INTERCHANGEABLE

This is very very similar to the outfit I wore here.  The only difference is the hair, jewelry, and shorts.  Chic, modern and comfy.

Oh, and a bit more work appropriate than the skirt.

Top: Simply Vera, thrifted (free) - Shorts: Target, $17ish - Flats: Target, $17

Q AND A PART 1

Finally!  In an attempt to not bore you to tears, I've categorized the Q and A questions and will break them up over a few different posts.  First up - more about me and Iggy:

What is your favorite color?  I think I'm an equal opportunity lover of color, though red seems to make its way into my home, car, life more than any other.  I just love a bold, look-at-me hue I guess.


Favorite food?  Chocolate chip cookies.  No doubt.  I'm such a sweets freak!

What's your favorite outfit color combination?  This changes every couple of weeks I think.  I really like grey, white and yellow.  And turquoise and coral.  And olive green with anything.  And ... well,  you get the idea.

How big is your small town?  I had to Wiki this.  Apparently, there are roughly 70,000 people residing in the borough and surrounding areas.  Now, I realize this is not a very tiny small town (I grew up in a town 1/4th this size, including surrounding areas).  However, since it is a university town (roughly 45,000 undergrads), the population is very transient.  But to give you a little perspective, we are home to one of the largest football stadiums in the country, seating 107,282 people.  That would be everyone in town and then some!

As for the town's surroundings?  Not so much.  Once you drive out of town, it's all mountain, farm or Amish.  We're smack dab in the middle of the state, approximately 3 hours from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Balitmore.  Have you guessed where I live, yet?

How old are you? 29

Do you ever get mad? You look like you never get mad or even curse?  This one made me laugh out loud!  Oh course, I get mad.  And believe me, I can curse.  I guess I just prefer being happy.  I definitely make it a priority to keep my blog a happy place.  The point of it is to be an escape for me - a place to put all the stuff that I love about life.  So, I won't let the crap in life damper that.  And I feel way too guilty actually writing curse words, but yeah, I use them.  Things that piss me off?  Crappy cell phone etiquette (get off your damn phone at the checkout, people! also, I do not need to hear your entire conversation!), the supermarket in general, injustice and inequality of any kind, close-minded people and those who make fun of others.  That's just a few.

Where did you go to college? What did you major in? Both John and I graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Film and Video.  Um, yeah.

How tall are you? 5'3"

What kind of job do you have? Right now, I am a group leader for a weight loss company.  Basically, I am given weekly topics and my job is to guide conversation among people who are trying to take on a healthier lifestyle.  It's a pretty powerful thing actually.  I also do a lot of freelance graphic design and have an etsy shop of handmade wedding invitations.  I don't think I will ever have a job for more than a few years.  I have too much fun finding new ways to employ myself.  Even now, I have lots of ideas brewing.  I come by it naturally, though, because my parents are very much the same way.

What kind of dog is Iggy?  Shih Tzu

How old is Iggy? He will be 4 in August

How/When did you get Iggy? Is he a rescue? What made you pick him/his breed?  John and I got Iggy when he was 8 weeks old and weighed only 2.3 pounds - and obviously much darker.  Believe me when I say - he was cuuuuuute!  When I was in high school, I met a couple of shih tzus and fell head over heels in love with the breed.  They are the sweetest, kindest, people-loving companion dogs ever.  They are not yippy or overly hyper, but they do have a stubborn streak.  Though, even that's cute.  When I was sixteen, I got my first shih tzu.  We lost him a few years ago.  A few months later, John and I bought our townhouse and one of our first purchases was Iggy.  I found him through puppyfinder.com and drove about 3 hours to pick him up.  He's not a rescue dog, but he is from an unexpected litter from someone who bred bulldogs.  Weird, right?  Anyway, he's the love of my life!  It is said that shih tzus eyes are the windows to their souls.  No truer words have ever been said.

Hope this gives you a little more insight to my little life.  Did you learn something new?  Part two will be more about how John and I met, so stay tuned!

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

1.  I went on a slightly impromptu solo road trip yesterday and today.  I snapped this trippy photo in one of the tunnels I went through today.

2.  I spent about 7 hours in the car.  By myself.  Which I actually really appreciate doing from time to time.  In that time, I listened to the following CD's:

Crash - Dave Matthews Band

American Slang - Gaslight Anthem (like 3 times!  do yourself a favor and get this album!)

Furr - Blitzen Trapper

Heartbreaker - Ryan Adams

Last of the Independents - Pretenders

Skeletons in the Closet - The Grateful Dead

A Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash

That might be the most bipolar list of music ever.

3.  Big huge thank you to Sal for posting BCC as her recommended reading yesterday!  Welcome to all of my new readers who found me through her post!

4.  I had a really productive, yet insanely taxing past week.  This week looks just as busy.  Good news?  I have the next 2 Sundays off!

5.  This is my last week of hard training workouts.  Next week is just a few tapered runs and then my race!  Wow - that time went by fast!

That's all for today.  Tomorrow, I will be answering some of the Q&A questions and announcing the winner of The Rag and Bone giveaway.  Hugs!

THE SUMMER VERSION

This outfit is basically a summer version of this. I love that it has the same feel, but with a new twist - just by swapping out a few accessories.

I love how incorporating funkier printed pants into my wardrobe makes the tank and pants combo so much more fun.  It's still minimal, but a lot more interesting, especially when you add a little zebra print to the mix.

Despite what it may seem like lately, I really love wearing my hair down.  It definitely take a little longer to do, and it's definitely a little warmer, but I really do love it.  It just can't be an everyday thing this time of year.

Other things I like?  Recycling bins that match my pants.  Being green never looked so good.

Tank: Target, $6 - Pants: orig Gap, B Green Loft, $8 - Shoes: Target, $17 - Cuffs: Charlotte Russe, $8/2

EPIC FAIL?

In case you ever wondered what happens to your camera lens when you leave it next to a/c all day, then take it outside in 90 degree humid heat, well, here you go.  I took pictures after a really long day and wasn't quite firing on all cylinders.  So, when the picture looked a little diffused for lack of a better word, I didn't really do anything about it.  I noticed on my way back inside that the lens was completely fogged up.  I thought the effect might be kind of cool, but turns out, it's a little much.  Just thought I'd share the pictures anyway.  After all, they do have their own little charm about them.

The outfit was really basic - an oxford criss-crossed and tucked for a more tailored fit and this adorable vintage wrap skirt from The Rag and Bone.  (Have you entered the giveaway, yet?)  I love the wrap detail with the tie at the waist.  It's so easy to wear and style.  My favorite!

Oxford: Bitten, $10 - Skirt: vintage via The Rag and Bone, $15 - Shoes: Target, $17

OH, SAD DAY

Oh, you guys!  Bad, baaaad things happened yesterday.  My favorite sandals started to come apart ... major sad face.

Sure, these snakeskin beauts were super cheap.  And, sure, I've worn the crap out of them over the last year.  But I'm just not quite ready to say goodbye.  I will be investing in some shoe goo this weekend for sure.  Hopefully, they'll be back in action in no time.

Okay, just finished a long, looooooong day.  You've seen all of this before, so no need for deeper thoughts.  Now, it's TV and relaxy time.  Nite!

Blouse: Sears. $9 - Pants: JCP (altered), $25 - Sandals: Ross, $9

PARTY ON MY PANTS

Hi, guys!  Meet my new favorite pants!  Yeah, I know.  This is about the 7,142nd pair of favorite pants this season, but really, guys ... this time I mean it.  I picked them up at The Rag and Bone last week between meetings.  I spotted them on a rack during an earlier trip and they got into my head, man.  I couldn't let them be.  Then, I tried not to get my hopes up, not knowing if they would fit.  When I tried them on in the fitting room, I squealed with delight as I closed the waistband.  They.  Were.  Perfect!

The little explosions all over them seem fitting for summertime, no?  And since John is adamant about not wanting to see fireworks, this may be all I get.  (Seriously, before we went to the baseball game the other night, he practically had a sit down with me, making it clear that in no way, shape or form were we staying for fireworks.  Who doesn't like fireworks?!)  Anyway, I digress...

Know how much I love these pants?  So much that I couldn't bring myself to hem them and chose to wear wedges instead.  That's love, my friends.  And just look at them move:

Okay, I'm done.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for The Rag and Bone on Etsy!  Don't see anything you want right now?  No worries.  The shop has just opened, so new inventory is being added regularly.

Pants: The Rag and Bone, $18 - Top: American Apparel, $22 - Shoes: Rue21, $27

Jacket: Thrifted, $2 - Sunnies: Betsey Johnson via Gilt.com, Credit

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Running a little late today.  Ah, Monday...

1.  I have 350 wedding invitations (3 different orders) to put together in the next week and a half.  Aaaah!

2.  Because of #1, I will be a little absent from reading and commenting this week.  Bear with me - I can't wait to get caught up on everyone's blogs next weekend!

3.  Also because of #1, I have been watching a lot of TV, since it's something I can easily do while working.  And guess what?  I found a new cop show!  Yes, I'm completely in love with Bones.  I'm almost done with season one already!

4.  Gah!  I'm so dumb in the head right now - I can't even think about a #4!

5.  What makes you think I can think of a #5?  So, be sure to enter The Rag and Bone's etsy giveaway!

THE RAG AND BONE ETSY GIVEAWAY!

Have you checked out my new sponsor The Rag and Bone, yet?  I'm so excited to be working with a local business, both in real life and in virtual reality.  Way back in the day, I helped to redesign the store's logo.  Several months ago, I helped to redesign the website and etsy shop.  And we've got lots more cookin'.  So, needless to say, I'm thrilled to have them on board!

Now, this is where you come in - would you like to win a $25 credit to The Rag and Bone's new etsy shop, full of fantastic vintage finds?  Yeah, I thought so.

To enter, visit The Rag and Bone and leave a comment with your favorite piece from the shop.  For up to 3 bonus entries, become a BCC follower, twitter about the giveaway, or reblog the giveaway.  Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!

Contest ends Monday, June 28 at midnight EST.  Good luck!

DAIRY AIR

My Saturday was pretty much the most American day ever.  I had off of work, which was just delightful, especially when I slept until 10:30.  Much needed, my friends.  Much needed.

I finally got up and had breakfast, and then went out for an afternoon of errands.  First up, we went to our local dairy to stock up on milk for the week and indulge in a little homemade ice cream (okay, fro yo, in my case).  We are so, so fortunate to have a very popular, fully functioning dairy in our town.  I'm talking no hormones, locally raised, glass bottles and the whole shebang.  And cheap - four half gallons of milk and a dozen eggs for $7.90!  Supermarket milk tastes so watered down to me, now.  So, if you live in town, and you like milk, you must get your "dairy air" (seriously, I kill myself) out to Meyer Dairy,  I promise, you won't regret it!

(Milk - does the body good.  hehe)

Despite the heat, John was nice enough to grab these lovely shots outside of the dairy.  Didn't he do a great job?  You probably recognize this dress from Memorial Day.  I love it, and it's so perfect for a summer Saturday.

After the dairy, we made a quick stop at a farmer's market, where I got the yummiest blueberries and a load of beets (I may never pee yellow again).  After that, it was home to grab a bite to eat and off to the ball game.  Baseball, of course.  I told you it was a pretty American day.  A few years ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates brought a farm team into town.  They share a beautiful ball park with the University team, and it makes for the perfect summer night.  This outfit was so fitting for such a fantastic Saturday.  Well, almost.  I did change to meet a couple friends downtown, but I don't think there's anything very American about vodka tonics, so the theme was pretty much beat by then anyway.

What'd you do this weekend?

Hat: c/o PacSun - Dress: Rue21, $6 - Shoes: Target, $17

YOU (CAR)GO GIRL

Well, this makes day #4 this week that I've posted some sort of cargo-ish outfit.  I'm a-okay with that.  I picked up this dress at goodwill several weeks ago.  I think it was either a 30¢ jobby or it was half off and I paid $2.50 for it.  For the sake of discussion, we'll split the difference and say I paid $1.40 for it.  Either way, it was dirt cheap.  And also about 4 sizes too big.

But it was full of potential and I figured is would be super easy to size down.  I was right.  I just brought the side seams in a few inches and voila!  It's perfect for summer, and maybe even some layering in seasons to come.  John says, "I really like that shirt-skirt thing."  Yes, that's the technical term.

Dress: thrifted, $1.40? - Belt: Gap, gifted - Shoes: Ross, $9

EARNING MY STRIPES

Okay, I'm still a little smitten with this look from yesterday.  As you can see, I'm wearing the cargos again.  The green ones this time.  They are so comfortable!

I also love the idea of dressing them up a bit.  This vintage silk shirt is about as far from military-inspired as you can get, but add a little gold in there and it all just works.

For some reason, every time I wear this shirt, it reminds me of a pajama top.  More specifically, a pajama top that Hef would wear.  Anyone else see it?

Shirt: B Green Loft, $5 - Cargos: Charlotte Russe, $15 - Belt: Old Navy, $6

Sandals: Kenneth Cole Reaction from 6pm.com, $40ish