Fashionistas,
With only 4 days left in the month, I am running out of October and still have a lot of posts I wanted to share. Tried to think of a creative solution to this pressing problem. Decided to bring you this month’s Little Letters post from inside My Fashion Haus! Way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
Which is a kind of sad reminder that I actually killed a bird this week. Just by leaving our back door open a crack. The bird flew in and, in trying to get back outside, flew right into our tall living room window. Twice. Poor dear was still alive and stunned but able to fly, so I scooped it up into the dust pan and gently laid it outside. That was on Sunday.
On Thursday, when I got home from work, I discovered a dead bird not far from where I had laid the injured one. While I can’t be sure, chances are it was the same bird. So I buried it in our yard. And in the process got locked out of the house and locked into the backyard. Couldn’t get out of the yard because the gates are padlocked. So had to climb over the rock wall to get out. And that brings me to my first little letter.
Little Letters from My Fashion Haus, 10.27.2018
Gratitude
Dear Leeza from TruGreen,
Thank you for being so conscientious when you treat our yard. I appreciate the time you take to call the day before to let me know you are coming so I can have the gate unlocked. And the reminder call the day of to remind me to unlock the gate just in case I have forgotten since you called 24 hours before. Which is almost always the case. And thank you for locking the gate behind you as you leave.
However, this past week, because you were so conscientious in locking the gate and because the door to the garage slammed shut and locked, I was stuck in our yard with no way out. Except for over the rock wall.
And then I was able to conduct the funeral for the bird. Rest in peace, little one.
Thank you for hosting the Style Imitating Art series on your blogs. They are so clever and make me think outside the box! Although I don’t always participate, I really enjoy it when I do. Which brings me to the outfit I wore to the bird funeral. You might recognize it as one I shared in an SIA post earlier this month. Check out the other participants’ SIA interpretations, here.
When I shared my take on the Cleopatra poster, I hadn’t tried on my interpretation. But last week, on the fateful day that I got locked out, I had worn the outfit to work. Started off in the leopard stilettos but thankfully, changed. Not sure I could I climbed the wall in them!
More Gratitude
Dear Alison and GYPO Fall Style Challenge Pretties,
So glad I participated in the Fall Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. Thank you, girls, for inspiring me to up my game for getting dressed again this season. I loved all of the pieces on the shopping list, had fun shopping my closet and my favorite stores to refresh my wardrobe. Day 13 and Day 17 were among my favorite looks, camel blazer + black and white striped tee/black and white gingham shirt + distressed jeans/dark wash jeans + leopard flats + black bag.
There are lots of reasons why this outfit is, no, make that WAS out of my comfort zone until I tried it. Horizontal stripes. Black and white worn with camel. Mixed prints – stripes or gingham with leopard. Distressed jeans. Black bag with camel blazer. Would never have tried any of these combos separately or together BC. Before Challenge.
Here’s how it looked when I did try it. And I loved the result.
J. Crew Factory blazer, Old Navy gingham shirt, Loft Outlet dark wash jeans, leopard flats.
The formula for Day 10 was another favorite. Gray and white striped cardigan + chambray shirt + gray skinny jeans + metallic slip-on sneakers + black bag.
Been practicing taking photos with my good camera perched on the tripod using my phone as a remote. But I look a little stiff because I am always trying to hide my phone. But, like they say, practice makes perfect, or lots better anyway.
Wearing a Loft chambray shirt and distressed jeans, Converse tennies, and a gray and white waterfall cardigan from eBay. The cardigan was very inexpensive but it is comfortable and lightweight, perfect for El Paso fall weather.
Dear Teacher Friend and the Man Beside Us at IHOP,
This morning, I met up with a teacher friend for breakfast at IHOP. She shared the difficulties she is having with this year’s class of first graders. Of a class of 15, about half of her students are special needs – 1 with autism, 1 identified as mentally retarded, 1 in diapers, 2 who have never been in school before, 1 that is repeating first grade because he can’t read at all, and 1 who is a severe discipline problem. I don’t know how she does it.
As we were preparing to leave, the man sitting at the next table thanked us for our work with the children we teach. I explained that I was retired and no longer working with children, but he said I was still helping students by mentoring my friend. He explained that he had been a child whose only structure and sense of belonging had been in the classrooms of a few caring teachers. Teachers for whom he was eternally grateful.
It wasn’t coincidence that my friend and I met for breakfast or that this kind man happened to sit beside us and overhear our conversation. I am thankful for his uplifting words. Hoping they will stay with my friend as she begins another week of school on Monday. And I am grateful for the gift of a darling pair of Book Lady earrings my friend gave me. She said I am the book lady, even 5 years after I retired.
Your Turn
Did you put together an outfit you really loved this week? Isn’t a good feeling to like what you are wearing and to feel good about how you look. I realize that I am never going to be a runway model or on the cover of Vogue or Elle. But I can take a little extra effort in getting dressed and then feel on top of the world all day.
And that’s what the GYPO Capsule Wardrobe Challenges can do! Put you on top of the world!
Thank you, sweet friends, for visiting today. Wishing us both a peaceful Sunday.
Hugs and kisses,
Gail
Great post Leslie. I had to smile about you being locked out (and fortunately you weren’t wearing those high heels!).
You’re doing so well with the challenges. They’re great for forcing us to think of new ways with clothes. Love the SIA interpretation (I have still to do one this fall!).
Hugs from across the water x
Debs
I love the top you are wearing in your SIA challenge – that outfit really suits you.
Oh I did laugh when I read your explanation of how you got locked in your own back yard – I wonder if any of your neighbours saw you climbing over the wall and wondered what on earth you were doing?
What a lovely encounter with that guy who expressed his appreciation for teachers – I so admire your friend for being able to cope with so many challenges in one classroom. Those children are very lucky to have her to take care of them and nature them.
Juhlin
You last letter brought tears to my eyes. I think you and your teacher friend also gave a gift to the man who spoke to you because he was able to repay in some way the care and kindness he received from those teachers. We never know who’s life we are affecting long term.
Daenel T.
Such a sweet post. That poor little bird. Birds freak me out, so I would’ve called Tony or someone to come and get it out. I once called my son to come home from his grandma’s while I was locked in a bedroom closet. Kid you not. He laughed at me and posted pictures on Facebook!!
I always enjoy seeing your SIA interpretations. Sometimes I feel like I’m way off the mark and other times, I think I’ve nailed it. I will say, all of these challenges are making me look at my closet differently.
My respect goes out to all teachers. My prayers are always with you all. You all have to face so much that we will never understand. Blessings and prayers for your friend.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I just love those leopard flats and that entire outfit! Oh gosh, we have had two baby birds fly out of a nest and their mom never came back to help them and one fly into our patio door and hurt itself. Brian took them to this bird rescue place and they took care of them until they could go back out into the wild. But, it is about 30 minutes (one way) from our house and I know a lot of people prob are too busy to do that (or just don’t care). That poor sweet little bird! At least it got a nice burial. 😉
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com