Stars Above and Last Chance Love: Friends and Lovers and Mothers

It usually takes me two days to read a book, but now that I'm a new mom, it took me two weeks to read The Magic of Found Objects by Maddie Dawson.  You may recall that this is the novel I started reading while in the hospital.  Even then, when my focus was elsewhere, I knew it'd be good.  Yet once I was home, I didn't think I'd have time to get back to it.  Although the husband gallantly took on the night shift with Charlotte, my days were (and are) filled with feedings, diaper changes, and taking pics of our little Char Bar.  (To be fair, the husband's usually right there beside me despite my efforts to get him to nap.)  But gradually, I realized that I could squeeze in a chapter here and there.  And then I got the bright idea to read when Charlotte is snuggled next to me.  When the husband first saw us like that, he referred to her as my little reading buddy.  

So, The Magic of Found Objects.  It's the story of the fancifully named Phronsie and her quest for love as she untangles her complicated relationship with her mother.  Once upon a time at Woodstock, hippie artist Tenaj (which is just Janet spelled backwards) bewitched straight-arrow farmer Robert.  The result was the free-spirited Phronsie and her painfully prosaic twin brother Hendrix (and yes, he's named for Jimi).  Tenaj and Robert called it quits after just two years, and the twins stayed on the farm with their father.  They didn't see their mother again until they were six, and even then they remained semi-estranged.  This was especially hard on Phronsie. 

Now Phronsie's a New York City publicist in her mid-thirties who's ready for marriage and children.  So when her bestie Judd, whom she's known since kindergarten, proposes, she jumps at the chance.  Who needs romance when you've got a sure thing?  At least that's what Phronsie and Judd tell each other -- and themselves.  But then the universe brings Phronsie a gnome-collecting surfer dude, and despite her engagement, she finds herself hopelessly smitten.  Suddenly, she's torn between her head and her heart, desire and duty -- the very opposites that destroyed her parents.

Dawson paints Phronsie's world as enchanted, a not-quite-grown-up and sometimes sad fairy tale.  Yet despite my love for this bittersweet, quirky yarn, one thing I couldn't quite reconcile was Tenaj leaving her babies.  That part made me ache.

My reading rate may have slowed since becoming a mom.  But my emotional response has only grown stronger.

What Up Y2K the Butterfly Way

Blossom Bow Butterfly Necklace

Shoes: Katy Perry Collection

Skirt: Tinseltown, Macy's

Bag: Skinnydip London, Macy's

Top: Almost Famous, Macy's

Hair clip: So, Kohl's; Mint bangle: Decree, JCPenney; Other bangles: B Fabulous; Sunglasses: Michaels; Ring: Claire's

Bag: Xhilaration, Target

Black bangle: Mixit, JCPenney; Headband: Xhilaration, Target; Sunglasses: Betsey Johnson, Zulily; Ring: Mixit, JCPenney

Bold Butterfly Barrette Brooch

Dress: Lily Rose, Kohl's

Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman, Zulily

Striped Flight Necklace

Skirt: ELLE, Kohl's

Fluorescent Fight Necklace

Top: SHEIN

Bag: Luv Betsey, Boscov's; Bangles: Target; Sunglasses: Brigantine Beach shop; Chartreuse ring: Claire's; Pink ring: Miami accessories cart

Shoes: Steve Madden, Macy's

Bag: Amerileather, Zulily

Butterfly Shape Escape Necklace

Fabulous Felt Orange Vanilla Custard Barrette

Blue bangle: Burlington Coat Factory; Purple bracelet: Etsy; Blue beaded bracelet: Cloud Nine, Ocean City; Sunglasses: Nordstrom Rack

Skirt: H&M

Sky and Twee Necklace

Shoes: Betsey Johnson, Macy's; Bag: Betsey Johnson, Dolls Kill

Jacket: Gap

Yellow bangle: Silver Linings, Ocean City; Orange/red/heart bangles: B Fabulous; Sunglasses: Wild Fable, Target; Ring: Mixit, JCPenney; Barrette: The Tote Trove; Mint bracelet: H&M; Striped bangle: Zulily; Yellow bracelet: So, Kohl's

Top: SHEIN

If you flap your wings enough, then you just might land on the last night of 1999.  Big business and government were in crisis mode, desperate to protect their computers while the rest of us prepared for the end of days, Prince's apocalyptical dance party anthem a drumbeat.  Not that I include myself in that us.  On December 31, 1999, I was almost eighteen and far more concerned with the impending horrors of dorm life than the power grid going bust.  But when it came to fashion, I knew what was up.  Which means I was probably rocking butterflies.  

I couldn't help but think about that as I raided my brooch box in search of cast-offs to repurpose for new jewelry.  I found two caterpillar candidates, then set about transforming them into butterflies (well, they were already butterflies, but I trust you'll humor my metaphor).  I had a great time making Fluorescent Flight and Sky and Twee with plastic beads shaped like, yes, more butterflies and also fish and dolphins.  And I can proudly say that these are no longer your grandmother's brooches.  Even though my grandma rocked brooches regularly and was as cool as they come, having busted out the air guitar one Thanksgiving while talking about Jimi Hendrix.  Still, the necklaces aren't even my biggest brag.  That would be the Bold Butterfly Barrette Brooch, which is my favorite barrette brooch so far.  Because a butterfly barrette is better than the butterfly effect.  

Especially if it takes you back to sharing a bathroom with strangers.