Fashion Friday: Chevron

I love, love, love a good Chevron print.  It's intriguing, yet simple.  It's modern, yet classic.  It works great as an accent piece for an outfit or room, or as the main focal point.

The chevron print adds a modern feel to an otherwise traditional room.

Simple accent.

 Can't talk about chevron without talking about Missoni.

Two trends in one.  Chevron and ombre. 

 Great accent wall.

I love everything about this look.

Since a chevron print is so simple, you can pair it with other prints.

A simple dress.  This would look great with a black leather jacket, black tights and boots for day.  Take off the jacket and add black pumps for day to night.

Another example of two and one incorporating chevron and sequins.  And gold and black chevron?  I die for this dress!

5 Things

Sorry to disappoint, but no Awkward and Awesome today.  Nothing awkward to report.  However, I do have an awesome story about the love of my life, Riley.  As most of you know, Riley is my dog (who's birthday happens to be today..Happy Birthday!).  Anyway, the other night, I was sitting in a recliner when he put his paws on me to say hi.  He then proceeded to climb up and curl up with me on the chair.  This was probably the most adorable thing he has ever done because he's never done anything like that.  He is usually quite dominant and wants his own space, but not this particular night.  He melted me heart. 

I think this is such a great look.  Comfy, yet fashionable and dressed up.  

And proud of it!

This room is great on so many levels.

Plantain chips.  If you've never had them, I insist you try them.  They taste like potato chips, but they are better for you! 

Stop the Hate

Since when did it become okay to be so hateful to one another based on political beliefs?  Or religious beliefs?  Or personal beliefs in regards to relationships?  The best part about living in the USA is freedem to believe what we want and practice what we want.  Attacking someone because of their political beliefs is no different than attacking someone because of who they date.  Why can't we be more open minded and accept the fact that people have different belief systems when it comes to all aspects of life.  Not only is this type of hatred uncalled for, but it's pointless as well.  The sooner people understand that they aren't going to change anyone's way of thinking, the better.  You might strongly believe in certain issues, and that's great, that is your prerogative.  It's also my prerogative to believe what I believe, so let it be.  Everyone needs to stop belittling one another just because they have a different belief system.  You're not going to change my mind, I'm not going to change your mind.  Leave it at that and move on.

5 Things

For whatever reason, I give off a false impression of myself sometimes.  I've been called standoff-ish and other choice words.  I have other friends that have been told they give off a similar impression.  I'm here to clear up that misconception.  We're not standoff-ish, we're by no means "bitchy", and we're not abrasive.    We're also not bubbly, happy-go-lucky girls that will start up conversations with a wall. People like to label others as falling into one of these two categories.  Don't get it twisted.  Just because I'm at times quiet and observant, doesn't make me a bad person.  Everyone has to remember that we're all different, and have different backgrounds that have shaped our personalities.  We're all guilty of pre-judging one another, but I think we need to try not to, and I'll try my best to give off a vibe truer to myself.

I'm going to need to make these someday.  

Fashion inspiration for a jacket I just bought.  

Alexander McQueen skull scarf.  I need to learn how to tie my scarf like this.

I love this catch-all type bag.  Would be perfect for school.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

I'm back!  And lucky for you, I started class this week for the Master's degree.  I say lucky for you, because I will be taking the light rail to and from class twice a week, which is bound to give me some great stories!

The past 2 weeks I was very sick with a sinus infection so I wasn't able to get out much.  This awkward and awesome post is a couple of weeks combined into one.


Awkward:

• It's always awkward when someone from high school comes into the restaurant I work at, but it's even worse when I have to wait on them.  Yup, just waiting tables.  Really living the dream after college graduation.  
• Kanyo West.  Instead of Kanye, it came out Kanyo.  We officially invented a new rapper: Kanyo East.
• I recently got in touch with a blast from the past.  Since then, we've been talking about getting together.  He has these ideas of getting together at like 9:00 p.m.  He clearly doesn't know that I'm a grandma and like to be in bed by 11:00.  
• I finally saw "Bridesmaids."  This is awkward because it took me this long to finally see the damn movie.  It was good, but I gotta say, "Hangover" is better.
• I was witness to a grown man (I'd say he was about 29 years old) getting lectured by his mother about soda and how bad it is for you.  Soda is the very worst thing for you.  All that high fructose corn syrup...
• Pulling out Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the light rail.  Yes I'm 23 years old and reading HP, for the 2nd time.    I won't lie to you, I hid the fact that it was Harry Potter.
• This kid straight up rapping along with this headphones on the light rail last night.  I feared he was moments away from this.  Please excuse the swear words.

Awesome:

• I saw my first Cirque de Soleil show a couple weeks ago.  I was so excited to see "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" but have to admit that it left me wanting more.  
• Steak and Shake.  I finally ate at the Colorado location.  It was delicious.  Per usual.
• Exactly one month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.  Ready for baseball!!
• This week my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary!  We celebrated in style at Red Lobster...cause we had a coupon.  
• The Australian Open is underway, which can only mean one thing.  I'll be living in this t-shirt for the next 2 weeks.  

• Spur of the moment shopping at Forever 21.  For whatever reason, I decided to run by the mall yesterday and picked up some really cute items like a zebra print "shrug" and a "leather" moto jacket.  

5 Things

For some reason, snow always makes me daydream.  Probably because I'm bored and have nothing to do since I don't feel like going out.  Today's 5 things are things I'm dreaming about.

Marc Jacobs aviators

Diamonds are a girl's best friend.  Now if I only had a boyfriend. 

Yes please. 

One day you will be mine.

Resolutions

I've never been one for "New Year's Resolutions."  That said, I think it's always good to assess your life and find things to improve upon and appreciate more.  I've chosen these 10 resolutions because they should be reachable, and I hope blogging about them will make me more accountable. 

1. Love myself more.  I'm way too hard on myself sometimes.

2. Drink more water.  The goal is 2 Nalgenes per day.  The thing that always trips me up with drinking more water is always having to go to the bathroom!  

3. Spend more time "unplugged."  Less time on the phone, computer, ipad, tv, etc.

4. Read 40 books.  Which I'll be able to do since I'll spend less time with technology.  Right?  Hope so.

5. Smile more.  I'm a happy person that loves life, but don't always show it.  Tired of the misconceptions people have about me. 

6. Start running again.  I loved running.  I'd like to run a 5K this year, and maybe next year I'll finally run the half marathon I've always said I would.

7. Appreciate the opportunity to get my Master's degree.  More education is always a good thing!

8. Show more patience towards the ones I love.  

9. Spend more time with friends.  This is challenging because my schedule doesn't usually match up with my friends' schedules, but I have to make more of an effort to go out even if I'm not in the mood.

10. Wear more of the clothes in my closet.  I always wear the same things over and over (who doesn't) because I'm comfortable in them.  Time to step outta my comfort zone and wear other things!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Better late than never right?

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  We just got back from a great trip to St. Louis, hence the A&A delay.

Awkward:

• The amount of people at the mall 2 days before Christmas.  I mean really, do people leave their shopping until Christmas Eve?  I was done with my shopping by Thanksgiving.  
• The constant stream of words like ox, zip, and dove going through my mind due to my recent Scrabble obsession.  
• The "Chuckie" doll that shows up at family gatherings.  It used to be my Grandmother's, but for whatever reason the family has held on to it.  As I opened my White Elephant present, he was staring back at me.  We tried to leave him, but someone snuck him into my dad's car.  The best part is that my dad found it while rummaging through his backseat late at night looking for an umbrella.

• Celebrating our Colorado Christmas with Wesley the plumber and Tom the CBS news guy.  Long story short, we open gifts before heading out of town.  That night our water heater went out and needed to be replaced immediately, and the news asked to use our porch for a story about parcel theft.  Needless to say, a Christmas for the books.

Awesome:

• My new ipad!  I'm loving it and wondering how I lived without it.  I was a skeptic for the longest time wondering why in the world I would need one.  It's great for Twitter, playing Scrabble, and for reading.
• The Night Circus.  If you're looking for a great book that combines Harry Potter, Water for Elephants and The Hunger Games, this is it.  
• The Adele cd/dvd that I got in the white elephant gift exchange.  I love her!
• Harry Potter DVD box set.  I got all 8 movies and can't wait to watch them all again!
• Being able to celebrate Christmas with my extended family.  I was able to meet 3 new cousins and see everyone else that I wasn't able to see last year.  
• Finally getting a good family picture!  My mom has been trying to get a good one for probably a year now and we finally got a good one.  

Five Things

Today was one of those days where I just didn't want to get out of bed.  My day got a little better once I had some coffee, which would taste so much better coming from a "Grumpy" mug.  Note to self, must find that mug.  Here are a few other things I found enjoyable on this fabulous Friday! 

Getting my hair cut like this next week.  Thoughts?

These NineWest boots are perfect for a Colorado winter

Orgasm by Nars.  The best blush.  In the world.  Period.

A black and gold watch is going on my wish list.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

I'm so excited for this week's edition of Awkward and Awesome Thursday.

Awkward:

• My friend and I were having drinks and catching up about life.  Somehow we started talking about this guy we went to high school with that we didn't even really know.  20 minutes later who walks in?  The guy.  I was going to be awkward (cause last week I promised I would put myself in more awkward situations for the sake of my blog) and go say hi, but realized he would have absolutely no idea who I was.  You went to Mountain Vista right?  So did I.  That's a level of awkward I won't go to. 
• As my friend and I were leaving, said guy from high school and his friend were getting picked up from the restaurant/bar by his mom.  It'd be 1 thing if it was 1:00 a.m. and you needed a safe ride, but it was 9:00 p.m. and they hadn't even been drinking.  And I'm not here to judge, but seriously, one of you couldn't borrow your parent's car? Then to top it off I hear, "Thanks for picking us up." Again, not judging.
• The other day, a certain former Colorado Avalanche captain cough Joe Sakic cough came into my place of work.  I tried to act cool about it but I mean come on, the guy is a hockey god!  Anyway, one of my coworkers asked if I could make guacamole for Joe's table.  Seriously? Absolutely! I'd love to.  Oh my gosh, never again!  I literally had to use two hands to place the bowl on his table I was shaking so bad.  I usually make conversation.  Nope, could't do it.  Then, homeboy didn't even say thanks!    
• I walked into the bank and the lady behind the counter was like, "I really like your outfit."  I said thanks.  Then she says, "I like your sweater.  I like your boots.  I love your accessories."  I say thanks again.  Then she says, "I love it all."  I look up and I ask, "What's the date?"  She tells me, then says "Well I have to go now."  Ok lady, are you that upset I didn't acknowledge your obsession with my great outfit?  
• I had a laughing fit at physical therapy the other day when my therapist hit the nerve that runs into the funny bone.  It felt like I was being tickled (which is the worst!)  Even though I'm laughing, I hate being tickled.  Then my therapist asked, "Why are you turning red? Are you ok?"  It was torture.

Awesome:

• I mentioned "Plastic Land" which greets everyone when they enter the neighborhood.  (In middle school, it was humiliating cause we would pass it every day on the bus, but I've since learned to appreciate it.  And have also learned my father would like to pass it on to me one day. Can't handle that responsibility!).  Anyway, the other day, we received a note in our mailbox from an anonymous family telling us how much they love it and look forward to it.  My dad was thrilled and would frame the note if my mother would let him.

There are 13 various figurines like this lined op on our fence

• Ghirardelli Peppermint bark.  This stuff is delicious and addicting.  
• Tim freaking Tebow on the People website.  You know you've made it when you're on people.com  Literally just saw he's on the website again today.  Love the guy, but this is getting outta control.  
• We did a gift exchange at work and my secret santa got me a Colorado Avalanche scarf.  It's amazing and it was such a great gift!  It's so nice when people put thought into a gift.  That's what it's all about!  I went all over the place looking for a University of Nebraska for my gift and the journey was well worth it because she loved her gift!