36 Weeks

It's the final countdown!  I'm looking at my last few weeks of pregnancy and as I keep saying, time is a funny thing.  It's all going too fast and too slow.  This is from a couple weeks ago when we went out for a Friday night dinner.  I remembered this skirt that I wore last year on the day before Mr. Baby was born, and thought "hey, I can wear that non-maternity skirt even when I'm hugely pregnant!  And then it's too big when I'm not pregnant!  Maybe in all my free time after baby2 is born, I can take it in a bit (kidding, kidding).

In addition to time playing tricks on me, so is my level of busyness.  I feel like we are always running from one thing to the next, but then I can't figure out what we do all the time.  John and I have big lists of things we want to accomplish before baby arrives, but that's not very interesting, just cleaning and organizing, and getting baby2's room set up.  I'm also trying to hang out with friends a bit, because I know that will be more difficult with 2 kids.

Anyway, happy late 4th of July to everyone.  We just barely survived all the neighborhood fireworks.  I'm officially the grumpy pregnant lady with a 1 year old who wanted to call the police at exactly 11:01 each night and report everyone who was still shooting off fireworks.  I didn't do it, but I sure had mean thoughts about it.

Top: Target maternity
Skirt: Loft
Sandals: Love Culture

#23 - Meetiversary-ish

By my estimations, John and I met 10 years ago this week.  We don't actually remember meeting for the first time, so we don't know what day it was, but it was the first week of college in 2004.  And classes started on the 23rd, so it was probably right around here.  As a sentimental girl who likes an excuse to celebrate at any occasion, I really wish I remembered the day/moment when we met, but the first week of classes is such a blur, and we were meeting all the new people who lived in the dorms, so we just don't recall specifically meeting each other.  This was not love at first sight.

My first official memory of John is from the weekend before or after classes started.  I don't think I've shared this story before, but it's entirely possible.  It was Saturday night pretty late, and a bunch of people were just hanging out on the 4th floor where John lived (I lived on the 3rd floor).  A few of us were talking about what churches to go to the next day.  John didn't have a car, so he had plans to ride with his roommate to a church that I also wanted to try out.  I asked if I could go along, and they said sure.  Then they said they were going to the 8am service, so we needed to meet at about 7:30.  And I was like "nevermind! I'll go by myself to the later service!" and then John asked if he could ride with me, because he didn't really want to wake up so early.  His roommate said the late service started at 10:30, so we planned to meet at 10.  Another guy asked if he could come with us.  So, Sunday morning, I took 2 freshman boys with me to church.  Neither of them would say more than 2 words.  I was trying to be friendly and get to know them, and they were just super quiet.  It was so awkward.  Then we got to church, and the parking lot was packed, but there were no people milling around.  So we went to the information desk and apparently the next service didn't start until 11.  Which means we had 30 more minutes of awkwardness.

Anyway, we survived and ended up becoming really good friends.  We went to church together every Sunady (and I think we tried out every church in Lincoln over the next few years!)  In February of 2005, the 2 guys went with me to Lawrence, KS for a concert and met one of my best friends from middle and high school.  She asked me which of the guys I liked, and I was like "Oh, no - we are just friends!  No romantic interest at all!"  And then less than 2 years later, John and I were engaged, and she got to say "I told you so!"

So, that's the first story I remember about my husband.  I don't think they'll be making a movie about us any time soon, but I think we're pretty cool.   Do you remember the moment you met your spouse?

Sweater: Loft (similar, similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)

#10 - One-Third FInished

This outfit is simple, so I'm going to keep it short and sweet today.  I wore this the other day.  It's my 10th outfit of the 30X30.  For those of you who are good at math, that's 1/3 of the way done!  So here's a little collage showing my first 10 outfits of the challenge:

If this collage tells me anything, it's that I look more tan inside, but my face looks prettier outside.  Also that I haven't been going to gym as much as I ought to!

And although all of these outfits contain navy - the official "Navy Week" starts tomorrow.  You can link up any day of the week!

Tee: Gap
Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)

#6 - Big Scrabble News!

Are you all so excited that Scrabble is adding 5000 new words to the playable list?  Or are you just confused that I'm supposed to be a fashion blogger and I keep talking about nerd stuff?  Be honest, if you've stuck around here very long, you might be a bit more on the nerdy side of things.        

If you don't care about it from a Scrabble perspective, here's some bloggy relevance.  A lot of the new words are technologically inclined, so I can now play obnoxious words like "selfie" and "vlog." 

If you do care about Scrabble, you should definitely read Word Freak.

Anyway, I'm excited that there are new words to be played, even though I might not remember them.  It does make the game much easier when you have more 2-letter words to play off.  Not too many years ago, they added "za" and "qi" to the dictionary.  Which means those 10-point letters aren't really difficult to play at all.  There's almost no risk of getting stuck with them at the end, so it really changes the dynamic of the game. 

Also - look!  I'm wearing an outfit.  It's #6 in the 30x30.  You can't see my pink sandals, but I promise I'm wearing them. 


Tee: Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry (similar)
Skirt: J.Crew (exact)
Sandals (not that you can see them): Love Culture (similar, similar)

#3 - Florals, and Ruffles, and Stripes (oh my)

I'm on the fence about this outfit.  I felt kind of weird all day, but I like it in the pictures.  It was perfect for the super hot and humid day I wore it, though.  Except for when I was at work, so about 90% of the time I was wearing it.  See, I recently moved offices, and now the A/C vent is on the floor just to my right.  So my left side is usually comfortable, while my right side is freezing.  I should probably invest in some one-shouldered sweaters.  

Top: Target (similar)
Skirt: Gap (similar, similar)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)

Shorts Week - Gray and Yellow

Shorts week is unintentionally turning into stripes week part 2.  I can't help it!  I just love stripes on everything.  It's kind of surprising that I don't have any striped shorts, but after seeing Ginny's, I definitely want some!

My theory is that it's hard to get dressed in the summer, because it's just too hot to wear certain things, and layers are tricky.  So throwing on some kind of pattern (usually stripes) is a good way to keep life interesting.

I wore this outfit to work on Friday, and then I went to the outlet mall to return these shorts, and J.Crew Factory was having 60% off clearance, so I picked up a few things.  Since I always need more cardigans, I picked up another Clare (this one in pink).   I also bought the exact same chambray popover that I already have.  Mine pulls a little in the buttons, so I sized up.  I think I'll wear both of them quite a bit still.  I also got this scarf in the dark cove (navy) color.  JCF is definitely my new favorite place to shop!

I took pictures at the edge of the parking lot - this really demonstrates that the outlet mall is in the middle of nowhere!  I'm assuming that might be a corn field behind me, but I honestly don't know one crop from another.  It could very well be soy beans!  My farmboy father will be so disappointed!   

Top: Gap (exact in purple, yellow gingham option)
Shorts: Old Navy (exact)
Sandals: Love Culture (similar, similar)

Polka Dot Week - Jeans

Welcome to POLKA DOT WEEK!  After unintentionally wearing polka dots almost every day last week, it just made sense to make a little theme week on the blog.  Polka dots are awesome.  If you disagree, just leave now.  (I'm kidding.  You can stay, but you might not want to.)       

Polka dots have really taken off in the last few years, and this is one trend I am totally on board with.  Kim recently posted about being boring or being trendy and it got me thinking.  After writing a really long comment on her post, I realized polka dots are an example of a trend that isn't really trendy as much as it is a classic pattern that comes and goes in popularity.  I've always loved polka dots, but rarely found polka dotted items in stores.  I bought this skirt about 15 years ago, even though no one else I knew was wearing polka dots at the time.  I just liked it.  Now polka dots are everywhere, and my closet reflects that availability.

These jeans were a Labor Day sale purchase from Limited.  Printed denim is definitely a current trend.  I don't think I will still be wearing these jeans in 15 years, but you never know! 

Stay tuned this week for more outfits made up of polka dots, and get ready for Friday, where you can link up your favorite polka dot styles!

Top: Target
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: Dillard's
Jeans: Limited
Sandals: Love Culture

Favorite Color

As I mentioned earlier this week, I started a new adventure as an Awana leader this year.  Wednesday night was the kickoff and I can already tell these girls are going to be a lot of fun (and completely exhausting)!  When we got to our classroom, we asked the girls what they wanted to know about the leaders, and then went around and introduced ourselves, answering a couple of their questions.  Then we broke into smaller groups and I was with 3 girls (5th and 6th graders).  I asked them a few questions, and then asked if they had any other questions for me.  The most important thing:

What is your favorite color?!    

As with most "favorite" questions, I have a really hard time deciding.  I explained that I like bright colors, but my favorite is probably pink.  Their reaction surprised me:  "Ewww,   uuugghhhh!"

Then I remembered being in 5th grade.  My best friend and I were total tomboys and promised each other we would NEVER EVER wear anything pink.  EVER!  A few years later we were both regularly wearing pink things, and always jokingly acted betrayed when the other person wore pink.

I told the girls about this, and warned them that they may actually like the color pink at some point in the future.  They assured me that this was impossible.

Then they told me their favorite colors and asked me if I liked that color, too.  Blue, green, red - yep, those are all great colors!

So, what's your favorite color?

Tank: Gap
Shorts: Loft
Sandals: Love Culture

Longest Short Week EVER (and a theme for next week)

Is it just me, or has this 4-day work week been dragging on?  I'm so ready for the weekend!

Without realizing it, I wore polka dots almost every day this week.  Since I post my outfits about a week after wearing them, I decided that next week will be a theme week for the blog!  Polka dots every day!  It's very exciting, I promise!

Sooo... would you all be interested in a little linkup next Friday to share your favorite polka dot outfits?  Let me know!

I'm also linking up with Casual Friday  and Favorite Fashion Friday today!  

Dress: Target
Necklace: Dillard's
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Sandals: Love Culture

August Goal Confessions

Well, August has come and gone and I'm still just slacking on my goals.  I'm not even going to make excuses for myself.  Here's the damage:   

• Do a project, mostly sewing - nope 
• Work out 3x a week - I probably worked out 3 times total.  Fail. 

• Tackle a project around the house -Operation Closet Clean-out is in progress and I hope to get a lot done this weekend. 
• Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week - not even close
• Stick to a clothing budget -  success!
• Read 50 books in 2013 - I'm falling behind, partly because I abandoned a book that I had started.  I've read 30 books this year, but I should be at 32, to be on track for 50.  I'm not too worried, because I tend to read more in the fall and winter.  I'm sure I can catch back up.  

 I don't even know what to say about this.  I've got a million excuses and none of them are worth whining about here, so I'll just say I hope I can get my act together in September!  

How are you doing on your goals?  Any advice on how I can do better?

Outfit note:  I must give credit to Kate for the idea of putting a navy tee with coral/pink floral shorts.  The cardigan was necessary, because my office gets cold sometimes.  

Top: Gap
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shorts: Loft
Necklace: Dillard's
Sandals: Love Culture

Paisley Cardigan - 3 Ways!

I'm doing my Friday remix post a little different this week.  Instead of  scanning through my archives for all the ways I've worn a certain item, I'm bringing you THREE BRAND NEW OUTFITS!  Imagine I said that in the echoey movie announcer voice.  It will seem more exciting.

This cardigan is a recent purchase from Loft.  Anytime I buy something and want to wear it EVERY DAY, I know it was a good decision.  Anyway, here are 3 ways I've worn it in the past couple of weeks.

#1 - worn to work

#2 - church

#3 - casual date night

Pretty exciting, right?  I think I'll be wearing it quite a bit in the coming months.

Go check out the other remixers! I'm also linking up with Casual Friday  and Favorite Fashion Friday today! 

Outfit details
Cardigan: Loft

Outfit #1:
Dress: Ann Taylor
Belt: Old Navy
Necklace: Bass
Sandals: Love Culture

Outfit #2:
Tee: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Sandals: Carlos Santana 

Outfit #3:
Tee: Gap

Shorts: Gap
Sandals: Carlos Santana 

Exciting Shopping News

In the past couple of weeks, I've heard 2 very exciting things about the shopping situation in Omaha.

1. The outlet mall between Omaha and Lincoln is being completely revamped, and will actually be pretty legit.  I've heard rumors of Gap, Loft, J.Crew, and other favorites.  The mall opens in November, so I need to save my pennies! 
2. H&M is coming to Omaha!!!  Opening in Spring 2014, so I have to be patient, but it will be worth the wait.  

Omaha is really upping the retail game with these changes.  This will greatly reduce my desire to shop when I am on vacation in "real cities" AND I'll get to hit up the J.Crew outlet to actually try stuff on instead of ordering online and just hoping it fits right!  

It's the little things in life, right?   

Dress: Gibson&Latimer
Jacket: Izod
Purse: Dooney&Bourke
Sandals: Love Culture

**I realize I should have written about this with an outfit actually containing J.Crew Factory and H&M items.

On the Radio

From 2002 until 2011, I didn't listen to the radio very much.  I was all set with my iPod and my car mp3 player, so the radio was just not necessary.  Then some total jerks decided to break into my car and rip my stereo out, and I really hope they felt stupid when they tried to pawn it and only got about $5 because it was SO OLD. But I digress...

For the past 2 years or so, I've been listening to the radio every day to and from work, and wherever else I might drive.  Over these years, I've noticed a few things about the radio that are just very strange.  As a blogger, I am pretty much an expert at sharing my opinion about frivolous things, so here we go!

• Modern hit music.  Define "modern" please.  I think if you are going to describe your station as new/modern, you should play mostly songs from this year, or at least the last couple years.  One station in town frequently has their little jingle for new music and then plays something that I remember listening to in high school.  It's been 10 years, okay.  That's not new.  
• No Repeat Workday!  - this applies to those 80s-now stations.  Shouldn't they have no repeats for several weeks?  I'm making some general assumptions here, but say they are playing music from the last 35 years, and say they stick to only the 100 top songs from each year.  That gives them 3,500 songs to play.  I have it on good authority (Google search), that most radio stations play between 200-300 songs in a day.  This means that I shouldn't hear the same song more than every 2 weeks.  Sure, current hits will get more play, which means I REALLY shouldn't hear the same Pat Benatar song every day on my drive to work.   
• Delilah - I don't understand where they find these people who call in (sorry if you are one of these people).  I recently heard a guy who wanted to dedicate a song to his friend, who he had asked on a date, and she's been avoiding him ever since then.  Delilah played "Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls, which includes the line "do you wanna get married?" I bet the guy's lady friend is completely freaked out if she was listening.  I also wonder if they just play the same "callers" over and over again.  I'm sure no one would notice. 
• Certain Artists - I know everyone has their own opinion, but can anyone explain to me why Katy Perry and Bruno Mars are so popular?  Katy Perry's voice is so irritating - I can't change the station fast enough when her songs come on.  Bruno Mars has a decent voice, but all of his songs just sound like bad leftovers from the 80s.  Am I alone here?  They get played all the time, so I assume most people like their stuff.  

 Do you listen to the radio?  Any pet peeves to share?  Or am I just crazy?

Top: Target

Cardigan: Gap

Skirt: Banana Republic

Sandals: Love Culture

FIVE HUNDRED!

This is my 500th post.  Just let that sink in for a minute.  I'm sort of shocked that I've done that many, but I guess I have been blogging almost every weekday for almost 2 years.  I thought it would be fun to look back at my centennial posts, so here it goes:

100 - March 11th, 2012 - this happened to be my 10,000th day of life, so it was a pretty exciting time! 
200 - July 7th, 2012 - I didn't notice this was a significant milestone at the time, so I was just weighing the pros and cons of wearing a cardigan.
300 - November 18, 2012 - epic remix to celebrate my blogiversary! 
400 - March 29, 2013 - again, I didn't notice the milestone, but this fell at the end of the 5 Days, 5 Ways challenge, so it is a fun post about remixing a black and white striped tee.

Anyway, it seems like an appropriate time to thank you all for reading!  I honestly can't believe the amazing friendships I have found through blogging.  It's a weird club and I am so happy to be a part of it!

I'm linking up with Summer Style and Look What I Got (because these sandals are new and were only $6!!). 

Cardigan: Old Navy (dyed by me)
Top: H&M
Shorts: Loft
Sandals: Love Culture