Friday Thoughts

Well, it's Friday yet again, and I'm looking forward to another busy weekend!  I have a baby shower tomorrow (yay!) and then of course Sunday is Easter.  Plus I'm just generally starting to feel like it is crunch time before baby's arrival.  There's so much stuff I still want/need to get done, but I'm trying to remember that most of it doesn't actually matter.  The baby will not care if I run out of time to make a crib skirt!

Incidentally, this is the outfit I wore to our last pre-baby class at the hospital.  We graduated (but I think they let everyone graduate, so I don't feel a huge accomplishment), and we got to tour the hospital.  It's pretty fancy, and I've heard the staff is great, so I think it's going to be a great place to have a baby.

Remix item: floral scarf!

Jacket: Target
Scarf: H&M
Sweater: Kohl's Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target

Doctor Who

 

The problem with binge-watching television shows is that eventually you catch up, and then you have to be patient.  John and I finally jumped on the Doctor Who bandwagon several months ago, and pretty quickly worked our way from 2005 to current.  And now I have to wait until the Christmas special comes out and then I have to wait until fall of 2014.  This is ridiculous.  (hashtag: firstworldproblems)

Any other Doctor Who fans out there in style-blog-land?  Either way, what other TV shows would you recommend to keep me busy while I'm waiting for new episodes of my favorite British shows?

Jacket: Relativity
Chambray: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Old Navy

Fall Floral

The jacket was passed along!  It's that time of year when I can get away with wearing some of my lighter coats, so I'm trying to make the most of it.  It's also the time of year when I have fewer days that I can wear non-boots, so I try to take advantage of those, too.  I'm hoping to avoid tights as long as possible.  My unofficial goal is to make it through November, but I don't know if that is going to happen.  Rumor has it that some snow made an appearance yesterday around 2am.  I was asleep, so I'm going to pretend it's not true.

Oh, and another reminder that next week is all about the leopard print!  I'm excited to announce that Brynn will be co-hosting the theme week, and you can link up with us on Friday!

My TOPIO collage is growing....  Be sure to stop by Sarah's Real Life to find other participating bloggers.

Jacket: Relativity
Scarf: H&M
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Born

Smile

This sweater was one of the super cheap impulse buys in my July shopping.  But I really like it, so it's all good!  And I really like these jeans, because they have polka dots on them, and that's a good reason to smile!  See what I did there?

In completely unrelated news - I'm doing another theme week and link up next week.  It's going to get a little crazy with TOPIO and theme week, but I think I've got it all figured out.  The theme is leopard print, so get your outfits ready to link up on Friday the 15th!

I feel like my Take One, Pass It On collage is going to get kind of ridiculous as the month progresses.

1/2/3

Will tomorrow's post feature non-boot footwear?  Maybe.

Jacket: Relativity
Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Limited
Boots: Wanted

Dress Shirt

 

This polka dot blouse is a dress.  Or at least, that's what they want you to believe.  It might be an appropriate length of dress on some people, but it is not a dress on me.  I'm trying it out as a shirt today, and I think it works okay.  The biggest problem is that the back of the dress is longer than the front, so if I wasn't careful, a little bit showed out of the slit in the back of my skirt.  Awkward!

Anyway, I felt very ladylike in this outfit, and also kind of edgy with the moto jacket.  Also, when did we stop saying "pleather" and start calling it "vegan leather"?  By "we," I don't mean me.  I will keep saying pleather.  I should really dig up a picture of my 1997 pleather jacket.  It was awesome until it started peeling. Then it was not so awesome.  Maybe I'll have to bring back Throwback Thursday!  

Top: Old Navy (dress)
Jacket: Relativity
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Shoes: BCBGeneration

On Confidence

On the day I wore this outfit, I had 2 different random women say things to me that basically boiled down to "Cool outfit!  I would never have enough confidence to wear that!"  I never really know how to respond to comments like that.  I just said thanks and giggled awkwardly at one of them.  I told the other lady that she should try wearing something kind of crazy, because it is fun!  I don't think she will.  

A few random thoughts:

• On the spectrum of confidence, I would put myself in the very average category.  I don't think it takes any confidence at all to wear neon purple tights.  As I was thinking about this, it reminded me of this post.  I think confidence is much like bravery (and most attributes that we consider positive).  It's not difficult for me to wear crazy colored tights, but for someone else, it might be terrifying.  But maybe they don't scream when they see a spider (not that I would ever do that). 
• Since I spend so much time reading other fashion and style blogs, I now think it is super normal to wear sort of ridiculous outfits.  I can think of one person I know in real life who has worn crazy colorful tights (in a non-Halloween situation), but most of my blog friends were colorful tights on a regular basis.  
• On a more serious note, it just made me kind of sad that both of these ladies seemed to think they weren't capable of branching out a bit.  I say wear whatever you want to, and don't worry about the crazy looks you may receive at the library.  

Other fashion bloggers, do you get crazy comments like this?  How do you respond?

The giveaway  is still open - don't forget to enter!

Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: Bass Outlet
Tights: Old Navy
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Winter White

It's Third Thursday Threads link up time again!  Have I mentioned that I love these theme link-ups?  I just have a hard time decided what to wear most days, so having a prompt is super helpful.  This month's theme was a bit more challenging than the previous ones - Winter White.  Now, I don't really believe in the whole "no white after Labor day" rule, but when I thought about the challenge, I was envisioning white pants.  I don't currently have any white pants, but I used to have an awesome pair of cream-colored corduroy trousers from Old Navy.  I actually wore them to my college graduation way back in December 2006 (how has it been 6 years?).

evidence

Since I don't have any white pants to build an outfit around, I decided to wear bright fuchsia pants and white everything else.  I really like the look of white layers in winter.  It still feels cozy and seasonally appropriate.  It was probably a mistake to wear these shoes, because it was pretty chilly outside, but I didn't really want to add heavy boots to the mix.

What do you think about wearing white in the winter?  Go check out the other looks here.

Button-up and jeans: Gap
Sweater: Old Navy
Jacket: Relativity
Shoes: BCBGeneration
Pearls: Gift (from China)

In the Morning

Morning pictures might not be the best idea for me.  Sleepy eyes + wet hair = questionable photos.  But this might be better than indoor pictures at the end of the day.  It's so hard to be a fashion blogger when you have a full time job! 

I just got this skirt from Target, for $10!  I'm not sure I would have tried it on, but I have seen Kyla wearing it recently in a few different colors (here and here) and thought it was cute on her, so I gave it a try and loved it!  It looks like a regular pencil skirt, but it is super stretchy, so it's super comfortable!   Winning!  Then I remembered that I just recently bought a blue pencil skirt, and wondered if I really needed another one.   Then I decided that they were different enough that it was okay.  So now you know what goes on in my mind when I am shopping.  I also kind of want this skirt in the "bluff green" color, but it isn't on sale online, and I don't really believe in spending $20 on a Target skirt.  I will have to keep my eye out on the sale racks when I go grocery shopping!

Sweater: Gap
Jacket: Younker's
Necklace: Charming Charlie (gift from my sister)
Skirt and socks: Target
Boots: Guess


 

Trifecta Tuesday - Fuchsia Skirt

This skirt is one of my more recent purchases from Gap.  Over the weekend, I was tempted to buy the orange version, but I decided it wouldn't really play well with the rest of my closet.

I really love the color and fit of this skirt.  I just have one issue - the buttons are brown.  Now I'm just not sure if it will look right if I wear it with black.  So far, I've just avoided the issue, but I think bare leg season is quickly closing out and I am going to need to wear tights with this skirt.  What do you think?  Can I wear a brown-buttoned skirt with an otherwise black outfit?  Am I just being ridiculous?

Sweater, tank, skirt: Gap
Jacket: Younker's
Boots: Wanted


Here are a few other ways I have worn this skirt (I may have a slight addiction to stripes):

Voting Fail

 

Confession:  I am not voting today.

In my defense, I had every intention of voting.  Then a few days ago, I noticed that John was getting a whole bunch of election propaganda in the mail and I was getting nothing.  I checked the voter registration website for our county and I was not listed as a voter.  I emailed them and it turns out that they have no record of forms I filled out when we moved last year.  Stupid DMV!  Since the voter registration deadline was Oct 26th, I am out of luck for voting this year.

I hope everyone else is able to vote!  Happy Election Day!

Jacket: Younkers
Shirt: NY&Co
Vest: Gap
Skirt: Express
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Copying Myself

This is totally the spring version of this outfit.  One of the best things about the changing seasons is stealing outfit inspiration from the things I wore in the winter, and tweaking them slightly for warmer weather.  The jacket isn't really necessary for outside temps, but the office air conditioner is keeping it cool inside.

Jacket:  Relativity
Shirt:  Target
Tank:  Gap
Skirt:  Express
Shoes: Born

Look, No Tights!

When I learned that Tuesday was supposed to be sunny with a high in the 70s, my first thought was that I should pretend to be sick so I could go outside and play instead of working.  After I talked myself out of that plan, I just decided I wouldn't wear tights with my skirt.

I did get some fresh air yesterday.  I recently moved offices, so I'm not in the "main" building anymore.  This means I get to walk over for meetings every so often.  On cold, snowy, rainy days, this is not pleasant.  Yesterday, I walked as slowly as possible, to soak in every second of sunshine and fresh air! 

It was such a beautiful day!  We are back to gray skies and chilly temps today, but I'm hoping for several repeats of yesterday in the coming months. 

Sweater: Gap
Jacket:  Relativity
Skirt:  Express
Shoes:  Born

Fallin'

No, it isn't fall.  I'm not listening to the Alicia Keys song.  I actually just fell down this morning.  I was about 8 feet away from my office door, carrying 4 bags (purse, laptop, lunch, workout clothes) when my shoe revolted against me and I completely crashed to the floor.  I hit a cubicle wall pretty hard before I landed, but I am happy to say it did not fall over.  That would have been embarrassing!  Not that falling wasn't embarrassing enough, but I was able to pretty quickly assure my boss and co-workers I was fine and head to my office in shame.

I'm actually surprised this doesn't happen to me more often.  Contrary to popular opinion, I am not actually very graceful.  My husband threatens to get me a Humpty Hat every winter.  According to the website, you should wear it when you are doing winter sports.  I think I should just wear it year round for walking places.

Anyway, I was trying to do the "Dress Up a Coat" challenge a day early, but when I saw Kayla's inspiration post, she really meant that you should add something to your coat to make it dressy.  I thought she just meant to dress up and include a coat.  I'm going to just go with it and pretend I followed the rules.  I'm sure no one will care!

In conclusion, perhaps I should never wear these shoes again.  I thought they would be good, because the platform would be more comfortable than a regular heel, but if they are going to throw me to the ground, I might just have to pass.  They aren't really cute enough for me to put up with those kind of shenanigans. 


Go check out people who actually followed the instructions to dress up a coat HERE. 
I'm also linking up to the ABCs of style with my (P)leather jacket and suede shoes - L is for Leather

Sweater, Skirt, Shoes:  Gap
Jacket:  Relativity
Tights:  Target

EBEW: Black & White

One of my favorite things about blogging is the link ups and challenges that come around.  Everybody Everywhere is just one of these, and I love it!  This month's theme is Black and White.  The announcement post was titled "It's Black, It's White", and I have had the Michael Jackson song stuck in my head ever since.  I was in 1st grade when that music video premiered, and it was the biggest deal ever.  I don't know why all the 7-year-olds cared, but anyone who was anyone watched that premier and was talking about it on the playground the next day.  We even had a Michael Jackson Impersonation contest with moon-walking and all.  That was my last year in public school, although switching was unrelated to the MJ contest.  

Yesterday, I dug through my closet and laid all of my black and white options out on the bed.  This dress caught my eye, because I love the print and haven't worn it yet.  It was $14 at Ann Taylor (on the same day I bought this dress).  It is a halter, and very body-con, so I either need to tone up or invest in some more effective Spanx before I can wear it alone.  Maybe this summer!  Anyway, it works as a pretty cute skirt for now.   


Sweater:  Gap
Jacket: Relativity
Skirt (really a dress):  Ann Taylor
Belt:  Old Navy
Tights:  Target
Boots:  Target

Pleather Jacket

I've been on the lookout for a black moto jacket for awhile, and somehow ended up choosing this white one instead.  Oops!  Guess I'll just have to keep looking for a black one, preferable in real leather.



Jacket: Relativity
Skirt:  Kenneth Cole Sweater
Tights:  Steve Madden from DSW
Boots:  Bare Traps from DSW
Scarf:  Gift from my sister, about 7 years ago!