Dumps Like a Truck

So I recently gained like 8 pounds.  Well maybe "recently" isn't entirely accurate, since Christmas let's say.  

Now I am usually ridiculously hard on myself about my weight, but this time I kind of just let it slide.  I haven't wasted much time worrying about it or starting in on this vicious cycle of self-loathing that sometimes I tend to do.  I've kind of just accepted that my bum and thighs have filled out a little bit, and at 24, that's probably completely normal.  Besides, I weigh the least when I'm unhappy, so I can't really complain too much... :o)

But now that it's getting hotter and my outfits will need to get correspondingly smaller, I'm starting to get a little bit insecure.

I mean I put on these shorts and wondered, "should I actually go out in public in these?"  

But it is such a long walk from where I park to the lab, that unless I am fine with being a sweat-soaked mass of fussiness by the time I get there, Imma need to show some skin.

My main reason for photographing this outfit today, although I'm pressed for time, is just to try and see if it is offensive for my newly thicker bottom half to be showcased thusly... 

Meh, I'm sure it's fine.  I'm also sure that no one give a shit what I look like from the waist down.

Like a wise woman I once knew said, "I can't see behind me and see how fat my ass looks, so why should I waste time worrying about it?"

Shirt: Thrifted Ecote

Cami: Express circa 2002

Shorts: Urban Outfitters (Nom de Plume)

Belt: Thrifted

Sun Glasses: Forever 21

Sandals: Coach

So I am still ridiculously burned on my back, a little tiny bit on my chest and all over my bum, so bras, form-fitting shirts and rigid denim were completely out of the question.  

I have to say that this outfit is soft and comfy and probably the most perfect post-sunburn outfit I've ever concocted!

Sorry if I seemed whiny about the whole weight thing...

Twas not my intention, I just wanted to mention it since it was on my mind, anyway, have great Wednesdays anyone who sees this!

if sexually explicit sand structures offend you, please read no further

Hooray no Apocalypses! 

So Mexico was freaking awesome... I'm so glad I went!  I also didn't spend the whole time worrying, in fact, as soon as we got to the house, I was totally over my terror of Mexico.

The weather was perfect; breezy and in the low 80s.  Me and Bahb spent both days just lying on the beach drinking Corona and playing in the ocean.

The beach.  

I am a masterful picture taker.  I actually didn't take that many pictures, maybe like 10 total, because sand and water and portable electronics do not mix effectively.

All of the houses were so random, and the vast disparity from one to the next made it a really cute and eclectic little beach.

I'm running off to play in the ocean.  I wish I had a close up of me in my swim suit... it's adorable.

So it kind of hurts to look at these pictures, because holy shit, the sun did a number on me.  I got burned all over.  I know it's my own damn fault, I was too busy playing with clams and crabs and burying Bahb and being buried and frolicking in the low tide and drinking Coronas to remember to put on sunscreen.  

I am pretty much purple right now.  Even my little bum is burned! Oh no!

Here's me and Bahb, we're ludicrously good looking... duuuuuh...

I know what you're thinking, and why yes, Bahb's sunglasses are Prada.  What a dapper fellow!  He also knows what a "tiered mini" is thanks to a shopping trip to the Juicy Couture outlet that he found particularly boring.

So anyway, in life we are given so few moments of perfect clarity, I mean, after all, it isn't it the human condition that we eternally thirst for insight into the where and whyfore of our existence?  But when I climbed the stairs to the roof of the beach house and looked down and saw this...

In that moment, I knew.  That's my fucking dude.  

To completely forsake the toilets located mere feet away and walk outside to spell "Bahb" in the sand?  That's basically the most poignant example of what makes a "Bob" a "Bahb."

This doesn't hurt either...

Here he is just diggin' a hole to put me in.

Then we proceeded to make anatomically exaggerative sand bodies for each other.

Well, at least my sand body was anatomically exaggerative... HEY-O!  COUNT IT!

It's really hard to tell where the classy ends and we begin.  

Anyway, I hope I didn't offend anyone who might have stumbled across this, however, I did tell you in the title what you could expect!

Have great days anyone who reads this, and I will be back with more outfit posts just as soon as I can start wearing things that aren't my C&C french terry drawstring pants and a threadbare shirt that says "Polish TShirt" upside down.  Wah, muh skin hurts!  

That's great, it starts with an earthquake...

These pictures basically suck, but it's night time right now, so it's not really my fault.  

So apparently the world is going to end tomorrow.  Well technically, it's scheduled for May 21st at 6 p.m., which means that the world will actually start the process of ending tomorrow when the first time zone hits the 6 p.m. mark.

Now, don't get me wrong, my personal beliefs are very much against any of this being even remotely true, however, the power of suggestion, and the crazy things it makes people do, leads me to be disproportionately uneasy as the time approaches.

So I was pretty excited about my day tomorrow. I have a long day ahead of me, which is why I posted this  the night before, but I was hoping for it to be a productive one.  You know, get to work by 5 a.m. work until noon, then head to the lab and work until 5 or 6 p.m., but now that I realize the potential implications of tomorrow, it, oddly enough, makes me not want to spend 12 straight hours working.

With that in mind I chose my outfit for the day.  What better to wear on what could conceivably be my very last day within this realm of existence than these bitchin' Rock n' Roll Mickey suspenders?

Pfffft, just try and apocalypse those babies.  

Also, please note the leather jacket perfection.  I scoured high and low for a close-fitting cropped leather jacket, and finally, one day late in April of 2009, I stumbled across this... this... masterpiece at Express.  

I wear this jacket with everything in the winter.  It's funny it has never been on this blog before, but it just hasn't been cold enough.  On that note, it is May 20th, in Phoenix, AZ, mind you, and I need to wear a leather jacket because it is only 50 degrees outside right now.  Maybe there is some validity to this end of times thing?  

Skirt: American Apparel

Shirt: American Apparel

Suspenders: the Goodwill by my house

Leather Jacket: Express

Shoes: Chucks

Glasses: Ray Bans

Let's have a round of applause for muh Chucks.  These sonsabitches have been a staple in my closet for as long as I can remember.  I originally bought them expecting to buy a new pair every year, but before long I realized that I could never own another pair of black Chucks.  I mean the sole has been glued on, the plastic heel pokes out and the word "box" has been written on them in every color of ink imaginable, but that's just all part of their charm. 

I feel fraudulent... I realized just how short and not work appropriate this skirt is, so I put something else on this morning...

Don't worry, the Mickey suspenders still got did.

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: BDG

Hat: Buffalo Exchange

Suspenders: the Goodwill by my house

Shoes: Chucks

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

So in summation, this weekend would be the best weekend ever if, and realistically only if, there is no apocalypse and chaos and Bahb and I don't get killed by the Mexican drug cartel.

I hope... very very very much so in fact... that I will be here to blog on Monday!

And now... because why the fuck not?

Have great weekends/apocalypses anyone who sees this!

Impromptu Puppy Party

So remember that time I was worried about going to Mexico, but then couldn't go because I had finals coming up?  Well this weekend is finally the rescheduled Mexico weekend.  

I'm equal parts excited and scared shitless.

Anyway, the kids are going out of town this weekend too.  They are going on their first trip to the ocean, and I am kind of sad I'm not going to be there to see them get confused by the tide and bite at the sea foam and dig holes in the sand to try and figure out what's beneath it... so many curious bean activities!

I stopped by after work to drop off their leashes and when I turned around they snuck out the front door (which I could have sworn I shut all the way) and by the time I caught up with them they were sitting patiently by my truck.

I couldn't just leave them!

So despite having things I need to do in the lab, I took them with me to my house to have a quick nap.

But first I took pictures, and they just did not want to be photographed!  There was construction next door so every time something would drop or a buzz saw went off they would dart off to investigate.  I would have both of them sitting politely and then *CRASH* and my little protectors would go see what was going on.  Eventually Tonk tuckered himself out and laid down so I could at least get one of him.

Dress: Butterfly Dropout

Bolo: the Goodwill by my house

Socks: Target

Boots: Jeffrey Campbell
Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

Look at that buddy!  He loves his mama!

Anyway, Gertie is whining up a storm right now... someone wants some lunch meat... so I need to be short today and go try and defuss her without giving her all my damn sliced turkey.

Have wonderful days anyone who sees this!

Love Story 2: This Time It's Personal

This is the sequel to the first Love Story post.

So yeah, that movie is such a downer, but oh my goodness, that woman knew how to dress.  She looked flawless in everything and I can't help but lust after tartan, ribbed turtlenecks and anything wool in the weeks that follow.

I am excessively influenced by movies and tv shows I see, apparently.  It seems like every post I'm blathering away about the inspiration I got from some form of media.  However, it's important to point out that the shows or movies that influence me are usually older.  I don't watch The Office and want to dress like Pam in sensible shoes or Phyllis with her sweater sets.

So it is super overcast and spooky and chilly and wonderful out right now and I was hoping to take pictures out front to capture some of that this morning.  I went outside and started setting stuff up, like moving my trash cans and putting my camera on the tripod, nothing out of the ordinary, when I looked to my left and noticed a guy on the sidewalk across the street just standing there facing me.  He didn't move or seem to care that I noticed him staring.  He just stood there facing me.  I decided I would wait for him to continue on and went about picking some of the dead leaves off my potted plants out there.  After what felt like an eternity, or at least two solid minutes, he still hadn't moved so I grabbed my stuff and went inside.

So backyard photos it is.  I can handle casual inquisitive glances from passerbys but that guy was just standing there.  I can't deal with something like that, that was just strange and awkward.

Tank Top: Lucky Brand

Button Up: H&M

Skirt: Urban Outfitters (Urban Renewal)

Shoes: Lucky Brand

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

It's time for a stupid new feature I want to add ever so often... Words I Hate Wednesday!

Today's word I hate is "panties."  I don't know why it bothers me, but it does.  It makes my skin crawl and sends shivers up my spine.  More often than not, upon hearing the word spoken, I emit a perfunctory "blech!"

I worked at Victoria's Secret for a while back in undergrad, and I would always refer to the... the... you know the word... as undies and the manager would scream through the headset at me "PAAAAANTIES! Never... NEVER... let me hear you calling them "undies" AGAIN!  AM I CLEAR?!"

Eeesh.

Also, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you and a THANK YOU for all of the wonderful 'squito bite advice.  There were so many great tips that I am actually excited about getting a new bite so I can try them out... ok, maybe excited is an overstatement, but still!  I have to go to the store today to get a few recommended products, also.  I took a whole bunch of Benadryl before bed last night and this morning I woke up to find the biggest, meanest, angriest one had significantly shrunk!  That never happens, a mosquito bite is a month long endeavor for me usually!

Hooray!  Have great days anyone who sees this!

Oooh, Oooh Itch-ay Woman

Today is almost incredulously beautiful out.  It's in the low 80's and there is a cool breeze.  This is very much an anomaly for the Phoenix area in mid to late May.

I was already bitching, as you may or may not recall from this post, in March about the weather here being precariously close to the 100s already.

Anyway, no complaints.  It's perfect out and that means I can wear tights, which more imporantly means that I can finally wear this super cute but super short crushed velvet dress.  

These pictures are kinda stinky, because I'm in a ridiculous rush to post and get to school.

Tights count as pants, right?  At least that's the logic behind wearing this into a lab.

Dress: MinkPink

Bag: DKNY from 2005

Headband: Buffalo Exchange

Tights: Target

Shoes: MIA

Bracelet: the Mt. Rushmore gift shop in the early 90's

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

This bracelet is amazing though.  I have had it for 20 years and although I have lost it in convenience stores, family moves and the depths of various junk drawers, it always finds its way back to me.  

The little dangling tag has a picture of Mt. Rushmore on it and when I went there again in July of 2009 I straight scoured that damn gift shop hoping to find another, but had no such luck.  I can't complain though, despite the missing rock and the tarnish and that it's sized to the wrist of a 4 year old, this bracelet has stood the test of time.

Also, quick question.  Does anyone else react terribly to mosquito bites?  I recently got four on my left elbow (they are kind of visible in the last picture) and consequently my elbow has swollen to at least one and a half times it's right-sided buddy's size.  Is there anything that can be done to abbreviate the itching or the size or the length of time they take to heal?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!  

*scratch scratch scratch scratch*

Have good Tuesdays anyone who might see this!

Like, I'm Devastated.

Hooray Monday!

Do you ever wake up and feel energized and legitimately optimistic about facing the day?  No?  Not really?  Me neither.  But I did today!  Now I am usually the sleepiest person ever but today I got out of bed right at 5:50 a.m. (that's super early for me, btdubs) and put on the very first thing I tried on (that's usually never how it works for me, btdubs) and had enough time to bypass all forms of rushing whatsoever.

There was no traffic on the usually terrible 101 (ask Bahb, I've talked about how bad traffic on the 101 is in my sleep before) and I made it to work in what felt like record time.  Since there is a new "absolutely no extraneous internet usage" policy at work, that they are more or less not fucking around with, I had a productive couple of hours at work until I had to come back home and finish up my report for our monthly research meeting.  

So here I am, it's 3 p.m. I've already worked three hours at my enjuneerin' job as well as read upwards of five research papers and written a report summarizing my work in the lab over the last month, and... AND... I found time to take some outfit pictures.

So welcome, this is Day One of my new schedule, and I'm hoping to keep this up for the rest of the summer, more or less.  

So this weekend I discovered something amazing.  I discovered something beyond words; something that spoke through me to my teenage angst-ridden soul... I discovered My So-Called Life.

And like, OH MY GOD.

I know this is kind of old news (like 1994 old news) but I was 8 when it first broadcast, so I wasn't necessarily the target demographic.

I can only imagine how much of a groundbreaking cultural icon My So-Called Life had to have been when it first aired.  It traversed every taboo issue in the mid-90's imaginable, such as emerging homosexuality, domestic violence, substance abuse, peer pressure, betrayal, illiteracy, obsession, codependency, the dissolution of the American standard of family and even the irreparable transmogrification of friendships that occurs naturally as one develops, which is not necessarily taboo, but it certainly is a sad and bittersweet truth in everyone's life.  I can only imagine how hard pressed one would be to watch the series without finding at least one of the issues tackled that mirrors closely their own experiences as an adolescent.

I don't know what I loved most about it.  The clothes?  The drama?  The nostalgia?  The music?  The way Jordan Catalano leans?  Definitely the clothes.  I want... nay... I need to own a flannel babydoll dress.  And really?  Why did I ever get rid of my Doc Marten lace ups?

I have a feeling a lot of what I wear in the coming weeks will be inspired by the 90's.  

Jumper: Urban Outfitters (Kimchi Blue)

T-shirt: American Apparel

Oxfords: Report

Hat: Urban Outfitters (Cooperative)

Bracelets: Forever 21, some random Venice Beach vendor and the Goodwill by my house

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

So it's been a restful couple of days since finals ended and I'm back to feeling like myself.  

I mean, don't get me wrong, as I'm typing this my bed is staring at me with those blank, pillow-shaped eyes, more or less burning holes in the back of my head, and whispering "nap-time... naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap tiiiiiiiiiime..." but I have to resist.  I have to be productive.  I took a couple of "me" days, as it were, to  recover and regain some semblance of motivation and now I have things to do!

Hmmm, maybe just a quick nap...

Have a wonderful Mundy (ahem... Monday) anyone who stumbles across this inadvertently or otherwise!

I literally had to Google "things referees say" in an attempt to name this post.

Hi!  I'm not dead!  I was just real stinking busy.  But actually, now that I think about it, busy is not an adequate descriptor for how busy I was.  The stress from these last few weeks probably, quite literally, shaved years off my life.  Ok, maybe I'm just being drama, but my life was a clusterfuck for sure.

I did try to post yesterday, but as soon as I was done with everything and went to click "Publish Post" Blogger gave up on life and it was lost, so, you know, cool?

I have been kind of chilling these last 48 hours.  I finished finals on Wednesday, but living off trail mix, energy drinks and virtually no sleep for about a solid week took its toll and I have been plagued with this bitch of a migraine ever since.  It's much better today; I'm relatively functional.  So that's good and I can hopefully actually accomplish something in the lab today.

So I'm sure if Bahb reads this he will go "of course she had to tell this story..." and yes, I did have to tell this story because it's amazing.  

Ok, so last night I was fussily grappling with what I wanted to wear for pretty much an excessive amount of time. I didn't want to leave the house because I felt gross and bloated and icky and at this point we were already over an hour late for the engineering convocation (we knew a lot of people graduating so we were going to go).  I was rummaging around in my closet looking for something to wear while Bahb was saying something that neither of us remember given the hilarity that ensued. He was still talking when at last I proudly walked out of the closet in this exact outfit.  He turned to me, stopped mid-sentence and blurted out "Hey! You look like a referee!"  It was perfect and made me not want to wear this dress.  Ever.   

But I manned up and I wore it anyway.  Boys are the best and I love how they unintentionally drop these little bombs of awesome. I will probably always hold that moment near and dear to my heart, because if you and your beloved can't give each other shit, is that really a relationship worth being in?

It's also important to note that although, yes, he said I looked like a referee in the brand new dress I was dying to wear and one time he referred to me as his "beefy girlfriend" (hehe) in actuality Bahb is probably the most supportive boyfriend in the world.  He always knows just what to say when I'm freaking out or hating how I look or just generally being a girl about things. And I probably don't tell him enough how much I appreciate all of that.

Dress: Urban Outfitters (KNT)

Belt: H&M

Purse: Vintage Coach

Sun Glasses: Betsey Johnson

Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

Also, I didn't realize how short this dress is until I took these pictures.  Honestly, mirrors do not accurately convey how you look in something most of the time.

There's no real rhyme or reason to why I posted this picture of me looking at my elbow, but I like how messy my hair is.

Anyway, I hope everyone's finals went well and that all of you sexy little bloggin' mamas out there had wonderful Mother's Days.  I go now.  Have great days anyone who sees this :)

A Tale of Two Tights

So it actually just occurred to me that that is a really stupid name for this post, as this post is photos of me from yesterday and today wearing the same pair of tights.  Is that gross?  Whatever.

It should be called something like "A Tale of One Pair of Tights Worn Two Different Ways" which has far less of a ring to it, and the alliteration is not so striking when it is lengthened like that.  

But anyway, the first outfit I wore to dinner with Bahb to this wonderful place in downtown Phoenix called Bliss.

I mean wonderful.  I had a grilled cheese sandwich (OHMYGODILOVEGRILLEDCHEESES) and it had not only cheese in it, but also bacon and pear slices.  I know, right?!  So good.  

I also had a cucumber martini and it was insanely refreshing.  

It was just a nice evening out with muh babby.  It was gorgeous outside, so we sat on the patio, and there were tea lights in the trees and it was in an artsy part of town, so it was done up all cute.  Not to mention the martini got me reasonably wasted as it realistically only contained vodka with little bits of cucumber mixed in.

Romper: Urban Outfitters (Nom de Plume) 

Tights: Target

Bag: Vintage Coach thrifted at some point

Belt: Thrifted at some point

Shoes: MIA

Heart-shaped Sunglasses: Juicy Couture

So I can usually never wear rompers... my torso is fuh-reakishly long.  I'm serious, I'm 5'8 and every pair of jeans ever needs to be hemmed because I only have a 31" inseam, as all my height is in my torso. Basically rompers are a bad, wedgie-inducing scene. This one, however, fit pretty well. At least as well as could be hoped for with a torso such as mine. Then when I saw it was marked down to $4.99?  Well, I really had no choice at that point.

 Now for today's outfit...

This dress is uh-mazing.  I'm really abusing the italics on this post, aren't I?  Aren't I???!?

Anyway, this dress was on super sale from Modcloth and although I never have luck with their dresses as they usually never carry things in my size, this dress fit surprisingly perfect.

I love the juxtaposition of the starry print with the vintage silhouette.  I mean look at that sweetheart neckline! So high!  So demure! 

Also, and perhaps the most wonderful thing of all, it has... brace yourself... LITTLE TINY RHINESTONES SCATTERED ABOUT IT SPORADICALLY!  AHHHHHHHHH!  I love shiny things, so heck yeah I was excited.

Although driving home from work today the light caught on a rhinestone just so and it blinded me momentarily. No big deal, but still kind of funny; the irony of what I love most (shiny things) ultimately leading to my downfall. 

Dress: Some random Modcloth find

Tights: Target

Bag: Thrifted from somewhere

Bangle: The Goodwill by my house

Shoes: Poetic Licence  

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

Anyway, I am still up to my eyeballs in crap to do for school, and my house and truck have consequently gone to shit.  I mean dishes everywhere; books, paper scattered about.  Empty energy drink cans on every surface.  It's really embarrassing, and I need to pick up after myself.  After finals, promise!

Ok, study time!  Have wonderful days anyone who sees this :)

Bom Bom Chicka Chicka Chicka Oh Yeah

I couldn't think of a title, so I named it after how that song from Ferris Bueller's Day Off sounds to me.

I'm branching out.  These were taken in my front yard, as in people could see me, well they could see me if they drove by, but only one car drove by.  But yeah, so kind of a big step for me here.  I went from absolutely dreading even the thought of having my picture taken to being "meh" about it to being "meh" yet slightly adventurous about it... I'm getting cuh-cuh-cuh-crazy.

The picture below is of me at the exact moment of realization that there are literally hundreds of bees just chilling in that bush.  I know they wanted my Diet Coke, but like hell I'd give it up without a fight.  

Wait, have we ever spoken about my obsession with Diet Coke before?  

Bahb gives me shit because I will have an open can in the closest cup holder in my truck, and then an unopened one (my refill, as he refers to it) sitting right next to it at the ready.  You open up my fridge and it's like MTV Cribs up in that bitch.  I will have sometimes as many as 48 cans lined up neatly on the top shelf.  

Anyway, enough about me and my drank. I felt so ladylike all day! I love the full chiffon skirt on this dress, and I almost never wear heels so there was definitely some added feminine novelty there. How sad am I that I consider these heels?  

Heart tights!  They're just so cute, but I have only worn them this one time and they are already mangled beyond recognition.  I would say that I need to remember not to get hosiery from Urban Outfitters, but really?  It's not just the hosiery from Urban Outfitters.  I love that store, believe you me, but I am continually having my heart broken by the quality.  Le sigh.

Dress: Urban Outfitters (Cooperative)

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Bangle: a Goodwill somewhere

Shoes: MIA ($20 at the Clearance Dillard's)

Sun Glasses: Ray Bans

So my mom is on a plane right now, as I type, going back to Maryland, how fussy is that!  It was just too little time together.  I love when I visit because it's like I'm in high school again.  We shop every day, run errands like get groceries and pick up dry cleaning and dinner's ready every night at 6.  After dinner we'll watch Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures (my mom calls the dude from Ghost Adventures Sexy Zach sarcastically... read: we are the same person) and drink hot chocolate with Crown Royal in it until we've thoroughly scared ourselves and then we go to bed.  The next morning we wake up and do it all over again.  It's wonderful!

Oh well, I guess I have no choice but to take a trip out to see her in October when all of the leaves are changing.  Oh no!  I am such a sucker for leaves.  Palm trees and palo verdes don't have leaves that change colors, if you can believe it, so I really never get to enjoy any sort of a fall display 'round my neck of the woods.

This post is all over the place, and while I do apologize, I have to admit that everything I post will probably be a discombobulated jumble of various strings of words and pictures until finals are over next week.  Muh brains are just plain tired!   

Imma take a nap.  Night night!  Have wonderful Tuesdays anyone who sees this!