Ten.

Shirt: Old Navy Skirt: Old Navy Sandals: Payless Necklace: Forever 21

Oof, sorry about the crappy iPhone photo and cheesy grin, you guys!  My regular camera was being super funky today and not letting me upload any photos, so you're stuck with the old iPhone...

I did not have to work or go to class this morning, so I was able to sleep in a little bit (8:00!  Woooo!) and work on some homework before hitting the gym.  Ten minutes into my workout, an episode of What Not to Wear came on...so instead of spending the 30 minutes I intended to on the treadmill, I stayed on for the whole episode...I burned 700 calories, though, so that was awesome!  I just love What Not to Wear, and I'm so sad it's going off the air!  I really hope that TLC keeps playing it in syndication, because it's so entertaining.  I've learned a lot about how to dress my body through the show as well, and how to become more confident in my skin.  Plus, it's shows like this (and trashy reality TV) that make my workouts go super fast!!  Please tell me I'm not the only one who watches trashy reality TV on the treadmill...

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!!

I Miss You!

Tee: Target Skirt: Old Navy Scarf: Old Navy Shoes: Payless

I've been trying my best to keep up with blogging despite my crazy class and work schedule, but it's been a little tricky, so please bear with me!  I've been missing it a lot (including reading and commenting on your blogs, too!!), but I haven't had the time to really sit down and catch up yet.  I really wanted to participate in Audrey's 7x7 remix this week, but I didn't have time to prep for it :(  That kind of thing is right up my alley (showing the versatility of your wardrobe!) so I'm bummed that I missed out.  I have been really toying with the idea of doing some kind of 30x30 remix a la Kendi, and even have my 30 pieces picked out...what do you think?  Should I go for it??  I could also create some kind of linky party (even though I really, really hate that term) if any of you want to join.

As for today's outfit, I love it!  I tried on about 4 or 5 different things today until I landed on this.  I really love this skirt, but sometimes I struggle with styling it.  I'm slowly warming up to pattern mixing (but it has to be a little more subtle...I wouldn't wear a polka dot blouse with this skirt!) and I like how the stripes and leopard print look together.  And, you guys, I'm wearing wedges again!  They're pretty comfortable, and totally do-able for a full day of classes.

Thanks again for bearing with me and my sporadic posting/commenting.  I miss you all and hope to get into my summer routine soon!!!

Coral and Navy

Tee: Target Skirt: Target Flats: Payless Necklace: F21

I've been off work since last Friday, and while I enjoyed having the time to bond with Delia and dink around at home, I was ready to get back to work today.  I work in orientation at the university I attend, and we're about to start training all of our new staff members before a summer full of orientation.  I really hate training other people and am not feeling prepared at all, so I was ready to get back into the office today to plug away on some work before our staff arrives on Sunday!  I often feel more productive when I'm dressed nicely, so I wanted to be sure to wear something cute.  I wanted to wear this skirt, and instead of pairing it with something easy/obvious (navy or white), I decided to wear my bright, fun coral tee!  I tied in the navy with a navy and gray necklace.  I really like how this outfit turned out.  I felt comfortable and cute and summery all day.

I tend to place really high expectations on myself.  When I first started the Blog Every Day in May challenge,  I felt determined to complete it and write every. single. day.  I felt pretty good about the challenge the first few days, but after a while, it didn't feel fun anymore.  I wasn't jazzed about every prompt, and I found it to feel like another thing I had to check off of my to do list each day.  It just lost its appeal.  I still think some of the prompts are fantastic, and I may jump in on those days (or borrow the prompts for future posts).  However, I want to keep the focus on my outfits and my own little nuggets for now.  I hate that I'm not completing the project (even though I've missed a day or two) and feel like I'm giving up, but ultimately, I just want to have fun with blogging and not feel such a sense of obligation.  Sound good?

Linking up with Work Clothes I Suppose and Mix and Match Fashion today.

Day Seven: Waste.

Tank: Old Navy Skirt: Old Navy Cardigan: Gap Flats: Payless Necklace: Eclectic Wendy

I'm loving this outfit today.  I picked up this skirt at Old Navy for $3 because I liked both the price and the colors, but have found it a little difficult to style so far.  The green of my blouse is slightly brighter than the green stripes on the skirt, but I really don't mind.  I just feel springy and fun in this outfit!  And I don't feel boring like I have lately.  It's finally spring here in Minnesota and I'm able to wear all the spring outfits I've been planning in my head for months!

So, for the Blog Every Day in May challenge today, I wrote this long post about the things I'm afraid of (needles, fish, vomiting) but these are the physical things that make me pass out or panic.  These are the easy things to talk about.  I was avoiding the deep things that really make me most afraid at my core.  The thing, deep down, that makes me the most afraid is wasting time.

I'm not just talking about wasting time dinking around on the internet (which I'm really good at, but wish I wasn't) or watching copious amounts of mediocre television on Netflix (I'm looking at you, Desperate Housewives), but I'm talking about something bigger.  I'm talking about the kind of time wasting that prevents you from living life and experiencing it all.

• I'm afraid of wasting time on unhealthy friendships.  Or wasting too much time dwelling on the unhealthy friendships I've had in the past that is taking away from the time I could be investing in new, healthy friendships. 
• I'm afraid of time wasting getting in the way of my family.  My grandfather was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and we don't have as much time (good time, filled with memories) left to spend together.  I'm lucky that I still have four grandparents left, but I know that my time with them is precious.
• I'm afraid that if I waste too much time, I won't be able to accomplish the things I want to.  I have dabbled in painting, but at the end of the day, it is too easy to reach for my laptop instead of my paintbrushes.  I want to learn to love running, but I waste time sitting around instead of getting outside in my running shoes.  I want to become a mother via adoption, but if I waste my time and money at the mall and doing other frivolous things instead of working hard, earning more money, and putting that money towards my future child(ren), I'm afraid it will never happen for me.

Wasting time is so scary for me.  I would love to get better at using my time well and in the most meaningful and productive way possible.  What have you done to better use your time?  What are you afraid of?

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!

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 :)