Mama Style {LBPD}

This is my little black printed dress and I love it. And those are Elliot's new blue skinny jeans from South Africa. Aren't they rockin? As you can tell, he wasn't a fan of all this nonsense. 

We're looking forward to a relaxed weekend together with nothing busy on the agenda. We'll go where ever the wind blows, which sounds perfect. I wouldn't mind if it blew towards the pool, or perhaps to see Brave. I'd love it if I could muster up the energy to finally try dip dyeing my cut offs and I'd also love to start a new book. What are you up to this weekend?

Really, really looking forward to next week! Of course there's the 4th of July celebrations which are always a blast. It should mean some time out on the boat with the fam and we're thinking of allowing the big boys to stay up to watch the fireworks this year. Yeah, we're sticklers with bed times. And then the husband and I are heading to Tulsa on Thursday for a long blissful weekend. I'm heading there for a reunion that's for the dance company I toured with in the late 90's and though I could not make it back for my high school reunion, I had to make a plan for this one. The people I toured with changed the color of my life forever and I can't wait to see faces that I've not seen in 13 years. Reunions are always interesting, so we'll see ... 

Anyway, see you on Monday!

{dress - Hey Daisy! (GB), belt - Forever 21, shoes - Old Navy}

Pretty, Pretty

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

I've found a new place to hide, it's a tumblr blog, a platform I'm not very familiar with as I don't spend much time on tumblrs. But this one is fantastic and I can't help but want to (and often do, though I hold myself back a bit on account of her noticing and thinking I'm nutty) pin just about every image and quote she posts there. I often just skip quotes when I see them on blogs or on Pinterest. Most of the time they do not interest me at all. But hers are all captivating to the point that I want to share much of them here with you. I think I've found my blogger soul mate ... much like my husband found his XBox Live BFF (and they've even visited each other, friends. One from Green Bay and the other from New Orleans. Like an internet romance but as a friend reminded me, a bromance. :) Yes, these things are possible ... but I digress. So I adore everything this girl puts up on her blog which happens to be Modern Hepburn, by the way, and I just had to share another of her quotes simply because I found it to describe me so well. Sort of eye opening. Here goes ...

Myers-Briggs personality: ISFP (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving )

The Artist

 ISFP are keenly in tune with the way things look, taste, sound, feel and smell.They have a strong aesthetic sense and seek out beauty in their surroundings. They’re extremely perceptive and aware of others. They constantly gather specific information about people, and seek to discover what it means. ISFP are more likely to show their love through actions, rather than words, but need space and time alone to evaluate the circumstances of their life against their value system.  They enjoy taking things at their own pace and tend to live in the moment. Generally ISFP have no desire to lead or control others,  just as they have no desire to be led or controlled by others. Their impulses yearn to be free. They are tolerant and nonjudgmental, but are deeply loyal to the people and causes that matter to them. Often described as peaceful, easygoing, flexible, and spontaneous. 

Random Quirks

- While listening to music, you start creating a movie scene around the piece of music.

- Agree with someone verbally but not actually agreeing with it in your head

- Procrastinators.

-  Listen to music for the melodies and sounds, rather than to pay attention to the lyrics.

   - Don’t receive compliments or criticism well.

- Becomes really difficult to make yourself do something once someone has told you to do it, even if you fully intended to do it before they told you.

- Get a thrill out of making a to-do list and then doing nothing on it.

- Get sudden impulses to travel.

- Find yourself watching a movie for the stunning visuals instead of the plot, then deem that movie a “good movie” because you found yourself an escape from reality and into a world of beautiful colors for an hour or two.

- Room or workspace is just like your brain, everywhere.

- Immediately focus on something that’s been moved or changed, when you walk into a room.

(found here)

She describes herself as a people watcher, as someone who finds the human race fascinating. Drawn to people who have a positive outlook on life, who are (or attempt to be) happy (despite circumstance). Attracted to people that are passionate about life and are, in a nutshell, non-judgemental, not taking "life" too seriously.

I can't tell you how much this describes the way I too feel. I could sit and watch people for hours, preferably airports or similar places, a melting pot of culture. And positivity is a huge, huge thing for me. I think I owe that to my husband. I abhor worry, negativity, stress, mountains out of molehills.

Funny. I feel a little silly posting this simply because it's a little stalker-y. But there are times when I want to write about what makes me tick and often find that putting these traits into words that are simple yet eloquent enough to express who I am, well, it's just impossible. This will do.

Yesterday I took a ballet class, after about 8 years. I've taken classes since I've had children but not dance, only Pilates, Yoga or Zumba. I think it's because I've been teaching dance in my "spare time" or otherwise pregnant, that I've not had the time to devote to self education. So I thought I'd make it a priority this summer, to take ballet again. It was incredible. I loved every single aching moment. And boy did I ache. This was no easy ballet class either, no warming up to it again. This was grand jetes and foutte turns and triple pirouettes right away. Never mind that my now (8 years) older body might not be quite as capable, though regardless of age, there's the fact that my 3 children have been a part of this body too (and that changes a dancer's center quite a bit). But it was so rewarding and I hope to make this an ongoing part of my life again. Cheers to that!

Mama Style {summer sparkle}

Yesterday passed me by in such a flash that I never had a chance to get my post out, though it was halfway prepared. So this is #2 for today and an outfit at that! 

I just mentioned to you that I wear my chambray shirt more than anything else in my closet and now I have to say that this vest is an awfully close 2nd to that. I've worn it excessively this week already, Monday over a sundress and then yesterday like this. I like the way it made this fancy tank top feel a little more casual and how it added some shape to my truly shapeless dress. I think vests are a little weird (I've been made fun of by family for wearing them so much) and sometimes kinda corny (yes, even a lovely brocade vest in my senior pictures). But I LOVE them nonetheless!

{vest - Aerie, tank - J. Crew, DIY cut offs - T J Maxx, shoes - Old Navy, bag - Anthropologie, bangle - dad's}

Join me on instagram (@kirstyg) to see another picture of this outfit but with a tiny photo bomb in the background. :)

What We've Been Up To

The big boys have been at camp this week which in turn means extremely exhausted children and chilled out afternoons (though sometimes we have enough bursts of energy for trampolining).

We recently celebrated Monty's 5th birthday with a bowling party. He was excited to wear his hat until we got there, and then he wasn't as sure.

 Mornings at the pool.

 Ice cream dates and cheery blue skies.

 Flowers from the garden and tiny cuddles.

Read this recently and it made me smile.

Mr. Darcy: hey, I just met you

Mr. Darcy: and this is crazy

Mr. Darcy: but I’m going to act coldly distant to you for a long time, then awkwardly admit my undying love to you and save you from liking a horrible liar and gambler, then propose to you, telling you I love you not for your beauty but for your mind.

Mr. Darcy: so call me maybe.

(Source: afracturedprism, via modernhepburn)

Sunday Best {golden}

The boys and I hopped outside for our outfit photo yesterday and they chose the tree house as our back drop. Moments later, Monty's Sunday best was replaced by his everyday go-to, sports shorts and tank top. Grrr!

This chambray shirt is without doubt the most worn item in my closet. I wear it all the time and with everything. It's perfect ... plus it'll work for all seasons. So if you are considering purchasing something special but also versatile and able to be worn dressed up or casual, or if you just want to go shopping and see what happens, make a swing by J. Crew. You won't regret it. But when is J. Crew ever a bad idea (okay, don't answer that ... ).

{necklace - Somewhere in Time (GB), shirt - J. Crew, skirt - Forever 21, shoes - Target, bag - Old Navy, bracelet - thrifted}

Monty had to bring "donkey" to this photo shoot and Parker had to bring his stack of cards, cause we had to pause our card game and he was eager to get back to it. Donkey spent quite a bit of time on my shoulder actually. 

Well, you may remember me mentioning that I was going to send my home pictures to a site I adored, the reason for that home tour last week (which I have yet to finish, by the way) in the hopes that something might happen. Well, I'm so excited to tell you that Gabrielle Blair from Design Mom loved the pictures and that our home will be featured over there as a part of a series called Living With Kids. I'm not sure if you've ever visited Design Mom but you must if you've not! It is one of my absolute favorite blogs and really, how can it not be? Gabrielle is a mom of 6 amazing kids and though from the US, her family is currently living in a farmhouse in the French countryside. Yes, it's idyllic! Their day to day adventures and their breath taking travels are just ... out of this world.

Her blog was named website of the year by Time Magazine and she's been named top parenting blog by several other big name mags. In a nutshell, the opportunity for a home feature there is completely awesome. I'll let you know when it's posted (not for a little while yet) but in the meantime, take a moment to visit Design Mom. It really is a sweet place to day dream.

Mama Style {chino bubbles}

 

Haven't managed an outfit post much this week but I have one today! We'll be heading to the bowling alley shortly, for Monty's 5th birthday party. My guys LOVE bowling so much so it was no surprise when he picked that as his venue of choice. I prefer having his parties outside in our backyard and they tend to usually be swimming parties. But all has worked out for the best, as the skies are thundering grumpily in my ears as I type. So well done Monty! Thanks for averting a near crisis. 

I'm wearing this to bowl this afternoon. Wait, are you laughing? Chino bubble skirts are all the rage nowadays as bowling wear. You really should do your research.

{t - Old Navy, vest - H&M, skirt - J. Crew (gift from mom), shoes - Aldo (gift from sis), bag - Cambridge Satchel Company (gift from huz)} 

Gifts are gooood!

A Few Thoughts ...

Hello dear readers,

So I've been thinking ...

My family is featured in the most recent issue of Green Bay Moms, a real honor, so thank you to Erica and to Jennifer. It's shocking that someone would want to write about our lives ... there's nothing too extraordinary to tell.

I had to do a phone interview for this feature and I have to tell you, I think I'm the world's worst phone interviewee! You may remember the story I posted ages ago (here it is) which ended with me parked in the grocery store parking lot, children in back, on the phone with a producer of the Nate Berkus Show. The call did not go as well as we had both hoped and I did not get to rush off to New York in a whirlwind of stardom. I blame it on my lackluster telephone skills and honestly, I loathe talking on the phone. I think I must seem quite dull. Anyway ...

So while I appreciate the article so much and find that several points I made came across well in the end, I do feel that there are a few things that I would like to clarify. I realize that a minimal percentage of the magazine readers will instantly tap in my web address and find themselves here to read this. However, for peace of mind, I'd like to share these thoughts nonetheless. I think that if you know me or perhaps even if you've read this blog for a while, you'll know what I'm about to say already. Bear with me.

I had a few questions in the interview that I thought, when transposed, made me seem awfully shallow. Simple as that. I mean, I sounded a little ... not too comfortable with raising boys! I think that's the part that mortified me the most because it's so far from my reality. Here's what it says ...

Growing up with two sisters and a mom that had a flair for fashion, Kirsty Gungor was surrounded by girly things. So, while she was blessed with three darling boys, she shares it was quite an adjsutment. 
"It was a new world for me," admits Kirsty. "There was a lot I had to lean on my husbnad for but I learned quickly. " With three boys that like to be rough and tumble, and one that is especially fearless, Kirsty had to learn how to relax a little and let Parker, 7, Monty, 5, and Elliot, 2, be boys. 

Much of that is lovely but I think it makes me seem a little less than happy about having sons or slightly unsure of how to handle them. I realize that this is what I may have implied to her, in an unintentional way (super conversation skills and all) and so I wanted to "fix it". My writing skills are far better and boy do I wish that you could just write your answers down in an interview instead of talk out loud. Did my oral comm class do nothing for me?! So I want to reiterate that I'm just setting the record straight here cause this just isn't "me" and really how I feel. I think I rambled too much, that's what it comes down to.

I love having boys, really, truly love it. I've never felt uncomfortable with boys, not even when it was my first little man in my arms. I think this sort of thing comes naturally to any mom, even when we don't expect it to. My husband has been an incredible relief to me when it comes to the boy activities that I wasn't used to doing myself, things such as soccer and video games. That's what I was trying to say. And I believe that he will be pivotal in helping them (and me) as these boys transition into adolescence as that's a whole world of testosterone that I'm unfamiliar with. But up till now, it's been a huge blessing raising boys, playing with them, teaching them, learning from them, buying clothes for them, having strange conversations with them (oh the crazy things you can talk about), and just enjoying the cool factor that is inherently boy.

I've adored every single stage of being a mom.

The tiny baby that smells so delicious and smiles up at you as you cradle him in your arms ... for 24 hours a day.
The 1 year old that toddles about and leaves smiles and laughter in his wake.
The 2 year old that throws tantrums so epic that you have to stifle your giggles.
The 3 year old that becomes all grown up and smarty pants overnight (tear), leaving baby behind as he sheds his diaper and begins to learn his alphabet, colors and shapes.
The 4 year old that becomes your little helper and a fast friend.
The 5 year old that displays incredible amounts of focus and drive, impressing his mommy to no end as he sails through Kindergarten or plays the drums like a rock star.
The 6 year old that melts my heart as I watch him walk carefully and thoughtfully through the newness of life, leaving all traces of little man behind.
The 7 year old that soaks up history/science/astronomy/geography and relishes all new information with such enthusiasm that it's completely awe inspiring.

While the article took a moment to focus a bit on "me" time, on the time that I get to spend away from my kids, I don't feel like it represented my thoughts on "me" time very well (and yes, how could it? I know I'm overanalyzing here). I appreciate the time that I get to refuel and I do think that every mom desperately needs that alone time to read a book, or take a class, hang with friends, go on dates, exercise ... whatever her thing might be. But my life is about them and about us being together as a family. Spending quality time together is extremely important to me. It's time that I love and appreciate so much.

In the interview I shared my thoughts on blogging, attempting to get across why I do what I do. I hope to encourage women to get creative and to enjoy the beautiful things in life - fashion, art, books, dance, DIY, decorating ... anything that has beauty in it. I think that if we take a moment to notice those things around us, that we feel fuller. It makes you smile, it puts a spring in your step, like when the sun shines through the windows in the morning and sends a pattern of light sparkling across the room. It's those simple, beautiful things that make life so romantic and mesmerizing and happy. I want you to not be uncomfortable allowing yourself those moments. It took me a while to find myself again after having kids, to get out of the oversized clothes and put on makeup again. Children are, themselves, beautiful little creatures and while I can get completely caught up in the chubby rolls and the drooling smiles and the missing front teeth, sometimes I really need the other stuff too.

And finally (at least, I think), I was quoted as saying "... live wisely and live well". While there's merit to that I think the "well" part sounds materialistic. There's no part of me that wants to come across as loving money and spending it. In fact, you know more than most that I adore a bargain and that thrifting is my favorite way to shop for my closet and my home. We have a set budget that we live by and we keep the fun spending to a minimum. I'd be lying if I said that I don't dream and dream (and sometimes beg the husband) to take me overseas, traveling around the world being that thing that tops my bucket list (too many countries, not enough time!). But we're careful with the money we spend and we know that there is a time and a place for everything. I do realize that I walk a thin line here, the focus of this blog being on fashion and personal style, on adorning your home with pretties, and I know that I risk coming across as one who puts weight in storing treasures here on earth when in fact they are all meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Please know that while I love these things, I know that they will all turn to dust. This is not where my heart is.

So that's that, I guess.

If you would like to read the article, please do. It's here at the Green Bay Press Gazette site which incidentally is the only place I've read it so far, and it really is sweet. I think I got much of it across in the interview correctly, at least the really important stuff. It's just that I couldn't go without putting in my two cents regarding some of the stuff that came out a little wrong. You know?

Thanks for reading friends. You're the best! ;)

More of Home

Well, I have completed a few more shots of my home tour and have another space to share with you. We start outside with a glimpse at the front and end with one of the back. In between that we'll walk into the entry and continue straight down the hall into what we call the "fireplace room" which sits at the back of the house and opens to the back yard. This room continues into the kitchen which circles all the way around to the dining room. This set up seems to work well for entertaining, which we really love to do, and it keeps that flow of traffic moving nicely (and by traffic, I mean kids!).

I added this shot (below) looking into the kitchen though there's a shocking amount of reality there. I did not set up for this by removing all counter debris, so you get to see some real life here. Erg!

The house has wonderful built ins throughout and I house many of my trinkets and favorite books there for showing off a bit and then basket up the rest in hidden storage. The kitchen has glass front cabinets for showing off the many, many dishes I've collected (yes, I had a dish hoarding stage too but haven't we all?) and thank goodness for the blessed people that made this kitchen what it is today.

I definitely have a great appreciation for white. Just a simple, clean, puffy light inducing white. But there's that part of my heart that is bright to the core ... South Africa bright. Color is such a magnificent part of the SA culture and it's just so stunning over there. So I have my madly colorful moments at home too.

Everything is intentional here. I think about every little detail and it's all there for a reason and likely has a 5 minute story. Occasionally their stories might exceed the 5 and sound more like, oh I don't know, 30? Is that to long to talk about chair?

I'd love to hang a whole bunch of these baskets on this wall. Wouldn't that be cool?

Parker and Monty will add their art to the wall at least once a week. I finally purchased some of that genius printed tape, in all kinds of pretty patterns and colors. Below is a butterfly that joined the wall last week. 

I used that little sunken wall as a space to create a mood board. I've torn pictures out of fashion magazines since the late 80's and I have big, fat (not to mention hilarious) scrap books to show for it! Some of my favorite clippings are mixed here with old photos, postcards and papers. It's a great little place to set your creativity in motion. You really should try it! Just tell the husband that you're going through a creative, artsy phase and he just needs to let you be. 

And then back outside. 

(Here's a peek at my home a year and a half ago)

A Look at Home

I recently photographed my home and for several reasons. 

1. It was unusually tidy. 

2. It's freshly decorated (with florals) for summer. 

3. I'm thinking of submitting the pics for a feature (though I realize that could certainly go either way). 

Going through these photographs has really helped me to see the problem places, they seem sort of blaringly loud to me this way. Still shots can do that I suppose. So this sort of thing can be a little disconcerting for me as it makes me realize how badly I want to do a major overhaul! 

And then I think about the crazy amounts of money involved in such undertakings and I'm thankful once again for what we have and what we've done in our home at very little cost to us. I adore modern vintage style and this suits our family well. The fancy stuff that sits broodily on my wish list is most likely to fit best in a dream home, one that is best acquired when a family is .... more mature? 

There's a lot of wear and tear here but we're okay with it because more than anything else, this home is about comfort and creativity. I think that's a great place for a family to grow and I need both of those things in my life too, just as much as they do. 

Anyway, enough with the rambling. Here are the photos starting at our entryway and walking into the sunken living room with attached dining room. (I'll share more of the home throughout the week). 

Many items in our home are from markets, thrift stores, or from family. The desk below was made by my grand father for me when I was a young teen and traveled across the ocean in the ship that carried just a few other pieces of furniture when my family moved to America. I'm so thankful that my parents shipped this piece too. The linen on top was one that my great grandmother (grandfather's mother) made for my grandmother as a gift before she was even married to him. I believe it was the early 50's. It's sweet that this was normal, that a mother-in-law would make something so precious and personal for you as a gift before you were even married to her son.

My grandmother brought us all of her old linens to share amongst us girls. Such a treat.

Many of the paintings I've done. I do mostly oil on canvas but lately I've really been enjoying painting over lackluster vintage prints and giving them some new life. It's a very simple and inexpensive way to color your walls.