Happy Birthday To ME

I turned 40 last week. I’ve been suffering a multiple weeks long cold and so it wasn’t as exciting an occasion as anyone who loves me had hoped, but I did manage to have a quiet and delicious meal out with my love (and no children) and enjoy a very low-key day off on my birthday. Additionally, both the SL and I have been kind of down, we had planned a week long trip to Iceland for this Spring (again sans children, which might lead you to believe I don’t like being around them, which is totally not the case, we just haven’t had more than 1 night away from them in over 5 years and well, we need a break,) and for WHATEVER reason, after Jan 20, the probate and district courts seem to all have new orders and my bs adoption of my own kids has been stretched from a 4 week process to one that’s now going on 4 months, with no date in sight. I’m trying to not panic, but I’m not really good at that, and we feel like we most definitely can’t leave the country without that done. So boo. We’re letting go of that negativity by investing in a new chimney and roof (serious grownup crap sucks) and hope that we can keep our family warm and in a safe house for a long time. Sigh. Lemonade, right?

This year when people asked what I wanted I totally went practical. Socks and undershirts. Really. My sister provided me with 12 brand new V-necks of the Hanes variety and I was SO happy to throw out every other ratty-ass undershirt that I owned. Seriously, some of them were older than my oldest daughter and that’s just too long to have an undershirt.

I also got some brand new socks. For the past few years, Bombas have been my go-to. They have a buy a pair/donate a pair draw, and a motto of “bee better,” which is cute, but beyond social consciousness, they are damn comfortable and last a really really long time.

At around $12 a pair they are not the cheapest option on the block, but, clearly I’m not buying them every month and the way they hug my feet and stay up all day long AND have a bit of brightness to them (I only wear the black ones to work) that peeks out every so often makes me happy. They also have a no-show sock that works super well in Sperry’s and low sneakers.

My mom gave me an LL Bean gift card and after 3 years of looking at, but not buying, this lined flannel shirt will be mine.

With all the responsibilities I have and money typically being a constant stress (hey, I could spend that $70 on groceries, or retirement or college for the girls) I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on it, but now I can. So yay!

My love surprised me with a subscription to Universal Yums! A Universal Yum box is totally  not as dirty as it sounds, but a every other month box of delicious snacks from around the world will arrive on my doorstep. Totally up my alley! Bee posted about subscription boxes that ALL look awesome but totally out of my budget – this will be a nice little treat every other month!

Also on their way to me are a brand new pair of Keen shoes, for work. I have neglected buying new work shoes for a few years now and my trusty Doc Marten 8 eyes are getting tired and you know, sometimes you just need to treat yo self. And there’s just oooone more gift to me – I’m going to be finishing my arm sleeve tattoos over the next year or so. Because I have been in “professional” jobs forever and I promised myself that once I hit 40 I could get myself below the elbow tattoos. And so I will. I’ll keep you posted:) Have a great Spring everyone!

 

Winter Sweater Time

As of last night it has officially snowed in Maine. WOO HOO!!! One woo because I think fresh snow is beautiful and the hoo because a small segment of my business depends on bad weather and so, yay for success there.  It also means that winter is REALLY REALLY here! I know the date is telling you that, but first snow around the holiday times makes things feel more festive and fun.

This is one of my FAVORITE heavy wool winter sweaters. I love this style of neckline for when I’m being a little bit more casual either at work or going out, or if I’m not feeling the sweater-vest look.

This particular sweater is about 5 years old and came from the Gap.

What do you like for winter sweater-ware??

A Sartorial Wedding

Ok, so, a bunch of you have asked “uh…what about the wedding???”  RIGHT. So, I know it’s late by about 2 months however, here are some photos from our special day!  Special thanks to the SL for you know, allowing me to introduce her to all of you!

The theater looked awesome!

Many thanks to the Butch Pastor who helped make our day incredibly special. And to the squeaking chairs in the movie theater (it was a Willy Wonka themed wedding) for helping us have even more laughter during the day.

The cupcakes were delicousness.

And this is my favorite shot of the day.

The bride wore a very very modified wedding dress that was basically found at a thrift shop and taken apart and put back together again by one of  the most talented and beautiful femmes that I know!  Bridal shoes are Fleuvogs. The butch wore a Calvin Klein suit, Brooks brothers shirt and tie, and Kenneth Cole shoes.

 

Many thanks to my beautiful wife and all of our friends and family who made the day so unforgettable and wonderful!

Get’cha Hot Dog Heahhh

So, things continue to be one incredible freaking roller coaster ride of a lifetime in my “real world,” but I thought I’d take a second to share with you one of the “engagement” photos the Sartoriallove and I had taken this afternoon by the incredibly wonderful Tiffany Tappan in Portland, ME.

I’m actually starting to like doing stuff like this. And, honestly, with the SL, it’s pretty easy.

I’m too sexy

It feels like forever ago, but it wasn’t THAT long – two weeks ago I did a butch fashion show, called “Sartorial Summer” at Re/Dress NYC.  The wonderful Bevin had told me early in May that she’d named the show in part due to my blog, and well, plans just exploded from there. I talked a little bit about being confident and kind, which I wrote a bit more about on Butch-femme.com this week also.

I have to be completely honest – talking in front of people petrifies me.  As does even the THOUGHT of modelling, down a runway, for ANYONE other than, well, you know, making fun of modelling in my own house in my boxers.  But as this has been the year of grabbing life by the horns, I thought, why not.  Plus, it meant I got to hug my mom really quick like, and get some REALLY good deli food.

I digress. The event was awesome and the store was PACKED and I had some surprise visitors from across the Hudson, AND also got to see some friends that I’d not had the pleasure of seeing in a looong time. But really? I was so so nervous.  I did get to meet some awesome new folks, including DapperQ! Here are two pics from the event taken by Jeep Wheat (thanks!)

I love the funny faces I’m making. Not. I don’t know how that happened, that must just be my model face. I kind of like how it looks like Bevin is posing with me in the shot, rather than me just walking by which is what actually happened.

Those are in fact my kicks. My favoritist pair.

Anyway, it was a great time, and a great learning experience for me. AND I had fun.

Up next? The new suit came out SO good. I’m so so pleased with it, and am scrounging for photos to show you!

What’s new in your wardrobe?

Cowboy Chic

Ok, I have to admit that I have a serious love for all shirts pearl buttoned. Usually, these are not dressy enough to be work wear – where I live, anyway, so I usually save them for nights out.  I have however figured out a few ways in which I can incorporate “me” items into my work wardrobe. I call this look cowboy chic – I’ve paired a brown/navy/light blue/white pearl button shirt with a solid tie and solid sweater (down below are khakis and my brown dress boots) and I think this look is one that works well for me. A little bit of whimsy with a whole lot of style.

What are some fashion items that you love, but don’t think are necessarily work wear appropriate? What outfits have you put together that combine the work you and the real you?  Let’s mix it up today on the SB!!!

Mix-n-match

Checks with argyle with solid. Score.  Happy narcissistic Friday.

Another one of the butch in the bow

Seriously? I’m loving this look so so so incredibly much. I kind of think it’s “geek-hot.”