True

True, the weather's getting colder.
True, the sun is setting sooner.
There is less daylight. And it feels like we're lacking.
And yes, it'll be hard the next few months without the heat on my skin.
With all the layers I'll be forced to wear instead of feeling the unfettered freedom of wind rustling through summer fabrics.

F*** It!

There's this thing that happens...when you think about something for too long.  It becomes the only thing you think about. It takes on a life of it's own. So what you need to do is take that thing - whether it be a person, an event, a job, whatever - take that thing and say. "F**k it!"

Takin' It All In Stride.

Saturday: my girl's birthday party.
Saturday eve: our games night.
Saturday middle of the night: Carbon monoxide detector goes off and we spend a total of two hours outside while the fire department comes, checks our house, concludes it's a malfunction and false alarm, and leaves.
Sunday: coffee.

Sunday after coffee: if this is the problem I'm dealing with right now, life's pretty okay. People are being persecuted and hunted around the world just for being alive. Which is right up there with me losing a couple hours sleep right? *that was sarcasm in case you missed it*

Here's to perspective. Happy week everyone.

Pants & Shoes - ThreadSence  //  Tee & Cardigan - UO  //  Necklace - Homegrown Boutique

Free Spirited and Willful Child

I love that my girl is strong willed and free spirited. But does she have to be soooo strong willed and free spirited?  About bed time? And about food?  And about, oh well, everything??? It's like corralling sheep where the sheep are baring their teeth, not listening, have spikes on their hides, and laser beams shooting at you from their heads.  It's just like that.

She's freakin' cute and sweet as hell, but when that other side comes out, watch out! Plus, you know there's only so many questions a woman can answer in a day before that questioning inflection at the end of a sentence makes your brains explode.

Obviously, I love that she's very inquisitive, but dear Lord do I breathe a sigh of relief once she goes to bed and I have no more questions being pelted at me in rapid fire succession.

Pass the wine.

Vest - H&M  //  Cardi - Old Navy  //  Dress - Ruche  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Socks - F21  //  Necklace - FreePeople

It's Deceptive...

 .....this outfit.  Why, you may ask?  Because it looks all boho and cool and relaxed, but hidden among it are sci-fi nerdy gems.  My ring says, "To Boldly Go."  And my necklace?  It's an artists interpretation of the Kara Thrace and Anders tattoo mixed with the arrow of Apollo.  BSG gold!
So you see, I'm deceptively geeking out.

Dress - Ruche // Cardigan - c/o Jennifer Fukushima  //  Sunnies - UO  // Sandals - Winners  //  Ring & Necklace - Etsy

You've only got two more days to save 30% off your purchase at Jennifer Fukushima.com!

Use code "MODAMAMA30"

Jennifer Fukushima Promo Code!

I'm a little OCD when it comes to care of my clothing, and generally possessions of worth. Not because I've got some strange attachment to them but because I'm very frugal.  If you care for it, it will last a long time right?  I still have clothes from high school.  I know, right?

But a classic red dress never goes out of style. So I've kept it. Same with this Jennifer Fukushima cardigan - or the one in green. It's one of those pieces that can stand the test of time because it's a classic. Plus, Toronto made, with a focus on sustainability and renewable resources? Yes please!

Whether your style is boho like mine, vintage, classic, minimal - whatever - this fits right in.  But can we please just talk about the incredible texture on it?  Can we? Okay.

Look at all the delicate and detailed pattern shifts and changes. Amazing.  It's also really soft and light.  When I picked it, I was kind of expecting a slightly stiffer tweed like material, but this just bends and moves and sways in the wind.  Plus, I kind of think of blue as a neutral - mostly 'cause I have so much of it, that a classic blue just goes with anything I own.  I'm totally wearing this as a light layer over summer dresses in the next few months....sometimes a great little cardi is the perfect alternative to a kimono on those days you just want something light, or you're, you know, not as obsessed with kimonos as me, and actually prefer to look very put together.  Whatever.

And hey, guess what?  Jennifer has kindly extended a 30% off discount code to ModaMama readers for the month of May!  OMG!!!!  Yeah, get on this.  Use code "MODAMAMA30" 

Tweed Cardigan - c/o Jennifer Fukushima  //  Top - Ruche  //  Cords - Gap  //  Boots & Turquoise Bracelet - ThreadSence  //  Silver cuffs - gifts  //  Long necklace - TopShop  //  Turquoise necklace - bought in Europe

*This is a sponsored post. 

Thanks for checking out the fabulous 

folks that support ModaMama. 
Linking up with WIW*

Age Appropriate, Who Cares Anymore?

There's this time where I was really concerned about whether what I was wearing was age appropriate.


But recently, I just don't care.  I am who I am and that's just that.  I've never been a booty short kind of girl, so there's really no fear of my being that kind of woman.  Otherwise, braided buns over 30 with boho dresses? Why the heck not?  You just gotta be who you are you know?

Sweater - I forget  //  Dress & Boots - ThreadSence  //  Sock - FreePeople  //  Necklace - Lustre Boutique  //  Rings - I forget *old*

Fringe, Shift, and Beach

Dress - ThreadSence //  Cardigan - Ruche   //  Scarf - old, I forget  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney  //  Socks - FreePeople

Still desolate, still snowy ice caps, but it's a beach. The wind was cold and howling but.... It's a beach and it's not covered with piles and piles of snow.  It's a beach.  That in itself makes me very happy.

What's making you happy today?

A Polka Dot Dress and Bums

Polka Dot Dress - ASOS  //  Cardigan - ThreadSence  //  Socks - FreePeople  // Boots - Aldo  //  Bag - Lucky Brand  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney via Threadsence  //  Sunnies - Lace Affair

Cleaning up after dinner, I reached down and squeezed my little girl's bum.

"Mama, why you do that?"

"'Cause I like your bum.  It's beautiful."

"No Mama, my bum's not beautiful."

"No?"

"No. 'Cause bums are stinky and farty."

"Okay, well I still think it's beautiful."

"Maaaama," she says shaking her head.

*linking up with Fab Favs*

How I Despise "Must" Haves

Xanadu Dress - Spell Designs  //  Sweater - UO  // Boots - Aldo  //  Sunnies, Necklace & Belt - F21  //  Bag - Target

 I don't know if it's my rebellious nature, or just my cynical view on things, but I seriously dislike when anyone posts articles on "Must Haves."  It's applicable across the board, but I'm mostly referring to fashion posts here.  The "Must Haves in Every Closet", "Must Haves for Spring" etc., etc.  You know what I'm talking about.  Us women have seen them, and continue to see them every season.

Every magazine and blogger always has these "Must Have" articles.  Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. Why 'must' you have it? What's gonna happen if you don't?  You don't need to have anything except weather appropriate clothing to keep you safe from the elements.  That's what you 'must have' and even then, if you don't well, that's at your own risk.  You're a grown up and can make those choices for yourself.

Further, these must haves are not applicable to everyone, so why must you have them?  I don't own a crisp button up white shirt. I haven't owned one for about eight years.  It's on everyone's 'Must Have' list, yet I haven't needed it for eight years.  So perhaps it's not actually a 'Must-Have'?

These are generic lists for generic people and they don't reflect individuality. They should be called "suggested haves."  Because not only do they paint you inside a generic box, but they also make you feel like you are somehow without or lacking if you don't own these things. I call bullshit on that. I don't own a set of classic black pumps.  And thought I do have a classic black blazer, I honestly have worn it for about nine years.  So why must I have these things? Clearly I don't.

What must you have in your wardrobe?  Those pieces that define you and that function in your lifestyle. That's it. That's all you 'must have'  and tell anyone who says differently to shove it somewhere.