So Sunday night, I go to write and schedule a post to go up this morning. Because I'm starting my new job today (eep!) and don't want to risk missing my bus because I'm busy blogging. Which is totally something I would do. Anyway, I was completely startled to see Blogger's new format. It's very...interesting. Other Blogger users out there, what do you think?
shirt: Old Navy
vest, necklace: thrifted
jeans: Guess via Macy's
flats: Target
bracelets: gifted and don't remember
So this is my last long-hair photo. It's also the outfit I wore to my last day of work at the magazine. Not gonna lie, smiling for these photos was pretty rough...I only had these two out of about a dozen that turned out decent. It was a really great job, and I'm going to miss it and my coworkers (especially them) very much. But at the same time, I'm so excited for my first day at the new job, too! It's going to be great :)
In other news, I just started reading The Bloggess' book, Let's Pretend This Never Happened. It is so. Freaking. Hysterical. Thank you, Jenny Lawson, for existing. You are a true entertainer.
Not much to say today, folks. I'm feeling kinda blah/anxious this week (thanks, hormones) and am having a hard time keeping positive. Still, I'm getting by all right, by reminding myself that freaking out when there's nothing I can do about a situation doesn't help anything and that my current low self-esteem is pretty much unfounded. I've gotten quite good at talking myself out of these funks. You know what helps? Looking at bright, cheery photos from last week when I was in a super good mood.
shirt: thrifted
cami: Marshall's
jeans: Guess via Macy's
flats: Target
necklace, brown bracelet: don't remember
beaded bracelet: gifted from my momYou know what else will probably help my funk? Watching New Girl with the girls upstairs and a glass (or two) of wine tonight. It's all about appreciating the little things and making sure that the big things don't overwhelm you.Hope I didn't bum anyone out with this post today. With any luck, we'll be back to our regular randomness and goofiness soon.Oh, and one more thing before I forget. Thanks to those who linked up to Bloggers Take the Town yesterday! If you missed it, don't fret. We'll be back again on Monday, April 30. Mark your calendars!
When I first started the ol' blog, I did a "favorite things" post that featured an outfit with all of my current faves. It was very springy, and I definitely still count all those items among my favorites. (So much so that I often rewear that exact outfit over...and over...good thing I don't make a point to post every single day, haha!)I thought it'd be kind of fun to do another one, this time featuring items I've been wearing all fall and winter. Well, mostly winter, since these boots and the shirt are still relatively new. But still.
shirt: H&M
jeans: Guess via Macy's
boots: Target
necklace: Figleaf in Athens
bracelet: gifted from my momma
lipstick: Cover Girl in RichYup, safe to say I love every piece of this outfit, on its own and as a whole. I've practically lived in this striped shirt since I got it at H&M with a gift card that Matt's sister gave me for Christmas. And these cognac boots are something I had been lusting after for months, if not a full year, before I bought them. Yes, this outfit might look better with skinny jeans, but honestly, the Guess ones are so comfortable, I can't not wear them sometimes. And they're long enough! And they don't sag on my butt! For the record, that absolutely never, ever happens.Oh, and about the lipstick? It's this line that Cover Girl has that doesn't make your lips dry out the way other lipsticks tend to do. I'm in love. I have three or four shades already, and I'm itching for more. I wear this Rich color the most though; it's the perfect shade of everyday red. Not to vampy, but just bold enough to be noticed.(P.S. Don't forget to enter my vintage T giveaway! Ends today at 5 pm!)
If you subscribe to the 30 Rock notion of Leap Day, it's the one day every four years that you do something you wouldn't normally do. Also, nothing that happens on Leap Day actually "counts." I don't know about the second thought, but I kind of like the first. So I'm commemorating that in both the outfit I'm wearing today (hint: it's 50s-inspired, and I rarely try to pull off a vintage look), and in the outfit I'm posting on the blog.Excuse the sunglasses, it was the end of the day and my makeup looked scary-bad. So I decided to cover it up instead of, you know, redoing it just so I could laze around my house all evening.
poncho: thrifted
long-sleeve T: Old Navy
jeans: Guess via Macy's
shoes: Payless
sunnies: TargetIt's a poncho! They're one of those style things that I was super-hesitant to try, and now I really can't figure out why it made me so nervous. I picked up this baby at Goodwill for a couple bucks, and it was a great purchase. It's so soft! The only real downside is that I have no choice but to layer it with a tee or cami every time. Cause I don't need the world seeing my sideboob/navel, thanks.Also, a few quick housekeeping things. I realized I've never posted about the whole Google Friend Connect thing. Specifically, how it is disappearing for some people tomorrow. Since my blog is hosted on Blogger, I'm pretty sure this won't affect anyone who follows Verbal Mélange via GFC. But just in case, you can also follow me via Bloglovin, Facebook, or you can use the RSS subscribe button in the right-hand sidebar (just above the Labels links) to follow via Google Reader, Netvibes, Newsgator or Yahoo!.Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway for the chance to win a chunky, asymmetrical necklace that's just to die for. Fewer than 20 entries so far, so your chances are pretty good! And may the odds be ever in your favor! (Aahhh! Couldn't help it. So dang excited for that movie!)
If there were such a thing as the re-wear police, I'd have been arrested dozens of times. I have a bad habit of finding an outfit I really love and wearing it over...and over...and over...Of course, I only blog it once, because no one would want to read a style blog that has the same outfits shown again and again. And to be fair, I've gotten a lot better about rewearing outfits. This time last year, I had the same eight or so combinations that I wore to work every. Single. Day. Now, I only repeat outfits when I'm running late, or like this week when I wasn't feeling well. (By the way, feeling much better today. Thanks for the kind words, you guys!)Anyway. Where was I? Oh yeah, rewearing clothes. I've worn this outfit below at least half a dozen times in the last few weeks. But it's always around different groups of people, so it doesn't really count, right? Right.
jacket/blazer thing: thrifted
shirt: H&M
jeans: Guess via Macy's
shoes: Target
necklaces/earrings: gifts
lipstick: Cover Girl in RichAt one point, I swapped the leopard flats for heels to go out to the bars in Athens with my sister and some old college friends. Why I chose to do that, I will never know. For those of you unfamiliar with the geography of Ohio University, it is extremely hilly. And the roads? All brick. So yeah, heels were kind of the worst choice, especially for someone like me who only started wearing heels in the last couple of years. And definitely never in Athens, on the brick. Oh, well. I made it through the evening without wiping out, so I call that a success.This outfit is basically just a compilation of my favorite things, which is probably why I've been wearing it so much. I've been looking for a perfect striped shirt like this one for ages. I bought it with a gift card Matt's sister gave me for Christmas (thanks, Beth!) and I am absolutely in love with it! The jacket thing is another one of my surprising thrift finds. It was more luck than an actual thrifting success story, but who's keeping score? Not me.And these shoes from Target? Pretty much the best $6 I've ever spent. I seriously wear these puppies four days out of seven. Even in the winter. Because they are just that awesome.
Last week seemed to drag on forever, between the million different things that were (are) stressing me out. But Friday night, when Matt came home from work, we went out for dinner. And as we were driving, I happened to see into someone's front window, a blanket fort. So of course I started going on and on about how much fun they were when I was a kid, and wouldn't it be fun to build a fort that night? And Matt said, why not? So we did. We built a dang fort out of couch cushions and pillows and blankets and watched movies in it all Friday night. And for one evening, I forgot about everything that was bothering me. I couldn't stop smiling. Best boyfriend ever? I think so.
polo: Target
sweater: Aeropostale, years ago
jeans: Guess via Macy's
shoes: BuckleApparently, this is what my face looks like at the end of the work day, when all the makeup's rubbed off. Note to self: touch up makeup before any other evening photo shoots.Anyway, the rest of the weekend was a bit crazy, I think. Saturday we cleaned all morning, then I hosted a Pampered Chef party with my cousin. (Thanks everyone who came! It was so fun!) And Saturday night, I had my first-ever victory at Trivial Pursuit, haha. Want an instant ego boost to your brain? Win Trivial Pursuit. Sunday night I met my mom halfway between Columbus and my family's town, to get a space heater they weren't using anymore. Because this house is freezing cold, but Matt is mysteriously unaffected. Hello, lower gas bill!What did you do all weekend?
The worst part about my weekend? The fact that it ended, haha. It was such a chill, laid-back, do-nothing kind of weekend, and it was perfect. Matt and I watched a few movies, laid around on the couch, got brunch on Sunday and had an awesome pot roast dinner Sunday night with our upstairs neighbors. I totally forgot to take pictures of the food though, which is a shame cause it's a great blog recipe. Looks like I'll just have to make it again ;)I did manage to get some work done, and we did get groceries, but altogether it was an entirely relaxed weekend. And I really, really needed that!
shirt, blazer: thrifted
jeans: Guess via Macy's
shoes: Target
necklaces: The LimitedAs I was taking these photos after work, I realized I should have worn a necklace with this outfit. I think I like the one on the right better...but they do both look nice. Oh, well. Not like it makes much difference now, right?I'd also like to apologize for my cat's hiney in that first picture. Now that it's cold (and I'm a total wimp), I'm doing most of my outfit shots inside. And Spazzy is a lot like a dog, especially in the fact that she doesn't like to be by herself and will follow you from room to room. Expect to see a lot more of her until the weather warms up!
Man oh man, this week is shaping up to be pretty good. I don't know if you guys could tell, but last week was really rough for no apparent reason (if you follow me on Twitter you'll probably have a better idea). I don't know what my problem was, but I was grumpy, mopey and just generally sad.But not this week! This week I feel downright phenomenal, starting from the moment I woke up yesterday. And after work, I went to my new gym for the first time. And you know something? I love it. Great facilities, friendly people, and even on their busiest night I didn't have to wait more than a few minutes for a machine. Best part? They have a basket of Tootsie Rolls by the door so you can reward yourself on the way out. I love a good reward :)I was going to post Christmas decoration photos today, but I didn't have time to photograph them last night. We didn't eat dinner till 8, and then I had some freelance work to do. Oh well. Perhaps tomorrow. Until then, here's an outfit:
shirt: really, really old...no idea where it's from
cami: Old Navy
blazer and heels: thrifted
jeans: Guess via Macy's
ring: Modcloth (giveaway win)Yeah, I wear tops that are three or four years old. The way I see it, if I can still think of new ways to style them, and they're not damaged or terribly trendy/outdated, why get rid of them? That's why a good chunk of my closet consists of older pieces. And I'm okay with it.This outfit is actually a classic example of how blogging has changed my personal style...for the better. A year ago, I would never have even purchased a green blazer, let alone pair it with a purple shirt. The audacity! And statement rings...forget it. But now, I actively push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to fashion, and it's usually for the better. Hooray, blogging!
I'm running a little behind this morning as I try to adjust to my new, living-with-purpose routine. It involved waking up half an hour earlier (okay, so I only made it 15 minutes today) so I can do some work on the blog or my freelance stuff (this morning it was freelance) and eat breakfast. I haven't eaten breakfast consistently since I was in high school. Early high school. So anyway, that means just one photo today. Which works out, because this was the only good photo of this particular outfit.<
sweater: New York & Company
polo, flats: Target
jeans: Guess via Macy's
necklace: The Limited
watch: Walmart
bracelet: Forever 21This is actually the outfit I wore for Thanksgiving. It's a pretty casual event with my family and Matt's, so jeans and nice tops are usually good bets. This is also what happens when I don't take the time to straighten my hair properly after I wash it. I have that awful not-quite-curly-but-definitely-not-straight hair. I keep thinking that if I grow it out, it will get heavier and therefore lie flatter. Hasn't been the case so far. I'll probably get frustrated and get it all chopped off to a pixie cut someday, which will be simultaneously horrifying and amazing, I'm sure.
So I woke up this morning after a rather tossing-and-turning kind of night to Spazcat chewing on my big toe. Not really a pleasant sensation, but (sadly) I'm used to it, so I just moved my foot away and rolled over to go back to sleep. For some reason, I checked the time. It was half an hour after I was supposed to get up.Thank god for dry shampoo, amiright? Cuts my shower time down by several minutes, and saves me about 20-30 minutes of drying and styling my hair. Just spray, brush, ponytail and go! I was also fortunate enough to have an outfit in mind for today...unlike yesterday, when I spent 20 minutes trying on various items of clothing in what may have been the most time-consuming remix ever. (Hence my lack of a post yesterday. I was running way late.)
cardi: The Limited
t-shirt: Old Navy
belt, necklace: thrifted
jeans: Guess via Macy's
shoes: Target
I absolutely love this sweater. I bought it from The Limited with my $50 gift card, and it. Is. Awesome. First, I've been wanting a mustard sweater ever since last fall, but have never found one in my size/that I like/in my price range. Also, this sweater is so freaking soft. It's not cashmere or anything—just an acrylic/wool blend—but it feels amazing.
I also finally got my pictures in front of this dang fence, the one on the south side of my yard that consequently has all the sun behind it all the time. And now, I can't really figure out why I wanted to shoot here so badly. The fence isn't all that great. The plants and weeds are downright terrible. Oh, well. Live and learn, I suppose.
Remember those awesome shoes I mentioned? The ones I miraculously found at Rag-o-rama, just sitting on the shelf, waiting to be discovered? These are those shoes. And I love, love, love them.
Shirt: Old Navy Jeans: Guess via Macy's Shoes: Banana Republic via Rag-o-rama Necklace: Figleaf
The funny thing is, they're four-inch heels and they're really not all that uncomfortable. Yet another reason why they're awesome.
I wore this Memorial Day weekend, when I went out to a party with my friend Jade. She took these photos; courtesy Jade L. White Photography.
I am not a good person in a crisis. I am not calm. I am not rational. I am a crying, panicking mess. And I can't help it. Today, one of the outlets in our bedroom started sparking. As in, I turned on the light and watched sparks start lighting up the plastic cover. And. I. Freaked.
Of course, I did the smart stuff: turned off the power to the room, call Matt and let him know there's a situation. Even after I turned everything off, the outlet was sparking, so I switched off the fuses for the whole apartment and called emergency maintenance. I was pretty upset at this point, worrying that my whole apartment would burn down (we don't have a fire extinguisher), but it actually worked out all right. Maintenance came and fixed it in a few minutes.
But what does this have to do with my outfit post today (which is actually from two weeks ago)? Oh, friend.
I had a mini eye emergency. Hence the glasses.
Yeah, I have terrible vision. Usually I wear contacts, but on this particular morning, I got makeup on my contact. To rinse it, I grabbed what I thought was saline solution. It wasn't. It was Clear Care, a peroxide-based cleaner. Peroxide in your eye does not feel good.
Blazer & Shirt: New York & Company
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Guess via Macy's
Shoes: thrifted
So I did what I do best: panicked. I'll spare you the details, but know that I ran around my house crying. I also called my mom and Poison Control, in that order.
Yeah, I'm not good in a crisis.
