Up and at 'Em

I'm exhausted. After a summer of late nights, differing time zones and sleeping in, I am having to adjust to being up early again. Earlier, actually. My son begins his 7:55a middle school start time in a week and I have an 8a class, so I now have to get up at 6a to get myself together . . . a whole hour earlier than in previous years. Kuddos to those warriors out there who have always worked this early (or earlier). You have my respect.

His elementary school started at 8:45a, so we've been spoiled over the last 4 1/2 years. My classes started at 10a (because I couldn't take the earlier ones), so I had a nice buffer for a Starbucks run. Those days are over. And I am feeling it.

A whole lot of this lately!  (Photo: slashfood.com)

The problem is, I'm not a morning person. It is hard for me to go to sleep at 9p in preparation for a 6a wake up time. I like to be up, and tend to be most productive around ten or eleven at night. Like a lot of people, I often find myself working against my natural rhythm.



It's not all bad, though. Sure, the adjustment period is rough, but it also feels really good to be up and at 'em this early in the morning. The day is my oyster. I have never really understood what that means. In the spirit of becoming a morning person, I'm looking at the bright side. In the form of my favorite back-to-school things.

A New 'Do:

Conair Infiniti Prodryer

I've never been a big blow dryer. My hair is fine, curly/wavy, and frizzy, and I've never quite mastered a technique to tame it. And with 10a classes, I always had plenty time to let it air dry. Not anymore. I have finally discovered a great system that gives my hair oomph for two days:  root lifting foam, blow dry with a round brush, run my flatiron over it to smooth . . . voilá! Manageable hair! The next day my hair slides right in to a chic, voluminous ponytail; cutting down on the lengthy primping time.

When my old blow dryer from high school blew its last breath a few months ago, I replaced it with a $10 Target find. Now that I'm actually using it regularly, I am realizing just how inadequate it is. And that I might be deaf by winter if I keep using it. Blow drying my hair took fifteen minutes yesterday. And it was frizzy. I am a mom and a student. I barely have fifteen minutes to bathe, let alone dry my hair!

I had a couple hours between classes and used part of it to research blow dryers. Studious, I know. This one came up a lot. I'm willing to pay for a really good flatiron (I have a Sedu), but firmly believe that there are reasonably priced blow dryers that can do the job just as well as the expensive ones. Cue the Conair Infinit Prodryer.

If I had been wearing socks, it would have knocked them off. It is powerful! My hair was completely dry in five minutes. If that. This beauty has shaved ten minutes off my prep time. Brushing my teeth in the shower while my conditioner works has saved me a couple more. This is hand down the best purchase I have made in a while.

 A Touch of Style:

Admittedly, I'm a bit of a scarf addict. I could write a whole post about them. Maybe I will. I wear them year-round and could probably circle the globe if I put my collection end to end. I am pretty picky these days, though. Too gauzy and you get two wearings out of them. Too thick and they don't lay right. And I have learned to be selective with prints. I used to buy a scarf simply because I loved it, but now I stop to consider if it actually goes with anything I own. A scarf that you can only wear with that one particular blue shirt is a waste of money and valuable closet real estate . . . no matter how cute it is. I have too many that just sit around waiting for something to match.

I'd seen this scarf at the Gap a few times and loved it, but never bought it (did I really need another scarf?). While in St. Louis we were invited out to a wine restaurant with some friends. We hadn't packed anything even remotely dressy, so I decided on a black tee, dark jeans and this scarf. The 30% off Friends and Family discount helped seal the deal. I love it. It's funky, yet neutral, and totally unique. It is out of stock on their website (some stores probably have it), but there are a couple others I really like here and here.


A Foot in the Door:

Women's Chelsea Flat by Lower East Side

I had written off Payless a long time ago. In the past, I couldn't find many things I liked, or they hurt my feet, or my son wore them out before he outgrew them. There is one in my town, but I often forget about it because it's hidden in the corner of a complex I rarely visit. While at a mall in St. Louis, I passed by one and saw these shoes in the window. They had to be mine. I was bummed to find that they were out of them in my usual size 9, but decided to check out the 9 1/2 section on a whim. There was one pair left! And because they apparently run a little small, the bigger size fit perfectly! They are delicate, sweet and appeal to my Shabby Chic-loving side.

What's more? They are sooo comfortable . . . and less than twenty bucks a pair. This lone pair of shoes has me rethinking Payless. They have really stepped up their game!

Although I aspire to be a high heel wearing professional in a smart pencil skirt, I'm really more of a flats girl. I have to lug textbooks around campus, take care of a kiddo, and live in a wooded area, so heels don't fit into my life right now. Maybe someday. More than anything, I like to be comfortable. And cute. Plus, at this price my feelings won't be hurt if they only last a couple of seasons. I will be sad, however, if I can't find an equally chic replacement.

Back to my homework. College professors like to buck the no-homework-on-the-first-day nicety. I'm hoping my blah state of mind lifts as the week progresses. I didn't have that little quickening of excitement in my belly on Monday like I have in past semesters. I think I am just growing weary. Still, it's good to be back and working toward the end . . . especially now that it is in sight.