Hello Out There!

I was just thinking to myself, as we begin to really welcome spring in Fresno, "I just finished that winter 30 for 30 challenge, right?"

Then I took a look at the blog and realized that it's been, like, 3 weeks, and that, with the exception of sharing some super awesome tunes with you, I've done nada.

Oops. Well, here's what's up with me lately.

I'm headed towards the last third of my semester of paralegal classes. I am learning a lot about the legal system and a paralegal's role in that, but at this time I don't think that going into this field is the right fit for me. I won't be continuing the program next semester, but I will be finishing up my courses in case I ever want to go back and finish it later. Hubby is also going to school and is both much better at it and is enjoying it much more than I am. So, next semester will be Stephen going to school full-time, and me trying to work more. Sound like a plan? Good, we thought so, too.

We've also lost a family member in the last week, so I have a renewed sense of love and thankfulness for all my family and friends. Not that we ever like to lose someone that we love to death, but Lent is probably one of the better times of the year for this to happen. It truly makes Easter that much more meaningful for us.

My dad's birthday is this Sunday, and I'm trying to remember if he has a favorite kind of cake or dessert that I can make.* It made me realize on a more general level that I don't really know the eating habits of my loved ones. I ate the majority of the meals of my youth with my immediate family, and eat most of my meals now with my husband, but I am still discovering food loves and food loathes among them. Just last month, I discovered that my sister didn't like tomatoes (which I seriously love), or mustard (which is seriously just a weird thing to not like). So, does anyone know what my Dad's favorite cake is, because right now I'm leaning towards a tomato-and-mustard cake since Steph will be gone.

Even though this is my blog, I do want to give everyone a bit of an update on Stephanie. She is really loving her time at Disneyland, and is all set to graduate from Cal Poly in June. We are very proud of her.

So proud that I'm sending her mustard packets in the mail, to remind her of her roots.

This will still not be the creepiest thing she's received in the mail.

And that will just have to remain a mystery...

(unless you just ask her).

So...

What have you been up to lately?


*Normally I wouldn't discuss my dad's birthday here since he is one of my three avid readers, but he's busy with tax season, and I'm gonna chance it. And if you are reading this, Dad, what's your favorite cake?

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Tuesday Tunes: 90's Childhood

I got into a fix this weekend on music I remember listening to on the radio as a kid.

You know, those songs that were so cool that you bought the artist's/band's album only to discover that, "Dang, the rest of this album stinks!"

Oh, the 90's. So fondly remembered, yet so bound to the confines of compact discs wrapped in impenetrable plastic while being, in general, incredibly embarrassing.

Except not as embarrassing as the 80's.

Fair warning on this post. If you elect to hang out and listen to the music videos embedded here, you will think that I am either:

a) Way too young with these choices, and that you really do need to head to YouTube for another era of choice.

b) Inside your head. I guess. Like, in the 90's (likely for those born between 1980 and 1994).

We begin!


This is third grade for me, people. Do we have a reference point now?


I feel like VH1 played this video for three years straight. Maybe people kept requesting it because we see the band members fighting. Or because it's an awesome song. Could be either.


I started singing along to this during a "90's at noon" type marathon and my sister looked at me like I had totally lost it. I must be the only person who has ever heard of this song.


Voted "most likely to get stuck in your head."


With the exception of the mall attack, this feels most 90's. Mall attacks feel more present day.

Since YouTube isn't letting me embed any Goo Goo Dolls, you'll have to do that on your own. Otherwise, this gives a good cross section of my childhood (at least the alternative and adult rock version).

Ok, your turn. What are your 90's picks?

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30 for 30, Day 30: The End

Here it is, people. The last day of this remix.

I wanted to pick something special and impractical out for you, like the diamond studs I've got my eye on. So, this is your "diamond studs."

You're welcome.

Outfit In Theory.


The blue dress, the green cardigan, and the camel boots are all part of my 30 for 30, while the necklace was my grandma's.

Outfit In Practice.


This outfit will be practical on a sunny winter day with some nylons, but not today's overcast weather. However, I gotta be honest: if I get called out for jury duty this afternoon, I am changing into something warmer.*

Alas, it is what we have learned that is most important now.

And what the heck was that?

-I can make a lot of outfits work from what I already own.

-Working with what you already own forces you to realize the items you actually need in your closet, and not just things that you think you need or you want when you are out shopping. I am totally making of list of things I need from now on.

-My lack-of-creativity burden can be aided by linking up with one of the many other remixers, and checking out their outfit creations.

-Including colorful pieces is a crucial part of getting through some dreary winter days.

-It's not just hype: accessories really can make outfits look different.

If I were to do this in the future: I would include an extra set of pants (or at least not lose one of the ones I selected from the start), include one less pair of shoes, and do my hair more often. Oh wait, I think that last one I already promised.

Oops.

Fellow remixers: did you learn anything from this challenge? Readers: did this inspire you to set your own wardrobe challenge? Others: want to grab some coffee sometime?**


*Ooo!--I just thought about how to change this up, too. I could put my white skirt over it. That would be fun. OK, pretend I wore that.

**I wanted everyone to feel included.

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Day 27, 28 and 29: Cooling (er, Slowing) Down

I am nearing the end of this 30 for 30, and I have to say that I am kinda glad. I miss my other clothes. This was a great experience in frugality and working with what I already own, and I'll have some very insightful reflections tomorrow with my last outfit post, but I am ready to blog about other things again. I hope you are too.

You are? Oh good. We can still be friends then.*

On to the clothes.

Sunday's Outfit In Theory.


The black cardigan, the blue skirt, and the black boots are all part of my 30 for 30 while the tights are extra and the purple is a color pop that I really needed on Sunday. You know, to deal with the lack of snow that was promised by deceitful weathermen.

Sunday's Outfit In Practice.


Boom. Sunday done.

Monday's Outfit In Theory.


The blue button up, the gray paper bag skirt, and the camel boots are all part of my 30 for 30, while the nylons are to keep me from freezing to death.**

Monday's Outfit In Practice.


This shirt is really comfy. I think when this challenge is over that I will wear it everyday for a week.

With jeans.

And slippers.

And occasionally substituting a sweatshirt.

Today's Outfit In Theory.


The brown shirt, the orange cardigan, the jeans, and the khaki heels are all part of my 30 for 30, while the necklace was a gift.

Today's Outfit In Practice.


I like the look, in general. I like my necklace. I felt extremely tall today.

Um. Yeah.

...

How did you feel today?


*I feel like I have been saying that a lot lately. I want you to know that our friendship isn't really in any danger. I am just running low on catch phrases.

**Excessive exaggeration will also return with posts not concerning clothing. Hurray!

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