the spring witch

Whew. I just got back from a 3-day trip to Boston (or, 1.5 days in Boston with 1.5 days of travelling) for a conference and boy am I glad to be home. Not because I don't love Boston (because I do!), but because plane trips just take it out of me. Even though all you do is sit when you're on a plane, it's still incredibly tiring. I couldn't tell you why.

Oh wait, yes I can — it's because being crammed in a tiny seat for 4.5 hours next to people who don't understand the concept of keeping their elbows to themselves so that you can actually nap without waking up every 5 minutes from a bony jab to the ribs and/or head (this actually happened) is vexing, and being vexed for extended periods of time is exhausting.

Air travel is a lot less fun now that I'm all grown up. Maybe because now I know that Disney World isn't at the end of the flight.

But anyhoodle, here's a little something I wore the week before my trip...

And those dots on my nails aren't random. They're wee little constellations.
dress, vintage via ebaysweater, f21tights, xhilarationboots, vintage via etsybelt, j.crewheart ring, coachstone ring, novica

the fisherman

I can't resist a good greenish-hued jacket, so when I spied this little safari-esque jacket at Forever 21 last weekend, I snapped it up. It's great construction for an F21 piece too — I actually don't feel worried about renegade buttons, seams popping, or spontaneous shrinking.

I did feel a bit like I was going fishing after putting it over my gingham shirt, though. I just need a bucket hat (outfitted with lucky lures, of course), tackle box, and Wellies.

Sorry for the horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE photo quality. Every morning has been overcast lately, so my living room doesn't get the best light. I think this weekend, I'll finally get a tripod so I can just take my photos outside.

shirt, j.crew

jacket, f21

jeans, j.crew

sandals, vintage

bangle, kate spade

black stone ring, novica

leaf wrap ring, from australia

My sandals may look weird, but they are so insanely comfortable. Also, J.Crew's new Malta sandals are inspired by huaraches like mine, so they can't be all that much of a fashion faux pas... right?

the easy does it

As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm also watching my goldfish out of the corner of my eye. Just a minute ago, he got stuck behind one of the rocks in his tank and I had to go over and coach him out of his predicament. (And by coaching, I mean flapping my arms around and screeching, "Barnaby! Get out of there!") He's not the brightest goldfish, you see, and the bigger he gets, the more unaware he is of what he can and cannot fit in/through. I'm convinced that if he ever gets to be humpback whale sized, I'd catch him trying to cram his head into a Pringles can.

But that's neither here nor there.

Today's outfit was an unphotographable disaster, so instead, here's a boring but less visually offensive ensemble from last week:

plaid shirt, j.crewcardigan, f21zipper jeans, j.crewflats, f21watch, fossilring, novica

I own a few plaid shirts, and every single one of them is from J.Crew. Weird.

the pushpop mullet

I never thought I'd own a mullet dress. Partially because I think my legs would be confused by the lack of material in the front and the excess of material in the back, but mainly because the word "mullet" doesn't really make me think of something that's in good taste. (Except maybe mullet fish. I'm sure they're delicious.)

But then this dress came along and challenged my belief that all things mulleted must reek of the gross part of the 90s. Consider my mind blown. (On a side note, look up "mullet (haircut)" on Wikipedia. Marvel at the main picture.)

Hello, blurry.

dress, cotton on

cardigan, f21

belt, calvin klein

tights, merona (target)

booties, seychelles

monocle necklace, gift

ring, from australia

Also, in celebration of Eddie Vedder announcing a second Houston show for his Ukulele Extravaganza (not the actual name of the tour, but it ought to be), here's a video of... well, Eddie Vedder and his ukulele. This isn't even from the album he's touring for, but whatever. I mean, I'm sure none of you will even watch the video below, but this is my blog and I can do what I want. MUAHAHAHA! (You guys should hear my evil laugh in real life. It's pretty great.)

granny prints and grampy sweaters

It feels good to back. *hugs blog* Hopefully the new design shows up properly for all of you. If you spot anything that looks weird (besides my awkward photos), let me know!

So here's 10 things that have happened since I disappeared from blogging back in late November...

1. Went to NYC for a weekend for a friend's engagement party.
   
   
2. Saw Alan Rickman.
   
   
3. Came back to Houston, work work work.
   
   
4. Got sick.
   
   
5. Got better.
   
   
6. Boyfriend got sick.
   
   
7. Finally met my goal of losing 10 pounds.
   
   
8. Threw a Christmas party where I cooked from 10am to 7:30 pm.
   
   
9. Went to other Christmas/New Year parties where undoubtedly the host cooked from 10am to 7:30pm.
   
   
10. Gained 10 pounds back.
    
    

Aren't the holidays just wonderful? I had a great time celebrating with friends and family, but I have to say that I'm relieved the festivities are over so that I can stop eating so much pie. Granted, I could simply not eat so much pie during the holidays too, but NO I CANNOT, YOU MUST BE JOKING IT'S PIE AND IT'S CHRISTMAS THEY BELONG TOGETHER.

Anywho, here's an outfit I wore while exploring Traders Village (aka the world's biggest garage sale) with Boyfriend this past weekend:

dress, f21
cardigan, target (merona)
tights, xhilaration
loafers, f21
belt, mom's
rings, novica + ebay
watch, fossil
bangle, kate spade

The cardigan is a recent purchase from the men's section of Target. It slowly became more and more loose throughout the day, but I think it's something a tumble in the dryer can fix.

everything's coming up roses

I've been hard at work trying to come up with a new blog header design. I even spent 3 hours working on it yesterday... only to determine that I had to scrap it all because it just wasn't coming together like I wanted it to. GRRR. But there will be a new blog design! ........someday.

Also, I've come to the bitter realization that my weight loss progress is stalled because I keep waffling back-and-forth between being committed to exercising and "dieting" and not being committed. So whatever weight I lose one week, I gain back the next, and so on. BUT NO MORE. I'm going to lose 10 pounds. And you know why I'm going to lose 10 pounds? Because when I finally shed 10 pounds, I'm going to buy myself a new handbag as a prize. And you guys, I want that handbag. As an added bonus of dropping the weight, I'll also be able to fit into more of my clothes again so you guys can finally see something other than the same-old-same-old I've been wearing lately. Exciting!

dress, f21
cardigan, j.crew
tights, merona
flats, urban outfitters
belt, mom's
ring, novica
bracelet, american eagle
bangle, kate spade
big bangle, j.crew

And before I get any "you're too skinny to lose 10 pounds, you're not being healthy, you're a terrible person, yadda yadda yadda" comments or emails, let me make it clear that I am actually overweight for my height. So there. I'm not self-destructive or anything, I just want to be slim, trim, and healthy again. Fighting the good fight... against fat. And temptation. Isn't Thanksgiving 2 weeks away?

Gulp.

Don't forget to enter the NOVICA giveaway!

static cling

Winter stopped by Houston last Friday for one wild night, then crept off before the sun came up the next day, with nary a "See you later" or "I'll call you." Rude.

But at least I got to wear my J.Crew Townhouse Trench. I finally got this in a P6 and it is perfect. Mmm...

But you know what's not so perfect? Static cling. BEHOLD:

AUGH!

dress, f21
cardigan, anthropologie
tights, merona
flats, urban outfitters
belt, mom's
coat, j.crew

After these snaps, I got rid of the cling problem with some dryer sheets. Tip: If you have some static problems but don't have a bottle of Static Guard handy, rub a new dryer sheet over the offending garment and PRESTO! No more static. Also, you'll end up smelling like clean clothes, which isn't all bad. (I may huff my clean laundry. I can't help it. It smells SO GOOD.)

Also, if you haven't already, enter the giveaway for a $50 NOVICA gift certificate!

stern school teacher

Thanks for all the sweet notes yesterday! Boyfriend is doing much better now, aside from the usual "post-illness fatigue." I'm sure he'll be back to 100% after this weekend.

And before I jump into the OOTD, welcome my new sponsor, NOVICA! We've put together an awesome giveaway for you lovely readers, the details of which will be revealed tonight. Ooooh, the anticipation!

Now the OOTD:

blouse, marc by marc jacobs
cardigan, j.crew [x]
skirt, f21 [x]
tights, merona
heels, steve madden
belt, f21
ring, f21
bangle, kate spade

It seems like winter's finally here, but I don't know if I believe that it'll actually stick around this time. Houston's weather is notorious for playing with my emotions, that rapscallion.

Anyhoodle, this whole outfit is kind of very "school marm," is it not? I didn't realize it until waaay later in the day. I should have smacked someone with a ruler to really sell the look, but maybe it's better I didn't. I kind of like my car un-keyed.

The skirt is a surprise F21 find. I just love a full skirt, though most of them are way too long for my 5'2" frame. This one is no exception, though I think I might have helped myself out by wearing heels. For those of you who are interested, I suggest sticking with your usual F21 skirt size. I'm wearing one size too big here (since that's all they had in the store), which fits fine, but is a little too voluminous for my taste. It's also pretty heavy, which is awesome for cooler weather.

Have a good weekend! And remember, giveaway details tonight!

on a train bound for santa fe

Sometimes in the morning, I just can't be bothered with putting together an outfit. I mean, pants and a top? And shoes?! Ye ask for too much.

That's when dresses come in handy. As Dea mentioned before, dresses are great because it's one piece of clothing that basically makes up your entire outfit. What to wear on top? Decision already made with a dress. And for the bottom? Don't worry, a dress has you covered. I mean, dresses are so convenient that I'm almost convinced they were born on late night home shopping channels.

Dresses. I love them.

dress, anthropologie
flats, urban outfitters
belt, f21
gold bangle, kate spade
leaf ring, from australia
skull ring, ebay

Now we all know Halloween is coming up. What are all of you dressing up as? And how many of you will go into work in costume on Monday? I KNOW I WILL. As a Newsie. Maybe as the fancy-footed Jack Kelly himself. It's going to be awesome.

color chameleon

I love to get the same amazing cardigans and pencil skirts in different colors, and sometimes pants as well. I mean, if it looks and feels incredible and just so happens to come in a delectable array of hues, why not, you know? This is why looking through J.Crew's latest catalogs is so dangerous -- so many colors! Must. Resist. Buying. Them. All.

But rarely have I purchased the same dress in a different color before. Scratch that -- I've never purchased the same dress but in a different color before. Until now.

bow dress, f21
polka dot tights, merona
belt, mom's
pumps, salvatore ferragamo
necklace, f21
ring, f21
bangle, kate spade

You may recognize the dress as the solid red version of this little frock (awww, look at the adorable bare walls! *sniff* memories).

Have any of you ever bought multiple versions of the same dress?

And because I mentioned my cross-stitching projects before, here's another one I completed last week --


He's like a mini Optimus Prime, or "Mini Prime," as I refer to him. Boyfriend decided he'd rather have a "more manly" version of Optimus instead, so this little guy will just sit neglected on a shelf somewhere until I find out what to do with him. In the meantime, I'm working on Optimus 2.0 v. More Muscle.

Men.

jeremy spoke in cla-aaass todaaaay

I love a good print. (I also love a bad one too, for that matter.) As evidence of such, here are two printed dresses I wore out and about -- one from before my vacation, the other from yesterday.

dress, rachel by rachel roy
tights, xhilaration
heels, steve madden
ring, j.crew

dress, f21
cardigan, lacoste
flats, steve madden
belt, mom's
ring, etsy

The Rachel Roy what's-all-this-then crazy print dress you may already be familiar with from this post, but the floral one is brand spankin' new from Forever 21. I found it in the clearance section of all places, so it came home with me for a scant $9. I guess not too many other people covet grandma's-couch-ish rose patterns as much as I do, which is fine by me. I plan to wear it with some dark tights and boots when the weather gets even cooler -- it'll be awesome, you guys. I'll look like I belong in Singles. And then when I perfect my crazy eyes, like I belong in a Pearl Jam video.