Occasionally Fashionable

I’ve always loved shopping with my best friend. You know, casually strolling the mall, stopping for a coffee break, giving each other’s opinions in the dressing room, helping my girl pick out the perfect outfit – I love all of it. But, here we are years later with numerous kids, time consuming hobbies, different home towns, and busy social schedules. Long gone are the leisurely days at the mall.

Yes, it’s sad to give up those frivolous and fleeting moments of youth, but luckily I don’t have to give up being my bestie’s personal shopper. Thanks to the good ol’ internet I still hand select and send her items I think she would enjoy. Yes, in my spare time (ya right! – thanks three kiddos) I online shop for people other than myself. It’s a bit of a crazy habit, no?

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to my longest lifelong friend, or as my babies know her : Auntie Shanni . This fab and fun Mama just recently relocated to the Portland, Oregon from Carlsbad, California. Talk about a weather and life change right?!

Now, what kind of new clothes do we think this busy, hands-on mom of two active and adventurous boys needs for her new jaunt in the Pacific Northwest? Funny you should ask, because I am going to show you everything I told her to add to cart.

If you are a causal and down to earth lady who is mom life-ing it in a climate that needs layers on layers. Thanks to my bestie, I have you covered. Brew a cup of tea, pour a glass of wine, or as Auntie Shanni would do, diffuse some oils, and then take that click happy finger and start adding these amazing items from The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale to you cart.

I’ll let you know which items she ends up getting, so stayed tuned!

PS. We never, ever, ever have fun together. Like, never.

// high waisted yoga pants // quality long cardigan // great long cardigan  // bargain long cardigan // the best long sleeve tee // basic tee // lounge pants // lounge sweatshirt // coziest poncho // cutest loose turtleneck // casual long tee // off the shoulder sweater // bargain pull over sweater // the best pull over // slouchy cozy cardigan // the best anorak // everyday jacket // puffy vest // the cutest raincoat // the best wool coat // trench coat // adorable hunter rain boots // suede thigh high boots // favie uggs this season // best born boots // riding boots // tory boots // sperry booties // plaid scarf // large plaid scarf // grey plaid scarf // bargain backpack // everyday cross body // favie backpack // the best slip on shoes // affordable clutch // lightweight nikes // fall dress // faux moto // moto vest //

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Are you ready to learn 12 random facts about me? Ruthie is making me do it! Now who shall I challenge to continue this fun little experiment?!

1. I’m a HUGE book nerd. If you have followed me on Instagram for awhile then you probably already know this. You know, with the numerous bookstore posts, books to read inquires, and incessant self-proclamations of my book nerd-dom. My husband refuses to read any books that I love. He claims that it’s for the sanity of our marriage. He also knows that I will talk his ear off for hours on end (and he’s probably right).

2. My favorite movies are those based on books (sensing a book theme anyone?) But, I love seeing how a story is told in different mediums. I love dissecting what works, what doesn’t, if scenes fall flat or exceed my expectations. I know so many people that despise movies based on books–but to me, as terrible the adaptation may be, I still find it interesting and thought provoking. After forcing my husband to watch Hunger Games, I subsequently spent the next 30 minutes walking through all the scenes I loved, why I loved them, and how I wished the movie had voiceover. I MEAN, the whole reason the book worked is because of her critique of what was happening. Also, Jennifer Lawerence is the only person who could kill it as Katniss. Don’t get me started. PS #teampeeta forever (Ok I’m done, promise).

3. One of my best friends has imposed a talking limit on my movie critiques. Serious. She only gives me 10 minutes to discuss a movie with her and then she cuts me off. I would think it was rude if I didn’t know that I could go on for hours. Topics and movies from which she has had to stop me mid-rant include, but are not limited to the following : Jamie Dornan not being a believable Christian Grey, how I finally understand the  Robert Pattinson obsession (ahem Edward Cullen – I was way late to this party), why I am a die hard team Peeta fan and the full critique of the casting of all Hunger Games characters, why I watch Pride and Prejudice every December, why I cry every time I watch Frozen, my love for Insurgent (and my reason for despising all subsequent movie/ book sequels), “that movie we have to watch every Christmas” (aka Love Actually), and according to her basically “every movie we have ever seen together”.

4. I like shiny things. Jewelry. Glitter. Sequins. Gold. Edward Cullen. I don’t necessarily dress super girlie, cover myself head to toe in glitter or sequins, but I do love these things. Like a lot.

5. I played water polo in high school and won Defensive MVP for the junior varsity team twice. This just shows that I am very defensive minded. I protect my people: family, friends, team. I also can be very competitive, in an unassuming, non-boastful or gloating type of way. Who doesn’t like to win?

6. I met my husband when I was 19 while I was Designated Driver picking up one of my best friends from a college party. I instinctively thought he was loud, obnoxious, and in my territorial bubble. Somehow we started dating and have been together ever since. He is still loud, obnoxious, and in my territorial bubble, but I must like it. He accepts me as I am and doesn’t ask me to change. My love and respect for him continue to grow everyday. He is one of a very small group of people that can make me laugh no matter what. He is the funniest person I know.

7. I’m loyal to a fault. If you are in my circle, you are IN my circle. There is no limit to what I would or wouldn’t do for you, with you, or to protect you. I have your back, even if it’s a time that maybe I shouldn’t. I just feel that everyone needs someone that is always there for them.

8. I have Celiac Disease. It doesn’t define me, but it is a part of me. I am that 1% of the population whose auto immune system literally can’t process gluten. When I first found out I was grateful. I was just so profoundly grateful to know that I hadn’t imagined all my symptoms all this time…that there was an actual reason for all the odd ailments and pains. I was happy to know why. Then, I was upset. I was jealous I couldn’t eat what I wanted to. I was sad I couldn’t be “normal”. I think I even cried once when the kids ate a peanut butter a jelly in front of me, because I missed bread so bad. I was bitter. Then I started giving myself a pep talk that basically went something like, “Don’t be dumb. You aren’t dying. You know how to improve your health. This disease is manageable. Set an example for your kids of healthy living. Be grateful that you found out this young and that it didn’t cause havoc for many more years.” I don’t get sad about missing gluten anymore. I honestly feel amazing now that I have been on a strict gluten-free diet for two years. It takes lots of patience, planning ahead, and being very diligent when eating out, but it’s worth it. Every crumb counts.

9. I love hosting. I pretend I am The Hostess with the Mostest. But really, I am just very social and like everyone to feel included. Also, I like everyone at my house. It just seems easier to be like: “Come to me!” We host quite often since I married into a Big Fat Greek family (my husband is one of 11 children, no biggie). My family also flies up to visit every 6 weeks. Luckily my husband likes having everyone here too. We enjoy the wild times, then enjoy the peace once everyone is gone. It’s a good balance for us. When house hunting for our first home I looked for floor plans that could accommodate large parties. We ended up with the perfect open floor plan: a huge open downstairs, a spacious upstairs playroom, and an expansive yard. Come on over everyone!

10. I left part of my heart in Italy. During college I lived in Perugia for a month and Milan for four months. I learned more about myself in those five months abroad than just about any other time in my life, with the exception of becoming a mother. I learned to be brave, to not be scared, to try new things, to depend on myself, to get lost and then found, to embrace a new culture, to befriend new and different people, and that I could take care of myself. I learned to not be nervous when trying to speak a new language….people can be so kind and will more often than not help you through it. I’ve learned that some of my best and most vivid memories are those “in-between” moments. Not necessarily the tour of the Vatican, but trying to get to the Vatican; not just how amazingly beautiful Cinque Terra is, but how we got lost on the way home; not the lessons learned in class, but their application to real life. I can’t tell you how often my mind wanders back to those Italian days. To riding the buses and subways to school, to weekend trips with friends I made abroad, to the museums I visited and the food I ate, to my roommates that became the best of friends, and all of the memories we hold dear. Italy is so much a part of me and it is something I am so thankful I was able to experience.

11. I started writing a book. When I was little I wanted to be an author. I think written story telling is such a gift. It is amazing how arranging words in a certain order can create an alternate reality and make you feel such deep emotions. I will never get over how many lives I have gotten to live through characters and how many worlds I have been able to visit. I have always wanted to give this gift back to others. I can remember being in grade school the first time I got an idea for a book. It’s still etched in my memory and something I think could put to paper…. someday. Three New Year’s Eve’s ago, my resolution was to write a book. I sat down that night and busted out the start to a book that just randomly came to me. Sadly, I have never made the time to finish it. But, my goal will forever be to write a book worth reading. One I would enjoy. One I could be proud of.

12. “Never say you can’t. Say you’ll try!” is quite possibly the most profound thing I have ever learned. My Papa told me this every time I complained that something was too difficult, that I couldn’t do it, that I wasn’t equipped enough. He taught me to try. Always. He showed me that I should never give up on myself. That I should always try. He was an amazing man. He inspired everyone that knew him. He inspired me. I miss him dearly, but I know his legacy lives on in me every time I try, and every time I teach my kids to not give up.

Bonus Fact : I’m a person of many words. I like my adjectives. I can’t speak in cliff notes. Like ever.

Bonus Fact #2: One of my best friends edits all of my blog posts. I get too excited about ideas and words and story-telling, that I don’t always mind my grammar. She makes me sound extra smart and I like that. She is also the sole reason all of my college papers were A’s and not B+’s. I couldn’t be more thankful to have such an amazing friend to back me up!