A Little Evidence

Best day ever! And hardly any photos to show for it. I kept leaving my camera in my car...which makes me a bad blogger, I think. Nevertheless, the day was awesome!

My husband and I drove over to a waterfall that I'd heard about in Manitou Springs. It's called 'Rainbow Falls', but it's more commonly known as 'Graffiti Falls' to the locals. I had a kind of Twin Peaks moment as I was admiring the graffiti and the waterfall at the same time. By no means do I condone (or participate in) defacing nature with paint, but I had to admit that it was all beautiful in a strange, surreal kind of way. Graffiti can be so colorful and beautiful...if some of it weren't so hateful, vulgar, or grammatically incorrect.

After that, we had Greek food (also very colorful), went to the local thrift store (obviously), and grilled up some dinner. Is there anything better?

Shirt: Gant (vintage, thrifted), Shorts: GAP Outlet, Hat: insight, Shoes: Keen, Cami: Downeast Basics

This was supposed to be a "do-anything" outfit. I didn't know how long the hike would be (5 minutes), or where we'd be eating (semi-casual), or what else we'd do (walk downtown)...so this did it all...and kept my nose from getting sunburned.

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.

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.

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"?

Color Inspiration

You're wearing shorts? That must be nice. I wore four layers of clothing today. 

Despite dressing for the Arctic winds that blew through our neck of the woods, I was pleased to put together an ourfit around a color combination that I got from, wait for it...a bottle of wine. I'm not a 'wine' person per se (I prefer a Becks or a pink drink rimmed with sugar), but I love picking out new wines in the shop. I'm a label shopper. Whichever one catches my eye and is even remotely the right color (I don't care for reds), I will choose it.

Plus, this one said "cupcake" on it, and what could be better than that?

Sweater: Banana Republic (thrifted), Scarf: n/l (thrifted), Shirt: GAP Favorite Tee (which is, incidentally, my favorite kind of tee), Pants: Liz Claiborne (thrifted), Shoes: Keen

That last picture illustrates the correct way to stylishly chatter your teeth as you freeze because you forgot to wear gloves.

Kinky

My time-saving secret? Sleeping in French braids.

I always get compliments on my hair when I wear it like this, and it takes the least amount of time to do in the morning. Now that, my friends, is a sneaky style trick. Between that and my husband becoming a master of backlighting, I think these pics turned out pretty well.

I need you to know that thrifting is not just a hobby for me - it is a passion. I dragged my husband to well over a dozen thrift stores in Engalnd when we visited last summer. They're called "charity shops" there, and I adore them. This shirt makes me think about that trip whenever I wear it...and that's worth the 2.99 that I paid for it.  

Shirt: David Lawrence (thrifted), Pants: Express (from 2007), Necklace: gift (thanks, Linda!), Shoes: Keen

Today's out-take is brought to you by a particularly slippery rock, from which I almost tumbled into the Arkansas River. Now that would have been funny.

Happy Day, Earth!

I'd like to say that I'm wearing these nice, subtle, earth tones in celebration of Earth Day, but that's not the truth. The truth is: it was "jeans day" at work, that tee is exceptionally comfy, I'm tired of the wind in my hair, and I love that sweater/jacket more than anything else I own. (Except my "Carrie" skirt, which it the only thing that I have paid full price for at Ann Taylor Loft...ever.)

It is Friday, people, and I went for comfort today. This is exactly what Ashley on nashville styled was debating yesterday: Should you make yourself uncomfortable in order to post a killer outfit on your blog? I went with "no". I cannot tell a lie. I wore a boring outfit today.

But I loved it the whole time. (Not to mention I had to pick up trash for an hour after school with 20 middle-schoolers, and I wasn't about to do that in a skirt and heels.)

Hope you had a fabulous Friday and are planning a stupendous Saturday!

Jacket: Downeast Basics, Shirt: Target, Jeans: Eddie Bauer (thrifted), Purse: Billabong, Hat: n/l via Ross, Belt: DKNY via Ross, Shoes: Keen

(Thought you might like that little 'out-take' photo of me looking confused by my own button. It has been a long week...)

10 Things You Should Know About Me

7. My mom says my thighs are "muscular".

As you can probably see, I am not a supermodel. When the whole "skinny jean" thing came out, I shuddered. I still don't really like the idea of making what's below my knees look even smaller than it does in a nice boot-cut silhouette. So, I will definately be embracing the "wide-leg" trend...as soon as it hits the Goodwill.

I have had this shirt forever, and I give complete thanks to Tania and Kendi for showing me how to wear it. Again - I never would have done this. It may seem simple and unadorned, but this is a big stretch for me.

There is only one, small head-on shot for this one because my forehead looks huge. If this long hair is going to continue (which it is until I have 10 inches to donate), then I might need some bangs. Thoughts?

Shirt: Gant (vintage, thrifted), Vest: Ann Taylor (thrifted), Jeans: J.A.G. (thrifted), Shoes: Keen

10 Things You Should Know About Me

3. I love to be outside.

If you are one of my five followers (thanks, guys), you probably know that I haven't posted in a few days. Well, that's becasue I wore the same outfit for two days running, and it wasn't very pretty. I wore boots, a pair of old Levi's, and an orange shirt. Oh, and a baseball cap. But one day I did wear some cute earrings! I was rafting and playing outside with my horses, which isn't really conducive to heels and pencil skirts...though I may have a surprise for you in the coming days. (Thrifting with Amber really paid off!)

Most of the time, my outfits are centered around teaching apparel. Hopefully, one of these days I will go / do something fabulous and will wear something equally stylish. I guess rafting doesn't count...you never see Keens on the catwalk.

Shirt: Target, Cardigan: Ross, Pants: The Limited (thrifted), Tank: Banana Republic (thrifted), Earrings: Target (brand new!), Shoes: DSW (about four years ago)