300th Post and Blogiversary

I can't believe it has been one year since I started this little blog!  Time flies when you are having fun, I guess.    One of my favorite posts from the year was this "Repeat Offender" one, where I showed some of my most worn pieces.  One of the reasons I started blogging was to get out of my style rut.  I was wearing the same outfits on a rotation and was just getting pretty bored with it.  In the last year, I've really had fun trying new and different combinations!  Here are just a few of my frequently worn pieces:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Thank you all for reading along!

Smoke

At my office, the smokers hang out on the West side of the building.  This just happens to be right by the door I use.  It also happens to be right outside my office windows.  This arrangement can lead to some awkward moments.

Fluorescent lighting gives me a headache, so I rely on keeping my blinds open so the natural light can stream in.  The problem is that people stand right outside my window to smoke.  Depending on where the sun is, they might be able to see me, or they might just see their own reflection.  I either feel like a zoo animal, or I get to watch a random person using my window as a mirror.  Sometimes, I awkwardly close the blinds.

The other problem is when I arrive or leave and have to walk through the cloud of smoke.  I try to just hold my breath for a few seconds, and that usually works.  On the day I wore this outfit, I was coming back from lunch, and a lady was sitting right by the door smoking.   As I was walking by (holding my breath), she said "wow, those are really cute shoes!"  and then proceeded to ask me several questions about where I got them, and when it was, because maybe they would still have some...  I didn't want to be rude, so I just chatted with her for a few minutes and tried not to breath very much.  I'm sure I looked really cool. 

Tank: Gap
Skirt: George
Shoes: Old Navy

Shoe Crazy?

Some co-workers accused me recently of having too many pairs of shoes.  This has been a common accusation throughout my life.  My current defense is that I don't have nearly as many pairs of shoes as I did when I was in High School.  I think I've mentioned this before, but when you have to wear a uniform to school, shoes are the only piece of self-expression you get.  Full-disclosure:  My AOL screen name may have been "shoecrazy7".     

Anyway, these shoes are relatively new.  I bought them when my sister was visiting.  My nieces did not like them.  I think their exact words were "Aunt Andi, NOOOO!  You look like a giant!"  But looking like a giant is a small price to pay for some fun new wedges - and they were on sale! 

I should probably count my shoes to see how many I really have!  So, what do you think?  How many pairs of shoes is too many? 

Shirt and tank: Gap
Skirt: George
Necklace: Charming Charlie (gift)
Cardigan (Old Navy, dyed by me)
Shoes: Old Navy

OTI: Choose Your Own Adventure

Open To Interpretation week is drawing to a close, and I had a hard time picking my own inspiration.  I was looking at my Pinterest board, and just wasn't sure what to pick.  Usually when I pin something, I wear my version pretty soon, and I haven't had time to pin lately.  So, here is one of the pictures I love, but haven't been able to figure out yet: 

Jessie from Style and Pepper

And here's my version:

Extreme close-up

To be honest, I felt like this was a really cool outfit when I looked in the mirror at home.  Then I got to work, and felt super self-conscious.  I think this look is better suited to walking around in New York, instead of sitting in my office in Nebraska. Hopefully my co-workers don't think I'm completely crazy. 

Top: Gap
Scarf: H&M
Skirt: George
Shoes: Converse

FBFF - Spring is in the air

Spring is officially here!  And with that, FBFF's theme this week is Spring!  Here are a few things I am excited about for this spring:

• Sandals and NO tights!  I'm just a little tired of wearing boots every day.  See that outfit above - it's basically the same as this one, but it feels completely different!
• Spending time outside!  Whether it is at a baseball game, or just sitting on the deck to eat dinner, I am loving the fresh air and sunshine.  When you live in Nebraska, you have to take advantage of these days, because before too long, it will be uncomfortably hot and humid outside. 
• Flowers and gardening!  Since we moved into our house last summer, we have been looking forward to the spring when we can do some landscaping and plant flowers in our yard.  I think we are going to try a little garden, too.  I don't really know the first thing about gardening, but I'm excited to give it a try.
• My parents are coming to visit!  Rumor has it, the folks are making their way to Nebraska in April.  I'm so excited to spend a couple of days with them, and show off our house. 

And last but not least (although it probably should be least)...

• I am counting down the days until I am allowed to shop again!  April 12th will be here before I know it.  I'm making mental lists of the new items I want to pick up, and hopefully will be a more discerning shopper.  Remember, an $8 shirt that I never wear is a BAD INVESTMENT!

What are you looking forward to this spring?  Go check out the other bloggers at FBFF!

Out of Africa

Today's outfit is very similar to my monochrome outfit from the winter challenge.  I just went with pink tights, a darker blue sweater, and a different necklace. 

 

It was one of the windiest days ever, so a flowy skirt wasn't the best idea.  I think I avoided any serious Marilyn Monroe moments, though.   I need to pay attention to more than just the temperature when I check the weather each morning.

 

So, background on the necklace:  In 2006, I went to Kenya with my Dad and a group from our church.  One of the days, we went to a place (I can't remember the name), but it was a kind of refuge for women with AIDS, and they made various items to sell.  This shop was full of gorgeous necklaces.  It was so hard to pick just one, but I ended up with this one.  

I tracked down the picture below from the trip.  The quality is pretty bad, but that's my Dad and me, at the farm "at the foot of the Ngong Hills" where Karen Blixen lived, and then wrote about.  I've never read the book, but the movie is BO-RING.   

Here's another picture from the trip, at no extra charge.  This is at The Giraffe Center, where we got to feed giraffes.  As you can tell from the picture below, these giraffes were not shy at all.  Some of the workers were putting the giraffe food in their mouths, to get a giraffe kiss.  They tried to convince us to do that, but I declined.  A lady has to draw the line somewhere!

Tank top and Sweater:  Gap
Skirt:  George
Tights:  Steve Madden
Boots:  Wanted via Piperlime
Necklace:  from Kenya

Monochromatic Blues

Day 2 of the Winter Challenge is Monochromatic.  I had an idea to wear all purple, but when I pulled it all out of my closet, I wasn't really impressed.  Then I was going to be lazy and wear my trouser jeans with a blue gingham button down and sweater, but that felt pretty uninspired.  Staring at my closet, I saw this summery skirt peeking out and thought it was worth a try.  I ended up taking the gingham shirt off and adding turquoise tights.  I feel a little ridiculous, but this look is growing on me.

When I went to grab my normal jewelry, I remembered this necklace that my sister got me for Christmas.  I think it adds a little something extra to my monochrome look!

Is anyone tired of these boots yet?  I warned you I wear them all the time in the winter! 

Go check out the other monochrome looks here. 

Tomorrow's challenge is Embrace a Trend.  My added personal challenge:  wear different shoes! 

Necklace:  Charming Charlie (Christmas gift)
Sweater: Gap
Tank:  Target
Skirt:  George
Tights: Express from Marshall's
Boots:  Wanted via Piperlime