Off to See the Wizard

Last week, I went to see the Wizard of Oz musical.  It was so much fun.  The crazy thing was people kept saying "oh, I didn't know Wicked was in town!" and I had to explain, "No, just the regular old fashioned version where good is good and bad is bad!"  

Fun fact: even though I am from Kansas and generally love musicals, I have only watched the Wizard of Oz movie in it's entirety one time.  I had never seen it until I was in high school and had my wisdom teeth out.  I got to rent movies to watch all day and I grabbed it from the grocery store video rental place.  Remember when that was a thing?  So that's the only time I have seen it.  There was an occasion in college where some friends tried watching it with Dark Side of the Moon synced up, but we stopped after about 15 minutes.  It was just weird.  Although, the munchkins dancing to Money was pretty cool.

Another fun fact: people think it's funny to call you Dorothy and say "we're not in Kansas anymore" when they meet you and find out you are from Kansas.  If you meet someone from Kansas and want to make this joke, just be warned.  They have heard it a million times and probably don't think it is funny.

Anyway, the show was great, and I was happy for another excuse to dress up a little bit.

Cardigan: JCF (exact in various colors)
Necklace: F21 (similar)
Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)
Belt: Madden (exact)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Due Dates and Squirrels

Well, today is my due date.  Not that that means anything to my baby.  He's just chilling and doesn't seem to pay any attention to the schedule.  Babies are notoriously inconsiderate of timelines.  There are a bunch of old wives' tales about how to get labor started.  I'm just making up my own, like eat a giant bowl of ice cream every day.  I'm 100% sure it will work eventually, and I will be like "See, I ate a giant bowl of ice cream, and within 24 hours, I went into labor!"  (unless I have to get induced, and then the my theory will be unproven)

Other than being roughly the size of a whale (baby is the size of a watermelon or pumpkin, allegedly), I had a pretty good weekend.  John and I mostly just tried to make the most of our time as a family of 2.  So, we went out to eat, watched a movie, took a long (sloooow) walk around the neighborhood, had dinner and played cards with his parents.  And I tried to sleep a lot.  The goal is to be well rested at all times.  

On Sunday after church, we took these pictures.  So this is what I actually look like at 40 weeks pregnant.  We saw a squirrel in the tree, and of course, my photographer was distracted by it.  I was doing my normal poses, and noticed that the camera was pointed much higher than usual, and I was like "Are you taking pictures of the squirrel??" and John was like "what?!" but the evidence doesn't lie:  

Anyway, here's hoping I have a baby this week!   

Necklace: F21

Cardigan: Old Navy

Dress: Loft Maternity

Belt: Madden

Sandals: Target

So Cliché

I'm pretty much a walking cliché right now.  You'll find me waddling around with swollen ankles, probably eating ice cream.  So why not be even more basic and stand by this sign?   Seriously though, I'm pretty grateful for the close parking right now!  More stores need to get on that (I'm looking at you, Target).  

Anyway, halfway through April and I'm still hanging on with the Top 10 Remix Challenge.  We will see how long I can last.  Go check out Sarah's blog to see how everyone else is doing! 

Cardigan: Gap outlet

Necklace:F21

Dress:Old Navy Maternity (top 10 remix item)

Belt: Madden

Shoes: Target

Spring Mix

Everyone thinks of floral print in the spring, right?  And stripes just seem to go so perfectly with florals, right?  I was planning on wearing my coral boyfriend cardigan with this outfit, but apparently I got rid of it (or lost it??), so the pink one was an emergency substitution, as I was running late (pretty typical) and didn't have time to think of anything else to wear.  I was also planning on wearing my navy shoes, but they are feeling a little tight lately (thanks swollen feet!), so the gold flats sitting by the door seemed like a decent option, and I snagged my gold chain necklace to make them match better.

I felt pretty great in this outfit, and specifically very "great with child," because this tank top is a very fitted maternity style.

Weekend update?  Well, it the weather was about as perfect as possible, so John and I got takeout on Friday night and found a park bench next to a duck pond.  Pretty good date.  Saturday was spent getting the baby room mostly in order.  I just have to do a few more little projects, but all the big furniture is arranged.  Sunday, I was exhausted (this is becoming a trend), so I was kind of a bum between church services and got just a few things done.  Late pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis are not a great combination for efficiency.

Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: F21
Tank: Old Navy Maternity
Skirt; Macy's
Shoes: Target

Happy Post-Christmas Day!

Happy day after Christmas!  I hope everyone had a great day.  If I had to guess, I bet I had a pretty good day.  But I'm writing this a few days early, because we are spending the week in New Mexico, so I don't really know!

I think this is the last time you'll see these jeans for awhile.  The belly band trick just isn't going to cut it anymore.  Hopefully I can fit into them again next fall/winter.  And hopefully red skinny jeans are still acceptable.  Wait, are red skinny jeans even still acceptable now?  I mean, I like them, so I guess I don't really care!

I'll be getting back home this weekend, so hopefully I will be able to share a Christmas week wrapup soon!

Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Top: Target (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Gap factory (similar, similar)

Dress as a Skirt

Oh, look!  It's my maroon dress pretending to be a skirt, and not paired with leopard print!  See, I can learn new tricks!  Honestly, I don't love this outfit, but it was sure comfortable!

Sweater: H&M (british version!)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Dress as a skirt:Loft Outlet (option,option)
Tights: Target
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Just a Little News

This might be one of my favorite casual fall/winter outfits.  It's just easy but I still felt stylish!  And normally I wouldn't post a picture with my belly protruding, but I'm making an exception, since there's a baby growing in there.

Wait... What?

You read that right.  I'm pregnant!  Exactly halfway done, actually.  As you might guess, John and I are pretty excited about the whole thing.  Baby Smith is supposed to arrive in early May, which seems really far away, but then also really close, because I have so many things to accomplish before then.

I don't intend for this to turn into a pregnancy blog, but as my belly grows, it is going to be sort of hard to avoid mentioning it in my outfit posts.  I figured I should come clean before it got awkward.

Speaking of awkward, I've learned in the last couple months that John and I are the absolute worst at sharing the news.  It's basically like:  wait for an awkward silence in the conversation, blurt out "So...  I'm pregnant!" and then everyone is confused and doesn't know if I'm serious, because why didn't we say something right away??  

Oh, and it's Tuesday, so go link up with Laura!  I'll try to be confident with my ever-expanding belly.

Cardigan: JCF (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Jeans: Gap Factory  (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Unexpected Visitor

I wore this outfit to church a few Sundays ago.  After lunch, we ventured into the backyard to take pictures.  John was trying to get me to go over by the tree, but I was freaking out because there was an uninvited guest that had made the tree home: 

I'm guessing this cat belongs to one of our neighbors, because it looked a little too fat and fluffy to be a stray.  We went ahead and took pictures, but I was nervous the whole time that this cat would jump out and tackle me.  I really don't trust cats. 

Cardigan: Loft
Tank: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Fall Maxi Skirt

I'm not sure maxi skirts really make sense in the fall/winter, but I really don't want to put this skirt away for the next few months, so I'm going to keep wearing it.  I'll be honest, I really like this outfit, but I hate how my bun hair looks when I have to take pictures against a blank wall.  I should probably buy some hairspray to deal with those wispy frizzy pieces.  You read that right, I don't own any hairspray.  Hashtag curlyhairproblems?  Or is that just me?


Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (similar)
Tee: Loft (similar)
Skirt: J.Crew (exact)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)

Skirt Week - Leopard

Happy Skirt Week!  I'll be honest, after sharing some feelings last week, I'm excited to have an excuse to talk mostly about clothes this week.  And skirts are one of my favorite categories!  

I have apparently been neglecting this skirt all summer long. I have no idea how that happened, because it's one of my favorites.  But it does work year-round, so I was probably giving my summer-specific skirts more attention.

As you can tell by my tank top, I'm desperately holding on to summer for as long as possible.  We had a bit of a cold front in early September, but this weekend was back up into the 70's, so I'm hoping winter won't show up for another month at least!

Link up with your skirt looks after the jump!


Top: Loft (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)

#20 - Two-Thirds Done

Outfit #20!  Which means only 10 more outfits in the challenge.  Here are my middle ten looks.

I think my favorites are the floral skirt and the pink blazer (#11 and #13).  Which one do you like the best?

Also, if you haven't yet, please take my blog survey!  

Cardigan: Gap (option, option)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Tee: Gap (option, option, option)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#17 - Lady Plume

For the majority of my life, I have had one hairstyle - parted in the middle, long, air-dried curls.  Recently, I've been pinning the middle back like in these pictures, just for something a little different.  John calls this hairstyle "Lady Plume." I searched on Pinterest to see if this is really a plume hairstyle, and it's really not.  Maybe if I added a feather.  But then I'd probably get even more Pocahontas comments.    

Posting every day for the 30x30 really has me throwing out some weird stories, huh?

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Dress: Target (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Repeat Repeat

Someday, I assume I will run out of different ways to wear this dress.  Today is not that day.  This is basically the summer version of this outfit.

I should probably say something more interesting.  Here's a fun piece of info - I'm meeting Ginny for lunch today!  We met up last summer a couple times and then fall/winter/spring was just crazy.  I'm excited to catch up in person again.  And we may just be planning an upcoming theme for next week.  I'll share the theme on Thursday!       

Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Dress: Gap (similar, similar, similar)
Belt: Steve Madden (similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)

Dress Week - Neglected Neutral

Dress week continues!  **Linkup after the jump.**
This dress was saved from the back of my closet during the inventory.  I haven't worn it in over a year, but I thought it was worth keeping.  I love the fit and fabric, but the color seems awkward for me to style.  But I got 2 compliments from people specifically about the color, so maybe I'm crazy.  I do really love how it looks with my leopard cardigan! 

Cardigan: H&M
Dress: Old Navy
Necklace: F21
Belt: Steve Madden
Shoes: J.Crew Factory

Nautical Week - More Anchors

 

The only thing MORE nautical than a sweater with an anchor on it is a tee with ALL THE ANCHORS on it.  I promise this is my last red/white/blue outfit of the week.  I think.  Remember to link up after the jump! 

So remember how I was complaining commenting about my very busy week this week?  What do I get for complaining?  An impromptu business trip.  I have to leave Sunday.  And I think I should probably buy a real suit.  I've previously worn this blazer and this skirt as a suit, when needed.  But then those started to get sort of old, so I got replacement items (blazer and skirt).  I just don't know if they will work as a suit, or look stupid.  I'll have to figure something out, I guess.        

Tee: Banana Republic
Jacket & Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Old Navy

Navy Leopard Dress Remix

I've had this dress for just over 2 years.  It's one of those random impulse buys that ended up being a super versatile and frequently-worn item.  The navy/white color means it plays well with everything else in my closet.  The leopard pattern means it is fun enough that I like to wear it.  It almost feels like cheating to make a remix collage, because I feel like I just wear it with different colored cardigans! 

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8
9/10/11/12/13/14/15

In completely unrelated news, it's time for another theme week!  Join me and Laura next week (May 12th-16th) as we share nautical outfits!  We're talking anchors, sailboats, starfish!  Or just Breton stripes will work, too!  You can link up any time during the week (or multiple days, if you want).  If you need some inspiration, check out this timely post from Whitney!

Dress & Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Old Navy   

Looking Lucky in Lace

I love a good style challenge, so when I saw Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge, I had to jump in!  I'm going to try to do all 10, but some will be a stretch.  I mean, I don't think I have anything with fringe on it.  We might have to get creative!  

But lace!  Lace is easy!  I've had this top for just over a year and worn it more times than I can count.  I just love how the lace turns a white t-shirt into something fun and interesting.  I really need a replacement, because this one is starting to look a little rough without a layer.

Come back tomorrow for an announcement about next week.  Hint - it might be a theme week.

Jacket & Skirt: J.Crew factory
Top: H&M
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Target

Untitled

I've worn this skirt approximately one million times.  Okay, probably more like 20 times.  The point is that I wear it a lot, and I keep finding new ideas for how to wear it.  It helps that several of my favorite bloggers have a similar skirt, so there's a lot of inspiration out there.  This particular combination was inspired by this outfit from Katie.  Then I realized it's also basically just a wintry version of this outfit from last summer.

Also, I desperately need some new sunglasses!  These were an emergency purchase at a mall kiosk several years ago when I somehow ended up with no sunglasses over a holiday trip to Indiana.  They are knockoffs of something, and they aren't quite right.  My "good" pair (seen here) are purple and losing rhinestones, so they need to be done soon.  I try to avoid sunglasses in pictures, but sometimes it has to happen.  Especially on Sundays when I'm afraid of taking pictures in the shady front yard, because I don't want my neighbors to ask me what I'm doing.  It's going to happen sometime.  I should really have a response prepared that is less awkward than shouting "I POST PICTURES OF MY OUTFITS ON THE INTERNET!" and running inside.  That's my current plan.

Tee: H&M
Necklace: F21
Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Dance and Twirl

Another day, another summer dress with winter layers.  Remember back in November, when I thought this dress was done for the season?  I'm so glad you all told me to buy some navy tights, because this dress makes me happy.  And I know that's silly, but LOOK AT ALL THE STRIPES!  I'd like to think that I would have eventually realized navy tights were an option, but who knows when that would have happened.  The only problem is that these tights sometimes look purple instead of navy.  And purple is about the only color not represented in my dress.

Anyway, this was from a couple Sundays ago.  The good thing about Sundays is that John can take pictures for me when we get home from church, and it's light outside!  The bad thing is that Sundays are the earliest morning for me each week, so I usually sleep too late, and then rush to get ready.  The weird thing about John taking pictures is that he usually convinces me to act crazy, and then sometimes he peer pressures me into posting the goofy pictures on the internet. (Exhibit A, B, C).

I believe the instructions were to dance and twirl, because standing still is boring.  I think I was doing something more like The Twist.  So here you go:

I think I prefer standing still.  But I guess this does really show the movement of my necklace! 

Today I'm linking up with Tres-Chic Fashion and What I Wore to Work

Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Banana Republic outlet
Belt: Gap
Necklace: F21
Boots: Madden

Million Dollar Quartet

On Friday evening, I went with my MIL and SIL to see Million Dollar Quartet.  This is what I wore.  This dress is one that I love, but wasn't quite sure if I'd be able to wear it in the winter.  Then I bought these tan tights.  I'm still not sure how I feel about them, but I like this dress quite a bit, so I'm glad I get to wear it.

The show was pretty good.  A lot of fun oldies songs that I recognized, but I don't think I quite caught all the jokes.  The older people would crack up, and I would look at my sis-in-law and shrug.  We just aren't all that familiar with 50s pop culture!  The Elvis actor was really great.  I thought the Johnny Cash guy was a little disappointing, but I was probably unfairly comparing him to Joaquin Phoenix.  Anyway, it was a fun way to spend my Friday evening.

Dress & Cardigan: Limited
Belt: Gap
Necklace: F21
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden