Friend-izona Weekend

Get ready for a whirlwind of pictures from my weekend in Phoenix with Brooke and Anne, which we are referring to as "Friend-izona".  Get it, like Friend plus Arizona?  We are pretty clever!

Brooke and I flew in to Phoenix on Thursday afternoon.  This was perfect timing, because Jenny Lawson was in town for a book signing that night.    

Friday, we spent most of the day shopping, and managed to take zero pictures.  I got some great deals and am very excited about all the fun stuff I found.  I'll be sharing the details at the end of the month in my budget post.

On Saturday, we ventured up to Sedona for some hiking!  It was the perfect day to be out in the sunshine, and the mountains were beautiful.  We even ran into some bears!

 

On Sunday, we went to a yoga class, got pedicures, and hung out by the pool before packing up and making the trek back to Nebraska.  It was a really wonderful weekend with 2 of my favorite people!

I was hoping it would officially be spring when we got back, but there is definitely snow in the 5-day forecast.  Not awesome, Nebraska!  

 

Plaid Shirt Remix

 

Happy Monday!  I got home late last night from a pretty epic best friend weekend in Arizona, so I will be sorting pictures and posting more about that later this week.  For now, a little remix to kick off the week!

This picture reminded me that I have been neglecting my plaid shirt for a few months!  I specifically thought I would wear it frequently throughout the winter, because it has so many colors that I could pretty much throw any cardigan over it and look put together.   

I'm also learning that a statement necklace doesn't make a very loud statement if it is the same color as my skin.   Be honest, did you even notice that I am wearing a necklace in these pictures? 

If my archive searching is correct, this is only the 5th time I've worn this shirt.   Disgraceful, but still enough for a remix collage!  

1/2/3/4

Plaid Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Michelle D via Dillard's

I'm also linking up with AJ for her weekly remix!  You should do the same!

Anchor Sweater DIY

At some point in the last year or so, I decided that I really wanted a navy sweater with a giant anchor on the front of it (like this or this).  Then about 6 months ago, I realized my current navy sweater (worn here, here, and here) wasn't great for layering in the winter, because it is so thin.  Then, I found this one at Gap for about $6, and it's perfect for winter time.  At that point, I began scheming about how I could turn my thinner one into an anchor sweater.  I did some research on the best way to paint clothes, and found this great tutorial from one of my favorite bloggers.  Winning!  I won't rehash her instructions, but here are some pictures of my project.

Things I learned: 

1. Wax Paper is not the same as Freezer Paper.  When you try to iron wax paper onto a sweater, nothing happens.  
2. Freezer paper is surprisingly difficult to find.  I actually had to go to Wal-mart!  
3. Self-healing mats and rotary cutters are magic.  I re-remember this every time I use it.  I'm not sure I would have been able to cut out the stencil shape properly on my own.    
4. The paint I bought took 4 hours to dry.  Kayla's tutorial said the paint would dry pretty fast, so my patience was being tested!  I wanted to finish the project on Saturday, but the first coat wasn't dry, so I had to apply the second coat on Sunday evening.  I wanted to wear this sweater RIGHT NOW, so the slower than slow drying paint was annoying. 

Overall, this was a pretty simple project (once I had the appropriate supplies).  I would be interested in finding a paint that dries faster, if such a thing exists.  Don't be surprised if I do more freezer paper stencil projects! 

Sweater: Gap (DIYed)
Shirt and Skirt: Gap
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Double Dresses and Dots

 

The awkward polka dot dress is now my go-to layering piece!  If I just put another dress on over it, the strange length is no longer an issue.  Boom!

Today is a very exciting day!  I'm leaving work early to spend the weekend in Arizona with 2 of my best friends (featured here and here).  I am looking forward to very warm weather, pool time, shopping at stores that don't exist in Nebraska, and about 72 hours of non-stop friend-time!

In the meantime, I have a fun DIY post scheduled for tomorrow.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, because I sure plan to! 

Dresses: Old Navy
Belt: Limited
Tights: Express
Shoes: Madden Girl

5 Days, 5 Ways Bonus - Purple Skirt

When I was preparing for the 5 Days, 5 Ways challenge, I thought my purple skirt would be an excellent item to feature.  After mostly finishing this post, I realized that skirts were not one of the days.  Fail!  The good news is that I am adding a bonus day to the fun of last week!

1/2/3/4/5

Digging through my archives, I realized that I usually pair this skirt with more neutral tops.  I've never had a lot of purple in my wardrobe, so I guess I don't know how to pair it with other colors.  I have had this look pinned for awhile, so I will probably try it out soon!

I am thinking I will try to do a remix post on a weekly basis.  They are some of my favorite posts to put together, and also my favorite topic to see on other style blogs.  What do you say?  Would you like that, or do you think remix posts are lame?

Top: Dillard's
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Boots: BareTraps via DSW

Easter Sunday

Marilyn moment

 

Happy late Easter!  I hope you all had a lovely day on Sunday.  We went over to John's parents' house after church for a delicious feast and board games.  The weather was not as nice as last year, so we didn't get to play outside, but at least we didn't get accused of stealing toys from children (story here).

I was excited for another excuse to wear this dress.  I wish the top part was purple, because the tan color sort of blends in with my skin.  Also, I almost got swindled at the dry cleaners.  They told me they charge $0.25 extra per pleat and this dress had well over 80 pleats, so it was going to be over $30 to dry clean it.  I mean, the dress didn't even cost $30!  So, I told them not to iron it, and the pleats were all intact.  Tricky cleaners!

Dress: Limited

Shoes: BCBGeneration   

March in Review

Great news, everyone!  I was 100% successful at all my goals in March...

April Fool's!*

I wasn't quite 100% successful.  My excuses this month include vacation and trying to get caught up from being on vacation.  Let's see how everything shakes out:

1. Do a project, mostly sewing - I did sew a new button on a shirt that I wanted to take to consignment, but I don't think that counts.  I'm also about 99% finished with painting an anchor on a sweater, to look like this.  Hopefully it will turn out wearable!     
2. Work out - I'm calling this a success.  I got a fair amount of exercise on vacation, just from walking all over the place, and even went to the gym on the boat one day!  Since we got back, I've been pretty good about getting to the gym at least 3 times a week.  
3. Tackle a project around the house - I'm hoping to declutter the house one step at a time.  In March, I was able to clean out my closet, and took a big bag of items to Goodwill, and another stack to consignment.  I still need to tackle the items in my dressers, but I have a good start.  
4. Cook a "real" meal at least 3 days each week.  Cue some failure music here.  After vacation, I haven't really gotten back into the swing of things with cooking, or like, having groceries on hand to cook.  
5. Stick to a clothing budget - success!
6. Read 50 books in the year - March was a good month for reading!  It's amazing how much I can read  on vacation when I am not bothered with things like working.  I read 5 books on vacation and 2 others since we got back.  That puts me at 13 for the year, which means I am right on track to hit 50.

One quarter into the year, and I feel pretty good about everything.  I am definitely doing better this year than I did in 2012!  I think the monthly check-ins are helping keep me accountable, as well as having more specific goals. 

How are you all doing on any resolutions or goals for the year? 

Outfit details:
Button-down shirt: New York & Co
Top: Max Studio (via Marshall's)
Belt: Charming Charlie
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Guess

*I really hate April Fool's Day.  I am just worried all day that I will be tricked somehow, and I don't really see the fun in it, at all.