Stagnant (or Day 8)

Skinny jeans, gray cami, argyle cardigan, black flats
Originally, the cardigan was buttoned up. I felt very 50's schoolgirl. But you know... with jeans and tattoos. It was pretty cool.
Also, apparently I need to check my makeup before I take these pictures... I look a little dead in this picture.

On a not clothes related note, lately I just feel like I'm going through the motions. Like we're working our butts off to get out of debt, lose weight, and graduate (well, I'm trying to graduate). And it's just not happening...
(although, I did turn in my senior seminar paper today! Woo Hoo!)

I just need a change of pace. Something to get me out of my funk. Good thing Thanksgiving is coming up. I'll get some time to recharge.

Do you ever feel like that? Like you're just treading water and not making any headway on the things you'd most like to accomplish? How do you deal with it?

Weekender (Days 6 & 7)

Saturday:Jean skirt, black sweater, cowboy boots.

Worn to the grocery store. Not my favorite outfit. The best part about the outfit is the cowboy boots, and I just felt really self-conscious in them. I'm trying to make an effort to wear things I don't wear all the time. This is probably the second time these cowboy boots have been worn in over a year... And they're really cute! My problem with the boots lies in my insecurities, not in the boots themselves. To combat that, I am pledging to wear these boots at least 2 more times in this challenge. Overall, I feel this outfit is uninspired, though. Good thing it was only for a trip to Wal-Mart. (p.s. my photographer went to work before I got home from the grocery store, so we have another mirror shot...)

Sunday:Purple Dress, Blazer, Black Flats.

Worn to church for our niece's baby dedication. I like this. A lot. Despite the fact that the skirt was a liiiiitttle short (ok it was a lot short) for me and the blazer hit at a weird spot on this dress. Also, the belt is pretty awesome. Mostly because this dress is getting too big for me. I would've never put this outfit together if not for this challenge.

See that coffee cup? It's my dad's. It's from the Birmingham News. They get it. Do you? The internet is cool and all, but there's just something about opening up a newspaper. Plus, the Birmingham News employs lots of people (like my awesome dad) that the internet does not. As soon as we get a real address we'll get a subscription to the Birmingham News. I'm so looking forward to it. Sure, the internet is free, but somethings are worth paying for.

Have you found a new outfit you love that you wouldn't have tried before the 30 for 30 challenge?
Do you prefer a newspaper to the internet? Why or why not?

Friday Confessions (or Day 5)

Confession: I am a planner. A list-maker. A worrier. It's just what I do. So, it shouldn't surprise you that I already have a list of 30 different outfits comprised of these 30 pieces.

Confession 2: I suck at sticking to my plans. This outfit was not on my list for today. Originally, there was going to be a sweater dress, tights, and boots... you know things that people would normally wear in November. But, since we're having crazy warm weather (hello highs in the upper 70's) right now, I opted for some layers that can accomodate the changing weather through the day. Also, the skinny jeans are back for round 4. I just couldn't make myself shave my legs this morning.

Confession 3: This might be my favorite outfit ever. I love the jewel tones. And not having to worry about accessorizing.

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (or Day 4)

Apparently, today is a day for country song quotes. What can I say? Some of them are so patriotic... And patriotism is what it's all about today folks.




I don't know if you know this, but I'm an American history major (read: nerd). So, for people like me Veterans Day is a double whammy of awesome.


You see, Veterans Day was chosen on this particular day because it marks the end of WWI . It was originally called Armistice Day. But, armistice means "peace" and WWI was supposed to be the war to end all wars... but then WWII happened (obviously WWI didn't end all wars). So, in 1954, Congress chose to change this holiday to Veterans Day to honor the country's veterans.


Veterans Day was always pretty cool... I mean who doesn't love an extra day off work/school? And everyone loves sales! But I never had a real appreciation for it until recently. In high school, I studied female volunteers in the Vietnam War and began to understand that Veterans Day is about more than a vacation from school or going shopping. Then, I met the hubs. He is a veteran. His father is a veteran. They have shown me that veterans aren't a faceless mass (I don't think I knew any veterans until them) but real people. They are real people who have sacrificed so much for me to have the freedoms that I usually take for granted.
I will never be able to express my grattitude in the right way. Veterans should be thanked and honored more than this one day in November, but today is a great reminder to say thanks for all they have done.





So, thanks to any and all veterans (though I doubt vets read this blog) and also to any wives and families of veterans. And a big heartfelt thank you to active military. You are not unnoticed.





So, here is my subtle (or not-so-subtle) nod to all the veterans and active military:

skinny jeans, red t-shirt, white grandpa sweater, black boots.

I felt a little ridiculous as the day went on... it's hot here in Alabama! The boots are a little unnecessary this afternoon.

Food Hangover (and Day 3)

Last night I went to a friend's house to bake banana bread and cookies and brownies (oh my!) for a bake sale at school today.

I taste tested way too much. So, my weigh-in Wednesday results were not as good as I wanted.

11/10: 250lbs. I lost nothing. Trying to remind myself that there is a small victory in here that I didn't gain any weight this week.

Uggh. I have a food hangover. I feel bloated and sluggish... And kinda disappointed in myself.

And now onto clothes:

Skinny jeans, purple cami, polka dot cardigan, bronze flats.

I love this combination of items. Usually, though, I wear a darker cami under this particular cardigan. So, here's to taking chances on clothing choices...

It's only day 3, and I'm already starting to feel nervous about this 30 for 30 challenge. Gonna have to start getting creative!

Have you noticed that you're already stepping out of your comfort zone this early on in the 30 for 30 challenge?

A Jigsaw Puzzle (or Day 2)

Left to my own devices, you get a disassembled version of me. Maybe it's for the best since this outfit was probably a little on the boring side (although, I loved it).

I wore my skinny jeans, black turtleneck and black flats. I love this combination. I loved this outfit. It's so simple and elegant, to me. It's such a blank (and classy!) slate for anything to be put on top of it. Since I am new to the world of accessorizing, I have very few necklaces, but I chose this one to add a little more visual interest. Also, I love makeup. Love it. And there's nothing like a bold red lip to get you through a rough Tuesday (every Tuesday is rough for me, for what it's worth).

How do you deal with simple/boring outfits? Do you layer on the accessories? or do you let the simplicity shine?

Day 1

Day 1 outfit. Green shirt and jean skirt. Alabama is still warm enough to go without tights. It's so nice outside.

Not gonna lie, all of my 30 for 30 clothes are sitting in my laundry basket on the floor. I'm a beginner.

Be prepared to see this shirt/ similar outfits a lot over the next 30 days. These are some of my favorite items. Also, I have to get dressed in the dark in the early morning while Josh is still sleeping, so I went for what was laying right on top of the pile.

Please excuse the cell phone photo. My photographer and I weren't seeing eye to eye. (tranlsation: I'm super hormonal... and left. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best way to start off the 30 for 30 challenge)

Also, I've decided to move the weigh-in to Wednesdays. This looks like the best time to do that blog-wise.