Saturday, October 31, 2009

This is How We Look Everyday

Me, an angel; London, the embodiment of freedom; McAllister, defender of the free world; Daisy, green happiness.Happy Halloween.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Welcome Back Whiting

I took a class at FIT (Fashion Institue of Technology) this fall, Fashion Styling 101. Very, very interesting class. Inspiring on some levels. I was such a geek and in my attempt to make up for many, many skipped classes at BYU 18 years ago, really took this class seriously. For our final we had to style outfits based on a theme. Instead of doing glam-rock or Boho-chic as my inspiration, I did 'The White Shirt' (which incidentally was the subject of a real editorial in a fashion mag or something just recently, so I wasn't way off). I then pushed it one step further and styled for... what are those things called?... oh yeah, children.

My instructor said, [by styling for children's fashion] "You just beat out all your competition." I was really proud of the results. My concept was for a fake kids magazine (since 'Cookie' has folded), taking one white shirt for girls, one for boys, and styling it in a playful and then dress-up way. The message was wallet-friendly versatility.

Results:I have no idea if this class will ever prove useful. It was just fun to push myself in ways I haven't. With all that I've been doing personally (Jason says this is my year to 'dapple'), I've felt more balanced and happy and yes, busy. But somehow in ways I can't explain it feels worth it. My favorite quote is from George Eliot, "It's never too late to be who you might have been."

I hope I am setting an example for my kids as they see me taking classes or working part-time or dreaming up new ideas. Because we're always talking about it, I hope that they can see it is never too late or you are never too set in your ways to try something new, do something scary or unfamiliar, or to add something new to who you are. Never too late.

Monday, October 12, 2009

You Know You've Been In the City Too Long...

...When on the road to apple picking, London (and her friend Julia) squeal,
"oooh! Look! Look!!!!!......... LEAVES!!!!"
I'm not exaggerating. That's exactly what they said. Regular, un-potted, side-of-the-road, New Jersey trees. They even took tons of pictures as proof, but they didn't turn out because I was driving.

I let them bring home 40 pounds of apples to make up for it.