Ruzzle Addict

Take One, Pass It On Item: pearl necklace from last Tuesday's post.

So, have you all jumped on the Ruzzle fad yet?  My brother and sister got me hooked on this game.  It's basically Boggle for smartphones, with a little bit of Scrabble thrown in.

I'm going to brag a little bit and say that I am ridiculously good at Boggle.  I mean, no one will play with me, because it just isn't fun.  For some reason, my brain is really great at seeing words in a random assortment of letters.  Surprisingly, this is of no use to me in my every day life and career.

My biggest problem with Ruzzle is that it tells you how many words you found, and then it tells you how many words exist to be found.  In Boggle, I just know that I found 50 words and my opponent found 25, so I get to feel really awesome.  Ruzzle tells me that there were 297 total words, and then I feel bad about myself, even when I win!  Why can't this game just let me be happy that I found more words than the other player?  Seriously, Ruzzle, stop ruining my life!   (at least I'm not being dramatic.)  

I don't believe there are 275 words to be found!

Dress and Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: gift (from China)
Tights: Old Navy
Shoes: BCBGeneration

In Your Dreams

Don't worry - I'm not going to start blogging about all the dreams I have.  I was just talking with some friends recently about dreams and I realized that I might be kind of a weirdo.  Here's a few reasons:

1. Almost all of them said they have recurring dreams about being back in school, where they show up for a final and don't know any of the answers, or they don't know their locker combination.  I have never had a dream like this.
2. They also all said they dream in the 1st person, where they are actually experiencing whatever is happening in the dream.  I am always in the 3rd person in my dreams, watching myself experience whatever is happening.  
3. I'm not always even in my dreams, either.  Sometimes it is just like I am watching a movie and it is all people I don't know.  I don't think that's normal.

So, am I alone here?  Do you all have crazy dreams?

Dress: Gap
Cardigan: NY&Co
Belt: Francesca's
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Trifecta Tuesday - Navy Dress

Fall is making an appearance and I am pretty excited to layer again!  Just don't quote me on that in January when I am so tired of the cold weather.

I didn't intend to have my collar popped in these pictures.  It got warm enough in the afternoon that I didn't need the jacket anymore, but I threw it back on for pictures.  I guess I should look in the mirror before I pull out my camera.    

Here are 2 other ways I have worn this dress recently:

  

Dress: Gap
Scarf: Charming Charlie
Jacket: Izod
Belt: Francesca's
Shoes: BCBGeneration

I've Got the Blues

Don't worry!  I'm not sad; I'm just wearing a lot of blue.  I mean, I went to the grocery store(Target) on Saturday and just happened upon the clearance shoe section, and these adorable little blue cap-toe flats were calling my name.  Of course I had to plan my Sunday morning outfit around my new shoes.

Whenever someone says "I've got the Blues", this song immediately pops into my mind.  And then I want mac and cheese for dinner.  Does anyone else remember this commercial?  How adorable is this little girl?  Now think about the fact that she's probably about 22 now.  Feeling old yet?  Me too.

Dress and Cardigan: Gap
Belt: Francesca's
Shoes: Target

Help! What's Your Favorite Perfume?

Pinterest inspired me to pair my bright mullet skirt with earthy colors.  This is the result, and I kind of like it.

On a completely unrelated note, I am almost out of perfume, and I want to try a new scent.  My current favorite is Emporio Armani Diamonds Intense, which I have been rationing for several months.  My every day scent is CK Contradiction, which I don't think they even sell in stores anymore, but I had stockpiled and am at the end of my last bottle.  I also had Lola by Marc Jacobs and really liked that.  I was at Ulta the other day and looked around a little bit, but nothing really jumped out at me.

Any suggestions?  What are your favorite scents?

I've got a birthday coming up in October, so I think I will put perfume on my list, but I need to know what kind to ask for!

Top: Gap
Belt: Francesca's
Skirt: Limited
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Closet Ultimatum #8 - Navy Top

Last weekend, John and I ventured to Des Moines, IA with his parents.  The guys went to the Nascar race, and the girls went to the outlet mall!  Everyone wins! 

The above photo was my attempt to merge a new skirt with a shirt from my Closet Ultimatum.  This top is great, except for the fact that the neck is a giant scoop and completely indecent from certain angles.  So, this shirt is going in the sell pile!

Here's what I actually wore to work:

Much better!   And can I just add that this skirt was $8.80!  I love finding good deals.  And I am that girl who will awkwardly tell people how much my clothing costs if they compliment me.  I try not to, but I just can't help it!  Please tell me I'm not the only one!  

Top #1: DKNY
Top#2: Mossimo/Target
Belt: Francesca's
Skirt: Bass
Shoes: Anne Klein

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! 

Closet Ultimatum #5 - Black and White Skirt

Another day, another questionable skirt!  Like the purple skirt, I'm just wary of the length on this skirt since it's of the flowy variety.  When I am standing still, it's fine; but when I am walking, I feel like I am one wind gust away from pulling a Marilyn Monroe.  In the past, I've worn this skirt mostly with brightly colored tops, but I decided to keep it simple today with the black and white.  I think the only other time this skirt has appeared on the blog is one of my least favorite outfits ever.  It was a nice day in March, and I was so excited to start dressing in my summer clothes.  I didn't realize that my skirt and top were washing out my already terrifyingly pale legs.  It was also a pretty bad hair day!

Verdict:  I am on the fence about this skirt.  Maybe I will give it another go before I make my final decision.  Maybe try it with tights in the winter?  What do you think? 

Top: Gap
Skirt: Loft
Belt: Francesca's
Shoes: Seychelles

Primary Colors

These pictures are from a few weeks ago, but I never posted them.  Then I wore this exact outfit to church on Sunday, so it all works out.

These little red flats are a recent purchase from Target.  They were $7, so I just had to pick them up.  I am always on the lookout for fun flats.

I feel like the red shoes and yellow purse added some interest to my outfit.  This dress is quickly turning into my standby when I don't have very much time to get ready, or am feeling particularly uninspired. I love easy pieces like this!

Dress: Gap
Belt: Francesca's
Shoes: Target
Purse: Liz Claiborne, from Goodwill, refashioned
Necklace: gift

Skirting the Issue

This skirt is a dress.  I bought it at H&M in 2007 over Memorial Day weekend when we were visiting my family in Indy.  If memory serves, it was about $15, and I have worn it so many times over the last 5 years.  I love it when "fast fashion" turns into a closet workhorse!  The last few times I have pulled it out of the closet, I've folded the top under and worn it as a skirt.  The top just doesn't fit quite right anymore, so I'm thinking about committing to the skirt and chopping the top off.  I think I am getting addicted to easy refashions!  Soon all my dresses will be chopped into skirts!   

Top: Gap
Belt: Francesca's
Skirt: H&M Dress
Shoes: Steve Madden
Sunglasses: mall kiosk

Registry Madness

The 2012 wedding season is in full swing.  Last Saturday, I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to purchase all the gifts.  When I went to the Customer Service station and said I needed 4 registries printed, the worker looked at me like I was crazy.  It took awhile, and I had to order some things that weren't in stock, but I got gifts for all 4 weddings.  Now I just hope I don't mix up who gets what item.  

I wore my new dress, but traded my pink cardigan for pearls, which made me feel fancier.  

Dress: Gap

Belt: Francesca's

Shoes: BCBGeneration

Necklace:  from China

Let's Get Physical!

As you may know, one of my goals for the year is to be more active, lose weight, etc.  Apparently this shirt makes me want to talk about my annual goals.  Probably because I wore it on NYE, so it reminds me of the fresh start to the year.

Anyway, I recently started going to Jazzercise.  I bought a 2 month deal from one of the local group coupon companies.  Just a few  classes in, I think it's going to be pretty good.  I mean, my abs hurt, so that's a good sign, right?  I really like how it mixes cardio and strength training.  So, if I start looking stronger to you, it's because of Jazzercise.  If I don't, it's because of ice cream. 

Top: Gap
Belt: Francesca's
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: BCBGeneration

Becoming My Mother

Last week, I went into the Gap for the first time since my shopping spree in December.  When my shopping ban was over, I had big ideas that I wouldn't just run to Gap, but I'd try new places and diversify my wardrobe.  So, I looked around some other stores last week when I was at the mall, and didn't find much.  Then I saw Gap and it just looked so inviting!  They had some great sales, and an additional 30% off all markdowns.

I tried on about a million things.  OK, maybe more like 25, but that's a lot.  In the dressing room, I was trying on this dress and I had one of those moments where I felt like my mom.  I'm looking at this dress trying to determine if it is black or navy.  I was pretty much going to get it either way, but I just couldn't quite tell.  I blame it on the lighting in the store.  When I got home, it was obviously navy.  So Mom, I'm sorry for all those times I laughed at you for asking me if something was black or navy. 

I ended up getting this dress, a trench coat, and three striped shirts.  And I paid significantly less in the store than the prices online. 

Dress: Gap
Belt: Francescas
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina
Shoes: BCBGeneration

No Cardigan Needed

Have I mentioned how excited I am about this warmer weather??  It just makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier!  Dress+belt+shoes=done.  No need for tights, cardigans, coats, scarves, etc. 

It does get a little more difficult to make an outfit interesting.  I'm excited to have a new season of outfits, so I hope I don't run out of combinations.  Next time, I'll wear this dress with my brown shoes.  So tricky!

Dress:  Target
Belt:  Francesca's
Shoes:  BCBGeneration

Keep it Simple

Today's ABC challenge topic is "Q for Quick and Simple."  This is the outfit I threw together last week when I overslept and had about 10 minutes to get ready for work.  When I'm in a hurry and need to look put-together, I usually grab a dress.  It's a whole outfit already!  Then I add a cardigan, maybe a belt and I'm good to go.

Go check out the other looks here.

Dress:  Target
Belt:  Francescas
Cardigan: Gap
Tights:  Target
Shoes:  BCBGeneration

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

Seeing Spots

I wore this on Wednesday, which I thought was Thursday.  After a long day at work, I convinced John to go out to dinner and do some Christmas shopping.   We went to Toys R Us with a list of all the weird toys my nieces and nephews want this year.  I swear, all these things sound the same, and I can't keep track of what is what.  The lists are like Orbeez, Gomus, Zoobles, Beyblades, etc.  I'm sorry, what??  We actually had a pretty successful trip, and got presents for 4 of the 6 kids!  This weekend is going to be serious shopping time!

Anyway, we took pictures after our adventures at the toy store, and I couldn't narrow it down to just 1, so you get 2 pictures today!  



Top: Sunny Leigh from TJ Maxx
Skirt: Express (from approximately 1998)
Belt: Francesca's
Booties: Target - these were $8.98 at the store!