Unexpected Visitor

I wore this outfit to church a few Sundays ago.  After lunch, we ventured into the backyard to take pictures.  John was trying to get me to go over by the tree, but I was freaking out because there was an uninvited guest that had made the tree home: 

I'm guessing this cat belongs to one of our neighbors, because it looked a little too fat and fluffy to be a stray.  We went ahead and took pictures, but I was nervous the whole time that this cat would jump out and tackle me.  I really don't trust cats. 

Cardigan: Loft
Tank: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Skirt: Macy's (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Dress to Skirt to Dress

Remember when I chopped this purple maxi dress into a skirt?  Well, apparently I wanted to still have a purple dress, because I was inspired to make it into a dress for the day. 

Dress: Gap (refashioned by me)
Cardigan: Loft
Belt: from another dress
Shoes: Born
Necklace: inPink

Spiderwebs

Apparently, when I was out of the office, a large family of spiders decided to move in.  The other day, I was on a conference call, and pretty focused, when I realized there was a spider dangling about 3 inches in front of my face.  Cue total freakout as I grab a million Kleenexes to smash the spider mid-air.  Then the other day, there was a huge spider crawling under my printer table.  This one was too much for me to handle, so I asked a co-worker to come rescue me.  I've killed a few other little ones, too.  This is out of control.  I've requested a heavy dose of bug spray, so hopefully this problem will go away soon. 

Top:  I-N-C International Concepts
Cardigan and Shoes:  Loft
Camisole: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy

I'm linking up here today, too.

Quarterly Reflection

The last time I wore this shirt/cardigan combo was on New Year's Eve, with different jeans and shoes.  I was looking at that post, where I kind of made some goals for the year.  We're 1/4 of the way through the year, so I guess now is a good time to see how things are going:

1. Be more active! In mid-January, I started a month-long membership at a local Gym (from a groupon), and I was going 3-4 times per week.  Then that ended and I had a couple lazy weeks, but then I started a month long Living Social deal at a local dance studio that has Zumba, Pilates, Kickboxing, etc.  I was good for a couple weeks, and then life got busy and I wasn't able to go.  This expires on Sunday, so I am trying to get the most out of my last week.  After that, I have a 2month deal at Jazzercise, which I have heard great things about.  It's also nice outside, so I hope to take advantage of doing fun activities outside!  Swimsuit season is going to be here before I know it, so I need to get it together!
2. Be a more discerning shopper!  I am in my final week of the 3 month shopping ban, and I didn't even cheat that much.  I'll post next week about that.  I do think this was a good thing, and I have definitely saved money. 
3. Be a better wife!  Mostly in the realm of dinner preparation.  Yeah, this one hasn't been going so well.  I've tried a couple new recipes, and I did make some freezer meals one weekend which really saved us on busy days.  Maybe the Apr-Jun quarter will be better...
4. Be more creative!   Again, I was creative in January, but then the weather got nice and life got busier and there's just not time for sewing and other projects.  I made these shoe bows and I made a necklace (worn here), but haven't done any sewing yet this year.  I also bought supplies to make an initial wreath for our front door, but haven't done it yet.  
5. I forgot to mention this goal in my original post, but I'm trying to read 50 books in 2012.   I've read 11 books, which puts me 2 books behind schedule.  I read 31 books in 2011, so I realize 50 is a lofty goal.  I'm hoping to spend summer Saturdays laying in the sunshine in my backyard and reading, so maybe I can get caught up.  Or I will have to count books I read to my nieces and nephews when they come to visit.  That would get me to 50 pretty quick!

All in all, I'm not perfect, but I do think I'm heading in the right direction on these goals!   I'll try to check in on my goals in early July and see how things are going!

Cardigan:  Loft
Top: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Layer it on

I'm so excited to be linking up with Freckles in April for the Winter Challenge.  Today's prompt is LAYERS.  It's winter, so I am pretty much layering every day.  I decided to try something new for today:

Button up shirt under a faux wrap dress!

I realize this isn't as crazy as I think it is.  I got this dress several years ago on clearance at Target for I think $6, and I rarely wear it, because it seems kind of boring.  I guess I just need to layer it with bright colors and then I like it.

I'm even trying the tights/socks/boots combo that is everywhere.  I almost always wear socks with my tights and boots, but today I pulled them up so they can peak out and say hello.  I think I like it.  I should probably get some chunkier knit socks or leg warmers.  I think that would be cuter.  

Go check out what other bloggers did here!

Tomorrow's theme is Monochrome.  I'm still not sure what I'm wearing! 

Dress:  Target
Button-up shirt:  Gap
Tank:  Gap
Cardigan:  Loft
Tights:  Steve Madden via DSW
Socks:  Target
Boots:  Wanted via Piperlime

Well, hello 2012!

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