THE PAINTING

After last weeks posts, many of you asked about the painting in our living room.  As promised, here's the story behind it - or what we know of it anyway.

When John and I moved in together (6 and half years ago!), we went to a lot of auctions and yard sales to furnish our new digs.  One Saturday, we went to an auction in a town about a half hour away.  It was an amazing estate sale with great furniture, knick-knacks, and art.

John saw this piece immediately.  He works at a comic book store and has a great appreciation for all kinds of art.  The colors and style of this painting were just too much for him to resist.  However, the size was a little limiting when it came to taking it home.  And since one does not necessarily need such a large piece of artwork, I figured he'd just ooh and aah and then let it go.  Well ...

When the auctioneer started the bidding, no one was biting.  Next thing I knew, John's hand was going up.  There was no way he was leaving it unclaimed.  There may have been one or two other bids, but John ended up winning it for a mere $45.

Winning something at an auction is such a cool feeling.  But the celebration was fleeting once we realized the obstacle ahead of us.  How were we going to get this thing home?  At the time, I was driving a Saab hatchback.  Luckily, Saabs are awesome and have huge trunks that become even "huger" when you collapse the backseat.  Unfortunately, that wasn't quite enough.  So, we ended up riding the half hour home with our heads in the most awkward positions, because the painting had to be propped up on the head rests of the front seats in order to fit in the car.  I'm pretty sure that if we had to slam on the brakes, there would have been some partial decapitation.  But we made it, and it 's been the focal point of our living room(s) ever since.

Whenever someone comes to visit, it is an instant conversation piece.  Unfortunately, the conversation is rather brief, because you just read everything that we know about the painting.  I wish so badly that we knew more about.  So, if you have any leads or you've seen something like this before, please email me.  The only markings on the painting is an artist signature and year - Renee '64.  Any suggestions?

CLASSICS

No matter how cold or crappy it was going to be today, I was bound and determined to wear my new trench coat.  I picked it up last weekend at Old Navy, and since I have no patience to wait for spring, I'm attempting to winterize it now.

Since Fridays are full of meetings and various jobs, I know I would be on the move for most of the day.  While my "inside" outfit was nothing special, it was all about the "commuter" look.

As soon as I brought this baby home, I couldn't stop thinking about his simple combination.  With an impending snow storm on the horizon, I stuck to pants and shoes that wouldn't get too ruined in the event that I would be walking home in snow.  Good foresight, too - because I walked home in the snow.

I have so many plans for this soon-to-be wardrobe workhorse.  But, for now, it's sweats, CSI and a little dinner - as I watch the snow fall, fall, fall.

Beanie: H&M, $7ish - Trench - Old Navy, $35 - Scarf: Target, $13 - Turtleneck: Kohl's, $2

Denim Trousers: JCP, $10 - Shoes: Keds, $26 - Bag: courtesy of Hayden & Harnett

BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER ... AGAIN

That first snap always comes at such an inopportune time!

I must be subconsciously drawn to this color combo this week, since this is the second day I'm sporting it.  I think I've always been drawn to it, though.  If you think about it, it's a color trio that's existed in fashion in just about every decade.  Who am I to argue with that?

I have a new Thursday schedule, and it's rocking my world!  Instead of working from 1 - 7ish, which included about 4 hours of me being bored out of mind, I am now working 9-1ish and then have the afternoon off and then go back from 5-7ish.  And since all of my hours revolve around active times, I'm no longer bored.  Yay!

Today was the first day of my 4-hour afternoon-to-me and it's been great.  Directly after these photos, I took advantage of the sun and 35*F weather (sad, that I think that's "warm") and took a nice run ... with Lady GaGa of course.  It may be the last of those for a few days, since they're calling for snow this weekend.

What I'm excited for most about spring is not the weather, the clothes, or the flowers.  It's the sunlight!  I'm so glad that Daylight Savings is happening earlier this year - please give me my morning light back!

Blazer: JCP, $25 - T-shirt: Target, $6 - Skirt: JCP, $13 - Boots: courtesy of Payless

LONG DAY, SHORT PANTS

Well, I finally got Lady Gaga last night.  I was completely exhausted and ready for bed at 9:30, but instead, I decided to make a couple of iTunes purchases.  Then, I just HAD to listen to them, which turned into a very long closet session and one late night sewing project.

I got these wool (former) pants at Goodwill the other day for 30 cents with the intention of making them into shorts.  Last night, in a moment of delirium, I went at it.  I used not one single measuring device for this project.  Thank goodness for glen plaid!

I wasn't sure about them at first, but once combined with the colorful tights and jacket, I was sold.  Especially with the pops of black patent accessories.  I got a ton of compliments on it, too!  And though I only dress for myself, it's sometimes nice to know that others notice.

Have you ever ironed wool?  It kind of stinks.  It doesn't help that I iron like I cook - on high, as fast as I can, and pray that I don't set off the smoke detector.

A couple of years ago, I was making a birthday dress and literally burned a hole right in the center of it.  It was completely ruined!  But, like everything in life, things happen for a reason, and the second version of the dress turned out way better!

Blazer: JCP, $25 - Henley: Target, $13 - Belt: Express, $10 - Shorts: Thrifted and altered, $.30

Tights: Hue, $4 - Shoes: JCP, $8

RAH-RAH-AH-AH-AH-AH

Okay, I might be obsessed.  Thank you all so much for your Mary J recommendations.  Between that and this rapidly growing, fiery obsession for Lady Gaga, I'm going to be be-boppin' around all week.  Whee!

Like my new sweater dress?  Isn't it super amazing?  Doesn't four dollars and eighteen cents make it even more super amazing?  It's one of my purchases from this past weekend, along with the painted bangles.

I am utterly exhausted right now.  I had a very, very busy day with lots of hustling, bustling, loading and lugging.  But it was worth it.  There was never a dull moment and I was pretty productive along the way.

Since you are all so awesome with the recommendations, does anyone know of a really good dance workout DVD?  I'm looking for something with more advanced choreography that will really bust a sweat.

Looking at the pictures, it seems like they were taken forever ago.  I was rather disheveled 'til I got home.  But now, I can enjoy an evening of vegging out and maybe even some light sewing.

Yay for lazy productivity!

Dress: Old Navy, $4.18 - Bangles: (painted) Body Central, $4/3 (solid) Marnie's vintage 

Boots: Payless, courtesy of the Weardrobe Conference - Scarf: H&M, $10

BLUE COLLAR BUSINESS CASUAL

I truly wish every day was like Monday.  I've been completely enthralled with projects that I really care about and love doing all day today.  And there's even more to be done.  Oh, if only there were a few more hours in the day.

This is a really quick business casual outfit that I threw together for a couple hours of work yesterday (yes, work on Sunday).  It's really just a different way of wearing a couple of basics I already have.  Though, if I have to credit something, the bracelet was the starting point.

Of all things, I picked up a bunch of arm bangles on my shopping trip this weekend.  I may have a problem.  Are there support groups for things like this?

I didn't want to worry about "bunchy butt" when I tucked in this shirt, so I criss-crossed it to make it look smooth.  I also may have tucked it into a pair of slimming underoos ... but that may be a little TMI.

Last night, I was perusing my regular blogs and noticed that Second Skin did the same thing with a larger button-down.  Great minds think alike!

My coworker gave me the nicest compliment on my outfit, and I immediately launched into a huge diatribe, outlining all of its flaws and my insecurities.  Then, I caught myself mid-rant, stopped and politely thanked her.  She thought it was pretty funny and said that she never would've noticed any of the flaws I couldn't let go.  Point taken.

And now, because I have no shame, I'm going to go don this outfit one more time for an evening meeting.  Later, gators!

Pants: JCP, $18 - Shirt: Bitten by SJP, $10 - Cuff: Body Central, $4 - Shoes: JCP, $8

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Happy, happy Monday!

Here's what's brewin'...

1.  Have you guys ever heard of Kinesio tape?  It's truly one of the most amazing things ever!  It's been such a huge relief for my back.  Whenever things start to tense up and pinch, I just slap a couple pieces on for a few days and voila!  Relief!  Some days, I think it could even fix the economy!

2.  Went shopping this weekend.  Yay!  Especially "yay" because I had some extra income last week that made it possible.  There were only two things on my list, and I got them both (well, will have them both soon) - trench coat and brogues (finally!).

3.  Anyone else ready for spring?  I'm so sick of being immobilized by my giant, but necessary, winter coat.  I'd even take 40-50 degree weather for another six months if it meant I didn't have to wear a big ass cocoon every day.

4.  So, I'm about 20 minutes late for the party, but I finally listened to some Lady Gaga this morning. Must.  Have. More.

5.  On that note, I'd really like to start listening to Mary J. Blige.  For those of you who are fans, which album should I start with?  Thanks in advance!