I shouldn't have to tell you....but I'm awesome

Let's start this shindig with an outfit post - why??? Because it's sort of  a fashion blog. Sort of. 

 

  Scarf - Thrifted       Sequin Shirt- Thrifted       Jeans- Thrifted

You wanna know why I chose that face? It's my best modeling face. This best showcases my modeling abilities. You like? I knew you would. 

1. 5 items you can't live without on a daily basis(water, food, shelter, and clothes don't count) 

a.) Jesus

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b.) my laptop

c.) my crusty, old, flip- phone
(fully aware I need to join the 21st century - - - but this phone has stuck with me through thick and thin...)

 

d.) my husband

 e.) people 

Did you know I REALLY like people? 

You know how a flower needs water?

THAT's how I feel about people. Love 'em. 

2. All time favorite book? Why?

Oh my dear - - - I do like reading. It just makes me so sleepy.... so I read the same things again, and again, and again, and again - - - well, you get the picture.

 My favorite book outside of the Bible- (true story) is probably Stargirl. It's written by Jerry Spinelli and it's delightful. I am she. She is me. We are we. I heart Stargirl. And the follow up - Love, Stargirl. 

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 Every time I read it - I feel less "odd" and more unique. I feel a kindred spirit with the character. It's a beautiful love story about loving people and loving yourself. 

3. Something you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2012

This is a true, honest wish for myself- I'd like to get our house clean. Like, for real clean. Organized. Put together.  Confession: I. am. a. slob. Like.....truly- so embarrassing.
When I confessed in the teacher's lounge the other day- a new teacher at school was quite surprised and said she never would have guessed. I look put together. I'm not. I'm a huge, gigantic, awful slob of a human being. It'd be a major accomplishment to get my messes cleaned up. (Just an fyi- it's NOT the husband who is the slob.)

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?

I  know a lot of people hated high school but I was one of the lucky ones. I would LOVE to go back and relive my senior year. I would have been more "present". I miss color guard and winter guard - with a flaming, burning passion, I miss it. I yearn for the jitters that jumped in my heart before we went on the field at half-time. Sounds ridiculous but it was a good time and I was DANG good at it too. (Yeah, I'm the dorky lady who still has her color guard costumes stored away with her letterman's jacket. What?)

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?

Um- hello!- I'm awesome with a healthy dose of self-confidence. Stick around! Get to know me. I promise, you'll like me. And I REALLY am this nice in real life. :o)

 Linking up with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social- you know you love it!

~Get your fashion on~ 

How to score at a thrift store...

And I don't mean score with a boy...har har
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Anyone who knows me IRL knows I'm a thrifter. Obviously not everyone lives in my area

Here are some tips to help you "score" no matter where you live.
 

(Still need to cut out the shoulder pads...)


Koosh ball - dominoes - book - all scores for my classroom! $1.25 for all the items pictured

1. Go several times to make up your mind about whether it's a "good one" or not.
2. Look at everything!
3. Try on lots of things!
4. Look up Thrift Stores in your area. Make a list. Hit them all. Not in the same day...
5. Don't rush. Take. Your. Time.
6. Go different times of year. Sometimes you'll find Christmas stuff in July. Sometimes you'll find Halloween stuff after Halloween. I find great sweaters and hoodies in summer. (Sometimes I don't buy them because winter attire makes me feel trapped. I should probably get over that...)
7. You can get great stuff for those Pinterest Projects at thrift stores! (are you following my Pinterest?)
   
   
   

   Source: secondgradesilliness.blogspot.com via Jana on Pinterest

   
   

   

   Source: koogul.com via Jana on Pinterest

   
   

   

   Source: itsacraftylife.blogspot.com via Jana on Pinterest

   
   

   

   Source: starsforstreetlights.com via Jana on Pinterest

   
   
   
8. Most thrift stores are not in the most savory parts of town. Try to go in the a.m. or early afternoon. 
9. Look at things with open eyes. Think about whether you could alter the piece to make it work for you. I cut out shoulder pads. I had a friend hem a dress. With furniture and home decor - could you paint it? Is it a good shape for a redo? Don't box yourself in when looking at things. 
10. Everything is washable. True story. If you only look for pristine, new stuff in thrift stores, tough nuggets people -odds are strong you won't find it.
11. Sometimes you get lucky and find brand, spanking, new stuff - tags still on it - in thrift stores. Know what makes my heart skip a beat? Deadstock, vintage. Sometimes I find vintage with the tags still on it. 
12. Lots of trends that are currently in Forever 21 can be found in thrift stores. Be aware of trends you see - "Jana, I don't have time for that!" Sure you do! If you follow blogs, there are lots of trends there. Observe magazine covers while standing in line at the grocery store. Without looking creepery, scope out what young folks are wearing. They're all about the trendy stuff.
13. Look for things other than clothing -I've purchased books for my classroom, wall hangings for home, chairs to redo (still on my to do list), figurines for my home, music (records, cds, 8-tracks), amazing vintage dishes, etc. 
14. Most thrift stores have a certain day of the week they put out new merchandise. If you're all about finding the new stuff, you can inquire about what days they put out new merchandise. 

Here are some of my recent scores from the thrift store...

Now that I own a vintage, denim vest - I'm an "official" fashion blogger, right?! ;o) 

Get your fashion on! 

Falling for Fall Trends

I started this blog as a "fashion blog".... and fashionable ladies everywhere are dying to know some trends that are coming up.... Here ya' have it! (Truth be told - my niece said she wanted to visit my blog for some Fall fashion tips.... here I was all unprepared and not knowing..... so now I share with thee.)

1. Mulberry lip colors

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There are lots of places you can get your hands on this color - Revlon, L'Oreal, Elizabeth Arden, etc. I hear it's typically flattering for most people with the exception of folks with small lips. I hear it makes them look smaller.

2. Loafers - studded, suede, velveteen, printed,  all of the above...

 

 These are from Target and you can go buy your own for $24.99 here.

Available at Target for $19.99. I know how all the frugalista fashionistas love Target!

Source: thecollegeprepster.com via Jana on Pinterest

Source: goodthingsarewildandfree.tumblr.com via Jana on Pinterest

3.  This spring everyone was crazy for colored denim!  You're old favorites are back in darker shades.

 Spring 2012

Source: collegefashion.net via Jana on Pinterest

Source: styleposts.com via Jana on Pinterest

Fall 2012

Source: honestlywtf.com via Jana on Pinterest

Source: jseverydayfashion.com via Jana on Pinterest

4. Navy Blue is the new neutral.  

Whodda thunk it?! Also noteworthy- navy blue and black CAN be done together.

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(Hey Heather... this is for you!) 

5. You CAN wear white after Labor Day - so long as it's Winter White!

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6.  Printed pants carried over from summer. When cooler weather hits, them with heels and a contrasting print and you're set for work. 

As always - our old familiar favorites- scarves, boots, leggings, and cardigans - make the cut this year. So..... do you feel prepared and ultra trendy? I know I sure do! (much facetiousness I doth extend unto you....) But seriously... I know I'm going to be rocking the navy blue as a neutral and hopefully some loafersl. What trends are you ready/excited to try???

Get your fashion on....

 

Seven Questions

Linkedy doo dah linkedy day - linkin' up with Gentri today! (sung to the tune of Zippity doo dah)

 As per the ushze- - - a "funny photo" to kick it off. This photo is from our honeymoon in Nash-vegas. See how sweetly my husband humors me... haha

1. Do you have any weird food combinations that you love?

I'm a semi- picky eater. Odds are - if it doesn't belong together - I won't put it in my tummy.

2. Have you ever written a blog post, published it, then immediately deleted it?

Yes. Yes, I did that. (Sorry, husband) Ladies - ALWAYS run it by the husband/significant other before you click "Publish"

3. What is a hair style you wish you could pull off, but would never be brave enough to try?

I thought I was brave once. I thought I was Rihanna. Lesson Learned? Listen to your hair dresser when she says, "I don't think this will work for you."

It's not a matter of bravery... it's a matter of keeping my JOB! If we were allowed to have unnaturally colored hair...this is what I'd go with.......And I'd be happy as a clam. And I'd love it.....

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But since I'm a teacher in real life - and unnaturally colored hair is "distracting" - - - this is what I'll settle for once can dye my hairs again...

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Or this.... 

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Can you tell I wanna be a ginger???

4. Would you rather have to always use the sun to tell the time or directions by the stars?

Urgh... since I stink at directions - I'd rather be able to see where I'm getting lost. Plus -when I don't get enough Vitamin D  I'm a bit of a sad sack. As beautiful as the stars are - I choose sun. I need the sun! If I don't have it - my mood wilts like a flower!

5. What is a fall trend that you are excited to try?

Um.... I have a tendency to make up my own trends. At this point - I'm unaware of any Fall trends other than the one I just read about on Gentri's blog. She mentioned something about Mulberry lips. Cool! Soooo...... I'm looking forward to being able to layer up a little. I always feel like I make better outfit combos when I can layer up.

6. Who is your style icon?

Funny you should ask! I just wrote a blog about how I heart Gwenny Gwen Stefani.

- Betsey Johnson

- Victoria Beckham

- and every lady from the Advanced Style series on youtube.

7. What's your favorite outdoor activity? 

Swimming and sitting. Recess duty. I try to avoid outside. I'm pretty sure I'm allergic. 

Getcho' fashi-own on!

Comfy Casual Cool- OOTD

Errbody be dyin' for some fall weathah up in hurr! But seriously - never thought I'd see the day I'd be ready for fall weather. So... to psyche myself up for fall - I donned my summer purchase - this snazzy scarf. I got it at a second-hand store (not to be confused with a thrift store!) and have been so ready to wear it.

 

 

And for the sillies I'm famous for - - - I know you're so jazzied up to see 'em!

 

 

What I'm wearing:

Earrings - Cookie Lee

Necklace - DIY - wanna know how? Visit here. 

Shirt- Express via Ross Dress for Less

Pants - American Eagle Outfitters via Second-Hand store purchase

Shoes- Converse Chuck Taylors- via Plato's Closet

Scarf- Second-Hand store purchase

Get your fashion on