And You Don't Give a Further Thought

I’m big on sweater coats right now. Since I live in Dallas and it never REALLY gets all that cold, I can wear them pretty much all winter long as long as I use a layering cardigan to block the wind. I find them to be quite cozy and warm. Nathan got me a couple for Christmas including this wonderfully happy number.



It’s not colors I’d normally choose but I’ve already found a few pieces I can wear it with. It so soft and stretchy and wonderful.



I got lots of compliments on it as well. My co-workers almost all commented on how pretty it is.



One of my goals for this next year is to be more aware when another blog has influenced an outfit or styling choice and document that more. I felt a little like I was channeling one of my new favorite bloggers in this outfit! Louise from Coffee and Cardigan. If you’re not reading her, I’d suggest you give her a try. She’s fresh, and real and honest and her eye for style is impeccable.



It’s not really showing up in pictures, but Nathan also got me a piece from my favorite Etsy seller, Moon Raven Designs. A tiny little solid gold hummingbird skull. It’s so delicate and pretty. It was a surprise gift and I was really impressed.

(photo from Moon Raven Designs)


I've worn it non-stop.

Sweater coat, Forever XXI (Christmas gift from Nathan)
Layering Cardigan, American Apparel (Christmas gift from Nathan)
Dress, Target
Tights, Target
Boots, Docs
Foks, celapiu at Etsy
Bag, L.A.M.B

Oh, Holy Night

(So I’m not super excited with how these pictures came out. It was rainy and I made due with the porch. But I’m going to share them anyway, because this blazer is so fantastic.)



This is what I wore to Christmas Eve services with Nathan’s family. Nathan thrifted that blazer, it is Nanette Lepore. I kid you not. It is velvet and cut so gorgeously. AND it fits perfectly.



Christmas Eve service at my In-laws church is “come as you are”. I love the sentiment. They simply want you to stop what you are doing, and come down to the church for a few moments. It’s simply communion, carols and scripture readings in a dimly lit sanctuary. It’s over almost too quickly. And since it’s “come as you are” there is no dress code. My mother-in-law usually wears jeans. But you know me. Any excuse, really.



And this pretty jacket just couldn’t wait to be worn. I love it. That man of mine continues to have the most amazing thrift-fu around.

Jacket, thrifted by Nathan, Nanette Lepore
Tank, skirt and tights, Target
Boots, Docs
Bag, Sondra Roberts
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Thou Shalt Not Judge Lethal Weapon By Danny Glover

These are from December 23. I had the day off, but Nathan did not, and the plan was to spend all day in bed, reading, watching Vampire Diaries and just being a lazy bones. But then I realized that there was a 4 days weekend coming up, and we had no groceries. So I had to drag my behind out of my warm bed, into the cold uncaring wasteland of Kroger.



It was so crowded that I had to park at a neighboring gas station. I did not expect that, it was kind of crazy. And the grocery store itself was so crowded it was hard to get around!



I concentrated on really nice sandwich fixins’. I got some Boars Head turkey (I am super duper brand loyal when it comes to turkey. Always Boars Head. It’s just better.), hoagie rolls and Hawaiian buns, some guacamole and ranch dressing to make avocado ranch sandwich spread (1 part guacamole to 1 part ranch dressing. So so good), buffalo sauce, green apples, Havarti, Munster and Gruyere cheeses and we already had honey mustard. If you are not a sandwich lover I’m sure you are not impressed, but a sandwich lover will recognize that as a wonderful set of sandwich possibilities! My favorite combo was hoagie roll, avocado ranch, buffalo sauce and gruyere, served hot. SO YUMMY.



Nathan has had it with the sweatpants and says I need to find some jeans I like and can wear around the house* ASAP. Wish me luck. I am not sure I can think of a worse fate. I hate jeans shopping. I have made a deal with him that I will try on jeans every day until I find some. Hopefully that’s soon.



*I have some dark wash jeans I will wear out. But with our little sheddy dog, I prefer not to wear them around the house since I would have to lint roll them every five minutes.

Tees, Spice Girls Reunion Tour
Jacket, high school. Is it vintage yet?
Sweats, Target
Bag, Sondra Roberts
Boots, Docs
New Glasses, Ray Bans

A Girl Who Is Bespectacled

So, I got new glasses.

They are Ray Bans, and just what I was looking for. Nathan calls the style “haute nerdy”. I think he’s nailed it.



Buying new glasses is a big deal. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was six months old, so I’ve gotten pretty good at choosing new frames. There is more to consider than you might think. New frames can change the shape of your face. They can change way your haircut looks. (In fact I’ve been holding off deciding on a haircut until I got my new frames and adjusted to them.) They can even change the way your eyebrows look. But more than that, they affect your entire wardrobe. Glasses are an accessory, they just happen to be one that some of us wear every single day. They need to blend into the wardrobe you have now and you need to consider what direction they might take your wardrobe in. I know that might seem like a lot of power to attribute to such a small accessory, but it does hold true. Your glasses can have a ripple effect on the rest of your wardrobe. That can be a good or bad thing.



When I choose new frames I try and consider several things:

1. How do these look on my face? Do they go with the shape of my face? Are they flattering?
2. How do they go with my hair?
3. Do they go with my current make up? If not, what changes will need to be made (this is mostly a concern with colored frames, like the turquoise Gucci ones I wore a few years back)
3. How do they go with my wardrobe? Will they blend seamlessly in? What direction might they take it?
4. Can I love these for 3-4 years?



Never, ever rush into choosing frames.This leads to disaster 99.9% of the time. Trust me. Stop and think. Take pictures of yourself in the frames so you can see the way you look (often people who need glasses cannot see themselves in the store mirror in try on frames). Take a friend with you and listen to what they say, but make your own decision.

I’m excited about these frames. I love the way they look on my face and with the color of my hair. I love the size of them. I’m excited to see what kind of style changes we might make together.

Some Girls Mothers Are Bigger Than Other Girls Mothers

This outfit is Not Good. Not good at all. The blouse does not fit. It rides up over my bust and looks ridiculous and after today I am adding it to the “out” pile. I love it so much it’s hard to give it up, but it is not doing me any favors. Plus the proportions on the jeans and cardigan are not flattering at all. So I’m not loving it. I am however stuck in it for the rest of the day.



I’ll tell you this though; it’s just a bad outfit. It’s not who I am or what I am. Me personally? I’m still pretty awesome.



Cardigan, Target
Blouse, Target
Jeans, JCPenny
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack

We’re Not Happy Til We’re Running Away

Today I did better at dealing with the weirded out Texas weather. I took an outfit I knew I loved for cool weather and simply switched out the sweater coat and cardigan I wore with it last time and replaced it with something more friendly for a day when the temps are meant to get up into the 80’s. (The 80's! I can’t even.)



But it totally worked and I’m totally feeling this outfit. I am aiming for a luxe-comfy vibe a lot this winter and I think this outfit really nails it for me.



Those boots were a great investment. I knew when I was looking for them that I had a lot of ideas about how to wear them but I had no idea of the levels I would take it too. I’m obsessed. I wear them 6 days out of every 7. I wear them with dresses and denim skirts and leggings and tights and leg warmers and jeans and pants and EVERYTHING. They are so amazingly comfy and versatile. I’ve had them for less than 2 months and they already need a polish. I wear them that much.


Surprise! Puppy! The best kind!

And now, a serious question.
I need a laptop. I’ve needed one for at least 2 years, but what with the extended unemployment we made due with a netbook. I can’t edit pictures on it. And the screen is so small blog-surfing is sort of annoying as well. So I need to get a laptop, but I’m getting one for just me. Nathan and I have always shared a laptop. So this is a new thing for me. And since I will be doing a lot of picture editing I’m thinking about getting a MacBook. I’ve never had a Mac before. What do you guys think? Do lots of bloggers use and love Macbooks? Or should I stick with what I know and get another PC?

Cardigan, Target
Blouse/Tank, Banana Republic (ahahaha, it was obviously on sale you guys)
Skirt, Target
Tights, Target
Boots, Doc Martins
Bag, L.A.M.B.
Cross necklace, Grandmama Bea
Bag Charms, Tokodoki and Kid Robot (mostly gifts from Alannah)

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful

Frightfully warm!



Yep. It is THAT warm. I drew the line at having to give myself a fresh pedicure but I did give up and go back to open shoes.

So, HEY, it’s been like, really hard for me to get back into the routine of taking my own pictures. I miss the time with Nathan. Plus it takes longer to do it yourself. When Nathan went back to work, he was leaving much earlier than I was so I shifted my hours forward and as a result I had to adjust to getting up an hour earlier or so, and now I’m trying to get up even earlier than that to make time for self portraits. I can’t believe I used to get up even EARLIER than this when I had an actual commute to work! Who WAS that girl? That early rising, self portrait taking, outfit planning MACHINE? Anyone else taken an extended break from blogging? How did you get your groove back?



My outfit mojo is very much in winter mode right now. Even though I’m from Dallas, where we go from balmy to freezing and right back to balmy within the space of days not weeks or months, I personally have trouble switching back and forth. I get in a groove. I’m all about sweaters and leggings and leg warmers. WHAT IS THIS?



Anyone else struggle with this?



(That sounded so complain-y. I’ll make a note to be less of a complainer tomorrow. I mean hey! I don’t have to shovel snow! The streets are safe! I am not frozen to the bone! It’s not so bad.)

Cardigan, Target
Tank, hand me down from Alannah
Pants, Target
Shoes, Aldo
Necklace, self made
Watch, Swatch, gift from Nathan

Who Wants To Come In My Candy Shop?

My new camera arrived and we are slowly getting acquainted. I know most fashion bloggers upgrade from a point and shoot to a DLSR, but I like to do things a little different and downgrade from a DLSR to a point and shoot.



Yesterday I took the day off work to lounge, read and go to a book signing. One of my favorite authors, Richelle Mead was near town, up in Allen and I was super excited to get to see her in person.



I had to carry two bags as no bag could contain both all of the books I wanted signed as well as my everyday things.

Behold: the books I wanted signed:


That’s the first book from each of the series by her that I read as well as the hardback of the book the actual tour is for. She technically only signs three books person, but my girlfriend only wanted to have two books signed so she carried my fourth through the line for me.



I wore a tee shirt that my BFF Alannah sent me that I got Saturday and have already worn twice. You know how I do.



I also made a necklace for Ms. Mead based on a design that is important to the characters in the Vampire Academy series. Of course I made one for me as well. I really like that it’s subtle but also very specific to the books. I can be a fan-girl without wearing something silly like an “I love Dimitri” necklace, which might be great if I were 15, but is not so cool at 34.

(IDK what I'm doing here but I like my hair cape)


After seeing the pics, I wasn’t super excited by the way the leggings looked and changed into black and white patterned tights.

And to cap things off, a lovely picture of the super friendly and amazing Ms. Mead..



Is she not ADORABLE?

And a slightly horrid picture of me in which Ms Mead is signing my books.



I had a great time with my friends, sitting around talking waiting for the signing to start and Ms. Mead was so friendly and accommodating. She read from the new book, did a Q and A and signed up to three books for around 350 people and she did it all with a smile.

Sweater, Target
Tee, hand me down from Alannah
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Leggings, Target
Boots, Doc Martins
Black leather handbag, Steven
Book bag, gift
Necklace, self made due to extreme nerdiness

Waiting For The Weekend, So I Can Move My Body

I found these pictures on the camera card when I grabbed the pics from this weekend for the blog. I can’t really remember why I didn’t post them, but I can tell you that right before my break I had gotten to where I hated pretty much every picture we took. I was just not in a good place. I was so stressed out about the potential job offer for Nathan and what that might mean for our lives (all good things but a lot of stressful things as well) that I was just downright unpleaseable*.



Looking back at them now I feel kind of sad that I was so unhappy with them that I didn’t even post them because they are not that bad. I look tired yes, and my smile is pretty low watt, but the outfit itself is really cute.



Just a little bit about what’s going on with the blog…I have ordered a new camera. One that has a self timer, but one of those FANCY self timers what you can set to take up to like, 30 pictures in one go.



That way I’ll be able to go back to shooting my own pictures when Nathan is not available (so, basically, most days). My point and shoot passed away sometime during Nathan’s unemployment and I’m a point and shoot girl. I just am. Once that arrives I plan to get back to posting 4-5 times a week again. And as an added bonus for me, I get to start fresh, with a few new clothes you’ve never seen and a fresh perspective. I’m excited about it!

*I get that it’s not a real word, Spell Check, I am using it anyway, mkay? Mkay.

Dress, sweater, tights and shoes, Target
Bag, Rachel Nasvik
Necklace, Wendy Brandes

What’s The Point In Living If You Don’t Want To Dance?

Let’s be real for a minute. Sometimes I am pretty casual. I mean, really, really casual. Like this:



Sometimes I leave the house like that. I went to brunch and the grocery store like that and I am going to be honest, I felt pretty cute even though I was wearing sweatpants.



How casual is too casual for you? I think for me, it’s PJs and no make-up. I will swipe on a little gloss and mascara and change into jeans and a tee for so much as a drive thru run. I don’t ever want to leave the house in anything less than I would be comfortable in should I end up at the hospital or police station. You know?



And I’d wear this outfit again. I know some of you will disagree that it is OK to wander around the city in sweatpants, well, EVER. But I felt good. I kind of love those sweatpants. You can’t tell in the Sperry Top-Sider boots (which, oh my goodness, LOVE. Thanks again to both Clare and Sperry Top-Sider) but they are cropped and have a wide band so they hit mid-calf. With a pair of heeled lace up boots and an oversized cardi, they look very Cheryl Cole. Which is an excellent thing in my book. Granted they look a little less chic here but I can be forgiven for wanting to test drive those boots, I think. And they were great. I wore them all day. When I first put them on I was a wee concerned because the leather felt a bit tight (I ordered a 6 and a half. I wear a six in shoes, but I always size up a half size for boots to make room for comfy socks) but after a while, the leather warmed and stretched and molded to my feet. They were super comfortable and I can’t wait to find all sorts of ways to style them! (I am already planning to wear them with black tights, cut offs and a tee, that will be SUCH a cute look.)

Sweater and pants, Target
Tee, vintage
Boots, giveaway from Between Laundry Days and Sperry Top-Sider

Get Out Of My Dreams, Get Into My Car

But not really. I sort of hate when it’s my turn to drive. I like to drive myself to work but only because I like to be able to leave when I need to. I hate driving. I find each and every turn behind the wheel for me is an exercise in pure white knuckled horror. I’m hoping to grow out of it someday but you know, I’m 34. So it’s not looking good. But you know what makes it a little better?

A new car.


(all photos this post by Jessica Guest)

That’s right. After 12 months (Ok, maybe 11 and a half) of not having a car, I have gone out and purchased myself a brand new car. It’s my first ever brand new car, and I chose it and bought it all on my own. It is ADORABLE.



It’s a Hyundai Accent hatchback. I actually got kind of an obscenely good deal on it and in true finance guy fashion, the guy at the dealership tried to trick me into spending $4000 more than we agreed to in extra warranties and features. I said no. Several times.

He got rude.
I told him he was being very aggressive and I didn’t appreciate it.
He said he was supposed to get off two hours ago to be with his kids.
I said I didn’t HAVE to buy the car from him.
He said he HAD to have that warranty on there for the finance department to approve it.
I threatened to pay cash (I have never seen such horror in a man’s eyes as when I did that. It was crazy).

After that I pretty much got what I wanted. PLUS a massive feeling of accomplishment knowing I beat a MASTER at his own game. I have patted myself on the back a few times since then.

And I did it again just now.



Look how perfectly we go together.

I love this car.*



*I know. You can see my pettipants. But look at it this way, at least I am wearing the proper undergarments, you know?

Hooded knit jacket, Target
Tunic, mark
tights, Target
boots, Doc Martins

But Those Were Happy Tears

(A picture we took before that I never blogged, because some people don’t like to read so much and I get a little TL/DR below…)

This past week, my husband got a job. He was laid off in December of 2008 and has been doing consultant work off and on, but nothing compares to the wonderful feeling of stability you get from full time steady work. And health insurance! He started work today and when he walked out the door (45 minutes before my alarm even goes off!) my photographer went with him. So now I have to learn how to use our “new” camera. The one he has been taking my photos with for the past 2 years. I’m sure I can do it, but I do suspect it will cause hiccups. And to be honest, I’m not ready to come back quiet yet. I just wanted to stop by and say “Hi!” and share a few random thoughts with you.

The night after posting my farewell for now to the blog, I set about putting together my first blog free outfit. Something about knowing I was not going to document it made me feel free. I choose the same oversized striped cardigan I had worn the day before. I paired it with the same shoes. And a dress I had worn only recently, but wanted to wear again. What a concept! I felt free. I could wear whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and not worry about who was reading. But then something happened. I put the outfit on the next day and was so pleased with it, I asked my husband to photograph it anyway. I just felt like I was leaving out a step if I didn’t photograph a good outfit. It felt wrong somehow. So far I have not even pulled the pictures. There is no rush to edit them or get them on Flickr. They sit patiently and wait. (edited to add: No. They don’t. We forgot to put a card in the camera. So they don’t actually exist. I’m rolling my eyes SO HARD at myself right now.)

Day two of not blogging was a casual Friday, and also the last day of work before Halloween. And I wore almost exactly the same outfit I wore for Halloween 2 years before. Something I would have never done on the blog. Black tee with a skeleton ribcage print, black skinny fit jeans, black shoes and as much creepy jewelry as I could pile on. And I was happy. No one knew I wore this two years ago. No one cared. Not even me.

I’m finding I am taking fewer risks. I’m maybe less creative. But I’m not sure it bothers me. I’m still expressive. I’m wearing what I want when I want without worrying that it is “too boring”. There are some negatives. For instance, because I’m not blogging, I’m also not planning. This has resulted in more than one forgotten camisole. I need camisoles with a lot of my dresses to save them being too low cut, and without planning, I simply forget. It’s not until I am at the office and feel bare that I notice and by then it is too late.

An undocumented outfit still seems like a waste. This weekend we went shopping and spent our Christmas money from 2008. We had been saving it, in a sock drawer, “in case”. But we made it! So we spent. It was good fun, shopping. And it was freeing. I didn’t look at items and wonder how they would be for the blog, or how I would wear them on the blog. I just thought about them in terms of me and my wardrobe. I wore the exact same outfit Saturday and Sunday afternoon. And I went to Nordstrom Rack both times. And I didn’t care what they might think. I loved that outfit. I’ll wear it again. Maybe even next Saturday. I’d like to keep the free feeling. The wear whatever I want feeling, the honesty in my dressing, and somehow manage to blog THAT. I feel like when I started the blog that was very much what I was doing, but by the time I took my break, I was dressing for the blog. Almost all the time. And I want to dress for me. Not the blog. Because dressing should be fun. And an extension of who I am, and who I desire to be.

So I’ll be back. And I hope you’ll stick around.

So Long, Farewell (For Now!)

I’m going to take a break. A real one. I’m not sure for how long or when I’ll be back. Might be a week, might be a couple months. Blogging is supposed to be fun, but for right now, it’s not. And honestly, it’s not you, it’s me. You have been nothing but supportive and a wonderful blessing. But I need to step back for a while. I’ll miss you.

Be well.

XOXO

Don’t Fear The Reaper

This is totally off topic, but it’s my blog! So there!

We are having a door decorating contest at work (and the judging happens soonish I think) and this is my entry:



The company name is crossed out for protection of the innocent!



I made it myself, from scratch, the only pre-made item is the hand, and even that had to be cut up (it had an arm. I…removed it) to work. I made the bars from paper and I typed up all that adding machine tape and bloodied it up. Then I suspended the whole thing with fishing line.



Want to shake on it?



All the entries are really fun, so I may or may not win, but I don't care either way. I'm just really proud of how it came out!

I'm wearing purple today to support LGBT youth

What is Spirit Day?

“The idea behind Spirit Day, first created by teenager Brittany McMillan earlier this month, is a simple one, not dissimilar to the idea of "Spirit Week" held in many high schools, and can be summed up in three words: Everyone Rally Together.
Spirit Day honors the teenagers who had taken their own lives in recent weeks. But just as importantly, it's also a way to show the hundreds of thousands of LGBT youth who face the same pressures and bullying, that there is a vast community of people who support them.” - GLAAD.ORG

I am not gay. But even without that hurdle, High School was what can only be described as brutal. It was awful. And no amount of money could convince me to do it again. I was bullied (although in my time we called it “made fun of” I think bullying is a much more accurate term, bullying is not just physical, it is emotional and psychological.)

But after High School? Things got a lot better. I met my husband, and I moved into a home with him. I made friends who liked the same things as I did and didn’t see those things as a negative, but a positive. People who like me for me. And I like them for them. I have had problems, and hardships. My husband is less than 2 months away from hitting the 2 year mark of unemployment. But even this has been a breeze compared to High School.

I don’t envy you your time there. I really don’t. But it ends. And life gets better. And there are people out here that support you. I support you. If you are reading this and being bullied and need someone to listen, email me. Erindyan at gmail dot com. I’ll listen. It gets better. I support you, just the way you are.



Sweater, Blouse, Jeggings and flats, all Target
Bag, Nordstrom Rack
Pendant, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy