Where a kid can be a kid

Last month, Jordan and I had the privilege of going back to St. Louis' City Museum.  We went for a mid-winter break three years ago; it was great to go back, during spring, and with friends!

The City Museum is an amazing place, like a grown-ups jungle gym.  It is filled with steel climbing structures, slides, play places, a "Coney Island" style arcade, aquariums, and Egyptian displays.  They have a small circus arena, for the children's circus in town.  The workers wear tags that say, "No maps! Explore."

The place feels magical.  I told Jordan that the next time we get married (a running joke between us), he needs to propose to me in the gazebo, and we'll have our reception next to the two story slide.

If you are ever in the St. Louis area, consider a trip to the City Museum!  You won't be disappointed.

And also with you.

May the fourth be with you.

Don't read this post...

... if you have arachnophobia.

Jordan took pictures of this GIANT SPIDER INVADING OUR HOME.

Luckily, I wasn't home when all of this went down.

I'm not too squeamish when it comes to crawly things, but seriously.

This thing like a frickin' scorpion.

Sentimental

And so it has come to pass... another Fashion Week ended.

Many, many thanks to Deanna for hosting the event.  Thanks for giving us a place to share our fashion, and encouraging so many kind, helpful comments between women bloggers.  It's something that happens too infrequently.

Thank you also to the women who took time to comment on my outfit posts.  I look forward to chatting with many of you in the months to come!

My final outfit is one of my favorites, and it's easy to tell why.

T-shirt & necklace:  gifts

Everything else:  hand-me-downs

katie!  I finally got a picture of the heel of the boots!

This necklace was given to me by Andy.

It's bittersweet when I wear it.

People who talk in the theater

I had to be a little sneakier for this photo shoot.  I took my sister to the Oriental Theater.  It's a spectacular place, still filled with heavy velvet curtains, and statues of elephants and goddesses.  Granted, now it shows movies instead of live theater, which is a shame, but it's a beautiful place.

My sister and I peeked into the (open) balcony, and thought about taking pictures on the huge chairs in the lobby, but we didn't want to risk the wrath of the employees.  Not that I should have worried, since one of the employees invited us to tour the lobby, but I didn't want to press our luck.  So, we sheltered in the bathroom.  Or, excuse me, ladies' lounge.

Again, with a mirror shot.

T-shirt:  a gift

Everything else:  hand-me-downs

Linking up with Deanna's blog!

Isn't Fashion Week so much fun?

Tell me:  where is one of the most interesting place you've taken photos?

Fishies

A two year old,

and the wonder of the aquarium.

Baby, it's cold outside

This is my sixth time participating in Fashion Week.  Sixth!  I can't believe it either.

In order to shake things up, I often give myself a challenge.  As I've been taking pictures of myself more frequently, I've noticed how much of my clothes I buy at a discount.  Just call me Macklemore.

Keeping that thrifty attitude in mind, my challenge to myself was to create outfits that cost nothing.  I could use clothing that were gifts, hand-me-downs or from a clothing swap, but nothing else.  

Thankfully, through generous friends and sisters, this challenge wasn't too hard.  (a.k.a.  I have a LOT of hand-me-downs.)  But it was fun!  I packed three of my favorite outfits in a bag, and went off with my sister to take pictures of them.

Coat:  Clothing swap

Jeans:  Hand-me-downs

Scarf & boots:  gifts

Even though these pictures are sunny, it's been raining cats and dogs here.  I think we've had two sunny days in the past two weeks.  Crazy flooding and snowstorms too!  So these boots, plus a coat and scarf have been absolutely needed during this Wisconsin "spring".  (In fact, this coat is even a little too lightweight for the weather.)

I feel a little bit like a spy...

Getting cheesy in this one!

Before heading over to Deanna's blog, tell me:

Have you ever been to a clothing swap?

(If you haven't, trust me, they're worth it!)