Sunday, March 3, 2013

What I Wore Sunday, or The One in Which The Kids Think I'm Cool


by Shannon

Editor's Note: We'd love to have you subscribe to The Sword and the Stein, whichever way is easiest for you. The Facebook button, other subscribe buttons and doodads are to the left. We're trying to post more regularly through the week, and I've featured fashion on days other than the Sabbath (shock!). I'm excited about a post I'm going to do in the next day or two called "Balancing the Fashion Equation," and I also plan to rant about how difficult it is to dress a little boy. Ryan's conceptualizing a post about spiritual poverty, since he's our resident swordy poster. We get bored, so swing back in sometime and say hello! 


I ran some women's errands after Mass today, and a young cashier told me my outfit was "super-cute," so I guess I'm cool with The Kids these days. I know she was über hip because she was wearing a literal hair bow (where all her hair was forming a big bow atop her head), and she had Pinterest eye makeup with sparkles. What do you think: Did I dress 15 years too young? I felt modest, modern, feminine and fun, so a win-win-win-win.

My right pinkie finger has gone rogue.

Deets:
Rose Earrings: 1928
Black shrug: Dress Barn
Exaggerated Chain Necklace: Target
Gold Lace Dress: Jessica Simpson, Macy's (bridesmaid dress from my sister's wedding — I totally wore it again!)
Black Belt: Simply Vera, Kohls
Tortoiseshell Watch: Fossil
Black Tights: Target
Black Ankle Boots: Report, Zappos


My women's errands included grocery shopping and BUYING A NEW APPLIANCE!! If you don't get excited when brining home a new appliance, I do believe you are lying through your pretty little teeth. Or you're just not doing it right.

Let's tell her what she's won! A braaaaand neeeeeew...


VACUUM CLEANER!!

There's a little dust bunny right ... over ... there — oh, HEY! How nice to see you!

I'll be especially efficient around the homestead now that I have a new lightweight vacuum cleaner. It's so light, I can carry it all by myself. My husband is very excited about the prospects of dinner being ready a few minutes early each evening, now that I have a new lightweight vacuum cleaner. This new lightweight vacuum cleaner gives my life new purpose. I think I'll invite my girlfriends over this week to show them how awesome my new lightweight vacuum cleaner is. I know they're dying for a new lightweight vacuum cleaner that will save their marriages.

I'll get those vermin if it's the last thing I do, y'all. Crazy bunnies...

On a more serious note...
I veiled for the first and second times yesterday and today, and I'm sold. It's been a long time since I've felt so focused and reverent during Mass. Yesterday, my Divine Intimacy reading was amazingly poignant. 
"O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. ... The exterior attitude and the humility of our words are useless unless accompanied by lowliness of heart; many times they are but the mask of a refined pride. ... First make clean the inside."
A few other notes from the weekend's homilies. 1. Turn to God and ask for humility of heart. 2. The only thing to fear in God is losing Him. 3. Take God's love to heart so it may bear fruit on Earth. 

Oh, and if you're interested in amping up your prayer action for the Conclave, Adopt a Cardinal! We got His Eminence Paolo Sardi. He's not likely to be elected, since he's nearly 80, so Ryan and I are really excited about the prospects of Cardinal O'Malley. We still need to put together our blog roll, and he'll be near the top.

Lastly, I'm pretty sure Cruncher sensed the veil was important to me, so he bothered Ryan more than me during Mass. Worth. It. 

Mosey on over to the ladies at Fine Linen and Purple for less snarky posts.



28 comments:

  1. Well, I don't think you look too young. Maybe you just are that classy.

    Your vacuum photos made me laugh really hard, but I was laughing through my vacuum envy. Ours is light, but it doesn't really work.

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    1. Our old vacuum was a 10-year-old hand-me-down from a multiple-pet owner. It was making my allergies flare up, and I said ENOUGH! Ryan, I'm buying a new vacuum cleaner today. Okay? Okay.

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  2. 1. Photo shoot with a vacuum cleaner = brilliant
    2. I'm so glad veiling went well!!!
    3. I adopted Cardinal O'Malley! My mom is jealous because she thinks he has a better chance at "winning" than her guy - not sure she realizes how this works...

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    1. 1. I felt inspired. It really is a great vacuum. I can clean my drapes AND my ceiling! That means a lot for a short person.
      2. Me too! It's such a relief. Sometimes, I build things up to be huge, and then they end up being a disappointment. Too much hype. That didn't happen this time.
      3. O'Malley! Lucky dog! I don't blame your mom for being a little jealous.

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  3. Beautiful quote from " Divine Intimacy"! And I'm glad you are sold on the veil!

    Your dress is adorable. And the shrug is my cup of tea completely. (I love Dress Barn.) I would like to own your entire outfit, as a matter of fact. You look great!

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    1. Thanks, Laura! I saw your dress was from Dress Barn today, and I wondered if you were a fan. Those cardigans work with anything.

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  4. You look great Shannon! I enjoy your photo shoot each week, and today did NOT disappoint. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Laura! It was an inspired photo shoot today.

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  5. Your outfit is gorgeous! I just love it. I am excited that you got a new lightweight vacuum cleaner.

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    1. Thanks, Erica! That new lightweight vacuum cleaner is going to make a better woman out of me.

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  6. That dress is just gorgeous! I love it.

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    1. Thanks, Erika! My sister did a great job picking out normal dresses for her girls, as it should be.

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  7. Ha ha ha! I -love- the photos! And I would be so incredibly excited over a light-weight vacuum cleaner as you are! Love the outfit.

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    1. Thanks, Jane! My new lightweight vacuum cleaner encourages me be the woman Ryan longs for me to be.

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  8. Love the outfit. Perfect for church... And household chores?! Lol

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  9. Stunning dress!

    You are too funny with your vacuum.

    And I could use a good dose of focused and reverent, but I feel very, very far away from veiling. Thanks so much for sharing this aspect of your faith journey.

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    1. Thanks, Jeannine! I hope talking about veiling helps shed a light on why, but it's not my intent to convince anyone that it's the thing to do. It's a very personal thing, so it can be difficult to read. I'm glad everyone is hanging in there with me.

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  10. You are adorable and you crack me up!
    Your dress is goooooorrrgeous. You look lovely.
    I'm thinking on the veiling. And talked a LOT with my husband about it the other night at the gym (felt weird talking about it in yoga pants, but whatever, I can't lift weights in heels and pearls!). I did it for a short period, then became disgruntled, and now I'm coming back around again. I think God has a plan since it keeps coming up in my world...
    Anyway, GREAT post. I love seeing what you wear every week. :-)

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    1. Yay! I was trying for funny this week, to lighten things up a bit.

      God always has a plan for us, but we have to work to listen. I wish you peace as you discern.

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  11. The dress is EXCELLENT. Really love it!

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  12. Oh my gosh - YOU ARE THE CUTEST THING EVER!!!!!

    I would love if Cardinal Sean became Pope, he used to be our Bishop and I have a framed picture of 2 of my sons with him that will become waaaaay cooler if he's Pope. I just don't think an American is going to "win" though.

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    1. Oh, wow — how cool is that? I asked Ryan this morning if he thought an American will ever be pope, and he said, "Why not? It's God's decision." Hmm.

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  13. Sis, I am so glad that you are wearing your dress from the wedding. You look really great. I did do a good job picking those out, huh? You're welcome.
    I'm also so glad that you felt more focused and reverent this past Sunday by wearing your veil. I miss feeling focused while I'm at church. Although, I don't think that a veil would help me unless it occupies the 3-year-old during mass. Which it might, but probably not for the whole mass.

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    1. Yes, you did a perfectly wonderful job of picking out bridesmaid dresses. ; )

      I guess I need to find the little guy some great baptism anniversary gifts to keep him ocupado during Mass, eh?

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  14. That dress is beautiful, and it looks great w/ the black tights and shoes! I love that you're re-wearing a bridesmaid dress. :) Also- I've nominated you for a Liebster award. Here are the details:
    If you'd rather not participate that's a-ok! Here are the details if you want to check it out:
    http://littlelovesoflife.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/passing-along-the-liebster/

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    1. It really is a great dress, but I have had the darnedest time accessorizing the thing! My mom still thinks the boots are odd, but I felt a little bit rock 'n' roll, for sure.

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