fin.

 Done. Finished. Complete. I am so excited to shop the rest of my closet. And I am ready to not have to take pictures of my outfit everyday. I have so much respect for you fashion bloggers who do this on a regular basis. I might put up a picture every once in a while if I feel like I did a particularly fantastic job on an outfit but... I don't think I'm cut out to blog fashion, but it was fun while it lasted! Thanks for all the support and lovely comments during the challenge!

Guys, I got this.

T-shirt/Flats: Gap, Sweater/Necklace: Target, Jeans: H&M

I FINALLY CAME UP WITH A THESIS FOR MY RESEARCH CLASS!

I have been freaking out over this thesis (tears have been involved). Dan has received a daily earful about my inability to think of a thesis for my paper. He has been wonderful in troubleshooting ideas with me and encouraging me to not be so hard on myself. Then my sister Julia gave me a tip on how to think up my question. Then my professor helped me articulate my thoughts that were seriously a bigjumbleofvietnamwarvomit. AND voila! Tentative thesis question for my research paper. I walked out of class this morning feeling like a woman liberated. 

I can do this.  

thoughts on thirty

Sweater/Tank: Target, Jeans: Levis, Flats: Gap

This is definitely a meh outfit. Whatever, two more days and then the challenge will be complete. As we are coming near the end of the 30x30 I have thought of a couple changes I would make in my thirty selections if I were to do the challenge in the future, not saying that I would, but if I did, here are my thoughts: 

1. I would pick 1-2 more skirt/pant options, I think I had too many tops.

2. I would put a pair of "just in case" shoes, like sandals, in my picks.

3. I would buy some more leggings/tights/accessories before the challenge.

I'm sure there have been more exasperated ideas throughout the challenge but these are the ones I can form into words and not exclamations. 

Also, today was beautiful, like, 71 degrees beautiful. Which leads me to this point: I love when I walk by the pool and see the girls laying out to tan, while the guys "study" out on their balconies, conveniently overlooking the scantily clad ladies. Subtle boys, very subtle.

#welcometoapartmentcomplexliving

without a cause.

T-shirt/Sweater: Target, Skirt: H&M, Flats: Urban Outfitters

I grew impatient waiting for the sun to go down so I took the picture with a major sun glare. It's cool, you've seen the skirt before. Last night we grilled. I think it's against the rules of our apartment complex but we just can't help it. We are rebels. Plus, we like good food and we eat well :) Plus, husband likes fire. I think it's a guy thing. No, actually, fire is just plain cool. Hope you all had as a relaxing weekend as us :)

Weekend Lovin

Tops/Sweaters: Target, Jeans: H&M, Flats: Payless

Today we celebrated the 1st birthday of this little fella. He is so stinkin adorable, look at those cheeks! It was the first time we had been to the beach area out here in Wilmington and it was a fabulous day for it. 

P.S. check out that cute handsome & rugged, smokin' hot guy playing football. Yep, I'm lucky. 

cinco dias mas

FIVE MORE DAYS. Fist. Pump. 

P.S. I didn't really do the no shopping part of this challenge. Sorry to disappoint you all. I tried but really, it was my birthday month and that means an influx of money you wouldn't spend normally. If it makes you feel any better, almost every single thing I purchased was on sale or thrifted with a couple exceptions. Feel better?


Yesterday was thrift shop day for me. I have spent the last two weeks reading. 
Reading 24/7. 
Korea and Vietnam have consumed my life and yesterday was the first day that I have not needed to read every second available. So, with twenty dollars in my wallet I went on a much deserved break. I wanted to check out a couple of the thrift stores in town -- I have hardly done any exploring since we moved here -- and I scored with some sweet finds. One of which was a freaking awesome winter sweater. When Dan saw it he looked a little skeptical but then I said, "Babe, this is so Blakely," and he instantly agreed. Successful day.

However, on rainy days like today I wish I was like Inspector Gadget and cool, useful tools would spring out of my head. Like, "Go, Go Gadget Umbrella!" Bam, an umbrella would pop out and I would be successfully guarded from the unwelcome rain. As it is, I am forced to carry around an umbrella like a normal person. I'm just saying, it would be awesome.

A Spring in My Step.

On this the twenty-fourth day of the thirty for thirty challenge I have come to realize that I miss the rest of my closet. Was that the point of this whole endeavor? I don't really remember. I also am really excited for Spring in the great state of North Caroline. Dan and I are planning weekend outdoor activities while the weather is nice and not humid. The humidity here is brutal. Almost as bad as the college student's job market out here in Wilmington. Almost. I was in the Spring-y mood this morning and so I painted my toe-nails in preparation for the sandal-wearing, dress-donning (without leggings or tights, woot!) season that is quickly approaching. Funny thing, when people found out that the colors for my wedding were teal and orange I'm pretty sure they thought that those were the only colors I liked, ever. I have so many orange and teal/blue things, especially nail polish. I will be painting my toes different shades of blue for the rest of my life. Up until the moment I turn old and my feet get bloated and the only shoes I wear are those slippers that appear to be cutting off circulation to my toes. At that point, there will be no need for polished toe nails.

Happy Spring!

Post

Sweater: Target, Top: Kohl's, Jeans: H&M, Flats: Gap

Today was a "oh yea, I have to put on clothes" type of day. I start my days reading for class and I end my days reading for class. My research class, while very interesting, is heavy on the reading in the first half of the semester. The first book, about the Korean War, was long but really well written, the second book, on the Vietnam War, is not as easy to get through. I am reading at a glacial pace -- mostly because I have to reread a lot to make sure I understand what is going on. In way better, exciting news: I got two postcards from postcrossing in one week! One postcard is from Finland and the other is from Japan. How cool! My friend, Audrey, introduced me to postcrossing -- essentially you sign up and they'll give you the address of someone else in the program and you send them a postcard. Once they receive it and register it you're name will pop up in the database to receive a postcard. I LOVE getting mail and this is just about the neatest idea ever. You should sign up. Or just send me a postcard and I'll send you one back :)

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Dress: Gap, Button-up: F21, Belt: Anthropologie, Flats: Urban Outfitters

Skirt: H&M, Shirt/Sweater: Target, Shoes: Payless

I was unable to procure a picture for tomorrow because I don't have that superpower -- the one where I can go into the future, I think that one skipped a generation. 

True Confessions: My mouth does not naturally close all the way.

This is why almost every single picture you'll see of me on this little blog I will be smiling. I don't know what it is, maybe my teeth are too big for my mouth, or maybe I just have a weird mouth shape. It's not that I can't close my mouth, it just doesn't happen comfortably. Since I've shared this very personal tidbit about me, I think it's only fair that you tell me something weird about yourself. Like, maybe you were born with six toes. OR you actually liked the movie Pearl Harbor -- that would be pretty weird. 

Yesterday Dan got the day off but I didn't. Government employees are so lucky! Whatever, I had a test (which I'm pretty sure I aced) and I turned in a Lit paper. Which leads me to my next story (I've been working on my paragraph transitions, can you tell?): 

I went to the writing center on Sunday because doing so would get me extra credit on this essay. My tutor was really nice, and she liked my paper but, apparently, I use too many semi-colons*. Personally, I am quite fond of the semi-colon. I find that it makes me feel smart and gives my paper some character. Apparently, there are rules, written and unwritten, within the English community and those of us outside the community have to wander along, liberally placing semi-colons in our papers until someone in this secret English Community (which, I think looks a lot like the Dead Poets Society) graciously tells us that in fact we are wrong. We're wrong. And everyone knows it. Well, everyone in the secret society that is.  Dan agrees with me, we think semi-colons should be used and used often -- and that is why I married a Poli Sci major, because History majors and Poli Sci majors generally speak the same language. I think we'll start our own society. One where we throw back our heads, guffawing over silly people who can't argue the finer points of the New Deal.


*no semi-colons were used in the writing of this blog entry because I am now unsure of the correct usage, placement, and allowed amount of semi-colons in an article. Thanks UNCW writing center, thanks a lot. But really, thank you, I'm probably going to get an A on that paper.

heathens

T-shirt/Sweater: Target, Jeans: Levi's, Flats: Gap

And today we didn't attend church. 

Ya, we're heathens, on our way straight to hell. 

Not really, I just had so much school work that really I would have been so stressed sitting through the sermon that I probably wouldn't have taken much out of it. I think God has forgiven me already. 

Happy Sunday -- maybe I'll be funnier tomorrow. 

Birfday

Shirt: Target, Skirt: Anthropologie, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Today was my birthday! Husband got my a fan-freaking-tastic Kindle! Seriously, the man knows me so well: technology and literature. First book buy? Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. 

Ex.Cite.Ed. 

We made a chocolate cake (from scratch!) and went out to dinner with some new friends from our small group. It was a busy day and a lot of fun. I did have to study this morning for some hours so we went to B&N. While over in that area I thought I would pick up some applications for work at some retail stores. I walked into J Crew first and had my very first awkward-married-person-moment. I was greeted by a guy and here was our conversation: 

Guy: Hey, welcome to J Crew, can I help you with anything?

Me: Actually, I was wondering if you guys are hiring right now.

Guy: Well, we are always accepting applications, would you like one?

Me: Sure, that would be great. 

(We walk over to the counter)

Guy: I'm Taylor by the way.

Me: I'm Rachel

Guy: Do you go to school around here?

Me: Ya, I go to UNCW

Guy: Me too! What year are you?

Me: A Junior

Guy: Oh, okay, I am a senior. Do you live on campus?

Me: Oh... no... well my husband is in the marine corps... so... (realizing that the fact that I am married and that he is in the marine corps has nothing to do with where we live)... uh... no. We don't live on campus. 

Guy: oh. got it.

Yep. I should have just yelled STOP HITTING ON ME. Which is ridiculous because the poor guy was just being nice and I made it super awkward and I didn't even mean to! It just popped out of my mouth and now I don't even want to return the application. I am an awkward married woman. 

Here are some pictures from my otherwise unawkward day 

cat mom.

Dress: Gap, Sweater: Anthropologie, Shoes: Payless

This hair-do just aged me ten years. 

Since the fiasco, Houston doesn't come into my room in the mornings -- it's like walking into the room makes him relive the most traumatic moment of his life. Which wouldn't be too unfortunate if instead he didn't sit directly outside my bedroom door and meowed at me to pay attention to him. Every morning I get up and go straight to the bathroom (I hate morning breath), and every morning, the minute Houston sees me walk through the door, he starts meowing super fast and loud as if to say "Oh boy, don't worry, I know the precise location of the food in question. Folloooow me!" as he runs off in the direction of his food bowl assuming I am hot on his tail (pun intended) and equally excited about the prospect of food in his bowl. He always looks so dejected when, after realizing I did not in fact follow him fearlessly, he creeps into the bathroom to find me selfishly tending to my oral hygiene. Poor guy, I think I'm giving him a complex. Don't worry it's just practice, I told Dan that if we ever have kids, I'm giving each one of them a specific complex. I think they'll appreciate it, it'll make them feel special and unique.

Last day for the giveaway! Sign up -- it's free stuff :)

just not quite as popular as me.

Tank/Sweater: Target, Jeans: H&M, Flats: Urban Outfitters

You might not believe this but there were a couple years when I literally never wore jeans or pants -- I was strictly a dress and sweater kind of girl. There were a couple reasons for that but mostly I just love dresses. More recently however, and this might have to do with my complete lack of knowledge on how to dress for cold weather, I have noticed that my H&M jeans have become my go to clothing item. When did that happen? Something needs to be done about this. 
Today was the day I wished I had listened to the California girl in me and put a pair of sandals in my 30 picks. I prefer sandals to any type of shoe and I think it may have been worth it to throw in a pair even if today was the only day I could wear them. It's supposed to hit 64º today, and it's breezy, and sunny, and just wonderful. The perfect beach day. Maybe we'll go this weekend... supposedly the water is warm on this coast, I'll just have to wait and see. 

Want to know the great thing about church? It's an automatic community. I don't have any friends here yet but today something monumental happened: I saw a girl on campus that I knew (from small group) and we stopped and chatted -- passersby must have thought I was just one well-known chick, they were probably jealous of my popularity (it's not about aptitude, it's the way your viewed). 


Wicked, anyone?

backwards.

Dress: Modcloth, Belt: Panache, Sweater: Target, Shoes: Payless

True Confessions: I am wearing this dress backwards. 

The front is supposed to have a high scoop neck and then the back is a little lower. But I am short folks and for some reason I just felt stumpy when I wore it like that. So, backwards it is. I really do love this dress though, it's so comfortable. 

This week is super stressful school-wise: I have full rough draft due today (which I forgot about until last night), a Western Civ test tomorrow, a paper for Global due on Friday, and another test on Monday. It's all doable I just feel slightly overwhelmed by the tight schedule. But I am looking forward to Saturday! It's my birthday so Daniel and I are going to make a cake from scratch together. I got this fabulous Southern Cakes recipe book from Audrey for Christmas and I can't wait to try one out! And we're making tacos. Because I am Mexican. And that's what I like. 

Giveaway.

fifteen

 
 

Fabulous Valentines evening. The restaurant was amazing. I had never had a meal with separate courses before! Oh my goodness it was just wonderful, the setting, the food, the wine (Aunt Laur, if you are reading this you need to get this wine. I think it's called 939 Petite Sirah). My dinner companion wasn't bad either. Dan went all out for Valentines day. He got me chocolate, roses, and the Star Trek movie (don't judge me). P.S. I have really gotten into this making your own stationary thing. How cute is that card!? I made it! I also made these, get in on it. My birthday is in 4 days! I love birthdays, mine especially. The big Two-Three, guys. I guess I'm not a kid anymore, huh? Weird. 

In other news, day fifteen of the 30x30. And I hate to say it but I'm losing a little steam. It's not the outfits, those are easy enough, it's the pictures... I'm a little bored with them. Some of you all have some great location shots, which I love to see, but Dan gets up way early and doesn't get home until dark so location shots are not really an option for me. Eh, oh well. Only 15 more days! 

And now I'm off to write a paper that I've been successfully procrastinating. 

Deuces. (Did I sound like a Jersery Shore cast member just then?)

Button-up: F21, Scarf: Old Navy, Sweater: Target, Jeans: H&M, Flats: Urban Outfitters