Dress Week

Since the weather's so lovely this week, I'm wearing a dress everyday.

Exciting stuff happens on Bethy's blog!

This dress is my sweet find from the Gap sale rack. I like it so much. These photos are from Sunday, when I decided it'd be better to wear a tank under the dress for church.

In addition to wearing dresses this week, I also picked up my guitar again last night (that's two times in one week!). My fingers are throbbing and it feels good. Thanks, Dawes (the band), for making me want to play some of your music last night. It's just what I needed.

Gap dress, Old Navy tank, H&M neclace, Target and gifted bracelets, Target wedges

Day 23: Skirt

This is not a skirt. Oh, snap! It's a dress. This dress, actually. But I successfully fooled you into thinking it was a skirt, right?

I wore this on Friday. Totally not a Friday outfit, I know, but I just felt like dressing up a bit. Being a little dressed up makes me feel more confident.

As for July's Give Up/Take On?

Give Up: Sleep. Let me explain. I'm giving up "sleeping in." I've had unproductive mornings simply because I tend to sleep in until I have just enough time to get ready and get out the door. Well, for July, I've been getting up 1-2 hours earlier than need be. What do I do with that time? Exercise, prep for dinner, whatever. I just miss the days when I was productive in the mornings, so I'm trying to get back into that routine.

Take On: Reading. Not reading in general, but reading specifically a book. Focusing on one book to read and finish. Want to know what I'm reading? "The Neverending Story." No foolin'. Hubs claims it's his favorite book ever, and I bought him a hardback copy for Christmas a couple of years ago. Now I'm finally taking the chance to read it.

Do you have any challenges you're taking on this month?

H&M top, Banana Republic dress and leather bracelet, Mossimo wedges, F21 belt, gifted, handmade bracelet

Day 12: Wed

See what I did with today's title? It rhymes with yesterday's. Yeah, I write for a living. Can't you tell?

Saturday was my lovely friend Jenny's wedding. She's a friend from grad school who has followed me across the country. (OK, not really, she actually moved here because her now husband is in grad school at Stanford.)

The exciting part was that a bunch of my grad school buddies were in town for the event, so we all got a house together in Mill Valley. It was a really fun time. So fun that I was still recovering from the fun times this morning.

And, of course, I wore my hot pink dress! (The other two dresses in my 30 are all black and all white--neither very appropriate for a wedding.)

 Old Navy dress, earrings, bracelet, and purse, Mossimo wedges

Jenny was so beautiful and glowing on Saturday. See?

The hubs was also glowing. And apparently I make him cry when I give him hugs:

Day 11: Red

My nose, that is.

Remember that baseball game I was heading to on Thursday? (The one that made me miss a 30 for 30 day?)

Well, the game was really fun, but my little nose got sunburned. See it's redness there in that photo?

OK, that's enough already about the nose.

This was Friday. I managed to snap some outfit photos before rushing off to work so I could leave early to catch the ferry. (Yep, that's where I am in that photo. And, nope, I don't know that guy in the shorts.)

It was a great day to catch the ferry with my Blue Bottle iced coffee in hand. And in Sausalito I enjoyed a seafood dinner and great catching-up time with some friends from my graduate school days. Man, it's be so cool to live in Sausalito. Too bad it would be more expensive than living here, since we'd have to get a car and pay to commute in on the ferry. Ah, well, it's a lovely place to visit in the meantime.

 Gap top, Banana Republic pants, Old Navy jean jacket and bracelet, Mossimo wedges

I love this outfit. Love. The top is just the slightest shade of pink and I love the little ruffle at the neckline. If only I had gotten this top in a secondary color.

Day 9: Summah

It's officially summer! Sadly, I think we might be losing the warm weather we've been experiencing.

Yesterday was no exception. I didn't even wear this cardigan after the morning.

And thank goodness this dress is linen. And hot pink. That's important, too.

 Old Navy dress and earrings, Urban cardigan, Mossimo wedges, 

Day 5: Contrast

Yesterday I had a dress code. Minna, the mastermind behind the Magik*Magik Orchestra, gave us a dress code for the concert: black and white. It didn't matter if we were formal or casual, as long as we met the dress code standard.

Fortunately, I had this white dress in my 30 (not even planned!). A quick word about the leggings. For San Francisco summers, I consider them accessories. So that's why they're not included in my 30. So there.

Banana Republic dress, Prana leggings via See Jane Run, Mossimo wedges, Old Navy jacket, F21 bangle and necklace

Now let's talk about the concert. It was amazing. I'm not just saying that. One of the most inspirational moments of my life, for certain. Just being on stage again, and this time with a band and entire orchestra, was so powerful.

I just kept saying how honored and privileged I felt to be asked to join the six-woman choir (one was absent for this pic) for this performance. I can't wait until videos start popping up on You Tube. You'd better believe I'll be sharing them.

I really hope I get this chance again. But, if I don't, I'll always remember last night as one of the best musical experiences of my life.

Oh, and JV is the most humble musician. That's him and me below. Happy weekend, all!

Day 3: Wedged

You know, it's weird. This week has been busy, starting with rehearsals on Saturday. And yet, I'm feeling energized. I'm sure I'll crash by the weekend.

I've been thinking I'll reread the last Harry Potter book before seeing it in the theater (totally going to the midnight show). Like Jessica suggested, I'll be making some "reading dates" with myself. I know, I know. Harry Potter is no stretch for the 'ol brain muscles, but I think that's what I need right now.

I kind of forgot and just remembered again that next week my grad school pals with be in town for one of our friend's weddings. I am so excited. We have a fun bachelorette party night planned, and we're all staying in a house together. And there's a hot tub there.

Oh my goodness that will be wonderful. And lots of laughs, to be sure.

 Old Navy tank, gifted jeans, Target necklace, Mossimo wedges, necklace c/o Erskine College

Going Viral

Well, aren't you lucky? I didn't think I'd get around to taking photos today. I snapped this quick photo this morning while I was on my way to a meeting downtown (whoa, that sounds cooler than it was). I didn't think I'd manage any outfit photos.

But I did! Hooray!

I went to an event this evening with the girls from work. I thought a hot pink t-shirt said "cool professional." Don't you think?

Hot pink might just be my color for the summer. Weird? Yeah.

 Old Navy t-shirt and necklace, Gap pants, Mossimo wedges, Mango blazer

The event I went to was all about viral video marketing and how to leverage your brand in online viral videos. No, my company's not currently working on any viral videos, but I think it's really cool to consider the marketing possibilities.

Though it got me thinking. You know that Old Spice video? You know the one: "I'm on a horse."

Anyway. So that video was great for re-branding the company and advertising their body wash, I suppose. But how much body wash do you think Old Spice sold as a result? In other words, how much revenue came from the viral video?

As advertising and marketing goes, how much is a viral video actually worth? Spreading the word is no good in the long run if no one buys your product, right?

D'oh! I nearly forgot to add a title.

Workout (Monday): 2 miles running

Shopping temptation radar: 4 (I've walked by Banana Republic on the way home, and I've been eying some of their new wedges. Pretty.)

I don't know what's up with my face in these pictures. Please ignore the smirky mouth and wide eyes. Ha. I look silly.

I have nothing to say. I'm sorry. Is that lame? Maybe a little. I'm trying to simultaneously blog and watch (confession) "Hoarders" with the hubs, and I just can't peel my eyes away from these people.

 Old Navy top and earrings, gifted jeans, Gap sweater, Mossimo wedges

These shoes have made it through their trial run. I've walked two miles in them two different days. And they hold up wonderfully. I pronounce them a good investment.

A little clarity

Yesterday I talked about giving up clothes shopping.

I thought I should clarify something. I'm not an over spender. I don't buy a ton of clothes and I don't have credit card debt. (I pay off my balance every month.)

I mean, come on, I write about personal finance, credit, and frugality every day. And I write a lot from experience, both good and bad.

I've had my stumbles with credit in the past, but never anything extreme. And I love a good clothing bargain.

And now that I'm married and share finances with the hubs, I'm held accountable for any excessive spending. (Don't worry, he is too.)

The hubs is a budget genius and has an elaborate spreadsheet, complete with lots of macros. He keeps up with our budget that way, because we can adjust it any way we want, unlike some of the online budgeting software. Like, now that I have a cell phone with a data plan, we'll add a new category to our budget.

Exciting stuff.

One of our budget categories is called "fun money" and another is "miscellaneous." Our fun money is money we have to spend on whatever (like clothes), and miscellaneous is money to spend on individual incidentals (like toiletries, drinks with friends, etc.). And we have a third incidental fund that we share, called "together fun money."

It's quite complicated, you see.

All that to say that my clothing purchases are always well within my allotted fun money fund.

 Gifted top, Urban cardi, J. Brand jeans, Mossimo shoes, Old Navy necklace

So why am I giving up shopping for a month?

I want to save up some of my fun cash toward something awesome (secret secret), plus I'd like to spend some of it on other fun things. Like a guitar pick.

Also, I need to start repeat-wearing and remixing the pieces I've purchased recently. (Anyone know when the next "30 for 30" challenge is??)

By the way, these are my new shoes from Target. They're pretty wonderful. And surprisingly comfortable. I walked two miles in them after work, and my feet felt mighty fine!

Tomorrow is National Running Day. Guess I know how I'll be kicking off my month of exercising!