Happy Leap Day! (There are strangers in my photos.)

Apologies for the delays in posting, folks. I've been slacking on the outfit photos and spending lots of (much needed) time with friends. That's a good excuse, right? For instance, these photos were taken a couple of weekends ago when I was with some girlfriends for a trip downtown and to the movies to see "The Vow." Sometimes I like girly movies. And Channing Tatum. Hottie McWow.

I'm about to ask a question that might get me kicked out of the hipster club. (Just kidding, I was never in it. But it might make you question my coolness.)

Is anyone as excited as I am about going to see "Titanic" in 3D? No? I didn't think so. But I'm confident I can find at least one friend to join me in a viewing. I loved that movie when it was in theaters and saw it multiple times.

So I'm currently accepting applications for friends who want to see the movie with me. I'm not kidding folks. I want to see Leo's "Jack" on the big screen one more time.

Old Navy pants, cowl and necklace, husband's blazer and sweater (thanks, hubs!), TOMS ballet flats <-- Yes! I got 'em!

"Lent is NOT a behavior modification program."

Old Navy top, Urban Outfitters cardigan, Gap jeans, Dolce Vita loafers, F21 locket

I didn't grow up practicing Lent. It's not something I participated in until probably graduate school. This year I was thinking of doing one of the typical "elimination" doo-hickies during Lent, when I stumbled upon Chuck's post, in which he says (and rightly so), "Lent is not a behavior modification program."

Whoa, boy.

I mean, I knew that. I did. But it hadn't kept me from considering it as such. I've been using Lent as an excuse to try to make myself a better person (by not doing something or another). Oh, sure, I would feign the heightened spirituality amid my elimination practices, but not much will have changed.

This year, I'm still going to "eliminate." But I'm going to consider and plan out what I can do in place of the eliminated practice.

Have I built up enough suspense yet? Yes? Ok, I'll tell you.

This year, I'm giving up clothes (and accessory and shoe) shopping. Shocked? Probably not. But let me take a minute to talk about how I'm going to do it (trust me, it's a challenge) and what I'm going to do instead.

• Unsubscribe from emails. I subscribe to quite a few flash sale sites. (That's where I got these loafers--love them.) It's a great way to save money on clothes and accessories, but also a good way to spend money I don't need to.
• Divert my path. When I walk home from work, I either walk by Banana Republic or Old Navy. (For those of you who know me, you know where my husband works, and where I get discounts.) I'm planning on redirecting my path to not walk by those stores.
• Redirect my money. Sweet! I'll have more expendable income! Well, let's do something with that income, shall we? I'm going to research two places to direct my extra cash: Kiva, a micro-lending site for funding entrepreneurs, and some local charity or cause (I know of lots, just need to narrow it down).
• Increase my savings. I currently have a SmartyPig account to save for a digital SLR, and I contribute a little each paycheck. I want to increase my savings by at least 50 percent to this fund.
• Set aside time to read through one of Chuck's recommended Lent resources.

What else should I do to help me keep my shop fast?

(And apologies for the lack of Music Monday this week. I'll try to be back on it next week.)

Risky Business

A while back I had a fashion risk series (see the posts here, here, here & here). Each of these "risks" have either become regular wardrobe staples (hello, red pants) or just plain failures (boo, winterized shorts and those boots). I feel like I've come much more into my own style-wise, and it's only been about a year.

Now, I don't feel like I take as many risks, but I just find what I like and go with it. Like this bright-sock-and-bootie combo, first seen on Clothed Much.

Old Navy tank, booties and trench, Gap scarf and jeans, Target belt, H&M necklace, We Love Colors socks

Happy Day!

I think you can celebrate all kinds of love on Valentine's Day, not just the romantic kind. I'm celebrating love with the hubs, sure, but I'm also celebrating the amazing love of God, lots of love from my family, the love I have for my friends, how much I love my city... the list goes on and on.

Old Navy sweater and scarf, Gap jeans, Steve Madden boots (got them super cheap on ebay!), A.E. necklace, gifted tote

Tonight I'll be celebrating by cooking a special dinner for the boy, complete with a cheese plate and Ghirardelli souffle dessert (fingers crossed that it turns out!). I'm even leaving work early to get it all done. (Sh, don't tell the hubs. He's not prone to read blogs, so no worry that he'll stumble upon this.)

We're getting a double dose of Valentine's Day with a dinner out tomorrow night (partially because I was a little late in making reservations). I can't wait to wear a new dress I bought and go out on the town with my favorite guy in the world.

Collaborative Music Monday: Breaking Hearts (James Vincent McMorrow cover)

Thanks to my pal, Christi, for collaborating with me on this song. Watch out for some more songs from us in the future (like this one).

Enjoy!

Who? Who?

Yesterday was rainy, so I'm focusing on last Saturday, when it was warm and sunny and hubs and I took a trip to see the new Harry Potter--err--Daniel Radcliffe movie.

I took along this owl purse, gifted to me by my awesome brother and sister in law. It's a great size, and a little whimsy never hurt anybody. Well, maybe if it were a killer dwarf named "Whimsy." Weird? Yes. Weird.

We've been without television (like, real television) since we moved to San Francisco. But I decided it'd be nice to have the ability to watch stuff in real-time on occasion (instead of online after the fact). So I bought a digital antennae. It's weird that I can watch the news now, even though we only get a few channels. Oh, commercials, I haven't missed you very much.

Gap jeggings, Target jacket and scarf, Dolce Vita shoes, F21 sunglasses, gifted bag

Thursday Latelies: What am I rambling about?

30 Day Shred. Tried it?

The dress I (hopefully) scored from Jason Wu for Target.

Do I love colors? Guess we'll find out. Here's the plan for my colorful socks.

Linking up with Bex today. Happy Thursday!

Talking on the phone with my hair pulled back tight

Old Navy vest, scarf, boots and coat, gifted jeans and earrings, Banana Republic satchel, Android phone

Ah, yes. A title that simply describes what I'm doing in these photos. Super boring. I apologize.

Sometimes, when I go to my little alley to take my photos, I feel super awkward. Especially if lots of other people are using the alley to walk through. The nerve. My strategy? I call someone on the phone or check my email, sneakily set up my camera with self-timer, and photograph myself in real action shots. In these photos, I'm talking to my dad, if you must know.

You. Guys.

I went to see MuteMath last night with some friends. It's been almost six years (SIX!) since I saw them, and they are even more spectacular. The lead singer entered the crowd multiple times--once on a air mattress supported by us audience folks. Even the drummer came out into the crowd with a snare drum. Seriously entertaining stuff.

Oh! In these next photos you get a close-up of my phone talking! Get excited.

Poink

"Pop" + "Pink" = "Poink"

Gap jeggings and sweater, Old Navy coat, pink tee and shoes, Banana Republic bag, Target necklace, F21 sunglasses

Music Monday: Hysterical (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)

Things you find yourself saying and doing on the slow-carb diet.

Gifted top, tote and scarf, Old Navy Rock Star jeans, Target belt, Converse shoes

When someone offers you something "illegal": "Oh, no thank you," in a depressed voice, "I'm on a DIET."

"I'm saving my carbs for 'cheat day.'"

"What's the policy on a weekend-long 'cheat day'?"

Drinking a diet Coke.*

Ordering green tea at Starbucks.

"Even BACON contains sugar??"

Scooping out a heaping spoonful of peanut butter: "I'm allowed one tablespoon a day."

Munching on a bowl of edamame while co-workers are stuffing their faces with deep-dish Paxti's pizza before movie night.

"I'm tired of everything tasting savory."

Combing Trader Joe's for any and every snack without white carbohydrates.

"Oh, I'm not EATING carbs."

Sniffing foods you used to eat regularly.

Eating broccoli for breakfast.

On "cheat day," eating foods you wouldn't normally, like Twizzlers.

Can you think of any more?

Also, did you notice TOMS ballet flats are now available?


*On any normal day, I would never drink a diet Coke.

Thursday Latelies: Slow-Carb Mojo

I'm not gonna lie, you guys. This one gets a little boring.

But I do point out some fun things in the latest edition of "Glamour." Fun!

(Also, I'm almost whispering because I don't want to wake the sleeping DH.)


Linking up with Bex today!