#6 - Faux Leather Triple Threat

I've had a black moto jacket on my list for YEARS.  It's just hard to find the right style and fit (for the right price), but I finally found this one at Target of all places - for 40% off!  I bought it over the weekend and just had to add it to my 30x30 remix list.  I still have one open spot, but I'm going to try to save it for later. 

This jacket isn't great for a freezing day, so I layered a sweater and a cardigan for some extra warmth.  The wind wasn't too bad, so it worked out pretty well.  It will be perfect on the 40-60 degree days!

Jacket: Target
Sweater: Limited
Cardigan & Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

It was also perfect timing for Just Jacq's Triple Threat link up!
Won't you please link up with us? The rules are simple! Visit and follow justjacq and this month's cohosts, Rachel and Andi, add the button or a link back to this post and add your link! The link up is open all week so you have plenty of time to share your looks!

 

<div class="Grab button for triplethreat" style="width: 300px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.justjacq.com/tag/triplethreat/" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y506/thejustjacq/triplethreat_zps0185f6a7.jpg" alt="NBD" width="300" height="112" /> </a></div>

 

Guest Post - Modern Mall

I'm interrupting the 30X30 posts for a very important guest star!

This is my niece.  You may remember her from this post and this post. She's 5 and pretty much has me wrapped around her little finger.  She wanted this outfit featured on my blog and I'm like"OF COURSE!  WOULD YOU ALSO LIKE A PONY AND A TRIP TO DISNEYWORLD??"  (just kidding, mostly)

I asked my sister to ask her for some comments about this outfit, and E said "this is a modern mall picture---what you would wear when you go to the mall."  So there you have it.  If you are going to the mall and you want to look modern, you'd better invest in some fuzzy white boots.  

#5 - Sweaters on Sweaters

Here's a tip for surviving the POLAR VORTEX this winter.  Wear a sweater over a sweater!  I think wearing 2 thin sweaters is even warmer than wearing one bulky sweater.  Plus, you get very staticky and can see sparks when you remove your cardigan at the end of the day.  It's like FIREWORKS!  Or you may want to try rubbing a dryer sheet over both sweaters before you attempt to layer them. Use your best judgement.

Cardigan: J.Crew Factory
Scarf: H&M
Sweater & Belt: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: TJ Maxx
Boots: Steve Madden

#4 - Christmas Again

On Saturday, we celebrated Christmas/New Year's with John's family.  I went with the comfy/cozy outfit option.  After opening presents, we played games and ate yummy food.  And then we played more games.  And then we ate dessert.  And then played more games.  I mean, it was a great day!   

Scarf: Target (gift from my sister)
Sweater & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden

#3 - Simply Polar

Much like the rest of the country, Nebraska is seriously cold this week.  They are saying we will have wind chills of -30 today.  That's just WAY TOO COLD for humans.  I suppose the polar bear at the zoo is happy though.  And he is probably my favorite of all the zoo animals, so when I saw this sweatshirt at Old Navy, I tried to put it on my Christmas list, but it was sold out online (noooo!).  My sister is awesome and was able to find it in a store, so I was pretty happy when I opened it.  It might not be the most versatile of my 30 items, but I had to include it.  I was trying to think of clever ways to remix it, but then I thought of the obvious/simple choice - just wear with jeans.  Brilliant.

Sweatshirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Steve Madden

The Official 30X30 List

Since I sort of decided to do the 30X30 at the last minute, I didn't have my items all decided and finalized.  I have that mostly done now, so here's the official list of my 30 items (some are "close enough" representations to what is actually in my closet):

It basically comes down to 4 categories:

Tops:

• Chambray popover
• Polka dot popover
• Gray printed button-up shirt
• Black/white striped tee
• Black v-neck sweater
• Cream v-neck sweater (mine is lighter)
• Corvette sweater
• Polar bear sweatshirt

Layers:

• Black boyfriend cardigan
• Polka dot cardigan (mine doesn't have the black trim)
• Camel boyfriend cardigan
• Red cardigan
• Cobalt boyfriend cardigan
• Pink boyfriend cardigan

Bottoms/Dresses:

• Black/white striped pencil skirt
• Gold skirt (this was the closest option)
• Red pencil skirt
• Black Pencil skirt
• Black dress
• Denim skinny jeans
• Red skinny jeans
• Black skinny jeans
• Pink/White striped dress

Shoes:

• Black wedges
• Gray cap-toe flats
• Gray boots
• Cognac boots
• Black boots

If you are keeping score, that's only 28 items.  I'm leaving 2 spots open to add things as I go, but I mostly just couldn't think of what else I might need.  Probably more colorful items - that's a lot of neutrals!  I'm kind of surprised that I have 3 red items.  It used to be my favorite color, and then I got tired of it, and haven't worn much red in the last 10 or so years.  Maybe it's making a comeback?!  

NOTE - this obviously doesn't include socks/underthings (including camisoles).  I'm also allowed to accessorize with any scarves, belts, and jewelry.  I debated including my outerwear, but this time of year, it's not really an option - I just have to wear my big winter coat most days.  If the temps move into the above-freezing range (not likely), I will wear different coats.  If they end up being "outfit" completers, I'll use my bonus slots accordingly.  

If you want to jump in, go check out the link up on AJ Wears Clothes on Fridays!

UPDATE - Item #29 is my new black moto jacket.  

Favorite Books of 2013

For the second year, I have met my goal of reading 50 books.  According to Goodreads, I read 18834 pages in 2013, which is actually 833 pages less than I read in 2012.  Granted, this is based on "date finished" and I have about 3 half-finished books right now.  Here are my top 11, grouped by 5-star ratings first, and then 4-star ratings in the second cluster:

• The Silver Linings Playbook - just such a great book.  Skip the movie! 
• Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible - history and fashion are a great combination.  Plus, I just love Tim Gunn on Project Runway, and his personality comes through in this book. 
• The Fault in Our Stars - this was my first John Green book, and I've since read most of his others.  TFIOS is still my favorite.  Make sure you have a box of Kleenex nearby. 
• Word Freak - Scrabble nerds unite!  Fun book about how crazy people can get about board games. 
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - I read the whole series this year, but book #4 was my favorite. 
• The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman is an amazing author that I somehow didn't know about until a couple years ago.  This is his new book and I loved it.   

Attachments - Rainbow Rowell is an Omaha-native, and she's fabulous!  I read all 3 of her books this year, and am anxiously awaiting her next one in 2014.  Attachments was my favorite of the three.  Plus I got to meet the author twice at signings (here and here)
Warm Bodies - I thought this zombie/romance was unique and cleverly written.  And I actually liked the movie version, too.  Shocking, I know. 
The Astronaut Wives Club  - this was my last book of the year.  I finished it on NYE afternoon.  I didn't know a whole lot about the astronauts or their families, and this book was so interesting.  I'm 100% convinced that I couldn't handle being an astronaut wife.      
Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore - pretty much any book that RA recommends is going to be a favorite.  This wasn't like anything else I've read, and it had me hooked from the beginning to the end. 
Gone Girl - it's a trendy book to like, but I liked it.   

2013 was a good year for reading good books.  I had more in the 5-star and 4-star range than usual.  Maybe that means I'm getting a better idea of what I will like?  I also had 2 books in the 1-star category, so I highly recommend you avoid The Casual Vacancy and Diamond in the Rough. 
What were your favorite books in 2013?  Any I should add to my list?