"Aim high," they said. And "aim high" I am...

<div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I ran our first race together this morning. A 5k. It's the furthest he's ever run at one time since he was forced to run a mile in P.E. in high school...which, seeing as how we're both in our 30s, wasn't exactly yesterday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And he did awesome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have no photographic evidence of our feat, which makes me sad. But we now have matching running shirts. Which we'll probably wear sometime to have our photos taken professionally, once we grow matching mullets. Because then maybe we'll make it onto <a href="http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/">this website</a>. Kind of a life's ambition of mine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you have about an hour or 24, you should actually really check out that website. Hilarious.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Saturday.</div>

"Aim high," they said. And "aim high" I am...

My husband and I ran our first race together this morning. A 5k. It's the furthest he's ever run at one time since he was forced to run a mile in P.E. in high school...which, seeing as how we're both in our 30s, wasn't exactly yesterday.And he did awesome.I have no photographic evidence of our feat,…

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Sir Mix-A-Lot (wait, does anyone seriously remember that?)

<div style="text-align: center;">Woah. Funky lighting alert. Nothing else is funky, though. Just the lighting. Yep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM3vstyqR7kgBRVbkgzZ3lnpAJJgSwbbcAqpg_v7BbjvuUFoXdv6B9vfraKsgCiAMjZvj3FJxXUS1awj3Qhx0Mh07SEizZ6yS9RhjAqHhyphenhyphenTbSRMKPmAN5-mdNFM2Lmgz1Y0_L1YIc4nSx/s1600/E1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM3vstyqR7kgBRVbkgzZ3lnpAJJgSwbbcAqpg_v7BbjvuUFoXdv6B9vfraKsgCiAMjZvj3FJxXUS1awj3Qhx0Mh07SEizZ6yS9RhjAqHhyphenhyphenTbSRMKPmAN5-mdNFM2Lmgz1Y0_L1YIc4nSx/s400/E1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. shirt: vintage. cardigan: gap. scarf: gift from sweden. belt: thrifted (american eagle). watch: target. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0FfacjanwjldCV7zTr55lKdZ1I3Rr5AmtsxEtcdAVwEwQ_pJkKclq5oY8cAQ0uOdwC8XqhNwodb_ikyhd6s8Nm_wmFjJP01AB4pH2HU_qYKupCF8xdcgJMbMdM1x4e68maGEIkOQbcV/s1600/E1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0FfacjanwjldCV7zTr55lKdZ1I3Rr5AmtsxEtcdAVwEwQ_pJkKclq5oY8cAQ0uOdwC8XqhNwodb_ikyhd6s8Nm_wmFjJP01AB4pH2HU_qYKupCF8xdcgJMbMdM1x4e68maGEIkOQbcV/s400/E1britt3.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't look the best in these photos, but for the record: This is one of my favorite outfits. Ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE_QMcbPRvBG6yBXSDB9rknHRPZBxwSg_go3v5jF2MZORY0TamEmv3GIE_UMAVG6344AoOD30ChORQVMpqjPf3mkfIShkg5nyqn2hpOyhBAY49AyX02KaJqiDWxS9bcboF_w6TuEEV6YL/s1600/E1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE_QMcbPRvBG6yBXSDB9rknHRPZBxwSg_go3v5jF2MZORY0TamEmv3GIE_UMAVG6344AoOD30ChORQVMpqjPf3mkfIShkg5nyqn2hpOyhBAY49AyX02KaJqiDWxS9bcboF_w6TuEEV6YL/s400/E1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey guys. Not only is today a perfect day for wearing two types of stripes, floral, polka dots, AND metallic (it said so in my horoscope. practically.), but it's also <a href="http://www.modlychic.com/2011/04/friend-friday-fashion-and-fitness.html" target="blank">Friend Friday</a>! Today's topic is one of my favorites: <em>Fitness & Fashion.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why? </em>Yep. I run. Because I like to eat but my metabolism is turning granny on me, I like my husband to be bigger than me (not an easy task, if you know my husb), and I feel better about myself when I exercise. Not necessarily in that order, but that's how the fingers typed it, so that's how it will remain. </div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image? </em>Absolutely. I've become less obsessed with how I look (as in, the size of my legs, the bulge of my belly, etc.) because I'm doing what I can to be healthy. I'll never be a waif, but I've decided this: A body that does what I put mine through is a body worth respecting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><em>3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion? </em>Eh, I don't give one single brain cell of thought about what I wear unless it involves weather-related decisions...but I don't go to gyms, I just run outside. I don't even put makeup on, do my hair, or anything. What I'm trying to say is...y'know all those Bigfoot sightings? They were probably just me, out for a winter jog.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><em>4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness? </em>Maybe there used to be. Like, when my mom was in school, they had to wear skirts to gym class and wasn't allowed to do the stuff the boys were doing. I think that, these days, so many fitness options are available that it's all about choosing what works for you to get/stay fit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>5.  Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal. </em>Run a certain 100-mile race with my sister. She's already done it twice; I paced her for a snort 14-mile leg of it one time, and now I want to do it. Our family is convinced we are both missing a marble or two...and we can't exactly argue. Meh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Check out the stuff below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3048229&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Forever 21...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

Sir Mix-A-Lot (wait, does anyone seriously remember that?)

Woah. Funky lighting alert. Nothing else is funky, though. Just the lighting. Yep. shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. shirt: vintage. cardigan: gap. scarf: gift from sweden. belt: thrifted (american eagle). watch: target. It doesn't look the best in these photos, but for the record: Th…

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full skirt, bare legs, & boots

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIKeTqeqqpj7phOI_0DvZHRL8I1bKqK5AAFe8EGnkKDpAMlWBZLUEHrMxfMq_fX8mbKt3pG6yIKXaXGYb5yKqwZdQ1TlEzmadtWa1SU7co_QAog3gu6Q3ZEsajfaMq34_Iv0YT0so1QDL/s1600/F1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIKeTqeqqpj7phOI_0DvZHRL8I1bKqK5AAFe8EGnkKDpAMlWBZLUEHrMxfMq_fX8mbKt3pG6yIKXaXGYb5yKqwZdQ1TlEzmadtWa1SU7co_QAog3gu6Q3ZEsajfaMq34_Iv0YT0so1QDL/s400/F1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">boots: target. skirt: no idea, it's old as the hills. shirt: j.crew. belt: off a pencil skirt from kohl's. bracelets: forever21 and </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sienahansen" target="blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BurntSiena Designs</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. necklace: forever21.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgod1pbUjmWrLQF2WYZTlNJIXU9HfqhtmaYHXp9Au3OKq9fGw4obKpNKMOgFOezVOmQyN0lC38etCMfEbjhvQmwuuCUoZsDyFmIsTZ2sHG3AZbYsQtVtC_-HziQO_qhgcoZ_wqApdiwuu/s1600/F1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgod1pbUjmWrLQF2WYZTlNJIXU9HfqhtmaYHXp9Au3OKq9fGw4obKpNKMOgFOezVOmQyN0lC38etCMfEbjhvQmwuuCUoZsDyFmIsTZ2sHG3AZbYsQtVtC_-HziQO_qhgcoZ_wqApdiwuu/s400/F1britt3.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo78hvFvjjNFi194B4YjWXZ5NxhM3RuGV2MXXjuFs0dYjGN3VS_QNYDRsgSBeALtxkproTdzhyASdy4VKGfuZeV3atRfc-MWQ19tZvK_DI9pQTIVyYjol0hKtjlhcmzTWt74K2epUy-Z2/s1600/F1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo78hvFvjjNFi194B4YjWXZ5NxhM3RuGV2MXXjuFs0dYjGN3VS_QNYDRsgSBeALtxkproTdzhyASdy4VKGfuZeV3atRfc-MWQ19tZvK_DI9pQTIVyYjol0hKtjlhcmzTWt74K2epUy-Z2/s400/F1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think my necklace needs to be chunkier. I think that, when "chunkiness" rang its dinnertime triangle and all the jewelry in my closet came a-runnin', these bracelets elbowed everyone else out and hogged it all. By "it," I'm referring still to the chunkiness, for those of you who aren't anthropomorphistic. Which, if you're not, you probably lead a saner life than me, but I defy you to say it's as exciting or entertaining.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of exciting, I gave my 2- and 5-year-olds squirt bottles to entertain themselves for the half-hour before dinnertime. They're currently squirting each other and bawling and screaming about being squirted. I guess it's a good "Plan B" for excitement, if the jewelry re-enactment didn't quite do it for you. Especially when the cops show up because the neighbor's phone got worried about all the screaming and dialed 9-1-1 on itself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What can I say, I'm an adrenaline junkie and a neglectful "let-them-work-it-out" parent all rolled into one exciting ball o' fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Thursday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Check out the stuff below for similar items...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3038668&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Forever 21...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

full skirt, bare legs, & boots

 boots: target. skirt: no idea, it's old as the hills. shirt: j.crew. belt: off a pencil skirt from kohl's. bracelets: forever21 and BurntSiena Designs. necklace: forever21.I think my necklace needs to be chunkier. I think that, when "chunkiness" rang its dinnertime triangle and all the jewelry in m…

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HomeStyle: Paint a Chevron Rug

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Editor's note: This post is part a new, infrequent series on home design ideas and projects. If you're new here (welcome!), this blog really does deal mostly with style/fashion. Specifically mine. Heh. So don't be alarmed, but just pull up a proverbial chair and stay awhile...]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, maybe chevron (zigzag) pattern is a has-been for some of you, but I'm still deeply (wipe a tear) <em>deeply</em> in love with it. Especially rugs. I've wanted one for a while now. Like these:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzd5F7mzZ6PU6JNyQwyTnBxmFLBYKpiq6W6640PgJRlbK73EHA7WbENefGjvJB6UakEcYLgAZXdNa_ABKZ15c8yA7XOuVWdzgR64Z_J-Cf66R7SumBpftwaDExfxKznGlSlHy93CXqORG/s1600/rug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzd5F7mzZ6PU6JNyQwyTnBxmFLBYKpiq6W6640PgJRlbK73EHA7WbENefGjvJB6UakEcYLgAZXdNa_ABKZ15c8yA7XOuVWdzgR64Z_J-Cf66R7SumBpftwaDExfxKznGlSlHy93CXqORG/s400/rug1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/zigzag-rug-r656/" target="blank">West Elm</a>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVxVHcV7vAdK8T9BuZ7rg5uKmuT5CNMSehYUtaXBb-e8gg7AMJhFMU6l6aIxwI7XAqayRMQ5DkYzJ78xv09NTzuKADlWje0EtWL26Zd01TWx-UKiQ3ojUZ_mzLu2__u5TC8Jugo8dNYPi/s1600/rug2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVxVHcV7vAdK8T9BuZ7rg5uKmuT5CNMSehYUtaXBb-e8gg7AMJhFMU6l6aIxwI7XAqayRMQ5DkYzJ78xv09NTzuKADlWje0EtWL26Zd01TWx-UKiQ3ojUZ_mzLu2__u5TC8Jugo8dNYPi/s1600/rug2.bmp" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=nate+berkus+dhurrie++rug&FORM=HURE" target="blank">Nate Berkus</a>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I just couldn't bring myself to fork over the cash for one. Enter the five-star idea in cyberworld (especially <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2010/06/diy-chevron-rug.html" target="blank">here</a>) that you can actually paint your own rug. Genius.<br /><br />I bought an inexpensive plain flatweave rug from Ikea. Decided on the size/scale of ziggity-zagness I wanted, then proceeded to spend 40 days and nights marking it out and taping it. Okay, fine, not <em>that</em> long...but close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaRwbzYc2vG4IgX3onbHvVhlyY_hB39wNUCJiOj0dNenZ7jQzS9Jtth0pmYu03aFFnmkwytTIbnARK4RP6s4BlRF9HsTCwMXreJHsnEPy9pbNzvO30AC8yzBhwi60kZscDgxb2Zr_OIYp/s1600/Chevron_Rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaRwbzYc2vG4IgX3onbHvVhlyY_hB39wNUCJiOj0dNenZ7jQzS9Jtth0pmYu03aFFnmkwytTIbnARK4RP6s4BlRF9HsTCwMXreJHsnEPy9pbNzvO30AC8yzBhwi60kZscDgxb2Zr_OIYp/s400/Chevron_Rug.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd planned all along on using a reddish paint, but I made a last-minute decision to go slightly more muted with a paint color called "toasted almond," mostly because I already had nearly a full quart on-hand <em>and</em> it's a pretty color. (My sincerest apologies to those of you Google Search users coming here amid your quest for ways to toast almonds. Feel free to create your own blog post on roasting the nut and calling your method "painted rug" just out of spite. I'd understand.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(ahem) So. I'm happy with the color and the way it turned out. I like the dry-brush effect; it seems instantly antiquated, but in a more subtle way than if the color itself were darker. Also, slight paint bleeding under the tape isn't obvious, and the zigzag looks crisp and sharp.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdsRpgJOFlGfe3ME9FRGvC9Lqb60yVXJPMQ5kb5upbCrZU2ZMpm9wssikCTIDcfMrwV8nZvo6no5LdAAcddMmLA2fUpQsoNnhCstqyFihsgcCovGkCbcY62gpJanQkrN6UTXeuIXNxVF3/s1600/Chevron_Rug_done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdsRpgJOFlGfe3ME9FRGvC9Lqb60yVXJPMQ5kb5upbCrZU2ZMpm9wssikCTIDcfMrwV8nZvo6no5LdAAcddMmLA2fUpQsoNnhCstqyFihsgcCovGkCbcY62gpJanQkrN6UTXeuIXNxVF3/s400/Chevron_Rug_done.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I just threw the rug down on the floor for your viewing pleasure here; it obviously needs to be integrated into the space. What do you guys think? Would you ever paint a rug?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">p.s. If you're a style blogger, don't forget to join the "Unexpected and Maybe Awesome" linkup in the post directly below. I'd link to it, but I don't want to insult your page-scrolling intelligence... Seriously, link up! The more the merrier.</div>

HomeStyle: Paint a Chevron Rug

[Editor's note: This post is part a new, infrequent series on home design ideas and projects. If you're new here (welcome!), this blog really does deal mostly with style/fashion. Specifically mine. Heh. So don't be alarmed, but just pull up a proverbial chair and stay awhile...]So, maybe chevron (zi…

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New Feature: Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Linkup

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Unexpected & Maybe Awesome</em></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nt4LrOwgH_J4_m0vhPBelbiLxcD395C4sQi_FimlrXDb4vrwyVT4Ufr7Ss5-DQDlaHXxTTtCWITweim0RhK0QjqAmjnYPvzKcrnYmovp0TPq7nykP_Loz4U0bqe1KjEO51_2pL1xjamm/s1600/G1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nt4LrOwgH_J4_m0vhPBelbiLxcD395C4sQi_FimlrXDb4vrwyVT4Ufr7Ss5-DQDlaHXxTTtCWITweim0RhK0QjqAmjnYPvzKcrnYmovp0TPq7nykP_Loz4U0bqe1KjEO51_2pL1xjamm/s400/G1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: steve madden. jeans: don't recall. sash: taken off an old navy shirt. shirt: gap. belt: forever21. jacket: banana republic. necklace: gift.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WHj96GGWpL2Tq2QaXJ4QoB0NyU85Ovz2rmmo5caHCRl_KAwevuKIClzUO0iMiitjJzCjxIb2dMlAHPmOdarDFQ8nQ8erCDmKbV-TnKAPiCEwxR-ucFOEFzLDSdAzxM7h744NOdNj76RP/s1600/G1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WHj96GGWpL2Tq2QaXJ4QoB0NyU85Ovz2rmmo5caHCRl_KAwevuKIClzUO0iMiitjJzCjxIb2dMlAHPmOdarDFQ8nQ8erCDmKbV-TnKAPiCEwxR-ucFOEFzLDSdAzxM7h744NOdNj76RP/s400/G1britt3.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXurCGFmdJhtH-E7UdPbXABrsbVGNoQIecm20vW2R5K4u6X9D43KPIShgu1P-eNUBRV0gaPhtg9ssnVVL-qAXKnlojuSzDY85G0oY6ZxZ9E5-4MgS51EP6MdayMyaDR_0EN1ED38tagdVU/s1600/G1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXurCGFmdJhtH-E7UdPbXABrsbVGNoQIecm20vW2R5K4u6X9D43KPIShgu1P-eNUBRV0gaPhtg9ssnVVL-qAXKnlojuSzDY85G0oY6ZxZ9E5-4MgS51EP6MdayMyaDR_0EN1ED38tagdVU/s400/G1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">I'm loving surprising details lately. Well, mostly...I found a (literal) little peanut butter handprint on the thigh of my jeans a few days ago that was dry and crusty (a.k.a. who knows how long it'd been there), which was actually an unexpected detail I could've done without.</div><div align="center"><br /><br />But MOST of the time, whether it's something small, like a unique pendant on a necklace, or something huge, like the entire ensemble, I'm loving unexpected (and <span style="font-family: inherit;">maybe awesome) details. It's like George Washington Carver said: </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way you will command the attention of the world."</span><br /><br />And what's your purpose in life, if not world domination? Be honest... </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">ANYways. I think mixing unexpected stuff into our daily lives makes us more creative, more spontaneous, and more easy-going. My Unexpected & Maybe Awesome component in this ensemble is the off-centered sash and the wide armness of the bolero-esque jacket. I like the whimsy. And I like how I copied myself from a couple months ago. That's unexpected, right? Right.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. I'd LOVE to see your ideas and implementation of Unexpected and Maybe Awesome. Anything goes. Maybe you wore cowboy boots with a dress, maybe you wore pearls with jeans, maybe you wore three shirts, maybe you wore a random color...or eight random colors. Whatever! Make it an unexpected surprise for all of us. Which is kind of the point. :)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Here's what you do:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a border="0" href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff436/bnsmart/UaMA_button.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><textarea cols="18"><br /> <a border="0" href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/search/label/unexpected and maybe awesome" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff436/bnsmart/UaMA_button.jpg"/></a><br />

it's an understandable emotion...

<div style="text-align: center;">...but, still. Try to reign in your jealousy. Such a response is rarely becoming.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bipwI-onZK5KonV6b1xWS8bmI6yZEEpF_pR36YkJbEgVp7YQBOiaodfpLmb8FO0TTkmBw6e8jkSDw63sFS3Dcjvo7HGmruHIfEGuBb0689dSxh6e450agcz3v_wyUlAznnGNpmxPNn8D/s1600/Hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bipwI-onZK5KonV6b1xWS8bmI6yZEEpF_pR36YkJbEgVp7YQBOiaodfpLmb8FO0TTkmBw6e8jkSDw63sFS3Dcjvo7HGmruHIfEGuBb0689dSxh6e450agcz3v_wyUlAznnGNpmxPNn8D/s640/Hair.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[Editor's note: My children are talented, no? In fact, I'm currently in the process of trying to convince my husband to quit his day job and retire in the inevitable lap of luxury from which such prodigy-ity naturally results. I'm sure you'll agree that my opinion is <em>not</em> simply that of a mother's subjective adoration.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is today's outfit post. Take it or leave it*. Some days, this is about all one can do... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>*But do <u>not</u> attempt it at home. Experienced and professional skull of hair-mercilessly-yoinked-from-its-roots-as-all-barrettes-are-added-and-snapped-and-moved-around-by-loving-yet-clumsy-2-and-5-year-old-hands shown.</em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Tuesday!</div>

it's an understandable emotion...

...but, still. Try to reign in your jealousy. Such a response is rarely becoming. [Editor's note: My children are talented, no? In fact, I'm currently in the process of trying to convince my husband to quit his day job and retire in the inevitable lap of luxury from which such prodigy-ity naturally …

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wide leg pants and yoga. c'mon, Opportunity. knock already.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcaffzC4g7mq-q5pl89Ax_3n8YR3W1AUvRxOhaWmY9xkaViWpXLMikxRGP8bl3w3pMsau9Getcz-NB1x0BwhiEhOzTG9BSsl6L8sX4UWGqIWGEo-wOSFMrJlGt5EPbSnLMEIks_G3PtTF/s1600/H1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcaffzC4g7mq-q5pl89Ax_3n8YR3W1AUvRxOhaWmY9xkaViWpXLMikxRGP8bl3w3pMsau9Getcz-NB1x0BwhiEhOzTG9BSsl6L8sX4UWGqIWGEo-wOSFMrJlGt5EPbSnLMEIks_G3PtTF/s400/H1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes & overshirt: american eagle outfitters. pants: gap. long-sleeved shirt, belt, long necklace, & flower clip: vintage. short necklace: forever21.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19z87kPvU2LLGkbi4tC3plVTUwZj7RjJ39giFtPoEgoUgUCJlbgKy59XU0ZKhOJ59WzBdN17s8vFI3uGMukofhl5Ai8ypftEoWWrsiiaOq-r-AAa1nXLRLwjoyhhVRZRh4Bvp7GoswSuN/s1600/H1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19z87kPvU2LLGkbi4tC3plVTUwZj7RjJ39giFtPoEgoUgUCJlbgKy59XU0ZKhOJ59WzBdN17s8vFI3uGMukofhl5Ai8ypftEoWWrsiiaOq-r-AAa1nXLRLwjoyhhVRZRh4Bvp7GoswSuN/s400/H1britt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYA_ooXJNPKeAp8bQmyRqVbNT5CD_5woCqsggRsn0IyZck_yF-mkdDtzUOKxhua-58ioCTvi4KX0jh3NHmm_T0Rc9ToJwKsKQebliiuAwLMz0U0kF12eUqRVmcJ4InS_hKpDKmT_xgcjO/s1600/H1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYA_ooXJNPKeAp8bQmyRqVbNT5CD_5woCqsggRsn0IyZck_yF-mkdDtzUOKxhua-58ioCTvi4KX0jh3NHmm_T0Rc9ToJwKsKQebliiuAwLMz0U0kF12eUqRVmcJ4InS_hKpDKmT_xgcjO/s400/H1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">You know how, sometimes, something obscure and blurry and vague will nevertheless weigh on your mind? That was me, until today, and I realized what it was: should an immediate opening for a yoga poster child ever arise, I'd have no photographic evidence of my being the perfect woman for the job. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Until now (last photo in top sequence), natch. What a load off.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. About this ensemble: is it just me, or does anyone else, on occasion, feel like busting out monochromaticity? Every month or two, I allsofasudden get the urge to wear one color, and one color only. And usually that color's blue. (Is there a Freudian interpretation in this? Please no.)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">At first glance, everything in this outfit appears to be heavy solid-on-solid. But the pants have a subtle pinstripe, the long-sleeve layering tee has a sheer/opaque stripe going on, the belt divides the top half of me from bottom half, the crown braid and flower clip add a touch of whimsy and youth (do I sound, like, 80 saying that, or what?), and everything else just is.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Know what else just is? The eterna-crumbness of my dining room floor. I've come to accept it, to assign the floor-sweep chore to my dog, and to then ignore it. A trifecta of solution that screams win-win.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Monday, friends.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Sweet. Check out all the blue stuff you can get to have it...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3026685&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Gap#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Gap...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

wide leg pants and yoga. c'mon, Opportunity. knock already.

 shoes & overshirt: american eagle outfitters. pants: gap. long-sleeved shirt, belt, long necklace, & flower clip: vintage. short necklace: forever21.You know how, sometimes, something obscure and blurry and vague will nevertheless weigh on your mind? That was me, until today, and I realized what it…

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a pound of Easter chocolate in the hand is as good as 4 pounds on the scale...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9FcoDyZgmW7zujGm7aJDd9vKdSC4qGJTtaZclKpBgzixhXm42D0jOI5BMqctiM5ZlBhGGU36wH3sjQ680hAVtU0bJjGvHmR04Vk0lokPnOR5ElfLViF7vpPZ6FL8RzI-Mh9PoLpVhk3E/s1600/I1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9FcoDyZgmW7zujGm7aJDd9vKdSC4qGJTtaZclKpBgzixhXm42D0jOI5BMqctiM5ZlBhGGU36wH3sjQ680hAVtU0bJjGvHmR04Vk0lokPnOR5ElfLViF7vpPZ6FL8RzI-Mh9PoLpVhk3E/s400/I1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> shoes: cato brand. tights: forever21. skirt & cardigan: j.crew. shirt: thrifted. belt: husband's. watch: target.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFHVSV-Vxzor3jK9CZngoeTwcTGH1-1Ogw-MO57fjS_TV79pRo0a5VOlSGcQbWsu8yRRgA9PsUHg2KdbUuwkv-nQ1BOEWUMA6vL1Cr9FddVYa8Dz4B89MS9YX5KARCrZcimyQMam81hK1/s1600/I1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFHVSV-Vxzor3jK9CZngoeTwcTGH1-1Ogw-MO57fjS_TV79pRo0a5VOlSGcQbWsu8yRRgA9PsUHg2KdbUuwkv-nQ1BOEWUMA6vL1Cr9FddVYa8Dz4B89MS9YX5KARCrZcimyQMam81hK1/s400/I1britt1.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI6aIabqI37kyDF79FEfg67OJx8nf0H-nfHJU1uUh8GKhEXrxz8SXpSEz9EXNuaGG_uYGt29971qneJdA_dK-pfmaR7Kuju1ev366z3i9gEbHcPBZSeWYevP6iGlruoc3cm3AP4jnxvnU/s1600/I1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAI6aIabqI37kyDF79FEfg67OJx8nf0H-nfHJU1uUh8GKhEXrxz8SXpSEz9EXNuaGG_uYGt29971qneJdA_dK-pfmaR7Kuju1ev366z3i9gEbHcPBZSeWYevP6iGlruoc3cm3AP4jnxvnU/s400/I1britt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">This week I'm grateful for:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">- friends who not only care but who do stuff to show it.</div><div align="center">- Easter candy.</div><div align="center">- picking out the perfect gift for someone and knowing it's the perfect gift and then having it reaffirmed that it was, indeed, perfect. :)</div><div align="center">- home design books and the millions, nay, trillions of new ideas floating around in my head.</div><div align="center">- budget constraints. Which is a nice way of saying "we have no money to do the stuff I dream about." But without such constraints, I wouldn't have nearly as much fun planning it out in my head.</div><div align="center">- (can you tell I'm stretching to be grateful for that last one?)</div><div align="center">- people who are creative. I'm in awe of them.</div><div align="center">- my husband. Who's awesome and funny and sweet and hard-working and who always lets me have the last bite.</div><div align="center">- my kids. Who're sweet and fun and creative and enthusiastic and independently-minded...like when my 2-year-old responded, in her sweetest little voice, to an observation I was making at dinner: "mom....be ty-et [quiet]." Her timing was impeccable, her delivery spot-on, and the laughter response overwhelming.</div><div align="center">- cheese and how it can be a perfect main course for kids' breakfast, lunch, OR dinner.</div><div align="center">- the Easter holiday and all that it entails.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Sunday.</div>

a pound of Easter chocolate in the hand is as good as 4 pounds on the scale...

 shoes: cato brand. tights: forever21. skirt & cardigan: j.crew. shirt: thrifted. belt: husband's. watch: target.This week I'm grateful for:- friends who not only care but who do stuff to show it.- Easter candy.- picking out the perfect gift for someone and knowing it's the perfect gift and then ha…

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to crop or not to crop... not even a question, really. CROP.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibd_ukjqgTlmFLtsdbFHfES8KBJZ0QqzHvft5hHe1C0mP_KMdDSTbvcMvdseGbvFI4dy6AVfJLvZtfbker2geKk8aULXdu2k4BXapl64Y2BrtME-axsAva2cC65orb9IPAlFnlbg5P1Ut/s1600/J1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibd_ukjqgTlmFLtsdbFHfES8KBJZ0QqzHvft5hHe1C0mP_KMdDSTbvcMvdseGbvFI4dy6AVfJLvZtfbker2geKk8aULXdu2k4BXapl64Y2BrtME-axsAva2cC65orb9IPAlFnlbg5P1Ut/s400/J1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> shoes: unionbay brand. jeans: old navy. shirt: american eagle. sweater & bracelet: downeast basics. watch: target. necklace & flower hair clip (which you can't see): gift. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqGYivekJR9iqTJMZ6jcEcGwm5HYvodQ9p1hSNsG2hcMVpk-Q2CUL-44o1AonjIqluHrgVNPFisMdyrNebqcsN1D2Nhoih6IoExf4qOxh7Sfi73SOHa-fi8z5Fff788RmIcGEZtfUBrRt/s1600/J1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqGYivekJR9iqTJMZ6jcEcGwm5HYvodQ9p1hSNsG2hcMVpk-Q2CUL-44o1AonjIqluHrgVNPFisMdyrNebqcsN1D2Nhoih6IoExf4qOxh7Sfi73SOHa-fi8z5Fff788RmIcGEZtfUBrRt/s400/J1britt3.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>[Editor's note: These pants are a smidge too big, but perfect for a lazy rainy day like today. In the pic above, you'll notice my left hip looks like it has some cuh-razy double-jointage. Although that would be cool, I have no such claim to fame. The belt hits below my hip bone, and the top of my pants poke out below. Make sense? Ease your mind? Good.]<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin53F5csx7hvUbYNdqv6Y2YBWFazIKUzsDeqsq04cRP9Kw6lRyYerMuTWzZenaj50VUMUBwooGieVCo83lypMCXwTNQhVp2PIhafHb3-j0tIAz5BNgHBc6H2hwxGENVl8OGY9rZK9aR7U1/s1600/J1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin53F5csx7hvUbYNdqv6Y2YBWFazIKUzsDeqsq04cRP9Kw6lRyYerMuTWzZenaj50VUMUBwooGieVCo83lypMCXwTNQhVp2PIhafHb3-j0tIAz5BNgHBc6H2hwxGENVl8OGY9rZK9aR7U1/s400/J1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Hey guys, It's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: <em>Inspiration... </em>(If you're interested, you should check out tons of other people's responses <a href="http://www.modlychic.com/2011/04/friend-friday-inspiration.html" target="blank">here</a>.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration? </em>You guys are all not going to believe me, but I speak (type) the truth: I don't know squat about celebs in general. It's embarrassing, actually...but apparently not embarrassing enough that I change the fact. Heh. BUT that's not to say I get dressed in a bubble--I'm sure that certain celebs have sported (and, consequently, made "fashionable") some of the types of clothing I wear. I just don't know who they are or what the items were. Otherwise I'd for sure give them lip service. Which they probably wouldn't want from a celeb-noramous (celebrity + ignoramous) like me anyway. So I guess we all win...?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you? </em>Comfort inspires me. Classic looks inspire me. Color combinations that I see in nature and home design inspire me. Ironic balance inspires me (i.e., fanciness + rusticity, chic + cozy, delicate + chunky, etc.). J.Crew inspires me. (Is that so base of me to admit? You guys. You know me by now that I'm here to keep it real. Take me or leave me, but don't doubt my frankness...unless I'm being sarcastic. Then you should all just ignore me.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>3. How do you hope to inspire your readers? </em>I hope my readers see me as I am -- a normal girl who's got some kids and some clothes and who tries to have fun with getting dressed. I'm no fashion guru or model or anything of the like. Several of you are floored by that last statement, I'm sure, so I'll pause and let it sink in. [Editor's note: Kay, that's an example of sarcasm. Ignore and move on.]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you? </em>The simplistic part of me wants to say my husband (who is my rock and all things perfectly fitted for me) and home design (Celerie Kemble!). But if I were stranded on a desert island and had only one thing to be inspired by, it would be, without hesitation and all kidding aside, my Savior Jesus Christ. Which is a little heavy for this blog. So. With all due respect... I'll move on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you? </em>Holy incriminating. Okay, fine. John Denver's Annie's Song, Jon Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer, REO Speedwagon's In My Dreams, James Taylor's Shower the People you Love with Love (or whatever the title is), Moulin Rouge's Your Song (originally Elton John's, I think?), the Anne of Green Gables soundtrack, pretty much everything Karen Carpenter sang, and many others that I either can't think of or am too embarrassed because I feel totally granny-licious by the information I've already given you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Shop below...but get the jeans a bit big to do that covetable hip trick...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3007856&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Old-Navy#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Old Navy...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

to crop or not to crop... not even a question, really. CROP.

 shoes: unionbay brand. jeans: old navy. shirt: american eagle. sweater & bracelet: downeast basics. watch: target. necklace & flower hair clip (which you can't see): gift. [Editor's note: These pants are a smidge too big, but perfect for a lazy rainy day like today. In the pic above, you'll notice …

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have i told you how much i love karen carpenter? and also floral on floral.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Dxi5w4lHLNpftdKOGcMVQ8l6cKkOkOOUk8CmiAPsnLkSqiEQJxg489v0GYjaHFw9IMClWrPn5p_QFRNEEmFP_mcSQbMSvAhBc8Nz2hrih1KgXnJ96VngJd2EbhwA03Qdxspd_bnao9SG/s1600/K1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Dxi5w4lHLNpftdKOGcMVQ8l6cKkOkOOUk8CmiAPsnLkSqiEQJxg489v0GYjaHFw9IMClWrPn5p_QFRNEEmFP_mcSQbMSvAhBc8Nz2hrih1KgXnJ96VngJd2EbhwA03Qdxspd_bnao9SG/s400/K1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">shoes: mudd brand. tights, belt, & shirt: forever21. skirt: gap. cardigan: rue21. bracelet: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sienahansen">BurntSiena Designs</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HUz81RiOyHYIPihpqSL2aWG-uhJsRbUdPGsvcCBbzEZFFm3XQqmI7Tr_NFl8qsviVHd4zWkrNEMbn-6sd8U1EO-OB_GZ4rkB5_KywqaPdsFUeayGk8Wclwz47e-KdH9jvvuNf6vlE-J/s1600/K1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-HUz81RiOyHYIPihpqSL2aWG-uhJsRbUdPGsvcCBbzEZFFm3XQqmI7Tr_NFl8qsviVHd4zWkrNEMbn-6sd8U1EO-OB_GZ4rkB5_KywqaPdsFUeayGk8Wclwz47e-KdH9jvvuNf6vlE-J/s400/K1britt1.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I feel like I've worn this before...and if I have, I apologize. But one thing I know for certain: I haven't worn this while doing these dance moves. So. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A5IUkidU4A98yPJkwEMBIu7GLUeVfsWZLTIhN-RZUuZowaVizTUNUc5jaKL4_88bgemwnT14T0w76DVbNQazJOmFPxQkXbqXhJi4FlZHc2fSbcqAF0vGhQwjONtyKrlUSsx8ldBnR1gU/s1600/K1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A5IUkidU4A98yPJkwEMBIu7GLUeVfsWZLTIhN-RZUuZowaVizTUNUc5jaKL4_88bgemwnT14T0w76DVbNQazJOmFPxQkXbqXhJi4FlZHc2fSbcqAF0vGhQwjONtyKrlUSsx8ldBnR1gU/s400/K1britt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">I was an Irish dancer for a few years--even have the scuffed hardshoes and short plaid skirts to prove it. I was paid to perform with a dance company...does that make me a professional dancer? If so, I'd like to publicly apologize to the Dancing World for single-handedly demolishing its legitimacy. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I have nothing really to say today, so I'll commence with a few stream-of-consciousness sentences then bid you all a good day. Raise your hand if you're <em>not</em> up for that deal. Aw, c'mon. Raise an eyebrow? No? Too lazy even for that, huh. Fine. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So far, today can be summed up in the following Marie Osmond lyrics (a great song with an ironically happy tune in light of the somewhat depressing lyrics...I'd highly recomment a listen on grooveshark):</div><div align="center"><em>A day late and a dollar short,</em></div><div align="center"><em>All th' sweet cookies in the store been bought.</em></div><div align="center"><em>The prize fish in the creek's been caught.</em></div><div align="center"><em>Everything choice is gone.</em></div><div align="center"><em>Might as well travel on.</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Only, here's the problem: as I spent my morning <em>trying </em>to travel on, as the song recommends, I apparently didn't realize it was National Old Man Behind the Wheel of his Slow-Moving Pickup Day. (Frankly, I didn't even know such a holiday existed, but it most obviously does, because I lived the celebration, full-fledged, on my town's very own Main Street.) </div><div align="center">  </div><div align="center">So. I think I'll forego any more 2 m.p.h. travel and instead curl up with some new home design books in my basement for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner will make itself, right? Right.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Thursday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Shop below for similar stuff...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3001773&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Lauren-Ralph-Lauren#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Lauren Ralph Lauren...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

have i told you how much i love karen carpenter? and also floral on floral.

 shoes: mudd brand. tights, belt, & shirt: forever21. skirt: gap. cardigan: rue21. bracelet: BurntSiena Designs. I feel like I've worn this before...and if I have, I apologize. But one thing I know for certain: I haven't worn this while doing these dance moves. So. I was an Irish dancer for a few ye…

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warning: this post is gross. seriously.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDCjEYhjPlBGrcRMEULUH4S7B7qsiR3tkqPnNHSPg-K0wWYBpTi1kpcjdaC-AiHDiff1URETEZZPv-sEJijOhIIOH8F-r2UISIecc7GkZ2ogQxijZzGYRadI6ZrcEoTIHCe7vi80_42PA/s1600/L1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDCjEYhjPlBGrcRMEULUH4S7B7qsiR3tkqPnNHSPg-K0wWYBpTi1kpcjdaC-AiHDiff1URETEZZPv-sEJijOhIIOH8F-r2UISIecc7GkZ2ogQxijZzGYRadI6ZrcEoTIHCe7vi80_42PA/s400/L1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">shoes: steve madden. jeans: kohls. shirt: old navy. blazer: thrifted (the limited). bracelet: hawaii. necklace: forever21.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZUdS2F6tKG5zxU8rFNhjI-rgSKkmhjF13ngkr-AXmZSl1aeV-o9vORrK3VOEdzgitK86qBD_y3vXtk4J0wIFlegQfYVsctWRksgfEZjR8jLv8C507Nn7KgJQ96tayzrOyjNtVq9VUnse/s1600/L1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZUdS2F6tKG5zxU8rFNhjI-rgSKkmhjF13ngkr-AXmZSl1aeV-o9vORrK3VOEdzgitK86qBD_y3vXtk4J0wIFlegQfYVsctWRksgfEZjR8jLv8C507Nn7KgJQ96tayzrOyjNtVq9VUnse/s400/L1britt3.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNHzRSf2vuNNBAOjUk0u4by81U1F667tQj6BWyWyEMtnLkyVUAXM-65B4PQcW__pxz2O4CA1CNuH36rI8xMKfdx7dx6NHOrf0E5pIOEiJspKbhm6HuE2KgHSyDJe6dVoFf2PD4jvRqWVa/s1600/L1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNHzRSf2vuNNBAOjUk0u4by81U1F667tQj6BWyWyEMtnLkyVUAXM-65B4PQcW__pxz2O4CA1CNuH36rI8xMKfdx7dx6NHOrf0E5pIOEiJspKbhm6HuE2KgHSyDJe6dVoFf2PD4jvRqWVa/s400/L1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">I got complimented by a stranger on this ensemble today, who included the words, "I'm sorry, but I just" "looove your outfit" "!!!" and lots of pointing and waving her arms in circles. And it made me happy because I didn't even spy a seeing-eye dog anywhere in the vicinity.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Speaking of vicinity...I have exactly three enormous (and painful) zits in the vicinity of my face. Which, fine, whatever, nothing new there [Editor's note: Although I'm a little mad at my jr. high and high school Health teachers, who never even so much as hinted at the fact that such breakouts were as common at age 31 as at 14. Buuuut...I no longer have biology homework or crushes on boys with serious personal hygiene issues, so age 31 wins. But still. Would've been nice to be prepped a little about the middle-aged zitola factor].</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Let's see, where was I? Oh, yes. In the middle of an extremely tasteful monologue about blemishes. <br />*ahem* <br />So, what I was going to tell you was that an underground zit sprouted <em>inside </em>my nose last night. Ow! But I realize that's probably information you could have a perfectly lovely day NOT knowing. So. Forget I said anything, and repeat these words in your mind: I love this blog I love this blog I love this blog.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Good. See you tomorrow, right guys?...guys?...<br /><br />Happy Wednesday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want to be complimented by total strangers? Who wouldn't. Shop below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=2996090&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Anne-Klein#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Anne Klein...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

warning: this post is gross. seriously.

 shoes: steve madden. jeans: kohls. shirt: old navy. blazer: thrifted (the limited). bracelet: hawaii. necklace: forever21.I got complimented by a stranger on this ensemble today, who included the words, "I'm sorry, but I just" "looove your outfit" "!!!" and lots of pointing and waving her arms in c…

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(New Blog Feature) Home Style: Trays

<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so here's the deal. Somewhere between several and many of you have asked to see parts of my house, which is so super sweet of you all. Honestly. My "real life" friends know that, although I enjoy dabbling in certain realms of home design, I have no innate skill or eye whatsoever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That being said, I don't want to ignore those of you who've expressed interest in my home. So, I'm going to shake things up a bit on this blog. On occasion (I'm trying to figure out just how often...weekly? twice a week? yearly? What are your thoughts?), I'm going to add a home design DIY or idea or something that I've done. That way, those of you who care will see parts of my house and home style. The rest of you can ignore me. (But not you, Mom. You're stuck with me...)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So. Let's start small, shall we? Today's idea features a tray makeover. I think trays are wonderfully subtle ways to infuse a bit of style into a space without screaming, "Hey everyone, look at me!" They're also very practical, for serving food at parties, holding utensils at family gatherings, keeping keys and sunglasses and miscellaneous stuff quarantined by the door, etc. They're not only fun but incredibly useful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I thrifted this little baby for about $2 last Fall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3JiGn-4rI937Qj5ZI_Oz9Xmod-hFiDGtowLVv_OrhLwkhHOJqJ1GyebzXfF_xsqHvhkWuLvvgBHMrIluy3rr96_TxrbudAGwPixDkGQBU5UDPoZWS3IO1fZ12RiEYESkUeolNLtoS-c4/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3JiGn-4rI937Qj5ZI_Oz9Xmod-hFiDGtowLVv_OrhLwkhHOJqJ1GyebzXfF_xsqHvhkWuLvvgBHMrIluy3rr96_TxrbudAGwPixDkGQBU5UDPoZWS3IO1fZ12RiEYESkUeolNLtoS-c4/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thought it had potential, with the cool iron edging and solid wood base, although it was a bit scuffed up and had the look of check-out-what-I-did-at-craft-night. (Craft nights are great, mind you...I just prefer that the finished product doesn't give that impression right outta the gate, you know?) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took it apart, spray painted the metal navy and primed and painted the wood base white. After the base dried, I taped out a chevron design, which I then painted grey. Went over the whole thing with wipe-on polyurethane. This is the end result (my first attempt at chevron pattern...I learned some things). The tray sits on a chartreuse console table, and I love the color combo of all of it together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH9AkNwA4OEAr8x9i73vnf2HoM0rU2j_cO6t63t3X8NbrAQqGRyL-QSaMSbZdKFw16T0EFzMHCl85pZVFpfjE2M5PNax2J2aTL051sGj2cFF4Y2V04uHXfmi33hvqNWqfDCw_AtcUfX1Y/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdH9AkNwA4OEAr8x9i73vnf2HoM0rU2j_cO6t63t3X8NbrAQqGRyL-QSaMSbZdKFw16T0EFzMHCl85pZVFpfjE2M5PNax2J2aTL051sGj2cFF4Y2V04uHXfmi33hvqNWqfDCw_AtcUfX1Y/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still working on a vignette for the top of the tray (ideas, anyone?), but in the meantime, I think it's an improvement over the original tired old painted cherries. Nothing against cherries, of course. They're a delicious fruit. </div>

(New Blog Feature) Home Style: Trays

Hey friends,Okay, so here's the deal. Somewhere between several and many of you have asked to see parts of my house, which is so super sweet of you all. Honestly. My "real life" friends know that, although I enjoy dabbling in certain realms of home design, I have no innate skill or eye whatsoever.Th…

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some things just shouldn't be blogged. this is one of them.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUinLySHEG2VtK1qmnvwHfFfUUBa5cR0Tt1PsgtuRtGoFgi2Fs9wN5DWK6GCyYOry-p0m3dERDAbXce_AVgXFgHVUMyEl1etl6_8-koI63cOQnWuGWUJWu7jhcktfUlN7TeJl1CSKPLUb/s1600/M1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUinLySHEG2VtK1qmnvwHfFfUUBa5cR0Tt1PsgtuRtGoFgi2Fs9wN5DWK6GCyYOry-p0m3dERDAbXce_AVgXFgHVUMyEl1etl6_8-koI63cOQnWuGWUJWu7jhcktfUlN7TeJl1CSKPLUb/s400/M1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">boots: target. jeans: kohl's. shirt: gift. cardigan: loft. knee-high socks: smith's marketplace. belt: downeast basics (american eagle). earrings: hawaii. necklace: gift from sister.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqV4UgCc9e-dYNH7cl8jL8lpvWIFBDEO1e5mAOx2sHfvGRgrL_oMSV51IfIM2NiTLIhqpvBeE39WeeHrdPEQ9FUMjJa2WwyLMifMl801i37N3gLPxC2W3iVvkWVQRcPUrGKfiFSv6rf7F/s1600/M1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqV4UgCc9e-dYNH7cl8jL8lpvWIFBDEO1e5mAOx2sHfvGRgrL_oMSV51IfIM2NiTLIhqpvBeE39WeeHrdPEQ9FUMjJa2WwyLMifMl801i37N3gLPxC2W3iVvkWVQRcPUrGKfiFSv6rf7F/s400/M1britt1.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div align="center">Okay, not to alarm anyone, but let me just say this: I'm not feeling it today. This outfit is, pardon my French, crapola. And I knew it was such when I put it on. Why didn't I change, you ask me? (<em>Why didn't she change? She looks <strong>terrible</strong>,</em> you whisper to your neighbor.)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I don't know. I honestly just don't know. It's super rainy outside, so I wanted to cozy up today. Hence the cableknit sweater. Because, really, cozy + cableknit were twins separated at birth, I'm pretty sure. And I didn't want to tromp around in massive parking lot puddles in anything other than boots. <br /><br />Annnnd, just to stick-it-to-the-man (poor guy; he didn't even do anything today), I put on this totally random nylon belt that has nothing to do with anything and would really rather be hanging in the closet with all its friends rather than be stuck with makeup-less ol' me all day.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I promise I'm not depressed, sick, tired, or mad. It's just one of those days where I look up at the universe, shrug my shoulders, and say, "You know what? I just don't care today." Everyone has a day like that now and again, don't they? Don't you? No? You make Cinderella look like a beastly non-morning person? Good for you and the mice you've adopted.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Tuesday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Or this attitude? Shop below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=2990003&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Forever 21...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

some things just shouldn't be blogged. this is one of them.

 boots: target. jeans: kohl's. shirt: gift. cardigan: loft. knee-high socks: smith's marketplace. belt: downeast basics (american eagle). earrings: hawaii. necklace: gift from sister.Okay, not to alarm anyone, but let me just say this: I'm not feeling it today. This outfit is, pardon my French, crap…

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to wear clothes or to let them wear me...THAT is the question.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwBzsdUBdPBEEAPEH3ktrI1-HDPVO2d4oIRHXIFihNoSTCJ4AXMEeWwcE_XOfbvFTpdru4g1ZuAVwxDODWcuFwwv4N951vaYidGhcnZE1A4yPQ0ktmKQEiOmOhyphenhyphenl1q6WjLIU7D9sAm0nt/s1600/O1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwBzsdUBdPBEEAPEH3ktrI1-HDPVO2d4oIRHXIFihNoSTCJ4AXMEeWwcE_XOfbvFTpdru4g1ZuAVwxDODWcuFwwv4N951vaYidGhcnZE1A4yPQ0ktmKQEiOmOhyphenhyphenl1q6WjLIU7D9sAm0nt/s400/O1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sandals: don't recall (old as the hills). jeans: american eagle. denim shirt: thrifted (gap). vest: old navy. bracelet: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sienahansen" target="blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">burntsiena designs</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">. necklace: forever21. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: open jewelry market in hawaii.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpgsQyWamXIW7vJe9jFRDEui91w-7g2Pey4a5Tz1LWoMmLC5aLilQ-nIe8A0DqiXOvuPpRkdHaBhqI6gaB1FLTChqKQqRV1x6793NJmcaIVck-jw6-sd4WSEfUe8Mg3Rsg_YH1GFJeb0d/s1600/O1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpgsQyWamXIW7vJe9jFRDEui91w-7g2Pey4a5Tz1LWoMmLC5aLilQ-nIe8A0DqiXOvuPpRkdHaBhqI6gaB1FLTChqKQqRV1x6793NJmcaIVck-jw6-sd4WSEfUe8Mg3Rsg_YH1GFJeb0d/s400/O1britt3.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvl4df9OPkIgT-4whsb-6k8zyGy2iwhuraBehqghrxHbVKDUrnToz55qXfEPtT9x5r0h5mPFNaMxWtLuUDYvJdsVH4IFPz9S0PyQppI3_htKqcNCGLgfnMSdldYuL3rnrT1nA1lcOGErV/s1600/O1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvl4df9OPkIgT-4whsb-6k8zyGy2iwhuraBehqghrxHbVKDUrnToz55qXfEPtT9x5r0h5mPFNaMxWtLuUDYvJdsVH4IFPz9S0PyQppI3_htKqcNCGLgfnMSdldYuL3rnrT1nA1lcOGErV/s400/O1britt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few years ago, I bought a puffy vest with a removable faux-fur-lined hood on it. I never removed the hood, despite its sometimes interfering with that day's ensemble, because I figured, "If the designers put it here, they know best...who am I to say their idea's no good?" Same for shirtsleeves--if they were buttoned at the wrist, then, by jove, I'd keep them buttoned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Did I just say "by jove"? I did? Crap. My secret's out...I'm really a 72-year-old man posing as a young mommy style blogger.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Collars? Belts? Cardigan-shirt sets? Same thing. I assumed that clothing was designed a certain way for a reason, and as a Joe-Schmoe (or, rather, Joe's sister, Jane-Schmane), I certainly couldn't claim expertise above a designer's vision. I think this narrow mindset put me on the fast-track to several style pitfalls: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(1) With limited stylability options of my existing wardrobe, I had to either purchase more stuff or sit on the sidelines and watch others waltz freshly and fashionably (dare I say glibly? yes, I dare) and glibly by. Which is an awesome feeling. Ohp. Wait. No it's not.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(2) Becaues they had few uses (in my wear-it-as-it-comes-and-ONLY-as-it-comes mindset), my clothing purchases were usually cheap...on all counts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(3) My creativity was stinted, as I couldn't (wouldn't?) let myself look outside the box to mix and match, modify, tuck, switch out, etc. Unless, of course, said box had dumped out a pair of jeans and a tee and they happened to be lying by the side of the box when I got up in the morning. Thanks, Box. I'll wear these today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was up until just a short time ago that I realized this: (Are you ready? Super-huge epiphany forthcoming. You'll probably never be the same person after reading this, so say your goodbyes to the life you once knew. Embarking on unchartered waters here.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(ahem) Clothing in and of itself is a mere jumping-off point. Anyone can go buy Dress X at the store and wear it. It's not the dress itself, per se, that embodies one's style, although some clothing items do indeed indicate one's style preferences. Rather, it's what one does <em>with </em>a particular garment, how s/he makes it her/his own, that is the shaping and molding of what will come to be personal style. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why oh why did I waste decades not knowing this? It's so liberating! I can do whatever I want with my clothes because they're mine all mine! They don't own me...I own <em>them</em>! Muuhahahahahaaaaaa!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ew. Weird. And creepy. But mostly just weird.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So. Here's to us all. May we find the courage and desire to roll up a long sleeve, belt a jacket, cut off a pair of jeans, sew buttons on a wrap, turn scarf into skirt and skirt into shirt, pop a collar, break up a suit. The possibilities are virtually limitless. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">See what I'm wearing above? Denim on denim? One of my #1 Fashion Faux Pas. And the shirt's sleeves are <em>supposed</em> to be long--the double snaps at the wrist prove it. And a sweater vest shouldn't go with denim. And the necklace was "meant" to be doubled around, not worn long to my navel. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd continue listing the rules I'm breaking, but I have to stop typing because I need a hand to pat myself on the back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy HAPPY Monday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this rebel look? You got it. Shop below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=2969581&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Express#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Express...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

to wear clothes or to let them wear me...THAT is the question.

sandals: don't recall (old as the hills). jeans: american eagle. denim shirt: thrifted (gap). vest: old navy. bracelet: burntsiena designs. necklace: forever21. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: open jewelry market in hawaii.A few years ago, I bought a puffy vest with a removable faux-fur-line…

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happy days are here again...and again...and again...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgmt0R1uscGXNr1yKHMEc2i4X3QcAiasfVBgpKo8S-a-ywlat2FZtr6NifyzfcnNi24yqxU_yVYwt0kvIzTPnycTQcXGAj6Tket-oueI37hG2uTBtUddHFFwTgrDiFrQWy-TengXC5umZ/s1600/N1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgmt0R1uscGXNr1yKHMEc2i4X3QcAiasfVBgpKo8S-a-ywlat2FZtr6NifyzfcnNi24yqxU_yVYwt0kvIzTPnycTQcXGAj6Tket-oueI37hG2uTBtUddHFFwTgrDiFrQWy-TengXC5umZ/s400/N1britt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2loTgRdfwZTL5YhVzUSSwblFYRGrri8KuW2vjcuabjviBX4KEb1mhHAgshFJPf1CtzLIDr_96gsYkWgJ75EIB7hRKqDkk_K30lT5clSbn2Qml1vshV6Cx3W-KMQ5RXOBXQ9tG7XtJSJrW/s1600/N1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2loTgRdfwZTL5YhVzUSSwblFYRGrri8KuW2vjcuabjviBX4KEb1mhHAgshFJPf1CtzLIDr_96gsYkWgJ75EIB7hRKqDkk_K30lT5clSbn2Qml1vshV6Cx3W-KMQ5RXOBXQ9tG7XtJSJrW/s400/N1britt2.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div align="center">This week I'm grateful for:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">- church.</div><div align="center">- stripes.</div><div align="center">- outings to the park with friends and friends of my kids.</div><div align="center">- friends of my kids who teach them (my kids) good things, like being polite and empathetic and obedient. May this always be the case. (Yeah, right, but a parent can hope, right?)</div><div align="center">- the ability to jog.</div><div align="center">- our piano, especially before the sustaining pedal broke. Sighhhhh...</div><div align="center">- a husband who surprises me in, well, surprising ways, even after 9-1/2 years of marriage.</div><div align="center">- the letter "r" and the many ways toddlers try to say it.</div><div align="center">- texting.</div><div align="center">- daffodils. (We have one! In our yard! A flower bloomed!)</div><div align="center">- cars and appliances that all function as they should. Can't imagine doing as much laundry as I do by hand or at the laundromat. Ugh.</div><div align="center">- prayer and the peace it brings.</div><div align="center">- family time, in all its crazy glory.</div><div align="center">- cookies & cream ice cream.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Sunday, everyone!</div>

happy days are here again...and again...and again...

This week I'm grateful for:- church.- stripes.- outings to the park with friends and friends of my kids.- friends of my kids who teach them (my kids) good things, like being polite and empathetic and obedient. May this always be the case. (Yeah, right, but a parent can hope, right?)- the ability to…

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Blogswap: The Lookbook

<div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990108" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">[Editor's note: Hey guys, I swapped blogs with Corinne today...come on over to <a href="http://www.xothelookbook.com/" target="blank">The Lookbook</a> to read my post and see my daily outfit if you'd like.] </span><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And without further ado...Corinne!</span><br /><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi. Corinne here. Nice to meet you.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My husband and I got married a year ago, </span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and we have a thing or two to say about fashion... </span></div><div class="yiv2068777080MsoNormal"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So we started </span><a href="http://www.xothelookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a blog </span></a><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">about all things fabulous called </span><a href="http://www.xothelookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Lookbook.</span></a><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></div><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you like this post, come check out our little website and follow our blog!</span><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'll give you a little preview of what kind of stuff we like to rave about.</span><br />Our flavor of the day is anything fun and frilly.<br />My husband likes playing with the poof in the skirt.<br />And well, I feel <span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">like </span><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a 5-year old playing dress-up</span><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">That's a good thing, you know.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_he6SxZbzPH4j0EGtGgOj57wUgce9okNQv39kQMjRg8cmMyeNgfoswwKqDwcJLml5IjHTEvzx_1FnLmeN4IYCBwgMI7V2sfc6Wa1_1O6pKghm_bpxknrjHZm-IIC591qu72OBpYpSzUz/s1600/corinne1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_he6SxZbzPH4j0EGtGgOj57wUgce9okNQv39kQMjRg8cmMyeNgfoswwKqDwcJLml5IjHTEvzx_1FnLmeN4IYCBwgMI7V2sfc6Wa1_1O6pKghm_bpxknrjHZm-IIC591qu72OBpYpSzUz/s320/corinne1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboiTIRkBY5wIyQx0H8kPaC-QFSIyGpnOYgleERSmoQWi726mboitJTYzRxT_f2IAIml6wP7VseDrRQm5rITScxJQ3sG96cKwp2VzWJ_PaJXUs_6jNZKHVsVAgGKFENTPpPdLZCl7Elgge/s1600/corinne2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboiTIRkBY5wIyQx0H8kPaC-QFSIyGpnOYgleERSmoQWi726mboitJTYzRxT_f2IAIml6wP7VseDrRQm5rITScxJQ3sG96cKwp2VzWJ_PaJXUs_6jNZKHVsVAgGKFENTPpPdLZCl7Elgge/s320/corinne2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQbV4hN08mWMOZZbZzjBbufpsX13nkQqkWJGqFGyjmHdqzzY0veyLU7BzusxDDoBAzZNFErAuUZ2IQkgu7yUiHnmbYtPgK5Cb8yAs1eJoMzBJ6ukoqEGw9-XKjDmbHsNNQCuwvVPxVkwf/s1600/corinne3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQbV4hN08mWMOZZbZzjBbufpsX13nkQqkWJGqFGyjmHdqzzY0veyLU7BzusxDDoBAzZNFErAuUZ2IQkgu7yUiHnmbYtPgK5Cb8yAs1eJoMzBJ6ukoqEGw9-XKjDmbHsNNQCuwvVPxVkwf/s320/corinne3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhpQfKtUEaYEoGGKwydkz_6ucUwtom1lyqnESFXhqD5R9CQP0FRC0Zewif1a5EKrv5pwe68qoe11IfPGtiMABiXRc7XbkiXDRlCQI-7chXJZE4vhKs4t8tc5zkQDBDm05ewcJvTLd24sC/s1600/corinne4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhpQfKtUEaYEoGGKwydkz_6ucUwtom1lyqnESFXhqD5R9CQP0FRC0Zewif1a5EKrv5pwe68qoe11IfPGtiMABiXRc7XbkiXDRlCQI-7chXJZE4vhKs4t8tc5zkQDBDm05ewcJvTLd24sC/s320/corinne4.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shoes: Kohls, Tutu Skirt: Blend,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cardigan: J. Crew Factory, Jacket: Banana Factory</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2068777080tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="yiv2068777080tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sparkle-Obsessed.</span><br /><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Who's with me?</span><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><table _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990124" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2068777080tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990123"><tr _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990122"><td _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990121" class="yiv2068777080tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div _yuid="yui_3_1_1_7_1302533253990120"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="yiv2068777080Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">xo Wifey</span></div></div>

Blogswap: The Lookbook

[Editor's note: Hey guys, I swapped blogs with Corinne today...come on over to The Lookbook to read my post and see my daily outfit if you'd like.] And without further ado...Corinne!Hi. Corinne here. Nice to meet you.My husband and I got married a year ago, and we have a thing or two to say about fa…

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