And it’s already Sunday! I hope everyone had a good weekend!

We’ve had a pretty low key weekend at our house. Yesterday I spent a lot of the evening digging through my closet and unmarked boxes, separating out clothes [keep, pack away for later/winter, see if mom likes, sell, & donate]. I tend to have a [very] hard time throwing out things. I still have tops from 5+ years ago that I still go back to and wear. And when I reopen my “pack away for later” box maybe a season or so later, I always find things that all of sudden catch my interest again. Nothing cheaper than shopping in your own closet!

Today I threw something casual for early morning errands. I’ve worn this striped top before [captured on instagram!] but never on the blog. Add some jeans and my old leopard flats, and I was ready to go! 

Now we have the AC turned off, the dogs running in & out [Olivia has picked up Bane’s habit of chewing on rocks—I keep finding small ones buried in her in bed]. The TV recapping the NBA playoffs. And I’m smelling the whiskey marinade on the pork tenderloin in the oven. Yum, yum, yum! [Tonight’s dinner: pork tenderloin, brown rice, & salad]

After dinner, I figure we’ll walk the dogs & then watch our Sunday night shows. [Games of Thrones = dying over last week’s episode.]

—

WALMART fedora / FOREVER 21 striped top / ASOS jeans / ZIGI GIRL leopard flats

Fedora styled before here and here!

See more striped outfits here with my Stripes are Best tag or looks with leopard print here!

I’ve had this outfit sitting in my drafts for ages now but for some reason never uploaded it. But I feel like I’ve been a bit spotty with blogging lately and I really wanted to post today.

Something about last two weeks and this past [very eventful] weekend  [T is now a newlywed jetting off to Jamaica for her honeymoon!] has really cleared my perception on so much of what has been weighing me down recently.  

I struggle with carrying around so much fear of disappointing those I care about. It has taken me months and months but I’ve finally had to look past it and decide what was best for me/us as a couple. I am the one who has to wake up every day and live my life. And on Sunday I was filled with so much love [starting with some amazing waffles from my mom]. I felt light and an immeasurable amount of happiness about everything. I felt in control of my life. Of my feelings. And finally, in control of my anxiety.

It truly made me appreciate those close to me—my friends and my family.

But my husband above all. He is truly such a strong support system for me. When I was younger, I was always afraid that I’m too much in my head, that no one could actually get me. Chris may not understand me 100% of the time, but he sure tries. Between some hard talks & choices, we are always on each other’s side. With any decision weighing me down, I know for certain, if no one else, he will always be there saying “go for it, it will be okay” and holding my hand through it. 

I think that’s why I was so drawn to post these photos today. Because of my “Mrs” necklace that Chris gave me. The necklace is such a powerful and special symbol to me. I can’t believe it’s only popped up on the blog once before this.

Awkward moment of the day: Realizing that a good amount of my clothes could totally pass for maternity wear. Example number one, this top.

xo

—

URBAN OUTFITTERS blazer in black [ on sale! ] / KATE SPADE “mrs” necklace / TARGET top [old] / ASOS jeans in white [ similar ] / GAP loafers [ similar ] / SAKS FIFTH AVENUE bracelet

See this striped top styled for summer here. 

For some reason, it being April already doesn’t seem right. Days, weeks, and weekends have been passing in a blur. Between work, working out & training, my birthday, traveling, wedding related parties—I’ve somehow landed myself in April and not even realized it! This year has been speeding by and with each passing month I feel like I’m running behind trying to catch up. [I know, I know—this is life but I can still whine about it.]

An update on March’s monthly goals:

• Continue training for my half marathon. Check! Despite being out of town one weekend and out of state another & missing those Saturday runs—I’ve kept up my training.
• Officially sign up for my half marathon. Check! And double check since I’m also signed up for the 5k Color Me Rad run next month. Time to start dipping my toes into actual runs and what’s better than one where I’m getting pegged by paint?

In April, I will [make more goals]:

• Give Chris/our relationship more everything—attention/affection/effort/doing nice things/etc. He/our relationship is my first priority—always, and sometimes I forget to go the extra mile.
• Try yoga. Even if it’s one class. Just get out there & try it.
• Do abs workout every night.
• Read 3 books.
• Clean out my closet [cringe].

The weather In Oklahoma has been really bipolar. Warm and sunny to freezing and hail. After spending the weekend in Texas [for Tiffany’s bachelorette party!—details later] and returning to chilly Oklahoma, I dug through my drafts from a few weeks ago for this outfit. A dress you haven’t seen before and some flats you have here.

xo

—

LAVISHVILLE dress [sold out] / SAKS FIFTH AVENUE bracelet / TAILOR AND STYLIST flats

See more of Monthly Goals 2k13.

Well. It’s too late to be up. But after quietly sneaking out of bed [not that quietly because Olivia followed me] into my office to write a post about being twenty-four. A day late.

You know how people always ask you if you feel any older? And, well at least for me, I never did. Even on the big ones like 16, 18, 21. But this birthday feels different. Maybe it’s because 23 was such an incredible, confusing, miserable, and eventful year for me.

I graduated college. I was hired on at my company full-time after interning for seven months. Chris’ parents divorce began. I got married [!!]. We started paying my students loans. We bought a car [hello another loan + insurance payments]. And adopted our third dog.

I feel like I’ve shed the skin of who I was in college. And with that I’ve changed how I face decisions, deal with sacrifices, and swallow responsibilities as well as consequences. I got kicked in the face hard with reality when I left college. 23 was full of beautiful memories, life changes, regrets, and a lot of me questioning myself. I still feel scared and unprepared and unsure but I’m growing into myself. And as long as I have Chris next to me, I feel that it will all work out [or so he says ;) ]

I feel very weird being 24. [who and what things will I be looking back at for age 24?] Last year I made a “23 Things by 24 List”. I accomplished all but six of them. Haven’t decided if I want to do a 24 Things by 25 List. Life is keeping me pretty busy right now!—but I probably will once things settle down a bit! April is promising to be just as busy as February & March.

NOW ABOUT THESE BOOTS. These studded leather Steve madden beauties. I woke up Wednesday morning to find these bad boys & those pretty petals waiting for me—along with a quick breakfast before work. I doubt they’re exactly “work appropriate” but I wore them all day smiling ear to ear. The mister did good, real good!

After work, we had a quiet birthday celebration. Dinner at my favorite Mexican place and some homemade Oreo shakes on the couch while watching a Netflix flick.

xo

—

FOREVER21 leopard cardigan & white top / ALL SAINTS black racerback / ASOS jeans [on sale! / similar ] / URBAN OUTFITTERS Steve Madden boots 

Guys, I am actually extremely proud of myself. I’ve been working out a solid nine weeks (nine weeks, I sound like I am talking in pregnancy-time) now. I made a schedule*, I’ve kept to my schedule, and I’ve gotten to the point where my half marathon training has become more than just training. I enjoy running/jogging. I like that I’m active. What started out as a goal to train and run the half marathon has now become something I’d like to continue after the goal is met. Make keeping my body active a priority.

And beyond running, I’ve even been looking for more things to involve myself in. I’m joining a weekly yoga class—which is slightly terrifying. My body is as flexible as celery and I haven’t been in a workout classroom setting since…that year I did ballet in junior high? (Please let this go well…especially since I already bought the yoga mat.) And I’ve been searching all our local gyms/studios for a barre class (ballet meets yoga & pilates)—but with no luck. Closest class is in the city, 45 minutes away, but I did stumble across this website that has online workouts that I’m eager to try out.

Side note: The tell tale sign that these were not taken before/after my workout is that I’m wearing makeup (it has become a compulsive habit to take it off beforehand), hair is nice, and my face is not a not blotchy mess.

I’m feeling good, real good. And ready to start week ten!

xo

—

NIKE hoodie in grey & pink / UNDERAMOUR tee / FOREVER 21 leggings / H&M sneakers

*And yes, I still need to update the blog & you guys on my progress for training weeks 7, 8, & 9. Will get on that!

Before I started blogging, and regularly doing outfit posts, there were a lot of things I didn’t do. Believe it or not I was a tomboy until I was about halfway through college. It was then, for no real reason, I decided to start wearing makeup, doing my hair, and giving more thought to styling my clothes. For the most part, I just wore the same handful of tops, jeans and switched it up with whatever shoe fit the season. I hardly accessorized—something I still tend to do. I didn’t wear colored jeans. And I didn’t wear vests. But years and a blog later, here I am in a vest and colored jeans. 

I actually didn’t even own a vest until this past fall. What do you wear with a puffy vest? And where do you wear it? To me, vests were for people who lived near mountains or went camping. Which I am neither. But I bought it (obviously) and have slowly been working it in. Vest worn before here and here.

Awkward Unexpected Moment of the Week: Chris seriously insisting I’ve worn this before on the blog. “You’ve worn it. That top and the vest—you’ve already done it. [me: No] Maybe without the scarf. [me: I just got these boots a few months ago!] And without the boots but that same outfit. You still want me to take the photos? [me: Yes] O-kaaaay.”

Chris was referring to this outfit ^^^ via my instagram. I wore it out on a date day to the gun range. He was close but still dead wrong. I know it and now the internet knows it too. Bam.

In other news: I really need to visit my eye doctor to update my prescription & get new lenses, get my bridesmaid’s dress hemmed (ahem, mom), hang up some newly printed photos, and send out some birthday cards (looking at you Ashley & Kim!).

xo

—

H&M scarf and vest / URBAN OUTFITTERS chambray top (similar) / ASOS jeans and boots (on sale!) / FERAL tribal wrap watch / FREE PEOPLE pyramid earrings (similar)

You have until Friday to enter the Feral Watch giveaway!* Hurry, hurry for your own wrap watch! Winner will be announced on the 25th.

*Tumblr folks, make sure to comment on that link not here.

Sometimes you just have to take some time, or a weekend, to yourself. Push away all the distractions, invitations—even the St. Patty’s parties. And this weekend was exactly that. Chris and I have been running ourselves all over the place. During the week, the weekends. With the rest of the month just as busy as it has been, we decided to take this weekend for ourselves & just stay home.

That meant a DVR marathon of piled up shows, a whole lot of sleep, renting & playing a new video game, pajamas into lunch time, and even some me time—reading, a workout & 6 mile relaxing run with Ossie. 

I just hope Sunday doesn’t slip by too fast! I’m not ready for Monday yet.

xo

—

URBAN OUTFITTERS dolman sweater (on sale!) / ASOS sunglasses & pants in oxblood / TAILOR AND STYLIST flats / DAILY DOSE BY  bracelet c/o and SUN JEWELRY chain bracelet c/o

It’s Monday. And despite my fun weekend getaway from town to celebrate T’s bridal shower & spend time with her family—photos soon! some sneak peaks on my instagram—there’s nothing quite like being back home. But with the time change, today has me feeling completely of out of whack and off my regular routine. I’m already thinking ahead for the glorious 5pm [harps playing] and the night’s plans to follow.

I’ve been on a roll with wearing stripes. My third striped outfit post in a row on the blog! You all know my coveted stripes obsession, and my blog tag of #stripesarebest, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when this Tailor & Stylist sweater came in the mail. And the home run for this top—elbow patches! It’s a win-win, guys. You can’t go wrong.

Now down to the gritty giveaway time! Not only I am announcing the winner of last week’s giveaway—click here to see if you won the Lilacs and the Sun Earrings Giveaway—but I have two more giveaways coming up this month! It’s my birthday month & this year I’m trying to spread the love :) 

Today’s giveaway is from the lovely crew at Feral Watches. [giant pointer finger at the gorgeous leopard print wrap watch I’m wearing today + my tribal print wrap watch I wore here.] So start browsing their new spring stock [trust, it’s good!—like this floral one!] & comment your heart out about which watch you’d choose to wear!

» For up to 2 extra entries, comment each time when you…follow Feral on Facebook or follow Feral’s Instagram @ feralwatches

**For tumblr viewers make sure to comment HERE.

xo

—

TAILOR & STYLIST striped sweater / FOREVER 21 button down in pink / ASOS jeans / FOREVER 21 platforms in coffee (on sale!) / ALDO bag / ASOS sunglasses / FERAL leopard wrap watch c/o / MAYBELLINE lipstick in Vivid Red #875

—

The winner is:

Congrats & please email me so I can get your contact information!

Recognize this skirt from this winterized post? Poor thing has been hanging on my rack of favorites just waiting for a fluke warm Oklahoma day, which was Monday. Finally it can see the sun—as can my ghostly legs. Trick: wearing white always make you look tanner without the tanning bed.

But with this month & the next being packed full with events that include showing some skin. Bestie’s bridal shower & bachelorette party, my birthday, and her wedding (!!!) and not to soon after, my one year marriage anniversary with Chris (wow. already?! time to turn on my romantic charm!). I’m thinking a nice glow from the tanning beds will do until I’m out & about the lake exposing myself to natural sun. Natural sun has trouble getting into my work space. It’s that whole no windows and wearing clothes to work thing.

Side story: We got a tanning package—we meaning Chris and Alissa. Not just Alissa. Because Chris likes to tan. This is one thing I like about him. I will never be the girlfriend wife that drags along her man to a tanning salon to sit awkwardly and embarrassed among a throng of college girls (and frat guys) getting ready for spring break.* This man is usually heading the parade to sign in and get dibs on the first tanning bed…while I sit squeezed in among the throng of girls.

*Will always hold a grudge/envy against  those college kids that get to go on spring break and let loose. I can remember all of mine in one four words: more work, extra money. Their four words: beaches, booze, bikinis, and boats.

xo

—

THREADSENCE blouse / TAILOR AND STYLIST twiggy umbrella skirt / ASOS heels / TRIPP BOUTIQUE frosty bangle in black c/o

Blouse worn before here.