The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Niki did a post like this a out a week ago and I thought it was a great idea, so I thought I'd take a crack at it too. Here goes nothing:

The Good:

• I'm devoted to my friends and family and will try to be there for them at all times.
• I'm empathic, I always try to see where others are coming from, and walk in their shoes. I truly believe most people are doing the best they can. I don't think anyone wakes up in the morning and says, "Hey, I want to suck as a human being today!"
• I'm a hard worker, I try to do my best at my job and at home. I can't just sit and do nothing when there's a list of things to do.

The Bad: 

• I take things personally and stew about things I can't control. I had a parent issue at school and although this parent was on a tirade and bringing up other non-issues with about a half dozen other teachers and administration, the situation was all I could think about for days.
• Because I can't sit still when there are things to do around the house, I don't always stop what I'm doing the second my son wants to play with me. I feel guilty about this. When he's grown up he won't care if the dishes were put in the dishwasher, but he will remember the times we played. I really need work on this!
• I don't eat very healthily and I don't work out. Bad combo. I worked out daily before Grant was born but haven't been to the gym once in almost three years. This will come back to bite me if I don't do something about it!

The Ugly:

• I'm a perfectionist. I like things "just so" and can be critical of myself when things don't work out as I'd like. 
• I can be obsessive, like checking planned posts multiple times before posting to make sure they're "just so," see above... 
• I lack confidence, specifically with certain friends. About a decade ago I was pretty wild and ran with a group of similar girls. My life was chaotic and I finally came to a point where I knew I needed to change. I decided to quit drinking and get right with God.  My friends did not take this well, and I soon realized drinking was the common denominator in our friendship. They pretty much dropped me like day old bread. I have some really great friends now who I know love me for who I am, but there are times when I don't speak up like a should for fear of rejection. I am working on this. 

Top: Target $6

Skirt: LOFT $5 (thirfted)

Necklace: Express $10

Bracelets: Express $14

Shoes: Nine West $30

Linking up with:

Real Girl Style

My Thrifty Chic

Stella and Dot : )



Recently I had a Stella and Dot trunk show.  Living in the Midwest I hadn't actually seen any Stella and Dot jewelry in person, however, I'd done plenty of ogling over it on Blogland.  I met the stylist though a friend and thought, why not have a show?  Well, I. Loved. It.  The jewelry was not only pretty but great quality.  It didn't take much convincing for me to sign up to be a stylist myself.  I just got my first box of goodies and am sporting a few of the items today.  I'm still waiting on a few things like this. I might me stalking the mailman for it....So, needless to say, you'll be seeing a lot of this great jewelry on me a lot from now on. : )

Dress: Target $12

Jean Jacket: The Limited (circa 2003ish)

Necklace:  Stella and Dot Jolie

Bracelets: Stella and Dot Renegade/Kalahari/Gilded Arrow

Belt: Kohl's $6

Shoes: Nine West $30

Outfit Surprise

I was looking at my skirts and pulled out this one, as I haven't worn it in a while, but was really unsure of what to pair it with. Then, I had one of these "I wonder..." moments. The ones where you have an outfit idea which will go one of to ways: you'll put it on and LOVE it, or you'll put in on and look a little bit like a toddler playing dress up in the dress up center at preschool. This, I loved. It's a little edgier than my norm, but I like that. I also like it can go with or without the cardigan, as Mother Nature's idea of spring is a little different than mine, hint, hint. What about you guys? Have you had any surprise outfits lately?

Cardigan: Ann Taylor $5 (thrifted)

Top: Express $20

Skirt: Target $11

Bracelets: Express $14

Shoes: Nine West $30

 

Linking up with:

Fashion Informant Friday

Stripe Love

So....I got a remote for my camera.  So. Excited.  When I looked on Amazon awhile back I was overwhelmed at all the choices and really had no idea what to get, after calling a local camera retailer the Camera Genius told me exactly what  I needed, and I found it for $20 on Amazon.  Along with wearing this cute outfit the remote has pretty much made my week! 

Blazer: Kohl's $25

Blouse: Express $20

Necklace: Express $10

Bracelets: Express $14 Kohl's $12

Belt: Kohl's $1.50

Jeans: Old Navy $5 (thrifted)

Shoes: Fergalicious $15

Linking up with:
Look What I Got
What I Wore to Work
Vodka Infused Lemonade

Coral, Lace, and a New Necklace

I've had my eye out for a necklace like this for quite some time, I'm not sure who the original version came from, but I've been seeing it all over Blogland. Well, what did I find one morning while I was lazily laying in bed checking my email, trying to delay getting up? Very Jane selling this necklace for like $12! Sold! Um, I pretty much want to wear it every day....and I might. :)

Cardigan: Old Navy $3 (thrifted)

Dress: Apt. 9 $5 (thrifted)

Necklace: Very Jane $15

Belt: Kohl's $1.5

Shoes: Fergalicious $15

Linking up with:
What I Wore Wednesday
Get Your Pretty On
Fashion and Beauty Finds

Before Blogging...

I never owned a statement necklace (or knew what one was).

I never pattern mixed, nor did it occur for me to do so.

I never realized a blazer could be worn on days that you weren't interviewing for a job.

I never ventured into thrift scores and scored deals like this.

I never realized how versatile my clothes were.

I never got free stuff.

Speaking of free stuff, eShakti contacted me again about reviewing a dress and this is the one I picked. I really like the color blocking and light-weight material. I did a custom size and when it came it was really big through the chest. I ended up seaming up the shoulders myself and am much happier with the dress now. I think I'll be able to get a lot of use out of it. :)

Dress:  c/o eShakti

Necklace: Charming Charlies $1

Bag: Coach

Shoes: Fergalicious $30

Linking up with:

Real Girl Style

Style Sessions

My Thrifty Chic

Cobalt and White

Random Thoughts Right Now:

1. I declare Colby jack Cheese-its with raisins a most delicious snack!

2.  I don't understand the GOMI forums.  I just recently learned of them and not to offend anyone who reads them, but if you don't like a blog, just don't read it.  Why take the time to trash it? Just my thoughts.

3.  This weather is driving me crazy, people.  I just. want. spring.

4. Speaking of weather, it's been crazy windy here!  Because of that it's been nearly impossible to take pictures without my hair looking super crazy.  Not a fan.

4.  I've become such a bargin hunter that it's hard for me pay even the sale price in stores.  I really want a white blazer and keep crossing my fingers in Goodwill, but I know I just need to realize it's ok to spend more on essentials I know I'll keep around.  

5. Link up parties: these can be great! I love finding different new and fun blogs.  What I don't understand is taking the time to comment (thoughtfully) on a bunch of blogs and them not taking the time to stop by my blog too?  Maybe I'm crazy, but if someone takes the time to write a nice compliment to me on my blog, it seems only natural to stop by their blog and say hi too???

Now to my outfit: Sometimes I feel like I try to over complicate outfits, I feel like this outfit is the exact opposite of that, and I like that. An easy sweater with a simple skirt, add in a mullet tuck and I'm ready for school. Sometimes I'll think of an outfit in my head and when I put it on it's one of those "What was I thinking moments." This, I'm glad has worked out. I'm excited to see what else I can do with this skirt; I think a white skirt is an essential for one's wardrobe.

Sweater: The Limited $8

Skirt: Kohl's $5 (Plato's Closet)

Belt: The Limited $10

Shoes: Nine West $30

Necklace: c/o Just Jewelry

Linking up with:
Yolo Mondays

Floral Love

I'm kind of loving all things floral right now. Evidence in these pins, and the pins that aren't floral are stripes, so if I can put together a look that encompasses both, I'll be pretty darn excited. Speaking of excited, it's officially open toed shoe season, this makes me all kinds of happy. :) I'm pretty sure DSW is calling my name....

Top: Target $5 (thrifted)

Skirt: Target $11

Necklace: Express $10

Bracelets: Express $12  and Kohl's $10

Bag: Coach

Shoes: JCrew (circa 2007ish)

Linking up with:

Fashion Informant Friday
Third Thursday Threads

A New Favorite

This dress is my new favorite thing in my closet. I love the cut and color and it's seriously the best fashion swap party find of all time. I have about a half a dozen looks in my head for it and when I recently got this blazer and belt at Kohl's while exchanging this blazer I knew what I wanted to wear them with this dress immediately. Why did I return the coral blazer, you ask? I loved the color but had only tried it on with skirts, when I tried it with jeans and a couple of dresses it flared too much and looked ridiculous, therefore it wasn't versatile enough to keep. This blazer on the other hand has a cut I love and it's lightweight for spring/summer. Add my new favorite necklace and this is definitely one of my favorite outfits to date!

Blazer: Kohl's $17

Dress: Gap (fashion swap)

Necklace: Very Jane $15

Belt: Kohl's $6

Bracelets: Express $14

Shoes: Fergalicious $30

Linking up with:

Look What I Got

What I Wore to Work

Pattern Mixing

Pattern Mixing and I have become pretty good friends, we hang out, mix stuff up, and generally confuse those in the Midwest who haven't reallized the perfection that pattern mixing is.. The first time I wore this skirt, I wore it like this, which I like the idea of, but I prefer today's outfit to it. Six months ago this outfit would not even have occurred to me, and for that I'd like I'd like to thank the lovely ladies of Blogland. :)

Stripe Sweater: Express $35

Skirt: Target $5 (thrifted)

Necklace: ebay $10

Purse: Coach

Shoes: Nine West $30

Linking up with:

What I Wore Wednesday

Get Your Pretty On

Fashion and Beauty Finds