Zebra Tee

So here's an outfit that I wore about a month ago.  If I remember correctly, Mr. Baby and I had lunch with John, and then walked around the mall a little bit before going to a doctor's appointment.  But then we were getting onto the elevator for the doctor's office, and they called to cancel, because the doctor had to go deliver a baby.  But then I went up to the office to reschedule, and they said that the doctor actually had time to see me before she left.  So I felt a little awkward because I was worried about the woman who needed to give birth!  But I assume the doctor was being responsible with her time, right?

These are the boring OB visits.  I know baby is fine because he's kicking me all the time, so hearing the heartbeat isn't as important to me as it was during those earlier visits.  It's mostly just "how are you?"  "more uncomfortable than last appt."  "Okay, sounds about right! See you in a few weeks!"

Cardigan: ON
Tee: Everly Gray via Bella Gravida
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: Target

Third Thursday Blushing

It's the Third Thursday of the month, so that means I'm linking up with Bri.  The theme for February is blush.  I don't have anything in this color, mostly because it would match my skin and wash me out.  So I grabbed my palest pink item: this necklace.  

I wore it on Valentine's Day, so decided to be as cliché as possible and wear read and pink.  Mr. Baby was still not feeling the best, so John stayed home with him and I went to church by myself.  Which is why i could wear a necklace and my hairdown.  When I got home, Mr. Baby immediately achieved a death grip on the necklace and was heartbroken when I wouldn't let him play with it.  Choking hazard, buddy!!

Anyway, that's my story.  And I'm happy to report the temps are finally rising, so we may not have snow on the deck for much longer.  You know, until the inevitable March snow storm.  

Necklace: h&m

Dress: Limited

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Boots: Madden

Twofer Tuesday - Striped Tees

I'm so far behind on blogging outfits, I'm going to combine a couple today!  I hope no one still thinks that horizontal stripes are unflattering, but I've heard it here and there over the years, especially about pregnant women.  Like really?  Do these stripes make my baby look fat?  Wait - don't answer that.  

Anyway, if you've been reading around here very long (or at all), you probably know I'm fully on-board the stripes train.  Preferably with another print or pattern in the same outfit.  

And in case you are interested, this is my view these days (or actually, from about a week ago).  I can still see my ankles, you guys!  

Outfit #1
Cardigan: Gap
Scarf: Target
Tee: Old Navy
Pants: Old Navy maternity
Boots: Madden

Outfit #2
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target

Some Kind of Superhero

Do I look like a cartoon superhero in this outfit?  Because this is what my husband accused me of.  He couldn't think of which cartoon superhero it might be, but maybe something patriotic?  Like maybe a more-clothed version of Wonder Woman?  We may never know.

In addition to the big news that I shared yesterday, you'll notice in today's pictures that I chopped several inches off of my hair!  You may have actually noticed that my hair was shorter in the HFEyewear post, but this is my first official outfit post with short hair.  What happened was I meant to trim about 2 inches off.  But I accidentally cut more like 6.  Oops.  But I actually like it quite a bit, so it all worked out!  Except, I'm still not sure if the one side is a bit longer than the other, or if it just isn't quite as curled.  I'll have to keep an eye on that!

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)
Top: JCF (exact)
Skirt: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Windy City

Last week, Laura said she feels a little "4th of July" when she wears red and blue together.  I can relate!  One of my co-workers actually told me I looked patriotic in this outfit.  I guess that's okay, right?  At least red, white, and blue look nice together.  And there are not stars or stripes, so at least it's a subtle patriotism.  This skirt has been neglected all winter.  Now that it is officially spring, I should show it some love.      

The other day, I mentioned that the wind makes taking outfit pictures more difficult.  I spoke too soon.  On this particular day, I had a lot more trouble!  I got exactly one decent picture, where my hair isn't blowing all over the place.  An outtakes collage had to happen. 

Cardigan & Shoes: Old Navy
Top: H&M
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Bass

Dance and Twirl

Another day, another summer dress with winter layers.  Remember back in November, when I thought this dress was done for the season?  I'm so glad you all told me to buy some navy tights, because this dress makes me happy.  And I know that's silly, but LOOK AT ALL THE STRIPES!  I'd like to think that I would have eventually realized navy tights were an option, but who knows when that would have happened.  The only problem is that these tights sometimes look purple instead of navy.  And purple is about the only color not represented in my dress.

Anyway, this was from a couple Sundays ago.  The good thing about Sundays is that John can take pictures for me when we get home from church, and it's light outside!  The bad thing is that Sundays are the earliest morning for me each week, so I usually sleep too late, and then rush to get ready.  The weird thing about John taking pictures is that he usually convinces me to act crazy, and then sometimes he peer pressures me into posting the goofy pictures on the internet. (Exhibit A, B, C).

I believe the instructions were to dance and twirl, because standing still is boring.  I think I was doing something more like The Twist.  So here you go:

I think I prefer standing still.  But I guess this does really show the movement of my necklace! 

Today I'm linking up with Tres-Chic Fashion and What I Wore to Work

Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Banana Republic outlet
Belt: Gap
Necklace: F21
Boots: Madden

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

#28 - Pretty or Stupid?

When John is playing photographer, I can never tell if the pictures are good, or if I'm making strange faces or awkward movements.  On this particular day, I said "Do I look pretty or stupid?"  He replied "yes."  I'm going to assume he didn't hear the second half of the question.

Cardigan & Skirt: Old Navy
Top: Gap
Necklace: Bass
Tights: Target
Boots: Steve Madden

#9 - Blackout Week!

Sometimes I start a challenge and then I find out about another challenge.  And then I just do all of them at once.  It might not be the best plan, but whatever.  You can read all the details on the Black Out Challenge here.  The short story is to not wear black for a week  (or as many weeks of January as possible).  Since about half of my 30x30 items have some black in them, I couldn't do the whole month.  But I think I can manage a week with the other half of my items.  Hooray for non-black neutrals!  So this is outfit number 1 of the Blackout challenge, and outfit number 9 of the 30X30.  Warning - this polka dot top may be in most of my non-black looks!

I really like the top/cardigan/skirt part of this look.  I think it would be much cuter without tights, and with my navy ankle strap flats.  I just might have to redo it in the spring.   

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

#6 - Faux Leather Triple Threat

I've had a black moto jacket on my list for YEARS.  It's just hard to find the right style and fit (for the right price), but I finally found this one at Target of all places - for 40% off!  I bought it over the weekend and just had to add it to my 30x30 remix list.  I still have one open spot, but I'm going to try to save it for later. 

This jacket isn't great for a freezing day, so I layered a sweater and a cardigan for some extra warmth.  The wind wasn't too bad, so it worked out pretty well.  It will be perfect on the 40-60 degree days!

Jacket: Target
Sweater: Limited
Cardigan & Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

It was also perfect timing for Just Jacq's Triple Threat link up!
Won't you please link up with us? The rules are simple! Visit and follow justjacq and this month's cohosts, Rachel and Andi, add the button or a link back to this post and add your link! The link up is open all week so you have plenty of time to share your looks!

 

<div class="Grab button for triplethreat" style="width: 300px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.justjacq.com/tag/triplethreat/" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y506/thejustjacq/triplethreat_zps0185f6a7.jpg" alt="NBD" width="300" height="112" /> </a></div>

 

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

2013 Goals Review

This is the outfit I wore to John's office Christmas party a few weeks ago.  It's the same dress I wore back in 2011, but I don't think anyone noticed.  I felt festive enough while still having decently comfortable shoes, and a cardigan to keep warm.  Two years ago, I was freezing, and my feet were in severe pain by the end of the night.  See, I'm learning as I go!

Anyway, as we close out the year, I need to do my final goal review.  I had 6 goals for 2013.  I did monthly check-ins, except for November.  It probably would have matched October pretty closely. 

The short story for December is that I worked out A LOT.  Like 6 times a week for the first 3 weeks.  I even went to a Zumba class in Indiana!  I didn't sew anything, or cook consistently, or do any projects around the house.  I stuck to my budget, and I read several books.  So 50/50 for the month.  And I kind of feel like exercise is my top priority, so I feel good about that!

Here's my annual summary:

• Do a Project - mostly sewing.   50% success rate, with a generous definition of "projects."  I did a couple re-fashions, but I didn't do any serious sewing projects.  I'd really like to start sewing more, but it's just hard to find the time.  Maybe in 2014.
• Work out 3x a week - on Jan 1, I decided I would set up a reward system for this.  Then I didn't actually do the rewards system at all.  I think I was about 75% successful with this one.  In the beginning of the year, I just couldn't stay healthy, so I would be good for 2-3 weeks and then off for 1-2 weeks.  I'm getting better at making myself go to the gym, and tracking with My Fitness Pal is helping, too.  
• Tackle a Project around the house - well, I never made my list of things to do, but I think I did a decent job of getting stuff done.  We painted the guest bathroom, and half of the basement.  I also did some serious de-cluttering in our various closets, and took several bags to Goodwill or consignment.  I should really make that list so I know what I should be doing!  
• Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week - this is my worst category.  I'm just inconsistent, and I haven't figured out a good system to be more consistent.  
• Stick to a clothing budget - WIN!  I was almost $100 under budget for the year.  YAY!
• Read 50 books in the year - WIN!  This is my second year reading 50 books, and I cut it close again.  

So, I did pretty well on 3 categories, passable on 2, and failed on one.  Overall, I am confident that making goals and having monthly check-ins has helped me to better than I would have otherwise.  I need to think about my 2014 goals, but I'll be sure to keep myself accountable again!

Dress: Ann Taylor
Cardigan: Old Navy
Necklace: InPink
Tights: Target
Shoes: J.Crew Factory

Mrs. Candy

On Wednesday evening, on of my 5th grade girls decided that she would call me "Mrs. Candy" instead of "Andi."  I've never given her candy, so I think she's just excited about rhyming stuff.  Kids are so weird.

Another random/funny story from Wednesday.  One of the girls is pretty tall, and she was talking about how people think she's in high school instead of 6th grade.  I told her I could relate, because I was a really tall kid, too.  I explained that I was pretty much my current height by 6th grade.  Another girl was like "WHOA, YOU WERE A GIANT 6th GRADER!" and then the first girl said "Don't make her feel bad about it!" 

Don't worry - I'm over any insecurities I had about being a giant kid. 

Cardigan: Old Navy
Chambray: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Limited
Shoes: Gap