a monkey in zebra's clothing...

 I almost didn't get dressed today, because it's going to get hot. Then I thought that all you peeps should be able to see an outfit that, although ineligible for any ground-breaking style awards, is perfect for a hot day at the zoo. So. Here.

 shoes & jewelry: forever21. shorts: american eagle. shirt: j.crew. watch: target. ribbon belt: my daughter's hair accessories box.

 I've been doing Jillian Michaels' ripped-in-30 or whatever workouts. And I'm out of shape and sore. Which is why I had to stretch to do a flexing photo. Worth it? Nope. But here you go anyway:

It's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: (maybe) odd style-related things I like.

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping? Yes. Previously, I mostly shopped clearance racks for whatever was cheap--like basic solid tees. Now I gravitate toward more prints, color, and stuff with unique detail. I'll pay more for something that fits well and that I love, because I'll actually wear it. (Unlike that floral muu-muu gathering mothballs in my dresser that was, like, $3. Worst $3 ever spent...)

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that? Not necessarily. I notice that lots of times, moms (including myself) get into a style rut of, like, capris and tees and flip-flops during the summer. I try not to do that. But I have family and friends who are super stylish and also others who could care less, so I say to each his own and love 'em for it...as long as they share me a slice of their fruit pizza.

3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it? Stripes or bold color chunks in hair (including feathers), when tastefully done. I think it's funky and fun...but I'm way too old for it.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do? Large-scale neon color blocking. Yipes.

5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices? Love how Elaine wears totally "normal" stuff but in a unique, chic way. And Suze for her fearless color choices.

Happy Friday!

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best springtime recipe

Hey guys, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: food & your favorite seasonal dish.

I love food and all things edible, but esPESHially in the spring/summer when fresh produce and grilled yumminess abounds.

My favorite seasonal recipe is Honey Lime Fruit Salad from here. (p.s. That website? Trouble. You'll want to try everything and will spend hours drooling into your keyboard which may or may not short-circuit your entire system.) Make it. Elbow others away. Devour it all yourself. Then forgo any drug tests for a day or two. (Poppyseeds, people. C'mon. Stay with me.)

It's delish and refreshing and all things springy.

Happy Friday!

p.s. I'm off to run a 190-mile relay race with 11 team members today and tomorrow. Let's meet back here on Sunday, kay? Kay.

how I've styled my mid-length hair

Hey guys, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: hair care.

(1) How often do you get your hair cut? Sadly, about twice a year. Should be more often. But it ain't.

(2) Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon? I have two talented stylists that I use (one as my preference, the other as my backup), depending on their availability. One of them comes to me, the other has a salon in her home. Both super convenient.

(3) Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color? Nope. I think it would probably look better if I did. But I know myself too well, and I would let it get super nasty with roots and all (refer to answer to #1), which would be counterproductive. So. No artificial color or preservatives for me. Yet.

(4) The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is: Well, "great" is a pretty strong word. But I try to actually "do" my hair, whether up, down, straight, curly, wavy, braided, whatever. If I'm doing something boring (i.e., ponytail), I usually try to throw in a little detail, like a mini braid or a flower clip or something.

(5) What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock? I love love LOVE beachy-wavy hair. Sometimes my hair can pull it off, other times it falls brutally short. But still. Oooh, and braidy-deliciousiness, like crown braids. So cute.

Happy Friday!

5 things on your blog that make me go "ugh"

Hey guys, it's Friend Friday! I'm on my way to the doctor's office right now (hence no outfit pics today...trust me, you're welcome.) But today's topic is: blog pet peeves: 5 things that drive me crazy about blogs I visit.

(0) First of all, I think the phrase "drive me crazy" might be a little exaggerated for me. I tend to think blogging is a live-and-let-live kind of sport (yep. sport. I like to call things "sports" because it makes me, by default, an "athlete"). So, for sure, I have some prefereneces, but others do, too, and who am I to say their way stinks? That being said, here we go:

(1) Crazy fonts. Too-big (kind of insulting), too-small (hard to read), too curly/girly (kind of juvenile), to name a few. Call me boring, but when I'm reading online, I like to focus on what's being said rather than being distracted by the font it's being said in. Could be just me.

(2) Super dark backgrounds with light/neon/white font. I appreciate the effort put into contrasting the background/text, but for some reason that just doesn't work for me. I rarely read anything in that setup.

(3) One or two posts per page. I recognize that these people probably are just trying to improve their bounce rate (and more power to 'em, I guess), but whenever I see that, I usually just click away. Give me a little more to work with, please!

(4) Flashing stuff.

(5) When there's not a picture/photo to be seen for miles. Heh. Like this post. (Or when those photos are super blurry, small, or all-around not very inspiring.) Maybe I'm just 3 years old or something, but it's just not that tempting for me to read something without a photo break now and again.

That being said, it's not like I'm claiming my own blog is perfect, so I'm just happy that people are able to express themselves as the creative individuals they are. And if you have suggestions for me or my blog, please don't share them with me. It would probably hurt my feelings and/or make me defensive. Just grin and bear whatever I've e-produced here, and we'll both move on with our lives. :)

Happy Friday.

the blinding whiteness of my legs is second only to the sun itself...

strappy sandals: forever21. skirt: gap. shirt: downeast basics. watch: target. faux pearls: don't recall.

Hey guys, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is: outside influences. And, may I just preface today's post with: Before you read on, I'd like you to lower your expectations of my awesomeness, if that's even possible... lower... lowerrrrrr... There. Keep 'em right there. NOW you may continue.

1. What magazines do you subscribe to? I enjoy an occasional magazine. But, sadly, aside from church magazines, National Geographic for Kids, Lonny & TradHome e-magazines (free), Jr. LEGO Club (free), and the monthly American Girl catalog (which my 5-year-old fondly refers to as her "girl magazine"), I don't subscribe to any. Dunno why (oh, wait, yes I do: it's because I'm cheap).

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows? I used to watch What Not To Wear and Project Runway, but we don't have those channels anymore. Because, as I mentioned already, I'm cheap. And I'm cheap because we're trying to save our pennies to do some major house reconstruction in the near future.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration? None. Ohp, I lied--I check out the J.Crew website every so often. Heh.

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand… what ads do you like and why? Hmm. None come immediately to mind, although I'll tell you which ones I despise: Old Navy's tv commercials. Most annoying specimens of cinematic advertising ever produced and/or aired.

5. Do you own any fashion books? Nope. But (*tangent alert*) 10 years ago for my wedding I was given an old book called "Any Bride Can Cook," published in about the 1950s. It.is.awesome. And hilarious.

Happy Friday!

p.s. Don't forget to enter this week's GIVEAWAY! No, seriously. It's awesome, and you'll want to enter.

p.p.s. Life is beautiful. And I'm constantly reminded of this in little ways. Like the carefully-thought-out scene I stumbled upon this morning in our basement kitchenette freezer: 

My 6-year-old son has some mad problem solving skillz... and empathy.

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casual -- but not sloppy -- denim

boots & watch: target. knee-high socks: smith's marketplace. skirt: american eagle. shirt: gift (old navy?). shirt: gap. necklace: downeast basics. belt: don't recall. earrings: hawaii.

I like the mix of denim with the over-the-top bubble necklace here, but I think I'm done with boots for awhile...

...fortunately, my loss is her gain.

Hey everyone, it's Friend Friday! Today's topic is shoes.

1. What is your go-to pair of shoes? In the spring, it's my metallic flats. Easy on, easy off, and they go with everything. Second-up are my Converse All-Stars, any time of the year.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions? Their similarity (or not) to other shoes I already own (a.k.a., Do I really need them?). And price. And cuteness.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color? Black or brown. If I were a betting girl, I'd say this is the case for 90% of humankind. 'Cept my daughters. Then it'd be pink.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why? I don't know a lot about shoe brands. I like most of the shoes Steve Madden designs. *awkward e-pause, as I search and come up with nothing to follow that statement up with*

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe? Honestly, I just don't know. See my answer to #4, to fill you in on my shoe ignorance. :)

Happy Friday!

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mr. golden sun appears to be permanently indisposed...yellow sweater to the rescue

 shoes: steve madden. pants: gap. shirt: j.crew. cardigan: old navy. bracelet: downeast basics. pin: don't recall. earrings: hawaii.

 I'm looking for it, guys. My dignity, that is. Searching hard...

 Drat. It's gone. Quite possibly forever.

Dignity or no... it's Friend Friday! This week's topic is among my favorites: Gratitude. Here goes:

1. When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to: My parents and siblings, natch, for their sculpting of me through my childhood years. My college roommates during those pivotal college years, who helped me figure out what really is -- and isn't -- important to me and my life. (For example: ISN'T: yellow landrovers, caffeine, and pleasing everybody. IS: loyalty, laughter, and clean cookware.) And, forever and ever amen, my husband and children.

2. When it comes to me professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to: My English professors who embraced my uniqueness and let me -- encouraged me to -- fly, the Grant Lab (my first career-centered job, right out of college, which taught me the ins and outs of real-life professional technical writing and set me up for the kid-friendly, flexible freelance writing I do now), and my husband whose support has been unwavering and perspective reassuring.

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots: Heidi, who without knowing it has set the example for me of completely being ones own glorious and unique self on blog (her blogging resolutions for the New Year 2011 were what sealed the deal), Jill, a stranger who took a chance and asked to feature me when I first started my blog and who will always have a place in my e-heart, and (sincerely) all you style bloggists who are genuine and who put yourselves out there because you love what you do. It's inspiring. Annnnd...my husband, who smiles and supports me even though blogging & "style" per se aren't exactly his thang. (Ew. Gross. Pretend I didn't just type that.)

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was… Adding Disqus. Ran into many problems installing it on my blog for some reason, but I learned some html stuff and patience and how to curse in my head but not out loud. All very applicable life skills.

5. To my readers, I’d like to say… Thanks, all four of you, for putting up with me, with my sarcasm, with my text-heavy posts, with my outfit blunders, with my silliness, and with my amateur self- or kid-snapped photos. Thanks for your comments, for making me laugh, and for following and visiting often. I think you're pretty great.

Happy Friday!

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how much sleep would a big sheep reap if a big sheep could reap sleep?

Going on about 5 hours of sleep over the last 72 hours, here, guys. So. Be kind.

 shoes: head over heels. skirt: banana republic. shirt: american eagle. necklaces: gift. bracelet: burntsiena design (more on this lovely thing later). belt: thrifted. cardigan: rue21. undershirt: downeast basics.

Rare outdoor shots. They're not great. I recognize this. But it's so blissfully springified that I don't care. Rather, I send you my heartfelt apologies...and a shoulder shrug.

Annnnd...I think it worked. Mental note to next year, I guess?

It's Friend Friday. So, without further ado (or any ado, for that matter...should I be adding some more ado?), here are the questions and my answers...feel free to check out others' responses here.

April 1: Rules of Engagement -- blogging etiquett, unwritten "rules" to help new bloggers, etc.

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot? Good question. I don't know; I've never solicited myself as a guest poster. I'm happy to do it (and have obliged others when they've asked me), but I just never really thought about trying to secure one. If this question is referring to asking someone to guest-post on my blog, well, I've never done that, either. I'm helpful, I know.

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’? Those types of comments don't get published on my blog because they're...how do I put it diplomatically...annoying. When visiting others' blogs, I will say something genuine in every comment I leave--a response to their text, their outfit, their photos. If I can say something funny, all the better. Then I'll leave my URL and sometimes a brief invite to stop by my blog. I don't even bring up the "following" bit in my comments, though. Seems a little tacky.

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd? Heh...I actually haven't gotten one of these... I'm popular like that.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure? Don't get me wrong, I love leaving comments and supporting other bloggers (and I love it when others do the same for me--it's a community, after all), but I simply ignore the fake stuff that comes my way. And I myself am not fake ('cept for two teeth), so I'm safe that way.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that? I wrote an entire post in response to an unkind Anonymous comment, which now I can't even remember what it was. That was an over-the-top reaction (even though the post was, in my opinion, funny), and I've learned to scale back my knee-jerk response of taking things personally. Don't know if that answers the question, but there you have it. A lesson.

Happy happy Friday!

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classic casual: a stay-at-home mom's best friend (well, that and oxiclean...)

 shoes: famous footwear outlet (i think? don't recall exactly). jeans: kohl's. shirt: gap. cardigan: rue21. bracelet: forever21. flower clip: downeast. belt: thrifted (american eagle).

First of all...300 followers via GFC? Wow...thank you all, for coming and returning to my blog as often as you do! I have the most interesting, funny, and inspiring readers ever. I think another giveaway is in order next week to celebrate the big 3-0-0. Hmm... Stay tuned.

Secondly...it's Friend Friday! (See other bloggers' answers to these questions here; see my answers from last Friday here.) This week's questions deal with feminism and fashion. I'd love to hear your honest thoughts on my honest thoughts.

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion? First off, for the sake of this discussion, my idea of "feminism" is the act of acknowledging and embracing the power of femininity in a woman. In that vein, no, I don't think there's an incompatibility between the two--a love for fashion, in moderation, can expand a woman's femininity and thereby increase her influence over and ability to enhance and improve her sphere. Taken to an extreme, however, I think a love for fashion (or anything else, in extremes) can be detrimental to femininity, by hindering her ability to pursue and participate in other interesting and useful subjects & activities.

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog? I don't know that I do. I mean, my conversational text (including both the form and content) reflects aspects of myself to some degree, I suppose (case-in-point: I heart pnut m&ms), but the point of my style/fashion blog is just that--style/fashion. Not the depths of my innermost soul (but, in case you're wondering: her name is Mildred, and she loves purple). 

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role? Ummm... gargantuan bags/purses would always be in style? (Okay, that's a cheeky "mom" comment...I guess, honestly, I don't know a ton about the formalities of the fashion industry... I wouldn't have even known it's a male-dominated profession. Am I going to get blacklisted for admitting that?)

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs? Different phases of life (e.g., high school, college, married, professional, pregnant, mom of 1, mom of 2, mom of 3) have resulted in my developing a different, more personal (and, I believe, increasingly accurate) self-image. I believe that as a human being I have a divine heritage and that as a woman I have innate abilities and roles and responsibilities to fulfill my purpose in this life. Because of that, I try to do what I believe I'm supposed to do...including taking care of, being fair to, and carrying myself in the best way possible as I see it from my current developmental vantagepoint. (Does that even make sense?)

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons? Both. For better or worse, I'm initially drawn to people who look approachable, clean, and nice; I can only assume (although it is an assumption) that others are initially drawn to me for similar reasons. Sometimes I probably project a more confident, happy image than I actually feel; sometimes the opposite is true. But in my reality, in the process of truly getting to know someone, somewhere along the way their insides start to speak louder than the outsides. I guess, in summary: it's important to look one's best, but it's infinitely more important to be one's best.

Happy Friday, friends!

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