Last week of April outfits

Monday
Shirt – Anthropologie (2011)
Jacket – Ann Taylor (2005)
Jeans – Express (2008?)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2012)

Tuesday
Long sleeve tee – Express (2005?)
Tank – Express (2007?)
Jackie Cardi – J Crew
Pants – Gap (2008)
Necklace – Anthropologie (2012)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2005)

Wednesday
Blouse – Anthropologie (2012)
Jackie Cardi – J Crew (2012)
Skirt – Anthropologie (2012)
Pumps – Target

Thursday
Sweater – Old Navy (2010)
Tank – Old Navy (2010)
Jeans – Loft (2011)
Pumps – Aldo (2010)

Friday
Tee – Loft (2011)
Sweater – H&M (2010)
Jeans – AG via Anthropologie (2012)
Necklace – J Crew via eBay (2012)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2012)

Sunday
Tee – Gap (2012)
Jackie Cardi – J Crew
Jeans – AG via Anthropologie (2012)
Flats – Fossil
Scarf – Kerisma via a Daily Candy party gift bag
Jeans – AG via Anthropologie (2012)

Babysitters Extraordinaire

This past week, the hubs and I babysat our niece so his sister and her hubs could go to a friend’s rehearsal dinner and wedding. She was so good for us both nights and she is always so much fun to play with. As she becomes bigger and more mobile, she is so curious and she’s picking up on so many things. It’s adorable to watch.

Bath time was so much fun. And her unicorn towel is adorable!

Third Week of April’s Outfits

Monday – I feel like I look like someone in this picture, can you guess who?
Dress – Anthropologie (2012)
Sweater – Target
Belt – J Crew (2012)
Pumps – Nine West (2010)

Tuesday
Dress – Zara in Milan (2007)
Jackie Cardigan – J Crew
Pumps – Aldo (2007)

Wednesday
Sweater – H&M
Jeans – AG via Anthropologie (2012)
Necklace – Aldo (2006)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2012)

Thursday
Chambray shirt – J Crew (2011)
Sweater – J Crew (2009)
Skirt – J Crew (2012)
Pumps – Aldo (2009)

Friday
Blouse – Small Boutique I can’t remember (2008)
Tank Top – Express (2008)
Straight leg jeans – Loft (2011)
Pumps – Aldo (2007)

What I wore the second week of April

Monday
Dress – Anthropologie (2012)
Belt – H&M (2012)
Shoes – Aldo (2011?)

Tuesday
Jeans – Loft (2011)
Blouse – Express (2009?)
Sweater – H&M (2010)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2005)
Earrings – H&M (2009)

Wednesday
Blouse – Zara (2011)
No. 2 Pencil Skirt – J Crew (2012)
Infinity scarf – Handmade
Pumps – Valentino via Nordstrom (2011)

Thursday
Top – Loft (2011)
Jeans – Loft (2011)
Blazer – Target (2008?)
Pumps – Steve Madden (2012)
Watch – Michael Kors via Nordstrom
Bracelets – Banana Republic (2011)

Friday
Blouse – J Crew (2012)
Pencil Skirt – J Crew (2009)
Pumps – Nine West (2010)
Earrings – Express (2005)

Saturday
Tank – H&M (2012)
Sweater – H&M (2009)
Jeans – AG via Anthropologie (2012)
Flats – Fossil (2012)
Shades – Dior via Solstice Sunglass Boutique (2011)

Sunday
Maxi dress – Coup de Coeur (2010)
Tank – Express (2009)
Jackie cardigan – J Crew (2012)
Sandals – Gap (2010)
Sunglasses – Marc by Marc Jacobs via Solstice Sunglass Boutique (2010)

Purple Chevron Infinity Scarf

If I have no inspiration, I have a difficult time getting dressed. I am usually inspired by something I see on tv, something I see someone else wearing, the seasons, past outfits I’ve put together – something. I rarely, if ever, walk into my closet without an idea for an outfit and end up feeling cute that day. My best outfits have outside inspiration. Occasionally, however, I’ll dream something up that I don’t think I’ve seen before and it works out great.

The same thing happens with me and knitting projects. Occasionally a pattern will really strike me, or sometimes I’ll go home and recreate something I’ve seen in a store, but other times (like the scarf I’ve just finished), I’ll dream something up based on something else.

Last year when I went to San Francisco for my birthday, I stopped in a knitting shop near my friend’s house and picked up some lovely purple yarn by Misti Alpaca, not knowing what I was going to do with it – as knitters do.

Earlier this spring, when I was just starting my infatuation with all the bright colors the stores were coming out with and all the spring scarves out there, I decided I wanted to make myself a scarf with my purple yarn to wear through the spring. I’ve also been really taken by chevron lately and I haven’t really seen any chevron scarves out there. Trendy but something only I have? Sounds right up my alley.

So, here’s what I ended up with. It’s so soft and warm and lovely. Maybe a little long, but I’m sure I’ll appreciate that in the fall when I can wrap it around my neck three times.

I adapted a pattern from Knit and Purl. I found something I liked and worked it into this infinity scarf pattern. I love having something like this that I know no one else has.

First week of April’s outfits

Monday – This outfit was inspired by this color combination I saw Tim Tebow wearing in a picture.
Blouse – Ann Taylor Loft (2007)
Jackie cardi – J Crew (2012)
No. 2 Pencil skirt – J Crew (2012)
Pumps – Valentino via Nordstrom

Tuesday
Ruffle blouse – Anthropologie (2010)
Cardigan – J Crew (2009)
Jeans – Loft (2010)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2012)
For my hair, I parted it into pigtails and then braided both toward the back so the part in the back wasn’t evident. When I put hair ties on each, I didn’t pull the ends all the way through, so there was a loop keeping the ends from being exposed. Then I crossed one over the other like the first step of tying your shoes. I did this twice because of the length of my hair. Then I tucked the ends under and pinned the crap out of it.

Wednesday
Racerback tank – H&M (2012)
No. 2 Pencil skirt – J Crew (2012)
Jacket – Victoria’s Secret (2008)
Necklace – J Crew Outlet (2009)
Pumps – Steve Madden (2012)

Thursday
Blouse – J Crew (2010?)
Jackie Cardi – J Crew
Jeans – Express (2007?)
Boots – Nine West (2012)

Sunday – Easter
Dress – Coup de Coeur
Jackie Cardi – J Crew
Belt – H&M (2012)
Flats – Steve Madden (2012)

Android v. iPhone

I currently have a Samsung Epic. I’ve had it for probably about a year and it does the job just fine. It’s nice enough. I never wanted an iPhone because I’ve had Sprint since 2002 and, frankly, I have a pretty good plan/rate. Everyone has complaints here and there about their phone provider, but I always have service, I rarely drop calls and my data and texts are unlimited. Sprint didn’t have the iPhone until recently and my desire to stay with Sprint out weighed my desire to get the iPhone. Now that the iPhone is a real option for me, there seem to be a lot of pros for the iPhone and not a lot of cons.

One thing I thought would be a pro for the Epic is it has a slide out keyboard, but also a touch keyboard. In all the time I’ve had the Epic, I’ve probably used the keyboard 10 times. Max. Other than than (and that’s not really even a pro), I’m sort of at a loss.

As for the iPhone, here is the list of pros I have compiled:
– you can group text (on my Android, I get group texts from iPhone users, but I can’t reply to everyone – only the sender)
– apps come out for the iPhone first (Instagram – which came out on Android yesterday, but isn’t working as well for me as it does on my iPad – specifically, it’s saying the pictures my phone takes are too small; Pinterest – can’t get it on Android)
– can take screenshots of the phone
– can facetime with other iphones or ipads (great for families with small children/grandparents)

I know it’s not a really long list, but it’s long enough to make a difference to me. I’ll venture to say eventually I’m going to make the switch.

Nate & Stephanie’s Wedding Present

In September of 2011, the hub’s sister got married and we wanted to give them something personal that not everyone would be able to give them. Since I knit, we thought it would be nice to give them a big blanket to snuggle up with during the cold Chicago winters. I gave myself about two months before the wedding to get the blanket done, which was a gross underestimate of the amount of time it would actually take me. I probably spent 60 hours or more, went through close to 3000 yards of yarn and finally finished this project in February. That’s 7 months. I have now learned my lesson when it comes to making gifts and the amount of time I allow myself.

The picture is coming out really grey here, but is actually much more green in person.

I used a pattern from Cables and Arans as the base for my pattern for the blanket.

At the end of the day, I’m super happy with the way the blanket turned out and I hope they are too!

Last week of March Outfits

The weather here has gone from amazing, beautiful spring weather to cold, crappy weather again, which you can see through my outfit choices. Hoping summer comes quickly!

Monday
Blouse – H&M (2010)
Cardi (looks kinda orange in the picture, but it’s definitely bright red) – LOFT (2008)
Jeans – Express (2009?)
Wedges – Steve Madden (2012)
Necklace – Anthropologie (2012)

Tuesday
Tank – Express (2007)
Cashmere Tee – Express (2003)
Pants – Gap (2007)
Heels – BCBGirls via Nordstrom (2008)

Wednesday
Dress – Zara in London (2007)
Cardigan – H&M (2010?)
Belt – H&M (2012)
Necklace – Anthropologie (2012)
Pumps – Target (2009)

Thursday
Shirt – H&M (2008?)
Cardigan – Target (2009?)
Skirt – Express (2008?)
Necklace – made by my mom
Wedges – Steve Madden (2005?)

Friday
Tank – Loft (2007)
Cashmere sweater – J Crew (2010)
Jeans – Loft
Boots – Nine West (2012)
Scarf – Madewell via Shopbop (2012)