MIx It (Super Bowl) Monday

Is it just me or should the Monday after the Super Bowl be a national holiday?

Even though I can't magically give you all the day off, I can hopefully make your work day a little more enjoyable. I'm co-hosting Mix It Monday with Lauren and I have seriously been so excited about doing this since she emailed me three weeks ago.

If you've hung around these parts for a while you know that I am not a fashion blogger. It's a miracle that I shower and get dressed in a somewhat presentable way each day. True story: there have been times when I've shown up to work only to realize that what I'm wearing does in fact not match or look nearly as cute as I thought it did when I put it on at 5:30am. Getting dressed before the sun is up is hard, folks. Real hard.

But I did manage to throw together these two outfits and even take some semi-fashion blogger pictures of them (thanks Robbie).

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It should be no surprise that my mix-it look this week is very similar to the one I linked up a few weeks ago. I wear this outfit or some variation of it often. 

I have a slight obsessions with summer dresses. My closet is packed with them. Finding a way to wear my dresses year-round makes Robbie a little more understanding to the lost closet space. I got this purple dress from Express four years ago. I have the same one in black. It is the most versatile dress I've ever had. You can dress it up or down depending on the accessories. And depending on the season. 

I really wanted to show y'all how I would wear this piece for Summer and Winter but considering the cold front that decided to take over New Bern this past week and the fact that I resemble Casper's older sister, I decided just to show you two ways I usually style this dress for Winter. 

Adding boots and leggings to any outfit is my most favorite thing to do. And then of course you can never go wrong with a cardigan and/or scarf. Also I wear a ton of black all the time. So I really like how I can still wear my favorite black pieces but with a pop of color in the dress.

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Now I'd love to see how you're remixing your wardrobe!

Fizz & Frosting (Bloglovin') / The Modern Tulip (Bloglovin') / Beauty Style Growth (Bloglovin') / Delightfully Dunn (Bloglovin')

Linkup Rules:

1. Follow your host Fizz and Frosting (via Bloglovin' or Instagram) 

and your co-hosts:

Maeg of The Modern Tulip (via Bloglovin' or Instagram)

Kemi of Beauty Style Growth (via Bloglovin' or Instagram)

Marianna of Delightfully Dunn (via Bloglovin' or Instagram)

2. Share a post, showing how you remixed an item - a top, skirt, jeans, purse, shoes -- it's completely up to you! Want to share a collage? Go for it!

3. Link back to this post with a text link or by sharing the linkup button!

4. We'd love for you to tweet using #MixItMon so we can help promote your posts!

Friday Letters

Dear blog....I think it should be noted that I wrote this post last week but apparently forgot all about it. I was confused all Friday as to where my blog post went. #whompwhomp

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Dear Friday...week after week, you continue to be my favorite day. I'm really glad you got here so fast this week. Let's make this speedy arrival a weekly thing, mmkay?

Dear Eastern North Carolinians...I know to some of you, the 3 centimeters of snow we got last week doesn't seem like a big deal. But to a big rickety school bus that has to drive through back country roads - any kind of frozen water is a big deal. And yes, a "snow day" does seem like a stretch but hey, don't hate the playa hate the game. Sorry you still had to go into work - should have been a teacher.

Dear Keeping up with Kardashians...you are getting harder and harder to keep up with. And Kim - you're Armenian. Get rid of the blonde hair, please.

Dear Walmart...why oh why are you the only store in New Bern that sells fiesta ranch mix? Please talk to your frenemy, Harris Teeter, and get them on the fiesta ranch bandwagon. Thanks in advance.

Dear scarves...You know I love you and you know that normally you are my favorite go-to winter accessary. However, lately I'm going through this weird phase where you're making me feel a little claustrophobic. I'm sorry, but I need you to stop being so clingy. I don't know if I'll be able to make it throughout the rest of winter without you.

Dear Super Bowl weekend...I can't believe you're here! I still haven't even decided which gluten-full treats I'm going to over indulge in.

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Speaking of Super Bowl weekend. I'm linking up today for Sarah's biggest Fan Friday ever - Super Bowl Edition. I'm actually getting pretty excited about the Super Bowl. I've decided I really like the Seahawks. I know, I know - I'm that girl. But I admittedly, totally am. I don't follow professional football, despite the fact that it's on my TV every weekend in the fall. I don't mind watching it, I just don't have one particular team that I'm emotionally invested in.

However, if I had to pick one I'd probably pick the Seahawks. Russell Wilson (the QB) went to NC State when I was there, which is pretty exciting. Also I'm kind of sort of in love with that crazy Richard Sherman. Again, I'm that girl. I know.

But his interview was nothing short of hilarious. As was Erin Andrews' reaction. It was also brilliant because over night he became a household name. You know what they say, there is no such thing as "bad" publicity.

Also, I somehow ended up watching the Seahawks EPSN press conference and I was really impressed with what I saw. Every single player said something about the importance of working as a team. They built each other up and while they definitely have a "we're the best" attitude, they still seemed humble about it. I like that.

So while I'll be hoping for a Seahawks win, we all know I'll really be enjoying yummy treats (I'm thinking about making like three different dips) and watching all the good commercials. I'm sure Twitter will provide some pretty entertaining tweets in regards to Bruno Mars' halftime show.

What are you looking forward to this Super Bowl Sunday. Head on over and link up!

Also - don't forget to get your Mix It Monday posts ready! I'm co-hosting with Lauren and we guarantee to help ease the pain of your Super Bowl Monday!

A Photo an Hour - Snow Day Edition

So I had a completely different post in mind for today. I had even mapped out a "typical" school day and was ready to take pictures of it all. Until school got cancelled for the foreseeable future thanks to a little bit of snow.

In all fairness, it actually turned out to be quite a lot of snow. Really pretty snow. So I'm done complaining about all the crazies who stocked up on enough bread to feed a small army.

But because I still want to participate in this fun little game, I'll show you what a not-so-typical day looks like when I'm snowed in with my favorite man and two sweet little pups.

Once my life is back to normal, I'll probably still post my school day hour a day photos only because in my own little world y'all are actually curious about the whole thing.

I guess my day technically started at 6:00am when I was coaxing the dogs outside and realizing that it did in fact snow all over the place last night. But don't worry, by 6:15am I'm crawling back in bed. It is a snow day after all.

Slowly waking up forreal this time, discussing what Robbie and I want for breakfast. 

Oh, and trying to convince this lazy bum to get out of bed. 

After cooking breakfast (bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits for him. Homemade banana bread for me) it's time to bundle up and head outside (aka put on everything in my closet). 

Playing in the snow with my sweet little family. Willow was such a trooper, but really hated every minute. 

Time for lunch, snow cream, and Pretty Little Liars.

Still snuggled on the couch, possibly gearing up for the first nap of the day.

Cabin fever was beginning to set in so we tried to brave the icy, snow covered roads. We made it once around the block.

Still battling cabin fever, I thought cleaning my house would be a good idea. 

Got my nails did - at home.

Ventured down the street for a neighborhood sippy, wine in tow.

Snow day #ootd? aka hot mess express. 

We were home by 10 and I was snuggled on the couch, still drinking wine, and checking out Pinterest. 

And yes, I was drinking wine out of a #1 Teacher turvis tumbler. I didn't chose the thug lyfe...

Go link up with Meg O and Steph!

Hump Day Full of Lies

Disclaimer: The snow finally came! And it's glorious! Sure we've got another snow day that we're going to have to make up. But at least this one came with actual snow!

I am so ill right now. Like unbelievably ill. Just for the record, it is still currently Tuesday evening, despite what the title of this post leads you to believe. I'm just hoping that by the time I publish this bad boy, on Wednesday, my ill mood will have subsided and I will have been able to add an updated disclaimer to the beginning of this post.

Apparently New Bern was expected to be hit with the blizzard of all blizzards yesterday. Almost a foot of snow predicted for some areas. We were put on a winter storm warning, bread and milk flew off the grocery shelves, and school was cancelled before we even went home Monday afternoon.

Now, don't get me wrong. Normally I pray for random days off from school. Especially during the months of January-March. The span from Christmas Break to Spring Break draaaaags on, so any and all interruptions are usually welcome.

However, there's something to be said for normalcy too. And thanks to random threats of winter storms, we haven't had a normal week since coming back after Christmas break, a month ago. Two-hour delays, snow days, freezing rain. Add on top of that middle of the year assessments we've been busting our butts to get done all month. It's been rough.

Plus, every day we miss is a day we have to make up. And because we live in Eastern NC, we don't have days built in for snow. Because, let's be real, when does Eastern NC ever get snow.

Oh, that's right...never. Hence my extremely ill mood right now. School was cancelled for today due to "snow". However, I have yet to see a single flake. I think there was about 3 minutes of freezing rain a few hours ago. But that's about it. I'm still waiting on our predicted 6-12 inches.

It's annoying because yet again, my whole week has been thrown off - I was still playing catch-up from last week. And we're going to have make this day up who knows when. And even worse, I'm going to have to listen to 20 first graders complain about not being able to play in the snow.

Dear Weathermen, I know you're trying to keep us safe. However, all you're doing is building up the hopes and dreams of ENC children everywhere only to crush them all when, yet again, you're wrong.

In other news - I was able to get some pretty productive things done yesterday. Like my partial new blog design. It's not completely finished but I like where it's going. Plain, clean lines, simple.

I also convinced Robbie to take pictures of me for Mix it Monday. I'm co-hosting next week and I'm pretty excited! I was wishing to have a snowy backdrop but eh, it is what it is.

Oh and I also finally caught up on #RichKids of Beverly Hills where I learned the importance of differentiating between the people you hang out with at night vs. the people you hang out with during the day. Obvs you should be much more selective with your day time friends. At night it's like, whoever. Also, don't smile at strangers - you'll waste the collegian in your face. And ain't nobody got time for that. #lifelessonsforreal.

My Two Cents

The Grammys. Made only more enjoyable thanks to Twitter. The Grammys were actually able to keep my attention for a solid two hours before I realized I had had enough. Which is a pretty substantial amount of time considering my track record with awards shows.

I always get so excited for awards season but I think I like the hype a lot more than the actual show itself. And I know I enjoy all the tweets wayyyy more than the actual thing. 

Anywho...I didn't watch the red carpet, which is usually pretty entertaining. But that's what Fashion Police is for anyway. Besides I already know two things - 

I'd get pregnant tomorrow if I was guaranteed to look as good as Ciara. And if T-Swifty didn't get on my ever last nerve, her dress would have been my favorite. 

Seriously, I had a Barbie that looked just like that when I was little. But I only had one Ken doll so I guess that leaves just one thing they have in common.

A few other tidbits from the show - Beyonce and Jay-Z are seriously the best thing ever. Honestly, I don't love Beyonce the way every one else seems to love Beyonce. But I do think she's pretty badass and I love her with Jay-Z. Like love love them together. Although, does anyone find it odd that for the first ten years of their relationship they were all "mum's the word" and lately they've been parading it around for the whole world to see. I don't hate it, just an observation. 

Oh, and if anyone has seen Beyonce's missing weave, please return it as soon as possible. I am not a fan of the look she's got going on right now.

I couldn't understand Hunter Hayes and I know a lot of people have border-line creepy crushes on him but it's just not working for me. Sorry Hunter.

One thing I really noticed this year, and loved, was the wide range of performers. We literally went from Robin Thicke (who needs to gives Michael Buble his act back) to Keith Urban to Imagine Dragons' epileptic performance to some girl in light up cowgirl boots. I was impressed with all the various artists represented. 

Including all the drugged up old rockers that are still proving to be the original bad boys of music. And also reinforcing everything I learned in D.A.R.E. "Say no to drugs". 

Taylor Swift whipped her hair back and forth, making me and Willow Smith cringe. I really want to like Taylor Swift again. Like really really bad. But I literally just cannot stand her. 

Also Pink...I love you but the whole acrobat thing is over done. We get it. You would be a great addition to the Cirque de Soleil cast. And it's impressive, don't get me wrong. But it was just as impressive when you did it three years ago. 

It wasn't long after that I went to bed because I was done. 

But as I mentioned earlier. Twitter has become the most enjoyable part of these shows. So I'll leave you with a few of my most favorite tweets. 

Linking up for Totally Posted Tuesday.

All the things

I've heard this rumor that Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. And most of my Sundays are just that. However, yesterday something came over me and I did all the things!!

Robbie and I woke up and went to church - after I made a heaping stack of gluten free pancakes. Seriously, this recipe is the best I've ever found and I use it most weekends.

After enjoying a nice lunch with my mom and stepdad it was decided that my mom needed a workout partner. Apparently she started this "biggest loser" DVD challenge (but not the one with Jillian Michaels) and two days in, she hates it. I can't say I blame her. Working out is hard. But I thought it'd be much more enjoyable if we did it together.

So I went home, changed clothes and then had the brilliant idea to run with Willow to my mom's house. She only lives about 1.5 miles away, it was a brisk 55 degrees, and if you're gonna do it you might as well do it big. Plus Willow loves to run and I love to please that sweet furball.

After running to mom's (we made it all the way without stopping btw) and completing 30plus excruciating minutes of burpees, planks, and lunges we were spent.

But my abundant energy didn't stop there. My stepdad was down the road working on their new boat dock so we decided to walk down to visit him where Willow proceeded to run around in the dirt with her new dog friend Chico.

Once we got back home Willow was more than ready for a good nap. But thanks to her frolick in the dirt she needed a bath first. If bathing children is as hard as bathing Willow my future kids will never take baths. #sorrynotsorry. She hated it and Roxy was jealous that she didn't get to participate in all the torture. Meanwhile I was knee deep in soapy water dealing with a wiggle worm of a pup.

As soon as she was free from me and semi-dry she snuggled in on the couch with Robbie, who was working on lesson plans, while I went to work. Laundry, vacuuming, meal planning. I don't know what came over me. I keep hearing about these "endorphins" that supposedly come after working out but I've never personally experienced them...until yesterday apparently. I wanted everything done. Clothes folded and put away. Dishes cleaned and put away. Kitchens counters wiped down. Floors vacuumed. Dog toys put up. Kitchen table cleaned off. It all got done. Grocery list made (Robbie said he'll go after school today). Dinner menu planned. Lunch packed. Everything is done.

I felt like the energizer bunny. I kept going and going. Straight to the fridge to pour myself a hefty glass of wine once all my work was done. By 6:30 I was parked on the couch, wine in hand, chips and queso nearby, and Law and Order : SVU on the tv. I think I more than deserved to stay right there for the rest of the night. Which is exactly what I did.

I did eventually flip over to the Grammys. I'll share my thoughts on all that later. For now, I just want to continue to bask in my productivity.

Hugs, 

I May Have Lost My Mind

Nope. Scratch that. I've most definitely lost my mind. This is what happens when I'm told I have yet another two-hour delay due to "snow", down a diet coke in less than 20 min, and have the entire house to myself for the afternoon.

I made a vlog. A house tour vlog. And by vlog, I really just mean a shaky video of me walking around my house talking about things nobody but me cares about - like how my idea of chic decorating involves taking off every closet door in the house.

I don't know what came over me. Well besides caffeine. It's like all of a sudden I thought I was an actual interior designer and that my house remodel actual belonged among the ranks of Young House Love. Don't worry...I've come back down to Earth.

Except not completely. Because I'm still posting the ten minute video. Gah - I talked for ten minutes. You totally don't have to watch. Unless your in need of a some cruel and unusual punishment for the day. Or you know, if you need a good laugh. Definitely don't watch if you get motion sickness and/or if your looking for really high quality decorating advice.

Oh and for what it's worth - in the process of uploading this video I went and looked at a new construction house down the street and will spend the rest of the night dreaming about it. Seriously, I have a problem...I'm addicted to houses.

Hugs,