22 of 30: Locked Out

 Gap top and jeans, Target cardigan, husband's belt, Madden boots

The reason my mouth is open in all of these shots is because I'm a mouth-breather. Ew. But seriously, if you look close enough, you might just see my swollen sinuses. Again, ew. At least I made it to work today.

Funny story about these photos. So I stepped outside to empty the trash and snap these pics when I hear the door click locked. What? Yeah. I'm locked out. Then I see my boss walking to her car and I walk up to her. "Did you just lock me out??" She laugh and apologizes. She didn't know I was out there. How could she? Haha. Don't worry, I got back inside. You see, folks, this is why I normally take my pictures in the morning, while my breakfast/tea is heating up. Less threat of being locked out.

I am so super spectacularly excited because two of my loveliest girlfriends are in town this week. We're going to have some adventures. Or just stay in and cook dinner and watch movies. Or a combination of the two. I haven't decided yet. Either way, it'll be special.

30 of 30: Hangin' Tough

So the new piece that was finally introduced for this ten was the poncho on day 18. True, I still need to work with it, but I think I like it. Either way, I missed my 30-day return window, so I'll make it work!

As for this ten, my favorites are eleven, fifteen and seventeen.

Eleven: Because I'm digging the simplicity of it. And I love wearing this "scarf necklace."
Fifteen: Because I feel amazing in these jeans. I think I was meant to wear high-waisted wide-leg jeans with big cuffs.
Seventeen: Because I would have never ever put this together otherwise. It's a little eclectic for my taste, but that's why I like it.

Which ones are your favorites?

I must say, it's getting tougher. It's tougher to put things together and make it more interesting. As other remixers have mentioned, I don't think I included enough tops. And I have some regrets with items I decided to include instead of more tops: like this dress and this jacket. (Yes, even though this was one of my favorite outfits.)

I'm sorry to say there will be no outfit post today. I'm home sick and wearing pajamas, so I'm taking a break. Speaking of breaks, it's lunchtime.

20 and 21 of 30: Naptastic

 gifted tank; Gap sweater, cords and socks; Old Navy jacket, Madden boots, F21 shades

What's that? You thought I'd started slacking? Well, maybe just a little bit. A couple of friends and I had President's Day off, so we decided to take a spontaneous trip to Napa. We did Napa on the cheap, which meant sharing dishes at meal times and staying at the cheapest motel available (the Chardonnay Lodge. Super classy joint.).

It was a splendid trip, indeed. We walked around a couple of wineries and got a free tasting. We also ate pizza and junk food in our motel room. Like I said, classy.

I'm in need of some new boots, y'all. I love these. They are loading so slowly. But I really need some good, leather flat boots. Even just this one-inch heel gives me trouble sometimes. I'm thinking I need to seek out some taupe-colored boots. Taupe goes with everything, right?

 Gap sweater, scarf and socks; Madden boots; Old Navy jacket; Target ring (see how I'm showing it off in that second shot?)

But tomorrow it's back to work (for my last week before the new gig starts), so I'd better hit the hay. Stay classy, blogosphere!

(P.S. Doesn't my friend Christie take some lovely pictures?)

19 of 30: Lazy Saturday Secret

 On her: Delia*s thermal, Old Navy cardigan and purse, Target jeans, Banana Republic boots, Mango blazer, gifted scarf

On him*: Spiewak jacket, Gap belt, J. Crew pants, Timberland Boot Co. boots

First things first: neither my boots nor the blazer are technically in my 30. Phew. Glad to get that out of the way.

I have to admit. I put this outfit on solely to go to breakfast and to buy a new umbrella. Now I may or may not be wearing my lounge pants, slipper boots, a hoodie and a t-shirt with a cartoon pencil on it that says "I wanna be number 1." Get it?

And I may or may not be lying in bed watching the latest episode of "The Soup." I do have plans to clean today. And maybe make some black bean pumpkin soup. Watching "The Soup." Making some soup.

* This is my husband's idea of a fashion pose.

18 of 30: And Then There Was a Poncho

 Gap tunic, old tights, Restricted boots, Da-Nang poncho, gifted scarf

I.... don't know guys. This poncho. It's. Just. Not me. I mean, is it? Maybe it's like these boots (which I love now, by the way), and I have to wear it a few times and figure out how it works in order for me to love it.

Y'all, getting a good picture outside today was pretty much impossible. When it wasn't raining, it was just gross. I tried.

In spite of the gloomy weather, I'm in a great mood. My girlfriends and I planned a quick, cheap overnight trip to Napa Sunday after church because we have Monday off. Oh. YAY. As much as I love this city, I also love getting out every once and a while.

We might be staying at a bit of a crappy hotel, but it's cheap and in Napa and we can do other classy things like visit wineries on the cheap. I'm coming up with a budget for the trip and the rule is that we can only bring x dollars to spend the whole time (aside from the room and gas). I like challenges.

As for the rest of this weekend? I'm going to do whatever the frack* I want to do. (Probably clean, cook, organize a few things in my life...)

* If you get this reference, we should be friends.

FBFF: Body Image

Thanks once again to Katy at Modly Chic for putting together this week's FBFF!

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed? No, actually. Granted, I only started a few months ago, but at this point in my life, I feel I have a fairly stable self image. Sure, I still struggle sometimes with comparing myself to others, but overall I feel fairly confident.

Over the years, however, my self confidence (particularly about my body) has changed immensely. I used to have pretty low self esteem (so much so that my parents put me into this self esteem class in 8th grade. At the time I was really confused as to why I was there.).

There are two things that really helped me change my self image. First, theater. Second, running.

When I'm on stage performing, I feel amazing. Just amazing. And I actually like it that all eyes are on me. I can't explain where this confidence came from, but it definitely has to do with the fact that I discovered this talent and really cultivated it.

That's me in the pale yellow, back row. This was in a production of "Camelot." I had a big, operatic solo.

And here's me as Peter Pan. Remember that old Mary Martin film? Yeah, that was me.

 And then there's running. I never never never thought I'd be a "real runner." I have exercise-induced asthma (it's a real thing) and always lacked endurance (or just lacked the desire to work on my endurance). When I moved to San Francisco and saw my friend finishing the San Francisco Marathon among runners of all shapes, sizes and ages, I said to myself, "I can do that."

So I did. The very next year. I always feel best about my body when I'm in shape, and running races give me that goal that I need to push myself.

This was like mile 25.9 of my first marathon. (Photo by J.Brooks)

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway? This might sound strange, but I'm very self-conscious about my eyes, at least when I first meet someone. I used to really struggle with this, but it's gotten easier over the years.

Allow me to explain. When I was a baby, my eyes remained crossed and I had to undergo several (five) eye surgeries to correct it and to correct other mishaps one surgeon had. It left me with one nearsighted eye and one farsighted eye and a crazy-go-nuts astigmatism. As a result, I only really actively use one eye at a time (I know that probably doesn't make sense to you). And as a result of that strange eye usage, I tend to get a lazy eye. So much so that sometimes when I'm talking to someone, she'll look over her shoulder to try to figure out what I'm looking at.

Phew. Now you know my deepest, darkest secret. Glad I got that off my chest.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image? I know and I've accepted the fact that I can't change my eyes (not by surgery). I know that I'll just continue to worry less and less about them. (Isn't it weird that this FBFF is about body image and I'm talking about my eyes?)

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken? I do. I actually feel rather excited. It fulfills the part of me that used to want to be a model but knew I was too short (darn you, genetics!). I've always enjoyed having my picture taken.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart? Find something (a hobby, a talent) that you're good at, and that makes you feel good! Don't compare yourself to others. We're all created in the beautiful image of God, but we're also all created to be different and distinct. Find what distinguishes you and emphasize it. (OK, that sounded like a pageant answer.)

Also, eat healthy and get exercise! You'll definitely feel better about yourself.

17 of 30: Hiding

 Old Navy dress, cardigan and scarf; old tights; Banana Republic boots; H&M ring; F21 belt

I will only mention the weather long enough to say that it was cold and rainy, which is why I'm inside.

The End.

Now, on to the fun stuff! No, these boots weren't in my 30 for 30 picks, but wearing leopard-print flats (my other option) today just seemed silly. And I'm happy to see how much I love the purple and red combo. I'll have to see if I have a purple top to wear with my red cords when the challenge is over.

I have a confession to make. I shopped. But I had a good reason. I bought these pumps from Banana. You see, the crime went down this weekend, after I found out I landed the new job. I was aching to shop (call it a little reward to myself from myself), and a leftover giftcard from Christmas was burning a hole in my pocket--er--wallet.

Part of this whole "style aesthetic" journey I'm on has to do with transitioning from a college girl (gah, I know, it's been over five years now) to a career woman. Now, my career is--and will remain--fairly casual, but I'm really trying to figure out how to dress my age. It's hard because I don't look my age.

So I bought pumps. That will probably only show themselves on special occasions and date nights, but that's OK. They look pretty hot, if I do say so myself.

16 of 30: More Than Halfway

 Target tunic, Old Navy cardigan and scarf, Prana leggings, Restricted via Piperlime boots

Tired and uncreative. That's how I'm feeling tonight. So I can't promise anything special in the following words.

I can say that I like this outfit. I'm actually wearing two pairs of leggings. And they're doing the trick: keepin' me legs warm.

This morning I took the scooter to work, praying the rain wouldn't start on my way. I stopped to grab some coffee at Starbucks (in my awesome Klean Kanteen thermos). As I'm walking outside to my scooter, a hailstorm started. Yeah. Hard little pieces of whatever started falling from the sky. Thankfully it only lasted a few moments before it turned into rain and then precipitation stopped all together.

I'm sorry that story wasn't more interesting. Tired and uncreative, remember?

15 of 30: There's a Fine Fine Line

 Banana Republic top, J. Brand jeans, Gap jacket and cardigan, thrifted scarf, husband's belt, Madden boots

Why, yes, that is a swiffer sweeper. Thanks for asking.

Tonight was wonderful. We went to opening night of "Avenue Q" at the Orpheum Theater after dinner with Chip's coworker and his partner at the Grove (the new one on Hayes and Franklin). A lovely night indeed. Until the walk home. It was windy and rainy. Typically I don't mind rain. Neither do I mind wind. But together, they're just brutal. A deadly combo for those of us walking home from the theater.

Oh, but it's too late (a.k.a. past my bedtime) for me to write more. Good night, all!

14 of 30: A Patriotic Valentine's

 Gifted top, Target cardigan, Gap cords, Old Navy jacket, Madden boots, gifted scarf

Happy Day, y'all! The hubs and I went out for our fancy Valentine's Day dinner on Thursday. Thursday, you ask? Yep. Thursday. You see, I got a new job. (Or jeorb, if you're Coach Z. Anybody? Bueller? Ah, forget it.) I found out about the job on Thursday, so hubs decided we should go out and celebrate my new job and Valentine's Day. We like having fancy dinners when there's a special occasion/things to celebrate.

We went out tonight as well. (We have, like, NO groceries.) But just to the little Thai place around the corner. So, we kind of celebrated tonight as well.

Two Valentine's Day dinners? Sure, why not?

The wind was having fun giving me new hairstyles today during my photo shoot. You gotta make it work. Like Tim Gunn says. Right?

13 of 30: Take it Easy

 Gap tunic and socks, Prana leggings, Old Navy scarf, Madden boots

This weekend has been nearly more than I can handle. Late night of food and karaoke on Friday and long night of dancing at a friend's party last night. Today I'm taking it easy. After church and brunch, I've already changed out of this outfit and into pajamas for the rest of the day.

Don't judge me. It's nap time.

12 of 30: Recovery

Last night was a late one. Involving lots of karaoke and good food and friends and laughing. Which means today I was slow to wake up. Which means outfit number twelve is a simple one. But at least I'm still on track!

In that last photo I'm showing you how awesome my ninja kicks are. They're super awesome.

Delia*s top, Old Navy tank and scarf, Gap jeans, Toms shoes