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!

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)

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!

And the Livin' Is Easy...

One of the best parts about summer, I think, is that my family sometimes comes to visit. My mom is currently here from the great state of California (I miss you, Golden State), which has been awesome.

Currently, she is whipping cream in my kitchen for a strawberry pie. No joke.

We did mostly errands today, but it always pays to dress up for a trip to the grocery store and the post office. You never know who you're going to meet. Okay, nobody, but it's still fun to dress up.

Shirt: GAP Outlet, Cami: Downeast Basics, Earrings: Target, Shorts: Old Navy (thrifted for $2), Shoes: Chaco

Are these shorts a little loud? Maybe. But they only cost me $2, so that's good enough to snag.

Am I Going On A Safari? Maybe...

...okay, I'm not. But I still kinda liked this outfit, though I thought I should also carry a canteen and a high-powered rifle. Good thing that skirt wasn't khaki. Or there weren't any lions around.

We went up to Salida today for the FIBArk (First In Boating on the Arkansas) festival, which is filled with food, beer, great bands, and lots of kayaking. We watched a few of the kayakers play in the playwave, then had some delicious teriyaki chicken and noodles (why is fair food so stinkin' good?), walked around the town of Salida (lovely), and then took the scenic drive home...along the raging river.

You know what would have made this outfit? The $6 scarf that I refused to buy at a thrift store. Six bucks? That's highway robbery for a thrift store. It woud have gone on my hat...but alas, it was not to be. I have to stick to my buget, and that would have blown half of it! Sigh. The sacrifices...

Shirt: Jamaica Bay (thrifted), Cami: Downeast Basics, Skirt: Ann Taylor (thrifted), Bracelet: made by the cool guy at the Chacos booth! (free), Shoes: Chaco (of course), Belt: Eddie Bauer (thrifted), Hat: Liz Claiborne

I don't think this is my most stylish outfit, but I did feel pretty dressed up compared to those who were wearing cut-offs and tye-dyed shirts. It's all about perception...

Friends, Family, Pedals, and...Snow?

This weekend I drove up to Summit County, CO, to spend some time with "the girls" - including my mom, her friend, and Amber from I Heart Colorado. The "mud season" is upon us, and snow was melting quickly. The rivers are raging, creeks are cranking, and the weather is just plain gorgeous.

We biked from Copper Mountain Resort to the town of Frisco, which is the most amazing, easy, and pleasant ride you can do on two wheels. The bus even takes you to Copper for free! At the bottom, we had a delicious bagel and pastrami sandwich from Pika Bagel and Cafe - completely reccomend eating there!

And...I got to wear my cute new jacket, which I bought for $3.75. It had a little spot on it that I was nervous about getting out, but it came out beautifully. Proof that some people get rid of clothes because they are just not interested in putting in a little effort. More for me!

Shirt: GAP (swapped), Jacket: GAP (thrifted), Jeans: Old Navy (thrifted), Shoes: Chacos, Make-up: none (ha ha!)

All of the ponds are overflowing!

Blue River near Frisco, CO. Do NOT try to inner-tube this!

Downtown Breckenridge, CO. It's hot, it's cold...I'm wearing a puffy vest and flip-flops. You can't go wrong.

Shirt: GAP Favorite Tee, Vest: Obermeyer (Mom thrifted for me!), Purse: Billabong, Shorts: GAP Outlet, Shoes: Chaco, Earrings: Bejeweled 4 U (Mom's etsy store)

Now you know what I look like when I wear no make-up. For me, vacations are vacations from "getting ready" in the morning.

Thank you, Amber, for taking my photos over the weekend! XO!

Don't Believe Me?

I got this shirt at the Goodwill in Old Colorado City (some go for the hip trendy shops, I go for the second-hand treasures) on Monday. It is awesome! For some reason, I'm just all over the silky tops lately. Maybe it's the 90 degree heat... The important thing is that it only cost me $2.00, and I even got to cut the original tags (from The Limited) off! That's right, brand NEW top!

I stole this hairstyle from Misty at An Unpretentious Teacher. She didn't even get mad that I took it! We teachers have to stick together...

Can I just say that I love reading style blogs? I've never been more inspired, enlightened, and encouraged by so many positive women! Thanks (and "hello") to all my new followers - I'm excited to swap ideas and compliments with you! I gather that it's kind of a tradition to have a giveaway when you reach a certain amount...I'll start work on that right away...

Shirt: The Limited (thrifted, seriously), Pants: GAP (thrifted), Cami: Downeast Basics, Necklace: Sundance, Earrings: Kohls, Shoes: Chaco

Yesh, I know the label says $3.99 - but it was green tag day! Fify percent off, baby! (Just for the record, this top was originally $34.99, so that's, like, a lot of percent off. Not a math teacher - Language Arts teacher!)

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.

What Are You In For?

Stripes always make me nervous in this county...which boasts about 10 prisons within its boundaries. I don't even think that they really wear the grey and white striped outfits anymore, but it still feels a little...funny. Nevertheless, I love this shirt. It is silky and light, comfy, and was only $2.00.

Because I am a confirmed "thriftaholic", I am joining up with the ladies who created I'm A Thriftaholic (see their button at right). Check it out and gets some great ideas from other ladies who love to buy old and create something new! I can't think of an outfit that I've worn in the last...um, forever, that didn't include at least one thrifted item.

Shirt: BDG. (thrifted), Cami: n/l, Pants: Gap (thrifted), Necklace: gift, Sunnies: Kenneth Cole ($9.99 at Ross!), Shoes: Born (thrifted)

I finally got my husband to take a day off with me tomorrow...whatever will we do? I see a waterfall, gyros, photos, a trip to the Goodwill, gelato, and a trip to the peony farm (that's right, a whole farm of peonies) in my near future. Not necessarily in that order...

Thank you to Jill at Jill's Good Life For Less for the hair tutorial. My curling iron and I have never been happier together.

God Willing and The Creek Don't Rise...

Just so you know, my post is the title of a phenomenal song by Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs. I can't get enough of that guy. You can see the video, God Willing and The Creek Don't Rise, on YouTube. Love it. If you like Mumford & Sons, you will like this. Me? I swoon.

This saying was on my mind because we took photos down by the river today, which is getting higher and higher by the day. It's an amazing thing to see...branches being swept downstream, plants being overcome by the rising waters, waves appearing where rocks used to be. I love summer runoff...it makes all the winter snow and cold worthwhile. I love to just listen to the sound...

Cami: stolen from mom (sorry, Mom), Vest: Timing via Ross, Pants: Gap (thrifted), Belt: Banana Republic (thrifted for $2.00!), Shoes: Chaco flips, Necklace: n/l (consigned)

My summer outfit requirement? Must be able to ride my Vespa without showing passersby too much skin. Short shorts? Out. Skirts? Yikes. These pants? Amazing. They are like 1,000 spf sunscreen when I'm out and about. As you can see, I have lately skipped the sunscreen on my lower arms. Don't you love a good farmer's tan?

Silken Sunshine

I was so excited to wear this shirt! It got it for a dollar, yes, just $1, a few weeks ago. All day I felt as though I was wearing a little ray of sunshine. Yellow is not known to be a blonde's best color, but I'm breaking rules today, people. Nothing that makes you smile this much could be bad, right?

I'm trying very hard to grow my hair out. I only have about four inches left until I can donate it to Locks of Love, but it's so hard. You know what's harder? Being a kid and losing your hair to chemo. So, I'm going to stick it out. Don't let me cut it...even though I am a die-hard "angled bob" kind of girl. I've had short hair for most of my adult life, and I have a hard time styling longer hair. (The last time I had hair this long was high school, and I wore it in a ponytail all the time.)  I will make it!

Shirt: Michelle Stuart (vintage, thrifted), Pants: Old Navy (thrifted), Shoes: Guess? (Ross)

How do you know you're in the wrong consignment clothing store? You walk in and hear a conversation between two elderly women (first hint) begin with this: "Well, I just got back from my dermatologist..." and you know it's all downhill from there.

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.