sweater, skinnies: H&M
booties: Walmart
necklace: InPink
Apparently I spoke too soon last Wednesday when I said I was getting "over the hump" of this cold. Because as I found out at the doctor's this weekend, it's not a cold. It's bronchitis. Whee!
I'm no stranger to bronchitis; I got it a lot in college when I lived in the dorms. And given the timing of this onset, I'm suspecting I may have picked it up on the plane coming back from my visit to Emily's. Oh, well. The important thing is that the doctor gave me lots of awesome drugs and now I can take a breath and even laugh without going into a coughing fit. Yay, drugs!
Kids, don't do drugs.
Unless your doctor tells you to.
Anyway, I took yesterday off to let the meds do their magic, and I'm heading back to work again this morning. I did nothing but sleep, drag my butt to said doctor's visit (and to a haircut appointment that I'd already rescheduled twice) and watch a ton of Girls this weekend. (Which, by the way, WHY am I just now starting this show??) So I'm kind of glad to be getting out of the house. Even if it's for work ;)
sweater, skinnies: H&M
shoes: Target
necklace: InPink (giveaway win)
Guys, like me introduce you to my new favorite outfit.
It seems like every season I have one or two outfits or pieces that I wear constantly on repeat. I only post them here once, because it would be boring to re-post every time I wore it, but trust me when I say I'm probably wearing it at least once every week or two. This fall/winter, I'm re-wearing this.
The sweater and skinnies were actually copycat purchases. My sister Anna was wearing the sweater at our last family gathering, and I am not lying when I say that I nearly snuck into her room at night to steal it. Fortunately, there was one (ONE!!) left in stock at my H&M. Major score. And I've been wanting a pair of olive skinnies ever since I saw Audrey wearing them. This was only compounded when my friend Hayley rocked a pair one casual Friday.
So I wore this to work one Friday, and I wore it again with my moto-esque ankle boots to run some errands. And again to run errands. And I've basically been lounging in this sweater nonstop in the evenings...Now I'm wishing the store had had two in stock. I'm getting the feeling I might wear this thing right out!
What favorite pieces are you wearing on repeat this season?
Psst. If you live in/around Columbus, or plan to be in the area before February 2014, be sure to enter my super-awesome spa-day giveaway! Mani, pedi, facial AND browshaping could all be yours! Enter here.
I feel like I'm saying that pretty much every Monday morning. I never seem to get everything done on my to-do list for any given weekend. We were busy these past two days, to be sure. Matt and I helped friends move, went to an overnight football-watching/camping/fishing trip at our friend's dad's house, set up a new wireless router and sold my old iPhone on Craigslist. I also dyed my hair and got it cut. But I wanted to work on some house projects and clean and figure out why our printer isn't working, and I didn't get to any of that. Le sigh.
So anyway, these photos. For some reason, I had a really hard time getting them to focus properly. It was the first time I ever had a problem like that, and I was getting really frustrated. I managed to clean up some of the least-out-of-focus ones using the methods I described in this post, but they're still a tad blurry:
shirt: really, really old Alloy from high school (hahaha yeah you read that right)
blazer: thrifted
skinnies: Forever 21
booties: Walmart
necklace: InPink (giveaway win)
But they got really good after I convinced Matt to step outside and be my "mark" for focusing the camera:
Since then, I've figured out that I can use my spare tripod as a mark. And ever since, my photos have been coming out crystal clear! (With the slight exception of tomorrow's outfit, because that trick hadn't quite dawned on me when I took those. Oops!)
Now, I always let you guys know when I get a free item of clothing or something. But sometimes, I host a giveaway (like this week's to the Earth Jam) and completely forget to mention that as part of hosting the giveaway, I get two tickets to Earth Jam myself, plus a free service at Nurtur. Seriously, I'm sorry. I'm the worst. Post has been updated to reflect that fact.
Ok, now that that embarrassing admission is out of the way, I can share with you all the fashion story I recently wrote for Columbus Monthly magazine! It's unfortunately a bit brief (I got way too excited and wrote way too much, so this just seems short to me now haha), but it was a lot of fun to research and write. Click here if you wanna read the piece – it's about getting your closet ready for spring fashion: what to keep, what to toss/donate, and what to buy new.
And because I feel guilty for not posting very many outfits this week, here's an outfit!
shirt: The Limited
blazer: thrifted
skinnies, flats: Target
necklace: InPink
And here's to hoping that these are my last indoor pics for the season! (And, I guess, my last Spazzy photobomb. Look at that silly cat.) Oh and hey, before I forget, any of you readers living in/around Columbus should definitely remember to enter my giveaway! It ends soon...
Aaaand that's all I have time for. Meeting a friend for drinks...and I'm already late, haha. Womp womp.
sweater: thrifted
short-sleeve Oxford: New York & Company
skirt: The Limited
necklace: InPink
tights, shoes: Target
Well, yet again, it's hard to believe that a new year has arrived. 2012 held so many changes for me and those close to me. New jobs, weddings, relocations, breakups, graduations...it's been such a whirlwind, no wonder I'm having a hard time believing it's already over.
And while I'm a little sad to think about some of the changes — particularly those that took my sister and new brother-in-law, and swept them away to a new home — I'm also very, very excited to see what 2013 has in store for me and my loved ones. I already know of a few who will change their marital and/or parental status this year, and there are some who I really hope find new jobs and new homes. What more will the year bring?
I'm not a fan of winter. I hate the cold and I'm terrified of (and terrible at) driving in snow/ice. But there's always something about the first week or so in January that has so much hope, so much promise, I can't help but enjoy it. Anyone else like that, or am I just a weird one? (Well, I am a weird one in many other ways...don't hold that against me.)
The outfit is not the winner. The winner is that of my Nurtur the Salon gift certificate, entry #17, Amanda! Congrats girl, check your email for details on claiming your prize!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The outfit is this one, which is one of my more favorites this season.
sweater: thrifted
tank: Old Navy
skirt: New York & Company
tights, boots, socks: Target
necklace: InPink
I'm not quite sure why I was experimenting with different shooting locations within my room the night I shot these. Or why I decided to get down on the ground for a pic. But I did, so here you are.
These boots are super slouchy, which can be a bit annoying when you're pairing them with socks here. Guess I'll just have to do more toe lifts to bulk up my calves, right? Haha, who am I kidding. I don't work out.
Note to self: You have a gym membership. Start using it.
sweater, skirt: thrifted
tank top: Old Navy
boots, tights, socks: Target
necklace: InPink
I can't believe I've never said this before, but please don't judge the occupants of my house by the contents of our backyard. I promise, we're not hillbillies or white trash. We just happen to be four grown-ass adults...who enjoy hanging out in kiddie pools during the summer and can't be bothered to put them in the garage in the winter. Totes normal.
Anyway, enjoy these outdoor pics while you can. Last winter, I could sometimes get before-work shots outside if it wasn't too cold. This year, I leave for work much earlier (and I'm not willing to get up half an hour earlier than I already do!) but by the time I get home, it's already dark. Sooo...indoor photos will be the theme for this winter. Unfortunately.
In other words, this sweater might just be my New Favorite Thing. It's so comfy. And warm. And pretty. Swoon...
shirt: old, don't remember, maybe New York & Company?
skirt: The Limited
heels: Target
necklace: InPink
cocktail ring: giveaway win, maybe from Modcloth? don't remember
Sometimes, I really appreciate a low-key evening, even if it's on the weekend. Maybe especially on the weekend, because lately I feel like we've spent so many Fridays out and about. Tonight it's just me, the cat, a bottle of wine and my iTunes getting some much-needed cleanup and updating. Does it make me a complete nerd that I'm completely content to weed through nearly 4,000 songs, deleting stuff I don't listen to anymore and fixing the album title/genre categories for my library? It does? Well, I guess I'm okay with that.
What about you guys? Do you have anything more exciting planned for you this weekend? For your sakes, I kind of hope you do :)
sweater, slacks: thrifted
polo, shoes: Target
necklace: InPink
ring: TaDa.com
hair flower: H&M
I've complained about it before, I am now and I probably will again. But Ohio weather is just the craziest thing. When I wore this outfit last week, I was waking up to 30 degree mornings and frosty grass. Today, the high creeped up to a balmy 73 degrees. What the what? I guess it's not so bad, really, to get unexpected spurts of warm weather. But it makes it really hard to find coats (I have a couple lightweight and a two heavier coats, but nothing in between) and it's really annoying to leave the house in gloves/scarf/coat and have to carry it all home because it's too warm out. Blah.
Anyway, I really like this sweater, but I kind of wish it was just a size bigger. It's my official mission this fall to find the comfiest oversize sweater possible. Anyone have any favorites they'd like to mention? Ha :)
(BTW, if you're wondering why there are only two photos here today, it's because the rest were just awful. No lie. I looked drunk in some of them. Ick.)
button-down: New York & Company
cropped slacks: The Limited
shoes: Target
necklace: InPink
bracelet: don't remember
If I were a superhero, I would be Captain Productive. I'd rush around the house, checking items off my to-do list and generally being awesome at getting things done. My arch nemeses? The television, distractions in general and lethargy.
This week, I've definitely been channeling Captain Productive. Going to the gym, experimenting with a recipe that's plagued me for ages, working on next week's Pin-spiration project, taking and editing outfit photos...I've been doing it all. Which is good, because my arch nemeses have been winning more often than not as of late.
Fun fact: This shirt has been sitting in my closet, unworn, for nearly two years. And I have no idea why. It fits perfectly, is flattering, and goes with just about everything I own. Funny how some parts of your wardrobe can be so neglected, isn't it?
t-shirt, Old Navy: Old Navy
polo, heels: Target
necklace: InPink
bracelet: don't remember
So the title of today's post applies to several things. First and foremost, I survived my sister's bachelorette party! It was so much fun, and well worth the time and effort I put into making sure it would be a great night for everyone. Fortunately, the bride-to-be survived as well ;)
I also survived that wicked cold that's been plaguing me for the past week or two. Only I found out yesterday that it wasn't a cold, it was my first-ever sinus infection. Let me tell you. Sinus infections are the absolute worst. Give me the flu any day; at least that's usually over with in a day or so.
Anyway, I'm on antibiotics and my way to recovery. Which is fortunate, because from now until the end of August, I have another bachelorette party, three weddings (two of which I'm a bridesmaid/maid of honor in), a sister's 21st birthday (not the one who's getting married, haha!), and a trip to Cedar Point. Bring it on!
Phew. Nothing like jumping back into the work week full force after four of the best days I've had in a long while. Friday through Monday this past week were just incredible, so waking up and going to work on Tuesday was a little bit of a struggle, naturally. And it didn't help that Tuesday was one of the busiest work days I've had since starting this new job. Still, I'm not complaining...just kind of trying to catch up with myself, haha.
blouse: secondhand
skinnies, heels: thrifted
earrings, necklace: InPink
bracelets: gifted and don't remember
I wore this to the Aveda Earth Jam Fashion Show earlier this month. In retrospect, it's kind of funny that I wore an entirely pre-loved outfit to a fashion show, but I think I looked pretty appropriate, if I do say so myself. A lot of the girls were wearing short black dresses and big, Jeffrey Campbell-esque colorblock heels. I suppose that was in keeping with the "colorful" theme of the event. As for me, I'm quite happy with this outfit.
In other news, don't forget the other things going on here at Verbal Mélange. You still have until tomorrow at midnight to enter the totally rad eShakti giveaway. And you have until Friday to link up to the awesome Bloggers Take the Town, hosted by Sydney and yours truly. What are you waiting for? Get to clicking :)
I'm still having the hardest time getting adjusted to a set routine or schedule with the new job. See, I'm a girl of planning, of scheduling, of consistency. Sure, I like a bit of spontaneity now and then (who doesn't?) but for the most part, I like to plan. And after three and a half weeks, I still haven't quite gotten into a swing when it comes to daily tasks like working out, blogging, showering, etc.
So my life still feels a bit hectic. I haven't gone to the gym in more than a month (sadface). For a while I was blogging at night, but I really prefer the whimsicality that my morning posts have. At night, my brain is on overdrive and I think too much about what to say. So now I'm trying to get up earlier, which is hard because I am the most un-morning person ever. This morning, I stood in front of my closet for ages because I just couldn't make my brain work hard enough to pick out an outfit. What I finally decided on—a pinstriped pink Oxford with my gray pencil skirt and black heels—still feels a bit off to me, but I'm so tired I frankly don't care. That's why I have a backlog of outfit photos, right?
blouse, skirt: thrifted
heels: Franco Sarto via Marshall's
necklace, earrings: InPink
bracelet: H&M
hair flower: Target
I don't know what I'm doing in that last photo. I guess trying to show off both my nail color and jewelry?
I have a very real love/hate relationship with this skirt. On one hand, it's cute and pink plaid and has a great shape. On the other hand, it's an extra small and squeezing my butt/thighs into it is usually a battle. I tried to have my grandma sew in a zipper to make the getting-on process easier (cause once it's on, it feels fine), but she couldn't. Alas. At least this shirt is a bit easier to deal with. And just as cute.
Also, don't forget that my giveaway ends tomorrow! Enter now while there's still time.
For some reason, I am having the hardest time waking up this morning. Probably because I pretty much owned my to-do list this weekend. Visit with my grandma, work in the garden, clean house, laundry, visit Matt's mom, edit blog photos, work on my friend's wedding invitation...I did it all AND managed to sleep in a bit both days too ;) No wonder I'm so pooped.
shirt, heels: thrifted
blazer: Target
skirt: The Limited
necklace, earrings: InPink
It's kind of funny, but one of the more difficult things about getting acclimated to my new job (besides learning about all the intricate policy that my agency covers, of course) is figuring out how to dress more professionally. At the magazine, pretty much anything went; I wore my pink skinnies to work on a Tuesday and nobody batted an eye. Now, I have to dress a little more conservatively.
I think this outfit was a pretty good one, in terms of balancing my style with a conservative dress code. Even when I took the blazer off for a bit, this T-shirt was still a little dressy, thanks to the details on the arms. Or if not dressy, it's at least not just a plain T-shirt. Eh. I call this a success.
(Psst. Don't forget to enter my giveaway this week! It closes on Wednesday, so time's running out!)
