Welcome Home

On Friday, my parents, their two Yorkies, and I left for a trip in the RV. As my parents sat in the parking lot of my apartment complex waiting for me, a stray neighbor walked up to my non-smoker of a dad and tried bumming cigarettes off of him. Last night, my parents and I returned from our trip. Mom hadn't seen the new house (in real life) yet, so they stopped by there before swinging by the apartment where all of our stuff resides until the new house gets cleaned (ducts, carpets, chimney, and general cleaning done by someone other than me because I'm not cleaning someone else's filth). While we stood outside, one of my neighbors (who happens to be an original owner of his house built in the early 70s!) came by to introduce himself and tell me that Sundays, we put out "recycles" and Tuesdays, we put out trash. I do believe we will enjoy this change in scenery and people.

I stood in every room and tried to conjure up a vision for each one. The kitchen, my friends, perplexed me. The counters are a dark green with flecks of black and bits of white. The cabinets are some tan/brown/cognac color. And the walls are a terrible manila. The only manila I like comes in folder form. Anyway, the four of us stood there contemplating what color to paint the walls of this kitchen. We decided most colors that look good with dark green--navy, maroon, coral, yellow--would not be suitable for walls of a kitchen. When we returned to the apartment, I consulted my Pinterest clothing boards. I thought, "I wear a bunch of hunter green. What colors usually complement it?" I settled on gray. To test out my theory, I wore an outfit today comprised of hunter green, gray, black, and white (the color we think we'll paint the cabinets). It sold me on the color scheme. Is this method crazy or brilliant? I cannot determine which.

Let's begin with the outfit:

The Look:

Top: LOFT Outlet (got it this weekend during our trip)

Pants: Exact Stretch pants from The Limited (best pants ever)

Heels: J.Crew Factory (most comfortable heels ever)

The kitchen is...enormous. The previous owners converted the garage space into kitchen space, leaving us with a gargantuan kitchen.

(Ugh. The wall color disgusts me.)

This is the view of the kitchen from the breakfast nook area.

We think the cabinets will really pop if we paint them white (not sure what shade yet) with black pulls on them. 

Yes, there's a full desk in the kitchen/breakfast nook area. I don't understand it either, but I'll use it as office space until we determine what exactly we want to do with the main level.  (It's attached to the wall and floor, so it won't be an easy removal.)

The ceilings are vaulted.

There's even a mural of pastoral Ireland. How quaint. 

It won't be staying. Sorry, Ireland lovers.

This is the dining/living(?) area. The windows overlook the backyard.

Big, pretty windows. I am at a loss for decorating this area. Reading area? Sitting area? Office-like area? What goes here?!

This ENTIRE master bedroom is blue. The baseboards, the closet doors, the INSIDES of the closets, and even the ceiling. I imagine someone spun a Smurf in a million circles, smacked it on the back, and watched it puke all over the place. The bedroom is enormous. I couldn't figure out how to photograph it. 

Master bath has a window above the sink, not a mirror. Don't worry. I've got some ideas. 

So, the floor is tan/white, the shower is gray/white, and the countertop is black/white/tan. I do not understand the colors, but I don't plan to re-tile everything, so we have to get creative about how we make it all work together. We'll paint the cabinet white to pull in the color of the beadboard on the wall/white flecks in the counter/white in the gray and tan tiles. The beadboard as well as the rope-like tile between the beadboard/tiling gives the bathroom a bit of a nautical feel, so we're going to pull that theme together in the master bath and master bedroom. It's all about working with what we've got and just creating cohesiveness as best we can. 

This is one of the other two bathrooms. This whole thing will need to be redone. Clearly, it's original to the house. Or, they went as hog wild with the blue in here as they did in the master bedroom. I love blue, but even I have my limitations. 

I couldn't take any other pictures because it was dark, and we don't have lights in every room. I did the best I could. 

Bye, Hair.

I didn't chicken out! I actually got my hairs cut. Do you ever feel like, month after month, despite regular trims, your hair refuses to cooperate? Well, my hair has been uncooperative for like six months, so I decided chopping it all off would be a great way to push the restart button. Plus, the house is finally OURS, so new house, new 'do. One enormous fresh start. (Note: our apartment lease expires at the end of October, so we are taking our time moving in since we have the time. Why stress if we don't have to?)

I should have taken a better before and after of my hair, but I think you get the point.

Yeah, my iPhone 4s took the first picture, and Jeff's Galaxy S5 took the last three. Okay, Jeff, your phone wins; in fact, it crushes my phone. Be ashamed of yourself, iPhone. Very ashamed.

The Look:

Cardigan: Target, Mossimo brand (recent but the website is currently down, so I can't link it for you--I got it for $12 thanks to a sale and Cartwheel coupon!)

Pants: Old Navy (as far as I'm concerned, these are the same pants.)

Boots: via Macy's

Belt: Express

Scarf: via DSW

See? I found a new make-up, and it's glorious. No crazy face peeling (yet)! After I've used it for another week or so, I'll write up a review of it in case you're at all curious. 

Thanks to this haircut, I now know how long my neck is. Giraffe. 

Itchy gitchi yaya dada

I went to the allergist today. In order to get tested for allergies, you have to stop all anti-histamines for five days prior. I entered a fresh Hell last night as a result of going off my Allegra. Dizziness, nausea, tripping up stairs, itchiness, fatigue, all of that lovely jazz. When my allergies flare up, so does my Sjogrens. Yeah, so, I had to take off work today on account of a full system shut down.

Anyway, after staring at itchy spots I couldn't scratch, I think I received good news. Currently, I no longer have all-year-'round allergies, just seasonal ones! However, as the allergist said, I came "at the worst possible time" because my worst allergy of all, ragweed, is raging outside right now. (That's why going off of Allegra caused so much harm.)  In fact, we even have to wipe down the dogs when we bring them inside because they carry the allergy in on their coats. October 20th, he tests me for contact allergies like gold, nickel, fragrance, and titanium dioxide, which means I should know for sure what caused a poison-ivy-like rash all over my face. Sure, I still have food allergies, but I think those are much more manageable.

Can I just tell you how nice it feels to hear answers instead of more questions? I think knowing is half the battle, really. After 15 years of tirelessly hunting down doctors who wouldn't tell me "it's all in your head," I have more answers than questions. It's nice to know that my doggedness is paying off.  

I missed Trendy Tuesday at work, but I dressed for it anyway and wore my Love Conquers Hate shirt in order to "Support Someone Else."

Oh, tomorrow, I will share some pictures of the new house with you! And my new hair style. And a joke that the seller told us at the settlement table :)

The Look:

Shirt: My colleagues and I gave money to a staff member who got the shirts for us, but you can buy them online.

Jeans: American Eagle, high-rise

Shoes: Gift from my sister-in-law 

It's on the blog.

After school today, a student said, "Ms. Wo, love your cardigan. Where did you get it?" I said, "Old Navy, online." A student from last year chimed in, "It's on the blog" in a tone that seemed to suggest, "Duh, don't you know anything?" Yes, my students know about this place; no place is safe, of course. They must see my face and hear my voice on a daily basis, so if there were a joke, it'd be on them for reading what I write on here in addition to putting up with my real-life antics. If they did anything other than silently stalk me on here, I am sure they would tell you I sound exactly the same in real life as I do on the blog. (Whitney met me; she surely agrees.)

Currently, everyone has some gross cold. I doubled up on vitamin C and garlic to combat the germs. You sick people need to keep your distance, and if you come too close, I might wipe you down with a Clorox wipe. Do not feel offended. You catch this mini plague for two days, and I contract it for two weeks. Plus, I cannot miss my appointment with the allergist tomorrow for a battery of tests, which will surely result in my feeling as if someone dropped napalm on me. (These tests do not affect people who are allergic to nothing or very few somethings. If, like me, however, you are allergic to the world, these tests set your skin on fire and not in the Katy Perry or Katniss kind of way.)

Jeff took my pictures today with his new phone, a Galaxy S5, which clearly dominates the iPhone 4s in picture quality. He didn't even mind taking the pictures and sending them to me. He probably wants to convince me that my next phone should be a Galaxy S5, not an updated iPhone. Maybe those shameless mirror selfies won't look so...shameful.

The Look:

Cardigan: Old Navy (exact--I'm wearing an XS)

Belt: Francesca's

Dress: Target (similar) 

Boots: Ralph Lauren via DSW (similar)

Crazy doctors and taking risks

These days, I straight up steal the pictures from Instagram and use them on the blog; however, I know quite a few people do not look to Instagram for photographic proof that I do, indeed, dress myself every morning. As a result, I feel confident in reusing those pictures here. Self-plagiarism at its finest, folks. (Yes, in case you were wondering, self-plagiarism is a thing. No, you cannot take an essay from two semesters ago, revise it, and use it for a different class this semester. You are, in fact, plagiarizing yourself. While your need for efficiency smiles at the idea, the academic community and your grade frown upon it.)

What is different about these pictures is that you see my face. Doesn't that make your trip here worth it? It should. Plus, I have to fit my witty, one-sided banter into a tiny forum on Instagram. I can go blog wild here in Blogland. Side note: I imagine Blogland to be much like TV Land. Which blogger would be Jeanie from I Dream of Jeanie? What about Lucy? And Mary Tyler Moore? Or crazy Jim Ignatowski from Taxi? (Fun fact: my pediatrician's name was John Ignatowski, and my older brother freaked out when my mom told him I would see Dr. Ignatowski. He said, "No! He can't be her doctor!" He thought she was sending me to crazy Jim Ignatowski from Taxi. In case you don't remember which character he was, Christopher Lloyd, the dude from Back to the Future, plays the character.)
 

 

The Look:

Cardigan: Target

Tank: Gap

Pants: Exact Stretch from The Limited

Flats: J.Crew Factory

Belt: The Limited

Scarf (a.k.a. Crumb Catcher): crocheted by my Momma

Also, my hair stylist and I have been chatting via Facebook because I sent her these pictures:
1  / 2 / 3

I might not be that brave yet, so I could go for one of these:
1 / 2 / 3

I even created a whole board full of styles: here

I tried to pick women who had hair color and texture similar to mine so that I wouldn't be way off base. I have no tolerance for long hair anymore. I need to simplify SOME aspect of my life, and my hair seems like a good place to start. Feel free to tell me which styles you like best!

Opinions?

I'm on a mission to fill my closet with clothes I love and not crap I bought just because it was on sale. As a result, I've made quiiiiite a bit of money on thredUP. This money pays for the clothes I love that replace the ones I don't even like all that much.

You saw my thredUp order on Wednesday. I kept only two things from it, a scarf and a dress. First, let's take a look at my Old Navy order. I think I will keep only two things, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. (In truth, I only bought what I did in order to get free shipping! Don't we all?)

I'll start with what I plan to return unless you convince me otherwise.

(P.S. Old Navy is having a 30% off sale right now in case you want any of these items for yourself.)

The Sweater

I know it looks cute, but, good gosh, I do NOT need another striped anything, especially black and white stripes. Plus, it ended up being $20, and that's just too much for something I don't need. It fits really well and looks cute with these pants. However, instead of keeping it, I will just use this picture as inspiration for another outfit with my black and white striped top.

You can find it here. (It looks gray in the picture, but it's definitely black.)

The Dress

It's a very cute dress, and it's not hoochie short. It wasn't a steep price, but I need another black dress like I need a hole in the head. In case you're wondering, I'm 5'6" with a booty, so it's still long enough despite those factors. It's soft and remixable. I just don't need it. Find it here.

By the way, I just bought the burgundy wedges from Aerosoles, and they are so comfortable. I wore them all day to teach and even to a doctor's appointment. And Ulta. And my feet didn't hurt! They give a 15% discount to teachers. (No, I didn't realize Aerosoles made cute shoes and not just old lady shoes.) Want 'em? Get 'em here.

The Leopard Cardigan

Don't even try to dissuade me from keeping this cardigan. First of all, I've been looking for a printed cardigan because most of mine are solid-colored. I also wanted a leopard cardigan; I just didn't want it to be cheesy looking. Maybe you hate it, but I love it. No way is it going back. Just look at the next outfit.

I even created another look for you; it comes to you with a dog butt, too. The cardigan isn't in stores as far as I know, but it's here online. 

The Pink Cardigan

At first, I thought it was too long, and then I remembered my favorite black, thick cardigan and how much I wear that thing. I realized I actually love the length, and I can't stop wearing blush. I might have a problem, quite honestly. Once I styled it a few ways, it sold me. Am I wearing rose-colored glasses, and I should return it? 

Here's another look with it. I think I'll wear it for casual Friday tomorrow. 

Want one for yourself? Find it here.

What I kept and what I returned

I always love seeing posts like these from other ladies, so I decided to grace your presence with one of my own. I received a box from thredUP (cost me nothing because I have a lot of credit from sending in several bags).

I kept only two of the items, but thought I'd share everything with you. Do you mind?

Michael Kors dress in XS. 

If I were a few inches shorter, this dress would be perfect. However, I have a 'donk, so this dress rides up too high for my liking. It makes me sad because the material is so thick, and I love the pockets. 

21Hawthorn Dress & Gap Scarf.

I absolutely kept both. I want to wear them every day.

J.Crew Cardigan

It fit a little funny on the sides, so I sent it back. However, I love the colors and print.

J.Crew Dress 

Apparently, I need big armpits because this dress hangs too low. Or I need a chest.

Whichever. Yeah, I returned it. Plus, it's too much a summer color.

LOFT Skirt

I didn't really know what to do with the mottled gray color. It perplexed me. Plus, it sat high on my waist. And it allows my thighs to wave at you. Yep, sent it back. 

That is all.

Oh, I see the dermatologist tomorrow, but I think I figured out the problem.

I'm allergic to the make-up I was using. I changed make-ups three days ago, and my face no longer looks as if poison ivy set up camp on it.