Crappy light, fake peplum and Thank You's

Yuck, these morning photos are the pits. Sorry, guys.

I thought I would try out the sleek vs. cozy look, all while replicating the peplum look with a belted fluffy sweater. Thoughts? Opinions? I kinda like the pairing of a slightly tweed-y skirt with a sleek silky navy blouse and nubby cardigan and snakeskin accessories.

Skirt: Banana Republic, thrifted...Blouse: Gap, via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Banana Republic...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: MaxStudio via DSW...Necklace: Target

Moday this week, I was blown away and received a blogger award from Natalie of The Closet de Natalie. Thank you, thank you, sweet thang! (And of course we'll thrift together. When will you be in town?!)

Additionally, I'm the world's biggest inadvertent jerk. I juuuuust found a comment in my Contact section showing that Rachel over at Yummy Mummy's Galore awarded me with the same thing... in November. I'm so sorry the thank you is so belated, I feel awful, but am so grateful!

The Liebster Blog award is given by bloggers to other bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Liebster in German means dearest, beloved or favorite, so it's a great way to tell other bloggers how much you admire their blogs. In order to accept the award, I need to do the following:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated me. 
2. Copy and paste the award on my blog.
3. Award five more blogger and let them know I chose them.

My fave five, alphabetically by blog:

Salazar from 14 Shades of Grey

Amber from Easy Petite Looks

Loren from The Inclined Plane
 
Kimmie from The Kimmie Chronicles

Marion from Marionberry Style

Check these girlies out, they're all fashionable, charming, and completely sweet!

B&W Fair Isle

This funny little number was a good find at the thrift store several weeks ago. With specifically the baptism we attended for our godson during our week back to Ohio in mind, I wanted a little sweater that was cute, cozy and something that danced right on the line between casual and put-together. I won, big time. It is a cropped swing style, probably wool (but all the tags are nipped out- I'm guessing the previous owner found it too itchy) with a great small fair isle pattern. After the massive rainstorm yesterday, I figured I would wear something comfortable since the temperature dropped significantly overnight. So, here I am, in this wonderfully goofy little sweater.

Pants: Zara...Turtleneck: Gap...Sweater: thrifted...Shoes: Kenneth Cole via Piperlime... Earrings: White House Black Market

And, of course, I'm linkin' up with this month's EB:EW! Black and white are right up my alley. Well, grey is more my thing, but this is a pretty significant go-to, as well. I'm looking forward to wasting mucho time tomorrow morning looking through everyone's posts!

Tornado warnings

Wow. This day is bananas. I'm not joking. It was dreary this morning early, but the sky kept getting darker and more green-ish tinged as we were getting dressed and ready. In the car on my way to work, I marvelled at how little rain there was, how much lightning was around in all directions, and how honest-to-goodness green the sky had become. NPR went ahead and told me the obvious: Tornado warnings. Awesome, glad I'm in the middle of the freeway right now while that bolt of lightning shot down and hovered in the sky for at least 2 full seconds and a vortex may peel out of the sky and suck me away.

I will preface all of this by stating very clearly that I really love extreme weather. I think it's exciting, I like how it makes me feel so small and insignificant, yet vast and connected to nature. Tucson monsoon storms were a thrill. Even the thought of a little hurricane weather got me excited about Houston. But, the lightning and really green sky made me nervous.

Anyway, on to the lighter-hearted aspect of this post- clothing.

Pants: Gap (old)... Blouse: Banana Republic via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target (really old)...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime...Necklace: Target

OPI Pepe's Purple Passion under Essie Shine of the Times

Leaving home

I didn't edit this photo. The sky was really thaaaat green when I got to work.

The perfect Lazy Saturday

I had what could easily be classified as the perfect weekend day yesterday. I'm not joking. We got up early, but were able to sleep in a little. My coffee was delicious (I'm switching over from an enormous brew pot to a tiny french press- I'm still learning.) We rode bikes to the grocery to gather supplies to have friends over in the evening. Birds chirped and critters scurried around us like I was Snow White. My favorite grocery is the tiny Motown-music-playing Fiesta, and I waltzed up and down the aisles to "Jeramiah was a Bullfrog" and equally awesome and singable numbers. We ate lunch in the courtyard of our apartment with the beagle tied to a tree and roaming where he pleased. I wasted a good chunk of the afternoon reading outside, then noodled my way back in to find my guy diligently cleaning. With windows flung wide open, I joined and vaccuumed my way around every rug, corner, and piece of furniture. I was wrong yesterday- I threw away at least two cats-worth of pet hair and dust. More stalling and reading, minor naptime with birds chirping, and finally a leisurely meal prep. I made a red curry with potatoes, bamboo, onions and red pepper. And the largest quantity of rice we've ever made. Friends returning to town from trips home came over and we stuffed ourselves silly, sampled beers, chatted, laughed, played Apples to Apples, and were generally loud and cheerful. Good day, huh?

I think the perfect weather really aided my happiness with this outfit- Let's be honest, it's kind of just jeans and a tee. But I had such a nice day, so I guess I felt somehow more attractive. I'm not sure how that makes sense. 

Two notes- the ladies at Complex Cardigans and BiblioMOMia were my subliminal gurus today- between the scarf a la Jenn (which is thrifted Liberty of London, BTW) and LIPSTICK a la BiblioMOMia, I was a little more ladylike than usual. (And a quick trip down memory lane- when I was in ballet classes, by favorite instructor was this lovely, late-20-something woman who was elegant and strong. Each time she got pregnant, she would continue teaching until her belly was enormous and would dance in Converse instead of flats. I think of her every time I wear these kicks and photographed them accordingly)

Jeans: Gap Real Straight...Sweater: J Crew, thrifted...Converse: Gap...Scaft: Liberty of London, thrifted

Ha! Not Quite!

So, I have spent this week feeling sluggish, with a tiny tickle in my throat, but never quiiiite feeling really sick. I was so inexplicably tired yesterday, I forwarned my guy that my grand plans for the night was to eat (since I figured I should), relax, and fall asleep early to keep this possible cold at bay. All of which I did. Which he found to be incredibly boring, but the best option for the night.

"You can call friends and go out, silly!" "No one's back into town yet." "Well, what about people X, Y and Z?" "I texted and they didn't respond." What about so-and-so." "Nah, I like you more. Can't you just perk up and hang out with me?" "I can fall asleep on the couch with you." No, that's okay, I'll go to bed now, too, I guess." (Weirdly sad, adorable, pathetic and romantic all at once, huh? I think he misses Bromance.)

Good news: I still haven't gotten full-on sick. My home looks like hell since I've been ignoring my housekeeping duties and there's dustbunnies the size of our cat rolling around, but I haven't barfed, coughed or gotten achy. And boss lady popped out of town for a scouting trip to NOLA this morning and so I wore jeans. I Win, all around.

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Blouse: H&M, thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Belt: thrifted...Booties: Steve Madden via Ross

Splash!

So, I have a story to tell you... It's from the holiday week and I'm feeling a weird mix of shame and pride about it, but here it goes-

My family only did stocking-sized gifts for one another this year, with the exception of the home-made gift exchange items. Sissy S, in Beijing, brought back these totally absurd iPhone covers for me and my guy (sadly, only I have an iPhone... his loss)- one of a creepy new smurf and one of Mario's face emblazoned on a red background, which smelled vaguely like green peppers. I promptly changed out my cover and wondered why everything I touched smelled like chemical-ish vegetables. And then it happened. It was in my pocket when I stepped into the restroom... Then, SPLOOSH.

Literally SPLASH, GRAB, AH!, TOWEL. It happened that fast. Flurried unbuttoned run into the kitchen, baggie full of rice, and 24 hours later I would check it. I got antsy and checked it 5 minutes later and noticed wet soggy rice was stuck in the charging port, so I used tiny paper towel and tweezers to soak out any water I could find. Rice submersion. 12 Hours later I gave it a check. Screen looked good, I could place a call, but, I couldn't hear my guy (he could hear me). Speakerphone was good. Well, not bad. That's why we purchase phone insurance- we can't keep nice things. Eh, a little while longer in the rice. Why not? 24 hours later and I skeptically checked again. Placed the call. "Hello?" I heard it. AHHHH!

Phone crap-outs are bad. Self-inflicted phone crap-outs are worse. Self-inflicted phone crap-outs of phones you actually like are totally the pits. But the miraculous resurrection was like a little Bonus Gift. And a testament to patience and faith in the wonders of rice.

And there you have it. The story of my Christmas Idiocy. Which has nothing to do with what I wore today.

Pants: Zara...Tee: J Crew Outlet...Sweater: thrifted...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime

Kicking off a new year at work

With a little tone on tone, of course. I have favorites, that's for sure! It was chilly all day today, so I didn't actually look like I was wearing this, but rather black pants and a black Marmot jacket, which is significantly less elegant/tasteful/a real outfit, but I'm over it. The goodness that you can't really see in this outfit is that the buttondown has a tuxedo shirt front, which I like very much.

The other good news is I got to run errands in the sunshine today, which is always nice!

Pants: Zara...Buttondown: J Crew, thrifted...Sweater Gap... Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime...Necklaces: Banana and J Crew

New Year's Non-Resolutions

My husband and I have never been big New Year's resolution makers, but we had a brief heart to heart yesterday about 2012. Because of the uncertainty of our lives for the next two years or so as he finishes this dang degree, we can't even begin to touch on broad-scope intentions. I would love to begin talking about a more permanent home, about switching jobs that might give me a better work life balance, benefits, vacation. Ideally, starting a family would be in our cards. Buuuuut, not a chance on any of that. Because we're still in a situation of holding onto short-term solutions for longer than I'd like. Even if I made some changes, there's the possibility of my Guy scoring a "for real" teaching job and uprooting for another cross country move. And that wouldn't be fair to whoever hired me. So here we are, sitting and waiting.

We can control some of the little things, though.
Like being more encouraging to our friends.
And exercising and eating better.
And being more intentional about making our needs known to the other. No passive aggressive poop about thinking the other "should know".
Learning to be more affectionate each day.
And cursing a little less.

And sadly, with only one computer between the two of us and one of us using it professionally (notta me), blogging will remain a happy hobby when I'm able. I am reeeeally glad to have gotten into the loop and gotten to know so many of you amazing women!

Happiest New Year wishes. I'm off to make and eat a massive amount of chili.

Again?!

Boss Lady called late last night and told me her grandkids were still hanging out at the house and she wouldn't want to focus on a whole heckuva lot... So, don't come in until Tuesday. Well, happily! My guy and I ran errands earlier and are home nesting now, which is fiiiiiiiine by me.

The problem, however, is that I chose an outfit today that is a whole lot like what I wore during my trip back to Ohio. I have my whole closet at my disposal again and I grabbed more of the same. I guess that will happen, huh?

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Shirt: H&M...Sweater: Banana Republic...Boots: Target

Long Time, No See

Oops.

Here's the rundown of my Holiday week back to Ohio.

Friday night - Saturday: Drivin'. My Guy was a beast and powered thorough from 7 pm until 6 am. I did a weenie 6 hours after that. We picked Sissy S up in the Chicago area and headed to my Grandparents' for Christmas Eve (which consists of snacking your way through sausage and cheese on crackers, candies, hot wings, fruits and and the ever-present Cheeseball. Drool all over my face.

Christmas Day: Breakfast Casserole and gabbing at my parent's house before gifts and brunch at my Guy's family's house. The cute booger on the bike is our nephew. Evening at my family's with the annual make-a-gift swap. We trade names and make one special gift for the person whose name you draw. I love the tradition! (BTW, I bet my Grandpa is cuter than yours- he wears bolo ties and orange corduroy pants)

Monday: Early brunch with my guy's sister, her partner and our nephew. Relaxing, cozy and full of good conversation. Lunch with grandparents over at my guy's family's house and loooooots of baseball talk (his grandma is an even bigger Tiger's fan than my guy and his dad! So cute). We headed south afterward to the 'burbs and hunkered down to enjoy time for a few days with my best friend and her rapidly expanding family. Allow me to introduce you to our sweet GOD SON!

Tuesday: More time with our friends and Little Boy and his baptism that evening. SUCH A GOOD DAY!

Wednesday: Lazy morning and then a trip up to my parents' so the family could meet Sissy S's boyfriend (I got to meet him when I met up with her in Hong Kong, where he lives, before my visit with her in Beijing, where she lives). We ate massive amounts of stew, played trivial pursuit, yapped and took part in general sibling shenanigans.

Thursday: Amish country day (cousins live out in eastern Ohio)! Christmas festivities with my cousins is my guy's favorite part of trips home, mostly because they worked for the local fire department and EMT's  and so bonfires tend to get a little out of control because they know they'll be rescued if it get's dicey. This year my guy ninja kicked a door apart to burn and Da Boyfriend dropped a gasoline bomb on the fire (so he'll like us better, said cousin R). Oh, and because we have family-wide beer pong tournaments.

Friday: Bacon and homemade sausage gravy and biscuits courtesy of my Sissy A, leisurely drive back to town and separate family nights. My guy went to a fancy-pants dinner with his parents and I ate my body weight in ambrosia salad and german potato salad at my grandparent's house. We played cards (Grandpa and I were the winning team for most of the night) and got in one last night of really precious family time.

Saturday: Another leisurely morning, I got so snuggle and sing Indigo Girls to Little Boy, before we packed up and hit the road.

Early Sunday am.: Roadside nap and a quick jaunt to NOLA. We hit a dog park for the beagle and car toured the French Quarter. I LOVED it. I look forward to another "for real" roadtrip there for more exploring.


Aaaaaand, I will admit to being behind the lens for the majority of the week. I forgot to take outfit photos, so you'll have to deal with looking at our goofy mugs instead.