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

Holiday Week

Well, it's that awkward week between Christmas and New Year's Day.  I'm working this week, but not quite back into the normal swing of things.  Plus it's exactly ZERO degrees right now, so going outside is going to be an unpleasant experience.  (I'm writing this before I venture out to go to work).
We got back from New Mexico on Sunday evening, and I'm fairly exhausted.  Then I had 2 of my best friends over last night to hang out and catch up on life.  I'm thinking tonight should be quiet, and maybe I can rest up for NYE tomorrow.  I'm not sure if I'll even make it to midnight.  Hashtagpregnancyproblems.

I still need to write up my Christmas week recap at some point, and my favorite books of 2014.  Maybe I'll have time on Thursday, if I'm not sleeping all day.

Anyway, I hope you are all having a nice week (and that it's warmer wherever you live).  This outfit was from before Christmas, when it was cold out, but not zero.  I won't be out taking outdoor pictures today, for sure.

Sweater: Gap (similar)
Top: JCF
Skirt: Old Navy (similar)
Tights; Old Navy (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

How Many Blue Skirts Does One Blogger Need?

Three, apparently.  About 6 months ago, for some reason, I got it in my head that I really needed a COBALT blue pencil skirt.  Even though I already had 2 other blue pencil skirts (here and here).  There was one at J.Crew Factory that I really wanted, but it never went on sale enough for me to take the plunge.  Then I saw this knit option at Old Navy on black Friday (yeah, way back in NOVEMBER).  Since I love my Old Navy knit striped pencil skirt, I thought this would be perfect.  So I bought it.  And then I didn't wear it for 4 months.  Yeah, that's probably evidence that I didn't need it.  Oops.

Anyway, this is it's big debut on the blog.  Pretty exciting.  I wore this a couple Friday's ago to work, and then to the outlet mall to check out J.Crew Factory's big 50% off sale.  Where I probably bought more things I don't really need.  But I've already worn most of them, so at least they won't be ignored for 4 months!

Anyway, I've been thinking I really need a NAVY blue skirt now.  That's completely different, right?

Last time I wore this shirt, Brynn asked for a close-up of the pattern.  So here you go!             

Jacket: Target

Shirt: J.Crew Factory

Skirt & Shoes: Old Navy

#22 - Social Media

I'm not as good at social media as I probably should be.  Most of my tweets and Facebook posts are just Instagrams.  Half the time I don't even #hashtag anything.  I do spend more time than I should scanning through everyone else's posts on the various sites.  The other day, John was looking over my shoulder as I checked Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  His perspective made me laugh.  A few highlights:

• Why is there an old picture on Instagram?  It's "INSTA" gram.  Like Instant!  
• Why do people use hashtags on Instagram?  Isn't that a Twitter thing?  
• WHOA, that's a long Facebook status!  Shouldn't she just have a blog for stuff like that?  
• Wait, wasn't that on Instagram?  Why is it on Facebook, too?
• What is a picture doing on Twitter?!  Isn't that why people have Instagram?
• That's the same picture we saw on Instagram and Facebook!  Why is it on all three?

I was trying to explain the logic, but he has a point.  This is all ridiculous!  I mean, I'm still going to do it, but it is kind of strange!  

Also, I like this outfit.  I'll probably Instagram and Tweet about it.  

Shirt & Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Sweater: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

#20 - Weather Roller Coaster

Happy Saturday!  Are you ready for more weather talk?  This week has been ridiculous!  Sunday was a January record high of 66, and then Polar Vortex 2.0 rolled through and we had zero degree (feels like -20) temps on Tuesday-Thursday.  It's supposed to be nice-ish this weekend (with highs in the 40s), and then plummet again to the single (and maybe negative) digits.  I'm trying to just be grateful for the warmer days when they happen, but these extreme changes are driving me crazy!  I'm hoping February will be more moderate! 


Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden

#15 - Halfway there (whoa-oh, livin' on a prayer)

Happy Monday!  And happy halfway through the 30X30!  I really love this outfit.  It's simple, but still interesting.  Black, gray, and pink just look sharp together!

So, weekend update!  John's grandparent's were visiting, so we had a fun-filled weekend with them.  We went out to dinner on Friday for my MIL's birthday and then over to their house for dessert and games.  We taught them all Dutch Blitz, which is a super fun and addicting game!  I slept in on Saturday (because sleeping in is magical!) and then we went back over to their house for dinner and more games.  On Sunday afternoon, the guys stayed home to watch football while the girls went shopping.  I may have bought my 3rd pair of leopard print shoes. (so, the answer to my question of which ones to get back in September is BOTH) That's a reasonable number, right?  No?  Hmm...we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Anyway, after a very fun and busy weekend, I'm not really ready for a normal work week, but I suppose it has to happen.  Just 5 more days until next weekend!

Shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Wanted

#7 - Reciprocal

I don't remember a whole lot of specifics about middle school math class, but for some reason, I always think about reciprocals in the context of outfits.  You know, where 1/2 is the reciprocal of 2.  You just flip the top and the bottom.  This outfit is basically the reciprocal to this outfit.  Instead of a black skirt and red cardigan, I'm wearing red jeans and a black cardigan.  It's an easy way to remix.

See, Mom and Dad, your investments in my education were totally worth it! 

Also, my hair is different in these pictures, because I braided it the night before.  So it's less curly and more like tiny waves.  Probably not something I will try again! 

Shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Christmas Recap

So, Christmas already feels like several weeks ago, but it was really only last week.  As I mentioned earlier this week, John and I made the trek out to Indiana to spend the week with my family.  It was so much fun (and kind of a blur)!  I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures, but here are a few good ones.

sisters!  

Nieces and Nephews on Christmas morning

We played a lot of games, like Ping Pong, Scrabble, Disney Apples to Apples, Dutch Blitz, Chinese Checkers, Carcassonne, and Charades.  The kids are getting old enough to participate in more complex games and I love it!  One funny story: my nephew accused me of being a computer when I kept winning at Dutch Blitz.  Then I had to play with one arm behind my back.

On Christmas Eve afternoon, my sister and I took the kids to see Frozen.  It was pretty cute.  At lunch (before the movie), my youngest niece said I should order 2 cookies.  "One for you and one for your TRUE LOVE!"  My sister said "Who is her true love?" and E replied "I don't know - maybe Uncle John?"  These kids just crack me up!

The week went by way too fast and I already miss my family like crazy!  I'm so grateful for technology so I can see pictures of them and keep in touch so easily.

Here's the only noteworthy outfit of the week - from Christmas Eve:

In other news, I'm going to do a 30X30 challenge this month.  I believe the original credit for this idea goes to the always fabulous Kendi, but several bloggers have done it over the years.  Both AJ and Brynn are doing it this January, so I decided to quit being a chicken and jump in as well.  I haven't finalized my 30 items, but these four are on the list, so this can be my first official outfit of the challenge.  One down, twenty-nine to go!

Cardigan & Skirt & Tights:  Old Navy
Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Boots: Steve Madden