COOTD: WHERE'S ASHLEY?

Here I am!

Right HERE!

I didn't leave you all, I swear.

I've just been busier than my wee little self can handle.

That's a lie. I've been really fucking busy, but not to the point of not being able to have a life, just to the point of not having time to blog or even prep-posts to be blogged at a later date and time.

Please don't think that this is me complaining about being busy. In no way am I complaining. I am extremely fucking excited about being this busy!!! The new job is going well, I've just completed my first week. Rugby practice has started again--THANK GOD! I'm training a new guy at the liquor store/night job so that I can finally have what resembles a life, and not have to work 6 nights a week in addition to the day job I work. I've been a busy little bee, and it is A-Okay with me.

With that said: how about a COOTD post to make up for my absence?

Would you like that? I sure know that I would.

Here are a few outfits from my first week and second week (this week) of work (I forgot to take pictures on the other days, but I'll try to get better with it once I get into the new morning routine that I'll be starting this week--it includes the GYM in the AM before work. We'll see how this goes.)

// Top: Forever 21 // Pants: Banana Republic // Shoes: Flats from Alloy //

(who is excited about the new full length mirror at the new job/bathroom?? MEEEE)

// Top: unknown via Marshalls // Skirt: Gap // Shoes: Lands End Canvass //

// Top: H&M // Skirt: GAP // Tights: Hue //

 // Scarf: Vintage from my Uh-Uh // Tank: GAP // Jeans: GAP // Sandals (in hand): Target //

// Blazer: GAP // Shirt: Old Navy // Skirt: Marshalls (I think) // Shoes: Kenneth Cole //

 // Top: New York & Co // Scarf: Vintage from my Uh-Uh // Skirt: Marshalls // Shoes: Lands End Canvas (not pictured) //

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!
If you happen to be on the East Coast I hope you all are staying dry and that your neighborhoods aren't flooding!
Things are getting pretty crazy out here in MD!

Adios!

COOTD: #HOTMESS

#Seriously?!

 Who in the hell let me walk out of my house yesterday!?

Aside from the comical/highly flattering commute to work:

I was looking extremely rough during my shift at the store last night.

That's what I get I guess for going to the fair, hanging out in the cow pen, napping at my Aunt's house, then borrowing the Sister-Cousin's clothes because mine were covered in cow hair, slobber and other unmentionables and because I had all of 6 minutes to get in my car and on the road. Oh and for not bringing my emergency make up bag with me before I left my house at 7am.

Estupida Chica.

Rockin' the TOMS and an Old Navy dress...

Oh and excuse the disgustingly dirty mirror at work.

No matter how many times I clean it, I always come back the next day and it has been defiled again.

Seriously.

It was not pretty.

Thank GOD for the brutally honest friends that I have for telling my busted ass that I looked a sure shit #hotmess yesterday.

WORK VACATION: ROAD TRIP

My drive to the beach was just under 3 hours--probably a bit closer to 2.5 (we all know how I like to drive fast...).

I might have bombarded my twitter followers with obnoxious tweets... 

My bad.

However, what was I supposed to do? I was on a road trip by myself. I had to stay entertained :)

My #roadtrip outfit

Shorts: Land 'n Sea (via Marshalls)

Top: Old Navy

And well I might have gone a little crazy with my camera during my drive...

Maybe played Paparazzi a lil bit.

Good lord, I'm a friggin' cheese ball.

COOTD: VERTICLE STRIPES

Plans for the day changed...

The roommates and I were supposed to meet up at Roommate G's sister's pool, but the rain started and the day's plans were SHOT.

Instead, Roommate M and I celebrated Roommate Shopping Sunday.
It was a good day.

Shopping haul post to follow.

Top: Old Navy Outlet (last year)

Bottom: DKNY (from Marshalls)

 Braided the hair to enhance/control the curl.

 This is pretty tame for my hair for the day.

Just know that by the end of the day,

the guy in the Coach Outlet called my hair CRAZY (but he liked it),

and after the 2nd torrential down pour of the day

My hair was legit, and uncontrolably CRAZY.

It wasn't pretty.

COOTD COURTHOUSE ROUND-UP

This week at the courthouse was a bit sporadic for me.

A CRAZY police filled night on Tuesday, resulted in a long evening/morning for Wednesday... This morning I got the flat, and didn't even make it in, and tomorrow I'm off for pre-planned reasons.

I feel like such a bum.

Buuuutttttttt on the days that I did make it to the courthouse, and on the days that I managed/remembered to take photos, I sure as hell didn't look like a bum :)

You bet your ass!

I would like to admit that this COOTD caused a little bit of a twitter confusing-frenzy...

because it is NOT a dress :)

Instead its a combination outfit.

Skirt: Marshalls

Top: Vintage from my Uh-Uh's closet

Belt: Sale from GAP a few weeks ago

This outfit IS a dress :)

Dress: Sale from GAP a few weeks ago

Shoes: Lands End Canvas

Belt: Forever 21

Tights: Walmart

Cardigan: Old Navy

And that's all she wrote.
Lame I know.

COOTD GRANDMA BOOTS

My Uh-Uh, if you don't remember her--read up about her here, had some serious ass kickin' style back in the day.

I can just go ahead and check owning a pair of vintage booties off my list.
I just need to get these suckers REsoled... the bottoms are pretty much WORN OUT.
I need to figure out how much that's going to cost --eek--

Any who... back to the outfit:

"OFF with her Head!"

Thanks Sister-Cousin... you're photo skills are epic as always.

Ahhh, that's better.

Top: Old Navy V-Neck

Tank: Old Navy Shelf Tank

Shorts: DKNY (purchased at Marshalls)

Boots: Uh-Uh's Closet :)




To catch up on my Uh-Uh stories..
 the sweater that triggered it all
part i
part ii
part iii
part iv 

and this...
bc it made me remember the last time I saw her before I left for my time in GA,
AND, because she was right.

COOTD SEX VIBES

According to friends/customers of the liquor store...
My outfit/hair combo is giving off 'sex vibes'.

Apparently the messy hair and over-sized shirt are screaming "just been did" in an unskankified (yes, that is a word) way.
Very unintentional, the "just been mused" look, but compliments, although not entirely the kind I want, are much appreciated.


I'm going to get back to shoving my nose to the grindstone, a.k.a. running the liquor store, while not doing my home work or something else that is productive to my life (or lack thereof) outside work.

Outfit: Dressy

New background! This is a wall at work... thrilling, I know. But get used to it for the next several weeks.

I spent a month in Vietnam in the summer of '06 and bought this necklace there, and haven't worn it once since then. It's managed to survive several closet-clean-outs, and finally today it gets its chance to shine. Welcome to the limelight, you little $3 necklace you. :)
I cannot get enough of this dress, which I first introduced you to back HERE. The best part about it? It was a present! My mom let me pick out a dress to wear to graduation because she never had to buy me a prom dress. Added bonuses:
-Most prom dresses cost at least $100, if not much, much more. So still less than a prom dress!
-I've worn this 4 times now. How many people do you know that have re-worn their prom dress more than once?

When my mom saw me wearing it again this morning, she smiled and said, "That was such a good buy." It's nice to know she doesn't regret getting it either! :)

COOTD TARGET ACQUIRED

Apparently I have a "thing" for Target, judging from my outfit of the day:

All items by Target... except the watch, necklace and jeans...
Seriously, I've got a Target problem.

TOP: Available here, but found in store for $5 cheaper.

BLAZER: Available here, but found in store for $7 TOTAL!!!

JEANS: Silver Sienna Skinnies

WATCH: Michael Kors

NECKLACE: Chloe by Gorjana

TANK: Black V-Neck, no longer available

I NEED TO FIND A REPLACEMENT V-NECK TANK,

does anyone have any suggestions?

I used to get long ones (for tall ladies) at Old Navy, but they have decided to stop carrying the V-Neck shelf-bra tanks. I am in desperate need of some new ones (mainly white and black cotton)--I wear them out, literally, under the majority of my tops.

Outfit: Second Hand Steals

Stepping outside the comfort zone.

-Thrifted Old Navy Salmon Cardigan: $1.99, Teen Challenge
-Ivory Knit Top: $14.80, Forever21
-Black Pencil Skirt: $?, JCPenney
-Basket Weaved Cream Rope Belt: $6.80, Forever21
-Apt. 9 Gray Tights: $5, Kohl's
-Black Predictions Oxfords: $19.99, Payless
-Cut-Out Circles Stretch Bracelet: $4, Charlotte Russe

The other day I went and shopped at a thrift store, a completely new and frightening experience for me. I tried to pretend like I knew what I was doing/looking for, but I really just ended up wandering around grabbing clothes that I thought had any sort of potential. After I'd tried everything on and made my final selections, I had 7 items and my total came to a whopping $13.46. For that price, it doesn't even matter if I don't end up wearing half of what I bought!

Probably my favorite find was this Old Navy cardigan. I've been attempting to add a bit more color to my wardrobe (I just went through a hard-core ivory phase, and now find myself leaning towards gray and black combos), so this is a great piece for me with its awesome shade of pink/salmon, paired with the orange strip running down the front. I've already worn this piece twice and plan on wearing it again. All that for $2!

And on a side note, don't those black oxfords I just bought at Payless look pretty darn similar to these Seychelles ones that I included in my last Seychelles post? Obviously they aren't made from the same materials, but for less than 1/5 of the price that's fine by me.

COOTD LABOR DAY STYLE

Happy Labor Day once again!

Have an outfit pic, or three to brighten your day:

White shorts!!!

On Labor Day!

Is that against the rules?? Because if so the Woop!

I definitely plan on wearing white jeans this fall... lets see if I can pull it off some how.

Butt shot.

"Why?" you ask...

"WHY NOT!" I say.

I was definitely rockin' a good 'donk today.

Once again, not the greatest picture ever, but who cares... just proving a point about my sunnies.
And about HOW MUCH a pair of AVIATORS need my face.
And vice versa.

This picture has forced me to admit that my sunglasses SUCK.

I thoroughly miss my aviators.

I need to find a replacement.

Life is not the same without aviator shades to block out the sun.

Oh how I miss you aviators.

Top: American Apparel Oxford [originally Dick's, but it looked better on me] [$58]

Tank: Old Navy V-neck cami [in tall] [on sale $5]

Shorts: Land n' Sea [purchased from Marshals--under $15]

Shoes: Madden Girl gladiators [Barefoot Tess]

COOTD BEFORE THE PLANE

I know better.
I know that when flying one should be COMFORTABLE or else your flight will suck.
I know that when flying AirTran that I'm going to be delayed in some way shape or form so whatever clothing I wear I better plan on wearing for a while...
Therefore, my logic for planning my outfit for Friday pre-flight was something like this: "think comfy, because you will most likely wear half of this outfit on the flight."

Chuck's Outfit of the Day:

[cootd--Friday]

(before the flight)

 

Top: Trinity Blouse [$40--via the Possessionista]

Shorts: Old Navy Outlet [under $10]

Shoes: Old Navy Flip Flops... can't go wrong

I decided to wear my new Trinity blouse that I purchased via the Possessionista earlier this month. I paired it with a simple pair of black shorts and my flip flops. I was seriously going for comfort... I still needed to do some last minute packing and errand running before my flight left.

I would have taken a picture of my plane outfit, but honestly, I completely forgot. Being delayed almost 2 HOURS will do that to a girl.

I'll tell you about it instead:
I just changed tops... into a yellow off the shoulder 3/4 length sleeve oversized top from VS. Comfy, casual, perfect for flying, and hanging out on the tarmac.

All I have to say is this:

THANK GOD that I decided to upgrade to first class. Had I not, I would have been the bitchiest passenger... all cramped and hot and sweaty in the back of the plane.

Hollar for roomy seats, unlimited drinks, and YUMMY snacks!

THE COLORS OF MY CLOSET

I went shopping today...
[yeah yeah i know]

But I did add a few new colors to my collection... more pink, beige, 2 more white basic T's [both under $5], and a gray cardigan [stripped with purple so it's not completely gray].

Slowly but surely I'll have more color and less pigment in my closet [i.e. black and white].
I do however, LOVE LOVE LOVE my black tops.
Oh So Much.

SCORE!

I had to stop by David's Bridal this afternoon to pick up my bridesmaid dress for Stacey's wedding. Not only did I NOT get lost on my way there, but I also stumbled across an Old Navy :) [conveniently located right across the street from the dress shop].
I walked in looking for a dress for my Uncle Tony's wedding and walked out with a dress for my Uncle Tony's wedding! (That's a first for me!!--actually sticking to a shopping goal)



Okay, well I lied. I got a dress--in a MEDIUM!! and on sale (under $16)--but I also picked up two cardigans that were both on sale then dumped on the clearance rack for a further discount. I was able to snag each one for $7!

I wasn't able to find a picture of the dress online, but I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures at the wedding/mini-family reunion (only two weeks away). I was however, able to find the cardigans online and realized that they were incorrectly placed on the clearance rack and mixed in with the other sale cardigans.

This cardigan is SUPPOSED to retail for $26.50 -- I luckily got it and a white one for $7!

HOLLAR!

I just LOVE good purchases and awesome sales and deals!!!!

Tomorrow I can promise that I won't be shopping and wasting money... 

The niece and nephew have a soccer tournament tomorrow and Sunday. I'll be spending tomorrow (from 7AM to ??PM) working volunteering at the water tent with my brother and one of his co-workers. His company/store is one of the sponsors for my niece and nephews teams this year. His company was able to donate over 30 cases of water, hundreds of reusable water bottles, drink koozies and chapsticks all for the kids and their parents. Apparently there are going to be over a hundred teams attending the Atlanta Peach Classic this year--this weekend is going to be crazy.

I'm a little sad that it's a soccer tournament that I'm supporting and not a RUGBY tournament, but it's okay. I've got one nephew and a questionable niece or nephew on the way that I can make sure they play rugby. I've got to get at least one 'lil rugger out of the four of them... JUST ONE (is that too much to ask for?)!!!

:)

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!! 

Go Thunder Soccer!!!!!

AN OUTLET ADVENTURE

Last week I went shopping.

Yes, I know I said I wouldn't, BUT I was under a LOT of stress... I had to meet with a family friend/acquaintance about possible job connections here in Georgia and well, I had NOTHING TO WEAR.

I was having an uber girl moment, so sue me.

I drove to the Tanger Outlets and hit up the Banana Republic outlet... my new favorite place ;).

I found a dress, actually two, well I lie, it was ACTUALLY three, but used what little self-control I had left and only ended up purchasing one. Unfortunately, the self-control only lasted as far as the clearance rack because I found a pair of skinny jeans on sale then reduced then placed on SALE AGAIN for a total of $13 bucks (and 2 sizes smaller than my normal size--Woop! yay for extra weight loss from stress)... Hollar!

Here are the dresses:

I purchased the black one, like I NEED another black dress!, however, this is a 10 (WOOP-WOOP) and it makes the ladies look pretty happy. Hey, if they're happy I'm happy. End of story. Also, the dress in its entirety is EXTREMELY flattering. The skirt has excellent movement to it, and as a whole, the dress looks great dressed up with heels and down with flats. 

I would have picked up the khaki, but I'm currently going through a tan-less/sun withdrawl time right now, not intentionally, and I was just TOO pale for the dress.

:(

Retail for the dress was over $150.

I scored it for under $75--I can't find the receipt, I think the dog ate it, or else I would give you the exact retail and final purchase price.

This dress you get an actual picture of me trying it on!! Yaaaay--finally dressing room pics!

I LOVED THIS DRESS in the store. I even had the sales guy grab me a pair of wedges so that I could see how they looked with the dress. Unfortunately for me and my tall self, the dress was extremely TOO short with the heels on. I barely had to bend over in this dress for all of my lady-business to peek out and say hi. Just another very sad day in tall girl dress shopping... dammit.

Now as many of you know me, I probably did not need to go shopping, or get yet ANOTHER black dress, because as soon as the big day came up I found myself STRESSING like a baboon about what to wear.

After hours of unnecessary "girl stress" as I like to call it, I settled on this outfit:

Straight leg busted jeans (Banana Republic (but in a darker wash)--my new favorite store for jeans--they make them LONG ENOUGH!!!!), a black tank (old navy), my old school--needs to be retired--black V-neck sweater from GAP, and the necklace I bought for Sum's bachelorette party last year (seen in photos here) from New York and Co.. Oh, and my Steven Madden/Madden Girl Angalina sandals (Barefoot Tess).

Figures.

A Casual Wednesday

-Grey Zipper Back Dolman Sweater: $10.99, Heritage 1981
-The Flirt Boot-cut Jeans: $15, Old Navy (gotta love Black Friday sales!)

Fierce model pose.

-Black American Eagle Gladiator Sandals: $24.99, Payless

-Charcoal Dual Faceted Headband: $5.80, Forever 21

Blue Swarovski pendant necklace: $20, VioletReaction

VR