Knock Knock

Ever heard the one about the girl who took an unintentional blogging break because she survived a blizzard, a breakup, and her best friend's wedding within four days?

Knock knock. Who's there? Oh that's right it's me.

Ha. Ha. Ha ha ha.

Just wanted to pop in and apologize for my complete and utter absence from the blog and social media and let you know I'm alive/not ignoring your comments and emails. I will get to them soon. And also, taking suggestions for a Sam-proof iPhone 5 case. I say iPhone 5 because my iPhone 4 met an early, toilety grave this week.

I'll be back NEXT YEAR (get it?! get it?!) with some *slightly revised* resolutions and the start of our 30 for 30, which I have been SO looking forward to. :) There's still time if you want to join! Comment, tweet, or email me.

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to drown myself in Jack Daniels ice cream in my big girl sweatpants.

30 For 30 | The Basics

I've gotten some comments/emails about this 30 for 30 business we're attempting in January.

(Uh that's five days away. WTF!!!!!!!????!!!1)

Here are le deets:

Rule 1: There are no rules.

All you have to do is make 30 outfits out of 30 pieces of clothing. Or hell, use non-clothing if it makes you happy. A 30 for 30 with trash bags and bearskin rugs is a 30 for 30 I'd like to see. ... aaaand I'm rambling.

I include shoes, I don't include accessories (scarves, jewelry, bags) or outerwear (winter coats, rain boots). Do whatever makes you feel all tingly inside. And if it takes you more than 30 days, totally fine. No one wins, no one gets kicked out.

Shopping bans are optional, but after my budgeting debacle this month, mine is somewhat less than optional. Think somewhere between "oxygen" and "deodorant."

That's literally it.
The goal is not to stress out, the goal is to learn to shop our own closets.

Rule 2: Don't talk about Fight Club 30 For 30.

This is a lie. Talk about it a lot.

Rule 3: Praise Kendi every time you get dressed.

Possibly overboard. Probably creepy. But hey, credit where it's due, yes?

If you want to participate, shoot me an email, a tweet, or comment on this post. I'll leave a list of all your blogs and links on my sidebar throughout January. I'd appreciate if you'd link back to me on your 30 For 30 posts, but I won't burn your blog down if you don't.

I'm starting on the 1st with my first outfit and a collage of my 30 items (also included up top, to help get you started), but you can start whenever you feel like it. There'll be a link-up once a week (probably Sundays) so we can show off our favorite outfits, and I'll put up a link-up for all of our recaps at the end of the month. Easy peasy, my dears.

To get you started, you can check out my November items here, my tips on OCD-organizing your outfits here, and my November recap here.

I can't wait. :)

December Budget

Image credit. Maybe if I keep using it, she'll come back to us.

December Budget
Pink blouse (Old Navy) : 22.00

Black blouse (Old Navy) : 22.00

Cobalt blue blouse (Old Navy) : 22.00

Lavender blouse (Old Navy) : 15.98

Tartan perfect shirt (J.Crew, via eBay) : 65.00

Gold sequin tee (J.Crew, via eBay) : 40.00

Opaque tights (Target: charcoal, navy, hunter, burgundy) : 32.00

Gray stripe sweater (Old Navy, seen here and here) and dalmatian cardi (Old Navy) : 40.66

Tartan scarf (Target, seen here) : 14.99
ShoeMint Candy boots : 4.01 (thanks to the awesome giveaway I won over at Sparkling Footsteps!)
ShoeMint Koko flats : 39.98

Total = $318.49
(Not including Christmas money, and not including gifts received)

If you read my last budget post you may even be giggling or rolling your eyes. Or both.

I'm starting to realize something about myself.
It's not that I'm inherently bad with money. I don't love clothes any more than the next girl.
I don't need everything I buy.
I lack willpower.
Like on a scale of 1-10, 1 being a star of TLC's Hoarders and 10 being anyone who declines to see the dessert menu, I'm sitting at a -27.
I buy things on impulse. I shop when I'm sad or mad or bored or feeling bad because I haven't worked out or because I just ate seven Christmas dinners.

This isn't how I want to be. This isn't how I want to teach my daughter to be (someday. Not a pregnancy announcement). I love clothes, and I don't think that's necessarily bad, but when it comes at the expense of other things I love - traveling, finding new restaurants with Boyfriend, not having to worry about how to pay the vet when the dogs decide to randomly knock each other's teeth out - then it is bad.

There are changes coming around here, ladyfriends. And because they coincide with 2013, we'll even call them resolutions... but more on that later.

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers, thanks for hosting Fran-dandy!
(I blame your parents for giving you such a nickname-able name.)

A Christmas Puppybomb

No, Indy did not get Victoria's Secret for Christmas. He likes to unwrap his presents and it was the only bag I had.

Spending my day with these two nuggets, and some other notable guests - hey mom & dad!

Crossing our paws that you have a beautiful day.
Merry Christmas! :)

OOTD | Fur & Snow Boots

Peacoat: Target (best $30 I ever spent) | Sweater: Old Navy | Jeans: Simply Vera | Boots: North Face | Fur : Target | Lips: Revlon Moon Drops 'Orange Flip'

Yesterday was COLD.

Like, snow on the ground, crazy wind blowing, happy sun shining just to mock you cold.

And of course I had errands to run. So I took the opportunity to bust out my eskimoiest, puddleproofiest boots and since they are, after all, "boots with the fur," I decided I'd be doing them a disservice if I didn't wear my fur scarf.

Yes, I consider my shoes' feelings. This is how I get dressed in the morning.

DON'T FORGET

January is merely 10 days away... which means that our next 30 for 30 is merely 10 days away!

Shopping | Last Minute Gift Guide

If you're like me, it's December 21st and you haven't started your Christmas shopping. For shame! I rounded up a few gifts that 1) you can still get in time for Christmas and 2) anyone on your list should love, save for humorless commies who like watered down drinks.

I can vouch for the awesomeness of the vintage board games from Target. We have Clue and Risk, and only left Parcheesi behind because of budget duress. The more old school you can go here, the better. Funny books are always a winner in my book, but you can go serious, too - try this one for the crazy sports fan, this one for the fashionista, or this one for the traveller. If you know someone who loves cars, order this one - I got it for my grandpa for his birthday and it's pretty baller. I'm ordering this toilet mug for my uncle (he's a plumber) but come on, you don't have to be a plumber to appreciate its awesomeness. The popcorn popper would be cute as part of a "movie night" gift basket, and the drink rocks would be perfect for a friend who loves to host/pretend they're a bartender - maybe with this attached? (I found them at Target - try the rum set. And the tequila set. Or both.)

See y'all tomorrow... I hope.

Beauty | Drugstore Lipstick Review & Swatches

Totally bare minorly chapped lips

Last week I mentioned the insane drugstore.com sale and how I may have gone a wee bit overboard. When I saw their 100% color guarantee I figured it was too cool of an opportunity to pass up. How often do you get the chance to try out makeup risk free?

I always kind of thought the fact that I like my eyes more than other things on my face meant I was automatically an eyeshadow girl. And I do love me a good smoky eye, but eyeshadow is not the place to experiment when you have a sort of stuffy 9-5 job (or internship, if you're 25 and not yet a functioning adult thanks to grad school). Lipstick, on the other hand, is perfect. You can go relatively loud if the rest of your face is bare and if you get to work and feel like it's too much, you take it off and swap in some nude gloss.

Bonus: lipstick takes way less time than smoky eyes. So it turns out I'm a lipstick girl. 

Like everything else, my OCD and I painstakingly research before making makeup decisions. Since there is nothing I hate more than arm swatches -- seriously?! whose lips are the color of their arm?! -- I sat down with some makeup remover wipes and did y'all a favor/showed off my sa-weet application skills. Can you spot my Condi moments? Don't act like you haven't been there.

The Covergirl Lip Perfections win hands-down for formula. Revlon loses, with the exception of Orange Flip and Really Red. It could just be the Super Lustrous line though, because I own and love half the Colorburst shades. Maybelline Color Sensational falls somewhere in the middle.

I'm on the fence about which ones to return, but so far the list stands at Plum Perfect (I have Colorburst Rosy Nude which is fairly similar), Black Cherry (bad formula, see pic), Deepest Cherry (not dark enough), and Fifth Ave Fuchsia (I prefer the Spellbound formula).

Barely Brown, Burn, Hot, and Red Revival are iffy. They're all beautiful, but I'm trying to decide if they're too similar to what I already have/each other to justify keeping. I'm going to see if I can mix Vavaviolet and Divine to get the purple I'm looking for, but if not, they're headed back as well.

What are your favorite drugstore lipstick shades? Feed my addiction!

Unsilent

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

-Edmund Burke

Going on with my frivolous little blog without acknowledging that the world is different today than it was Friday morning feels weird. My mom is an elementary school librarian, and I know exactly what she would have done for her kids if a man with a gun had walked through the door.

Typing that makes me cry.

Still, I am no more personally involved in this than anyone else whose parents are teachers or whose siblings or children are in grade school. Compared to those families in Newtown, I lost nothing on Friday. To halt my life or talk about my own grief, to refuse to move forward, feels wrong to me when they still have to wake up every morning and go on. I am so, so lucky.

I have so much respect for what other bloggers have done to cope with this - just do what feels right to you. Be silent, light candles, donate, pray, cry. But when you're ready, we have to talk. We have got to talk, and soon, and differently.

Be passionate and informed, and remember that those you disagree with would give just as much as you would to make this stop. Having different ideas about what will make that happen doesn't make a person ignorant or closed-minded or cold. An opinion that is different from yours is not the evil we're fighting against. Eye rolling and name calling have no place in this battle -- and yes, it will be a battle.

Don't shy away from the discussion because there is no simple answer. Write your congressman. Tell him or her what you think is right, and then point to the arguments from the other side that you could live with. Remind them that compromise is not defeat.

From spending law school (and the rest of my life) working in the criminal justice system, I know in my heart that guns are the (very important) side issue; that they are the tools of evil and not the source of evil, that even if we could throw every gun in the world into the ocean, evil would adapt. Don't forget to talk about the people who are pulling the trigger. Demand reform of our mental health system. Insist on options for parents that don't include criminal convictions for their children. Take ownership of the deeper cultural problem that has manifest itself on our watch, and don't stop for a second until we've taken it back.

Our schools, our children, are too sacred not to try. Honor the victims this way.

FINALly Done

Jacket: Nordie's | Sweater: F21 | Tee: F21 | Jeans: Simply Vera | Flats: Steve Madden Vegass | Monogram necklace: eBay

Officially one semester and one bar exam away from being a LAWYAH! Ever wonder exactly how finals look? Exhibit A: messy buns.

Shirt: Old Navy | Jeans: Simply Vera | Shoes: Steve Madden Delicatt | Bag: F21 | Bracelet: J.Crew

Exhibit B: All black. And sparkly heels. 

Because everyone knows that you're better off humming Johnny Cash all day and wearing glittery shoes and crossing your fingers than actually studying. (Can y'all tell I had a SERIOUS case of almost-graduated-itis this semester?)

Today marks day one of my coffee and ice chips diet to fit in my bridesmaid dress in two weeks. By coffee and ice chips I mean fruit and veggie smoothies, but still. Tis not the season for health food. Anyone have any smoothie recipes that won't make me cry?

Links à la Mode : The IFB Weekly Round Up

My 30 For 30 Recap post (including tips for how to have a great 30 For 30 when you aaaaaall do it with me in January) made IFB's Links à la Mode list this week! Turns out I'm in awesome company, be sure to browse through some of these other great links this weekend. I highly recommend Fashion Moriarty's blog - hilarious. You'll thank me.

Strictly Fashion

Edited By Taylor Davies 

This week’s round up is seriously savvy. From pre-fall collections to runway shows, the submissions you all contributed this week were highly high-fashion-focused. And you know what? I love it. Last week we delved into some deep topics, and it’s nice to change things up with some thoughtful consideration of clothes and designers as well, don’t you think? Whether you want to know how to style this year’s Pantone color of the year (emerald green) or a little about the life and times of Diana Vreeland, you’ll get your fix from this week’s round up.

• Aesthete: Mario Testino – In Your Face
• Culture Keeper: An Afternoon with Zuhair Murad
• Dress Code High Fashion: Coat Trends F/W 12
• Elegant Idiosyncracy: Basel Part I
• Girl Loves Color: Best Foot Forward
• Fashion Moriarty: Things I have to explain to people who aren’t into fashion
• Fashstash: French Couture Week 2012
• IFB: Design Tips – Color Combinations For Your Blog Made Easy
• Incognito: Young Republic, The Emerging Designers E-Shop
• Ive2tellu: Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has To Travel
• Peace Love Sequins: Rachel Zoe Pre-Fall 2013
• Penny For Your Shoes: A Word on Keeping Organized
• Sam ipsa Loquitur: Recap & Top Ten 30 for 30 Tips
• She’s All Smiles: Interview With Remember A Day CEO Jenny Rose
• Snapshot Fashion: Hinesite Vintage
• Style Curated: Fusing the Individual into the Future of Fashion
• The Curatorial: Damien Hirst x The Row Capsule for Just One Eye – An Exercise in Frivolity
• The Fashionistyle: {good reads} How To Look Expensive
• The Fashionable Wife: Weekend Style Files
• Une Dandizette: How To Match Emerald

SPONSOR: Shopbop Arrivals: Jason Wu, Samudra, Ipanema, Versace Handbags, Salvatore Flats, Else, Peixoto, PilyQ, L’Wren Scott , Designer Sales 

 If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE where you see “Links a la mode next week’s date (official)”. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode widget on the right side of the blog, and will be published later today. ~ Jennine

The IT List

Hey, IT Listies! If you're new here, check out this post on shopping online like a ninja, this post on how to remix your wardrobe, or this post just because my puppies are the cutest :) Leave me a link so I can come visit, and while you're at it, let's hang out on Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram!

• Fancy Francy looks so chic in leopard, leather and cozy knits - the ultimate winter look! So cute! (find Fancy Francy on Twitter!)
• The Second Best is satisfying her color craving in bright hues and printed pants that she carried over from her summer wardrobe! Love this look! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• Ishi is making her closet do double duty and rocking her shorts even in the colder temps! Pop over to see how she styled this versatile piece to stay warm!
• Fleurani is sporting a new hair color and new glasses while frolicking in the snow! She looks so cozy in plaid and a bright blazer! (find Fleurani on Twitter!)
• Rachel's Lookbook is channeling her inner Sex and the City and pulled out her vintage fur coat for the first time! Absolutely fabulous! (find Rachel's Look Book on Twitter!)
• See Mo Go is sporting a festive new top for a day out Christmas tree shopping! Pop over to see where she found her (on sale) sweater! (find See Mo Go on Twitter!)
• My Thrifty Chic is showing us how to make our own embellished sweater for the infamous Tacky Christmas party that everyone finds themselves at this time of year! Head over to get some inspiration and see her tips! (find My Thrifty Chic on Twitter!)
• The Chic Curator rounds up some fab finds in emerald - the new color of the year! Go check out all of the cute pieces and scoop up some emerald of your own!
• Laura Wears is trying her hand at vintage clothing for the first time in plaid pants and she knocked it out of the park! Don't miss her fun menswear accessory! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• Sam ipsa Loquitur shows us how to look chic on a major budget! The whole outfit is under $50 - impressive! (find Sam ipsa Loquiter on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation makes sure that her holiday party looks perfectly suit her style with a casual but refined look.  See how she does holiday, without sacrificing her personal style! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Rose a la Mode is thinking pink in a casual tone-on-tone look ready for a weekend out and about! So cute! (find Rose a la Mode on Twitter!)
• Good Life glams up her look a bit with a fabulous fur cowl that she scored on the cheap and a hint of glitter! Definitely one to recreate! (find Good Life on Twitter!)
• Second Street East shares her favorite type of room with us - lived in and cozy but still chic and stylish! Pop over to see the room and the outfit that were recreated from the inspiration look! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style shows us the 13 pieces she can't live without in her winter wardrobe and how to make them into 9 outfits! Love them all! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)

the IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here.

Yesterday Doesn't Grant Wishes and Other Rambling Whinings

Sweater: F21 | Vest: F21 | Jeans: Simply Vera | Shoes: Ivanka Trump | Necklaces: F21 | Earrings: Target

I haven't liked a single outfit I've posted since my 30 for 30 ended. Serious it's like my brain forgot how to spontaneously create an outfit after a month of crazy OCD planning.

This outfit for example: I love the white sweater/white vest combo (BTDUBS the "winter white" craze confuses me... in May am I gonna have to start calling it "summer white"?) but I pretty much hate everything else. Don't like how it looks with these jeans, these shoes, don't like how my necklace and earrings sort of blend in. Can't stand it. What would you guys have done? I was thinking maybe gray boucle skirt + black tights + black shoes or a black maxi + boots or pretty much anything besides what I wore it with.

Can y'all tell finals make me a grouchypants? Sorry. Come Sunday morning I'll be cured.

Hey also BTDUBS yesterday was 12-12-12 and wishes don't come true. (And hey kids, if you're reading this, Santa doesn't exist and the Tooth Fairy is your mom and the Easter Bunny is your dad!) I started wishing for Taco Bell promptly at midnight and waited until the next midnight before passing my verdict but it's official: miracles don't exist.

Finals also make me dramatic.

Pinspired & A Sick Giveaway Alert

Jacket: TJMaxx | Tee: Gap | Skirt: Worthington | Heels: Sam Edelman Portney | Belt: Target | Necklace: eBay | Cuffs: F21

Recreated this pin for a quick work look. I don't love how this jacket comes across in pictures, but suffice it to say I don't look 11 feet wide in person and the color is spot on. I didn't have anything similar to her shoes in my closet, so I improvised.

"When in doubt, go with leopard."

-Abe Lincoln

This sale is still going on - I may or may not have tripled my lipstick collection. BUT thanks to the color guarantee you can return anything you don't love, unlike the drugstore dance where you wipe it on your arm and try to decide if you'll like it on your face and then get home and hate it. See? You're losing money if you don't.

GIVEAWAY ALERT

Be sure to check out our lovely host Laura's blog, Luckiest in Love, for a chance to win an iPad mini! Seriously, Boyfriend would die if one of those babies showed up under the tree. And he'd be the happiest dead man in the world. Go enter!

Fangirl pt. I

Under Armor: Dick's Sporting Goods | Cowboys sweatshirt: Football Fanatics | Tank: Target | Jeans: Victoria's Secret | Boots: Report | Bag: Coach | Necklace: BaubleBar x Atlantic-Pacific

Having been raised as my father's only son, tomboy is a wee bit of an understatement. Honestly, my first instinct on game days will probably always be jeans and a hoodie, but in honor of Boyfriend's first Cowboys game and our household rivalry game (Kansas/Ohio State basketball) I'm stepping my game up.

Outdoor games in December present two unique challenges: freezing cold and, when Mother Nature is being especially delightful, rain! Yippee! Not a heck of a lot you can do to be cute in those conditions. You've got two options: puffy winter coat and a super sexy plastic poncho (both of which went on after these pics were taken, but only for the fourth quarter). Things you can control are Under Armor, layers, waterproof shoes, and a bag that leaves your hands free for cheering and pretzel eating.

Stay tuned for part II, and in the meantime, I want to know what you guys wear to games! Who do you cheer for? Does football make any more sense to you than it does to me?

SALE ALERT

Revlon/Maybelline/CoverGirl BOGO 50% off PLUS 20% off your total beauty purchase from drugstore.com PLUS 12% off through eBates PLUS free shipping on $25! Y'all would die if I screenshot-ed my cart right now!

#Puppybomb

Two of the cutest pictures ever from one of the scariest times ever - little nugget was very sick (as in, lots of blood where blood should not be and 32 pounds at a year and a half old with absolutely no explanation) back in March and spent 11 days in puppy ICU. The night before we took her in, she tried to hide in Indy's house to go to sleep. He would have let her, but I'm pretty sure that 110+ pounds of dog is NOT supposed to squeeze into one kennel.

That vet's office is STILL one of her favorite places. You'd think after that many needles she'd be so over it, but no, she acts like we're going to Disneyland. Could have something to do with the fact that the nurses spoiled her rotten(er)... can't imagine why. She's not even a little cute.

Hope you're all enjoying the last of your weekend!

(Check out more puppybombs here.)

Four Steps to Online Shopping Like A Ninja

Image courtesy of the Shopaholic movie and crazy women everywhere

I haven't gone to school in a town with a half decent mall... ever. When the nearest shopping center is an hour or two away, it's a huge buzzkill. I spend a huge chunk of my time shopping online ("market research" as Boyfriend calls it) and these are the top ways I save money every time.

Step 1: Gift Cards

Try GiftCardGranny.com or JunkCard.com to look for discounted gift cards for the store you're stalking. If you can get an $88 Ann Taylor gift card for $65 (this was an actual gift card on the site at the time I was writing this), you've already saved yourself 26%. Even if the discount isn't quite that flashy, it's still worth it - but watch out for shipping costs!

Step 2: Cash Back Programs

If you haven't already, sign up for eBates. Seriously, you're going to feel super dumb if you don't - this is a no brainer. The site allows members to click through to (almost) any retailer and earn a small percentage cash back just for using the service. They pay out every few months, and believe me, 5% back here and there adds up like whoa.

Some credit cards also offer similar programs - if you log in to your credit company's website (Chase and Discover both do it) and click through their links, you can earn a percentage back as a credit to your account. I find that eBates has higher percentage rewards, and I prefer getting mine back to my PayPal account, but these are still great options.

Step 3: Coupon Code Sites

I basically never shop online without a coupon code. Even Forever 21 runs unadvertised promos sometimes if you're patient! RetailMeNot.com is my absolute favorite, but CouponCabin.com is also pretty reliable. Google "Suchandsuchstore coupon code" for a broader range of options, but these two sites are safe bets every time.

Step 4: Flash Sale Sites

Looking for serious discounts on designer everything? Check out these members-only flash sale sites:

Rue La La

HauteLook

Beyond the Rack

My Habit

Editor's Closet

ideeli

Gilt Groupe

Also, Shop It To Me isn't a flash sale site, but they do send you a personalized email a few times a week with current sales. Tuesdays and Fridays are my favorite days, because I know my sale mail is coming!

Do you guys have any online shopping tips? Share them in the comments!

The Liebster Award

Sweater: F21 | Jeans: Kohl's | Boots: Report | Scarf: Kohl's | Watch: Fossil

THIS IS WHAT BEING REALLY HAPPY ABOUT HAVING YOUR JEANS BACK LOOKS LIKE. And what no shower/no makeup/hey finals looks like.

I started a blog-specific Pinterest account to focus on style instead of whatever catches my ADHD's attention. Do me a huge solid and check it out, wontchanow?

(Can you tell my dad's fam is from the deep north?)

Find me at pinterest.com/Samipsaloquitur

So... Gina from Classy Ever After and Serena from The Serena Saga each nominated Sam ipsa Loquitur for the Liebster Award (thanks, ladies!) and I think that's kind of awesome and I hope you guys do too, and if not you should probably leave. Not in a mean way, in a "you're about to be really bored" way.

Deets on The Liebster Award

The Liebster award is given by a blogger to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. Once nominated, you must post 11 facts about yourself, then answer the questions the nominator made for you. Next, you create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate. Then you choose 11 blogs to nominate, and be sure to link them to your post. Finally, go to their page and tell them. No tags back allowed!

11 Facts About Me

11. I'm a bleeding heart dog person.

10. French fries are maybe my favorite food. Classay!
9. I'm the world's slowest shopper, no contest.
8. I was a huge How I Met Your Mother fan until like season 6, then it got lame.
7. Every few years I get all itchy and want to move somewhere new.
6. For the first semester of law school the only groceries I bought were little kid cereal and milk.
5. Everything I own is Apple. I sometimes forget Windows exists.
4. I didn't like sushi, Chipotle, asparagus, creme brulee, Starbucks, or wine before I met Boyfriend.
3. I own the entire Star Wars collection on Blu-ray.
2. The only color my hair hasn't been is red.
1. I'm shy.

Questions From Gina

I got Serena's email after I'd already answered all these questions - for the sake of (your) time, I'm just doing the one set!

1. If you could describe your personal style using only 3 words, what would they be?
Schizophrenic magpie professional... just kidding. Sort of.

2. If you could purchase the designer handbag of your dreams (money is no object in this scenario), which one would you buy and what color?
The idea of super-designer handbags that cost more than cars makes me break out in a cold sweat. I love to look, but I can't imagine carrying around something that expensive. Where would I set it down? Where would I store it at night? In a safe? In a fire, would I be obligated to save it first? So I think I'd probably stick with something like this Kate Spade tote or maybe this DVF one. Does that make me boring?

3. What inspired you to start your very own fashion/lifestyle blog?

I followed blogs for almost a year before I started my own... and then I blogged privately for almost another year before I opened it up for everyone to see! I think I just got tired of feeling like I wasn't contributing anything to the blog community - and the community is the best part.

4. Is there a cause that is near and dear to your heart, and, if so, what is it? For example, mine is animal / pet rescue.

Animal rescue for sure. Spay and neuter your pets! Stay out of pet stores! Adopt adopt adopt!

5. What is your dream vacation spot?

Europe. All of it. I spent four months in a castle just north of London when I was in undergrad, and I feel like I got to see a little taste of everywhere, but I'm itching to go back. Interlaken, Switzerland or Athens, Greece probably take the cake for vacation spots, though.

6. Is there a garment, or an accessory that you just can't stop buying even though you know you don't need any more of them? Feel free to list more than one!

Do shoes count?! I'm a total shoe monger. I was literally debating in my head the relative merits of owning a black pump in suede, patent, natural leather, open toe, pointy toe, almond  toe... and then I realized I'm a freak and I stopped. Stopped thinking, that is. I'm still on the hunt.

7. What are the most important qualities you look for in a close friend or significant other?

Honesty and loyalty and humor. And generally not being a despicable, selfish, cheating little weasel.

:) Oh I'm sorry, did that slip out?

8. Would you describe yourself as more trendy or primarily timeless while incorporating the trends you love most into your wardrobe?

I always go for classic shapes like pencil skirts, cardigans, blazers, and pointy-toe pumps, but I'm drawn to bright colors and prints, so I tend to end up with non-traditional traditional outfits, if that makes sense. (It doesn't.)

9. If you had one wish, anything at all, what would it be?

To never worry. I'm a world-class worrier.

10. What is your favorite season for creating outfits? What season do you find to be most challenging?

Fall and spring for sure. I hate nasty Midwest winters, but I love to layer too much to ever be 100% happy with a summer outfit.

11. What honest advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a blog?

DO IT. Stop procrastinating and "perfecting your layout" and overthinking it and do it. Try as hard as you can not to care about how many comments or followers you get, just enjoy posting and getting to know other people. That's what this is supposed to be about!

And turn off the damn word verification for your comments! Thanks for calling me out on that one, Ani.

My Nominees

Please don't be offended if you have more than 200 followers and I nominated you! I mean it as a compliment, I swear. I just did a quick GFC/Bloglovin' count, so if I'm off, I'm sorry.

Blondie, Esquire
Create That Outfit
The Fashion Canvas
Life, etc.
My New Favorite Outfit
NAC Styles
Professionally Petite
Real Girl Glam
The Serena Saga - I know, I know, no tag backs - she was already on my list, she just beat me to it!
Small Town, Big Wardrobe
Twenties Girl Style

The Questions

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Link us up to one of your favorite outfit posts ever.
3. If you could raid one celeb's closet, who would it be?
4. Who are your style icons?
5. Where do you work, and what's the dress code?
6. Dog person or cat person?
7. What's your star sign?
8. What's your favorite trend this year?
9. You just won $5,000: shopping spree, vacation, or something else?
10. What's your favorite non-bloggy hobby?
11. What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a blog? (Sorry Gina, loved this so I'm stealing!)

Thanks, Gina & Serena!

The IT List

• A Devine Life turned an old dress into a new skirt by layering a sweater on top! A great way to transition your summer wardrobe into cooler temps! (find a Devine Life on Twitter!)
• Rach.E. Cakes is rocking one of her go-to feel good dresses that is versatile enough for work or play! Pop over to see why she keeps reaching for this pretty little number! (find Rach.E.Cakes on Twitter!)
• Fancy Francy gives us some great tips on how to style a midriff bearing bandeau top and shared two looks for inspiration! Great solutions to one of the more difficult pieces in our closet! (find Fancy Francy on Twitter!)
• The Second Best is recreating a low-key look from another blogger and knocked it out of the park! Goes to show that inspiration is everywhere! (find Second Best on Twitter!)
• Ishi is showing us her studious side and how she stays stylish and comfortable for days spent with her nose in the books! So cute!
• Fleurani lets her pretty gold skirt shine by pairing it with lots of black! It's gorgeous and the perfect piece for holiday party season!
• Rachel's Lookbook takes her outfit to the next level by throwing on some purple tights! Such a fun way to add excitement to your look! (find Rachel's Look Book on Twitter!)
• See Mo Go is totally comfy in her new printed cords! She paired them with a blazer and boots and is ready for a day at the office!(find See Mo Go on Twitter!)
• My Thrifty Chic pairs her new glasses and patterned tights together for a geek chic look! The total outfit only cost $55! Go check it out! (find My Thrifty Chic on Twitter!)
• The Chic Curator gives us a bedroom duvet breakdown on a budget with three different price points to choose from! Pop over to check out the super cute bedding and find out where to buy!
• Laura Wears is showing off her holiday party style - a little bit of sparkle mixed with a little bit of responsibility! Love this look! (find Laura Wears on Twitter!)
• Sam ipsa Loquitur wrapped up her 30 for 30 challenge and she definitely ended on a high note! Pattern mixing at its finest! (find Sam ipsa Loquitur on Twitter!)
• A Fashion Fixation is showing us some love in a gorgeous new sweater! No better (or more stylish) way to make a statement than that! (find A Fashion Fixation on Twitter!)
• Second Street East is in love with a bright and beautiful little girl's room! She recreated the look in a room and an outfit - tons of great pieces! (find Second Street East on Twitter!)
• Sweetie Pie Style rounds up her favorite stylish rain boots after getting tons of use out of hers lately! Head over to pick out your favorite pair to be ready for the rain (or snow!) ahead! (find Sweetie Pie Style on Twitter!)

The IT list is brought to you weekly by Jill of Good Life and edited by Michelle of Second Street East.

For more information on how you can be involved - click here.

Recap & Top Ten 30 for 30 Tips

It looks waaaaay more impressive all tiled together like this. Any other month, it's just getting dressed - this month, it was a 30 For 30!

Honestly these might not be my real Top 3, I had a super hard time narrowing it down. I loved my plaid/leopard outfit, and the chambray/fur combo, my very first look and my very last look. I was surprised at how hard it was to style the easy things (the red blazer, the blue skirt) and how easy it was to style the hard things (the python shirt, the sequin dress). Advice nugget: don't be scared to put those weird things in your closet in your 30 for 30! It'll be a freaking party.

Notice anything the Bottom 3 have in common? White jeans. And they were all outfits I threw together the morning of. Turns out the two are related. Whenever I'm lazy and don't plan things, I fell back on the safest pair of pants in my shrunken closet and went from there, and I haaaaaated it. My advice? PLAN PLAN PLAN. Don't just wake up in the morning and expect birds to sing and angels to come down from on high and dress you. Do something about it.

Top Ten 30 for 30 Tips

1. Include an equal number of collared shirts and non-collared shirts for easier layering. All pullovers or all button downs would be bad news bears.

2. Throw some crazies in there, chicken!

3. ... but don't deprive yourself of normal things. Like jeans.

4. Keep your thirty items separate from the rest of your closet, if you can. It makes it easier to focus.

5. Take an hour or two on the weekend to try on some different things together. Lay everything out on your bed, try everything on in front of a full-length mirror and take pictures with your iPhone - so many of my outfits this month were things that sounded like poop salad on paper but turned out pretty awesome in real life.

6. UNFORTUNATELY the reverse is also true. Things that sound stellar on paper sometimes look like poop salad in real life, but you won't know until you're standing in front of that mirror with a camera.

7. Save those iPhone pics! They make getting dressed easy, because you can scroll through your phone from the comfort of your nice warm bed until the last possible minute when you absolutely have to get up and get ready.

8. Try really hard not to wear the same thing twice. 30 items is enough for way more than 30 outfits, so that's no excuse.

9. Get used to wearing the same piece two days in a row sometimes! You won't die or spontaneously combust. And no one notices, I promise.

10. This is not boot camp! There are no rules, really. They're more like guidelines.

Would you guys link up if we did a 30 for 30 support group in January? Say yes! Say yes! It'll be so much fun and if you don't I'll hunt you down and stuff. :)

29: Pinspired

Leopard sweater: TJMaxx | Skirt: J.Crew | Shoes: Nine West Booboo | Earrings: F21 | Ring: F21

Whenever I can't figure out what to wear with a certain piece of clothing, I either stalk your blogs or do a Pinterest search. I think I have a primary color problem, because I have a hard time styling red and cobalt blue. I found this picture on Pinterest and loved the blue, black, and brown together:

If anyone knows the original source, let me know!

I prefer the richness of the colors in her outfit (and her tan) but I do like this leopard sweater with a blue skirt. And really, if I had a dollar for every time I liked an outfit on Pinterest more than my own, I wouldn't be writing this blog. I'd be shopping.

28: The Plaid Leopard Lumberbiker

Plaid: American Eagle | Pants: LC Lauren Conrad | Shoes: Nine West Booboo | Scarf: TJMaxx | Watch: Fossil | Bracelets: F21

I should name things for a living. Especially fashioney things. Amiright?

This is what one wears when one is mere minutes away from a final which one has studied, let's just say, not quite enough for. (This is also apparently what one wears when one is vying for the Understatement of the Century award.) What can I say, Homeland and dog shaming seemed like more fun than reading stuffy old casebooks and investing in my future. pshhhhh.

This is also what one wears when one does not check the weather and therefore does not know that the temperature in one's location is going to be 73 DEGREES IN DECEMBER.

But the good news is, one final is officially on the books. 

And now... we drink. Or eat cupcakes. Or both.

27: Things I've Done Instead of Studying for Finals

Sweater: H&M | Skirt: J.Crew | Flats: Me Too Patty (different color) | Scarf: apt. 9 | Necklace: DIY | Watch: Fossil | Bracelet: Target | Earrings: Target

This.

Reached for my skinny jeans and was actually glad, for the first time, that my 30 for 30 is almost over.

Posted half the things I own on Poshmark. (It's fun! Download the app and let's follow each other and be merry.)

Went for an involuntary run. Considered dog shaming.

Drank my body weight in Cherry Coke Zero.

Pinned this and this and this.

Started planning this for my 12th 25th birthday. Thanks Mom & Dad! ... I'll be the one wearing this. Or this.

Created a spreadsheet for my January 30 for 30.

SOLD MY FIRST ETSY BLANKET ZOMMMMGGGGG!!!

Considered the very real possibility that I'm the only person not in love with the Target collab. Sad face.

Tried to decide if lavender polka dot jeans are a versatile wardrobe item.

Got started on this, except I paid $100 like a not-crazy person.

This.