outfit: texas rangers fan girl

My love for the Texas Rangers has been well-documented. If you are not interested in my fan girl blitherings, please read this post about pumpkins. Everyone loves pumpkins.

For the remaining two of you...HOW COOL IS IT THAT THE RANGERS MADE IT TO THE WORLD SERIES TWO YEARS IN A ROW!? They played their first couple of games while Corban and I were in Hawaii, which stressed me out to no end. But, now that we're back, we can seriously get our cheer on.






This is what I wore to cheer on our guys earlier this week. No, I did not have a spasm in the last photo. I was doing the antlers. :)

The jade bracelet is a souvenir I brought back from Hawaii...normally I'm not big on trinkets, but the Big Island boasted some truly talented craftsmen and artists. Some of the jewelry was simply stunning (and pricey!) I even got a charm to start that new charm bracelet I was talking about!

Can you guys believe that November is almost here!? Does anyone else talk about what they're going to dress as all year, but leave all practical Halloween costume planning to the last minute? It's kind of a tradition for me. A very stressful tradition. :)

outfit: rainy daze

Corban and I recently spent a wonderfully lazy Sunday afternoon visiting with friends and sipping mimosas on a patio while listening to the rain. Perfection. It was a wonderful excuse to use the cute cartoony umbrella that my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas last year. :)






The tinkle of my charm bracelet matched the sweet patter of the rain. I haven't worn this bracelet in ages, but I thought it was time to break it out of the jewelry box. My father started it for me my freshman year of high school and added charms as he found them. There are charms for so many different lovely memories: chorus, piano, swim team, handbell choir, Oklahoma!, best friends, ski trips, and on and on. Looking at it makes me so happy. Maybe soon I will start a new bracelet for my adult adventures. :)

Here's to rainy days and happy memories!

outfit: menswear

The other day I definitely put on my husband's shirt instead of doing laundry. Yes, I am just that lazy. It ended up working out, though...I'm pretty sure no one noticed. That could have been because they were distracted by my new bangs, though.






Either way, I deem the experiment a great success! I hear menswear is coming back, anyway. I will feel no hesitation when cross dressing from now on!

outfit - comfy tee

Comfy v-neck American Apparel tees have been my total go-to item the past month. With grad school, work, teacher classes, and general life activities (not to mention all the walking and book shlepping that go along), I've got to stay as comfortable as possible while still maintaining a level of confidence. That means flattering clothes that are also super duper comfy. Basically, the Shangri-La of women's fashion.






I paired a simple grey tee with pearls, skinny jeans, and highhigh heels to make me feel sexy in the day time, then switched it up with denim shorts, Converse, and the German hat for fun at Oktoberfest in the evening. Such a versatile item! Love me a grey v-neck tee.

outfit: tents + jeans

Holy moly, it's finally jean weather again! Time to put away my pasty white girl legs and enjoy being covered up.






I haven't worn these jeans for quite a while, and it seems that they're a little big on me since I lost a little weight. Oops. I still love the super long length and the little flair at the bottom, so I'm wearin' 'em anyway! I am over the moon that flairs are coming back, they have always been my favorite style.

Jean weather came just in time for last weekend's Oktoberfest! I can't believe it's come and gone already. These photos were taken a week before the festival while the tents were still being constructed. Stay tuned for photos of the revelry! *spoiler alert: a chicken hat was involved, and by "chicken hat" I mean a hat that was shaped like a chicken.*

outfit: day at the park

Some days are just for t-shirts and jeans, you know? Corban and I used our Labor Day afternoon to take Vera for a walk in the park and check out the tent being constructed for the upcoming Oktoberfest.







It was such a lovely day to walk around the park. We always enjoy seeing the construction before a big event...spaces feel so different when they are packed with people, and it seems almost magical thinking that the quiet little park we are standing in will soon be something else entirely - transformed into a huge festival ground filled with people, food, dancing, and music.

I like the idea that a place (or thing) can hold such endless possibilities. :)

outfit: lace+ flowers

date: August 20, 2011 / occasion: tax free weekend shopping
details: shirt-Strut / shorts-Old Navy / shoes-Steve Madden

Double portrait! My photographer and me. ♥

There's something so magical about back-to-school shopping that I always want to join in, even if it's just a little bit. Corban and I spent the afternoon on Saturday people-watching in the Galleria and buying a few little odds and ends. I was this close to buying a Lisa Frank-inspired leopard-print Jansport backpack. Because every little girl needs a new backpack on her first day of school. :)

PS - Do not worry, lovelies, I haven't forgotten the vacation post I promised! I'm still gathering and editing the many, many photographs that were taken by the many, many photographers over the weekend. :)

outfit: yellow + gold

Date: August 5, 2011 / Occasion: errand running + sitting at home with mister
Details: dress-Strut / Shoes-Steve Madden / necklace-loan from Dad / sunglasses-Urban Outfitters

The cartouche necklace is from my dad's collection; it's supposed to be a good luck charm. I'm actually oddly superstitious about good luck charms, arbitrary items with personal significance. When I was in middle school, I bought a sand-filled fabric frog (you know, the one's you get at Earth Bound right next to the hermit crabs) which I has been my good luck charm ever since. When I started driving, I put him in my car so he could protect me.

Ok, I know a bean-bag frog can't actually protect me from automobile accidents, but it feels nice to put significance in things. As though believing in it is the true protection.

The necklace is pretty at any rate. :)

outfit: mamacita dress

I'm not usually a fan of maxi dresses, but this super cute and comfy dress from Strut is definitely an exception. I had to go to work right after shooting this photos, so I had to change, which made me sad. I always feel pretty and feminine in that dress.





Date: July 24, 2011 / Occasion: brunch with hubs
Details: dress-Strut / shoes-Guess / necklaces-loan from dad, gift from hubs, Frocks / earrings-Express / sunnies-Target

The shortest necklace is another metal-detecting find from my dad made of yellow and rose gold. I heart rose gold. I've actually started a lending library system with his collection of found jewelry...I can take it home, but I have to bring it back if I want more! The late fines are going to be epic.

Today I re-start my work out routine! Looking forward to my yoga class in an hour, but not the total-body soreness that will come after.

outfit: mixed patterns

I can't believe it, but today I realized that I'm sick and tired of wearing shorts. So, I reached for a dress for the first time in ages.






Date: July 21, 2011 / Occasion: work/professional meeting
Details: dress, earrings-Express / cardigan-Frocks / shoes-Steve Madden / sunglasses-Urban Outfitters / watch-Michael Kors / leather bracelet-Flourish / thread bracelet-handmade/gift

My sweet and long-suffering husband has agreed to start taking some of these photos for me (let's be real, the whole Photo Booth thing was getting pretty depressing), which means that I now get to go outside and act the fool in front of my neighbors! In the excruciating heat! Exciting!

I'm also playing around with Photoshop actions for the first time ever, so please bear with me if my photos are a little wonky for a spell.