More Orphans Combined

My plan to wear closet orphans is kind of haphazard.  You don't mind, right?  Good! 

I love this skirt, but I apparently forgot about it when it got cold.  And I don't think I've even worn these boots at all this year.  Yep, the evidence shows it has been almost a year!  Hopefully that evidence doesn't mean we will have snow in late March this year.  I bought these tights in November, and haven't worn them at all.  And guess what?  They ripped about halfway through the day, so this is also the last time I will wear them.  Fun patterned tights do not play well with my fingernails.  I need to give up.  And this fun sequin/leopard top needs to get more action in the outfit rotation. 

Anyway, I really loved this outfit.  It felt very "me."  Apparently animal print, a bright color, and a cardigan are my staples.  That sounds about right. 


Cardigan: Limited
Top: Chaus
Skirt: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Rampage

Vivacious

It's an exciting week for 2 reasons (well, maybe more, but 2 that I know of):

1. My birthday is on Thursday.  I'm kind of obnoxiously enthusiastic about birthdays (particularly my own), but I'll try to keep it to a minimum.  
2. Marissa and Heidi are hosting another Pantone-Inspired challenge this week.  I participated in the spring, and met some of my very favorite bloggers, so I'm excited to see who I find this time!  

So, today's color is vivacious, which is basically just a bright purplish pink, so I figure this skirt qualifies.  I want to know who gets paid to come up with these color names, and then I want that job!  

Also, this sweater and boots combo will be back tomorrow, because they are TURBULENCE-colored.  

Tee&Skirt: Gap

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Boots: Wanted

Necklace: Phoenix gift shop

Back to Reality

 

The first few days at work after a vacation are rough.  It's been such a busy week, just trying to get caught up on everything I missed, and on top of that, we are having some internal training this week, so I'm in meetings most of the day.  Trouble.  I'm tempted to go back to the mountains where the internet doesn't work.

I'm hoping to find time this weekend to sort through my vacation pictures so I can share them with you. Warning - Glacier National Park is sort of beautiful, so you might want to go there!

Top, Cardigan, Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Michelle D

I've Got a Number of Irrational Fears

Only a week in, and I think I need to admit that I won't be participating in the challenge every day.  I'm just going to jump in on as many days as I can manage.  Day 7's topic is the thing(s) you're most afraid of.  (dun dun dun).

• Spiders - and really all bugs except for maybe roly-polies). 
• Birds - particularly ones in buildings, like Lowe's - terrifying!)
• Lots of other animals, like snakes, bats, 
• Drowning - I love being in the ocean or a pool, but if my head goes under, I flip out!
• Getting Alzheimer's or dementia when I get old  
• Taking outfit photos in public (but I'm overcoming this one!)

If I'm not careful, I can really spiral into being afraid of every possible thing that could happen.  For example, if I call my husband, and he doesn't answer, I pretty regularly assume he has probably died.  BECAUSE WHY ELSE ISN'T HE ANSWERING???  Perfectly reasonable!  Seriously though, that's probably my biggest fear - bad things happening to the people I love.  

I'm also afraid of over-sharing on the internet!  One of the reasons I decided to join in on this challenge is because I read the topics and was sort of intimidated by them.  But then I thought it would be good for me to get out of my comfort zone and get a little more deep on the blog.  But then I realize that I'm like "hey guys, I'm sort of crazy!" and kind of want to delete this whole post and just say I'm scared of spiders.  So, I hope I'm not alone in my irrational fears.  (And if you noticed my title is stolen from a Weezer song, let's be friends!)

PS - this outfit is 100% stolen from Kendi.  That girl can rock a camo jacket!

Jacket: Old Navy
Shirt: J.Crew
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Big Hair, Chambray, and Fake Spring

A few weeks ago, I switched to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and I have noticed that my hair seems less frizzy.  Then last week, I tried the new Pantene "No Crunch Curls Whip", after using only this mousse for about 10 years.  I liked how it made my curls softer, and I don't even mind how much fluffier/larger my hair is, but the tangles are out of control.  I had some giant knots in my hair that did not want to untangle.  I'm not sure if I can put up with that.  I did get a few compliments from strangers on this big hair day.

I also have to share a recent conversation with my husband, about the ever-popular chambray shirt:

• J:  You are wearing a jean shirt, aren't those out of style?
• A:  Yeah, but this is a "Chambray" shirt, totally different.
• J:  So, fashion bloggers were embarrassed that they liked Jean shirts again, so they are just calling it    something different?
• A:  Ummmm.... yeah, I guess so.    

Friday was also a gloriously warm day, and I was very excited to let my knees out to play.  Fake spring has come and gone, and we are supposed to get more snow this week.  Come on, real spring!  You can show up any time!

And finally, since everyone is talking about the coming death of Google Reader (and probably GFC), don't forget to follow me on BlogLovin!  

Jean shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan & Skirt: Gap
Boots: Rampage

Budgeting Blogger, Take 2

Take One, Pass It On Item:  tan scarf from last Tuesday's post

I'm linking up with Franish again this month for Budgeting Bloggers.  As I said at the end of January, I am trying to save up my shopping money so I have extra to spend when I go to Phoenix in April.  February was pretty successful in this regard.  I did get a couple dresses, but they were both very reasonably priced, and I am getting rid of several old dresses, so I have some room in my wardrobe.

1. Limited Striped Dress:  $18 (originally $98)
2. Kohl's dress (not online, but I found it here):  $6.40 (originally $64) - plus I had a gift card, so it was free.  

Grand Total = $18

Pretty good, I guess!  I'm going to avoid shopping in March, too, and then I will probably go a little overboard in April, but the clothing budget rolls over from month to month, so it is OK!   I am also hoping to clear out quite a bit of my closet in March.  If I haven't worn it all winter, I will probably try to sell it or donate it! 

Did you stick to your budget in February?

Sweater: Old Navy
Scarf: Calvin Klein
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Rampage

Trifecta Tuesday - Fuchsia Skirt

This skirt is one of my more recent purchases from Gap.  Over the weekend, I was tempted to buy the orange version, but I decided it wouldn't really play well with the rest of my closet.

I really love the color and fit of this skirt.  I just have one issue - the buttons are brown.  Now I'm just not sure if it will look right if I wear it with black.  So far, I've just avoided the issue, but I think bare leg season is quickly closing out and I am going to need to wear tights with this skirt.  What do you think?  Can I wear a brown-buttoned skirt with an otherwise black outfit?  Am I just being ridiculous?

Sweater, tank, skirt: Gap
Jacket: Younker's
Boots: Wanted


Here are a few other ways I have worn this skirt (I may have a slight addiction to stripes):

Bi-Polar Weather

I know everyone enjoys talking about the weather, and seriously, it is acting all crazy!  Look at this weekend forecast:

I mean, that is just ridiculous!

Also, when did non-hurricane storms start having names?  The home page of weather.com is telling me that "Winter Storm Brutus" is still a threat.  I've never heard of a winter storm with a name.  OK, a quick Google search and I have an answer - this is a new thing.  Look at these names!  I wonder if winter storm Nemo will be hard to find.

Jacket: Izod
Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Wanted

Time Travel

Saturday evening, John and I went on a good old-fashioned date:  dinner and a movie!

We grabbed dinner at Ingredient, which is kind of the perfect restaurant for me.  They have a few standard menu items, but they mostly have a huge list of ingredients and let you customize whatever you want.  They don't even look at you funny if you order a pizza with no sauce and four types of cheese.  I mean, if you were the type of person do order that.  (if so, let's be best friends!)

After dinner, we went and saw Looper, which was pretty good!  One complaint though:  about five minutes into the movie, these 3 guys who looked like they were probably college-age came in.  The theatre wasn't packed, but they asked us to scoot over and we did.  So this random guy is sitting right next to me, and he proceeds to text and look at Facebook and other random stuff on his phone for about half of the movie - super distracting!.  At one point, he was so focused on his phone that he didn't realize his elbow had completely infringed into my space and hit me in the side.  Of course, I elbowed him to get him to move, and leaned closer to John, but he didn't even seem to notice!  I'm officially turning into a grumpy old woman who laments today's youth!  Seriously, if someone is nice enough to scoot over for you when the movie has already started, you could at least be polite!  (rant over)

How was your weekend?  Any good movies to see?

Shirt, Skirt, Shoes: Gap
Jacket: Izod

A Marketer's Dream

The giveaway is closed and the BIG WINNER is Conolley from Third Grade Rock Star.  This completely cracks me up, because I have known her in real life since for as long as I can remember.  I think we were probably friends as babies at our church.  What are the odds that she wins my first giveaway?  Congrats, Conolley!  Thanks to everyone else who entered and spread the word!

Do you all know about the Wrapp app?   My sister told me about it, and it's really quite nice.  You can give digital gift cards to your friends, via email.  There are quite a few free options, such as $5 to Gap that my sister and I have been giving to each other.  The problem is that I go into Gap with the idea that I don't need to spend much, just find something for close to $5 and basically get it for free.  Then I get into the store and end up in the dressing room with several items!  Then I decide that I should buy this fuchsia skirt, and end up spending more than $5.  I'm sure that is the whole plan for Gap to offer these $5 gift cards on Wrapp, and I fall for it every time!

Since my degree is in marketing, I usually don't fall for these tricks, but Gap is just trouble for me.  In my defense, isn't this skirt cute!?  I think I will wear it quite a bit year-round, so I think it's a decent investment.

Top: Old Navy
Skirt and Cardigan: Gap
Shoes: Target