Welcome

Most days, I feel so very far from fashionable. My first priority when I get dressed each day is to feel comfortable in my clothes, which means a lot of my attire choices err on the side of loose, stretchy, or worn in. I'm usually at home with the boys or making soap / getting messy with projects in the studio, especially so right now given the pandemic and winter season, so anything fancy feels inappropriate.

BUT!

Make no mistake, this girl LOVES an excuse to dress up and will gladly pull out dresses, high heels, statement earrings, and bags should the occasion call for it. I have a lot of pieces in my wardrobe that are for special occasions, some that I've had for almost a decade that's how cherished and timeless they are. The pandemic has made it trickier than normal to get good use of these items but I digress.

Moving deeper into 2021, I'd love to highlight some of my personal favorite ways to pair clothing and accessories together, using a lot of things already in my wardrobe. #rhigetsdressedup, folks! I think it's easy to get discouraged by the fast-fashion world where new outfits are modelled, it seems on the daily. While new items here or there is always a treat, and sometimes a necessity, chances are you, too, can pull together something from your wardrobe right now that makes you feel beautiful. I'm so excited to share with you today!

My first outfit is probably my favorite of the bunch. Classic, unexpected, and chic.

Unless it's Christmas or Valentine's Day, I rarely wear red. The color used to always makes me feel frumpy but lately it's felt classic and timeless. This red lace top has sat in my closet for years with tags still on it. Pulling it out for these photos was such a treat and made me realize how great the color is. And I thought the top would pair wonderfully with a pink lace skirt, the two different lace patterns playing off of one another. My classic red heels were the cherry on top, a cherished pink Kate Spade bag following suit.

I think my first born's fifth birthday felt a little more emotional than his first. Maybe it's pandemic fatigue or maybe it's having another little boy who makes the passing of time just a little more obvious. But celebrating Lachlan as he turned five brought on an array of very different emotions. I wrote about all of those here though, so today it's all about his little celebration and the fun we had.

Since a large birthday party with all of his friends was out of the question - a bummer given that he's finally at the age where this is something he's interested in - we decided to make the afternoon really special even with a small guest list and having the party in our home. Sam and Emery joined us as a party of two and Andrew's sister and her kiddos came over. We've seen these two families consistently over the last almost year of the pandemic, and everyone felt comfortable and safe.

As for the theme of the party; you know we love a solid party theme in the Bosse home. In the past I've picked party themes based on Lachlan's general interests - dinosaurs, puppies, construction vehicles - and this year it was crystal clear what theme felt most fitting: LEGO! If you know Lachlan you know the kid is a die-hard LEGO fan. His favorite thing is building the LEGO themed kits according to instructions but then dismantling the kit creation to blend those parts with other pieces to create something totally new and creative. Like this LEGO cake? No longer is it a cake. He's so creative and curious, always very focused on making the best use of every piece.

Perhaps this is normal, but sometimes I worry about my kids and the pace at which they are progressing with their development and skills. Are they learning at the right rate? Is it normal for my kid to not want to color with more than one marker for more than 30 seconds? Is it OK if he can't read yet? He loves to scooter but won't sit on his bike without tears; is he doomed?! But then I see how Lachlan builds and creates, imagines and brainstorms, innovates and problem solves. And I know all is well.

Throughout this post are some of my favorite photos from the celebration and respective commentary. Also, it goes without saying, but having a best friend as a talented photographer has made these milestones ten times sweeter because they are captured so beautifully outside of my memories. I'm very aware of how big of a blessing this is. Thank you Sam for always being a part of these milestones.

Of course it snowed on his birthday. Just like the night he was born.