Currently in December

The Currently link up is tomorrow, but I'll have a special post for a special boy's first birthday, so instead I'm doing my Currently post today instead!  Make sure you check out Anne or Jenna's blogs tomorrow for other Currently posts as well.
--Currently I am--
Making - My menu for Ollie's birthday party on Sunday.  We are having a Dr. Seuss theme to match his room.  So far my menu is: Cat in the Hat Cupcakes, Green Eggs and Ham mini quiche, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Goldfish crackers, and something with roast beef to represent Roast Beast from the Grinch.  I'm not the most creative or crafty mom, so I do what I can! Pinterest is my friend!
Listening - Ollie loves music and I started a Pandora channel the other day based on Raffi and I have to say, it's been on heavy rotation at our house, we're getting a great variety, lots of Raffi music yes, but also Muppets, oldies from the Beatles and did you know the Barenaked Ladies have a children's album?  I love everything about this station.  And now that it's December, I'm also starting to rotate Christmas music into my own mix during the work day.  I haven't taken Idina Menzel's new album for a spin yet, but I'm hoping to find it on Spotify later.  I also love, love, LOVE Sufjan Stevens Christmas music.  And in the car I still have my new Cities 97 Sampler, I've really been enjoying it!

Wrapping - Birthday gifts for my boy!  We're not going to talk about how I haven't even begun to think about Christmas shopping yet.  I need to get past the party and then it's on like Donkey Kong, but until then, it's Birthday Bonanza at our house.  We're giving him this pretty awesome Alphabet Riding Train that we found and some new books.

Anticipating - Well, this time of year is all about anticipation.  Right now I'm mostly anticipating seeing Oliver's face when he gets his birthday presents and I'm also anxious to see Christmas through his eyes this year since he was very much a newborn at Christmas last year.

Watching - We have finished Manhattan and are almost done with Masters of Sex.  We've started watching Covert Affairs again because it's on Amazon streaming for free and we've been re-watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia from the beginning again while waiting for the new season in addition to our usual faves, Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory.  I also just finished the season to date of Parenthood and uffda.  That was a doozy of a cliffhanger.  I'm anxious to start watching some Christmas movies and also to introduce Ollie to my favorites like Charlie Brown and Muppet Family Christmas.
So there you go!  What are you currently up to?

Thrift Style Thursday - Hats

Ok so first off - thank you from the bottom of my heart on the love and support on yesterday's post. You all are just the best!  As my favorite fish from Finding Nemo says "just keep swimming" am I right?  Anyway, now on to one of the best days of the week - Thrift Style Thursday!

So the theme this week is Fall Hats - I kind of cheated a little, this hat I'm featuring today was not thrifted, but it was made for me as a gift, so I feel that still makes it relatively thrifty!  My sister-in-law is an extremely talented crocheter (is that the right word for someone who crochets?) and knitter. A couple of years ago she decided to do a mystery pattern - you signed up, received the yarn and instructions but you didn't know what you were making until it was finished.  It ended up being this hat and when it was done she realized it would be perfect for me - it's a color I love and the style is something I like as well, so it became my birthday gift that year!

It's definitely warm and I like wearing it when I go walking outside in the Fall and Winter - especially if it's darker out, you'll definitely see me coming in this hat!  She's made me a couple of other hats before too, but this one is definitely my favorite!  She has also made me scarves too and I'm kind of excited about my birthday present for this year - I already know what it is because I commissioned her for it, it's kind of a snood, I can't wait to show it off when I get it, I understand it's already done too!

It's definitely cold enough outside for hats and scarves and mittens all of a sudden.  After our snowstorm this week we were plunged into winter.  And it's not going to get warmer anytime soon.  I think I was right when I said earlier this week that last weekend was possibly the last time we'll get to go disc golf!

 Hat - handmade by sister-in-law, Dress - H&M

Vest - swap, Tights and boots - Old Navy

Tired child - courtesy of teething

 (he is wearing a thrifted Gymboree shirt and pants)

I don't always keep my hats on after coming inside in the winter, sometimes they are more for the function of keeping me warm than for the fashion, but I got into wearing them more last winter after Oliver was born.  Some days it was easier than dealing with my hair!  How about you - are your hats more functional or fashionable or both? Be sure to check out some of the other Thrift Style Thursday gals at their blogs below! Alligator Toe Little Did You Know Lipstick and Yarn Thrift Style Thursday Facebook group

Inspiration Monday - SO a Monday

Well.  It's SO a Monday today you guys.  It's not even 9:00 yet and I managed to spill the old coffee grounds from our coffee pot at work all over the bathroom floor here.  And I somehow misplaced my camera, so today's outfit is photographed with the self timer on my iPhone.  Let's hope this day starts to turn around!

It is Inspiration Monday with two birds and today we have Miranda Kerr in a skirt I wouldn't be caught dead in at this stage of my pregnancy - but I like what I did manage to pull together.

Bad lighting for the photos, but otherwise I really do adore this outfit.  It was a chore getting it all put together I tell you - the Pants Monkey was laughing at me this morning as I struggled into my leggings and boots.  But I made it work!!

White shirt - swap

Blazer - b. a resale shop

Skirt - Liz Lange, thrifted

Leggings - Steve Madden, via DSW

Boots - from mom

Buttonflower - MMD

Earrings - S&D
Necklace - gift from friend 

In spite of my whining about Monday, we did have a good weekend.  Our music group threw us a shower and we got another bigger ticket item crossed off of our list so that made me happy.  We also went to a car seat install clinic, so now I feel like the car seat will be safe and secure.  We also managed to have some lazy time with breakfast on Sunday and dinner on Sunday night, so that was good too!

But now it is Monday and I just hope that the way the morning started isn't an indicator of the entire day!  It's early yet though, there's plenty of time to turn this ship around right?  Optimism!!

For more Inspiration Monday outfits, head on over to two birds over here.

You gotta have heart

Apparently I'm in a real "heart" mood this week.  I can't keep it going all week though, this is the only other heart item I have, but hey, it's kind of a theme!  I grabbed this bad boy at the swap too (told you I made out like a bandit there!) and loved the fact that it was slouchy and stretchy and fit over the bump.  And it's another piece I should be able to wear after as well, can't beat that!

Man I sure look tired in these pictures!  We had had an early OB appointment yesterday morning and I think I took these as soon as I got to work - but pre-coffee!  Everything went well at the appointment, though I do get to have an ultrasound next week because of my gestational diabetes and also because shock, I'm measuring small.  They just want to see what's going on in there, but I'm not complaining too hard, I'll get to see my little guy for the first time in a few months now, so that will be exciting.

Sweater - from swap

Tank top - Old Navy

Pants - Oh Baby, thrifted

Necklace - gift from friend 

After work today I'm going to interview a pediatrician.  I tell you this stuff gets more and more real each passing day!  Still just going one day at a time though!  Trying to stave off any panic, lol!

Cozy cowl

We are halfway through the week my friends!  And since it isn't too frigid out yet, I'm doing another skirt.  Actually it's one of my favorite dresses to wear as a skirt.  I thought it would look cute with this awesome sweater that I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law.

It's funny, when I opened up my gift from her and saw that this was sort of a turtleneck sweater I looked at her like "don't you know me at all? I never wear turtlenecks!"  Because usually I don't, I tend to feel choked.  My mom and I think we were both hung in a former life.  Anyway, after I pulled this sweater out of the box I realized it was more of a cowl neck and that it would be nice and loose fitting around my neck.  So, I actually love it quite a bit!

 Dress as skirt - Axcess by Claiborne, thrifted

Sweater - Gap, Christmas gift

Tights - Target

Boots - Target (old)

Necklace - S&D

How about you?  Do you like to wear turtlenecks or are you like me and can't handle things by your neck?  What is your favorite type of sweater?

Short weeks are awesome

Well look at that, it's Friday already!  I think all weeks should be three days!  I'm feeling even better today, not quite 100% yet, but leaps and bounds better than before.  I figure a nice relaxing weekend will be all I need to kick this cold to the curb.  And luckily, we have no plans this weekend, so relaxing should be easy to accomplish!  

Since I was feeling better I decided to wear another Christmas gift today.  I actually helped pick this one out when I was shopping with my mom way back before my birthday even.  So I've been kind of excited to finally have it to wear!  Sweater dresses are my new favorite thing ever, I think they are my winter equivalent to a maxi dress - both are as comfy as pajamas!

 Sweater dress - H&M, gift from parents

Leggings - Target

Boots - Old Navy

Scarf - World Market

I still have a couple more Christmas gifts to share next week.  I must say I was spoiled pretty good this year with new things.  Now I think I need to go through my closet though, especially when I hear that my cousin has another few bags of clothes to give me to dig through. Out with old and in with new.  Or something like that.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Twas the day after Christmas

Well, what a whirlwind few days it has been!  I'm so thankful to not have to be at work today so I can recover from all the celebrating!  It was a great Christmas.  I wanted to share a couple of outfits from my celebrations.  First up, Christmas Eve.

Sweater - Hill Valley Vintage

T-shirt and jeans - Old Navy

Necklace - gift

Shoes - SO, thrifted

Christmas Eve morning, the Pants Monkey and I went and had brunch together at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis.  It was darn cold, but I wanted to wear my festive Christmas Kermit shirt, so my vintage red sweater was the perfect choice to stay warm!  We had a great brunch, came home and exchanged our gifts to each other.  I was very excited to receive the cat sweater I wanted from ModCloth and a fantastic infinity scarf!  You'll see them here soon.

We then had the afternoon to relax for a bit, then we made some creamed spinach to take over to my in-laws to add to the meal they prepared.  We had a wonderful celebration with them - so much food!  There was roast pork, our creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, and many, MANY cookies for dessert.  We sat by our annual double fire (real one and Yule Log on TV) and then opened our gifts.  His family is the sweetest - I got a nice sweater from my sister-in-law (in next photo) and the most adorable purse from his parents.

Sweater - Gap (gift)

Jeans - Gap (thrifted)

Boots - Mossimo, Target

We had to get to bed early on Christmas Eve so we could get up early on Christmas Day to go to do an early Mass with our music group.  I did not photograph my outfit - I wore a really pretty dress from Shabby Apple, but it's a little too big, so I want to take it in to be altered before I wear it again.  I am thinking maybe it'll be my Valentine's Day outfit this year so maybe you'll see it then!  After church we came home to change and I wore my new sweater since it was super warm and comfy!

We went to my parents house and exchanged gifts with them.  As usual they spoiled us, I have a few new pretty things to wear and you'll see them all on the blog soon, likely after I go back to work.  Mr. Monkey made out quite well too, he needed clothes that fit and he sure got them!  He's going to be one styling dude if I do say so myself!  We stopped back at home for a brief rest then headed out to my aunt's house to have dinner with some extended family on my mom's side.  After that we were able to stop at Mr. Monkey's grandmother's house for a brief visit with some of his extended family as well. 

So it was definitely a full couple of days, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way.  You can see why I like getting a little extra time off from work at this time of year though!  Today I'm relaxing a bit and then meeting a good friend for thrift shopping and lunch.  Tomorrow I have to take my car in for an oil change and to check an oil leak.  Friday I'm meeting a couple of other friends for coffee that are also off of work.  And then Mr. Monkey will be home again for a long New Year's weekend, so I'm looking forward to adventuring with him this weekend too!

I hope you all had a great Christmas weekend if you celebrate!  I will be making my way around to your blogs, I promise!

Inspiration Monday - A good weekend

 Happy Monday everyone!  Did you all have a good weekend?  I sure did.  I did a lot of stuff too!  We'll get into that in a minute.  First up, it's Inspiration Monday and today we have Kate Moss (who I always thought was too skinny) in a leopard print coat.

Yep, I had nothing like that in my closet at all, but one of the things I did this weekend was actually go to the two birds garage sale and found this leopard print shirt, so I figured, it was the next best thing right?

Shirt - Gap, via two birds sale

Tank top - Maurices

Pants - Nine West, thrifted

Shoes - Mossimo, thrifted

Necklace - Charming Charlie

Bracelets - S&D, gift

The two birds sale was pretty awesome, everything you could fit in a grocery bag for $20.  You can fit quite a bit, I'll tell you that much!  Thanks again Megan and Nora!

Besides shopping, I had a chance to have lunch with my Pants Monkey on Saturday and then we went and spent one of his birthday gift cards so he could have a couple of things for the upcoming holidays.  After that we got dressed up and went out to dinner for my dad's 60th birthday (we went to Erte in NE Mpls for you local folks).  It was delicious!  After that we went back to my parents for cake and visited some more.  Then we stopped home real quick and changed and headed to a friend's "White Trash" Christmas party.  Everyone was encouraged to dress up in "white trash" type attire.  I threw something together with the help of the Google.  Overalls and a white tank top with a Santa hat.  Yep, classy.  We didn't stay terribly long, but it's another guy that homebrews beer, so Mr. Monkey wanted to at least stop by for a little bit.

Sunday was a day full of laundry and other chores.  Sometimes you need a day to be lazy and to catch up on other things.  I have decided since I have some time off to use that I'm going to take this coming Friday off and make it a short week.  I think I'll do some baking, maybe a little Christmas shopping or maybe just be completely lazy and watch Christmas movies all day!  No matter what, it will be wonderful.

For more Inspiration Monday outfits visit the two birds over here!

"Owl" about me

We made it to Friday everyone!!  This week wasn't too bad all things considered, I thought it might drag more after a short week last week from the holiday!

Today I'm finally wearing my favorite birthday gift, this adorable owl sweater from my parents.  It felt like a Friday kind of sweater, so I saved it for today.

 Sweater - Kohls, gift

Jeans - Old Navy

Boots - Target

Jewelry - S&D, Cookie Lee

I had been experiencing some writers block this week, I blame being wiped out from all the birthday celebrating, but thankfully today I have a couple of excuses to talk about myself.  I was gifted the Sunshine Award from the lovely Dawn of Suitcase Vignettes and so I'll answer a couple of the questions she gave.  And then the awesome Katie of Butterfly Loves Snapdragons gifted me the Versatile Blogger award and the rules for that are, share seven facts about yourself.  So today is "owl" about me.  (See what I did there? I'm silly.)

So here are seven things about me I don't think I've shared before.  Maybe you'll learn something new.

1. I realize LMFAO is so yesterday now and we've all moved on to Gangham Style, but I still have a weakness for Party Rock Anthem and it is probably my biggest guilty pleasure song.  Normally I'm an "indie girl" but I can't help but love some pop music.

2. I have a super hard time swallowing pills, so I take them with yogurt.

3. I'm not afraid of ghosts, zombies or pretty much any horror movie, but if I watch anything about alien invasion I have nightmares for days.  The scariest movie I've ever seen is Signs.  *shudder*

4. I think it's no secret I have a love of beer and wine and other "spirits", but I am always responsible and am proud to say I've only been physically ill from drinking once in my life.

5. I love to play cribbage with the Pants Monkey, but I rarely ever beat him.  When I do it's a big deal.  I did about a week ago and I even took a picture on Instagram to mark the occasion, that's how big of a deal it is!  He's crazy good.

6. I had a belly button ring once.  I had to let it close up after a very unfortunate injury that I won't go into details on.  Let's just say it may have involved a clothes hanger when I was moving once.

7. I love to color.  I find it super relaxing.  I always bring crayons and coloring books when I go on vacation.  It's something I've done since I was little kid.  And I even stay in the lines!

 Jewelry close up

And now I'll pick a couple of Dawn's questions to answer. 

1. What is the funniest movie you've ever seen?  It is SO hard to pick one, as there are many funny movies out there.  I think I would probably say anything that Christopher Guest has done, especially Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind.  They're just my kind of humor, I can't get enough of them.

2. What would be the hardest thing for you to give up? Coffee.  Hands down.  I don't drink that much even, but I would not be a pretty girl without my cup in the morning!!

3. What was your most embarrassing moment? Getting sick during a dress rehearsal for a church show when I was about 13 or 14.  I didn't quite make it all the way to the bathroom and I didn't live it down for quite some time after that!

4. When did you last laugh until you cried and what was so funny?  The Pants Monkey is joining a homebrew club and he was messaging the other guys on FB trying to come up with a name and there were some "naughty" acronyms he was coming up with.  Yeah, sometimes we're like 12 year olds, can't help it.

5. Do you wanna bring sexy back? I had to answer this just because it made me laugh - and why do I need to bring it back?  I thought I already did!  He he.

Whew.  Ok, that's enough for today.  That was fun though!  Huge thanks to Dawn and Katie, you are both too sweet.  The rules for both of course say you're supposed to tag other bloggers, but I'm taking the easy way out again and saying I love you all so you can all chose to play along with the questions I answered if you'd like!  Have a great weekend!!

Seeing red

So far this week I seem to be following a color scheme. I'm sharing yesterday's outfit and today's outfit and they're both kind of in similar color families.  They feel somewhat festive in a way, so perhaps I have Christmas on the brain!

I wore this skirt and new shirt and pin yesterday.  And it was silly, yesterday was likely the coldest day of the whole week.  I'm silly.  Oh well.  I wanted to wear the shirt and pin as they were birthday gifts and I thought the skirt dressed it up a little bit for work.

 Shirt - Eddie Bauer, gift

Skirt - American Living, thrifted

Boots - Payless

flower pin - gift

Bag - Nine West

Today I'm trying out another outfit inspired by an outfit I saw on Pinterest.  I realized I had almost everything to do it, not to mention, it was a way to dress up my colored skinny jeans.  I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Shirt - St. John's Bay, JCPenney

Jacket - Mossimo, thrifted

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes - Etienne Aigner, thrifted

Necklace - Stella and Dot 

The Pants Monkey has rejoined me in the land of the working people again, he is no longer on vacation.  It was nice not having to be as quiet this morning as I was getting ready for work! My boss came back to work yesterday too.  Everything is pretty much back to normal.  And normal isn't all bad!

Post Thanksgiving Coma

Anyone out there getting Black Friday deals this morning? Not this girl!  As you know, I was originally supposed to work today, but was given the day off last minute.  So instead, I'm lounging at home, drinking my coffee, and blogging my outfit from yesterday as I come out of my post Thanksgiving coma. 

T-shirt - Mossimo, Target

Sweater - Seven, thrifted

Jeans - LOFT, thrifted

Bracelets - S&D

Necklace - gift

Shoes - Minnetonka Moccasins

The day started out very warm here in MN and I knew it would also be warm inside of the Pants Monkey's grandmother's house, so I thought layers would be the way to go, especially knowing that it was going to get cold later in the day.  I only regret not wearing my skinny jeans that would have expanded as I filled myself up with food!  We had so much food - turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, green bean casserole, stuffing, salad, cheesy potatoes, rolls, it was insane!

After dinner we decided to take a walk, so I took a cue from Megan Bird and took my wine with me, because I hadn't quite finished it yet.  But we hadn't realized the weather had turned!  So we got about two blocks from the house and had to turn around because it was sleeting/snowing. 

After we had thawed out a bit we enjoyed pie for dessert - an apple one I brought and a pecan one my sister in law brought.  Oh man.  SO good.  I was in quite a fog heading home, but thankfully we live just up the block so it was a short walk in the cold to get home and then we crashed with a movie.

Today I am going to decorate my house for the holidays since I've been given the gift of time.  And the rest of the weekend we're celebrating birthdays!  My birthday is on Sunday and I'm deeming this the year of 30-fun, since I'm turning 31.  Yep, I'm cheesy like that!