But I Thought It Was Winter...

(Dress: Kohls, Blazer: Thrifted, Belt: Thifted, Shoes: Wanted Shoes)

It can't possibly be winter. I realize I live in Arizona but we usually still have a reasonable winter. Well, not this year. It seems Arizona decided to skip straight from Fall to Spring which most would be ecstatic about, but all I can think of is that the 100+ degree summers of Arizona are far closer than I would like. 

Today was definitely not my day. Everything seemed to go wrong in the tiniest way from the moment I woke up. Some days are just like that and you have to remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day full of endless possibility. 

Tomorrow's What I Did Wednesday should be the best yet! The mister and I will be going to the valley of sun (Phoenix) for a fun day! So come back tomorrow for that! 

A First Birthday

(Dress: Thrifted, Tights: Gift- ModCloth, Belt: Thrifted, Necklace: F21, Shoes: Wanted Shoes, Purse: Fossil)

Today, I went to an adorable little guy's first birthday! I made his cupcakes and smash cake. It was truly an absolutely wonderful time. I got to spend time with some wonderful people which included one of my best friends who I don't see too often because she lives two hours away. To add to that, her incredibly sweet boyfriend, whom I had never been able to meet, was finally home for leave from his deployment! It was truly great to see those two so in love. 

Later in the day, I got to go on a dinner date with the love of my life and it was just the perfect way to end a fantastic day. 

As far as this outfit goes, I saw this dress at my usual thrift store and fell head over heels in love with it. 

That's becoming a pattern, isn't it?

Anyway, happy birthday, Graycen! 

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Daughter- Shirt: Thrifted, Skirt: Target, Belt: From a F21 dress, Blazer: Thrifted, Tights: Gift from the mister from ModCloth, Necklace: Thrifted, Shoes: Wanted Shoes

Mother- Shirt: Maurices, Cardigan: Vera Wang, Jeans: Vera Wang, Shoes: Kohls

I first heard of Wanted Shoes from Busy Bee Lauren and I quickly fell in love with several of their shoes. I finally settled on these lace beauties and my parents graciously paid for them as my late Three Kings' Day present. I eagerly awaited their arrival all day and when they finally arrived, I was ecstatic to find they were even more beautiful than I remembered. 

As I was taking my outfit pictures, my dad got home from work and saw me taking pictures of myself outside. He looked incredibly confused. I guess I had forgotten to tell him about my new blog adventure. Once I explained, he insisted on taking one of my pictures (the last picture of me alone) and once I showed him this here blog, he looked so proud. What an awesome guy. Love you poppa!

This situation was followed by my dear mother asking for some outfit help for their business dinner tonight. I of course had to have her pose for a mother daughter outfit picture. Isn't she just adorable?!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

(Dress: Target, Shirt: Thrifted, Tights: Kohls, Boots: JcPenney, Belt: Thrifted, Flower pin: H&M, Purse: Fossil)

I was inspired by Sydney at The Daybook so I'm going to do my own little Awkward and Awesome Thursday today!

The awkward:

• Going to the same coffee shop three days in a row and feeling like the staff is judging you for coming in so much. Am I the only one that feels that way?!
• The stripes in this dress making me look like I'm wider than I am.
• Realizing the outfit you changed into later makes you look like a cowgirl. 
• When your professor repeats every single thing he taught last class because he doesn't remember he already went over it.
• Offering to bring cheesecake to your significant other's house for dessert and having said cheesecake EXPLODE in your oven. It was bad. Cheesecake and the floor of your oven do not mix. That is probably the single most disastrous baking experience I have ever had. (This happened a few days ago but I thought it was definitely awkward moment worthy)

The awesome:

• Getting a blazer and skirt for $4!
• Applying for a nannying job.
• Getting a bagel for dinner. A bakery bagel for dinner is one of my guilty pleasures but I never eat a bagel for breakfast.
• Finding fun notes and work from that time I went to culinary school for a month.

What I Did Wednesday Part 2!

 Looking at First World Cat Problems this morning.

Taking a walk to a local coffee shop to have lunch with Jake and the corgi.

Part of my wonderful man and his Italian Cream Soda.

My veggie quesadilla! 

My best friend making her little lady, Eva, giggle.

(Blazer: Borrowed from mom's closet, Jeans: Old Navy, T-shirt: Brother's, Necklace: Borrowed from mom, Belt: Borrowed from mom yet again, Flats: Maurices, Purse: Fossil)

You know what's great? 

Having a fashionable mother. That wonderful woman has some great clothes and every once in a while I can find something to fit into of hers. Thanks for passing down the clothes loving, mom!

Anyway, today was one of the most fun days I've had in a while so it was perfect for What I Did Wednesday! 

The day started with my regular workout and looking at cat memes on the interwebz. I also received cookies from a beautiful friend states away which just brightened my day even more! I then proceded to take a nice walk with Jake and we got to have our second lunch date of the week! That never happens! We definitely need to make lunch dates happen more often. Later in the afternoon I got the pleasure of having a pizza and dessert party with my best friend, her little lady, and my best friend's twin sister. I've known those two ladies for years now and absolutely adore them. And let me just tell you about little Miss Eva. I've been smitten with her from the time I found out she existed in her momma's tummy. When Chelsea found out she was a girl, I made her pink chocolate chip cookies. And the day she was born I decided to skip my class and drove two hours home to make it to the hospital right on time. She is the most beautiful little lady I have ever known and I cannot wait to one day have my own little kiddos to play along with her. 

Plain and Simple

(Another blurry shot)

(Jeans: Old Navy, T-Shirt: Brother's, Blazer: Thrifted, Purse: Thrifted, Necklace: F21, Ring: Gift, Shoes: Maurices)

Today's outfit is just simple for once. I never wear t-shirts but considering I had an 8am biology class for almost three hours this morning, I decided to go for comfort and dress it up. And if you couldn't tell, I am in fact in love with this blazer. It goes with everything so it's now a staple in my closet.

Speaking of my closet, my closet is currently the only carpeted thing in my room. We had a hot water leak while I was in Puerto Rico which resulted in a molding carpet in my room. Who wouldn't love to come back to a gutted room after a vacation?! 

I kid. Anyway, my poor little closet is in an otherwise empty room but luckily tomorrow, I will finally be getting new carpet and hopefully my clothes will be lonely no longer! 

Now to head off to class number two of the day, nutrition. Don't tell the teacher I ate a delicious cookie earlier! 

Sunday Best and A Silly Camera

(Dress: thrifted for 25 cents!, Blazer: thrifted, Purse: thrifted, Tights: Target, Heels: Target)

Let's just get this out of the way. My camera is being silly recently. I'm not sure what the deal is but it is why two of these four pictures are blurry. 

Now, today, I went to church for the first time in a good 6 months. It was good and I enjoy getting my Sunday Best clothes out. You know what I don't like?

The incredibly yucky looking ends of my hair. This lady needs a trim. Who wants to cut a tiny, minimal amount of hair off my ends?! Oh, no one? Okay...

Let's talk about life because I'm currently swooning over it. It's not perfect and it never will be. But that's the beauty of it. I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that even the worst of situations have some beauty in them. In the end, I can't help but be anything but in awe of the absolutely beautiful life I have. A supportive family, a loving significant other, the opportunity to get an education, faithful friends, and my awesome God. What more could I ask for?

Ruffles and Rain Boots

 (Shirt: thrifted, Skirt: Target, Tights: F21, Belt: Old Navy, Watch: Fossil, Headband: made by me, Boots: Gift) 

It's almost 5pm here in Arizona. Do you know what I've done today since I got dressed? I went to the supermarket to get a few ingredients to make a red velvet cheesecake. Then I made a red velvet cheesecake. That's it. I got dressed like this to do that. Call me crazy but you never know who you'll run into at the grocery store. Plus after a night like the one I had, taking time to make yourself feel good does wonders. 

I decided to wear rain boots today because it was cloudy and windy yet here I am, hours later, still wearing rain boots and not a single drop has fallen. But at least it's feeling like a true Northern Arizona winter today.

I've been asked a few times about how I make my bow headbands. They are truly so simple and cheap. For the one I'm wearing above, I purchased the tie for a messly 50 cents! Go check out Katherine's tutorial at Thrifted Things for how to make one of your own! 

One of Those Days

(Shirt: thrifted, Blazer: thrifted, Flower pin: H&M, Jeans: Old Navy, Skirt: Old Urban Outfitters, Belt: Old Navy, Tights: Kohls, Boots: Target, Purse: thrifted, Headband: Made my me using a thrifted tie)

You know those days? The ones where no matter what you put on, you just don't feel good about yourself. You think your hips look too big or your hair too frizzy. Today was one of those for me. I started off the day in the first outfit but I could not get over my extremely self conscious side that thought my hips looked huge in those jeans. It's a constant struggle for me but that's part of what this blog is for me. I'm learning to accept everything about myself both physically and otherwise. I'm realizing that I'm far too critical of myself. But you know what? There's nothing wrong with my body. This is the body God gave me and therefore I need to take care of it and love it. So next time you feel this way, remember that and let's be honest, you look great. Put a smile on that face and no one will be thinking about the pant size you wear. 

Oh and I made you a chocolate chip cookie brownie. Because I like you and you deserve a brownie.

An Embarrassing Story and School Things

(Dress and tights: Kohls, Cardigan and boots: Target, Belt: Old Navy, Purse: thrifted)

Yesterday, I did something embarrassing. Really embarrassing. Remember how I mentioned that the mister is not a fan of red lipstick or lipstick in general? Well, I am very much a fan. In fact, I've become kind of obsessed. So much so that yesterday when I left the house in a rush to go to the post office and then pick up Jacob, I got mad in the car that I had forgotten to put it on. So after I went to the post office, I went to Walgreens and bought a new one. Jake had no idea. He thought I was still at the post office. Oops. I'm ridiculous, guys. And sorry, Jake!

Anyway, today was my first day of actually going into a classroom for the semester. I always feel incredibly over dressed in my classes since... well, it is college and you're lucky if you can find someone wearing something other than jeans and a sweatshirt. Plus there's the fact that I go to a community college that is largely older people. Sometimes I get weird looks. It happens. No biggie.

Can I just quickly tell you how much I love this dress? It was something I got years ago but I'm even more in love with the embroidered pattern than I was when I bought it. It's definitely a keeper. So is this belt and boots. You probably thought I was kidding when I said I wear them all the time. Nope. I clearly need new items to obsess over.