Shoes & Sock(bun)s

{sweater: gap  //  skirt: delias  //  tights, cowl (diy from scarf): old navy  //  shoes: payless}

After wearing heels all day, there's nothing better than coming home, kicking them off, and putting on some plush slippers.  Especially if you were me, wearing these heels all day yesterday.  It seems that no matter what I do - add cushy inserts, loosen the laces, take tiny steps, walk lightly on my feet - these shoes just HURT.
Do you have any shoes like that?  Or could I possibly be the only girl in the world who's feet can't handle a pair of oxford shooties?

Also, I have stumbled upon the formula for a successful sock bun (for fine hair).  The secret?  Spend 20 minutes painstakingly trying to curl your hair into big, soft romantic waves like this, only to have it look too flat on top, and too poufy on the bottom.  Ignore it while you get dressed and apply makeup.  Glance in the mirror and be reminded of how awkward your hair looks.  Attempt to salvage your hard work by re-curling some pieces.  Get frustrated and pull the whole thing into a high ponytail and on a whim decide to attempt the sock bun.  Fail the first few times.  Tell yourself you'll try one last time and suddenly...
Voila!
You now have a successful sock bun.
This has happened exactly two times.  I'm convinced it's the only way to get it right.
(True story.)

Anyway, happy Leap Day!

Today I'm linking to:

Whatever Whenever Wednesday @ Rolled Up Pretty

What I Wore Wednesday @ Transatlantic Blonde
What I Wore @ the Letter 4
Real Style @ Momma Go Round
What I Wore Wednesday @ the Pleated Poppy
What We Wore & Made @ Rau Gun Ramblings

Flurries & Fair Isle

{sweater: old navy  //  shorts: f21  //  leggings, boots: delias}

If you noticed all those little white flakes in my hair, don't be alarmed.   I assure you they are snowflakes.  I know I've been shoving Jersey's awesome winter weather in your faces lately, but I suppose winter wanted to send a little reminder that it could still make my life miserable if it wanted to.

{It was a pathetic attempt - the snow stopped after about 20 minutes.  Nice try, mother nature.}

In other news, I may have uncovered the secret to wearing shorts when it's snowing: super soft, cuddly-warm, Nordic* style, fair isle leggings.

*Leggings may or may not be Nordic style.  I just like frivolously tossing around cultural terms without actually researching the geographical regions from which they may possibly have originated.

Sunny Monday

 {dress, belt: delias  //  sweater: gap  //  tights: payless  //  boots: zappos  //  necklace: f21}

I can't get over this beautiful, mild winter we've been having here in NJ.  I think I may have effectively forgotten what real winter feels like.

And I'm pretty sure I haven't gone out without a coat so much in February before.

It kind of makes having a crazy blizzard in October totally worth it.

On a more serious note, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who has been leaving positive and supportive messages regarding my boyfriend's sister.

I can't tell you how good each and every one of your comments makes me feel.

You guys are awesome.

Today I'm linking up to:
Monday Mingle
Visible Monday

Celebration

                                                                                                                                  via

If you have been following my posts since the beginning of the week, you will be happy to know that Sarah's operation went very well this morning.

Since my boyfriend's family is in Switzerland and we're in the US, he's only been communicating with them by text so we haven't gotten all of the details yet.

But what we do know is that her doctors are 99% sure that she will recover to be just as healthy, intelligent, and completely awesome as she was before.

{Plus, she looks super cute with a shaved head.}

And that's a cause for celebration.

Have a happy weekend!!

7th Grade Boys

{sweater vest: diy hand-me-down  //  button up: jcp  //  tee: 5below  //  jeans: gap  //  boots: old navy  //  watch: sprout, via pure citizen}

 When I think back to the fashions of middle school, images of my locker neighbors wearing tee shirt-topped plaid button ups swirl in my mind.  (My locker neighbors were all boys).

So, thank you Jay, John, Glenn, & Mike for sporting the fashions that would inspire my outfit a mere 19 years later.

Today I'm linking to:

What I Wore Wednesday at Transatlantic Blonde

Whatever Whenever Wednesday at Rolled Up Pretty

What I Wednesday at Captivated by Grace

What I Wore at The Letter 4

Real Style  at Momma Go Round

What I Wore Wednesday at the Pleated Poppy

High Hopes

{sweater: old navy  //  jeans: UO  //  shoes: target  //  watch: sprout}

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who sent good wishes my way yesterday - your words truly mean so much.

Last night we received some encouraging news about my boyfriend's sister.  The doctors have deemed the tumor operable and they suspect that it may have attached itself to her skull instead of her brain (this is a very positive thing).  

Of course, we won't know for sure until the operation, which is scheduled for Friday.  Until then she's been released from the hospital and is able to go home to spend time with family.

Hunny bunny and I still think about her constantly and have taken to reminding each other how healthy and strong-willed she is.

We have very high hopes that she's going to be ok.

Hard to Hear

{top, jacket: target  //  jeans: gap  //  boots: old navy  //  belt: delias  //  watch: sprout  //  bangle: f21}

I struggled writing this post today.  My boyfriend and I got some terrible news over the weekend and  I wasn't sure if I should share it here, or just go on as if everything is ok.
But pretending that bad things don't happen is not real life.  Everything is not always ok.  And acting happy when I'm not has never been my forte.  (These photos were taken before we got the news).

We found out on Saturday that my boyfriend's sister has a brain tumor.

We are devastated.
What's worse is that she and the rest of my boyfriend's family live in Switzerland, so we can't be there to visit her, speak with the doctors, or take comfort with his family.  We just have to wait for news.
Her doctors think it's operable.  They're still running tests.  But they're being cautious because she's pregnant.
We are trying to be hopeful.
We find out today if and when the doctors will operate.
But for now all we can do is wait, hope, and have faith that Sarah will pull through.

Today I'm linking to:

Monday Mingle

Visible Monday

Sir Mix a Lot

{dress, leggings, socks: target  //  sweater: old navy  //  boots: steve madden  //  belt: payless  //  necklace, earrings: gift  //  watch: sprout via pure citizen}

Today is my 5 year anniversary with hunny bunny.

How do I celebrate you ask?  By mixing patterns of course.

It's how all of the happiest couples celebrate their milestones, don't you know?

In all seriousness, though, I just want to look pretty for him.

Stripes, random crosshatch lines, and a leopard print belt thrown in for extra credit should do the trick.

Well, that and a home-baked loaf of his favorite Swiss bread and an apple crisp straight out of the oven.  

I always appear prettier when accompanied by baked goods.

Today I'm linking up to:

Fashion Friday at Blonde Episodes
Free For All Friday  at Sassy Sites

Love Is....

...when you're having a bad day, so your boyfriend brings you a glass of wine, and then proceeds to

paint your toenails for you.

Using colors he chose himself.

And because he is the greatest man you have ever known, he even adds the clear top coat.

I feel so lucky to have this man in my life.

I would be lost without him.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Everyday I'm Shufflin'

Isn't it amazing that guys who look this ridiculous can make such good/bad music?

I find it pretty darn amusing.
{trust me - their outfits are way more interesting than the leggings & dingy old tee shirt I'm wearing today} *

Anyway.

Today I'm shuffling off to Buffalo for a week.

I've got my snacks packed up, the ipod is fully charged, and several audio books have been borrowed from the library.

What kinds of things do you do for fun on long road trips?

*p.s. - If I showed you the way I dress to sit in a car for 7 hours, you'd really LMFAO...(today M = your, not my.  Just go with it.)

A Little Bit of Romance

{cardi, blouse: target  //  jeggings: old navy  //  booties: payless}

Last night was date night so I gussied up a little for my boyfriend.

A flowy blouse with a big ol' bow, a red cardi, and killer heels did the trick.

To up the romance, I also added some nice, big, soft, romantic waves to my hair.  

And elbow patches.  Nothing says romance like elbow patches.

Today I'm linking up to:

The ABCs of Style at My Greatest Hits

What I Wore Wednesday at Transatlantic Blonde

Whatever Whenever Wednesday at Rolled up Pretty
What I Wednesday  at Captivated by Grace

Oh Honey, Plea(t)s

{sweater: target  //  shorts: h&m  //  vintage kerchief: gramma's  //  tights: old navy  

booties: payless  //  watch: sprout via pure citizen  //  bangles: f21}

P is for pleats.  At least over at My Greatest Hits it is.  I think this pair of shorts is the only piece in my closet that qualifies as pleated.  Clearly I don't wear a lot of folded fabric.  Unless you count unintentional folds, like wrinkles.  

Because I wear those a  lot.

This or That

On Thursday I'm trucking up to Buffalo for my cousin's wedding.  Most of my family lives there so I'm looking forward to hanging out for a week, spending lots of time with them, eating home-cooked comfort food, and suffering through a touch of frostbite while walking around Niagara Falls.

In order to dispel my reputation for arriving at any given family member's house well after midnight, (one time the should-be-7-hour trip took me over 12 hours - there were extenuating circumstances including an insane downpour and the loss of a muffler, I swear!), I'm going to begin packing early in the hopes it will get the ball rolling in my attempt at punctuality.

Will you help me decide what to wear to the wedding?

These are the two contenders:

bitty in blue  vs.  flower power

outfit #1

{blazer: target  //  dress: jessica mcclintock  //  tights: old navy  //  shoes: aerosoles}

outfit #2

{blazer: target  //  skirt: tulle  //  tee, tights: old navy  //  shoes: payless}

My only worry for outfit #1 is that there is a good chance of the dreaded actual cold feet (not to be confused with the metaphorical cold feet, which neither my cousin nor his fiance better be having!) since the forecast calls for snow.  

And my worry for outfit #2 is that underneath that blazer is a simple tee shirt.  Has anyone in history ever gotten away with wearing a tee shirt to a wedding?  Will I be seen as a trail blazing trendsetter or just a lazy slob who wore a white tee to her cousin's wedding...

What do you think?

Fear & Loathing

{button up:  old navy  //  vest: hand-me-down (altered)  //  skirt, shoes: target  //  tights: payless}

The final of the 10 Day Challenge was to wear something I'm afraid of.  

There isn't much I'm afraid to wear, but I do have an unnatural fear of my sewing machine.

I've had it for about 12 years, but never learned much beyond how to thread the thing and change the stitch (it is as complicated as turning a dial; I am a genius for figuring that one out).  Not surprisingly, my sewing skills are beginner at best.

Yet, my extreme cheapness rational thriftiness compels me to have a go at mangling my clothing myself, rather than pay a tailor to do a perfectly professional job of it.

So yesterday I faced my fear.  I had received this sweater as a hand-me-down from a friend a while ago.  When I tried it on the sleeves were all wrong - too long, but not long enough.  I knew it had potential but my fear of destroying the entire thing resulted in this sweater sitting next to my sewing machine, haunting me, for months.

Last night I finally took the plunge.

Here is the result:

A perfectly nice sweater into a perfectly nerdy sweater vest.

 And since this sweater sat, neglected for such a long time, it also happily ties into the ABC's of Style challenge for today, too, which is Orphaned (as in forgotten, abandonded, and ignored).

Oh sweater vest, can you ever forgive me?