Hello Again

It's July now and I realize it's been awhile since I last posted.

I have good excuses- a tremendously busy spring, a graduation of one of my children and a transition into a packed June. I'm hoping the next month or so will allow some more down time. It's been much needed and earned.

What I feel also super guilty about it not taking you along with me through those events. I was going to do a whole graduation season theme but life just got in the way.

So instead of looking back, I thought maybe you would want to come take a look at what we've been doing with our lake house. While I can't do that major projects that still need to be done. I have done a TON of painting and small projects that add up.

If you don't remember what it looked like before we moved in, here is the post-

https://www.stylefromthesticks.com/post/switching-gears

One of the first things we decided we were going to do was open up the kitchen. The kitchen was a super, super small galley kitchen with a door way breaking up the space. Did I say small? Basically all you could do was turn around in it.

So down came this wall in the picture below-

Well, opening up that wall lead to some more mischief. Hiding in that wall was the sewer pipe to the upstairs bathroom. It was also cast iron. So it needed to be removed and moved.

Here is a picture of the wall, doorway and cabinets removed-

Here is the new location of the new pipe-

And a picture close up of the other side of the kitchen-

I think this is where we decided that most of the house still had knob and tube wiring and figured it would be a good idea to update the electrical. So while you can't see that improvement, trust me, it was a much needed update.

Meanwhile, upstairs was all the old original woodwork. Now don't shoot the messenger but since the downstairs trim was already painted and this is our lake house, I thought it should all be white. So I started painting trim and doors.

Before-

During-

It really lightens up the area and fits the vibe.

Meanwhile, the moving of the sewer pipe had us rethinking the bathroom upstairs. That's a post for another day!

That's all to show for today! You'll have to stop back to see what it looks like all finished!

90s Butter Mom

It's graduation season and for this mom of a senior (I almost typed "senior mom" but that makes me feel elderly), I have been swamped. I've been busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger. I apologize for letting time get away from me. More on graduation in some later posts.

Have you heard of "90s butter mom"? Well, I'm all on board. I had to google it too after I first heard it. I'll save you the time and post the google definition-

The "90s butter mom" is a viral social media aesthetic and lifestyle trend representing a nostalgic, nurturing, and anti-diet culture approach to motherhood. It prioritizes comfort, real food (like butter/sourdough), and cozy, practical 90s fashion over strict, "almond mom" wellness culture. Key themes include a warm, lived-in home, slow living, and wholesome, scratch-made cooking.

I guess I fall into this category. What's more fun about this trend is the fashion. What the heck does a 90s butter mom wear? She wears, of course, all things 90s. But in a good way. Straight jeans, sundresses, easy button-ups, cardigans, linen, and claw clips in her hair.

If you need some visuals, picture this- Sandra Bullock circa Hope Floats. Or even the 90s version of The Parent Trap. It's denim on denim, it's Prince Diana, it's Martina McBride. It's relaxed, it's easy. And it feels so right.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/4d7bf7_0389c64fbdbe44b29087450ebd1b3878/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Let me know what you think of this trend and if you identify as a 90s butter mom!

Love Story- Back to the 90s

Have you guys seen the TV series about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy? It's a good one for sure. The show takes place back when I was graduating high school and going to college.

I remember their wedding and how much I loved her dress and the venue of the little candlelit church. The dress fit her so well and how romantic to get married by only candlelight!

What is iconic about the show is that #1- the music is fantastic. It completely brings me back to the 90s. Isn't it funny how music does that? It really has a great soundtrack. And I forget how it was the era where everyone smoked! But even more fantastic is the fashion. I am making a prediction that headbands are going to be a huge trend this fall due to this show.

Carolyn and I's color palettes live on different planets (I never wear black if I can help it), but I do remember when that was all you could find in a department store. They even reference the lack of color in one of the episodes. She works for Calvin Klein and everything in his store lacks color. In fact, they had a "no color" rule in the office. It's so stark and boring and minimalist 90s. Totally not me.

But I love her clothing choices. Simple. Menswear-inspired. Classic. Ah the good old days before skinny/wideleg/barrel jeans- hello flare legs and corduroys! She doesn't wear as much pattern as I love to wear now but when she does, it's amazing. And she never wore jewelry and I am a more is more kind of girl. :) But I still wear a real watch in an era of smart watches. And we both love to wear a bold lip once in awhile.

Check out her leopard coat. https://corinagaffey.substack.com/p/why-carolyn-bessette-kennedy-shouldsarah

Here's a similar one from Walmart.

Or that amazing orange tweet coat.

As pictured on ebay.

This show makes me want to grow out my bangs and listen to some Sarah McLachlan on a discman.

Are you enjoying this show?

If you want to learn more about her style, you can watch this video here for clothes that are still available to purchase-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNChoo3kiL4