Not-ical

Today’s “Everybody Everywhere” is Nautical, and somehow, my first thought upon greeting you here was, “Avast, ye hearties!” But that’s pirate, isn’t it?

necklace: Target | tee: Stylemint | pants: LOFT | purse: thrifted

I clearly know nothing about boating, or nautical things. In fact, the only time I’ve tried to sail a boat, it capsized and nearly sank. I think I’ll stick to being a land-lubbing poser.

But this outfit, with all its rule-breaking white, just seemed so fun. Nothing to me seems more nautical than a wide-legged white pant. And the necklace reminds me a bit of seaglass, so it’s perfect for imaginary yachting expeditions. (And yes, you’re invited, but best ye just keep your filthy mitts off me rum. Yar.)

Nautical | Everybody, Everywear

Church Lady

Since I shared the story of my thrift nemesis Monday, I thought it only fair that I show y’all what, exactly, is at stake. This “granny” dress was one of my little haul. I felt like the floral print made it current, and the silhouette is similar to many Anthropologie dresses that I’ve bought. The polyester is its own, though. NOT my favorite on a warm day.


dress: Thrifted (Goodwill)//necklace: Loft (old)//belt: Miley Cyrus for Wal-Mart (no judgment!)

The light in my backyard was yummy this afternoon. I barely edited these photos.

shoes: Thrifted (Savers)

I may wear this to church on Easter, as it feels like a bonafide “church lady” dress with the floral pastel pattern. Do you think everyone in my little town will point and stare too much? When I wore hot pink jeans earlier today I got the stares of judgment. But that’s usually how I know I’m doing something right.

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The Nemesis

For over 15 years, thrift store shopping has always been a way that I stretched my closet. But lately, it’s threatened to go from a hobby to a full-fledged life-or-death battle.

That’s right. I have a thrifting nemesis. And surprisingly, it’s not this gal. (She’d better consider herself lucky that we play in completely different thrifting conferences.)

bag, jeans, top: Thrifted//shoes: Payless

Today I went to my local thrift and thinking I had struck a bout of luck, picked up several great dresses. “Oh,” said the cashier, “You like these granny dresses?” “I really do,” I said.

“Well, you just missed out, there was a woman here 30 minutes ago who picked up about 15 of these exact kind! All vintage! She spent $75 here!”

Suddenly, my meager 4 dresses seemed like less of a haul.  I asked the cashier to describe the woman, and I’m pretty sure that she’s swooped in on “my” stuff two or three times now.

(Although, perhaps I shouldn’t be spending $75 at the thrift store on granny dresses. My rival may be saving my marriage.)

But now I’m curious: Is she a collector? Does she have a shop? Maybe I would like to shop there?

…I kind of want to meet this enemy.

Date Night

Dress: Tucker for Target//Belt: Anthropologie//Shoes: Old Navy

This evening, Bear and I went for our typical “dinner and a movie” date night. Which means we snuck Chick-Fil-A in to a movie. Best illicit concessions ever.

We wound up seeing “The Hunger Games” which I thought was really well done. You certainly don’t have to have read the books to enjoy it, and Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the protagonist, Katniss, is one very talented woman.

(If you’ve already seen the movie, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that our dogs will not be sleeping with us anymore for quite a while. Freaked me out.)


Linking up for this week here:

pleated poppy

The Bachelorette

Between this weekend, and last weekend in Austin, I’ve probably seen more of Liz than in the last 8 months combined! (Sometimes, living 4 hours apart really stinks!) So, thank you, Rachel, for getting married and allowing us girls to have another mini-reunion at your bachelorette. That was really thoughtful of you. :)

And big thanks to Lyndsey, who planned the whole weekend, it was a blast!

earrings: vintage//blouse: NY&Co. (thrifted in Austin)//skirt: J. Crew (via eBay)//flats: Anthropologie

bangle, bow ring: F21//enamel ring: vintage//nail polish: OPI “Mod About You”

While we were in OKC, we went to a dance class together—a fun idea!

Overall, it was very fun, but difficult workout and I have the sore arms and abs today to prove it! We may have gotten a pretty good ab workout laughing at each other, too.

linking up here:

pleated poppy

TxSC Recap: Kendi’s Keynote

 This weekend at TxSC, we were blessed to hear a keynote from one of tbe best-known style bloggers, Kendi Everyday. She’s certainly a favorite of all the women of Everyday Present, and she didn’t disappoint. I personally found her speech to be sweetly poignant, probably because it wasn’t specifically about blogging, but generally addressed not being controlled by fears, taking risks, and finding your own way through life.

I took a lot of notes on what she said, and have bolded direct quotes below with my thoughts and how I was affected by them. To be honest, I almost cried as I listened. I needed to hear much of what she said. Later, I got to talk to her, and found her completely down-to-earth. It was nice to see that success has come to a very deserving woman.

Growing your blog isn’t what it’s about. Much of the time, monetizing or getting sponsors is what these types of events are about. Now, I’m not saying that Everyday Present will never have a sponsor, but for us, we will never be able to have all three of us blogging full-time. And we wouldn’t want to. At the end of the day, Everyday Present is just notes written between three friends who don’t get to see each other much. This is the best way we can still be a part of each others’ lives. If we gain readers from that, we’re happy (and we love you guys), but if we don’t, we have a fabulous standing record of our friendship. Something that I think we can all be content with.

Listen to your daydreams, it doesn’t mean that it’s your final destination. Kendi shared how she had always wanted to own her own boutique, and how she would doodle store ideas during class in college. (Which was fine, until her professor asked to see her notes one day.) A daydream can help lead you to your ultimate goal, though, and might be a turn you make, or it might not. This idea really challenged me to re-awaken some dreams and see what, if any, value or role they might play in my life NOW. The one about buying more vintage and selling it? Cool. Maybe there’s something to that. The one about becoming a backup dancer for Beyonce? Probably not going to happen.

Your day job is not your enemy. Not everyone can be a full-time blogger. Not everyone should be a full-time blogger. As Kendi said, “everyone has their own path…” I was glad to hear that. I love my job. It’s hard, and it’s challenging, but ultimately, I feel proud to do what I do. I’ve gained a lot of skills in doing it, but guess what? I’ve gained a lot of skills from blogging that have assisted me in my work, too.

“We learn early on that risk is foolishness.” This past semester, I’ve learned that both of my co-workers will be leaving our office. And I’m scared to death that I will single-handedly sink our small, yet valuable organization. I’ve been freaking out. Then Kendi said something, that, to me, was brilliant, “I learned that, if you jump, you will land. Maybe not on your feet—maybe on your face—but you will land.” Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming peace about the upcoming year. I could jump. I could risk. Even if I failed, it’s worth it. It was hard to keep from crying, but I made it. I didn’t want to be THAT girl. :) I hope I never forget the strong certainty that came when I heard those words.

Don’t compare. Comparison is the thief of joy. Kendi had posted a little graphic on Pinterest a bit ago, and, at the time, it struck me as something that I really struggled with. I can spend the entire day over-analyzing myself, comparing to others, constantly finding myself coming up short. It’s a really depressing way to live. It’s a really self-centered way to live. Who wants that? Not me. This can be especially true in blogging, as there will always be someone with cuter clothes, a better job and more followers than you. And in life, there will always be someone ahead of you, above you and more experienced. Remember that “Bloggers blog the BEST part of their lives, not their always.”

 So, that’s my really long little re-cap.  Thank you kindly, Miss Kendi. You’ll probably never know how much that speech meant to me.

And now for something completely different, here’s the outfit that I wore on Sunday to the conference:

t-shirt: Old Navy//earrings, skirt: Target//shoes: BCBG (thrifted)//bracelets: J. Crew, Vintage//ring: Vintage//notebook: Anthropologie

The Favorite

Although this is my second time to wear these mint pants on Everyday Present, it’s apt that you’re seeing me so often in them! I’ve been wearing them at one or two times a week, making them my favorite piece this season.

checked shirt, shoes: Target//sweater: Old Navy//pants: Forever 21

This outfit was inspired from a Madewell photo I had pinned quite a while ago. I think at the time I really loved the sweater, but thought the mint jeans might be too “out there”.

I’m glad I changed my mind.

(Psst…are you on Pinterest? My boards are here!)

Green | Everybody, Everywear

Truth, Ironing and the American Way

If I were a superhero, I would probably be “No Iron Girl”. I’d deftly maneuver out of dastardly wrinkle situations using only a dryer and Downy Spray.

My arch-nemesis, would, of course, be linen.

Funnily enough, that just so happens to be what this skirt is made of.

“Ahh….LINEN! You fiend!….we meet again….”

sweater, shoes: Target//t-shirt: Gap//skirt: J. Crew

“…Justice and outfit photos shall prevail….”

Really, I should just feel gleeful that my other nemesis, COLD, seems to be gone for good.

(Can you believe it’s almost March?!?)

P. S. Also, I made the easiest wheat bread in the world. It was perfect just out of the oven with a smidge of butter and only took about an hour and a half from start to finish (including rise time).

Bettermint?


It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Girl Scout Cookie season!

And since I’ve never quite decided which cookie I like more, I usually buy several boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalogs. You know, to really collect a lot of empirical data during the testing process.

jacket, top: Target//necklace: Jewelmint//skinny pants: Forever21//boots: Steve Madden

But I’m pretty sure I never dressed like a Samoa. Just sayin’.



Dare to Flair

Based on this photo, I have finally figured out my style. I call it “Throw a bunch of stuff on that you like. It might look good”.

It’s the counter view to Coco Chanel’s famous quote on accessorizing, “Always take one thing off before you leave the house.

earrings: Target//shirt, skirt, belt: J. Crew//tights: Gap//boots: Steve Madden

Had I followed her advice, I would have ditched the belt. But I’m a rebel like that. Better watch out for what I’ll do next. I may wear two pairs of shoes at the same time, or completely flair myself out like a T.G.I.Friday’s waitress. You never know what I may do.