Laundry Day: So Freakin' Bad

Well, kids, I'm apparently a fan of the late deadline, but I couldn't help but enter Merl's fabulous contest before the clock runs out. Merl is a fantastically lovely, funny, creative Midwest lady and a particular blog crush of mine, so it's only natural that I'd jump at a chance to blow $100 on her creations. If any of you care to do the same, you've got until midnight tonight. *oooOOOoooo* (supposed to be creepy werewolf/horror/Halloween movie noises)

Title song: Travis "Travie" McCoy, "Billionaire"

I Wonder What You Can See from Up There

Guys, it's video Friday! And actually, I have a job for you. When I do regular features on BLD, I try to come up with clever, laundry-related puns for the titles (Spin Cycle, Airing Her Dirty Laundry, etc.). But I've had the hardest time coming up with a name for the video feature I've started doing. That's where you come in! If you have any ideas for cute titles for the video feature (or any other feature you'd like to see on BLD), leave them in the comments! If I pick yours, I'll give you a hug (in the virtual sense: *hug*), and maybe something even cooler!!

Title song: Jim Noir, "Climb a Tree"

The Clock Keeps Its Steady Chime

Blouse: gift from a friend * Pencil skirt: Old Navy, remixed * Cardigan: Derek Heart, remixed * Obi belt: The Mexican Shop, remixed * Booties: Payless, remixed * Bag: vintage Kenneth Cole, remixed

Thursday?? Where did you come from? Seriously, this week has gone by so quickly, and has been so busy. My days involve getting up at 6:00, going to work at 8:00, getting home at 6:00, finishing dinner and dishes by 8:00, working on my second job until 10:00, collapsing into bed by 11:00 (in case you didn't notice, I'm one of those anal people who has to write the ":00" after a number when I'm talking about the time. 'Cause none of you would understand if I said I went to work at "8". What does that mean!??!?!?). Anyway, I'm tired, and infinitely glad that I have leftovers to eat when I get home tonight.

This outfit is very much in keeping with the black, maroon, and neutral color palette I posted yesterday. I felt classy as shit in this outfit, but I'm actually not crazy about how it translated in pictures. I think I look just a tiny bit stumpified, and I think it's the boots that I'm on the fence about. I mostly wear these with long pants, and so I'm not used to how they look with skirts and dresses. I'd like to see how they look with chunky cold-weather socks and skinny jeans, now that it's getting colder. They're one of those pieces that I'm always on the fence about, even though I wear them so often that their cost per wear is probably under $1. Do any of you have fickle pieces like that? Do you stick with them or try to find something that you're more inclined to love every time you wear it?

Title song: Emilie Autumn, "4 o'clock"

'Cause You Got It Made

Shirt: Hellz, via Plndr, borrowed from Emily * Pants: Old Navy, remixed * Brogues: Trotters, remixed * Cardigan: Derek Heart, remixed * Belt: thrifted, remixed * Glasses: Burberry, remixed

Thank you all for your kind comments on yesterday's post. It was awesome to read through some of each of your "three good things", and definitely lifted my spirits. Today, my three good things are: 1) I can hear the fall leaves rustling around, and there are little piles building up on the sidewalks; 2) It's Wednesday, which means we're halfway there!; 3) I never cease to be amazed by how wonderfully supportive this community is. Thanks, all. Hugs all around!

Sunglasses!!

So this shirt? This awesome shirt that is way cooler than any other shirt? Not actually mine. Emily got it from Plndr and was infinitely kind enough to let me borrow it. She even let me borrow it before she had even gotten a chance to wear it first. Oh, and then? And then? I spill wine on it. Seriously. I spent the whole day thinking about how nice she was, and how I was going to return it right away, and she'd be all impressed by how clean it was. And then I'm talking to someone at a work thing, and they bump into me, and *splash!* wine on Emily's shirt. The silver lining is that it came out right away, all the way. I shouldn't be allowed to have roommates. Anyway, the point of that was to make sure you saw the awesome sunglasses pattern on the shirt, and that you took note of how awesome Emily is. Got it? Good.

Title song: Corey Hart, "Sunglasses at Night"

Sunlight Fall Down Over Me

White t-shirt: Sears, remixed * Lace skirt: Target * Silver brogues: thrifted, remixed * Tan jacket: Forever 21, remixed * Belt: thrifted

I stayed home from work yesterday and ended up spending a lot of time thinking about my life (dangerous business). I thought about how I prioritize things, what I do when I start getting busy, how I deal with things when I'm feeling run-down or deflated. The verdict is that when left to my own devices, I don't deal particularly well with challenges and hard days (or weeks or months). I retreat into myself, which often leaves little room for pulling myself together and out of my funk.

One of the things that Joe asks me to do when I'm frustrated and talking about feeling despondent is to list three positive things about the day. At the moment, it always frustrates me further for a second; my instinct to wallow is strong. But he insists, and I list my three good things, and it somehow magically throws things into perspective. The power of positive thinking, I guess. So I'm trying to take a "three good things" approach to life. Do a little bootstrap pulling and look on the bright side. And, more importantly, act on the bright side. Make those three good things happen every day. Consistently think of reasons why what I'm doing (in the moment or in my life) is good.

Speaking of good things, let's talk about this outfit (that's right, I'm not afraid to toot my own horn when I know it's worth tootin'). These pictures were taken over the weekend after Joe and I met up with Elena, Adam, and Elena's sister Anna for lunch on Saturday (more pics to come from our awesome picnic!). I've been obsessed with wearing this outfit ever since I saw Kyla rock it a couple of months ago. I think she looked so fantastic, and this combination has been in my inspiration folder (in my mind...) ever since.

The funny thing is, I have almost each piece from Kyla's original look, just in a different color (though still in the same color palette). I don't have an olive green jacket, but I have a tan one. I don't have tan laceless oxfords, but I have silver ones. I don't have a silver t-shirt, but I have a white one. I don't have a white lace skirt, but I have an olive green one. I mean, it's kind of ridiculous. So anyway, thanks, Kyla, for the continual inspiration, and for adding substantially to my three good things of the day. The other good things that day included eating pumpkin pie on the grass with Elena and baking a big ol' lasagna for Joe. Oh, and celebrating fall by playing in the leaves.

What are your three good things about today?

Title song: Bodeans, "Good Things"

Bonzie in Irish Brides Winter 2010

Irish Brides Edition Oct/Dec 2010

Bonzie Embellished Bridal Sash
Bonzie Ivory Tulle Tea Length Skirt

Bonzie Tudor Velvet Bolero

Hi gals,

Delighted to be featured in the most recent issue of Irish Brides Magazine. A stunning editorial styled by Tanya Grimson and photographed by Agata Stoinska.

Credits:

Photographer: Agata Stoinska, www.stoinksa.com

Assisted by : Aoife Herrity

Stylist: Tanya Grimson www.tanyagrimson.ie

Assisted by: Rebecca Kennedy and Agnes Hennessy

Make up: Debbie Finnegan for Mac Cosmetics

Hair by Lorraine Browne, www.lorrainebrownehair.com

Assisted by; Ronni Morgan

Model: Agneta at Morgan the Agency.

Sylvia Muffin put her head in the oven.