30 for 30 Recap

I'm so excited to be finished with the 30 for 30. It definitely served it purpose of teaching me new ways to wear some of the things in my closet. It made me think of combinations that I never would of before, like my tomato red skirt and neon pink shirt, and it made me fall in love with a previously unworn white blazer. It also taught me that I shouldn't buy any more striped tops for a while (that isn't going to happen though), that my denim skirt will look a lot better once I lose a few pounds, that that striped tank top is bad news, and that I should be more consistent with my bronzer usage.

I have a few outfits that I will most certainly be wearing again (7, 8, 13, 28) and a few that I won't even think about wearing ever again (12, 19, 20, 22). All in all, I'm glad I took part in this 30 for 30. I think the Fall or Winter one would have been a lot easier for me, but overall, I guess I'm pretty pleased with this one. Except for outfit 22. Lets wipe that out of our memories and pretend it never happened, okay? Thanks.

If you've ever taken part in the 30 for 30 what were your final thoughts about it? Are you glad you did it or did you hate every moment of it?

xoxo

The End

Outfit 28:

Shirt: Target; Skirt: NY & Company;

Belt: Dad's; Shoes: Target

Outfit 29:

Shirt: Target; T-Shirt: Hanes; Shorts: Nine West Denim;

Shoes: Target; Necklace: Grandma's

Outfit 30:

Blazer: NY & Company; T-Shirt: Old Navy;

Shorts: Nine West Denim; Shoes: Target; Necklace: Gift

I'm finally finished with the 30 for 30 and I couldn't be happier about it! I'll try and get around to doing a summary post about it tomorrow. Monday at the latest. 

A little back story about the necklace in outfit 29: I found it when my cousins and I were going through my Grandma's (my dad's Mom) jewelry late last year. My Aunt laughed when I picked it out and said that she thought they had given her it to her a joke when they were little. My family thought I was insane, but I was crazy about it. I'll try and get around to posting a close-up of it sometime so I can get your opinions on it.

I'll be back later to fill you all in on all the stuff I picked up at Ikea today. I'm super excited about redoing my room when I get back!

Hope you're all having a great weekend so far!

xoxo

Britney Spears

(These pictures don't look nearly as horrible when they are this small)

Outfit 25:

Dress: American Eagle; Belt: Gift from Sister; 

Shoes: Target; Bracelets: Gift; Hair Piece: Etsy

Outfit 26:

Dress: American Eagle; Blazer: NY & Company;

Shoes: Target; Belt: NY & Company; Glasses: Calvin Klein

Outfit 27:

Top: It's Fashion; Skirt: NY & Company; 

Belt: NY & Company; Shoes: Target

(my eyes were closed in all pictures taken that day)

After spending an extra hour in Chicago traffic I am finally at my Mom's. And let me tell you, my ipod sure knows how to make the traffic not so bad. As soon as I was starting to get frustrated with people not knowing how to switch lanes, Geoffrey(My ipod. What you didn't name your ipod?*) started throwing out Britney Spears songs left and right. That things know me pretty darn well. So now, I'm relaxing for a few minutes and planning out the weekend schedule.

What do you all have planned for the weekend?

xoxo

*Dont judge. I named my first ipod Geoffrey(like the giraffe) when I was in 6th grade. It just kind of carried over to all future ipods.

Camera Issues

Cardigan: Sam's; Tank: J Crew; Shorts: Nine West Denim;

Shoes: Target; Scarf: F21; Earrings: Target

Blazer: NY & Co.; Tank: NY & Co.; Skirt: Target;

Shoes: Target; Earrings: Target; Necklace: Grandma's

I think I've figured out the issue with my camera. It's my house. It takes bad pictures. Today they are particularly bad. Seriously though, I hate even putting these pictures on here today. I don't know why, but my pictures are always perfectly clear when I take them somewhere else. I'm sure the fact that it was grey and rainy outside all day, making inside darker than usual, didn't help at all. So, I'm seriously thinking about stockpiling outfit posts when I'm at my Mom's next. I hate to do that, but until I can figure out a way get rid of the wasps in my backyard or make my house more pro-photo, that seems like the best options for a few days at least.

Oh, by the way, I'm going to my Mom's soon (I haven't decided when I'm going yet). I called her yesterday to see if she would go to Ikea with me. She ALWAYS say no. But she agreed right away this time and I couldn't be more excited. So hopefully I'll have a new dresser and desk set up by this time next week!

Hope you're all having a good week so far!

xoxo

Frizz

Top: Target; Dress: American Eagle; Shoes: Target;

Necklace: Grandma's; Cuff: Antique Shop somewhere in IL

In case you were wondering what my hair looks like when it air dries in my 3,000 degree car on a ridiculously humid day, here you go. It's big and frizzy and a pain to deal with. But, every once in a while I decide to embrace it. This usually lasts about three days before I go back to straightening the heck out of it on a daily basis.

On a much more exciting note, I'm almost done posting 30 for 30 outfits and I could not be more excited about it.

xoxo.

Jorts

Top: Target; Shorts: Nine West Denim; Shoes: Target;

Scarf: Swapped with Korin; Earrings: Target

Top: Target; Skirt: NY & Company;

Shoes: Target; Belt: Stolen from Dad years ago;

Earrings: It's Fashion

On day 15 (and 16,17,18 etc), the heat index was well above 100 degrees and I was freaking out about not having any shorts in my 30 items. Then I realized that I only had 28 items chosen at that moment. So, I went against everything I have ever believed in and threw on a pair of jorts. And a scarf...because that's what every completely logical person does when it is really stinkin' hot outside. And I didn't do my hair two days in a row. I'm really lazy during the summer, guys. And my roots are pretty embarrassing right now, so that might have had something to do with it.

Hope you are all having a great start to your weekends!

xoxo

14-16

Top: J Crew; Jeans: JC Penney; Shoes: Target;

Purse & Scarf: Vintage (SG's)

Dress (as top): Target; Skirt: NY & Company;

Shoes: Target; Belt: NY & Company; Ring: H&M;

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop

Dress (as top): F21; Skirt: NY & Company;

Shoes: Target; Bracelets: Gift; Belt: Gift from Sister

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop

I know, I know, I've been MIA for a few days again. I'm Sorry. I've got some eye issues going on, and even as an "emergency patient" I can't get into the opthamologist until the second week of August. But, at least I've had this issue before, so I know what it is. It isn't a huge deal, except that it makes everything super blurry (which makes taking picture kind of a pain) out of one eye and wearing my contacts make me dizzy and gives me a headache. So, you may be seeing my glasses occasionally. I'll try not to complain about it too much and keep posting regularly, but if some pictures are more blurry than usual every once in a while, I apologize ahead of time. It isn't laziness for once.

xoxo

12 & 13

Top: Calvin Klein Performance; Skirt: NY & Company; Belt: NY & Company; 

Shoes: Charlotte Russe; Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop; Necklace: Grandma's

Top: J Crew; Skirt: NY & Company; Belt: NY & Company;

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop; Bracelets: Gift; Shoes: Kohl's

I've been staring at this screen for almost 20 minutes and I still can't think of anything to say, except that I don't know why that first picture is so grainy. It doesn't look that way when I open it on my computer. And that I am really liking pink and red together right now. Annnddd...that's all I've got. 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo

10 & 11

Top: Old Navy; Dress (as skirt): American Eagle;

Scarf: Swapped with Korin; Belt: Dad's; Shoes: Target

Grey Shirt: Old Navy; Pink Shirt: J Crew; Jeans: JC Penney;

Shoes: Target; Scarf: Vintage (SG's); Earrings: Target

I think I'm going to start posting my 30 for 30 outfits a few days at a time so I can get through them more quickly. I have most of them photographed, I just haven't had time to post them. I'm ready to start wearing other clothes. I feel like I'm neglecting the rest of my closet.

Anyway. You see that gorgeous coral scarf that I'm wearing in the first photo? I got it from Korin during the scarf swap that Jessie hosted. I absolutely love it! And it is big enough that I can wrap it a few times and wear it through the winter. Head on over to Korin's blog to see how she styled the scarf I sent her.

Do you remember back in high school when you used to take two t-shirts that had a similar color scheme and roll the sleeves together so that the bottom shirt showed through? No? That was just me and my friends? Oh. Well, I was looking through pictures from my junior year of high school the other day and decided I'd try it again. Except with regular shirts this time and not school cheerleading shirts. And frankly, I liked it better then.

I'm joining in on the Thursday Latelies fun tomorrow. I filmed the video today. It is awkward. I hope you're prepared for that.

xoxo

Bad Decisions

Blazer: NY & Co; Top: NY & Co; Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger;

Shoes: Target; Earrings: Local Gift Shop

It is about 3 million degrees outside today. So naturally, I decided to wear a blazer (again) and jeans. It seemed like the only logical decision. Really though, someone needs to call me in the mornings and remind me that it is summer and that I shouldn't be wearing long sleeves and jeans at the same time. For someone who grew up in the south I feel like I should have learned this lesson by now.

xoxo

Power Outages

Top: Target; T-Shirt: Hanes; Dress(as skirt): Forever 21;

Shoes: Target; Belt: Dad's; Bag: Vintage

Every time I started to type up this post today the power went out. And, since I was using my old laptop (Why? I have no idea) that won't hold a charge no matter how many times I buy a new battery for it, my laptop shut down as soon as the power went out each time. So, there may have been some really interesting, witty stuff written in this post the first three times I wrote it (probably not), but I'm too irritated with the weather and the power outages to type anything even remotely interesting or witty now.So here's what you should know about this post:

• These pictures were taken at a park right down the road from my mom's house. It is a gorgeous park that no one ever goes to, and it's about to be completely redone, and I'm really hoping that they don't destroy all it's gorgeousness.
• I got this dress with the gift card that I won from Julie. And it's super comfy, and really cheap.
• I stole this belt from my dad a few years ago. It is most likely older than I am, and there was no way he was fitting into wearing a belt from 20+ years ago.
• I'm never taking these shoes off. They are replacing these ones, because the zippers tore up my ankles. For real, I have huge gashes on my legs from them. It's not pretty. I don't know how Kendi wears them, she is clearly superwoman. 

And that's it. Hopefully I'll have something more exciting to talk about tomorrow.

xoxo

Keeping It Short

Blazer: NY & Company; Shirt: Target; Jeans: JC Penney;

Shoes: Target; Bag: Vintage (SG's); Scarf; Givenchy;

Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop; Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.; Sunnies: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Sorry I've been missing for a few days. I spent all weekend cleaning the boat with Mom and shopping/prepping food for the 4th, and then Mom & I spent Tuesday in Chicago on the hunt for a blazer that I had been looking for. I basically ran across the store when I saw it & luckily snagged one of the last two available. But, I'm still exhausted from the past few days, so I'm going to keep this short tonight. I'll be back tomorrow with pictures from this weekend. Hope you all had a fun & safe holiday weekend!

xoxo

Doggelganger

Cardigan: Sam's; Tank: J Crew; Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger;

Shoes: Target; Bracelets: Jewelry; Scarf: Vintage

Things I Learned This Week:

• Michigan isn't ready for people walking around with scarves on their heads. Or anything besides oversized Michigan t-shirts, for that matter.
• If you don't bring your trashcan in before 11:00 AM or so, your neighbor's extremely kind lawn guy will bring it up for you.
• I'm did a horrible job picking my 30x30 items. This outfit is proof.
• I'm kind of a grilled cheese making master.
• Doggelganger paired me with a dog that looked just like my baby girl. Clearly, it was meant to be.

The day we brought her home.

Just look at that face. Isn't she the cutest? I'm trying to figure out a 

way to steal her from my dad's house as I write this.

Alright, I'm off to pack for a weekend trip to my mom's.

What does everyone have planned for the holiday weekend?

I'd love to hear about what fun (or not so fun) things you have planned!

xoxo

Good Decisions

Blazer: NY & Company; Top: Old Navy; Jeans: JC Penney;

Shoes: Charlotte Russe; Earrings: Forever21

Story Time: 

I bought this blazer in 2006. I saw it on the clearance rack at NY&Co., assumed it wasn't my size and walked away from it. But, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, my mom and I went back in so that I could admire it some more, and had a little heart attack when I saw that it was my size. So, I happily walked back over to the check-out line and made this little baby my own.

And then I never wore it. Until now.

Every time I put it on when getting ready in the morning I felt a little too doctor-y. So, I always put it back and opted for a colored blazer or cardigan instead. I knew that if I included it in my 30 (27) items I would have to wear it. And I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with that decision.

Also, I'm in love with these earrings. I forgot to bring them to SC with me and almost considered driving an hour to the nearest F21 to get another pair.

Have you ever fallen in love with something in a store and then not worn it for years?

xoxo

Shirt Love

Top: H&M; Skirt: Target; Belt: NY & Co.;

Shoes: Target; Earrings: Target

So, if you remember, the other day I mentioned that I had a top I was going to add to my 30x30 items, bringing the total to 28 pieces right now. I fell in love with this top when I saw it on Hayley last month, and had almost forgotten about it until I saw it on sale at H&M a few weeks ago. And, I've probably worn it about 300 times since then. I'm in love with the colors and how amazingly soft it is. 

But, enough shirt love for now. I can't believe this is only day 4 of 30. Technically it's really somewhere around day 8, but there is no photographic proof of that because I'm lazy, the weather here sucks, of one reason or another.

Alright loves, I'm off to a fun-filled afternoon of cleaning and doing laundry.

xoxo

Items 26 & 27

Cardigan: Sam's; Top: NY & Company (exact); Skirt: NY & Company;

Belt: NY & Company (similar); Shoes: Target; Earrings: Local Fair Trade Shop

I've realized that this 30x30 might take a while, but I'm still really excited about it. I'm adding this top and skirt to my items, which, I think, brings me to 27 pieces. I have another top that I'm thinking about adding, that you'll probably see tomorrow.

I got back to MI on Tuesday to two days of storms and a house with (literally) no food and a weird smell coming from a wall near my closet, and the sound of a critter running around in another one. So, hopefully the pest control people will get out here soon because I would really like to be able to go near my closet without needing to hold my breath & suffocating myself with huge amounts of air freshener. 

On a happier note, I went to the craft store on Sunday and got some fabric to make a skirt that I will probably add to my 30x30 items assuming that it comes out at least semi-decent (I'm winging it. No pattern or anything, so we'll see how it goes). 

Hope everyone's having a great week so far!

xoxo

The "Half-Dressed" Girl

Dress: Target; Shoes: Charlotte Russe;

Belt: Dad's; Earrings: Target

See? I told you today's pictures were going to be (somewhat) better than yesterday's. I wore this out to a fantastic brunch with my Mom & step-grandma (S.G.). I swear this dress was longer when I bought it a few weeks ago, so apparently it shrunk when I washed it the other day. But S.G. approved and said the I had good legs, so I could pull it off. She also said that the other women in assisted living were going to ask who the half-dressed girl was. I didn't quite know how to respond to that.

 Hope you're all having a great weekend!

xoxo

An Awkward Start...

Dress: American Eagle; Scarf (worn as belt): Givenchy;

Shoes: Target; Earrings: Target

So, these pictures are not the best way to start the 30 for 30. The ones for tomorrow are better. This is what I wore yesterday to pick my mom up from work and then run to the mall with her real quick. It wasn't real quick. By the time we left it was after 9:00 at night and our feet hurt so bad we could barely walk.

So, I decided I would just recreate it today for pictures.  But, then I picked it up and it was all wrinkly, I couldn't get the bow right (because I'm impatient), and there was no one to take pictures...so yea, here you go crooked, wrinkly pictures.

And if you want to know how awkward me and my Mom really are...

That's me. At my Mom's office holding a sign that says "I haven't 'bean' to the bean." Like the bean statue in Chicago. Which is ridiculous, since I drive through Chicago several times a month, and since I grew up around here. My Mom's office has people coming in from 

Atlanta, and my Mom is going to make them take pictures like this. She likes to embarrass people.