Mayor of Squintsville...

I swear, I wasn't angry when I took these photos. It was just super sunshiny, and I didn't want to wear my sunnies in the pictures.



Top: H&M
Skirt: consigned
Shoes: Target
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: old

Closeup:


Summer has bitch-slapped the DC area. Seriously, guys, it has gotten H-O-T HOT.
(Ironically, this morning was actually cool enough that I pulled the sleeves back down on my cardigan and it is only supposed to peak in the low 80s.)

Brilliantly, I decided to sign up for a running class. (Yes, some of us actually need instruction on how to do this.) Running on 100+ degree weather when there is like a billion percent humidity? SMART. Yep, that's me. But after all the complaining I have done about how I don't like the changes in my body over the last several years, I have finally decided to DO something about it. In addition to the running class, I have also purchased a Groupon for one of the local dance/fitness studios in my area. And I'm attending a Weight Watchers at Work open house meeting this week -- pretty sure I'm going to start that program. I'm not looking to revamp my entire lifestyle, but I'm trying to be more active and make smarter choices.

On a personal note, my dad has spent the last 2 weeks in the hospital. Without going into detail, he doesn't take care of himself, and his health was at an all-time low. At the same time, he also has to learn how to walk again. He is now temporarily in a nursing home for physical therapy/rehabilitation.
I saw him this weekend and he looks much better, but has a lot of work to do.
I would appreciate any prayers and positive vibes you can send his way.

Black-Out Challenge, Day Five...

Though the challenge technically lasted for a full week, I rarely take weekend photos, so Friday was the end of the challenge for me. For the record, I wore no black on Saturday, but I did finally wear black on Sunday: I wasn't feeling well, and the brown comfy-pants that I had been vegging out in really needed to be washed, so I ended up wearing their black counterparts. So really, I was *thisclose* to going completely blackless for the full week.



Dress: Anne Taylor Loft
Earrings: Claire's
Necklace: bought from a friend
Thin Bangle: thrifted
Thick Bangle: Claire's
Shoes (not pictured): given to me by a friend

Closeup:


Despite the photographic evidence showing otherwise, there were shoes in this outfit. However, it was a GORGEOUS day outside, and I just didn't feel like wearing them come picture time. Plus, this is much closer to how I wore the outfit all day -- the shoes were kicked off under my desk 99% of the day. Anywho, they were nude wedges. Nothing exciting, but I'm not sure that they've made it onto the blog before (or at least not recently) so maybe I should have snapped them. Oh well -- can you forgive me??cl

Dress Your Best: Neck...

Day 4 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:



Top: Burlington Coat Factory
Jacket: Nordstrom Rack
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Rack Room Shoes
Earrings: Claire's
Bangle: Claire's?
Necklace: bought from a friend
Cami (unseen): Old Navy

Closeup:


For many people, wearing a turtleneck or other top with a high neckline means that none of their actual neck is shown. Oftentimes, it creates the illusion that the person's chin rests directly on their clavicle.
I love that I am able to wear high-necked tops and still have some of my actual neck able to be seen. There is something a bout a long neck that makes me feel a little more graceful. Dare I say swanlike.

Ironically, the day I decided to celebrate my neck was the day it decided to fail me. I have suffered on and off for a few years from muscle spasms in my back that make it extremely painful to turn or tilt my head to the left. Thankfully at this point I know fairly well how to treat it myself, but of course, on the day I decided to dress for my neck, it decided to pay me back by being stiff and painful.

No worries, neck.
I still love you, and I will nurse you back to health.

A Toe in the Water...

I'm dipping my toe back into the fashion waters today.
This post almost didn't happen because I didn't get home until late last night, and when I pulled the camera out, the battery was dead. I almost went to my bedroom to change into my PJs, but then I decided to have the fiance take my photo on my cameraphone. The quality is utter crap, but at least there are pictures!



Striped Sweater: Pretty Good via Marshall's
Yallow Top: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: gift from fiance from a stand in the mall
Bracelet: thrifted

Nothing fashion-forward here; this outfit was more for function. My feet have been hurting, and I had a happy hour after work, so I wanted to wear flats. It's been chilly (and with the oncoming of summer, I know my skirts will get a workout) so I decided to wear pants. I love this sweater because it's easy and comfy. A little pop of yellow in the tshirt and accessories.
Easy Peasy.

And because Kristen requested a larger image of the full outfit:



Are there any other changes/features you'd like me to incorporate into the blog?

They Call me Mellow Yellow...

Only this yellow wasn't very mellow at all!
I find yellow to be a very difficult color for me, and i think I look better in a more muted, mustardy yellow. However do love this skirt, and I don't really have an appropriate brown top to wear with it (which is the color I would normally be more inclined to pair with it).



Top: H&M
Skirt: Anne Taylor LOFT, swapped
Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted
Necklace: very old
Bangles: bought from a friend
Earrings: NY&Co

Hopefully wearing the chunky brown necklace near my face helped to counteract some of the yellow washing me out.

I wore the top tucked in because I thought it looked more pulled-together than an untucked tshirt (because really, that's all this shirt is). But I really don't like the way it looks like I'm carrying a spare tire around my midsection. I think this issue could have been counteracted with a nice wide belt worn where the top and skirt meet; unfortunately, I don't own a wide brown belt -- this has now been added to my shopping list!
I untucked the top when I got home, and I think the proportions were much better for me.

My fiance is at two different soccer practices tonight. I could have anything I want in the world for dinner, and I opted for mac-n-cheese with salsa on it.
What does that say about me?
*facepalm*

A Spring in my Step...

Huzzah! Finally, an outdoor photo!



Yellow Top: H&M
Cardi: TJ Maxx
Brown Pants: unknown
Shoes: Mudd
Earrings: Cato

After having participated in the Wardrobe Capsule Challenge last week, you'd think I would have all sorts of ideas for new outfits I would want to wear, but when I stood in the closet, I was completely clueless. Uninspired. I had no idea. So of course, I turned to Kimberley's Inspiration Calendar. This called for "Neutrals with a Citrus Pop." I think I have more pop than neutral, but with the official start of Spring nosing its way ever-so-near, I don't care!

Not only was it finally WARM enough to attempt an outdoor photo, but after having cleaned out the garage this past weekend with dear fiance, I think I actually have somewhere to take outdoor photos again! See, when we moved, we lost the joy of having a deck, and I really had trouble finding a place where I could snap a few pictures. Of course, I need enough light, but I also like a halfway decent background and a tiny bit of privacy. This location isn't perfect, but it will do for now -- at least you can't see light switches and power sockets in the background!

This weekend we have our first pre-wedding counseling session, and next week is our food tasting. We already have a venue (with a caterer), and I have a dress. We are *thisclose* to having both a photographer and the band I reallyreallyreally want to have -- just need to sign contracts, but they are pretty much good-to-go. I was worried about not doing much wedding-wise for January and February, but March seems to be falling right into place. *Yay!*