Well, I wore this.

Cardigan, scarf - Target; Top - J. Crew; Jeans - American Eagle; Boots - Arturo Chiang

I took these photos about a week ago but didn't get around to posting them because I was really unhappy with how they turned out. I'm mad at myself for not learning more about my camera and spending more time improving my shots, experimenting with the manual settings, etc. (Although it is hard to be motivated to fiddle with the camera nonstop when it is freeeeezing out and you're losing feeling in your fingers.) But anyways, I ordered a how-to book on my camera this week, so I'm hoping that will help/motivate me. If anyone knows of any good guides online for DSLRs (especially Canons) I'd love to see those too!

Good Intentions

I had good intentions for this day. And this outfit. And this post. But nothing turned out as I planned. I was going to be really productive today. I was going to clean my apartment and run all sorts of errands. I was going to wear a cute outfit which involved a skirt and a lacy floral top and my new knee high boots. I was going to spend lots of time messing around with the manual settings on my camera and take really great photos for my blog. But none of this happened. I woke up and saw that it was dreary and grey outside. And for the third day in a row, some sort of cold/allergy/sinus monster continued to inhabit my head, leaving me all stuffy with a headache and a sore throat. I did my best, but I couldn't resist the urge to wear jeans and put my hair up. (And I definitely didn't clean my apartment.)

Cardigan - Old Navy; Shirt - Urban Outfitters; Jeans - American Eagle; Boots - Arturo Chiang

In other news, my mom and I went to the thrift store this evening and I found SEVEN amazing sweaters. Super exciting, as I actually don't have many sweaters in my wardrobe. Hooray for warmth on a budget.

P.S. You can't really tell, but my earrings are little gold owls. In case you were wondering...

My New Year's Eve

Last night, something glorious happened. Something I've been waiting on for quite a while. My brand new MacBook Pro arrived!

This photo was taken before I went out and bought a pretty magenta cover to protect it from scratches and such. I'd show you a picture of it with the case but it's easier to just Google the case I bought...

There! Although it looks slightly more pinkish in real life.

Anywhooo. I'm quite excited about that. Also, today is my first day off work since Christmas! Danny and I were going to go see a matinee of Black Swan but decided to take the dogs for a walk instead since it's 50 degrees out today. Weird, since there was a foot of snow less than a week ago. Anyways, we went to a pretty lake nearby.

I asked Danny to snap some outfit-ish photos but they're not very detailed. I wish you could see my lovely Christmas boots! They were a gift from my parents (as was the red cardigan). I am quite smitten with both pieces and will probably be wearing the heck out of them until spring arrives.

Then we headed to Starbucks and sat outside with the pups.

And now I'm going to attempt to clean up this ridiculously messy apartment and then get ready to go see Black Swan this evening.

As for New Year's...I don't have any exciting plans. I actually have to work early in the morning so I might not even stay up to watch the ball drop. (I'm just TOO exciting, right?!) But if I do, rest assured I'll be watching Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper. They are two of my favorite people in the whole world. Seriously. I hope they have a New Year's show for the rest of forever. So funny. Oh, but you know what 2011 means? New planner!

Yes, in a world of endless technology I still rely on/love my paper planner. And 2011's has cute colorful owls on it. Another great Christmas gift from my parents. Hope you all have a fun New Year's!

P.S. Hey, Mac users...any tips/advice regarding my latest purchase? This is my very first Mac so I'm learning lots! Any app recommendations or tips on how to do things that are done differently on a PC would be appreciated. Thanks!

It's official.

I miss blogging.

And I think I want to start again.

But I want it to be different this time. I think I'll try to post...maybe once a week. And it'll be less about outfits and more just about me and documenting my life/thoughts/etc. I've had a fancy camera since summer and I'm giddy over a brand new computer that's making its way through the mail to me...and it seems silly to me to have these things and not use them for blogging. And I really miss the blogging community. And I miss having a blog as a sort of digital scrapbook/journal.

I really don't like or make New Year's resolutions. I think it's kind of silly. You can and should change your life/behavior/whatever whenever you feel like it. But the timing is right, so whatever. I guess getting back to blogging regularly is my resolution.

So, I guess I'll start by catching you up on what I've been up to for the past few months.

In late summer I went to Charleston with my parents...

I visited the ocean...

Smoked my first cigar with my Dad (and no, neither of us are drunk in this photo)...

I stood on some steps...

And ate the best meal ever. Salmon on grits with cheese sauce on top. I've had this meal about four times...it alone is worth the three hour drive to Charleston. Yum.

After that, I went to the fair...

And ate greasy fair food.

I transferred to a different college...

And went exploring for pretty places there.

Meanwhile, the puppies grew...

And grew...

And grew...

And they saw their first snow...

Milton and I visited my parents for Christmas...

My Dad made beignets for breakfast...

And then it snowed...

And it snowed some more...

How were your holidays?

Shabby Apple Dress Review

The lovely folks at the online shop Shabby Apple recently sent me this adorable dress for review!

Hat - thrifted; Necklace - Forever 21; Sandals - Urban Outfitters

I had so much fun styling it - I love the stripes and the little pockets. My only complaint about this dress would be that it's a bit longer than I'd like. I pinned it up for these photos and I will probably hem it. Otherwise - perfect! I love the sleeves too, they'll make for an easy transition to fall. Thanks, Shabby Apple!

On a day off

Sometimes blogging is tough because I get my pictures edited and resized and uploaded and then realize I have no idea what to type. Today I guess I'll tell you a quick little anecdote about this shirt. The closest Forever 21 is about an hour away from me in Johnson City, Tennessee and I went there for the first time recently (I usually just go to the one in Charlotte because there are actually other things to do there). But, oh my goodness - biggest Forever 21 ever! I was really surprised. It was bigger than the Forever 21 I went to in Atlanta! Anyways, I saw this shirt hanging on the rack. It was the last one and I thought it was so pretty, so I was really bummed when I saw that it was a size large. But then I picked up the shirt and figured it was supposed to have a loose, flowy fit anyways so I might as well try it on. And ta-da! I love it. And that's all I have to say today. I'm off to take the puppies on a walk.

Hat - Charlotte Russe; Cami, top - Forever 21; Skirt, sandals - Urban Outfitters

By the lake

I was running late for a hair appointment and threw this on before rushing out the door. So...not too exciting, but good enough for errand running and hair trims. I was glad I had time to stop by the lake to take some photos. I'm still getting used to my new camera, but it's so fun to shoot with!

Necklace - Forever 21; Pocket-tee - Old Navy; Shorts - American Eagle; Shoes - Yellowbox

Shooting at this lake always reminds me of Rebecca of The Clothes Horse and the lovely photos she takes by the water. I definitely had her in mind as inspiration when making that gif! Hers are always so adorable.

One day, one accessory, three outfits.

Did you think I forgot about this blog? Not quite. I moved. So, all my clothes were in boxes...and then I had no internet...and then I was busy unpacking (which I still haven't really finished). Anyways, I thought I'd try to make a creative comeback and post something a little different - three outfits I wore during the span of one day.

Headband - Forever 21; Dress - Ross (don't remember the brand...); Sandals - J. Crew

Dress - J. Crew ($8 at that awesome sale I told you about); Sandals - Nine West

Shirt - J. Crew ($4....also from the awesome sale); Shorts - American Eagle; Sandals - Nine West

I wore the first outfit for a quick lunch date with my boyfriend, the second for a baby shower with my mom and the third for a party in the evening. I didn't realize until after I loaded these that my color palette was the same all day...that wasn't intentional. I guess this flower just makes me want to wear navy and cognac accessories?

P.S. That mysterious figure lurking in these photos is Milton, of course.