Mama Style: What's on Your List Today?

I want to share with you three dresses I picked up this week.  As Mama's we know time for shopping, especially for ourselves is virtually non existent. That's what makes this week's score so great, I picked them all up while grocery shopping!  (we have a "one stop" combined shopping store) Wait it gets better, I got all three for less than $50 combined!  So there goes the excuse of time and money. 

Above you see one, a wonderfully comfy and practical, retro styled scoop necked dress. 

Next is this saucy little red number.  Just over a week ago, while preparing for our Chinese New Year celebration, it became painfully evident I needed a red dress. This one reminds me of another one I saw pictured here...        

Only if I remember correctly it was $100+ dollars.  Mine was $12.  

And for my third dress you see me in here. The dress on the form is a vintage dress, again priced about 10+ times what I paid for mine.  Mine is also wash and wear, and at the price I won't worry when spit up, toothpaste, or coffee dribble.  I was feeling a little bohemian and added my staple slip to show, and risked leg warmers.  I liked it.

There is another lesson to be learned here.  Be cautious when buying online at those shops who sell overly priced "vintage styled" or "retro" labeled clothing.  Get an eye for it and then go check out some local stores.  You'll be surprised.  Of course for those of you who are vintage purists I know this isn't really an option.  But for me, I prefer to mix it up a little.

Life in the Pink Tower: Practical Life a History

Yesterday I mentioned Montessori class rooms give a lot of attention to what is called 'practical life'.  I love this aspect of Montessori and even more the fact we don't have to try to duplicate this in our homes.  It simply happens.  Actually Montessori class rooms are duplicating what happens in our homes as far as practical life is concerned.  I found these photos to inspire us mama's to keep the tradition alive.

(excuse the water mark, I'm cheap)

Life in the Pink Tower: 3 year olds

A reader wrote and asked if I could give her a few ideas of things to do with her 3 year old.  I was thrilled to be asked.  So Bellisimama this is for you...
A great place to begin is by preparing the environment.  What I mean by this is creating space in your home where your children have freedom in each room.  If you find yourself constantly (not occasionally, CONSTANTLY)  having to say "No." or "Don't touch." you may need to change some things.  I already posted on this in the kitchen and I will be doing more post on other rooms.

I'll admit, I am a mom who doesn't like to play alongside my children.  I have a hard time playing babies, train, Dr. or whatever else.  What I know though is that my children like to work alongside of me.  They love doing the things they see the adults modeling day in and day out.  Montessori refers to this as 'practical life' and a great deal of focus is put on incorporating this into the classroom.  I love that at home it simply comes naturally.  For my children this means they do a lot of house work.
  No this isn't child labor, in the beginning it actually creates more work for me because I have to clean up again after their cleaning up-(when they aren't looking!)  But it is worth it because it gives them such joy to participate and contribute to being a part of the family. (not to mention keeps them busy)   I think you would be surprised at how involved your children can be.

  I suggest you purchase "tools" for them, not toys, real cookware, cleaning supplies, gardening tools,  etc... just smaller to fit their hands.

I am not against toys.  We have more than our share.  My favorites are retro Fisher Price toys, we have some that are actually vintage and some that have been reproduced.  Dolls are big at our house, brio tool sets and train, and figures such as schleich.   I also suggest a simple set of blocks.
Art supplies are essential in our home.  The easel is often a staple in our kitchen.  Be careful not to put too much out at a time and rotate toys every so often.  Too much creates chaos and children crave order. If everything has it's own place clean up time is smoother.
I will have to do a complete post on books.  For now I'll say authors Eric Carle, Donald Crews, and  Anne Rockwell are great for a 3 year old.

Here is my favorite resource, www.michaelolaf.net  Get a catalogue if possible, they have so much useful information mine has it's own place on the bookshelf.

 A couple of other user friendly books are pictured here.
I could literally go on and on about this subject-and it isn't because I think I know everything.  Mothering has taught me I definitley do not!  But because it is the most important job- ever, I am passionate about discovering how I can best do it.

Seasons

Yesterday we buried my dad.  He died in October and it took us this long to get things arranged for his cremains.  I am glad our family had that closure.  Although I watched him leave his body and know he was at rest long before now.

Mav spoke and one of the things he said was "it is like we are packing away an old suit for a friend who has gone on a trip and doesn't need it anymore."  Mav is really cool.

The picture of my daughter and her cousin Oliver walking across the cemetery brought to mind this picture taken of them almost 4 years ago at my brother's wedding.

 I am comforted to know they have each other because the truth is there will be more weddings and funerals in our lives.  I hope Oliver will be there for her with the same love and support his dad has given me through out this process

Mama Style: Vintage Grows Older

I Recently I went through some photos of myself to give my niece for a project of hers.  What stood out to me (even more than the fact I had a waist) was how I have grown up.  A lot has happened since I stood there in the Las Vegas desert over 15 years ago.
 I want to dress to reflect this maturity, yet I still love the clothes of my younger years.  It is a difficult balance, made more difficult by the fact items I once searched far and wide for (i.e 1940's size 8.5 platforms) are now available with the click of a button.
I won't give you the "when I was your age we had to walk to school up hill both ways" speech, but I will say gals like me were the road pavers and I am proud of that.  But now we must find ourselves a way to gracefully grow older with vintage style.  The blog I titled Wear This Not That: Mama Style is an example of the type of subjects I'll be writing more about.

Gung he fat choi!

 My husband is a fan of Chinese literature, music and arts.  He also has been studying Chinese language for two years.  Quite a lot of this has trickled down to our children.  Having a new year's celebration was the perfect addition to their education, to round out some of what they know.  Homeschooling peeps might  refer to it as a 'unit study'.

When did the children begin their Chinese study?  I couldn't say.  Maybe with their first trips to San Francisco's Chinatown when each was an infant.

 Even if you haven't been exposing your children to another culture, but would like to, celebrations are a great way to do it.   To prepare for the party we did some research of traditional Chinese new year's celebrations.  We explored their zodiac, created decorations, shopped for foods, and attended a lion dance.   The party was created for everyone to celebrate together- adults and children.  We didn't "dumb it down" for the kiddos or try to create sophistication for the grown ups.
Now that the party is over and we don't have that planning to fuel our 'research' is the study over?  Not by a long shot and I hope it never will be.

Glamour Cap

  I love this cap.  I know it may take some getting used to for some.  I can hardly believe I am not brave enough to wear it out yet.  I rarely have that problem.   I remember my Aunt Mildred wearing one similar.  I don't know what they are called but I bought this one on Etsy and it was labeled '1960's Glamour Cap'.  Perfect for bad hair days or if you are setting your hair for an evening out.  A lot of women used to go to the beauty parlor each Friday.  Then they were ready for the weekend.  The goal was to try to maintain your hair do until the next Friday-sometimes sleeping with your head hanging off the edge of the bed to keep from un'do'ing it.  Washing your hair wasn't necessary so by Wednesday or Thursday you needed a cap like this.
 I also have a slight aversion to the late 60's looks.  Early 60's is close enough to the 50's styles.  So here is the funny game I play with myself to justify a hat like this.  I began dressing vintage 20 years ago.  A lot of post war clothing, say 1948.  Now 20 years have passed where would I be?  1968 of course! and in this cap.

I Wouldn't Trade My Sister For A Montessori Education

  There is a great program that helps remind me Montessori hasn't been completely hijacked for the elite and is bringing Montessori back to its under privleged roots.  Check them out http://www.montessoriaroundtheworld.org/home.html

 

Wear THIS not THAT mama style

It is quite often that my husband will leave our pink house for work with me still in my jammies, and also quiet often, he returns from work and I am again in my jammies.  ( he does work late.)  So I find it interesting I consider more what I wear during the day than I do when I am with him.  That is backwards!  I would have never done that early in our relationship.  Of course that was 16 years and 4 babies ago and  I have since traded in my stockings and garters for Spanx, but that shouldn't equate giving up.   So this week I took a look at what I wear "jammie" wise and I decided to share it with you.  All the photos are actual things I wear regularly and I found some things that need to be removed permanently. 

Here is one such outfit, although I would never wear it out in public I do wear it driving my daughter to 

school.

 What needs to go in this photo are the shoes, sweatshirt and if you could you would see one of those hideous hair clips.  Here you will see what I traded them for, my other cuter shoes  and a bed jacket.  I also ran a brush through my hair, removed yesterdays eye makeup and added a splash of lipstick.

The next outfit is my comfy flannel jammies.  Time to give them up, I simply will wear this cute cotton set with a baby doll neckline.   The bit of coziness I give up also took away the frumpiness.

  

Now for the final jammie makeover you see me in classic mom garb.  We may like to call them 'lounge' pants, but don't let that fool you, THEY ARE SWEATS.  Out they go!  Unless of course I was wearing them to workout in.  Nope.  Some may think the good things about an outfit like this is not only is it jammie like, you can also go out in it.  Exactly!  Get rid of them or they will tempt you.  I don't want to wear anything that doesn't help me feel better about myself.  (confession: I am wearing them right now! Last time-- really)  Why wear that when you can wear something like this?  It is just as simple to put on and the robe is there for going out to the mailbox.

Remember touch up your hair and makeup- or put some on before your husband comes home.  Most of all remember the most attractive thing you can wear is a smile.  

Life in the Pink Tower: Kitchen

Our oldest daughter being thirteen means we have had our kitchen set up for children for quite awhile.  So long I no longer think about it, until someone comes over and begins looking for a plate.  The first thing I recommend in creating a Montessori friendly kitchen is to remove any unsafe tools from a child's reach.  Sharp things, poisonous things, things you would be devastated were they to get broken.  As you see the children are allowed to use sharp items with supervision and we have red tape marking a 'do not enter' space in front of the stove.

 Next create a space for the items your child uses, silverware, plates, bowls, cups etc.. and place them on a low shelf or drawer.  Do the same for food items, table setting needs and tools the child needs for clean up.  You can see in this picture the cups are next to the water dispenser (yes, I have an earthen ware one, but we prefer Hello Kitty) On the next shelf is everything the girls need to make pancake batter, another time it might be muffins.  On the bottom shelf are the cloth napkins for setting the table.

Washing dishes is another favorite toddler activity.  (Again remove all the knives.)  We really love our learning tower stool for this as the sink is too high to reach with a traditional step stool.  Although our children out grew the tower by about 3 years old I still think they are a good investment.  You can check them out here http://littlepartners.com/
Remember when your child washes dishes you more than likely will need to rewash them.  Please do this when your child isn't present.

I will talk more about kitchen preparedness is future post.