Style File: Kimono

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have become entirely obsessed with the magic of Swapdom.

The main reason I signed up for it right away, after browsing for only a few minutes, was because of this:

The moment I saw this kimono I knew I had to have it!

The colors, the pattern, the lightweight rayon fabric...

also it's got a bohemian vibe but is still sophisticated enough for a woman who's about to turn 40.

So I requested it and offered up all of my items and ended up making an even swap with a pair of shoes that were a bit too snug on my feet (and had only been worn once) to get my kimono.

Shipping was about $12 and I have already worn it 4 times so if you average the 'per wear' cost it's $3 per wear and I have gotten so many compliments on it so it's practically paid for itself in that sense alone!

Yesterday's outfit

Hair bun, gold hoops... just need a head scarf and a crystal ball.

I might have stolen this owl necklace from my daughter's jewelry stash because it goes perfectly with my kimono and now they love each other and are BFFs.

Since I work from home 99% of the time, jeans are my wardrobe mainstay but I like to add something to dress them up a bit and feel a bit more polished so this was really a great wardrobe addition for me that I can use year-round.

I can see myself wearing it like this:

In the summer with a t shirt, jean shorts, flip flops, and some accessories handmade by me.

In cooler fall months with a shimmery silver scarf and pink loafers I picked up for $4 at a local thrift store

Another cold season idea paired with wedge boots and some gold jewelry though I might be more likely to wear the jewelry with the pink loafers above and stick the scarf with the boots for wintertime!

I have lots of other ideas on ways I might wear my kimono but you get the general idea.

Also, I was able to trade something I would never wear for something I really love which is the best part!

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

Thirfty Thursday: Swapdom

So, have you heard of Swapdom yet?

It's basically the most bestest thing since sliced bread or Tom Cruise's assault on Oprah Winfrey's sofa!

Okay, it's actually better than both of those things.

I heard about it through one of the blogs I read.

Here's how it works:

1) You declutter your stuff (clothing, shoes, accessories, baby & kid stuff, and home goods) and you list the items you no longer love, but that are still awesome, on Swapdom for FREE with photos and a description.

2) Then you browse Swapdom and request stuff you want, and you offer up your stuff in return and the Swapdom team goes to work to find a swap for you.
(I think they have tiny gnomes do this part.)

3) Once a swap is found you pay the shipping cost, which includes a small fee that gets paid to Swapdom for their hard work, for the item you are receiving.

Don't worry - you'll know the cost before you request an item so there are no surprises.

(This isn't one of those fancy restaurants with no prices on the menus like you went to for your first Prom that was super awkward because you inadvertently ordered the most expensive thing on the menu but that's a story for a different day.)

4) After everyone has paid, you print a prepaid label from your home printer and ship your item to the winning Swapper.

5) Then you wait (rather impatiently) for your item to arrive in the mail so you can behold it in all its glory and cry little tears of pure joy and then wear it when you go on a date with your husband and again to your son's choir concert the following week and then again on the second to last day of school (today) for no reason at all because you love it so very much!

Be warned though...

Swapdom is highly addictive and you may find yourself considering the idea of purchasing items that you will never use or wear for the sole purpose of listing items that would be perfect for swapping which is actually the complete opposite of what the whole premise of Swapdom is so you really shouldn't do that.

Also, it's a good idea to read the Tips & Tricks page on the Swapdom blog for some really helpful information before you start swapping your life away!

I'm already a lost cause.

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

Embracing Mediocrity

Through Pinterest and blog reading I have discovered that the world is full of really amazing people who seem to have Midas-like abilities.

They can reach into their pockets, pull out a piece of string, some lint and a spare penny and turn it into a fabulous side table.

And then take magazine spread quality photos of their project that they post on Instagram with a link to their 

eloquently composed blog about such project.

All while I'm still trying to ingest my first pot of coffee.

Outfit of the day... pajamas and old lady slippers paired with a 3rd cup of cheap store bought coffee.

After several months hiatus I recently decided to start blogging again.

As much as I enjoyed blogging I found myself comparing my simple, amateurish blog to that of other bloggers who have professionally designed pages, amazing photos of every meal, room and outfit, and loads of sponsors and advertisers who are paying them with either products or actual money.

I found myself feeling inadequate.

Not only because my blog itself is about as simple as it gets but because I feel no real desire to make it anything more than what it is.

Let me assure you - I am definitely not lazy.

I am simply content with mediocrity.

Because at the end of each day, my family doesn't ask me what I crafted that day using nothing more than an old tire and some used dental floss.

Tassel necklace I made from wooden beads I whittled individually from a tree in my own backyard and thread spun from my exotic neon pink silkworm collection. 

They want to know, "What's for dinner?" 

And then they want to know,

"Can we start eating right away or do we have to wait while you take pictures of dinner for your blog?"

PB & J.  It speaks for itself.

My point is... 

I'm okay being mediocre at certain things because I know that I excel in other areas that are more important to me.

I'm a great mom.

Despite some of my social media user names indicating I'm the World's Okayest Mom. 

And I'm a great wife.

Despite anything my husband might say to the contrary while I'm blogging and ignoring him.

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

Thrifty Thursday: Pet Toy Basket

As awesome as my dog is, I have given up on training her to pick up her toys.

Instead, I decided that a small basket would be ideal for us humans to toss them into when she is done playing so they aren't scattered all over every room.

My first attempt at providing a toy basket resulted in some intense destruction of a basket I actually really liked.

Now that she's a bit older and less 'chewy' I thought I would try again.

With a cheaper basket.

From the thrift store.

For $1.50.

Problem solved!

And I got to show you a bunch of pictures of my wiener dog.

You're welcome.

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

A Simple Lesson in Staging

As I previously mentioned, my husband and I own a vacation home rental business.

Most of the homes we offer are not owned (or decorated) by us.

Nonetheless, when I photograph a home, I have to make sure it's presented in the best light possible since we are mainly a web based business and we use photos to 'sell' our places to potential guests.

So I thought I would share an simple example of the importance of 'staging' when it comes to photographing your rooms.

Keep in mind... this is VERY simplified and normally I would attempt to stage the bananas out of this room but time was limited.

Here is the before:

And here is the 'AFTER':

I did exactly 3 things to improve on the first photo.

1) I folded the blanket at the foot of the bed.

2) I rearranged the two throw pillows.

3) I took the photo from a different angle.

That's all!

Simple, right?

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

Camping

Ten years ago we went on our first family camping trip to Oklahoma with some friends and their huge family.

It was for 2 nights and we had a reasonably good time.

We have not been camping since.

Unless you count the handful of times we set up the tent and 'camped' in our own backyard.

Probably because when you have lake houses, it's just easier to have your outdoor experience and then come home to a soft bed, a fridge, running water and a bathroom a few steps away.

This past weekend, however, we busted out the camping gear and joined a few friends and their families for a 1 night camping excursion.

This kid is one of my 3 favorite DIY projects!  I made him almost 13 years ago.

My groom.

Our humble abode.  No tent is complete without solar powered LED star lights and a rag rug.

Blurry tent interior pic due to excess wine consumption.

Flashlight doing double duty as a light saber.

We survived the night!  And my son is tied to a tree.

Heading home.  Yes, I am officially the world's worst selfie taker.

Maybe next time we'll camp for 2 nights.

Or not.

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney

The Day Job

Aside from being a neglectful blogger, I also have a paying day job.
Which is actually the main reason I am a neglectful blogger.

My husband and I own and operate a vacation home rental business.

Sounds glamorous right?

It isn't.

A guest left this mess behind.  Guess who got to clean it up?

It's very hard work.
We manage about 20 homes and are responsible for making sure they are clean, lawns are mowed, insects are treated, repairs are completed and that guests, as well as owners, are happy and content.

Also we live about 2 hours from where we work so from March through September I spend a couple days each week traveling back and forth.

But there are perks.

Reckless photo taking while driving over a 2 lane road across the lake. Also my windshield is very dirty.

View from a recently added lake house.

View from one of my 'offices' every week whilst mopping 10,000 square feet of hard concrete flooring.

Still one of my favorite spaces.  Even though my photo skills are terribly lacking.

And now for some shameful self-promotion...

If you should find yourself in Texas and need a place to stay near a lake that is almost equidistant to Dallas and Austin, I invite you to check out the vast assortment of vacation homes we offer:
www.cabinsonlakewhitney.com

À la vie et à l'amour

-Cortney