Wonder Woman

shirt: Old Navy, skirt & boots: thrifted, boots: Target, necklace: my grandmother's

As I mentioned once before, my husband sometimes makes funny comments about my outfit choices.  Today I made the comment about how it's been a few days since he's said something funny and my co-worker said, "What, he didn't say anything about your Wonder Woman skirt today?".*  I like it!  As crazy as work has felt lately, I just may need to be Wonder Woman, so I'll embrace it. This could also explain the crazy hair...when you're flying around saving the world, messy ponytails just kind of happen.  :)  Also, remember this story about the kid that works at CVS?  I stopped in today and he told me he liked my skirt and even asked me if I thought anyone I work with would try to steal my style.  Maybe he knows what he's talking about!

*Neither my husband nor my co-worker are mean.  Promise they only tease because they know I laugh about it and am not offended!  

Inspiration Monday

I'm taking part in Inspiration Monday: Two Birds today and this was fun!  Today's inspiration:  the above look from Drew Barrymore.  Check out my look below.

shirt: Old Navy, cardigan and shoes: Target, pants: Wal-Mart, necklace: gift

I love Drew Barrymore's look, but my look had to take the office dress code at work into account.  I work in a pretty relaxed environment, but this may have been pushing it just a little bit.  I went with a tee with some embellishment because a little daytime sequins are always fun, right?!  Seeing Drew's beaded necklace made me remember that I had this necklace.  It was a gift from my mother-in-law, who always buys me great jewelry for Christmas, but for some reason I've had a hard time finding things to wear this one with.  These black jeans were an easy pick because they're a recent favorite of mine, and I tried these heels just to add a little bit of an edge to the outfit.  Even though my hair avoided the ponytail through most of the day, it's now pulled up in a similar somewhat messy way.  Maybe I should've given up on my hair earlier!

Fail

Oops!  Set time for 2 seconds instead of 10...

shirt: Old Navy, shoes & scarf: Target, purse & jeans: thrifted

This Sunday I stepped up my game just a little bit and didn't let myself wear yoga pants all day.  Don't worry, right now I'm curled up on the couch in my second favorite pair of sweat pants and a hoodie watching our Buckeyes, but the outfit picture above shows what I wore when I left the house earlier today.  

This picture is also proof that I cheated on my "no shopping until I've worn every new thing that's in my closet" rule.  I bought the infinity scarf at Target yesterday.  We needed batteries and I had a gift card, which gave me the excuse to go.  Apparently I have no will power.  I've been eyeing this scarf for awhile and although I wasn't supposed to buy any clothes/accessories, after wearing it today, I can tell it's going to be a cozy favorite.  After breaking my own rules, I figured I might as well check out my favorite Goodwill today.  I found a skirt that's a minty green color, like I've been seeing all over the web and in magazines for this spring.  I'm in love with it!  Good thing I broke the rules or that wonderful skirt would've surely been snatched up by someone else...

*Note: Buckeyes lost.  Pictures had to be added after my husband fixed my computer.  Friday night I spilled my red wine on the carpet, causing me to jump up and knock my computer off my lap and damage the USB ports.  This meant no picture uploading.  Do they make sippy cups for wine?!

*Note 2:  I washed the skirt and it looks more teal than minty green.  Oh well, still awesome.

*Note 3:  Sorry for all the notes. :)

Scarf + Belt

belt, jeans, and shoes: Target, shirt: Old Navy, scarf: World Market

This post made me want to try the whole scarf tucked in the belt look.  Well, Dani's look and the fact that I saw a girl at Piada a few weeks ago who pulled off the look really well.  I was super comfortable in this outfit today and still even felt a little more pulled together than usual! 

Lace and Stripes

tee and shoes: Target, jacket: thrifted, jeans: Gap, necklace: gift from friend (from ebay!)

I consider this jacket pretty much lace, right?  I like this contrast between the lace and the stripes.  I was lucky enough to find the jacket for only $4 at a thrift store with the tags still on.  It reminds me of spring, but since it was almost 60 degrees here today, I figure it might as well be spring!  

Looking at these pictures, I'm realizing I've had these jeans for at least 5 years.  They have been my favorite over the years and I may actually shed a few tears when they finally get too worn out to pass for my "professional" jeans.  

Wishlist Wednesday: A Sewing Machine

I haven't sewn anything since probably about junior high, and even back then the quality of my work was questionable.  I have a skirt I bought for $4 at a thrift.  It's a fun, brighter shade of pink and I'm excited for everything I'll be able to wear it with.  The length was probably fine if I would've left it alone, but I think it would look so much better if it was just a little bit shorter.  I don't want to spend much money and truthfully started looking at the cheapest options available.  This little thing is only $12.29 on Target's website, but I can't decide - is that just too cheap to expect it to get the job done, or is it just the right price for my sewing experiment?

Challenge Accepted

sweater: Old Navy, tee: Kohl's, belt: Target, scarf: Kohl's, skirt: thrifted, boots: JCPenney

When I started this blog, it was with the goal of stepping outside of my comfort zone and being more adventurous with my style.   I say so far it's working!  I would've never thought to wear a red skirt and leopard print cardigan to work even a few months, but walked out the door this morning without even a second thought.  This post by Caitin on Audrey's blog has me excited to see what other options there are for my $4 red skirt from Goodwill!

I'm also challenging myself to not buy any clothing until I wear every "new" (new to me anyway) item in my closet.  I have a bad habit of buying things and then waiting forever to wear them.  This will force me to utilize every piece in my closet, and to be honest, my budget could use the break.  So there, I said it.  If I'm putting it out there for the world to see, then just maybe I'll follow through!

Busted

jeans, boots, tee: Target, sweater: Old Navy, necklace: present from a friend,  scarf: present from my niece, purse:  thrifted, sunglasses: Ralph Lauren

Today I was totally busted.  So far the parks have been empty when I go to take my pictures, but days like today when the temperature is mild and the sun is shining, more people make their way out to this trail with their dogs.  Every time up until today, I've been able to casually pretend to mess with my camera settings until they're out of sight so I don't look/feel like a crazy person wandering around taking pictures of myself.  Today, a man and his dog "Pudge" (a huge but adorable bulldog) came around the corner right as I was snapping the picture, leaving me no time to prepare for my usual ruse.  He seemed genuinely concerned that he and Pudge were interrupting me.  I told him I was just testing out the new camera.  I suppose this excuse won't work forever!  Oh well, since he was walking Pudge with what looked like a beer in hand, I don't suppose he would be one to judge. :)  My kind of neighbor!

Onto other things:  In case you haven't noticed, I wear glasses.  Last summer I finally decided to pay for a pair of prescription sunglasses that I really loved the style of.  These Ralph Lauren wayfarers have been absolutely perfect.  I highly recommend investing in a pair like these if you're as blind as I am.  No more forcing my eyes to deal with contacts just because I want to shield myself from the sunshine.

Also, I can't stand when skinny jeans bunch at the knees like these did today.  Someone please tell me I'm not the only one with this problem!

A Confession

Because I'm sure you're just dying to know...OSU hoodie: Nike, OSU tee and yoga pants: Target 

Ok, I'm calling myself out - I was a slacker today.  I guess I am most Sundays, but today the checkout guy at CVS asked me if I just got done working out.  I hadn't.  Trust me, when I work out I end up looking way worse than this.  Can't he see these are my fancy sweatpants and that I actually have some lip color on?!  Sigh.  

A New Favorite

jacket: gift from my sister-in-law, shirt: thrifted, jeans: Wal-Mart, shoes & purse: Target

Happy Friday everyone!  The sun is shining and it's 45 degrees here in Ohio.  In February!  I know I should be concerned about global warming, but I'm too excited that it's warm enough to wear shoes without socks and get away with not needing a winter coat.  The shoes are my favorite part about this outfit. They're hard to see in these pictures, so here's the photo downloaded from Target's website:

They're a fun updated version of a classic, and since I wore them all day and my feet feel just fine, I'm sure they'll quickly become a wardrobe staple.  I found these shoes on clearance, hidden with some regularly priced shoes.  I'm guessing that someone hid them so they could come back and buy them.  I'm only a little bit sorry that I ruined their plan, but I promise they're in a good home!

P.S.  I looked up the history of the penny loafer and found this: History of Shoe: Penny Loafers.  Kind of fun!

Wishlist Wednesday: Calendar Bracelet

Calendar Bracelet by dalla nonna

I could turn my whole Pinterest page into my wishlist, but I really really really want this bracelet.  I would choose my wedding date for this.  I think I'll start campaigning now so that by our first anniversary this May, I can convince my husband that I need this!

EBEW: Pink and Red

cardigan: Old Navy, tank: Target, belt: thrifted, jacket & bracelets: Forever 21, jeans: Gap 

Confession:  I'm an Everybody, Everywear rookie.  I've never felt like a whole outfit needs to match, but I've never been brave enough to pair colors like pink and red together.  Until now!  I cheated a little because there's a tiny bit of red in the detail of my pink tank I paired with this cardigan, but that's ok.  Right?  I think it is.  Maybe someday I'll be as  brave as SJP...

But for right now...baby steps...

Jewelry with Meaning

Give more than a damn: bracelet by Regina Smith

While on Pinterest, I came across the quote Give more than a damn.  I work in social services and feel like this quote represents the mindset needed to operate successful programs that truly make a difference in the lives of the students we work with.  When I decided that I wanted a personalized bracelet with the quote, I headed to Etsy.  Somebody out there has to have the talent to make this stuff, right?  I found the perfect person for the job - Jewelry by R.M.Smith.  The bracelet is exactly what I wanted; perfect for every day wear and made just for me.  Another bonus?  A glimpse of this bracelet has been responsible for more than one attitude check! 

The Lumber Jack's Christmas Present

shirt: thrifted, vest: Clothes Mentor, jeans: Old Navy, boots: Target

This outfit is probably more comfortable than it is cute.  I feel a little bit like a lumber jack and a little bit like a Christmas present.  I just couldn't pass up this Ralph Lauren silk shirt for only $4 at my favorite thrift store.  What I'm using as a belt was supposed to go around the collar, but I wasn't so sure about that look so I repurposed it.

Side note: My husband bought me a new camera, so I've ventured away from my front porch to test it out.  These pictures are taken at a local park, but I felt ridiculous every time a car drove by.  I kept feeling crazy for taking pictures of myself in front of people!  Hopefully I'll get used to it.

The Next Best Thing

jeans, tee, and shoes: Target, jacket: Marshall's

I've realized that these jeans are the first pair I go to when I really want to be in my sweatpants but know I should put in some effort.  They're my compromise!  Add my favorite jacket and pink Converses and I'm ready to go.

An Easy Choice

shirt: Marshalls, jacket: thrifted, necklace: gift from a friend, jeans: Walmart, shoes: Kohls 

I'll start by talking about this jacket. I found it at a local thrift store that is quickly becoming my favorite. All the jackets I've found there have only been $3, which I think is amazing!  The sleeves felt a little short, so I rolled them once to give them a cropped feel.  Pairing this one with this bright shirt was an easy decision.

What I also love about this outfit is the jeans.  They're from Walmart of all places!  Getting a good fit for Walmart prices?  Couldn't pass them up!