Just Do It

What I Wore

To Eat Chinese with my Son

Top - (Thrifted) /Jeans - Target/Shoes - KMart

Necklaces - Gift & Forever 21/Watch - MK/Bracelet - Gift/Earrings - Forever 21

Today I finally did something I had been putting off for too long.  I went to Victoria's Secret and got refitted. When I say that I had been putting it off too long, I have to admit I don't even know how long it has been since my last fitting!  I don't have any specific reason for not getting it done sooner, except I "knew" what size I was, and just kept getting that size (well, actually, my husband has been the main purchaser since he always has ordered me several online for Christmas presents).  But, I walked in to the store today and happily told the associate why I was there when she asked if she could help.  Fortunately, I was pretty much the same size as I "knew", but the better news was that by getting refitted, I actually found out that a different size worked better.  What have you been putting off doing?  (and what is stopping you from just doing it?!)

I Only Have Eyes For You

What I Wore

Sweater - Ann Taylor/Jeans - Lucky Brand

Shoes - Lands End/Watch - MK/Earrings - Local Boutique/Bracelet - Target/Scarf - Old

For me, part of getting ready every day involves putting on makeup.  Over the years that I have worn cosmetics, I have tried many different brands and types.  Trying to find the "perfect" makeup has meant a lot of trial and error, and the realization that recommendations from someone else have been helpful.  I am not a makeup guru ( I do not play one on television and I am not receiving anything for my recommendation) but I thought I would mention one item that I have recently started to use that I have been happy to have found.  Recommended by a Sephora consultant, it has become part of my daily routine.  This item is tarte skinny smolderEYES eyeliner. Some of the reasons I like this product are that I find it to be very creamy, it goes on smoothly, and it has an amazing smudger.  The colors are vivid and they stay put all day.  Is there a cosmetic product that you like and would recommend to me?

Where Have All The Flowers Gone

What I Wore

Sweater - Ann Taylor/Camisole - Target/Jeans - Target/Shoes - Rue 21

Necklace - Rue 21/Earrings - Forever 21/Watch - MK/Bracelets - Forever 21 & Gift

When I decide on what I am going to wear on any given day, a lot of factors come in to play.  What plans  I  have for the day, of course, is always top at the list (I wouldn't wear an evening gown to run to the grocery store), but also, I take the weather and temperature into consideration, as well as what I am trying to convey to the people I come in contact with during the day.  I also have days where what I decide to wear revolves around a specific item.  I may have one item that I know that I want to wear, and then I build the rest of the outfit around that one item.  This was how I ended up dressed in these photos.  I wanted to wear my new necklace, and I decided on everything else afterwards.  Do you ever decide what clothes you are going to wear on a piece of jewelry, or do you pick your jewelry based on what you are wearing?

I Don't Apologize

What I Wore

To See Lincoln at Theatre

Dress - Old Navy/Shooties - (Thrifted)

Necklace - Premier Designs/Watch - MK/Bracelet - Gift/Earrings - Burlington Coat Factory

Yes, I'm wearing black and white.  Yes, I know the last outfit I posted was black and white.  Yes, I own clothes of many different colors. And yes, I could have chosen to wear any color.  However, when I saw this dress in Old Navy and saw the price was only $10, I knew it would be easy to reach my goal to wear at least one dress a month. So, I am not only wearing black and white again, I'm happily wearing black and white again.  Just a heads up, I'm sure I will be seen in black and white a few more times in the next few months as well.  Not only is black and white a big trend for the Spring, more importantly, my son's school colors are black and white, and I will be attending a few baseball games where I am "required" to show my school spirit!   But, I am not going to apologize for wearing a lot of black and white, I'm just going to wear it proudly.  Have you done anything lately that you are not feeling the need to apologize for?

Baby I'm a Star

What I Wore

Dinner with Friends

Sweater - JCP/Shirt - WalMart/Jeans - Target

Velvet Cowboy Boots - (Thrifted/Libby Edelman)/Earrings - Premier Designs

One thing about taking photos is that you can never predict everything that is going to happen as the shutter snaps.  A bee might fly by, a loud noise may startle you, it may start to snow or rain, the wind may start to blow so hard that your hairstyle is completely rearranged, or in my case, a Yorkshire Terrier may try to get your attention.  Wrigley (named after the most awesome place to watch a baseball game - Wrigley Field) loves when I try to have photos taken.  She runs out the door, barking like a bodyguard warning everyone nearby to get out of the way (no paparazi would get past her!).  Most of the time I end up with some shots that she photobombs.  This time, I thought it would be fun to use one of those photos for two reasons - 1) I thought the post title fit, since she does think she is the star (and the boss of the family), and 2) I wanted to show the ribbon detail on the velvet boots that I found at the thrift store (and this photo was the best one I have!).  Have you taken any photos that ended up with different results than you had planned?

Smells Like Teen Spirit

What I Wore

Hair Appointment

Top - Forever 21/Sweater - (Thrifted)/Jeans - Kohl's/Shoes - KMart

Necklace - Burlington Coat Factory/Watch - MK/Bracelet - Gift

As much as I love blogs, there is one thing that blogs don't have that magazines do have - perfume samples. When I look at magazines, little flaps can be opened so that I can get a whiff of whatever perfume is being advertised.  When I look at blogs, I see the awesome outfits that are being worn, but I don't get to smell what perfume the blogger is wearing (and yes, I am making the assumption that everyone smells awesome!).   I do like to try new perfumes, but sometimes I stick to one specific perfume and wear it day after day for awhile  My latest new favorite is Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey.  I "discovered" it one day when I asked a customer what she was wearing because I liked the smell so much.  So, if you are looking at my blog wondering how I smell, just pick up a bottle of Issey and you will know!  What about you, do you have a "signature" perfume, do you wear different perfumes all the time or are you someone who prefers to have just a natural smell and not put perfume on?

The Sound of Music

What I Wore

Sweater - (Thrifted)/Camisole - (Thrifted) /Jeans - Forever 21

Shoes - KMart/Necklace - Forever 21/

Every since the Grammy Awards a few days ago, I have been thinking a lot about music.  When I was really young, I had older brothers and sisters who had records that I loved listening to, I went to church where we sang hymns, I even went to a radio station with my dad when he would record religious messages, and I would happily sit, listening to everything the DJ played.  Then, as I got older, I was a member of the school choir and band, played clarinet and took piano lessons. Now, I love all types of music, from the Beatles to Nirvana, from Adele to Elvis and from AC/DC to  Aretha Franklin.   I will absolutely sing my heart out driving down the interstate on my way to work, but I would be slow to sing in a public place where I could be heard.  I am not talented musically, but as far back as I can remember, I wish I possessed more musical ability.   I think that one of the reasons musical reality shows are popular is because so many people would love to have the ability to sing, and they are living vicariously through those everyday, ordinary people who are discovered live on television.  What about you, are you one with musical talent, do you wish you did have that gift, or are you not really a music person?

The Bucket

What I Wore

To a Movie Matinee

Top - Target/Vest - Thrifted/Jeans - Lucky/Shoes - Payless

Necklace - Forever 21/Earrings - Forever 21

In 2007 a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman was released that started a popular phenomenon - people creating their own versions of "The Bucket List".  Not only have people made lists of the things they want to do before they die, they have made similar lists such as 25 things to do the year they turn 25, or 40 things to accomplish by the time they turn 40.  These lists can have something on them like "go skydive" or "go to the zoo", they can be kept very quiet or made public (even put on a blog or website).  I have never written out a bucket list, although I would say I have almost always had ideas floating around in my head of things that would qualify as bucket list material.  But, I wonder if writing (or typing) those ideas down would make it more likely that those things would get accomplished.  Have you ever made a bucket list?  If so, what type of list did you make, and what type of things did you put on that list?  If you haven't made a list, what are a couple of things that you would put on your list?

Take a Bow

What I Wore

Sweater - Rue 21/Vest - (Thrifted)/Jeans - Lucky

Shoes - KMart/Earrings - Premier Jewelry/Necklaces - Gift/WalMart

I think awards shows are such fun events to watch.  I like to see the stars/performers and what everyone is wearing, watch the live performances, and listen to the acceptance speeches.  The weeks of January and February are full of awards shows like the Golden Globes, the Grammys, and of course the OSCARS.  Some of the awards shows serve as an introduction to a film, a show or a performer that I would not have known about if they hadn't been nominated for an award.  Having the ability to use websites to watch a video or learn more information about a performer has made discovering new art so easy, too.  I remember growing up in a very small town with no movie theatre, a television that got only the three major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC), and needing to get a ride to a town 30 miles away to buy a record (yes, I am old!), so having information at my fingertips is one more thing that makes watching award shows more enjoyable for me.  Do you like to watch the awards shows, do you watch certain ones but not others, do you watch for the red carpet only, or are you not really an award show watcher?

More, More, More

 

What I Wore

Blouse - Banana Republic/Sweater - (Thrifted)/Jeans - Target

Jacket - Forever 21/ Shoes - Ann Taylot

Inspiration.  Whether I am deciding what to wear, how to decorate my house or what to write, I look for something to inspire me.  For me, inspiration comes from many things.  Sometimes I have seen something (Pinterest, anyone?), read something, or heard something, that strikes me. At other times I combine ideas and "tweak" others so that they fit my personality and needs, as I don't think there is a perfect solution for every situation (I may love the look of a short skirt on you, but think it makes my thighs look ridiculously huge.).  When inspiration strikes, I have to "strike while the iron is hot".  For example, if I want to put together a gallery wall in my kitchen, I don't stop looking for the "perfect" frames until I have them.  And when I want an excuse to wear the pair of shoes that random strangers compliment me about, I make sure I find a new top so I get to wear them again (the top and the shoes in this outfit).  What inspires you?

Get Preppy

What I Wore

Sweater - Banana Republic/Jeans - NY & Co/Jacket - Forever 21

Shoes - Thrifted/Watch  - MK/Necklace - Gift

Cliches such as "What goes around, comes around." and "Everything old is new again." seem to fit well with some of the things that are popping up everywhere I look.  I don't know if any of you have been watching "The Carrie Diaries", but I have been enjoying the show, as well as the music and the fashion from 1984.  Add to that show a new "Dallas", a resurgence in the popularity of neon colors and even a blockbuster movie about the Iranian hostage crisis, and it seems like the children of the 80's (who are now business leaders) are attempting to bring back their youth.  A couple of weeks ago I posted an outfit that I was tickled had a comment about it being 80'ish (in a good way).  So, when I put on this argyle sweater, I had another  flashback to my youth, when preppy fashion was all the rage.  I like that in 2013 we can change our look from day to day, going from a 1980's look one day, to a 1960's look the next and then to something that is definitely fresh 2013.  Is there an era of clothing that you particularly like to replicate, or is there one that you wouldn't wear on a bet?

Champagne Supernova

What I Wore

Super Bowl Sunday

Sweater - JCP/Camisole - Forever 21/Leggings - Target

Boots - Uggs/Watch - MK/Necklace - Gift/Earrings and Bracelets - Local Boutique

At our house, it is not an unusual thing for a sporting event to be playing on the television.  I know some women either don't like or don't understand sports, but being the only female in a home with three men, I am one of those who not only likes, but also enjoys, watching most sports (notice I say most).  I think part of the reason I find watching sports enjoyable, is that I have a competitive streak.  Even when my boys were little, I didn't think I needed to let them win every game of CandyLand or Chutes and Ladders!  Another part of watching a sporting event that I enjoy is the food that you eat to "keep up your energy".  So, for a day of sitting and watching other people "exercise", I chose to wear an outfit that would keep me comfy while grazing from one dip to another.  Do you feel that you have a competitive personality or would you consider yourself more passive?