wearing now: unfinished business

Taking pictures of your outfits may feel stupid, see post here, but it is extremely helpful.  You really don't know what you look like until you see yourself as others see you.  Exhibit A:

pants: Gap shirt: H&M shoes: Dolce Vita for Target necklace: Charlotte Rousse

I thought this outfit was cute.  In fact, I've worn it multiple times (just different shoes).  However, seeing a picture of it shows me how unfinished it is.  Ugh.  Terrible.  I *did* add accessories, but adding an additional layer would've made this so much more put ta-getha!  Ah.  You win some, you lose some!

wearing now: my favorite red blouse

Yes, dear readers, this is my favorite red blouse.  I don't think it really matters that this is my *only* red blouse does it?!

blouse: H&M pants: Express shoes: Cole Haan

I picked this shirt up (on sale) at H&M the same day I purchased the purple top from this post.  It was a great day wasn't it?!  Although I am always immediately drawn to black - or white -  I decided to break out of my own box and get it in red.  I love the bow on the front.  The detailing makes it look so pretty and feminine swoon!

These slacks are a pair of high waisted editors I picked up from Express long before I realized that high waisted pants are generally a bad idea for petites.  This was also long before I realized that if you are petite and are insist upon wearing high waisted pants, you may want to wear them with some sort of heel.  Ah well, you live and you learn.  I guarantee you that these pants will make an appearance on this blog in all of their high waisted glory because that's just how I roll.

wearing now: shop till ya drop

Nothing beats fun times with good friends.  I'm trying to soak up every moment until I can!  Today, I had the great fortune of lunching and shopping with some friends who are always a good time.  Guaranteed!

maxi dress: Tirxxi from Belks shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

I mentioned here, that I wanted to find some casual shoes that were comfortable.  Kind of flip flops, but better.   And at a great price.  I don't think that was too much to ask for, and apparently Target didn't either!  I have to say that Target always delivers.  Check out my caged sandals courtesy of Dolce Vita for Target.

The best part?  They were only 13.00.  The dress is just a wee too long for me, so the very small wedge on this shoe was perfect for making the dress wearable.

We wanted to do something a little different for lunch so we treated ourselves to a little Hibachi.

It is always a great time!  The meal was full of talk, laughter, and just the right amount of sexual innuendo. Chef Walter was really one of the best Hibachi chefs I've ever had.  Even he got in on the jokes.  At some point, I'm pretty sure there was some talk of him being able to go all night long.  Hilarity obviously ensued!  

wearing now: purple and white

I'm hoping lilac is going to be the it color for fall.  Really, really hoping!  I think it's such a pretty, underrated color that doesn't get enough play in the fashion world.  Is that what you call it?  PLAY?  Whatever it's called, you know what I mean!  I was thrilled to walk into H&M the other day and see a sign that read "5.00 and up" on a display.  I was even more thrilled to find this shirt on that tabled.  And I was the most thrilled to learn that it was, in fact 5.00! (I was later less thrilled to find out it is a racerback shirt, but it still came home with me!)  SCORE!

shirt: H&M cardigan: Old Navy jeans: BCBG shoes: BCBG necklace: Old Navy Belt: Forever 21

What's this I spy.  Not one, but two accessories!  Check the belt and necklace.  I really feel like I'm doing something now!  Sometimes I double loop the necklace, but I kinda fancy it knotted.  

You can't really see the details on this shirt, but it has a layer of ruffles around the neckline.  Nothing too fancy, but it adds a touch of femininity.  I'll have to take a better picture of the detailing at some point.  This outfit is totally, completely me.  But I don't know exactly what it is that makes it me, I just know it when I see it.  I really should be working on defining some kind of personal style.  

The flower in my hair is also from H&M.  I purchased it on the same day I bought the shirt.  I love curly hair and hair flowers.  I think the flowers add a little something something extra!

wearing now: hanging with my cousins

I spent the day hanging out with my cousins, and of course it's a million degrees outside.  I wanted something nice, yet comfortable.  I'm also going to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday this evening. Does anything fit that bill more than a maxi dress?  I absolutely love them!

The day I purchased this dress I got three others maxi dresses that I'm sure will be making a regular appearance on the blog.  I was thinking of returning this one, but my friend convinced me to keep it.  I'm glad she did because this is the dress I wear most often. 

dress: Planet Gold from Macy's shoes: random flip flops necklace: Charlotte Russe w/ H&M flower hair pin Ring: Charlotte Russe

I love that this dress is the perfect length without any alterations.  I did attempt to wear it last weekend with my Dolce Vita for Target wedges, but it was too short (insert sad face here) so flip flops it is!  I'm also on the lookout for some nice looking casual, but not quite flip flop, casual shoes.  I think Target may have some that fit the bill, but I'm trying to hold out until the go on super sale. I attempted to add a little bit more visual interest to the dress by attaching one of my flower hair pins to my necklace.  I kinda like it!

*He* does not like these dresses.  *He* says they look big and shapeless.  Ah well.  I still love them!  I also wore my hair in a big textured bun secured with one of the pins mentioned here.  I kept the makeup simple and used a little bit of bronzer, winged blue eyeliner and pink lips.  I wanted to look easy breezy!

wearing now: self care

I had the best massage of my life today.  Never mind that this was only my second massage ever, but she even massaged my fingers and toes.  Yum!  I am definitely a believer in self care - whatever that means to you.  I love getting pedicures as often as I can.  I usually go to the nailery the first week of every month - all 4 seasons of the year.  Even if no one else is going to see my toes, I'm going to see them!  If anyone is in the area, Wellville Massage and Healing Arts is the place to be.  I totally plan to make an appointment whenever I'm in town.

shirt: Express pants: Gap cardigan: Express shoes: BCBG necklace: Old Navy watch: Mavado

This is an after work/after massage picture.  My camera battery died this am so I couldn't take pics :(  These pants are actually a boyfriend cut so they are definitely a little more roomy in the hips than some of my other pants.  They were less than 5.00 at the Gap a couple of months ago and I had my tailor take in the waist and hem them.  I actually wanted her to sew the pockets closed as well, but she forgot.

I really wanted to wear a necklace, but didn't want it to compete with the ruffles on the top.  I didn't pack a short necklace, so I opted to look my long strand of pearls around my neck 3 times.  This was my first time doing it, but I think I like it.  Now off to bed.  It was a long day!  After my massage I ended up poolside with my cousins - so I'm exhausted!

wearing now: jeggins

Jeggins are this girl's best friend.  Even if , Heaven-forbid, they go out of "style" one day in the distant future, I will probably still prance around in mine, laughing in the face of fashion.  Being a rebel.  Take THAT!

I would also like to take a quick moment to confirm how hard it is to take pictures of yourself.  And how stupid you feel doing it.  It is hard and I felt stupid.

jeans: Target shirt: H&M necklace: NY&C shoes: Target watch: Movado (and a hairtie that shouldn't be there)

I was sorely lacking inspiration for an outfit to wear to work, so I turned to my "inspirations" folder on my PC.  I wasn't inspired by any of my usual "inspirations" so I had to look elsewhere.  Enter the fabulous network of petite bloggers!  I looked through the petite fashion challenges and thought the "dressing up your basics" challenge was perfect for me.  I'm very much into wearing basics, and looked through the entries until I found one that struck my fancy (some of you petite bloggers have fancy, shmancy basics).  A fellow petite paired some denim with a plain white shirt and a scarf.  PERFECT...except it is 99 degrees outside and I would look as crazy as I felt taking pictures of myself if I worse a scarf.  I decided to pair my white tee with one of my NY&C necklaces to shnazz things up a bit.

Check out my Dolce Vita for Target wedges. I purchased a brown pair in a different style a couple of months ago and love love love them!  I didn't want to have two pairs of the exact same shoes in different colors (I'm notorious for that) so I chose this style, which is slightly different, but just as comfortable.  *love*

***note I wore these shoes and pants in a different outfit and cuffed the pants under so they didn't bunch up so much at the ankles.  MUCH better!***

writing now: forced 30ish for 30ish (okay, okay 46!)

I've been intrigued by the 30 for 30 challenges that various bloggers participate in, but thought, "who me? nevah!"

Well never say nevah because I am now imparting on my very own, modified, 30ish by 30 ish challenge.  Might I add that this challenge was forced upon me. Forced I tell ya!

Picture it: Spring 2011, I left my small town life to interview for a job in Washington DC!  Never thought I'd get the job, however I had my sights set on the hustle, the bustle, the excitement that the city brings.  I went to the city for the interview and thought that would be the last of it.  Low and behold, by the end of the week, I received a call.  I had been selected for the position.  **insert Jersey Shore fistpump here**

But wait, DC?! This is going to be quite the transition.  Where will I live?  I won't know anyone!  I won't know my way around the city.  What am I going to do??  This is why *he* says I need my very own reality show something along the lines of "Country Girl Moves to the City."  This is where I politely remind him that I'm from the SUBURBS not the COUNTRY - big BIG difference!

The entire process has taken an eternity (I'd like to personally thank Congress for their inability to pass the budget in a timely manner and the hiring "pauses" that ensued), but it's finally coming to a close.  As such, I packed up my entire apartment in the SUBURBS, and moved all of my belongings to the big city and started my new job.  HA.  That would be too easy.  I did pack my entire apartment and move my stuff to my city apartment, but I haven't yet left my job here yet.  So, that means I'm staying with family for a couple of weeks while I wrap up some lose ends.  So THAT means, that I'm living out of a suitcase.

The contents of that suitcase (and toiletries case and makeup case - what can I say) would not entirely fit into the rules of the 30 for 30 cause this girl has got to have options, but I am much more limited than I am used to.  As such, I may have to get just a wee bit more creative than I have in the past!  I'm very grateful for the community of bloggers than have shown that this *is* possible!

Now, I do have a confession to make.  I had 3 weeks of outfits all picked out!  THIS TIME, I was not going to overpack.  Not THIS TIME!  NEVAH! *sarcasm voice*.  As I was walking out of my apartment, I kept running back in to get miscellaneous shirts and such.  Ah well.  Better luck next time!  I may actually participate in a 30 for 30 if this goes okay!

I packed:

18 shirts

 10 bottoms

6 dresses

5 cardigans and

7 pairs of shoes (not pictured boo )

(most of the shirts were last minute additions...oops!)

I know, I know, I FAIL! But still, wish me luck!