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)

Weekend Update

Well, it's Monday again already!  Happens every week...  But the weekend was pretty great, so I can't complain too much.  Since John's birthday is tomorrow, it was officially birthday weekend, so we celebrated on Saturday evening with his family.  So tricky - he got to open his presents 3 days early!  Other than birthday festivities, I mostly spent the weekend catching up on chores and reading.

The most amazing fall weather has finally arrived.  I would be happy if it stayed like this until December 24th.  And then Spring can arrive on January 10th.  Give or take a few days.  I'm not picky.

Necklace: InPink (exact)
Blazer: H&M (similar)
Top: Old Navy (exact)
Jeans: Limited (exact)
Shoes: J.Crew Factory (exact)

Grayscale

John thought this was a fancy outfit.  I think maybe because there are no colors.  Because fancy people don't have time to wear crazy colors, so they just stick to neutrals?  Or maybe the white jeans seem fashiony, because you don't see many people wearing white pants in Nebraska in the winter.  I don't know.  All I can say is that I liked it better in real life than in pictures.  

When wearing white jeans, I really should have found a better place to stand.  The dirty snow piled up behind me isn't doing this outfit any favors.  But it was really cold and windy out, and I didn't feel like finding another spot to set up, so this is as good as it gets for today.  

Oh, and it was inspired by this pin.  So I'm linking up with Pinned It & Did It and Style Swap with Ginny and Jenn.  

Blazer: H&M

Sweater: Gap

Necklace: InPink

Jeans: Limited

Shoes: J.Crew Factory

Valentine's Week - Red Jeans

It's the first day of VALENTINE'S WEEK and I'm kicking it off with a little red and pink combination.  I'm so excited to have 5 lovely co-hosts for this theme week!  Make sure you go check out Laura, Kate, Inge, Brynn,  and Danielle to see how they are styling red and/or pink this week.  (And you can link up your own posts any day this week!) 

 

Now I have tried to rock red and pink in the past, and it ended up in the 2013 Hall of Shame.  In that outfit, I went all in, and it was too much, but that's how fashion goes sometime.  So, today I'm going for a smaller scale.  It's possible I will get more adventurous as the week progresses, but for today, just a pale pink necklace with my red jeans.

Here's a free piece of advice - when you are wearing a light-colored wool sweater, and a dark colored blazer, by the end of the day, it will look like you were snuggling with a polar bear.  So maybe throw a lint roller into your purse!    

Sweater: Gap
Blazer & Necklace: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Outlet Mall Confessions

Remember on Monday when I mentioned that I was going to the new outlet mall?  Let's just say I definitely spent all my birthday money!  A few random thoughts:

• I've never been to a mall opening before.  Rumor has it that there were crazy crowds all weekend, but Monday afternoon/evening wasn't too bad.  
• Some outlets are awesome (like J.Crew and Gap).  Some are not awesome.  There were a few that I was very excited about, but it seemed like they just had clothes from 10 years ago.  Not interested. 
• Some outlets are still too expensive for me.  I'm hoping as time goes by that they will have clearance sections and then I can find things to buy (I'm looking at you, Banana Republic!)
• J.Crew didn't have the Sylvia wedges in my size, but I tried on a different pair of heels and decided to order both the black and tan wedges online.  They had a deal for 40% off and then an additional 20% off plus free shipping, so I figure it will be easy enough to return them to the store if I don't like them.  
• I saw at least 3 people wandering around the parking lot with no idea where they had parked.  
• The restaurants out there need to open!  There was pretty much just Subway and Auntie Anne's pretzels open.  The gourmet grilled cheese places is going to be my new favorite.
• I came down with a slight case of BUY ALL THE THINGS on this shopping trip.  I'm usually better at making wise choices, but when I got home and reviewed my purchases, I realized some things will need to go back.  For example, the denim jacket that didn't seem cropped at the store but now seems very cropped!  Probably because I tried it on with a tunic-length shirt at the store.  Rookie mistake!  And the fun patterned tights that got a run when I tried to put them on yesterday morning (not sure if I can even return these, but I will try!).  I also ended up with a perfect camel-colored boyfriend cardigan, but it's dry clean only.  I'm thinking I can hand wash or delicate cycle the merino wool.  Am I crazy to think that?  I won't dry clean a cardigan.  That's just crazy.  

TOPIO Item - blazer!  (well, and the boots, but I already officially passed them on once). 

Blazer: H&M
Sweater: Gap
Necklace: Bass
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Nebraska

You might have noticed that my background is a little more interesting than usual.  That's because these were taken at the Nebraska Capitol building.  John had an engineering ceremony, so we stayed afterwards for the free tour.  It's kind of weird that I lived just a few blocks away for 3.5 years of college and never went inside this building!  

It's pretty cool, I guess.  The tour guide declared that this is the best of all the state capitol buildings, and asked if any of us had toured any of the other ones.  I was the only one, and then she asked me to verify that Nebraska was better.  I didn't think it would be an appropriate time to disagree, so I didn't really answer her.  For the record, I'm partial to Kansas, because it looks like a capitol building ought to look.  Some short internet research leads me to believe that Alaska and North Dakota are tied for least impressive capitol buildings.

Can you tell that I passed along my necklace?  It's pretty sneaky of me!

Necklace: Limited
Dress: Gibson & Latimer
Blazer: H&M
Boots: Steve Madden

Stripe Week - Dress

Let's be honest - I had a bit of a "BUY ALL THE STRIPED DRESSES" phase earlier this year.  In my defense, I think it was more an issue of supply increasing than me being completely ridiculous.  There were just more options in stores at good prices this spring.  Not that I'm NOT completely ridiculous, but whatever.  Let's move on.

My husband rarely has specific comments about what I wear.  When he does have something to say, it usually surprises me.  He likes this dress, because the stripes get kind of "zig-zaggy" on the skirt part.  Okay. I like it because it's pink and striped and very comfortable and has pockets.  I don't like how wrinkly it gets, but I've already mentioned that!

We're at the midpoint of Stripes Week!  Are you ready to link up with A Journey in Style and me on Friday??

Today, I'm linking up with  What I Wore and What I Wore to Work.

Dress: Gap
Blazer: H&M
Belt: Old Navy
Shoes: Seychelles

When September Ends - Goal Review

Happy Monday!  I'm sure I'll be posting about my mom's visit soon, but unfortunately, it's the end of the month, so I have to do my goal review.  September was better than August, but still not pretty!

• Do a project, mostly sewing - nope.  But I do have an easy sewing project in mind, so that must count for something.  This dress ripped at the seam, so I'm going to chop it into a top instead of a dress.  I thought I'd have time to do it last week, but I have poor time management skills. 
• Work out 3x a week - I think so. 

• Tackle a project around the house - I did clean out the linen closet in the guest bathroom.  It's been a sort of mess since we moved in, because I'm never in there, so it's kind of "out of sight, out of mind."  But I finally organized it and threw away a bunch of stuff! 
• Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week - medium.  I don't know - we are home so randomly in the evenings.  I think I did okay. 
• Stick to a clothing budget - while technically over for September, I was using leftovers from prior months, so I'm still on track for the year.
• Read 50 books in 2013 - I finished 4 books in September.  I'm still 2 books behind schedule for the year, but again, once I get done with these 800 page Harry Potter books, I think I'll be able to catch up.  I'll just have to be strategic with a few shorter books.  

We're officially 75% through 2013, and I am not feeling great about my goals.  Maybe 4th quarter will be really awesome.  Are you still working on any goals or NY resolutions?  

Blazer: H&M
Top & Jeans: Gap
Necklace: InPink
Shoes: Target

Polka Dot Week - Shoes

Today's post features polka dot shoes, because it is POLKA DOT WEEK and these shoes are fun.  Also, this blazer wasn't part of my outfit very long, because it is hotter than hot this week.   

And now for a story not about polka dots that happened on the day I wore this outfit:

Have you heard of Which Wich?  Well, it's a sandwich place, and I go there ALL.THE.TIME.  It's kind of embarrassing, actually.  It isn't even very close to my office.  The workers pretty much all know me and know exactly what I'm going to get, because I order the same thing every time. 

ANYWAY, a couple days ago, I decided to go there for lunch.  When I walked in, one of my Which Wich BFFs said hi and asked if I had been in since they changed the menu.  I'm sorry, WHAT?  You can't change the menu!!!  After a few seconds of panic, I asked her if I could still get the same thing that I always get, and she explained that it isn't on the menu anymore, but I can still technically order the same thing.  Crisis averted.   She said she'd been hoping to catch me, because she knew I would be caught off guard by the change (how nice is that?)!  Then as I was waiting for my sandwich, another worker said hi, and told me no matter how the menu changes, they'd still make my sandwich, because I'm their favorite customer.  Awwww! 

I have mixed feelings about being a "regular" somewhere.  In a way, I like it, because they know me, and know what I'm going to order, and they are so friendly.  But on the other hand, it's kind of embarrassing that I go to this sandwich shop so often.  Especially when I go with someone else and all the workers are like "ANDI!  What's up!!"  Yeah, I frequent this place. 

Are you a regular anywhere?  Is it cool or embarrassing?

I'm linking up with What I Wore.

Blazer: H&M
Tee & Shoes: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Necklace: InPink
      
**And no, this is not a sponsored post (I wish!).  I just really like this sandwich shop.

Off to College

Classes start at the University of Nebraska this week.  This got me thinking about my freshman year.  In August of 2003 (wearing a really cool blue camo print tee), I packed up most of my belongings into my Civic and my dad's Grand Marquis, and we drove up to Lincoln where I would know exactly no one else in my dorm.  

When I think about that now, it makes me so nervous!  What was I thinking?  I had awesome friends in high school and most of them were going to K-State.  For some reason, I had decided several years prior that I was going to UNL and I never seriously considered any other options.  I didn't even apply anywhere else.  I'm pretty sure everyone thought I was crazy, and they were probably right.  

That whole first week was sort of a blur, but here are some random things I remember:

• About 4 hours into the 5 hour drive, my dad asked my mom if she had packed his shirts.  She hadn't. They were going on a 1-2 week road trip after dropping me off in Lincoln, so I think they went to the mall to buy him some shirts on their way out of town.  
• I felt very "freshman" when I went to pick up my books.  I was in line next to a girl who was so obviously (to me) not a freshman.  She seemed like she knew what was going on and not at all nervous.  I later learned that she lived across the hall from me, and was a freshman, and she thought that I seemed confident while she felt nervous.  I quickly became best friends with Anne and her roommate, Brooke.  You may remember them from Friendizona Weekend and other various shenanigans.  
• My roommate thought the dorm showers were gross, so she just didn't take a shower for the first 3-4 days.  It was August in Nebraska.  Daily showers are kind of important when it is 100-ish degrees outside and you are carrying boxes up to the 3rd floor.  This was not the weirdest thing about my roommate.  She moved out without telling me at the beginning of second semester.  I didn't miss her.  
• That first weekend, I was invited to a BBQ cookout for the Campus Crusade group.  When we got there, somehow they didn't have any meat, so it wasn't much of a BBQ.  The main thing I remember is playing ping pong with Collin, who ended up becoming a great friend.  You may remember him from the Montana trip.  
• I was in the Honor's Program, and we were "required" to read Seabiscuit over the summer.  For being a pretty good kid, I was very rebellious about certain things (particularly things that I deemed worthless).  I thought it was stupid to have required summer reading for college so I just went to the movie and skipped the book.  I bluffed my way through the discussion groups after our Honor's Welcome luncheon.  Most of the other honor's kids were shocked and appalled that I hadn't read the book. I was sort of proud of myself.  I still am.    
• My first day of classes, I was kicked out of my Poli-Sci class for being a Sophomore (my high school had a lot of concurrent credit classes).  The TA just said "If I read your name, you aren't allowed in this class!" and then read a few names, including mine.  I asked him what I was supposed to do, and he said he didn't know and didn't care but I couldn't stay in that class.  I went outside, sat down on a bench and cried.  Then I called my mom.  Then I met with my adviser and got my schedule fixed.  I still don't know why they let me register for that class if they were just going to kick me out on the first day.  It was the only class I was excited about, so it was pretty disappointing.  

Do you remember anything interesting about your first week of college?  

PS - this outfit has nothing to do with going to college.  It's a little but outside of my comfort zone (tucked in shirt, AH!), but I really like it.  

Top: Sunset Rd
Blazer: H&M
Necklace: gift
Belt: Limited
Skirt: Loft
Sandals: Carlos Santana

Orlando Advice

 

You guys, I need some advice!  I'm headed to Orlando next week for a work conference.  I'm going to be pretty busy while I am there, but I basically have one free evening.  I get done with meetings around 3pm, and I don't want to stay out too late, because our mornings will start much earlier than I am used to waking up.  What are your favorite Orlando spots?  I'm not sure if the Disney parks are worth the cost of a few hours, but I could go to the free "Downtown Disney" area.  What do you all recommend?

I'm linking up again for Accessory day of the We Love Target challenge!  Go check out the other blogs!

Scarf: Target
Shirt and Shoes: Gap
Blazer: H&M
Skirt: Limited

Stop, Collaborate and Listen

 

On my list of fears and things that make me uncomfortable, I probably should have added "asking for help from others," but I'm trying to get over that one, so here goes nothing! 

It's been a few months since I posted about the whole idea of swapping buttons, and how I really don't think it does a whole lot for building community or even getting new followers.  Since then, I've been thinking about collaboration ideas (does anyone else think of Vanilla Ice whenever someone says Collaborate?), and just haven't gotten around to posting about it.  Looking at my calendar, I realized it's almost June, and I will be at a work conference that first week, so I should really line up some guest bloggers!  It seemed like an appropriate time to run with this idea.

Instead of just swapping buttons that no one will ever click on, I'd like to start swapping guest posts!  We could either trade blogs for the day, or pick different days to guest post on each others' blogs. Here are some topics that I think could be fun/interesting for our readers: 

• Pick a similar item to style - I know there are quite a few of you that have the exact same piece as I do, so that could be fun.  
• Pick a trend to post about - either share a remix, or just show one way to wear a current trend
• Inspiration trade - each pick a favorite outfit of other blogger to interpret.  I did this for Bri back on October and thought it was fun! 
• Inspiration Piece - pick an outfit from Pinterest or another blog and each do our own version of it. 
• Guest swap - just post on each other's blogs one day, about whatever.  It doesn't have to be style-related, but that's my most common topic, so probably what my readers enjoy.   

Would any of you be interested in doing a guest post swap with me?  I'd love to have a few lined up for the first week of June, and then maybe every so often going forward. 

**And if you would be willing to guest post for me and don't want to do a post swap, that's fine, too.  I just want to communicate that I'm willing to reciprocate, since it is work to create an extra post for another blogger!

Comment here or send me an email if you are interested, and we can iron out the details!     

Top: Old Navy
Blazer: H&M
Skirt: J.Crew
Shoes: Seychelles

April Showers

Let's talk about the weather, okay?  It is mid-April and last week we experienced all of the seasons.  Monday was warm and beautiful, and I wore this.  Rumor has it that over the weekend, we even got up into the 70s, but I was gallivanting around Arizona, so I can't really confirm those allegations.  Tuesday started out nice, but got significantly colder as the day progressed, and then we had a crazy hail storm that night.  It rained all day Wednesday, and then snowed on Thursday, and I'm just not really sure how to dress myself when there is so much variability in the weather!  I'm falling back on my jeans almost every day.  

On the rainy Wednesday, I started with the thought that I should wear my rain boots.  Then I worked from there.  Add my giraffe umbrella and I was ready to go!  Sadly, the giraffe umbrella is now broken.  Don't worry, I have another one!  (I just have to find it...)

Trench coat, Sweater, Jeans: Gap
Blazer: H&M
Boots: Target