April Purchases

Girlprops

Beefy and I have an ongoing argument over our sunglass purchasing habits. I prefer quantity over quality. My philosophy isn’t just based on my desire to create different looks with my eyewear. It’s also due to the heavy use my shades get. They are on and off my face and stuffed into a purse, perched on my head or hung from my collar a dozen times each day. I don’t have the time or the discipline to carefully fold them into a protective case each time I remove them from my head. So, I spend less than $20 a pop and go through 6 - 8 pairs each year. Beefy buys the namebrand, polarized, fancy sunglasses, babies them (i.e. makes me put them in my purse), and gets a good year of use.

1. Designer Inspired Pentagon Shaped Sunglasses with Geometric Print in Multi, $3.99.
2. Meow! Devilishly Cute Horned Cat Eye Sunglasses. Black Outside, Neon Lining! in Purple with Black finish, $3.00.
3. 1 5/8" Long Vintage Egyptian Cat on Pearl Earrings, Jonette Jewelry in Gold with Gold finish, $8.99. I added these to my cart to qualify for free shipping. That lure works every time.

(The ridiculous item descriptions are straight off the Girlprops website.


Target

4. White with black polkadot sunglasses, $12.99


DSW

5. Enzo Angiolini nude pumps, $37.28. Shoes like these are always a classic!


Kohl’s

6. Peter Som for Kohl’s shirtdress, $55.50. In two months, when I’m working in triple digit temps, will I regret buying a polyester dress (no matter how cute)?
7. Mudd festival shorts, $20.99. Beefy hates the shorts’ doily detail, but I think that’s the best part!
8. SO neon hoodie (although it doesn’t look neon in this picture), $17.99.


April total: $160.73

Total spending for the year: $595.42

Remaining 2014 budget: $1204.58.

Pool Hues

One of my favorite things about swimming is the color of the water. Staring into the hypnotic blue, mesmerized by the rhythm of the stroke, I fall into a relaxing trance. Often, I become a little TOO relaxed and begin swimming in a boneless manner that requires intervention from my coach. Even when working hard, though, the deep blue-green of the pool soothes my soul. I am a center of tranquility while my arms churn and my legs froth.


Shirt, The Limited. Skirt, J Crew (consignment). Shoes, BCBGeneration. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Necklace, Heart Boutique. Belt, thrifted. Bag, Imoshion.

Ladies Wear Pants

I don’t generally think of trousers as the most feminine garment, but this pair made me feel ladylike, indeed. I think it had something to do with the close fit and nude stilettos.


Shirt, Forever 21. Pants, Kenar. Heels, Enzo Angiolini. Earrings, Girlprops. Belt, thrifted. Bag, Merona. Bracelets, Fort.

I'm So Over You

Fashion experts have been proclaiming the death of the neon trend for a few seasons, now. This time, I believe it.


Shirt, Forever 21. Dress, Jovovich Hawk for Target. Shoes, Prabal Gurung for Target. Sunglasses, Girlprops. Earrings, Cuffs. Belt, Target. Bag, SheBoBo.

Neon was among the trends Alison suggests retiring for 2014. Also on the “out” list: bubble necklaces, chevron stripes, sock buns and topknots and barbie hair, peplum, and arm parties. I’ve dabbled in them all but the bubble necklace. I’m not ready to give up the neon, but I am so glad to see that Ali predicts “barbie hair” is on its way out. I prefer a cut that highlights a woman’s hair density and texture over the phony look of extensions and a curling wand any day. What trends are you happy to see go?

Return to Napa

Beefy and I are asking ourselves why we don’t go to Napa more often. It’s an hour from home, but this is only our second trip. We will be planning more mini vacations to this destination!


Jacket, INC (consignment). Shirt, Victoria’s Secret. Shorts, Audrey. tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Rain’s Embellishments. Bag, Imoshion.

Area 101

What is Area 101? Is it a spiritual retreat? Is it an agricultural center? Or is it Bigfoot’s home?

We stopped here to take some sweet snaps in front of the murals, but were too shy to venture inside and solve the mystery.


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Sweater, thrifted. Skirt, Mossimo. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Sunglasses, Target. Bag, Allstate Leather.

First Anniversary

For our one-year anniversary, Beefy and I returned to the redwoods, donned our wedding duds, and celebrated with a photo shoot.


I wore the exact same outfit as last year and even my hair has returned to a similar style.


Unlike the blogoversary photos, the repeat outfits won’t be an annual tradition. The portraits will, though. And, next year, we’ll find a location that permits dogs. (Very few of the redwood forests/parks allow dogs on the trails and none allow them off leash.) It isn’t a family portrait without Jasper!

Versatility

My wedding dress has proved to be a good investment. I don’t remember exactly how much I paid . . . maybe $120? (It was on the clearance rack.) Granted, this isn’t a traditional dress; it’s more of a cocktail frock. But I’ve gotten a ton of remixes from it: dressy, business creative, and casual.

Today, I wore it to birdwatch at the Eureka boardwalk and then shed the boots, rolled up the leggings, and played tag with the surf.


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Sweater, thrifted. Dress, Parker. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Sunglasses, Target. Scarf, Claire’s. Bag, Allstate Leather.



It’s been a year since I wore the dress for the first time. Here’s how I’ve remixed it since then: