WORK IT OUT

Apparently

ME + the camera/phone + a mirror = PHOTO TIME!

 

I might have a problem...

Shhhh :)

Workin' Out Outfit:

Tank: F21

Shorts: Aerie Yoga Collection

Bombshell

Top: Charlotte Russe --- Belt: Thrifted --- Skirt: Etsy/bomshellbettiesvint --- Shoes: GoJane --- Clutch: F21

I got this skirt a few days ago from Bombshell Bettie's Vintage on Etsy. That means I'm a bombshell, right?* It's super lovely and has the cutest purple and pink-ish floral design on it. My favorite part is that the background is gray, so I'll be able to wear this one year round because it fits into practically any season. I follow Nicole's blog, and I was lucky enough to spy her post on a 50% off sale, so I got it for a great price. 

*It's OK, you don't have to answer that and hurt my feelings. :)

If you haven't yet, check out the Brydferth bobby pin giveaway. 1 week left to enter!

It's Memorial Day weekend, which means there are sales out the wazoo right now. That darn Joni James found the Earthies I've been lusting after on Piperlime for nearly 50% off and just had to send me the link, so now I'm having a mental war waging in my head over whether or not to get them.

here

3. Then I was looking at Michelle's blog and she posted about some cute shoes at American Eagle that are already on sale, and American Eagle is having BOGO 50% off on shoes, PLUS they're having a 30% off everything and free shipping sale this weekend. So I could get 2 pairs of these cute shoes, which were originally $50 each, for $31.46 total. Normally I wouldn't be too tempted by American Eagle stuff, but the colors of these shoes are freaking adorable. I'm thinking about getting the red and mustard pairs:

here

Long story short: I am addicted to shoes. I'm really hoping I resist, but I'm not feeling particularly willful this morning. Pray for me, friends.

Outfit: Snow

It totally snowed here this morning. Thankfully it didn't last long and didn't stick either. Oh spring, where art thou?

Hm, I think this might be one of my favorite outfits ever. I don't really know why, though. I shall ponder this. If you are a newer follower and didn't get to read my tale of woe regarding this skirt the first time I wore it, you can check it out HERE.

I have no clue what this stone is that I used in this necklace, but it's prety sweet. I suspect it's nothing more than just a sliced up piece of plain 'ol agate, but when I saw it it was screaming at me to be made into a necklace. It's not that special, but it's nice anyways.

And I don't think I've ever shown off my cutesy little rose ring that I traded for with Brydferth. It's kind of hard to see because it's almost the same color as my finger, but you get the picture. She has a lot of other colors to pick from her shop, and at only $10 it's a great deal.

Outfit: Safari --- SuperBowl Commercials

The only reason I titles this one safari is because I have a tiger and a jaguar on my shirt. Lame, I know.

So what did you guys think of the super bowl commercials this year? I actually fell asleep during the beginning of the 2nd quarter (a lack of sleep has precedence over football any day), so I may have missed some good ones, but there are more than enough articles online about the best ones this morning. Who needs to watch the game anyways?

Let me just say I hated all of the Pepsi Max ones, and the Doritos were not up to their usual standards. It seemed like the car companies really got their stuff together this year because my two favorite commercials are car-related.

I'm not really sure why I like this first one so much, it's just really fun!


And of course, who can resist this one? Soooo cute.


And I know this commercial came out long before the Super Bowl, but they did air it during the game so it still counts. I love all of the AllState "Mayhem" commercials, but this is by far my favorite.

Outfit: Hair Insecurity --- Day 20: Education

I realized that it's been, like, centuries since I've worn my hair back. OK, well really it's been like 2 weeks, but it feels like forever. I love having my hair down. Maybe I have one of those deep psychological issues that make people view their hair as a security blanket or something.

Day 20: How Important You Think Education Is.
At the beginning of this challenge I thought these topics were really fun, but as I've been going along they have been getting less and less fun. I don't know why that is, but it kind of sucks. I'm super glad that Mckenzie is a day or two ahead of me in this, though, so I can steal her ideas for the days that I don't like. On her blog, Mckenzie talked about her own educational experience so I think I'm just going to do the same thing.

I have probably the weirdest list of schools ever. Are you ready for this?

Preschool: Some place in Australia where all we ever did was play. It was pretty sweet.
Kindergarten-5th grade: Homeschooled by my mom
6th Grade: Homeschooled for all core classes, went to middle school part-time for Band, PE, and AR (Accelerated Reading).
7th Grade: Homeschooled for math and science, went to public middle school for Band, PE, Language Arts, Social Studies.
8th Grade: Went to public middle school full time.
9th-10th grade: Went to public high school full time.
11th-12th grade: Did online high school full time.

So I've pretty much done it all, and let me tell you that homeschooling is AWESOME. You get to sleep in and eat lunch whenever you feel like it, and when you get done with one subject you can just go right to the next one. Online school is equally as awesome, because you get to do all the same stuff as homeschoolers, but you get online teachers instead of your mom (don't get me wrong, I love my mom. But having her as my teacher for high school probably would not have gone well).

The low point of my educational experience was definitely going to public high school. I really liked it in middle school because it was something new and different, but when I finally got settled into the routine, the novelty wore off for me. Both of my older sisters had similar experiences with being homeschooled and then going to public school and both of them went through all 4 years of high school with out any problems, but I just couldn't stand it. The amount of time wasted in the classroom was beyond ridiculous.

But that's all behind me now and I'm looking forward to the future! I can't tell you guys how excited I am for next year. I've been getting more information about the school I'm planning on going to and it's perfect for me. Hurray!

Outfit: A Day Off

No, not a day off from work, a day off from wearing heels!
What I was planning on wearing today as of last night around 2am:
-Jeans
-Heels
-My cowl
-A tucked in top
-A belt

Well, as you can see, I am wearing none of the above. I don't know how that happened, nor do I care, because right now my feet are about as comfortable as feet can get: at home in their Toms.

Outfit: Keeping It Floral

I don't care if it's fall and floral isn't in anymore... I got a steal of a deal on this skirt and I'm going to wear it anyways. I got this shirt so long ago I don't remember how much it cost, but we're talking about Target here so chances are it was in the $7-$10 range. I've also had these shoes for years (am I old enough to say that yet?) and they've served me well. Classic black sling-backs: every girl needs a pair. Or two.

Today I want to clarify a few things:

1) Every outfit that I show here on my blog is something I actually wore in public. This is not me sitting in my room tying on random clothes (I do that quite often, but don't take pictures).

2) Just because I post an outfit on a certain day doesn't mean that's what I wore on that exact day. I try to space out all of my different blog topics to keep things more interesting and not so one-note. When I wear something I think is worthy of being on my blog, I take a picture and save it for when I think it's time for another outfit blog. This outfit I'm posting right now is actually what I wore 2 Sundays ago. So if you are one of the very few people who read my blog and actually know me in real life, that's why it doesn't always match up.

On a completely different topic, there was a tornado in Oregon today... what is the world coming to?

Outfit: The Casual Thrifter

This sweater is American Eagle, which means the rich soul that bought it the first time around probably shelled out a good $30-$40 for it. It is also cut rather strangely, which leads me to believe that the rich soul that bought it was, in fact, a man. I am not above cross-dressing, however, and I shall wear this sweater proudly. Besides, girl argyle is always pink and purple. Lame.

Outfit: Fall Lighting is Awful

So I know the lighting on this pic is pretty much sucky, so I apologize for that. But taking pictures in the fall in Oregon is extremely unforgiving, so unfortunately we're just going to have to get used to it. At least I don't live in Alaska like my crazy sister because then I'd never be able to take any pictures.

Ivory Leopard Tank: $10.46, American Eagle
Gray Ruffle Cardigan: $17.99, Target
Paris Blues Skinny Jeans: $22.42, Alloy
Gray Felt Buckle Flats: $10, Target
Feather Earrings: $3.80, Forever21
Green Silk Rosette Brooch: $14 (trade), Brydferth

A few things about this outfit:
1) My quest for a pair of skinny-jeans-that-aren't-skin-tight ended at Alloy when I discovered they have inseams up to 37 inches. Which, when you're 6 feet tall, is kinda a big deal. And not only that, but they were having a buy one get one 50% off sale, so I got this pair and a similar pair that's black. They aren't even close to Buckle jeans in the quality department, but they'll do the job for a year or two until I inevitably change my mind about skinny jeans and throw them away. Such is the cycle of clothing in Leannaland. And for $22, that's a cycle I can afford.

2) LOVE this brooch. It was part of the trade I did with Miss Hailey of Brydferth. I never saw myself as a brooch person until I got my paws on this little cutie, and now I'm constantly trying to wear it with every outfit.

CURSED

I've been cursed.
Yes.
Since the age of 15.
Woe is me.

I've been forced, AGAINST MY WILL, to wear uniforms to ALL of my jobs (save 1--at the liquor store) since I began working way back when in the 10th grade.

My first job I worked in a banquet hall.
I dressed like a penguin.
I wore black shapeless dress slacks, a white tux shirt (with pleats! and black button stubby thingies), AND a bowtie!
When a new company took over I was forced to wear a CUMMERBUND!

Wtf?

Talk about being traumatized at a young age.
Should I mention that I worked that job for almost 4 years?

Job numero dos was at the pizza place.
I got to wear jeans (PLUS), but I had to wear the same 2 work shirts in rotation (MINUS).
Did you know that when you work in a pizza place, and after you get off work, no matter how much you shower, your HAIR still smells like cheesesteaks and pizza sauce (MINUS)?
And that you can NEVER get the smell of cheesesteaks out of your coveted American Eagle (their jeans were a BIG DEAL for me in high school) jeans (BID MINUS THERE!!!)?

My third job was in college.
I worked in the gym.
I had a cool title: RECy (pronounced: wreck-y).
I wore khaki pants (that made by butt, on good days, look semi decent) and a black polo.
However, the combination of khaki and black, day after day after day, SUCKS BALLS!

Next job: liquor store.
Plus-es all around! I got to wear WHATEVER I WANTED!!!!

Went back to the pizza store... with a twist:
It became a legit restaurant.
I was forced to wear black shoes, pants, and a not so flattering black polo--which I later convinced management to let me wear the boy shirt because the girl shirt was cut weird and looked like crap on me.

Moved to GA--

Now I wear this:

Still shapeless AND black and BORING!!!
Argh.
How is a girl supposed to get a decent tip if she is wearing this!!
It only gets worse when I have to put the neck tie and long apron on...!

Do you notice a change?

NO!

Neither do I.
Seriously, WTF??

It doesn't get any better.

Why? you ask.

Because when I work at the tire store I wear black Dickies shorts (that go 2 inches past my knees) and a black polo style shirt that is 2 sizes too big for me--because my brother ordered the WRONG size!


One day.
One day I'll get to wear pencil skirts and blouses, high heels and tights, blazers and nicely tailored dress slacks...
One day.

OH JEEZZZZZ WHEN IS THAT DAY COMING!

I don't know how much more of this craziness--uniform thing--I can take.

Seriously, I'm cursed.

Outfit: Simplicity

Hey guess what! I just figured out how to make the pictures on my blog even bigger so now you get to see me 10 times huger! Aren't you just so excited?


I don't normally shop at American Eagle because A) there are none in my town and B) they are usually on the more expensive side of things, but when I was visiting my sister in Alaska she took me to the mall there and American Eagle was the only decent clothing store. And not only was there a ton of clothes on sale there, the entire store was 20% off. So the shirts that I got, which were already dirt cheap to begin with, were even cheaper. Yay for inexpensive clothes!

Unknown

This one is super old (well, like 2-3 weeks). I forgot I had the pics and needed to post them.

Pink Button-Up Top: $19.99, Charlotte Russe

BKE Madison Jeans: $74, Buckle

Pink Quilted Should Bag: $20.80, Forever 21

Black American Eagle Gladiator Sandals: $24.99, Payless

Purple Cabochon Headband: $12, DivineBijoux on Etsy

I really love this purse a lot. It's a great color and the antiqued silver studs keep it from looking too boring.

I also love this headband a lot. Just enough color to compliment the shirt, but not enough to overpower it. The seller that I bought it from was so nice, too.


Token shoe-shot, since I'm too tall to get my whole body in one picture :).

VR

WANT v. NEED

It's not that I need to spend money on frivolous things... it's just that I like to sometimes. Yes. I know I have a problem. This problem is one of the reasons why I created this lovely blog, to converse with all of you lovelies in internet land... and to distract myself from spending--WASTING all of my money on crap that I just don't need--on crap that I just WANT really badly!

This blog helps me a little by allowing me to immerse myself in the fantasy of "shopping" online and imagining what my lovely-self would look like in all of the lovely clothing that I find--that I think I need.

Amen to what little self-control I do have left.

So this evening I present (to myself so I don't actually spend any money, but really) to you, my wonderful, lovely (yeah, I had to say 'lovely' one more time) readers some of the cool crap I found online tonight while taking a break from job applications/job searches.

Ta-Da:

Navajo Cardigan
[The Gap on sale for $49.99]
That's technically not a big SALE, but considering Gap for them it is.

I'm not going to lie. I totally dig this cardigan. I'm a big cardigan fan--especially the long ones because they fit my tall body a lot better. I'm not too sure about the print on this, and how it would fit in with my very simple (not a lot of prints) style, BUT I am finding myself particularly drawn to the Oh-so-warm-and-cozy look that this cardigan is emitting.
I might have to get my aunt to take a trip to the mall next week... maybe. I mean she has to go and return the SWEAT SUIT that her MiL gave her for Christmas (BTW--this is not the first time that she has received a SS from her MiL, and it's not going to be the first time that she has returned it--LOL). And while we are at the mall we can meander over to Gap and check out their sales... because (between you and I) the sales in store are A MILLION times better than the ones online. Example: 2 yrs ago I picked up an amazing long, green pea coat in store for $30, originally $200, and available online for $150. Not gonna lie. It was (and still is) the BEST PURCHASE of MY LIFE!

Moving on:

I've been on the prowl for a pair of YELLOW flats (specifically suede, Specifically SIZE 11) for almost a year now after I stumbled across this Polyvore:

I know that the image above uses a yellow bag for the accent color, but I want the yellow accent in a pair of YELLOW FLATS (size 11--remember)! I see pairs floating around eBay... ALL THE TIME, but they are from J. Crew, and automatically the price gets jacked up to $50+ and my cheap ass REFUSES to fork over any more than $20 for a pair of flats, especially yellow ones that will get dirty in a heartbeat.

These are them... but unfortunately for my all of the ones on eBay are for sizes that ARE NOT size 11 (DAMN having large feet--curse you Grandma!)

I have found a few alternatives at American Eagle, but alas (I've always wanted to use that in a grammatically correct way--I think I've succeeded) NO YELLOW! Bah! BUT the flats they do have come in cute (alternative colors) and they are relatively Cheaper than the J. Crew flats.

AE Suede Ballet Flats

[$11.95-$19.95]

Again with the thought that I might be able to get my aunt to swing by AE... but this time have her swing by my computer when I'm on the site--because they don't carry size 11 shoes in store--LAME!

And once again... back to something that I have ABSOLUTELY no use for considering that I am NOT moving to GA: I really want this Le Creuset Teakettle:

It's on sale!! :)

But damn! I don't need it right now. And this is something that I know that I don't NEED right now. There is a perfectly good working teakettle in my Aunt and Uncle's home that I can use, and a new, lovely blue one would just end up taking up much needed space.

Wah.

With that I am going to sneak off here. I think that I had successfully tricked myself out of buying things for the evening. (How sad is that?!) I'm going to go read the Dresden Files (Book 2) while I wait for my other books--the ones that I wrote my Book Lust List about last week--to arrive in the mail.