[Fashion] You're all I need to get by....

You guys, I've been watching my viewership and followers slowly but surely climb. You all are so awesome!!! It makes a gal feel inspired just knowing there are folks out there who enjoy reading this lil blog. A big THANK YOU to everyone who's checking in here - you are appreciated!!

Dress: Target (spring 2012) | Cardigan: Old Navy (2010) | Heels: Chinese Laundry (old) | Bracelet: F21 (2011) | Watch: New York & Company | Necklace: ? (old, gifted) | Earrings: India (gifted from MIL)

This was my attempt at making a casual dress suitable for the office.

This dress actually has spaghetti straps, but I figured since it was pretty covered in the bust, a simple cardigan over top would make it office-appropriate.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the asymmetrical cardigan but I thought the hem actually added to the overall outfit.

This necklace is an add-a-pearl necklace from my Grandmother that she gave me when I was just a little girl. Do you have any childhood fine jewelry pieces that you've held on to?

[Fashion] Come Back Home to California

Lately I've been seeing some posts about hanging onto old clothes. I am so, so guilty of this!!!

The jeans I'm wearing here are 11 years old - ELEVEN!!!! I bought them my junior year of college at a place called the Pittsburgh Jean Company.

I had a sorority sister who worked there, and it's one of those boutique-y jean places, where they only carry the designer and high end brands. (Read: EXPENSIVE for a college kid!!).

However, the first time I went there, I fell in love with these jeans. 11 years later, they still fit. I wore them on my second date with my husband and they have a hole in the knee from when I tripped and fell on our way to the car after dinner.

But I still feel awesome in them. And they're Juicy Couture jeans, which I've seen to be high quality, as I still have them. And they still fit me like a glove.

Do you have any clothes you've hung on to??

Outfit deets:

Top, Heels - Kohl's (top is recent but not on the website, shoes Fall 2011)

Jeans - Juicy Couture, Pittsburgh Jean Company

Earrings - Homemade

Necklace, Watch - New York & Company (Spring 2012 and Spring 2011)

Bracelet - Macy's (here)

[Random] Eye Candy

YUM.



Can't wait for this movie. Wonder why....??

Happy Monday, ya'll.

[Blogging] No-Reply Blogger

There have been a lot of posts in the blogosphere lately that fall under one of these categories:

1. What I hate about blogging (Disguised as "How to be a Better Blogger" post)
2. What I hate about commenters/readers/etc (Also disguised as the "How to be a Better Blogger/Reader" post)
3. What I hate about other bloggers (Disguised as discussions about "Blog Snobs")

I'm kind of getting tired of reading about it. But I am not going to add to the negativity by whining about it. (Hollie at Hollie Takes Notes also was discussing the issue of blogger whining here - it's a good read!) Can't we all just get along and ignore the blogs that irk us?

Anyway. Let's get to the point.

There are a lot of posts out there lamenting the "No Reply Blogger". What, you ask, is the no-reply blogger? Well, on many blogs, when you comment, the blogger gets an email saying you commented and showing the content in your comment.  Most of you are probably saying "duh" (do people still say that or am I regressing to the 90s?) because you're bloggers, too, and you get these emails. They are awesome, because we don't have to keep going back to our blogs, right?

But when that email comes, it will come from an email address...and sometimes the email address is noreply-comment@blogger.com aka "No Reply Blogger". Often, bloggers would love to just email you a reply. If you have an email address on your comment, it can be done. If you don't, we have to go back to the blog to comment.

This is what a noreply blogger email looks like!

Now, let it be known I'm not whining about noreply-blogger. I don't really care. I mean, it's easier if you have an email, but if you don't I don't get all bent out of shape about it. Whatevs. I will always try and go to my blog to reply if I can't reply via email. However, I'm never sure if anyone actually sees that I reply or comes back to check, so there's that.

What I'm really writing about here is how to fix noreply-blogger if you so choose. I'm not asking you to or anything, but I know when I wanted to change mine I couldn't figure out how in the world to do it. Friends, I am here to help!

All other posts on how to do this, that I could find anyway, tell you how to do it from the original blogger dashboard. But what if you have the new blogger dashboard? Egads!! I thought this post might really help out some others who don't know how to change it. I spent weeks trying to figure it out.

NOTE: If you have linked blogger to Google+, these directions will not apply. I have never linked my blog to Google+ so I don't know how to do it if you have. I do know that if you've linked to Google+ in the last 30 days, you can switch back using the info found here: http://www.blogger.com/revert-profile.g ...Otherwise - I'm sorry, but this won't help!

Here is the part of the post where you all should be glad I was a technical writer, because hopefully these directions are clear, concise, and easy to follow.

You have to go back to the old blogger dashboard. This is the biggest problem with every other "how to get rid of no-reply blogger" post that's out there. They don't tell you to do this if you have new blogger dashboard!!!

1.

Go to the gear at the top right of your blogger dashboard.

2.

Select Old Blogger Interface.

3.

Select Edit Profile when the old dashboard appears.

4.

Make sure "Show my email address" is checked. The email that is set will be to the right of the setting. To change it, go to Identity and type in email address.

5. Hit Save. This takes you back to the old blogger dashboard.

6. Select "Upgrade Now" from the link at the top of the page. There should be a displayed message about old blogger dashboard going away and would you like to upgrade? It's in there.

That's it! You're done!

There may be other ways to do this without going backwards (when old blogger goes away for good I have no idea how this will work), but this is the way I figured out. If you know of another way, please leave it in the comments!!

I know a big part of my problem is that my blogger is connected to my Google+. I'm curious if the issue and the solve is the same for those who don't have blogger connected to Google+.

Anyway....hope this helped!

[Fashion] Little Shadow

Guys, this week has been exhausting. Fun, but exhausting. Remember how I was gone last week? I came home and spent the weekend catching up - housework, laundry, and spending QT with the hubs since I hadn't seen him all week. Then Monday came.

Every single night this week I've had something. I'm not complaining - most of the the somethings were fun. BUT - I haven't had any down time yet. That's why I'm so looking forward to this weekend. Tonight is a Friday night, and if all goes well it will find me with my laptop and a glass of wine, parked on the couch. All night. It's what I'm dreaming of. :)

So, this week's blog has really suffered because of my busyness, and I apologize. I plan to have a solid week of daily or near daily posts next week to make up for it. Seriously, I have about 3 weeks worth of outfit photos stock piled that just need some editing.

Anyway.

Let's get to it! Ya'll, let me prepare you. These are not my best pics. But I still liked the outfit so oh well. I can share the warts and all.

Love that sexy fire alarm up there!

 This outfit was a random middle of the work week outfit. My office is pretty casual, so when I'm not teaching (or, shall I say not teaching a client), my wardrobe can be casual. Generally not quite so casual as this, but my boss is in England, so I get away with it.

What a goofy face! 

These pics were taken in the room I teach in. I tried a series there a few weeks ago and really just love outside light better.

What's that over yonder!?

Am I done yet?

Arm party!

Outfit deets:

Top - JCPenney (here)

Jeans - Express (old)

Flip Flops - Old Navy (here)

Earrings - I have no idea (old, old, old)

Necklace - Macy's (2011)

Bracelets - INPink (blue, here), Macy's (diamond infinity, here - Valentine's gift from hubby!), Gifted (beaded is from sis-in-law)

Watch - New York & Company (2011)

[Blogging] Bauble Swap!

One of my favorite bloggers, Shanna (at Because Shanna Said So) is hosting a Bauble Swap. I think this is such a neat idea! Each blogger will be matched with another blogger, and they will have the opportunity to get to know them through their blog and then pick out a new or gently used bauble that they think their partner would like! Who doesn't love picking out the perfect gift or getting a surprise in the mail!? Check out the link below if you want to read more about it or participate!

[Fashion] Time For An...

Outfit post!

A few weekends ago, we had a barbecue at our place and this is what I wore for my roll as grillmaster. :)

I love hosting things at my house. I like to be in my own place but surrounded by people. For my 30th birthday last summer, I asked for a kegger/grill party with yard games and flip cup. That's exactly what my hubby gave me!  This outfit was perfect for a simple summer afternoon with a handful of friends chowing down on all kinds of grilled delicacies.

Top - New York & Company

Shorts - Old Navy (2011)

Shoes - Shoe Carnival

Watch - local boutique

Black & Silver ring - Payless

Bracelets - old

I'm starting to try to edit my photos and although there is a photo almost identical to this above, I thought the lighting was kind of cool and am sharing it as a bonus photo. :)

[Shopping] The Webster

Today was my first full day back in Atlanta, so I needed to run some errands. I had some stuff to pick up at Home Depot, and I had a pair of shoes to pick up at Payless. (I ordered the pink Payless wedges I mentioned here and they came in while I was in Toronto. Since they were on sale for $19.99 and had free shipping to the store - I love that!!! - I had to grab them!)

My local Payless is right next to a Target, so I popped in to see if the shoes I've been eyeing had come down in price. (I'm keeping my eye on these - I found out recently that Target prices ending in 8 will come down more and those ending in 4 are the cheapest they'll get. I don't really need these wedges, so I'm trying to hold out and see if the price drops, and hope they still have my size). The shoes were still $14.98, but I checked out the clothes while I was there and was happy to see a number of items from The Webster collection were now marked down!!

Tunic, originally $29.99 marked down to $20.98

Chiffon top, originally $29.99 marked down to $20.98

Dress, originally $39.99, marked down to $27.98

I know this stuff can differ from store to store, but I thought I'd give ya'll a heads up so you can at least stop in and check!

[Life] I'm Back...and Exhausted

Hello lovely readers,

This past week I've been in Toronto working on a client site. This particular course was pretty intensive and it was my first time teaching it so I spent a lot of my non-teaching hours preparing! Thankfully I had a few posts for link-ups already planned or there wouldn't have been any new content for this week.

I'm just now starting to catch up on personal emails and bloggy stuff, so bear with me if you've commented or emailed in the last 5 days. Also, probably no new post until tomorrow.

Til then!
Jamie

[Link-Up] From Blog Life to Real Life

The fabulous Jessica at Lovely Little Things and the equally fabulous Britt from the Magnolia Pair have put together a From Blog Life to Real Life link-up for today. I thought this was a really fun idea - they chose 10 questions for fellow bloggers to answer in a post and we'll all link up said posts today. Since it's all about bloggers and blogging I thought it would be fun!




The questions?

1. Do you have any real life blog friends?
2. Which blogger are you just dying to meet?
3. Which blogger's closet do you want to raid?
4. You are stuck on an island. Which blogger would you want with you to help you survive?
5. The first blogger you remember "meeting" and connecting with ?
6. Any blogger that you admire and look up to?
7. Who is the craziest/funniest blogger?
8. There's a reality television show for bloggers, who would you want to be casted with you?
9. Some bloggers have really cool jobs, anybody you'd like to swap careers with?
10. Favorite blog design?

And here are my answers - there were some bloggers I could happily put into more than one question, but in the interest of variety, I've kept it one to one!

1. Do you have any real life blog friends?
It makes me sad to say that no - I don't. :(  Not just yet anyway. But I'm still pretty new to this blogging thing, so I'm hoping in the next few months to a year I meet some!

2. Which blogger are you just dying to meet?

Oh, this one is easy. She was my first follower - she's got great style, a fantastic sense of humor, and is an awesome writer. And on top of it, she is seriously one of the nicest and most positive people I've ever had the pleasure of "knowing" (you know, since we've never actually met). It would definitely be Molly of Still Being Molly!!

Molly's personality shining through :)

3. Which blogger's closet do you want to raid? 

Marion at Marionberry Style. Seriously. That girl has the best clothes! There are definitely a bunch of bloggers who clothes I would love to steal, but every single outfit Marion wears is fabulous while being classic and chic.

Also, Andrea at My Closet to Yours. She has killer style.

4. You are stuck on an island. Which blogger would you want with you to help you survive? 

Maegan at ...love Maegan. She does amazing DIYs and if I were stuck on an island I believe her amazing DIY skills would come in very useful in surviving!!!

5. The first blogger you remember "meeting" and connecting with ? 

Amanda at A.Co est. 1984. I adore her style and found inspiration in her posts! She was the first fashion blogger I ever followed.

6. Any blogger that you admire and look up to? 

Kate at The Small Things Blog. She always comes across as kind and intelligent, no matter what she's writing about. She has amazing style, impeccable taste in decor, is amazing at styling hair, and her pictures always look fabulous. 

7. Who is the craziest/funniest blogger? 

Mish (Michelle) at Mish Lovin' Life. She is downright hilarious. Her style of writing is so engaging and her sense of humor makes me laugh every post I read! She's half Korean and spends a lot of time poking fun at being "Asian", and she's somehow managed to make something as impressive as marathon training come off as fun and funny at the same time. She has an alter ego named Crazy Connie. If you are not reading her blog, go do it now. You heard me. Go on. I'll still be here when you get back.

You can just tell she's fun from her button!!!

8. There's a reality television show for bloggers, who would you want to be casted with you? 

Oh, there are definitely a number I'd want around - Shan from Merci Blah Blah for her ridiculously awesome sense of humor and Sarah from Coming Unstitched because she's a Pennsylvania girl and we all know PA gals are the most fun ;). 

9. Some bloggers have really cool jobs, anybody you'd like to swap careers with? 

I would love to swap careers with Mary Ann from the Dapper Bun. She's a dance teacher, and dances with a local dance company here in Atlanta. I love dance but unfortunately didn't start doing it early enough in life to really become great. I'd love to be good enough to do what she does!!

Amazing!

10. Favorite blog design?

Confession: I hardly ever actually visit people's blog pages. I read all my blogs in my Google Reader. I have no idea who has a good blog design and who doesn't!!!