Stolen from the Boys

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Button down: Target dude's...Trench: Target...Shoes: Steve Madden

I remember it distinctly... Christmas eve, my family did a cross-country and international webchat to exchange gifts and my darling sister had swiped the perfect buffalo plaid shirt from her boyfriend to wear as festive Hong Kong Christmas morning coffee attire. And, well, since I can't EVER steal anything from Rob (a 6'4" frame doesn't lend itself to shared wardrobe items with a 5'4" shrimp), I knew I was in for a hunt for a clearance dude flannel of my very own. I liked the small cobalt and black check, but ultimately decided it looked like a bruise. So, here we are, in a weekend errand outfit with perfectly oversized man-shirt in girly-colored plaid (no wonder so many made it to clearance) and nearing-death jeans. Total honesty? The trench and real shoes were only a fraction of the day... the majority was spent in Chacos and with one sleeve flapping and unfurled.

Holiday Look Link Up

Skirt: Target...Turtleneck: J Crew Factory...Blazer: J Crew via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Target...Shoes: Steve Madden...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

Festive, bright, but not blatant? Huzzah! This blazer may be more versatile than I was expecting it to be.

We had an awesome night with neighbors last evening! We were supposed to do a potluck outside in the courtyard, but the temps are dropping (overnight low of 33!! last night) and we didn't want to freeze our buns, so we aaaalmost cancelled. And that would have been a bummer, so 10 of us and 3 dogs packed into our place, gathered a bunch of tasty food, sipped wine, chatted, and enjoyed each others' company for the evening. What an awesome jumpstart on the holiday weekend! (P.S.- I'm glad the Mayans were wrong.)

So, what have you been wearing or plotting for Holiday Festive Wear? Link it up and meet some new friends! The link's going aaaaaall the way through next week- hook up your day of Christmas look, Saturday party looks, whatever you want.

Here's the rules for the Holiday Look Link Up:
Follow The Perpetual Student's Wife (via Google Friend Connect or BlogLovin')
Link the URL to a specific recent-ish post showing off your favorite holiday themed or holiday party look.
Link back to The Perpetual Student's Wife so your new friends can navigate easily.
Ummm.... that's it! Can't wait to see what you all are rockin' for Holiday Festivities.

Buffalo Plaid

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Sweater: Target...Shoes: LeSportsac via DSW...Hat: Target Men's...Bag: Longchamp knockoff

Welcome to my week of lead up to the Christmas Holiday! I jump started my moderate excitement with a little over a week to go by way of this silly Buffalo Plaid men's hat on Saturday. 3rd day hair makes a hat Saturday a simple choice, and this funny little number I picked up last year before our holiday trip home to Ohio was the perfect holiday tie in (not to mention the addition of gold shoes helped push it along). I even got motivated enough to put up our two tiny 3-footer trees. One using classy white tones with mini bulbs, icicles and my grandma's starched crochet snowflakes. The other with bright glitter mini bulbs and a blue glitter string art on top. We also put up the Peanuts nativity. Peanuts are a holiday "must" around this house.

BTW, did you catch wind that I'm going to do a Friday Holiday Look link up? I've never hosted a link up before, I didn't really pre-plan, it's just kind of my way to hold myself accountable to getting in the Holiday Spirit by way of fashion... and I know some of you all will join me, so why not get festive together?! (Speaking of fun link ups- Bri Marie at Work Clothes, I Suppose is hosting a Third Thursday  Thread Winter White themed link up this Thursday. And I can't wait!)

MVP

Skirt: Target...Button Down: Target...Sweater: Gap...Belt: stolen from sister in Middle School...Shoes: MaxStudio via DSW...Trench: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

Nothin' better than a thick leather belt. Oh, yeah, there is. One that you've stolen from your little sister. Which has been broken in to perfection. That you used to wear around your hips. Because you stole it in Junior High. I think this silly belt would make it onto my top 20 most valued belongings list. I don't wear it often, but every time I do, it's a good day.

Also on my list of Most Valuable Possessions are the first Christmas gift my brother made for me (it's a drawing of a ladybug with a photo of him in a ladybug costume, laminated and with magnets on it), my pearl earrings thoughtfully selected by my sister when she first moved to Beijing, a collection of Hull Brownware from my grandma (I drink out of the enormous "root beer mug" at least three times a week), a tee shirt and hideous wool blend sweater from the 80's from each of my parents, Essie In Stiches polish, my cotton blanket (each family member has been gifted one!), my cedar chest/coffee table... some good stuff.

What's on your list of favorite possessions? I love knowing what is near and dear to people, like a litmus test of some sort... and there's usually a fun story behind it, too!

I just found a new Monday LinkUp- #YOLOmondays over at Still Being Molly. It looks like it will be a fun, uplifiting cocktail of links. Looking forward to it!

How To: Tie a Scarf

Skirt: thrifted...Tee: H&M...Cardigan: Gap...Jacket: Armani Exchange via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Target...Shoes: Kenneth Cole via Buffalo Exchange

Happiest Wednesday! As a special feature, I thought I'd share my slop-tastic method of lumping on a scarf. Seen here, or here, or here... You get the point. It's simple, really.
1. Hold opposite corners along the length to tug the fabric on a diagonal bias behind your neck with 1/3 on one side and 2/3 on the other.
2. the 2/3 side arm wraps the scarf around the front of your neck, making sure you don't twist (flat fabric makes bigger scarf volume and fewer folds).
3. Once the 2/3 side gets swung all the way around, grab opposite corners and swoop them up to the back of your neck, tie and tuck.
4. Yank and pull until you have volume and coverage you're happy with.
5. Shazam! You're wearing a delightfully messy scarf without ends to get stuck in desk drawers or get sucked out an open car window.

And I'm linking up! Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday, A Little Bit of Lacquer's Work It Wednesday and Rolled Up Pretty's Whatever Wherever Wednesday.

Little Black Jacket

Skirt: Target...Sweater: Zara...Jacket: Armani Exchange via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Gap Men's...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...

It was a meeting day off-site. Simple, profesh, easy, and wrinkle-free. Black and white pattern-mixing for the win. Seriously, between these Target skirts and those Naturalizer pumps with a barely 3" heel (over 6 years old, baby!) I have no-brainer dressing handled.

And this silly jacket. Bromance and I did a little shopping together the weekend my Guy was out of town and I found this weird little number buried in the racks. It isn't a raincoat. It isn't a trench. It isn't a swing coat. It isn't peplum. It's just its own funny little thing. And I love it.

Continued

Skirt: H&M...Tank: Banana Republic Outlet...Cardigan: Target...Belt: Target...Scarf: Gap men's...Shoes: Naturalizer...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Bracelet: thrifted

I love wearing stuff like this. A silly, totally girly polka dot pencil skirt, a simple, borderline-boring oatmeal cardigan, a $2.50 clearance bin men's scarf from Gap, a mish-mash of black and tan neutrals... it's all a little bit innocuous, a tiny bit refined, a lot bit confused. I think lady-like silhouettes save me in this case.

Thanks for all of your sweet words yesterday! It was a kind of nerve wracking decision process... Remember that incredibly overwhelming weekend and week when the dog barfed his guts up and got crazy dehydrated and my guy was in up to his eyeballs with the comprehensive exams? Yeah, there was more. I got to interview for the grants and special projects job that I've started with a local non-profit on a Thursday, got an offer a week later. It was, however, a real struggle to coordinate a start date/ shared time between the new opportunity and Boss Lady. The enormous Gala happens November 3 and I'm trying to be fair to Boss Lady because I know how poorly the planning has been going, but I can't ask my new opportunity to wait a month for me. Aaaand, the Thursday before my Guy's comps, he had a Skype interview for a Fall '13 teaching job. Which looks like it may progress to the next level. Oh. My. Gosh. I'll know more in December. Lots of stuff that's big and exciting and keeping me on my toes!

But, I'm also so excited about my new position. I'll be learning even MORE about non-profits and, hopefully, will successfully add my own thumbprint on their donor relations. Learning about grants is going to be daunting, but the skill set I will learn is going to be invaluable to my career. And it's growth opportunity I wouldn't be able to gain in my position now. So, here's to my next step.

Excuse me while I go nervous barf again.

A Weekend of Awesome

Skirt: F21 (old)...Blouse: thrifted...Cardigan: Target... Belt: thrifted...Shoes: J Jill via Buffalo Exchange...Earrings: Wish Boutique

Yeah, yeah, the skirt's too long.

Hey, you all! I'm not exactly thrilled to be back into the work week, but I sure can't complain about my weekend. Friday we made this asian style slaw salad to take to an evening of grilling and hanging out with neighbors. I got to spend the evening mostly with our glass artist upstairs neighbor- he and his wife are both so friendly but I never get to chat with him alone. I discovered he's wonderfully refreshing and cheerful with a few naughty stories tossed in even when he's not playing the role of respectable husband. I enjoyed it immensely. Saturday was lazy and hot until about 2:00 when we went to the Pride Houston's festival (booths, swag and awesome people watching). We met up with a crew later in the evening, drank weird Wild Blue beers to get them out of my friend's fridge and wandered up to the Pride Parade. I cheered and nearly lost my voice, high-fived more skinny men in only underpants than most people will high-five in their lifetime, was gifted a boa that fell off a float after I yelled "May I PLEEEEEEASE have that boa?" and someone picked it up for me, high-fived a few drag queens, a bunch of LGBT allies, more skinny boys in only underpants, several insanely tall latina lesbians... I was a high-fiving machine. But, only one mermaid for our parade. Yesterday was spent catching up with a friend from when we lived in Tucson (this friend grew up 45 minutes south of Houston, it's a treat to be able to see him pretty often when he comes home). We were invited to join his family for the day at their rental house on the beach in Surfside, which was filled with lots of chatting and laughing, chips and dip, splashing with our dog in the ocean and more Frescas than any one person should consume in a day. It was hot, what was I supposed to do to keep cool enough to stay out in the sun to burn myself crispy? Kidding, I used sunscreen. Anyway, it was a wonderfully relaxed day and I love love love that his family didn't treat us special at all, we just got to join the lump of people milling and snacking and lounging and helping ourselves. My favorite kind of family time, even if it wasn't my family.

So, what were you all up to this weekend? Anything awesome? What are you looking forward to this week?

From Pride... I adore these women!

A Tricky Skirt and Green Curry

Skirt: Express, thrifted...Sweater: via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Gap...Shoes: BCBGeneration via Ross...Earrings: Wish  Boutique

Ladies and Germs, I need a little assistance. I gave this little skirt another shot today and am having an exceeeeedingly difficult time styling it. I refuse to wear it only as a black turtleneck, tights and pumps type of look and I refuse to wear it in the capacity of black and *insert accent color here.* This little foray into adding a touch of tan fell very flat, in my opinion. Help, help, help. If we come up with no suitable solution, to the resale shops it goes. In fact, there's a whole lot in my closet that I'll try to sell or donate... I'm thinning the herd. Ahhh, a purge. It's always worth it!

We hosted a dinner of sorts last night for a bunch of friends. Mostly vegetarians. And for the second time this year, I made an enormous vat of green curry- potatoes, onions, bamboo, peppers, a little ginger, a lot of basil. Oh, Good Golly Miss Molly, I love green curry. And I especially love having people en masse traipse through our home for an evening and enjoy each other's company and stuffing our faces. There's something so wonderfully gratifying about feeding people a thoughtful meal.

What's your go-to large group dinner dish?

Cars: A Tale of Misuse

Dress: Target...Blazer: Banana Republic, thrifted...Belt & Necklace: Target...Shoes: Nine West

I've decided that this week will be all about story-telling from my childhood. And here's why.

Amazing images from Shybiker's day at the racetrack made my mind wander back to kid-dom and the time COSI had a Speed Racers' exhibit about the physics of racing. The theme song got totally stuck in your head and over and over again the narration would remind you to "tuuuuurn toward the apex and accellerate out of the turn." Fine advice for a 10 year old. Many golf carts after that time were tested at full speed. And, no, we did not flip any.

This also led to the thrill of what I can only describe as the strangest afternoon of fun times with my dad and sister. My first car (when I finally started driving at 17) was a '91 Honda Civic with no upgrades at all. Manual, no power locks or power steering, no clock, no cupholders, we didn't spring for the passenger side mirror. But that car was magical. And one afternoon on the ride home from the grocery store that was barely 1/2 mile away, I discovered that if you scoot the passenger seat up and then hold the lever while dad accellerated, you rocket back like you're on a roller coaster. I made him stop the car and my sister and I piled onto the front seat and rode the roller coaster together over and over again in 20 foor increments of pavement. It was the best 1/2 mile car ride of my life.

And one of the strangest stories I've ever divulged to the internets. You're welcome.

Lonely Weeknights

So, I'm pretty much alone this week- My Guy is wrapping up details and sitting in on rehearsals for his site-specific recital at the Orange Show in Houston this Friday. First, about the show: it's going to be a new piece written with a Music Box type of inspiration and electronic accompaniment, and two other pieces written in the last few years. High energy, funky, interesting, artistic. I know I have a bias here, but it's going to be a really fascinating show. On top of that, St. Arnolds Brewery is going to do a tasting, there will be a food truck and fantastic people watching. If you're near Houston and are free, hanging out and beer will be going on from 6-8 and the performance begins at 8:00. If you've never been to the Orange Show, it's a must- wonderfully funky and lively.

About my evenings... since he's gone until 11:00 most nights, I spend my time patting the dog on the head, half-heartedly wrapping up alterations or cleaning projects, shifting piles of papers or things needing to be put away from one tabletop to another and forgetting to eat. I really dislike eating alone, so I put off making a meal until 9:50 and then usually go for a strange snack of bare pasta and raw fruits and veggies. Puuuh-thetic.

I look forward to having my husband home regularly and having a reason to make for-real meals. Til then, I'll snack.

Dress: beijing seamstress...Blazer: Banana Republic, thrifted...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: Naturalizer...Necklace: Target...Pearls: Beijing

Linking up! The Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday!

YouTube Time-Suck

A storm system blew in and it got cold again. Big boo-hoo and an extra thick sweater for me. I planned ahead to wear this blouse with a much different outfit and was pumped about it, so when the temps dropped, I added an underlayer and wore this silk beauty anyway.

Pants: Zara...Blouse: Banana Republic, thrifted...Sweater: Banana Republic...Shoes: BCBGeneration via Ross...Scarf: Target

Last Friday, Bekah from Matters of Merrymaking (endlessly adorable, check her out now) posted a video of the Civil Wars' "Poison and Wine," which was a wonderful reminder of how very much I like that song, but also kickstarted some trouble. All of a sudden Friday night came and went, Saturday 2 am rolled around and I was still YouTube-ing favorites and discovering new songs. And then I realized I'd forgotton about the live version of Imogen Heap's "Just for Now." Shame on me. 

The thing about the song is this: With my Guy in school specifically with a focus in electronic music composition, I rewatched this goodie with fresh eyes and a deeper understanding of the process, the technology, the equipment, the limitations, the precision, the computer programming and interface required to pull this off... watch it once, enjoy it and be blown away. Then watch it a second time and watch her hands flying over the recording equipment then jump right back into clapping like it was nothing. And pay attention to HOW QUICKLY the sound becomes so dense and full. I adore this video.

Return of the ROUS

I had another opossum run-in. We were on our way to a friend's house to celebrate Boogaloo's birthday and my guy and I threw a few things away in the dumpster area before we left our place. Long story short, I hopped out of the car to pitch our little bag and my Guy hollered "KATE! OPOSSUM!" No direction, like 'Kate, opossum at 10 o'clock.' No indication that I was out of harm's way, so I panicked and jumped about 35 feet away in a single leap, only to find out that he was a solid 10 feet away from me on the ground, around the corner. I started giggling like a lunatic and discovered that a neighbor was just around the corner painting a table under the carport, calmly watching both my hysteria and the opossum. It was almost like he and the critter were hanging out.

Weird and gross.

These meetings have got to stop- it's freaking me out (And as evidenced by my weekend trip away, nature doesn't generally gross me out- the surprise factor is what's killing me).

Pants: Zara...Tee: J Crew Outlet...Cardigan...Target...Scarf: Gap Men...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime

Blue Again

A return to cobalt... I can't stop myself.

It's getting to be that time of the semester for my Guy- you know, the part where he gets busy and all of a sudden he's feeling wildly overloaded and I rarely see him because he's working on projects, papers, and pieces and before you know it, I have to dole out a little tough love and butt-whoopin' to keep him from freaking out.

Maybe that's why soothing blues and greens are so prevalent in my wardrobe.

Probably not.

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Button-down: Old Navy, thrifted...Cardigan: Gap...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime...Necklace: thrifted