Oc-tote-ber

See what I did there?  That's because this outfit is mostly from my second LeTote box.  The top was my favorite item from this batch of things.  I also liked the necklace quite a bit, as did Mr. Baby.

I wore this to a little baby shower tea party on Sunday afternoon.  And I kind of matched the baby of honor's older sister, who is 3 and super cool.  We should have taken a picture!  If you are keeping track, that's the second tea party I've gone to this year, because I'm so fancy.    

Shirt: LeTote (similar in black)
Necklace: LeTote
Skirt: Loft (similar)
Bracelet: LeTote
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Wild Weekend

This is what I wore to church on Sunday.  The weekend was crazy but super fun!  My dad and nieces were on a little road trip and we were one of their stops!  The girls are ten and were so excited to meet their new baby cousin.  It was really fun to see them playing with him.  There's something special about a kid doing baby talk!  And of course it was wonderful for my dad to see him again.  

We mostly hung out at home and played cards or had dance parties, but we did a little shopping and went out to get sno cones!  I'm trying my best to still be a good aunt even though I'm also a mom.  

We miss them already!!!

Top&skirt: Loft

Sandals: target

Currently April

A new months means it's time to link up with In Residence and Dearest Love!  Here's my list of currently:

Wearing:  whatever fits!  I've got a lot of clothes, and a lot of them were still workable for most of my pregnancy.  This is becoming less and less true.  I'm relying on my maternity items and then things like scarves, cardigans, etc to keep things interesting.

Sipping:  as much water as I can make myself.  Apparently staying hydrated is important in avoiding BH contractions and leg cramps, so I'm really trying to drink water!

Wishlisting:  I've got my eye on things that I can't currently wear, but am hoping to find on a clearance rack later this summer. Like I really want this yellow floral dress, even though it's probably not at all practical.

Writing:  Thank you notes for all the baby presents we have gotten!  And trying to write down my thoughts in this One-Line-A-Day journal.  I don't write things every day, so it might last me more than 5 years!

And currently not believing anything anyone tells me.  Have I mentioned how much I hate April Fool's Day?  Oh yeah, just every single year that I've been blogging.

Sweater: Old Navy Maternity
Skirt: Loft
Flats: Payless

PMT - Wear Red, Pink, or Purple

Since Valentine's Day is coming up, the challenge this week is to wear red, pink, or purple.  I decided to try the red and pink route again, like I did last year.  First, I pulled out all the red and pink items from my closet and laid them out on my bed to see what tones would look good together, and remind myself of what I even have.  I ended up with this lighter pink skirt that I've been neglecting since the 30X30 got over, and my red polka dot scarf, which I should also wear more often.  A little gray and black helped tone down the obscene Valentinesy vibe, I think.  At least, I hope.

Anyway, I thought it turned out pretty cute, so that's what matters, right?

Jacket: Target
Scarf: Target
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Boots: Madden

#29 - Almost Done

Well, the 30x30 is coming to an end.  I had to get this shirt in one more time, since it inspired the whole challenge in the first place.   

In even more exciting news, as you read this, I'm probably driving across the Midwest on my way to visit my family for the long weekend.  Yeah, I was just there in July, but I'm defenseless against the requests of my nieces, and they thought I should come to celebrate their birthday.  I kept checking flights (which were in the $600 range - what happened to cheap flights?), and had pretty much given up, when I thought "hey, I can just drive it!" So I've got a few audiobooks to make the trip more interesting, and I'm sure I will be completely exhausted when I get back from having way too much fun.  

I hope you all have a lovely long weekend! 


Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Top: Gap (option)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Shoes: BCBGeneration (similar)

#20 - Two-Thirds Done

Outfit #20!  Which means only 10 more outfits in the challenge.  Here are my middle ten looks.

I think my favorites are the floral skirt and the pink blazer (#11 and #13).  Which one do you like the best?

Also, if you haven't yet, please take my blog survey!  

Cardigan: Gap (option, option)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Tee: Gap (option, option, option)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#4 - Inspired, but Not Really

When John saw me in this outfit, he said "You're wearing a necklace like a normal person."  I have no idea what that means.  Then he said "You look very housewifey."  Also, no idea. If I was a housewife, I'd probably just wear yoga pants all the time.  It's probably good that I'm not a housewife.  He's been saying the weirdest things about my outfits lately.    

I actually wore this a couple weeks ago when I met Ginny for lunch.  We had this whole scheme to meet before Shorts Week, and wear shorts outfits, and take pictures and totally blow everyone's minds with our amazing skills of theme week!  But then I had to dress up for work that day, because we had clients visiting the office.  So, we still had lunch, but our shorts plans were foiled.  And then we forgot to even take a picture together. 

Just one other thing about this particular outfit.  My intention when I started getting dressed was to copy Kate's outfit.  Then I remembered that I couldn't wear jeans that day, so I was going to wear my white skirt with my navy/white striped sweater.  Then I saw this lace-front sweater in my drawer and grabbed it instead of the striped one.  Then it felt kind of bland with the white skirt, so I traded that for the pink skirt.  And then I remembered this pin, and thought it'd be fun to match my necklace to my skirt.  And that's how my outfit ended up looking absolutely nothing like my original inspiration. 


Sweater: Loft Outlet (similar, similar)
Skirt: Loft (similar maxi, similar mini, similar knee length)
Necklace: H&M (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Signs of Summer

I love summer.  I don't think I'm genetically engineered to thrive in warm weather (my family tends to be fair-skinned and a tad sweaty), but I hate to be cold all winter long, so summer is my favorite.  There are just a few problems.

Spring/Summer in Nebraska means tornado season.  It seems that most people who grow up in Tornado Alley develop some immunity to tornado warnings and hang out on the front porch looking for storms.  Despite spending most of my life in Kansas, I am not one of these people.  You'll find me cowering in the basement. 

It's finally light in the evenings, so I can take outfit pictures when I get home (yay!), but my neighbor is ALWAYS doing yard work.  Like every day.  I'm terrified he will ask me what I'm doing, so I have to be stealthy.  After sneaking outside to take pics, I heard his mower getting louder, so I rushed back inside.  Then I realized that if his wife was in her kitchen, she probably saw me.  They have to think I'm a total weirdo.  They may be right.     

    

Tank: Gap

Belt: NY&Co

Skirt: Loft

Shoes: Old Navy

Valentine's Week - More Red & Pink

 

I think this outfit might be ridiculous, but I just love it anyway.  I have totally been neglecting this skirt since the cold weather arrived.  Yes, it's a summery fabric and color, but some fleece-lined tights and boots help transition it into the winter months.  I don't do the whole "closet transition" thing like some of you.  Other than shorts and heavier sweaters, I think most of my wardrobe is pretty translatable to all seasons.  Which is good, because there isn't a lot of warning when the seasons will be changing.  And yes, sometimes we experience all 4 seasons within a couple of days!  It's very confusing.

Top, Cardigan, Belt: Old Navy

Necklace: InPink

Skirt: Loft

Boots: Steve Madden

All the Birthdays!

October is birthday month!  John's birthday was last week, and mine is next week, so I usually try to make as many excuses for celebrating as possible.  We should really just take the whole month off work and go on an epic vacation or something.  Maybe next year...

Anyway, I wore this to work on John's birthday and then we went out to dinner.  I took advantage of the brick wall of the restaurant, because that's what fashion bloggers do.

This also marks the first time I've worn this blazer with the sleeves unrolled, but I didn't count on the neon lining still showing.  Oh well, it kind of goes with the skirt, right?

Blazer & Tee: Gap
Necklace: Bass Outlet
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: BCBGeneration

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.

General Silliness

 

These shoes - I love them, but they are ridiculous.  I tend to make some questionable shopping decisions when my nieces are with me, because they just convince me that OF COURSE I need some floral sandals. Good thing these were just $10, so I'm not making expensive foolish choices.  I just need to be creative and wear them a few more times before fall sets in, because I doubt these will be a closet staple for years to come.  

In the spirit of ridiculousness, here are some silly pictures from this outfit shoot.  Sometimes my photographer/husband gets bored of me standing there smiling with my hand on my hip and tells me to do other things.  This time he was like "OK, look away from the camera and close your eyes.  When I say GO, strike a crazy pose!" 

Photography magic, I tell ya.  I should really be on America's Next Top Model.

Top: J.Crew
Skirt: Loft
Belt: Gap
Shoes: Gianni Bini via Dillard's

Stripes for the Win!

 

Trends are weird.  Rumor has it that two of the big trends for summer are "stripes" and "Black/white prints."  Aren't those both always in style?   I can't think of a time when wearing black and white was considered a faux pas.  It's sort of like saying that jeans are very popular this year.  Yeah, every year.  

Anyway, I'm glad that stripes are popular, because I love wearing striped everything!  When Bri announced the theme for this month's Third Thursday Threads, I was totally pumped!  

I decided to grab one of my striped top inspiration pictures and do my own interpretation of it.  So, here's my inspiration.  I'm not sure I would have put this together on my own, but I really like it!  YAY for Pinterest!   

I'm also linking up with Summer Style and Tres-Chic.

Shirt: Old Navy
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Skirt: Loft
Sandals: Carlos Santana

VBS Week

Vacation Bible School is happening this week at my church.  John and I are teaching the "Pre-K" class which is mostly 4 and 5 year old kids.  We have a pretty good group of kids, but they sure keep us busy!  After taking last week off work to hang out with my family, I'm trying to get caught up at work during the day, and then spending the evenings at church.  It's a lot of fun, but I wish I'd had a few days to catch my breath between the visitors and the VBS.  I'll probably sleep all day on Saturday!

Top: Target
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Today I am linking up with What I Wore Wednesday, Fashion and Beauty Finds, Summer Style, and Tres-Chic.