That 70's Librarian

Glasses - Banana Republic; Shirt - Old Navy; Skirt and vest - Thrifted;

Boots - Marshall's; Ring - Steinmart

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I'm so far behind on my blogging of outfits. I forget how this outfit made me feel, so it wasn't stellar, but it wasn't bad, either. I looked like the college student that I am.

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The problem is that, being almost full time in school and absolutely full time at work is normally ok. But when you add in extra pressures of taking over for a co-worker who left for maternity leave, as well as being pulled into some project management duties because of problems with invoicing I'm barely treading water at work. And when I'm not working, I'm not on my computer (taking a break now at 10:32 pm on a saturday from invoice reviews) so my blogging has sufferred. I know I don't have many followers, but those of you that have blogs are being visited by me, I'm just not really able to make comments...I'm doing outfit pic drive-bys when I have a second to breathe. The good news is that despite the less than stellar economy, I got another pretty nice raise this year, so my efforts aren't going unnoticed.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways

Valentine's Day Blues

Shirt - Jones New York (Macy's); Vest - Tommy Hilfiger (Macy's FREE);

Skirt - Old Navy; Tights - We Love Colors; Boots and Bangles - Macy's;

Scarf - Steinmart; Belt - Baby Phat (thrifted)

Wow, the way I'm standing in the first pic makes me look really wide! Note to self...never stand that way again!

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Happy Valentine's Day, my lovelies! I'm about a week behind in my posting, but thought I'd skip ahead to show what I actually wore on Valentine's Day. I centered the outfit around the vest I got for FREE with Macy's rewards dollars this weekend, which just happened to have red in it, so fortunately for me I did dress for the occasion. I've generally shied away from Tommy stuff because it's just so darn expensive - too expensive to be worth it. I also shy away from red-white-blue clothing cause it's a little too 4th of July-y for me, but I was drawn to this vest because it was a cardigan vest (something totally new to my closet) and I liked how the gray was worked in. I had no trouble building the outfit.

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I'm also excited to showcase my new hair. I have really limp flat hair on the left side of my head and thick bouncy hair on the right. Why shouldn't my hair be as lopsided as my boobs? I finally went to a real hairdresser to get it trimmed up. It was my friend Jenna's sister Lizzie, and it was the first time in my life that I told a hair dresser my struggles and they gave me exaclty what I needed to fix them! I am so happy with this cut. It's technically kind of an emo cut -lots of short layers on top- but it gives me the lift and body and dimension that I need all around. SO HAPPY!! Now, if only my bangs would grow a little faster!

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Rating - Two V-Day Thumbs Up!

Ladies and Gentlemen....

Shirt - Alfani (Macy's); Skirt - JC Penny; Vest - Motherhood Maternity;

Shoes - Old Navy; Necklaces - Premiere and JC Penny;

Floral Pin and Earrings - Steinmart

It wasn't until I got this photo from Husby that I realized I looked like the Ringmaster of an Evil Circus with the vest/skirt/stripey shirt/flower combo I had going on. Quickly removed the vest and hid it in my laptop bag :-)

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While this isn't a very colorful navy outfit, the interesting details of the items and accessories lend to a desirable alternative to the uber conservative navy of Monday. These shoes, especially, with what my daughter thinks are blueberries on the tops. I felt very feminine and a little edgy with my plaid pencil skirt and stripey shirt. Look at me mixing patterns!

Protector of Sherwood Forest

Shirt, Belt and Vest - Steinmart; Pants - Macy's; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (thrifted); Earrinngs, Necklace and Bracelets - Premiere

You know that go-to shoe that is always comfy and makes you feel super fab? These are one of my two pairs. The other ones are silver and glittery all over. These babies are an awesome red plaid, with gold jinglies and a little red patent bow to match the trim. Got them for $4 at a thrift store and I couldn't figure out why they were not only thrifted, but clearance. Why would no one want these beautiful shoes? I finally figured it out.

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Despite Plato's Closets efforts to keep things organized, shoes never quite end up in the right places. While I am a size 9.5 - 10 (just call me Sasquatch) I look through all of the sizes until around 7, and I've found some gems put in the wrong places. I found these babies in the 8-9 section and despite saying 8.5, they looked awefully big so I tried them on and they fit. I can see how someone with size 8.5 feet would try these on and pass them by. Oh how I love manufacturer's defects that work in my favor!!

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I was very pleased with this color combo until I got to work and everyone was calling me Robin Hood. I'll still most likely try this combo again, just in a more feminine way. Oh, how I love being compared to a boy.

Off the Wagon

Dress - Alfani (thrifted); Vest - One World (Steinmart); Shoes - Payless;

Belt - Steinmart; Earrings - a little boutique in columbus;

Bracelets - Me; Ring - Premiere

So, because I am so short waisted, I can shop in petites despite being 5'-9". I've had great luck with shirts and sweaters, but found out this day that dresses are a nono. While this did fit great in the top area, this petite dress was riding up on me in the leg department all day. I was super duper self conscious, probably because I wore white tights. Next time, it will be black.

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And the title of the post is cause I'm hanging my head in shame. I was having a horribly stressful work/school day and I stopped at goodwill at lunch and did a little shopping. It was thrifted, and I kept it at $20, but I clearly fell off the wagon. As I climb back on I am going to attempt baby steps. Maybe I have to approach this the way I did quitting smoking. Take it day by day until I hit a week, then week by week until I hit a month...then it was easy cause I had gone so long. Sorry Husby. Sorry readers. Day one. Again.

Zarebras

Shirt - Romeo & Juliet Coutoure (via Steinmart); Vest - Motherhood Maternity;

Skirt - Old Navy; Shoes - Rampage (via Macy's);

Necklaces and Earrings - Premiere; Beaded Cuff - Sears

Yes, this vest is also maternity....but you wouldn't know if I didn't tell you. I was finding vests like these all over Plato's Closet when I was killing time before a chiropractor appointment. I never thought of wearing this short vest with my highwaisted skirt, or tucking in this drop-waisted zebra print top, but I needed to get inventive to fulfill my vest week needs. Also, I love how my top half is a little rocker, but my bottom half is conservative secretary, down to my classic piped peep toe pumps. To finish things off, I let my hair do it's own thing and neither straightened nor curled. The barely-there, non-uniform wave that I was left with after my second pregnancy is a little hard for me to just 'let go', but since all of Hollywood is going natural, I'm trying to give it a try. Plus, it takes a hell of a lot less time on days like this one when I slept in....

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Oh, and 'Zarebra' is what my daughter thought that horse-looking black and white striped zoo animal was until recently. I can't help but think of it and smile.

I Did it My Way

Pants - Style & Co (Macy's); Vest - Thrifted; Tank - Steinmart;

Gladiator Sandals - Simply Vera by Vera Wang (thrifted);

Earrings, Necklace and Bracelets - ME!!

Day two of vest week allowed me to show off my newly discovered jewelry making skills. I had a necklace (from Premiere, who else) which broke. Only item from that line, ever, that I had a problem with, but the design was flawed in that very heavy beads were only held together by string. Instead of returning it, I took the beads that I collected when it broke to Michaels to see if I could find some beads to agument and try to put it back together myself on some clear elastic cord. The results were fabulous, and I found so many beads that I liked and complemented the necklace that I made some earrings and 3 bracelets. I absolutely LOVE the way they turned out. And got quite a few complements from people. Imagine my glee when my response was, "Thanks! I made them!!" I had a grin that lasted all day long. Look for more jewelry experiments in the future. I've got a turqoise bracelet I love that could use a necklace......

Shades of Gray

Or is it Grey?? I can never remember.

Vest - Steinmart; Leggings - Gap; Embellished Tank - Steinmart;

Silver Flats - Bakers; Necklaces - Premiere, Ring - Macy's; Earrings - Chico's

I didn't realize how many vests I owned until I was getting ready this morning. Since I'm on a 4-10's schedule until I finish school, I definitely have enough to have a vest themed week. The only bad thing is that this is by far my most interesting vest. The others are all black, or dark brown and very conventional, so I'll have to get a little creative. But I think I'm up for the Challenge!!. Vest Week, Here we Go.

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And I'd like to take a moment to comment on my hair. I bought some of those foam rollers to try putting in my hair overnight on a lark, just to see what would happen, and I am super-de-duper thirilled. These babies are going to get utilized a bunch! And they made it way easier to get ready for work in the moring. YAY!!