Pop goes the challenge...and a little sunshine!

Honestly, the first part of that title doesn't really make too much sense to me, but I thought it was moderately funny...

So, um, hey. I've been unintentionally gone lately, and I'm sorry about that. I'm going to blame everything on planning my wedding, even though that's not really the reason I've been gone. It just sounds better than laziness!

I've been enjoying reading everyone's 30 x 30 submissions. Unfortunately, my challenge fell apart for a couple of reasons. First, as I said here, there were a couple of items that didn't fit well or just weren't a good fit for this challenge. Second, as I wore a few things, namely my red cowl neck shirt and gray jeans, I realized that they were just plain worn out. The shirt had a hole in it, and since it's a thin cotton knit, it wasn't even repairable (at least not with my subpar sewing skills). My gray jeans had shrunk a good 2 inches and looked so sad and tired that even my fiance, who always has something complimentary to say about me, said they needed to be put into the donation bag.

I have at least one more 30 x 30 outfit that I photographed and need to post, and then that's it for that. I definitely want to try this again...maybe in June/July leading up to when I turn 30 (30 x 30 for turning 30...hmm...). To all of you still participating, I commend you and can't wait to see how you wrap it up over the next few days!

In other news, Sam from Sam ipsa Loquitur nominated me for a Sunshine Award! This is my very first blogger award, and it makes me feel like a real blogger...albeit one who hasn't posted in a while and crashed and burned on 30 x 30 a couple of times but a real one nonetheless (actually, that may be what all bloggers do ha ha). If you don't know what a Sunshine Award is, here's the gist:

"The Sunshine Award is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers. The recipients of the Sunshine Award are: 'Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.' The way the award works is this: Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them. Answer questions about yourself. Select 10 of your favorite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they have been awarded the Sunshine Award!"

Since Sam tagged all of the 30 x 30 participants, I'm skipping the part where I award 10 of my favorite bloggers (since I'm not sure if anyone else even reads this!), but I'm answering the questions!

Who is your favorite philosopher? I'm going with Jesus on this one. I'm really working on becoming a better Christian, and man, Jesus has it going on (philosophically)...does that sound weird?

What is your favorite number? 42. I don't know why. I think it's the answer to the ultimate question of life and the universe and everything, but I liked it before it was cool...

What is your favorite animal? I've never been a huge animal person, but I'm marrying a dog fanatic, so I'll go with that! =)

What is your favorite time of day? Evenings, after work until bedtime. The work day is over and the time is all mine!

What is your favorite holiday? Gotta go with Christmas on this one! Lots of days off work, spending time with family and friends, presents, and Jesus' birthday!

What is your favorite physical activity? I go to a GREAT gym that has functional movement training classes (I guess it's kind of like CrossFit). The classes are an hour long and TOUGH, but I'd rather do that than slog it out on the treadmill or elliptical!

What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Coffee!! And chocolate milk!! Or a mocha coffee with milk...ooh...fancy!

What is your passion? I'm actually doing some soul-searching right now to try to figure that out. I've felt kind of blah lately, and I think it's because I don't really have anything that I'm just oh my stars passionate about. I'll get back to you on this one...

What is your favorite flower? Tulips. I'm not sure why, but I've always just really liked them!

A little 30x30 trouble...

There's been some trouble in my world lately concerning 30x30. First, my maroon skinny pants have decided they are too skinny for me after my holiday entire month of December and part of January overeating binge. I guess that's what happens when you don't try on your pieces before selecting them. Also, a black sweater that I chose has proven to be incredibly itchy. I've worn it once, and I didn't have that problem, but maybe I was just feeling super-sensitive since I was on my way to getting sick with a "viral infection" (put into quotation marks because it sounds like a really generic way of saying "bad sinuses" or "crappy response to the up and down weather"). So, I've been home from work 3 out of 5 days this week, and I can't wear 2 of my 30 pieces, and I realize that I just plain don't want to wear a couple of the items. I think I'm going to do some shuffling around this weekend and swap some things out. I've only worn a small portion of my choices so far, so I feel justified in doing this, even if this is going to take me into the second week of February (unless I start getting out of the house on Sundays...hmmm...). On the plus side, I did plot out my outfits using Sam's OCD Organization Idea (and let's be honest, I ripped off the idea of a Life 2013 spreadsheet also. So much more helpful than having 40 different related but different spreadsheets clogging up my Google Drive account). Planning out my outfits is something I'm going to continue beyond this challenge...IF I ever finish it! 

How's everyone else doing with the challenge? I've seen some very cute outfits that are also responsible for making me want to swap out some of my pieces! 

Catch up...hold the mustard...

Before I started the 30 x 30 challenge, my last posted outfit was from November 12. I've been taking pictures every weekday that I worked since then, but I didn't want to go back and do individual daily posts for each outfit. That would be confusing and time consuming. However, I didn't want to let all of the cheesy pictures of me and my outfits be withheld from my adoring public, so I wanted to come up with a good solution. I've decided to do a couple of catch up posts featuring lots of pictures. I'm going to split them up into kind of the good, the eh, and the ugly (using the labels that are on the top of the blog). I know other people read this, but this is a tool for me also to keep up with what works, what doesn't, etc, so this will help me tremendously. So, in the next few days expect a couple of compilation posts sprinkled in with the 30 x 30 posts. As always, if anyone who's been doing this a while has any tips on how to keep up, create a blogging schedule, take better pictures, save the world, or anything else, please share them with me!

30 x 30: Day Five, 01/05/13

Hey, I actually got more than one picture of my outfit today. Progress!

I don't know how long I've had this cardigan, but I don't think I've ever worn it. This is the first example of how 30 x 30 is helping me tap into underutilized items in my wardrobe. Hooray!

Kind of full body shot

Top half of body shot

Tried to get a close up of the diamonds but failed!

What I liked:

• The look of the outfit

What I didn't like:

• The cardigan didn't stay buttoned, and the tank top underneath felt a little tight and low cut (especially at church!), so next time I wear the cardigan, I need to try it with a different shirt underneath

Cardigan- Goodwill, tank top- Walmart, jeans- Old Navy, booties- gift from future mother-in-law

30 x 30: Day Four, 01/04/13

I love red and gray, so I'm surprised I've never put this outfit together (and unfortunately, my picture is pretty terrible. I'm sensing a 30 x 30 theme!). I wear these pants quite often, and I've worn a red and gray striped top with them, but that felt really "matchy matchy". This incorporates the color scheme without feeling so kindergartner-ish. I got this shirt off the Kmart clearance rack for $2 many years ago. Its cost per wear is probably down to pennies by now. Woo hoo!

Unresolution 2- Take better bedroom shots...
wait, that sounds more "adult" than it should. Ha

Also, you know what's fun when you're getting your clothes ready for the week and choosing from your 30 x 30 selections that were picked with the thoughts that it's January, winter, and cold? Looking at the forecast and seeing that the coldest day of the week is 50 degrees and the warmest day will hit 70. I LOVE warm weather, but it puts a bit of a wrench in my clothes planning. Oh well. Roll with the punches, right? =) Has anyone ever experienced something like that where you plan for one kind of weather and then get completely blindsided?

What I liked:

• The color scheme
• The looser top with the tighter pants. Proportions and whatnot

What I didn't like:

• The shirt has a little bit of pilling. I may be able to take care of that though

Shirt- Kmart, pants- Old Navy, boots- Payless

30 x 30: Day Three, 01/03/13

I didn't make resolutions this year because I think resolution implies that you won't follow through with it and have an excuse not to complete it. I did make goals though, which have more of a sense of permanence (in my opinion) and will carry throughout the year/however long they're intended to last.

With all of that being said, I resolve to clean off my dirty mirror ASAP. How does a bedroom mirror even get that filthy? Blech. 

This was my first post-trip picture, and I'm 3 for 3 on adding an item that isn't quite on my list. To be fair, these are my 3+ hours in the car travelling pants. Also, I pinkie promise that upcoming outfits will be legit...probably.

Welcome to 2013, dirty mirror

What I liked:

• I love this sweater so much. It's soft, warm, and has hearts on it. 
• This outfit allowed me to contort myself into a comfortable car sleeping position

What I didn't like:

• Nothing- this was for function over fashion today!

Sweater- Forever 21, leggings- Target (they're fleece-lined workout pants!), boots- Rue 21

30 x 30: Day Two, 01/02/13

Well this just isn't a good picture at all. It doesn't show the whole outfit, I had already taken off the cardigan, and the stripes look blue instead of black. Good thing I'll probably be repeating the entire outfit again in the challenge! Also, I cheated with my tank top again today. Today's excuse will be "that's what I packed, so live with it." That's the meanest I'll be on my blog...hopefully...

What it looks like when you're
 trying to do a quick, sneaky picture...

What I liked:

• Comfortable again for riding around in the car and going to the casino for the first time ever. I won $1.97, so this could technically be my lucky outfit...

What I didn't like:

• Not sure yet since I didn't get to see a full body shot. 

Cardigan (not shown)- Gap Outlet, shirt- Old Navy, tank top- VF Outlet, jeans- Old Navy, boots- gift from grandma

30 x 30: Day One, 01/01/13

Alright here we go! Just one picture today that I took in the loft of the cabin we stayed in during vacation. The face may have been inspired by the dead fly on the pool table! Also, there's a non-sanctioned layering tank top underneath my sweatshirt. It's one of those cheapy ribbed tank tops, so I'm gonna count it as an undergarment to appease myself.

Linking up with Sam today for the first 30 x 30 linkup also! =)

I'm as tall as the Christmas tree!

What I liked:

• Easy, comfortable outfit for riding around in the car, doing a little shopping, and seeing a guy that looked just like the old Elvis. Be jealous.

What I didn't like:

• These pants show every little speck of dirt, fuzz, etc. The more I wear them, the more I realize that. Blerg.

Shirt- Forever 21, tank top- Old Navy, pants- Burke's Outlet, boots- gift from grandma

My super long, picture heavy post of 30x30 selections!

Okay, I did it. I actually got 30 items together, took pictures of them (albeit, some most of the pictures are terrible because I took them at 1 AM the night I left for vacation), and started planning my outfits. I may take longer than 30 days. I may end up throwing this whole idea away. I don't know how it will end up, but at least I'm already doing better than the last time I attempted this!

So, here are my selections (warning: lots of pictures in a row because I don't quite know how to do a cool collage-y thing. Double warning: they might be crooked, out of alignment, etc because Blogger and I are fighting right now):

Black Dress

Purple Tunic

Hearts Sweater

Navy Blue Sweater

Gray Tunic

Black and Gray Striped T-Shirt

Gray Cardigan with red, white, black diamonds

Black Sweater

Cream Sweater

White 3/4 Sleeve T-Shirt that I was wearing...thanks for noticing...

Mustache Shirt

Chambray Shirt

Red Cowl Neck Shirt

Tank Tops and Layering Pieces

Black Cardigan

Blue Sweater

Purple Blazer

Black Blazer

Pants

Everything is pretty self-explanatory except for the tanks/layering pieces and pants. Those items include:

1. Leopard Print Sleeveless Button Down

2. White Sleeveless T-Shirt

3-5. Lace Tank Tops in White, Black, and Gray

6. Black Leggings

7. Jeggings

8-11. Skinny Jeans in Denim, Black, Maroon, and Gray

12-13. Tan and Green Cords

I decided not to count shoes as part of my 30 since this is the first time I'm doing this. Also, since it's January, I may end up wearing the same 2 pairs of boots the entire time anyway! I also tried to stick to a monochromatic color palette (mostly blacks and grays), but this seems pretty boring. I reserve the right to swap something out as long as I haven't worn an item already. I'm not doing a shopping ban during this project (in fact, some of these things were chosen because they were recent purchases, mainly from Old Navy), but I am resolving to purge and declutter my clothes, especially since I'm getting married and moving in March. I definitely want to have a cleaner slate to start the wifey lifey (I've used this rhyme before, but I'm not sure whether it was here or on another blog I have. Regardless, I like it, so it stays).

There are some pieces on here that I've never worn (not just the items with tags on them), and there are pieces that I've worn in real life but not on a work day, so they haven't made their way to the blog yet. I'm excited to see if I can incorporate any weekend wear into the work week. I'm also excited that I've finally finished this posting! 

Why hello 2013...

I'm so slow at blogging that I'm even behind on my "welcome to a new year" post! Actually, I just got back from a little trip to the mountains (and my first visit to a casino...I walked out a whole $1.97 richer. Slow down, money bags!), so I'm working to get caught back up on life, including blogging. I packed my suitcase with 30X30 selections and will have some pictures up in the next couple of days.

I also want to figure out some blogger goals for this year. I kept a personal blog last year where I wrote daily about something I was thankful for. When I started this blog, I intended to post my work outfits, Monday-Friday, a day or two after I wore them. Since I'm only on November 12, I don't think that's necessarily the best strategy. However, I've got daily pictures for almost every day after through today, so I'm not sure what to do. Should I change my strategy and only post 2-3 times per week until I get into a more regular habit? Should I change my format from a "what I wore on this particular date" to a "insert clever title and date be darned" method? Decisions, decisions. Any thoughts from anyone?

Also, Happy New Year! =)