Kelly Reece

I'm Scared

2013-08-30T12:18:00.001-07:00

There.

I said it.

The truth that haunts me at the start of every school year. My son leaves to compound his learning, blossoming into the person he's destined to be. I sit at home. Of course now I have another little man to unconditionally love. Jack.

He will still be with me. But still I'm lonesome. It's amazing how little I know of myself and yet how much I know of myself all at once.

I know I'm artistic. I know this like the back of my hand. Anything "pretty" goes beyond that for me. It lasts in my mind like a vivid picture and in some way I'd like to tell it "Thank you" and give it a hug. Just for existing. It's as though if I could get to know the beauty as a new acquaintance, I would have so many questions!!! But art is also terribly intimidating to me as well. I've made jewelry and taken pictures in the past, but it's all been in hopes to impress or to sell sell sell. I've now learned from reading "Art and Fear" that this is the exact opposite end of "art".

Art is not meant to impress anyone but the artist. "Let the others decide if they like it while you move on to the next best thing for YOU!" ... Or something along those lines. Basically, art is meant to make you happy and no one else. If they decide they like it or that it resonates with them, great! But it wasn't meant for anyone but you.

Today I took a picture of a bumblebee. I was so proud of my pictures. They were completely for me as well. The colors were breath-taking and vivid. I was in love with macro all over again. Here are a few:

Basically, what I'm trying to say through my random thought process is this: I want to be in love with the life I live. I can't keep staring into a blurry peripheral abyss trying to motivate myself into doing what I love. I have to just do it. Don't look back. Don't judge. Don't worry. Just go! Look back later! It's such simple personal advice.

Winter

2012-11-19T06:39:00.002-08:00

Winter is often a tough time for me and Terry. We tend to super isolate ourselves and quite frankly, get a little SAD. You know; "Seasonal Affective Disorder". I don't even think this should be called a disorder. So many people find it difficult to stay positive and upbeat on cold grey days with little daylight and noise.

But honestly, this has gone on long enough! 3 months of the year I'm bummed and bored. Suggesting 1/4 of my life is destined to be lame! I cannot accept this as an inevitable beginning to my every new year!

Today is November 19th. The trees here have already reached their seasonal color peak and becoming bare. Some are holding on to their color... but I fear one good strong wind will push that color saturation clean off. Let's begin finding the beauty in Winter.

Noble Rank Rings

2012-09-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

I had this great idea for rings that I would like to implement. Noble Rank Rings, in where I assign a noble rank (on the United Kingdom's terms) to rings depending on their size. A few days ago I made two rings that had massive stones. Any larger and they would have been in the way of daily life, which I find to be abhorrently annoying.

I'm Surprising Myself

2012-09-25T15:08:00.001-07:00

I'm joining my son's PTA.

I'm doing things I wouldn't normally do, like deep clean the stove.

I'm writing to people I normally wouldn't write to.

My husband and I have a super awesome crazy great relationship.

Something has changed with me, like a calm in a turbulent sea.

Now I'm not saying at ALL that those seas might not return, because, you never know. You never EVER know.

But in the meantime, I'm genuinely happy. My thoughts aren't wild and unable to tame. I hope this lasts awhile. I know my body really needed the break.

Big Belly, Fast!

2012-09-24T15:09:00.001-07:00

I've slowly but surely been getting big. Fast. Like, in a hurry, fast. I'm hoping it's the angle I'm sitting in that makes my belly look bigger.... Here's the slow progression.

July (2 months)

August (3 months)

September (4 months)

Salon... by NASA

2012-09-19T07:12:00.003-07:00

Would you allow a computer geek from N.A.S.A. to do your hair?

Grady would.

Serious hair perfection.

I tried to make my hair big too! My stomach on the other hand is getting rather big on it's own!

4 months along.

The Shop

2012-09-17T17:31:00.002-07:00

The shop on Etsy has been such a work in progress. Almost five years of progress. I had other shops in the past that I felt didn't justify myself as I got better and better. When I opened shop with my name, I knew I had to stick with it no matter what. Like a self-titled album. It's a big decision. I'm confident enough in my abilities to put my name on it.

Today I made two sales in one day. That's a first for me and has given me a feeling of massive momentum.

The ring above is grey sea glass from Massachusetts. I also have the following colors. I adore sea glass. Sometimes, I just hold them.

Hunting for Color

2012-09-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Indian Fields Creek in search of rocks to accompany gemstones for rings.

When I look for rocks in a sea of rocks, what I'm looking for is color.

Even if it isn't something I can frame in silver, at least it gives me an idea of combinations I wouldn't normally think to combine. Color that comes naturally escapes me. Nature is such a better artist. Always the better artist.

I disturbed the bugs on the way there. Trekking my feet through tall grass. Leggings came in handy today.

I learned that Indian Fields Creek was inhabited by a chief under Powhatan. This chief was called a "weroance" which literally meant he had power only under Powhatan. I don't know what your history lessons were like, but growing up in Williamsburg, we were immersed with history. You either loved it or hated, but no matter your stand for or against it, you had to respect it. It was staring you in the face daily.

Know your place. That's what its presence said to me. Perhaps I was extremely aware of this and didn't know how to verbalize it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There's a silence to this place. Even with the passing cars over a man made concrete bridge, you can hear life and death all at once.

Color stands out to me. So vivid. It screams. When searching through stones it doesn't taken long to find something. I either find something immediately, or find nothing at all. Today was a nothing at all day. There were bricks in sizes so large, but their color and shape was a contrast like a beacon against the sand, blue, brown, grey...

like the wild plants growing with their own agenda.

Iridescent purple against muddy brown. Is it just me or does anyone else find this to be brilliant?

Halo

2012-09-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

This flat (seemingly) boring aquamarine stone sat in my collection for two years. I could have sworn it didn't have potential. It seemed to me that should it be set in silver, it would be a waste of silver.

Not so.

As soon as I took it out of the tumbler it revealed a beautiful angelic blue/green and I found myself humbled.

Name is Halo.

Grady's First Day of Kindergarten

2012-09-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

There's something extremely awesome about my boy. He already has a "Je ne sais pas" about him that's going to drive the girls wild and drive me BONKERS in the process.

He went to Kindergarten today. Everything was big boy about this morning. He behaved super appropriately. He even put on "big boy deodorant". But through it all he was calm. Not overly giddy or talkative, just cool and excited.

I sit here at home, in the silence. Thinking only on him. My boys are my life. They are so very awesome in my book that just BEING with them makes me happy. I don't need anything special. They are my bucket of joy and smiles. Now I must go eight hours a day without them and it is I who needs to be strong.

I can do this! I just need a schedule. Cleaning, jewelry making, walking, reading, cooking, blogging. Those are my agenda plans. I plan to chronicle all the good stuff. Hopefully it will help me maintain productive days while my loves are building their lives.

Paris Fashion Week

2012-08-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

I couldn't begin to tell you why I enjoyed sifting through the photos of Paris's Fall Fashion week. Not the runway, but the street fashion. Fashion that seems more attainable.

I still like sleek lines and clothes that look comfortable, but that's not what I'm writing about. Not about my preferences. More about the trends for fall.

Apparently the color this year is BURGANDY.

And surprises of CANDY APPLE RED

And super bright YELLOW

Neutrals are being paired with bright colors. Other colors that were rather repetitive were COBALT BLUE, ROYAL PURPLE and EMERALD GREEN.

PLEATS are everywhere.

FLORAL PRINTS WITH NEUTRALS

LOUD SHOES

BRIGHT CLEAR BAGS

TIGHTS

Tights were on 1/2 the women. So many...

Styles I didn't include were gross to me. Seriously (possibly) utter embarrassing moments for the women should they look back on what they wore. These included, flames. Not kidding. Flames. And super chunky gold embellishments similar to a studded dog collar.

Hot Summer

2012-07-30T05:49:00.003-07:00

Here's the Jeepers stuck in the sand. She's a trooper.

This summer has been the hottest of recent memory. We've had weeks of stammering heat in summer's past, but certainly not a MONTH of God awful heat! I would absolutely go somewhere indoors instead of out, however, me being slightly stubborn (slightly exaggerating), I've kept my 95' Jeep Grand Cherokee devoid of A/C instead of utilizing a vehicle that keeps me cool! I have a sentimental attachment to my Jeep.

We play kickball outside for little bits at a time.

And I've found a super love of cooking food! Fitting that I'm pregnant. But lately I've been on a German food kick!

What's great about these recipes is that they have similar ingredients. Making grocery shopping EASY and cheap!

I made Hackbraten. Probably the best meatloaf I've ever eaten in my LIFE. And I've eaten some damn good meatloaf in my day.


Hackbraten

Spinach Salat

I've had "spinach salad with warm bacon dressing" at parties and family get togethers but couldn't figure out what in the world was in the dressing that made it so good! Turns out it's SUGAR! Lots and lots of sugar! ... :-/

Kartoffelpuffer

Potato Pancakes. How can you go wrong? Honestly?

And later this week; Jagerschnitzel.

Anxiety - A Nasty Beast

2012-07-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

So I have anxiety. Have had it for years. I used to have full blown panic attacks but luckily my husband has learned the nature of the beast and knows how to calm me down before I get that bad.

Thus it just remains at an anxiety standpoint, but even then, this is harmful/painful.

My stomach feels like I'm holding in 10,000 butterflies.

My veins feel like I'm chewing on foil.

My throat closes tighter and tighter, making it hard to breathe, exacerbating the problem.

My body forgets to breathe. FORGETS. What is that??

There's exercise, biking and yoga that I do. There's a massive pillow on my belly that I lay on in bed trying to compress the "butterflies". And there's the medicine. Preventative and abortive.

I've been on both in past years.

I've learned that the preventative actually makes any anxiety that pushes through worse and longer lasting. Any abortives I've been on have been cut down from the extreme (bowling ball limbs and put me to sleep) to the lightest of them, just a slight comfort in my belly and throat, slowly easing the attack.

But when you're pregnant, there's not much you can do. No more medicine to help. And today, the anxiety lasted, all day. About an hour after I woke up, it started to take hold. I become so desperate for it not to be what I know it is that I'm pretty sure I speed up the process.

I snap easily like this, so I just try to stay away from Grady. I got in my room, laid on my pillow. Listened to music from Grady's Lorax game. It's like a lullaby. No joke. But no relief today. Not until 7:00 p.m.

Anxiety from 9:00a.m. - 7:00p.m. No one should go through this. Especially a fetus. I truly wish I had more control over it because I fear what harm I might be doing to him/her. And now I'm going to the OB/GYN to talk about it because it can cause more harm in the long run.

How can a mother do this to her own body while pregnant? :-(

Work week 1

2012-07-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Amethyst Posts

Kyanite Ovals

Double Concave Silver Studs

Single Concave Studs

Mini single Studs

Rock Candy: Labradorite

Rock Candy: Citrine

Double Concave Silver Ring

Yellow English Sea Glass Ring

Beaded Concave Necklace

Lapis Lazuli and Kyanite Earrings

Beaded Border Blue Sea Glass Ring

Babies and Jewelry

2012-07-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

That title has a nice ring to it. Last night I found out I was pregnant! Terry and I both thought "OHHH SHHIIII...." However, as the thought progressed we got happier and happier and happier and now ecstatic and calling and telling everyone and poking jokes about it. It's been rather cool.

Here's the lovely shot of my pee stick that I just KNOW you want to see.

Also, things are going very well at the shop and apparently in my Etsy shop as well. I sold two rings in two days. Watching people pick up my jewelry, try it on, say how beautiful it is... what a compliment. I'm telling you!

Here's what's sold.

I'm in a very happy place in my life right now. I'm hoping it will stay that way for quite some time.

Perseverance

2012-07-01T20:09:00.002-07:00

Hopefully this will be my next tattoo on my arm underneath "patience". But that's another story.

Today and for days to come I'm working at a used bookstore called "Blue Crab Books"

For a mere 10 - 12 hours a month of work relief for the owner, Anne, I've been given the honor of setting up my studio right here...

...against the window full of light and surrounded by books that in some cases are over 100's of years old and signed by the author's themselves. She's even letting me bring Grady in to look at comic books. His favorite, while I work :-)

Here's my bench I found at a thrift store for $25.00

I exchanged the original handles for World Market awesome hand painted knob handles!

Anne and I get along seamlessly. She's elegant and to the point. It's the perfect "I get you, you get me" combination. And whilst I work I hear every kind of music there is on this earth. Just like the eclectic collection of books she has. She's just neat.

It gets even better:

Next door there is a place called DKS Designs

They are a brand new boutique in York Village and were offering vendor space. For a much minimal rent compared to my previous gallery I'm given a nice eye drawing spot in the shop. The woman who owns the place, Debra, is also cool, laid back, easy to get along with, and not a hint of intimidation or snobbery. These two places are my mecca, my place where I belong. Working along side people who believe being pushy sales people is just poor sales. They believe that the vintage clothes, bags, shoes, books, or in my case handmade jewelry are not tacky, but beautiful and should be brought back to life.

I hope to be here at York Village for a very long time. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Here's a quick few shots of what we've worked on in both shops in the past two days; besides the desk set up.

I created the earring cards as well. First impressions...

How to filet a fish

2012-06-21T11:07:00.001-07:00

So you've caught a fish. It's legal size to take home. Buuuuut... now what? Well here's what!

Clean your cutting board with anti-bacterial dish soap. You'll want your biggest cutting board since the fish you're about to filet is probably close to 2 feet long.

Rinse the fish thoroughly.

Sharpen your knife. It's imperative that you have a filet knife and that it's SHARP!

Insert the knife at the top of the "spine" and cut down

all the way to and through the tail.

Take your knife and begin to scrape down the side of the fish.

Keep scraping! You're almost done!

Scrape till you feel the stomach. You'll know it when the knife hits a squishy spot, but don't don't don't cut into the stomach!

Now it's time to cut down the fish right above his fin.

Finish your cut by cutting flush against the side releasing your first filet from the fish.

Rinse your fish again. Blood will come out continuously but it eventually slows down.

Sharpen your knife again! I can't tell you how many times my husband sharpened the knife, maybe four or more.

Repeat the process on the other side.

As close as you can, cut the skin off the fish filet.

You might have bits and pieces of skin remaining, just cut those off as well.

Feel for bones! This too is important! Press with pressure on your filets to feel for bones and cut them out.

Lastly, the red on the fish turns grey in the oven. This is the funk that tastes "fishy". With a "V" cutting formation, cut out the red as much as possible.

After your "V", cut down the red until it's off.

Voila! You're finished! It will taste fabulous. Better than any fish from the store I assure you!

Tips from the angler:

"Take your time."
"Keep your knife sharp."
"You'll get better with practice."

How to make Chicken Broth

2012-06-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

So much of what we eat we don't even think about. Butter for instance: on practically everything (if made right). But at some time it had to be churned, allowed time to separate, kept in a cold room...

Well what about chicken broth? Are you happy with Swanson?

I'm not.

INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN BROTH, SALT, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, DEXTROSE, YEAST EXTRACT, CHICKEN FLAVOR, FLAVORING, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CHICKEN FAT, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, CHICKEN BROTH POWDER.

Let's make our own.

So! You're going to need a chicken. The more organic, the better. Nope, I'm not a hippie, it just tastes better. Fact.

Rinse the whole chicken and put it in a massive pot.

Cut up:

3 yellow onions

3 - 6 garlic cloves (smashed on the back of your knife

2 - 4 leeks

2 - 3 stalks of celery

2 - 4 carrots

18 cups of water/ 9 pints of water

Light the stove to boil. Best not to do this on a hot day. My massive kitchen / living room combination reached a nasty 78 degrees.

Pour your nine pints...

Boil for 45 mins

Beautiful

Lastly, fresh Thyme and Parsley, rinsed and thrown in the pot. Bunch to your tasting.

Tip: Don't buy those packets in the grocery store for $2. Get a plant for $3.50 and have fresh herbs at your disposal all summer into the fall.

6 cups of chicken broth in their soft butter colored glory!!!

Freeze!

Now you have a fully cooked chicken make chicken salad (grapes, celery, salt, pepper, lemon, mayo) Now you have a healthy lunch for 2 days!

I Love Food!!!!!!

2012-06-19T08:16:00.001-07:00

Yeah.

I do.

Now that I'm older I can say this without worry of judgement. I look forward to eating and cooking... and truth be told... taking pictures of what I've made. Food is pretty. I have a fresh market right in front of my house called Dean and Don's.

not my picture

this one isn't either

I ride my bright orange cruiser bike there all the time with a Swiss Army back pack and always end up buying more than I should. It's just so pretty!!!! Fruits and veggies stacked on top of each other in massive barrels apparently makes me purchase without concern.

So I make a lot of food to compensate for my extensive purchases! And being a photographer lover, I take pictures of that food. And being a food lover I eat that food! Then I realize I've got to make another bike ride to the fresh market. It's a viscous cycle.

Lemon sale?? Lemonade YES!

Homemade guacamole with their awesome avocados. I don't care that they're chock full of calories. It's a fruit so the pros must outweigh the cons. It must!

Snap green beans, red potatoes and a side of bacon. This is a combination that no Southerner is stranger to.

Homemade Vegetable Stock. It's super easy and makes a big difference in taste. Use up those left over veggies and BOIL! Then pour into Ball jars.

I don't bake much, because I'm not good at it... but this bread is easy and can be sweeten or salty. Anything tastes good with it. I call it "I can't bake. Flat bread".

We're a snacking family. Especially Terry. He'll look in the fridge and if it can't be thrown together in 5 mins then "There's nothing to eat!!!". Try baguette slices and chevre. (goats cheese). Basil gives it a kick in the right direction too. ALKJASFKJA;LKDFJALKJDF;AKLJDSFK

Brie, crackers (of good quality) and McCutheon's Strawberry - Raspberry Preserves. If it's French, it's probably awesome. Honestly.

Whoa. A shot of Dad's Clean Your Plate Buttermilk Pancakes. This is a rare view. Normally they're annihilated immediately upon setting them on a table.

Makes mouths happy!!! Even sneaky Dachshunds.


Alright, so this last shot was thrown in because I think 5 year old anything = cute.

side note: my boy is wearing underpants.

An Incredible Father

2012-06-18T06:22:00.004-07:00

We have a tiny family but there's billowing amounts of love in our home. As Grady has aged we've been able to talk to him more, making conversation engaging. We are learning more and more about who Grady is from his own words. I believe this has made Terry and Grady super close, especially since this year. Grady is going through a stage where he's confessing his undying love for us everyday. He will literally skip playing just to "love on you". We of course eat this up! This past week these are his words about his father:

"He's just so perfect and awesome cool!"

"I miss my Daddy because he's always at work and I miss him."

These two bring me so much happiness and joy. I mean, just look at their faces. Goofy, mischievous, unique and brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Terry's parenting ways are tough, but jam packed with love. He holds Grady in high expectations and doesn't doubt his abilities whatsoever. As a Marine, his voice is powerful, easily getting Grady's attention. He's always very protective of him. He teaches him manly things and they even have a man day. I've taught Grady to be super compassionate, loving, gentle and considerate of others. Terry teaches him to believe in himself, be responsible for his actions, "there is no try, only do", and to constantly be aware of his surroundings.

We're raising a confident young man who appreciates the small things. I try not to be proud, but of our son, I cannot help myself. I hold Terry in great esteem as well and know that as Grady ages he's getting taught how to be a man. A real man. As a mother, I'm beyond grateful for his ability to be an incredible father.

To all father's who hold their children in high regard and put them first above their own wants and needs, you are, in my opinion, truly exceptional. You are what separates a male parent of human offspring from the legendary greatness that lives on to the next generation. Thank you for raising great children.

Torn Hands

2012-06-13T17:26:00.003-07:00

Sentiments of "It's hard to get a job out there" and "It wasn't meant to be" have been thrown my way upon news of not getting the job I think would be perfect for me. A studio photographers assistant. I got word yesterday that as hard of a choice as it was, they went for the another applicant.

So there it is.
I'm starting to think it's not due to the economic times. It's me. I'm told by so many to keep making jewelry. But nothing is selling. I do attribute that to the economic times.

And my hands are hurting. I adore using my hands. In fact I think that is my calling. One of my favorite jobs was when I was a stagehand and it was all about manual labor. But manual labor takes its toll. Luckily making jewelry effects only my hands and eyes and not my entire body. However I am experiencing some pain.

sawed and filed fingers

chemical burn

calloused finger tips and imprints of silver edges

hang nails, dirty nails

I can't seem to stop making though. Today I made two very gaudy but gorgeous pieces. They're Cleopatra pieces. Very unlike my usual style, but the stones needed to be set. They've been sitting in my collection for over a year. I always loved looking at them but I could never think how I would make them into something I would want to put my name on.

Cleopatra Citrine Ring

Brass hieroglyphics

Massive stone (taken by GBR)

Cleopatra Amber Necklace

Beaded border and necklace strand used by infamous David Yurman

I tried to look regal and elegant, but Terry made me laugh. So not Cleopatra. (taken by TLR)

I'm happiest when I'm making jewelry. I think it's pretty obvious to everyone who knows me. But it doesn't work when it's not selling. I need to market myself better. I'm not good at touting my work. Any ideas?

No calls, more jewelry

2012-06-12T09:52:00.001-07:00

As I wait and wait and wait for a call from the dozens of jobs I've applied for, I make more and more jewelry. It's like my way out of the worry. Making more jewelry in the hopes it will sell to make up for the severe lack of income I'm not bringing in for my family.

Rainbow oxidation preserved under light rose quartz stone. Decorated with barnacles and oysters. Kelly Reece Shop

Brass Barnacle Earrings with Gold-fill earwires - Salty Rock Shop

Sea glass pair from England - Salty Rock Shop

Barnacles and Blue sea glass from England - Salty Rock Shop

The Comforts of Home

2012-06-11T12:10:00.004-07:00

In 2008 Terry and I bought a house. We were first time home owners, anxious to no longer rent and had nothing but hand me downs from family and friends. This is what I call a house. A domicile to live and sleep, but offers little comfort that's pleasing to the eye. Four years later, thousands upon thousands of dollars invested, random pieces collected but no real method to our madness, we continued living a chaotic life. Inviting people over was not an option. Our house's status was not one to flaunt.

Finally. I have a home.

Living Room

New simple lamps. Hydrangeas and Oleander from the garden.

Our favorite past time. Drinking Tea. Terry and I rarely go a night without a cuppa

Dishes aren't piled on end tables because I have a sink.


Healthier food is prepared because it's out in the open and easy to grab. Fruit on a cake stand looks good!

A feeling of togetherness surrounds the massive room. We can watch a movie, play toys, make food, eat food, clean up and be on the computer all at once, all together, making each task less like a chore.

Grady putting Star Wars Droidica Ship together.

I think we're well on our way to achieving what Terry and I would call home.

minimal

weathered

open

natural colors

feeling at ease

welcoming to others no matter the time

Visiting my ChickPea

2012-06-10T20:33:00.003-07:00

This is something so easily done. We can be in the best of moods and the worst of moods and some how, we still manage to love and adore each other. This particular visit I was a bit down. Probably because I didn't get to geek out with my camera a bit more than I wanted to originally, but more than that, it generally takes just the two of us to really get into some conversations that only she can understand. Grady, whom I love endlessly, came along, so our maternal Jo and maternal Kel instincts kicked in and he became our focus. Here's hoping that next time we'll be able to take the day, just the two of us talk until our faces hurt.

And don't get me started on how much we love da Bri's!

How to feed and dress a man

2012-06-08T10:18:00.001-07:00

I married a very particular breed of man. He's solitary. Brilliant.

Obsessed with reading and learning anything new he's not familiar with.

He's an angler through and through and through and through. These men are not even "a man's man" kinda man. There are plenty of men he doesn't like and boy howdy is he EVER willing to let you know. A former Marine (adds in a dash of intimidating and crazy to the mix). Mechanical above and beyond my wildest "Mr. Fix it" dreams. He doesn't do crawl spaces, that's it.

Can you imagine him "shopping"? Malls and a fishermen are on the endangered species list.

Do you think he's thinking about his clothes? Not a chance in hell.

He insists I don't dress him, but really, his entire closet consists of clothes I've bought. I wanted to convey the delicate balance that must be achieved in order to dress a man. Because real men aren't thinking about what they wear, nor do they care. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

Jeans must be tailor to the perfect length. My huband is 6'10" At better than trying Fake siginicant hugs, my head from laff aout of ht e==

So here's how you do it. Buy it anyway. You know exactly what will look good on him. He does not. Do not expect to receive praise when you've purchased clothes. "You're a girl. You've just wasted money again. Take it back. I don't like that color." Just expect to receive this kind of commentary going into this and hopefully you'll have saved your delicate sensibilities. They may not like what you've brought home strictly because it's not what he's familiar with it. If you're able to pull a " I wanted to have you try them on before I bought em! He'll fall for you, entirely. There are two weeknesses in a man's heart. Hi wife and his child. He can sacrifice anything else in the grande scheme of everything else.