AND YOUR LITTLE DOG, TOO!

This was my first picture today.  As you know, I usually take my photos with my little sidekick Iggy.  I figure if my outfit sucks, I can at least woo you in with my cute little munchkin.

Today, however, the cute little munchkin was a little rotten.  The top photo was snapped after I set the self-timer and then Iggy decided to wrap his leash around my tripod.

Then, I turned around, and he had run out the gate!

Finally, I got him into his pose.  He looks like a teeny tiny mountain dog, doesn't he?

Okay, outfit stuff - although, I'm not exactly showing you anything new here.  I gave you fair warning about the frequency of these pants.  I wasn't lying.  I love the combination with the rope belt, pewter gladiators and big dangly earrings.

I wore this almost exact outfit on Saturday, but instead of a crew neck tee, I wore my beloved AA deep-v tee, which I very much preferred to this one.  Unfortunately, it's not exactly appropriate for work (as discussed yesterday), so I had to make some concessions.  Quite frankly, after looking at these photos, I think this t-shirt sucks.  I hate the way it stretches funny, and it's making my boobs look ginormous.  Not a fan.  I must track down a suitable replacement.  Like, stat.

Sucky T-shirt: Target, $6 - Earrings: ?, old - Pants: Thrifted, $6 - Shoes: Ross, $11

THE SUMMER PART OF SPRING

Central PA seems to lack a little in the transitional seasons department.  I swear every spring it's the same: cold and rainy, hot and humid, then cold and rainy.  We generally get only a handful of blissfully sunshine-filled, just moderately warm days.  Though, truly - I love it hot, so bring it on!

Today, we're into the summer part of spring - 80° and rather humid.  So, I'm going to live it up while I can, because this weekend will be back to cold and rainy.  Boo!

As I was perusing my closet last night, I started to realize some of the dressing challenges that I'll be faced with this summer.  Over the winter, the big challenge was no denim on workdays.  And I gotta say, I think I managed quite well.  Now, my summer challenges will be dressing slightly more modest and business casual appropriate.

Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not exactly a hoochie mama by any means, but I do like a deep-v tee and a tank top - both of which I deem slightly too revealing for my work these days.  I don't work in an office - it's much more of a service position, facilitating group discussions.  If I was in air-conditioning all day, it wouldn't really matter, but on Tuesdays especially, I'm in out and lugging a lot of stuff, so I gotta stay cool.  At my previous job, I really didn't care - and honestly, it didn't matter. I could have worn sweats everyday if I wanted to.  And believe it or not, other girls did - GASP!

ANYWAY, that will be the challenge this year.  So far, I think this sleeveless jacket is doing wonders in solving the tank top issue.  I still get that indication of a fitted top with a little something extra for comfort and coverage.  And maybe even a little more style?  Whatta ya think?

In other news, I got a fun new toy for my hair.  And I LOVE it!  Stay tuned to find out more about it and how you can get one, too!

Sleeveless Jacket: Sears, $25 - Tank: Target, $6 - Necklace: DIY - Pants: Thrifted, 30¢ - Shoes: Ross, $9

BOO BLISTERS!

While setting up my tripod, I pinched my thumb and got 2 wicked blood blisters almost immediately.  Just moments prior, I cut myself on a cardboard box and required a band-aid.  It was a rough 10 minutes - touch and go for a while there, but I'm okay now :)

Sooo, there's a pretty good possibility that I may never take these pants off. Just kidding, I'll have to take them off sooner or later, but they will most likely be making very frequent appearances on the blog this summer.  They are just so damn comfy and breezy.  I'm in love.

And while we're at it, the hat is going to be quite the mainstay, too.  Hey, if it aint' broke ...

What are your summer workhorses?

Pants: Thrifted, $6 - Shirt: Bitten, $10 - Sandals: Target, $17 - Hat: courtesy of PacSun

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Oh, happy Monday ...

1.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend.  I thoroughly enjoyed mine.  Saturday, I went to a clothing swap, and yesterday was my first WHOLE day off since New Years.  It was glorious. though it was mainly spent cleaning the house.  Either way, I didn't have to set my alarm clock and that made me a happy camper.

2.  While we didn't do anything very Eastery, we did cook out.  If you thought cooked ham was good, you should try it on the grill. Mmmmm...  I love ham, but it's soooo salty.  I'm pretty sure my sweat was 3x saltier than usual this morning.  Not that I go around licking myself, but when it's rolling down your face, well ... sorry, I know it's gross, but I'm just sayin'...

3.  I made black bean brownies this weekend.  Have you ever tried them?  It's nothing more than a box of brownie mix combined with a can of drained, mashed black beans and a little bit of water.  Then, baked according to the box.  They're super fudgey .. and fibery.

4.  Does anyone else watch Friday Night Lights?  We just started watching it a couple of weeks ago and I'm way hooked.  Big Tim Riggins is oh soooo dreamy ...

5.  As part of our spring cleaning yesterday, I did the dreaded wardrobe switcharoo.  All of my winter clothes are now packed away in lieu of my easy breezy summer pieces.  I hate doing it and spent a LOT of time procrastinating, but I'm glad it's done.  Especially because my summer clothes take up significantly less space than my bulky winter stuff.

Speaking of procrastinating ... must go finish my taxes ... now ...

BAD GIRL MEAT

This outfit is making me feel way cooler than I actually am - something that could probably get me in a lot of trouble, I'm sure.

I also feel like I should be strolling down Venice Beach or chilling at a music festival.  But alas, I am not.

Instead, I'm running errands and working a few hours in a little college town in the valleys of PA.  Of course, being a college town on the first 80 degree day of the year, things are jumpin'.  The outdoor bars have been packed since noon and everyone seems to be coming out of the woodwork.  In just a few short weeks, school will let out for the summer and we can reclaim our quaint little town.

As for me, my day is much less exciting.  So far, I have run, washed my hair (first time since Sunday), worn the same pants as yesterday, worked a little, had Subway and ate my first chocolate covered Peep.  If nothing else, I've at least gotten my annual allowance of yellow food dye.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  Now, quit reading blogs and get outside!

Vest: Thrifted, 30¢ - Tank: Target, $6 - Pants: Worthington by JCP, $18 (some of you have asked about these - I did not alter them at all - this is off the rack - HUZZAH!) - Sandals: Ross, $9

Hat: courtesy of PacSun - Bracelet: Body Central, $4ish

FUN WITH SHAPES

Okay ... I think this new idea of pants as a style statement is changing my life a little.  Not too long ago, I would have laughed in the face of anyone merely suggesting I wear a pair of low rise, pleated trousers with a gathered ankle!  Are you kidding me?!

But opening my mind a little and stepping out of my comfort zone is really paying off.  So far this spring, I've donned giant Asian-inspired balloon pants, high-waisted khakis, high-waisted wool trousers and now these.  I can't get enough!  They are so. Much. Fun.  I love anything that adds a little something different - like a new silhouette or shape - without being too laborious. I mean, let's be honest - if it ain't comfy, I ain't wearin' it!

Since I was feeling so daring, I paired these bad boys with a cropped tunic.  I thrifted this last spring for about $3 and wore it once.  It looked really cool as a knee-length tunic, but I knew I wouldn't get much wear out of it - I couldn't stand the fabric sticking to my butt!  So, a couple of weeks ago, I pulled it out from the depths of my closet and played around with it a little.  Once I folded the bottom under, I instantly knew I had found it's reincarnation!  I lopped about 12" off and couldn't be happier with the outcome.  Now, I'm sure to get a ton of wear out of it this summer.  I wonder if I'll ever wear it without this awesome necklace, though...

Tunic: Thrifted and cropped, $4 - Necklace: Charlotte Russe, $8 - Pants: Worthington by JCPenney

Trench: Old Navy, $35 - Sandals: Kenneth Cole Reaction via 6pm.com, $40ish

THREE FOR THURSDAY

Last winter, I scoured clothing racks all over town in search of the perfect flannel shirt.  I knew I wanted a red plaid.  It had to be fitted.  But I didn't want one that was sized specifically for girls - something about those mini pockets irks me.

After much diligence and my usual stubbornness, I finally found exactly what I was look for ... on a clearance rack.  In the boys department.  For 5 measly dollars.

You saw me pair it with khakis and snakeskin yesterday, so I thought I'd round up a few more shots of it today.  A year later and it's still getting some major wear.  How's that for an investment piece? Hehehe.

On a completely unrelated note...

I never have any concept of how much my hair is growing until I look at old pictures.  Check out how much shorter it was back in September in that first picture!