THIS IS WHAT I'LL BE WEARING...

... when spring comes to town.

One of my to-do's today was to style up this most amazing hat.  Hats in the Belfry were kind enough to send me their Belfry Ella hat, and ooooh, doggy, I'm in love.

I've always been a big fan of hats.  I remember wearing them in the summers in elementary school, then year round in middle school, and now, whenever I can.  I was lucky enough to inherit a ton of vintage hats from my grandmother, too.  I always dream of living in a time when no one left their house without a great hat.

So, when Hats in the Belfry offered me the chance to try out one of their designs, I jumped on it!  It was such a hard decision - their collection is quite impressive.  So many beautiful pieces!

I'm simply in love with the hat + trench combination.  And though it's a little chilly to stray too far from my front door right now, I can guarantee this is what I'll be wearing when spring finally rolls around.

Belfry Ella Hat: courtesy of Hats in the Belfry - T-shirt: American Apparel, courtesy of Beacon's Closet

Trench: Old Navy, $35 - Jeans: custom, courtesy of indidenim.com - Clogs: Chili's, courtesy of my twelve-year-old self

RAMBLINGS OF A MONDAY AFTERNOON

Oh, time ... where do you go?

1.  Hope you all had a happy V-day.  I really couldn't possibly care less about it.  John thinks that's awesome.  We had a very enjoyable Sunday together - just like any other Sunday.  Went out for pancakes and watched Extract.  I definitely recommend it.  Pancakes and the movie...

2.  V-day also takes a backseat to things like John's birthday on the 13th.  We went out for yummy stir-fry at a Hibachi restaurant.  So much fun!  Then, we went out to a local bar to hear a band from the late 70's.  And, holy heck, those cats could still rock!

3.  I dare you to guess how old John is now.  It ain't easy.

4.  I have soooo many projects started right now, I'm having a hard time managing my free time to take care of them.  I think I spend more time stressing over not having enough time rather than being productive.  Ugh - I hate that!

5.  It's still winter ...

ROUGH AND TUMBL

In an attempt to unload my rapidly growing inspiration folder, I've started a tumblog.

Stop by and say hi!

BLUE COLLAR CAT ...

I've been giving winter such a bad rap these days, that I think it would be appropriate for me to look on the happy side of life and note a couple of things that I will actually miss about winter:

1. Hot Cocoa

2.  Short Skirts

Yep, that about covers it!  I will definitely be missing the short skirts, though.  They never get any wear in the summer months.  There's just some places I prefer to keep out of the breeze.  Life is stressful enough without the constant fear of mooning innocent bystanders.  And my legs are a little veiny, so ... moving on.

Now, you've all met Iggy and you know how much I love the little guy.  I'm kind of a bleeding heart that way and pretty much love all animals (bugs don't count, right?).  Like any love, it comes with a few exceptions.  One of these exceptions?  Random cats.

I know, I know.  They're cute cuddly little creatures, yada, yada.  But they really make me uneasy (come to think of it, this exception may apply to all cats I don't know).  They always give me stink eye and I never know what they're thinking.  I'm always afraid that I'm going to make the wrong move and they're going to pounce on me.  We had a cat growing up that used to crouch at the bottom of the steps and scare the bejeezus out of me every morning.  And I had a friend's cat randomly jump on me, claw into my thigh, and slide down my leg ... while I was ironing!  I hate the anxiety of things jumping out at me.  It's the same reason I don't like haunted houses or scary movies.  And short skirts in summer.

Well, today, I came face to face with my fear:

Can you sense the palpable hesitation in my face.  "Please don't jump on me.  Please don't jump on me."  It was way too early for this.  Fortunately, this little kitty just rubbed up on my tripod then my leg.  Then, it just stood there purring.  And looking at me.

No worries, though.  I escaped unscathed.

Shirt: Husband's - Belt: Mom's - Dress: clothing swap - Shoes: Target.com, $25 - Hat: Eddie Bauer, $27

Hmmm ... looks like I'm wearing everybody else's clothes today.

WE HAVE THIS MUCH SNOW

Anyone want to place a bet on how long you think this snow will be here?

I'm thinking sometime in early June.  Any takers?

I got my ass handed to me this morning by Jillian Michaels.  She was on my TV, of course.  And I was writhing in pain on my living room floor.  Just kidding.  But seriously, Jillian Michaels DVDs deliver some of the best workouts ever.  I'm far too cheap to join a gym, and last winter I belonged to one and was sick the whole winter.  So, now I just think they're cesspools of flu and cold germs.  Anyway, the first two levels of the 30 Day Shred have been on OnDemand for some time now, but I've never gotten to do level three.  Well, that all changed this morning.  If you're looking for a quick (gotta be efficient about these things!), but hard core work out, you should definitely check this one out.  Jillian Michaels is way up there on the list of people I'd love to meet in real life someday.  A little girl crush, I s'pose.

Anywhoosle ... Iggy is looking very hairy these days.  Can you see why shih-tzus are called "lion dogs" and "chrysanthemum dogs?"   How cute is that little face?

As I write this, I'm lounging around in just my sweater and tights.  I have to go back to work in about a half an hour and I keep having this thought that I'll leave without putting my skirt back on.

Wow -- that would be awkward.

Sweater: vintage - Leather Skirt: clothing swap - Boots: Target - Two pairs of tights: Hue

BLUE COLLAR FEATURE

 www.examiner.com/x-35644-Greenville-Fashion-Examine

A huge thank you to Laura for featuring me in her article How to Wear: Denim Jackets on the Style and Fashion section of  the Examiner.com in Greenville, SC.  Click here for the full article and slide show.

I'm so flattered Laura - thanks again!

IT'S FRICKIN' FREEZING IN HERE

These pictures were taken this morning at about 9am.
It's now 6:19pm and it still looks like this.  Except whiter.

I spent the day at work and only saw 6 people from 10-5.
It was quite lonely.  And way cold.

I'm so over winter.

Iggy's over it, too.

Flannel Dress: Ross, $9 - Skirt: JCP, $25 - Scarf: Target, ? - Brogues: Target.com, $25 - Belt: vintage, Mom's