A Weekend Non-Adventure

Over last weekend, we had the opportunity to join several Expat teachers affiliated with the university (all from other departments- what fun to meet new people!) to go visit a "new style" modern village made up of agricultural zones, manufacturing, and new style homes.

Shoulda been interesting to see the new model of modern China.

Nope.

Our time in this village (and more power to them, I really hope they continue to receive encouragement and support from the government and society- some sort of sustainability measures should be encouraged) was not spent actually experiencing or understanding what's really "new" and "now," but rather we spent 3 hours walking through building after building of displays of what agriculture and day to day life was like 40 years ago (It looked the same as one might imagine farming in China in 1874 to look like). With creepy wax mannequins. And taxidermied animals everywhere. Not tremendously informative or interesting, but it was nice to spend a little time with new friends. Silver linings and all that junk.

Meeting Mommies

I got out last week to visit with other local Expat mommas in town. It's going to be a lot of fun getting to know many of these families and going through the adventure of having tiny ones in China together, getting all the tips and tricks of where to find what we need, commiserating over the strangeness of motherhood abroad with occasional nights out together. It's a great group of ladies and I'm really excited to finally have the time to get to know some of them better in the upcoming weeks. More than anything, after my nervousness about my little booger hanging out breech (I won't speak too soon since I haven't been to an official appointment yet, but I felt a decidedly rotating movement on Sunday), I got two offers to email friends to gather intel on moxibustion and acupuncture specialists in town. Beyond kind, exceedingly reassuring, and incredibly thoughtful.

Plus, it's really fun to hang out with so many lovely people who have THE. BEST. ACCENTS. I am far and away the minority as an American- I've met tons of German families (Bosch is in town), women from the UK, India, several from Spain, Pakistan, and one from Ireland. And the best part? I said adios to the remnants of my nasally a-sound Ohio accent and never picked up any y'all's in Texas, so nobody can place where I'm from.

I mentioned last week that I've been buying and wearing boys' stuff as maternity wear. Here's more proof (and a bump-hiding oversized woolen sweater- my very favorite fiber!). Also, my wispy shorty-bangs of new-growth-pregnancy-hair (the only hair "benefit" I've seen from these hormones) are popping out in every frizzy direction to say hello.

Winding Down

Skirt: thrifted...Sweater: Target...Scarf: Target...Belt: Swiped from a skirt...Shoes: Naturalizer...Earrings: Etsy

It's been a long couple of days. Work has been (and will continue to be) totally nuts, Rob has been getting his dissertation entered into a digital musical score until past midnight most nights, Eddie has an itchy ear that I'm watching like a hawk, Miles is eating garbage and being a real butthole. We all need our schedule and routines back!

The bright spots coming up will more than make up for the madness- we get to sort of help puppy-sit for Homer, our bassett neighbor dog while his mommy is out of town and daddy has evening shifts scheduled (he and Miles had better doggy-playdate-exhaust themselves, they both NEED it!). Hopefully, we'll get a little time in with Matt and Natalie to catch up. Rob and his bromance are making plans to make the best out of a school-stuff-clogged St. Patrick's Day, so perhaps there's a little Beer Golfing to be done after they get finished with a special composition Master Class in the afternoon. We're kind of planning to sneak into Valhalla early to stake a claim at the bar and NEVER leave our seats. That's OUR bar, our SUNDAY TRADITION, dangit, and those MBA poser pub-dwellers better scoot themselves out of our spots. Go find a crappy Irish pub elsewhere and celebrate!

I actually don't have that strong of an opinion on the matter, but Rob's Bromance is a very big St. Patty's fan and I have to send as many good thoughts for a rockstar evening out into the universe for good measure.

Ah, Happy Friday, sweet friends!

Houndstooth

Coat: BB Dakota via Piperlime...Cardigan: Target...Skirt: Target...Scarf: Target...Tights: Gap...Shoes: Naturalizer...Pearls: Beijing vendor...Bag: Longchamp

Pleated Poppy What I Wore Wednesday link up. And a little Work it Wednesday over at A Little Bit of Lacquer,  you know, because it's Wednesday.

It's been so inappropriately cold and drizzly, I haven't wanted or been able to get photos of a few of my outfits... until now. I felt like such a dud, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get my flash to trigger, even if I popped it up. Duh, Kate, wrong setting. Read the manual to figure out what you're doing wrong before you harumph about trying to hold still for 1/4 second exposure times rather than using flash. Moral of the story, I got the flash to work, it's not grainy as crap (like when I go for a 400 ISO to make up for the slow exposure), the semigloss paint gleaming in the flash on my door is a small nuisance compared to freezing my buns off at dark, shadowy 8 am. Camera flash, you saved my frozen toes.

And do I care that I spent a day in way-too-loud-and-graphic black and whites? Not even a little. I haven't been loving this cardigan- I bought it and thought "it's so me! Houndstooth, black and white..." and then realized it's awfully noticable and it's not a great outer layer if left unbuttoned. It's kind of an awkward length and a little dumpy worn that way. Did it make its way into the possible donate pile? Yes, it did. Has it been redeemed? Yes, it has. And it's all because I realized it can be tucked into my tights, smoothed out under a skirt and worn as a mere top, not just as an accented cardigan. Some days my brain farts and creativity-crap-outs surprise me. And then I spring back. A little.

Black Basics

Skirt: Target...Tee: Gap Body...Jacket: Armani Exchange via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Target...Belt: Gap...Shoes: Circa Joan & David...Earrings: vintage

New Yorkers are on to something. I spent literally 2 1/2 minutes picking out and and yanking on this look. It's aaaall about pieces that play nice together, even if they're simple.

It's amazing how much you can wrap your head around when you have a full day to do so. Working full time in my new position feels weirdly like a luxury since I'm able to sit down, prioritize, and actually spend some time reading through grants to absorb some of the finer points and nuance. I'm a pretty fast learner, but it was tough for me to have spent the last three weeks with the new organization working a measly 12 hours each week as a transition period... and not feel like I really absorbed anything. Shocker, right? Anyway, I'm so pumped about diving in and knowing more. I think needing to be prepared enough to man a table at a volunteer recruitment drive tomorrow is a solid start. Eeee!

Overdressed. Again.

Dress: ASOS...Cardigan: Target...Trench: Target...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Target...Shades: via TJ Maxx

I actually wore this to a concert a few days ago. And, per my whining and moaning about what's appropriate, I was far-and-away the most overdressed person there, excluding performers. And I'm over the whole conundrum. If I have to look nice for work, what's the fun of dressing like a schlub in a concert hall? None. That's right. It's more fun to look nice for 18 hours than like a varsity-basketball-cheering undergrad goon.

And if you wear manageable heels, you can rock 'em all day. So, that's a bonus.

That Darn Cat

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Tank: Target...Cardigan: Target...Blazer: Express (very old)....Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction...Necklace: Target...Shades: via TJ Maxx

I love houndstooth.  I would own a lot more of it, but you kind of notice when it gets worn, so perhaps a scarf, a cardigan and an 8' 0" sofa in my living room is plenty to satiate my need for houndstooth. Although that may not really be a great argument, since polka dots are pretty noticeable  too, and I have 5 pieces that I can remember off the top of my head.

The cat's been a real jerk lately. Not really mean spirited intentionally, but exceedingly nosy, helping herself to whatever snack is on the side table, rifling through Target bags, chewing on my hair, starting out a playtime batting adorably at my hand under a blanket but diving violently into grabbing my arm/ biting the bejeezies out of my wrist and stab-kicking with her back claws. The spazzed out and overzealous playtime is actually okay, she's fast-approaching 10 years old, so seeing her wound up is a good thing. But, really? You needed to lick a hole into the center of my cheese slice while I was trying to get the dog to eat a pill? You needed to submerge your whole paw into my icewater after I saw you playing in the toilet? You needed to swipe that magnificently orange cheeto from my stash and claim it for yourself? Jerk.

But then she makes up for it by seeking me out at night, snuggling and doing adorable things like this:

Great News!

Pants: Gap Really Skinny....Sweater: Banana Republic Outlet...Blazer: Gap...Scarf: Target...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: Naturalizer...Earrings: Banana Republic

Big, big day. New meetings, new people, transitions... I've been a holding out on you guys with a little bit of information.

I started, very very part-time, a new job. I'll go full time after the Gala (that Boss Lady helps run) on November 5. Grants management, special projects, in-a-little-over-my-head... But I'm so excited and am really thrilled for the new opportunity!

So, with that, two videos in celebration. Try not to giggle. I dare you.

Linking up, of course! Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday.

Loyalties

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

No Casual Fridays 'Round Here

When will the visits end?! Boss lady is out of town and I'm still hosting things at her place! A crew of about 20 from a museum will be coming through for a tour of her collection. I had on a Friday-casual look this morning and then remembered I needed to look profesh. Dang it. All I want is to wear my jeans! And ill-fitting sweaters.

Skirt: Thrifted...Sweater: Banana Outlet...Belt: Target, I think...Boots: Biviel via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: J Crew Outlet

There is, however, something comforting about having a smattering of chic, simple, easily-put-together black based items in one's closet. I am so glad I found this thrifted skirt, I think it has so much personality and is really easy to create outfits with, I just have to be careful not to wear it too frequently (I've been tempted!).



And for today's 30 Days Hath November: Day 11- Something I've Been Craving...
Well, that's not hard. I've been itching to get my hands on more thrifted bags and purses- my finds lately have been very skirt-centric and I have donated away most of my unused, "not ME" bags. My wish list is for black finds- I want them to be leather and I want them to be cheap. Too much to ask? Maybe, but I'm diving in full force to hunt this weekend!

via Simplychicforcheap, that's the kind of bag I crave finding!

Only my Undergoodies are retail

Yup, I said it. Everything visible about this outfit is thrifted or secondhand. HA! I'm getting way better at this game of looking fashionable on a dime. Or I'm finally patient and persistant enough to think long and hard about what looks good on me and what looks like crap. Whatever works, I'm feeling less and less like I'm wearing the wrong things for my body type. (And I'm super glad I let go of the jeans and tee silhouette/ uniform) You can also see this blouse remixed here and here.

Skirt: Thrifted...Blouse: Banana via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Thrifted...Boots: via Buffalo Exchange...Belt: Thrifted...Bag: vintage D&B via Buffalo Exchange

I was momentarily leery of the fullness of the skirt, which isn't my go-to silhouette. I think my problem with full skirts is the long leg, high waist, rump-showing problem. Not cute. And I move too much, so I know I would leave little to the imagination at some point... But knee length works for me. I'll keep thrifting.