It's Not Feeling a lot Like Christmas

I have been wearing sweaters and cords and boots and scarves since October trying to will fall into the air.  Here we are two weeks from Christmas and its still hot. Let me remind you that I live in central Arizona, and temps during the day are still in the upper 70's or low 80's.  So every once in a while I am forced to ignore the date on the calendar and follow the weather instead.

Don't mind the weird face/pose

Black and blue again.  I freaking LOVE these shoes and so worked my outfit around them.  All I had to do was run around town to about a thousand stores to pick up random stuff for the Holidays, no big.  What, you don't run errands in 5 inch wedges?  Don't judge.  The Salvation Army bell ringer loved it and called me Sassy.  Winner.

Check sidebar links, that's where I'll be this week!! ;o)

XO,

Alyssa

p.s.  I just wanted to take a second and thank all the lovely ladies who wrote such nice comments on my last copycat post.  Please know that I do not write disparaging remarks in order to gain your sympathy or to hear my praises sung and get my ego stroked.  I write things sometimes just because I think they sound funny--and because it is the truth as I see it.  I do, however, appreciate all your kinds words.  Thank you!!

Serendipitous

It is so great that I work in a cool and casual store where I can wear jeans every shift if I want to.  Finding outfits including jeans and NOT repeating my favorites is a challenge however.  Sometimes though, serendipity happens and I find some great inspiration from fellow bloggers. This week, lightning struck me twice!

This is Misty from Across and Down a Little Bit

I've been talking about Misty this week because of her Count up to Christmas Linky Party, but that picture is what made me stay on her site after my first visit.  First of all, its hella fun that she posed mid "hands to the sky" dance.  Secondly, I own that exact same blazer and I have never ever considered wearing it with a neutral top and rolled sleeves.  Ever.  But I thought it was a great look and determined to copy it ASAP.

So, I'm not nearly as tiny as Misty, and my jacket fits so much bigger than hers does!  Plus I don't have booties so I had to sub in other neutral shoes.  All together, I liked the top half but felt the bottom was a fail.  So I moved onward.

As I continued reading my blog list that day I came across another picture of the SAME BLAZER.  Darn it, she paired it with a neutral top too AND rolled up the sleeves!  I'm always a day late and a dollar short.

This is Lisa at Respect the Shoes

Hers is a great look too, so I dug out my pieces and tried again...

OOOOHHHH k.  I am not a size 2, I don't own any funky blue pumps and again, my jacket looks too big and not big enough all at the same time.  Still like the top half though.  What to do, what to do.

Divide and conquer my friends.  I kept the top, ditched both bottoms in favor more flattering boot cut ones and while this isn't the best picture ever, this next one is worse.

Here's what I learned.  I really like the neutral combo and rolled sleeves.  I shouldn't keep trying to wear skinny jeans.  I haven't mastered how to stand yet.  I really need a photographer, a hair and makeup crew, and a trip (or 50) to the gym.

Best copycat post ever, right???  Go compare at Trusty Chucks/Texas Lovebirds (sidebar link).

XO,

Alyssa

Real Girl NOT so Glam

Admit it.  You don't dress up every day.  Some days, you just throw on whatever is handy and relatively clean.  It's a chore day, an errand day, a day where you just don't feel like impressing anyone.

When a fluffy girl meets baggy clothes, bad things can happen.

It's today.  And this is what I wore.  I'm linking the heck out of it too.  Why???  Because I'm a rebel, that's why.  I un-apologetically admit that I have quite a few of these days, especially when I have a large block of time where I'm not working.  5 days off of work, and plenty of other less glamorous work to fill the gap (that's kinda' a pun for me since I work at Gap).  I also refused to do my hair or wear makeup.  I didn't want to subject you guys to that horror show, but the rest of my town will have to suck it up.

XO,

Alyssa

Black and Blue Redo

There is something about the combination of cobalt blue, black and red that has caught my eye this season.

First it was the plaid shoe inspired combo I talked about here.

Now its with this dalmatian print top and cobalt cardi and red belt.  Wait a minute...I think it must just be these shoes!!  No matter how much I try, when I look in the closet and see all my cobalt, these shoes just scream "Pick me! Pick me!" And so I do.  I could easily wear a silver belt and silver shoes or a black belt and shoes.  But WHY????  It is Visible Monday after all!!  ;o)

XO,

Alyssa

p.s.  Remember to keep checking in at Across and Down a Little to see all the old posts!!!  It has been so fun hearing comments from everyone on the beginnings!! 

Reflections

I came across a really fun blog called Across and Down a Little Bit not that long ago, and Misty had a great idea to "Count up to Christmas"  by posting your first 25 blog posts--one a day, starting with your first ever post.  I thought it was a great idea, given that in the beginning no one is reading your stuff.

Click Here for Link

I haven't really been doing this blog for very long.  That doesn't mean I can't stop and reflect though.   I ALWAYS go back to the beginning when I find a new blog.  I like seeing the evolution of a blog(ger), not just how it is now.  Do you do that, or do you only follow forward??  If you haven't done it yet, go to some of your favorite blogs and check their history for the very first post they ever did.  You might be surprised at what you can learn, and how different their blogs are today!

I'm too new to have changed.  Wait, I'm too old to change.  Whatever.  To see where I began, go check out my first ever post linked for the Count-Up.  (or, you know, just check the history here).

I'll leave you with some early photos that I've never shared here.  Nor ever will again!  LOL.

One shirt, 3 ways Matchy Matchy Style!

Note:  I still haven't actually worn this shirt in real life.  It was another $2 bargain from the store that I couldn't pass by.  I do like option 3 the best though! ;o)

XO,

Alyssa