everyday ensembles + birthday wishes

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I had such a bustling weekend!  Did y'all have a beautiful one, as well?I had every intention of taking my pictures + writing a post on Saturday and Sunday.  But alas, the beautiful weather and fun activities kept me outside and in action. Happy President's Day! (no school + no work, yippee!)

I was so happy to break out these espadrilles- the temp got up to like, 74 degrees. Hallelujah!

In other news, my hand goes up in every picture.  I need a photo shoot choreographer, pronto!

shirt: target (on clearance), cardi: LB, jeans: ross, shoes: american eagle, + necklace (thats barely visible):gift
But enough about me- Today is my beautiful, amazing, inspirational, red-headed, fabulous, loving, caring (i could go on and on...) SISTER #1's twenty-six birthday.

I love you, Meemers.  You're the best, really, you're a big deal.  I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments + the person you are.  I'm so happy to call you my sister...XOXO from your little, taller than you sister. Happy Birthday!

(and she doesn't know it yet, but we are going to attempt to recreate that rice crispy treat birthday cake pictured above.)Have a great Monday, my little friends.

FBFF:Body Image

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...OR GO HOME!  Okay, you can stay but only if you read this long post. K, thanks.It's the weekend, time to dress for some fun + soak up the sun. Woohoo!I did not have any time to take pics today- but I did capture take this one last night.What can I say- I'm a sucker for christmas lights.

I have recently joined an online blogger community:Fashion Beauty Friend Friday, or FBFF.  For all of my non-blogging family + friends, it is an outlet for all fashion and personal style bloggers to get to know one another, and also expand their own horizons.  Answering questions and/or posting outfit of the day (OOTD) pics are also a part of it.  I'm so excited for my first contribution, so here we go.
1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?Wow- well it has only been two months (trivia: exactly, precisely to this day..ha) but I definitely would say that my self image has severely improved.  Everyone loves compliments, its true, but the positive feedback I have received has been wonderful.  Even more recently, with the outfit of the day pics, I know that it has helped see myself in a different way.  I think I take myself more seriously because people are actually listening + taking my words to heart.2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do yougo out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?  Oh, definitely.  I think that as a woman, we all have aspects that evoke self-conscious feelings.  I have not come across any issues when it comes to "to post or not to post" about the issues, however.  I have huge feet, (size 12, sheesh).  I am 6'0 tall, it kind of comes with the territory.  It hinders me when it comes to shoe shopping, but 22 years of life have taught me that this clumsy girl needs the big feet to balance on or I would fall over more than normal.
3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future

My first OOTD picture.

holds in the evolution of your body image?I think that blogging and connecting with other bloggers (especially my plus size + proud girls out there) will only inspire me in the evolution of my positive body image.  We all have things that we wish we could change about ourselves.  As my new year's resolution, I chose blogging as a hobby for myself to express myself creatively, but it really has done so much more.  This experience so far has opened my eyes to things that I can change, to better myself. 4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?  I feel poor.  Ha, because I'm using a digital camera on a tripod with a timer.  I wish I had a fancy schmancy camera + hot husband to take my pics. I have to push it, position myself, + wait ten seconds, and try not to blink (or laugh creepily).  Rinse and repeat.  But, out of the 20ish pics I take a day, I get three or four good ones and I love that.  I actually did not plan on doing the whole "outfit of the day" thing originally, but I am glad I am gearing more towards that now.  And I think I am improving my technique :)
5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to
take to heart? Geez, that is a hard one.  It doesn't matter what size pants (or shoes) you wear- what really matters if finding something that works, then work it. (insert hair flip here) 
Hopefully that wasn't too boring snoring for you.Have the best weekend ever.  NO, really, you should.I'm going to go buy this lipstick + sit on the porch with a glass of wine. Ciao!  

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thrifty thursday

Thrifty Thursday, a day where you where something you got from a thrift or second-hand store and show pics where you made it your own.  I did it last week, but it is always a fun challenge to mix + remix your bargain buys!I love this sweater.  We fell in love a mere week ago, but it was definitely at first sight.It was so windy today, but we still had fun taking pictures.  Yes, me + the sweater.
You'll have to excuse the faces I was making- The wind was pretty fierce.

Shirt + dark jeans: Target, sweater: thrifted, nude flats: payless

Have you ever thrown on a simple outfit + it turned out to be comfortable and effortlessly chic?

Those are my favorite.

It's a more than simple outfit- but I liked the way the pictures turned out with the overcast day.

I obviously know nothing about photography.

Hope all is well, + it is almost the weekend!

brag-worthy buys

 The weekend is almost here.

I am so pumped up. 

Rosey Posey Ruffle Tank

 It must be the sunshine and the much needed dose of Vitamin D (I'm wearing sandals, ahhhh!)!Glorious!  Hope that all of you are having nice + lovely weather too!
So- I'll just brag on myself for a little bit.We made a delicious dinner at Sister #1's house with her lovely roomies.On the menu was Rachel Ray's Spinach + Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast + lemony smashed potatoes.  This is the only pic I got because we were starrrrrrrving by the time it was done. But in case you couldn't tell- it was yum yumm.

Then we all piled in the car and got Sweet Cece's.I just love having a great night with friends smack dab in the middle of the week, makes me smile.no really, i am still smiling.I found Black Swan wine at the wine store.  We needed it to cook with, but I love to buy new wines + the Pinot Grigio was really good.  I thought it was fun, and it would make a great Oscar party favor! The bottle was reasonably priced at $6.99 plus tax.

Have y'all seen the movie?  It's pretty good- 

if you like severely disturbing dance dramas.

I went shopping yesterday afternoon + no, not for me, but my little man.  I have been searching for a bed for Ozzy that wasn't huge or ugly.  And you'll never guess where I found one.  Petco!  

It's made by SNUGGIE and it's a nesting nook.

Sounds crazy, but this dog loves to burrow.

I was SO proud of my shopping trip.  I'm a nerd.

And the prince approves.

happy hump day

teapot (via etsy)
Tried for the three colors today!  Ended up with neutrals and pink.
Feeling somewhat average today, but very excited to have dinner + wine night at Sister #2's house. Pretty average day + outfit, but I wanted to bring a bright POP of color to my black top + pants.

 And if the pictures are rushed and quick-- it's because I took them at work in 5 minutes flat. I'm kind of in to the whole brick wall thing.

 Oh, and my favorite necklace.

Literally, it goes with EVERYTHING!

Close shot of the shoes that you could not really see in the pic.

pink cardi: gap, layered tank tops: gordmans, pants: ny+c, shoes: payless, belt: torrid.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of my new followers + commenters.
I am so excited to blog about the rest of my week (hopefully more exciting moments).
Merry wishes for a fabulous day, my dears.