HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY BLOG!

January // February

March // April

May // June

July // August

September // October

November // December

One year ago today, I wrote my very first blog post. I didn't know if I'd stick with it, I didn't know who would read, and I didn't know what I would gain from the experience. I am so happy that I decided to start this adventure. I've gained so many friends and it has opened my eyes to load of new inspirations. I am so grateful for everything that I've learned over the past year, through my blog and just through life. Thank you all for taking the trip with me!

Here's to remembering the past year and moving on to the new year! Have safe and super fun new years celebrations! 

THESE BOOTS

Sweater: Gap // Tunic: Thrifted JCrew // Leggings & Necklace: Walmart // Boots: Elle via Kohl's

Oh, these boots. I lusted over these boots for months. Months, I tell you. But I was being a good little blogger. I was doing the 30 for 30 challenge, I wasn't shopping, I was saving money and thinking of Christmas. Well, when my mum happened to ask me what I wanted for Christmas these were on the top of my list. Unfortunately, she said she wasn't able to find them. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I love everything about them - the wedge, the grey, the suede, the ruffles (oh, the ruffles!). Thanks, mum! 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Sweater: Old Navy // Shirt: Gap // Leggings: Kohl's // Slippers: Target

And, yes, I matched baby girl on purpose! It is one of my favorite parts of having a little girl!

A few days ago I was watching the news and they informed me that Willie Nelson's "On The Road Again" is the single most popular road trip song. I don't know how they got this stat but it seems like it would definitely be a viable choice for a road trip mix. Highway to Hell, Drive My Car and Hit the Road, Jack also graced the list. But, I'm pretty sure that they just picked any song that has the words road, highway, drive, and car in them (not that these songs aren't good and all).

Whew, ok - random. Back to reality. I am on my way to Pennsylvania. That is a 1,284 mile drive from my door step to my grandparent's doorstep (well kinda because I'm pretty sure google maps didn't take into consideration the basically unmarked two mile dirt road that my grandparents live at the end of). In case you were curious, that is 21 hours and 56 minutes of driving - without stops. Yeah, it is a long time. Yeah, I'm probably going to be super sick of being stuck in the car by the time I get there. Buuuuut, I love road trips and I love going home so it makes it all worth it!

{Edit 12/28/2010 - I have no idea why this post went up all wonky without photos. Here they are! We made it to Pennsylvania safely and are completely enjoying visiting with family and relaxing. I hope you all are doing the same!}

ANTHRO-ESQUE-ISH

Shirt: Thrifted LOFT // Skirt: Thrifted Banana Republic // Belt: F21 // Shoes: JCPenny // Necklace: Kohl's (gift)

I thrifted this wool maxi skirt a few months ago but just got around to getting it dry cleaned. I love this silhouette. I feel all Anthro-esque when I'm wearing it. Which, exactly describe how I felt about my outfit today. I felt very chic-minimalistic.

I must have ten different photos torn out of magazines and saved in my inspiration folder that feature maxi dresses. Especially navy or grey maxi dresses. And mostly with lovely, chunky kit sweaters. I just feel like it is such a cozy look. I love it!

I packed, did laundry, cleaned and started loading the car today while I was wearing this. Admittedly, it was not the easiest outfit to move around in and I probably would have been much more comfortable in jeans sweats. Who care though? Because I felt pretty awesome in this, like one of those women who always dresses like this to get stuff done.

HAPPY HOLIDAY'S

Jacket: J.Crew via Plato's Closet // Shirt: Thrifted F21 // Skirt: Walmart // Boots: Steve Madden // Belt: F21 // Tights: Anthro

We had a few last minute things to pick up for our trip this Sunday and, since it was raining cats and dogs outside, I decided to snap a few shots in the automotive section while we were picking up windshield wiper fluid.

This is probably the most festive outfit I've worn all holiday season (which really isn't saying much because this isn't SUPER festive). Which is fitting because we celebrated Christmas today and all. It was originally supposed to be worn with my black booties (see 'raining cats and dogs' above) but I actually really like it with the rain boots. 

I am getting super excited for our trip! I've mentioned it before buuuut I love the packing and preparation part of traveling. I know, I know - most people loath that part but, to me, it is so fun. Road trips are even more fun because you can pack snacks, games and other fun stuff without having to worry about getting it through security and lugging it through the airport. This will be baby girl's fourth long road trip. She is turing into quite the little traveler. 

PHOTOGRAPHY FRIDAY

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes, yummmmm.

Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree!

Santa came to visit. 

Santa's Cookies

Christmas Breakfast

Christmas PJs

Kaleidoscope Fun

Baby girl is with her daddy for Christmas this year, so we decided to push Christmas up one day. Last night was our "Christmas Eve" and today was our "Christmas Day." To be honest, before Alessandra was born we normally opened all of our presents on Christmas Eve. It is just so much more relaxed, in my opinion. Plus, I like the Christmas lights at night. 

Let me just say that parents do NOT get enough credit at Christmastime. I am a planner so, naturally, I had most of my Christmas stuff done way ahead of time. Still, I was up way later than I wanted to be last night because I had to play Santa. Don't get me wrong, I loved it and had tons of fun writing baby girl a note from "Santa" and eating the cookies but, whew, it is still a lot of work. It was truly all worth it when she came into my bedroom to tell me that Santa ate his cookies. She was just so excited. This year is the first year that she has truly gotten excited (I don't think she grasped the whole concept last year). 

Happy Holiday's to all of you! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families! 

LETTING IT SLIDE

Dress: Thrifted // Shoes: Walmart // Necklace: Vintage DIY

My clothing details list consists of three items. Actually, only really two since one of them is a necklace. Normally this weather would put my in a nasty mood because it is December and almost Christmas and I would want some wintry weather. But, since we're leaving for Pennsylvania in five days, I am letting the Texas weather slide. 

I've had this dress for a few months and I haven't been able to figure out how to wear it. I kept feeling like colored tights wouldn't work and black tights would be too ... boring. I decided that maybe I should just go for a minimal look and roll with it. I dig it. 

HEAT WAVE

Dress: ModCloth // Tights: Hue (they're navy, I swear!) // Shoes: Steve Madden // Necklace: Walmart

I left the house in this plus a nice, cozy sweater coat without checking the weather. Oops! Because it was in the high 70s today. Holy heat wave! I am going to go into shock when I show up in Pennsylvania next week. 

I'm kind of short on words this evening. It could have something to do with Rudolph being on TV. All the tunes are just so catchy. I love the old claymation version the best! I'm off to eat dinner, drink hot cocoa and OD on Christmas movies. It IS that time of year. 

JUST DO IT

Shirt: Thrifted LOFT // Shorts: Plato's Closet // Tights: Hue // Shoes: Steve Madden // Belt: Thrifted

I really loved how these shoes looked up against the mustard tights. 

I've developed a new rule to getting dressed - I just do it. Yes, I used a Nike tag line just then. But, seriously, I think of one item that I would like to wear and I just add things to that one item. I don't stress over whether it goes together, I don't worry about it being a super impressive outfit, I just wear it. I add or subtract until it feels right but I only give myself a set amount of time. Needless to say, this has really cut down on my getting dressed time. Which, trust me, is greatly appreciated in my house. 

I wore this to go get baby girl's Christmas photos taken. We take a Christmas dress picture and a Christmas PJ picture every year. The PJ pics are probably some of my favorite photos of her, hands down. They are just so real and so ... little girl, I guess. She was a little ham, of course. It was funny to see her posing like I do in my photos. 

MEET ME OUTSIDE

Coat: Victoria's Secret / Dress: Thrifted Banana Republic / Tights: Anthro / Boots: Kohl's / Bag: Foley & Corinna 

"Meet me outside in five with the camera." 

This is the text my boyfriend got five minutes before I pulled into the drive way. I kinda spent a little too much time browsing when I was supposed to be running errands, so I was running a little late. We were meeting at my mum's house to celebrate Christmas with her and I had less than an hour to make peppermint cupcake (yum), freshen up and finish wrapping a few presents. Piece of cake ... or cupcake, hehe. 

On a side note ... this is one of the only trench-like coats that I like on myself. Every spring I want a khaki trench and every spring I can never find one that I like. But this little guy? I like him.  

PHOTOGRAPHY FRIDAY

Sometimes I really love posting themed photography sets. But, other times I just like looking back through iPhoto and grabbing a handful of photos that I really loved. These are them as of now.

SANTA IS WATCHING

Sweater: Forever 21 / Jacket: last kiss via Ross / Corduroys: thrifted Old Navy / Shoes: Steve Madden / Bag: Foley & Corinna 

Apparently the challenge did nothing to curb my love for my olive jacket. Just sayin'.

We took baby girl to see Santa today. When we told her last night that we were going to go she said, "You mean the fake Santa at the mall?" Whaaaaat? She is pretty perceptive, that one. We had to pull out the whole those-are-Santa's-helpers talk. It's all fine now and the "Santa is watching so you better be good" thing still works, so we're golden. 

LOOKING BACK

The following five looks are my favorites from the remix: 

1/30: LIST LOVER

2/30: I'M A NEW SOLE

16/30: SCRATCH THAT

24/30: DEAR CAMERA

26/30: LUKEWARM & HOT (the hot portion of the post)

I loved remixing a lot more than I thought I would. Most of my shopping wants stemmed from wanting to upgrade some of the items that I would have worn more had they been of better quality. Here are some of the things on my wish list as of now:

• Olive Green Winter Coat - I hesitated on buying an expensive army-esque jacket because I figured it was trendy and wouldn't go with much. I was wrong. I wore this over nearly every outfit during the past month or so (even if I didn't photograph with it on). 
• Cream Wrap Sweater OR Cream Tunic Sweater - I found a couple options from Forever 21 but, like I said, I really wanted to upgrade. I just haven't found any other that I'm loving. I may use a gift certificate that I have to fill the void though. 
• Cream Sweater Coat - I am currently wearing (with my PJs) one that I love. I have been wearing it for three four, okay okay probably five days straight with my PJs. The probably is that it isn't mine...its my mum's. Perhaps I can steal it without her knowing? Because, truly, I've scoured the Internet and can't find nothin' close! 
• Mid-Calf and/or Knee High Socks - I feel like higher socks would have added SO much to so many different outfits. Plus, I'm a sucker for soft socks. 
• Skinny Jeans/Pants - the two pair (black and dark wash) the challenge weren't so great. The dark wash ones were too tight after accidentally being washed and the black ones were far too faded for my liking.
• I am also LOVING the Gap City Flats in velvet. They're only $20 (in store) and I adore my current Gap City Flats. How cute would they be in grey or navy?

This is pretty much it. Of course there have been lots of things that I've ooh and awed over but this is what I really want. I mention before that I think the challenge has been easier because it is right around Christmas. Which, in my terms, means that I've been sending links (with size info) to every person I know with an email address (who will buy me a Christmas present). Is that tacky? I don't care. =)