Hello

{sweater: target  //  skirt & knee highs: asos  //  scarf: h&m  //  boots: payless  //  earrings: claire's}

So, we had another scorcher yesterday.  And by scorcher, I mean it was 63 degrees and warm and got me working up a sweat just strolling around town in this outfit.

But I'm not complaining because:

My hunny bunny had the day off and we went to a sweet little town where we walked, window shopped, talked, and laughed, then stopped for dinner at a delicious vegan restaurant.

He even patiently waited for me as I scoured all of the sale racks at Urban Outfitters, then plopped down on the couch near the dressing room to give me his opinion on everything I tried on before buying me some pretty new things (on extra-wonderful-super-sale of course).

Isn't he the greatest?

Pork Chops & Applesauce

{blazer: target  //  sweater: express  //  shorts: f21  //  tights: old navy  //  boots: payless}

I have a confession to make: I'm relatively new to tights.  Sure I've worn the standard white-tights-with-cute-dress as a little girl, and I dabbled in fishnet tights during my "grrrl power" days in high school.  But come autumn and winter, I had always resigned myself to wearing pants (mostly jeans) and warm tops (mostly sweaters).  How silly I was to exclude the possibility of shorts.  Paired with tights and boots, I think this combination goes together like peas & carrots, peanut butter & jelly, or possibly even pork chops & applesauce.  

In other words, it's swell.

Getting Away With It

{blazer: target  //  tee: old navy  //  shorts: limited (cut from jeans)  //  boots: steve madden intyce  //  necklace: f21  //  watch: sprout  //  sunnies: express}

Look at me!  I'm wearing shorts!  At the end of November!  In New Jersey!

I'm just a little excited about the gorgeously warm weather we had on Saturday.  

I still can't believe I got away with wearing shorts so close to winter.  This must be what it's like to live in Florida.  You feel like you're getting away with something everyday.

Stuffing

{sweater: target  //  long sleeve tee: express  //  jeans: gap  //  boots: old navy  //  woven bracelet: handmade  //  pyramid bracelet: f21}

This is what I finally decided to wear to Thanksgiving yesterday.  It was a toss up between this and some nice, comfy, elastic waist pj pants.  Since I actually had to leave the house and drive to my dad's place, I decided that this outfit might be slightly more acceptable to wear in public.
These jeans are extraordinarily comfortable and didn't even restrict the expansion of my stomach as I stuffed it like there was no tomorrow.  And the flowy sweater helped to camouflage the belly bulge I had going by the end of the meal.
Perfect.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!
Although it's a bit cliche, I still like to take the time each year to list some of the things in my life that I'm just so absolutely grateful for.  It's crazy to think how many advantages we have that so many people take for granted.  Being born in and of itself is like winning the lottery; the rest is just gravy.

*first and foremost I'm thankful for my body - the fact that I am fortunate enough to have one that is healthy and strong and allows me to love, laugh, hug, run, bake, create, think, talk, live, write, knit, dance, and kiss

*all of my family and friends, who support me, make me laugh, and love me just the way I am

*the opportunities I've had to travel to other countries and experience different cultures

*my boyfriend for being my best friend and my biggest fan, for putting up with my (mini)temper tantrums, for supporting me, making me laugh, and for always pushing me beyond my own expectations

*my education and entire college experience (thank you, Dad!)

*my ability to speak French (albeit at a third grade level, but still....)

*Grateful Dead, David Guetta, Deadmau5, & Jack Johnson - for excellent lyrics, countless hours of dance-inducing music, and always putting a smile on my face

*delicious smells like pine needles, fresh baked bread, fallen leaves, my hunny bunny, fresh picked strawberries, and a home cooked meal

*all of the experiences (both good and bad) that have shaped me into the person I am today

*the ability to run 6.5 miles

*my boyfriend for pushing me to run 6.5 miles, even when I thought I couldn't

*the ability to read & write & be creative

*mashed potatoes

*good hair days, whenever they decide to bestow themselves upon us

*this clip because my boyfriend sings it to me when I begin to obsess over shoes, and makes me realize how ridiculous I'm being

*indoor plumbing - seriously, do you realize how drastically less comfortable life would be without it?  Hello,  chamber pot anyone?  No thanks.

*The Big Lebowski, Amelie, Fight Club, Run Lola Run, A Christmas Story, The Matrix, & Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

*swinging in a hammock on a warm summer evening, gazing at the stars, or sitting around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores on a chilly autumn night

*all of my readers - you truly make my day!

I have about a billion more things that I'm thankful for; these are just a drop in the bucket.
How about you?  What don't you take for granted?

Sunset & Stripes

{cardi & bracelets: forever21  //  striped tee: target  //  jeans: gap  //  sneakers: converse  //  belt: old navy  //  friendship bracelet & earrings: handmade  //  necklace: delias}

Well, since it continues to rain and be gloomy, it's been difficult for me to take outfit photos the last couple days.
So this one is from a few weeks ago (I know, I'm so one month ago).  But  it's probably for the better.  Because Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I'll be baking and cooking for the better part of the day today which means there's a good chance I'll be hanging out in my pjs all day.  And no one really needs to see that.

Again, these beautiful photos were taken by the talented and creative, Fatiha on the rooftop of her loft.

Rain Check

{sweater: gap  //  button up: jcp  //  jeans: gap  //  shoes: payless  //  belt: f21  //  watch: sprout}

Today I'm relegated to taking photos inside.  Rain is no fun.  But singing in(doors while staying nice and cozy and dry, while gazing out the window at) the rain is.

Oopsy Daisy

{top: joyce leslie  //  shorts: h&m  //  tights: old navy  //  boots: payless  //  bracelet: f21  //  watch: sprout}

Welcome to my rule breaking Monday post (inspired by Clothed Much).  This week's rule breaker is shorts with boots (I couldn't be happier to comply with this one; I wear this kind of look all the time!).  But I did accidentally break my own, self-imposed rule, which is to never ever feature the same item of clothing twice in a row.

But you can plainly see here that I did.

Grey shorts on Friday, grey shorts on Monday.

Can you ever forgive me?

Expressing Mys(elf)

{jacket & shorts: h&m  //  tee: old navy  //  tights: payless  //  shoes: dsw  //  necklace: gifted}

This outfit is one of my favorites that I've worn recently.  Except for one little teeny tiny detail.
The shoes.
I bought them close to 6 years ago, and I vaguely remember telling myself that they were only to be worn with pants.  And now I remember why.  While they are extraordinarily comfortable (as far as heels with pointy toes goes - always buy a half size bigger!), they're mildly reminiscent of elf shoes.  When worn with pants flowing over them, just the pretty little points stick out and look very chic and polished.  But worn with shorts, the whole shoe is on display, and well, I look like I tried to escape from Santa's Workshop in disguise.
But I think the good hair day makes up for it, don't you?

Heart Felt

{maxi dress: target  //  cardi: joyce leslie  //  boots: steve madden intyce  //  scarf: handmade, gifted}

This scarf has to be one of the nicest gifts I've ever received.   Why?  Because it's cozy, warm, thoughtful, and best of all handmade. My friend is a whiz with felt, is she not?

(Un)dressing for the Weather

{jacket: target  //  top: old navy  //  vintage kerchief: gramma's  //  skirt & knee highs: asos  //  boots: steve madden intyce  //  watch: roxy  //  bangles: india, gifted  //  bracelet: f21}

We have been having some seriously unpredictable weather here.  A snowstorm and freezing temperatures one week, and 65 degree weather another (I'll happily take the warm temperatures, thankyouverymuch).

I headed out in a jacket, as I am wont to do given my habit of never checking the forecast and consequently wind up wearing articles of clothing inappropriate for the day's elements.  I was delighted-slash-irritated to find that I was beginning to sweat a bit in just the short one-block walk from my house to this spot.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go put on some expensive suede boots to wear in the rain, and lay out my sun dress and flip flops for the chilly 40 degree day tomorrow.