I love purple.

Dress: Max Studio Denim jacket: Levi's Sandals: Target

To anyone who read and commented on my blog post yesterday, THANK YOU.  All of your sweet comments really mean so much to me.  I'm wrapping up some big assignments this week, but please be assured that I will respond to all of your comments soon!

So the next five days are supposed to be cold, rainy, and SNOWY (!!), and I wanted to enjoy dressing for warm weather one last time before the yuck happens again, so I chose one of the springiest looks I could find: a maxi dress, denim jacket, and sandals.  I feel like I'm wearing pajamas!!

Today is the second day of the Pantone Color Challenge (see below), and the color for today is African Violet.  For purple being my favorite color, I sure don't have lots of it in my closet!  This dress is as close as I could get to African Violet - it works, right??  I love this dress.  I bought it in Chicago with a friend several years ago, and it's lasted in my closet all this time.  I love how "easy" it is.  The color is gorgeous, it fits me well, and it couldn't be more comfortable.  I really like the detailing under the bust, too.

Bodies.

Shirt: Old Navy Skirt: Target Flats: Payless Necklace: Gift from sister-in-law

(Yep, I was falling over in this picture...)

So, for my job this summer, I'm required to wear black or khaki bottoms.  Shorts, which are necessary in the hot and humid Minnesota summers, have to be longer than your fingertips when your hands are at your sides.  I rarely wear shorts, and only have a few pairs, none of which fit the criteria for my work.  This weekend, I decided I was going to find some shorts and capris to wear this summer.

I went to several stores to try on different options.  Four stores.  Well over 20 pairs of shorts and capris.  Different styles, different cuts, different sizes.  NOTHING WORKED.  I walked out of each store nearly in tears.  I said to Kevin, "I can't find anything that fits me.  Shorts look terrible on me.  Why can't I just wear dresses and skirts all the time?"  I haven't felt that discouraged and awful about myself in a long, long time.

See, I've struggled with my body for years and years.  In college, I survived an eating disorder.  I went to therapy to help me correct my thought patterns and to manage my perfectionism and need for control.  It took about four years of counseling to get through it all, but I officially "graduated" from therapy last spring.  While my eating patterns have been in control now, the voice behind the eating disorder is still loud and clear in my head.  It has been hard for me to get my body into a healthier weight (which I know is something I need to do) because I'm afraid any amount of diet shifting or increased exercise will trigger the disordered eating again.  I don't eat particularly terrible now, and I exercise 3-4 days a week (I'm training for a 5K!).  However, my body hasn't changed, and I'm getting upset about it.  Trying on pants this weekend was really difficult for me and just solidified all the negative and discouraged feelings I've been having.

In the past week or so, some of my favorite blogs (Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen, Katie at Hems for Her, and Nicole at Writes Like a Girl) have written about self-confidence, self-esteem, and body acceptance.  Their posts came at the most appropriate and relevant of times for me.  I encourage all of you to check out their blogs, if you have not before, and look at their recent posts about these topics.  It is inspiring to read the stories of people who have overcome these negative feelings and learned to love and accept themselves.  I desperately want to get to that point.  I want to be an inspiration to other people who have or will walk in my shoes.  I just need to get over the hurdle I'm experiencing now.

I think this is one of the things I love most about blogging.  I have connected with insightful, beautiful, and confident women of all shapes and sizes.  They have shared their wisdom with me and have been brave enough to expose themselves.  They appreciate personal style but acknowledge that there are real people and feelings behind the clothing they wear.  I have learned their stories and now, it is my turn to share mine.

Linking up with Literate & Stylish for the Pantone Color Challenge today :)

Budgeting Bloggers: April

It's the end of the month, and I'm linking up with Fran and the other budgeting bloggers!  Here is a breakdown of what I purchased this month.

I had Super Cash to use at Old Navy ($30 of free money!!) so I stopped in for some new clothes.  I found:

• Navy and green striped skirt: $3
• White and black striped skirt: $12
• Blue and green striped shirt: $7
• Gray bird scarf: $15
• Red and navy striped dress: $3 (no longer online)

I also got a couple of tanks at Old Navy for $5 apiece, because I have been in desperate need of new tank tops.  Have you tried these rib knit tanks?!  They're amazing.  Super comfortable, and they hold their shape very well.  Total spent at Old Navy this trip was $60, but with the Super Cash, I only spent $30.

I stopped at Target to replenish my t-shirt stash, as well, since all my old tees are stretched out, faded, look worn, etc.  I found these dressy tees and bought four of them for $7 each: black, white, teal, and coral.  They're so comfortable and do not stretch out, plus they're silky smooth.  Perfection!

I also went shopping recently to buy shorts for my job this summer.  We need to wear black or khaki bottoms, and shorts need to be longer than your fingertips when your hands are down at your sides.  I wound up finding some great options at Old Navy (YES, AGAIN, I KNOW...it's my favorite store!), and a few extra things there and at TJ Maxx while I was out looking for shorts.  Also...I signed up for an Old Navy credit card.  I wound up getting 40% off of my total purchase.  I figured it was a wise thing to do since I shop there ALL THE TIME anyways.

Old Navy finds (take two):

• Charcoal cardigan: $11
• Black capris: $6
• Khaki shorts: $3
• Black shorts: $12
• Coral striped dress: $6
• Polka dot sweater: $7

At TJ Maxx, I found a beautiful Cynthia Rowley dress for $30 and an adorable polka dot button up for $20.  I'm excited to show off both of them on the blog soon!!

Grand total for March: $153.  OUCH.  I'm going to try to avoid shopping as much as I can in May.  I have found myself going shopping for stress relief and out of boredom.  I have not been to the movies, out to eat much, or out for anything really fun in ages, and shopping is kind of my hobby (is that weird?  Whatever...).  Really, all I've spent money on lately is gas, groceries, and clothes...so that's okay, right? I'm still paying all my bills and putting little bits away for saving, so it's okay, right?

To be fair, many of the things I bought were things I was in need of: replacement tees and tanks, bottoms for work this summer, a replacement gray cardigan for the one my dog accidentally snagged with her toenails...plus, I love dresses and skirts more than anything, and I wanted some fun new ones for this spring and summer.  I've also been getting rid of things that I don't love consistently, to keep my wardrobe as manageable and appealing as possible!

My goal for next month?  DON'T SHOP.  I need to conserve my money, and there aren't other things that I need.  I have a problem with telling myself "no" in pretty much all aspects of my life, and I do want to get better at that.  I will not die if I don't go shopping this month.  It will be okay...(tell me it will be okay?!)...

The Perfect Date

Tee: Target Pants: NY&C Scarf: Old Navy Flats: Payless

SHORT SLEEVES!  I am so pumped it's in the 50's today - I had to celebrate with my new short sleeved tee.  Two things about this shirt: 1. It is SUPER comfortable and silky.  Go to Target today and get one in every color (I just bought four...because all my other short sleeved tees were all stretched out and gross). 2. It's really more of a vibrant coral color than orange, but it didn't photograph well.  Just know that I don't look like Halloween today - I'm shooting for spring :)

A couple of weeks ago, Kimmie wore a super cute motorcycle jacket and said it was the perfect jacket for the perfect date.  It turns out that today is the perfect date.

You're welcome.

Productivity and Purple

Shirt: TJ Maxx Cardigan: Target Jeans: Old Navy Shoes: Target

I am a far more productive person in the morning than I am in the evening.  If I wake up and get myself out of bed, I will work, work, work until everything is complete.  For instance, this morning, I woke up an hour earlier than usual and tended to some much neglected housework (laundry, dishes, vacuuming).  I wrote this blog post, had breakfast, and am on my way to the police department to get the police report from my car accident to send to the insurance company (yes, it's been two weeks, and no, my car has not been worked on at all and the insurance company won't provide me with a rental car...ugh).  I have projects for work and papers for school that need to get done, and I'm feeling highly motivated right now - best feeling ever.

I had a different outfit planned for today, but I really refused to wear tights one more day...so last night, I asked Kevin what color he loved to see me wear.  He said he loves to see me in dark purple, so I pulled out this cardigan and based my outfit around it.  Although this shade of purple is probably my all-time favorite color, I only have this cardigan, these shoes, and a dress in this color.  I better change that.

I made an Orange Julius!!

Shirt: Target Blazer: Target Pants: NY&C Flats: Payless

I'm finally wearing my lace shirt that I had been looking for FOREVER.  It's exactly what I wanted - a loose fit, pretty lace (but not too grandma-y), short sleeves, and long enough to be worn untucked and tucked.  It has a really cute keyhole cutout in the back, too!  I am super excited to wear this with skirts, too.

So I've written before about smoothies and how much I love to make them for breakfast, but I kicked it out of the park today.  I used pretty much the same ingredients as usual (ground oats, vanilla protein powder, bananas, vanilla yogurt, soy milk, frozen peaches, orange juice), but today's smoothie tasted exactly like an Orange Julius.  So. Delicious.

(Guilty?) Pleasures

Shirt: Old Navy Pants: TJ Maxx Scarf: Old Navy Boots: Target
(Sorry for the circles of death by my arm. I used a different editing program today and couldn't figure out how to get rid of them, haha.  Lazy.)

Okay, so I really don't like when people complain about the weather, and I try to just let it do its thing since I can't change it, but....WE'RE GETTING UP TO 8 INCHES MORE OF SNOW TODAY.  What is this!?  I'm beginning to think that the reason I've been so tired and unmotivated lately is because of the lack of sunshine and warmth.  I just want to wear springy clothes...is that too much to ask?!  I'm holding out hope, though...the forecast says it's supposed to be 70 degrees on Saturday...finally!!!

Kevin was gone this weekend so it was just Pippin and me at home.  I worked on homework a little bit, but otherwise spent most of the weekend watching old episodes of Desperate Housewives.  I started watching the show in the fall on Netflix, and I'm now at the beginning of season 6.  It's trashy and soap opera-y, but I love it...mostly because I LOVE Felicity Huffman.  Tom and Lynette are just so great.  I'd call Desperate Housewives my guilty pleasure, but I honestly feel no shame about watching it, so...

Do you have any shows that you watch long after they're on the air?  Any favorite TV characters that you especially love?

Debbie

Tank: Old Navy Cardigan: Target Jeans: NY&C Flats: Payless Necklace: From Debbie

April 20th is a special day in my family.  It's the day that my mom's step-mom, Debbie, passed away from a nearly year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.  I've written about Debbie before, when talking about her love for polka dots, but I wanted to share more about her.

Debbie and my grandpa got married several years before I was born, so she was in my life from the moment I was born, and was very much my third grandma.  You couldn't have met a sweeter person.  Debbie had the most gentle spirit.  She was generous and loving, and although my brother, cousins, and I were not her biological grandchildren, she loved us like we were.

I am one of those weird people who saves old voicemails from people so I can listen to their voices whenever I want.  I have a voicemail that Debbie left me in the fall of 2009, about 6 months before she died.  We were getting together to celebrate my mom and dad's 25th wedding anniversary and she wanted to know what kind of cake everyone in my family liked.  At the time, she was battling her cancer, doing aggressive treatments and on a clinical trial, but she still wanted to make the celebration as special as possible - that's just the kind of person she was.  I love having this voicemail, and I listen to it often.  Sometimes I'll play it for my grandpa so he can hear her voice again, and he smiles the whole time.

This necklace was Debbie's.  When she died, she wanted me to have it.  It was a special necklace to her, and she wore it all the time.  I love wearing it, because it makes me feel close to her.  I had a dream about her after she died, and she was wearing this necklace in the dream.  I have worn it every year on the anniversary of her passing, and will continue to do so.

Here is a picture of Grandpa and Debbie on their 25th wedding anniversary - she's wearing the necklace :)  What a beautiful woman.

Snowy Spring Florals

Sweater: Old Navy Jeans: NY&C Scarf: From Mom Boots: Baretraps

Today is Bri's Third Thursday Threads link up, and the inspiration is spring florals!!  When she first announced it, I had this super cute springy outfit planned.  However, today, this is the view from my living room: 

Yup, that's the start of 8-10 inches of snow that we're slated to get today and tonight.  SO, I had to change my outfit a little bit.  I decided to get one last (hopefully) wear out of this cozy purple sweater and feature my pretty pink floral scarf for the link up!  My professor cancelled class tonight, too, because of the weather...so you get my face free of make up and my hair freshly dried with no product...at least I got dressed! :)

Hey, remember when I said I was interviewing for an important position?  I got a phone call today, and I GOT THE POSITION!  I had originally been placed at a different site for my school counseling internship, but after going to the site, it was 100% not what I had asked for.  I was proactive and stood up for myself and requested something better suited to my interests and needs.  The site I'm at now is absolutely my dream position, and I'll actually be interning at the high school I graduated from.  It's an hour away from where I live, so I'll be doing a lot of driving this next year!!  I'll take it, though, for the opportunity!  So thank you all for your positive vibes - it paid off!!

Cowgirl??

Dress: Target Denim jacket: Levi's Boots: Guess Necklace: From Mom

When I bought this dress a few weeks ago, the first outfit I planned for it was with my boots and denim jacket.  I've been waiting for just the right occasion to bust it out, and today's the day!  Tonight, all the graduating second year Masters students in my program are presenting their theses at our department's Research Colloquium.  All of the first year students (that's me!) will be attending to support the second years and listen to their presentations.  I'm actually really excited about it, because I'm a big nerd.  Some of the topics of the presentations are things I'm really interested in: eating disorders in adolescents, helping students transition from middle school to high school, cyberbullying, and closing the achievement gap.  The event requires participants and guests to dress up, so I am excited to be wearing my pretty lace dress!!

Kevin told me this morning that I looked like a cowgirl...I'll take it.  He also was watching me take my pictures again, and I didn't get as awkward as I usually do.  But then he told me to pose like a cowgirl, and I did this: 

What the heck is this?  We laughed and laughed at how ridiculous it was.  I love having a partner I can laugh at myself with :)

Also, is it just me, or are jackets and blazers exceptionally hard to photograph??  Whenever I bend my arms, jackets gape and fold weird...oh well!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy.

AWKWARD.

Dress: Old Navy Tights: Target Boots: Target Scarf: Gift from a friend

Back in middle school and high school, the word "awkward" was horribly overused.  Everything was "awkward" - grades on tests, seating patterns at lunch, interactions between friends...you name it, we teenagers called it "awkward" (same goes for "epic" and "golden").  At the end of high school, I realized how ridiculous it was that we called everything "awkward," and vowed to stop saying the word myself...unless a situation truly was awkward.

"Awkward" is how I would describe myself in front of a camera when someone else is watching.  I usually try to take my pictures when Kevin is showering, still sleeping, or has already left for work, because if he's around, I just can't take a decent picture.  I feel so uncomfortable so I pose weird and make ugly faces and laugh uncontrollably.  It's pretty dumb.  This morning, Kevin was eating breakfast and was 20 feet to my left while I took pictures.  This is what most of the pictures looked like, as I said to him, "STOP LOOKING AT ME!":

Yep, that's awkward.

Cold Weather, Warm Clothes

Sweater: Target Skirt: Old Navy Cowl: Kohls Boots: Baretraps Tights: Target

I'm not one to complain about the weather, but I am so sick of needing to wear my winter clothes I can't stand it!  I woke up this morning and looked at the temperature and literally groaned.  I so badly want to be done with tights and sweaters, and be able to bring out all my fun spring dresses and skirts!  I figured I'd try to turn my perspective around and focus on wearing some of my favorite cold weather pieces one last time (hopefully!) before the warm weather decides to appear.

I have had this sweater for a couple of years now, and I absolutely love it.  It's warm without being bulky, and I love the colors.  This navy button-front skirt is one of my favorite pieces in my closet, too - so versatile, and can be worn all year round.  My cream cowl keeps me toasty warm in my cold office, and adds a little sparkle to my outfit (there are some gold threads running through the scarf).  My suede boots are super comfortable and I love how slouchy they are.

Despite the fact that it should be 60 degrees outside right now, I actually love this outfit, and feel really cute in it.  It's comfortable for a long day of work and meetings as well as for the temperature.  There isn't much color, but it's not boring or plain.  It's fun to be able to wear some favorite pieces again before putting them away for a few months :)

Edit: I'm not sure why the picture uploaded so blurry this morning!  Here is the much more in focus picture!

Weekend Wear

Tank: Old Navy Cardigan: Target Jeans: NY&C Flats: Payless Necklace: Mom's 

I hope you all had a nice weekend!  I spent the weekend at my mom and dad's house, hanging out with them and my brother.

On Saturday, my family and I went to Wild Rumpus, a fantastic children's bookstore in Minneapolis, with the little boy my parent's mentor.  The bookstore has all kinds of animals roaming around in the store (cats and chickens!) and other animals hanging out in cages (lizards, tarantulas, birds, chinchillas, ferrets).  The entrance to the bookstore has a big door for adults and a little purple door for kiddos.  My family brought my brother and me there often when we were little, and it was so much fun to be back!! I can't wait to take my future children there some day :)

That afternoon, I visited my friend Jayne (she's an old supervisor of mine, who has become a dear friend...she even officiated our wedding!) and her two daughters.  When I was a senior in college, I nannied her oldest daughter, who is almost four years old now.  I haven't seen the girls since October, and it was crazy how much they have changed, especially her younger daughter who is nine months old now!  It was so fun to be Auntie Brynn again!

Saturday night, my brother and I had a date together.  We went out for dinner at Cossetta's, a DELICIOUS Italian restaurant in St. Paul, and then to see Rufus Wainwright in concert.  We had a blast together!  I also encouraged my brother to get Snapchat, so we spent an obscene amount of time this weekend sending each other ugly pictures of ourselves.

Dress: Old Navy Vest: Old Navy Belt: The Limited Boots: Guess

On Sunday, I sang at the church I grew up at with my family.  I LOVE to sing.  The woman who leads the music at the contemporary service is a close mentor and friend of mine, and she is so awesome and lets me sing whenever I want.  It's been so nice to have a musical outlet!  My mom also got confirmed this weekend, so it was nice to be there to support her as well.

I totally copied this outfit from Fran - I about died when I saw her wear this back in February, and I've been waiting to wearing it!  I probably would not have thought to pair this dress and vest together if it hadn't been for Fran, so thank you, my dear!!  I love how this outfit turned out and I got several compliments on it today :)

Mirror, Mirror

Cardigan: Target Tank: Old Navy Jeans: NY&C Scarf: JCP Flats (not pictured): Payless

OMG AN OUTFIT POST!  Since I wasn't planning on being stranded at my mom and dad's house this long, I didn't bring home my camera or anything.  I didn't want to leave you all hanging, though, so I hope you enjoy my iPhone picture that I took in my parents' room :)  I packed in a rush and just threw clothes in my suitcase, without really planning ahead.  I'm glad that this outfit "worked," however simple it is!

Again, thank you all for your kind words and support!  I have been feeling the love from all you fabulous readers, and it means so much to me!  I'm looking forward to having life slow down a little bit so I can get back into a normal routine of work, school, and blogging :)

When it Rains, it Pours...

I just wanted to touch base with all of you.  You know that saying, "When it rains, it pours"?  Well...it's true.  In addition to working my butt off on this huge paper for school, dealing with a broken computer (IT'S FIXED!!), and having lots of work projects going on, I was in a car accident yesterday afternoon.  I'm fine (just a little shaken up and stiff) and the other driver is fine, but my car isn't drivable right now. So that's annoying.  I've been on the phone with insurance companies and body shops and trying to get a rental car until my car is fixed, etc. which is overwhelming on top of everything else...  WHEW.  On the bright side, my interview went super well this morning, and I should hear back today or tomorrow! WOO!

Since I didn't get the chance to take a picture of my outfit today, here's a really embarrassing picture of me that I thought you might want to see (or not, but whatever, I'm giving you something in the absence of a "real" post).

Just a ridiculous picture of me, wearing my dad's glasses, making my most obnoxious nerd face (and 22 chins!).  ENJOY!

My Own Striped Skirt!

Tank: Old Navy Skirt: Old Navy Jacket: Levi's Tights: Target Boots: Target Necklace: From parents

Oof, you guys.  The Midwest is getting buckets of snow, sleet, and rain today and tomorrow...so today was a boots kind of day.  I'm not one to really complain about the weather, but I did not want to be back in tights.  Since it's laundry day and I'm out of clean pants, though, I had to force myself to dig out my tights again, and I decided to go big or go home with purple tights.  I actually really like the way this outfit turned out.  I've been loving these striped skirts for years, but never bought one for myself for whatever reason.  I recently was in Old Navy using up my Super Cash, and this skirt was on sale for $12!!  Woo!

I've been much more quiet than usual about commenting on others' blogs lately.  First, it was because I was a writing machine, working on the beginnings of my thesis (first draft for the literature review is due on Friday!!), and then my computer battery died.  I KNOW.  I've been blogging from my work computer (shhh, don't tell), because commenting and reading blogs on my phone sucks.  Thankfully, I've got an appointment with the Apple Genius Bar tomorrow to get it back into tiptop shape, and hopefully I'll be able to engage with you all better!!

Also, I have a super important interview tomorrow, so any good vibes you want to send my direction are much appreciated :)

I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Obnoxious Cardigan

 

Tank: Target Cardigan: Target Jeans: Old Navy Scarf: Old Navy Shoes: TOMS

Thank you all for you insights about friendships from yesterday's post.  I enjoyed reading all your comments - and knowing I'm not the only one who has struggled with friendships post-marriage is comforting.  I haven't responded to your comments yet - but bear with me - I'll be responding by the end of the week, once my big paper is turned in :)

The next three days are supposed to be rainy/slushy/SNOWY all day.  I really wanted to wear my new scarf, but I also wanted a little bit of color in my outfit...so I went with the most obnoxiously colored item I have!  Also, with all the rain that's coming today, I picked the wrong shoes.  I'll be wearing boots tomorrow!!

Today is a special day in our family - it's Pippin's Gotcha Day, the day we took her home with us!  We celebrate by spoiling her a little bit more than normal, spending lots of time playing and snuggling, and giving her a huge rawhide.  Two years ago today, we picked her up from her foster mom, and she's been making us laugh every day since.  We love our Pippin!

 The picture that made me fall in love.  Look at that face!!

Pippin and me this morning...sorry about her demon eyes and my wonky scarf!

On Friendships

Shirt: Old Navy Blazer: Target Pants: NY&C Scarf: From Mom Flats: Payless

As I mentioned on Friday, I took a student to a conference this weekend in Minneapolis.  It wound up being a fantastic weekend, full of laughing and learning, and I'm so glad I was able to go!  The best part of the whole conference, for me, was running into an old friend who I went to undergraduate college with.  She and I haven't seen each other in almost two years now, even though we only live an hour away from each other.  With things like Facebook and Instagram, it is easy to feel connected even if it's pretty surface level.

Reconnecting with her and spending lots of time with her made me so thoughtful about friendships.  I'm an incredibly loyal friend.  Once I become friends with someone, I stay friends with them, as long as our relationship adds something to my life.  I have had too many "friendships" that I poured my heart and soul into, only to find out they were not strong friendships to begin with.  Because of my poor history of choosing friends who walk all over me and don't care about me, I've been so reflective lately about which relationships I want to continue to foster and invest the time and energy into.  I'm not the kind of person who needs or wants a ton of friends - I'm content with a few super close friends.  However, I'm very introverted and pretty shy, so it's difficult for me to get to that level of closeness with friends.

I think my lifestyle and personality are what make it so hard.  I'm 25 and have been married for 3 years.  I keep hearing people talk about how dumb it is for people to get married young, or how getting married before the age of 25 is like leaving the party before 10:00.  I may be married, but I'm still a highly independent woman (that's one of the things that Kevin and I have really focused on in our relationships - having identities outside of each other), and I don't think people understand that.  I also am not your typical mid-twenties graduate student.  While most of my classmates enjoy going out to bars on weekends, I am not into that scene at all.  Sure, I enjoy a good Crispin cider every so often, but I'm not interested in getting drunk or babysitting drunk friends.

The kinds of friends and relationships I am interested in, however, include people with whom I can experience life.  I want to talk with people about our lives, our struggles, our joys...the things we do for fun, what we think about the world, what we want in our futures...people I can laugh with and cry with and feel comfortable with.  For me, friendships that center around simply going to the movies or frequenting the bars don't have the solid foundation that is so important to me.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this...I just have been mulling over these thoughts for so long and needed a place to put them.  Do any of you have similar struggles with friendships?  For those of you who are married, have your friendships changed since you got married?  Do you have those few friends you can count on for anything?  I want to know! :)

Stripes!!

Shirt: Old Navy Jeans: NY&C Flats: Payless Necklace: Birthday gift from parents

Whoops!  I didn't get a post up yesterday because I had a little minor medical procedure done (I'm fine) and laid on the couch all day, basically in the same outfit as Monday, just with a chambray shirt instead.  No shame.

I went to Old Navy because I had Super Cash to use, plus I saw all their clearance was an additional 30% off.  I got this shirt, 2 skirts, a dress, two tank tops, and a scarf for around $30...and 5 of the 7 things are striped...anyone else have this problem?

I'm heading to a conference this weekend in Minneapolis (WOO!!) with a student I supervise, and I'm really excited.  I presented at this conference as an undergraduate student and I'm so excited to be going back in a supervisory role.  I'll be decked out in school spirit clothes all weekend (the conference is for people involved in college orientation...) so I have nothing too exciting to share on the blog...because you don't want to see me in jeans and a hoodie, right??

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Bare Legs!

Blouse: JCPenney Cardigan: Gap Skirt: Target Flats: Payless

I'm so excited about the warm temperatures today, so I decided to wear a skirt without tights :)  This skirt is one of my new purchases from March.  It has fine navy and cream colored stripes.  I wanted to keep it simple today, so I paired it with a white button up blouse (with a really pretty floral embellishment on the collar) and a navy cardigan.  I'm excited to wear this skirt all spring and summer, and match it with lots of bright colors.

I've been doing a lot of writing lately, as I'm in the beginning phases of writing my thesis for my Master's program.  I've been behind on commenting on blogs, responding to emails, and planning my posts.  My apologies for being a little quiet lately!  I'm hoping that in the next few weeks, I'll be able to make some good progress on my writing and have a little more time to connect with all my readers and favorite bloggers - bear with me :)

Bohemian Vibe

Tee: Target Skirt: Old Navy Jacket: Levi's Belt: The Limited Flats: Payless

Today's outfit was another thrown together ensemble, as the outfit I had planned for today just didn't work for me.  I need to do laundry, so I'm out of work-appropriate pants (you know you've been there before, too...) and since I am more than ready to be done with tights, it seemed like the perfect day for a maxi skirt!  I came out of our bedroom this morning and Kevin said, "Oooh, I like the Bohemian vibe you've got going on today!"  I'll take it.

I can already tell that this denim jacket is going to get tons of wear.  I've worn it three times in the last week, and I have plenty of other outfits planned that include it!  I hope you (and I) don't get sick of it :)

Last Minute Outfit

Shirt: Old Navy Pants: NY&C Boots: Target Necklace: From Mom

So, I'm a huge nerd, and I have a spreadsheet for tracking and planning my outfits (I'll show how I keep track of all this some time, if you're interested).  I usually plan outfits a week or so in advance, which makes getting dressed in the morning a breeze.  I've been so busy lately, however, that I haven't taken the time to plan my outfits for the week, so I wound up trying about 3-4 outfits on before settling on this (as I ran out of time).  It isn't the greatest outfit in the world, but it was comfortable, and I got several compliments at work about it...so I consider it a win. :)  I have had these ponte pants from NY&C for about two years and this is the first time I've ever worn them (I KNOW).  They wound up being super comfy, although they're almost like leggings so I need to make sure I'm wearing longer tops with them :)  I really like the color of them, too; they're like a light chocolate brown.

I hope you all had a great weekend!  The weather is finally starting to turn around in Minnesota, and I'm so excited to be able to wear my new springy purchases without tights!

Budgeting Bloggers: March

It's time to link up with Fran and the other Budgetting Bloggers!  I try not to spend more than $50 each month on clothes each month.  After a low-spending February, I was tempted by all the spring deals and felt the need to get some new springy pieces to freshen up my wardrobe.  Let's review...

• Navy striped skirt: Target - $18 with gift card
• Black floral wedges: Payless - $15
• Navy polka dot skirt: Target - $9 with gift card
• Gray crew-neck sweatshirt: Old Navy - $15
• Levi's denim jacket: Gift from my parents (thanks, Mom and Dad!!)
• White lace shirt: Target - $18 with gift card
• Navy/green striped sweater dress: Old Navy - $9
• White lace dress: Target - $17 with gift card
• Black/white striped dress: Old Navy - $15
• Red wool cordones: TOMS - Gift from my parents

Grand total: $116.

That's way over my $50ish budget per month.  However, the Target items were purchased with gift cards, including the one I won from Kimmie's blog giveaway in January (thanks, Kimmie!!).  If I subtract out the Target items, the total comes to $54, only $4 over my monthly budget.  I can live with that.  I'm so grateful to my parents, too, for generously giving me the denim jacket and new TOMS!

Many of these items fulfilled items from my closet wish list as well, including the skirts, wedges, denim jacket, and lace shirt.  It feels good to finally have some pieces that I've been searching for for a long time!  I'm so excited to create new outfits with these new pieces and dress for spring :)  What items are you most looking forward to seeing on the blog?

Check out the other Budgetting Bloggers and see how they did this month!