Pastel Ninja

It was SO cold today. Cold enough to see my breath at 2pm - with the sun shining. I always get fooled. Coming from Southern California I still equate sun with warmth, a dreadful mistake in the midwestern winter. So here is what I wore to combat the cold. My shirt is another one of my killer finds while thrifting: a Michael Kors shirt I nabbed for five bucks! 

Watch out for my mad ninja skills! 

Outfit Details: Shirt (Michael Kors) Thrifted. Camisole, Old Navy. Pants, Express. Shoes, Ebay. Scarf, Pashima. Coat, Gifted. Pearl Earrings (Which I took a photo of but they came out blurry), Valentine's day gift from Bear. 

Blue Collar Corporate

Today's look is quite corporate. I definitely would have worn this to an office back in my executive assistant days. Though I don't go into an office anymore (and am wearing this to do laundry, among other things) I think it fits the image of a successful writer quite well too. (Now just to get to the successful part!) 

Outfit details: Shirt (Anne Taylor), Thrifted. Skirt, Thrifted. Shoes (Vera Wang), Marshalls. Necklace, Newport News. 

Safari Casual

I did a little experiment with my hair today and let it air dry, just to see how it would turn out (hence why it looks kinda flat and wavy). I just love this new shirt (another of my recent thrifting finds), though the light pink seems to wash me out a bit. It has this great detail on the sleeve with a button that pulls up the bottom that I think is so cute. The safari look was appropriate today, as I rediscovered my love for the game Zoo Tycoon 2 (with endangered species expansion pack). 

Outfit Details: Shirt, Thrifted. Undershirt (camisole), Old Navy. Pants, Marshalls. Belt, Don't Remember. Shoes, Sketchers. 

Debut

Here is my new hairstyle. I just love it! I think that Oz at Roca Salon did such an amazing job, both with the cut and the color. At the eleventh hour I decided to go with the popular vote and asked for the cut from Picture #1, but Bear (Mr. Not-in-Pajamas) says the finished product looks more like #3 than #1. Either way, I like it so much. It's amazing how a different cut can change a whole appearance.  

Thank you so much everyone who voted and helped me decided on a new look. I love the change. 

I didn't get a pic of my shoes today (just those same black stilletto heels you've seen before - Bear was more focused on my haircut when he took the pics, I guess).  

Outfit Details: Shirt: ModCloth.com, Jeans: Seven. Boots, Nine West. 

Blue and Raining

The votes are in on your favorite new hairstyle and it looks like #1 squeaked by for the win, with just two votes more than #3. #2 didn't get anybody's vote, so it's straight out of consideration. My hair appointment is tomorrow at 2pm and I'm still not sure which one I will pick, though I am leaning towards #3. (#1 and #3 are actually both of the same actress, and my thought is that the shorter bangs in #3 will grow into a look more like #1 eventually). Check back tomorrow to see the results.

 

Yesterday was so beautiful - nearly 70 degrees and sunny. Today, on the other hand, is rainy and about 45 degrees. I love the rain, but sure would have enjoyed a few more days of early spring. The blue cardigan and the scarf (worn as a belt today) are both from yesterday's thrifting expedition. 

Outfit Details: Sweater and Scarf: Thrifted. Camisol, Old Navy. Skirt, Ross. Boots, Nine West. Necklace, (1929) Gifted. 

The 5AM Librarian

First off I must confess that I have been up since 5am, so if I look a bit, ahem, worn out in these photos that's probably the reason. Mister Not-in-Pajamas had an early AM flight for a business trip this morning so we were up before dawn (I always insist on taking him to the airport, and picking him up when he returns home again). Since I was up so early I did some errands, then treated myself to a stop at a thrift store I haven't tried before. It was heavenly!!! Huge store, with a great selection, and not very crowded. I was there almost two hours, and left with 7 shirts, 2 cardigans and a scarf, all for 24 bucks. This sweater-shirt combo is one of my new pieces. I'm having so much success with thrifting lately that I honestly don't know if I'll ever go back to retail stores. Outfit Details: Sweater-shirt combo: Thrifted. Skirt (100% wool) Thrifted. Shoes, Newport News. Necklace, Dress Barn. 

New Haircut

I've had the same basic haircut for, oh, a decade. I'm thinking about a change. Namely: Bangs. I know, it's a big step. Okay, not really, but for someone whose had the same cut for ten years there is more than a little hesitation about making a change. So, I put it to you, dear reader. Here are some photos of haircuts that I like and am considering for my new look. 

Which one do you like best? 

1.

2.3.

Which Haircut is your favorite for my new look?
	The First One: Thick and Chic
	The Second One: Messy and Playful
	The Third One: Short and Piecy
pollcode.com free polls

Blue and White

Outfit Details: Cropped Blazer, Reference (Buttons added by me). Shirt, H&M. Slacks, Express. Shoes, Steve Madden. Belt, Reference, Purse, Coach (Gifted). Earrings, Target. 

Here's what I wore while I was out running errands today. Originally I had a lavender collared long sleeve shirt on under the blazer but it was really warm so I changed into this. I'm so glad I did, as I really like the blue on blue combination. 

Dinner Date

Tonight my boyfriend and I went to a lovely restaurant for a date night. We were actually supposed to go last night, but since I wasn't feeling well we moved the reservation to tonight. I wore one of my new dresses from ModCloth.com that I got for Christmas. It's empire waisted, which can be a bit tricky. I discovered while taking photos that from some angles it looks a bit like a maternity dress. In the future I will belt it. Anyhow, here is how I wore it tonight. 

Outfit Details: Dress, ModCloth. Tights, Gifted. Boots, Nine West. Bracelet, Neiman Marcus. Earrings, Gifted. 

Late entry to the Mrs. Obama Challenge

I'm so bummed! I was sick in bed with a migraine yesterday, and missed joining the other lovely ladies in participating in the Michelle Obama Challenge hosted by Thrifty Muse. I went ahead and wore my version today, just for fun. Be sure to check out the other entries at the Thrifty Muse blog. Everyone looks amazing! 

Outfit Details: Sweater, Ross. Turtleneck, Kenneth Cole (Marshalls). Skirt, Thrifted. Pearls, Claire's Boutique. Shoes, Liz Clairborne (Marshalls). 

Purple Safari

I was going for a casual safari look today. It was a beautiful day outside, sunny and warm (relatively), so I took advantage of the chance to wear lighter fabrics. My pants are a little rumpled in the photos from being worn all day (as I took these photos mid-evening, after sitting through two films and cleaning the bathroom). The necklace is the great piece I picked up a few years ago. It's long, so I wore it doubled for today's application. It's got all these nobby stone and plastic pieces strung on raffia (see detail photo). 

Outfit Details: Shirt, H&M, Pants, Ross, Necklace,

 Boston Proper, Belt, Don't remember, Shoes (well, slippers really) Gifted.

Yellow and Tan

My dress code was casual today. I don't normally wear yellow, in fact, this is the only yellow item I currently have in my closet. It tends to wash me out. But I love the color, and like how it looked today from the sweater. There's no denying how sunny and happy yellow is, and with the weather taking a very pleasant turn into the 50's and 60's for the next few days, I thought I'd bring some sunshine into my wardrobe. 

Outfit details: Sweater and shirt, Old Navy. Jeans, Seven. Belt, Reference. Shoes, Payless. 

Black and White

This is the new leather skirt I mentioned last week that I picked up at a thrift store for nine bucks. The belt was a gift from a dear friend. I've never worn it before today, but I quite like it, especially with this black and white ensemble. 

Outfit Details: Sweater, Forever 21. Skirt, Thrifted. Tights, Target. Belt, Gifted. Shoes, BCBG (Purchased at Marshalls). 

Brown and Gold

Feeling much better today. This brown skirt is one of my recent thrift store finds. It fits like a dream. The tights are literally a decade old (maybe older). They used to be my mom's until she gave them to me five years ago or so. They have a great stripe detail in them and I thought they worked well with the weave of the skirt and the striped texture of the sweater. Come spring I think I may shorten the sleeves on this sweater, as I always push them up when I wear them. 

Outfit Details: Sweater, Ross. Skirt, Thrifted. Belt, Arden B. Tights, Gifted. Shoes, Payless. Earrings, Target. Bracelet, Claire's Boutique (I think). 

25 Random Things

Hello my lovely readers, 

I am not feeling well today. I've been struggling with a head cold for a few days and decided to forgo make-up and just be comfortable today. But I didn't want to leave you high and dry... so here is a little bit about me, from the recent "random facts" tag that's been circulating. See ya tomorrow! 

1. I was born on New Year's Day. 

2. I am terrified of spiders. 

3. I have adored Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman my whole lie. Some of my earliest memories are of watching that show. 

4. I have been told I make a darn good roast chicken. 

5. I taught myself to bake and made my first cake and icing from scratch at nine years old. 

6. I have been to four Comicon conventions. 

7. I have lived in nine states: Alabama, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida. Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, California and Missouri. 

8. In my twenties I took classes in all of the following: horseback riding, violin, massage therapy, bellydancing, yoga, ballroom dancing, swing dancing, hip-hop dancing, ballet, kick-boxing, quilting, French, fashion design and acoustic guitar. 

9. I play Lord Of The Rings Online, and have a 60th level Elf Champion. 

10. I am quite crafty, and can sew, crochet, embroider, bead, cross-stitch, and latch-hook. 

11. My boyfriend sometimes calls me Mango, after the character on SNL. "You can't handle the Mango!" 

12. I have written two novels. 

13. I have played every Tomb Raider game that has been released for PlayStation 1, 2, and 3. 

14. I have been to Paris twice and dream of living there. 

15. The last concert I attended was Parliament at the Belly Up in San Diego. 

16. I am an only child. 

17. Colors my hair has been dyed: Blonde, Pink, Green, Purple, Red, Black, Burgundy. 

18. In high school I went through a rebellious phase and shaved the sides of my head and wore a bullet around my neck. 

19. My mom is a retired artist and my dad is a fire captain. 

20. I try to read at least 52 books a year.

21. I studied Egyptology in College. 

22. Though I don't currently have one, I absolutely adore gardening. 

23. A year and a half ago I decided to change my life. I cleaned out my life savings and my 4O1k, left an unhappy marriage, my pets, the city I'd lived in for 12 years, my job of 5 years, my family and all my friends and moved to Kansas City, a city that I'd only seen for one day, to take a try on a relationship with a man I'd known for 5 weeks. It was the best decision I've ever made. 

24. I have a garden gnome (from my balcony garden in SD) who sits in the windowsill of my loft. I believe he steals my socks, and occasionally my gloves. 

25. My boyfriend and I have an invisible dog named Chupie. We blame all "mystery" odors on Chupie.