Currently March

This is what I wore a couple Fridays ago when I actually had 2 events to attend in the same evening!  What?  I rarely have plans on a Friday anymore, much less 2 things.  Anyway, I stopped by a "going away" happy hour for one of my old co-workers who is switching jobs, and then I went to a friend's house for Bible study.  It also happened to be one of the warmer days of February, so I was happy to wear flats instead of boots and let my ankles breathe a little bit!  

But now it is March, and hopefully we will have more and more of those days.  And it's also time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love.


wishing I was on a beach somewhere!  The whole "on this day" feature of Facebook reminds me that this is the time of year I usually went on vacations pre-baby!  We were just getting home from a Caribbean cruise in 2010.  I visited my friend in Arizona in 2011.  It's a good think Mr. Baby is so fun!  
craving nothing specific.  Whether good or bad, I don't have crazy pregnancy cravings.    
going to visit my sister in Virginia later this month!  I'm so excited because we haven't gone to see them since they moved.  I've never been to Richmond, and have heard there are so many cool things to see and do.  
wearing lots of jeans and t-shirts, hence the sporadic outfit posts.  I'm firmly in the maternity jeans camp now.
learning how to organize my days better.  I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this sahm thing, at least most days.  I'm trying to get Mr. Baby on a schedule so it will be easier to plan our days.  You know, just in time for baby2 to arrive and completely shake things up.  

All in all, things are pretty good!  I'm just looking forward to spring, but I'm sure I will complain about the warm weather when my ankles are swollen this summer!  

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Loft
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: ON

Carrying the Banner

About a week ago, the Newsies broadway show was in town.  I have been waiting for this for years, because well, I was OBSESSED with the movie when I was a kid.  I'm not exaggerating when I say I watched it several times a week (maybe daily) over summer break for at least a few years.  I could probably still quote most of it by heart even though I have no idea when I last watched the movie. So, you can imagine my expectations were high for the show.  And while I was watching it, I just felt very conflicted.  Apologies in advance for my crazed ramblings here.  I obviously care a little too much about this particular topic.

As a standalone show (not comparing it to the movie), I think it was pretty fantastic.  The performers were super talented, and the dancing was insane.

When I compare it to the movie, I just felt disappointed.  As with any book-to-movie type transition, they made changes.  Some of them I liked, some I didn't like but understood, and some were just unnecessary.

For example, in the movie, Jack falls in love with David's sister.  She's basically in 3 scenes.As a boy-crazy elementary kid, I didn't understand why he liked her because she barely said or did anything, but that's beside the point.  The reporter in the movie is a middle-aged guy who helps the newsies.  In the musical, they combined these parts.  So Jack's 17.  The girl is working as a reporter, so I assume she's older than that?  And the whole dynamic is different.  And then she's randomly Joe Pulitzer's daughter?  I understand why they made this change, because they wanted the love story to be more central to the plot, but I hated it.  The actress was great, and I actually loved her songs and chemistry with Jack, but I didn't like the way it changed the plot dynamic. And I hate hate hated how it made Pulitzer less of an enemy by the end.  No, Jack would never have gone to work for the paper directly.

But can anyone explain to me why they changed SO MANY of the song lyrics?  And Medda's songs were completely different!  Where's High Times, Hard Times when you need it?  Santa Fe was the first song (and then showed up several more times), which started things off on a slow note.  And the "full" version of it was a lot different than the movie version (which is fabulous, even if Christian Bale is embarrassed about this role).  Besides, if musical Jack is an artist, shouldn't he love living in New York?  Musical Jack wasn't even in the diner for King of New York!  And don't even get me started on the missing Spot Conlon quote "I object... on the ground of Brooklyn!"

And I never really thought about it, but the Newsies rally all the other child laborers in the city, and then Jack makes the deal with Pulitzer, but what happens to all the other kids?  Do they get better treatment??

Anyway, I have a lot of feelings about this particular topic, but I should probably stop ranting now.  This isn't a Broadway review blog!


Scarf: Gap
Cardigan: Gap
Belt: NY&Co
Dress: Loft Maternity
Boots: Madden

Spring Mix

Everyone thinks of floral print in the spring, right?  And stripes just seem to go so perfectly with florals, right?  I was planning on wearing my coral boyfriend cardigan with this outfit, but apparently I got rid of it (or lost it??), so the pink one was an emergency substitution, as I was running late (pretty typical) and didn't have time to think of anything else to wear.  I was also planning on wearing my navy shoes, but they are feeling a little tight lately (thanks swollen feet!), so the gold flats sitting by the door seemed like a decent option, and I snagged my gold chain necklace to make them match better.

I felt pretty great in this outfit, and specifically very "great with child," because this tank top is a very fitted maternity style.

Weekend update?  Well, it the weather was about as perfect as possible, so John and I got takeout on Friday night and found a park bench next to a duck pond.  Pretty good date.  Saturday was spent getting the baby room mostly in order.  I just have to do a few more little projects, but all the big furniture is arranged.  Sunday, I was exhausted (this is becoming a trend), so I was kind of a bum between church services and got just a few things done.  Late pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis are not a great combination for efficiency.

Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: F21
Tank: Old Navy Maternity
Skirt; Macy's
Shoes: Target

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

Starry Skies

This tee shirt makes me happy, because it's just a basic navy tee, but then it's covered in glitter.  It reminds me of a starry sky.  And more specifically of that line from the Incubus song where he says "the sky resembles a back-lit canopy with holes punched in it".  Which I thought was a super romantic and profound description when I was about 15.  And I still think it's a kind of cool line.

As a city girl, I don't get to see the stars as much as I wish I did, especially in the winter when it is too cold to be out at night.  I don't particularly like camping, but I do love getting out away from the city lights to see the stars.  I took an astronomy class in college, and I've forgotten most of the things we learned.  My professor was an old British guy with a terrible stutter who apparently was really into medieval instruments on the side.  He was a character for sure, but I wish I remembered more of what he tried to teach me.  As is, I can pick out just a few constellations.  My favorite is Cassiopeia, because it's just a big W and pretty easy to spot most of the time.

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Gap Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Things Kids Say

How about a funny story for Thursday.  Yesterday, one of my co-workers had his kids at the office.  His son is 5, and was hilarious when he learned that there's a baby in my tummy.  He kind of moved around to the side and was checking my belly out.  And then he slowly said "I like... your... tummy."  And I said "thanks, I like it too!" and then I just laughed about it for the rest of the day.  I don't know how you elementary school teachers get anything done with kids saying silly stuff all the time!     

And here's a fun little outtake.  John was taking these pictures, and after a few, I realized that I still had my winter scarf on, which wasn't part of the outfit!  But he just kept snapping away as I noticed my mistake!  And then he told me that I had a weird strand of hair sticking out the side of my head.

Cardigan: Gap(similar)
Scarf: Gap
Top: JCF  (exact)
Jeans: H&M Mama (exact)
Boots; Madden (exact)

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Well, happy Christmas Eve to you!  It seems like this year flew by, probably because every year feels that way.  But anyway, I hope everyone has a lovely day tomorrow!

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Top: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: Gap factory (similar, similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact)

Skirt week - Snakeskin

Well, if everyone needs a black skirt, I have to be honest that no one really needs a snakeskin skirt, but it is kind of fun, right?

Anyway, I don't have anything interesting to write today, so that's all!  Link up your skirt looks below.  I'll try to be more clever tomorrow, but I make no promises.

Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Necklace: F21 (exact, similar)
Top: Gap (similar, similar)
Skirt: H&M (exact)
Shoes: Gap Factory (similar, similar)

Floral Week - Ruffle Tank Top

Well, I started the week with a top and I'm ending the week with a top.  I know quite a few of my favorite bloggers have this print in the skirt version, but I never found it.  I do love the ruffly tank top, so it's all good!

It has been a wild and crazy week with my sister and nieces in town.  Yesterday, we went on a bit of a shopping spree at the outlet mall.  I may have purchased some floral flats at J.Crew Factory.  I may have been slightly under the influence of Floral Theme week, but they are super cute and I think I'll wear them quite a bit this spring/summer! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up this week.  The linky stays live until Monday, so you still have time if you want to jump in!  

Cardigan, Jeans: Gap
Top: Target
Shoes, Necklace: Old Navy

Winter Flowers

It is now the time of year when winter needs to go away!  March is spring, right?  Unfortunately, Nebraska didn't get the memo, so it's still in the freezing range most days.  I'll just keep wearing my summer dresses with ALL THE LAYERS!

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday

Cardigan: Gap

Dress: Gibson & Latimer

Boots: Madden

Belt: Chinese Laundry

#23 - Kansas Day

 

Happy Kansas Day, everyone!  I may live in Nebraska now, but I am a Kansas girl at heart, so I like to be obnoxious and celebrate Kansas things.  Here are some tips on how you can celebrate my home state's birthday!

• Make sure to sing "Home on the Range" as often as possible throughout the day. 
• Dress up like a prairie girl - don't forget the bonnet! (this definitely happened in elementary school, but I didn't have a prairie dress or bonnet, so I was always the prairie tomboy, in jeans and plaid)
• Create a tornado in a bottle. 
• Watch the Wizard of Oz.  And then NEVER EVER say "You're not in Kansas anymore" to a Kansan who is out of state. 
• If you are more into sports, watch the Jayhawks play basketball.  Rock Chalk!
• For dinner, enjoy a buffalo burger, some sunflower seeds, and anything made of wheat.  That's pretty much what Kansas is known for, right?  Amber waves of grain! 

For the record, I probably won't do any of these things, except eating something made of wheat.  And I might sing the state song a little bit.      


Shirt, Cardigan, Jeans: Gap
Scarf: H&M
Shoes: Old Navy

#20 - Weather Roller Coaster

Happy Saturday!  Are you ready for more weather talk?  This week has been ridiculous!  Sunday was a January record high of 66, and then Polar Vortex 2.0 rolled through and we had zero degree (feels like -20) temps on Tuesday-Thursday.  It's supposed to be nice-ish this weekend (with highs in the 40s), and then plummet again to the single (and maybe negative) digits.  I'm trying to just be grateful for the warmer days when they happen, but these extreme changes are driving me crazy!  I'm hoping February will be more moderate! 


Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden

#18 - Pinned & Did It

When Whitney instagrammed this outfit, I thought it was super cute, and then I realized that all of those items are in my closet.  Better yet, they are all in my 30X30 list!  The night before, I realized that my blue cardigan was in the dirty clothes pile, so I used some quick thinking to save the day.  I think the pink cardigan works just as well, right?

Also, dirty snow isn't the best background, but I'm just happy for some outdoor pictures!  This is the day I had to MacGyver a tripod, since I had apparently left mine at home!    (Yes, "MacGyver" is a totally legit verb - trust me!)

I'm linking up with Heather for Pinned It & Did It and Bri for Third Thursday Threads!  You should too!

Cardigan & Belt: Gap
Shirt: J.Crew factory
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: Target
Boots: Steve Madden

#15 - Halfway there (whoa-oh, livin' on a prayer)

Happy Monday!  And happy halfway through the 30X30!  I really love this outfit.  It's simple, but still interesting.  Black, gray, and pink just look sharp together!

So, weekend update!  John's grandparent's were visiting, so we had a fun-filled weekend with them.  We went out to dinner on Friday for my MIL's birthday and then over to their house for dessert and games.  We taught them all Dutch Blitz, which is a super fun and addicting game!  I slept in on Saturday (because sleeping in is magical!) and then we went back over to their house for dinner and more games.  On Sunday afternoon, the guys stayed home to watch football while the girls went shopping.  I may have bought my 3rd pair of leopard print shoes. (so, the answer to my question of which ones to get back in September is BOTH) That's a reasonable number, right?  No?  Hmm...we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Anyway, after a very fun and busy weekend, I'm not really ready for a normal work week, but I suppose it has to happen.  Just 5 more days until next weekend!

Shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Wanted

#11 - Not Boots

Get excited - I'm not wearing boots!  The weather finally warmed up enough that flats are a viable option again.  We'll see how long it lasts, but I figured I need to take advantage of the opportunity while I have it. Or I should have only included boots in my shoe options.

Cardigan & Jeans: Gap
Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Shoes & Necklace: Old Navy