80's LADIES

I'll give you a dollar if you know who sings that song.  I remember being very young, driving around with my mom, singing it together like it was our job.  You know, back in the day when you dubbed LP's onto a cassette tape.  Ah, the 80's.

However, that's not the 80's to which I'm referring.  Today, it's about the 80's on the thermometer.  Giddy up, cowboy!  Man, I love it when it's hot!

I also love Fridays, because I feel like I can wear stuff that would otherwise be wildly inappropriate for my life.  Like short sequins and a deeeep v-neck.  Are you loving my thrifted Kenneth Cole skirt?  Oh, did I mention I thrifted it for 30¢?  How do you like me now?

So, after I took these photos, I really wanted to take some more photos in the woods.  The lighting was so beautiful and I thought "How cool would sequins look in the wild?  The juxtaposition of night club and country!"  I guess I was feeling all emo and bloggy and what not.  Anyway, I tip-toed as best I could in the 6" of dead leaves all the way to that tree, just to get so grossed out by what might be living in said leaves that I turned right around and booked it back out as fast as I could.  But not before my camera snapped this shot.  Can you see the sheer horror on my face?  Once I was safely back on the manicured lawn, I immediately checked for ticks, 'cuz I know a thing or two.

Needless to say ... epic fail.

Skirt: thrifted, 30¢ - Shirt: F21, $5 - Jacket: thrifted $2 - Shoes: Madden Girl, $23 - Bag: Target, $6

REAP WHAT YOU SEW

Remember this?  Behold the finished product!

I'm really happy with how they turned out and they were really easy.  Now, I want to make another pair in a different fabric - something brighter and possibly in a print.  I think I'll also make the pant legs a little longer on the next pair.

The rest of the look is pretty standard for me - basic tee, waist-cincher, t-strap sandals and just enough bling to make things interesting.

What do you think?  Would you wear them?

Pants: self-made - Shirt: Target, $10ish - Belt: thrifted, $1 - various bracelets: vintage and otherwise
Necklace: Charlotte Russe, $8 - Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via 6pm.com, $40ish

CHERRY PIE AND SAILOR STRIPES

Really?  Does it get any more American than that?  I guess apple pie, but whatevs...

My pictures were a little lamesville today, so I decided to spice them up a bit.  I love how bold everything looks now!

I was lucky enough to receive this lovely little dress from Talbots, and I can tell you right now ... hold on tight, 'cuz you're going to be seeing a lot of this baby in the coming months.  I already have about 5 or 6 outfits in mind for it.  Bring on the sunshine!

Shirt: Vintage, Beacon's Closet, $15 - Dress: courtesy of Talbots - Belt: Express, $10 - Shoes: Ross, $17

BLOGGER STYLE FEATURE

Hey, guys!  Cruise on over to The Fashion Spot to read an interview with yours truly.

Thanks so much, Nika!

YOU'RE A WHOLE LOTTA LOOK

John called this a "whole lotta look."  To which, I responded, "You're a whole lotta look."  It's a pretty routine retort around here.  And once in a while, you get a real doozy - like the time he was complaining that he couldn't move the coffee table because it was "all full of shit."  To which I eagerly replied, "You're all full of shit."  Oh, the things I do to amuse myself...  Ahem.

Anyway, I stand by my "whole lotta look."  We've got a couple of cool spring days before the sun and warmth plan on coming back.  What better way to keep it springy and keep me warm than a maxi skirt and fancy(ish) scarf?

You can see how windy it was.

What's your go to look for a chilly spring day when your winter duds are packed away?

Shirt: Lucky Brand, thrifted, $2 - Maxi Skirt: Target, $15ish - Jacket: thrifted, $2 - Scarf: Target, $13 - Flats: Madden Girl, $23

RAINY DAY REINCARNATION

You may remember many of these pieces from Thursday's outfit.  I think it's fun to take the same pieces and transform them into a similar outfit for a different occasion.

I'm so ready for the sun to come back again.  Only a few days ...

I totally wimped out this morning and decided not to run in the rain.  It can be fun, but you really have to be in the mood, and today, I was not.  So, instead, I ventured out to Target a finally invest $8.50 in Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred.  You know I sing the praises of this workout quite often and for good reason.  The last few months, only the Level 1 workout has been available on OnDemand.  I was getting a little bored with it (and it was getting a little to easy), so I was looking forward to doing Level 2 again.  Well, I spent 20 minutes this afternoon getting my ass handed to me.  Hurts so good.

The worse part is that while I'm down on the floor doing crazy plank-jump-squat things and push-ups, dripping with sweat, using every ounce of will power I can muster - Iggy wanders over and proceeds to lick my arms.  Incessantly.  Every time.  I'm pretty sure he knows when he has a cptive audience and takes full advantage.  Ridiculousness. THEN, while I'm doing ab stuff, he brings his toys over for me to throw.  So, my workout becomes "up, down, pick-up, throw ... up, down, pick-up throw ... repeat ..."

Shirt: Plato's Closet, $5 - Pants: JCP, $18 - Sash: from a dress - Sandals: Old Navy, dirt cheap

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Thank you all for entering to win the Hana Elite Flat Iron.  The lucky gal is...

Congratulations, Jen!  Please email me your name and address.

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Random thoughts for a rainy Monday...

1.  It's been raining quite a bit around these parts.  I'm officially at that point in the season where I have a ton of warm/hot weather outfits I'm dying to bust out, and I'm just impatiently biding my time.  C'mon, Mother Nature!  I've been a good girl this year.

2.  This weekend was filled with a little work, a little more sewing (I finally finished my pants project and they're amazing), and a LOT of Friday Night Lights.  I am still head over heels in love with Time Riggins - so much so that I think John is starting to get a little jealous.  Don't worry, I love you, baby!

3.  In keeping with the theme of bad wifing (is that a word?), the Meatball was sick Friday-Sunday.  It's such a horrible thing to admit, but I'm only good for about one day's worth of sympathy and care-giving.  God, I'm an awful person.  By the end of his three day lock-in, I admit I was quite a grump.  I think it's safe to say that I did not miss any sort of calling in the nursing field.  After all, you remember what happened last time I was called to be a care-giver.

4.  I went thrifting today and scored some seriously GREAT stuff!  There's definitely a strong navy blue tide taking over my wardrobe.  I also need to get rid of a bunch of stuff.  I hate having an over-stuffed closet.  So, it looks like I will be doing a huge update in the Blue Collar Closet.  I'll keep you posted!

5.  Oh, dear lord - while thrifting today, I saw the biggest. hair. ever.  I mean, it was inSANE!  It was a half-up / half-down little ditty.  Only the half-up part was half way to the moon.  I could only smile, though, because the little old woman under that mess was working. it.  Part of me looks forward to the day when I can be so brazen and just not care.

Happy Monday, all!

EDITED: Here's a Monday Rambling bonus for you.  A lot of you had no idea what a gypsy moth is. Well, I wikied them, so you can read all about their nastiness here.  I realize it's a bit of a regional thing, but the larvae (caterpillars) are what get really bad around here.  It's not uncommon to see planes spraying for them.  I remember one year, they were soooooo bad that when my parents took a drive around the mountain at my dad's hunting cabin, they had to periodically wipe the caterpillars off the car.  Okay, I can't talk about it anymore ... must go shower.  Eeeeeek...

GYPSY(MOTHS), TRAMPS AND THIEVES

It's that time of year again.  That's right.  Gypsy moths.  Iiiiiiiiiiiick!  Just as I was starting to take photos, I noticed one crawling on my pant leg.  Now, I can't shake that creepy-crawly feeling.

Bleechhhhh!

Hope you're all having a groovy Friday.  Mine started with a sick husband, and then, I somehow managed to burn my stomach with my curling iron.  Ouch!

Even then, I can't complain.  The sun's out, the temps are rising, and the weekend is here!

Jacket: Ross, $9 - Tunic: thrifted and cropped, $4 - Necklace: Charlotte Russe, $8

Jeans: JCP, $10 - Sandals: Kenneth Cole Reaction, $40ish

WON'T SHED A TEIR

It's Mailbox Mavens time again!
I introduced you to Christina the other day, and well, here's another fab piece borrowed from her closet.  Here's how she wore it:

... and of course, my spin:

Her challenge, if we chose to accept, was to wear it at the natural waist.  That was fine with me, because it didn't look very good worn any lower.  It took me a while to figure it out, but a couple of safety pins later, and I had it.  Now, I love it.  Christina, I take no responsibility if this gets "lost in the mail."  Just kidding.  No, really, I am ...

I just love this shirt.  During my recent visit to Plato's Closet, I tried it on and then decided not to get it.  What was I thinking?!  So, a few days later, I just had to make another trip just to get it.  Luckily, I remembered about where I picked it up.  Though, it was still like looking for a needle in a haystack.  If the haystack were a slightly overpriced consignment shop that offers the most patronizing little bits of cash for perfect clothing.  Or worse yet, nothing at all.  Anyway ...

Shirt: Plato's Closet (org. The Limited), $5 - Skirt: Christina via Mailbox Mavens

Shoes: Target, $17 - Belt/Sash: from another dress

PEST CONTROL

They were spraying our condos for nasty spring insects today, so I couldn't safely take photos in my normal locales.  Instead, I had to go out by the main road.  Due to random passerby, I am not looking at the camera in many of the shots.  I guess I thought if I ignored it, that no one would notice what I was doing.  As though to say, "No, that's not my camera.  It was here when I got here."

Well played, I know.

I made this dress about 3 years and 35 pounds ago.  I haven't worn it for quite some time, since it's a bit on the big side.  Nothing a cardigan and belt can't remedy, though!  I definitely need to get around to taking in the seams, so I can wear it this summer.  I had forgotten how much I love it!

Check out my left wrist!  I made it a mini mission last month to find an armful of clear bangles.  Not as easy as one may think!  I had no luck for a while and then I found 3 within a week!  One at a local vintage shop where I had credit and a set of three at Plato's Closet (which ironically, still had the price tag on them from the vintage shop where I got the first one).  Anyway, I'd still like to find more, but I'm well on my way!

Okay, I have to go to the dreaded supermarket now.  Wish me luck...

Dress: self-made - Cardigan: H&M, $30 - Belt:  Target?, old - Shoes: Ross, $9 - Bangles: assorted vintage

PEACOCK (and) BLUE

Just another Tuesday and another laid-back look, dressed up just enough for work.

I can't believe I ever thought twice about buying the jacket.  I'm pretty sure that I already have the cost per wear around $1.  And I just tried it out with another awesome outfit!  Sadly, it involves jeans, so I have to wait until Friday to wear it.  Just another reason to look forward to Friday.

I know I do a lot of unnecessary kicking on this blog.  Well, you should try living with me.  Much to John's entertainment (and confusion, of course) I also tend to do a lot of unnecessary kicking in the kitchen.  And the living room.  And pretty much anywhere and anytime the spirit strikes me.  Um, yeah ...

Jacket: Ross, $9 - T-shirt: Target, $15 - Pants: JCP, $18 - Scarf: Artist and Flea, $18 - Sandals: Target, $15