my sister's keeper

I have zero style. I am not a girly-girl and do not spend my free time shopping. It's probably been a year since I've been to the mall. I just don't care to keep up with what's "in"... nor do I want to waste money on something that will go out of style soon. My wardrobe is small. (My husband's side of the closet is easily 3x the size of mine.) I have basic items that I have worn for years- many still from high school. I own a total of 10 pairs of shoes. I don't do accessories, jewelry or high heels. It's just not my thing- never has been. I pride myself in being a minimalist and own simple, comfortable clothing. That's what makes sense to me.

I will "dress up" when it's appropriate. I always wear make-up to church-- or at least try to. Aaron and I make it a priority to go out on dates as often as we can. Usually that's once a week. For the most part, I wear my "fancier" outfits for our date nights, but not always. Especially not when going to the movies. I have an unwritten rule that you there is no reason to dress up when going to a movie. Call me crazy, but I hate being cold and uncomfortable in the movie theater. If we are doing dinner and a movie, then I will compromise and wear my nicest comfortable clothes, but if we're just going to a movie, then I do not have a dress code. Really-- who is worried about fashion in a dark theater? not I.

Aaron and I were newlyweds when I was pregnant with our first child. I believe I was 4 months along or so. We had super-busy schedules and Saturdays were our ONLY days to chill. I spent the majority of one particular Saturday cleaning our one-bedroom apartment. I was wearing a sports bra, gray t-shirt and a pair of the world's most comfortable black stretchy pants. Towards the end of the day, Aaron asked me if I wanted to head to Provo's dollar theater to see FREQUENCY. I said I did. I threw on a comfy sweater that I had just purchased on clearance at Target. It was maternity and I wasn't quite showing yet, but I was anxious to break it in. And before we left the house, I slipped on my white winter moon boots.. given to me by "Santa" when I was in the 9th grade. (the very same boots I pulled out for my Princess Leia costume- which happen to be included in my total of 10 pairs of shoes I own.)

We arrived at the theater several minutes before it started. We bought a tub of popcorn and a drink and managed to smuggle in a few candies from the gas station. I remember exactly where our seats were in the theater. We were talking and laughing about something when Aaron got all serious. I asked him what was wrong and he took a long sigh before saying, "Janet, I have got to draw a line SOMEWHERE." I didn't realize what he was talking about, so he pointed to my outfit and explained that I could never again wear such an ensemble in public. I should have been offended, but I knew exactly what I looked like. No make-up, hair in a ponytail, sports bra, over-sized sweater and white moon boots. What was the problem, really? I laughed and promised I would try harder to dress up for our dates, even if they were in a dark theater.

Fast forward 8 years. I am definitely the same girl, but try to compromise for the husband. While in Utah, my sisters and I decided to sneak away from the men (and children) and see a chick flick together. As I was saying goodbye to my husband and the kids, Aaron pointed at my outfit and scolded me. I told him he wasn't allowed to comment because he wasn't accompanying me in public. Earlier that day, I had gone to an open house for the Draper Temple. I was wearing a comfy dress and didn't want to take it off. But you can't go to the movies with your legs exposed because everyone knows the theaters try to freeze you. So, I slipped on a pair of black pants. On my way out, it started pouring rain, (the day of the gorgeous rainbow, btw) so I grabbed a thin jacket with a hood. Yes, my outfit was a little odd-- but I was going out with my sisters and wasn't exactly worried about impressing anyone. I drove with two of my sisters and met two others at the movie. When I walked into the theater and saw my sister, Debbie, I knew we were two of a kind. Cindy took a picture of us to document our outfits.


Deb is pulling a frumpy face to match her outfit... but let me say, the picture doesn't do either of us justice. It was a late, late showing and she brought her newborn Betty. I love her for being so scroungy, but the best part about it all was that she wasn't wearing a bra. (this is one of two pictures, in the first one, I am grabbing her boob...) People may have been pointing and laughing at our outfits, but let me tell you, no amount of fashion sense can make you feel THAT warm and comfortable.

Because I am feeling a little guilty about posting such an ugly picture of my darling sis, I thought I should post her facebook profile pic. She is a hottie-- especially when she wears a bra.


Oh, and I should probably mention what movie my sisters and I saw-- My Sister's Keeper. Has anyone else seen it? It ends opposite of the book (a much better ending, in my opinion.) I really loved the movie. I would never have been able to drag my husband to that flick, so it was perfect for a GNO. We bawled our eyes out-- which made us even more grateful we didn't wear make-up to the show.