Leather and Rock

Long Sleeve Shirt and Boots: Target; Pants: Old Navy; Leather Jacket: Walgreens (seriously); Necklace: Charming Charlie

My mom gave me this hair feather and chain thing for Christmas that hooks around the top of your ear. I'm not usually hip and cool enough to wear a hair feather, but I thought a metal/rock concert would be the perfect opportunity to give it a test drive.

A friend and I decided to check out last year's American Idol 4th place finisher, James Durbin, at The Rave on Saturday. We saw him this fall at the American Idol tour but weren't able to meet him other than seeing him walk right by us dragging his luggage. So we were on a mission.

He put on a good show, and I enjoyed some of his songs. It didn't hurt that we were front row either even though we showed up right as the 2nd opening act was finishing.

And awesomely enough, he said he was going to sign autographs after the show at the merch table, which meant we didn't have to wait outside in the cold like usual. Phew. I love smaller shows where they're able to do that.

It was a little rushed, so we didn't really say anything to him. I know the only thing I personally said to him was, "Sorry, I didn't realize my flash was that bright" and "Thank you." But it was a lot of fun, and we were both glad we went!

L is for Leather

Week Two Weigh-In

Current Weight: 202.2 (down 2.8 lb)

Progress Last Week:

I did pretty darn good last week and stuck to my WW points, but unfortunately, I also felt hungry a lot.  I'll have to try to adjust what I'm eating to more filling foods.  I also went through the very quick fitness center orientation today, so I'm ready for Zumba on Thursday.

Goals This Week:

1. Take first Zumba class.
2. Try to eat more filling foods so that I'm not hungry.
3. Do not go over my weekly points allowance.

Incentives:

If I don't use (m)any weekly points, I can pig out on Saturday when I have people over without feeling guilty.

When I'm under 200, I can have peace of mind.

When I hit 190, I can buy plane tickets to Tulsa for the Hanson Day event in May.

When I hit 175, we can start trying for kiddo #2.

Gotta Love Wearing a Blanket

Here's the Inspiration Monday photo for today:

And here's my interpretation:

Poncho: gift; Pants: Old Navy; Everything Else: Target 

I took a few liberties with this one because I wanted to wear my new rust jeans, and I hadn't worn my poncho in awhile. I wore this running errands and lounging around the house before going to a concert at night (more on that tomorrow). It wasn't terribly cold out, but it was really windy, so wearing a blanket helped with that.

K is for Knits

Sat Here for 10 Minutes and Still Couldn't Think of a Title

Dress: Target; Cardigan: Wet Seal; Belt and Watch: NY&Co; Leggings: American Apparel; Boots: Kohl's; Necklace: garage sale

Well, I'm not sick! I thought I was getting sick Thursday afternoon with aches and pains and an upset stomach, but it all went away once I ate something and took it easy that night.

Isn't that building kind of awesome? I've been wanting to do outfit pictures there for weeks.

It's the weekend!  Mine is going to consist of...Friday: chilling at home and catching up on DVRed shows; Saturday: seeing James Durbin from American Idol in concert (I gotta figure out what one wears to a metal concert...methinks jeggings and leather); Sunday: Mom's night with fondue!

Mother Daughter Pink and Purple

Top: Gap; Black Long Sleeve Shirt: gift; Pants and Scarf: NY&Co; Shoes: Target; Watch: Michael Kors

Pardon the wrinkles. Those are from sitting at a desk all day.

I couldn't resist dressing Bridget and me in matching pink and purple outfits.  She is my mini me, after all!  Although, she is definitely starting to look more like her father.  I'll have to scan a picture sometime, but we have a photo on our fridge of hubs when he was a toddler, and his profile looks exactly like Bridget's but with hair on his head.  So she definitely has some of her father's genes besides the dimples.

Since it was supposed to be a balmy 35° day yesterday, I figured bare ankles would be no problem.  As it turns out, my ankles were fine during the walk to and from my car.  It was actually sitting at my desk when I felt a chill. Note to self: socks.

Then I got home, lay in bed, watched Downton Abbey, and hoped the body aches and stomach cramps I was feeling didn't turn into something. Here's hoping that it doesn't.

J is for Jewel Tones

Glamour Shot

While I don't really want to put myself in the same blog post as the gorgeous Julia from Gal Meets Glam, she did inspire my purple sweater + shirt + statement necklace outfit for today.

Source: galmeetsglam.blogspot.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Don't ask me who inspired the cheesy stool posing, though.

Shirt: vintage Diane von Furstenberg via E-Collectique; Sweater and Shoes: Target; Pants: Gap; Necklace: E-Collectique 

It's kind of Uncle Rico glamour shots-esque.

Source

Which, by the way, IS a relevant reference since there's that Napoleon Dynamite cartoon out now.

I is for Inspired by

Most Awkward Fashion Blogger Moment Ever?

Originally, I was going to write about how to winterize a summer dress, but I scrapped that idea because this story is way better.

OK so since I had a dentist appointment after work today, and my dentist is located at a mall, I figured I'd take a few outfit pics in the parking structure beforehand. Normally, I go to the top floor of the parking structure, which always seems to be deserted. But today it was under construction, so I tried to find a less occupied area of one of the other floors.

I found a good spot and parked my car right next to another car, which was the only other car around, and got out. I did notice the windows of the car next to me were steamed up, but I didn't think anything of it...

...Until I was outside holding my camera, and I saw a teenage (I assume) boy's head pop up from the backseat. Uhhhhh....awkward!

Needless to say, I scurried back into the car and drove to another floor, cracking up as I went. Ah youth, haha.

Dress: self-made; Cardigan: Rodarte for Target; Belt: Forever 21; Scarf: Boston Store; Tights: Missoni for Target; Socks: Target; Boots: Vince Camuto via giveaway

It's a good thing I took these pictures before my dentist appointment because half my face was numb afterwards.  Uggggghhhh, I hate the dentist.

By the way, my outfit today is almost a direct copy of this outfit on Thirty-Five Inch Inseam. I felt a little bare on top and knew the lace cardigan wouldn't cut it in my often chilly office, so I added the scarf.

Also, if you would like some tips on winterizing a summer dress, I found these helpful posts: How to Layer Underneath Dresses and Divine and Refined Look of the Day: Shirts under Dresses.

And if you want more layering tips, you can check out the rest of the wear*it Wednesday gang in cardigans at Paper Balloon Journal.

Really Quick

No time to chat this morning. I had a little bit of extra time this morning since Bridget woke me up a half hour earlier than my alarm, but time flies when you're trying to entertain a toddler.

So quickly, here's the Inspiration Monday photo for today:

And my interpretation:

Ruffle Tank: Express; Blazer: Kohl's; Cords: Gap; Socks and Boots: Target; Watch: Michael Kors

And here are a couple purchases from yesterday: new shoes for hubs and a new watch for me (early birthday present)!

Old shoes vs. fancy new shoes

Love it!!!

Week One Weigh-In

Starting Weight: 205

Goals This Week: 

1. Schedule orientation for the fitness center at work.
2. Sign up for the Zumba class at work.
3. Track every single thing I eat on WW.
4. Do not go over my weekly points allowance.

Incentives (more to come, I'm sure):

When I'm under 200, I can have peace of mind.

When I hit 190, I can buy plane tickets to Tulsa for the Hanson Day event in May.

When I hit 175, we can start trying for kiddo #2.

Annual Ice Skating Outing

T-shirt: Hanson.net (gift); Sweatshirt: L.L.Bean (gift); Vest: Old Navy; Jeans: NY&Co; Boots: Target; Sunglasses: Payless

Twice every year, a few of my friends get together and go ice skating—once during the Waukesha Janboree when they have free indoor skating, and once at the outdoor Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee.  This time, there was only two of us since our third regular is six months pregnant.

Unflattering picture of me trying not to fall as I skate backwards

One of these years, I'll actually have to buy my own pair of ice skates. Although as my friend learned, new ice skates apparently take some breaking in, too. She fell twice, and she NEVER falls. Of course, with a free event, there's bound to be a ton of people, which made the ice bumpy and harder to skate on.

F is for Feathers or Fur

Final Laser Hair Removal Thoughts

I realized I never updated about my last hair removal appointment and results. That’s because there was nothing really to report.

I walked in, had my slightly less painful treatment after icing my underarms, tipped the lady (though still unsure of the tipping etiquette there), and walked out as she said, “If you need a touch up, it’ll be $50.” Touch up, shmouch up. I would need a whole other treatment at a different facility.

Pessimistically, I waited a week to see if anything came of my last treatment. In the end, I would sum it up as a patchy, very slight hair reduction. I still need to shave just as often, and I have nearly as much hair as before.

It doesn’t help that all the Ideal Image commercials on the radio taunt me every day. I’m thinking I should’ve gone that route since that company was recommended by a friend, and they have a guarantee. The only way I’d try again, though, is if I were gifted a treatment package from there. I’m definitely a little laser shy at this point.

By the way, I just clicked over to the Ideal Image website, and one of their fun facts is “Most of our guests stop shaving after the first treatment.” That makes me want to cry/scream/throw things/stab things. At least I didn’t pay full price for my treatment at the other place! I just have to keep telling myself that.

So, would I recommend laser hair removal? Only if you’ve heard many good reviews from people you know about a particular place because either A. each laser hair removal service is not created equal, or B. laser hair removal just doesn’t work on me.

This Looks More Like Wisconsin

Dress as a Top: Tucker for Target; Sweater: Banana Republic (gift); Jeans: Old Navy; Boots: Target; Bracelets: NY&Co

This outfit was inspired by Jessica's outfit from yesterday.  I tried to capture the 70s essence with the flare jeans and the bold print top.  Alllllmost went with a felt floppy hat, too, but I knew I wouldn't actually be anywhere today except home-car-work-car-daycare-car-home.

As you can see, it has started to look like Wisconsin in January this week.  So far I don't mind it, but ask me again in March when it looks exactly like this...and maybe April.

I'm also jumping on the ABC's of Style challenge over at My Greatest Hits in time for the letter E: Everyone's Choice. I'll probably continue to participate sporadically, but this was an easy one.

Happy weekend!

Thirty Pounds

It’s been my goal to lose weight forever. That’s not surprising considering it’s the goal for a lot of people. Since packing on nearly 50 lb during my last pregnancy and only losing about half afterward, that goal should weigh even heavier on my mind now (pun intended).

The last time I dropped a lot of weight was in 2008/2009 because I had a specific goal to work toward–my wedding! I didn’t shed as much as I originally planned, but I fit in the dress, and that’s all that matters as far as that moment in time goes.

My husband tries to be my cheerleader, but considering I generally give up on counting my Weight Watchers points after a day and a half, it’s a lot easier to be skeptical. But recently, he gave me another finish line to strive for. He made a deal with me that made a lot of sense. When I lose 30 lb, we can start trying for Baby #2.

I work a lot better with deadlines, and one my “resolutions” was to try to get pregnant this year. And, losing 30 lb would put me just under my pre-pregnancy weight. So it’s a win-win situation because getting pregnant at my current weight AND gaining another 50 lb would not be good. Ugh, I’m already not looking forward to being pregnant again, but I would like another baby sometime soonish.

So here I go. I need to be held accountable, so maybe I’ll have to find a community and tag along with some bloggers who track their weight loss. I don’t know if I’ll be brave enough to post the actual number on the scale, but I’ll at least find a way to post my gain/loss progress. And in the meantime, you all should judge me if/when I fall off the wagon. Positive reinforcement’s always good, too, I s’pose.

Eight Degrees

Sweater: Express (gift); Pants and Watch: NY&Co; Bracelets: Target and Charming Charlie; Boots: Target

That's how cold it was when I quickly took these pictures—8 degrees.  Luckily, I was blocked from the wind, so it wasn't too bad for the couple minutes I was out there.  The wind is what gets you here, I tell ya.  I'd be much happier about the cold and the snow if we didn't have to deal with the crazy wind.

Since I'm finally ready to jump on the big watch trend, I wanted to experiment with some different cheap versions before I commit to giving a good chunk of money to Mr. Michael Kors.  Yesterday, I experimented with huge and white; and today, I have less huge and rose gold.  At this point, I've ruled out all rose gold, but I'm not opposed to two-tone; I'm inclined to go with silver, but my Fossil watch is silver, so I find myself torn.  Can you tell I'm bad at making decisions?

In other news, wet-to-dry hair straighteners don't really work.  At least mine doesn't.  But drying then straightening my hair takes too long, haha.

I guess those are all of my random musings for the day.

Officially a Toddler

I guess since Bridget is now WALKING, she's officially a toddler and no longer a baby.

Flashback to newborn Bridget

My mom was watching Bridget Monday, and when I came home, I asked her whether she had seen Bridget stand up on her own. She kind of half-smiled and handed me her camera to show me the videos she had taken. My jaw dropped! I had never seen her walking without assistance before!

(For those using a reader: video embedded - click to view post in a browser)

Hubs and I tried to get her walk more once he got home, but she was pretty tired. She also doesn't seem to like walking on the hardwood floor as much probably because it's not as comfortable to fall down on. Looks like we'll be replacing the area rug we got rid of in the living room after all.

Now that I have a toddler, I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before baby fever creeps back up...

Mixing Prints Like a Crazy Person

Top, Sweater, and Tights: Target; Skirt: self-made; Belt: Luci Boutique; Watch: Charming Charlie; Shoes: shoo  

It was just a tad cold out, but not terrible.

There are a couple things I haven't gotten down yet style-wise:

1. How to mix prints without looking like a crazy person.
2. How to wear this bold striped circle skirt I made without looking like Frump City, Population: 1.

But here's my attempt for wear*it Wednesday (hosted by fingers, chopsticks and bobbins this week).  I'm mixing a peacock feather T-shirt with the striped skirt and my watercolor floral flats.  At the beginning of the day, I had the sweater unbuttoned and outside of the belt, but I felt this was less crazy and frumpy.  In the end, I kind of liked the result.

Coat: MICHAEL Michael Kors via Costco; Boots: Marc Jacobs via E-Collectique