die – no matter how they die –
they all come back as zombies.  You don’t have to be bitten to turn into
a zombie.  Also, one of the main characters is pregnant.  

So here’s where my train of thought goes:
If
she miscarries in her third trimester, does her baby turn into a
zombie?  Does it claw it’s way out like that thing in Alien?  ‘Cause
though it would be really sad, it would also be kind of really cool.

Yeah, I know. 
If you think that’s bad, imagine how I feel.  I have to be around myself all the time!

Quote of Today:
“My dinosaurs are having lots of babies!”

Nothing Sexier

…than a man who loves his daughter shamelessly.

Wrapped Up In A Rock

I don’t usually link up with challenges and things like that, but when the idea of photos based around faceless portraits was mentioned I instantly thought of this photo I snapped yesterday.  It captures my baby girl perfectly.  She’s inquisitive, loves nature walks, and always finds joy in the simplest things…in this case, a rock.  And finally, she’s fiercely independent.  She walks where she wants to, how she wants to and stops whenever she wants to.  Like here.

Is Your Chocolate Supporting Child Slavery?

You love your babe, so consider giving them chocolate that’s not made through the use of child slave labor. 

Here’s an article for you to read as you eat your Easter Bunny.  The average American eats 11 pounds of chocolate a year, that’s a lot of child slavery if you’re not careful.  Make sure you know where your chocolate is coming from and how it was made, or your little ones will be delighting at another little one’s expense.

Here’s the Coles Notes version:
1. Organic is nearly foolproof for no child labor.
2. Consider the orgin.  Africa?  Almost gauranteed child labor. South America and Asia – much less chance it is from child labor.
3. Look at the Label for Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance – two agencies that ensure no child labor and equitable conditions.
4. If possible, get local chocolate from someone who buys direct from the growers.
5. Develop a taste for the good stuff – not the cheap crap that’s almost always made to cut corners.

Be aware. Be conscious.

This Easter and every day, show a little love for all the children in the world by making sure your pleasure isn’t because of their pain.  Children should play, not toil.

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