Past, Present, and Future

When I started this blog, I was inspired by other blogs that I read. I was inspired by those who were able to remix their clothes and make it seem like they had never-ending wardrobes through their creativity. I was inspired by those who didn't feel compelled to have the latest, trendiest, or higher end items. I was inspired by those who did 30 x 30 remixes and style challenges and all of that other fun stuff. I wanted to do that. I wanted to inspire myself and others by being a normal girl with normal clothes who learned how to look put together on a budget, a bad hair day, or when she woke up in a panic after hitting snooze too many times.

But, things didn't turn out that way.

My little blog, even with its blurry pictures and semi-structured posting schedule, isn't fun or inspirational. I find it awkward to take pictures of myself, even when I'm inside. Because of the 30 pounds (yep, 30, as confirmed by my doctor this morning) I've gained this year, I'm not happy with how I look in clothes, so I find myself taking fewer and fewer pictures. I'm not even wearing decent outfits these days. I was alone at work last week for the three days we were open, and I wore sweats two of those days. Sweatpants. To work. Something has got to give.

So, I'm shelving (ha) this blog. It may be temporary or it may be forever. I will continue to write on my other blog, so if any of you really just need to read something new I've written, you can find me there. I'm also going to be massively purging my Feedly account. I'm tired of tons of sponsored content and seeing things that just aren't wearable in my daily life. I want to feel inspired again. I want to see normal people, not content churners. It's time for a new year, a new me, and all of that other good stuff. I really, really hope to be back, brighter and lighter and ready to inspire.

I hope that all of you reading have a wonderful New Year and that 2014 brings you even more happiness and success!

Of Santas and stomach bugs

Well that was another disappearance, wasn't it?

It's been a crazy past week-and-a-half! Last weekend, I travelled to East Tennessee with a couple of friends to participate in the Santa Hustle 5K:

A race that gives M & Ms! Score!!

We had a lot of fun! We stayed at a hotel with an indoor waterpark and a hot tub that had a door that let you go outside while still being submerged. I need one of those! The downside to the fun weekend was that we were all exhausted at work on Monday! Monday night, I had the first of many family Christmas gatherings, and unfortunately, I picked up a stomach bug that has plagued me off and on all week. The gift that keeps giving, right?

I've been taking outfit pictures inside, which gives me fabulous (note the sarcasm) results like these:

(And weird formatting also, evidently)

But that's about it for me lately. I finally feel like a normal person again, and I want to try to start sneak photographing in the backyard so I'll have better lighting and spare people from seeing my messy house!

Merry almost Christmas!

A Work in Progress

As I mentioned last week, I've got an idea for my Wednesday feature in 2014. Presenting, What I Own Wednesday:

This may or may not be the final logo. I've just discovered PicMonkey, and I feel like the first time I did when I found Microsoft Paint and could make circles and color them in on my computer. My mind was blown!

Anyway, I'll get more in-depth with it next week and kick off the feature in January.

Speaking of January, don't forget to submit a look for the Outfit Inspiration Calendar. It's as easy as filling out the form below, and you're guaranteed to have upwards of ten or fifteen people visiting your blog via mine. ;-)

Have a fantastic night!

Hibernation Mode: Activate

It's cold. 

I know, I'm not telling anyone anything that they don't know, but I thought I would add to the extensive Internet literature that already exists and refers to the cold December weather. I'm more insulated than I would like to be, but I'm still not built for this type of weather. All I want to do is hibernate! Unfortunately, I don't have a job that allows that, and the groceries and Christmas presents aren't going to buy themselves. So, I layer up and maybe rely on an extra warm, caffeinated drink from a certain place to help warm me from the inside. And ladies and gentlemen, I may have figured out where some of that extra insulation came from!

In other news, it's Inspiration Monday. Here's the picture:

I went for an interpretation- scarf, sweater, leggings, boots:

Ugh, grainy cell phone picture. I tried to edit it a little to make it more crisp, but that didn't really work! It's been raining for approximately 35 years now, so I've been stuck taking pictures inside. Meh. I should've at least used my camera! 

I just liked how this one looked for some reason. This was when I was setting up my phone/self-timer. A little soft-focus action for ya today.

Also, I brought this up earlier in the fall, then my life evidently blew up with work, family, etc, but I'd like to try it again! If any of you ever read Fab Finds Under 50, then you may remember the Outfit Inspiration Calendar. She has since stopped blogging, but before she did, I asked for permission to take this over. To submit a look for the January calendar, just fill out the form below by Friday, December 27. This will be a new experience for me, so I'll try to make it as smooth as possible! =)

Linking up with:

Inspiration Monday and Thrifters Anonymous (since my sweater was thrifted! Woo hoo!)

Too many ideas, too little free time

This time of year gets a little hectic for everyone. I didn't think we were going to be too busy until I started figuring up our family commitments, friend commitments, and a few other things that I've got going on, in addition to my husband's overtime schedule (he works for Amazon Fulfillment, so this time of year is C-R-A-Z-Y for him!). It's also the time of year when you start reflecting on the past 11 months and looking ahead to the next 12. For me, this means thinking about this blog. I've made a few changes, tried to be a more consistent poster, co-hosted a linkup, and participated in a few other linkups. I've made good progress, but I'd like to do more!

I decided my "What You Wear That Wednesday" feature wasn't something I wanted to continue, but I have another Wednesday idea, and yes, it will probably have alliteration because that's how I roll and all. But, since things are a little crazy right now, I'm not going to jump into that feature until 2014. Also, my posting may be sporadic since I haven't been taking a lot of pictures lately. I've lost a little weight since I felt frazzled and fluffy earlier this fall, but I'm still not where I want to be in looks or confidence, and my wardrobe definitely reflects that! Plus, now that I've taken a few pictures outside, I'm hooked on how much better the lighting is than inside. Three cheers for natural lighting, huh? 

I guess what I'm trying to say (in more words than I need to use) is that Section 391 is under construction. I want to grow this blog, make connections with other bloggers, and work towards opening doors that will allow me to generate income through writing. I want to ramp this little hobby and my other blog up to the next level. I do have a passion for writing, and I would love to make it a full-time career (with some part-time libraryin' or instructional technology), but for now, that isn't realistic for my little family, so I need to improve my skills to make it an eventual reality. So, I'm putting on a hard hat (there's the "fashion aspect" for today...ha!), and getting to work on making this better. Thank you to those of you who have been reading here over the past few months. Your encouragement means a lot to me, and I do look at your blogs for inspiration and ideas on what I can do to improve this little corner of the Internet. If anyone has any resources or tips on how you've improved your own blogs, I would love to hear them!

Source

Style Imitating Art: What does the swan say?

Very quick and very late tonight. My computer, like me over the weekend, contracted some type of virus, so I've been battling both of the viruses tonight. Also, the human virus seems to have taken away my writing skills and patience with the man and fur creature in my house. Lucky everyone...

Jess from Animated Cardigan chose Swan Lake as her Style Imitating Art picture. Be sure to read more about it, including who the famous illustrator is!

My interpretation:

Clearly, the swans and I both have the long, graceful neck in common. Also, I think my eyes were closed in this one too! Double also, my kitchen looks so blah!

The pattern on this dress gave me an underwater vibe, plus the blues kind of echoed the blues in the picture (I'm working on my artsy comparisons. Maybe one of these days I'll use something other than "echoed"). I found this dress earlier this year on the clearance rack at Burke's Outlet, and it had a lavender sale sticker, which meant 90% off, so it was under $2. I'm working to shop more ethically these days, but sometimes you just have to talk about a good bargain!

Also, here's my fox earring. Foxes and swans are friends, right?

Wow, I wrote a lot more than I thought I would! Maybe sinus meds make me chatty! Bless my poor husband, then! ;-)