Dog Sweater

A few years ago, there was a similar dog sweater at Old Navy that I almost bought.  I think every blogger had it. But it didn't seem like the type of thing I would wear often enough to justify buying.   So I was kind of excited when LeTote sent me this one, but kind of disappointed because I really want the giraffe sweater instead.  Oh well, maybe next tote.  

I wore this for a recent Friday night dinner with my 2 favorite guys.  It was a big moment for Mr. Baby.  First time sitting in a restaurant high chair.  He's growing up too fast!  

Sweater:  LeTote (similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Happy Post-Christmas Day!

Happy day after Christmas!  I hope everyone had a great day.  If I had to guess, I bet I had a pretty good day.  But I'm writing this a few days early, because we are spending the week in New Mexico, so I don't really know!

I think this is the last time you'll see these jeans for awhile.  The belly band trick just isn't going to cut it anymore.  Hopefully I can fit into them again next fall/winter.  And hopefully red skinny jeans are still acceptable.  Wait, are red skinny jeans even still acceptable now?  I mean, I like them, so I guess I don't really care!

I'll be getting back home this weekend, so hopefully I will be able to share a Christmas week wrapup soon!

Cardigan: H&M (similar)
Top: Target (similar)
Necklace: F21 (similar, similar)
Jeans: Old Navy (similar)
Shoes: Gap factory (similar, similar)

Striped Blazer Remix

On Monday, it was warm enough to wear a blazer as a coat and to wear flats without freezing my ankles off!  Just a hint of spring before we get more snow this week.  February is a bit of a tease sometimes.  Anyway, I was excited to break out this blazer.  This falls into an impulse buy that actually turned out to be a good decision.  

Today, I'm linking up with Ginny, Danielle, and Nicole for their "Many Days, Many Ways" theme.  I love a good remix collage, so of course, I had to join in!  Here are 7 ways I have worn this blazer through the spring, summer, fall, and winter.  Looking at this collage, I'm thinking I need to try this with some colors not in the red/pink family.  Maybe next time!  

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

How would you style this blazer?

Blazer: Gap
Top: J.Crew Factory
Jeans & Shoes: Old Navy

Valentine's Week - Red Jeans

It's the first day of VALENTINE'S WEEK and I'm kicking it off with a little red and pink combination.  I'm so excited to have 5 lovely co-hosts for this theme week!  Make sure you go check out Laura, Kate, Inge, Brynn,  and Danielle to see how they are styling red and/or pink this week.  (And you can link up your own posts any day this week!) 

 

Now I have tried to rock red and pink in the past, and it ended up in the 2013 Hall of Shame.  In that outfit, I went all in, and it was too much, but that's how fashion goes sometime.  So, today I'm going for a smaller scale.  It's possible I will get more adventurous as the week progresses, but for today, just a pale pink necklace with my red jeans.

Here's a free piece of advice - when you are wearing a light-colored wool sweater, and a dark colored blazer, by the end of the day, it will look like you were snuggling with a polar bear.  So maybe throw a lint roller into your purse!    

Sweater: Gap
Blazer & Necklace: H&M
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

#14 - Hey Bear!

When we went to Montana/Canada for vacation last summer, one big concern was the potential to meet a bear while we were hiking.  Since I was traveling with responsible guys, we had bear spray, and we made sure to shout bear calls every so often.  My favorite was "HEY BEAR!"  There were no close bear encounters, which proves that yelling "HEY BEAR" is a very good idea.  There's some free advice for your Saturday.

This rounds out my "Blackout" week.  I'll be wearing my black items again next week.  Make sure you go check out Nicole's blog to see other bloggers who are participating!


Sweatshirt, Jeans, Shoes: Old Navy
*I try not to wear all one brand, but it happens sometimes! 

#7 - Reciprocal

I don't remember a whole lot of specifics about middle school math class, but for some reason, I always think about reciprocals in the context of outfits.  You know, where 1/2 is the reciprocal of 2.  You just flip the top and the bottom.  This outfit is basically the reciprocal to this outfit.  Instead of a black skirt and red cardigan, I'm wearing red jeans and a black cardigan.  It's an easy way to remix.

See, Mom and Dad, your investments in my education were totally worth it! 

Also, my hair is different in these pictures, because I braided it the night before.  So it's less curly and more like tiny waves.  Probably not something I will try again! 

Shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Literary Junkies!

I just realized it has been over a year since the Literary Junkies book club started. Time flies when you're nerding out about books, I guess.  We just finished chatting about Safe Haven.  Here are this month's questions:

1. If you could write a book, what would it be about?

Ummm, I don't think I could stay focused enough to write a novel.  I'd probably write a memoir-type book of short stories about things I've experienced.  And I don't know who would read it.  Probably my parents.   

2. If you had to read one book or trilogy for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I reject this question. I don't like to re-read books, so I have no idea. 

3. Who is your current favorite book character and why?

The first character that popped into my mind is Pat from Silver Linings Playbook.  I just loved his way of describing things.  Even though he was a little (lot) crazy, he was still sweet.   

4. Is there a book you read every year during the holiday season? If so, what is it and why?

No, I don't really re-read books.  

5. Do you have any books on your Christmas list? Name a few.

No, I'm a library girl.  I don't like to own too many books. I'm out of shelf space and they are a pain to move! 

6. What is a book you read and loved that you didn’t expect to?

How about 7?  The Harry Potter series.  I resisted reading them, because I thought they sounded stupid.  I finally gave in this summer and really liked them. 

So, have you read any good books lately?  I have about 50 pages left in Me Before You, and I'm getting nervous that it will make me cry!  

Cardigan: Limited

Tee & Shoes: Gap

Long Necklace: F21
Short necklace: gift

Jeans: Old Navy

Copycat Copycat

This outfit is a copycat of myself copycatting someone else.  I really liked that outfit this winter, so I thought it'd be fun to try a more spring appropriate version for dinner Saturday night.

It was also a good excuse to wear my new shoes!  These were a lucky score at Target when I popped in really quick to buy some travel-sized toiletries for my trip to Orlando.  John dropped me off at Target and ran into Lowe's for something, so I was killing time after finding everything on my list, and just happened to wander into the clothes and shoes.  I found a really cute dress (worn last week, but not photographed - blogger fail), and 2 pairs of shoes.  These were an online return, so they were marked down to less than $10 -  I was sold!   

Linking up today with Agi's Tres Chic, Look What I Got, and What I Wore to Work.

Top: H&M
Scarf: Calvin Klein
Jacket: Izod
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Target

Guys and Ladies/Girls/Women

Have you all noticed there isn't a good female alternative for "guy"?  I mean, if I am talking about a male co-worker, I would say "this guy at work...", but if I am talking about a female co-worker, I'm stumped.  Woman?  Lady?  Girl?  Gal?  No, those all sound weird.  Is there a good alternative I am just forgetting?  These are the things I worry about.

In other news...

You guys, I finally found a leopard print scarf, and it was only $7!  I really wish there was an H&M in Omaha.  Although it might be trouble.  I also found these polka dot shoes on my shopping adventures in Arizona.  If you are wondering how many pairs of polka dot shoes a lady/woman/girl needs, the answer is at least 3 (exhibit A and B).

Scarf: H&M
Shirt: Gap
Jacket: Izod
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Gap Outlet

5 Days, 5 Ways - Red Pants

When I think about pants, I don't usually include jeans, so I very rarely wear "pants."  For the purposes of the 5 days, 5 ways project, my jeans get to be pants.  Otherwise, I would have to skip this day.  I got these a few days after Christmas, and I have worn them quite a bit.  I am looking forward to some warmer weather looks, once spring arrives:

Here are my 5 ways:

1/2/3/4/5

And now for a nostalgic story about red jeans from 10+ years ago:  
Many years ago, I bought a pair of red jeans at Abercrombie & Fitch.  I think I was a junior in high school, and we were doing a college visit at KU.  After lunch, we got to wander around Lawrence for a bit, and I was very excited about my red jeans.  I think my friends thought I was weird, because colorful pants weren't really common at that point.  I loved those jeans, but then a wardrobe catastrophe struck.  Someone in my house was going to run a load of whites, and added bleach to the washer, but then promptly forgot about it.  Then I decided to run a load of all my dark clothes, not knowing about the bleach.  Needless to say, most of my clothes were ruined, including the jeans.  About a year later, I was visiting my sister in Illinois and I found the exact same red jeans at the Abercrombie Outlet.  Score!  Unfortunately, they didn't fit quite the same as the originals, but I still liked them.  I should really dig through my old photos and find evidence of these jeans.  Maybe I will have to bring back "Throwback Thursday" one of these days. 

Outfit Details:
Sweater: Limited
Tank: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Born

Literary Junkies Link-Up

It is Literary Junkies Link-Up time again!  YAY for book nerds!

What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.

Currently reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.  She is an Omaha native, and it is interesting to read a story set in my city.  I went to a book signing a couple weeks ago, and Rainbow Rowell was great, so I liked the book before I even started reading, just because I liked her so much!  I'm not very far into the book yet, but it is about 2 teenagers in Omaha in the mid-80s.  I think they are going to fall in love. Plus the main character, Eleanor, has hair like mine, but bright red.  I'm pretty much imagining an awkward teenager version of Merida.

What book do you recommend the most to people?

It really depends on the person, and what I have been reading lately.    A few books that come to mind are The Pillars of the Earth, East of Eden, A Tale of Two Cities.  I just read The Fault in Our Stars, and have been telling everyone to read it.   

What are the top 3 books on your "to-read" list?

• The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

• A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

What do you "do" while reading? (i.e. listen to music, eat) Any weird reading habits?

I really don't do anything else while I am reading.  I'm usually just curled up on the couch or in my bed.  Sometimes John is watching TV, and if it is a boring enough show, I can read, but usually any other noise is too distracting to me.  I almost always read when I am flying somewhere, but I can't read in a car.    

Blazer, Sweater, Shirt: Gap

Necklace: Bass Outlet

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Wanted

Be My Valentine

 

Look!  I switched out purses!

Take One, Pass It On Item:  red jeans from last Thursday's post
*Inspired by this look.  

Happy Valentine's Day!  I don't have particularly strong feelings about this holiday.  I mean, I like any excuse to celebrate, but John and I usually don't exchange gifts or anything.  Sometimes, I convince him that we should go out to dinner at my favorite restaurant, but we usually do it a few days after Valentine's, to avoid the crowds.  

Last year, the February theme for EBEW was "Red and Pink."  I was still pretty new to the blogging game, and I put together a pretty lame outfit.  Then I really loved some of the other outfits, but I didn't have many red items in my wardrobe, so I never got around to trying it for myself.  When I bought my red jeans right after Christmas, I decided I would finally try the red and pink combo.  Valentine's week seemed like an appropriate time for this. 

This is one of those outfits that I decided I was going to wear, and there was no turning back.  As I was driving to work, I started to feel a little bit ridiculous, but I wasn't going to go home to change.  As the day progressed, my t-shirt decided to untuck itself, and I thought it looked a little bit better than the tucked-in version, so I snapped a picture. 

I'm just not used to having my shirt tucked in.  I'm going to work on it.

I'm also not a big fan of these boots with this outfit.  They just seem very sudden and dark, compared to the overload of brightness.  I wanted to wear my gray boots, or my gray flats, but they are both falling apart.  I think the shoe repair place can save the boots, but the flats are probably going in the trash. 

T-shirt: Gap
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina
Necklace: InPink
Jeans: Old Navy
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Boots: BareTraps
Purse: Mossimo

Jean Jacket Envy

Take One, Pass It On Item:  denim jacket from last Monday.  Also, I'm being such a copycat lately.  I hope you all don't mind!)

The first clothing-related memory I have is of wanting a jean jacket.  I remember another girl at preschool had a really awesome jean jacket and I thought I should have one too.  The funny thing is that I don't actually remember getting the much-desired jean jacket.  But here I am, 4 years old, sporting a jean jacket that was probably a hand-me-down from my brother.  

My next clothing related memory involves me lying to my mother.  We were looking for school shoes before Kindergarten or First Grade, and there was this really awesome pair of hot pink Converse high-tops that I really, REALLY wanted.  I tried them on and they were just a little bit tight, but the Salesperson already mentioned that they didn't have the next size up.  I was like "yep, they fit perfectly!  Plenty of room in the toe!" and we bought them.  A few days later, we returned them, and I got stuck with some lame LA Gear tennis shoes with lace laces.  So embarrassing, but I guess I deserved it for lying.  

What's your first shopping or clothing related memory?  

Sweater: Gap
Scarf: Calvin Klein
Jacket: Izod
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

Baby, It's COLD Outside

Are you excited for some typical style blogger weather talk?  Well, after a few glorious days of balmy temperatures (like 40 degrees), winter has returned with a vengeance.  It snowed a few inches on Tuesday evening, and I may have overreacted by wearing my serious snow boots.  I looked especially cool after work when I changed into my workout clothes, but had to wear the boots until I got to class, because they don't want wet tennis shoes on the floor.  Then class was canceled (I seriously have the worst luck at fitness classes!).

I sort of felt like a grandpa in my chambray top and gray cardigan, even though I've never seen a grandpa in red skinny jeans.  To amp up the femininity, I wore the super cute flower necklace that Brooke gave me for Christmas.  You can kind of see it in the third picture.

Anyway, when I woke up Thursday morning, weather.com told me that it "Feels like -8" outside and I was very tempted to stay in bed.  Then Thursday evening, it was worse.

I really hope we get back into a more reasonable range of temperatures!  Otherwise, you can expect to see a rotation of skinny jeans and boots pretty much every day.

Any brilliant tips for getting dressed when it's bitterly cold outside?

Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Tamarack

Lazy Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  Mine was pretty low-key, which is perfect after all the craziness of the holidays.

We finally gave up on our old dishwasher and bought a new one.  It was delivered Friday night, and John got it all set up!  It is so shiny and looks great in the kitchen!  Is being excited about a new dishwasher a sign of old age?

I worked for a few hours on Saturday,then did stuff around the house.  On Sunday, we had church, and then were just lazy.  I did a little grocery shopping, and may have bought a new purse.  I honestly have no idea how I end up on the non-grocery side of Target!  

And finally, the big giveaway winner is....Shanea!  Congratulations!  Thanks to everyone who entered and helped spread the word. 

Cardigan: Gap
T-shirt: Loft
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

Resolute

I didn't get the black shirt/blue jean memo

Happy New Year!  I'll be like everyone else and say I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S 2013!  I mean, seriously, how did this happen?  We had our traditional college friends NYE party.  I think it's pretty awesome that we get together every year.  It kind of blows my mind that I've known these people for almost 10 years!  Anyway, we had a lot of fun, and I stayed up way past my bedtime!    

After my lame attempt at goals in 2012, I need to figure out a better way to set and achieve goals in 2013.  I am keeping some of the same goals, but changing them a little bit, to be more specific and measurable.  I'm also going to do monthly check-ins.  When I did my quarterly check-in posts, I usually got back on track for a few weeks.  I'm hoping more frequent accountability will make me more successful!

So, on a monthly basis, I want to:

1. Do a project, mostly sewing - my craftiness got some practice in 2012, and I want to focus on sewing more in 2013.  I'd like to tackle at least 1 sewing project each month.  Ideally, some of these projects would involve refashioning items from Goodwill, like Marisa.  Plus, I really need to finish my t-shirt quilt that I started a few years ago.  
2. Work out - Since I am SO not motivated, I think I am going to bribe myself with rewards each month. So, if I meet my goal, I get to schedule a massage that month.  In January, I'm going to workout at least 3 days a week.  I have a new Jillian Michaels DVD, so it's just a 20 minute commitment and a pretty decent workout.  Each month, I will have a new goal to work on.  
3. Tackle a project around the house - I need to make a list of things that need to get done.  I really want to organize and get rid of things we don't need anymore.  I figure if I can manage one each month, that would be pretty good progress!
4. Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week.  I'm so bad at making dinner, and when I try to get motivated, I set unrealistic expectations, and then I fail and then I give up until I get motivated again.  So, instead of 7 days a week, I will try 3 days a week, and then fill in the other days with the "easy" options.  
5. Stick to a clothing budget - I don't think I am too bad, but I just don't keep good track of how much I am spending on clothes each month.  I need to start paying attention!  

My last goal is just for the year:

      6. Read 50 books.  I think this will be an ongoing goal.  I love to read, but without a goal, I tend to get           distracted with other things like TV, or perusing Pinterest.  Reading is a better use of my time!

I'm linking up with Sarah and Andrea today!  Go check out all the other resolutionizers!  I don't have 13 resolutions, but the rules state it is still legal.