See How We Play

Striped shirt: Target * Gray tank (layered) * Old Navy * Mustard cords: Gap, remixed * Loafers: thrifted

Oooh, I had a late night last night. Lots of work to do, not enough time to do it, so I'm up early this morning to keep plugging away. I'm at that point in the work cycle where things start to seem a bit bleak, but I have also gotten to that stubborn phase where I'm absolutely determined that I will, no matter what, do all the things. Hopefully I can keep this momentum for a couple more days, and then lie back and enjoy the weekend.

I can't, however, seem to focus my brain enough to write much of a post, so I'll leave you with my sunshiney pants, fabulous leather loafers (they're new, but not breaking the shopping ban, 'cause Joe bought them for me. Plus, they were $2.50. That falls in the category of you'd-be-an-asshole-if-you-didn't-buy-them), all inspired by one of Tania's recent lovely outfits.

Title song: Lionel Richie, "All Night Long"

This Day by the Lake Went Too Fast

Dress: Tulle * Cardigan: Forever 21, remixed * Belt: thrifted, remixed * Shoes: Trotters, remixed * Elephant ring: Forever 21, remixed

As I mentioned a few times, yesterday was a big day for me. While I'm not in school and I'm not a teacher, it was very much like the first day of school for me. Lots of new people, new responsibilities, long important to-do lists, and, the trademark of any good first day of school, shiny new stationary. So with all of that came a bit of a nervousness about what to wear. I put it to all of you a few days ago, and I got some awesome suggestions, which I'm dying to try out throughout the week. Ultimately, for the first day, I decided to go with a more classic first day of school idea: a new dress. I always used to set an outfit aside for the first day of school, something that I hadn't worn before and that I knew I'd feel good in. This dress was that thing for me yesterday. I got it at Tulle's mega-ridiculous sale in January for something absurd like $3.99, but I hadn't worn it yet (hence the need for a shopping ban. Seriously, if I have stuff in my closet that I haven't even worn yet, there is no point in buying anything new). And it turns out I just love it. I'm upset that I missed eight months of wearing it, but I'm excited to style it through the fall and winter, and, of course, into next spring and summer, too!

Honestly, I was so comfortable and happy in this outfit. It might just become my go-to powerhouse ensemble, for days when I need that extra oomph. And the day went perfectly. I'm insanely shy in real life, the kind of person whose voice cracks when speaking in public and fidgets constantly with my fingers, coffee cup, etc., not to mention avoiding eye contact like the plague. But I was in charge of the orientation activities yesterday, and, while I was nervous, I know I did an awesome job. It was one of those days where you leave work feeling like you're so good at what you do. Now I'm just really excited for the rest of the week, and totally ready for summer to end and fall to officially kick off.

I've also mentioned a bunch lately that I have a crap-load of things to do right now. It's true. Between my regular job and the extra work I've been doing on the side, I barely have time to make dinner, and every diversion seems like a major time-wasting distraction. But I have also found, amidst all this stress and motivation, that having at least one diversion is good. The past week or so has totally rejuvenated my passion for blogging and reaching out to all of you. You're all kind of like my little support group, and it's refreshing and just lovely to take a quick break from everything to write a post, read some blogs, write a few comments. I still have to cut back this week, because I just won't be able to get everything done otherwise, but all this busy-ness has made me realize how much I love this little hobby of mine, and how much I adore the community that I've become a part of. I guess I'm just trying to say that it's nice that you're all there. So thanks.

Title song: Rilo Kiley, "With Arms Outstretched"

And She's Just a Blur

Dress: hand-me-down * Shirt: Tulle * Shoes: Old Navy, remixed * Ring: Forever 21, remixed

Yep, awesomesauce forest pictures are back! This place is literally a stone's throw from Joe's back door, and I imagine I'll be utilizing it heavily on the weekends for my outfit shots. I can't wait until the leaves start to change in autumn. And I imagine it will be a much different, more barren and magical, landscape in the snowy winter. But for now, though it's hard to feel like it's still summer, I'm loving the lush greenery of these woods.

I essentially lived in some form of this outfit all weekend. Emily's old roommate had a bag of clothes that she had left behind when she moved to NY, so, of course, I immediately took to harvesting some unwanted gems! This little gray jersey sundress quickly made its way into my closet, and I just love it. It's amazingly comfortable, like wearing pajamas. It's a bit low-cut on me, though, so I've been layering blouses, t-shirts, and button-up shirts underneath it for modesty and interest. I really like the cool color palette in this particular outfit. Grays and blues and soft greens (all the way down to the nail polish!).

Today is the start of an incredibly busy week for me. My normal 9-5 is getting busier and busier each week, and this week I'm responsible for orientation for a whole group of people. It should be fine, and I'm actually quite excited to meet everybody, but I know I'll be exhausted by Friday. I have a Thursday deadline for some extra work I'm doing, too, which means that my free time this week won't be so free. I'm hoping to be able to keep posting pretty regularly (hey, everybody needs a little diversion, even on the busiest of weeks, right?), but I can't imagine I'll have much time to read other blogs or comment. Bear with me, yes?

Title song: Nickel Creek, "Green and Gray"

What I Think Isn't Always What I Do

Crochet-top tank: Forever 21 * Lace skirt: thrifted * Cardigan: harvested from Emily's donation pile, remixed * Two-tone brogues: UO, remixed * Belt: thrifted * Earrings: DIY, remixed

It's been a kind of rough week for me. I suddenly got swamped at work, so I've been exhausted in the evenings. I have a to-do list a mile long that I only seem to be able to chip away at, and I've been in that "Monday funk" ever since Tuesday (weird, I know). Sometimes a forced change of attitude is just what I need, so I tried to intentionally turn things around last night. That, along with chocolate, a glass of wine with Kelli, and a bowl of pasta, seemed to do the trick, and I'm feeling much more up to par now (actually, should I feel "under par"? Isn't that technically better? Dammit, I should know better than to use golf analogies in my posts). I've also gotten lots of love from friends and family, as well as all the virtual hugs my readers have sent my way (thanks for that!). And anyway, it's Friday, so who could be grumpy today anyway?

I very nearly wore this outfit last Saturday. Now, I'm not one for strict dress codes for different activities, but this. is not. a weekend outfit. Each individual piece could definitely be casually remixed for weekend awesomeness, but altogether this is a work outfit. Luckily I realized it right away (thank goodness for full-length mirrors!) and set it aside for another, more appropriate, day. Speaking of work appropriateness, I have a really big day on Monday. I'm meeting a ton of new people that I'll be supervising, advising, and mentoring, and I want to look professional, approachable, and not too young (many of them will probably be older than me, and I want to maintain my position as a person with some semblance of authority). Any tips or tricks for what I should wear? Outfits I've worn before that you've particularly loved? Outfits that you've worn that you think would be perfect? I'm open to suggestions!

Title song: Jeremy Fisher, "On Par"

Take a Rest as a Friend

Dress: Urban Outfitters, remixed * Boots: Bakers, remixed * Necklace: Target * Ring: gift from bestie, remixed

Wow, it's Thursday already! Amazing how awesomely fast the week is going by after having Monday off! Of course, I have an incredibly busy week next week, so I'm working ten times as hard this week to prepare for everything that will be going on. Oh well, I guess that just means that Friday will feel that much sweeter. I'm visiting Joe again this weekend, and have lots to do tonight to get ready to be out of town for a few days. I'm baking this bread that Haiku Ambulance recommended (girl, so good. It's rising right. now.). I may end up baking a couple of extra loaves, to bring to Joe and leave with my roomies. I have to do tons of laundry (I'm being optimistic when I guess that it will be four loads), pack my shit, catch up on some work stuff, and hopefully get some sleep. I woke up this morning with a bit of a sore throat, so I'm really hoping that I'm not coming down with something. The agenda for the day includes tons of water, Emergen-C, and hot tea. I already took my vitamins.

Sorry this post somehow turned into a literal laundry list of crap I have to do. It helps me to write it all down somehow. I'm a big list person, but don't always make them anymore, at least not for non-work related stuff. Maybe since I wrote it here I'll actually be motivated to do some of it. Anyway, even though I don't have much to say about this outfit, I feel that I should point out how effing badass it is. I felt very rock and roll, sort of in that nineties, babydoll-dress-grunge-rock kind of way, and I loved it. It's probably why I look kind of angsty in these pictures. I was channeling my inner Dave Grohl.

p.s. The other day I wore these crazy wide-leg pants with a huge blazer, and I totally looked like a cross between this and this. In the coolest damn way (I know that those are both long-ish videos, but they are both so worth it. Both so that you know how rad I looked and also on their own fantastically awesome merits). Forgot pictures though, so I'll have to recreate it sometime for ya.

Title song: Nirvana, "Come as you Are"

I'm in Good Condition

Dress: Ragstock * Tank: H&M, remixed * Belt: thrifted and remixed * Shoes: Kmart, remixed * Purse: vintage Kenneth Cole, remixed

Uh-oh. I have a new dress. My shopping ban is whimpering in the corner. No, that's not true. Well, the part about the dress being new is true. But my shopping ban is still a formidable beast. This dress was on the super-mega-clearance-bonanza rack at Ragstock, for $5. I had $5 in cash, in my pocket. Joe had enough change to cover the tax. This dress is silk and awesomesauce. Decision made.

My only regret is that I didn't buy it earlier in the summer so that I could wear it all season. I'm sure I'll find ways to remix it as the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, but it's pretty much the perfect summer sundress, and I'm excited to bust it out next season. Short and sweet for today, loves. I have a tres busy workday and then a to-do list a mile long. Happy hump day!

But first! Would you have broken your shopping ban for this $5 dress? Did I just open the floodgates? Would you mind sending me $5 to fill the void that is now my bank account (I kid, I kid)?

Title song: Ella Fitzgerald, "I've Got Five Dollars"

She Is Comfort by My Side

Maxi dress: Old Navy, remixed * Cardigan: harvested from Emily's donation bag, remixed * Scarf: Target, remixed * Sandals: BC Footwear, remixed * Necklace: Noble Town Vintage, remixed * Earrings: DIY, remixed * Purse: vintage Kenneth Cole, remixed

Good morning world! The long weekend is over. How was it for everyone? Any burgers? Brats? Beers? Joe and I celebrated his birthday, and we ate so much seriously tasty food. Wild mushroom risotto (with mushrooms that Joe found in these very woods!), BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, homemade blueberry pie, fried cheese curds, Spanish-style tortilla with chorizo that my folks gave Joe for his birthday (soooo good, guys!), homemade carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting, and yummy coffee brewed in Joe's new french press. I know I'm totally failing right now for not having pictures of any of it, especially after so many of you expressed an interest in seeing some of my cookery, but I was so focused on getting it into my belly that I didn't want to pause for a second, even to take pictures. I'm sure I gained a bit of weight from all that eating (or at least an enviable food baby), but it was so worth it.

We also discovered some of the most fantastic photo-taking spots ever, just near Joe's new place (hence the mind-boggling multitude of pictures in this post. I just couldn't help myself!). I know we're on the verge of autumn now, and everything will be turning gold and orange and red soon, but right now everything is just so green, and it was really fun setting up our little photoshoot amidst all that greenery. Plus, I've recently been really embracing using the natural light at dusk. There's something so illuminatingly beautiful about the light at that time of day. To me, it's like the opposite of ethereal. It's real, and alive, and pulsing with energy.

Of course, I couldn't help but get a bit silly. I don't typically get such interactive props!

We saw a bunny on the trail during the photoshoot, but nothing really point-worthy. However, I felt that it was really important that I strike my most fearless explorer pose.

The weekend was lovely, honestly. Joe's new place is starting to feel more and more like home, and it was nice getting to spend an extra day with him, especially to celebrate his birthday! Though for me, the best part about a three-day weekend is that you get a short work week right after. Next weekend is already so close!

Title song: Eddie Vedder, "Hard Sun"