First things first

So I've been a fairly absent little blogger for the past two weeks. Sorry! I'm still trying to find my stride as a blogger, when I thought I found it I got sick and now I'm all befuddled again.

First things first, I was tagged by the lovely Laura over at the blog of worldly delights. The task? 

Write answers to the following questions. 

 

1. name and blog name
2. blog's URL
3. Write, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
4. Favorite quote
5. Favorite song
6. Favorite band/singers
7. Anything else you'd like to say?
8. Tag bloggers to participate

 

You will now be exposed to my less than delightful handwriting!

 

 

Followed by my OOTD. 

I'm sorry about the dark nature of my photo's. I wanted to explore the dark side of myself. Or I didn't get around to taking pictures till the sun went down. One of the two. 

 

 I like to call this look at my neck-itis. It happens more than you'd think in my photos. 

 I don't really know what to say about these two photos...

 

Sweater: Gap

Top: Anthropologie Blurred Sepia tee

Tank: Express

Pants: Anthropologie Cadre Noir Leggings

Necklace: New York & Co

Shoes: Worthington

Now if you've been wondering what my face looks like up close and personal I've got a treat for you.

 

A slightly blurry version of myself. 

Random note, my photo editor is not up to par. The first photo was allegedly red eye free. NOT! How do you guys edit your photos?

Product Love: Laura Mercier

I thought I'd share with you a product I'm currently in love with.

Laura Mercier flawless skin repair serum. 

I've been searching high and low for a decent anti-aging skin serum for about a decade now. I've been battling forehead wrinkles since the age of 13 (no kidding).

This is the first product I've purchased that actually works. 

After only using this product a week it took away the fine lines in my forehead.

I can't tell you how over the moon I was about this!

Over the years I've tried numerous products on my skin, but I've never been so pleased with the results. 

I've actually had friends comment about how great my skin looks recently, I credit this new product. 

The repair serum retails for 95.00 here, but is well worth the price. I had a tester .05 fluid ounce bottle that honestly lasted around 3 months with everyday use, a little goes a long way with this product.

If your on the market for a repair serum that works, I recommend Laura Mercier!

Reviews: Wisteria Wishes

I recently stopped into my local Anthropologie.

I wanted to try on a few beauts that have been catching my eye. 

One in particular was the Wisteria Halter dress.

I really wanted to love this dress. I've spent hours oogling it online, as well as on other bloggers. Sadly this wasn't a great fit for me.

This is a size 12, which fit perfectly on top, but was too large in my waist and hips. 

I imagine that if I belted this dress, the fit problems in the lower quadrant would be fixed, but I truly don't want to purchase a dress for 148.00 that has to be belted. 

The quality was quite nice, it was lined and felt substantial. The colors are amazing. I love the print. The back is adorable and unique. I feel this would be a great dress for a summer wedding or garden party. In winter I would  pair it with some dark purple tights and a dark green cardi (maybe purple, or yellow?). 

Due to an undying love of the print and the back, if this dress goes on sale I'll get it. 

Until then, I can stop pining.

p.s-thanks for the well wishing, I'm currently off the Robitussin but not out of the woods yet. The lesson in this is get a flu shot ( my mom told me as much and I defiantly refused "I'm a youngster with the health of a horse" right, until the year of the consistently cold prone.).

Dark Swan

I've been missing in action for far too long!

I went on a mini vacation this weekend, to visit some friends I've been missing.

I had a blast but came home sick. 

I swear I have the immune system of a frail 99 year old.

I get sick often and you'd think that would make me somehow better at it. 

Perhaps I can function normally although ill.

If that's what you'd assume I can assure you that you'd be wrong.

I feel quite sorry for myself when I'm ill.

I barely dragged myself out of bed today to give afternoon meds to my clients.

I've been chugging Robitussin, and making playlists of good wallowing music. 

So far I have alot of Nick Cave's murder ballads, and some CocoRosie, just to mix it up a little.

As you may have already quessed I'm currently in my p.j.'s. So I though I'd share an outfit from last week that I hadn't shared with you yet. I like to call it my dark swan look (although I've never seen the movie).

Pants: Anthropologie Cadre Noir Leggings (they are thick like skinny jeans)

 Twirling like the little ballerina I am.

Top and Sweater: Express

Shoes: Simple Vera ( I adore these shoes)

 

 Random super old (we are talking high school guys) bracelet.

So now it's back to the grind. I have to do some work on a research project I'm on, and on Thursday we get to test on people! (well pilot test, but it's almost there) I can't wait (so I better be better by then).

Sunshine, Sunshine

"Sunshine, sunshine is fine I feel it in my skin, warming up my mind." -Atmosphere

I think that pretty much sums up how I feel about the day. 

I soaked up the suns deliciously warm rays while walking along one of the local rivers. 

 

In celebration of the beautiful day I wore the loudest and perhaps most questionable down coat in my collection.

 

Dress: Anthropologie Hello, Good day dress

Just for you, my dear readers, I braved the cold. 

The sun may have been shining but the temperature was still quite cold.

 

 Top: Target 

Belt: JcPenney

As you can see I'm stronger than any silly wind or below freezing temps.

 I'm a regular Minnesota Hulk.

I mean, if I were green, angry, and made by a gamma blast we could be related. 

(I feel like hulk needs a little love today, I mean he does represent for St. Patties day!)

I borrowed this necklace from my mother, she has the best accessories.

 

These shoes were absolutely not weather appropriate, but were absolutely needed for a pop of color to my outfit (available at Target)

Ivory bangle: World Market

 Gold: Marketplace in Greece

You can see the gooseflesh popping out of my arm along with two of my favorite bracelets.

True confession on the dress. This was the first time I wore it. I'm just not in love with it. I purchased it online last year and really disliked it on. I lost 20lbs and like it a little more, but now there are some fit issues up top. I not sure I know exactly how to style it either. I like the mustard yellow color with it, but don't own anything but the jacket in that color.

So I ask you, if this was your dress what would you do?

Fabulous Wednesday

 I put this outfit together for Lisa's feature over at Respect the shoes. 

I loved seeing everyone's outfit today, go check out what people feel fabulous in! 

 I'm wearing a favorite dress that was picked up at Macy's for a dream several years ago. It has a fifties feel to it, which I love as the fifties are one of my favorite style decades. I've worn it to several graduations, weddings, and the like. I'm also in one of my favorite places, a bookstore. I love books, probably too much. I'm sure the need to wear glasses came from my childhood candlelit reading habit. 

I got this sweater at Anthropologie back in 2004. It's showing it's age, the black is slowly fading, buttons constantly need to be sown on. Despite this I still love it. The buttons are a true selling point for me, my little black and gold flowers. Wearing this sweater brings back thoughts of my grandmother, who purchased this sweater for me. My grandmother was one of the most important people in my life (second only to my mother) anything I have from her is treasured, and always will be. 

These shoes are perhaps my oldest shoes, I'm not even sure where I got them. The heels are so worn the metal core shows through. I normally throw shoes away when they get to this point of extreme wear, however something about the white stitching and little bows makes me keep this particular pair of heels. In fact I'm thinking about getting them repaired, so they can be mine for years to come.

Empire dreams

Have you ever been fantastic at something that has absolutely no benefit to your daily life? 

I am. 

I have the unique talent of being an awesome chugger.

I can finish a glass of water in under 30 seconds.

A can of soda, even quicker. 

(never fear this has never been attempted with an alcoholic beverage, I do have limits)

I've never lost a chugging contest. 

I'm not sure that I should be proud of this skill.  

Despite this, I am. 

 In my youth I would constantly challenge people to chugging contests.

I no longer do, only in attempt to appear mature. 

I once came up with a list of ways to make this talent usable. 

It was a slightly far-fetched list, but it does hold some gems (if only in my mind).

1. When challenging someone new, make a bet, start at $50 (target the unsuspecting)

2. Start a chugging contest for charity

3. Start a school dedicated to the art of the chug

4. Create a chugging league (get a sponsorship)

5. Create some sort of chugging aid (chug-o-meter?), brand it, be the spokesperson

I have yet to start this empire, but be on the look-out. 

When I do, I imagine I would wear this empire worthy outfit.

 

Earrings: New York & Co (gift from friend and reader, Julie)

Necklace: Gift from friend 

Sweater and Belt: Anthropologie

Nails: Off with her Red OPI Alice in Wonderland collection

Tights: Hue (Gift from Mom)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

 

 Dress: Alfani

So my dear readers I turn the question to you, do any of you have a useless talent?

Sweet Sunday

Today I thought I would leave you guys a little something for your sweet tooth.

Mmmmhhh don't they look good? Homemade donuts, can you get anything better? 

I thought I would also leave you with the outfit I wore to this delicious breakfast

Followed by a montage of pictures that shows how sleep deprivation effects my brain.

 

I'm so tall I can touch the ceiling!

"Are you really taking a picture right now?" 

Showing off my Wal-mart earrings

Dress: H & M

Tights: Hue

Scarf: Grandma's auction

Boots: ?

Earrings: Wal-Mart

I hope your Sunday brings you rest, relaxation, and a little sweetness as well!

Shirting the Issues

This week has been an incredibly busy one for me. I've been wrapped up in life. Little things like neighborhood association meetings, going-away parties, and meetings with social workers have dominated my days. Blogging has taken a backseat, so I apologize over my bad blogger ways. 

 This outfit is begging for a necklace, I just haven't found the perfect one yet.

Dress: Anthropologie Shirt the Issue Dress

Sweater: Express

Belt: Anthropologie soft bow belt

 Tights: Hue

Shoes: Decree

Bracelets: Gifts from Mother and Grandmother

I have recently been the recipient of bad news.  I have high blood pressure. I'm not even 30 and I have a slightly serious health problem. So to combat this I have to start eating less salt (boo, hiss) and exercising more (or at all). I've decided to embrace this new lifestyle starting today (I just ran out of my movie style popcorn so it's ok to start). This is actually going to be quite difficult for me. Not the exercise part, I'm excited to have a motivating factor on that front. It's the salt reduction that isn't appealing to me. I love salt. It's one of my main food groups. I eat tons of pickles. A pickle and cheese sandwich equals happiness. Olives are also a love of mine. Kalamata olives are a staple. I often eat them for snacks. What am I going to do in a salt free world? I don't even know how to go about this. Do any of you have any delicious low sodium snacks?

Procrastination Nation

Today I procrastinated in the getting dressed arena. Due to this, my outfit is a little crazy. 

I'm a fantastic procrastinator. If you could get a job as a procrastinator I would be hired in an instant, promoted to head procrastinator. I had a meeting at 11, and started getting dressed at 10:55. I live incredibly close to campus so I wasn't worried about getting there on time (also my group members are often late as well). I postpone things all the time. In fact I currently should be getting ready for a Minnesota Wild game. Am I? No. I'm writing a post instead. I have priorities, you know? 

I was about to fall off that slippery little bench, it can be treacherous when you lack athletic grace.

Sweater: New York and Co

Dress: Target (ok it's my nightgown)

Pants: Anthropologie Cadre Noir Leggings

Shoes: a.n.a.

Coat: Collection by Gallery

Scarf: Anthropologie Floral Jumble Scarf

 

Vacation Planning

Today as the snow was softly falling into fluffy, flaky, freezing piles I decided to plan a vacation. On this imaginary vacation I decided to go to one of my all time favorite places, Greece. 

I mean, look at the Ionian Sea. How amazingly blue are the waters? 

 

Then, there is the caldera, and the blue topped churches of Santorini. 

Did I mention all the random dogs as well?

Greece is full of amazing people, one of the friendliest I've found. Plus they have a rich, well preserved history. 

I mean they have the Parthenon

 

The Old Temple of Athena

 

The Athena Pronaia Santuary

and amazing sunsets. 

They also have a Mediterranean temperature. 

Until then I will be here, shoveling my way through the day.

Making crazy snow creatures

Testing! Testing!

I recently went shopping with a friend, just to test my dedication to this self imposed shopping ban. I have found that my wardrobe is seriously lacking shoes, so I made it a point to stop in for some shoes.

I love how red shoes add the perfect amount of pop to an outfit so I tried on a pair. 

These are the Olsenboye union pumps for 39.99. They are incredibly, surprisingly comfortable. Olsenboye is a brand by...wait for it.....the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley available at JcPenney. All in all I loved these, put them on hold, but stuck to my shopping ban guns. As a side note I don't think I want shiny red shoes, I think I prefer genuine leather (I know the vegetarian police are all over that one) and/or not shiny non-leather red shoes. Don't get me wrong, I love me some shine, but maybe not in red.

I also tried on a coat from the limited. Now I need another coat like I need a whole in my head. However I love coats. I love them so much. I mean so, so , so, so, so much. So I decided to try this trench on. It is an unknown jacket for 148.00

I love it for so many reasons. Luckily it is exactly like a coat I already have, except for the tan trimmings. So it was a fairly easy pass. Plus I'm not the type to spend 148.00 on a coat from the limited. Sorry limited! I just like Anthropologie and J. Crew a little more!