Mod Glo

Aug 29

I found my voice…

…and it’s over here.

Folks, I’ve been struggling lately. Hence the lack of posts and the disjointed subject matter. Maybe you’ve noticed.

The problem, see, is that I lost my sense of direction. My main blog, Mod Apron, covered homemaking, budgeting, meal planning, recipes, kids, motherhood, and family life - but these topics are only a part of the deliciousness that fills my day. So then, I started Mod Glo, which I’d hoped would provide a blogging outlet for my interest in food and nutrition, and also serve as a health journal as I worked to lose the baby weight after my second child was born.

But then, quite suddenly, I reached my weight loss goal and found that I didn’t have much more to say about it all. So I turned Mod Glo into a fashion and style blog. Are you keeping up?

It all seemed very confusing. Especially to me. My writing felt disconnected and it was difficult to tell where one blog started and the other blog ended. Moreover, I had too many blogs! And then the question dawned on me, like an epiphany from the heavens: Why am I making it so complicated?

The answer was clear, and oh so simple: Consolidation is key. And inspiration struck!

My life. My loves. All my interests. They all live here now:

www.flossyblog.com

I’m not setting any parameters, themes or tones for this blog. I’m just letting the bloggy goodness flow. My weird little life in words and pictures.

Why “Flossy”?

A few days ago, I was introduced to someone and they told me I was “flossy”. I didn’t know what it meant, but it seemed like a compliment so I just smiled. But the minute I got home, I looked up the word.

Flossy. adj /ˈflôsē/ : stylish or glamorous especially at first impression

There’s something about that word. I like it. I don’t know why, but it stuck with me and I’ve been thinking about ever since. And before I even decided to start my new blog, I had the perfect name already picked out.

Mod Apron and Mod Glo will be abandoned. At least for now. But I truly hope you’ll pop on over to my new digs at flossyblog.com and follow me there. I’m looking forward to picking up where I left off, but in a more elegant - and much less complicated - locale.

xo,

Hilary

Aug 26

Feeling grey and blue this morning.

There’s a brunch event at Maya’s school today, then I’d like to hit the farmers’ market, tidy the house, run to the gym and get everyone to bed early. School starts tomorrow!

[Photo via Instagram]

Aug 25

As part of Maya’s big birthday weekend, the whole family woke up early, piled in the Zipcar, and road tripped down to Half Moon Bay. Maya desperately wanted to meet some real goats, ducks, chickens and horses, so off we went to the farm!

The trip was truly lovely. The drive along the ocean to Half Moon Bay was beyond stunning. And the farm? Amazing. Maya got right in and actually cuddled the animals. They were so gentle and sweet. She hugged the goats, marched with the chickens and kissed the horses. Such a dream come true!

I just wish it had been a little warmer for our picnic. And unfortunately, I was still feeling a bit sick. But Maya had the BEST time and that’s all that matters. I think she will remember this birthday for a long time to come.

And here’s what I wore (above) on our trip to the farm.

Cardigan - vintage (thrifted)

Tank top - Old Navy

Jeans - Ann Taylor (thrifted)

Sandals - Saltwater Sandals (so obsessed!)

I grabbed a scarf on my way out the door, but didn’t get a photo. Too bad because it was a great last minute addition! I’ll post some pics of our trip over at Mod Apron later… I’m determined to go to bed nice and early tonight in hopes of finally fighting off this tummy bug once and for all!

Aug 24

Sporting a berry nail inspired by this lady’s gorgeous hands. I’m a copy cat! Looks way better on her though.

Note the fall sweater. We are in the midst of our “winter” here in San Fran!

Aug 23

Another fashion post!

Tomorrow’s my best girl’s birthday and to celebrate, we’re going out for dinner and then coming back home to a surprise party!

Mama needed a party dress for the occasion so I put together this outfit. I’m really proud of this one because I think it looks a lot more expensive than it actually was.

I especially love the dress. The color is perfection and it also wears really well with jeans and leggings and boots.

I just threw it all on for the photo, but I think tomorrow night I’ll put my hair up in barrettes for the sake of fanciness.

Dress - Mossimo ($24.99)

Belt - Old Navy circa 2009 ($4.99 on clearance)

Shoes - Aldo ($19.99)

By the glamorous. Oh, the flossy flossy.

Aug 22

After Monday’s crazy style MANIFESTO post, I received quite a few emails. Thanks to all those who took the time to reach out to me! I was surprised; this post alone generated more emails than all my other posts on both blogs put together. I guess mama style is a hot topic!

One reader posed a question that deserves an answer. She wrote:

“…I have two little kids under three and I never feel like I have the time to pay attention to what I look like. I went to the grocery store in my pajamas yesterday. Do you actually dress up just to go the grocery store? I would like to know what you actually wear…”

Ask and you shall receive, my dears! Above is a pic I snapped of myself just as I was on my way to the grocery store yesterday. For errands like this, I usually wear one of three basic combos:

Jeans and blouse (as above)
Skirt and a blouse
Dress and (optional) cardigan

My biggest accessory right now is the impossibly awesome bag I’ve been toting around lately. It’s by Hayden Harnett out of NYC and it is quite literally the perfect mama bag. Big, but not too big, and very comfortable to wear when you’re lugging a grocery bag in one arm and a kid in the other. I probably wouldn’t be able to afford a brand new HH bag, but I found this one at a great consignment shop near my home and I snapped it up for a song.

Since it’s used, it came with a few scratches and scuffs which initially bothered me. But, then I came to realize that this is actually a blessing and a big relief. The pressure to keep such a beautiful, expensive bag in pristine condition would be too stifling. But since it’s already well loved, I can just keep on lovin’ it too. I don’t have to worry too much when I accidentally throw it on the juice-drizzled bench at the playground (like I did yesterday), or when my kids fill it full of robots and drag it across the floor (like they did after dinner).

Here’s a few things that I don’t wear for running errands:

T-shirts (unless they’re really cute and stylish)
Any item of clothing that’s really meant for exercise (I’m looking at you, yoga pants)
Sneakers/Ugg Boots/Flip flops/Crocs/etc.

Some days, going grocery shopping is my only connection to the outside world beyond our house. And since I’m bound to run into someone I know, I like to put in some effort. I slap on some makeup and accessories. I wear my good shoes. Even a bit of perfume (the scent I’m wearing now is a fresh and clean combination of essential oils).

All this might seem like a lot of work, but it never takes more than 5 minutes and the result is a happy and confident mama. I like that.

Now, allow me to prove how much I love you guys: I am NOT photogenic (I have many talents, but looking pretty in front of a camera is not one of them). But, because I like to give the people what they want, I’ve swallowed my pride and posted this photo of myself above, even though I look - let’s face it - pretty much exactly like a drag queen. A drag queen who’s got a whiff of something stinky. Heavens to Betsy.

And it looks like I’m trying my best wannabe-model-looking-off-to-the-side-coyly-smirking-at-something-random face, but I’m actually trying to pose while watching Maya and wondering what she’s throwing at the wall in the distance. Turned out to be a My Little Pony. Poor thing.

Blouse - J.Crew (thrifted)

Belt - Nordsrom

Jeans - DKNY (thrifted)

Bag - Hayden Harnett

dailystyleformom:

Why the basics work so well.

k3n-dra:

sometimes simple is good

Love this. Looks like Yaletown maybe?

Aug 20

My little fashionista put together this ensemble all by herself. The gold boots she donned later were a bold move that I’m not sure I agree with, but hey, at least she’s on the setting end of the trends.

Also, please note the “oh so bored model” look she’s sporting. You can’t teach this stuff.

Mod Glo’s 4 simple rules for living:

Always be nice.
Always be honest.
Always stay calm.
Always look presentable.

The minute I lost all my baby weight, I cleaned out my closet and got rid of every single item of clothing that did not flatter me. There was a temptation to keep a few “easy” pieces like old stained t-shirts to sleep in and ratty sweatpants for working out. But I resisted, and I’m so glad I did.

Just because I’m a busy mama, does not mean that I am obligated to look the part. Why shouldn’t I look and feel great all the time, whether I’m staying home for the day, running the kids to classes, hitting the gym or going out for dinner? Don’t I deserve to feel amazing?

Phoning it in always bites me in the ass. The few times I’ve left the house without makeup and not looking my best has inevitably meant that I’ve run into friends and acquaintances on the street. Our little San Francisco neighborhood is kind of like a small town; everybody knows everybody. I really hate feeling uncomfortable with my presentation, especially in this city. San Francisco is such a stylish metropolis.

Does this all sound a bit vain? Perhaps. But if you really think about it, it just comes down to self respect. I’m not only fussy about looking great for myself, but also for my kids. I love that Maya thinks I look pretty and wants to paint her nails and cut her hair just like mama. I can tell that she’s proud of how I look and I’m proud of that. I hope that she herself learns to emulate this pride of appearance in her own adult life. I truly believe that it’s a mark of self-value and self esteem.

If I can show my kids a mama who loves and takes the very best care of herself, then they will likely show themselves the same courtesy.

This morning was a perfect cautionary tale. Maya begged me to take her for a hot cocoa at our favorite cafe. Because it’s officially her birthday week, I decided to indulge her with this special treat. But Henry fussed a lot last night (he’s teething) and I was feeling pretty exhausted when I woke up. My first instinct was to just throw on my workout clothes (which, in all honesty, are actually pretty cute; I ditched the nasty old yoga pants in the closet purge and bought a couple of adorable coordinating workout suits from Gaiam), sneakers and a hat. I felt too tired to bother with makeup. After all, it was just a quick trip to the cafe down the block and back.

But I resisted this temptation. I did my hair, put on my makeup and perfume, my skinny jeans and a cute blouse. I even wore my Repettos which I truly believe, despite the expensive price tag, deserve to be paraded around town as much as possible!

I dressed both kids in cute outfits as well. A bit much for the cafe? Maybe. But why should we save our best stuff? How is it being truly enjoyed to the fullest when it’s collecting dust in the closet?

The cafe was packed when we got there, surprising for an early Monday morning. The table next to us sat a small collection of mothers and kids about Maya’s age. Soon we were all chatting and sipping espresso while the kids played. As it turns out, all of these kids are to be in Maya’s preschool class this upcoming fall. This was my first introduction to the other mamas in her class! These are people that will be a big part of our lives for the next 1-2 years.

Did I look great? Check.

Did I feel confident? Check.

Was a extremely glad that I didn’t roll out of bed and simply throw on my exercise pants and sneakers? You betcha.

I can’t think of a single occasion that looking great is a bad idea. It’s a gift to oneself, and one that is a solid corner stone of self worth. Even if I expect to see no one else during the day, dressing well and feeling “put together” for my family and myself is no less important.

When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I feel proud and happy. And that feeling gets paid forward in a perpetual cycle; I want to give myself the best food, exercise and care. I want to treat myself with unwavering kindness. Which makes me feel proud and happy all over again.

Mamas: You work harder than anybody on the planet. You deserve to feel great ALL the time. Yoga pants are not worthy of you (unless, of course, you are actually doing yoga). Break out your best clothes. Use the expensive lotion that you got as a gift. Paint your nails. Wear your dressy shoes to the grocery store. You will not regret feeling like a princess, but you might regret not living your precious life to the fullest. You’re a hot mama! Never forget it!

*Don’t worry, Mod Apron followers, these shoes were a frugal purchase! I got my Repettos for a song on clearance. Repettos quality is incredible. I expect these gorgeous babies to last for years and years, through multiple re-solings as needed. They were a bargain indeed!

Announcement: Um, I kinda did it

This post seems a bit anticlimactic, and I honestly don’t know how it happened so quickly, but I did it.

I did it.

After weeks of becoming good friends with the gym and paying close attention to what I ate, I’ve officially reached my health and fitness goals. I woke up a few days ago to discover that not only have I lost every ounce of baby weight (and then some), but after 4 years and 2 kids, I’m actually thin again. I’m strong, fit and healthy. And my skinny jeans? They fit me like a glove.

Operation: Skinny Jeans has officially been deemed a wild success.

It all happened much faster and a lot less painfully than I had imagined it would. I guess I never had that far to go in the first place, but truly, I never dreamed it would be this easy.

If you want more details on how I reached my health goals, please feel free to email me. I promise I’ll tell you everything I know.

So where do we go from here? Now that my journey is complete, what do I blog about? What’s to become of Mod Glo?

Well, I have some ideas.

I’d like to redirect the focus of this blog from my health - to cultivating my personal STYLE. This makes sense to me because the logical next step after feeling good is looking good. So going forward, Mod Glo will be where I blather about all the things that make this busy mama look and feel like I glow - in body, mind, and really cute shoes. And anyway, it’s my blog and I can do whatever I want!

I hope you guys will stick around. Cultivating my personal style and finding some elegance in everyday motherhood is a lofty NEW goal, but I’m up for the challenge. Because even mamas - especially mamas - deserve to glow!

Mod Glo

Finding style & elegance in everyday motherhood.

I found my voice…

Announcement: Um, I kinda did it