Yesterday I boldly pronounced that it was my last misfit...I fibbed, I'm throwing in a "bonus" item. Yup, just when you thought it was safe to return to fabland, I throw in more misfits!

Pants, Tee, Flats, Earrings, Gold Bangles:Target/Blazer and Silver Bangles: H&M/Necklace: Lia Sophia/Toggle Bracelet: Tiffany's

It's this blazer. It is really big, I mean, that's how it was designed, but when I brought it home and started wearing it, I discovered that I really "swim" in it. I also feel a little "Miami Vice", you know, Don Johnson and the rolled up sleeves on the odd bright blazers... I did wear my little black bow flats again today, and I have to say, even though the blazer is big, this was all easy to pull together and comfortable while I ran errands today. So I don't know..maybe I can make the blazer work? I have two items that I'm definitely donating after doing the 10 and 2..I'm not sure if I should add this to the pile?

Misfit #7:Shawty

Number 7 in my misfit collection is this dress.

Now, don't get me wrong...I love the dress, but it is really, really short! In fact, you may notice that my cardigan actually hangs lower than the dress itself.

It really is a shame, because it's such a sweet little dress and it really is very "me," but flashing my thong as I walk to school to pick up my youngest isn't so "me". (Stop picturing my underwear thank you! haha)

Styling the dress in the summer is difficult, because it's too warm to pair with tights (although I did pair with a skirt seen here), but fall has brought more options for wearing this dress, whether with tights, leggings or even jeans. So, thankfully I can enjoy some wear out of it without the fear of flashing everyone!

Dress(remix), Belt (Came with another cardigan) and Cuff:Ruche/Tights and Necklace:Target/Booties:Kohl's/Purse:Coach/Cardigan:NY&Co.

I don't think I'll be tossing this misfit, I'll just be wearing it more like a tunic and keeping all the "bits" under wraps!

And how about we are almost done with the 10 and 2 challenge! Wow...only 3 more pieces to go and then there will be some restyling of the ones I've decided to keep! 

With regard to the 100 day Stretch, thank you so much for all your supportive comments, it really means a lot to me to know you're all behind me...especially since everyone close to me is pretty insistent that I won't be able to do it! Glad I can count on all of you!

Rainy Day

Last February, James, Scott, Kristy and I went to a formal Valentines Dinner at the University.

See, there we all are. It was lovely night, cocktail attire required. For which I bought this terrific black lace wrap dress!

Please excuse the quality of the pics, they were taken with my phone. But, the dress was beautiful, perhaps a little revealing, but on this occasion, I didn't mind letting the tots out to play a little! HAHAHAHA!

(neither did James).

Anyway, I love the dress, but cocktail attire isn't frequently required in my day to day to life, so on this rainy Labor day, I decided to try a little mixing to see if I could make it work more for day to day....

Sorry about these pics too...we had to shoot indoors due to the rain and we're still getting the hang of it!

Dress:Ark and Co. Via Ruche/Dollman Sweater:Ruche/Shoes:Kohl's/Belt:Ruche/Silver Necklace:Lia Sophia/Earrings:Vintage/Beaded Bracelet and Necklace:Made by Ashton for me!

Boomer was very excited by indoor pictures on this rainy day, so he just had to get in on the action!

Also, I must mention, you may notice the beaded necklace and bracelet? Ashton made them for me last night, and was so excited when I told her I'd wear them on the blog!

Anyway, what do you think? Did I take this cocktail dress from formal to everyday?

I did it again...

Well, there was no post yesterday because I looked like this...

I was comfy and cozy in my house all day as I worked from home and attempted to get over this flare up I'm having. Today I did get dressed, but I've gone and done it again...I'm wearing pleats!

Well...I was wearing pleats. I've since changed into black skinnies as I'll be hanging out with James this evening. But, for at least part of the day I looked much better than I did yesterday!

Blouse, Shoes and Necklace:Target/Skirt:H&M/Ring:Trendz The Salon Spa

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll feel some inspiration for something new...but inspiration is hard to come by when it's back to 95 degrees and muggy and my body is being a big meanie! worry not...I shall overcome big meanie body and yucky temps!

Professor Mix n' Match

Earlier this year when I started teaching at the University, my friends teased that I needed a sweater with elbow patches. hahahaha, said I through my teeth, but when I stumbled across this sweater at H&M over the summer, I fell in love! So, my friends will be tickled that the next semester of teaching will include elbow patches!

Cardigan:H&M/Dress, worn as skirt(Remix):Ruche/Shoes:Kohl's/Necklace:Lia Sophia/Bangle:B.Moss

If I Were a Rich Man....

....1. I would still work, but perhaps at least one less job

2. I would take care of my family

3. I would adopt a child from a Romanian orphanage

4. I would start a business to be operated by, and employ people with disabilities, so they could earn a living wage and spread awareness that people with disabilities are equal, contributing members of society. Profits would go toward establishing similar businesses for women, children and people with disabilities in impoverished countries.

5. I would take in foster kids, mostly siblings and kids with disabilities

6. I would buy a slightly larger house to accommodate all those kids!

7. I would visit family in England twice a year and pay for their visits to the U.S.

8. I would build James a studio

9. I would donate buckets of money to Noah's Arc Childcare where my kids used to go

10. I'd squeeze in the occasional shopping trip!

Bangles:H&M/Ring:Silpada/Earrings:Vintage/Pearls:Lane Bryant/Shine Necklace:The Shine Project

Shoes: Payless/Jeans:Gap/Blouse:Shop Kempt(remix)/Blazer:Ruche/Clutch:Trendz The Salon Spa/Belt:NY&Co.

See Ashton playing Peek a boo behind me? haha!

Well, I'm not rich, so I'll fantasize for now, until I win the lottery or otherwise become independently wealthy. I'd better go work on a budget for my non-rich reality!

Poor Bessie!

I don't know if I've told you this, but I practically live in my car. Between my two primary jobs I cover a 10 (or more) county area. On any given day I may be commuting at least two hours away from home. This morning was such a day. I was headed to Clarion County, about a two hour drive, to give two classes. I was excited because it was a new training I had written and today would be the first time I tested it out. So, I left my house, all prettied up and ready for my exciting day, and several miles from home I noted a clanking sound coming from my car. "hmmmm?" thinks I, "does it always do that?" and continued to drive. 

Me, pouting about what you are about to read...

 

By the time I got to the toll road, the noise got louder.----Now, let's pause here for a moment before I describe what I did next, because I really am a bright woman. I mean, I'm no rocket scientist, but I have a brain that functions quite well 99% of the time. OK, to resume story----Apparently, my reaction to the louder clanking noise was to enter some strange grieving process, the first step of which is denial. I turned up the radio! As if drowning out the noise would make it go away? ( really Cheryl? Really?!) Then Bessie (my car) made it clear I could ignore her exhaustion no longer...BOOM, BAM, a thud...then smoke! I managed to pull Bessie over to the side of the road, where I sat astonished for a moment.

Poor, poor Bessie...OK, this isn't her in the picture, because Bessie is at the car doctor...but you get the point!

Long story short...I managed to make it to Clarion after making some calls, even though I made it late, and Bessie will hopefully be fixed. I was shaken, on the verge of tears, and prepared to have a nervous breakdown, but, everyone I really needed in that moment, from James, to my mom, to my sister, my co-worker and my boss, acted swiftly and primarily with concern for me. While I don't recommend starting your day this way...I have to say that when Bessie gets sick, or there is some other horrible thing happening in my life, people amaze me with their love and support. So the next time it's a tough day, don't be afraid to reach out for help, because it's amazing how many people are willing, and you discover the strength of your support system! I am one lucky woman....with one tired car.

Skirt:B.Moss/Cardigan:NY&Co./Dress (Worn as Blouse)(remix) and Cuff:Ruche/Necklace:Lia Sophia/Earrings:Target/Belt:Thrifted/Shoes:TJ Maxx

Bold and Yellow

Until the past year, my closet consisted of mostly neutral and classic go-to pieces. I still have those of course, but my style can be as eclectic as my taste in music which ranges from classical to almost everything else! (Queen being a staple of course!) So, I recognized that I was finding my closet a little boring and decided to branch out. Now, I'm never going to be as bold as Lady Ga Ga, but throwing in some graphic prints and color is a step in the right direction! So, maybe the heat is finally getting to me, but I decided to go with something a little bold and added some yellow today. What do you think? Have you ever gone outside your comfort zone a little?

(See how this picture is all hazy? that wasn't intentional...all the humidity made my poor camera lens fog up!)

Dress and Belt:Ruche/Cardigan:LOFT(Thrifted and remixed)/Shoes:Thrifted

Yes, sometimes my scarf works as a blanket

Warning! You are about to read some pathetic whining!

...It is so hot and sticky!!!! yuck, yuck, yuck!

Getting dressed is such a difficult proposition when the heat index is like 105! Even worse, I realized this morning that as I would be going both in and outdoors, I'd have to struggle though this heat and humidity and then into buildings with sub-zero air conditioning! I couldn't fathom bringing a cardigan along to shield me from the arctic temperatures indoors, so my solution? I wore a scarf. More than just a pretty accessory, my scarves also become "woobies" when it's chilly. So yes, during a meeting I had to wrap my scarf around me to shield myself from the cold. Now that's fashion function!

 Skirt(remixed) and Shoes:Target/Tank(remixed):H&M/Ring, necklace, cuff:Ruche/Earrings:NY&Co./Belt:thrifted

These aren't from today

About a month ago, you may remember me writing about my nephew's birthday party. During the party, Savannah and I, along with my niece, Taylor and her friend took a walk. Savannah enjoyed snapping pictures. These pictures are from that day. It's not that I didn't get dressed today...I did. It's not that I don't look fabulous...of course I do! I've just been hanging onto these waiting for a day when I didn't look fab, and it hasn't happened yet! LOL I make me giggle!

My neice is a fashionista after my own heart!

Jeans:NY and Co/ Scarf, Necklace, Cuff and Ring:Ruche/Dress:Ruche (remix)

Belt:Target/Flip Flops:Target

Head to Toe

 Today I wore head to toe black. Black isn't just for funeral's, nor should anyone feel like it is their only uniform for a slimming effect! Truly, any monochromatic scheme lengthens the body...don't wear black because you think you have to...wear it because you want to do so fabulously!

 I was in Pittsburgh again all day to day for training, and once again dressed not only for "fabulosity" but also for comfort! I was comfortable sitting in the car, sitting in the training and moving around the room during our group presentations. Speaking of which, there is nothing more fun than asking a room full of adult "professionals" to name all the female body parts! Talk about to head to toe! I truly have the best jobs ever!

 Skirt: Banana Republic (thrifted) Remixed/Tee:Target/Shoes:Payless/Sunnies and ring: Trendz the Salon Spa/Cuff:gift/Necklace Ruche/Watch:Eddie Bauer (gift)

My youngest, Ashton wanted to help take pictures today...she thought it would be fun to hold the camera all "wonky", she also loves telling mommy how to pose!

This is another shot that Ashton took...I think it's pretty fabulous!

Monday Blues

Welcome to Monday! Come on...it's not that bad, is it? Granted, Monday's are not my favorite when it comes to waking up in the morning. Particularly right now because I have a two hour commute for a meeting that takes place every Monday at 8:30AM! This means I'm up at 5:30...yuck! Two things get me out of bed on these days. Coffee (I heart coffee!) and getting dressed, oh wait and I love the work I do...so make that three things!

 

Dress:Rouche/Cardigan: LOFT (thrifted) Remix/Shoes:American Eagle for Payless

In honor of the Monday "Blues" I'm wearing blue. See, even I can make Monday look good!