Don't Call it a Comeback

There are various reasons which have lead me to this nearly-one-month long absence from this here blog. Some are big {Rob in Europe/no photag, deeper consideration of my philosophies re:this blogging endeavor...}. Some are small {being gone myself to join Rob for 10 days, thinking breaks are good in any case...}.

I really liked blogging when I first started. It felt like a fun stress release, a creative focus & an exciting way to reimagine my personal style & the styles of others. It helped me understand style more as a fabulous art-communication hybrid. Then it became something that I felt tethered to & guilty when I neglected. Then it became something I began to over-think myself out of even wanting to do. But then...

I went on an incredible trip {a couple of weeks ago}, and snapping the sites & moments on our big adventure made me remember something that I always loved about blogging nomatterwhat; I love the avenue that it provides for me to experience 'moments' {outfits, evenings, adventures, et al} that much more, to revel in it that much longer, to remember it that much clearer.

I don't want to give that gift up yet.

I've had some moments lately. I'm excited to share them with you.

blouse & tights: Gap {outlet}, cardigan: Merona, skirt: Uncommon Items {Milwaukee}, belt: Charlotte Russe, earrings: Urban Outfitters, hobo bag: Miche, scarf & oxfords: Amersterdam, nail polish: Sally Hansen Salon Series ~ Summer Plum.

photos by Peanut.

Under the Sea

This was not intended as a fish costume. It did, however, come out a little aquatic life waitstaff.

Oh, well. Maybe it was the rainy weekend that had me feeling all swimmy.

I had a sweet weekend. Got to see a lil bit of friends, a lil bit of fam and have a lil bit of quiet time. It was very balanced. Y'all's?

tee: blah blah blah, skirt: be bop, cardigan, tights, boots & belt: Target, scarf: thrifted, earrings: The Electric Fetus, nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Yellow Kitty.

photos by Peanut.

::Seventeen=of=Thirty::

I don't even care that I'm still working on the 30-for-30 -- I'm having a lot of fun this way. This outfit sort of came out of nowhere {as the last few combos have} and let me tell you, it feels very me. I'm surprised I hadn't come up with it sooner and you can be darned sure I'll be recycling another version of it again soon. I know it looks like autumn in these pics but it's actually spring and it's actually sublime. I am in the best mood/s ever in the last few day/s, despite normal weekly headaches {both physical & metaphorical}. Something about warm, breezy temps and sunshine just makes me kinda drunk.

I think they call that "high on life".

blouse: Charlotte Russe, cardigan, tights, skirt, belt & boots: Target, necklace: gift, nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Plum's the Word.

photos by Peanut.

Famous Amos

** Warning: The post you are about to read includes materials not part of the 30-for-30 challenge. Some forgiveness is recommended **

This year, for Valentine's Day, Peanut gifted me with tickets to see one of my most favorite musicians, Amos Lee. Not only did P get me tix -- he got us seats in the second row! I was so excited about this event {and rightfully so, it was an amazing night}.{I got this comfy Mata Traders skirt and this awesome waist-length pea coat at the Electric Fetus on clearance recently. Between the two, I spent $35 and saved almost $100 off the original prices! Bliss.}

tank: Old Navy, cardigan: Mossimo, skirt: Mata Traders, leggings & boots: Target, leaf earrings: Forever21, navy peacoat: Tulle.

...the gorgeous State Theatre... !so close! -- we were practically bumping elbies with the man himself. ...' twas a mighty good one...

photos by Peanut.

::Fifteen=of=Thirty::

Half way -- half way! Hooray! This was a last-minute scramble combo in packing for a fabulous visit home {more details/photos/post to follow on that subject}. It was a super comfy outfit; great for the car ride, dinner, and general gallivanting. Thanks, 30-for-30! :)

Isn't this room {or the one wall of it that you can see here} dreamy? I can't wait to tell you all where/what it is!

tee, cardigan, leggings & boots: Target, skirt: American Apparel, belt: Charlotte Russe, earrings: H&M, bag: Miche.

photos by Peanut.

Erin Go Bragh

Well, I did promise the return of the 30-for-30 in my next outfit post, but I decided that I just had to make one exception for the holiday I love so dearly; St. Patrick's Day!

I did it up Oscar style this year {no, I didn't wear a green gown -- though that would've been awesome}, but I did do a mid-evening ensemble switch. Here is my first go; what I wore to work + out for our first stop at an Irish pub {coffee & Bailey's for this tired working girl} and dinner {Smithwick's & wings}...

tee, cardigan, scarf & belt: Target, skirt: Wet Seal {about 7 yrs old}, tights: We Love Colors, cuffed ballet flats: Geneva, Switzerland, earrings: Electric Fetus {gift}, headband: Forever21 {gift}

And this was my latter-half of the night getup. We headed over to a friend's place and walked to a party {Jameson was passed around. I did not partake}, so I needed something a little more comfy. Enter: the green sundress {"Old Reliable"}...

tee, dress, scarf, & cardigan: Target, earrings: Electric Fetus {gift}, tights: We Love Colors, boots: Minnetonka, frillie: handmade by Adeline :)

McPhotos by O'Peanut.

::Eleven=of=Thirty::

I love Valentine's Day. A lot. We had a wonderful & perfect one. I won't say too much about it {to avoid the barf factor}, but details-spared; we exchanged gifts + cards, had dinner and watched a movie. The gifts we gave each other were both for things we get to go do as a pair at later dates ~ which, to me, shows how much we really like each other.

white tunic {worn as blouse}: solitaire, cardigan: Mossimo, tights & belt: Target, skirt: United Colors of Benetton, earrings: Forever21, ballet flats: Steve Madden NYC, nail polish: Sally Hanson Salon Series ~ Pat on the Black

photos by Peanut.

::Seven=of=Thirty::

I am SO excited! My two besties are coming to town this weekend to see P's show and enjoy some fun & frivolity. It's going to be great! One of the two is actually rolling in tomorrow, so today kind of feels like Friday. Even though it's Wednesday. It's going to be a zany rest of the week here as I work, prepare for guests + finish up dress rehearsals of the show I'm designing hair for {1930's-40's era 'dos ~ super fun!}

...and it's going to be soo worth it!

This is my first non-planned-ahead combo of the challenge. I haven't worn this skirt at all yet, though I have recently rocked this blouse/vest combo -- and I'm not sure how I feel about that repetition. But I guess the challenge is to be creative & have fun, not to try to make a reverse-rubix cube mathematical proof out of my closet. So, I will try to wear my duplicated top pairing with glee. I did feel drab in the gray + plum + olive mix, so I added the cobalt tights to brighten it.

tee, skirt, boots & tights: Target, blouse & vest: Charlotte Russe, nail polish: China Glaze ~ Refresh-Mint, earrings, handmade by Adeline :)

photos by Peanut.