I Will Reclaim My Brain

I've been pining for an excuse to use this picture for months.
Today is the day for cats playing tennis.

I was ready to mold my figure with maternity.  I was ready to acquiesce my time and energy to my progeny.  I was not ready to resign my intellect to motherhood.  


I do not embrace my fecund-ally linked stupidity.  


My scholarly, academic google research uncovered thousands of articles on how to flatten my abs post pregnancy; balance a family on one hip, career on the other; but where is the balm for baby brain?




When I poise my fingertips to write-I have beef stew for brains.  When I part my lips to speak, I require constant access to a search engine, using the Internet as an external brain drive to compensate for unexpected noun loss.    


Pretty soon my babies are going to need more from me than the ability to remember the entire alphabet.  They may want me to teach them how to string letters together.  Counting above ten may be required.


I want to remember the names of the medications I'm taking.  I want to navigate back to my parked car.


Consequently, I am going to bootcamp my brain.  The neural connections that were separated during pregnancy are going to be fused back together with the mere tenacity of my will if necessary.  

I plan to play games like kitten tennis on lumosity once a day through the end of the year.  I'll let you know if it works.

  
Has this happen to anyone else?  Am I the only one who lost their ability to form complete sentences post pregnancy?

What did you do to recover your intelligence?

In the meantime, I can still pick out a smart outfit.

Cropped Pants by J.Crew
Pumps by Joan & David

A Fancy Afternoon

Fancy isn't just for holidays and pretty doesn't belong to starlit hours.  I'm craving a posh afternoon.  Below is the petite luxe I have planned during nap time today:

This European Snacklette earns porcelain plating

Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps Fig and Olive Crackers (available at Whole Foods) (alternative-Trader Joes Raisin Rosemary Crackers) + Celebrity Fig Goat Cheese (available at Costco) + Bartlett Pears

Perhaps I treasure the sparkle of a clean floor more than the glint of gems
 

And this is the best wood/laminate floor cleaner I've found. Throw away the foggy finish Murphy's Oil Soap post haste.

In place of the five concerts I want to redeem tickets for, my groupies and I will promenade to this fine album.

If you're in the mood for tiny sized opulence,  might I recommend a dainty shopping session.  Perfectly sized for parties, photo shoots, or an economically sized indulgence.

$18.00 - One Outfit Idea $28.00 - Two Outfit Ideas $38.00 - Three Outfit Ideas

Eliza Issue 15

I really do want every piece of this ensemble.
Read my must-haves in Eliza's Issue 15.

How to Make your Kids Clothes Last Longer

Your assistance in our Coco petition, garners ample appreciation. something wondrous like:
5 Steps to Extending the Life of Clothe-lettes

Proceed with me to your retributed reward...

Step I) Buy High Caliber Clothes
You may erroneously assume that investing in dandies for your dickens is equivalent to stocking your wipey case with George's minted profile.  But you are wrong (hence erroneous).  And I will methodically address each of your arguments.  

1. Small people grow big too quickly 
   Better clothes include self-adjusting details. Multiple button homes on elastic waistbands or shoulder straps allow clothing to be purchased roomy and worn from season dawn to season set, if not the next season go-round as well.
2. Minors major in clothing destruction  Better clothes are made of better fabrics.  Tighter weaves proffer stain resistance, larger seam allowances protect against dropped hems, scientifically smartish blends stretch then rebound.  Give the fabric a tug, without compromising comfort you want a taut response.  A dense weave locks out potential stains.  Check the garment's innards, the seam allowances should be generous and reinforced.  Hems should never look malnourished.  Inventory the tag, if it's intended to stretch (ie a pull-on t-shirt) it should include a touch of spandex or lycra or similar.  Plain cotton will stretch, but it won't rebound, and Flashdance fashion should never be forced on juveniles.
3. Better clothes cost too much.  Quality is not measured in the number of digits on it's retail tag.  Buy the best quality you can afford at the lowest price you can find.  Filter through end of season clearance racks at the stores you wish you could shop at...and you probably can. Buy for next season, then catalog it away until it is time to wear.  Check thrift and second hand shops, if they made it for a second go round, it may last longer than brand new disposable clothing.  Always, always, consider cost per wear

Step II) Dress for the Occasion
My babies dine in diapers.  Their petal soft skin is far easier to polish clean than their clothes are.  While this technique may not be appropriate for your ten-year-old, prepare ensembles for activities with clothing pollution potential.  Make smocks, aprons, or pre-stained items available for painting, grass rolling, cooking, etc.

Step III) Refashion Outgrowths
Cut back on giant arm syndrome by rolling the sleeves.  Layer a thin cotton underneath. Make what you already have work.  Winter's wool trouser may blossom into wee tween short pants.  A-line dresses make natural tunics and what was originally donned as this year's denim skinnies may evolve into summer capris and can even be selected for boot tucking next winter.  Evaluate how you can refashion what you already have before you buy your next season of inventory.  

Step IV) Cross-Dress
This button-up was intended for Baby Boyfriend's fall collection, but while we waited for him to sprout a few lb's and "'s, sister enjoyed it for a few summer frolics.  If there's little chance of it wearing out, buy it in a gender neutral color.  White onesies and socks know no gender boundary.

Step V) Wash Less, Quickly
If you want to obliterate the Winnie-The-Pooh coveralls that Grandma gifted your darling, wash them.  Wash them every time you pass a dirty look at them, because washing is the fastest way to break fibers down.

Conversely, the fewer times you have to wash an item, the longer it will live.  Step two's occasional dressing will aid your wash resistance and so will the liberal wielding of your wipey case. Wipeys aren't just for diaper debris.  Those and their wet rag cousins can remove all kinds of unset stains.  Address baby spits, toddler dribbles, and the like as soon as they land.   


In short, if it isn't stinky or soiled, put it back in the drawer.  If it is dirty, treat it as soon as possible.  If you don't have a load to launder at hand, apply stain remover and a quick warm water soak to ensure the stain doesn't set.  When you're ready to wash,  use a quality detergent to support clothing longevity.  If your detergent is efficacious in one wash, you've saved yourself at least another wear.

And I'm not done thanking you, next post I'll address how to dress your tween.

In the meantime, book a Virtual shopping session for you, for your progeny, for your next family frolic.  I was born to fashion childhood and the supporters of it.

Beauty-Full Tuesday Recruiting

Requesting: women of all shapes and sizes, willing to share their exclusive set of curves, including the one on their face, under their nose, with Cardigan Empire. 

Nominate yourself, a friend, or a favorite blogger. I eagerly anticipate receiving your application! 

Full Name:
Email Address:
Blog/Facebook/or other Online Address
Beauty-Full Tuesday Head Shot
Short snippet defining the motivation for your nomination

We Got Coco!!

We got clearance to finalize Coco's adoption, November 19th.  National Adoption Day. 


Generous gratitude for your pleadings, prayers, and petitions.

Chic Cinema: Pillow Talk

Doris Day had the voice, the figure, and the wardrobe.  Now you can sparkle opposite your own Rock Hudson with a modern day version of her dressings.

This post is dedicated to Missus Becky, with honored adoration.  "Your darling Doris inspired lookbook is also on it's cheerful way, but I thought you'd enjoy this in the meantime."

Day Dresses by Tahari by Arthur S. Levine
Satchels by Ivanka Trump

Pumps by Topshop
Hats by Topshop

Day Dresses by AK Anne Klein
Pumps by rsvp

Day Dresses by Calvin Klein

Day Dresses by AK Anne Klein
Pumps by rsvp

Coats by Anthropologie

Hats by Merona

This movie flickered during mine and Mister's first date. What did you and yours do on your first date?

Let Cardigan Empire fashion you from films.  Freshen up with a complete Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session