cowtown recap

This past weekend was the cowtown marathon. 

 Let's be honest:

I hadn't really trained as well as I should have.

Something about a full time job and two classes getting in the way

But I got to run with dad

 

Forrest and Rachel ran as well

 and eventually, it was over.

and I immediately made my way to the ice cream.

currently reading.

My currently reading list these days looks more like a bad mash up than a list of books any single person would be reading.

But I kind of like it that way.

I've got a goal of reading 40 books in 2012.

Besides textbooks, that is.

I love suggestions. And I love Goodreads.

Are you familiar? It's like a facebook of books and reading.

See what your freinds read, be friends.

I'd love to friend you if you're on there!

 Science fiction.

Other worlds. It's fun. Nerdy. I still love it.

Post-9/11 story. I'm in love 30 pages in.

Running, my ever present frenemy.

Purchased on my kindle. Not yet started.

Have the feeling this will be a big one. More to come, I'm sure.

What's on your reading list these days?

Here's to a weekend curled up with a good book in hand.



season of lent

the days fly by.

morning coffee turns into nighttime face-washing

and I don't know where the hours go.

I'm here, there

but never really present.

always thinking, always doing.

Samuel asks

"Why can't you ever just be still?"

and in my head I list the reasons

there's work to be done

dishes to be washed

homework

meals to cook

a house to clean

No, husband.

I can't be still.

I won't be still.

Stillness echoes in my heart as laziness

but to others it screams unworthy.

I'm here, but I'm not present.

so this season of Lent I'm cutting away all those things that keep me busy

focusing on the few that remain on my place.

and giving thanks for grace along the way

outfits, recently

I talked a few days ago about needing  help getting dressed.

I've been reading The No Brainer Wardrobe by The Tiny Twig,

and I've made some progress.

It's slow, but it's progress. 

and I plan on working though my wardrobe issues, one at a time

and I'm hoping all of you will have great ideas for me. 

Here's the first (and possibly most major) or my issues

Issue:  I have no blouses, only T-shirts. They are comfy, but I'm either way too dressed up, or not dressed up enough.

So we've made some progress in this area.

(I'm sorry for the low quality instagram photos, but it's what's I've got)

New Banana shirt goes to work

(new printed shirt: Banana Republic thrifted for $15!, Khakis: Jcrew outlet, old, Shoes: Banana: way old. on sale)

Work outfit. 

(flowers and ruffles shirt: Target clearance, Jeans: Gap, Black patent bow shoes: JCrew clearance)

Target dressing room picture.

Buying a pink polka dot blouse on my birthday. $20

My 23rd birthday!

Grey sweater and fun wide belt. Large bracelet.

What about you? Do you wear a lot of blouses or more Tshirts?

Where are some of your favorite places to get blouses?

the anti-valentines

I love valentines day.

I really do.

It's the day after my birthday, a day of love, full of chocolate and sweets and kisses.

What's not to love?

Yesterday was the WORST and best Valentines day.

Expectations were high. It was SUPPOSED to be an easy day at work.

I had a great lamb chop recipe for a romatic night in with my man.

BUT

I had a crappy day at work.

Getting yelled at for helping others.

Pulling the weight of 4 people who don't actually work.

And then getting in trouble for it.

I ugly cried for the last 30 minutes. UGLY. In my office, with the door shut.

and people outside could still hear me.

U-G-L-Y, people.

I didn't want to go home and cook for an hour.

But I wanted that romantic night with my mr.

So I called Sam from the parking lot of Kroger in a big hysteriacal mess and he said the most romantic words to me:

"Let's just get a frozen pizza and get in our pajamas when we get home"

yes friends, those were the most romantic words I could have hoped to hear.

and then I reazlied I couldn't go buy the pizza because I had lost my wallet.

more ugly crying, in the Kroger parking lot.

back to the office to look for the wallet.

no wallet, finally home, reaady to collape I check the mail.

Jury duty.

more tears.

and then my mr. comes home with a pizza, cookies, wine, roses and a card.

multiple episodes of the office were watched.

and he was asleep by 9pm.

it was just what I needed.

it's my birthday

and i'm doing what I want to.

a morning run,

thift and outlet store shopping

and a pedicure this afternoon.

i hope your day is just as lovely.

and because I love to celebrate,

keep on using the coupon MONTHOFLOVE for 30% off in the shop

all sales from now until the 300th sale to the shop will get a headband of their choice for free!

since my birthday's on Monday

I thought I would compile a nice long picture list of all the things on my wish list.

but let's take a reality check for a second.

my husband bought me a car.

this is just for fun.

but let's enjoy it.

anything on your birthday wishlist this year?

toms new ballet flats.

goes well with my new wardrobe re-vamp.

hunger games inspired nail polish?

YES. any color will do.

 

birthday tattoo. non-traditional birthday gift

but I've been wanting an anchor on my achilles part of my heel foreva.

 

flowers. just flowers.

some pretty ranaculas would make a birthday.

birthday haircut.

really debating this one. could I pull off those bangs???

I had a gold bracelet once.
I wore it so much that it broke.
this is the perfect replacement from MaddyNBella

or really just anything from anthropologie.
anything. like this tea towel.

putting me together

Sunday morning I ugly cried.

over an outfit.

trying to get ready for church, trying to put something new together

and it just wasn't working

getting dressed, for me, is a battle.

I have a few things that I go to most of the time.

and the rest of my closet never gets worn.

I want to look cute, look put together, look pretty.

my husband is an amazing dresser. really.

a twin sister and a lot of time looking through JCrew magazines

have given him a great eye for style

 

but me, 

I'm the nerdy, geeky girl who never really cared for fashion.

now, don't hear this as "I only care about outer beauty"

that's a far cry from the truth.

I don't want to blow our budget on clothes, 

and I care more about the state of my heart than the state of my wardrobe

but I want to use the clothes I have

and the money we set aside for clothes

to create a wardrobe where I can get dressed and feel confident.

without crying.

my husband, in all of his wisdom, has turned all of my hangers around in my closet

and when I wear items, we turn the hanger back the "normal" way.

it's giving me an idea of those things I always go to,

and helping me get out of that rut.

and I'm considering buying "The No Brainer Wardrobe" ebook.

do any of you have it? is it helpful?

what tricks and tips do you have for your wardrobe?

how to you get dressed in the morning? what are your go-to outfits?

all images from my pinterest board "wear me" http://pinterest.com/runninglauren/wear-me/