I Wore Clothes Today!

There were no water-related activities in my schedule today, so I went ahead and dressed up. Just for the record, I think I was the best-dressed person in Wal-Mart today...victory! This is partly thanks to my buddies (including Amber from I Heart Colorado), who snagged this sweater from the 3rd Annual Great Graduate Girls Clothing Swap a while back. Thanks, gals!

I have been so inspired by all of the blogger posts about trips and vacations. I think it's high time my husband and I took a little day trip. It's time to get out and explore... Did you all see Ashley's post at I Believe In Unicorns? I am jealous (enough to mention it here) that she got Thrifty's ice cream, which is the best ice cream on the planet. It makes me think: what wonderful things are waiting for me on a day trip?

Sweater: Gap (swapped), Cami: Gap, Short: Gap Outlet, Shoes: Born (thrifted), Sunnies: Smith, Purse: Antonio Melani (consignment), Necklace: made by me

I have really short, manly nails. But sometimes, I feel just feminine enough to paint 'em up. Today was one of those days. Three bucks later (seriously, nail polish can cost $12 now?) and I'm feeling very pretty indeed.

What I Wear When I'm Kicking Butt

The last few days have been amazing. The sun is out, school is fading into a distant memory, and people have even been coming down to visit us! I've been rafting and having fun, so my outfits have been, ahem...less than fashionable. Don't believe me? Here are the photos from today's excursion down the Royal Gorge to prove it:

Shirt: NRS, Shorts: Immersion Research, Tights: NRS, Water socks: NRS, Shoes: Solomon, Lifevest: Astral, Helmet: Shred Ready

The water was at about 1,500 cfs today, which is super fun but not too scary. All the "old timers" think that the river is going to explode in June...I'll be there to take pics. No rafting for me when the river is higher than the railroad tracks. I'm good, thanks.

I Swear I Washed My Hair

When I want to give myself the gift of 20 extra minutes of sleep in the morning, I shower, braid my hair, and call it good the night before. As you can see, I've really been craving a sleep-in for the last two days straight.

But it was cool because it made me feel like a little mermaid at our school dance tonight. (The theme was "Under the Sea".) My husband and I volunteer to take photos, so here are the test shots before the kids got there. I wore the dress (sans jeans) to the commencement ceremony, then threw on pants so I could run around, pose kids, and snap photos. Ahh, sweet versatility.

Dress: Enfocus Studio (Ross), Jeans: Old Navy (thrifted), Shoes: Keen, Watch: Timex Ironman

I'm pretty sure that the watch is the perfect accessory to this outfit. Nothing says "class" like a waterproof Timex.

Can You Love a Skirt Too Much?

If you can...this is the one I love. It's a size or two too big, but I usually compensate by wearing a long t-shirt over it. But I was inspired by Keri over at Headlines & Hemlines, where she wrote about her love of the white tee. I figured I could make it work for me, too, and this is the result.

Since we are moving classrooms and basically winding down at school, I thought it was a suitable casual outfit. It totally was. Hope you all are getting ready for a fun-filled summer...I know I am!

Tee: George (WalMart), Skirt: Chadwicks (thrifted), Belt: n/l (thrifted), Shoes: Keen

I've been waiting patiently to use this phone booth for a shoot. It was fun. Too bad the phone didn't actually work. Did you ever think you'd see the day when a public phone would be a novelty? Yeah, me niether.

Super Spiffy

This is my, "Mrs. S, are you going to a meeting or something?" kind of outfit. No, I was not going to a meeting. I'm excited that it's warm (hello, bare legs and arms), and I'm even more excited that it's almost summer (is there any better reason to dress up...besides the Royal Wedding?).

I know I am not a very good accessorizer, but this blouse is frilly enough to be an accessory on its own, I think. I bought it at the Banana Republic Outlet in Silverthorne for $8 a few years ago. I was shopping with my brother, and he literally didn't believe me. "How do you find this stuff?" he asked, incredulous. How, indeed.

Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet, Belt: n/l (consignment), Skirt: n/l (vintage / reworked), Shoes: Indigo by Clarks

That is my thinking pose. And don't look at my sock tan. It's embarassing.

Summer Sneak Preview

The weather was warm, I had a day off, and don't you think for a second that I wasted any of it! My husband and I went over to Pueblo for the Wild West Fest, where there are more cowboy boots than espandrilles. We ate a smothered burrito, walked along the riverwalk, listened to some Native American music, and had a frozen yogurt. It was awesome.

You know what else I think is awesome? This vest that I got for $2.00. I don't know why I love it so much, but it just screamed for me to take it home. So I did. And then I wore it with my new wedges and a pair of jeans. And a hat, because it was sunny outside and I am a little pale. Okay, a lot pale.

Tank: GAP, Vest: Liz Claiborne / vintage (thrifted), Jeans: Old Navy (thrifted), Shoes: Michael Kors (thrifted), Purse: Fossil (thrifted), Hat: Target

There aren't words for how much I love summer. If I weren't already married, I'd run away with it.

BDIB Challenge: Menswear Prep

Bloggers Do It Better...and earlier in the morning, too.

I was very nervous about participating in this challenge, but I am really trying to stretch myself. So, I pulled out one of my husband's ties (the only thing that could possibly fit me), and put on my newly thrifted chambray shirt. (The luck of the Goodwill was on my side - it's the exact one that I've been thinking of making the trip to Target for!)

This outftit, however, got more "ooh, that's cute!"s than any one I've worn in a while. Even men were commenting on my tie, and they usually never notice when I wear heels or a cute skirt.

Shirt: Merona (thrifted), Vest: Peck & Peck (thrifted), Pants: GAP (thrifted), Tie: George (husband's), Shoes: Keen

This was so much fun to do! I really felt awesome all day, and there's not price you can put on that. (Though my whole outfit probably cost around $10.00.)

This Outfit is 70% Thrifted, 100% Comfortable

I had the day off work today (appointment in the big city), so opted for a very comfy outfit. It's a 1.5 hour drive each way.

I really should have taken pictures of the sky this morning, because it was so beautiful. The skies were clearing after a spring rainstorm and the blue was positively brilliant. Isn't it amazing how the weather can affect our moods? I felt happier and more optimistic all day... though that could be the time off talking.

Are you taking the Bloggers Do It Better challenge tomorrow? I am going to give it a shot, though I know I am going to face certain ridicule for wearing a tie at school. We'll see how it goes. I'm excited about my outfit, though. You'll get to see the amazing score I found today at the thrift store. Yay!

Jacket: Downeast Basics, Shirt: Heritage 1981 (thrifted), Cami: Downeast Basics, Pants: Faded Glory (thrifted), Scarf: Ross, Shoes: Keen, Bracelet: n/l (thrifted), Bag: Hunt Club (thrifted)

Thanks for all the comments yesterday about my "bling belt". I can't wait to wear it again and appreciate that you all understood how much it meant to me. I'm sappy, I know.

When a Belt is More Than a Belt...

My students recently wrote "20 Before 20" lists for their end-of-the-year portfolios. In almost every one, there was at least one mention of shooting an elk, breaking a horse, winning a buckle, or fishing in a particular fishing hole. When I say that I live in a small town in Colorado, please believe me. I have learned so much from my kids in the last few years - they have wonderful stories and fascinating lives.

I am from California. I grew up with horses and raised sheep for 4-H, and I thought I was "a little bit country" until I moved here. These guys put me to shame. They ARE country. So when my track girls gave me this belt last night as a thank-you for being their coach, I nearly died. I've been coveting the Nocona and Atlas belts for years, but never really felt cowgirl enough to buy one.

I still ride on the weekends, but have never barrel raced. (It's on my list.) But when a couple of real cowgirls give you a belt that screams bling, you feel a little bit awesome wearing it. Proud doesn't even describe it. It may be gaudy to some, and over-the-top to others...but it is perfect to me.

Shirt: GAP, Skirt: Karen (from NZ), Belt: Atlas, Boots: Born (best boots ever!)

It was hard for me to add any accesories to this...the belt is bling enough!

I Paid Retail!

That's right, I bought a dress at Old Navy...for $10.00. It blew my allowance for the week, but it was worth it.

My favorite kid comment about my outfit today: "Mrs. S, those earrings are as big as your ear!" Truer words were never spoken. They are big.

There are only eight-ish days of school left, and I couldn't be happier. Don't get me wrong, there are days when I love my job, but these last few weeks of school are not them. The kids, the staff, and the teachers are all ready to blow this pop stand. I can't wait to have both weekend days all to myself (I usually grade and plan on Sundays)...not to mention actual weekdays, too! Hopefully my posts will be more interesting as I hop around the state of CO.

Shirtdress: Old Navy, Cami: Downeast Basics, Tights: OP, Belt: n/l (thrifted), Boots: Miz Mooz, Earrings: Target, Bracelet: Bejeweled4You (my Mom's Etsy business)

No, you wouldn't be the first person to tell me that I have unusually bony elbows. My brothers already took care of that.

A Little Bit of Blue for a Grey Day

We're coming up on the last weeks of school, which means that there is more going on now than ever. Yesterday I spent the whole day at our League Finals meet (not very fashionable, I'm afraid), and it was all I could do to get out of bed and wash my hair today.

This is my comfy outfit. Whenever I wear more than one item of a brand, I have to stop and think that somewhere, a clothing executive is smiling. The only really cool thing I'm wearing today is my new leather bracelet that I got at the craft fair last weekend. I had a hunch that the booth selling handmade leather belts (beautiful but expensive!) may have them too...and then I wouldn't have to pay shipping from Etsy. I was right! If only I would also have bought that pair of overalls with the bottoms cut off and red paisley handkerchiefs sewed on...I could have been Daisy-May's twin.

Shirt: GAP Favorite Tee, Vest: GAP (thrifted), Pants: Eddie Bauer (thrifted), Hat: Element, Scarf: n/l (thrifted), Shoes: Keen, Bag: Billabong

I finally found a sea-blue scarf at the thrift store. I love this color because I think it makes my eyes look blue. What is your "color"?

Blazin' Amazing!

I was so excited when I saw this blazer at the thrift shop. I usually don't go for puffed sleeves, but this just felt...so right. On the kid-compliment scale, it scored a whopping 3 points! (The current record is held by my Hurley hat that I wore on hat day. They are all a bunch of brand-slaves.)

It rained like crazy today, so it was the perfect time to wear a winter outfit that I haven't quite put away yet. And my boots are probably going to make an appearance tomorrow, since the high is going to be a paltry 52 degrees.

It's supposed to get warm for the weekend, though. Good thing, because the river is rising, my friends, and my little rubber raft is just begging to go out for the second whitewater rafting trip of the season! Let the summer fun begin...(in 2.2 weeks)!

Blazer: vintage Daniel (thrifted), Shirt: New York & Company, Cami: Downeast Basics, Pants: Express (about 8 years old...sad), Boots: Me Too

Depending on how warm / cool I got today, the belt migrated from the jacket to the shirt. So versatile...so sneaky.