Another Week, Another Visitor

So I mentioned that my sister and nieces were visiting last week.  The day after they left, my mom came out, so she and I are hanging out this week.  I've recruited her help with my long list of tasks to accomplish before baby arrives, so we will be doing some sewing projects and prepping some freezer meals.  I'm pretty excited that she was able to come out for a few days.

I'm also pretty excited that baby is 37 weeks now, which means he wouldn't be considered "premature" at this point, and might not even have to visit the NICU.  That makes me really happy.  And I think we have most of the necessary items for him now, too.  Carseat is installed, bassinet is put together, and I've got a drawer full of diapers and wipes.  So pretty much this kid can come whenever he's ready now.  Of course, I am aware he'll likely take the full 40 weeks or longer, but it's nice to get to a point where I wouldn't panic completely if I went into labor.

Cardigan: JCF
Necklace: F21
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Dress: Loft Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Remix Kickoff - Two Favorites

Okay, kicking off the Top 10 Remix with 2 items:  navy dress and mint scarf!  

I have to make fun of myself a little bit.  I recently mentioned on Brynn's blog that I don't really like infinity scarves, and then I turn around and tie this long scarf into one.  The hypocrisy is great.  But something about this outfit on this day just looked better with a scarf/necklace than with a hangy-down scarf.  

Pay no attention to the sun/dust spots all over these pictures.  I tried to clean them up in editing, but I obviously don't know how to photoshop very well, so I gave up and left them as is.  It's artistic, okay?  SO FANCY!  

Scarf: JCF

Dress: Loft Maternity

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: NY&Co

Shoes: Old Navy

Another Floral Scarf Look

Well, I should have just waited and done a Threefer Thursday with this scarf, because I wore it again.  This time I paired it with my neglected neon pink and gray striped sweater (not to be confused with my different but the same pink and gray striped sweater).  I really like both of these sweaters, but I neglect both of them, and they are very similar, but I can't decide which one I like better, so I keep both of them.  For now, I'm probably just putting all my sweaters in storage, and I will see what works for me next winter.  Closet downsizing has been tricky during pregnancy, since I don't know what clothes will fit my new body, and what styles will make sense with my new lifestyle!

Add this to the list of outfits where I don't look pregnant from the front!

Scarf: F21
Sweater: Gap
Pants: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Another Almost Repeat

Here's another outfit that felt very similar to one I wore last January.  What can I say?  This blazer just looks good with a pink top and skinny jeans!

I also feel like every day I'm wearing something for the last time I can get away with it.  This shirt is one of those things.  It was this close to being too tight, so it should probably be retired to the back of my closet until after baby arrives and my body starts getting smaller again.  That happens, right?

Blazer: Gap
Top: JCF
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Polka Dot Punk Rock

My nieces are getting older, and getting more and more opinions, especially about fashion.  Over Thanksgiving, one of the 10 year olds had some objections to my holey jeans.  I think her exact words were "Aunt Andi, you might want to lay off the punk rocker vibe now that you're going to be a mother."  She was shocked when I told her these are actually jeans specifically designed for pregnant women.  The next day, I wore normal jeans, and she approved.

For this outfit, I think the excessively preppy polka dots on top really help balance the rock and roll vibe of my maternity jeans.  It's all about balance, folks!

Cardigan: Target
Top: JCF  (exact)
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Blazer Week - Gray Stripes

When I did my remix post with this blazer, Brynn asked if I'd ever worn it with my green jeans.  Surprisingly, I had not!  Blazer Week was the perfect excuse.  And I loved it - except my typical tall girl problem of tops seeming too short and then my under-tank tops are an awkward little band across my middle.  I wish I had an off-white tank top that would be less conspicuous, but whatever.

Happy last day of Blazer Week!  Thanks to everyone who joined in and as always, special thanks to my co-host Danielle!   Remember you can still link up until Monday at midnight.

Blazer: Gap (similar)
Top: Loft Outlet (similar)
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

This is another example of an outfit that started out in my head a certain way and then ended up completely different.  It all started because Kate commented on this post that I should try wearing that blue/orange-ish skirt with something purple.  I immediately thought of this scarf with orange and purple on it.  It didn't look quite right with this tee and scarf, so I added the gray cardigan for some neutral hoping the neutral would subdue the situation.  I still felt weird, so I just grabbed my black skirt and called it a day. 

I still think purple is an idea I need to figure out with that other skirt.  I'll just have to try again some other day! 

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Scarf: F21 (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact in other colors)
Skirt: Gibson&Latimer (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Graphic Tee Week - 30!!!

It's my BIRTHDAY!!  And I'm 30?  What?  So strange.  I'm not really worried about getting older, but it just doesn't feel like I can be 30 already.  Didn't I just turn 18 like five minutes ago???  I'm taking the afternoon off work and getting a much needed massage and pedicure, and then looking forward to a fun weekend of celebrating!

When I decided to do Graphic Tee week, this was the first outfit that I thought of.  I just love this tee (another of the $2.50 deals from Gap). So I wore it and loved it and saved it for my birthday post and graphic tee week finale!

Anyway, thanks to everyone that linked up!  You can still join in until Monday.  Make sure to check out all the other links and make some new friends.  Especially Priya, who totally killed it as my co-host this week!

Blazer: Gap via consignment (option, option)
Tee: Gap
Necklace: InPink (exact)
Jeans: Gap factory (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Graphic Tee Week: Weezer

Another band t-shirt, but I couldn't help myself.  These are absolutely my favorite tees.  It seems like band merchandise has gotten nicer over the years.  My recent concert tees are all super soft cotton, so I love them.  And I mean, this one features a robot in an argyle sweater playing a drum.  What more could you want from a t-shirt??  Maybe a blogger whose hair doesn't cover half of the design?

I went the more casual route with this outfit.  This probably wouldn't fly at most offices, but as I've mentioned before - mine is super casual, unless we have clients visiting, which is pretty rare.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for the grand finale of Graphic Tee week, which also happens to be my 30th birthday!  (send presents)

Tee: concert souvenir (exact)
Jacket: Target (similar)
Jeans: Gap factory (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Striped Blazer Remix

It's been awhile since I've done a good remix collage post.  And what better item to feature than my gray and white striped blazer.  Ever since John gave me this blazer for Christmas back in 2012, it's been one of my favorite things.  I've neglected it a bit this summer, but you can expect to see it in the rotation again for fall/winter.  Here are 8 other ways I've worn it over the years:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

Blazer: Gap
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Tee: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Limited (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

A Birthday Party

Several of my friends have birthdays in the coming weeks.  An unreasonable proportion of my college friends have birthdays in the late Sept-early Nov range.  So we always had lots of birthdays to celebrate this time of year.  Over the weekend, one of my friends had a kind of epic 30th birthday.  I skipped the roller skating rink, because I'm clumsy enough on my own..  Strapping wheels to my feet seems like a recipe for disaster.  So J just met up with everyone for dinner, which was at a bar with karaoke.  I wasn't brave enough to participate, but a few friends did and it was awesome.  And then a few strangers sang and it was very bizarre.  There was an eclectic mix of folks at this particular locale.  The best part - my friend gave our favor bags (just like in elementary school) that contained awesome things like slap bracelets and Lisa Frank stickers.  It was like 1993 all over again!  So fun.

Okay, the actual best part was hanging out with friends that I don't get to see very often.  But the favor bag was pretty great.  And I absolutely can't believe we are all turning 30 this year.  I still think of my college friends as "new" friends, but I guess we've known each other for 11+ years now.  Not so new anymore.  Funny how that happens.

Jacket: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Scarf: Target (similar)
Tee: Gap (similar)
Skirt: Gap (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#27 - Summer Book Challenge Update

Well, the Summer Book Challenge is over as of September (check out Megan's blog for more details), so here's my final list.  I mostly finished, and not for lack of reading enough.  I just didn't have many options in the category of "finish a book you couldn't get through the first time."  Basically, if I stop reading a book, it's pretty bad.  I shouldn't try again.  Anyway, for anyone who is interested, here's my full final list of what I read for each category, and my rating of the books.  I was pretty good at writing book review posts early in the summer, so I included links to my full reviews for those.

Read in May: 95 points

• 15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe - The Wives of Los Alamos (240 Pages) - 3 stars (my review)
  
• 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir - I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star (256 Pages) - 4 stars (my review)
• 25 points: Read a book written by a blogger - Hyperbole and a Half (384 pages) - 5 stars (my review)
• 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles - Where'd You Go, Bernadette (330 pages)-4 stars (my review) and Uganda Be Kidding Me (257 pages)-3 stars

Read in June:  55 points

• 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long - The Rosie Project (295 pages) 5 stars! (my review)
• 10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore - Walk Two Moons (280 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014 - This is Where I Leave You  (352 Pages) - 4 stars
• 20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title - Cinderella Ate My Daughter  (244 Pages) - 4 stars

Read in July: 30 points

• 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List - Landline (308 pages) - 4 stars
• 15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge - Orphan Train (294 pages, 5 stars) 

Read in August: 10 points

• 10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born - The House of Dies Drear (244 pages) - 2 stars

 Total: 190 points (out of 200)

• 10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn't finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)  
• Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America by Tanner Colby (320 Pages) - I started reading this again and just couldn't get into it.  The topic is really interesting, but the writing is not.  So I gave up.  And I wasn't about to pick up Eat, Pray, Love again, so I'm skipping my final 10 points. 

I was getting into a bit of a reading rut, so this challenge helped inspire me about what to read this summer.  My to-read list is out of control, and sometimes when I look at it, I just don't even know where to start.  The good (and scary) news is that there are quite a few books coming out this fall, and I'm already on the hold list at the library, so I should get them pretty soon.  I just hope I don't get them all at once, because I'll have to read quickly before they are due back!

Have you read anything good this summer?  So I can add it to my ever-growing list!  
 
Top: Gap (similar, vaguely similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Skirt: J.Crew Factory (exact style in other colors)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#22 - Writer's Block

New hardest part of the 30x30 is that I apparently don't have 30 days worth of things to say in a month.  So let me just talk about my outfit.  I like it in theory, but I think the proportions are a little bit off.  I still need to take this skirt in a couple inches, because it's still way too big.  And the cardigan is a bit more fitted than the shirt, so I think it looks a little funny.  In a normal world, I would have switched out for a longer cardigan, but in 30x30 world, this is my only option. 

Don't forget to take the survey if you haven't yet!   

Cardigan: Gap  (similar)
Top: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Belt: Chinese Laundry (similar)
Skirt: Gap  (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#21- Wind Machine

When taking outfit photos, I usually forget my wind machine.  But some days, when I'm taking frantic photos on the side of Kohl's so I can grab a quick dinner of champions at Chick-fil-A before taking care of the 2-year-olds at church, the wind decides to show up.  And the reflection of my pink blazer on my face makes it look like I'm wearing blush.  No need to spend extra time on make-up!  Just wear bright colors!  

I'm so excited that Bri picked a Third Thursday Threads theme that fell into the rules of my 30x30.  LBD for the win!  Go check out the other looks here.  

And please take my survey if you haven't yet!      

Blazer: Gap (option, option)
Necklace: InPink (exact)
Belt: NY&Co (similar)
Dress: Ann Taylor (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#14 - Navy Week - Throwback Navy

In the last few years, navy has become one of my favorite neutrals.  I used to wear a lot of black, but navy seems like the less goth/emo cousin, and still goes with everything.  So I've been drawn to it more and more. Prior to about 2012, I don't think I had anything navy in my wardrobe, except maybe a Cardinals t-shirt (this one).  

I blame my previous aversion to navy on my private school uniform.  I had to wear a navy jumper every day from 2nd-5th grade.  And then in middle school and high school, my options were either a khaki skirt or a navy skirt.  The high school navy option was plaid.  (and no, it wasn't a cute Catholic school uniform.  It was very unflattering, midi-length before midi-length was a thing).  But anyway, I dug through my photo albums and found this fantastic Throwback Thursday picture.

I would guess this is the first day of 4th grade.  I obviously hadn't gotten the hang of smiling like a normal person (am I trying to wink?  I don't even know what is happening).  I cropped my brother out, because I don't want him to hate me (not saying he looks bad - I don't think he had an awkward phase).  And I'm not sharing the first day of 5th grade picture that I found, because it's really really bad.  I'm not really sure why I had any friends that year, because I looked ridiculous.  I must have had a great personality or something.  Or I was very blessed with non-shallow classmates.

Judy Greer talks about this in her book.  When you go through a phase where you are super awkward looking, and then you think you are pretty much gorgeous once you start to look normal.  I mean, I might be average looking now, but I've improved exponentially since I was 10!

Anyway, what are we even talking about anymore?  Navy!  I used to have to wear navy, so I didn't like that.  Then after about 10 years of not having to wear navy, I started liking it again.  Great story, Andi!

Do you wear navy?  Link up with us below!!

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Tee: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Skirt: J.Crew (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#13 - Navy Week - Striped Skirt

Hey, it's the confetti shirt again, because GUESS WHAT?  Some of the dots are navy, so it goes with this navy/cobalt striped skirt.  I just really love clothes with so many different colors, because they pretty much go with everything.

And I'm still pretty excited about this pink blazer.  It's not getting much play in the remix, because layers are not needed when the weather is consistently in the 90s.  Good thing I don't believe in "fall colors," so I will be wearing this a lot when it starts to cool down.  And no, I'm not part of the blogger coalition that is anxiously awaiting fall.  Let's keep summer around for awhile longer, okay?

Blazer: Gap (option, option)
Tee: Gap
Skirt: Gap (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Throwback Thursday - Blue Camouflage

When I first started blogging, I had visions of alliterative awesomeness and thought I'd do Throwback Thursday* posts every week.  I pretty quickly ran out of old pictures that I thought were interesting enough to share.

Anyway, I'm bringing Throwback Thursday back to the blog with a little twist.  Instead of just sharing an old picture, I'm going to share an old picture with a current outfit that is similar or inspired by the old picture.  Kind of like this or this.  And I have no idea how frequently I'll do it, but I'm hoping to do at least one every month.  I'm going to raid my parents' photo albums this weekend to get some good pics.      

So without any further ado....

2004 vs 2014

Apparently blue camouflage is just one of those timeless prints!  The old picture is from the summer of 2004 when I went to visit my brother's family in Kentucky.  Because I didn't used to take pictures of myself every day, my throwback pictures will usually be from a trip or event of some kind. 

When looking at this old picture, I mostly realize that I was super skinny back then.  I didn't think I was skinny, but I mean, look how flat my stomach is!  So, I want to look like that again!  Oh, to be 19 again!  Wait, no - that sounds terrible.  Oh, to look 19 again!  That's better.     

Also, if you are wondering about the little person cropped out, it's my nephew.  He's becoming a teenager in a few weeks, which is completely not allowed.  But look how cute he was! 

Anyway, when I saw the camo/stripe shirt at the Gap, I had a wave of nostalgia and had to buy it.  Plus my sister has the green camo version (seen here), so we can be twinsies!

2014 info: 
Top: Gap (vaguely similar)
Jeans: Limited (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

2004 info: 
Top: Karen Kane
Belt: Express
Jeans: Probably Gap

* Just a note - this was before I had even heard of Instagram, so #tbt wasn't really a thing in my social circles.  I'm not deluded enough to think I came up with the idea on my own.  I mean, I'm sure I heard it somewhere and my subconscious saved it for a rainy day, but at the time, I thought I was being pretty creative.

Dress Week - Summer Essentials

It's Third Thursday Threads day!!  Again, it's working out that my theme weeks play nicely with Bri's themes.  And we had a little ESP(n) going this month, because I sent her a guest post all about Summer Must-Haves before I saw the TTT theme.  Great minds, I tell ya!

So here's a pretty typical summer outfit for me:  light dress + bright colored cardigan + belt + comfortable shoes.

That's a formula for easy summer style.  Plus, this dress is famous!  It was on the season 2 finale of New Girl!  I wish that Zooey Deschanel had been wearing it (that would be cooler), but it was just Schmidt's girlfriend.  Anyone else get excited when their clothes are on TV?

Dress Week is still going strong!  Linkup below!

Dress: Target (similar)
Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Belt: NY&C0 (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Skirt Time

I'm finally linking up for Skirt Week with Katie, Liz, and Sarah.  I mean, I love skirts and I can't resist a good old-fashioned theme link-up.  This is the second time I've worn this skirt.  I wore it right away after buying it, and it was a little baggy.  I thought it would shrink up a bit in the wash, but it didn't  It's just too big.  I'm going to have to see if I can take in the waist, because I was in danger of losing it all day.  On a positive note, it's SUPER comfortable!

It's been a crazy week.  Yesterday was one of those "back-to-back meetings for 4 hours straight" type of days.  I finally got to sneak out for lunch around 3pm.  Not awesome.  I'm headed to a conference next week, so there's just a lot of work to get ready for it, and never enough hours in the day.

I'll be busy packing tonight and tomorrow, and then we're going to see Ben Folds on Saturday!  Have I mentioned he's my favorite?  I've lost count of how many of his concerts I've been to, but I will keep going because he's amazing.  I'm just hoping the 60% chance of rain doesn't happen to be at concert time!

And finally, since I love you guys, here's an outtake.  I don't even know how this happened.  I guess I was flipping my hair.  Model material right here!

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Tee & Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Old Navy

Long Weekend Recap

Happy Tuesday!  I'm going to pretend that I purposely skipped posting on Monday for Memorial Day, but really, I just forgot to schedule something.  This outfit would have been perfect, because it's all red, white, and blue.  Anyway, enough about my outfit.  How about a weekend recap??

On Friday, I left work early and had a late/long lunch with a friend.  Then I had the rest of the evening to myself and decided it was time to really do a full closet inventory.  I got about halfway done before I had to take a break for dinner.  Then I binge-watched Netflix while ironing for a few hours.  And I'm at a point in my life where I'm content with spending my Friday night ironing.  (Sometimes I still feel like I'm 19, but there are moments where I can believe I'm almost 30.)

Saturday involved more closet sorting, more ironing and folding laundry, AND a lunch/movie date with John.  We went to the new X-Men movie.  It was pretty good, but I have a lot of questions now.  I mean, time travel is always pretty sketchy, so it will be interesting to see where they go from here.  And how long Hugh Jackman can play Wolverine.  He's just getting a little old.

After church on Sunday, I spent the afternoon helping to make wedding mints for my friend's wedding.  It was fun to hang out with her, and the mints are delicious!  Then John and I went over to some friends' house for a good old-fashioned cookout.  Good food, fun people, and my team won at Catch Phrase!

On Monday, I finished my closet inventory (post coming soon), and did a few other things around the house.  Then we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant.

I'd say it was a pretty nice weekend!  Did you do anything fun with the extra day?  (my apologies if you had to work!)  

Top: Michael Kors via TJ Maxx
Cardigan & Shoes: Old Navy
Skirt: Target
Belt: NY&Co