Tuesday, April 30, 2013

[Life] The Best Days of My Life

I've mentioned time and time again how Semester At Sea changed me forever. I read this today, and I thought the author did a great job putting feelings into words. I spent a weekend in Austin 2 weeks ago with 5 of my dearest friends - the girls I sailed with, the girls who, no matter how long it's been, will always fall right back into step with each other. We shared something most can't understand, and our continuing friendship is such a strong reflection of that.

"As I hauled my bags out of the port terminal in Barcelona, I was greeted by a large group of eager parents who were waiting to welcome their children back from this incredible adventure. One of the moms asked me as I passed by, “So how was it?” All I could do was shake my head and confess to the parents nearby, “None of your children will ever be able to fully explain what this experience has been like.” It’s unfortunate, but true. You can never grasp what Semester at Sea is really about until you’ve sailed. The intensity of the community that forms is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, the encounters in each port make permanent impressions on us all, and watching your fellow voyagers grow and change as they discover both themselves and the world around them is simply magical.

...I recognize that my Semester at Sea experience doesn’t finish here. So many of the people I met  on board will be friends for life. The lessons I’ve learned will be with me forever. And, given the addictive nature of the Semester at Sea experience, I’ll likely be back again one day in some capacity."

 

Monday, April 29, 2013

[OOTD] Your Bada Bing Go Bada Boom

Extra points if you get the song reference in the title.

I'm back. For awhile. No more traveling for a month - and my next trip is personal (the hubs and I are vacationing and headed to Jamaica...w00t w00t!!!). I'm going to start clearing out some outfit posts that have been hanging around on my computer forever. I mean, really - look at all the leaves in these pictures. Ridiculous!!!

Also, I'm recommitting to my blog and taking the Blog Every Day in May challenge from Jenni at Story Of My Life. I'm going to do my best to keep up! Now, on to the outfit...


You guys, I love this scarf. I have no idea what that look is on my face, but I do know that that scarf is fab. I picked it up 2 summers ago in London, and now it's going to get lots more wear because it's lightweight and perfect for spring, plus the watercolor trend is coming on strong!


Outfit Details:
Sweater - LOFT, seen in this vlog post
Jeans - JCPenney
Boots - ?? (old)
Leg Warmers - Kohl's 
Scarf - London street market



Vest - Old Navy







Thursday, April 25, 2013

[OOTD] Winter??

More old pics to post for this week...it's freezing stinkin cold in Dallas right now so I may as well be wearing these layers!!!


Details:
Plaid top, Sweater - Old Navy
Scarf - H&M
Jeans - Target
 Boots - Macy's
Sunnies - Kohl's


I've been taking it pretty easy this week - I'm just outside the city so I haven't taken the time to try and get downtown. Tonight, however, I'm planning on hitting up the "biggest honky tonk" in the US to do some dancing - hopefully it's fun!!





What are you up to this week?

Monday, April 22, 2013

[OOTD] Here, But Not Here

Today, I'm back! I've actually planned posts for this week, if you can believe it. But I'm not really "here" - this week I'm back in Texas, this time for work (I was in Austin for a girl's weekend a week ago, on the tail of a week in Vegas for work) - it never stops! Though I must say, I'm super thankful to be busy - in my job, that means some level of job security!!

So enough of my babbling...I'm putting up some older pics this week that have been on my computer just waiting patiently to be posted.


Details:
Top - Kohl's
Pants - Ross
Heels - ?? (old)
Jacket - Michael Kors via Goodwill (from this post)







Wednesday, April 17, 2013

[Blog] Happy First Birthday, Blog!

Worst blogger ever. Yep, that's me.

I completely forgot.

The Blue Hour turned 1 nearly two whole weeks ago. And I didn't even notice.

Not to mention it's been about that long since my last post. Don't worry, I haven't given up...I've just gotten completely slammed at work.

I guess late is better than not at all?!

Thank you to all you wonderful readers out there - I wouldn't still be doing this lil blog after a whole year if I was only talking to myself. You guys are the best!!

Now go have a cupcake in honor of being awesome. I insist.


Happy Birthday, Blog!!


Friday, April 5, 2013

[OOTD] Phone Randoms

It's Friday! Yay!!

I'm unloading some phone outfits today. I plan (we all know my plans don't always happen) to prepare next week's posts this weekend, because next week I'm traveling. I'm heading to Las Vegas for work, then directly onward to Austin to meet up with my 5 besties from Semester At Sea - it's been 10 years since our voyage!!

With all that excitement, I won't be around these parts much next week but hopefully I'll leave enough to keep ya'll entertained. Now...on to the outfits!


Wore this one out running errands on the weekend.

Details:
Top - JCPenney
Scarf - H&M
Jeans - Elle via Kohl's
Sweater - F21
Bag - Macy's
Boots - Shoeland 


Wore this outfit to the cabin I went to 2 weeks ago for my friend April's birthday

Details:
Sweater - Macy's
Leggings - Gap
Boots, Boot Socks - Can't remember, too old! 


Wore this one to work this week. I was experimenting with mixing colors!

Details:
Top - Kohl's
Skirt - Express (old)
Cardigan - The Webster for Target
Shoes - Payless 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

[Life] Help! Fashion Emergency!

Ok, so maybe it's not an emergency. But I really need ya'lls help and opinions!

Next week, I'm headed to Las Vegas for a trade show. During the day, there's a prescribed uniform, so packing for the day will be a cinch. The issue I'm having is packing for the evening. The trade show has "official after parties" at some great venues - Ghost Bar at the Palms and Tao to name a few. I know if I were going to Vegas on a personal trip, my evening attire for these places would look something like this:


 Unfortunately, this isn't quite the outfit I want my professional colleagues to see me in (the folks I'm traveling with are all solely professional acquaintances!). So, I need to find a happy medium - outfits that don't make me feel under-dressed at a place like Tao, but that are acceptable in a business environment.

Help! Ideas?!

Monday, April 1, 2013

[Shopping] March Budget

I need to just stop writing things off the cuff on this blog. I only disappoint myself.

Here we are again, at the end of a month/beginning of a new month, and I've done a crappy job of doing bi-monthly or weekly vlogs on what I bought. And this month? You're not even going to get a month's end vlog (at least not today!) because I am just. so. exhausted.

The month of March found me teaching 4 weeks straight. I know, I know...people out there who are teachers are thinking "what the heck are you complaining about?" because they do it day in and day out 9-10 months of the year. However. I teach very complex technologies, and I don't get to give any classwork or busywork or exams, plus many times I have to travel multiple time zones away, so I think I have a right to be tired. Right? Right?

Anyway. 4 weeks straight teaching 5 days a week and traveling to half of those teaching engagements, plus 1 weekend lost to travel and 2 weekends full of events I feel like I've been non-stop for the entire month. All I want is a day to lay around and relax and do nothing. Not sure when there will be room on the schedule for that since I'm headed to Vegas (for work) this weekend and will be spending the whole week there until I fly to Austin to spend the following weekend with all 5 of my gals from Semester At Sea (it's our 10 year reunion!).

I digress. Let's talk budget, which was the point of this whole post to begin with! This month's budget was $160-$200. I've upped it to $200 max if there's the funds for it, because I came up with $160 from a $40/week budget and I've found that while I'd like to stay under that amount, I often linger somewhere slightly over. (Long story is that I use cash for my budget so I try and stick with $20 increments - I usually nab $40/week from the ATM for shopping but am letting myself take $60 for 2 weeks each month if the budget allows).

This month I got:
  • Printed pants, H&M, $13
  • Black floral lacy top, H&M, $30
  • Poodle cardigan, F21 via Alexis Suitcase, $12
  • Striped scarf, Gap, $18
  • Mint Starfish scarf, boutique in Manhattan Beach, $15
  • Coral heels, Vince Camuto via Alexis Suitcase, $28
  • Brown heels, Alexis Suitcase, $18
  • White and blue print skirt, Target, $17
  • Animal print skirt, Target, $11.50
  • Blue cutout back top, Target, $18
  • Cobalt print scarf, H&M, $7
  • White floral scarf, H&M, $7
Grand total:  $194.50

I will update with pictures or a vlog later this week (hopefully!).