This might be the first time I ever posted at night, haha. But I need a break from cranking out all my freelance writing...between today and Friday at 7 pm, I have to crank out about 8,000 words. I have about 2,000 down. Not bad. But I wanted to write about something other than Mac external hard drives for a little bit, and I still have New Year's Eve photos to post, so...
dress: New York & Company, last year
tights: Target
pumps, clutch: thrifted
broach: came with a NY&Co shirt
bracelets: don't remember
hoop earrings: gift from Emily
Matt and I, just before midnight.I look nervous in that first picture because, well, I was. Turquoise tights. TURQUOISE tights, people!! This is unprecedented. I know it's a bit lame, since I've been doing the style blogging thing for nine months now, but I truly never would have worn an outfit like this one in December of 2010. In fact, I bought this dress for NYE 2010, couldn't figure out how I wanted to wear it, and promptly forgot to return it. This dress sat in my closet, tags on, for a full year! The fashion sacrilege. Now, I think it might be one of my favorite dresses. (It's kind of hard to tell, but it's got this chiffon-like fabric ruffled all down the front. Very pretty.)In fact, this outfit throws into sharp focus just how much has changed for me in the past year. Some of the big things have remained the same, of course—Matt, and my job—but so many other details have changed. We moved into our first house (okay, we're still renting, but it's a house!) and got a spastic kitty. (Who I love dearly.) I went on a Financial Diet, saved more than $1,000, and got on a solid plan to get out of debt. I worked three jobs for a time; something I never thought I'd have the determination or energy to do, but somehow managed anyway. And I started this blog.I'm not one for resolutions, but I've been trying to improve my life, health and well-being in general these past few months, so I'm going to continue with that. I'd like to go down to just working one job, but I'll do what I have to do, to get where I want to get. And I'm going to keep up with this blog; something I wasn't really sure I'd be able to do when I first started it.Sorry for the rather long post. I get this way when I start reflecting and whatnot. Anyway, here's to a bright, productive, blessed and happy 2012...for all of us.
I knew, going into this 30x30 challenge, that weekends would be difficult for me. I’m the kind of person who likes to laze around on the weekends. Saturday, I didn’t get dressed until 9 pm. That’s right, I wore my PJs for the vast majority of the day. Am I embarrassed of that fact? Not in the slightest.
Since Matt and I decided to meet a few friends at the bar Saturday evening, I changed out of my PJs and into this simple little number. I love the tank top-jeans-heels combo...it feels very America’s Next Top Model. (You know how, during the judgement phase, Tyra seems to prefer the models to wear simple outfits like this? You mean you don't all watch ANTM marathons on weekends? Really?) Doesn’t hurt that these heels make me an even 6 feet tall ;)
I also decided to combine corniness, trendiness and patriotism in my manicure. (The trendy is the one nail painted different…I really like it!) Painting my nails for the holidays always makes me feel a little corny/silly, but I figure, that’s half the fun, right?
Yesterday, we’re going with some friends to the lake. One of them has a little Airstream camper...you know, those silver bubble-looking things. Technically, it’s his parents, but they let us all crash there on the weekends. They have a platoon boat too, so we basically just grab some beers (wine in my case, I’m classy like that) and float around on the water all day.
Matt and I usually sleep in our tent, since the camper is pretty tiny. But since we’re car camping, we bring tons of extra blankets and whatnot to sleep on, so it’s actually pretty comfy.
But this trip meant I didn't wear any of my 30 items yesterday. They’re just not lake-and-sleeping-in-a-tent-quality. But I’ll probably double up with two outfits in one day again, or I’ll just stretch the challenge and end it a day or two later than everyone else. I’m loving the flexibility of it!
Tonight we're going to a Fourth party, so I'll have another outfit to post in the morning. Maybe tonight, if I'm not completely exhausted. Until then... :)
Whew. That's all I can really say now, haha. Before I go into details, I just want to say THANK YOU so much to the ladies who commented with their support and caring words. Mandy, Kara and Sharde: you guys made me smile. A lot.
Last week was such a huge emotional roller coaster for Matt and I. I was stressed to begin with because I put off my freelance work until I realized I had one week to do a month's worth of work (though I know that's entirely my fault). Then funeral stuff took all of our energy on Tuesday and Wednesday (that's all the more detail I'm offering there). Thursday was Matt's birthday, so we had a much-needed night out to blow off steam. Friday was exhausting because we went to bed late after being out half the night, and then we went to Matt's cousin's graduation party (congrats, Robbie!) and saw some friends.
This weekend, I've been doing nothing but freelance work. And a little shopping. Matt's gone camping/climbing at the New River Gorge--I was supposed to go, but I had too much work to do, which sucksss--so I was bored and engaged in some retail therapy. I did pretty well, between Ragorama (this amazing consignment shop that I've somehow neglected for the past 11 months), Old Navy and Target. I got two dresses, a shirt and four pairs of shoes. Yes, four. I had virtually no summer shoes other than flip flops, and let's face it. No matter how casual my office is, I can't wear flops every day. Look for photos of all those in the next few days/weeks!
Wow. Sorry for the rant, guys. Guess I had a lot to get off my chest. Here are some pretty pictures :)
Shirt: thrifted
Tank: Zenana Outfitters via Marshall's
Shorts: The Limited
Necklace: don't remember :(
Booties: Paprika via Burlington Coat Factory
Clutch: Laura Arens
I wore this to the bars a while back. Been hesitating to post it, because it deviates pretty far from my usual style. But I still like this, for a bars outfit anyway.
Best news? These are my last outfit photos with my old camera! From here on out, we're looking at awesome and gorgeous shots from the new camera Matt gave me for my birthday (which actually isn't for another three weeks, haha).
Also: See that mirror? My dad made it for me for my college graduation gift. I love it, because he made it. I just think that's awesome :)
