Friend Friday: Books

Cardigan: J Crew
Tank: Target
Skirt: J Crew
Tights: Simply Vera via Kohl's
Booties: Aldo
Belt: Banana Republic
Earrings: Target

It's Friend Friday and I'm remembering to post, which means it's a big day. And it's November, which means I've spent the last four days writing frantically, just like I did last year. Real talk, I finally finished my first draft of last year's novel on the 31st of October. Mm hm. We'll see how this year's goes....


Anyway, this week's topic is books. I'm thinking I'll probably do a mix of what I've just read and some of my favorites. So, five books in no particular order:
1. On Fortune's Wheel by Cynthia Voigt - I read this about once a year and I love it. It's about an innkeeper's daughter who follows a young earl to the end of the earth. Except, you know, it's better than I make it sound.
2. Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead by Nick Drake - I just read this while on our mini vacation. A mystery set in ancient Egypt? Yes, please.


3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - This another of my all time favorites and it's a classic. I don't even know why I love it so much, I just do.
4. Edge of Grace by Christa Allan - This is one I read fairly recently, and, wow. A book that deals with deep faith and the things that can tear a family apart? Yeah, amazing.
5. Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes - I'm about half way through this, and it's pure fluff. But I read a lot of fluff, especially if it's free on Kindle (hello, I'm poor) and that's fine.


Any recommendations?

Gifts and questionable outfits

Tank: H&M - gift from my sister
Dress (worn as a skirt): Papaya - gift from my sister
Sunnies: Puerto Rico
Earrings: Target
Beach: Cahuita

I wore shoes this day, I just don't remember which ones and they're not in the pictures, so I figure it's okay to skip that little detail. This feels like so long ago, and that's because it was and I have a backlog of outfit pictures that I'm slowly going through. I'm fine with that. I'm taking it slowly because I'm enjoying the let up in the amount of work in my daily life.


I don't know if I love this outfit. I mean, it was appropriate for what we were doing (driving out to the East Coast to drop off our sweet intern, A, at her family's place in Limón) and it's comfortable... But somewhere between the blue on blue, the dress pulled down as a skirt, and the knotted top, I feel like it just wasn't working.


On the plus side, my sister gave me both the dress and the tank when I saw her in July. She tried to give me piles of stuff, but I have little use for anything summery up here in the land of the eternal fall (that's my affectionate name for this region of Costa Rica) so I selected these two pieces because I thought I could do a lot with them. And I will. Just maybe not together again.

White shirt week day 4

Tee: Target (gift from A)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Tank: Banana Republic
Belt: Etsy (don't remember which vendor and it was ages ago)
Leggings: Target (gift from my sister)
Earrings: Turkey
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy

It's the last installment of my white shirt challenge, y'all. I still have mixed feelings about this outfit, though I did feel like a dancer while I wore it (especially when I lost the cardigan when I hung around the house). Feeling like a dancer makes me happy because (a) I love dancing and (b) am OB.SESSED. with So You Think You Can Dance.


Of course, I'm a perfectly mediocre dancer so this about as close as I get to feeling like a real dancer - you know, piles of thin layers with some flowy pieces.


Y'all, my husband and I have the house to ourselves for the first time, in, oh, forever. We had seven people living in our house for most of the summer, which was sometimes nice but often overwhelming. Not that we didn't love our interns (we did), just that sometimes I'd like to live with just my husband and our pets.


We're on our own for the next two weeks and I'm. So. Excited.

Dress Your Best Week - Day 3: Ruffles or bust

Top: Ann Taylor (gift from my mom)
Bolero: Ann Taylor
Skirt: Target
Booties: Aldo
Bracelets: gift from my uncle
Earrings: gift from my sister-in-law
Crazy face: not sure...

I feel like I'm pulling out the big guns with Dress Your Best Week this year. It's been harder to make my list, but I feel like it's given me a new and improved appreciation for my body. For today? My chest, and trust me when I say that this post might be the hardest (most awkward?) one for me to write.


I got my first training bra in third grade. Third. Grade. And it was not a "let's make you feel all grown up" kind of training bra experience. It was like a "Hey, mom, people at school are asking if I wear a bra" experience. Next thing I knew, we were at JC Penney's picking out 32AAs. In fifth grade, I was the only girl who had to wear a bra every day (and my mom told me it had to be EVERY DAY) which meant I got "plinkied" every time we had a bathroom break. Plinkies were when the other kids snapped the back strap. It was awesome.


By "awesome", I mean "mortifying", of course. Naturally, I was self-conscious because I was a kid who didn't know what to make of her body. As I got older, there were all kinds of rules about what I could and couldn't wear thanks to all I had going on in the front. No tank tops, definitely no spaghetti straps, cardigans or jackets to cover me up, no scoop necks, few v-necks, nothing with an empire waist, no tops with writing across the front, avoid embellishment across the bust, no woven button-up shirts...


That's a lot of rules, especially for a high school kid, which is what I was at the time. Some of those were my parents' rules and some were my own, but it pretty much guaranteed that I had no idea what to do with my top half. I'll readily admit that these days, I'm much more comfortable covering up, but at the time, I felt awkward and ashamed. I mean, I didn't ask for what I had, right?


But I feel like these days I finally have perspective on my chest. For one, I'm just below the national average, which makes me feel way better about my options. For another, I've stopped fighting it. This is the body I have, the only one I have, and I've got a chest that women will literally pay money for. So I thank the sweet Lord for what I've got and move on.


And I'll just go ahead and put some ruffles on 'em to make up for lost time.

Back on Track aka Outfit #8

Tank: Target
Jacket: New York & Co.
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: gift from sister in law

Today, my (maternal) aunts took me to meet up with my (paternal) uncle and grandmother to visit my grandfather who's in a nursing home. Then we went out to eat with my uncle and grandmother because my family loves to eat.


How cute is my grandmother?! Too cute, that's how cute.


I got these shots of the town of Gurabo, where my grandfather is, and thought they were too amazing not to share. Check out the steps back leading up to the houses on the hill. I'd be so fit if I lived there....


I feel like the brightness of this outfit fits in so well with the surroundings. Life in general is just brighter in the tropics. The houses are bright, the flowers are bright, the sun is bright.... Color is less scary for me here.


This was our view from the restaurant today, and it's totally not photoshopped. How gorgeous is my island? I mean, for real.


My aunt almost stole these shoes from me. I might not be able to leave with them in my suitcase because she liked them so much.

And now, a random picture:

Mama hen and babies! Gah! So cute!

Fabulous Traveler aka Outfit #7

Blazer: New York & Co.
Tank: Target
Jeggings: J Crew
Shoes: Target
Scarf: Turkey
Earrings: Turkey
Ring: Swapped
Sunnies: from a pharmacy in Costa Rica

Today I'm traveling to Puerto Rico after having a meeting with the Minister of Public Education for our province. I needed to look professional while still being comfortable enough to go from the chilly highlands to the dry heat of the city to the wall of humidity that is the area just outside of the airport in San Juan. I think I've done it.



Anyway, it's the first day of Fabulous in February, and I'll be doing this every Monday for the rest of the month. Basically, I'm being positive about what and who I am, which, if you've ever read my about me, you'll see that that's one of the reasons I started the blog. So here are my three things for this week:


1. I'm a traveler. I like hanging out in a place for an extended period of time and getting to know the local culture. Travel is probably the best education I could've ever had.


2. I have a quirky little gap-toothed smile. Believe it or not, I once had braces. Kids: wear your retainers or fall in love with your gap. I've done the latter.


3. I'm a proud shorty. I'm 5' 2 and 3/4", which I round up to 5'3" so I don't sound like a little kid. In case you're wondering, B is 6'3". I always tell him that I'm the perfect height and he's freakishly tall.

What makes y'all fabulous?

Flashback and sequins

All remixed except tank, sweater, and tights
Sequined tank: Ann Taylor
Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Ann Taylor
Tights: gift from my sister-in-law
Bangles: Banana Republic
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: Kohl's?

I wore this on January 9th, for our last Sunday at my parents' church and I loved it so much that I had to share this look. The tank, cardi, and tights were Christmas gift and I'm a huge fan of each of them.


I have straight hair in these pics because I'd just gotten my hair cut. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but I did get all the dead ends chopped off (finally). I get my hair cut, like, twice a year. Someone tell me I'm not alone in this....


And how fabulous are these floral mesh tights? I'm already imagining them over a pair of hot pink tights, but I haven't had an occasion to try that kind of layering yet. I guess I'll just have to create that occasion up here in the mountains....

Boston and blue suede

All remixed
Tank: Target
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Jeans: Banana Republic
Scarf: J Crew
Bracelet: gift from my uncle
Earrings: Target
Flip flops: Rainbow
Bag: gift from my mom
Umbrella: Target

Monday was our last day in Boston and it rained all day. I was really glad I'd worn these jeans on the trip down because dresses weren't going to cut it on such a rainy day. I'll be honest, though: I felt sooo uncomfortable in this outfit because A) I don't usually wear jeans and B) when I do, I don't usually wear them with such fitted tops.


I still don't really know how I feel about the whole look, but I do know how I feel about Mike's Pastry: Yum! (BTW, I just found out you can order their cannoli ONLINE?!)



All remixed except skirt
Tee: Banana Republic
Skirt: I made it
Belt: Target
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: Target

Today I decided it was time for me to wear the skirt I made (using this tutorial) out in public. I was a little nervous to do this because I'm basically prancing around in a curtain in this. Also, the hem is uneven and the pockets are poorly made. But why am I going to make myself a little skirt and then never wear it? Yeah, that's what I thought.


I embraced all the color in the skirt by wearing it with an orange top, green earrings, and blue suede shoes. Yeah, it's a whole lot of color, but I think it turned out pretty well. This from a girl whose love of neutrals is deep....
Anyway, I'm keeping this short for now, since I didn't sleep so well last night and it's been a long, busy day.
Our vacation to Turkey is coming up in mere DAYS, y'all! I'm so excited!

A day, an evening and a "who's that girl?"

Accessories and shoes are remixed
Shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: Tulle
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: Target
Bangle: Vietnam

This is what I wore to volunteer on Friday, and I think the whole thing cost me about $30. The skirt was $7 on sale. I'd never ordered anything from Tulle before, but I'd heard decent reviews online. Besides, it's hard to pass up a $7 skirt.


I'm still not sure how I feel about the top with this skirt, but I really wanted to wear both these pieces, so I did. It's a little bohemian and also out of my comfort zone. Overall I'm feeling a little "Meh" about it.

Friday night we went out for dinner with some friends who recently came back from five months in Nepal.

All remixed except tank
Tank: Banana Republic
Skirt: Target
Belt: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Target
Bracelet: Vietnam

I've had this tank in my closet for three years, I think, and I've never worn it out. Why? Because I feel super exposed in it. And I did last night, but we were going out for the night, and B. convinced me it was a good look.


Y'all, we had the best. Meal. Ever. We went to Chifa, which I'd been wanting to try for a while. I saw it while we were on the mural tour for B.'s birthday, and I was like, "Chifa! I love comida chifa!" Chifa is a term for Peruvian Chinese food and it is DELICIOUS. This restaurant, however, is way more upscale than all the chifa places I've been to before. Also, um, Chef José Garces. Yeah, y'all: it's the second Iron Chef whose food I've tasted. I love my life!

Today, our former pastor (we went out with a church plant) got married.

All remixed
Dress: J Crew
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bangle: gift from uncle
Earrings: Target

This is the dress that I wear to weddings, apparently. I love it because it's so comfortable and it's got pockets, but it's still fancy enough to dress up or down.


This is my fancy hair. I've talked about how I don't really straighten my hair, but every once in a while, I get the urge to do something different with it. Today was one of those days. Weddings are one time when I can get behind some heat styling. So I gave myself some waves.


And then I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself.

At least I'll have my real hair back soon enough.

Photo Dump aka Outfits # 19 -23

I have about a million outfits to post, y'all. I think this qualifies as a photo dump....

First up, Friday:

All remixed
Dress: New York & Co. via Ross
Sandals: Chinese Laundry
Hoops: gift

This was what I wore for our drive down to VA. I needed something that would keep me cool as we drove 3 1/2 hours without AC, so I kept it simple.


Which was just as well, because we ended up having car issues and it took us way over four hours to get down to my parents' house. Boo.

Saturday:

All remixed except bangle
Tee: Target
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Target
Sandals: Chinese Laundry
Earrings: Target
Necklace: gift
Bangle: gift from my uncle sixteen years ago

Y'all - I love this outfit. My mom made fun of my DIY job on the tee, but I didn't care because it's just so comfy.


I felt like the accessories really made this work. The necklace is so much fun, and that bangle is one of the first pieces I ever got from my uncle, and it is, quite possibly, the coolest. I've had it for sixteen years and I still think it's just gorgeous.

Sunday morning:

All remixed
Dress: J Crew
Bolero: Ann Taylor
Belt: Banana Republic
Wedges: Soixante Neuf thrifted
Earrings: gift
Bangles: Banana Republic

This was not my original plan for Sunday morning, but I think it worked out pretty well. My original plan was to wear my striped shirt with this dress, but the shirt was just too big to work that way, so I threw this bolero on. Not terribly creative, but it works.


I also love the leopard print belt peeking out under there.


I have to say it was pretty great for blasting AC and steamy outdoors. Plus, I just love brown and blue together.

Sunday afternoon:

All remixed:
Skirt: Target
Tank: Target
Belt: Target
Scarf: J Crew
Sandals: Chinese Laundry
Niece: Absolute cuteness decked out in head-to-toe Gymboree.

Y'all, I don't know where I'd be without Target. I mean, really. This outfit was so comfy for our trip back to Philly - this time with AC and no car problems. (Yay!)


That's the kind of cuteness that was going on on the drive home.

And, the last outfit for this post - Monday:


All remixed:
Dress: Target
Wedges: Nine West
Belt: Banana Republic
Earrings: Target
Bangle: gift

If you feel like you're experiencing deja vu, it's because this looks a whole lot like outfit #9. I'm going to go ahead and say it's a different outfit because of the belt.


I had a job interview for a part time position today, so I dressed up a bit. Perhaps this isn't quite as conservative as I could have gone for an interview, but A, it's a part time position, B, a friend of mine works there and told me it's really casual, and C, my interviewer was wearing jeans and moccasins. I figure this was dressed up enough.

And now for a totally random picture: