Kiku

Y'all remember this sweetheart? Kiku came with us to the States from Puerto Rico two years ago. She was my sweet baby and I love, love, love her.


She snuck into quite a few of my outfit pictures and was the best cuddler ever.


And I know everyone thinks their dog is the best ever, but mine seriously was. She was so sweet and obedient and cuddly. Have I mentioned that she was cuddly?


We got a call on the 23rd with some bad news from Costa Rica. Our house was broken into, our school money was stolen. Worst of all, though, Kiku was hit by a car.


Our neighbors were taking (excellent) care of her, and they tried to get her to the vet, but she died on the way.


So, this is probably the saddest post ever, and I worried about sharing it, but she was kind of around these parts a lot. I can't say I'm looking forward to going back to CR and not finding her, but I'm trying to remind myself she was one happy, happy baby while she was with us.

Thankful

Top: Sonoma via Kohl's
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Banana Republic
Earrings: Turkey
Booties: Aldo
Sunnies: Puerto Rico

Y'all, I live here. This is my front yard. Let me say that again, because it is so amazingly beautiful, that I can't even believe it: this is my front yard.


I have to admit that sometimes I have a crappy attitude about living in the middle of nowhere. We have no phone service at our house, not even cell signal. We can't get Internet until the state-run communications/electric company approves the request for phone service that was put in for this house ten years ago (yeah, you read that right). We don't have a tv, can't get mail, and have electrical issues that I won't even go into because they are myriad and complicated.


And I'll readily admit that I'm not outdoorsy and don't believe I'm cut out for country living. If this were Green Acres, I'd be Eva Gabor. But this, this beauty around me? This reminds to be thankful.


And I am thankful. I'm thankful for the experience, for our sweet, sweet students, for the mountains and volcanos around us, for the strawberries grown in this region, for the hospitality and friendliness that's been showered upon us. I'm thankful for my coworkers, for the fact that Kiku is here with us, for the miraculous health care I received here, for the fact that I'm forced to take a mini vacation every three months to keep me refreshed. I'm thankful for the blog and the connection that it provides to the rest of the world....


And seriously, how amazing is it that I live here?

Nearly wordless

Shirt: Sonoma via Kohl's
Tank: Target
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Belt: Banana Republic
Booties: Aldo
Necklace: gift
Earrings: Target
Sunnies: Puerto Rico
Adorable puppy: Kiku

It's late as I'm typing this, and I'm tired, so this will be pretty much pictures. Enjoy!







And this is me after B told me I was being "demanding" with my photos. I told him I was a diva. We were both joking, of course.

Earthy aka Outfit #1

Cardigan: Apt. 9 via Kohl's
Dress: Target
Boots: Nine West
Belt: Target
Earrings: Target?
Tights: ?
Bangles: gift from my mom

I woke up for the first day of the 30x30 to a grey, cloudy rain forest kind of day. Y'all, did you know it's called rain forest because it rains all. the. time? Or is at least cloudy and misty? If you don't know, now you know. I decided nothing says "grey day" like head to toe brown, and just so you know: I love this outfit. Love it!


I've been getting a lot of questions about the move, so I figured I should answer them. First of all, B and I came here to work with a friend of ours from grad school who started an organization to help redevelop the town where he grew up. This town was pretty much devastated in an earthquake about two years ago and it's been a slow process of recovery, like, the main road hasn't even been fixed.


We're doing a little bit of everything here, but we'll be focusing on teaching and (hopefully) creating partnerships with middle and high school students back in the States (if you're interested, shoot me an email). School doesn't start till the 10th or the 17th (apparently, there may or may not be some changes to the national school schedule) so in the meantime, we've been working on writing up internship descriptions and managing a restaurant to help raise funds for the school.


We hope to be out of the restaurant business soon, though, and that's why I'm doing a happy dance in the picture above.
We brought our dog, Kiku, and she had a rough first week but has since adjusted to country living. She loves running around, rolling in dirt, and smelling the flowers. She still doesn't love her new food, but I blame the fact that she got a taste of chicken and dry dog food just doesn't measure up anymore.


As far as weather, up here in the mountains, it can drop to 45 F, and get up to the high 70s F. It's usually sunny in the mornings and we can actually watch the weather systems moving through the mountains, which is amazing.  Y'all should come visit.  Bring chocolate and I'll let you raid my closet.  

Welcome home

All remixed except cardigan and earrings
Cardigan: Apt. 9 via Kohl's
Tee: Target (men's undershirt with DIY neckline)
Pants: New York & Co.
Shoes: Target
Bangles: gifts
Earrings: ?

So, I have to start by saying that this outfit was inspired by Elaine's outfit yesterday. Y'all, I have QUITE the backlog of outfit pictures, but I thought you deserved to see some scenery. These pictures were taken today by the side of the house where B and I will be living once we he builds a bed frame. Getting settled has been a slow process - I mean, we've been here a week and we're still living out of suitcases - but I'm starting to think that by the end of this week, we'll have things more settled.


I got this leopard cardi for Christmas from my mom. It's cashmere and leopard, which means I'm bound to love it. I also love the picture of it right next to these gorgeous flowers. I've decided that of all the flowers on the property, these might be the most dramatic. Does anyone know what they're called?


I have to admit that I can hardly believe it's January; I feel a little as though I've lost track of time. We've been crazy busy settling in and getting oriented with the work we'll be doing and the context in which we'll be working. Not only that, but we've met a lot of people and have had some great opportunities to network. This is my first time living in a rural area, and it's quite different from what I'm used to, but I'm super excited to finally put my degree in International Development to work.


Kiku, by the way, is loving the country life...except for the calf that walks around by the goat pen. She's not so much a fan of that calf.

Olive and leopard

All remixed except tights and belt
Skirt: Target
Tee: Target
Cardigan: Loft
Tights: Kohl's
Boots: Nine West
Belt: ?
Cami: Kohl's
Scarf: J Crew
Earrings: gift from sister-in-law

This is what I wore for our going away party at church, and for church, too, of course. I will definitely miss that place.... But back to the outfit. I saw this outfit in my mind one morning, and I knew I wanted to try it. Church seemed like as good an occasion as any.


It actually turned out better than I'd expected. I felt comfortable and stylish in it, and I like to think it walked the line between casual and dressy, which is a line I apparently like to walk. Cowboy boots and a grandpa cardigan do a good job of toning down a pencil skirt and tights, I think.


And I know this is a really weird angle (thanks, B!) but it does a good job of showing off the details of this look. I really liked the mix of colors, especially the olive with leopard and red. The cardigan is cozy and warm, too, which is always a plus because our church is pretty chilly. Added bonus: pattern mixing. Oh yeah!


And now for your enjoyment: aloof style blogger and crazy dog. This is totally my favorite kind of picture.

Black and a pop

All remixed except scarf and boots:
Sweater: Banana Republic
Cami: BR
Skirt: Gap
Tights: Target?
Belt: came with a blazer
Scarf: Old Navy
Earrings: Turkey
Boots: Aldo

It poured all day yesterday, so I pulled out my new rainboots for walking to and from work. Aren't they adorable?


Bonus: They were $12 at Aldo. TWELVE DOLLARS, y'all! It was a great find, and they'll serve me well when we move to Costa Rica in January.


I decided to keep everything nice and monochromatic with a pop of green. I really love wearing black, and I know I shouldn't admit that, but I do. There's something so chic and edgy about an all black outfit in my mind. You know what else is chic and edgy? Synchronized posing with Kiku. She's wearing a coat because it's cold and she'd just been outside - we usually take it off her once she's in. This is the only article of clothing she owns.


Also, I just realized how insanely sheer this sweater is. Which is fine, because I wear camis underneath it, but it's clear that my cami is green in this picture. Stinkin' flash.

Kiku and compliments

All remixed
Dress: Ross
Scarf: H&M
Earrings: Turkey
Boots: Nine West
Puppy: Kiku

Another successful BBCA day, y'all. I worked the pink in again and I'm feeling pretty good about it.


Kiku's been getting a lot of love in the comments recently, and for good reason, because she's so adorable. My aunt calls her a robacámara, which literally means that she steals the camera, but figuratively means that she likes to be in every shot. What is that in English?


I got compliments on both my scarf and dress from coworkers today, which made me feel pretty good. Isn't it great when that happens?


Also, I had to run to get on the train today. A couple of nursing students held the doors open for me and a couple that were trying to get on the train just before it pulled away. Which is super rare and super nice. I got on the train, thanked the girls, and then one of them was like, "Oh my gosh! She's so pretty! You're so pretty!" Which was a little awkward but also really nice. I mean, I've had to tell B. "Oh my gosh, she/he is so beautiful!" sometimes when people are just exceptionally gorgeous, but I've never actually said it so that the other person can hear. Maybe I should, because it totally made my day.

Business Casual

All remixed except shirt
Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Wedges: gift from parents
Bracelets; gifts
Earrings: Kohl's

This outfit was inspired by Kendi of Kendi Everyday. The last time I wore a men's shirt with a skirt (on Monday), Elaine of clothed much told me the outfit looked like something Kendi would wear. That was an accident, but this is on purpose.


I got this shirt about a year ago on clearance in the men's department at Old Navy for a whopping $6. I have no problem buying men's clothes for my own use, though I am glad that I am no longer wearing men's jeans the way I did in high school (don't ask - it was NOT a good look).


I like to think that I won't look back on these button up shirts and think, "WHAT was going through my head?!" That said, I'm not sure I'm totally sold on this outfit. I think the paper bag waist and the big shirt might be too much fabric where I don't want it, but I think I've got just the skirt to make this right at a later time.


Here's a detail shot of the waistband as promised. It's kind of subtly pleated. Also, did I just post a picture of my waist? Yipes!


I love these shoes and Kiku's thoughtful face. How cute is she?!


Flying puppy! Hehehe

Rock Star

All remixed except shirt
Shirt: thrifted
Belt: Target
Dress worn as skirt: Ann Taylor
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Kohl's

I felt like a rock star in this outfit. Maybe it's the fact that I was wearing a men's button up shirt that I scored for a whopping seventy-five cents at the thrift store and men's shirts on women seem very rock and roll to me. Maybe it was the fact that the colors on this shirt are a little bold and I just pushed it further with the bright blue shoes.


I don't know what it was, but I definitely had a spring in my step as I walked down to the printer to pick up instructions on how to create new web pages for the site using the Spanish template.


I've been wanting a denim pencil-y skirt for a while, and then I was like, "Ummm, you have a denim dress that YOU CAN'T STOP WEARING! Why haven't you tried to wear it as a skirt yet, you weirdo?!" Because that's how I talk to myself: in exclamations.


So I wore this dress as a skirt today with a plaid shirt I've been wanting to wear. This shirt is insanely soft and comfortable and I don't have to worry about it buttoning over my chest or gaping or doing anything weird. It's just nice and roomy and did I mention soft? Because it's sooooft.


And that's me smoothing down my fly aways.


Y'all! I got a Versatile Blogger Award from Chantele over at Daisy Dayz! I have to share seven facts about myself, but after seeing her video with the facts, I kind of want to do the same thing. I'm a copy cat like that. Besides, I need to get over my fear of the video camera and I'm sure y'all are wondering about my voice. I mean, I live in Philly but use "y'all"? I must have a strange accent. ;)


So my challenge for tomorrow is to figure out the web cam and make a video. And I just snuck in one gratuitous Kiku picture, but I hope you'll indulge me as I post two more. I accidentally kicked one of the couch cushions off the couch and she found it.


It was pretty comfortable so she brought her blanket over and got cozy.


And yes, those blue shoes have LEOPARD print inside. <3