Thanksgiving Eve

Here's this fall floral dress again.  I would wear it every day if I had a reason to.  I actually wore this outfit a couple weeks ago for a Veteran's Day celebration at my MIL's elementary school.  I was overdressed, as usual.  

Anyway, happy Thanksgiving eve!  We are staying in town this year and celebrating with the Smith side.  It should be a pretty nice day hanging out with the family.  

I hope everyone has a lovely day celebrating with family and friends and not getting too caught up in Black Friday sales.  Every year, I say I won't go out, and I usually end up going somewhere.  I think Mr. Baby will be a good influence on me staying away from the stores!  

Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)

Belt: Gap (similar)

Boots: Madden (exact)

Copy an Outfit

Audrey's challenge for us this week is to copy an outfit.  So I figured I'd go ahead and copy one of hers.  This one, to be exact, from 2 weeks ago when she was doing the Wear a Dress portion of the challenge.  

It seemed like the perfect way to try out my newly acquired maternity dress from Loft, as well as dig my yellow cardigan out of the "spring/summer" storage under the bed.  Plus, it was a completely gorgeous day, so I even let my knees out to play.  And I didn't need a coat.  If only I had gotten home early enough to take pictures outside, it would have been super exciting.  As is, it was just an exciting day.  Not super.

Cardigan: JCF
Scarf: CK
Dress: Loft Maternity
Belt: Gap
Boots: Madden

Baby Smith Is A...

Ninja!  I mean, based on all the kicks I've been getting this week, that's the only explanation.  Or maybe a Rockette.  But they don't let guys into the Rockettes, so he's probably a ninja.

You read that right, our baby is a BOY!  It's pretty exciting, except that boy names are completely impossible.

And if you are just here for the clothes, this outfit is a copycat of a copycat that I did last year.  The original inspiration came from Whitney's Instagram post, and featured a blue cardigan.  But then my blue cardigan was dirty, so I substituted my pink one.  I still had in my mind that I wanted to wear this outfit with the blue cardigan, so I did this a few weeks ago.  I much prefer the shirt shame-tucked, and the belt at my actual waist, but that's not happening these days, so I tried a higher belt, and didn't really like it.  But I felt like I needed the belt to go with the boots, so it stayed.  I might have to try this outfit again next January when I can (hopefully) wear a belt at the normal place!

Top: JCF (exact)
Cardigan: Old Navy
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Madden (exact)

Currently January

In blog-related news, yesterday's post was my 900th!  That's so crazy to me.  I noticed I was getting close before Christmas, and meant to do a special post making a big deal out of it, but then I completely forgot, and it was just my Christmas recap.  That's pretty good though.  Maybe I will hit 1000 before baby Smith arrives!

Anyway,  another month means another Currently post.  Here's what I'm up to:

Planning: for a new baby to arrive in just 4 months!  EEK!  How did time fly by so quickly?  I'm trying to get all registered and then plan out a few DIY projects for the nursery.  I really want to use some furniture that we already have, so I'll be trying to freshen them up a bit.

Hoping:  that the next several months go as smoothly as possible.  Praying for a healthy baby and a healthy me.

Baking:  still not baking anything.  I'm tempted to whip up some cookies just so I have something to say, but no.

Wearing: anything that still fits!   A lot of my regular clothes still fit, but just aren't as comfortable or flattering as maternity options.  I've ordered a few more things online this week, so I'm hoping those will give me some new inspiration.  And I will continue to rely on scarves and cardigans to add color to the neutral maternity options I have found.

Resolving:  I don't really do resolutions anymore.  If anything, I'm trying to really live in the present this year, and not worry about what is coming next, or over-analyze what I should have done differently yesterday.  Everyone tells you how fast the years go by when you have a baby, so I want to treasure every moment (and I know I won't, because it's going to be tough)!

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

Scarf: CK
Maternity Dress: Younkers (similar)
Belt: Gap  (exact)
Tights: Target (similar)
Boots: Madden  (exact)

So, 2015 huh?

Well, happy 2015!  So much has been going on in the past couple of weeks, and I haven't had much of a chance to collect my thoughts or blog about anything.  I still do want to write up something about our Christmas week in New Mexico, but for now, just a few highlights from the last little while.

• My sis-in-law got engaged a couple days before Christmas!  They are looking at sometime in June, which means I will have a 4-6 week old baby at that time.  This will be interesting, but I'm pretty excited for her!  We went dress shopping this weekend and found an awesome dress for her, and got the bridesmaid dresses figured out.  I'm just praying mine fits (I ordered a couple sizes bigger, and will probably end up getting it tailored at the last minute).
• Speaking of the baby, this kid was making me nervous with lack of movement, but over the weekend, I felt a lot of kicks/punches.  It's pretty weird and cool.
• NYE was super fun, but John was sick, so I was without a date for the party.  Good thing I have awesome friends (don't worry, that's sparkling grape juice I'm drinking).  And I just got to stand there awkwardly when every else was kissing at midnight.      
• I'm starting to feel more productive, and have been cleaning out the room we will use for a nursery.  Plus, my in-laws have bought a ton of baby stuff, so I need somewhere to put it!  I think weekends in the foreseeable future will be packed full of baby preparations!  

Anyway, I hope you all survived the crazy holidays, and that you are having an excellent start to 2015.  It's going to be a wild year around these parts!  

*these pictures are from early December.  I was about 18 weeks.  I definitely look more pregnant now!  

Cardigan: JCF (similar)
Dress: Limited Outlet (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Tights: Target
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Cowgirl, Take 2

Okay, this outfit is like 2 months old.  What???  I think I kept bumping it back because I wear this skirt too often.  Anyway, I promise I'm not 2 months behind every day.

Maybe wearing these boots with a dress but no tights just makes them seem like cowboy boots, but I totally felt like a cowgirl in this outfit.  Again.  Not in a bad way, just in a not quite myself way.  I think this outfit might look cuter in the spring or fall with my cognac wedges, instead of the boots.

Okay, now I really think this is the last of the green grass pictures until the spring.  I think.  

Shirt: JCF (exact)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Denim and Lace

I kind of felt like a poser in this outfit.  I really liked it, but it didn't feel like me for some reason.  Like I was pretending to be a cowgirl or something.  But I have wanted a lace dress forever, and navy seemed like a good color for it, so I am glad I got the dress.  I'll try a more "Andi" outfit next time I wear it.

DISCLAIMER: This was worn in mid-November, before the arctic temps arrived.  I'm getting closer to caught up, I promise!  Soon it will all be brown grass or snow in my pictures!

Dress: Younkers (similar)
Pearls: Gift (similar, similar)
Jacket: JCF (exact)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

December

Welcome to December!  I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!  We spent a few days with my family in Indiana.  It's so fun when we can get together with them!

I feel like I should start putting a "date worn" disclaimer on all my posts, since I'm so far behind.  Just for the record, I wore this on October 22.  Way back when I was a twenty-something.

Cardigan: Limited (similar)
Dress: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Scarf: H&M (similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)

Blazer Week - Black Blazer Blogiversary Remix

Just Another Smith turns 3 today!  I can't really believe it, but I supposed it must be true.  I've come a long way (I think) since that very first post.  I didn't realize this blogiversary would coincide with Blazer Week, but it gave me an idea to do an EPIC REMIX COLLAGE featuring my black blazers.  First up, my current one from H&M (which I'm wearing in the above pictures).  I bought this one back in April of 2013, and have definitely gotten my money's worth:

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

Prior to buying the H&M one, I got by with a Limited option that I'm pretty sure I bought at TJ Maxx for $10.  This was my makeshift suit for most of college and I know I wore it to every single job interview during my end of senior year panic.  It only made the blog 6 times (most frequently with my black/white blouse!), but I thought it deserved a little honorable mention.

13/14/15/16/17/18

In conclusion, if you don't have a classic black blazer, you should probably go ahead and get one!  If you are anything like me, your cost per wear will easily end up under $1.

Oh, and here's a bit of free advice: Outdoor pictures look better, but when the weather "feels like -2" it might be wiser to just stay inside!  Not that I took my own advice, obviously.  I took these pictures yesterday before going to work and just about froze.  What kind of person wears a sleeveless dress with a light blazer and tights when it's in the single digits?  A blogger, I guess.  I did immediately put a heavy coat on, so I'm not completely insane!

Remember to link up below!

Blazer: H&M (similar)
Dress: Younker's
Necklace: Old Navy (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

#28 - Like+Love+Bling

I recently discovered a couple seasons of What Not To Wear on Netflix and have been watching them while I do things like fold laundry and iron.  I just love Stacey and Clinton - they are so snarky but still sweet.  It's just such a fun show!  I wish it was still on!  Are there any similar makeover shows still happening?

Stacey and Clinton tend to come up with little sayings to help the women know how to shop or how to put together an outfit.  One episode I recently watched included them saying "Pick and item you love, pair with an item you like, and then add bling!" For some reason, this really resonated with me.  I want to LOVE all my clothes, but honestly, I don't love things that are super plain.  So I need to make sure I have some neutrals that I really like to pair with my colorful printed items that I love.  I think this outfit is a good example.  I love the skirt (super a lot!).  I really like the sweater.  And then I added accessories.  Pay no attention to the crooked belt.  (I should really keep a full-length mirror in my car so I can make sure I'm put together before I take pictures.)

My main complaint with WNTW is that they straighten everyone's hair.  Come on, makeover stylists!  Curly hair can be pretty, too!!!

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Sandals: Target  (exact, similar)

 

#26 - Last Hurrah

Well, I think this skirt has come to the end of the road.  I've worn it about a million times (okay, maybe 20) over the past 2 years, do I think I've gotten my $8 out of it.  I'm a big fan of knit pencil skirts, because they look nice, but are really comfortable, and don't need as much ironing.  But they do tend to get worn out faster than a woven pencil skirt.  It's probably good I don't spend more than $10 on them!  I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for a new green skirt! 

It's Tuesday, so I'm linking up with Laura!  

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Shirt: Gap (option, option, option)
Belt: Gap  (similar)
Skirt: Target (exact, similar)
Sandals: Target(exact, similar)

#19 - Survey Says

Most of you probably don't know this, but my day job is at a market research company.  I deal with surveys a lot, so I'm kind of surprised I haven't done a blog reader survey before.  Most recently, Ashley's post reminded me that I wanted to do one of these.  It's pretty short, because Survey Monkey is only free if you keep it to 10 questions!  I'd really appreciate you taking a couple minutes to answer the questions, so I can then have data to be nerdy about.  And then I'll probably share the results, and be like "what, 99% of my readers are female!"

Click here to do the survey. 

I'm linking up with Laura for Confident Twosday!

Top: Gap (option)
Skirt : Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Belt : Gap (similar)
Sandals : Target (exact, similar)

#7 - Navy Theme

Originally, I was going to skip a theme week in August, but then Kate mentioned an easy idea - navy!  Since I'm wearing navy almost every day in August, this is perfect.  She'll be my co-host starting Monday the 11th, and you'll very likely see this shirt in the mix!  So you've got a few days to plan if you want to join in.  Navy is easy, right?

Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Shorts: Gap (exact, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Sandals: Target (exact, similar)

#1 - Numero Uno

Kicking off the 30x30 with some neutrals.  And since I couldn't think of a clever title, I am tricking you all with some Spanish.  It basically just says "Number one - number one" up there, but it looks kind of fancy.  Now, if I was really fancy, I'd have gone with French.  But I'm not that kind of blogger.

Speaking of speaking Spanish, have I ever mentioned that I won the Sombrero Award in high school? (yes, it was literally a sombrero. yes, that might be offensive)  It was given to the student most likely to still be speaking Spanish 10 years in the future.  Someone should tell my Spanish teacher that he was 100% correct, if by "speaking Spanish" they meant "occasionally using Spanish in a blog post title, but really not remembering how to say anything useful."  A quick search through the archives and yes, I have mentioned this before.  There's even a picture.  You're welcome.  (I mean, "de nada!")  
A great start to the 30X30, amiright?

Jacket (chaqueta): J.Crew Factory (exact)
Tee (camiseta): J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt (falda): Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Belt (cinturon): Gap (similar)
Sandals (zapatos): Target (exact, similar)

**I only had to cheat on belt.  And there's probably a more specific term for sandals, but "shoes" will have to do.  I guess I remember more than I realized!  But still, not that useful.  

J.Crew Addict?

About a week before I left for Indiana, I ordered 3 things from the J.Crew factory.  These shorts (in bright yellow) arrived before I left.  I love them, but they are a little too small, so I think I will have to return them, unless I lose about 5lbs before I make it out to the outlet mall.

My 2 other purchases (the Clare cardigan in brocade blue and this top in vibrant fuchsia) arrived while I was gone, but John was still home, so he rescued them from the front porch.  Then I bought this skirt at the regular J.Crew in Indy.

I wore this outfit on the first day back to work, and met John for lunch because we had no groceries at home.  He commented on my skirt, and I said it was new - from J.Crew.  Then the conversation went something like this:

John: Do you have a J.Crew addiction?
Andi: no - well, maybe a little.
John:  And is J.Crew more or less expensive than the Gap?
Andi:  welllll...

I then explained to him my new-ish shopping philosophy, where instead of buying 3 t-shirts at the Gap for $7 each and then rarely wearing them, I would buy a maxi skirt at the J.Crew for $22 and wear it more frequently.  It's just math!

Anyway, this is my new skirt and I love it.  For the first outfit, I went with the most obvious pairing of a white tee and cognac accessories.  I felt very fancy all day long!   

Tee: Gap (option, option, option)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: J.Crew (exact)
Watch: Fossil (similar)
Necklace: Old Navy (similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend was pretty great!  It seems like weekends are always really busy, so I was kind of excited to have nothing on the agenda.  A free weekend gave me the opportunity to do a few things that I've been meaning to do for awhile, including (but not limited to):

• Having some newer friends over for dinner Friday.  
• Giving myself a much-needed haircut.  It seems really short to me, but only one person noticed at church, so it's probably not obvious at all.  I mean, it's more like armpit length than elbow length.  My curls are so springy now!  
• Catching up on all the ironing, while watching several episodes of Once Upon a Time.  Such a fun show - why has no one told me to watch it?  Maybe it's terrible and I just have bad taste!   
• A much needed real date night.  I mean, I pretty much call it a date any time John and I go out to dinner.  But this was an official date.  We're talking dinner, mini-golf, fro-yo.  I'm a simple girl!      

This outfit has nothing to do with the weekend.  I actually wore it to work last Monday.  I hope you are prepared to see these sandals quite a bit, because they will likely be a summer closet MVP.

Scarf: H&M (similar)
Tank: Loft (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)

Out With the Old

Meet my new black and white striped dress.  Because the Old Navy one I got in January just wasn't quite right.  For starters, it was really too short to be worn without tights.  I shouldn't have things like that, because I either forget and wear it in the summer, and then feel awkward all day, or it just takes up space in my closet for half the year.  I don't want to have a closet full of things that only work with certain other things.

So anyway, I'd been on the lookout for a replacement black/white striped sleeveless dress, and found this one at Gap.  It's perfect. 

Also on the way out - these sandals.  They seemed like a good idea last year when I bought them for $4, but I quickly learned that they are super painful after about an hour of wearing them.  The strappy intersection digs into the top of my foot and it's just terrible.  Strappy flat sandals are tricky for those of us with super high arches.  Lesson learned.  I actually wore the Payless ones to work, and about halfway through the day, decided to go buy these ones from Target, which I changed into for the evening activities of washing machine shopping.  I even documented the switch on Instagram!

Speaking of the washing machine, we are back in business!  We bought it Monday around 8pm and it got delivered around midnight.  So far, I've run the "calibration" load.  This washing machine is basically a robot. Hopefully it works well!    

Dress: Gap (exact)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Sandals: Target (similar)

Another Green Dress

I know, I know - Green week is over.  But I have way more than 5 green items, and getting them all out just made me want to wear them.  So here's another green dress.  I just wish things didn't get so wrinkled during the day.  Maybe I should get one of those standing desks?  But then I'd probably have to wear more comfortable shoes on a regular basis.  Standing all day in heels would not be comfortable.  So, I guess we'll just have to deal with the wrinkly skirts. 

Dress: Daniel Cremieux
Scarf: H&M
Cardigan: J.Crew
Belt: Gap
Boots: Madden