11 Things

Friday, March 30, 2012

Last week, the lovely and supremely intelligent Salazar tagged me in the 11 Random Things challenge... I hope I do it justice.

The rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them.

At NASA a few summers ago. What do you do when you see a Rocket? BEEEE the Rocket.
11 Random Goodies:
1. My favorite veggie is zucchini. Thinking back, it was even as a kid.
2. My first car was a '91 red Honda Civic with none of the "extras"- manual transmission, no power steering, no passenger side mirror, manual locks, no tape deck or CD player, no clock, no cupholders... And I loved it. It was a very sad day when our mechanic told me it was time to let the car go- it spent the last few years in the icy, salty on-campus parking lots at college and the whole bottom was rusting away to oblivion. Thank goodness my sister was with me when we drove it to the scrap yard- the brakes gave out and we stopped at lights using the emergency brake.
3. My most prized possession is the Christmas gift I received from my brother his first year in America. He knew I liked ladybugs and had worn a ladybug costume for Halloween, so he drew a big ladybug for me, pasted a picture of himself in the costume on the belly and laminated it. It is probably the only thing other than critters and husband I would save from a fire.
4. I have always used mascara. My sister has perfect large doe eyes with naturally long, dark lashes and I've always been jealous.
5. I haven't weighed myself in a long time, but through the entirety of my middle school, high school, and college years I had a friend who promised me a 100 Pound Party. I never received it.
6. I recently discovered crazy gelatinous canned drinks in the international section of our local grocery store. I especially like the "Basil Seed" which tastes like cream soda with little gummy chunks.
7. I happily own two articles of red clothing. And that's it.
8. Road Tripping with my Guy and dog is one of the best and most fun things to do. We don't get out nearly enough, but it's always fun (mostly because he's a Power House driver- he's done 14 hours straight before he wants to switch drivers).
9. I have a near-photographic memory. The only think I use it for lately is finding keys.
10. My middle school years at summer camp were spent pranking the boys' units and climbing up tall things to strand their underpants. Namely the top of their cabins and the dining hall.
11. I am my mom's clone. And I like it.

Salazar's 11 questions:
1. If you could travel back in time, when/where would you go? I would go back to the mid-50's, enjoy some scandalous Elvis music, and then hop over to New York and try to sneak my way into the art and music scene... John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Steve Reich, Robert Rauschenberg, Franz Klein, Willem deKooning, Jackson Pollock... Do I need to continue??
2. How did you come up with your blog’s name? My husband is studying music to complete his doctorate. And it feels like it's NEVER going to end. 
3. Favorite era in fashion? Rockabilly- I just wish I was more buxom to fill it out. I also love the early 60's sheath dress style.
4. What was the first movie you saw in the theater? Did you love it, hate it? I only have a vague memory of this, but I saw "American Tail" when I was tiny little... Apparently I was so engrossed, I was eating popcorn without looking down at the bucket and ended up with my hand in the soda because I hadn't noticed the two had been switched. Yeah, I think I was into it.
5. How would you survive a zombie apocalypse? I think I would climb a lot of trees.
6. What is the weirdest thing you ever ate? Did you like it? I'm pretty sure I ate dog on a river cruise in China. It tasted like stewed and spiced meat. 
7. Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter? Honest answer: I haven't watched or read any of it.
8. What have you done that you are most proud of? So far, the simple act of country-hopping for my husband's advanced degrees and managing to find jobs to successfully support two people on my own has been a feat. And we've only had to ask for a little bit of float money from parents. In a 5 year span with a tanked economy and being freeeesh out of college, that's not bad.
9. To quote Garden State, is there any normal kid thing you kinda wish you missed (chicken pox, braces, etc.)? Braces. I have a slight overbite and crooked canine teeth (my brother used to call them my "saber tooths") but I don't even care. I can chew crap up, that's what counts, right?
10. Who is your favorite author? Ron Rash- he's my mom's MOH's brother and he's AMAZING. If you're looking for a kind of dark period novel set in rural depression-era North Carolina, read "Serena" right now- they're making it into a movie sometime soon and I think I heard Jennifer Lawrence will play the title role. His other novels and short stories are wonderfully descriptive, always with great character development.
11. Quick, start your music player of choice (Spotify, Pandora, Window Media Player, iTunes, iPod, Walkman, I don’t care). What is the first song on your playlist? "Two Birds" by Regina Spektor on my Pandora Girlie Music Station


My 11 to You All:
1. The strangest day trip you've ever been on.
2. Favorite Flower: both cut and planted.
3. Allergies?
4. Ideal pet: type, personality, color, name.
5. Worst outfit you've ever worn in public.
6. What do you currently use for transportation?
7. Favorite gelato or FroYo flavor. (Or strangest)
8. Where/ in what circumstance have you been the most physically uncomfortable?
9. What food item or flavor combination did you unexpectedly like and have intentions of hating?
10. When was the last time you ate a homegrown piece of fruit or vegetable? (Farmer's Market only kinda counts)
11. How did you come to the conclusion that you should start a blog?

Aaaaand I tag: (holy poop, there's a lot of people I want to tag!)
Bibliomomia
Castinails
The Closet de Natalie
Emily's Going Nuts
Fashion Frugality
Feathers and Freckles
The Inclined Plane
Kenda at Large
The Kimmie Chronicles
Leah's Life
Marionberry Style
See Me RWAR
Shybiker
Sweetened Style
Think Twice Style

My Dye-ing Day

Thursday, March 29, 2012

That was literally the worst pun I'm likely to make all year. But, heeeeey, look who has a 'do that's all one color. And who didn't get caught taking photos. And who doesn't have too many bruises on her legs. Win, win, win.

So, the review of my eSalon.com custom hair dye:
I'm not sure if it's my hair or something in the formulation, but the color came out warm toned, even though I ordered a cool light brown. I made notes in my account about the brassy color, so I'll give it one more shot in 12 weeks. But, I will say, the formula was easy to use, they provided a color for my roots/ new growth and a separate one for my ends, it smelled no better or worse than any other dye I've used and my hair feels healthy after use. Which is always a good thing. (BTW, this isn't a sponsored post- just thought you all would enjoy learning about a new company out there)

I'm a little disappointed about my hair turning out the "wrong color" but at least it's still light, has no roots, and looks good, even if it wasn't my intention.

Also, can you believe how short this dress is?! Whoops.






How nice is that packaging??
2" roots, eSalon's "light cool brown" photo, final color on me

Cool Florals

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I'm seemingly in the mood for soft blues and abstracted florals this week. And I'm running these wedges ragged.

I had the horrible realization that I'm a lip product hoarder and use about 1/4 of it. All my other makeup I rotate and use regularly, but my lipstick/other gunk purchase-to-use ratio is pathetic. So... Self-imposed challenge: I will wear for-real lipcolor every day next week. Bam.

On another totally different topic, the wall of Star Jasmine down the block from us is IN BLOOM. It's my favorite thing of the year and it smells absolutely incredible. There's a local cafe with a wall of Jasmine and my weekend miiiiiight consist of visiting with our college friends over many many many cups of coffee while sitting outside right next to it. I can't wait!

Skirt: thrifted...Blouse: Target...Cardigan: Target...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: BCBGeneration via Ross...Earrings: Banana Republic




And because I feel like I actually wore something good and worthy of linkin': Pleated Poppy's What-I-Wore-Wednesday and A Little Bit of Lacquer's Work It Wednesday!

Trying Again

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

It was so darn nice out this morning, I thought I'd brave the dog poo in the grassy spot between our apartment buildings and take my photos outside again. I got caught by the same neighbor. And I think I'm just going to have to choose to be "over it." Because I was able to use an infinitely faster shutter speed outside and that's aaaaalways a good thing.

Sometime this week I will be dying my hair. Dangit. And here's how it's going down:

I saw something in InStyle about eSalon.com doing custom formulations of dye, thought why not give it a shot and hope it doesn't turn my hair brassy. I'm not doing a sponsored post, just giving something new a try. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Adios, 2" long roots. You suck and will not be missed.


Pants: Theory via Buffalo Exchange...Sweater: Target...Scarf: via TJ Maxx...Shoes: MRKT via Buffalo Exchange... Bracelets: thrifted and Timex...Earrings: Target





Mystery Prints

Monday, March 26, 2012

Is this dress the most flattering silhouette on me? Definitely not, but I don't care. Just look at it- what is this print? Not really floral, geometric, snakeskin, batik, ikat... It's just weird and the perfect shade of dark cornflower blue. With a high neckline, ruffled cap sleeves, lightweight lined fabric and longer hem. It's a big springtime win.

I am so happy we spent the weekend out of town- it's just nice to non-vacation and just be out of your own house for a while. Good quality time stuffing your face and giggling with friends for several days never hurts either.

Dress: Gap...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer...Shades: Gap via TJ Maxx...Watch & bracelets: Timex and thrifted



Caverns and Adventures

We got home from our visit to San Antonio just a little while ago and the drive was relaxing and wonderful. The bluebonnets and various other wildflowers (which I haven't taken the time to learn the names of yet- shame on me) are out in full force, covering hillsides and fields for as far as you can see from the road. I hadn't realized just how appropriate my blouse was last night. 

Jersey Girl is a French Horn player for the SA Symphony and she scored us tickets for the performance last night. Downtown San Antonio is a fun place to be- a little hip, a little classy, a little cheesy, and aaaaalways good for people watching. 

Pants: Theory via Buffalo Exchange...Blouse: via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange... Shades: Gap via TJ Maxx...Bracelets: Timex watch, J Crew and thrifted

My Guy and Bromance were full of the sillies all weekend. Our Saturday day activity was a trip to the Natural Bridge Caverns just a little north of the city. We also took a little stroll down past the Alamo after the concert. I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.








TGIF and a 5 hour drive

Friday, March 23, 2012

I'll give you two guesses to figure out my new favorite pair of shoes. (Hint- you'll only need one guess)

Happy Friday! I'm glad to be ending another work week!

PS- We get to join Bromance and Jersey Girl in San Antonio for this weekend. I am way beyond excited about it. So is dog. He's so good about road trips.



Pants: Zara...Shirt: Banana Outlet...Cardigan: thrifted...Belt: Target...Shoes: Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange



Oddball

Thursday, March 22, 2012

This sweater is seriously weird. It's 100% Rayon and is incredibly heavy but bouncy due to the fibers and weave. If I try to push up the sleeves, it falls right back down. If I walk rapidly, it shimmies around my arms like a slinky. It's tight, but it hangs loose. It's super-thick with a slick, glossy finish, but prone to snagging. My default is to wear it with jeans during the weekends (which I've done far more times than I've actually shown on the blog) so I thought I'd try it out during the work week. I like how simple and easy this outfit is. Though I should have invested a little more energy in picking out a better (or lighter) set of necklaces. It probably would have required a thrifting trip to look for something good, though.

Another note: Huge thanks to Jergens for the best sunless tanning foam I've ever used (I use their light skin tone version). Just a few short days ago my legs were mucho pasty. This may or may not be the reason I've been wearing pants for many days. (Hint: it totally is)


Skirt: Made in Beijing...Sweater: Calvin Klein, thrifted...Shoes: Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange...Necklaces: thrifted...earrings: Banana Republic




I Don't Get It.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Sorry 'bout the crap photos. It's rainy out.

I cancelled a flight for Boss Lady yesterday and took part in the following conversation with a Customer Service Rep (BTW, I think there's a set dialogue she is supposed to say and doesn't really understand what happens herself):

Me: I need to cancel a reservation for a flight tomorrow, Confirmation number BlahBlahBlah.
Her: Okay, we can cancel that for you.
Me: Great. We booked the ticket with miles- what happens with any possible refund?
Her: You will get a refund of the 25,000 miles.
Me: Wonderful- and do I lose the $75 booking fee or is that reunded?
Her: You will get the miles back.
Me: What about the fee?
Her: You will get the fee back, too.
Me: Oh, that's good. So I get a full refund on the miles and the booking fee?
Her: You can use the same confirmation number for another reservation within one year, there's a one year validity on that confirmation number.
Me: Wait, do I get a refund or is it deferred?
Her: You will get the miles refunded, there's a one year validity on the confirmation number.
Me: Those are two different things. May I speak with a manager, I don't get it.
Her: The manager is busy. I can explain it to you.

Um, no you can't. A refund is the opposite of reusing a booking number for another flight. And not wanting to get in trouble for providing poor and confusing customer service is not a good reason to try desperately to avoid putting a customer on the phone with a supervisor.

And that's how I spent the first 45 minutes of my Tuesday.


Skirt: Target...Blouse: thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Belt: Target...Scarf: Liberty of London via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: BCBGeneration via Ross... Earrings: thrifted


Loyalties

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I filled out my first bracket for March Madness. I played the Eenie Meenie game and am doing veeeery poorly.

Basketball is fun to watch, but my heart belongs to baseball. Not true, my heart belongs to the Detroit Tigers. More than that, my heart belongs to the 2006 Tigers' roster.

Not that this fashionable readership has any interest in my recreational loyalties, but it sure is fun to have a favorite team.

What's your fave sport and team? (If you say Yankees, I may shed a tear or two- they stole Curtis Granderson from the Tigers and I miss him dearly.)


Skirt: thrifted...Blouse: Banana Republic, thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Belt: Target...Necklace: DIY...Shoes: Naturalizer




Distraction

Monday, March 19, 2012

Well, I took care of trimming my hair. Here's what I've learned: When using thinning shears, fan your hair out before taking a snip. I was watching Lost and cutting away and took a good snip out of a clump of hair in an underlayer. Thaaaank goodness it wasn't on top... I spent the following 15 minutes carefully pulling the shorties out from the longer strands so I could blend them out a little better. Moral of the story: don't assume thinning shears won't take a hunk out if your hair. Pay attention, cut slowly and modestly and don't get sucked into Lost.


Pants: Theory via Buffalo Exchange...Blouse: Odille via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: J Crew Outlet...Shoes: MRKT via Buffalo Exchange



St. Patrick's Day

Saturday, March 17, 2012

I don't like crowds, I don't like bars on weekends, I don't like loud music. But somehow they all uncomfortably come together tonight and because I love my friends, I will be going out for St. Patty's Day this evening following another recital (that will make 3 this week!)... I will, no doubt, be one of the few women running around wearing something other than a cheap shamrock green logo t-shirt of some sort and will be the odd man out with my lack of green soccer-style knee socks. Two years ago, my Guy and I went out with Bromance for St. Patty's (I am not joking when I say it's Bromance's very favorite holiday- better than Christmas and birthdays combined) and I was decidedly the least inebriated person for miles, way overdressed in a white blouse and that same scarf tied around my neck... I'll take it a little more casual this year, and I'll still be overdressed.


eans: Gap Always Skinny...Button-down: Target...Cardigan: Gap...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime...Scarf & Earrings: thrifted




Routine Maintenance

Friday, March 16, 2012

I had a whine-fest about this green cardigan several weeks ago... I think the fit problem has to do with the thicker nature of the fibers, the boxy cut, etc. But the key is clearly to button this bad boy nearly all the way up.

I'm glad I challenged myself to wear green daily this week, whether blatant or a little more subtle, it's a color I don't wear often, aside from the green cardigan I wore earlier for the EB:EW challenge. It's good to branch out and incorporate something a little different.

And thanks to some outdoor photos yesterday, I am now painfully aware of just how icky-looking my hair has become. I knew it was starting to feel a little straggly and I knew it was discolored, but I hadn't realized how long my roots got, how brassy it was and how badly I need a trim. I've tried 3 salons since I've been in Houston and have loved none of them, so last October, I purchased a pair of thinning shears and trimmed my hair myself. I may give it another whirl this weekend, but here's the question: box-o-dye- what color?! My norm is a medium ash brown, but that seems a little boring for spring. Whadaya think? My skin is so pink-based I can't pull off red, boo-hoo, but I can't decide if I should try out a lighter or darker tone.  I'm making my move on Sunday, tell me what you think!


Skirt: Gap, thrifted...Blouse: Odille, thrifted...Cardigan: Gap...Belt: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer



Easy Breezy

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Two days ago it was green with purple gingham, today I went nuts again with color and paired it with orange. I'm one wild and craaazy guy.

While you know I love a good pencil skirt (see here, here, here, here or here- to name a few in the recent past), there's something wonderful and easy about a slim pair of crop pants, loose blouse in jersey and a stretchy cardigan. And breaking out into color is a little less "the norm" for me, but it's a problem I'm working on. The funny thing is my background is Interior Design, so color theory and pattern mixing and meshing textures comes pretty naturally to me... I just don't like to wear it.

Also, I tried some photos out in the between-apartments clothesline area back by the carport... and my neighbor and his dogs busted me. Oops.

I'll be back tomorrow with my boxy bright green cardigan- let's give it another go-round.

Pants: Theory via Buffalo Exchange...Shirt: Old Navy...Cardigan: Target...Necklace: Target...Shoes: Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange




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