Ombre' Nails! Plus, Required Reading

Yesterday, I received a box of lots of fun make-up from e.l.f. that was sent to me by my sweet friend, Vanessa! Little S. freaked out, immediately, over the Bright Trio nail polish set, while I was swooning over everything, especially the amazing eyeshadow pallet! So what did we do? Of course, we painted our nails! Little S. was very patient while I painted her toenails AND fingernails. She got the color on my pointer finger, which came in the e.l.f. Bright Trio set. It's called Bright Coral. The three colors in the middle of my hands and toes were in the trio set, while my thumb and pinky are painted with colors I already owned. I know the pinky color is a bit dark for the ombre' effect, but I did my best with what I had.

What do you think?

Yes, I'm doing a Lady Gaga Little Monsters claw. What say you of it?

I'm pretty certain I'm going to love playing with this effect throughout the summer. On my list is a set with blues, turquoises, and greens!

It's a busy day with working half a day, going home for the second half to shower, pack, hem a skirt and get ready for our department's graduation ceremony, then leaving for the beach! But no worries, once I get the skirt finished and get dressed, I'll be SURE to post an OOTD, this evening! And don't forget to stop back by tomorrow for this week's Intense Adoration post!

You also HAVE to go to Amazon and buy Kori's new book, Murder on the Boulevard! I'm SO proud of her and will be making the purchase for my Kindle app, this afternoon!

AND don't forget to head over to Blonde Episodes and link up to Kori's Fashion Friday!

I'm also getting some really amazing entries for the Nanny Style Contest, so if you haven't entered, yet, you should! Not only are you inspiring me to stay well-dressed while I change jobs, but Polyvore is just REALLY fun. Don't believe me? Try it out! And I'm calling Whitney out, because she said she was going to submit a set and I haven't seen one, yet. Ahem, best friend? Get on it. Please and thank you. (I love you.)

Enter the Nanny Style Contest!

Don't forget to stop back by, later, to see my graduation ceremony outfit!

Romantic Side of the Tracks

I have a new wardrobe!

Okay, maybe I wouldn't necessarily go that extreme... BUT, my sweet friend, Rochelle, treated me to a post-birthday shopping trip on Saturday and she SPOILED ME ROTTEN. We had a set budget and hit the thrift store, Old Navy, and Ross! We were planning to head to New York & Company as well, but we just hit the jackpot everywhere we went and there was no need to get even more! So a big, giant thank you to Rochelle, for putting up with me (and Little S.), treating me to such a fun girls' day and very thoughtful gifts (not only did she take me shopping, BUT when I got to her house, there was a huge box of goodies waiting for me, there, too!), and helping me build a Spring wardrobe with some awesome pieces and SHOES!

Now that I have you on the edge of your seat, I know you're dying to see at least one of my new finds. Am I right? Am I right?! Lucky YOU, because I'm wearing TWO new things! And lucky ME, because 1) I'm extra comfortable, 2) It's going to be 77 degrees, today, and 3) My sweet husband rescued me from a trying morning and took some MORE beautiful pictures. I love you, babe! Thanks for making me feel like a super model. And you don't look so bad behind that camera, either. 

Who's jealous of my sexy photographer?

  floral dress: Old Navy (gift from Rochelle)

grey swing cardi: New York & Company

gold belt: Target clearance

flower necklace: gift from Marilou

blush rosette ballet flats: Rampage via Ross

 

Husband sure does have an eye for location. All of these photos were taken around the perimeter of an old, abandoned train station right near the university where I work. I love how the tough background offsets the flirty, romantic vibe of my outfit. I also love how I feel so uninhibited with my husband behind the camera. I normally feel like such a geek when I'm "trying" to pose for photos, but he makes me feel comfortable and natural. I'm so thankful for that.

 

Many of you have probably read Collette's AMAZING weight loss story, already. And I've been on my own up and down roller coaster since before Little S. was born. Today, I'm turning the page and moving forward with my own weight loss journey. With the help of my husband and SEVERAL amazing bloggy friends, like Melissa, Collette, Marilou, Kori, and Leigh, I have so much more faith in myself that I'm ready and it's TIME.

Everybody Everywear: Classic Blazer

Husband made today what he called "Practice Day." I was to practice getting up and getting Little S. ready as if he was not at home. And I was to get her to daycare on time and to work on time.

Yeah, right!!!

Who was he kidding? A morning to get ready, blow my hair dry, and put makeup on with the HELP of another parent? Pfffffft. I was going to enjoy it. We took turns going into Little S.' room to coax her awake, then I picked out her clothes and he dressed her while I did my hair and makeup. Co-parenting is so wonderful. Husband then drove us both to daycare, where he took me in and made me practice dropping her off and not having a conversation with the daycare lady. That was really hard for me. And then he brought me to work. On time. He thinks he bore a little baby miracle this morning, but what he doesn't realize is that Little S. only throws mega morning fits when he's not there. Sneaky, sneaky.

This just in:

The lovely Kori of Blonde Episodes featured me on her blog, today!

Check out what it is that I think about LOVE!

Thanks for letting me share!!!

It's also Classic Blazer day at Everybody Everywear!

I aaaalllllmost wore a grey cardigan, today, but then I remembered, just in time, that it's February 8th! That means it's blazer day and I'm so glad this baby was just cleaned! Unfortunately, my new office has extra wonky lighting, so I'm going to really need to work out outfit photos! Don't you think a new camera (ahem, birthday is in 5 days) would motivate me to scout better locations for my photos?

embellished purple top: Charlotte Russe

blazer: Christy Miller via TJ Maxx

slacks: Old Navy

pewter flats: Life Stride, handed down from Whitney

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive-
Oh my goodness. EASY.

Good day, kind readers!