RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Oh, Monday ... you're here so soon.

A few things on my brain for today:

1.  I had a shamefully unproductive weekend.  It's possible that each day involved a nap, a movie (or two or three, but who's counting) and a game.  The only thing that got accomplished from Friday's list was eating Indian food.  Wow ... I suck.

2.  Due to aforementioned sheer laziness, I am currently glued to my laptop and kitchen table until I finish the work that MUST get done today.

3.  The bright side?  I've loaded up the home disc changer with all of my Christmas CD's and lit my favorite cookie-scented candles.  If nothing else, at least my house sounds and smells like the season.

4.  My manager is going to be in town this week, which means I'll be getting reviewed at some point.  I've already put together my outfits for the week, knowing that if I look good and feel good, then I'll do good.  You can quote me on that :)

5.  I'm super stoked to report that I have been easing back into running at least three times a week for the past month and my back is feeling fanfreakintasic!  All of my efforts (i.e. getting out from behind a desk 40 hours/ week, removing heels from my daily rotation, ice and strengthening exercises, etc, etc) are finally paying off.  I'm even LOVING going out in the cold.  Once you get all bundled up, it's pretty fun, even if my butt does get numb.

Hope you are all enjoying your Monday!  Outfit post coming soon ...

FOR YOUR PLEASURE: THE UGLY SWEATER SERIES

Installment #3

Okay, you guys ... this one's UG-LY.  I came home from work this morning and this is what greeted me.  Youch!  Honey, you're cute, but that sweater is not.

Has anyone else noticed his beard growing with this series?

In other news, it snowed today.  Which, surprisingly enough, I'm okay with.  This is when it should snow.  It should NOT snow in October or April like it sometimes does around here.

Nothing beats how the snow looks sticking to the trees, though.  That's my favorite.  It's a winter wonderland at its best.

And this is what snow does to a gremlin:

P.S.  I got my Indian food today and it was aaaamazing!  Man, I love that stuff!

SLEEPY GIRL

I've been hitting the sack a little too late this week, and it's starting to catch up with me.  I'm pooped!  Today was one of those days where everything I did was in slo mo.

Iggy was a super snuggler this morning, so it took me forever to get out of bed.  Then, slowly out the door for a leisurely run and back to spend way to much time on the computer before finally getting ready and going to work at 11:30.

Luckily, I can show up whenever I want, so it gives my a little leeway on days like today.  I'm looking forward to a little vegging tonight and hitting the hay at a decent hour.

Sweater: TJ Maxx, $20 - Blue Oxford: Bitten by SJP, $10 - Custom Jeans: courtesy of indieDenim - Flats: Madden Girl, $23

THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS WEEKEND

1.  Eat Indian food.

2.  Contemplate Christmas decorations.

3.  Muster up the energy to actually decorate.

4.  Get some Christmas gifting done.

5.  Watch Christmas Vacation!

I may have finally caught the holiday bug.

PANCAKES FOR DINNER

I just had some yummy pancakes for dinner.  Mmm...my favorite!  I just mastered the art of cooking a perfect pancake.  Now, I'm addicted, like the honeymoon phase of a new relationship.

Today's look features another item from last week's thrifting frenzy - this little wool skirt.

I couldn't resist the colors in this plaid.  It may be one of my favorite color palettes.  Of course, I say that about every color combination that I like.

I really wanted it to be about 2" longer, but I made a boo-boo when I was cutting it down and then you HAVE to go with the shorter side.  Measure twice, cut once.  Measure twice, cut once.  Someday, I'll learn.

Vintage Skirt: Thrifted, $2 - Sweater: H&M, $29 - Belt: Gap Outlet, $5 - Boots: Target, $35

FROSTY

Well, December is here.  And it has brought some brisk, brisk temperatures with it.

We woke up to some serious frost this morning.  Surprisingly, the cold weather isn't bothering me too much.  Of course, I'm saying that after only one day.  I even went for a frosty run this morning ... it was exhilarating.

I couldn't resist this field.  There's something so serene about an undisturbed morning frost.

And with no sunshine or blue sky, everything looks so icy ... so calm.

Eventually, though, the lack of feeling in my fingers trumped the serenity and I went running for the car!

Dress: Fred Flare, $40 - Cardigan: BonTon, $10 - Belt: NY&Co, $?

Boots: Payless, courtesy of the Weardrobe Conference

TOMATO RED

Do you have a favorite color?  My answer would most likely depend on when you ask me, but today it's tomato red.  I love, love, love the bright orange undertones of this cheery color and even more when it's paired with stripes.  It's just so classic and Parisian.

Would you hate me if I said I got this blazer at Goodwill last week for $2.50?  It's part of a skirt suit.  I can't wait to alter the skirt so I can sport it sometime soon!  It would be the perfect Christmas skirt.

Iggy had his yearly check up at the vet today.  He's sooooo dramatic when it comes to getting his shots.  You've never heard such carrying on!  It took 4 people to draw a teeny, tiny vial of blood from him.  That's 1 person per 3.175 pounds.  Then, he comes waltzing back into the room with a big ole' smile on his face.  Silly animal...

I grabbed my pictures before leaving the house this morning and was slapped in the face by the brisk December wind.  Brrrrr...  I toughed it out for the photos and then ran back inside for a hat, scarf and gloves.  Remember these pins from over the summer?  I finally got to try them out!

Grey Oxford: Bitten by SJP, $10 - Striped Limited sweater: Thrifted, $.15 - Vintage Evan Picone Blazer: Thrifted, $2.50

Levis Jeans: Macy's, $20ish - Flats: Madden Girl, $23