Short and Sweet

Cardigan: Target; Dress: Karlie via Flossie Mae's; Tights: Hue; Belt: Gift;

Shoes: Payless; Purse: NY and Company; Earrings: Target; Necklace: Grandma's

Like those trash bag covered planters behind me? I think they really class up the pictures. I was going to take new ones, but it was freezing and really windy. And the dog decided that he wanted to be in all the pictures, so I decided these would have to do, even though my eyes are squinty/half closed and my hair is blowing all over the place.

I'm going to try and keep this short today - 

I'm back from my mini vacation to see my mom this weekend. Overall, it was a great weekend. We went out to a nice dinner, took a walk through the forest preserve, baked for her co-workers, and did some shopping. Then she gave me her old digital camera because mine was acting up. But, then I got sick/caught a cold/was attacked by springtime/cat allergies. I don't know what it is, but I feel horrible. So, I stayed an extra night and drove home today. Then I skipped my accounting class, because I've heard that is the best way to get over a cold. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. So, now I'm off to rest some more and hopefully find some medicine to knock whatever this is out, because the allergy and cold medicines I tried haven't done anything for me.

Hope everyone had a good weekend and a good start to the week!

Spring is in the Air, Day Five: Springtime Food Cravings

Today is the final day of the Spring is in the Air Challenge with Amber and Meghan. Today's question is:

What recipe or food do you look forward to most during the springtime?

I'm not really a seasonal eater. I pretty much eat what I want no matter what time of year it is. My family thinks I'm crazy when I'm outside in the winter, but I still want a sno cone. But, there are a few things that are more of what I consider to be warm weather foods that I look forward to getting to eat again once it is finally warm outside.

Fresh Watermelon

Good watermelon is hard to find during winter anywhere, but especially in Michigan. I love watermelon, and could probably live off of it during the spring and summer time.

Haagan-Dazs Zesty Lemon Sorbet

This sorbet is so good. It isn't sweet like a lot of lemon flavored desserts are, and compared to some of the other lemon sorbets out there, it is a little bit healthier. 

Kiwi and Berries

Kiwis are by far my favorite food. They are amazing. But like watermelon and most other fruits, they are hard to find during the winter. 

Berries aren't as hard to find in the winter, but they usually aren't as good as the ones that you find during the spring/summer. And even if they look great in the store, they usually don't last very long before they start to get soggy.

Peaches

In high school I lived right by a peach orchard that has the most amazing peaches (and strawberries) that I have ever tasted. I love going home once the semester ends and going out to McLeod's and stocking up on freshly picked peaches. 

So, I guess it's safe to say that during the winter I mostly miss fresh fruit. But, it's only a week into spring and there is already a better selection at the grocery store. So, I can't wait to see what the coming weeks will bring... Hopefully watermelon and peaches.

All images via Google images.

Spring is in the Air, Day Four: Spring Beauty Products

Today is day four of the Spring is in the Air challenge with Amber and Meghan. Today's question is:

   What are some recommendations for products you'll be using this spring as you're headed outdoors more?

Hair:

I try not to use too many products at once. But sometimes, especially with all the rain in the Spring, I have to pile a million products onto my hair at once if there is going to be any chance of it staying even somewhat straight throughout the day. Here's what I use on a day to day basis, and it hasn't failed me yet:

Tigi S Factor Smoothing Lusterizer

   Up until my cousin introduced me to this product my hair was always a pain to deal with in the spring. All the humidity and daily rain showers made me look like a poodle that hadn't been taken to the groomer in months. It wan'st pretty. But, one day I was getting my hair done at my cousin's salon and she recommended this product. I just rub a blueberry sized blob through my hair before I blow dry and I'm good to go. I have walked through rain and snow for months frizz-free.

Get it here.

Image via here.

Samy Twisted Frizz Control Spray

      I found this product a few weeks ago while I was on spring break. It was part of a buy one get one free deal at Walgreens, so I figured I might as well try it out. And I'm glad I did, because it's amazing. I just use a few spritzes on my hair before I flat iron it, and it makes my hair softer and straighter than ever. It's really easy to go overboard with it though. Use more than four or five spritzes on dry hair and you run the risk of your hair looking oily.

Get it here.

Image via here.

Face:

     Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV-Lotion

        I have super dry skin, and most moisturizers with sunscreen leave my skin looking greasy and sticky. But, this one is perfect. It absorbs instantly and keeps my skin soft, free of dry patches, and protected from the sun.

Get it here.

Image via here.

    Covergirl Outlast Lipstain and Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain

   I've recently become obsessed with lipstains. For a long time I dreaded wearing lipstick, I blame it on the horrible lipstick colors that I had to wear during dance recitals/competitions when I was younger. But these lipstains are amazing! You get great color, but it feels like you aren't wearing anything on your lips, and the color stays on pretty much all day.

In the Maybelline colors, I have In The Buff, Wink of Pink, and Feelin’ Rosy.

In the Covergirl colors, I have Scarlett Pucker, Teasing Blush, and Flirty Nude.

Get it here (Maybelline).

Get it here (Covergirl).

Images via here and here.

Alba Botanicals Coconut Cream Lip Balm

This stuff is amazing. I found it at the grocery store one day while I was visiting my grandpa in Indiana, and I couldn't not buy it. I mean, it is coconut flavored, and that means I had to buy it. So, of course I ran out and then couldn't find it in Michigan. So, next time I was in Indiana I bought three tubes, just in case I couldn't find any for a while. This stuff is seriously amazing. My lips weren't chapped at all this winter, and I walked through some pretty intense wind, cold, and snow on a daily basis. I've seen other flavors at Target and Walgreens, but I've only been about to find the coconut flavor at Kroger's and online.

Buy it here.

Image via here.

So, those are my recommendations for this Spring. I've used them pretty much year round this past year and I've never been disappointed by any of them. If you try any of them out, I'd love to know what you think of them!

Reliving Spring Break

Cardigan: Target; Shirt: Old Navy; Jeans: JC Penney; Belt: Levi's; 

Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. (gift from parents); Earrings: Target; Shoes: Cato

The outfits are back, not very exciting, but they are back. It has been grey outside all week, and today I just happened to match the weather. I had no interest in getting out of bed today. It was cold and the only things I had to do today were a bunch of accounting homework and then I had to go to learn some more about accounting. So needless to say, it wasn't a particularly exciting day. I tried to bake some cookies (as seen in that last photo) but for some reason they didn't come out well. The bottoms wouldn't cook. And then once they did, they stuck to the baking sheet. Oh well, I think that was the cookies' way of telling me that I should be working out, not eating sweets. 

Today is day three of the Spring is in the Air Blog Challenge with Amber and Meghan. Today's question is:

Where are you/would you be headed for spring break this year (real or ideal)?

My spring break has come and gone; It was during the first week of March. I headed to my dad’s house in sunny South Carolina. The warm weather and sunshine was exactly what I needed to hold me over until the sun decided it wanted to shine down on Michigan again, which happened for about a day and a half last week before it starting raining again. I spent the time meeting up with friends from high school and a few people from the first college I went to, and working on projects for class, and getting a new tattoo, all while enjoying the fact that I didn't have to put on a million layers of clothes just to get the mail. It was the perfect low-key vacation to hold me over until the semester ends.

Playing with my puppy over spring break. The grass may not have 

been green yet, but it was warm and sunny outside.

In kind-of related news, I'm making this weekend a mini-spring break and heading out to the Chicago area to see my mom for a few days. I was hoping the weather would be a little nicer out there, but I just got off the phone with her and she said that it is starting to snow.  But at least I'll have someone to take my pictures for me, because these indoor tripod pictures are kind of pathetic. I'm promise I'll return to taking outdoor pictures once the wind and rain go away. You don't want to see rain-y pictures of me. My hair gets huge and curly and I look like a poodle. It's pretty scary, so really, I'm taking these pictures indoors for you guys because I don't want to subject you to that. 

What's a Girl to do...

When she doesn't have an outfit post ready? Well, I'm just going to hope you'll forgive me and keep reading. My outfit was barely worthy of being photographed when I put it on this morning, but after sitting in class for six hours, grocery shopping and walking through the rain there was no way I was going to take pictures of it.

So instead of posting my outfit, I created an extra one for day two of the Spring is in the air challenge with Meghan and Amber. Today's question:

2. What's your favorite spring outfit {or two}?

During the winter, I dread having to wait until springtime to wear my obnoxiously bright cardigans. So once the first somewhat warm day of spring rolls around, I throw on one of 

those cardigans, with a super-soft t-shirt or floral blouse, dark jeans, ballet flats, and a belt.

Spring Pt. 2 by aklausmeier52 featuring ballet shoes

Crumpet cashmere cardigan, $480
TopShop floral tank, $50
Vigoss skinny jeans, $40
Ballet shoes, 30 GBP
Marlyn Schiff gold jewelry, $30
TopShop metal ring, $25
TopShop filigree ring, $20
Flower earring, $15
Belt, $26

But sometimes, spring time in Michigan just isn't sunny or warm enough for bright cardigans and flats. When those days come around I throw on a black jacket or blazer, a bright top, black shorts, tights, and some black wedges (because by the time spring rolls around I have no interest in putting boots back on before November).

Spring is Coming by aklausmeier52 featuring black shorts

Printed tank top, $20
Charlotte Russe faux leather jacket, $45
Oak black short, $34
Polka dot christmas stocking, $14
Dolce Vita high heel shoes, $100
Wet Seal filigree earring, $7.50
TopShop cluster ring, $20
Forever21 heart locket jewelry, $4.80

It's Competition Time

Jacket: Steve and Barry; Shirt: J Crew; Tank: NY and Company; Jeans: JC Penney; 

Shoes: Payless; Necklaces: Local Gift Shop (Black and gold chain), 

Grandma's (Gold chain and black and gold beaded necklace); Watch: Mom's

Today there was a competition between my facial expressions and my camera to see which was going to contribute the most to how bad these pictures came out. I'm not sure which one won, but I'm going to go with the camera. It refused to take clear photos today. And, I'm sorry for the phone pictures in the middle there, my camera was about to die, and I wasn't satisfied with the pictures I had taken. I guess it was just one of those days. And, it looks like outfit pictures are going to be indoors this week. Winter decided it wanted to make on last appearance in Michigan this week, so there is going to be a rain/snow mixture keeping me indoors as much as possible this week.

On a brighter note, today is the first say of the Spring is in the Air blog challenge over at Little Girl In the Big World and Brunch with Amber. So, if you haven't signed up for it you should go do that...right now :)

Today's question is:

1.       What do you look forward to most about spring and what about winter are you going to miss? 

I love springtime - the sunshine, the flowers blooming. What could be better? Growing up in Florida and South Carolina, spring time always came early. In Florida, the perfect spring weather only lasts about two weeks, then it gets ridiculously hot outside. But now that I’ve gone through my first winter since the late 90’s, I could not be more excited for spring. 

Things about spring that I'm (not-so patiently) awaiting:

• The first sighting of blooming flowers in my yard
• Birds singing in the morning
• Being able to wear heels and flats to class instead of ugly snow boots
• Dresses (possibly without tights)
• The grass returning to a shade that at least somewhat resembles the green color it was before winter
• Wearing bright colors and not looking like i'm insane since everyone around me is wearing dark colors
• Less people in sweatpants (hopefully); I'm not sure when it became okay to walk around in baggy mismatched sweatpants 24/7, but I would like it to stop now
• Not waking up to over a foot of snow outside my door

Things that I'll miss about winter:

• Super-soft scarves
• My favorite boots
• How beautiful everything looks after an ice storm; absolutely everything glitters
• Winter sunsets; the sun looks so bright compared to the white snow

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

 

Jacket: Sears; Shirt: Old Navy; Jeans: JC Penney; Shoes: Payless; Earrings: Target

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone! 

Now, before you go getting your pinchers out, let me tell you that I carried all my books in an emerald green tote bag today. So, I wasn't a complete rebel.

Awkward:

• The middle-aged man in the car behind me getting out of his car at a red light to change his shirt and belt.
• The light turning green while the man was changing.
• Only like 10 people showing up to each of my classes today. With about 6 people in each class being drunk, or part way there.
• Working on a burn test assignment for my textiles class in a study room on campus and causing the entire hallway to smell like burnt popcorn.
• The girl sitting in front of me in class wearing a glittery headband, complete with giant shamrocks on springs. That stopped being cute about 15 years ago.

Awesome:

• There's only six weeks left in this semester, then I'm free of everything education-related until August.
• It is in the 60's today, and sunny. Spring has finally arrived in Michigan.
• My teachers letting me turn in assignments online so that I don't have to drive 40 minutes to campus tomorrow.
• Getting an A on the clothing line I had to help design as part of a group project for class.
• My weekend starting on Thursday afternoons.
• My possible class schedule for next semester. If everything goes as planned, I'll only have to drive out to campus twice a week.

Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock

Jacket: Fog by London Fog; Sweater: AK Anne Klein; Jeans: JC Penney; Shoes: Cato; Belt: Gift; Earrings: Target

So, this sweater kind of reminds me of something that prisoners should be wearing. And I'm completely okay with that. I stumbled upon this sweater when I was out shopping with my mom a while back and I fell in love with it. Then I got home and tried it on, and wasn't as pleased with it as I was in the store. So, it just kind of sat in my closet for like two months. But...

Now I'm kind of in love with it again. I had forgotten how much I liked stripes and cute little button details.

I hope everyone is having a good week so far! Mine has been spent doing work for my design class, taking exams and sitting in traffic on the way too and from school. But overall, it's been pretty good, and it's halfway over, which is always a good thing. 

Every Body Every Wear: Polka Dots

Is it just me, or does it feel like it should be later in the week? I can't believe it's only Tuesday. The week after spring break is always a killer. I was really excited about today being polka dot day over at Every Body Every Wear, until I woke up and realized that the shirt I wanted to wear was still in a bag waiting for me to take it to the dry cleaner. So, since this was the only other thing I owned that had polka dots on it, I decided it would have to work. 

This outfit was super comfortable, but I felt very business-y. Which was a little awkward since I was sitting in class all day with a million girls in sweatpants.

Top: Gift from Mom

Cardigan: Target

Jeans: JC Penny

Belt: Gift from Sister

Shoes: Payless

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop (The Mustard Seed)

Alright, I'm off to cook dinner and do a bunch of accounting homework. Hope everyone is having a great week!

By the way, make sure you enter this amazing giveaway over at Rose a la Mode.

And Everything Feels Fine In The Warm Sunshine

Happy Wednesday everyone! I'm on spring break in sunny South Carolina right now, and I thought it would be a good time to focus on blogging. I have wanted to start posting outfits for a while, and since it is perfectly sunny and warm outside today I thought it would be a good time to start. I'm not a superhuge fan of this outfit, but hey, you've got to start somewhere, right? Yep. 

 I forced politely asked my dad to take my outfit pictures while he was on his lunch break. He took one or two, and then he thought I was crazy when I asked him to take more. So I let him go back to his lunch after a few pictures, and just used my tripod to take the rest.

 See that wall I'm standing on? My dad built that. Building things is something he likes to do, taking pictures of my outfits is not.

And the puppy? That's my little guy, Snickers. And I am going to miss him a ridiculous amount when I have to go back to Michigan on Saturday.

T-Shirt: Old Navy

Cami: Old Navy

Top: Belk

Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger

Shoes: Target Similar (minus the rhinestones)

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Boutique-The Mustard Seed

Cuff: Local Boutique-Patty's on the Square

Belt: Gift from Mom

Alright, well, I'm off to sit on the porch and do nothing but enjoy the sunshine until it's time to start getting ready for a family dinner at my Aunt's house. Hope everyone is having a great week!