I Solemnly Swear I am Up to No Good

... er... some good rather. I sincerely apologize for not answering comments. Blogger says my cookies are null... RUDE!!! Anyway... Even though I was born in the 80's and brought up around computers nearly my whole life I don't quite know how to fix this problem and my husband is none too keen on this fashion blogging idea. I think I was born in the wrong century...
But on to bigger and better things! Breast cancer awareness! I smiled in my pink pictures because there is great progress being made in this area! Earlier detection, more effective treatments, more survivors! We are getting there girls! Just like our other cause this month (Domestic violence) this topic can be somewhat embarassing to discuss. BUT IT SHOULDN"T BE!!! So let's all feel our tah-tahs and make sure they are healthy! And if they aren't SPEAK UP and GET HELP!!!

Ways to help.

Get help here.

I made these skinny jeans frome a $1 pair from Peace Place! Are you proud of me?

Everything I'm wearing here came from Peace Place minus the scarf (gifted from Lise) and the flower pin made by me!

My daughter says I look like a pirate in this one. "I hate cancer ARG!"

Laughter Is The Best Medicine!

Proverbs 17:22   A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

We are also going to put some focus on breast cancer awareness this month, as well as domestic violence. I've had friends and family affected by both. So we are going to be alternating wearing pink purple as much as we can this month! Today, I couldn't decide, so I wore a scarf with BOTH pink and purple!!

 Scarf: via Sassy Pants

Tee: Target

Cargos: Target (94 cents after coupon!!)

Flats:Gifted from Lise

Domestic violence and breast cancer are no laughing matter but sometimes laughter is truly the best medicine.

Sharing a joke and laughing with a friend can sometimes make an unbearable situation...a little more bearable.  It's a moment of normalcy in the middle of abnormal times. It's a welcome respite from reality.

Laughter heals. That’s the motto of Save the Ta-tas - which raised awareness and more than $500,000 to fight breast cancer. Save the Ta-tas won the Change the World Gala Humanitarian Award. 

Laughing is fun. It's contagious, it feels good, it releases anxiety. Laughter releases endorphins that have pain-relieving properties. Laughter is GOOD!

While helping a friend that has cancer or supporting a friend that is dealing with domestic violence, sometimes they just need a little laughter. They need to talk about something that isn't so much about their situation. They need to go shopping, get a manicure, be giggly and girly and just take a minute to forget their troubles. This time is as important as any doctor visit or therapy session. Laughing together doesn't trivialize what they are going through. Rather, it lets them know that no matter what they are going through, you still love them and you're there for them in any way that they need you to be.

If any of you bloggers wear purple and/or pink this month, link up with us! Leah promises to send you a "party favor" of a cute flower pin!!

Now, go out and have a laugh!! :)

I'm editing to add a link to Pam's story from the comments.  It's a must read and so inspirational! Thanks, Pam for sharing it with us!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good 

Hairdresser told me that he was tired of seeing me in nothing but thrifted clothes.  So, he sent me to Talbots to buy a new outfit.  He told me I was not even allowed to LOOK at the sale rack.

I will have to admit, that after getting over SSS (super sticker shock), I wallowed in the customer service, attention and amazing clothes and shoes!!!!   Did I complete my assignment?  Why yes, yes I did.



Of course I picked the leopard print skirt!!!  And my fav color of coral!
Skirt,  Sweater, 
I swear this outfit makes me feel like a movie star!  This is so Doris Day! lol



 This next picture is for one of our readers that commented on the fact that I never smile in my pictures.  TRUE.  Mostly true anyway.  I hate my smile.  I look like a dork.  But JOYCE this smile is for you!!!!

Yeah, I got my hair cut all off again.  lol

 I also picked up the Most Amazingly fabulous, gorgeous, made in heaven shoes!  I love them!

Talbots Shoes
No, I do not care that they look like something from the Wizard of Oz.

Here is my gigantic cat photo-bombing the photo session!

So, now you have the Good.

The bad and the ugly?
Today is my oldest sons 16 birthday.  Born in the month of October which is "Domestic Violence Awareness Month". Like his mother, he feels deeply for others.  He has done amazing things all on his own to benefit Project Safe.  His heart has so much sorrow and compassion for the children in situations of domestic violence.  As you may have noticed, so do I.  I buy many of my outfits from places like "Peace Place" and "PS Too".  Both which assist in ending and protecting those suffering from the effects of DV.

I know this is mainly a fashion blog, but I need to take a moment and talk to you about something.
We read the statistics, we feel bad.  But are we moved to action?  Perhaps we are not moved, or have a clear picture in our minds.  Something which give a face to domestic violence.  I talk with many people who imagine homeless people or children of parents with drug addiction.  While is probably does affect some of these people I want to give you a more clear picture.  Because it is found in homes of all price ranges.  It effects those in same and opposite sex relationships.  It doesn't matter what income you are.  You will find it in numerous homes.  

Unlike some illnesses, it is not easy to see.  We imagine seeing someone with constant broken bones or bruises. But that is not always the case.  The spouses often put on a happy  face outside the home.  But within the walls, the family crumbles.  Many wives (for ease I am using wife, but realize that men can be the abused as well) have no access to the checking account.  When they do go shopping the must show receipts and account for every penny.  The must stand by as the abusive spouse records their mileage and gas usage.  If they are allowed to have a phone, it is closely monitored.  As are their whole lives.  Some do not have keys to their own home as they are so controlled.   They are told what to wear, who to be friends with and where they are or are not allowed to go.
It is hard for them to get jobs or get training or education because the abuser will find ways to make it to difficult.
The abuser is too afraid of them making their own money or becoming too independent and thus hard to control.  In some heartbreaking situations it turns from mental and verbal abuse to physical.  Many of these women feeling by this time that somehow they deserve this kind of treatment.


What about the most innocent victims???  The children who lose sleep because they are afraid.  Who find it difficult to eat...or they over-eat because they are finding ways to cope with the abuse in their home.  And when the abuse becomes physical on a spouse....it is usually only a matter of time before it turns on to the children.  How do we protect these little ones?  It sickens me to hear phrases like "we need to get them to a safe place".  
Home SHOULD be the safe place!!!!

And for those that have seen or lived in these situations, how do we prevent them from becoming abusive as they enter into relationships?  I am not a professional.  But this is 2011!!!  And domestic violence just should NOT have any place in our culture!

Barak Obama said:
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In the 16 years since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), we have broken the silence surrounding domestic violence to reach thousands of survivors, prevent countless incidences of abuse, and save untold numbers of lives. While these are critical achievements, domestic violence remains a devastating public health crisis when one in four women will be physically or sexually assaulted by a partner at some point in her lifetime. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recognize the tremendous progress made in reducing domestic violence, and we recommit to making everyone's home a safe place for them.

Read the full proclamation by President Obama by accessing the link here:http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/01/presidential-proclamation-national-domestic-violence-awareness-month
In dedication to my 4 amazing children.  And especially to Harrison, who is 16 today and will always be an advocate for this cause.  Until all all children have a safe place to live and thrive and learn and laugh......Their home.  I am not going to shop for ANYTHING until the new year.  I will make a donation to the prevention of domestic violence.
And it is time to pull out the purple. 

Painfully Aware

Lise, Joy and I are some seriously happy and silly ladies who KNOW how to have a good time! We are always the first to crack a joke and tell a funny story. We take our fun seriously, but we also take our activism seriously.

This month is Domestic Violence awareness month. I bet you all know someone who has been a victim of this horrible act. I bet you know several people who live with this but would never tell you.

Don't believe me? 1 in 3 women suffer from domestic violence. Look around. Count 3 women. Statistically one of them is living with abuse. Read this. So what can YOU do about it? If you are the 1 in 3 GET HELP NOW!!! If you are the 2 out of 3 HELP SOMEONE!!! These are the signs. Watch for them and offer help before it's too late!

Purple is the color for domestic violence awareness. So this month we will be wearing the color purple to show our love and support for those who are living in a nightmare. If you are interested in helping raise awarenss about the cause to end domestic violence, please wear purple and write something on your blog to bring this touchy subject into the light. Link up and I'll send you one of my fabric flowers!

If it Hadn't Been for Love...

Adele is currently one of my favorites!!! This song is relevant to Southern Comfort because she mentions southern states... in this song she gets into a lot of trouble, but she wouldn't "If it hadn't been for love..." This happens to me too. (Not in the vengeful, murderous rage that results in a life sentence in prison sort of trouble...) I happen to be very passionate about politics and fashion. The former does get me into serious trouble, but the latter only semi- trouble... like attempting to wear the same 30 items of clothing for 30 days. I did it though! And here's the recap. I obviously wore the chartreuse cardi from Target A LOT as well as some other favorites, Stripe T and tank etc... Which outfit is your favorite? (I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.)