Third Thursday Blushing

It's the Third Thursday of the month, so that means I'm linking up with Bri.  The theme for February is blush.  I don't have anything in this color, mostly because it would match my skin and wash me out.  So I grabbed my palest pink item: this necklace.  

I wore it on Valentine's Day, so decided to be as cliché as possible and wear read and pink.  Mr. Baby was still not feeling the best, so John stayed home with him and I went to church by myself.  Which is why i could wear a necklace and my hairdown.  When I got home, Mr. Baby immediately achieved a death grip on the necklace and was heartbroken when I wouldn't let him play with it.  Choking hazard, buddy!!

Anyway, that's my story.  And I'm happy to report the temps are finally rising, so we may not have snow on the deck for much longer.  You know, until the inevitable March snow storm.  

Necklace: h&m

Dress: Limited

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Boots: Madden

Another Smith Again

Um, you guys? I have something to tell you.

I'm having another baby this year (it's a boy)!  We just like the first one so much, why not have another?  Here's a secret - it's a lot harder to deal with pregnancy symptoms when you already have a baby to take care of.  Last time, I could just go to bed when I got off work, and tell John to fend for himself at dinner.  Mr. Baby does not fend for himself.  So when the websites are all "sleep as much as you can."  I'm like "Yeah, okay..."  Mr. Baby was also an awesome sleeper before I got pregnant, but it's like he sensed a disturbance in the force and started fighting bedtime, and waking up more in the night.  Not cool, Mr. Baby.  It's almost like he read this advice.

The good news is that I have been feeling a little better since I made it into the second trimester, so I'm not exhausted all the time anymore.  The weird thing is that I look pregnant way sooner than I did last time, which I hear is pretty common.  I just feel enormous!

So anyway, that's my story.  Baby boy #2 arriving in July.  It's gonna be a wild summer!

Sweater: Gap outlet (similar)
Top: Loft Maternity
Jeans: Old Navy maternity (similar)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Shorts Weather

Well, it's kind of chilly again today, but last week we had a few days where the temps were high enough for me to wear shorts!  And I was happy to do that, because I bought this maternity pair from Loft for about $5, and they are awesome.

So another Monday.  We are exactly 2 weeks out from my due date, so I am feeling like this kid could show up today, or in 3 weeks.   I'm hoping he's a little early, but not sure I'm ready just yet.  Maybe later this week would be good.  I think it would be fun if he's born on Friday, which is my half-birthday.  You hear that, baby?  Friday would be great!

Cardigan: JCF (Top 10 Remix item)
Top: Loft Maternity
Shorts: Loft Maternity
Shoes: Target

Another Week, Another Visitor

So I mentioned that my sister and nieces were visiting last week.  The day after they left, my mom came out, so she and I are hanging out this week.  I've recruited her help with my long list of tasks to accomplish before baby arrives, so we will be doing some sewing projects and prepping some freezer meals.  I'm pretty excited that she was able to come out for a few days.

I'm also pretty excited that baby is 37 weeks now, which means he wouldn't be considered "premature" at this point, and might not even have to visit the NICU.  That makes me really happy.  And I think we have most of the necessary items for him now, too.  Carseat is installed, bassinet is put together, and I've got a drawer full of diapers and wipes.  So pretty much this kid can come whenever he's ready now.  Of course, I am aware he'll likely take the full 40 weeks or longer, but it's nice to get to a point where I wouldn't panic completely if I went into labor.

Cardigan: JCF
Necklace: F21
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Dress: Loft Maternity
Shoes: Old Navy

Remix Kickoff - Two Favorites

Okay, kicking off the Top 10 Remix with 2 items:  navy dress and mint scarf!  

I have to make fun of myself a little bit.  I recently mentioned on Brynn's blog that I don't really like infinity scarves, and then I turn around and tie this long scarf into one.  The hypocrisy is great.  But something about this outfit on this day just looked better with a scarf/necklace than with a hangy-down scarf.  

Pay no attention to the sun/dust spots all over these pictures.  I tried to clean them up in editing, but I obviously don't know how to photoshop very well, so I gave up and left them as is.  It's artistic, okay?  SO FANCY!  

Scarf: JCF

Dress: Loft Maternity

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: NY&Co

Shoes: Old Navy

Something Something Friday

As I write this post (Thursday night), I'm just exhausted and unable to think of anything clever to say.   I just got home from my first baby shower (so amazing!  More on that later), and am just overwhelmed with all the wonderful people I work with, and the thoughtful gifts they got for me and the baby.  I think I took about 2 pictures all night because I was just caught up in the moments, so I hope I can steal some pictures from my co-worker who was playing photographer.

Anyway, here's an outfit I wore recently.  I liked it in real life, but I don't like it as much in pictures.  I mean, it's okay, but I think the blazer looks too small (which it is right now), but as I was wearing it, I thought it just looked normal/unbuttoned.  And I think/hope this will be the last time I wear boots for the next several months! Come on, spring - stick around!  

Have a happy weekend!  I'll probably just be sorting and staring at all the baby stuff I just got!  

Blazer: Gap via consignment

Shirt: Loft Maternity

Jeans: Old Navy Maternity

Boots: Madden

Third Thursday - Sales!

If you've ever read one of my Budgeting Bloggers posts, you know I rarely buy anything for full price.  I just don't see a reason to, since it will probably go on sale (or I'll find a similar item on sale in the future).  When Bri announced the Third Thursday Threads theme for this month was favorite sale purchase, it was kind of hard to narrow down.  So I just picked a recent outfit that I really liked, and will share my shopping strategies for each item.  As a general rule, I like to get cost per wear of any item down to $1 or less.  Of course, when I am actually buying anything, I have to guess on how often and how long I will wear it, so it's not an exact science.

The dress was $16 (originally $30), which is only about 50% off, which is usually not something I would go for (especially at Old Navy), but since it is a maternity dress, I didn't want to wait.  I think I've worn it 5 or so times, and will probably wear it more in the next 6 weeks, since I'm running out of things that fit.  I probably won't make it to 16, but if I'm ever pregnant again, I think this will be a dress I still want to wear.

The cardigan was $15 (originally $55).  I love the Clare cardigan from J.Crew Factory, and I think I have it in 4 colors.  I will probably keep buying different colors, because I wear them all pretty frequently (I'm slightly shocked this one has only made the blog one other time!)

The belt was one of those 3-pack deals at TJ Maxx - I think it was probably $10 for the set, so that means this one is about $3.  I'd highly recommend looking at places like TJ Maxx or Marshall's for accessories, because they are super cheap!  It's been on the blog about 20 times, so my cost per wear is pretty fabulous at this point!

The shoes are from Target and I got them for $9 (originally $40).  They were a random find when I was grocery shopping, and just happened into the shoe section.  They must have been an online return, because they only had one pair, and it was my size, and I think black flats will always be a frequently worn item for me, and I didn't love the options I had at the time.  I've blogged them 10 times, and I've worn them way more than that.

I know I'm kind of cheating, because I didn't pick a "favorite" sale item, but I probably can't even fit into some of my favorite sale items at the moment, so I'm just making up my own rules.

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Dress: Old Navy Maternity
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Shoes: Target

First Grade Inspiration

My youngest niece is in first grade, and is a little fashionista.  Sometimes she asks her mom to send me pictures of her outfits.  Sometimes, I post them on the blog (here and here).  When my sister sent me a recent outfit picture, I just felt like I had to copy it.

I don't think I've ever worn my denim jacket over a chambray shirt, and I thought it was a fun idea. Plus I was anxious to wear my new maternity chambray top.

I even searched on Pinterest to see if this was an obvious combo I have missed, and couldn't find anything, so my niece is officially the pioneer of this idea.  As with any denim on denim, I think it's important to make sure your blues are different enough to provide a little contrast.  And if you are really cool (like the 6-year-old), a printed chambray and embellished jacket help keep things interesting.  If you aren't that cool (like me, for instance), maybe add a necklace and belt for a little shine!

I can't tell you where most of E's outfit is from, but her jacket is from the Annie collection at Target - I know this, because I bought it for her at Christmas.

I think my version would be a little better with my regular chambray popover, but it doesn't fit at the moment.  This maternity top is just a little too billowy and I think the proportions look kind of goofy.  I mean, I felt fine all day, but then looking at my pictures, I felt like it looked a little weird.  Also wrinkly, but this is real life!

Jacket: JCF
Chambray: Loft Maternity
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Madden

Matchy Red

Sometimes, it's just fun to be a little matchy.  When I imagined this outfit, I was going to wear black boots, or maybe black flats if the weather was cooperating.  When I was getting dressed, I saw my red shoes and decided they would be a more interesting option.

Scarf: Christopher & Banks
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Loft Maternity
Pants: Old Navy Maternity
Shoes: Target

Sneaky Dots

This dress has very subtle polka dots on it, which you can kind of see if you look closely.  Or if I post a close-up outtake where I'm laughing.  That would also work.  

And it's Tuesday, so I'm linking up with Laura for Confident Twosday!

Necklace: InPink

Cardigan: Old Navy

Dress: Old Navy Maternity

Belt: Chinese Laundry

Tights; H&M

Boots: Madden

Winter Book Challenge

Well, after almost completing the summer book challenge, I'm going to try this again.  I think the categories are much harder this time, so there's a good chance I will be distracted by reading things that don't apply, but hey, it's still fun to try!  Details on Megan's blog.  The challenge starts on Nov 1st if anyone wants to join in!

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules.  Probably The Rosie Effect (411 pages), but I suspect I will read a few books that don't fall into any of the other categories. 
10 points: Read a book written by an author who has published at least 10 books. - Funny Girl: A Novel (464 pages)
10 points: Read a book of short stories - My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories(320 pages)
10 points: Read a book with a food in the title. - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (274 pages)
15 points: Read the first book in a series that is new to you (so no rereads for this one!). -
The Eyre Affair (374pages)
15 points: Read a book that was originally written in a language that is not your native language. -
Love in the Time of Cholera (348 pages)
15 points: Read a book written by a local author (either an author from your state if you live in the United States, or from your country if you live somewhere else). - My Antonia (232 pages)
20 points: Read a "bookish book" (in which books play an important role-the setting involves a bookstore or library, a major character is an author, or a book that celebrates reading and books -
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry (260 pages)
20 points: Read a book with a direction in the title (e.g. north, south, east, west or any combination of those).  East of Eden reread (601 pages) or I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had: My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High (264 pages)
25 points: Read a book from a genre you don't usually read.  - Not sure yet
25 points: Read a book with a song lyric in the title. Be sure to tell us the song name and artist as well!  - maybe Peace Like a River(312 pages)
30 points: Read two books with a different meal in each title (e.g. breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, brunch update: meals like feast, banquet, picnic will also count, but try not to get too "creative" with your meal words!). - Breakfast of Champions  (302 pages) and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (303 pages)

And a huge thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!  I had a very nice birthday weekend celebrating!  More about that later this week.

Jacket: JCrew Factory: (exact)
Scarf: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Dress: Limited (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

#22 - Writer's Block

New hardest part of the 30x30 is that I apparently don't have 30 days worth of things to say in a month.  So let me just talk about my outfit.  I like it in theory, but I think the proportions are a little bit off.  I still need to take this skirt in a couple inches, because it's still way too big.  And the cardigan is a bit more fitted than the shirt, so I think it looks a little funny.  In a normal world, I would have switched out for a longer cardigan, but in 30x30 world, this is my only option. 

Don't forget to take the survey if you haven't yet!   

Cardigan: Gap  (similar)
Top: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Belt: Chinese Laundry (similar)
Skirt: Gap  (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#21- Wind Machine

When taking outfit photos, I usually forget my wind machine.  But some days, when I'm taking frantic photos on the side of Kohl's so I can grab a quick dinner of champions at Chick-fil-A before taking care of the 2-year-olds at church, the wind decides to show up.  And the reflection of my pink blazer on my face makes it look like I'm wearing blush.  No need to spend extra time on make-up!  Just wear bright colors!  

I'm so excited that Bri picked a Third Thursday Threads theme that fell into the rules of my 30x30.  LBD for the win!  Go check out the other looks here.  

And please take my survey if you haven't yet!      

Blazer: Gap (option, option)
Necklace: InPink (exact)
Belt: NY&Co (similar)
Dress: Ann Taylor (similar, similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

#12 - Navy Week - Black and Blue

Black and Navy - once fashion rules dictated that never the 2 should meet.  But this is the future, and fashion rules don't really exist anymore.  (Trust me, ever since Stacey and Clinton on What Not To Wear told me I can wear white pants any time of year, I've pretty much decided all fashion rules are obsolete.)

So here's my first attempt:  Basic LBD + navy scarf & shoes.  Silver belt to give myself a waist.  I think it looks pretty cute, but then again, I am the one who came up with it.

What do you all think about wearing black and navy together?

Link up your navy looks below, and also go check out Confident Twosday!

Scarf: J.Crew Factory (exact)
Dress: Ann Taylor (similar, similar)
Belt: Chinese Laundry (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (option, option)

Dress Week - Summer Essentials

It's Third Thursday Threads day!!  Again, it's working out that my theme weeks play nicely with Bri's themes.  And we had a little ESP(n) going this month, because I sent her a guest post all about Summer Must-Haves before I saw the TTT theme.  Great minds, I tell ya!

So here's a pretty typical summer outfit for me:  light dress + bright colored cardigan + belt + comfortable shoes.

That's a formula for easy summer style.  Plus, this dress is famous!  It was on the season 2 finale of New Girl!  I wish that Zooey Deschanel had been wearing it (that would be cooler), but it was just Schmidt's girlfriend.  Anyone else get excited when their clothes are on TV?

Dress Week is still going strong!  Linkup below!

Dress: Target (similar)
Cardigan: Gap (similar)
Belt: NY&C0 (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar without captoe)

Signs of Summer

I love summer.  I don't think I'm genetically engineered to thrive in warm weather (my family tends to be fair-skinned and a tad sweaty), but I hate to be cold all winter long, so summer is my favorite.  There are just a few problems.

Spring/Summer in Nebraska means tornado season.  It seems that most people who grow up in Tornado Alley develop some immunity to tornado warnings and hang out on the front porch looking for storms.  Despite spending most of my life in Kansas, I am not one of these people.  You'll find me cowering in the basement. 

It's finally light in the evenings, so I can take outfit pictures when I get home (yay!), but my neighbor is ALWAYS doing yard work.  Like every day.  I'm terrified he will ask me what I'm doing, so I have to be stealthy.  After sneaking outside to take pics, I heard his mower getting louder, so I rushed back inside.  Then I realized that if his wife was in her kitchen, she probably saw me.  They have to think I'm a total weirdo.  They may be right.     

    

Tank: Gap

Belt: NY&Co

Skirt: Loft

Shoes: Old Navy

Long Weekend Recap

Happy Tuesday!  I'm going to pretend that I purposely skipped posting on Monday for Memorial Day, but really, I just forgot to schedule something.  This outfit would have been perfect, because it's all red, white, and blue.  Anyway, enough about my outfit.  How about a weekend recap??

On Friday, I left work early and had a late/long lunch with a friend.  Then I had the rest of the evening to myself and decided it was time to really do a full closet inventory.  I got about halfway done before I had to take a break for dinner.  Then I binge-watched Netflix while ironing for a few hours.  And I'm at a point in my life where I'm content with spending my Friday night ironing.  (Sometimes I still feel like I'm 19, but there are moments where I can believe I'm almost 30.)

Saturday involved more closet sorting, more ironing and folding laundry, AND a lunch/movie date with John.  We went to the new X-Men movie.  It was pretty good, but I have a lot of questions now.  I mean, time travel is always pretty sketchy, so it will be interesting to see where they go from here.  And how long Hugh Jackman can play Wolverine.  He's just getting a little old.

After church on Sunday, I spent the afternoon helping to make wedding mints for my friend's wedding.  It was fun to hang out with her, and the mints are delicious!  Then John and I went over to some friends' house for a good old-fashioned cookout.  Good food, fun people, and my team won at Catch Phrase!

On Monday, I finished my closet inventory (post coming soon), and did a few other things around the house.  Then we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant.

I'd say it was a pretty nice weekend!  Did you do anything fun with the extra day?  (my apologies if you had to work!)  

Top: Michael Kors via TJ Maxx
Cardigan & Shoes: Old Navy
Skirt: Target
Belt: NY&Co

Tricksy

So, I might have gone on vacation this week.  Basically, I'll be soaking up the sun all week (with plenty of sunscreen to protect my skin!).  I was going to ask for guest posters while I'm away, but then I forgot.  So, I have a couple outfit posts scheduled, and am getting caught up on book review posts.  And then I'll have those obnoxious vacation recap posts, and then back to normal.  So, you've been warned.  I won't be replying to comments or commenting on your posts this week, but I still like you guys.  I promise.     

I'm using this outfit for the metallic entry in Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge, because the toes of my shoes are very shiny!  I wanted to wear my gold skirt, but the weather didn't cooperate.  

Jacket: J.Crew Factory
Sweater: Gap
Jeans & Shoes: Old Navy

Floral Week - Skirt

Floral Week continues with this pencil skirt!  I'm still on the lookout for a floral pencil skirt with more colors in it, but I really like this one for now.  I don't have much to say today.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I'm keeping busy with my nieces this week.  We had way too much fun at the zoo yesterday, and today I'm going to surprise them with a trip to the pottery painting store.  I think they are going to love it!  Anyway, there's still time to link up your floral looks!  Info after the jump...

Also, I'm using this outfit for the pastel entry in Sarah's April Looking Lucky Style Challenge. 

Top & Cardigan:Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Bass
Necklace & Shoes: Old Navy

Windy City

Last week, Laura said she feels a little "4th of July" when she wears red and blue together.  I can relate!  One of my co-workers actually told me I looked patriotic in this outfit.  I guess that's okay, right?  At least red, white, and blue look nice together.  And there are not stars or stripes, so at least it's a subtle patriotism.  This skirt has been neglected all winter.  Now that it is officially spring, I should show it some love.      

The other day, I mentioned that the wind makes taking outfit pictures more difficult.  I spoke too soon.  On this particular day, I had a lot more trouble!  I got exactly one decent picture, where my hair isn't blowing all over the place.  An outtakes collage had to happen. 

Cardigan & Shoes: Old Navy
Top: H&M
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Bass