Striped Terry Blazer

I purchased this Anthropologie Striped Terry Blazer on a major sale months ago. And I am just now getting around to sharing the pictures of how I am styling it?! I believe this was in August. Or September.

One of those months. They all blend together, kind of like the three pounds I gained this week from the three pies I ate. Dinner tonight? Salad. Oh. Who am I kidding? Is a Snickers bar a vegetable?

“Sigh.”

The major selling point to me with this blazer (besides the price tag) was the material it was made from. Terry cloth? It invoked images of bubble baths and showers. Plus, it had stripes. Grey stripes! Red stripes! Yes please.

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First up we have the blazer styled with a simple orange embroidered tee I purchased years and years ago. I actually own this shirt in three different colors. I bought a mustard colored one from eBay for $4 last year. The jeans in all of these pictures are from The Gap ten years ago. The boots are vintage from the flea market. I chose to include two pictures, so we can see the weird poses I make with my hands. They like to do odd things for my pictures. I think they are trying to spell “p-i-e.”

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Then I paired it with a bright blue henley.

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The crochet tank was $15 from Marshall’s over the summer. And the floral tank was $10 at Nordstrom Rack in the spring.

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I like the mix of patterns and textures here with the blazer.

Do you wear blazers with jeans? How do you make them more casual? Did you know terry cloth could be worn outside the house? Or the bathroom?

And what did we decide about the Snickers bar?

It’s definitely a root vegetable. Right?

P.S. * I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

It’s The Little Things: Advent Calendars

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Oh my gosh! It’s December! It’s the holidays! How did this happen? I am beyond unprepared.

What better way to increase the panic than a countdown of days you have left until you implode into a falling pile of wrapping paper?

Awww, I love it.

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Every year I do an advent calendar that ties on the little Christmas tree in my family room. I fill the small bags (I bought my darling Matryoshka Doll bags from Etsy many years ago) with random small items for the kids. If there is not a small item in the bag then it may contain a date with their dad and me (such as a note that says, “get your coat on. We’re going for ice cream.”). Don’t worry I keep track on my calendar as to what day they are going to open their little notes. This way I can switch them when their little heads are turned in case I need to change the dates.

Well, as of today, the fifth, I have not stuffed these advent bags. I am so behind. Oh well, it will just have to be us counting down the eighteen days until Christmas here.

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I finally got them their chocolate advent calendars from World Market yesterday. I know Trader Joe’s makes them as well. They love opening the boxes and popping out a chocolate.

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My son gets a Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar every year. It is considered an early Christmas present. I am not providing a link, because the prices for it are ridiculous right now. Check your local Target. I have always seen them there for the correct price each year (retail $40. I actually purchased mine months ago. Wha’?). My daughter gets an extra present to open on Christmas to make up for it. I was not quick enough to score Sephora’s advent calendar they produce every year. I wanted to surprise her. Next year! Next year I will be more on top of it. Do you believe me?

I love the holidays. I love counting down the days until Christmas. To say this is my favorite holiday is laughable. I love it so much I almost always cry when the twenty sixth arrives.

Do you do advent calendars at your house? Are you prepared for the holidays? I am 75% done with my shopping. I hope to finish by Friday. We will put our two real trees up this Sunday. I want wrapped presents under the tree. Now, I just need to get on that.

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Do I look ready?

It’s the little things: making every day a mini holiday. Let the countdown begin!

Sketchbook Shirt Dress

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I adore the Sketchbook Shirt Dress from Anthropologie. It fits like a dream. It has hidden fortresses amongst shadowed forrests. If you look closely, you can see a gnome.

Not really, but that would be awesome.

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The lining of the dress is a pretty purple.

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I am wearing a size 6 here. I have recently learned that this is probably the size I should be buying. But I am still finding my way in sizing. So I might really be an 8. I am sorry! I hope I can be a better help in the future in terms of sizing. I still think it runs a little big.

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I wanted a picture of the dress sitting down. But then I was accosted by my dog. And the dress rode up. I had to edit it. Imagine I can take a good picture.

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Have you tried on this dress? How did you feel about sizing? I would like to know if I am off. Do you have a fun, whimsical piece in your closet?

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

Seventh Month Blog Giveaway: $25 World Market Gift Card! NOW CLOSED!

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Sorry, this giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

Okay, let’s celebrate this month with a gift card to World Market. I am giving one away!

I have found myself shopping there more and more recently. I had to replace our kitchen cushions and I was able to find some there for less than $8 a piece. I was thrilled!

I am so grateful to everyone who stops by my blog and reads it or comments. Truly, my heart is full. I have met the sweetest, kindest people through this blog. I never imagined I would make so many new friends. It is so awesome!

On to the giveaway:

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To enter to win the $25 World Market Gift Card, please leave a comment. You can just tell me what you will use it for or just how your day is going.

For a second entry, please follow this blog in any old way. There are numerous ways to do so on the right hand side of this page. If you do or you are all ready a follower, please leave a second comment stating you are a follower.

I count all of the comments at the end. Your comments are your entries. Please do not forget to leave two if you are a follower.

This giveaway will run from October 11, 2013 12:00 a.m. PST to Monday, October 14, 2013 at 10:00 p.m. PST. All entries must be in by the close of the giveaway. I will be choosing one winner for the gift card using Random.org. If you have all ready won a gift in previous months, you are still eligible to enter this giveaway.

I will contact the winner on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. I will post the winner’s name on this blog on October 16, 2013. Upon entry to this giveaway, you are agreeing to these terms. Please enter with a valid email address. I will attempt to contact you three times within ten days. If I do not hear from you after that time, a new winner will be chosen.

Thank you everyone for getting me this far! Keeping this blog filled with my thoughts has lifted my spirits in so many ways. Thank you for being so supportive. I appreciate it beyond words! You guys are the best!

* This giveaway is sponsored by me and is not affiliated in any way with World Market.