Halloween!

Anthropologie Charlie and Robin Gumshoe Sweater Coat

Nanette Lepore Dress

Dansko Loafers

Vintage Pumpkin Brooch and Earrings via Etsy

Channeling my spirit animal...

Of course I can't resist a good couples costume and Tom is such a good sport!

If That Last Post Wasn't Hipster Enough For You

Eva Franco Dress
Anthropologie Cardigan
Naturalizer Tights
Kate Spade Earrings
Coach Glasses (these are my new prescription glasses)

Today I was the 2N in a practice debate against my varsity team.  Gotta say--I've still got it.

I Wanna Be Where the PBR...

I took CJ to Disney on Ice on Sunday--this is what I wore:

Meta-Hipster Ariel.

GAP Jean Jacket

Target Hipster Ariel Tee

J Crew Minnie Pants

Kelly and Katie Flats

And, CJ had a Halloween party on Saturday (Tom took her, I can't roll at Chuckie Cheese...).  So a big warm CS&D welcome to Hello Kitty!

Rhapsody in Blue

J Crew Silk Cap Sleeve Dress in Abstract Dot
Ann Taylor Factory Cardigan
J Crew Bow Flats

I feel like I'm getting so lazy about accessorizing--I'm wearing a pair of LC Lauren Conrad bow earrings in this pic but you can't see them.  A necklace would have looked great with this but it was so early in the morning that I couldn't be bothered to pick one out, and I knew that a big necklace would just get taken off to clutter up my desk at about 2 pm anyway (and I am at work until 9 pm generally; a big necklace just makes my neck sooooo tiiiiired by then).

Adding to Wednesday's good news, however: they also FINALLY replaced my office laptop from 2008.  Functioning technology AND a raise?  Pinch me, I'm dreaming.

Here's a really pretty rendition of Rhapsody in Blue (once I put it as the title I just had to listen to it):

A Very Good Wednesday

Maybe not even a very good Wednesday (which are generally mediocre at best)...maybe just a very good day.  Today I found out that I got a small raise which will kick in right after my birthday, in time to also be factored in for my 1% COLA (which everyone is excited about cause we haven't had one in 2 years)!  Further, my debate trip to Clarion was approved.  And I got my sock bun in on the first try.  So today was honestly pretty high in the good day spectrum.  

Tom says I look mad with my arms crossed; I think I look like a boss.  A boss who got a raise.

J Crew Merino Tippi in Arygle

J Crew Minnie Pants

Anne Klein loafers

Twinkle Twinkle

Today was CJ's Star of the Week presentation.  Apparently yesterday at school she got paint in her hair and since it was dark I didn't notice it and try to scrub it out.  So this morning I had to cut off ~3 inches of hair and then try to braid it into pigtails as requested.  #ninjamomskills  Fortunately I am capable of cutting hair at least in a straight line (just don't test me with wrapping paper).

Anthropologie Precious Materials Cardigan

Banana Republic Blouse

Anthropologie Pilcro Sidewise Skirt

J Crew Bow Flats

Earroms Via Etsy

Making Good

Outfit pics--better late than never!  I didn't take any this weekend...again...

Thursday:

J Crew Origami Shift Dress

Theory Cashmere Cardigan

Target Tights

Dansko Loafers 

Betsey Johnson Earrings

Hairbow via Etsy

Friday: 

Anthropologie HWR Monogram Pullover
J Crew Minnie Pants
Kelly and Katie Flats
J Crew Bubble Stud Earrings

Spot On

LOFT Leopard Print Sheath
J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Target Tights
Naturalizer Mary Janes
Kate Spade Earrings
J Crew Cobblestone Pearl Bracelet

Not generally a leopard print lady (except for that scarf), but the cut of this dress tends towards the classic and ladylike which counteracts the--err--"outspoken" print.  Gearing up for another tournament this weekend, this time at West Point.  Obviously I'm a Navy girl all the way but I do love seeing our rival/sister campus, especially in the fall; it's so pretty up there.  Plus the drive up is actually enjoyable as the leaves are starting to change and it's not so brutally hot and sunny anymore.

Catch Up

Thursday:

Anthropologie Tracy Reese Emerald Cut Dress

Theory Cashmere Cardigan

Target Tights

Naturalizer Shoes

Anthropologie Stud Earrings

Friday (Travel Day):
J Crew Factory Intarsia Bow Sweater
Banana Republic Silk Blouse
J Crew Minnie Pants
J Crew Bow Flats
Kate Spade Earrings

No pics from the tournament this weekend--I was sooooo busy.  And now I am sooooo tired.

Rewind!

Anthropologie Pleated Ponte Dress
Target Tights
Dansko Loafers
J Crew Bubble Stud Earrings


YES I just wore this 1.5 weeks ago, at the debate tournament, but it's so comfy and the color is muy bueno.  Plus the last picture was TERRIBLE. So whatever.

Getting Warmer...

Today I was allowed to go back into work.  It remains unclear whether I'll be allowed to travel the debate teams to the tournaments we have scheduled in October.  I could feel new hairs turning gray as I dealt with the issues that sprouted up today.  But it's a start!

Kate Spade Cardigan 

Banana Republic Blouse

J Crew Skirt

J Crew Flats

Kate Spade Bag

J Crew Bubble Stud Earrings

And Today, Just Bouncing

At CJ's birthday party, which was at a bouncy house place called Pump It Up.  I was a little reluctant to have a party outside the house (more expensive) but now I'm pretty sure it's worth the price.  I didn't have to worry about cleaning the house (before OR after) and I didn't have to prep the food.  They had pizza (every 6 year old's fave!) and ice cream cake (Tom's fave) with Hello Kitty on it (CJ's fave).  And did I mention I didn't have to cook or clean (my fave!)!?!?  A+

CJ mentioned about a month ago that she wanted to wear a Hello Kitty shirt...and she wanted me to wear one too.  I didn't want to get too anime-Lolita so I figured I'd just get a bigger size of the one I bought for her.  Thank God for kids size XL, huh?  (I also kind of liked it because you have to be staring at my chest pretty hard to notice that these are Hello Kitty faces instead of just studs.)

Target Hello Kitty Collection Tee
Joes Jeans Phoebe Deconstructed Wash
Converse One Star Slip Ons
Target Circo Hair Bow

On CJ: Same tee, Gymboree leggings, Converse One Star High Top Slip Ons

Bouncing Back

I'm not going to lie to you--I spent Wednesday and Thursday in ratty yoga pants and old debate team tee shirts.  I definitely got the sympathy looks from CJ's teachers when I went to pick her up from school.  The shutdown has been really hard on my emotional state and I honestly don't know what to do with myself when I'm not supposed to be working at all.  I'm also really worried about what is going to happen to my team while I'm not there to make sure all the paperwork is getting filed and trips are getting planned.  I'm not sure we'll be able to travel for a few weeks even if the shutdown ended right now because our accountants need lead time to get everything together.  So...it's been a crappy week.

But today?  Today I went out to lunch with my best friend from college and one of my old officer representatives (who has left the Navy and gone into the private sector).  And they decided it was their personal mission to make me smile.  And they did.

Anthropologie HWR Cheri Monogrammed Pullover
Joes Jeans
Kelly and Katie Flats
J Crew Bubble Studs

Non-Essential Style

So in a twist of irony, furloughed federal employees had to report to work to be told they can't report to work until further notice.  We had to show up and sign a letter to that effect, then we had 4 hours to shut it down and hand over to our military colleagues.

I decided I wanted to look cute for this meeting, 1) because I always want to look cute and 2) because I felt like maybe if the government saw me looking fly, they'd change their mind and decide I wasn't so "non-essential" after all.

Just kidding.  Sort of.

J Crew Perfect Tee

J Crew Minnie Pants

Dansko Wedge Sandals

Merona Leopard Print Scarf

Earrings via Etsy

Same look, sans scarf, taken by sweet CJ, so I'm actually smiling.

This cartoon was waiting for me in my mailbox in the political science department.  I LOLed, maybe for the only time on Tuesday.  I looked for the image online but couldn't find one, so I had to take it with my camera.

I'm not going to get political here, so all I'll say is that I hope this is over soon, so I can go back to doing my job (which I LOVE) and collecting a paycheck.

Winning!

Well almost...our novice team lost this weekend in semifinals.

I've been furloughed.  More on that tomorrow...can't quite find the words today.

This was what I wore Sunday:

Anthropologie Eva Franco Strata Dress

Tommy Hilfiger Cardigan

Target Tights

Dansko Mary Janes 

J Crew Earrings 

Here's Saturday: 

Anthropologie Pleated Ponte Dress

Target Tights

Dansko Mary Janes

J Crew Bubble Stud Earrings

And here's Monday's driving outfit:

J Crew Jackie Cardigan
Kate Spade "Play Hooky" Tee
Joe's Distressed Phoebe Jeans
Converse Slip Ons
J Crew Bubble Stud Earrings