All Hallows' Eve

I know that my not dressing up may be a let down, so I thought I would dress in something fun. I love these shoes!

Sorry for the cheesy pose. It was very windy.

Tank: Mossimo via Target (years ago)
Skirt: Xhilaration via Target
Shoes: Carlos Santana via eBay
Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Today will be filled with movies, tamales, pan dulces, popcorn, and soda. I have spent the last two weeks trying to finalize the list of scary movies for today. I love zombie movies, so this has been hard. 

                           Night of the Living Dead (the '98 edition) 

                           Land of the Dead

                           Zombieland

                           28 Days Later

                           Halloween (the original)

                           The Crazies

The night will end with the premiere of the new AMC tv show The Walking Dead.

Out of Gas

This week has been a long one for me. I think mostly because I haven't felt well the whole week. Today, I got up early and took a practice GRE test. Then, I spent an hour studying more GRE stuff at the library. I have a headache and I'm exhausted now.

Tank: Buttons via Francesca's Collections
Pants: Charlotte Russe (last year)
Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Boots: Chocolat Blu via some boutique in NY
Bracelet: Abercrombie (years ago)
Earrings: Handmade by me

I think I'll spend the rest of the day relaxing. Maybe I'll have some hot chocolate and curl up with the cats.

Halloween

I've always loved Halloween. Getting dressed up and getting free candy totally rocks! However, last year, Halloween made its mark on me and some of my friends. I was at a friend's party and my best friend's girlfriend (R) was burned very badly.

One minute my best friend and I were shoving food in our mouths and the next R was engulfed in flames. It was horrifying. We had gone inside to get some food. We heard a loud boom and then screams and saw someone engulfed in flames. We both went flying out of the house to find my husband on top of R putting her out. Others at the party were helping, too. I'm shocked my husband reacted so quickly because he NEVER moves fast.

There were two outside fires being set up. One was already started and the hubs and R were setting up the other one. Someone decided to throw Everclear on the first fire. The fire pulled back into the bottle and the guy jerked the bottle which then turned the bottle into a flamethrower. Flames shot across the yard about 10-15 feet in a straight path to R. This was not intentional, but it was stupid.

R saved her own life by doing the old saying STOP, DROP, and ROLL. That put most of the flames out. Her face, neck and hands were badly burned. She had some minor burning on her stomach. She was star-flighted to the Brooks Army Burn Center. They took such good care of her. It's amazing how she looks today! In less than a year, she has physically recovered, for the most part. Just by looking at her you wouldn't be able to to tell she was ever rolling around on the ground on fire. Her hands are sensitive to cold and she does have some scarring on her neck and hands, but otherwise she looks good.

Normally, I would have already had my costume picked out and put together in the summer. I just don't feel the same excitement this year. Maybe next year. Here are some costumes of years past.




The hubs was a samurai and I was a sorority girl.*
(The hubs rented his costume, but bought the hair and katana. I made mine.)




Tank: Charlotte Russe (I added the patch and letters)
Pants: Forever 21 (I added the handmade patches)
Sunglasses: Charlotte Russe
Flip-Flops: Hobby Lobby
Dog: Kids-N-Cats (Austin boutique)
Fake Nails and Tanner: Wal-Mart (I can't remember which brands)**




The hubs was a race car driver and I was a 70's girl.***
(The hubs got his at Goodwill. I bought my pieces at different places.)




Shirt: I don't remember the brand via I can't remember that either
Bell Bottoms: I don't remember the brand via Blue Velvet Vintage (Austin boutique)
Scarf: Banana Republic (I already owned this)
Bracelet: Charlotte Russe

{F is a good friend. He wanted someone to pose with for this shot.}****



Hope you all are safe this Halloween.



Photo Credits
*Jan; **Jan; ***Franco; ****Nancy
(If I got these wrong, please don't shoot me. I can't remember that far back. I can always correct.)

New Shoes

I'm getting very anxious for my new shoes. As excited as I am, you might think they are the green shoes I dream about. Or the red ones I can't seem to find. Or maybe that awesome blue pair. I'm sad to say they are just running shoes. However, they are custom-made running shoes. I have hard to fit feet. I'm amazed that I can even wear shoes. Most of the time I can find an amazing shoe in my size it doesn't fit or it hurts. And by hurt, I mean, I literally can't walk.

I hurt my ankle about 6 years ago and I am still having problems. I have been to an orthopedic surgeon and had tons of tests (some were very painful) and scans done. My end diagnosis was nerve pain and achilles inflammation. I still go to see him from time to time. Over the years I have become somewhat of a runner and I had finally found my favorite running shoe: Adidas Response Trail. My doctor said I had to change the type of socks I was wearing and then my shoes. That's when I started the great shoe hunt. I have gone to every shoe store in Austin and tried on tons of shoes. I couldn't seem to find one that works for me. I tried on so many shoes and my feet just kept hurting. I even went to Rogue and had someone there pick out shoes for me. None of the shoes I have tried fit the way my feet need them to. I was ready to give up.

Then I found Hersey shoes. They make custom shoes. I emailed them and asked some questions and decided that I would like to try these shoes. I feel like Hersey is my last option for running shoes. The hubs and I vacationed this past summer in Cape Cod. While we were there, we drove over to Fitchburg, MA where I got to meet the shoemaker and owner, Stephen. He's a really nice guy. It was really cool to have him measure my feet for my custom shoes. I was hoping for some really great color choices, but grey is the only choice. I guess I can overlook that since these are meant for my high arches and low ankles (hard to fit). They have extra padding in the heels and are cut lower in the front on just the right shoe (hard to fit). They will be able to lace up over my high instep (hard to fit). They are the right width.

I hope to get them some time this week or next. I'm ready to start working out again. Here is a sneak peak at my new shoes. I will post photos of the real ones when I take them for a spin. Until then, here is one of me after a 3-mile run in my old shoes. I can't believe I'm posting this. I look like a tootsie roll.

Shirt: Sugoi
Shorts: Sugoi
Socks: Banana Republic
Shoes: Adidas
Sunglasses: I can't remember via kiosk at the mall

Going Somewhere

Well, I didn't go to work today, because the hubs got me sick. He has been sick for a couple of weeks now and I finally got his affliction. Luckily, we both got in to see the doctor this morning. Now we are both on antibiotics. I normally lay around in sweats and a tank when I don't feel well, but I thought getting dressed would help me feel better. It didn't work. I have just continued to feel worse as the day has progressed. I was going to take photos, but didn't get off the sofa before the sun went down.

Blazer: Boy via Barneys
Blouse: Karen Millen
Cape: Topshop
Bustier: Topshop
Dress: Warehouse.co.uk
Shorts: Juicy Couture
Skirt: Topshop
Corset: Topshop
Camera: Lomography Diana Dreamer
Booties: Luiza Barcelos
Bodysuit: Topshop
Boots: Topshop
Heels: Steve Madden
Suitcase: Mysugarland.co.uk
Brooch: avalaya.com

This is what I would like to take with me on my next trip. I don't know where I'll be going, but these items just look like I would be going somewhere really fun and exciting.

The Right Pair of Shoes Are a Must

Well, for starters I didn't wear jeans. I picked up this dress yesterday when I was thrifting with my cousin. It's a little short for my comfort, so I threw on some tights to help me feel a little better.

I wanted to wear heels all day, but couldn't for a couple of reasons. I volunteer almost every Saturday. I feed feral cats for Thundering Paws. One of the colonies I feed is behind some old abandoned/not very used buildings. This makes it hard to wear heels. It's been raining some in the Hill Country and I wasn't sure if it would be muddy, so I wanted to wear my wellies. Plus, the grass is usually really high.

The fourth Saturday of every month, I volunteer for Mobile Loaves and Fishes making sandwiches for the homeless. We are asked to dress conservatively, so I thought the heels were a bit much for making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Dress: Derek Heart via Goodwill
Belt: Agaci (last year)
Tights: Target I think (last year)
Wellies: Merona via Target
Flats: Pierre Dumas via Shoestation.com (1-2 years ago)
Heels: Qupid via Hush Hush (last year)
(Hush Hush is a local boutique; I think it's closed now.)

Usually after making sandwiches, the hubs and I go to Rudy's for BBQ. So, I slipped into my heels for the rest of my day. While I was getting a refill on my tea, there was a group of guys behind me. One of them came up to me and said, "This may seem weird coming from me, but those are really cool shoes." Then all his friends looked at me and another one said, "Yeah, those are cool." I blushed and said, "Thanks" and went back to my table. Today was University of Texas game day and my shoes are UT colors.

Half & Half

I had a great end to the work week and a great beginning to the weekend. Today I got to leave work early! I spent the rest of the day with my cousin. We went thrift shopping and then went to dinner. She's a college student and she is great. I love that she's into sparkly, furry, animal print anything. I'm trying to convince her that formal wear can be everyday wear as long as you own it. I want to go over to her apartment one day and find her lounging on her sofa in a ball gown. Maybe I'll have to get her one.

Tank: Sanrio via Target (Gifted)
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Shorts: Charlotte Russe (pants in their former life)
Boots: Qupid via Urban Original
Earrings: Gifted

I love my outfit today; however, it was half wrong. It was half wrong because it was raining today when I got to work. I never wear shoes I like when it rains because the parking lot floods. I don't wear white when it rains because I end up getting soaked. I didn't have my ultra umbrella. I bought an awesome wind-resistant umbrella. Before that every time it rained my umbrella would flip inside out and I would get soaked. On the flip side, my outfit was half right because I went shopping and I have on Hello Kitty. I always like to go shopping in a comfortable outfit. I like to wear separates. I don't wear dresses because then I can't just try on jeans or a skirt. I have to find a shirt to try on, too. I wear moderate or no jewelry.

Sorry for the lack of photos. I know I usually post more, but it was very windy this evening and most of the pics were blurry. And my hair was a mess. I would have taken more, but I ran out of light. The hubs and I ran up to the top of the parking garage next door just to get the last bit of light for the photos.

{Edit: I was so tired yesterday I forgot to put a title on my post, so here it is.}

I've Got Spirit

I've got spirit, yes I do! I've got spirit! How about you? I'm wearing purple today to celebrate Spirit Day in honor of the teenagers who have taken their own lives in recent weeks because of anti-LGBT bullying.

Tank: Banana Republic Outlet
Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Jeans: Paige via Goodwill
Shoes: Naturalizer
Earrings: Handmade by me

I've been thinking about how I wear jeans in a lot of my posts. I was reminded on Friday why I do. We had a spill at work and it's not easy to suit up and clean a spill wearing a dress or skirt. I clean up spills a lot, but luckily I didn't have to clean up this one. I've noticed that heels aren't very conducive to wearing shoe covers, but I think I will keep my heels for now.

I will do my best to not wear jeans in my weekend posts. I post photos of what I actually wear. I don't put on an outfit just for photos (Not that there is anything wrong with that). What you see me wearing in my posts is what I wear all day. Oh, and I never adjust my photos. This is the real me.

Now, I'm going to watch Pretty in Pink. Andie was so chic. I'm still inspired by her every time I watch this movie. For those who are interested, I designed the dress I wore to my eighth grade dance and my mom made it for me. I'll try to find pics and post them some day.

Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet (years ago)
Dress: Liberty of London for Target
Belt: Charlotte Russe
Shoes: Xhilaration via Wal-Mart (last year)
Earrings: Wal-Mart (years ago)

First of all, I'm not sure if this outfit even works, but I like it. I threw on this shirt over the dress because it was a little cool for just the dress. Next on the list, is the dress and I love that it has pockets. I hate it when I don't have a pocket for my phone. Somehow I always end up leaving my phone at home. Finally, these shoes are fuzzy inside, so they are comfy. Plus, they are super quiet, so I can sneak up on people. Not that I do, but just in case I need to be a ninja.

I spent most of yesterday doing an on-line training and wow was it intense. Now today I'm just tired and I don't want to study or even go to the grocery store. However, the fridge is empty. If I don't go to the store I won't have anything for lunch this week.

Just Not My Day

Tank: Free People via tilly's.com
Long-sleeve: Dorothy Perkins
Jacket: Biba via House of Fraser (on-line)
Pants: Ralph Lauren
Tights: Jcrew
Belt: Steve Madden
Boots: Aldo
Market bag: apolisglobal.com

Today was just not my day. I woke up with a migraine. I was late leaving the house, so I was late to work. I was supposed to meet with the girls for lunch today, but one of the girls has a stomach bug. Poor thing is eight months pregnant and has the stomach flu. I didn't have a lunch, because I was still hoping to meet with the other girl, but that didn't happen. Luckily, yesterday was goodie day at work so there were leftovers. The rest of the day was just pure torture. My migraine never let up. I did some on-line training and then left work. I took some migraine meds with a twinkie and milk as I headed for home. The whole drive home I felt like I was going to vomit. I contemplated pulling over to refund my twinkie. Somehow, I managed to make it home. As soon as I walked in the door, I kicked off my heels and changed into my favorite Hello Kitty pajama pants. Then, I just laid in bed for a few minutes. So, I wore heels to work and didn't get an outfit post out of it. :-(

EDIT: I just realized that I didn't post anything about the outfit I pulled together to post. I fell in love with these pants and since I can't afford them, I thought I would put together a pretend outfit that I would wear. I would leave the long sleeve unbuttoned, so you could see the pretty tank.

Bloglovin'

Wow, I'm being very productive with the start of this new week. Now you can also follow me on Bloglovin'!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Clyde's Rebirth Giveaway

Attention all bloggers! Check out this great giveaway from Clyde's Rebirth. Sorry, but you have to have a blog in order to enter the giveaway. Now on to numbers 4 and 5 on the qualification list. I hope I win!

Self Examination

Time for that self-exam. I'll never forget the day I was doing my self-exam and found a lump. I was so scared. It was before I was married and the hubs was living in Baltimore, so I had to tell him over the phone. I had gone to the doctor and she was sending me to a breast surgeon for diagnosis. That's so not what I needed to hear. After all of my worries, it ended up being a cyst, but still very scary. I still do my self-exams.

Shirt: Katydid Collection
Jeans: Bullhead via St. Vincent's Thrift Store
Shoes: Me Too via ShoeStation.com
Belt: Banana Republic Outlet
Watch: Carriage via Wal-Mart

We should all know by now that this is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I'm showing my support by wearing my Katydid cancer awareness shirt. Katy of Katydid Collection is a childhood friend and such a wonderfully sweet girl. Katy is such a big supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness. For the rest of October, Katydid Collection will be donating $10 from each cancer awareness tee and tank sale to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I love her clothes; they are so cute and soft. I just saw that there is a news feature Hometown Hero on Fox 4 News on Katy! Yes, I was on Facebook while typing this post.

The Breast Cancer Site is a good place to go every time you're on the internet. It only takes a couple of minutes. This website raises money to provide mammograms for women in need. The advertisers are the ones funding these programs. All you have to do is click a button. Easy, huh?

A New Career

Sorry for the lack of posts this past week. I've been busy planning a new career. I've been trying to decide which direction to really take, which test to study for, and which school I want to go to.

Can you believe I bought these boots for $10?

Shirt: Banana Republic Outlet
Jeans: Paige
Vest: Tulle via Emerald's (last year)
Boots: Splash via Hush Hush (local boutique, last year)
Earrings: Gifted (can you even see them?)
Bracelet: Ball chain from some article of clothing I've bought

Good news! I've figured it all out. Now, all I have to do is just get it all done. I can't believe I'm actually going back to school. I've been wanting to do this for quite some time, but just now got serious about it.
Every day I've been studying for interviews and now I'll be studying for the GRE. Exciting! I also have to write a personal statement. I haven't done that since 1999. OMG, I'm old! I'm ready to start this new chapter in my life.

I'm also going to try to get in some training this week. I found this training opportunity on Friday and it's only available until the 19th of this month. There is also another training that I've been doing every day after work. Oh, and on the side, I'm trying to learn biostatistics on my own. Wow! No wonder I'm tired.

I'm going to spend the rest of today getting organized so that I don't lose my head in the next few weeks. Hopefully, I will also be able to keep posting on a regular basis. Hope everyone is having a good weekend!