flock of seagulls

This dress reminds me of Chandler's wonderful 80's hair in the flashback episodes of Friends (which were always my favorite). I saw a trend report recently that told everyone to throw out their bird prints and embrace "non-floral, natural prints," which I clearly listened to. Not really.

Truth is that this is the FIRST bird print thing I have ever owned and I just got it, so I'm not about to let it go that easily. Those lists are stupid anyway; who wants to sheepishly follow all fashion trends? Except for the bird print one. That one's okay because I like it.

fake first day

Today is my first regular day at the shop and it is so strange not to have a to-do list that needs to be frenziedly attended to in order to be ready for an upcoming something. Today I'm just here, at the shop, no pressing deadlines, and it feels amazing. It's the first chance I've gotten to just stop and look around at this place. It's still sinking in that it's mine.

Because that's what happens when dreams come true, isn't it? We look around and think, this is it right? This is what I wanted? And when the answer is yes you have to just slow down, get out of your head, and be happy about it. It's real and YOU did that. So today I'm just giving myself permission to enjoy my hard work and my real first day on the job.

everything changes

Sometimes, just like that, everything changes. I thought I knew exactly what my next 12 months were going to look like, and suddenly it all changed. Now I'm facing a time in my life that I haven't planned for, and it's all exciting, but it's scary too. So just like the colors I'm wearing, I'm feeling a little, well, unusual lately. So here's to jumping and hoping the net will appear.

first day

Two weeks ago I got offered a job I was so excited to take and I am bittersweetly happy to take a step back from working full time for Favoring Brave. Today was my first day and I am excited! I think I will really love being back at work full time - especially somewhere with a super fun dress code! I will have a lot more new outfits to share now that I have to be dressed for the public everyday.

a girl and her satchel

Husband (!) and I went garage saleing (is that a word?) last weekend to find furniture, because it is now inexplicably exciting to us to be all grown up like that, and instead we came home with a huge print of the philosophers at Athens for the dining room and this lovely red bag. 

It was love at first sight. It made me want to come home and clean out my collection of superfluous purses because they would all lose their luster next to this red leather drop of perfection. It has the perfect number of pockets, the perfect depth for a magazine (or small business tax permit forms, as was the case today), and the perfect built in organizational systems. This is a serious relationship we got going on right now. 

Also I felt like wearing houndstooth and velvet together today to the office, so that's fun.

Clearly faces are not important to me... oh well. You know what I look like anyway.

peace&love,

Jill

Happier

Things to Do to Be Happier:

Read more.

Spend less time on internet.

Write every day.

Keep my space clean.

Exercise.

Make my peace with where I am at in my life--that I don't know what I'm supposed to do with the rest of my life, but that shouldn't keep me from doing something right now.

Something I love and that makes me smile.

peace&love,

Jill

On My Own

John is in Boston for the week at an educator conference and so this is my first solo week in Tulsa. Also, his mom is in Austria for the month so it's REALLY a solo week for me. So between cat care and comic book errands, I've managed to carve out some "settling in time" to find a doctor, manicurist, hair stylist, and day spa. Nothing makes a place feel like home like knowing who "I go to."

Haircut pictures coming soon! Nothing drastic, put it's fun for me anyway.

Thrifted: skirt, shirt, shoes, belt; Cardigan and Tights: Penny's (Ireland)

I know I just wore this skirt not that long ago on the blog, but I'm in love with it, so that makes it okay.

I swear I am happier than I look in this picture, but I am anxiously awaiting John's return tomorrow!

peace&love,

Jill

Off Kilter

John got creative with the picture angles today, and that actually pretty accurately represents my mental state of late. If you haven't noticed from the lack of posting lately, things are a little off. 

Today I'm starting to head back in the right direction, but here's to finding the beauty in the 

sideways-ness in the meantime. John is good at helping me do that.

Dress: thrifted

Shoes: thrifted, Madden Girl

peace&love,

Jill

Navy Dot

I am remembering how much I like texture as I get ready for my wedding and that has been showing up in my clothes lately. The chiffon skirt and the poplin top with the faux snakeskin belt mash up all my favorite things right now. Perfect casual Friday outfit.

On a more introspective note, things have been challenging lately, but I am throughly enjoying a three day weekend with my future husband, not to mention Easter coming soon. I hope that the holiday is happy and holy for you and your family.

peace&love,

Jill

Purple Petite

This treasure of a vintage top came from my favorite thrift store in my college town, but I have never seemed able to pull off its proportions with anything. Let me know if you think this worked:

I'm loving the Oklahoma spring... bare legs in March (when I took this picture?) 

Even an albino like me has to be a little excited about that.

peace&love,

Jill

Morse Code

I feel like this dress is trying to say something. 

Any ideas? I think it just likes to be worn. Or at least that's what I'm going with.

The weather here in Tulsa has been amazing. So amazing. My albino legs are getting to see the light of day a full two months before they usually do and I'm loving it. Bring on the skirts, dresses, and capris!

Maybe some shorts too, but only on the weekends.

Enjoy the weather!

peace&love,

Jill

Fit and Flare

Excuse the mess. This is what happens when I have to be at work at 8am but my outfit is still wanting to be photographed. My bedroom ladies and gentlemen, in all it's middle of the week glory.

I found this awesome skirt at the thrift store down the street from my work which has ALL their clothes on a 50% off sale every Wednesday. Needless to say this has become my middle of the week pick me up, and last week the skirt section did not disappoint. Three great skirts, more photos to come.

Ahh, the yoga mat carpeting in my bedroom. Keeping it classy.

peace&love,

Jill

Grown Up Dresses

My dear dear grandmother sent me a belated graduation card with a little bit of fun money in it and so I decided to celebrate my relatively new position with some new dresses with some substance to them that I could wear to work. 

I didn't have to go into work until 11 on Tuesday so I stopped by Ross on the way and picked up a couple of treasures that are work appropriate and fit like a glove. I've already test driven one of them and it worked out pretty well.

3 work dresses. Don't I feel all grown up.

peace&love,

Jill

Coffee and Cream

I wore this outfit to work last week, but I'm just getting around to posting it this weekend because life has been busy. And I have been tired. Not a great combination for getting things done.

But I can promise you a week of more posts than the last TWO weeks combined. 

Luckily that only means I have to post more than once. 

Wedding planning is also in full swing, so look forward to more stuff about that soon!

Have a good week!

peace&love,

Jill

Does This Work?

Something about having a day job makes me second guess my clothing choices. And my first Saturday of work was no exception. I realized I have no idea what the Saturday training dress code is. So this is the most anything outfit I could create. Anything other people were wearing, my goal was to fit in. And I threw some colorblocking in there for good measure.

Apparently there was something off to the right when I took these pictures. 

Who knows. 7:30am was awhile ago.

Thrifted: leggings, dress (Kensie), belt, cardigan (Loft), Boots: Payless

Off to an 80s Prom themed charity auction. Wait with baited breath for those pictures, alright?

peace&love,

Jill