Friday, October 28, 2011

Excuses Excuses

I haven't posted in a week. I keep thinking that I need to post (especially about my Dad and mine's trip to Restaurant Tallent!), but I just can't seem to find the time. Which I know is a horrible excuse. I read a TON of blogs of women who are probably much more busy than I am. But I still can't do it.

I have so much reading and paper writing this semester, it's not even funny. I thought your last semester was supposed to be easy?

I also haven't posted many photos of outfits lately. Not that I haven't been wearing different shoes and what not. But mainly because I'm embarrassed. I see all the gorgeous photos on the blogs I follow (who all own amazing cameras, of course) and I compare them to my mirror-with-cell-phone photos. I feel like they're not good enough. And without a roommate, I have no other easy way to take them.

So those are my excuses. Are they good ones? Probably not. And it doesn't help that my co-worker gave me a cold. I'll try to do better. Promise.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Weekly Wants

 Time for Weekly Wants! It's a little short this week as I've been busy doing homework and actual work (go figure!)

I would love this dress for a night out. And it's reasonably priced at $59.

Cheetah Knit Dress


You know what's sad? I actually want one of these for myself.

Construction Plate and Utensils

These are perfect and are the story of my life.

Inconvenient Kitty Tumblers

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Shoe #19

We are on our third day of cold, rainy weather. I could deal with the first. I even was alright with the second. But three? Come on now. It has to let up, right? I'm losing motivation with each rainy day.


I apologize for the inordinate about of dirty laundry behind me. I'm saving up quarters, I really am.

My rain boots have been great for this grey weather. I bought them about a year and a half ago at DSW. Good idea on my part.

I love the fish on them

I wore leggings today because I just felt like being lazy with this weather. I threw on a shirt that I knew would cover my bum and some over-the-knee socks I picked up at Nordstrom's Rack when I was visiting my mom out in D.C.


They were a little high and I ended up pushing then down to right above the boots. But they did help keep part of my leg warm (warmer then they would have been).

I'm hoping that the rain holds off tomorrow. I can deal with the cold. I dislike the rain.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Spartan Sprint

Last Saturday, I finished one of the funnest events I've ever done. The Spartan Sprint.


This one was a 4-mile obstacle course, with lots of hills, ravines, climbing, carrying and mud. It was harder than I thought, but I ran it for fun, so there was no time crunch. I ended up walking the majority of it, as the obstacles took a lot out of you.

The before picture

It was chilly, but I didn't want to wear something that would weigh me down. For the next event, I will be wearing only a sports bra and spandex shorts. Even this outfit almost fell off. I kept having to pull up my shorts because the mud added 10 pounds to them.

This was only halfway through

If you're afraid to get dirty, this is not the race for you. But if you're down to get dirty, push yourself and build amazing and instant camaraderie with those around you, then I would totally do it. We all helped each other out in the obstacles. As one of the volunteers working an obstacle put it perfectly: "It's your race." We helped each other at pulleys, climbing ropes and walls, and general encouragement and advice. It was great.

Obviously not prepared for this picture

And the medal is pretty badass. I was exhausted for the rest of the day and so hungry. It took me about 15 minutes to wash my hair out. I woke up super sore the next day, covered in tons of bruises and cuts. But I plan on doing it again next year. It was awesome.

Also, the event has a Reebok tent that collects the donated muddy shoes if you don't want to take them home to clean them - and I definitely didn't. I donated my shoes. They had a good and long life, but it was almost time to get new ones and I'd rather they do to something good than just sit in the trash.

Anyone want to join me next year?

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Catch Up

If you read this (all 2 of you, I'm sure), I've skipped last Friday's Weekly Wants. And I haven't posted anything this week. Well, I'll be missing this week's Weekly Wants as well. I've been trying to play catch up on all the homework I have that I didn't do over last weekend. And I have the Spartan Sprint and Drill this coming weekend. I'll be posting pictures next week, I promise!! Stick with me!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Army 10 Miler

Today, I punished my body hardcore. I haven't ran since the beginning of August and ran 10 miles today. I impressed myself and ran the first 5 before I started to run/walk.

My mom and I got there early to try and beat the crowds on the metro.

O-dark-30

It was chilly out at 6:30 in the morning.

We dressed for the morning

However, I can't run with something tied around my waist and I'm picky about what I wear when I run, so I dropped the warmer clothes for what I'll actually run in.

That's the Pentagon in the background

I was chilly while waiting, but so thankful after the first mile. I get hot when I run and today was no different.

The crowed behind us

But I ran. And ran. And ran. I managed to convince myself to run the whole first half and a majority of mile 6 and 7. Mile 8 was my wall and I walked almost all of it. My feet were killing me, my knees ached and the asphalt was hot. Mile 9 was alluring, knowing you only have a mile left to go. But there was one last hill thrown in before the finish line. I managed to finish in (I think) about 2 hours or so.

I downed two bottles of water and two bananas as soon as I finished and made it to the end. After a while, Mom finished and joined me. We were exhausted and felt like old people.


But we both finished!! I was so proud of my Mom for running/walking and finishing her first running race.

Me with the Old Guard and Honor Guard

I'm still hurting and my lower back seized up, but I'm super proud of my Mom and I for finishing. I'm sure we'll do it again next year.

P.S. I count this as Shoe #18.

*My mom took all these pictures except the first one. I'm not coherent enough to do it that early.

Friday, October 7, 2011

D.C. Shopping Spree

I'm out here in D.C. visiting my mom and preparing to run the Army 10 Miler on Sunday. I had a nightmare travel day yesterday (more on that tomorrow). I slept in a little this morning and managed to procrastinate all day to make up for all the reading I did yesterday :)

After my mom got off work, we ran to Pentagon City Mall. I've only been there once before and I hit only half of one floor. Today, I made it all the way around one floor! Eventually, I'll make it to the other two. In due time. I don't think my credit card could handle it all at once.

I didn't get a back-to-school shopping trip so much this fall, so I guess I made up for it this time around. I made a pretty good haul:


I should have waited until the morning for better light, but I was excited. In total, I picked up 2 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses, 5 tops, 3 pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, makeup and nail polish.

At Sephora, I picked up some great nail polish and some make up I've been needing.


I picked up some great pieces at Arden B. I love the animal print shorts and sparkly top.


And I picked up a dress for my graduation this December.

Not the greatest photo, but you get the idea
It's not a "traditional" or typical graduation dress, but it's pretty different and will work perfectly with some tights and boots or heels. One stop closer to graduation!

We hit Nordstrom's Rack and Gap, where I probably did the most damage. At Gap, I picked up the three pairs of jeans: 2 skinny jeans and a brighter blue pair that was on sale. One of the skinny jeans was half off, which was a nice surprise.


I picked up three basic shirts, a great simple jersey dress and a nice multi-animal print blouse. I also picked up these two great pairs of shoes.


I LOVE the heels. They're Chinese Laundry and were $50 cheaper than the original price. And they're hot. The boots are super comfy Muk Luks and were only $15.

I'm pretty happy with all my purchases. I won't be shopping again until after I graduate and get a real job. And I have someone who can take outfit pictures for this weekend! No mirror posts until Monday!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Shoe #17

Not a hugely special post today. I've been so busy studying and getting ready for leaving tomorrow (the Army Ten Miler is this weekend!) that I haven't had time after my nice night off yesterday. But I did manage to snag two photos. I did love my outfit today. Kinda punkish, but comfy considering it started off at 40 degrees this morning and hit 80 this afternoon.


Supporting my (imaginary) house with my shirt. I threw my tights on, which are nice and warm, and a skirt, so I wasn't too warm. And added my flannel boots to that. I was comfy and not too hot or cold.


I don't know why I don't wear these more. They're pretty comfy. The only downside is they're not waterproof, so I can't wear them after it snows.

I'm off to my mom's tomorrow after a midterm (fun). I'll make sure to post my Weekly Wants on Friday and try to fill in some this weekend. If not, see you Monday!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Shoe #16 and the Apple Orchard

Today started off as one of those days, but ended on a good note. After losing two containers of nail polish to an accident and having a purple sink, my day did finally get better. I also wore a pair of my knee-high boots that I bought in Athens.


It's not the greatest picture without actually wearing them. They can't stand up on their own but they are a soft leather. I wore them to class and to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch.


I LOVE apple orchards and pumpkin patches. To me, it's not fall unless I've been to one. And this one in Monrovia lets you pick your own apples. I got a peck of Gaslip apples, which are slightly tart but delicious for eating and cooking. I had a lot of fun wandering the trees, picking my favorite apples.


After gathering our apples, we headed back to look at the pumpkins.


I like mine tall so I can carve a good face. I found my pumpkin easily.


Tyler prefers his short and fat.

While I was at the orchard, I of course had to pick up my favorite fall drink: apple cider!!

Our haul
In total, we picked up a peck of apples, two pumpkins, cider, two acorn squash and a spaghetti squash (which we had for dinner and it was delicious).

I've been super overwhelmed with classes and it was nice to get out and have a nice afternoon in the country. I love fall!

What do you do for a mini-break?

My Dream Shoes

1. Glitter Keyhole Mary Jane $945
2. Croc-Sequined Platform Pump $1495
3. Sequined Platform Pump $1695
4. Glittered Thick-Heel Platform Pump $795

My first big girl purchase after I graduate will be a pair of Christian Louboutins. And maybe some furniture. But clothing-wise, I've wanted a pair since I knew they existed.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Shoe #15

Remember these shoes?


I posted that I had a dilemma. To buy or not to buy.

Well, today I am happy to say that I did get them :)


And they're just as amazing as they look. Last night was the first time I got to wear these bad boys out. Remember, they are 5" heels. So that makes me around 6'2" with them on. The height didn't bother me because most of my friends are of average height (most of my guy friends, who I went out with).

My friend Alex and me

Even with my shoes on, I'm still about equal height with most of them. Which is cool. And I LOVE these shoes. The only downside was getting used to first walking in them. I'm used to, at max, about a 3" heel. Learning to walk in these was like learning to walk in heels all over again. If you look at the close up of the shoes, the front isn't flat but more rounded. I didn't anticipate that. So I looked like a drunk for about 2 blocks until I could master the art of walking in them. But once I got it down, they were perfect. I walked at least 10 blocks in them with no real problem (after the first two of course). And I stood in them for about 3 hours before my feet started to hurt. They're awesome and I'm so happy with my new shoes!!