Vintage Mom (Part 4)

I brought Vintage Mom to Afterbuzz about a month ago when I had to Host for our 'Real Housewives of New York' Aftershow!  It was a show that Mom had started to watch because I was talking about it at Afterbuzz and she wanted to know what we were talking about.  Needless to say, she was in for a wild ride!

I felt a little bit like Jane from 'Tarzan' with this Safari-vibe outfit but it was perfect for the hot Summer day up in Burbank.  Mom wore the coral tank all the time under shirts or sweaters and the cream vest occasionally during the Summer.  When I had been home in Wisconsin after she passed and gone through her closet, these still smelled like her normal laundry detergent because she had worn them more recently.  When I'm back in Wisconsin I like to wear her perfume and it makes me feel a little closer to her.

It's hard to drive to Afterbuzz because on that long drive I would call Mom to ask how her day had been and talk about mine.  Sometimes I'd even call her on the way home to hear what she thought about the most recent episode of 'RHONY' because she actually got into the show, as ridiculous as it was.  I'm not saying she enjoyed it, but she had an opinion and it was nice to hear her perspective.  I always miss talking to her; I wish I could hear her respond to the things I'm saying or asking.  I know that she is responding in her own way but I wish I could hear her actual voice.  Thankfully, my friends and my Dad have stepped up to the plate and I chat with them while I'm driving now and that certainly helps!

Not only am I wearing Mom's clothes but I'm wearing things that she's bought me over the years and it's a really wonderful feeling knowing she's with me all the time <3

Vintage Mom (Part 3)

Vintage Mom was back at Easter when I had an early morning Church Service (thanks to Adam for joining me and taking these photos).  I knew exactly what I wanted to wear from when I had packed it back in January!  It was a gorgeous Easter Sunday and I was happy to honor Mom by wearing something of hers.

This mint green wrap skirt was one of many wrap skirts in Mom's closet.  I had borrowed a couple of them when I was in some plays in High School and am glad to bring them back into my wardrobe.  This one was soft and comfy and I wore it with a white lace tank and silver sweater, which Mom had bought for me a while back.  I had to bring out my silver pumps that Mom liked too.

Both my Aunt's had mentioned they remembered her wearing the skirt, and I wished that I was able to.  It was perfect for Spring and Mom always loved Easter.  On top of going to Church, she loved having Good Friday off so that she could help Bobby and I color eggs.  Sometimes we'd get the fancy coloring sets with glitter or accessories, but it didn't matter to us, it was just time spent with Mom.  Since I could remember, we always went to the Egg Hunt and that tradition continued long after Bobby and I were no longer young enough to participate.  She took all my younger cousins and their kids too.  Mom was so excited to help the kids find eggs and see their faces that she would hide the eggs again just to have them discover them!

I know this Easter, Mom was up in Heaven taking all the little children, who were taken far too soon, just as she was, on their very own Egg Hunt.  I can only imagine the look on their faces as this sweet woman helped them along and smiled back.  I know she's shining down on all of us <3

Vintage Mom (Part 2)

I brought Vintage Mom back at the end of January, this time in Los Angeles, as I had packed up a bunch of my Mom's things before I left Wisconsin.  Some of my friends had thrown me a Welcome Back to LA Party and BBQ so I thought it was the perfect opportunity for a Mom Outfit.

This raspberry sweater was from the 80's, it was soft, comfy, and totally Mom.  It's amazing how much closer I feel to her when I'm wearing something of hers or something of mine that she liked.  I brought these shoes home with me in September and she commented on how cute they were.

When I initially posted this on Instagram, I had also heard one of my favorite Bible verses in Church that weekend.  'Love is patient, love is kind.  It bears all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.  So faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.' ~ 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13  With my Mom's love and memory guiding me, I can endure just about anything.  And I will.

Vintage Mom

After losing my Mom in December, I wanted to do something to honor her and keep her wonderful spirit and incredible fashion sense alive.  I've always loved her clothes and was amazed at all the styles she tried and how tiny she was.  I remember trying on clothes in high school that fit me and were almost a little snug!  I was really happy to go through her clothes and re-vamp them a little to be worn today.  Don't get me wrong, some items will be forever gone; all the huge shoulder pads, high-waisted baggy jeans, jumpers, and bulky sweaters have a place in my heart but not in my closet.  So here I take this journey and share with everyone to remember the special woman that she was!

This new series is called 'Vintage Mom' and will include my personal stories about the items I've found after going through my Mom's clothes.  Some of these items are over 30 years old.  This first post is from when I was back in Wisconsin in January.  It was 22 degrees outside, so Mom's olive green long-sleeved top was comfy and casual; it was perfect for me for Church (although she would have thought it wasn't "nice" enough for Church) and adding a pair of earrings I bought for Mom a couple years ago made the outfit.  I gave her the earrings for Christmas and I can still remember the smile on her face and how much she loved them!

My suitcases were packed to the brim so I'll continue to do more 'Vintage Mom' posts for as long as I can!  Special thanks to my Mom for inspiring me on this journey <3