Throwing Leaves

So many things to discuss today!

• I'm passing along the cream boyfriend cardigan.  I bought it at The Limited on my birthday and want to wear it every day, so it just made sense.
• Leopard week continues with this H&M scarf.  
• Halfway through the day, I changed my belt and shoes.  So, here's a little bonus outfit.  You'll be seeing more of these shoes later in the week. 

• When taking outfit pictures, John was very inspired by the leaves on the ground, so he started throwing them at me.  It was pretty awesome.  I had to make a collage:

Oh, and I'm starting a new weekly collage for TOPIO.  Mostly because iPiccy runs out of collage options between the ranges of 5-9.

Dress: Gap
Scarf: H&M
Cardigan & Belt: LImited
Boots: BareTraps

Stripe Week - Sweater and Link-up

Stripes Week is coming to a close, but I'll probably have stripes on the blog most of next week, because I kind of over-prepared.  I could probably keep this going through the rest of the month, but I'd get tired of that (maybe).

Anyway... you guys!  FALL!  I mean, BOOTS and LAYERS!  There are even recently fallen leaves on my shoe in the first picture.  Seriously, though - it got kind of cold over the weekend, and we had all the windows in our house open.  I think it was about 50 degrees inside when we woke up on Saturday.  Not awesome.  But I did bust out the boots on Sunday.  And then it was 80 again on Monday.  I'm hoping we won't see snow until December.  Come on, Nebraska!

Wearing Red and Being Uncomfortable

 

It's the last day of the Pantone Spring Color Challenge with Marissa and Heidi, and also the most difficult for me - Poppy Red.  I have a long and complicated relationship with the color red.  It was probably my favorite color from about 3rd grade through high school (in large part due to my enthusiasm about Nebraska Cornhusker football).  In the last almost 10 years (what?!) since I have lived in Nebraska, I very rarely wear red.  I still like it, but it's too common around here, and everyone assumes you are wearing it because of football.  My living room has an accent wall that is red (visible here), and a lot of people have asked me if it is a nod to the Huskers.  No, it's a nod to the fact that my accent pillows have some red on them!   Long story short, I don't have a ton of red in my closet.

I'm jumping into the "Blog Every Day in May" challenge, and today's topic is "Things that make you uncomfortable" (Yes, I skipped Day 2 - I might go back and do it).  In no particular order:

• Pants - I prefer skirts or dresses.  I think I have worn pants (other than jeans) exactly 3 times since starting this blog (Exhibit A, B, C).
• If I see a stranger with toilet paper stuck to their shoe, or a tag sticking out, I will usually get my courage up to tell them, but I feel super awkward about it.  (Update - this applies to the internet, too.  If someone gets a name completely wrong, or a terrible spelling mistake, do I tell them?  Or would that be mean?  PANIC!)
• Speaking in front of groups of people
• Hearing myself on a recording.  
• Seeing myself on a video. 
• "Ice Breaker" activities.  I'm pretty outgoing, until someone says I have to be, and then I go blank.  
• Trying to pick a favorite anything.  Favorite Movie?  Favorite Band?  Favorite Color?  I have no idea!  There are so many great things, it's impossible to pick one favorite.  And then I feel boring, because why don't I have a good answer??  I guess there are a few topics where I can pick a favorite, like "Favorite Guy" is easy:  John.  
• Reality Television - I can't get behind reality TV, because WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!  I don't know why anyone would sign up for it.  It is especially bad if there are kids on the show.  I mean, Honey Boo-Boo?  It would be funny, but it's too disturbing! 

I'm probably forgetting something, but that list seems long enough!  What makes you uncomfortable?

Tee: H&M
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: BareTraps

5 Days, 5 Ways Bonus - Purple Skirt

When I was preparing for the 5 Days, 5 Ways challenge, I thought my purple skirt would be an excellent item to feature.  After mostly finishing this post, I realized that skirts were not one of the days.  Fail!  The good news is that I am adding a bonus day to the fun of last week!

1/2/3/4/5

Digging through my archives, I realized that I usually pair this skirt with more neutral tops.  I've never had a lot of purple in my wardrobe, so I guess I don't know how to pair it with other colors.  I have had this look pinned for awhile, so I will probably try it out soon!

I am thinking I will try to do a remix post on a weekly basis.  They are some of my favorite posts to put together, and also my favorite topic to see on other style blogs.  What do you say?  Would you like that, or do you think remix posts are lame?

Top: Dillard's
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

5 Days, 5 Ways - Dresses

Most of the dresses that I wear on a regular basis have already been the subject of a remix collage, so it took some digging to find another one that I've worn enough times.  I landed on this faux wrap dress from Target.  I think I bought it in 2007, because it was on sale.  Then I hardly ever wore it, because I thought it looked weird with a cami underneath, and it wasn't decent alone.  Once I got a little more creative, I realized I could layer a button-down under the shirt, and I really like it that way! I also noticed that I usually wear it with crazy tights.

5 ways:  

1/2/3/4/5

 Shirt: Gap
Dress: Target
Belt: Limited
Necklace: Dillard's
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Preserve the Rhyme

Attempt #2 on the awkward dress involves layering it under another dress.  I am a fan, but I had to add green tights, because I felt a little too dark.  You will notice it snowed again, so I'm still wearing boots, unfortunately. 

I have a complaint to lodge with Contemporary Christian artists, and I don't think there's a formal complaint lodging process, so I'll just blog about it.  See, I like old hymns, and I generally like it when someone records a more modern version, as long as they don't change it up too much (or add a terrible praise chorus in the middle for no reason).  On the radio today, I heard one of my favorite hymns, but the artist had updated all the thee/thou/thy language to be you/your.  Okay, I understand the reasoning behind this, because nobody says "thou" anymore - BUT this song rhymes, and when you change "thee" to "you", it doesn't rhyme anymore.  It just sounds weird, and I'm pretty sure anyone who is listening can figure out what "thou" means.  

Polka Dot Dress: Old Navy
Wrap Dress: Target
Belt: Limited
Tights: American Apparel
Boots: BareTraps

P as in Phone

Take One, Pass It On Item: black sweater from Wednesday's post

You know how when you are on the phone, and you are spelling a name or something, how a lot of letters can sound the same.  B could be D, etc.  And people say things like "B as in Boy" to clarify.  I am terrible at thinking of example words.   I either say something embarrassing, like "P as in Puppy", or I say something phonetically confusing, like "P as in Phone", or I really confuse the issue by picking a word that could also start with the other letter in question, like "P as in Pair" and they are like "T as in Tear, great!" and then we are all messed up.  This has happened a few times at work recently, so I figured I need to get my act together.   I should probably post this on my wall. 

I also have to note that this blouse has stars on it, but they just look like polka dots in pictures.  I kind of wish they were polka dots, but stars are okay, too. 

I think that's random enough to link up with Shanna! 


Sweater & Jeans: Gap
Bow Blouse: Alfani via Macy's
Boots: BareTraps via DSW 

Victorious

After working from home on Thursday and Friday, due to the foot of snow we got, I was ready for the weekend!  I did a little shopping on Saturday, and then met up in the afternoon with a friend/co-worker who is in town for the weekend.  John and I met up with his parents for dinner, and then they came over to play Settlers of Catan.  That makes the third Saturday in a row that we have played this game.  I am either a brilliant strategist, or just extremely lucky, because we played 2 games and I won both of them.  Let's go ahead and assume I'm brilliant.

Scarf & Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Snow Day!

 

Take One, Pass It On Item:  purple tights from last Tuesday's post

Well, Winter Storm Q finally arrived yesterday after much speculation about how much snow it might bring.  I worked from home, because the news said getting to work would be fine, but getting home would be tricky.  I figured it would be best just to stay home, since I can remote into all the programs I need.  I was starting to feel foolish, but the snow finally started around noon, and I think we got about 7 inches by evening.

I'm glad I am a few days ahead on outfit photos, because what I wore today was definitely NOT blog-worthy, unless I start a side blog about how to wear sweatpants and slippers.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  


Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Dress and Tight: Old Navy
Necklace: H&M
Belt: Limited
Boots: BareTraps

Another Weekend

Take One, Pass It On Item:  silver belt from last Thursday's post.

**copycatting myself.  I just really liked this sweater/shirt/belt combo with my green skirt, so I wanted to try it with purple. 

On Mondays, I feel compelled to give some update about the weekend.  I started to think about it, and realized this weekend was very similar to last weekend.  During the day on Saturday, I tried to get caught up on household tasks, because who has time to to laundry during the week?  Saturday evening, John and I met up with a friend for dinner and some Red Mango, and then back to our house for another epic game of Catan.  I feel like I should mention that I won last weekend and this weekend.  I think I should retire while I am at my peak.  Sunday was church, followed by lunch, and a quick run to Ulta because I was completely out of makeup.  In the afternoon, I just tried to take it easy because I am afraid I have a cold now.  I'm trying to ignore it in the the hopes that it will go away, but so far, this is not working.  I need to move somewhere warmer, preferably where there are no germs.

How was your weekend?  


Top and Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Sunny Leigh
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Boots: BareTraps

Be My Valentine

 

Look!  I switched out purses!

Take One, Pass It On Item:  red jeans from last Thursday's post
*Inspired by this look.  

Happy Valentine's Day!  I don't have particularly strong feelings about this holiday.  I mean, I like any excuse to celebrate, but John and I usually don't exchange gifts or anything.  Sometimes, I convince him that we should go out to dinner at my favorite restaurant, but we usually do it a few days after Valentine's, to avoid the crowds.  

Last year, the February theme for EBEW was "Red and Pink."  I was still pretty new to the blogging game, and I put together a pretty lame outfit.  Then I really loved some of the other outfits, but I didn't have many red items in my wardrobe, so I never got around to trying it for myself.  When I bought my red jeans right after Christmas, I decided I would finally try the red and pink combo.  Valentine's week seemed like an appropriate time for this. 

This is one of those outfits that I decided I was going to wear, and there was no turning back.  As I was driving to work, I started to feel a little bit ridiculous, but I wasn't going to go home to change.  As the day progressed, my t-shirt decided to untuck itself, and I thought it looked a little bit better than the tucked-in version, so I snapped a picture. 

I'm just not used to having my shirt tucked in.  I'm going to work on it.

I'm also not a big fan of these boots with this outfit.  They just seem very sudden and dark, compared to the overload of brightness.  I wanted to wear my gray boots, or my gray flats, but they are both falling apart.  I think the shoe repair place can save the boots, but the flats are probably going in the trash. 

T-shirt: Gap
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina
Necklace: InPink
Jeans: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Boots: BareTraps
Purse: Mossimo

Staying Positive

You guys, having the flu is super lame!  I'm on day 3 at home, and I have some serious cabin fever (and some regular fever, but that's getting better).  I was really hoping to get into work today, but my fever was still holding strong last night, so it's home for me.

On a more positive note, being stuck at home with no energy is giving me plenty of time to read!  A Dance with Dragons was due back at the library on Monday, but I really wanted to finish it, so I'm being that terrible person who keeps a book past the due date.  If not for this illness, I probably would have given up and returned the book, and then bought it!  So, I just saved about $20.  Let's ignore all the hours I haven't been working, ok?

This outfit is from happier times - New Year's Day to be exact, when I met up with friends for one last hurrah before Anne went back to Arizona.  Then we decided to have another last hurrah, but dinner was still fun.

I hope you all have a wonderful, flu-free weekend.  Here's hoping I feel like a human again soon!

Shirt: Alfani via Macy's
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina via Marshall's
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

PersonalityType

Have you ever taken the Myers Briggs Personality Test?  I've never done the official one, but I've randomly taken it online over the past few years.  My dad brought it up recently in a conversation about introverts vs. extroverts, and I decided I should take it again, because I can never remember what my letters are.  Without any further ado, here's my type:

The website also has a list of famous ENFJ's, which is kind of interesting.  Some of the notable names are Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Peyton Manning, Oprah, Johnny Depp, and King David (from the Bible).  I'm sorry, how do they know what Myers Briggs personality type King David had?  I mean, that's just ridiculous!

Sweater: Gap
Scarf: Charming Charlie
Skirt: Express
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Striped Laser, I mean Blazer

Marion's trend of the month is stripes, and I am super excited to show of one of my favorite Christmas presents!   One of my guy friends asked me if I got any cool presents for Christmas, and then he heard me say "Yeah, John got me a really cool laser!" and then I think he was a little disappointed when I clarified.  I'm not sure what a striped laser would be, but it does sound fancy.  

The only problem with this blazer is that I want to wear it every day, and I think my co-workers just might start to notice.  I just feel like it should be worn immediately with all the other items I own.  I will have to be careful and only wear it on a weekly basis or something.

The other problem (I guess there are 2), is that I am terrified of getting it dirty.  My car is filthy from all the mess of wintry weather, and at work, I am notorious for leaving uncapped pens on my desk.  Needless to say, I was a bit paranoid all day.  I will just have to be more responsible on the days I wear this blazer.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!   You have all week!

Sweater and Blazer: Gap
Skirt: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Tights: Target
Boots: BareTraps via DSW