Funny Business

{old navy chambray (similar)  |  gap tank  |  target skirt (similar)  |  sandals  |  f21 backpack  |  gifted necklace}

A funny thing happened while I was on vacation - summer ended and fall arrived.  Normally, this wouldn't be so strange, but it always seems to happen while I'm away.  Yes, you could say that it's because I usually wind up taking vacation in August or September, but the real coincidence is that the change happens during the very week or two that I'm gone.  Before I leave it's warm days, sun dresses, and balmy nights, and without a doubt by the time I get home I'm usually bundled in a hoodie, considering turning on the heat.  The quick change from warm to cool always catches me by surprise, and yesterday I still found myself reaching for shorts only to realize that it's fall and I'm no Polar Bear Club enthusiast.  But I'm still not sure what to wear.  So what do I do?  I copy.  When my friend Rachel wore this a few weeks ago, I loved it so much I told her that I'd steal the idea.  Well, now I'm making good on that threat.  Which just goes to show - you can always count on me to keep a promise.  Especially if it's a promise to rip off your excellent outfit ideas.


I'm linking up with these ladies today.    

Lessons

{tee, dress: target (similar)  |  sandals: blowfish (similar)  |  necklace: f21  |  rings: c/o oasap, f21 (similar 1, 2)  |  sunnies: harmon (similar) }

Over the weekend I learned some important life lessons:

1. A huge downpour in the morning does not necessarily preclude a huge downpour in the afternoon.  Don't go for a hike even if the weather site only predicts a 20% chance of rain.  Because it will rain - hard.  And you'll still be 2 miles from your car.

2. When the temperature says 75 degrees, be sure to check the humidity level, too.  Because that can make it feel like 95 degrees, and you'll be so hot it'll even turn the rings on your fingers into small, suffocating circles of oppression.  We won't even get started on the whopping three pieces of clothing you decided to wear.

And yet, somehow, this is still my favorite time of year.  I think I might be suffering from some sort of seasonal masochism syndrome.

Click here to see where I'm linking up today.

Feeling Knotty

{tank: f21  |  skirt: target  |  sandals: delias (similar)  |  earrings: claires  |  necklace: gift}

So, yesterday I was all tied up in knots - literally.  First I tried a new, totally easy way to style a top knot (tutorial here!), and that inspired me to tie a knot in my shirt as well.
Because, you know, if there's an opportunity to match my tank top to my hair, I'm all over it.

In other news, I recently participated in a Christmas in July blogger swap with the sweet, funny, & adorable Whitney of Katy Goes Boom.

And she sent me some fantastically thoughtful gifts.  

Take a look:

clockwise from left: a chevron storage box (love!), dainty earrings that she made herself, and a can of her favorite mock-meat, FriChik, for me to try since it's not sold around these parts.

Not pictured is another gift that's arriving separately due to some curious-child-interference (ie. her daughter plucked it out of the package before she sent it). Word has it the culprit's feeling a bit guilty about plundering from my stash, and she sent her sincerest apologies via email along with some virtual hugs and kisses.  As if anyone could be mad at that kid!
Click here to check out what everyone else sent & received.

And like always, I'm linking up with the usual suspects today.

I Got it Covered

{chambray: old navy  |  dress: target (similar)  |  boots: steve madden  |  necklace: vintage}

It's around that time of year again when the mosquitoes of Lincoln Park come out in full force and seem particularly hungry for my blood.  (Or maybe everyone's blood equally.  I don't know; the large amounts of deet I've been inadvertently inhaling while arming myself with a protective coating of bug spray could be causing slight paranoia). 

That being said, sometimes the only way to outsmart those suckers is to just cover up.  Luckily it was cool enough yesterday to shield myself with knee high boots, a long dress, and a 3/4 sleeve top.  Oh, and a necklace.  Because if Wu-Tang Clan taught us anything, it's to protect ya neck.

I'm pretty sure this is exactly what Method Man had in mind.

Want to join the party?

Weekend Update

 {button up: old navy  //  top: banana republic, thrifted  //  jeans: target  //  wedges: target similar  //  necklace: diy}

This past weekend was rainy and gloomy and hunny bunny & I just were having too lazy of a weekend to take any outfit photos (which explains my absence for the past few days.  You guys did notice I was gone, right??)  I assure you I did get dressed the one time we left the house, but alas, without photographic evidence I know those are just empty words.

Yesterday was date night, so we decided to go for a walk in the nice, sunny, springy weather.  (And then came home and baked beer bread together - at hunny bunny's suggestion! - but that's another story).

And now I can provide you irrefutable proof that I wore something other than sweat pants at least once since last Friday.

You can all take a collective sigh of relief.

At Home

{button up: old navy  //  skirt: tulle  //  headband: forever21}

Yesterday was just a cozy day spent at home in comfy clothing.  Nowhere to be, no reason to layer up.  Lots of warmth, comfort, and lounging.

And on an unrelated note, if you don't know about SOPA or PIPA you need to read this post by Sarah from Just Take a Bow.   It is such a relevant issue, and the possibility of Congress passing these acts is terrifying.  Sarah's post is an extraordinarily clever way to spread awareness.
Thank you, Sarah.
Oh, and if this makes you as angry as it should, don't forget to do something about it.