Nine.

Tee: Target Pants: NY&C Sandals: Target Scarf: Old Navy

You guys, I'm not sure what the deal is, but the mosquitos and gnats where we live are horrible right now.  Seriously, they are everywhere.  Every time I walk outside I get at least one bite, and I've inhaled so many and gotten so many stuck between my glasses and my eyeballs that I could scream.  They buzz in my ears incessantly.  This morning, walking to my car, I had one trapped in my hair.  ICK.  They even are coming inside - I kill at least one mosquito each day in our apartment, and there was one in my office at work today when I was trying to get things done.  A couple of nights ago, there was a mosquito in our bed...I only noticed it when I woke up with mosquito bites all over my toes.  At that point, they don't even itch anymore...they just hurt.

Is it just us, or are any of you experiencing a disgustingly high amount of mosquitos and gnats where you live right now?  I mean, we usually have a boatload of them (people in MN say that the mosquito is our state bird), but it is abnormally gross right now.

One.

Chambray shirt: Old Navy Skirt: Old Navy Shoes: Target Belt: Target Necklace: Gift

It's here!  The 30x30 that Inge and I are taking on together is finally here!  I have been wanting to do this for a while, and it feels great to have a friend alongside me.  Be sure to check out Inge's blog as well to follow along with her.

I love this skirt, but I feel like pencil skirts are often not flattering on my body, which makes them hard to style sometimes.  My chambray shirt seemed to be a good fit, since it's a little looser and forgiving, but just the shirt and skirt together made me look a little boxy and plain.  I tried tucking in my shirt, but it was bunchy and looked weird.  Instead, I tried to define my waist a little more by adding a belt - it almost adds a peplum kind of silhouette...and I like it!  I have always loved the look of a skinny belt around the waist on other people, but I'm kind of squishy and feel like it emphasizes that.  However, I'm trying hard to step outside of my comfort zone and accept my body the way it is, so here you have it!

I hope you all had a great weekend!  I finished two summer classes on Friday, so I was able to relax and "play" guilt-free all weekend long!  It felt awesome.  I caught up on blogs, watched Monsters Inc and then went to the theater to see Monsters University, and had time to cook some food instead of just grabbing whatever was in my fridge.  This week is going to be awesome, with hardly any obligations.  I've needed this break for a while, and I'm super happy to be getting it!!

Day Fourteen: 10 Things I Love about Life

Tee: Target Shorts: Old Navy Shoes: Born Necklace: F21

It's going to be 95 degrees here today...WHAT.  I've already shared my disdain for shorts, and while I really don't want to be wearing them today, it's too hot not to.  And I'm pretty sure a flowy dress or skirt is just a play toy for a puppy, so I decided to just suck it up and wear one of my new pairs of shorts.  I still don't love the way they look on me - slightly snug in the waist and the leg holes are huge, but whatever...they're as good as it will get, I fear.  I love these dressy tees from Target, too.  The material is soft, and I love this bright teal color.

Today, I'm sharing with you a list of 10 things that make me happy.  Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Kevin!  He is my perfect partner.  We are so, so different from each other in many ways, but we just work together.  He is super funny and makes me laugh all the time.
2. Painting.  It is so fun to have a hobby like this, where I can just sit quietly or with a podcast or playlist of favorite tunes and create something.
3. Singing.  I love, love, love to sing, especially with other people.  Singing in a small group or a duet is my absolute favorite.  When you sing with someone whose voice blends beautifully with yours, there's almost nothing better.
4. Dogs!  I especially love our little Pippin.  She is quirky and sweet and snuggly and sassy, and she is the best companion ever.  Also, I'm loving little Delia, our foster pup, right now.  She's a great little puppy, and I am excited to help her find her forever home!
5. Frozen yogurt.  It's just delicious and refreshing!
6. Minnesota!  I really don't want to get too political on my blog, but I can't NOT talk about this today.  Minnesota became the 12th state in the country to legalize gay marriage yesterday.  I could not be happier - so many of my family and friends will finally have the privileges I do and will be able to marry their loves as well!
7. Warm, sunny, breezy days.  I'm not much of an outside girl, but on perfect days like that, I just want to sit outside and soak it all in.
8. My family and friends.  It's so great to know there are people out there who support me and care about me.  And man, do they make me laugh!!
9. Harry Potter.  I know the series is over, but I absolutely LOVE Harry Potter.  The books are smart and interesting, and pose some fascinating questions.  I have so much respect for JK Rowling.
10. Telling other people about the positive impact they have had on me.  I know how wonderful it feels to know that I've made a difference in someone else's life, and it means so much to me to pass that along to those who have impacted me as well.