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! :)