Starting the Marathon

I have 5 weekends straight of travel for debate, beginning this morning.

J Crew Merino Ruffle Cardigan

J Crew Tulipe Cami

J Crew Denim Pencil Skirt

Merona Tights

Seychelles Flats

Necklace and Earrings via etsy--the seller's account is no longer active  :(

Beat Air Force!

Kind of belated, given that our football team already did...but never too late for some blue/gold to celebrate!

J Crew Port of Call Sweatshirt
J Crew Perfect Fit Tank
J Crew Bootcut Cords (I think the color is goldenrod?)
Converse Slip Ons

I would take much better photographs if I could stop talking to the photographer for just one second...

Party Time! Excellent!

J Crew Workwear Shirtdress
Merona Belt
Merona Bangles
Converse Slip Ons

Ran out to Target to buy some last minute party supplies.  The checkout clerk told me I was channeling "early 80s Madonna".  Uhhhh...really?  I mean, not that it isn't a compliment and I'll take it, but I'm wearing a jean dress and spotted Converse...no ripped lace gloves or giant bow headband (or huge perm) in sight.

Today was CJ's birthday party.  Here are some pics of the party setup:

Pre-party, admiring our balloons.

Treat table--I made the wreath and assembled the banner.  As a tradeoff, I made the cookies from a mix (though I did cut out the fondant buttons and frost the doll cookies in the back) and I bought the cake from Sams (and it was REAL good).

CJ's reaction to the treat table.  Mission accomplished.

Party activity--I bought coloring pages off of Etsy, printed on cardstock, cut around them, and glued to a popsicle stick.  Puppets!  There were crayons, markers, and glitter glue on the table for the kids to use to decorate them.

Surrounded.

Waiting patiently at the art table.

Hanging out.

Where's the remote?

Blowing out the #5 candle.

Chilling with friends.

Treat Yo Self (What I Bought)

So...I am not super great at shopping bans.  I prefer to work at "shopping diets"...aka "buying less".  Sometimes though, I just get into "Treat Yo Self!" mode.

And honestly?  As long as I'm not breaking any laws, ethical codes I've bound myself to (Matt Bomer?  Girl, no, DO NOT treat yo self, marriage!), or blowing up our budget, Imma do it.

So here are the highlights from Treat Yo Self Week.

Anthropologie Fluted Ponte Dress--I bought this from the Effortless Anthropologie Trade Market for way less than I almost paid on ebay.  Rumor is that it's WAY big though...if the XS still fits, I may treat myself to the blue version when it goes on sale.

J Crew Workwear Shirtdress--J Crew is running 25% off of sale in store, and they let me use my educator discount on top of it.  This shirtdress was marked $69.99 and I believe I got it for $44.  ::high fives self::

But the real steal was this little number...marked to $39.99 in store, 25% off makes it $30, extra 15% off brought it to $25.50.  NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT!  I almost bought the green/blue one too...managed to hold myself back.  

I also grabbed a tank top to wear under the denim dress and some lipstick in a color I'd been wanting.  Sidenote: if you ever feel the need to have strangers compliment you, go into Sephora.  The lady at the checkout counter told me I had "absurdly beautiful" skin...AFTER I had already bought the lipstick so I didn't feel like I was being sold to.  I almost hugged her.  

Gotta run, time for that mimosa with Donna!  

Double dose

of sass!  Two night in a row that I am making a dubious face at my photographer/spouse!  I believe in this conversation we are discussing whether or not I should take my super-duper-eager JV/Varsity-ish team to the Harvard tournament, which is well-known for its beatdowns of young-super-eager teams.  (I say yes as long as they can take the beating.)

J Crew Merino Ruffle Cardigan
J Crew Dress--I can't remember the name of this, methinks it somehow involves abstract florals.  Thoughts?
Meripe Shoes
Ponytail courtesy of the suffocating 97% humidity that was completely, deeply inappropriate for Maryland October.  WHERE IS SWEATER WEATHER?

Sassafras

Nanette Lepore Dress
Theory Cashmere Cardigan
Nickels Shoes
Golden Apple Necklace by Orderly Civilians via Etsy here

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

OK, not quite...but 3rd place team and 6th place individual speaker is pretty close!  Looking forward to an awesome season with this group.

J Crew Merino Ruffle Cardigan
Merona 3/4 Sleeve Stretch Dress
Tory Burch Reva Flats
Bracelet by Skyejuice via Etsy, here

Couple more shots:

The van ride up.
J Crew Maggie Jacket
J Crew Perfect Tee
J Crew Bubble Necklace
J Crew Factory Winnie Pants in Casablanca blue (not pictured)

Preppin' with the boys.  I am wearing sweatpants and my old "debate like a girl" tee shirt.  Klassy, but komfortable?

And here's my outfit from Thursday:

J Crew Tweed Jacket here (it's called the Navy Tweed Jacket but it's actually super versatile, the tweed is black, a shade similar to the Casablanca blue, cream, and gold, with navy trim.  It was down to $60 in stores.)
Sunny Leigh Draped Blouse
J Crew Double Serge Wool Pencil Skirt (this is last year's version, similar here)
Michael Kors shoes
Vintage trophy pin via etsy (it says "The Best" on it, because...duh!)