family and hearts

This is a bit of a throwback post, which I suppose is fitting since it's a Thursday.
This isn't that far back, though. It's the simple and casual last day of Dusty's family being in town over Christmas break.
We went downtown, grabbed some coffee, flitted around the farmer's market, ate from a taco truck (which had the most amazing butternut squash tacos - yeah, that's a thing, and you should thank the Lord for them like I already have.)
It was a beautiful day, cold and clear. We ended up driving over to Bedford to visit the D-Day Memorial, which was really lovely and sombering, like most historical war ventures are.

Top: Ross, Sweater (remixed here): Old Navy, Jeans: Thrifted

This is possibly the most inexpensive outfit I have ever put together.

The plaid was a great find at Ross for $12, the sweater was an out-of-season purchase a year or two ago from Old Navy for $5, and the jeans I bought from a local yard sale site for, if I remember correctly, $2. 

The shoes were a gift, bringing the grand total to $19. Score.

I'm definitely not what you'd call a thrifter, but I do appreciate a good bargain and never shy away from friendly hand-me-downs. I've shopped my best friend Becky's closet dozens of times, but she's a shopaholic. Her problem benefits us both so I've never confronted her about it.

These jeans are one of my favorite pairs, because I nabbed them (for $2!) at a time when I was specifically searching for distressed jeans. I had recently watched an episode of How I Met Your Mother where Lily Aldrin was wearing a pair, and I was inspired. I often find my inspiration from characters I love, so this outfit is a tribute to her and her cuteness. 

polka cats

Last week was all about the polka dots.
I wore my polka dot dress, and these same polka-dot loafers with a blue dress.

On Thursday I opted for more casual workday attire, and sported my fanciest cat top (I can say "fanciest" because I have more than one...) with my purple pants and the aforementioned polka-dot loafers.
This week will be a little different, because I lent out my camera to some friends who were having issues with theirs right on the brink of their departure for an Alaskan Cruise.
I gave in, acquiescing that their reasons for taking quality pictures were much better than mine.

Thus, my picture quality will be significantly lessened this week, as it shall be only my quick-fix iPhone on hand.
My nifty little device that serves as my camera, my social media connection and my pizza-orderer all in one.

Top: Ruche, Pants: Old Navy, Shoes: Gap, Ring: (similar on Etsy)

I love my back porch.
I take a lot of pictures back there because it's deceptively private, except in the winter when all the houses on the other side of the shallow forest become visible again.

It's a shared porch with countless other apartment tenants, but whenever I go out there it's a ghost town.
There was one time I walked out to take photos and was accosted by a tiny white yapping dog (which nearly caused me to scream-choke in fright), and one other time when a little boy was sitting on our patio furniture staring at me.
I simply backed away.

Despite those little bits of crazy, for the most part, it's just me. 

Enjoying the summertime with the weather, the patio furniture and my husband working at the grill.

floral denim: outfit 5

Yesterday's outfit featured the comeback of my favorite new pair of pants. 

I love finding a piece of clothing that I'm tempted to reach for every single morning while I'm getting ready. While I obviously try and resist wearing the same outfit every single day, with this challenge I was excited to wear these pants again so soon...

Top: LOFT, Pants: Old Navy (similar), Shoes: Zulily, Necklace: Francesca's

What a strange burst of cold weather we had yesterday!
I came to work and it was windy and chilly, and I was suddenly glad I hadn't done much with my hair.
I was also glad I had grabbed that cardigan!

Today was the complete opposite - clear and hot and sunshiney all day long.
I suppose that's fitting, since today is supposedly the first official day of summer!

Right after we took these pictures, my husband and I joined two other couples for two hours of beach volleyball. It was so cool out, and the sky was gorgeous. I've never been good at volleyball so I was nervous, but we had so much fun, and I can't wait to keep playing throughout the summer! (I also can't wait to get accustomed to playing - I'm so sore today, every time I had to get up from my desk I felt like my body was reawakening from rigor mortis).
I'm not sure why I love summer so much, but there's something so exciting in the air when the weather starts getting hot and you start to hear the happy calls and splashes from the nearby swimming pool, and restaurants start advertising ice cream and fruity smoothie drinks...and you drive home in the darkness and fireflies light the way, and people spend the evenings barbecuing and drinking sweet tea and playing beach volleyball.
I'm pretty happy about what the next few months will look like! Happy summertime, ya'll.

wishing for springtime

A few days ago, the hubby and I snuck away for a fun late afternoon dinner after work.
He's been gone all week (in Chicago for a Mediation Tournament through the law school), so before we got home and had to get started on the laundry and the packing we decided to splurge at Texas Roadhouse.
That may seem like a weird date place, but it has become one of our go-to spots...why?

1. Hot rolls and cinnamon butter (free!)
2. Peanuts (free!)
3. House salad and chili (cheap!)

Haha. We love going there for a casual date night. It's perfect!

It was finally sunshiney enough to feel at home in bright colors, and I got to wear the first pair of sandals I've worn all season.
Of course, it's chilly again today, so it's back to tights and sweaters.
But we took a few seconds to take some outfit photos before our date. :)

Top: Primark in London (similar, similar),
Bottoms: Old Navy, (similar), Bangle: Kate Spade, Earrings: Cookie Lee

I'm in love with colored denim, and I don't see the affair dying down any time soon.
I'm happy to say I will be sporting colorful pants for years to come.
I think this spring is the perfect time to get my mint pair hemmed and ready for wear!

Cheers (and prayers) to warmer weather this weekend. :)

pretty lenses

This past week, we received a new camera lens in the mail!!

I'm looking forward to experimenting with a lens that is well suited for blogging, and Etsy posts.
Or rather, my husband is looking forward to experimenting with his photography skills. :)

Top: Forever 21 (similar), Cardigan: J. Crew, Pants: New York and Company
Watch: Fossil

I realized yesterday that I have completely left the heels-wearing genre of my life.
I think I might need to revisit it.
Wearing a pair yesterday felt like a whole new world, and not the pleasant Aladdin carpet-riding kind.
Has it really been that long since I've donned a couple of heels?
Apparently it has! I wear boots and flats daily. There's no denying that my job is not a vortex of fashion or dressy-ness, so I suppose I haven't felt the need or desire to wear heels this year.
I've also realized that I really don't like any of my dress pants...I want fitted, smart-looking dress pants, not balloon bell-bottoms or circus clothes. I've always had trouble finding dress pants that are the right length, or the right fit...but going through my closet, I've realized I've outgrown (style-wise) a lot of my old "business/professional" type clothing. Not to say there's anything fundamentally wrong with them, but my style has just gone in a different direction over the last year or so.
I think one of the reasons I've so readily reached for dresses on a daily basis is that I'm more comfortable in them...and I hate all of my dress pants. Subconsciously.
If I do wear pants to work, I usually cheat a little and wear my bright colored denim, like my bright coral or pineapple yellow pants. Or, let's be honest, I just wear dark jeans.

That being said, I'm enjoying the style transition. I just went through my closet last night and did a clean sweep, taking out items and bidding them a fond farewell.
Sometimes it's necessary to get rid of things, to make room for more things.

Right? :)