Spring into Fall

TGIF!  I just had another one of those weeks, kind of a recurring theme I think until my boss comes back.  I won't dwell on it though, the weekend looms ahead and that is all that matters!

Sweater - New York & Co, thrifted

T-shirt - Aeropostale, old

Pants - Athleta, from sister-in-law

Shoes - Etienne Aigner, thrifted

Necklace - DIY by me

Bracelets - S&D, A Little Bird on Grand 

This outfit turned out a lot more springy than I was expecting it to.  I had one co-worker comment that it was very spring like in fact.  And another one said something about it giving a St. Patrick's Day vibe.  Oh well, I liked the look, I adore these pants even if they are a super light color.  And I had an arm party for the first time in a while too!  I tend to not wear bracelets much once it gets cold!

Last night Mr. Monkey and I had a nice relaxing evening together for the first time in several days, poor guy has been just as crazed and stressed at work as me, except his work has been extending past traditional working hours a bit.  So it was nice that he was able to just chill with me last night.  We made one of our favorite dinners, homemade fajitas.  Oh so delicious!  We also caught up on some shows we enjoy.  You want to know what show I'm enjoying more than I expected to?  Revolution.  I am finding I am really addicted to some of these post-Apocalyptic shows like Revolution and The Walking Dead (which was a doozy this week, oof).  I had to laugh though, this morning the Pants Monkey told me he had a dream last night in which he killed someone who actually thanked him for doing so.  I told him maybe we are watching a few too many of those shows!  I promise, he's a peace loving person even if his subconscious says otherwise!

Onward to the weekend!  I hope you all have great ones.  And next week will be pretty exciting, Megan Mae and Keely's Fall Color Challenge will be taking place!  It's not too late to sign up, just head on over to one of their blogs for all the details!

A Simple Fall Outfit

Sometimes, simple is good.  I like a basic sweater, long sleeve t-shirt and pants every now and then!  Add a fun piece of jewelry like my Stella and Dot necklace here and it isn't all boring.  I wasn't going to take pictures of this outfit and then thought, actually, this isn't half bad!  It feels very fall like.

Sweater and t-shirt - Mossimo, Target

Pants - Maurices

Shoes - Target

Necklace - S&D 

I have had these pants a million years now it seems.  I fear this may be the year they give out on me.  They have a hole in one of the pockets, not visible to anyone but me, but it's there.  I just love them and the subtle plaid they have.  This sweater is cozy and warm too - it is almost like what a hug feels like.  Don't you like clothes that give you a hug?

This weekend I hear we might not even need heavy sweaters - 60+ degree highs on Saturday?  But then the bottom falls back out on Sunday, back into the 30's for highs.  Fall in Minnesota.  You gotta love it!

Love...peace...

Big day yesterday.  History was made in my glorious home state of Minnesota.  Love is stronger than government.  I'm proud of what we did, I'm proud to be a Minnesotan.  I chose to wear purple today as a symbol of pride, in celebration for many of my good friends and hope for what this could mean going forward.

Beyond that, while I'm happy with the outcomes, I'm happy the election is over!  No more ugly ads on TV.  Probably some grumbling and debate on social media for a few more days and then we'll move on.  At least I hope so.  Love is stronger than hate.

Speaking of love, how much do I love my new blog layout designed by the fantastic Laura Go?  She did a wonderful job, thanks for all the compliments so far - she deserves all the credit.  I could not be happier with how this turned out.  THANK YOU to Laura!!

Shirt - Donna brand, from cousin

Skirt - East 5th Street, thrifted

Sweater - Mossimo, Target

Shoes - Rampage, DSW

Necklace - S&D with MMD buttonflower

Bag - Coach via Ebay

I know that there are people who are hurting today because the election didn't go the way they wanted.  I respect that.  I hope you all can respect my happiness. In a spirit of peace as we move forward, I am leaving you with a quote from Jim Henson that was read at his memorial service in 1990, it seems very appropriate today.

Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody.  

It's a good life, enjoy it. - Jim Henson

This is my confession

It's finally Election Day here in the US.  I voted on my way to work today, I was so ready to get in there and get my vote in.  I've done my duty and I feel good.  (PS, for those wondering about my stance on that issue from yesterday's post, I'll say this much, my vote was NO).

Today's outfit is not my voting attire though.  I'm all messed up on my outfit posts, I've been planning ahead with Thursdays being so goofy right now, so right now you're rarely seeing what I wore on the day I wore it. I know that is how many of you do your outfit posts too, I have to admit, it isn't all bad!

So this look feels very 1960's collegiate to me.  I found this adorable cardigan at this cute vintage shop not far from my house several weeks ago and I've been waiting for it to get cold enough so I could wear it - it's very warm wool.  Yesterday it was chilly and damp, I'm always colder when it's damp, so I decided I could finally bring this sweater out. Then I had to decide if I was going to go for the old fashioned college student look or more of a Mr. Rogers feel - because the sweater feels a bit like him too!  I chose college this time, perhaps it'll be Mr. Rogers the next time I wear it.

I did buy myself tights and a pair of leggings this weekend.  Enough of you told me that those items are essentials so I don't have to count them on my "ban."  And how can you resist Target's famous $5 colored tights?  I wanted to grab a pair in every color but didn't.  I replaced my torn gray ones to start, we'll go from there.  I'll tell you a secret though - I'm not doing too well with this shopping ban.  I may have also hit the Goodwill this weekend too.  I just was so in the mood to go thrifting so I just went for it.  I found a couple of items that you might see during next week's Fall Color challenge with Megan Mae and Keely. (You should check out their blogs to sign up if you're looking for a boost of creativity this Fall!) I'm weak you guys.

Speaking of being weak, I also bought a new purse off of Ebay a few weeks ago before I had declared myself on a "ban".  I couldn't resist it.  It's a Coach and I got a great deal and dang it, I have a problem and I can admit it!!  But truthfully I wanted a gray bag to go into the winter, this one had some sparkle to it so it feels fun for the upcoming holidays and so I took the plunge.  Darn you Coach, I just can't quit you.

Sweater - Hill Valley Vintage

T-shirt - St. John's Bay, JCPenney

Skirt - LOFT, thrifted

Tights - Target

Shoes - thrifted

Bag - Coach via Ebay

Necklace - Jerseymaids via Etsy

In all seriousness though, my ban is back in affect.  I have no further plans to shop for anything else before my birthday or Christmas for myself.  I have to get a birthday present for the Pants Monkey and my dad and then start shopping for Christmas gifts.  So, the focus needs to shift off of myself!

Phew, I feel better now, I've been totally honest and confessed all my shopping sins!!  Also, before I forget, keep watching my blog over the next day or so, I have a super exciting design change coming up and I can't wait for you all to see it!

Inspiration Monday - A refreshing debate

Well hello friends!  Welcome to Monday!  And of course, it's Inspiration Monday too.  I was so excited to see this cozy looking get up from Lauren Conrad here.

It made the perfect cozy outfit for a chilly day at work on Friday.  Yes I wore leggings to work.  It was Friday, I have no shame.  I was pretty much holed up in my office all alone the entire day, didn't have to go into the clinics at all, so it worked.  I can pretty much guarantee this or something similar will be my outfit for work on the day after Thanksgiving too (yep, I get to work the day after Thanksgiving.  Story for another day.)  I used a tip from Heather over at H&K Style Journey for my scarf - I pinned the ends together with a safety pin and then wrapped it around my neck.  It really made it more comfortable - no annoying knot at the back.  So, thanks Heather!

Sweater - Decree, JCPenney

Leggings - Steve Madden, DSW

Boots - Payless

Scarf - Target 

So who else is excited for the election to be over tomorrow?  I swear, I don't watch much regular TV, we do a lot of Hulu and DVR, so we don't see many commercials.  But I do watch TV while I work out in the morning so I can watch the morning news.  I usually hit two commercial breaks during that work out and the entire four minutes of commercials are horrible attack ads, some for people in districts that are not even mine.  And they are UGLY.  I'm so sick of it.

One refreshing thing happened on Friday though.  I don't typically get super political on my blogs or Facebook, but there is an issue we're voting on here in MN that I am passionate about, so I finally posted something that reflected my support and feelings on said issue on Facebook.  After posting, I had a friend who lives out of state comment that he disagreed with my stance, but he did so respectfully and also said he hoped we could still be friends and I didn't think less of him.  I then responded with the same care and respect that he had used and said that I did not think less of him if he didn't think less of me and we could agree to disagree.  Because we have a love of Muppets in common he then responded saying that it's just like Grover said once on Sesame Street, "we may not always like the same things, but I still like you".  And he told me he understood my stance and that he thought I was a good person.  Right after that, another friend of mine commented and said "Wow, did I just see two people with differing opinions do so in a respectful, understanding matter?  Holy hell, there is hope for the world, this was refreshing to see!"  And it he was right, it did feel refreshing and in a way, somewhat hopeful too.  I wish more people could debate with less malice.

But as I said, thankfully the election is over tomorrow.  I cannot wait to go vote, I plan to do so first thing tomorrow morning.  And I hope that there will be peace after the fact no matter the outcomes.

As always, for more Inspiration Monday outfits, head on over to two birds.

Art on a Friday

Hello and Happy Friday!  Ready for some culture?  I decided to participate in the Style Imitating Art series for this go round.  Vivienne from Thrifted Shift picked the painting - Jeune Fille en Vert (Young girl in green dress) by Tamara de Lempicka (Polish, 1898-1980). 

I loved the color scheme in this painting, I don't have a green dress, but I knew I could easily pull something together that I think reflects the idea.

I wore this yesterday to work, it was chilly outside, but I had enough layers going that I was plenty warm.  Even a little too warm at some points if you can believe that!

Forgive the photo below here, I didn't pay attention real well to where I set up my tripod yesterday, caught the edge of the desk a little bit!

I really adore this blazer, if nothing else for the simple fact that it is colored!  It is the only colored blazer I own and seeing the trends so far this fall I'd really like to have some more!

So, there is my dip into culture for the day.  I can't wait to see what others do with this piece.  It's not too late to participate, send photos/links to Vivienne by the end of the day on Monday.  Then make sure to check out her blog for the recap!

Onward to the weekend!  We are "Falling back" here in the US, I know other countries had their fall back last week.  I'm not looking forward to less light during the day, but I will take that extra hour of sleep this weekend!!

Dress - VS, gift from the Pants Monkey

Long sleeve T - thrifted Target stock

Blazer - Calvin Klein, thrifted

Tights - Target

Boots - Target

Necklace - S&D

Taking chances

Given that Thursdays are a wee bit crazy for me right now, I decided to save and share an outfit from the weekend for today's post.  I did not wear this outfit to work!  I have to thank Megan Bird - I have been wanting to try an oversized flannel with leggings as an outfit for awhile, but wasn't sure it was a good idea or not.  Then I saw her try it a week ago or so and decided, for a weekend, yes this is fine!  So thanks Megan!

I really didn't do anything very exciting with this outfit aside from running to Bed, Bath and Beyond with my mom.  And after I got home I changed into my Halloween costume for a bit to do some photos for that post, but hey, that's ok.  I'm just happy I made this work and would like to try it again sometime because it was so freaking comfy.

The only downside is I'm noticing these leggings are starting to wear out.  I have gotten a lot of use out of them over the past couple of years here and I think it's time to replace them.  There is the matter of the shopping ban, but I think leggings can go on the "ok" list - again, who would buy me those for my birthday?

Flannel - two birds vintage via b. a resale shop

Leggings - Target, very old

Boots - Target, old

Socks - Target