Decidedly not 1 of 30

I understand there's a new 30 for 30 Challenge a-brewing around these parts.  While I loved participating in the last one, I'm bowing out this time around.  You see, I live in Texas and the weather now is no different than it was 3 months ago.  I don't really have a lot of clothes and most of my work-appropriate wear I included the last time around.  If I did it now, I'd be wearing all the same clothes as last time.  (Kendi, also a Texan, for sure has way more clothes than me.)

See for yourself:

 See, I wore this shirt last time.

 And this skirt.

Even the belt, which isn't technically included in the challenge but I think you see where I'm going with this.

So what I'm really saying is that I'm basically "30 for 30-ing" all the damn time because I don't have that many clothes.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the badass remixing going on, though.  And I do plan to join you for the spring challenge, when you'll see me trying to figure out how to endure what will, I'm sure, already be 80+ degree temps.

I am a wuss.

Skirt: Old Navy, second-hand via Elaine

Shirt: Brooks Brothers, thrifted

Socks: Target

Boots: via DSW

Bare legs: It was 70 degrees AGAIN today, people!

Weekend wear

I don't usually post on the weekends because I usually just wear pajamas, but I had a fairly productive weekend, a weekend that required clothes.

Ok, it didn't require clothes, but I did do a lot of homework and apartment cleaning and errands.  And if I don't put on real clothes, I sit in my pajamas on the couch watching Weeds or the L Word for like the 15th time.

Friday: Casual work day.

This is one of my favorite shirts of all time.  I got it around 2006 at a thrift store near Bethesda, MD.  It was my first-ever real thrift excursion (I used to get t-shirts and costumer pieces all the time at Salvation Army; this was the first time I went looking for good-quality, everyday pieces) and I'd say it was a success.

Immediately after taking these photos, I changed clothes and Ed and I went hiking in Austin's Greenbelt.  It was 75 degrees.  In January.

Shirt: French Connection, thrifted

Jeans: Old Navy

(Overworn) Undershirt: Gap

Shoes: Target

Sundays I volunteer at our local library-bookstore (it's a bookstore owned by the library that sells overstock and whatnot).  I'm on my feet for 3 hours and it's always overly-chilly; comfort is key (and when isn't it, really?).

Ed calls this sweater my "In the Ready Room, drinking Earl Grey" sweater.  He promises me no one will get that.  To help, it's a Star Trek reference.  Love is never having to say "you're nerdy."

Again, don't let these pictures fool you.  Its another 75-degree sunny day in central Texas.

Sweater and Jeans: Gap

Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Vans, via the Vans Outlet in Round Rock

How was your weekend?

Blue Valentine

I'm feeling much better and am inspired to do a kind of post I've been meaning to: a movie review.  If you don't know, I'm a huge movie buff.  I average at least a movie a day and my biggest vice (besides coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper) is going to see a movie.  I love it.  LOVE IT.

This weekend, Ed and I saw Blue Valentine.  It's the story of a dissolution of a marriage.  But really, its the story of any relationship's breaking point (and if we have ever had similar relationships, a breaking point doesn't necessarily mean the end of a relationship, but the point at which something has to change.)  Originally rated NC-17 for a fairly graphic oral sex scene, the entire movie is intimate.  The shots are so close you feel like you're watching something you shouldn't be privy to; more than once I felt like I wanted to give Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean (Ryan Gosling) their privacy. 

It's dark, it's serious, it's heart-warming, it's at times painful to watch and yes, it's a bit depressing.  But it's beautifully written, brilliantly directed, and speaks to anyone who's ever stood at the edge of a relationship wondering what's next.

If you go for any reason at all, go for the soundtrack.  This gem was actually written by Gosling (as well as performed by him in the movie):


Or this, Cindy and Dean's "song:"


The rest of the soundtrack is Grizzly Bear.  What's not to love?!

And her clothes.  I was really inspired by Michelle's Williams' character's clothes.  She mixed feminine floral dresses with big combat boots.  This was my interpretation:

That's me on the right, if you couldn't tell.  I'm often told she's my celebrity doppleganger.

So, Blue Valentine.  Go see it!

Dress: Old Navy

Cardigan: Express

Tights: TJ Maxx

Boots: via DSW

Inspiration: Blue Valentine

Re-do

Sorry about the hiatus, folks.  There's something about Friday to Monday that makes me a total Luddite (if you don't include watching crazy amounts of movies as technology...).

Today was one of those days where everything was a little off.  While I was on the bus, I realized I forgot something I needed; I got off at the next stop, ran home, and waited 10 minutes for the next bus.  I didn't have time to make coffee in the student lounge before class.

I felt two steps behind everyone else in my Web Design class.  I was the annoying "Wait, what did you just do?" person everyone loves so much.

At work I forgot to save a document I was working on. 

I made a beautiful quiche for dinner; a quiche so chocked full of nice cheeses and vegetables that it filled two pie crusts.  I dropped one when taking it out of the oven.  I was in a foul mood and picked a totally unnecessary fight with Ed.

My outfit seemed so perfect in theory.  Stripes, cardigan, comfy pants.  But every time I looked in the mirror, something just seemed off.  Also, it felt a little too casual for my workplace.  Because I'm an intern and the youngest person in the office, I feel pressure to be BUSINESS CASUAL.  Today was more the latter than the former.  I don't usually post outfits I'm not crazy about, but this is life, right?  Sometimes you ace it, sometimes you make a C-.

So yes, re-do, ok?

Pants and Cardigan: Urban Outfitters

Boots: via DSW

Striped shirt: Fossil

Undershirt: Gap

Crazy-person hair: Bad Tuesday

Casual Wednesday

You may not know this, but the state of Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes' Day.  This is an absurd holiday (some years it actually falls ON MLK day!), but nevertheless, working for the state afforded me the day off.

I spent the day casually, of course.  I went to campus to do some work and eat lunch with a friend.  I wanted to wear something comfortable (when don't I?) and I absolutely love this shirt, its one of those shirts I've had in my closet forever, but its so damn casual I can't ever wear it to work.  Hello, casual Wednesday.

Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Undershirt: Gap

Cords: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Urban Outfitters (I mean, are they paying me here or WHAT?)

Casualness: c/o Confederate Heroes

Nobody understands me!

The lovely Angela tagged me in another "About Me" type-a thing because she reads this blog and thinks I'm cute.  I think you're cute, too, Angela!  We "met" during the 30-for-30 and she has an impeccable style.  Also, she is a school teacher and is getting married soon.  Congrats to you, Angela!

Anyway, I did the "7 Things: High School" thing wherein I let you into my somewhat sordid adolescence.  Today, I'll keep it PG and give you 7 things you may not know about me:

1. I used to play saxophone and I was good.  Really!  In 7th grade I sat 2nd chair in the 8th grade band.  I also made All-Regional band once.  I went to band camp.  I was kind of a big deal.

2. In college I took Hebrew as my foreign language.  In hindsight it doesn't make much sense to learn a language that only about 6 million people speak, all of whom also speak English.  Today, I can say "Where is the bathroom?" and the all important "I don't speak Hebrew."

3. Twice in my life I have been vegetarian.  Once, for a few months in the 5th grade, and again for two years in college.  I don't think I'll ever go back.

4. I was a Women's Studies major in college.  I'm not sure what else to say about that except I'm one of those "no-fun" people at parties who will call people out for making rape jokes or being totally racist.

5.  I've lived in seven different states, five of which were when I was a kid.  My dad was in the military.  I have an urge to move every few years just to keep things interesting (hence the blog name).

6. I am completely and totally afraid of flying.  The first time I was on a plane was when I was 6 weeks old.  I've traveled a lot and am on planes several times a year.  In fact, my father is a pilot.  Huge panic attack every time.  Everyone loves sitting next to me!

7. I absolutely hate when people sing "Happy Birthday."  To me, to anyone else, it's totally uncomfortable.  Just standing around listening to people sing?  Watching someone BEING SUNG TO?  No, just no.

Thanks, Angela, it was fun!

First day

Today was the first day of classes for this semester.  I don't know if y'all know how big of a nerd I am, but I am a nerd.  A big one.  I LOVE the first day of classes!  It starts out so hopeful, you know. 

At the University of Texas School of Information, all the graduate courses meet once a week for 3 hours.  Thus, I only had one class today: Designing Dynamic Webpages.  Y'all, I'm terrified of this class.  I have no experience, NONE AT ALL, in web design or even basic programming languages.  But you know what?  It's going to be a ton of work, but I will get through it.  I haven't put myself outside of my comfort zone, like, ever, so now's a good time to start.  And web design is totally useful.  And I will succeed.  And I will be ok with not making an A.  (These are my mantras for the next 12 weeks.)

Anyway, what better way to say "I'm capable!" than a sweater vest?

If you answered "There's no better way too look both capable and adorable!" then you are correct.  You get an A (minus.  I grade on a curve.)

Striped top: Urban Outfitters

Sweater vest: Small boutique in Ann Arbor

Skirt: Gap, thrifted

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Tights: TJ Maxx

Go-getter attitude: First day of classes geekiness