Honesty

I haven't posted in a couple weeks like I said I would. The truth is, lately, I don't really feel like posting. It's not that I don't love everyone who reads my blog (hi, Mom!) but I feel like this blog can take over my life if I let it. I normally don't get dressed in "real" clothes. If I'm not in my uniform, I'm in the kitchen making dinner in some pj pants. When I was trying to blog all the time, I would get dressed just to take pictures some days. That's not who I am. I don't want to always be wondering if my outfit is blog worthy and if I look fat in the pictures I take. I want to dress for me - not what I think people want to see.

On Sunday, our pastor spoke on Materialism*. I have realized that reading so many fashion and daily outfit blogs has exponentially made me more materialistic. Pinterest doesn't help either. "Oh! I love that outfit. I need shoes like that!" "Ohmygosh, Matt. I have to have this! Look how good she looks in it!" I don't want that to be me. Yes, I love clothes, accessories, shoes, etc. But I don't want to always be looking forward to my next "me" purchase. I want to focus on "us" purchases... a house, furniture, etc.. If I keep focusing on "me" purchases, it's going to take us a lot longer for us to reach our life goals.

I'm a narcissist. Half the reason I began blogging is so people could see how cute I could look. Continuing with the blog only feeds that. The time I spent blogging and having Matt take pictures of me could have been spent doing something useful or more worthwhile - especially if it helps someone else out. Focusing on helping other people is something I need to strive for, at the end of my life I hope I value my time doing that much more than the time I spent editing my pictures to make people think I was pretty.**

Maybe I'll come back to the blog sooner or later... maybe at some point it will turn into a "life" blog. Perhaps while we put together our first house, or how I deal with having a child and the many mistakes I'm sure I will make, awesome recipes I make up (ha), find or fail at, etc.. But right now, I'm enjoying the new-found enjoyment of cooking dinner and hanging out with Matt on the couch with the laptop not on my lap.

It's been a good run, but for right now, I'm out of breath.

I love all... 3(?) of you who read my blog. Let's see each other in person to know what I'm wearing and what's up instead of this blog. Except you, mom. I can't see you everyday... but we can talk on the phone! Or you could all move out here... that would work too.

*This particular sermon is not up yet, but it will be soon, I'm sure.

**I am strictly speaking for myself here. I'm not accusing any other bloggers of the same thing or condemning them for being a blogger. For me, at this point in my life I'm doing what's best for me. Please don't take it the wrong way.

Lovely in Lace

It used to be that lace was mostly seen in lingerie. These days, it seems as if lace is everywhere. It's feminine, delicate, adds detail and sparks up an outfit. When I imagine a lace outfit in my head, I pair it with something more structured and "manish." For example, a cream colored lace, sleeveless blouse tucked into a high-waisted, A-line, brown tweed skirt with a pair of nude wedges. Heaven.

Below are some dresses I find awesome. I hope you do too.

Creme Lace Dress

Amor Lace Dress

Black Dutchess Lace Dress

Gossamer Birch Shell

Heather Lace Mini

Gwyneth Queenie Heels

Forever 21 Lace Skirt

Are you on the lace bandwagon?

Dress me, Etsy.

Etsy is great for a million things. Wedding related things, inspiration, natural face cleanser, stationary, baked goods, etc. There is one thing that I have yet to buy off Etsy. Clothing. I don't know if it's because I like trying things on, or if it's because I can't afford expensive, homemade clothing or maybe, just maybe, it's because you have to search to find some gems in the sea of rocks that sometimes Etsy may be. Who knows.

Anyway, here are some of my favorite clothing items from Etsy. I would buy them all if I could, but alas, I am already over my discretionary spending budget for the month. Iloveyouhusband.

Enjoy!

Peach Vintage Style Dress

Pencil Dress

Wrap Dress

Alice in the Wonderland Dress

And now for my favorite. I love the detail and the back is so, so lovely!:

Supayana Silk Shirt

Have you ever bought any clothing off of Etsy? If so, what?

Affordable Thursday

The other day I talked about my love for leather jackets. Unfortunately, Matt does not share my love for them (at least the price). Instead of pleading unsuccessfully with him for one, I figured that finding a few (cheaper) alternatives was the way to go. While I'm not a huge fan of "pleather," It is affordable and great for trends (and budgets.) So, here are some of my top picks for affordable jackets:

Leatherette Jacket Forever 21

Leatherette Aviator Jacket Forever 21

Combined Leather Jacket by Zara

Bar III Jacket

To round out this post, here is some Awkward and Awesome Thursday for you.

Awkward:

• A guest who kept telling me "Congratulations" on my marriage along with winking and mentioning my husband must "dig rocks" for a living. Weirdddd.
• No one acknowledging I won't be at Aqua-Tots anymore. Do they not know?
• My new boots fit me awkwardly. (This counts, right?)
• Being at work so early in the morning. 5:15am? Uh...

Awesome:

• Going to bed at 8pm last night. Glorious!
• Matt starting a new job. He will be amazing!
• The fact that Matt will have Sundays off. Sooooo cool.
• The clouds in the sky. I barely recognized them at first.
• BEING DONE AT AQUA-TOTS!

What awkward and awesome things have you had happen this week?

Too Expensive Tuesday

Leather Jackets. I've always wanted one, but I've never had one. As lovely as they are, they're just not one of those purchases I can go out and grab on a Wednesday afternoon. Oh no. It takes planning, research and budgeting.

Below are some of my (current) favorite leather jackets:

 

Madewell Leather Moto Jacket 

 Gap Textural Leather Jacket

 

Michael Kors Leather Bomber 

 J. Crew Lambskin Lumini Jacket

My birthday is in about a month, so if anyone wants to give me $300+ for a jacket, I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I'd thank you in baked goods. Promise.

Grilled Cheese and Grapes

Shirt: Gap (men's), Skirt: Old Navy, Belt: Anthropologie, 

Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Watch: Fossil, Shoes: DSW

First and foremost, today is a day I will always remember, just like most of the population over the age of... 18? 19? I don't even know. It was an extremely trying and troubling day for our nation, just as many days have been before and after September 11, 2011. For those who were immediately affected, I pray for your healing. For those in our armed forces and law enforcement, thank you. And for those of you who were, like me, watching it on your television screens, continue praying for our nation and the people of the world.

On a lighter note, today I played personal shopper. It was quite fun! It was like I was shopping for me... only I didn't spend the money and don't get to take the clothes home with me. Hmm. However, the friend I was with seemed like she really enjoyed it and I can't wait to go play around with her new pieces and show her different ways to remix them. Next on our list for her: Shoes. There wasn't enough time today, but there will be. Oh, there will be.

Other than that, we went to church and Matt watched some football while I slept on the couch. Glorious. Now, I'm sitting here alone eating a grilled cheese and grapes. This. is. the. life. Grilled cheese and grapes. It's like I'm 7 again.

Other outfits with this shirt: The Cold, Hard Truth, Plaid is Rad

Charlie's Angel

Shirt: Anthropologie, Jeans/Belt: Gap, Watch: Fossil, Shoes: DSW

Yesterday was a busy, but mostly fun filled day. I worked from 7-2pm, which wasn't too terrible, and then came home to shower to go to J and L's house. The boys went fishing while us girls hung out and beautified ourselves. I gave L a blow out and curled her hair and I did her eye makeup. She was b-e-a-utiful. I also curled my own hair, as you can clearly see above. I also looked like I came straight from the 1970s. The combination of Farrah Fawcett hair, somewhat high waisted, light colored flares and a tucked in shirt screams, "Hello, Angels." "Hi, Charlie!" to me. Even J said something about it. Also, I think my camera is getting old because my pictures are getting blurry. Boo.

We went to dinner and ate some yummy Mexican food and then we went to Freddy's to get some frozen custard. I had never had custard before. It was pretty good. I approve. After that, we went to pick up cute baby O, then went back to J and L's house for a minute before Matt and I headed home. Overall it was a good night.

Now, I'm home from work, cleaned up the apartment a little bit and then am gonna go to Gran's for a bit. Tomorrow is my day off and I am suuuuper excited. I plan to spend it at church and then helping a friend shop for some new clothes. Sign. Me. Up.

Shady Days

Shirt/Necklace: Anthropologie, Shorts: Gap, Sunglasses: Ray Ban, Shoes, DSW

Let's be honest. I don't know when these pictures were taken... probably in July. Or maybe the beginning of August. I really don't know. Also, my lips are bright. Moving on...

Today was a relatively uneventful day. Does that make me an uneventful person? Maybe. Here's the blow by blow: 5am - alarm went off. 6am - began work. 3pm - got off of work. 3:10pm - went to other job. 7:20pm - got off of other job. Now... I'm here. Maybe I'll see if there are new episodes of some mediocre shows on Hulu to watch before I go to bed for the night. I'm a super exciting person, I know.

However, tomorrow on the other hand, Matt and I do have plans with some of our favorite friends here. The boys are going fishing, us girls are playing spa day, and then we're going to go out to eat somewhere cheap for dinner. Cheap being the key word. Delicious would be good though too, I suppose.

To make up for my lameness, I thought I would do a little bit of Awkward and Awesome Thursday:

Awkward:

• Random people grabbing my hand to look at my rings
• Yawning as guest walk up to buy things. Whoops.
• Almost getting hit by the truck I didn't see. Sorry for scaring you whoever you are.
• Not being able to think of words. Today the word forgotten was "cheese."
• Having an upset tummy.
• Being suuuuper sore. Getting up and down is so, so painful.

Awesome:

• People telling me my rings are gorgeous without grabbing my hand.
• Getting a free taco. Hooray!
• Thinking about how I don't have to get up until 6am tomorrow.
• Knocking out one more day at Aqua-Tots. Only 3 left!
• Babies that smile at me. I just love them all.

Alright, y'all (I've lived here over a year now, I'm allowed to say it), I'm off. Check ya on the flip side! 

Versatile Blogger

Well... I'm not sure I'm a Versatile Blogger, though I do enjoy blogging about different things, and hope to continue to blogging more personal things (not just fashion) in the near future. My friend Kristin over at Buttons & Pockets nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award, and I figured I'd pass on the award to some fantastic people.

Versatile Blogger Award in a nutshell: Blog friends "nominate" each other, whether they have met IRL or not. Then, you thank the person who mentioned your blog. Again, thanks Kristin! After that, you share 7 things that your readers may not know about you (oh boy!). Lastly, you nominate 15 blogs you love for the award. Awesome, right?

Alright. 7 things you may not know about me.. this may be harder than it seems:

1. Matt and I are working hard to get out of debt. After reading Dave Ramsey's book "Total Money Makeover," we decided to get serious. There are definitely some blogs that I have kept up with along our journey that have helped us out... they will be mentioned below! Looking to start paving your way to financial freedom? Check out this Personal Finance Checklist!

2. I have been to Europe. Specifically Italy, England, Germany, Switzerland and a very short stop in France. I would love to go back to Italy, but Greece would be where I would choose to go next if I could get a free trip anywhere!

Italy:

England:

Germany (It rained. A lot):

Switzerland:

3. I grew up in the small town of Parker, Arizona. I did dance, twirl, ballet and every other form of girly activity you can think of. Here is proof:

4. I like to bake. Cooking, not so much. Baking I'm all for!

5. I love Jesus Christ. Without him I am nothing.

6. I'm not a huge animal person. The HORROR! Puppies are cute, sure... but then they grow up and poop and destroy things and smell. Maybe someday we'll have a dog, but right now? No thank you.

However, if the dog stayed like this forever, I'm all for it!:

Source

Sidenote: I say that now, but I still don't like the smell of dog food.

7. I don't like the beach... I only went a handful of times while living in California. The crowds, the salt water, the sand... ugh. I'll take a lake or a river any day!

The Colorado River (Parker, Arizona):

Source

There you go! Now, on to the fun part! Here are the 15 blogs I nominate for the award:

1. Words of Williams

2. Christian Personal Finance

3. Adored Austin

4. OMG, I'm a Mom!

5. Inspired by This

6. My Edit

7. Capitol Hill Style

8. Joy the Baker

9. We are Not Martha

10. His Birdie's Nest

11. Oh Joy!

12. Geek in Heels

13. Pantomime Papers

14. That Wife

15. Let's Talk Trunk

Alright, folks. Let's get to this!

Days Go By...

I can't believe it's been over two months since my last post. TWO MONTHS. Holy cow! However, that is (hopefully) going to change over the next coming weeks. I'm getting back to blogging, y'all. Back to blogging and down to one job again!*

I am so excited! To jump right back into things, let's talk about Fall fashion. Specifically for today: Boots and purses. I love purses. Specifically leather purses. I also love boots. All kinds of boots. Ask Matt, he would confirm this. Today, I'll show you a couple of my favorites and an outfit or two to pair them with.

Boot trends to watch for: Riding boots, metal details and booties.

Enzo Angiolini

Sofft Florina Booties

Steve Madden Frencchh Boots (Which I just bought... kinda. I found these on DSW. Same brand, same boot?)

Purse trends to watch for: Rich colors (browns, mustard, plum, deep red), metal details (especially buckles), streamlined simplicity.

Michael Kors

Fossil

Jessica Simpson

And as promised, here are a couple of fall outfits that would work perfectly with the items pictured above. Remember that things don't have to be copied perfectly, put your own spin on them. Especially to match your budget. Overspending on outfits = FAIL. Finding great deals that you can afford = WIN.

Zara Dress

Anthropologie Outfit

Gap Shirt, Gap Jeans

Oh, how sweet it is to be back. See you tomorrow!


*Well, soon. In less than 10 days. You have NO idea how excited I am... unless of course you were one of the unlucky ones who got to hear my complain constantly, then you would know.