All Good Things Must Come to an End.

I realize this post may come across nerdy. You may finally realize I am not some cool, Navy-Blue and white wearing girl. Instead, I am proud to say, I am a nerd.

When I say I am a nerd, what I really am trying to get to is the fact that I love to read. I've loved to read from the day Christine C. showed us all she could read the menu, and I, jealous, went home with the determined mind set that I could read the menu too. I was four.

And then someone very special entered my life. Over a decade ago. His name is Harry Potter. Harry introduced me to his friends Hermione and Ron, to dragons and thestrals, to charms and transfiguration, and to a world I would have done (and still would do) anything to join.

I was disappointed that I did not get a letter from Hogwarts on my eleventh birthday. I was saddened that my wand was just made from wood, with no core. But I was able to get past these low points by reading more and more of this magical world Jo Rowling had decided to share with us.

I have learned so much about goodness, kindness, friendship, love, and devotion from these books. You may laugh, you may scoff, but it is true that JK Rowling and Harry have taught me so much more than anyone could have.

When I read the epilogue of the seventh chapter to the Harry Potter series three years ago, I cried. I cried for the loss of some of the best friends I've ever had. I cried for the comrades who were lost in the book, and I cried for the happy, normal life HP and his wife were leading. I cried in gratitude for a book that got me through hard times, a story that entertained me, keeping me away from more questionable childhood activities, and a friendship that had lasted throughout moves and fights with others.

I always knew that last book would be hard for a crybaby like me to read. But it didn't dawn on me until just last week how hard the final movie would be. We were lucky, we had eight movies. Eight wonderful, frustrating (at times), and magical movies that would bring this book to life. But obviously that had to come to an end as well.

I won't go into detail about the movie, for those of you who haven't seen it. But let me just say this: I was not disappointed. It was excellent. Tear-inducing, heart rate raising, and it definitely caused a few butterflies. Go see it.

And, in true nerd fashion, I made J and I shirts for the finale. Using this tutorial.

So there you have it. I am a nerd. Whose with me?

Another Boring Wardrobe Post

Dress: Old Navy, Scarf: H&M, Watch: Citizen

Cat: Grumpy.

What I wish I wore Wednesday:

via Polyvore

Speaking of Wednesday's (you all remember Wednesday on my side of town is Wedding Wednesday), we've got a special day coming up! Sunday marks two years of marital bliss in the R. Simple Household. This year, I don't have time to recap the day in a whole week (in fact, I just realized I leave in less than 48 hours to go to Fort Worth). So instead... check it.

The Proposal

The Party

The Ceremony

The Reception

The Honeymoon

Now for the obligatory stuffing my advice down your throat (I don't care if you're already married). With a job like mine, and a big, giant wedding binder like mine, and a Brides subscription for 12 years like mine, it is SO easy to get caught up in the details. In the perfect wedding. And ours was perfect. But I have two pieces of advice for the brides and grooms to be.

1. Hire a cinematographer. Just do it. You'll be so happy you did. I didn't hire one, and it's my only regret.

2. Go on a gooooooood honeymoon. I know so many people who didn't get to go on one (thank you Air Force), but it was so much more amazing, so much more relaxing, and SO much more necessary than I thought it was going to be. WELL worth it. I would even say skimp on the wedding as much as you have to to get a good honeymoon.

Now I've got to go pack! What's your advice to the newly engaged, you old married ladies?

What I Wore Wednesday

It's Wedding Wednesday! Did you know that is what Wednesday is in my neck of the woods? (the wedding blogging neck)

But instead of showing you weddings, let's step into my wardrobe, shall we? (side note - I so wish I had a really pretty, old, antique wardrobe)

This is what I rolled out of bed looking like today (seriously, no gym yet, which means no shower):

Goddess, right? If it were a perfect world, I'd be wearing this today (maybe after the gym):

Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com via Mallory on Pinterest

And, really if we're going there, if it would be a perfect world, I would be on my way to the ocean on a horse in 65 degree weather, about to go sailing with Annie.

What are you wearing today?

Green.

I've been trying my hardest in branching out from my usually navy and white uniform. I really have. Well, trying as hard as I can with no clothing stores within and hour and a half of my house. But I've been pulling out some of the forgotten articles in my closet. Some coral here, a little turquoise there. And some Kelly Green.

Please excuse the filth, grime, and dust that has encased my mirror. As well as the fact that there is, in fact, a present for a friend on my dresser. And they hair would not stay out of my face long enough to find myself in the viewfinder of the phone and look back up.

But I'd say the green is a welcome addition. And check out those shoes. Little girls section at Target. Talk about good fortune. Love them. I'll admit, I've been on the hunt for a pair of wedges since noticing that in every other picture of her, my fashion icon, The Duchess of Cambridge, is sporting a pair. Yes, I am not ashamed to admit it. If Kate will wear it, I probably will too. 

This is not because of my slight obsession. It is actually because I LOVE her style. But thank you dear obsession for allowing me to realize how fabulous her style is.

And if I were sending this picture to my sister in a text, the subtitle would be "Shirt: J. Crew, Sweater: Gap, Jeans: Levi, Shoes: Target." Yes we are nerdy enough to send each other outfits. Do you do that?

My Wardrobe is Blue.

Last week, a friend of J's made a comment to my lovely husband about my wardrobe. He had noticed that all I wear is navy blue and white. And it got me to thinking... if a man has noticed this is all I wear, it might be pretty close to par. Men don't notice these kinds of things, especially when they are not your husband (who gets asked a million times a day if "this outfit works.").

So I decided to evoke my 8th grade science skills and preform an experiment, the hypothesis being "Mallory only ever wears blue and white."

In order to make things fair, I decided that during this time, I would wear only outfits I wear on a semi-normal basis. Only clothing that I love. My favorite outfits, if you will.

Well, the results were shocking. Take a look.

  

This what what I was wearing that first day.

Navy Blue & White striped shirt, Ross.

Navy Blue sweater, Express.

Eastern Michigan University sweatshirt, EMU.

Blue and white lettering on the sweatshirt.

EMU's colors are green and white.

Blue and white blouse, Old Navy.

Black sweater, Target.

White Shirt, Old Navy.

Blue and white scarf, H&M.

Bracelet, handmade.

White fleece, Sports Authority.

Blue shirt, Old Navy.

White and grey sweater, Gap.

Necklace, gift.

So as you can see, I'm very comfortable adding grey or black into the mix... but yes! All I wear is navy blue and white! I'm assuming you are shocked right now. Shocked beyond belief.

Anyone else have such a predictable wardrobe? I guess the bright side is that I know what I like...

Six Lions and a Peacoat

White. Mountains of white. Blowing around. Reflecting the sun. Making it hard for Duke to find somewhere in the backyard to do his thing, if you catch my drift. And there are lots of drifts. HUGE drifts. Looking out the window to the front of the house right now, I see a car buried, a patio table heaped halfway to the tip of the umbrella, and a tree that must have strong limbs. I cannot, however, see my shoveling husband, due to the large pile he has created on the side of the driveway.

Yep, snow. We got more snow. Oklahoma is very confused. They don't know what to do. This time, however, I agree with the snow day J is enjoying. There is no way we could have gotten out of our garage, let alone our driveway this morning. And if we got that far, there is no way the streets would have permitted us to get anywhere.

Duke is loving it (well he was loving it, until he had to come inside because there was another dog outside that he just needed to play with. So now, he is under my desk crying. Thus the blog writing, instead of working. Don't really think I need to make a phone call to a photographer with a crying puppy in the background).

J is loving it. And shoveling it. :)

I am loving it. From inside for now, but later we'll head over to the park for the whining, crying puppy.

And it just so happens that I was ready for this. Oh yes, blog readers, I am prepared. Let me tell you what my husband told me when all the stores were having great sales on winter coats last year at the end of the season...

       "Don't buy a new winter coat, you won't need it where we're going. Everywhere we could possibly go does not get snow."

Ha. Good thing I'm a coat hoarder. And I still have my coats from high school. Who cares if they are a little big and old? Well actually, I do, so I fixed one. Check out this before.

Yes, I left the dog/cat hair on that coat to make a more dramatic before & after.

It's not horrible. It's not. I wear it, and its fine. It's just a little boring like that. Don't you think? So imagine my excitement when I received a package full of these in the mail last week:

 

Gorgeous! I'm in love with buttons! That lion even looks a little bit like the lion in the Recor family crest. If only it had two tails. So with a pair of scissors,  a needle and some thread, I preformed a little coat makeover. Are you ready for this??

Okay, its not super dramatic, I know. And the coat is still too big for me, which really just means I can wear a shirt, sweater, and a sweatshirt under it to stay warm. But its a bit updated. A bit more Mallory circa 2011, rather than American Eagle circa 2004. Who doesn't love a little bit of gold and navy? Almost as good as navy and white...

So whose running to the fabric store on the way home from work to pick up some buttons? Really, it was an awesome (read:cheap) way to update my coat. To take a coat I had and turn it into a coat I wanted. And it was very, very simple. Maybe not precise, but I'm the only one who will be wearing it, so who cares. Thoughts?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

It's that time of the year again. It is a time to celebrate with friends and family. To remember how blessed we are. To remember how magical it can be.

Harry Potter Day.

For those of you who are closest to me, you know this past weekend was one of the most exciting weekends of my year. I couldn't sleep with anticipation. My wand was placed by my bedside with care. And visions of Crumple Horned Snorkack's were dancing in my head.

In our house, we celebrate many Harry Potter Days. July 31st, Harry's Birthday. November 19 (or July 15th, or whatever day he graces us with his big screen presence). Tuesday, since we read HP as we fall asleep. Last weekend held one of the big Harry Potter Days of 2010... The release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One.

And he did not disappoint. The movie was awesome. Followed the book amazingly. Full of amazing detail and adorable outfits (thank you, Hermione). Full of magic and love. Full of fright and tears. Amazing.

Now, it wouldn't be a Harry Potter Day without celebrating in our clothing, would it? So yes, the Hogwarts track jacket was brought out. And the Gryffindor scarf. And of course, a little DIY.

You'll remember last Sunday, I had a productive day. Making cork sticks and Christmas card displays (I'll send you our address, all you have to do is send your card this way!). Well, I hinted at one more DIY project.

Bonus points if you know what this is. Double bonus points if you knew what it was before you saw the movie.

So we traveled two hours to Tulsa, OK in order to see our beloved Weasley Family, Hermione, Harry, Hagrid, Dobby, Neville (even if it was short) and all the rest of our loves on the big, giant IMAX screen. Yes, you heard me right. Two hours. And it was totally worth it. Even if I did have to drive the whole way there.

So if you haven't seen it yet, grab your wand, pull on your Quiddich sweater and get to the nearest theater. If you need someone to see it with, fly me to wherever you are, and I will go. No questions asked.

And for those of you who have seen it, WHAT DID YOU THINK?!?!