Black and Tan Dress Remix

I think it's time for a little remix collage action featuring one of my oft-worn maternity dresses.  I added this dress as an afterthought to my order of this navy lace dress (worn here) and this blue printed dress (worn here).  They were both too short, and awkwardly proportioned on the top, so I only wore them a couple times.  But this other dress, that I was unsure about even ordering has turned into my favorite of the three.
*I'm getting slightly out of order on posts again.  These are from April 2nd.  So, a few weeks ago!

I'm sure I wore this more than 5 times, but here are the different ways I wore it and actually thought to take pictures.

1/2/3/4/5

I'm not sure, but I think this dress might work pretty well as a non-maternity item, as long as I don't feel weird wearing maternity clothes when I'm no longer pregnant.  I mean, no one would know unless I had a blog where I told everyone these things.

Jacket: JCF (remix item)
Dress: Younker's maternity
Necklace: Old Navy
Belt: Madden
Shoes; Payless

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

Getting Old

Most of the time, I'm not too worried about getting older.  I mean, I'm on my last few months as a 20-something, but 30 seems okay.  Every once in awhile though, something happens that makes me feel really old.  One of these things happened yesterday at the eye doctor.  My previous eye doctor moved away, so I got to see the new guy who replaced her at the office.  He was great, but I think he was younger than me.  I mean, it's possible that he just looks young.  Anyway, if he is in fact younger than me, I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've been older than a medical provider.  It feels kind of weird. But hey, my eyes haven't gotten worse, so that's something to be happy about! 

At least I still wear color combinations that a Kindergartener would approve. 

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Necklace: Dillard's
Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Target
Flats: Payless

Summer Book Challenge

This summer, I'm joining in on Megan's book challenge (details here).  These are the categories, along with my preliminary picks.  These might change, depending on what is available at the library.  

• 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long.
• Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty  (356 Pages)
• 10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.
• Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck (214 Pages)
• 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 book a couple years ago, and it was interesting, but not "can't put it down" interesting.  I kept picking up novels instead, and then it was due back at the library before I could finish it.  I couldn't think of any other books that I haven't finished that I still want to read!    
• 10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.   
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (280 Pages)
• 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List when you begin reading it.
• Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline   (278 Pages)
•  15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.  
• The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit  (240 Pages) - Currently reading this one.
• 15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge. (Yes, you will have to wait until the first check-in to choose this book! So no one will be able to finish this challenge in only one month; sorry!)
• TBD, after the first monthly check-in.  
• 20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title. No other words will count—including kids, offspring, etc.—so please don’t ask. :)  
• Cinderella Ate My Daughter  (244 Pages) or The Memory Keeper's Daughter  (401 Pages) - These are the only 2 books on my to-read list with son, daughter, or child in the title, so I'll pick one of them. 
• 20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014.  
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper  (352 Pages)
• 25 points: Read a book written by a blogger.
• Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened (384 pages)- Currently reading this one. 
• 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir. 
• I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer (256 Pages)
• 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles.
• Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen (317 pages)
• A Good American by Alex George (400 pages) - I might change my mind on these, but they were the first antonyms that jumped out at me from my to-read list.

Let me know if you have read any of these books, and if you'd recommend them or not, or if you have other suggestions for what books I should read for each category.

Cardigan: Limited
Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Payless

Hemlock & Local Love & Third Thursday

There's a lot going on today!  For starters, this is my 700th post.  I don't even know what to say about that.  When I started this blog, I wasn't sure how long I'd stick with it, but apparently the answer is "a long time." 

It's day 4 of the Pantone challenge with Heidi and Marissa, which means HEMLOCK.  Which means POISON!  I mean, mint colored.  It was a good excuse to debut my mint polka dot popover from my shopping spree last week.  Gap Outlet knows my weaknesses!

It's also the Third Thursday of the month, so I'm linking up with Bri for the Pinspired theme.  I knew I wanted to wear this top, so I perused my Pinterest board for mint and polka dot inspiration.  and I found the perfect thing:  Laura's mint & polka dot & cobalt outfit! 

And finally, I'm still working my way through Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge, so I added this necklace from a local boutique (that I can't remember the name of - terrible!) for the LOCAL LOVE entry.  I was admiring it several years ago, and then my sneaky mother-in-law bought it without me noticing and surprised me on my birthday that year.  So tricky. 

Necklace: Gift
Cardigan: Old Navy
Top & Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Payless

Praying Mantis Invasion

I feel weird about this outfit.  It seemed like a good idea when I put it on, and then when I got to work, I felt like a clown.  I think there's just too much going on here.  So, it was an awkward day, made all the more awkward by the following story.

In a rare turn of events, I took outfit pictures before I went to work.  It was a fiasco.  The sun was coming up over the house, so there was just a little corner by the screen door for taking pictures.  I set up and started snapping away, when I noticed...  PRAYING MANTIS INVASION!  That may be a bit dramatic, but there were TWO and they really looked like they were trying to break into our house.  Terrifying.  THEN a squirrel jumped off the roof onto the tree branch right over my head and a bunch of leaves fell.  And then I couldn't see what happened to the one praying mantis, so I felt very nervous.  Then I found him, and he was lower down on the screen, but still looked threatening.  They are just very creepy creatures! 

And on top of all that, our neighbors are getting new siding, and there were 2 worker guys walking in and out of their backyard who were probably wondering what the weird girl next door was doing.  Oh, nothing - just taking pictures of my outfit to post on the internet, and scheming how to get back into my house without riling up the praying mantises of doom.  

Tee & Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: won in giveaway
Jeans: Limited
Shoes: Payless

Double Inspiration

 

At some point, I pinned this outfit idea.  I really liked the yellow and turquoise together.  Then Ginny did her own spin on the look, which I liked even better, because stripes are always better!  So, this outfit is doubly inspired!  I brought it into fall with my boyfriend jeans.  I think it would have been cuter with heels, but I was being practical because I wore this on Saturday when my mom and I road-tripped to Grand Island.  It seemed like heels would have been a bit ridiculous for that little adventure. 

Speaking of stripes, don't forget to follow along with me and Kate next week for Stripes Week!  Link up to show your stripes on Friday! 

Today I'm linking up with Pinned It & Did It, What I Wore to Work, Look What I Got, and Tres-Chic.


Top: Loft
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Jeans: Jessica Simpson
Shoes: Payless

Boyfriends

I'm a big fan of boyfriend cardigans and boyfriend jeans, but the names don't really make sense.  I understand that it's supposed to look like I stole this cardigan from my boyfriend.  But let's be honest - I've never known a boy who wears cardigans, much less bright coral ones.  My gray cardigan is a little more masculine, but it looks more like I borrowed it from my grandpa (and I never saw either of my grandpas in a cardigan either).    

Also, I don't currently have a boyfriend.  My last boyfriend was so cool that I decided to marry him, and he was so smart that he decided to marry me.  Sorry - that got a little sappy!

Linking up with  What I Wore and What I Wore to Work.

Tee: Banana Republic
Cardigan: Old Navy
Jeans: Jessica Simpson
Shoes: Payless