Some Random Thoughts

Confession: this is a maternity dress.  I've quickly learned that you can be tall, or you can be pregnant, but if you happen to be both, retailers are not interested in creating clothes for you to wear.  This dress seemed fine the first time I wore it.  And then this time, it felt waaaay too short.  So I think it will have to fall into tunic status and only work with jeans or leggings from now on.

Can we also talk about chocolate brown?  Is this no longer an acceptable color in fashion?  I bought these brown tights, and then got them home and realized that I don't know if I have anything to wear with them.  I added a brown cardigan to my wishlist a while ago, and haven't seen any options around.  It seems like camel/cognac/oatmeal are taking over right now.

Dress: Younker's (similar)
Cardigan: Limited (similar)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Tights: Target (similar)
Boots: Rampage (similar)

5 Days, 5 Ways - Bubble Necklace

You can't tell, but it was snowing and about 17 degrees and very windy as I was taking these pictures.  I had my tripod nestled in the garage so it wouldn't get wet or blown over, and I didn't have the patience to make sure my pictures were framed properly, so I'm kind of far away! 

Day 3 of the 5 Days, 5 Ways challenge is all about accessories.  It was tough to pick just one item to feature, but the bubble necklace was the obvious choice.  It's such a statement, and becomes the focal point of the outfit.  When I first saw these appear on fashion blogs, I thought they were cute, but I wasn't about to pay the $100+ for the J.Crew version.  Around Christmas, I noticed the cheaper option at Charming Charlie, and was happy to snag one!  I'd like another color, but I just can't decide what would be best (pink or black are in the lead right now).  Anyway, this is a great necklace and adds interest to any outfit! 

Today, I'm showing 6 ways! 

1/2/3/4/5/6

Outfit Details:
Dress (as a skirt): Target
Sweater: Old Navy
Necklace: Charming Charlie
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Rampage

Big Hair, Chambray, and Fake Spring

A few weeks ago, I switched to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and I have noticed that my hair seems less frizzy.  Then last week, I tried the new Pantene "No Crunch Curls Whip", after using only this mousse for about 10 years.  I liked how it made my curls softer, and I don't even mind how much fluffier/larger my hair is, but the tangles are out of control.  I had some giant knots in my hair that did not want to untangle.  I'm not sure if I can put up with that.  I did get a few compliments from strangers on this big hair day.

I also have to share a recent conversation with my husband, about the ever-popular chambray shirt:

• J:  You are wearing a jean shirt, aren't those out of style?
• A:  Yeah, but this is a "Chambray" shirt, totally different.
• J:  So, fashion bloggers were embarrassed that they liked Jean shirts again, so they are just calling it    something different?
• A:  Ummmm.... yeah, I guess so.    

Friday was also a gloriously warm day, and I was very excited to let my knees out to play.  Fake spring has come and gone, and we are supposed to get more snow this week.  Come on, real spring!  You can show up any time!

And finally, since everyone is talking about the coming death of Google Reader (and probably GFC), don't forget to follow me on BlogLovin!  

Jean shirt: J.Crew factory
Cardigan & Skirt: Gap
Boots: Rampage

Budgeting Blogger, Take 2

Take One, Pass It On Item:  tan scarf from last Tuesday's post

I'm linking up with Franish again this month for Budgeting Bloggers.  As I said at the end of January, I am trying to save up my shopping money so I have extra to spend when I go to Phoenix in April.  February was pretty successful in this regard.  I did get a couple dresses, but they were both very reasonably priced, and I am getting rid of several old dresses, so I have some room in my wardrobe.

1. Limited Striped Dress:  $18 (originally $98)
2. Kohl's dress (not online, but I found it here):  $6.40 (originally $64) - plus I had a gift card, so it was free.  

Grand Total = $18

Pretty good, I guess!  I'm going to avoid shopping in March, too, and then I will probably go a little overboard in April, but the clothing budget rolls over from month to month, so it is OK!   I am also hoping to clear out quite a bit of my closet in March.  If I haven't worn it all winter, I will probably try to sell it or donate it! 

Did you stick to your budget in February?

Sweater: Old Navy
Scarf: Calvin Klein
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Rampage

Literary Link-Up Time

Take One, Pass It On Item:  mint skinny jeans from last Wednesday.

It's time for another Literary Junkies Link up!  These questions are always more difficult to answer than I expect. 

1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.
I just finished The American Heiress, which is about a very rich, young, beautiful American who goes to England to marry into a title, and all the drama that follows.  This is actually the book club choice for this month.  I've also been "reading" The Lovely Bones via audiobook.  I suspect most people have heard of this book or at least seen the movie.  It has been nice to have a book to listen to when I am cleaning the house, or painting the bathroom, or on the elliptical at the gym.  I think I will get more of these audiobooks!   

2. Give us the recipe for a great book. 
If I knew the answer to this, I would be a very famous author!  I think a great book has to have characters that the reader cares about.  I don't necessarily have to like them, but I usually don't like a book unless I am somewhat emotionally invested in what happens to the people.  A good plot helps, too.  

3. Tell us things you've learned from a book recently. Did you learn anything about history? Did you take away a deep & profound realization about the world around you? Or maybe even a beauty tip?
Top of mind answer:  I can't think of anything.  Upon further inspection of my recent reads, I think the main thing I have learned is just to be profoundly grateful for the life I have.  I know Game of Thrones is fantasy, but I think it has some historical accuracy in the way women were viewed for many centuries.  I am very glad I was born in the 20th century, where I was allowed to go to school, and marry whoever I wanted to marry, and have a job, make my own decisions, etc.  Gone Girl is an extreme example of a very messed up marriage, but it made me happy that I didn't relate to the main characters at all!  The Casual Vacancy was just thoroughly depressing, so I was reminded again how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family.  This is starting to sound braggy, but I think I have the tendency to get a little bit caught up in stupid little things that "go wrong" in my life, when I really don't have much to complain about.  Most of the books I have read recently are good reminders that I shouldn't focus on whining, but rather on all the good things in life!   (I guess I thought of something)


4. What was your favorite book as a child?
 I know my favorite series was the Boxcar Children.  I loved reading about their adventures!  The other book that comes to mind is called Andi's War.  I think I found it randomly when I was searching on the computers for books with my name in them.  It was only at the downtown library, which we didn't go to very often, but I think I checked it out every time.  When John and I were dating, I had said something about this weird book that I used to read, and he tracked it down from Amazon for my birthday.  When I read it again as an adult, I realized it was really not a great book for a kid.  It is set in Greece during the Civil War, so there is a lot of talk about Communism and it is a fairly violent book for a kid.  Of course, I didn't remember any of that from my childhood, so I guess it's okay. 

Now I am curious, what was YOUR favorite book as a kid? 

Scarf: Calvin Klein
Sweater: Old Navy
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Rampage

Feeling Better

Happy Friday!  I think I am officially recovering from the flu.  I actually worked a full day in the office yesterday, complete with dressing up and putting on make up!  After about 9 days of feeling terrible, it was nice to be back in the swing of things.  It was not so nice that the temperature outside was "feels like -7," but I just wore lots of winter accessories to stay warm.  I would love it if the temps went up, but I am trying to remember that the cold weather helps reduce the creepy bug population in the spring.  So yay for freezing temperatures!      

Sweater: Old Navy
Shirt: Gap
Skirt: Target
Boots: Rampage

Winter White, Part 2

These pictures are from a few weeks ago, before this happened.  This was one of my winter white options for linking up with Bri, but I liked the other one better.   

I don't have much else to say.  I hope the snow melts off our deck enough that I can take pictures out there again soon!  I don't know if I am brave enough to set up the tripod in the front yard!

Dress and Sweater: Gap
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Rampage

Trifecta Tuesday - White Belt

Last week, I started my new "Trifecta Tuesday" theme, and then I started my Closet Ultimatum Challenge the next day, so I am doing 2 posts today to get them both in!  I'm also going to piggy back on my outfit post from today, where I am wearing my white belt from Francesca's.  Belts are a great way to add interest to an outfit.  Here's 3 ways I have worn this one:

Dress and Cardigan

Belt a cardigan over a dress to cinch your waist and add break up the continuous color. 

Skinny jeans and blouse

With a blouse-y top and skinny jeans - again to define the waist and add some interest. 

Dress as a Skirt

And finally, one of my favorite new tricks!  Wear a dress as a skirt with one belt on the inside and one belt on the outside.

So there you go - white belt trifecta! 

Geometry

 

I felt like a walking geometry lesson in this outfit.  So many shapes!   I think I like it, though.  I don't have much to say about it, and nothing particularly exciting happened yesterday.  I did go to the coffee shop on the way to work and got a chocolate muffin for breakfast.  So delicious!  The teenager who works there called me "Hon."  I don't think anyone should call me "Hon" unless they are:

A) Married to me

 or 

B) at least 30 years older than me

Although, I wouldn't want her to call me "Ma'am" either, so I guess I'm just difficult. 

 In other news, my husband can't really be trusted to take outfit pictures.  I'm incapable of making a normal face.  Out of 14 pictures, the top one is the best, and I look pretty nervous!  I finally gave up and just did what he told me, which mostly consisted of acting out different emotions.  Who says engineers don't have interpersonal skills??

Surprised

Angry

Sad

Skirt and shirt: Loft
Sweater:  Style& Co (from Macy's)
Boots:  Wanted

Just Cinch It!

I've worn this dress quite a few times with a cardigan over it, and wanted to be a little more creative.  I know belts aren't particularly new and cutting edge in the fashion blog world, but I haven't done it a whole lot, especially over cardigans.  I've been trying it a bit more, and I like it!

Every time I throw a belt on over a looser item, I think of that old SNL skit with Adam Sandler, Chris Farley and David Spade, where they are Gap Girls, and they just tell everyone to buy these huge shirts and dresses and "Just cinch it!"  "Yeah, just belt it!"  I tried to find a clip on YouTube, but couldn't find it.

Dress:  Target

Cardigan:  Gap

Belt: Francesca's

Tights:  Target

Boots:  Rampage

Optometrist and Old Guy Approved

This afternoon, I went to the eye doctor.  I've been looking for a good eye doctor in town for a few years, and I think I finally found her!  She was wearing super cute metallic snakeskin flats, and she complimented my skirt and boots.  We then discussed the popularity of skinny jeans, and how it is sometimes hard to make the jump when you've always worn boot-cut.  What a great eye doctor!  Oh, she also did a good job at checking my eyes, and stuff.

After my eyes were dilated and I pretty much couldn't see anything up close, I picked out some new glasses, and then wore my very old glasses for the rest of the day (pictured above).  It was pretty tricky to make a choice, since I couldn't see unless I was about an inch away from the mirror.  I ended up with some blue Kate Spade frames, so hopefully they are cute.  Anyway, here's a true story from glasses shopping:

I'm picking out a few frames, and trying them on in the mirror, and I hear a wolf whistle behind me.  In situations like this, my first response is always to ignore it.  Maybe it will go away.  So, I try on the next pair, and hear a very old man's voice saying "Those look good!"  and I catch his reflection in the mirror.  He's really really old, so I figure I can be nice and say thanks.  Then he pulls out this gem of a line:

Hey, are you from Tennessee?  Because you're the only TEN I SEE!  

Get it??  80 year old men are so creative!  I immediately sent my husband a text letting him know what a catch I am!

Cardigan: Gap
T-shirt:  Loft
Skirt: Gap
Tights: Target
Boots:  Rampage
Glasses:  Donna Karen (probably from about 1998 or so).

Midnight Madness

I  told myself I wouldn't do any crazy Black Friday shopping this year.  Then I saw these boots in the ads for $20.  I've been looking for some new brown boots.  My other ones are ok, but the stiletto heel isn't the best for winter.  We were driving home after a full day of Thanksgiving fun, and my husband was willing to drop me off at the mall to check for my size.  It was a madhouse in there!  I can't believe how pushy and rude most people were.  I pretty quickly found the boots, found my size, tried them on, and started looking for a cashier.  The lines were winding around the shoe section.  I walked about 10 feet over to a checkout in the clothing areas, and there was no line.  I don't know why other shoppers didn't think of that!  I think I was in and out in about 15 minutes.  20 dollars + 15 minutes = totally worth it!