One Per Month Challenge: February

Well, I took the plunge and purchased a pair of matte black Tieks for my February purchase. These are certainly an investment piece. I have only heard good things about Tieks, and I needed a simple, classic pair of black flats, because I didn't actually own any plain black shoes. Aside from saving money, this challenge is about finding quality pieces of clothing rather than spending money on bogo impulse buys in the Target shoe section. I thought about this purchase a lot before ordering, and in the end I decided to go for a more expensive pair that I knew was going to be comfortable and last, instead of a cheaper (but still fairly expensive) pair that might not feel much better than a $13 Target or Old Navy pair. So far these have really been amazing- best pair of flats I've ever owned. I'm looking forward to giving them a real test during my upcoming trip to DC, where I'll be walking around the city all week. The packaging was truly superb, the leather nice and soft, and I've received compliments on the teal color pop already.

As far as how the challenge is going so far- I've been tempted a couple times, to the point of adding some things to my virtual shopping cart,  to take advantage of some great online sales, but I haven't bought anything. Though, the things I'm looking at are for work/professional purposes, but I'm going to wait until closer to the end of February to get a couple things, and I will probably buy in-store so I know the items fit (and no shipping costs). Two months down, ten more to go!

Previous Months:

January

- S

Black Shoes

I'm thinking ahead to my one February purchase, and I'm fairly decided that I will get a nice pair of simple, black shoes. I don't actually own a pair, usually opting for more "fun" shoe styles, but I think everyone needs a pair of classy black flats, am I right? Since I'm heading to DC at the start of March for a policy conference, I think the time is right for this purchase. Here are a few options I'm looking at. 

1. Sole Society Angelina $59.95

2. Tieks Matte Black $175

3. Seychelles Skip a Beat $95

4. J Crew Emma Leather Ballet Flats $125

Any recommendations? Also, I think I may have to make some exception purchases in Feburary as well. I really need a pair or two of good dress pants and tops for work and for the conference in DC, so I'm going to be on the look out for those in addition to the shoes. 

- S

One Per Month Challenge: January

I have decided to try this thing for a year, where I only buy one clothing or accessory item each month. This includes shoes. I'll share my purchase with you each month here on the ol' blog. I decided to do this as a fun(?) challenge for myself. This is more to prevent any unnecessary stops at the shoe section of Target and to limit any excessive spending on things I don't need, and to think more carefully about investing in specific, quality items rather than just buying something (or three or five somethings) because it's on sale or cheap. I want to appreciate what I have more, and spend less time thinking about these fleeting, material avenues to happiness. I will make an exception, however, if I need some professional attire or something particular for an event (I will be graduating with a masters degree in May and hopefully starting at a new job shortly thereafter), but I will try to plan for those purchases in my monthly allotments. I haven't yet decided if I should put a spending limit on it, or if I need one; I doubt I would spend much over $50, since I rarely spend that much on any single item anyway. :)

This month I got the denim boyshirt in saltstone wash from Madewell for $52.80, when they were having a 40% off post-Christmas sale. I bought this before I decided to do this challenge, but I can't think of a better way to start than with a beautiful denim shirt from Madewell!

PS- After I came up with this challenge I searched around the internet and found this article on the topic.

- S

Fall Favorites

A few purchases to welcome in my favorite season...

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five

Fall Semester Shopping

Just a few things I've bought and/or had my eye on for this fall...

1. I gave in and got this tote from Madewell. I had a giftcard, so I don't feel so bad. I think it will be perfect for hauling books and everything to school. I love that it's simple and classic. (Madewell)

2. I bought this dress a couple months ago (seen on Dearest Lou) and have been saving it. I'm not sure for what, but I love it, and I think it's great for fall. (Wallis)

3. I love me some dotted Toms... (Toms)

4. These are simple and cute, and would be great for internship. (Sole Society)

5. I had a shirt like this from J.Crew though in grey, but it got stolen in San Antonio, so I snatched another up on sale. (J. Crew)

6. This is a great fall color, and I like the lace detailing. (J. Crew)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

What I'd Wear

We should get back in TX on the 30th, and we have no specific New Years plans (maybe going to Austin?). So while I may end up in pajamas, watching the ball drop on TV and forcing my cats to dance with me, here are my outfit ideas for if I a) decided to buy a whole new outfit for the occasion and b) we actually had plans. 

Modcloth dress/ anthropologie tights/ ShoeMint shoes/ Stella & Dot ring/ Kate Spade studs/ Modcloth cardigan

Modcloth dress/ anthropologie tights/ American Eagle shoes/ J Crew ring/ Stella & Dot necklace/ Modcloth cardigan

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Sorry

I'm not sorry. Aside from this being an insane $69 and the teeny little hiccup of a fact that I have no children, neither in the works nor out of womb, I want this so bad for future kiddo. 

Ah well. When the time comes I'm sure I can make my own awkward cat sweatshirt. What is Pinterest for, after all? 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Orientation Days

Tuesday was my not-actual-but-kind-of first day of school! We had an orientation to the program day, today was internship orientation, tomorrow starts a week-long Intro to the Profession course, then all classes/internships begin on the 20th. I am a mega dork so I've been super excited and planning and getting ready. Both days went well! When the first day began with a prayer and the associate dean telling us about how the faculty had prayed for us, I was thinking "well crap." But another professor assured me it's really OK and my lack of religion wouldn't be a problem for me/anyone else (even though Sar has told me this a couple times, I still get nervous). We got a bunch of information in different sessions, and had a nice lunch (soup, salad, baked potato bar!). There are a handful of students from Fort Hood that I am aware of, and another military wife is also placed at my internship. I also recognized (and was recognized in return!) by a couple girls I met during preview day in February. Maybe there is hope for me afterall. :)

Both days I received nice comments on my attire and my snazzy bag, so that was cool! I'm sure jeans and a t-shirt are a-ok for class, but I've decided to take a bit more professional, though still fun, approach to dressing for grad school and work. I found that in working (social work) with kids it's good to have balance between some fun and colorful pieces that they themselves like and will comment on- opening up communication and some fun discussion about light things, and staying professional to maintain the boundary. Aside from that, it feels good to dress up during the week days. I was never one to don an all-around sweatsuit to class, but I feel my style has really developed since graduating last April, and it's fun to put together a nice, comfortable outfit. and maybe snap a picture of it before heading out :)

how about these crazy chair pods, eh? Every part of them moves. 

 morning in downtown Waco

I'm also excited to explore Waco some more. Aside from it being the home of Dr. Pepper, I'm told 90% of all Snickers and Skittles are made in Waco, and it has the second largest metropolitan park in the US (after central park in NY). I've really only seen Waco through Baylor, and I'll mostly be at the Social Work building which is in downtown Waco and less on main campus (which is still less than 5 minutes away), but I'm hoping to get to know the town a bit, possibly with some future friends and/or husband! The drive only takes about half an hour or 35 minutes, and traffic hasn't been bad these two days. There are a ton of trucks on 35 which can get annoying, but the drive has been easy and pleasant so far. It also helps that I like mornings, so getting up at 5 to work out and then get ready to leave around 7 is kind of nice for me.

-Mrs. M

Day 3

Tell about an article of clothing that you're deeply attached to. 

kinda sorta like this. 

With this prompt, nothing immediately jumped to my mind. I went through my closet and Kyle's closet in my head; I think I'm attached to anything that smells like him (especially when we were dating/engaged/married and didn't live in the same state or country) . I thought back to the past and quickly a pair of pants formed in my mind. I used to have a pair of black sweat pants that I got on a high school theater trip; they said BACK STAGE on the butt and they were the best sweat pants ever. In high school I worked back stage, starting with front of house and costume crew, painting sets, and ending up assistant stage managing and stage managing a couple productions senior year. I also stage managed five productions at American University in my two years there. Anyway- these pants! I wore them around the house all the time, had them in Finland and after, and sewed up the legs more than once when they started splitting at the seam from the bottom. I think the final blow to them was when I spilled a candle on them in my room in Pittsburgh. Their time was up. It's not very like me to wear butt pants, but that's what I liked about them. Kyle and I made it our quest to get me a pair of Pitt sweatpants with paw prints on the butt, and I have a comfy pair, but they're not as perfect as my theater pants were. 
S. 

What I'd Wear to Our Wedding

I don't know why, but I thought it'd be fun to think about what I would wear to our wedding...were I a guest, and not the one in the sparkly ivory dress. But then it wouldn't be our wedding? I don't know, don't think about it too much. I think I just wanted to put a nice outfit together from an imaginary closet. :) We have no dress code or anything, just summery, fun, relaxed dressy I suppose (if anyone were to ask). Just look nice and be comfortable! If you want to wear a crazy hat a la the royal wedding, I will not stop you from doing so.

Option 1 dress {Ruche} cardigan {Anthropologie} shoes {Madewell} earrings {Stella & Dot}

Option 2 dress {eShakti} earrings {J. Crew} shoes {Madewell} bag {Bloom}

And some nail options... Essie {Ole Caliente} I have this on now! Essie {Sexy Divide} Essie {Case Study}

One week to go! :) 

-Mrs. M

Wednesday Wedding: Silver and Gold

How many of you are singing (humming something that vaguely sounds like) that silver and gold song from the old Rudolph Christmas movie? Just me? Because it's April, not December? Oh, ok.

Anyway, I'm definitely on a silver and gold kick for our wedding, since I've been working more on the little details and accessories. I wrote a bit about how our wedding color palette developed here. I especially like mixing metals, using both gold and silver in the same visual plane. They can be glittery and shiny, or subtle and muted; I plan on working them in both ways. With our wedding, at an old farm, it will add a touch of glam, shine, and modernity to our rustic, natural setting. The colors also transition well from day to night; they will look great in the (hopefully) sun shine for the late afternoon ceremony, and stand out when the night lights hit them.

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My ivory dress has some touches of silver (if I recall; I haven't seen it since October), and my accessories are gold-based. Kyle found these awesome regimental ties (8) for he and his groomsmen- gold, with black and silver stripes, and they will be wearing grey or black suits/tuxes. The ladies all picked different dresses in the sangria color, and they will wear any kind of silver or gold shoe.

dress. tux. earrings. tie. shoes. pin.

Linking up with Joelle at Something Charming! 

You can find our proposal story here. 

Wednesday Wedding: My Shoes

Last Wednesday was a major breakthrough in wedding planning. Yes, I found my shoes! As you may or may not know, I have an aversion to wearing super high heeled shoes (that, from what I gather, many brides must not have because then how does anyone ever get married), so I've been looking for months for pretty, glamorous shoes that I love that aren't higher than maybe 2 inches (tops) and will go with my dress, our colors, etc. This is not easy to do! I've had several "eh, maybe"s, but none to make me say "yes. I must have these." I think the top runner previously was this pair in fuchsia. But last week, I found the perfect pair, Imani from Kate Spade. Well, at first I thought they were amazing and perfect, but wasn't sure if I should go for a half flip-flop sandal. But then I remembered it will be June (and I'd probably switch to flip flops after the ceremony anyways), and it's my wedding, and they are so, so pretty and perfect. I mean, look, (faux) pearls! You know how I feel about pearls. And the gold. And bling. They will be so comfortable! And hidden under my dress, anyway...

I was going to put up some pictures from the shop online, but they arrived quicker than I thought! And the packaging was pretty, so I took pictures of that too.

These are definitely my shoes. Look for them peeking out from under my dress on June 15th. :)

Other good news, I got the invitations sent out on Monday! Good thing I ordered extra stamps- it takes 4 to get to Australia/Europe, and 3 to Canada!

Also, the lovely Joelle at Something Charming wrote a post with ideas for vow renewals, in response to my question! Thanks, Joelle!

Military Ball

Turns out the rough timeline we had been told for the evening was false, and we just hung out for nearly two hours, mingling and shaking hands, until we finally got to sit at our table, table 2 not table 10, and then dinner wasn't served until close to 8. Even so, it was a surprisingly pleasant evening. Kyle wore a bow tie. We left as the skits were beginning (see the program below). I changed into flip flops in the parking lot and drove us home.

our names were wrong, but close

my water with lemon

The grog that was made. Kyle was selected to participate and add an ingredient. Ingredients included: at least ten bottles of different alcohol (151, 99 bananas, tequila, bourbon, champagne, beer, etc), grenadine (why it is red) a dirty shirt, some socks, a chicken leg, some donuts, general grossness. I tasted it. I was oddly very spicy. There was a mysterious sediment that settled to the bottom of Kyle's glass.  

Sorry there aren't pictures of us. People took some, so maybe they will show up somewhere. You know we're bad at that sort of thing. I personally am proud of myself for taking pictures of myself at all. 

Also, not on a related note, before we left, my admissions packet arrived in the mail! I was hoping they'd have a similar sort of preview day as Baylor, and it looks like they do, but it is later in April, after we're to make a decision. I'll have to go another time and meet with some people, learn more about the school and what two years there would look like! I should make sure to go when it is still might be cool out; last time we went to Austin it was hot and I was very grumpy about it.