Pinspirations - For the Love of Boyfriend Jeans

Oh man do I love my boyfriend jeans and the different ways I can style them. Even though they are a BIT snug right now. Hashtag fat ass.

Here are some looks I love from Pinterest recreated and all able to be purchased through Keaton Row. Enjoy!

{via} (I wish she had cited the original source)

(1) Adia Kibur, $60.00 (2) Option 1 for the look is Splendid, $60.00 (3) Option 2 for the look is Alice + Olivia, $176.00 (4) Dittos, $69.00 (5) Vince Camuto, $97.95 (6) ASOS, $33.87

All able to be purchased here.

{via}

(1) Halogen, $39.00 (2) KUT from the Kloth, $79.00 (3) Vince Kamuto, $88.95 (4) Steve Madden, $98.00 (5) Ray-Ban, $150.00 (6) Nadri, $38.00 (7) Simon Sebbag, $88.00

All able to be purchased here.

{via}

(1) Madewell, $49.50 (2) ASOS, $72.41 (3) Splendid, $54.60 (4) Clare V., $210.00 (5) Marc Jacobs, $98.00 (6) Marc Jacobs, $68.00

All able to be purchased here.

{via}

(1) Splendid, $64.00 (2) Dittos, $69.00 (3) Halogen, $79.95 (4) BCBG, $28.00 (5) Nila Anthony, $48.24 (6) Rebecca Minkoff, $58.00 (7) Topshop, $18.00

All able to be purchased here.

I just LOVE this one so much, I can't even.

{via}

(1) ASOS, $85.74 (2) Ralph Lauren, $89.50 (3) ASOS, $141.14 (4) Jessica Simpson, $78.95 (5) Pretty Ships, $55.00

All able to be purchased here.

And of course, Olivia.

{via}

(1) Topshop, $29.99 (2) ASOS, $85.74 (3) Dittos, $69.00 (4) Sam Edelman, $99.95 (5) Dune Darbs, $123.85 (6) Vince Camuto, $48.00

All able to be purchased here.

Which is your favorite?

5 Things I'm Bad At

I love this post by the Lady Okie so I'm copying it. Because, I can?

Ready go!

Here are 5 things I am bad at:

1)  Parallel parking. Actually, I've never tried it, but I'm sure I'd be horrible at it. Driving has never been my thing, nor backing up, nor parking. In Jersey, we had to parallel park a lot so I just had my girlfriends park for me. They got to drive my car as long as they drove me around. Last week, my dad visited for the day and I made him drive my car around. I'm either horrible or awesome...

This is my car, I never drive it.

2)  Anything that involves hand strength. I almost failed out of flight attendant training because I couldn't squeeze the stupid hand thing hard enough. The bulimic chick who weighed under 100 pounds even kicked my ass at the hand squeezy thingie. I have these tiny, bony, weak ass hands. I blame them for me not upping my weight on upper body strength training; makes sense right?

She can point, but she can't squeeze.

3)  Generally walking around and being alive. I fall down a lot. I bang my head on things constantly. The amount of times I have hit myself in my own face with a car door is astounding. I turn the corner in my own house and ram my shoulder into it almost every day. Now you guys get why I never became a ballerina. (Also, the fact that I'm short, chubby, and have no talent)

Graceful

4)  Painting my nails. Oh how I want to always have a perfect manicure. I'm just so bad at it and I immediately start to chip off the nail polish when I'm done. There is just something so satisfying about chipping off nail polish bit by bit. My husband hates it because he finds red flakes all over the place, so I just don't paint my nails anymore.

Adorable...never gonna happen.

{via}

5)  Doing my hair and makeup. How do you people keep your hair and makeup looking cute all day? I feel cute for about 10 minutes in the morning and then look in the mirror and my hair has become a giant puff ball and my makeup is nowhere to be seen. Maybe I should just combine 4 and 5 and title it: Being a Proper Woman.

Notice the giant tuft of hair sticking out in the back. I didn't know about that until I looked at these pictures the next day.

So there you have it. Back off boys, she's taken!

This Sunday Currently

Currently I am...

Reading: Just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane and it was so weird and sad and good. I'm still reading the fifth Outlander book and need to start something new today that I can get through quickly since the Outlander books take so long to get through. 

Writing: This blog post. I'm still too sleepy to do much else.

Listening: To Mike watching a soccer game and that's it. Both the pups are fast asleep after a long weekend at the kennel.

Thinking: That I'm super sleepy and wish I had slept in more.

Smelling:  The coffee I'm drinking right now.

Wishing:  That all my extra working out would make me a littttle smaller, not just stronger.

Hoping: For everything that's coming up to go smoothly. Lots going on, lots of changes happening...eeek!

Wearing: Green and white striped pj shorts from Target and a white tank top. (The wonderful #YesAllWomen hashtag is the reason I didn't call this tank top a wife beater just then. Because, we shouldn't and it's gross and everyone needs to read some of those tweets this morning.)

Loving: That Mike has today off and that the only items on my to-do list are to fax some documents and go to the gym. And that my legs were so sore yesterday after this crazy work out video my step-mom had me do with her. I love feeling sore.

Wanting:  To feel less anxious and to lose some weight.

Needing: More money and stability for my future.

Feeling: Twitchy. You know, where you want something to happen, but are not sure what and you just want to break out and run? But not in a bad way. I can't describe it.

Clicking:  Reddit, Bloglovin, Twitter, GoodReads, and Amazon.

A couple other things...

I have a tradition of taking this picture after we pick up our pups from the kennel when we've been out of town. Gizmo always spends the car ride on Mike's lap and he looks so happy and content the whole time. I hate kenneling the dogs!

And don't forget to enter my awesome giveaway going on now here!

On Finding Your Dream Job

I'm just going to leave this right here. Because I love it and it's so pertinent to all of us unemployed folks right now.

Man Asks Mike Rowe for “Life Advice” – His Response is the Best Thing You’ll Read Today

by Top Right News on May 5, 2014 in Economy, Entertainment

inShare1,051

Seriously, this is awesome…

LETTER TO MIKE:

Hey Mike! I’ve spent this last year trying to figure out the right career for myself and I still can’t figure out what to do. I have always been a hands on kind of guy and a go-getter. I could never be an office worker. I need change, excitement, and adventure in my life, but where the pay is steady. I grew up in construction and my first job was a restoration project. I love everything outdoors. I play music for extra money. I like trying pretty much everything, but get bored very easily. I want a career that will always keep me happy, but can allow me to have a family and get some time to travel. I figure if anyone knows jobs its you so I was wondering your thoughts on this if you ever get the time! Thank you!

- Parker Hall

MIKE’S RESPONSE:

Hi Parker,

My first thought is that you should learn to weld and move to North Dakota. The opportunities are enormous, and as a “hands-on go-getter,” you’re qualified for the work. But after reading your post a second time, it occurs to me that your qualifications are not the reason you can’t find the career you want.

I had drinks last night with a woman I know. Let’s call her Claire. Claire just turned 42. She’s cute, smart, and successful. She’s frustrated though, because she can’t find a man. I listened all evening about how difficult her search has been. About how all the “good ones” were taken. About how her other friends had found their soul-mates, and how it wasn’t fair that she had not.

“Look at me,” she said. “I take care of myself. I’ve put myself out there. Why is this so hard?”

“How about that guy at the end of the bar,” I said. “He keeps looking at you.”

“Not my type.”

“Really? How do you know?”

“I just know.”

“Have you tried a dating site?” I asked.

“Are you kidding? I would never date someone I met online!”

“Alright. How about a change of scene? Your company has offices all over – maybe try living in another city?”

“What? Leave San Francisco? Never!”

“How about the other side of town? You know, mix it up a little. Visit different places. New museums, new bars, new theaters…?”

She looked at me like I had two heads. “Why the hell would I do that?”

Here’s the thing, Parker. Claire doesn’t really want a man. She wants the “right” man. She wants a soul-mate. Specifically, a soul-mate from her zip code. She assembled this guy in her mind years ago, and now, dammit, she’s tired of waiting!!

I didn’t tell her this, because Claire has the capacity for sudden violence. But it’s true. She complains about being alone, even though her rules have more or less guaranteed she’ll stay that way. She has built a wall between herself and her goal. A wall made of conditions and expectations. Is it possible that you’ve built a similar wall?

Consider your own words. You don’t want a career – you want the “right” career. You need “excitement” and “adventure,” but not at the expense of stability. You want lots of “change” and the “freedom to travel,” but you need the certainty of “steady pay.” You talk about being “easily bored” as though boredom is out of your control. It isn’t. Boredom is a choice. Like tardiness. Or interrupting. It’s one thing to “love the outdoors,” but you take it a step further. You vow to “never” take an office job. You talk about the needs of your family, even though that family doesn’t exist. And finally, you say the career you describe must “always” make you “happy.”

These are my thoughts. You may choose to ignore them and I wouldn’t blame you – especially after being compared to a 42 year old woman who can’t find love. But since you asked…

Stop looking for the “right” career, and start looking for a job. Any job. Forget about what you like. Focus on what’s available. Get yourself hired. Show up early. Stay late. Volunteer for the scut work. Become indispensable. You can always quit later, and be no worse off than you are today. But don’t waste another year looking for a career that doesn’t exist. And most of all, stop worrying about your happiness. Happiness does not come from a job. It comes from knowing what you truly value, and behaving in a way that’s consistent with those beliefs.
Many people today resent the suggestion that they’re in charge of the way the feel. But trust me, Parker. Those people are mistaken. That was a big lesson from Dirty Jobs, and I learned it several hundred times before it stuck. What you do, who you’re with, and how you feel about the world around you, is completely up to you.

Good luck -
Mike

P.S. I’m serious about welding and North Dakota. Those guys are writing their own ticket.

P.P.S. Think I should forward this to Claire?

{via} 

A Non-Rant On Unemployment

Some afternoons when I'm walking the dogs, it just hits me. I'm unemployed. Being unemployed is not something that's on my mind 24/7 like you may think it is. My life so quickly becomes a routine that being home all day starts to feel normal; not at all like some big life event happened out of nowhere and caused this change. It's been 83 days now since I was laid off unexpectedly. That seems like such a huge number when I count it up. I can't have been unemployed, job searching, at home with nothing to do all day for 83 days!

But I have. And that's okay.

Last time I felt horrible about myself because of my unemployment. Even though I quit my job to move across the country with my husband for his job which is not a bad reason to be out of work. I was out of work for 7 months that time and I remember feeling so awful about myself, so frantic to find a job. Every rejection e-mail was like a punch to the gut. Why didn't they want me? What am I doing wrong?

This time doesn't feel like that. Which is odd since this time I'm not unemployed by choice. Being let go was one of the worst feelings I've ever had. It was hurtful and embarrassing and humbling. Even 83 days later, when I think about some of the events that took place that week, I feel a giant scream of anxiety shoot through my chest. But as the days pass by, I've been pleasantly surprised to see that these feelings haven't bled over into the rest of my life. The manner with which I became unemployed makes me feel not so great, but my actual unemployment isn't the torturous experience it was last time.

Maybe I've matured? Maybe I just disliked my last job SO MUCH that being out of work feels like a much needed respite? Maybe I just like myself more this time around?

Whatever it is, I'm always pleasantly surprised when the fact that I'm unemployed randomly dawns on me during the day rather than allowing it to keep me up at night or to ruin my days.

The dogs and I took our usual route around the complex earlier today. We squinted into the sun and watched cars drive by with moms picking their kids up from school, students off to class, and people returning to work after a late lunch break. I shuffled along, keeping a slow pace so Gizmo could smell every blade of grass that tickled his fancy and so Tuffy could roll around on some stinky part of the ground that makes him want to rub all over it in ecstasy. Me, in my cut off jean shorts and fluffy topknot, with nowhere to go. No meetings to take, calls to make, or tasks to complete. I pulled the dogs aside before we went back home and sat them down in the shade. I stared at my feet in the grass and Gizmo's giant panting smile as the cold blades hit his hot belly. And it hit me, I'm unemployed.

And that's okay.

***Hey there Maryland Unemployment people...I do apply for a bunch of jobs during the day when I'm not lounging in the sun and/or typing blog posts. I swear.

Sister Pants

This is a blog post about my sister.

Because, why not?

Also, I like her.

She is very pretty. Like Disney princess pretty.

She has an adorable dog (tied for first with Tuffy and Gizmo of course)

She's super smart

She's good at sports and a kick ass spin instructor

She's an amazing aunt both to real babies and to fur babies

She is pretty much the only person that actually laughs at my jokes (Mike just shakes his head at me)

She is the only person who travels correctly on road trips with me both talking nonstop and doing SNL skits the entire time

We evenly have to support each other when we are feeling fat or having relationship issues, but it never happens at the same time

We e-mail each other constantly to see what the other is wearing and we always respond with an emphatic, "Cute!"

She is obnoxiously in love and it's cute and wonderful and kind of like watching a baby deer learn how to walk

Mike likes to make fun of her for how small her bones are, he calls her baby bird bones

Mike also likes to make fun of her for how healthy she eats, granola and whatnot

She also really likes beets (this is where my favorite photo of her holding a giant beet and looking nuts used to go and I CAN'T FIND IT AND I AM UPSET)

And I super like her!

Love you sister pants!!

Mike "loves" you too

This Sunday Currently

Currently I am...

Reading: Just finished The Giver in a day because it's super short and an easy read. Just started The Ocean at the End of the Lane and still reading Fiery Cross.

Writing: Just this blog post and thassit. My brain is tired today.

Listening: It's actually pretty silent in here right now. Both dogs are asleep, Mike is at a soccer game, and nothing is going on outside.

Thinking: That today is going to be a long day.

Smelling:  The toothpaste I just used.

Wishing:  That today was a better day. I'm in a mood, can't ya' tell?

Hoping: For a new job and for this gorgeous weather to stick around.

Wearing: Gap cut off jean shorts (the ones that used to be too big for me, le sigh), a flowy navy racer back tank from Forever21, an owl necklace my sister bought me, a leopard cardigan from Forever21 because it's chilly in here, and a leather wrap bracelet my sister also bought me. Thanks Loo!

Loving: The lowfat popcorn Mike bought me. Yum yum yum.

Wanting:  To feel less fussy.

Needing: Can't think of anything. I guess that's good?

Feeling: FUSSY.

Clicking:  Just this right now, but I need to entertain myself until my Skype date at 1:00.

A couple other things...

The pups and I enjoyed laying on the grass in the sunshine earlier in the week. Unemployment doesn't always suck...

Some tasty beers outside in Leonardtown yesterday with Mike.

Last night we sat outside, had a tasty dinner, and enjoyed listening to Landing Mary, it was a great Southern MD night for sure.

And don't forget to enter my awesome giveaway going on now here!

Boys Behind The Blog

Linking up again today with Amanda for Boys Behind the Blog. (He was a man of few words this time) Here we go!

Mike doesn't always drink beer, but when he does, it's with a hipster haircut and an angry look on his face.

1. What was your first job?

Mike:  Ridgecrest Moving and Storage (moving company in our home town)
(Let me tell you, he can pack a box and load up a moving van like nobody's business. So handy.)

2. What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?

Mike:  Leaving friends and family to move across the country.

3. What is the one thing you can't live without?

Mike:  If it has to be a "thing", I would say chapstick. I hate not having chapstick.
(Me too!!)

4. What is your least favorite food?

Mike:  Chinese takeout
(I feel like this is partially my fault because I throw up a lot after eating Chinese takeout and yet still insist on eating it. Sexy.)

5.  If you could time travel, where/when would you go?

Mike:  London in the 60s or 70s

Thanks Mike!

And don't forget to enter my awesome giveaway going on now here!

DX Mall Giveaway - Closed

Today I'm so excited to partner with DX Mall for a really awesome giveaway!

You guys know I love a good deal, so when I found out about DX Mall and saw their great prices, I was so excited to introduce the site to my readers and to shop there myself. I have been filling my wishlists and Pinterest boards with items from this site...it's so hard to choose!

Today, DX Mall is giving away 3 pieces hand picked by yours truly:

The Oracle Pattern Leather Tote

I love this bag because it's super functional and unique with the color and pattern.

The Galloping Horses Scarf in Pink

I love when your accessories are a just a little weird. I have a red scarf with zebras on it that I pair with everything. I think this horse scarf would be a super cute way to punch up a simple outfit.

Fashion Alloy/Gemstone Necklace

It was REALLY hard to choose a necklace for this giveaway, they have so many great pieces on their site. I chose this one because I thought it would be fun to give away something a little different and funky. Something you may not buy for yourself, but that will look cute with so many pieces in your closet. I'm borrowing this from the winner, for sure!

Contest is open until May 29th. Enter below...good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Some Quick Shots of Our Hike

I just can't help taking photos certain places since we've moved here and one of them is St. Mary's River State Park. Every once in a while, I'll get the grand idea of going for a hike on their 7.5 mile trail instead of going for a run on cardio day. It always SOUNDS like a great idea. And the view is gorgeous. And the canopy of trees keeps the sun out and cool air in. And you always feel like you earned extra lunch after such a long hike.

But by mile 3 you really start to regret your decision. This trail is not one where you can pop off if you get bored or hurt or tired. Once you're on it, you have to either keep going forward, or turn around and go back. And we saw another giant snake this time. Except, okay yes, it wasn't giant, but it was big and moving and scared the shit out of me. And we still had about 3 miles to go and that is just not okay with me. Every leaf rustling from then on was a giant snake about to pounce on me. My pace went way up after that though so yay for burning calories.

After 7.5 miles on that trail, my feet area always killing me, I'm covered in sweat, stressed out about the snake encounter, and I'm starving. And I think to myself, why did I think this was a good idea???

But look, pretty!

Pre-sweating

Beers and burgers afterwards at The Front Porch were well deserved

Happy May Momma

So this month doesn't just hold Mother's Day for my mom. It holds Mother's Day, then her birthday, then her last day of work ever!

SO,

happy Mother's Day, birthday, and retirement momma!

May loves you!

And so do I!

Laura likes you too

So does Tuffy (hehehehehe)

So does drunk Bailey