Circular Inspiration

By the lack of leaves on the ground, you may guess that this is from a few weeks ago.  You'd be right.  This was an outfit I had in mind to use for Stripes Week, but then I had too many striped outfits.  And now it's a couple weeks later.

This outfit was inspired by this pin, because I really liked the green jeans with the navy stripes.  Then I felt like I had worn it before, and searched through my archives.  It's really similar to this outfit that I wore back in March.  Inspiration is a strange thing.  I think I came up with the first outfit on my own.  Then did I like the Pinterest outfit because I remembered liking that combination when I wore it myself?  I don't know.  And when I clicked through to the original source, I'm pretty sure she's not wearing navy at all, but black.  So, my interpretation wasn't even true.  The internet is so weird.

I'm linking up with Pinned It & Did It, What I Wore and What I Wore to Work.

Cardigan & Top: Gap
Skirt: Target
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Flowers and More Showers

  

Even though it hasn't really felt like spring very much, I'm excited to jump on the floral bandwagon and link up with Bri for Third Thursday Threads!  Plus I found my fancy flower umbrella just in time for more rain (and the flower-themed link up).

Whitney's recent post reminded me that I love how stripes look with floral.  If you are new to the idea of mixing prints, I'd recommend starting out by selecting prints in the same color family.  The navy and white of these prints "go together" and make it a little less crazy than some other print mixing options.

You may or may not notice that I chopped about 4 inches off my hair.  It feels really short to me, but I doubt anyone else will notice, since it is still pretty long, but it used to reach almost to my elbows!  It's sort of dangerously close to being triangle hair, but that is always a risk when I get a haircut.  My curls feel much lighter and springier, unlike the weather.

And finally, I had another wardrobe malfunction.  Around noon, I noticed a snagged thread on my tights and thought I could just snip it off.  Mistake.  A small hole appeared immediately, and as the day progressed, it turned into a giant run.  So, I will be looking for a new pair of gray tights, but hopefully not until next fall!

Shirt: Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry via TJ Maxx
Skirt: Bass Outlet
Tights: Target
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime
Umbrella:  Birthday gift from my parents (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

February Check-In

Take One, Pass It On Item:  striped tee from Tuesday's post
*this is my last TOPIO outfit!  I will be posting a summary about the challenge next week!


Is it just me, or is February shorter than the other months!?  (if you don't understand jokes:  Yes, February is shorter).  I feel like I just did my January update and here we are again.  For all my new readers (welcome!), I am doing monthly posts on my annual goals, in the hopes that accountability will help me stay motivated! 

1. Do a project, mostly sewing -  it's a small project, but it counts.  I have a dress that I bought on clearance at Ann Taylor about a year ago.  I love it, but it had a halter top, which is not ideal for my  body type.  When I bought it, I thought I could modify it pretty easily, but I just never did it.  I've worn it a few times, but just as a skirt, with a sweater on top.  I finally got around to sewing the ties into normal straps.  YAY!  It's still not an "every day" dress, but I am excited that I can now wear it for some fancier occasions.   
2. Work out - this will sound familiar.  I met my goal of 3x a week for the first 2 weeks, and then I got sick.  Several people have told me it sounds like the other strain of flu, but I am in denial and saying it was just a cold.  I have gotten back on track this week, so here's hoping I can stay healthy in March. 
3. Tackle a project around the house - John and I got the hallway bathroom all painted, and I set it up with the yellow and gray decor!  I am pretty excited with the finished product.  I will try to take pictures and post about it soon. 
4. Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week.  I think I did this.  I wasn't keeping track as well.  I did try some new recipes, so that is good! 
5. Stick to a clothing budget - success! 
6. Read 50 books in the year - I read 3 books in February.  If I keep this up, I will only get 36 in the year.  I guess I need to start reading more! 

Overall, I feel pretty good about February.  If I can just stay healthy, I think I will be on track!   

How are you doing on your goals for the year?  

Tee: Gap
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina via Marshall's
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

Swapping Buttons

Take One, Pass It On Item:  gray tights from last Thursday

Here's the deal - I started blogging before I knew anything about blogging.  Almost a year and a half later, and I still don't know all the tricks of the trade.  In December, I realized I should really have a blog button, so I did some Google searches to find instructions and realized it was super easy.  Why did it take me a whole year to do that?  I have no idea.

Anyway, for the past 3-ish months, I have done some button swaps, and sponsored a few blogs to get a feel for things.  Here's my question:  Do you actually think button swaps or ads on a sidebar do any good?  In my experience, I have gotten almost zero traffic from the blogs that just have my button on their sidebar.  For the  blogs I actually paid to sponsor, I did see traffic, but I think that was more from their "Meet the Sponsor" type posts, giveaways, and twitter shout-outs.  The one blog I paid to sponsor who didn't do those extra things pretty much sent me no traffic.

I have considered the possibility that my button is lame and doesn't catch the attention of potential clickers.  So I am curious what you all think about button swaps:  Do you think they bring new readers your way?

I'm still trying to decide how to proceed with the whole sponsoring/swapping buttons deal.  I'm not trying to make money off this blog, but it is fun to have more readers.  Instead of a button swap, I have been wondering about the idea of swapping posts with other bloggers, where we would just guest post for each other on a given day.  Other bloggers, would you be interested in something like that?  Readers, what do you think of guest posts?  Do you see it as a way to meet someone new, or do you just scroll past it?

Shirt: Gap
Sweater: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Tights: Target
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

Minty Fresh and Foggy

Of course I had to wear these mint skinny jeans as soon as possible. Pairing them with my new white and navy striped top seemed pretty obvious.  Then the weather told me that it was going to be in the 40s, and I figured I should let my ankles out to play (scandalous, I know).  I'm still not 100% sure I like the look of skinny jeans with flats, but I'm trying to be more adventurous.  I know, flats and skinnies aren't exactly earth shattering, but we all have our hangups!

The weather didn't warn me about how foggy it would be, but I'll take the warmer temps and foggy skies over single digit sunshine (which we should be getting later this week).     

Shirt, Jeans, Shoes: Gap
Jacket: Izod