Second Quarter 2011

As I have previously stated, I do not make New Year's Resolutions, but Monthly Resolutions. 

You can view the first quarter's goodies here.

Below are the resolutions I tackled in the second quarter of what is shaping up to be a wonderful year.

April: Eat More Vegetables

There are few things in life that I can say with 100% certainty: Dr. Pepper is superior to Mr. Pibb. Disney World is the happiest place on Earth. Rainbow flip-flops are the greatest shoes ever invented. One statement near the top of that list is that I do not eat vegetables. Sure, I may eat the occasional bean, a starchy potato or corn dish... but green? Leafy? Fresh from dirt? No. Never. (Back-story) I used to hate water. My theory was that water tasted like air, and I didn't want to drink air. Then, 7 years ago, I resolved to drink only water for 40 days (Lent), and by day 40, I craved water. Still love it. So, I thought that if I crammed vegetables down my throat for a month, I'd develop a taste and be better for it. Eh, not so much. I ate broccoli. It was gross. I ate cauliflower. I gagged. I ate a cucumber. My eyes watered. Now granted, being that I am 27 and have never eaten most of these (barring they were smothered in cheese, or someone snuck them in without my knowledge), there is a good chance that I was eating the wrong parts of these foods (is it the stem or the "tree top" that is eaten on broccoli? I tried, and hated, both.). But, nevertheless, I tried the vegetables at every meal that I could... and if nothing else, it kept me from eating mashed potatoes every day. Surprisingly, I did find that I enjoy spinach. Not the slimy, someone-already-chewed-this, glop mess that people eat... but the actual spinach leaves. So, I suppose it wasn't a complete waste.

May: Just Say Yes

I told a friend of mine that my resolution for May was to Just Say Yes. He seemed to think this was a terrible idea that would get me in a ton of trouble with sex, drugs, and, I don't know, rock and roll? However, being that I don't live on the tour bus of a 60's metal band, this month was exceptionally fun and eye-opening. I wouldn't say I come from a place of no (RHONYC reference!!), but I also wouldn't kid myself into thinking that I live in the middle of yes-town either. I have an image in my mind of who I am and what I do, and I tend to not venture out of that comfort zone. Especially when said venture could bring me to be around people that are missing teeth or wearing Nascar shirts. (I'm a snob, but I own it.) But this month, I decided I was going to "Just Say Yes." Here are the results:

The first weekend in May, my roommate asked me to go to a local craft fair. It was outside, in the humid Alabama spring. I would have rather stayed in and watched my Friends Season 4 DVDs, but I "Just Said Yes," and ended up finding a beautiful purse that I gave my mom for Mother's Day. And my roommate and I had a great day... doing something different.

The second weekend in May, I went to Nashville for a friends Bachelorette trip. Two guys asked for my number, and I would usually say no right away... because I could never "talk" to a guy that I met in a bar... what kind of love story is that? But, I "Just Said Yes," and they were both actually terribly nice, normal people. Granted, I came home, Facebook stalked one of them (don't judge me), and found out he was 20 and in town playing Ultimate Frisbee. But, that's neither here-nor-there.

The third weekend in May, I had a friend that was racing at a local drag strip. Now, this drag strip is in a part of my state that I have never been. Never planned to go. But, I "Just Said Yes." I could have died, and on my death bed, I would have proudly proclaimed, in my last breath, "I have never been to the Steele Drag Strip... I have lived a classy life." Well, now, I will have to think of a new deathbed proclamation, but I made some wonderful, hilarious, memories with my closest friends. I'll admit, this hilarity was mostly at the expense of people with missing teeth and Nascar shirts, but again, that's neither here-nor-there.

The last weekend in May, Memorial Day weekend, I went on another "out of my comfort zone" journey. We made plans to go float down the Cahaba, which I had heard of people doing, and it sounded fun. But then our EC (event coordinator) let me know that this in the backwoods outside of Wilton (what??). Immediately, I heard dueling banjos and wondered what I had agreed to. But we went, and again, laughed all day at people that were missing teeth or holding beer coolers as if they were their only child. But it was wonderful.

At the end of this month, I felt more of a "now I can say I did it," as opposed to, "I'm proud to say I've never been there," so I would say it was a complete success.

June: No Shopping/30 for 30 Challenge

It was fast approaching the end of May, and I still had not thought of anything to take on for June. I wanted it to be something good... something daring... something more interesting than "work out"... and I just didn't want to work out. So I asked my bestest friends to submit suggestions and I would choose from those. A friend directed to a website that explained the 30 for 30 Challenge... which in a nutshell is this: you pick 30 pieces from your wardrobe, and make 30 outfits, in 30 days. You can read, in probably more detail than you want, about the pieces I picked, the first 15 outfits, and the last 15, in older posts. I had a great time doing it, and would suggest it to any fellow shopaholic. It made me appreciate the clothing I already own, and above all else, taught me how to use the belts and scarves that I buy but scarcely wear. I actually put thought into the outfits I was choosing, and it made me feel more confident in my appearance. Plus, the no-shopping saved me a few bucks, and kept me from buying a black dress for a wedding, when I already own 10. No joke. Success.

30 for 30 Challenge - Outfits (16-30)

In case you stumbled upon this by mistake, you'll need to go here and here to get the back story behind what would otherwise seem like a narcissistic list of what I wear. 

Now... on to Outfits 16-30, and the conclusion to my 30 for 30 Challenge.

Outfit 16 - I chose this simply as a work outfit- dark wash jeans with the tan tank and black cardigan - pretty casual... but pairing it with the black pumps brought the dressy factor up a notch. Like I said, I chose this because it is typical work attire. However, I ended up re-donning it later that evening when a close friend needed a night on the town to forget their bad day. So, I found that it actually transitioned from day-wear to evening-wear (I suppose?) pretty well.

Outfit 17 - Outfit 17 was for a Saturday (Outfit 16 was a Thursday, but I wore a repeat on Friday... sue me), and I don't usually wear a lot of "Outfits" on Saturdays. I am usually in a bathing suit or pajamas all day... but I was going to watch a movie and eat pizza with some friends, and I thought I'd spare them the sight of my two-sizes-too-big-someone-left-them-at-my-apartment-in-college Polo pajama pants, and actually put on clothes. I wore my seafoam sheer shirt and matching cami with khaki shorts and gold and tan sandals. Nothing special, but definitely a step up from the alternative. And I do love that shirt.

Outfit 18 - Sundays are my favorite days for creating Outfits. I love to dress up... but I am also pretty (very) lazy when it comes to my appearance. But Sundays have always been my wear-a-pretty-dress day. For this particular Sunday, I wore my Calvin Klein khaki dress, which I love, and my black pumps. This dress comes with a belt, but I swapped it this day for a black ribbon belt that I have. I loved this outfit. I am most at peace in neutrals, and this was a classic combo of black and khaki.

Outfit 19 - This is probably the most unlike-me Outfit I've worn since starting this Challenge. For one, I don't usually do layers... I mean I will wear a cardigan, but I don't usually layer shirts or tanks that are the same. I see people wearing a tee with a tee over it with a cardigan and a scarf, and all I can think of is Joey Tribbiani saying, "Could I BE wearing anymore clothes?" But for this day, I stepped outside my comfort zone and layered my white tank and tan tank and wore a scarf that brought them together. I paired them with my gold and tan sandals and my dark wash jeans cuffed. I looked like a hipster, in my opinion.

Outfit 20 - I'll admit... I'm getting ready and desperate to wear the rest of my closet... but I can see the end of June on my calendar, so I must persevere. I realized on the morning of Outfit 20, that there were still pieces that had not been worn. So on this day I wore my dark wash jeans with my rose and tan shirt and nude pumps. It was a simple Outfit, but that shirt is a statement piece (for me, anyway... I don't do loud clothes), and I don't even wear a lot of jewelry with it. The detail on the neckline is just beautiful. It is really one of those pieces that I literally bought the second I saw it. Love at first sight.

Outfit 21 - I've worn my regular wash jeans and white blousy top together before with the tan and gold sandals, but this time I paired it with my tan and white cardigan. I really like wearing these two shirts together. It's something about the length of the blouse versus the length of the cardigan, or the differences in fabric... I don't know, but it never disappoints.

Outfit 22 - Outfit 22 fell on another mundane, regular workday. I chose my trusty navy blue dress and paired with the lime green cardigan and tan and gold sandals. It's a cute combo and some of the women at work complimented me. That's all I really have about that.

Outfit 23 - There is something you should know about me, and you may have already picked up on: There are days in my life when I could literally not care any less about how I look. This was one of those mornings. I got up and jogged (don't ask me why... I act impulsively sometime), and if you knew me at all, you would be asking yourself now, "Did you pass out?" Well, no... but I was exhausted. So I took a nap, after my jog, and woke up about 10 minutes before I usually leave. I wore my olive green shirt with regular wash jeans and tan and gold sandals. I actually looked fine and normal, but I assure you... no extra effort went into my appearance that day.

Outfit 24 - Outfit 24 was a "Going Out" Outfit. I don't have many of those, because feel that it is inappropriate to judge people for being somewhere if you're in the same place. So I usually stay home and judge through Facebook. Kidding! Kidding! Nonetheless, this night, we had arranged a girls' night of sorts, and went downtown. I wore my black tank and gold cardigan with dark wash jeans and black pumps. I liked this Outfit, but I will admit that this was the night I most missed the rest of my closet. If this had been day 4 or 5, there's a chance I would have just given up.

Outfit 25 - I wore Outfit 25 for maybe 4 hours. A friend of mine was married about a month and half ago, and she is still returning gifts... so I accompanied her, and then we grabbed a bite to eat. I like when I actually get to create outfits for something other than work. For this outing, I wore my white shorts and pink 3/4 shirt with the tan and gold sandals.

Outfit 26 - Outfit 26 started off my last workweek under the challenge. This Outfit is actually really similar to Outfit 1... My peach shirt and dark wash jeans... okay, fine... it's the exact Outfit except for shoes. On my first day, I wore my nude pumps, but for this Outfit I chose tan and gold sandals. But wearing flats as opposed to heels does completely change the look and feel of an outfit. 

Outfit 27 - I wanted to wear the navy blue dress again before my Challenge was over. So, on this day I paired it with my nude pumps and a tan and white scarf. I am really into neutrals this week.

Outfit 28 - Outfit 28 was worn to a softball game in the evening of the same day as Outfit 27 (I wasn't wearing a dress and heels to a ball field). I chose my white tank with tan and white cardigan with the white shorts and tan and gold sandals. I stayed relatively comfortable in the Alabama summer night.... other than the fact that my hair looked like Roseanna Roseannadanna after the second game.

Outfit 29 - I can't believe tomorrow will be my last day for the "30 for 30." I really caught my second wind around Outfit 27, and planned the remaining outfits all at once. Outfit 29 fell on a normal, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary workday. I wore my white denim mini with the tan tank and green cardigan. I had paired it with my tan sandals from yesterday (and most other days), but swapped them at the last minute for my black sandals. I wanted to wear these black and green earrings I bought in the Bahamas, and these just didn't see enough playing time.

Outfit 30 - Wow. I did it. I created 30 Outfits with only 30 Pieces of clothing. I am really proud of myself, and also really ready to wear something, anything, else. My last Outfit fell on a bittersweet day. I had to attend the "funeral" (I hate that word!) of a dear woman I knew. I didn't want to wear black, because I am not in mourning (I know where she is!) so I wore my khaki dress and nude pumps, and of course my MVP belt from Gap. I loved this Outfit, and it seemed fitting to close out my challenge with all neutrals... proving that this Challenge has only reinforced what I really like as far as fashion is concerned..... classics.

What have I learned? Most importantly: how to accessorize. I have always been a strict less-is-more girl, and this challenge showed me that the occasional belt or scarf can complete an outfit as opposed to overpowering it.

Did I pick the right pieces? For the most part, yes. There were a few shirts that I didn't enjoy as much as I thought, and I would have swapped those for some additional skirts or dresses.

Would I do this again? Yes... but probably not for a while. I need to buy a lot of new clothes before I attempt a second go.

Would I suggest this to my friends? Absolutely. I am glad I did it and can say I stuck with it. It will definitely make you appreciate your clothes.

30 for 30 Challenge - (Outfits 1-15)

I blogged earlier about the 30 for 30 Challenge that I was doing for the month of June. I already introduced you to the 30 pieces in play, and I thought I'd split my outfits into two posts. 

Note, for information, and so you'll be jealous: I can wear whatever I want to work... dresses, jeans, heels, sandals... I usually try to keep it cool and casual, but pulled together... there are literally people here that wear souvenir t-shirts and sneakers everyday. 

Outfit 1 - I started off my 30 for 30 Challenge with a simple shirt/jeans combo. I paired the peach shirt with my dark wash jeans, and wore my nude pumps. I wore simple pearl jewelry, as I didn't want to over-accessorize right off the bat. I wore this to work, and then church that evening.

Outfit 2 - For my second day on the clothing diet, I chose the blue dress with the tan and white cardigan. I wore my tan sandals. I wore this to work, then came home and put on pajamas, which were really cute but I don't have to report here!

Outfit 3 - Day 3 fell on a Friday... a Friday that started off a busy weekend for me. It also presented me with a problem: I had a wedding rehearsal that night, but I had to work during the day. Now, it is June in Alabama, and that means it is hot. I don't mean, "Oh it's hot out." I mean, "It is freaking 100 degrees at 5 pm." So, I couldn't wear the rehearsal outfit to work, or I would just be... gross... by the time I arrived at the rehearsal. So I asked myself, "Does this challenge say anything about wearing only one outfit per day? Or can you repeat outfits, as long as at the end of the challenge, you have worn 30 outfits in public, and used all 30 pieces?" Then I remembered that this is not the Olympics. If I quit this tomorrow, most likely that no one would even care. So I answered myself that the latter question was correct. And then I chose an olive green shirt and white denim mini, and wore my tan sandals to work.

Outfit 4 - Then, after work, I came home, cleaned up, and put on a black tank with my purple skirt and black heels. I wore a glass necklace that I bought at a Premiere Jewelry party. It really goes well with this skirt, and I thought it would "springtime" up the black tank. I was please with the outfit.

Outfit 5 - That next day, I had two weddings... One I was just attending, but was singing at the other, so I wore my black Gap dress and black pumps with a long pearl necklace. Subdued and conservative, I know... but I've always been told that soloists at weddings should wear black, so I did. I actually got many, many compliments. (Side note: I bought this dress at a Gap sale... $6. Thank you, thank you very much.)

Outfit 6 - This is my favorite outfit so far (I am aware it is only day 6). I wore the aforementioned purple skirt, but this time I paired it with my go-to white top that has the braided detail around the neck and the sheer overlay. I wore it with a belt I got at Gap (same sale as the dress) and my nude pumps. I was singing in church that morning, and wasn't sure if I'd be wearing a choir robe, so I wanted to look good. And, I think I did.

Outfit 7 - I decided at the last minute that I would go to my church's evening service, so I wore my classic regular wash jeans with that morning's white top and my tan sandals. I paired it with the same tan belt. (Spoiler alert: I wore it the next day to work, too. Don't judge.)

Outfit 8 - After I wore the exact same clothes Sunday night and Monday... day, I knew I couldn't repeat another outfit so early in the game. I chose a shirt I had not worn (in this challenge) yet, the pinky, peachy, ruffly top, which is the single most girly piece of clothing I own... paired with my dark wash jeans and nude heels. Nothing terribly inspiring, but whatev. Just a day at the office.

Outfit 9 - Wednesday was the day for Outfit number 9, and Wednesday is always a busy day for me. I  usually try to dress "up" a little, just because I will be going straight from work to church, and I feel the need to not want to look like a slob. I chose the sheer green hippie shirt with matching camisole and paired it with my white denim mini and tan and gold sandals. I was actually really pleased with this combo. I have never, in this challenge or otherwise worn this outfit, although I've had all these pieces for a while. I was pleasantly cool, even though the shirt is long sleeve (I did however roll the sleeve to three-quarters), and the arm coverage helped balance out the leg I was showing (which was nothing to write home about, being that my whole body is barely 5 feet tall).

Outfit 10 - This may be my new favorite. I still am a big fan of Outfit 6, but today's outfit is rising fast... and making me wish I had chosen more dresses. Today, I chose the navy blue dress with the tan and gold sandals. I paired it with what is soon becoming the MVP of this challenge: my on-sale-at-Gap tan belt. I have a few events coming up where I am going to have to double down on outfits in one day, and this one will for sure be making a repeat appearance.

Outfit 11 - I've passed the 10 day mark, and so far, no regrets with the pieces I chose. Outfit 11 fell on a Friday, which is an even more casual work day. I usually dress as I would any other day, but I slept late, and just couldn't care less about picking out a cute outfit. I wore my regular wash jeans with the pink 3/4 button up shirt and tan sandals. I cuffed the jeans, and the whole outfit looked effortless (which it completely was) and cute.

Outfit 12 - We have a music festival (and I am using that term generously) in my hometown each year. Sometimes we actually get bands that you really like....d when you were 13. But nevertheless, it is a good chance to people watch and eat free food. It's hot out, but you may see people that you haven't seen in a while, so I always want to be comfortable, but not at the sake of looking cute. For this, I chose my white shorts and white tank and wore the gold sleeveless cardigan and handy dandy tan belt. I of course wore my gold and tan sandals which are proving to be invaluable. I was cute, comfy, and cool... once the sun went down about 8 pm.

Outfit 13 - For Outfit 13, it was a church day, so I chose my black Calvin Klein dress and paired it with my red pumps. I tied a red sash (that came off another dress that I almost chose as one of the 30), and I ended up wearing it all day. I usually change into more casual clothes for evening services, but I was singing, so I kept the dress on all day. That was just FYI.

Outfit 14 - I realized that I was focusing on the same pieces, or so it seemed, and that I had a few shirts that had yet to even be worn. So for Outfit 14, I wore my dark wash jeans again, but paired it with my black tank  and black and white rose cardigan, which I had not worn this month. I wore my black flat sandals, in what I think may have been their debut appearance as well! I love this cardigan, and I always get tons of compliments on it... I'm not sure why I don't wear it more often.

Outfit 15 - What I am enjoying most about this experience is falling in love with clothes that I was "just friends" with before. For instance, my navy dress... I always liked it... but I felt it was either too casual or too dressy for whatever occasion was at the time. But I wore it for Outfit 15, and paired it with a bright scarf and gold and tan sandals. I loved it. This dress is quickly becoming one of my favorite pieces. And it was a complete afterthought. I actually had another pair of shoes, and swapped them at the last minute. I am so glad I did. 

30 for 30 Challenge - Pieces

I started my 30 for 30 challenge today.

If you are not familiar with this, go here.

Last night, I chose 30 pieces of clothing, including shoes... but not accessories (jewelry, belts, etc.). From these pieces, I will wear a different outfit every day for 30 days.

For now, here is a list of the 30 pieces in play:

(left to right, top to bottom of the photo... if I can remember the "maker," I will list that as well... click for full picture)

red patent pumps (Worthington)

pink ruffly top

black tank with eyelet detail at the neck (Banana Republic)

green cardigan with ruffle edging (Old Navy)

black dress (Gap)

nude pumps (Tahari)

khaki shorts (J.Crew)

peach top with sheer overlay and zipper detail (Gap)

purple skirt with pick-up detail

white denim mini (Gap)

pink button up shirt (Old Navy)

tan tank (Gap)

white shorts (J.Crew)

navy blue dress

white tank (Gap)

regular wash jeans (Gap)

black cap sleeve cardigan or vest or whatever

seafoam sheer shirt (Gap)

dark wash jeans (Gap)

white top with braided detail at neck

black pumps

khaki dress with belt (Calvin Klein)

seafoam cami (Gap)

tan shirt with rose and tan embellishment at neck (Banana Republic)

black sandals

olive green cap sleeve shirt (Gap)

gold cardigan or vest or whatever {what are these called??}

tan and gold sandals (Kensie Girl)

black and white rose print cardigan

tan and white cardigan (Gap)

I will post all the outfits that are created!!