Back to Reality

Hello everyone!!

It's almost time for me to come back to my blog, I'm seeing the light at the end of this very long tunnel.  Only 8 more games to get through over the next three weeks, and one Driver's License to acquire.

Work has undergone its normal shift from holiday madness to January emptiness so I have many less hours on my schedule.  All of this equates to more free time for yours truly.

I would like to say that I have a "grand plan" for my return and a focused outline for the coming year.  Sadly, nope.  I am going to wing it like I always do.  This is going to be an interesting year, of that I am certain.

I hope that you all had a fantastic time over the holidays with your loved ones, and that you have entered 2014 with renewed vigor and zest.  I am looking forward to chatting with everyone again, I have really missed you!

Until February...

Let this terribly bad, but hysterically funny picture summarize how I left 2013 and entered into 2014.  My husband and sons do not feel quite the same as I do, hm?

XO,
Alyssa

Hitting the Pause Button

My image; San Diego, CA

For the next four months my life is going to be crazy hectic due to work and after school activities for my three children.  I decided to give myself a little break from the guilt and just admit that I won't be blogging for a while.  I have been sporadic at best recently but still feel guilty for not posting more often...now I can just relax knowing that this at least is officially on hold until life calms back down.

I'll still be checking in on all of you though!!  Enjoy your lives over the next few months and think of me in all my scheduling craziness!!  See you in February!


XO,
Alyssa

Transitions

It's Hot/Cold season in Arizona.  What season is that you ask?  57 degrees in the morning and 92 degrees by the late afternoon.  A sticky situation when you need to be gone from your house all day and can't do complete outfit changes to accommodate the climate.

My solution was a summer tank dress with a boyfriend cardigan thrown over top.  Bare legs weren't the best idea for the early morning cold, but I adore these shoes and it needed to happen.

Had. To. Happen.

XO,
Alyssa


{California was great and if I could afford it I would totally live there in a shack on the beach.  It made me a lazy blogger though...sorry!}

Pink Pants in October

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness this month, I am pulling out my favorite pair of pink pants.  Such an important cause deserves mention...and any excuse to wear these pants a few extra times will be taken!

I can't seem to get my photos to capture the outfit as it is in real life, alas these oddly stiff renditions.  The truth is, this vesty/jacket thing is so cute in person!  I really, really felt great in this, and while I am sure that an adorable pair of silver, pointy toe pumps would have looked amazing with this I wouldn't have lasted 2 hours in them before I switched to flats.  I decided to just skip that whole painful time and go straight to what would last all day.

Enjoy your weekend!  I am off to San Diego with the family for a bit of a holiday, so stay tuned for vacation instagram photobombs!

XO,

Alyssa

Milestone Moment

One year ago today I hesitantly wrote my first ever blog post.  Since then I have almost stopped the blog twice along the way, feeling that my input was neither educational nor inspired.

I still feel that way but have settled on the fact that my posts aren't really meant to be either.  I hate being the focus of photos, so seeking out avenues to make them more beautiful isn't going to happen...remember when I tried that?

Since I'm okay with it, and you guys are all so great and I would miss you terribly if I went away forever, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing and sharing the woes and miscellany of my midlife with you as we go.  I hope you'll all stay with me now that I have admitted I'm okay with the status quo!

On to my current issue.  My misguided love for the printed, elastic bottom blouse.  I went and bought another one.  I couldn't help myself.  Seriously.  This pattern is so beautiful and all in neutrals so that has to count for something.  I made sure I could think of at least 5 ways to wear it so it followed that portion of my rules at least.  Putting it into my first outfit however, was more challenging than I had thought.  Please see the following examples:

tucked all the way into the skirt

untucked but still poufed up higher

fully untucked and pulled low

Yeah so, hmmm.  Not sure I really liked any of the ways it came out!  This skirt is tight fitting, so I was thinking it would balance out the bigness of the shirt.  I'm not really sure it works though?!  So I'm putting it to you all...what's your vote?  How do I wear this shirt with this skirt?

XO,
Alyssa

p.s.  Thanks for sticking around this year, and I hope to continue to see you all around for year two!!  ;o)