30 for 30 Days 27, 28, 29: Almost Done

shirt & pants: New York & Co., long sleeve & shoes: Target, scarf: Walmart

shirt: Old Navy, pants/shoes/necklace: Target

shirt: Old Navy, vest: Clothes Mentor, skirt: Walmart, tights: Target, shoes: JCPenney

One more day! The 30 for 30 has been fun, but I'm so excited to be reunited with the rest of my closet. I miss my clothes! :)

30 for 30 Day 26: Best Monday Ever

sweater: Target, skirt & tights: Kohl's, boots: JCPenney, necklace: gift

Today was awesome. I worked half a day this past Saturday, so I got to choose a day this week to leave at noon. I chose today because it worked best for my schedule, and it was wonderful to walk out of there at lunchtime today, with an empty inbox no less - making it much easier to enjoy the afternoon! I stopped at Trader Joe to finish my grocery shopping for the week, then took the time to go thrifting a little bit. I had forgotten how much I missed that! I can't wait to show you guys what I found once the 30 for 30 challenge is completed. :)

Linking up...

30 for 30 Days 23, 24, 25: Back to Normal

sweater & jeans: Target, boots: Clothes Mentor, scarf: Plato's Closet (disclosure - I wore this outfit to work on Friday, but re-created it today to take pictures...)

black shirt and boots: Target, tan shirt: Old Navy, pants: Kohl's, scarf: H&M

shirt, vest, jeans: Target, hat: Forever 21

It may sound strange, but after a weekend of rest, a run, and an at-home manicure, I feel like myself again. Sometimes it's the small things! It's important to take the time to do those small things though, in order to take care of yourself and be the best version of you that you can be. Cheesy, I know, but that's what you get when I have a few glasses of wine and a refreshed positive attitude! :) 

30 for 30 Days 20, 21, 22: Stressed

shirt: Old Navy, blazer: thrifted, pants & boots: Target

shirt: Buffalo Exchange, sweater & shoes: Target, pants: New York & Co., necklace: Walmart

shirt & sweater: Old Navy, pants: New York & Co., shoes: Target, necklace: thrifted

After dinner and some drinks, I finally feel relaxed enough to put a little attention towards blogging! I apologize for being so quiet this week, but this week apparently really got to me. At my job we earn a bonus every six months, which requires completing a self evaluation to turn into our Assistant Director. I think it's a good process, I really do, but man is it stressful!    It was due yesterday, so let's just go ahead and say I needed that bottle of wine I almost finished last night... :) 

30 for 30 Day 19: Favorites

sweater & boots: Target, jeggings: Kohl's, necklace: Charming Charlie

I didn't have to work today and it was glorious. I went for a run, ran errands, got my hair cut, and made dinner for my husband (well, and for me of course too). Apparently what I needed to snap out of that little funk was to be a little bit productive, put on a cute outfit, and feel pretty. Who knew?! I do have to admit though that before I got myself put together today, I kind of broke one of my rules. Remember that one where I said I wouldn't leave the house in sweats and a hoodie? Wellll...I went to Walmart this morning in jeans and a hoodie. I'm sorry - but it's my day off, the wind chill was in single digits, and it's Walmart. Forgive me? Because I promise it will happen again. :)

Oops...

So anyway, I was tagged by Sam for this really fun post about all your favorite things from 2012. Check it out!

Favorite Makeup: I don't think I really consider it make up, but this stuff. I never had to worry about skin care throughout high school and college, but this past year I've found a regimen and I have to stick to it. There's 3 other products that make it in the routine too, but that one is my favorite product. 

Favorite Book: Me Talk Pretty Someday by David Sedaris. I was kind of a slacker and didn't finish many books last year. I do think David Sedaris is pretty hilarious though, and that book was a perfect beach read for me while we were in South Carolina.

Favorite Song/Album: It's hard to pick a favorite, but I listened to a lot of Florence and the Machine, Matt and Kim, and some Passion Pit songs last year. I sure did listen to a good amount of booty shaking music too on all those runs while we were training for our marathon, but probably not many of those were from 2012. Think more like from the 90s up through about 2006. :)

Favorite Movie: I feel like we saw a lot of movies toward the end of the year and I have to agree with Sam that the new James Bond movie was pretty amazing! This Is 40 was definitely one of my favorites though too. 

One Thing You're Grateful For: My husband. Predictable answer, I know, but it's true. 

Greatest Challenge: Finding a new job. It took me a year after graduating with my master's degree to finally get the job I'm in now. That process is soul crushing! Keeping your confidence up is key, but that can be awfully hard to do.

Looking Forward to in 2013: Two of my best friends are getting married this year and I am so freaking excited about it! I grew up with both of them, and one of them has been my best friend since before preschool. I have so much love for them and can't wait to be there when they each marry such great guys!

Now it's my turn to ask about some of your favorites! Tagging the ladies below in case you're interested in playing along. :)

Terri at Stylish Sass
Beth at The Fashionable Adventures of Bethie the Boo
Jana Faith at Every Day Is Your Runway

Sylvia at Sylvia Loves Pink

Renae at Simple Sequins
Heidi at Literate & Stylish

Ada at Elegance Personified

Linking up...

30 for 30 Days 17 & 18: In a Funk

scarf and jeans: Target, shirt: Old Navy 

shirt and scarf: Old Navy, jeggings: Kohl's, boots: JCPenney

Despite what these pictures show you, I did do my hair once this weekend. Saturday (day 17) was spent running errands with my husband. We got bored later, so we decided to go to a  nearby bar to watch the OSU basketball game. I was in a bit of a funk, so I made myself curl my hair and put on a cuter outfit that I of course failed to photograph. Today I had lunch with the girls, and of course it turned into a 3 hour event as usual. I loved every second of it though and I think it was just what I needed! 

30 for 30 Day 16: Happy Friday

shirt: New York & Co., sweater & jeans: Old Navy,  

I love every weekend, but I'm feeling extra thankful for Friday night because I am unusually mentally drained from this week. I've decided though that the mental exhaustion is a good thing. That may sound strange to say, but mental exhaustion means I'm being challenged at work. I believe challenge is a good thing. Unfortunately for all of you, that means I haven't been very good at writing any interesting posts lately. Here's hoping that a 3 day weekend off of work leaves me refreshed and capable of putting some thoughts together. :) 

Linking up for Casual Friday...

30 for 30 Day 15: Blazer

blazer: thrifted, tee: Five Below, necklace: gift, skirt & tights: Walmart, shoes: Target

When I created my nice spreadsheet with all my outfit ideas, this skirt and blazer was listed for Day 1 of the 30 for 30, my first day back to work after winter break. Instead it took me halfway through the challenge to put together. Go figure! The good thing is that this look is perfect for joining in on Bri's Third Thursday Threads feature blazers this month. Make sure you stop over to check out some other great looks!

30 for 30 Days 11 & 12: Liebster

shirt: Old Navy, jeans and flats: Target

shirt/shoes/scarf: Old Navy, skirt: Target, tights: Walmart
*another swap happened! This shirt substituted the short sleeve tan sweater

Thank you to Ada and Jenna Brianne for the Liebster nominations! I have to admit that I received a couple of nominations in the past from my favorite ladies and I always intended to post about it, but would get overwhelmed and give up on it. It's simple and it's fun, but I have a tendency to over-think things a bit I'm afraid. I'm an awful person for that, but please still love me! :)


So on to the fun part, which I really did think incredibly too hard about...

Facts about me:
1. I worked in social services for about 6 years and now I'm an Academic Advisor, but I also have a degree in Speech & Hearing Science that I clearly don't use.

2. Speaking of social services, my first job out of college was working at an agency that provided employment readiness training exclusively to ex-offenders.  

3. I'm a big believer in second chances, and sometimes third, and maybe in fourth which is probably why I was able to handle that first job out of college...

4. I am seriously addicted to watching the series Homeland right now. To the point that it's taken me about an hour and a half to manage to type out these 4 facts so far because we can't stop watching!

5. None of my friends know I have this blog. Only my husband and sister-in-law know about it. I've showed her when she asked, but conveniently forgot to email her the link. :)

6. I've had glasses since I was in 4th grade, but was so vain that I refused to wear anything except contacts from 8th grade through my sophomore year of college. 

7.  I've never lived outside of Ohio.

8. I have a sewing machine, but I don't know how to sew. I gave the idea to my mother-in-law as a Christmas present and I can't wait to learn!

9. I started dating my husband almost 2 years after college. My best friend went to college with him and she swears up and down that we met while we were all still in school, but neither of us think we did. I think that's a good thing. :)

10. I took piano lessons from maybe second grade until I graduated from high school.

11. I ran my first marathon this past October and it was physically the toughest thing I've ever done. Totally worth it though, and I want to do another one...it's just going to be a little while. 

Ada's Questions:
1. Do you prefer your coffee black, with cream & sugar or just with sugar? 
Flavored creamer during the week, Baileys if I happen to have it around on the weekend. :)

2. Do you plan on following any diets for 2013? 
No, but my goal is to be better about moderation.

3. What is your most favorite food that you can eat any day of the week? 
Buffalo chicken dip. It's hands down my favorite and I just can't stop myself. Don't let me near a bag of spicy sweet chili Doritos either! 

4. Do you prefer Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?
Facebook, but I love Instagram too. I've decided I'm not witty enough for twitter. :)

5. Do you have a Pinterest account? What do you usually pin? 
Yes and I always pin outfits. Occasionally I'll switch it up and pin a recipe that I never actually try to make.

6. What are your favorite kinds of movies?
Comedies are my favorite, especially because my husband loves them too, so they're good ones to watch together. 

7. You prefer Stripes or Polka Dots?
I love them both, but I like wearing stripes more.

8. Do you prefer Skirts & Dresses to Jeans & Pants or vice-versa?
I actually don't have a preference. I like to switch it up and wear both!

9. What are your three Most Favorite Colors?
Teal for sure, then gray. Picking a third one is tough, but royal blue may be it.

10. Why should bloggers be true to themselves?
Because I think that's when you stand to gain the most. 

11. Which three bloggers have given you the Most Inspiration from when you first started blogging & why?
Jentine because she's a thrifting genius, Audrey because I feel like I can really relate to her style, and Kendi because she always looks so effortlessly stylish.


Jenna Brianne's Questions:
1. What is one fashion accessory you could not live without?
That's tough because I love them all. I have a necklace that my aunt made for me out of a button that had been in my grandma's button collection and I feel a little lost if I go too many days without wearing it. I think my favorite is bangles layered with a watch though.

2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
If I could get my parents, my brother and his girlfriend, and my husbands' immediate family to move too, I would say San Francisco. It's such a gorgeous city with so much to do, and it's gotten to a point where most of my family lives there...I miss them!

3. What age were you when you started loving fashion?
I've always loved clothes and to shop, but it really took until I was 27 (within the past year and a half) to be interested in developing my own personal style. Up until that point I would just buy a cute top and pair it with either jeans or dress pant, depending on what day of the week it was. 

4. Do you watch any late-time talk shows? If so, which ones?
This old lady can't stay up late enough to watch any late night shows. :)

5. Uggs- fashion DO or DON'T?
I have a pair of fake uggs, just the cheap ones from Target, that I wear on days I know I'll be dealing with snow and sludge. I don't care what happens to them - they keep my feet warm and my other shoes from getting destroyed. I don't think they're necessarily a don't...I just choose not to ever wear them as part of an outfit!

6. If you could describe your style in 3 words, what would they be?
Thrifty, simple, comfortable

7. What puts the biggest smile on your face? 
When the clock hits 5:00 on Friday afternoon...just kidding! Family time, but followed up with time at home with just my husband.

8. What is your favorite reality TV show?
Does Property Brothers on HGTB count as reality TV? That's probably one of my favorite shows right now.

9. Who is your biggest role model? Why?
I really would have to say my mom. She has an incredible work ethic that I absolutely admire. She didn't go to college until I was probably about 10 years old and I'm so impressed she pulled off a college degree with two young children at home. It really gives me perspective when I'm advising the students I work with since many of them are in the same situation.

10. What do you love most about having a blog?
"Meeting" new people with the same interests! It's a great way to get inspired too.

11. Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
Still working in higher education, and still advising for sure. Hopefully we'll have warmed up to the idea of children by then too. :)

My questions:

1. Where's your favorite place to shop?
2. Morning person or night owl?
3. If you could turn back the clock and go back to any age, which age would you choose and why?
4. What's your favorite meal to cook? - feel free to share the recipe! :)
5. Favorite dessert?
6. What's your favorite magazine?
7. Which holiday is your favorite?
8. What's your favorite television show?
9. Where would you go on your dream vacation?
10. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far?
11. What city/town do you live in, and how would you spend your ideal weekend there?

So this isn't 11 bloggers, but these are some great ladies that I'm nominating. If you don't have the time or energy to do a whole post about the Liebster, feel free to comment with the answer to your favorite question...I'd love to learn a little more about you all! :)

Terri at Stylish Sass
Beth at The Fashionable Adventures of Bethie the Boo
Jana Faith at Every Day Is Your Runway
Sam at Sam ipsa Loquitur
Ginny at My New Favorite Outfit
Heidi at Literate & Stylish

30 for 30 Days 9 & 10: Catching Up

tee: Five Below, sweater and skirt: Target, tights: Walmart, boots: JCPenney, necklace: Old Navy

shirt: Old Navy, vest: Target

The end of the week and this weekend was a blur! The outfit from day 9 is from Thursday. My day 10 outfit technically was worn on Friday and Saturday. I apologize for no picture of the bottom half, but it was simple - skinny jeans and black flats. The shirt is one I decided to go ahead and use to replaces a short sleeve shirt (I'm thinking the color block tee is the item sacrificed). Thanks for all your advice on doing that! Although we've had some crazy weather lately (it's 63 degrees out right now!), long sleeves provide more options in the winter. 

Now to explain the headshot that is day 10's picture! Two of my dad's favorite things are cooking (and eating) and good craft beer. His birthday is at the end of the month, but there was a Great Lakes beer tasting near my parents house on Friday night, so we decided to go home and celebrate his birthday a little early. They raffled off prizes at the tasting, and I was lucky enough to win the grand prize of a VIP tour and dinner for 4 at the brewery up in Cleveland! Saturday we spent the whole day cooking with my dad, then my brother and his girlfriend joined us for a late lunch. I have to admit that I spent the entire day cooking in my pajamas. I only changed back into Friday's outfit for the drive back to Columbus that night, so I'm not really counting it as one of the days in the 30 for 30 challenge. Fair enough? :)  

30 for 30 Day 8: Stripes

shirt and cardigan: Old Navy, pants: Target, shoes: Payless, necklace: thrifted

I'm still a day behind, and this outfit is from yesterday. I was so glad I had something with stripes in my 30 for 30 challenge so that I could participate in the Trend of the Month link up over at Marionberry Style! So I'm at the point in the challenge where I'm re-thinking some of my outfits and may swap out 1 or 2 pieces that I haven't worn yet for something different. Has anyone else done that yet? I feel like swapping a short sleeve shirt out for a long sleeve would be smarter when you consider that it's January in Ohio and all! :)

30 for 30 Day 6: Strategy

shirt/sweater/belt: Target, skirt and shoes: Kohl's, tights: Walmart

When I saw this skirt in Kohl’s, I just had to have it. I love pencil skirts because I think they’re timeless, and I thought the mustard color was a good addition to my closet. What I’ve learned though, is that pencil skirts without any stretch require some strategy. You have to just accept that there will be no rushing around that day because big strides are not possible, and that getting in and out of your car is a little bit more of an ordeal. Verdict? Totally worth it.  

Linking up...

30 for 30 Day 5: Smiling

shirt: Target, sweater: Old Navy, vest: thrifted, pants: New York & Co., shoes: Payless

Today I volunteered at graduation. Best part of that? Handing a young guy a huge stack of programs for his whole family who were all there to celebrate his mom graduating because she was the first in their family to earn a college degree! I can't even bring myself to talk about my outfit after that. :) 

30 for 30 Days 3 & 4: Tantrum

shirt: Old Navy, jeans and boots: Target

shirt: Old Navy, scarf and shoes: Target, jeggings: Kohl's

Today you get a 2 for 1 deal! Last night included some girls time, then husband time so I didn't take the time to blog about Fridays outfit. This morning my husband made me go to the gym. I was feeling pretty cranky about that, but I'm actually thankful for him doing that. It's almost pathetic how out of shape I am after running a marathon not even 3 months ago and I really need to do something about that.

After getting home from the gym, we decided to go see a movie and my crankiness returned to the point where I thought I was actually going to throw a tantrum. I was tired, didn't feel well, and all I wanted to do was wear my yoga pants and a hoodie to the movie. But that would be breaking my rules now, wouldn't it? So I decided to stick with it, because breaking the rules on day 4 might be more pathetic than my workout was this morning. :) What I learned is that jeggings are possibly more comfortable than my yoga pants. Thank goodness!

30 for 30 Day 2: Thank You

blouse: Buffalo Exchange, sweater: thrifted, pants: New York & Co, shoes: Payless

my attempt to show you the coordinating buttons!

I have to be honest, all your sweet and encouraging comments the past few days have left me even more excited about joining in on this round of the 30 for 30 challenge! I feel like of all the pieces, I had a few comments that mentioned liking this leopard collar shirt and this cobalt sweater, so I decided to put them together. I thought that the gold buttons on both the shirt and sweater worked well together, and I really needed something comfortable (or should I say baggy enough – still recovering from the holidays!) and this outfit did the trick. So thank you readers for being responsible for todays’ look, and don’t be surprised if I need your help again to make it through this challenge!  :)

Challenge Accepted

skirts + the tops 

work pants

casual pants

Happy New Year everyone! I swear I was going to post my New Years Eve outfit, but then my camera battery died. I re-created the outfit this morning, but pre-coffee Jess just wasn't acceptable. Please forgive me...it wasn't that exciting of an outfit anyway! I'm much more excited to talk about the 30 for 30 I'm starting tomorrow anyway. (That's right, I said tomorrow because that's when I go back to work and New Years day is intended for lounging in sweatpants, right?!)

Sam is getting ready to start her second round of 30 for 30, so when she invited others to join her, I decided to go for it. After coming up with at least 30 outfit ideas from the pieces above so I knew that I could pull it off of course! Here's my twist on the rules:

- Shoes don't count. They probably should, but I'm sorry, I just couldn't bring myself to include them!

- All accessories are fair game to wear, that includes all belts, scarves, purses, jewelry.

- If I decide to switch out an item I can do that, as long as it's before it's been worn for the first time in the challenge.

- I can wear all the sweatpants, tees, and hoodies I want - as long it's inside my house. If I leave the house, it has to be in an outfit made up of the items included in the 30 for 30.

So what do you think? I'm nervous, but there's no turning back now! :)