Beautiful Day

Happy day after Boxing Day! (Will the holidays just stretch on forever, please?) We had a beautiful day with friends today, and it was nice to actually get dressed up and get out of the house.

I am loving my new socks, this fab print dress that I got at the goodwill, and this belt that used to wrap 1.5 times around my waist, but now needed a new hole veeeerrrry close to the end. Also please notice my lovely 'B' necklace (a gift from my dear husband) from Two Little Doves - an etsy shop. I love it! (Thanks, Liz Lemmon for the idea.)

Cardigan: Old Navy (thrifted), Dress: Ellen Tracy (thrifted), Belt: NL (thrifted),
Socks: NL, Necklace: Two Little Doves, Tights: Wal-Mart, Boots: Miz Mooz (amazon.com)
Tank: Old Navy Maternity

May you all have a wonderful week and a fabulous New Year!

I'm Alive!

But burried under 5" of unexpected snow! Winter has been mild so far...in fact, we had temps up to 62 degrees yesterday. But, Colorado weather is a fickle friend, and we recieved a nice snow storm yesterday. How am I staying warm through all the snow and freezing temps? Layers and boots. Lots of layers and lots of boots. Hopefully, I'll even wear my new boots tomorrow and give you a peek at what Keen is offering this year - they are so nice.

Shirt: Gap, Tunic: Tanuja (thrifted), Leggings: Wal-Mart, Boots: MizMooz (amazon.com),
Earrings: Dillards, Scarf: Thrifted

As you can see, my most prominent "accessory" is getting bigger and bigger every week. We're now at 28, and I'm loving every day. I promise I've been wearing cute outfits (despite only about 1/10 of my wardrobe actually fitting me), but the lack of light has made taking photos virtually impossible. I know, I know... excuses.

Fall Colors

Forty percent humidity today, and a high of 67 degrees in my classroom. Needless to say, it's been a bit cold lately. In fact, my fingers were turning a lovely shade of blue by the time this little photo shoot ended!

I am really enjoying the challenge  of finding outfits to wear with my new shape. I tend to think that my belly looks like a spring tulip in this sweater. The skirt is courtesy of my lovely sister who is, I'm afraid, about two sizes smaller than I am. This might be the last time I wear this skirt, too. Sigh. Time to hit the local Goodwill for some more preggo pants.

Sweater: Target (thrifted), Cami: Old Navy, Skirt: gift, Shoes: KEEN, Belt: Target, Earrings: Silpada (gift)

Red Noses Go With Everything!

This was a hurried shoot, because nobody wants to see my parka every day. (Actually, I love my parka. It's from L.L. Bean and it's my favorite jacket ever...but it's not super fun to photograph every day.)

We had a two-hour delay today due to five inches of unexpected snow. Southern Colorado can be a little unpredictable - go figure. Nevertheless, my day was made better by the fact that I made up this new outfit. I've finally procured a pair of navy pants, which I think went well with my thrifted mustard sweater. I know, we were doing mustard last season...but I'm slow to catch up. And the thrift stores are slow(er) to absorb last season's cast-offs.

Sweater: Forever 21 (thrifted), Pants: Bella Vida (maternity pants from Ross), Shirt: Target (maternity, gifted), Boots: Miz Mooz, Earrings: Target, Necklace: Made by me!, Baby bump: 21w4d

Baby's First Novel

Please excuse my diversion from regular outfit posting...but today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month, and I had to wear my awesome NaNoWriMo t-shirt! If you are so inclined I suggest you check out the NaNoWriMo challenge for adults, or the NaNoWriMo Young Writer's Program. If you've ever thought about, entertained the idea of, or considered writing a novel of your own, this is the time!

Shirt: Office of Letters and Light, Pants: thrifted, Scarf: thrifted

My novel this year will be based upon a manuscript that my Grandpa gave me last year. He said that it was passed down through my family and tells about my maternal Grandmother's family, who made the journey from Indiana to Washington. It's all here, and I'm fictionalizing the whole thing! Yay!

Thank Goodness for Good Gifts

That's kind of a tongue twister if you say it fast.

These days, I'm finding that my belly tends to make an appearance every once in a while. No, seriously, many of my shirts aren't long enough and they creep up to expose my delicate white belly. Nobody needs to see that.

Luckily, I have a pregnancy-savvy step-mom who bought me this little gem of a sweater. Ahhh, sweet long length, how I love thee. I was comfy and happy all day long. And that's about all you can ask from a Monday.

Sweater: Liz Lange for Target, Pants: Liz Lange (thrifted), Necklace: gift from Linda, too! Baby Bump: 21w2d

Seventy degrees today and snow on Wednesday? I'll be back in my warm boots by no time.

Harvest Fest

My only outfit requirements today? Wear jeans (it's casual Friday!), find a shirt that doesn't creep up and show my belly, and wear "Fall" colors. Luckily, my mom had found me a bag-load of maternity clothing on Craigslist that included this lovely cotton top. It has side ruching and 3/4 sleeves, and it now has my heart. I am going to wear...it...out.

Shirt: Liz Lange Maternity (thrifted by mom), Pants: Liz Lange Maternity (thrifted), Scarf: so old, I don't even know, Earrings: Dillards, Shoes (not shown but very comfy): Keen, Baby bump: 20w6d

I am loving every minute of this...

A Day of With My Bab(ies)

A few months ago, my "baby" was my darling husband...but he's been replaced. There's a new baby in town, and he's (yes, a "he"!) only 12 ounces big.

We spent the day going to our appointment to meet our baby boy, who spent the entire time showing of to the ultrasound tech. There were kicks and spins, and very, ahem, revealing pose that left nothing to the imagination.

Then we went on a tour of the Rosemount Museum in Pueblo, because we're both history nerds like that. It was gorgeous! I love old homes, and this one was very well furnished. The tour was excellent, especially considering we were the only two there. Then, we had a delicious lunch at the Carriage House - very cool as it is the original storage place for the carriages and cars of the mannor house.

This may have been my best day ever. I know I keep saying that, but it continues to be true.

Shirt: M.S.S.P. , Cami: Downeast Basics, Jeans: Liz Lange Maternity (thrifted), Sweater: vintage (thrifted), Shoes: Keen, Bag: Fossil ($25 at a super sale at Dillards!), Bracelet: craft fair, Necklace: made by me

It doesn't get any better than this... but I know it will.

Maternity, Schmaternity

Have you been to the maternity section of any store lately? Not only is the selection pretty skimpy, but they seem to think that pregnant women suddenly become incapable of recognizing decent prices. Maternity clothes are a rip-off! I went to a few stores, and was appalled at the amount of money that they were charging for silly things like pants with a little extra fabric, or a tank-top that has some ruching on the side. Gimme a break! What's a thrifty girl to do?

Hit the Goodwill and buy two sizes up, that's what. My mom and I found this adorable dress for only $6.99. It looked huge at the time, but belted and dressed up with my (versatile and fun) boots, it looks great! Soooooo comfortable. I love my belly, and I love that I have a new place to rest a belt on, too.

Dress:  GAP (thrifted), Belt: Target, Boots: MizMooz, Earrings: Target, Baby Bump: 19w5d

Ohhhh, the river in autumn...there are not enough days in this short season in which to appreciate you.

I'm Alive and Well...

...and a little heavy around the mid-section. That's right, kids. I'm a bit pregnant.

It's taken all my confidence (and reassurance from my friends who miss my blog), but I've finally gotten the courage to post a pic of me and my baby belly. It took a lot of...well, let's just say it took a lot to get to this point, and I'm very nervous about the whole deal. (I will be nervous until the moment I'm holding my little one in my arms.) But unless you believe that I swallowed a whole canteloupe, I think my secret is out.

Shirt: New York & Co., Skirt: Old Navy (only $7!), Cami: Downeast Basics, Boots: Miz Mooz, Slip: Vintage

It's going to be an interesting winter, seeing as how many (i.e. most) of my clothes don't fit. Anyone have any big-belly clothes they want to get out of their closet? You just let me know...

Just Another Day in Paradise

Let's be honest: I'm not all that creative with outfits. So when I find a piece of clothing that is creative enough for the two of us, I snatch it up.

I dont' usually shop for clothing on e-Bay, because you just never know...(yes, sellers, you should disclose stains or an unusual fit). But when I saw this skirt for only $8.00, I had to get it. It turns out that the designer is a fancy shmancy Italian one, Massimo Dutti, and the skirt would usually be a lot more.

So I got it. And I love it. And the people (i.e. kids) love it, too. What more can you ask of a skirt?

This may be my favorite (narcissistic) photo of myself ever!  Shirt: Banana Republic (thrifted), Undershirt: Downeast Basics, Shades: Smith Optics, Skirt: Massimo Dutti (e-Bay)

Rain, Rain...Stay Here!

We are about 6" below our average for the year...and we only get about 6", so that's bad. So, I am happy that it's raining. My stellar photographer, who I pay in hugs (my husband), was able to get some good photos as we hid under an overpass.

I loved my outfit today because it has such fun colors. (Incidentally, the kids loved my scarf. One girl said that she "almost bought one like that at Rue 21". Dang, I probably paid more.) And I love this skirt more than I love...I don't know, tacos.  I got it at Oasis when I lived in Nottingham and worked perilously close to the downtown mall. I will never part with it. And neither will I part with the pink canvas motorcycle jacket that I bought there but never wear. I still love it.

Skirt: Oasis, Shirt: GAP outlet (for $6!), Scarf: Dillards (super 50% off sale for $7), Earrings: Target, Shoes: KEEN

Are you ready for fall? I am...I miss my boots.

I'm Baaaack! Yay!

So, as it turns, out, I rotate about three outfits all summer long. I guess when it's 95 degrees and I have nowhere to go...I wear jean shorts and tank tops. (Not even cute tank tops - ribbed ones with no accessories.)

But now that school is back in and I need my fashion fix, I'm back to conversing via blogging! Oooh, the ideas some of you have...

I got more compliments on this dress, which I got for about $5 at the thrift store, than any other outfit I've worn since the begining of school. Even male teachers said that they liked my dress. And three students! (If you remember, I often rate my outifts on how many kid-complements I get. You know you look good when 12-year olds take time out of their busy texting schedule to complement you.)

Dress: Leslie Fay (vintage thrifted), Shoes: Keen

I've missed you!

It's Hot, Y'all

I'm not even from the South, but I have friends who are...so, I think I can say y'all.

Anyway, it was 94 degrees here today, which means that I couldn't be bothered to wear much of anything. But I did put on a skirt to go down to the whitewater festival that's being held here in town this weekend. We only went for a little while to watch the rafters, and it was pretty funny.

I am not wearing makeup. I didn't do my hair today. Why post? I just don't want you to think that I've forgotten about you. And my new belt looks just like Kendi's, so I'm feeling pretty cool.

Shirt: Forever 21 (thrifted), Skirt: Ann Taylor (thrifted), Belt: thrifted, Shoes: Chaco

The water cools you off up until the time you dry off. But it feels soooo good.

Look What I Made!

My mum visited this weekend, and we payed a little visit to Michael's for some crafting fun. After seeing this tutorial on Little Miss Momma, I decided to make a flower necklace. We made quite a few, because they were very cheap and easy to make.

If you decide to make them, make sure you:

1. Place them in a U-shape, or else the necklace won't keep its shape.
2. Make sure your petals are about 1.5 inches in diameter.
3. Glue one in the middle, then glue the rest in a circle around it.

The project was very easy and fun to do on a lazy afternoon.

Shirt: Miley Cyrus ($3 at Wal-Mart!), Jeans: Columbia (thrifted), Necklace: made by me, Bracelet: vintage

One of my favorite parts about summer is that I can be creative in a way that does not involve 7th-grade curriculum. No writer's notebooks collages for me this summer!