a blog by:
HEATHER ANDERS
Buffalo Plaid: More than a trend.
02.2.2015
Vest: TJ Maxx (similar)
Shirt: Forever 21
Pants: Bullhead
Scarf: H&M (similar)
Boots: Macy’s
Watch: Express (similar)
Necklace: Old (similar <--better & cuter)
Do you ever have those days where you just miss your grandpa? Where you’re just drawn to reminiscing about simpler times and he just always seems to be the center of those memories? That’s how it is with my grandpa, and this weekend was just one of those weekends. My grandpa passed away just under four years ago, but even that short length of time ago it just seemed like life was easier…if only because he was here.
My grandpa was basically the original buffalo plaid wearer. He had so many variations of the black and red print that I think all of the grandkids (and there are A LOT of us), have one of his old shirts. If I remember correctly, one of my aunts also made a blanket out of some of his shirts. Point is, the man owned this trend before it was trendy.
He was a hunter and a fisher and lover of all things outdoors. There are stacks of pictures of us as kids with of all of us fishing in one of his two ponds that he stocked with blue gill just so his grandkids could learn to love the things he was passionate about. And we all did, because he was our grandpa. And what grandpa loved, we loved, even if you were a girly girl and it meant poking slimy worms onto fishing hooks (because there was so no way he would allow squealing like a girl be an excuse out of it!)
My grandpa wore buffalo plaid more often than not. He passed away the spring of 2011. When the fall 2011 lines made their debut that summer, buffalo plaid was everywhere: scarves, jackets, blankets. Almost four years later and it’s even bigger.
I just don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think someone out there knows that we (our family) need that trend, that memory, that reminder. Because weekends like this weekend creep up more than I admit where I miss him, and all my buffalo plaid fashion pieces make me smile at the irony of my anything-but-fashion-forward grandpa managing to be just ahead of the booming trend.
Yesterday was cooooooold outside. Granted I didn’t step foot outside our house all day, but the little notification on my weather app informing me it "felt like -7 degrees" with 26 mph blowing, snowy winds was enough to convince me to stay indoors. Plus, Husby was in the studio recording a band, so I had a pretty good excuse to hone in on my lounging around skills during Adelyn's nap time.
On days like yesterday, with the nostalgia of my grandpa fresh on my mind, you can find me like this. With my kindle, a throw blanket, some hot tea and an authentic grandpa-worn buffalo plaid shirt.
FILED UNDER: FASHION
I love colored pants. And perfect, handmade scarves.
When I was going through my closet the other day to put together something to wear for our company party, I realized just how many colored pants I have. I don’t really know why other than when paired the right way, the second you put them on you automatically look a little more put together and dressed up, all the while still comfortable.
The dress code for this party was nice-casual. It was for our entire company and our families, so it meant Husby and Adelyn would be with me. That meant I had to be somewhat selective with what I wore because of the activity level a 1 ½-year-old has in a confined area. Really the night could go two ways:
1) she would be really shy and just want to be carried (mom code for omg I’m going to be a sweaty mess if I dress too warm), or
I follow my fair share of blogs, and as much as I wish I could take credit for coming up with this genious trick, I actually tried it based on the suggestion of Pink Pistachio's blog. Typically I wouldn't post something on here that's someone else's tip, but this is such.a.lifesaver (er, skin saver?) that I decided I still owed it to all of you who read my blog to reap the benefits of this trick.
BACKGROUND
I've always had really sensitive skin. When I was a kid we were told something or another about how I don't have enough antibodies to my skin's surface, so when I got things like the chicken pox I had scabs for a month after the virus was out of my system. To this day, if I lay in grass my forearms will get little red bumps on them for an hour or so then go away, and heaven forbid I get a mosquito bite because without even touching the area it will swell to the size of a penny. Weird, I know.
This recipe was developed by a very dear friend of mine; I only made modifications as explained at the bottom of the post.
Hello beautiful people! So today I’m lucky enough to have the day off (and actually tomorrow too, giving me a four day weekend…woohoo!) because I had some extra 2014 vacation days back at my old big girl job that need to be used up before the end of January. This means I’m spending some quality time with my mini and devoting her naptime to sprucing up this blog a bit.
Since last week I challenged all of you to live a healthier lifestyle throughout all of 2015, I realized it might also then be useful to periodically provide tools help you achieve that goal. Especially since it’s my goal to do the same! What I’ll then commit to you is to post healthier versions of recipes throughout the year to give you that extra little nudge.
NOTE: I’m not claiming these recipes to be fat free or sodium free, I’m just offering my alterations to reduce each of these things to make it a healthier meal.
Ok, so a little disclosure before today's post: I hate being cold. Like hate it, hate it. I feel like my toes go numb after being outside in the winter for any extended period of time without toe warmers in my shoes. That said, outfit posts are just going to have to be done inside until it's a little warmer out.
I know that doesn't exactly create the best lighting or provide the most desireable backdrop, but I just can't do it outside when it's so cold out. Sorry! Ok, on to this week's outfit...
After the super disappointing Packer loss yesterday (waaaahhhhh!), reality set in that now it's just winter in the Midwest. The holidays are over, football season is over and all that's left is cold. Cold and grey most days. I don't know about you, but I get sooooooo sick of bundling up every day, especially since said bundling typically means I'm limited in my outfit choices because staying warm supercedes looking cute {almost} always.