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This is what 2011 looked like.

Jan 31, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, New Year's Resolution, The Hubs, Travel

It happened. I actually completed my New Year’s resolution from last year and video-documented 2011 through our eyes. Now I have this amazing video to remind me of my favorite year yet. The year I became a kid again at Disney. The year I fell even more in love with my husband when he told me he wanted to have a baby. The year I saw the Pacific Coast for the first time. The year I found out I was pregnant. The year we went to NOLA more times than we can count. It was a damn good one, ya’ll.

And the song? Definitely our song of the year. There’s even a clip in here of The Head and the Heart singing this very song at a show we went to in NOLA. See if you can spot it.

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Let’s try this again.

Dec 30, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, New Year's Resolution

According to Benjamin Franklin, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. “  If you look this up in a real live dictionary, it obviously isn’t true, but it is a nice phrase.  My point is that I would be absolutely INSANE if I tried last year’s resolution again this year.  Besides, I didn’t fail too bad.  I made it to September!

My New Year’s Resolution for 2011 is simple:  video-document our entire year.  Thanks to my lovely grandmother, Algie, and the amazing Flip camera she got me for Christmas, this is totally possible.  And easy.

For a little glimpse into some of our favorite homemade videos, click here.

Happy New Year, everybody!!!  I’ll be working until 11pm, but then I will be sure to join in the festivities.  I hope your 2011 brings you much love and happiness!

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RIP NYR

Sep 18, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution

I regret to inform you that my new year’s resolution is dead.  I killed it.  And by “killed it” I obviously mean “stabbed it in the imaginary heart with my nonexistent will power.”  I know, I know.  I’ve made it this far, right?  I mean, its the middle of September and I just gave in!?!?!

Yes.  This is true.  I know it was wrong.  Hell, I’ve never even made a NYR before and I really was planning on going all the way with this.  While I am definitely ashamed, I must admit that the entire thing was flawed from the beginning.  Let me explain.

See, once I set this resolution into motion, I began to panic.  I went to thrift stores almost every day.  I was constantly shopping and buying up things that would look “just okay” because they were the best I could get.  So even though my NYR was all about reusing and being green and not consuming nearly as much as people do these days, it backfired on me, because I actually bought more clothes than I normally would have if they were new.  I bought just to buy because I knew it wouldn’t be there the next time I went, even if it was “just okay.”  So now, fellow Nerds, I have a closet full of crap that I don’t even wear or like.  I was simply compelled to buy them out of sheer panic.

So I decided to buy myself something pretty.  Something I can wear on a date, or to a job interview, without having to borrow from my friends or spend money on useless items out of panic.  I bought a dress and a pair of wedges.  I deserved them.  And I feel pretty.

I have learned a lot these past nine months, about thrifting and buying used clothing.  I won’t stop shopping that way, but I am going to try to remember not to buy clothes just because I feel like I have to.  I’m going to be patient and only buy what is necessary.  Thanks for all of your encouragement this year.  I’m very sorry if I’ve let you down.  Would you like to borrow my shiny new dress???

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NYR Update and new schedule

Jul 15, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution, Thrifting

Yes!  I’m still keeping up with my New Year’s Resolution!  Can you believe it?  I’m halfway through the year and have not bought any new clothes or shoes!  Wow.  The two hardest things to find have been fancy dresses for weddings and cute sandals.  I found a dress to wear to summer weddings (the green silk dress below), but I still haven’t found a new (used) pair of metallic bronze or gold sandals to wear for the rest of the summer.  Actually, metallic is not necessary.  I would do with a nice woven cognac gladiator sandal.  But if its not on the used shoe rack, I can’t buy it.

Here’s all of the wonderful stuff I’ve found recently, including the items I found at the Buffalo Exchange (BE) in New Orleans and Philadelphia:

So I’m pretty much getting the hang of this.  But be warned:  The second stores open on January 2nd…it is so on!  I’m going to raid Target and Forever 21.  They won’t know what hit them.  And Shoe Station!  Yeah!  But I’ve also learned so much about buying pre-owned clothes.  Now that I know where to look, I plan on continuing to buy used, but I will treat myself to something new every now and then.

I would also like you all to be aware of my new work schedule, which starts next week.  I think its a pretty neat schedule, but my blogging will be a little funky.  I will be working on a 14-day rotation, meaning I will work 14 days straight (looooong, 12+ hour days) and then have 14 days off.  Awesome, right?  So during my work weeks, you probably won’t hear from me much, but when I’m off, I will be bombarding you with blog posts.  Cool?  Also, I’m going to start taking outfit pictures again.  I promise.  Scout’s honor.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

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Virtual shopping spree

May 12, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution

Don’t worry!  I haven’t broken my NYR!  Nor do I plan to.  But I would like to show you what I would be buying if I COULD buy these things…because part of me is dying inside.  You think I’m playing.  Here’s what I’m secretly coveting at this moment (click on image to go directly to shop source):

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Its raining, its pouring…

May 4, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution, Thrifting

Trench: Zara (bought in Italy);  Dress: Lotus Boutique (borrowed from Kristi);  Key necklace: self-made;  Wedges: Madden Girl (consignment store)

Special thanks to my Monday photographer, Billie.  LOVE YOU LADY!!!

Any normal person would wake up on a gloomy Monday morning and think, “Oh nooo.  Please stop RAINING!”  But not this girl.  No, I was very happy for this rainy day because it gave me the opportunity to wear my trench one last time before saying goodbye to her until fall.  She will be missed, but it is already way too hot here in the deep south for it.  And as you can see, the sun certainly reared its bright little head in the middle of my photoshoot.  Oh well.  Hey, maybe it will work in Philly?  I wonder what the weather is like there in mid-May…..

Kristi and I have done a little clothing swap, since she has all these fantastic new dresses and I can’t buy anything new.  This is just the beginning of our clothing swap, people.  I’m now in LOVE (and so is The Hubs…with Kristi…maybe its a good thing that I can dress like her now?).  Jay-kay ya’ll.  He just thinks she’s hot.  He’s only in love with me.

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The Nerd learns to sew.

Apr 27, 2010 In Crafting, Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution

The Mom-in-Law is a very patient woman.  And by patient I mean she puts up with the way that I learn, which is by watching, not reading.  She’s good at that kinda stuff because she was a teacher most of her life.  I love that she can read her “students” and know what learning style works best for them.  For me, you have to show me how to do something before I can fully grasp the concept.  Diagrams and written instructions are the devil for me.

See that vintage pattern above?  Its from, like, the 50s or 60s.  And it was ONLY $1 at that time!!!  Patterns are freakin’ ridiculous now!

Ok, so learning to sew and then eventually learning how to refashion used clothing are two huge goals I set for myself for 2010.  We decided to use a vintage pattern and some spare fabric that the MIL had on hand.  That fabric…well…its what she used to make the Dad-in-Law’s shower curtain.  Its like I’m wearing camo in his bathroom!

Look at that concentration!

The seam ripper and I…we became fast friends.

And here I am in the unfinished skirt!  I’m still working on the waistband and the hem, but it turned out pretty well!  I wasn’t sure if I would like the pattern, but with a tucked in black tank and a cardi, it will be perfect for the fall!

Next, I would like to make one of these dresses for attending summer weddings (click for a better view):

Which do you like best?  I think I will do whichever dress I choose in navy, because I’m in love with that color right now, and its very flattering without having to resort to basic black.  Thoughts?  Comments?  Suggestions?

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In bloom

Apr 20, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution

Cardi: Target;  Tank: Target;  Skirt: Thrifted;  Belt: F21;  Boots: Steve Madden Intyce

When: Monday, April 19, 2010

Why: Another typical Monday of errands and groceries.  Pretty much the only day I’m ever able to get an outfit put together for the ol’ blog.  I bought this skirt at Goodwill for $3 last week!  You should know that after this picture was taken, I changed from boots to my trusty gold flat sandals, which made me feel more comfortable in this outfit.  I actually really like this outfit, but I felt funny because its not the norm for me.  Plus it is the shortest skirt I’ve EVER worn without tights.  I’m just now starting to like me legs enough to show them off, but not even one year ago every skirt/dress of mine went to the knee or below it.  Now I’m hemming everything in my closet!  Oh, and this is the only floral piece in my closet right now, but I’m hoping that will all change very soon.

So what do you think of this outfit?  Should it be worn again or maybe worn a different way?  Because I felt silly and cute all at the same time.  Weird, I know.

P.S. I was completely aware that my skirt was wrinkled and I did absolutely nothing about it.  Call the fashion police!!!

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Dear Spring…

Apr 13, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution, Thrifting

Dear Spring,

Just wanted to drop you a little note to thank you for stopping in.  We really appreciate you around here, but we do wish you would hand around longer than normal (unlike Winter, who completely overstayed his welcome, and Summer, who feels the need to smother us for a good 6 months out of the year).  They’re okay, but you’re my favorite.  Just don’t tell Fall I said that.  He might get jealous.  Oh, by the way, I’ve been meaning to set you up on a date with Fall.  I think you two would really get along.

Okay, that’s all.  Just wanted to thank you.  Have a fantastic season!

Ev

Cardi: Rave Reviews Consignment Shop;  Dress: F21;  Belt: F21;  Sandals: Shoe Polish;  Necklace: Back in Time Vintage Store

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Your thoughts on eco-friendly clothing

Apr 8, 2010 In Daily Ramblings, My Style, New Year's Resolution, Thrifting

I have an issue.  Actually, I have many issues, but that’s beside the point.  I have been looking for a nice summer dress to wear to weddings this year, but am having zero luck in the vintage/thrifting/ebay department.  Seriously.  I’ve been looking since January, when I started this resolution thing, knowing that I would need a lot of time to make this happen.  I feel like I’ve tried everything.

So now I’m looking into eco-friendly and upcycled clothes.  These types of clothes are basically new, but made from recycled fabrics and clothes and/or sustainable materials (bamboo, hemp, etc.).  Now, here’s where I need your opinion:

Since my New Year’s Resolution is an attempt to consume less and be more green in my clothing choices, do “new” eco-friendly clothes break my resolution?

I’m dead serious about this resolution, guys, and I don’t want to give up on it, nor am I looking for a way around it.  That would be silly and lamespice.  I just prefer not to wear a jersey tunic to a wedding.  Just sayin.’

Oh, and if you would like to make me a dress from recycled/scrap fabric, I won’t be upset.  Really.  I just might like it.

Here are some stores I’m leaning towards:

Stewart+Brown – organic clothing (I think that green dress is my favorite on this entire page!  Is it summer wedding appropriate?)

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American Apparel – Made in the US; sweatshop free; clothes currently made from 20% organic materials, but may soon be from 80% organic; company recycles over a million pounds of scrap fabric per year; solar panels on roof of LA headquarters

*If you can’t tell, I’m really talking up AA because I love their clothes, so let me also point out that they have many items that can be worn different ways, thus expanding your wardrobe with less.  The Le Sac Dress (2nd) and Circle Scarf (3rd) are perfect examples of how things can be worn in different ways.  Yes, that circle scarf can be worn as a really cute dress.  Check out Adored Austin’s circle scarf dress!

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Liz Alig on Etsy – all garments made from 100% recycled fabrics

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tobedetermined on Etsy – vintage reconstructed and handmade clothing

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The Closet Stuffer on Etsy – upcycled and repurposed clothing

UPDATE: I asked for opinions from my friends at work, who have been extra supportive about my NYR.  The majority said I’m “changing the rules in the middle of the game” to suit my needs, and that its not fair to do that.  I agree, and I’m so happy they know they can be honest with me.  Honesty is exactly what I want in this situation.  So now its your turn.  What do you think of this proposed NYR modification?

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