High Points

Pants: Gap...Tee: H&M...Shoes: Sperry via DSW...Scarf: Liberty of London, thrifted...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shades: via TJ Maxx

Do you guys read Lisa's blog, Respect the Shoes? If you don't, you are missing out in a big way- she's whip smart, insightful, has the best self-deprecating humor, amazing outfits, even better content. She's hosted several Respect the Outfit posts in which readers submit their recent fave outfits or (better yet) photos of some pretty serious bloopers. I love 'em! Today is her Summer Staples offering and I sent a little something in. Check out all the lovely ladies who participated!

Well, it's already been an exciting morning here around Boss Lady's house... We've had on-and-off problems with the alarm tripping with no countdown to get it shut off when we enter in the morning. As in, use my key to unlock the door, swing it open and *WHOOPWHOOPWHOOP* the alarm has been tripped. Three times in the last month. Ridiculous. This is the first time it's actually happened to me, usually the sweet housekeeping gals are assaulted by the screeching, but I happened to be the first one in today. The alarm repair guys came out once a few weeks ago and, clearly, that fixed nada.

On three happier notes, the baseball game was awesome last evening- the stadium was pretty dead (and the Astros are the worst team in baseball right now) so we were spotted and featured on the Air Guitar Cam (!), I spotted a squirrel this morning scaling the side of our building like Spiderman, and we're meeting up with Roo, my Guy's "adopted" little sis from the composition program, for a farewell celebration tonight- she's off to UCLA for her Master's degree! I'm so proud of her.

Back in Town and Linking Up

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Tank: J Crew...Cardigan: Target...Scarf: thrifted...Shoes: Nine West Outlet...Earrings: Banana Republic

Three points of business today:
1. Marion is hosting another Trend of the Month Link Up: Pattern Mixing. Participate? Yes, please. (In stripes, floral and leopard. I'm clearly an overachiever.) And you can join, too! Links can get added for several more days.
2. Elaine put out a call on Twitter a while ago for guest posts... and I can't believe she let me have a go at it! What an honor to be in the Clothed Much guest line-up! Take a peek at my tips and tricks for dressing in high heat and humidity.
3. Pleated Poppy What I Wore Wednesday... of course I'm on board!

Okay, 4. Just thought I should share that I cried like a faucet on five separate occasions yesterday while I said goodbye to my family. And I'm not even ashamed. My nose was still puffy and red even after I made my way through security after holding my dad's hand for a while in the ticketing area. And then I cried again in the bathroom. My family is awesome, I miss them all like mad and 5 days wasn't enough real time together. It was amazingly well-used time together, but it wasn't enough.

So, a here's a mish-mash of photos from the family weekend.

MIA... For Two Darn Good Reasons

I'm still up in Ohio for the family visit and parties (I've consumed my weight in cheeseball and crackers, fruit salad, shrimp cocktail... I don't need to tell you about the rest) and we are packing really meaningful visits in with aunts and uncles and the couple of friends who are probably stuck with us for life.

There's also some of this going on, which is awesome:

The Big Darn Deal of today is that style chameleon Sarah over at Just Take a Bow is in the midst of presenting a series she's calling "JTAB University" and asked me to contribute a "lesson" on Effortless Style. Aaaand it's probably not what you were expecting. If you aren't already following her blog, you'll really be missing out on 1. A consistantly fun stream of stories 2. An enormously helpful series to help guide your wardrobe and styling habits and 3. Drool-worthy daily looks ranging from Glam Rocker to Thrift Goddess Chic. Yeah, it's really good stuff.

So, come on over and check out my little nuggets of fashion wisdom (that's the most ridiculous thing I've written in a long time) and join Sarah for the of the series (Don't miss her shopping tips, they were absolutely amazing and endlessly helpful. And Color Theory?! A girl after my own heart). And pleeeeease keep checking in on this amazing resource because a few of our favorite bloggers are already tapped to contribute, too (I'm looking at you, Audrey and Kristine... Can't wait!).