Phantom of the Opera

This is what I wore to the last broadway show of the season:  Phantom of the Opera.  I was happy to have another fun dress from Bella Gravida to wear.

I'm not a big fan of Phantom.  I know it's a favorite of many people, but I just don't get into it.  I first saw it about 6 or 7 years ago.  It's one of my MIL and SIL's favorites, so I was excited.  I also had a vague idea of the plot, which was completely wrong.  I always thought the Phantom was a nice but misunderstood guy, but he's actually quite evil.  So that's a whole different dynamic!

Anyway, with my expectations lowered, I did enjoy this show.  The music is pretty fun, and I about jumped out of my seat when the chandelier falls.  My SIL was like "didn't you know that was coming?"  No, I really didn't remember it from 7 years ago!  Shocking, I know.

Dress: Leota via Bella Gravida
Jacket: Target
Necklace: F21
Shoes: Target

Dirty Dancing

One of my excuses to get dressed up these days is the Broadway Across America shows.  I know I say this every year, but if you are into musicals at all, you should really check out the season ticket options in your city.  Around here, the cost per show is pretty reasonable, and it's such a fun thing to do.  This is what I wore to see Dirty Dancing.  It was pretty much exactly like the movie, which I have only seen once, approximately 15 years ago.  So, okay, I probably don't remember the movie all that well.

Anyway, I was excited to wear this dress again.  It's kind of shapeless, but I'm cool with that at this point in my life!  I posted the awkward sideways picture to show that the back of the dress is the same print but smaller than the front.  I think that is kind of fun.  And hey, a night out without Mr. Baby meant I could wear a necklace (which he promptly grabbed when I was getting ready to leave).
The next show is The Wizard of Oz, and I'm really tempted to find a gingham dress and red shoes.  Too much?

Dress: Limited (similar in black)
Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Another Week, Another Visitor

So I mentioned that my sister and nieces were visiting last week.  The day after they left, my mom came out, so she and I are hanging out this week.  I've recruited her help with my long list of tasks to accomplish before baby arrives, so we will be doing some sewing projects and prepping some freezer meals.  I'm pretty excited that she was able to come out for a few days.

I'm also pretty excited that baby is 37 weeks now, which means he wouldn't be considered "premature" at this point, and might not even have to visit the NICU.  That makes me really happy.  And I think we have most of the necessary items for him now, too.  Carseat is installed, bassinet is put together, and I've got a drawer full of diapers and wipes.  So pretty much this kid can come whenever he's ready now.  Of course, I am aware he'll likely take the full 40 weeks or longer, but it's nice to get to a point where I wouldn't panic completely if I went into labor.

Cardigan: JCF
Necklace: F21
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Dress: Loft Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Weekend Recap

This weekend was busy!  This seems to be a trend lately - I guess we are packing in everything before baby arrives and then I won't do anything for a few months!  Anyway, here's what happened...

Friday night, I went to dinner and Motown with my MIL and SIL.  The show was so good!  Maybe my favorite of this season.  The sound was a little off at the very beginning, so I was worried, but they got it sorted and then the rest of the show was fantastic.  The music was just so fun - all the old songs everyone knows!  

Saturday I slept in way late because I am so tired lately, then I got a few things done around the house.  In the afternoon, I went to a tea party.  Seriously, because my friends are ridiculous and awesome.  The hostesses did an awesome job and it was quite a fancy little occasion.  Plus it was really fun to catch up with everyone.  After that, I met up with John and his parents for dinner.  

As dinner was finishing up, I started to get some pre-migraine feelings, so we went home and I just took it easy for the rest of the evening.  I never got a full blown migraine, but I woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty terrible.  So Sunday was spent mostly trying to not get a real migraine while still accomplishing a few things.  

Anyway, that was my weekend.  And this outfit is from about a week ago when we had a random 80+ degree day.  I'd really love it if we could settle into a couple months of 70 degrees all the time.  So, let's do that, okay?

Cardigan: JCF

Necklace: F21

Tee: Target Maternity

Skirt: Gap

Shoes: Sperry

Green Stripes

After recently discovering that I had actually NEVER blogged this green striped blouse, I figured I should make sure to wear it again soon.  I was playing around on Polyvore and thought it would look pretty cute layered under this lace-front sweater, and and outfit idea was born.  I quite like how it came together - and a random woman that I walked past at the mall agreed, so I think it was a winner!
Here are some of the other outfit ideas I came up with.  I'm hoping to think of even more!

Top: Old Navy
Sweater: Loft outlet
Jeans: Old Navy maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Neglected - Pink and Gray Stripes

When I was looking through my closet and blog archives, I was surprised at how many things I haven't worn in a long time.  So in the heat of the moment, I decided I should add "last date blogged" to my closet spreadsheet.  It's getting really nerdy, you guys.  Anyway, it has been really interesting for me to see what things I am neglecting!  Some of the items just aren't making the blog, like my fuchsia stocking cap, which I wear almost every day of the winter, but remove before taking pictures, because it is outerwear!   But other things are really just taking up space in my closet and not being worn.  I found 72 items that haven't been on the blog in the last year.  And since I blog almost every outfit, this means I haven't worn most of these things in the last year.

Some of these items are going straight in the donate/sell piles.  But a few are things I like, and decided I needed to wear.  So I'm going to be working these into the rotation, and hopefully get away from having so much stuff that I don't even wear!

Which brings me to this sweater.  If memory serves, I bought it in 2009 on the day after Christmas, when Gap was having their big buy one, get one free sale on sweaters.  I bought this gray sweater in the same trip, but it gets worn a lot more.  I do think I wore this striped sweater quite a bit for a couple years, but just not since I started blogging.  Or maybe I wear it on days when I don't take pictures?  I don't know.  But it's pretty and cozy and I think it deserves some love.  So I wore it on a very cold day in early February.  

Oh, and just for the record, I should have done the trick where you wear a camisole between the button shirt and the sweater, because I have some awkward little bumps where the buttons are sticking out.  (And I feel the need to point out that my belly button has not popped at this point of pregnancy).

Sweater: Gap
Shirt: JCF
Necklace: F21
Jeans: H&M Maternity
Boots: Madden

Starry Skies

This tee shirt makes me happy, because it's just a basic navy tee, but then it's covered in glitter.  It reminds me of a starry sky.  And more specifically of that line from the Incubus song where he says "the sky resembles a back-lit canopy with holes punched in it".  Which I thought was a super romantic and profound description when I was about 15.  And I still think it's a kind of cool line.

As a city girl, I don't get to see the stars as much as I wish I did, especially in the winter when it is too cold to be out at night.  I don't particularly like camping, but I do love getting out away from the city lights to see the stars.  I took an astronomy class in college, and I've forgotten most of the things we learned.  My professor was an old British guy with a terrible stutter who apparently was really into medieval instruments on the side.  He was a character for sure, but I wish I remembered more of what he tried to teach me.  As is, I can pick out just a few constellations.  My favorite is Cassiopeia, because it's just a big W and pretty easy to spot most of the time.

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Gap Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Currently December

I'm starting to think these "currently" posts are just invented to make me feel bad about myself.  Do I even do anything?  Am I even a person???

making - um.  Nothing.  Should I be making something?  Like fancy DIY presents for everyone or some fabulous holiday dessert?  I guess I'm making excuses for not making anything else.  So that works.  

listening - I'm not quite in the mood for Christmas music yet, but I hope I get there soon.  And then I will be listening to the Christmas albums from Weezer and Relient K.  Any recommendations on newer Christmas music to check out?  

wrapping - I also haven't wrapped anything yet.  I've purchase just a couple Christmas presents, but most of the things I need to buy will be shipped directly to the recipients, so I don't need to wrap much this year.  

watching - Gilmore Girls!  I have been told for many many years that I should watch this show, because I apparently talk like Lorelei and Rory.  I hadn't ever seen an episode until it came out on Netflix and I've been watching a few here and there.  I like it.  I'm not sure I talk like them, but it's possible.  

anticipating - CHRISTMAS!!!  Despite my lazy answers to the above prompts, I am really excited for Christmas.  

What are you currently doing?  Link up with  In Residence and Dearest Love to share your answers!  

Cardigan: Gap Factory (similar)
Top; Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Thanksgiving Week

Well, it's Monday again and apparently Thanksgiving is this week.  How did that even happen?  I swear, every month is going by faster than the previous one.  Anyway...

Thanks to everyone who linked up for Blazer Week!  Remember, you can still join in until midnight tonight.  I think I'm going to skip December for theme weeks.  There's just so much going on with holiday stuff.

Jacket: JCF (exact)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Sweater: Gap factory (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (this style in this color)
Shoes: Old Navy(option, option)

Blazer Week - Pink or Sangria?

Happy Blazer Week!  I'm so excited to have Danielle as my co-host this month.  Be sure to check out her blog each day to see how she's styling her blazers this week.

I'm also a little bit sad because Marisa and Heidi are doing their Pantone-Inspired Color challenge this week and I usually love jumping in on that, but most of my blazer outfits don't really align with the colors!  I'm going to try to do what I can, but it might be a long shot!

I'm pretending this blazer applies to the Sangria color for today.  Normally, I'd think of sangria as a darker pinkish-red, but the Pantone example looks pretty pink, so I'll say this blazer counts, okay?

I met John for lunch on the day I wore this outfit.  When we sat down at our table, he exclaimed with horror "Are you wearing a VEST?" and I was like, "No, this is a blazer.  Vests don't have sleeves" but he meant under the blazer.  "No, this is just a blouse.  Vests aren't sewn shut in the front middle."  And I mean, what's the problem with vests anyway?

And I feel I must explain that these pictures are from a couple weeks ago.  We now have several inches of snow on the ground, and my weather app is telling me things like "Feels like -2," so I can't get away with just a blazer as my outerwear.  Good thing I pre-planned for this week!

Anyway, link up below!  

Blazer: Gap via consignment (option, option)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Top: Target
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Third Thursday - Wear Pink

Well, October is flying by and it's the Third Thursday already, so I'm linking up with Bri again.  The theme this month is all about wearing pink for breast cancer awareness month.  Perfect time to debut my new pink skirt from Old Navy. 

I think most of us probably have women in our lives who have fought this fight.  Both my mom and my aunt have battled breast cancer in the last decade.  If I think about it too much, odds are that I or my sisters will also end up dealing with it.  I'm so grateful for the medical advancements of the past several years and hope progress will continue so eventually cancer will not be such a scary diagnosis.  In the meantime, make sure you take care of yourselves and go to the doctor regularly!

That's a serious topic for a not very serious outfit.  This is one of those outfits that I felt great in all day, but then when editing photos, I don't think it's doing my figure any favors.  Heels probably would have helped.  

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Tee: H&M
Necklace: F21(exact, similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (this style in this color)
Shoes: Gap Factory

Striped Blazer Remix

It's been awhile since I've done a good remix collage post.  And what better item to feature than my gray and white striped blazer.  Ever since John gave me this blazer for Christmas back in 2012, it's been one of my favorite things.  I've neglected it a bit this summer, but you can expect to see it in the rotation again for fall/winter.  Here are 8 other ways I've worn it over the years:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

Blazer: Gap
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Tee: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Happy Birthday, Husband

You guys, I get so sentimental around milestone days, like my husband's birthday (hint - that's today).  I've already shared my first memory of John.  My second specific memory is of his birthday that year.  I don't think we were super close friends on his birthday in 2004, but a group of people from the dorms was playing volleyball on the evening of the 6th, and the rec closed at midnight.  As we were walking back to the dorms, I decided that we had to celebrate John's birthday right that minute.  So I dragged him and another friend to IHOP for midnight birthday festivities (because we were really classy in college).  And then we got back to the dorms and stayed up way too late listening to music and making CDs (oh, 2004...).  No idea where my roommate was.  The next day, a group of us surprised him with ice cream cake from DQ.  I later learned that he doesn't really like ice cream cake all that much, but whatever.  It's the thought that counts.

Anyway, happy birthday to my favorite guy.  Here's to many more decades of birthdays together.  

And it's Tuesday, so you should also link up with Laura for Confident Twosday! 


Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Top: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Skirt: NY&Co (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Skirt week - Snakeskin

Well, if everyone needs a black skirt, I have to be honest that no one really needs a snakeskin skirt, but it is kind of fun, right?

Anyway, I don't have anything interesting to write today, so that's all!  Link up your skirt looks below.  I'll try to be more clever tomorrow, but I make no promises.

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Top: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: H&M (exact)
Shoes: Gap Factory (similar, similar)

Skirt Week - Orange and Blue

Last time I wore this skirt, I realized I should have taken a close-up, so you can really see the pattern.  Lesson learned - I totally remembered this time.  Anyway, I wore this outfit to the Rainbow Rowell book signing, and then I remembered that I wore this cardigan to her last event.  Not that anyone would remember, but I thought it was weird.  

And other people probably thought it was weird that I was taking pictures in the parking lot.  But I'm getting more and more used to the awkward stares.      

Link up below!  And remember to check out the other links!  And it's Tuesday, so you should also link up with Laura for Confident Twosday! 

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Top: Gap (similar)

Skirt: Gap Factory

Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#27 - Summer Book Challenge Update

Well, the Summer Book Challenge is over as of September (check out Megan's blog for more details), so here's my final list.  I mostly finished, and not for lack of reading enough.  I just didn't have many options in the category of "finish a book you couldn't get through the first time."  Basically, if I stop reading a book, it's pretty bad.  I shouldn't try again.  Anyway, for anyone who is interested, here's my full final list of what I read for each category, and my rating of the books.  I was pretty good at writing book review posts early in the summer, so I included links to my full reviews for those.

Read in May: 95 points

• 15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe - The Wives of Los Alamos (240 Pages) - 3 stars (my review)
  
• 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir - I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star (256 Pages) - 4 stars (my review)
• 25 points: Read a book written by a blogger - Hyperbole and a Half (384 pages) - 5 stars (my review)
• 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles - Where'd You Go, Bernadette (330 pages)-4 stars (my review) and Uganda Be Kidding Me (257 pages)-3 stars

Read in June:  55 points

• 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long - The Rosie Project (295 pages) 5 stars! (my review)
• 10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore - Walk Two Moons (280 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014 - This is Where I Leave You  (352 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title - Cinderella Ate My Daughter  (244 Pages) - 4 stars

Read in July: 30 points

• 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List - Landline (308 pages) - 4 stars
• 15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge - Orphan Train (294 pages, 5 stars) 

Read in August: 10 points

• 10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born - The House of Dies Drear (244 pages) - 2 stars

 Total: 190 points (out of 200)

• 10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn't finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)  
• Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America by Tanner Colby (320 Pages) - I started reading this again and just couldn't get into it.  The topic is really interesting, but the writing is not.  So I gave up.  And I wasn't about to pick up Eat, Pray, Love again, so I'm skipping my final 10 points. 

I was getting into a bit of a reading rut, so this challenge helped inspire me about what to read this summer.  My to-read list is out of control, and sometimes when I look at it, I just don't even know where to start.  The good (and scary) news is that there are quite a few books coming out this fall, and I'm already on the hold list at the library, so I should get them pretty soon.  I just hope I don't get them all at once, because I'll have to read quickly before they are due back!

Have you read anything good this summer?  So I can add it to my ever-growing list!  
 
Top: Gap (similar, vaguely similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact style in other colors)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#23 - Meetiversary-ish

By my estimations, John and I met 10 years ago this week.  We don't actually remember meeting for the first time, so we don't know what day it was, but it was the first week of college in 2004.  And classes started on the 23rd, so it was probably right around here.  As a sentimental girl who likes an excuse to celebrate at any occasion, I really wish I remembered the day/moment when we met, but the first week of classes is such a blur, and we were meeting all the new people who lived in the dorms, so we just don't recall specifically meeting each other.  This was not love at first sight.

My first official memory of John is from the weekend before or after classes started.  I don't think I've shared this story before, but it's entirely possible.  It was Saturday night pretty late, and a bunch of people were just hanging out on the 4th floor where John lived (I lived on the 3rd floor).  A few of us were talking about what churches to go to the next day.  John didn't have a car, so he had plans to ride with his roommate to a church that I also wanted to try out.  I asked if I could go along, and they said sure.  Then they said they were going to the 8am service, so we needed to meet at about 7:30.  And I was like "nevermind! I'll go by myself to the later service!" and then John asked if he could ride with me, because he didn't really want to wake up so early.  His roommate said the late service started at 10:30, so we planned to meet at 10.  Another guy asked if he could come with us.  So, Sunday morning, I took 2 freshman boys with me to church.  Neither of them would say more than 2 words.  I was trying to be friendly and get to know them, and they were just super quiet.  It was so awkward.  Then we got to church, and the parking lot was packed, but there were no people milling around.  So we went to the information desk and apparently the next service didn't start until 11.  Which means we had 30 more minutes of awkwardness.

Anyway, we survived and ended up becoming really good friends.  We went to church together every Sunady (and I think we tried out every church in Lincoln over the next few years!)  In February of 2005, the 2 guys went with me to Lawrence, KS for a concert and met one of my best friends from middle and high school.  She asked me which of the guys I liked, and I was like "Oh, no - we are just friends!  No romantic interest at all!"  And then less than 2 years later, John and I were engaged, and she got to say "I told you so!"

So, that's the first story I remember about my husband.  I don't think they'll be making a movie about us any time soon, but I think we're pretty cool.   Do you remember the moment you met your spouse?

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)