Not Quite As Planned

Coat: Boutique (Limelight), Dress: Gift, Sweater: Gap, Tights: Target, Shoes: Ann Marino, Belt/Ring/Headband: F21, Purse: Thrifted

You guys may or may not have noticed (probably the latter) that I dropped off the face of the earth as of Thursday afternoon. We can thank this nasty gunk that I seem to be plagued with all of a sudden. Cough, fever, exhaustion, sore throat. Fun. I will assure you that I did go pants-free on Thursday and I actually wore a really cute outfit. Since it wasn't photographed, it technically didn't happen. So I am perfectly justified in wearing it again. Perhaps all hope is not yet lost. Friday, all bets were off. I dragged my butt off the couch for all of five minutes in a pathetic attempt to get to work before I decided that mom was right and decided to call in sick. I wore jammies and my favorite blanket. All day.

Today, in a stroke of brilliance and in an effort to make myself feel better, I decided to put on my big girl panties and get all gussied up to go shopping. I put on my best combo of street corner tights (I watched Pretty Woman for the 100 millionth time last night) and tea with the queen coat. Don't ask why I associated this outfit with such. It can likely be attributed to spending 2 days high on cold meds. Don't be fooled. Getting dressed doesn't actually make you feel better. I'm now paying for it by gluing my rear to the sofa again clinging to my favorite blankie for dear life. So let's forgive the fact that I forgot to switch to my 50 mm lens for the above photos and I look completely strung out and slightly possessed.

Thanks guys. And if this post doesn't make any sense, it probably shouldn't. It's likely best not to write when in such a state of exhausted delirium.

Love,

Ramsey

Since I'm on a Boot Diet

Blazer: Thrifted, Maxi Dress: Charlotte Russe, Shoes: Rocketdog/Shoe Station, Scarf: Gift/Local Boutique, Ring: F21, Earrings: Charlotte Russe, Bracelet: Premiere

I definitely had to go with a blazer. 'Cuz we all know those are my second obsession. Well that and the fact that I just couldn't wait to tell you guys that I got this baby (size 0...unheard of at my thrift stores) for $1.50. Wowza!

So, I had lots of running around to do yesterday and mom wasn't available for picture taking, so I enlisted the help of Dusty. Applause for the first timer...I think he did a stellar job. Well, except for the three with my head cut off, but other than that, great job! And he risked getting in trouble at work to run across the street and take these. His boss apparently doesn't abide by fair labor laws (15 minute morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch hour). Stinker.

We had date night last night...which consisted of a breakfast for champions (we call it a Jethro...look it up) crowned with a drizzle of maple syrup and American Idol. I won't bore you with a commentary (even though New Jersey didn't impress me too much) but I will tell you I'm obsessing over Jenifer Lopez's skirt! Actually, I fell in love with pretty much her whole outfit.

Alrighty, the 30-30 challenge is upon us and I am seriously contemplating joining in...shall we folks?

Love, Ramsey

Are We Tired of Boots Yet?

Sweater: American Eagle, Belt: Target, Flannel shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Old Navy, Tights: Charolette Russe (I think), Leg warmers: F21, Boots: Madden Girl

I promise to abstain from boot wearing for the rest of the week. Or at least for today. Yeah, we'll go with that.

So, the weather warmed up by like a lot yesterday, and by the end of the day, I was regretting the layers. Just a bit. And the fact that Dusty told me it wouldn't be humid for most of the day, so I curled my hair. Then I walked outside. Result: See above.

I have a love hate relationship with tights. I know, pepper me with a marshmallow gun (because I'm obsessed with those and I really want one), I just said that about tights. I do love the fact that they keep me warm. And they're pretty. And they make shortish skirts slightly more appropriate. BUT the crotch slides down all day. You know what I'm talking about, I'm fighting to keep it above me knees. And they are itchy. Especially when you sit in a plastic desk for an hour, then get up and walk around and they start the itchy thing on your legs and butt. But you can't readjust or scratch because that would be highly inappropriate. So instead, you walk with your legs far apart as if you have a post stuck up your rear hoping they will readjust on their own and stop itching. Or maybe that's just me.

Lets have a round of applause...I'm not wearing pants. I jumped on the bandwagon after being a rebel Monday and wearing jeans, and I am commiting to wearing no pants for the rest of the week. You guys can be my conscience. If you'd like to check out some other pantsless ladies (minds out of the gutter kids), please check out Hayley at Cheap Girl in a Chic World.

If your real nice, maybe you can join in late. I think I have to go an extra day because I broke the rules on Monday. It's Hump Day, and you know what that means....ok, well maybe you don't, but for us it means date night. Tonight looks like breakfast. Happy Hump Day guys! And I think yesterday was national hugging day. I don't think I hugged anyone yesterday, so lets just celebrate today! Love (and hugs), Ramsey

Me Style/Mom Style...7 Things

Blouse: NYand Co., Sweater: F21, Jeans: Belk, Shoes: Thrifted, Earrings: Mom's...from the early 90's...oh yes

Mom got all gussied up for an outfit post too. So here you have: style at any age. Her awesome shoes are by Steve Madden. Love them!

I didn't wear a skirt yesterday. It was rainy and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Forgive me. I will make it up by doing an extra day this week. Maybe. Don't hold me to that.
I did wear one today. Hopefully I will photograph and post it. If not, just pretend.

Ok, so Kristine of Kristine. Or Polly. got me with the seven things:childhood years...so I will play fair. Don't judge me. I am a nerd.

1. I made one "B" throughout elementary and high school on my report card. It was in the third grade. In math. One point from an "A."

2. I cheered throughout highschool and we used to go on road trips to games. Our theme songs were "My Humps" and "Grillz". We put gum wrappers on our teeth for grillz. We were mature.

3. In the 6th grade I had to get glasses because I couldn't read time tests on the projection screen. And my eyesight was so bad I used to bump into rearview mirrors in parking lots.

4. Tommy Hilfiger was so cool. Red, white, and Blue baby.

5. I wore Ked's for the majority of my elementary school career. With colored socks. It was the 90's.

6. I took college classes my senior year which only met a few times per week. We spent 90% of our time at school in the library break room. Drinking coffee.

7. I remember Dusty from when I was in middle school (he was in high, we went to a small k-12 school). He was a senior who hung out with one of the really popular senior guys that everyone knew. He had long sideburns.

Ok, so that's about all my sad little memory can dig out right now.

Tagging: Camile, Karly, Linden, Erin, Ana Paula,Katie, and Katie.

K guys, run and play with this.

Love,

Ramsey

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Blouse: Thrifted, Skirt: F21, Ring: F21, Tights: American Eagle, Belt: Grandmother's, Shoes: Shoe Station/Ann Merino, Coin Necklace: Gift

Ok, so first of all, let's just go ahead and get over the fact that these pictures were taken in bright light and are overexposed and shadowy. K? Good. Because shortly after these were taken, I shed the nice clothes in favor of leggings and a sweatshirt with furry boots (translation:I ripped these off as soon as I walked in the door). I went to Costco. Big whoop.

Next, I'd like to introduce you to my new blog design, created by Katie of Along the Way with K&J. I have no technological abilities and she offered to lend me her mad graphic design skills and create this new look for me. Ain't she purdy (the blog...and Katie, of course)! First off, everyone should rush right over and tell her what a good job she did. But, if that is not motivation enough for you to check her out, then perhaps you would be interested in entering her giveaway for your very own custom blog design. You guys have until next weekend to link up a winner (something you've made...she's being generous guys...anything!). So scoot your tooshies over there and enter to win a blog design! And spread the word so we can be fair and give everybody a chance! Thank you again Katie...you are awesome!

Alright, so finally I promised you guys a little question and answer, so here we go...

Who takes your pictures? My mom. She's awesome. We go out and find random places everyday (usually on our way to or from somewhere) and take pictures. We get weird stares sometimes, but it forces us to be creative. We use my Canon Rebel with a 50mm lens (f/1.8-2.5 usually). Main advice: be creative, be flexible, snap snap snap.

Do you edit your pictures: Yup, I do a quickie edit on them. I just don't have the time to do a full-blown awesome job. If I have a blemish, we take pics from a distance.

How do you get your pictures to sit side-by-side? You have to format the layout so that the center column (or main column) is wide enough to fit two pictures. Then, I just upload the pictures with formatting set to none in the largest size available and once they are uploaded, I move them to sit beside each other and center them. Hope this helps. I am seriously technology illiterate.

Is your hair naturally curly/How do you style your hair? Yes, my hair is naturally curly. I didn't realize exactly how curly until I left the salon (and by salon, I mean Great Clips) yesterday after getting a trim with wet hair and by the time we reached Costco and it dried, it was almost ringletty (word). I do, however, enlist the help of a curling iron most days to smooth things out. Basically, I just blow it dry (you could let it air dry) and brush it out. Then I take a hot 1-1 1/2 in. barrel curling iron and curl big chunks, just curling the bottom of my hair. After the bottom has some shape, I take smaller chunks from the top and curl them from about half way (leaving out the ends) to the top of my head. This way, I get shape and length without a ringlet, Shirley Temple look. I usually finish it with a quickie scrunch with some gel and hair spray. Hope that makes sense. How do they write Cosmetology textbooks?

And the recipe for Tomato Soup:

2 28 oz. cans whole plum tomatoes

1 small can beef broth

1 onion

3 cloves garlic

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Saute onion and garlic in 2 tbsp. butter. Add in tomatoes, broth and spices and boil for 30 minutes. Process in a food processor and add cream. Reheat, but don't allow it to boil. Seriously so simple I can't believe I haven't done it before!

K, so that's pretty much everything I have! By the way guys, I'm just going to unashamedly ask if any of you know how to make my pictures bigger without losing quality. I can't find a good tutorial. Thanks in advance!

Love,

Ramsey

Jailhouse Rock

Blazer: Gap, Shirt: Belk, Jeggings: Wal Mart, Necklace: Gift, Scarf: Steve Madden,Boots: Vintage, gift, Bracelet: Jewelry party

So, I felt rather bad today. Not bad as in sickly, but as in
"get on with your bad self." I think it was because a) I look like I just broke jail and b) because I wore this shirt last Saturday. But I just love stripes so much...and I fit right in because today, Forever 21 had an entire room dedicated to stripes! The Cat in the Hat would have been downright proud. So, there you have it. I went shopping today. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I keep debating this with myself) I did NOT, I repeat, did not buy one thing at F21. Not that I didn't want to, but not even the most perfect item in the whole store would have been worth the fact that the line was literally 30 minutes long. Must be payday. And the other little problem is that I realized I had left my wallet at home. Surefire best way to keep from buying something.

Last night Dusty took me out on a date (upon my request because we couldn't settle on a place).

Cracker Barrel. Neither of us have ever been to "our" cracker barrel. We only go when we are on vacation. So naturally, we pretended we were on a road trip and marched our little buns right in. Nothing is better that a platter full of chicken and dumplings. Add in the little peg game, and golly, you've got a smashing date night. I won. Just for the record. And Dusty, you're welcome for me not putting the stuffing your face picture on here. But I saved it on my computer. We also got some Badger Balm in the country store, which I'm now mildly in love with. I think it's the cute badger on the lid that sold me. Who and I kidding. I know it is.

Hope your Saturday evenings were filled with full bellies and fun!

Love,

Ramsey

I Got My New Shoes On

Dress worn as a skirt {again}, sequined vest: F21, Sweater: Old Navy, Coin Necklace: Gift, Blazer: Ann Taylor Loft, Tights: Shoe Station, Shoes and Bag: Thrifted

First of all. You guys rock! Your sweet words totally got me through my crummy day yesterday and I'm now able to see that in the scheme of things, it wasn't that bad. Things could be far worse and I'm thankful for the people who love me and take care of me when trouble strikes. And for all of you, of course!

Mushiness aside, today was fruitful and sunny and nice. Note: I did not say warm. But it was a rather good day (when indoors with major heat running. And a blanket). First off, notice the awesome new shoesies that I scored for a whopping two buckaroos at a local thrift store. I also bought the bag, another pair of shoes, a blazer and a floral blouse (you will be seeing these soon I assure you) all for $12. Yup...score! Totally worth the fact that the store is literally in a garage. Read: no heat. at all. or doors. But I couldn't believe they had so much in my size. I practically hugged the lady and skipped out of the store. We also enjoyed a sinful pastry and coffee breakfast at the bakery. They do use organic, whole ingredients, which basically cancels out the fact that sticky buns are carbs, butter, and sugar. Check me. It's true.

Now we are all snugged up about to watch a movie with our bellies full of ham apple melts and homemade tomato soup (best recipe ever! I will be happy to share.) We have some ginger snaps in the oven to go with apple cider in a bit (once the stuffing in our tummies settles). All is good. And warm. Because we are not stepping one toe outdoors. Nope not one until at least tomorrow morning (or later if I can help it).

So, since you guys are so rockin' and all, I feel really bad about not having answered all of the questions you have been asking recently. I plan to do an answer post sometime this weekend, so if you think of anything you'd like to know, drop me a line right beneath this post and, as long as it is mildly appropriate, I'll answer. We like to keep things PG over here. I kid. Not that you would ever submit inappropriate questions. Just sayin'. Can't wait to hear from you all!

It's Friday guys! In the words of the famous R. Kelly, It's the freakin' weekend baby I'm about to have me some fun.

Love,

Ramsey