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!)

Are mosquitos color-blind?

Because they sure seemed attracted to my dress. And my arms. And my face.

I love these colors together. Is it coral? Peach? Melon? Let's go with melon. I love the colors of melon and turquoise together. And I love this dress because it goes with everything. You can throw a blazer, a jean jacket, or a scarf over it and it looks perfect. I got it at GAP on clearance for $12 about four years ago. I'm pretty sure I'll hand it down to my daughter. She will love it. Well, first she will hate it because it's "so 2000", and then the style will come back around and she will thank me.

Why didn't my mom save all her cool clothes? Oh yeah, becasue I made fun of them back in the '80s. Who knew that rompers and Farrah Fawcet hair would come back, seriously?

Dress: GAP, Cami: Downeast Basics, Gold necklace: Sundance, Turquoise necklace: made by me (yes, really), Shoes: Michael Kors (thrifted)

I asked my husband if he could make my legs look darker, and he said, "Oh yeah, I'll just put the camera on the 'tan' setting." So funny. But he lied.