GYPO Fall Challenge

It's more than a little embarrassing how long I've had this post planned. Let's put it into perspective. The 3 week challenge is over and we're on round 2, week 2. Then again, the last 3 readers are probably really tired of me talking about how far behind I am on this whole blogging thing. 

Anywho, I put together my capsule wardrobe for the challenge. It actually started my first day in Scotland. I brought some of the outfits with me but when I train, I really prefer to be more dressed up. I figure if I'm going to sand in front of a class, I might as well have on something nice. 

Here's what I put together in the capsule.

Shoes: I have tall brown boots, black booties, brown fringe booties which I actually haven't worn yet because they're a little too tall for me. I can wear a tall shoe but these are just a hair too high, leopard heels, I really need to find a pair of leopard flats I like and gold flats. I only brought the brown tall boots, gold flats and black booties to Scotland. (bad idea).

Pants: I had burgundy pants, black, olive and some skinny jeans, the challenge called for boyfriend jeans which I actually found a few days ago, just in time for round 2. Shirts: black and white patterned, white, black and white polka dot and polka dot chambray.

Sweaters: Orange cardigan, neutral cardigan (I found one I liked a lot better in Scotland), grey shirt as a sub for a gray cable sweater (yea, too damn warm for cable sweaters in NC), and a pink sweater.

Instead of a camel blazer, I used my black leather-ish jacket, I also had an orange suede dress and a black and white shirt dress to swap for a plaid dress. Believe me, if I'd been able to find a plaid dress, I would have been so happy. Still looking. 

For the jewelry, I had my chunky pearl and Kendra Scott tassel necklaces, MK watch and some bold earrings. 

I also had a flower scarf and instead of an orange plaid, I found this fabu leopard/lace/orange scarf. Loooove.

For some reason I had a heck of a time finding things I loved for this challenge, I subbed a bunch from my closet and didn't really look for other things, I just ran out of time. Being in Scotland the first week also threw a kink in my fashion plans.

I still had a blast playing along and I've definitely gotten some staples for my wardrobe. Now to wait for the winter challenge. I'm sure I'll be overseas during the challenge too but at least I already found a fur vest that I'm pretty sure will be in the challenge. :)

GYPO Work Wear Challenge Recap

Yes, I can't stop doing fashion challenges. I swear, I really can't help myself. I actually think they're really good for me and I'll tell you why. It helps me target my shopping on a few things that I'm missing from my wardrobe AND, most of all, it forces me to put together things that I wouldn't think of wearing. win win win.

I do need to confess though, I'm terrible at capsule wardrobes in just one way, I won't wear the same piece 2x in one week, nor will I wear something kinda close together. Pants are one thing but tops? Ahhh nope. 

Before I took a 2 week hiatus I posted some of the clothes I put together for the challenge. Here are a few things I put together and wore during the last  weeks. 

OK, I know everyone is sick and tired of the horrible bathroom selfies but it's what I have access to. When we move, I swear I'll get a full length mirror and take my selfies there instead,

Red sweater, red and black polka dot top, black pants and leopard heels. Sweater and top are both from the Limited and old. pants from Macy's and the shoes from somewhere at an outlet mall.

Blue and white polka dot top from Banana Republic, skirt from Spiegle and thrifted.

White shirt and orange pants both from the Limited and leopard shoes,

Black blouse from Loft, skirt from the Limited (seeing a theme yet?) Those shoes are so, so old, I really might have bought them when I worked at Sears in grad school and that was a loooong time ago.

Black and white polka dot top from the Limited, green sweater from Jane.com and pants from Gap, I can't even tell which shoes I'm wearing. 

Blue polka dotted chambray shirt from Old Navy, orange skirt from the Limited and tan flats with a gold skull on them. (for reals)

Gap sweater, Express tank, White House Black Market jeans and leopard loafers from Macy's

Patterned shirt from the Limited and burgundy pants from Macy's. Flats from Target

Shirt from Nordstrom, black pants, White House Black Market and boots from Macy's. Skull scarf from a store at the beach.

The last day was absolutely my favorite outfit, I FINALLY got to wear my new moto jacket. I thought for a hot minute about wearing my black puffer vest but realized I wold look like Han Solo if I did.

It still might happen because I'm on a quest to be as basic as possible this fall. Scarves and boots and lattes... I just need to stand in a pumpkin patch.

I think the biggest thing I accomplished this challenge was wearing scarves and a white shirt. I waited tables for far too long back in the day and had to wear a white shirt every. single, day. I might not have worn one since. Really, I haven't, until now, and I actually like it.

Scarves are the other big thing. I have a bunch of scarves and haven't worn any because I can't stand all the fabric. I think I finally found some I like though! 

There's just one more week before the Fall Challenge begins. You can STILL sign up here!! I've got most everything ready to go. What I'm going to do during this in between week with no one telling me what to wear, I have no idea.

Linking Up!

Garaytreasures Link Up  Style Sessions, 

First time running with a cape and probably not the last



Annnnd it's Monday again. I had a pretty low-key weekend, Kev was away at a conference Friday night and most of Saturday which left me to my own devices. I discovered that meant lots of laundry. I really don't mind doing laundry, it's the whole folding thing. WHY is everything inside out? I mean seriously, absolutely.every.last.piece.of.clothing. It adds a good 15 minutes to my laundry time.

 

We're also dog sitting for a few days. Our friend who watches Cleo while we're away is gone for a few days and we have her dog. Only problem, her dog is allergic to everything and can only eat special food. That means Cleo's treat parade grinds to a halt while her friend is here. She gets really excited to have a friend stay over but by day 2, she realizes that friend = no treats. On Saturday I didn't finish the chicken I was eating and Cleo waited until Lily's back was turned, came over to me, looked at me and the chicken and pawed my leg. I gave her the chicken and she kept sneaking glances over to make sure Lily wasn't paying attention.

 

Lily also likes to counter surf and in the past she's eaten a frozen steak and a stick of butter. We thought we locked everything up but she got into the trash under the sink and ate foil covered in bacon grease. Good times..

 

I got this mug for Kev, but really, it applies to everyone.

 

 



Saturday morning I wanted to make a treat for a friend who just had a baby. I settled on these Crumb topped pumpkin muffins. I found the recipe on Pinterest but can't locate the link right now. That's when I decided that there weren't enough foods in this world that had a crumb topping.  

 



 

On my way to her house I stopped at Bean Traders to get a coffee and I reveled in how I was such a basic white girl that day. Boots, leggings, flannel shirt and a coffee. All I needed to do was stand in a pumpkin patch.

 

 

Spent time with mommy and baby then I had to head over to Raleigh to get my bib for the Monster Dash.

 

On my way there I stopped at JC Penny to look for a new white dress. I need it for sorority ritual stuff and the one I have is impossible to zip by myself. I dislocate my shoulder every time because it has this odd band around the waist that the zipper always gets stuck on.

 

I found a dress on clearance for $20 (SCORE!) and this gem.

 

 

 

I also found my leather pants there for $22, YAY! JC Penny had a huge selection of leather pants, including several pairs that were pleated. No no no no no. Pleated pants should be outlawed, especially leather ones.

 

Sunday morning I still had some groceries to pick up and I headed to Target first thing in the morning. We're having a spooky food contest today at work and I needed a few more things for my dish, as well as the prize for the spookiest food!

 

I was also contemplating my costume for the race. I was supposed to do it last year but had last minute visitors and couldn't make it so I still had my Tardis costume that I never wore. Problem, it was supposed to be in the high 70s and the costume didn't really "breathe".

 

I found a Darth Vader shirt complete with a cape for $8 so I snapped it up as a back-up plan.

 

I was super sleepy and contemplating not doing the race. Then I drank a big glass of almond milk and protein powder (bad idea)

 

I get to the race, forgot my Garmin and my phone is currently jacked up and I can't make or receive calls and I have no data. Oddly, there weren't many people at the race. Usually it's a full one with lots of people in fun costumes. While I was waiting for the run to start this odd smelly guy kept getting closer and closer to me. I finally gave him some side eye and moved far away. I don't know what his costume was supposed to be because all he had on was a pair of running shorts and his old bare chest for the world to see. He was in front of me and I could tell he shaved his back but he had the longest armpit hair I'd ever seen. It was pretty disgusting. 

 

 

It was dang hot. I should have brought my water, and I really shouldn't have drank that shake. I felt like I wanted to vom most of the time. I was actually looking along the side of the course for a space. I walked a lot. Far more that I should ever need to and I was pretty angry about it. I still finsihed in 33:48 which is my fastest 5k in a while. Grrrrrrr. There was a good race in there if it wasn't for that dang shake.

 

I got home, showered and then we went to the Angus Barn for dinner. We always eat upstairs and split the 20oz prime rib. It's really one of the best deals around, they split it for you and you each get the side, no charge for the split. 

 

 

The pianist was there and I got to play my favorite game, "what the hell is she playing". All in all a great end to the weekend!

 

 

Crumb topping, yay or nay?

Did you get a run in this weekend?

 

Linky Linky with these awesome ladies!

Fall Swag Swap

Back at the end of August I was perusing some blogs and came across Candra at Camo and Lipstick who was co-hosting a Fall Swag Swap! Well, love fall and I love swag, so this sounded perfect to me! The rules were pretty simple, you had to spend $20 on at least 5 items and be a US Citizen.

The fabulous ladies at Camo and Lipstick, Macke Monologues, Beauty and the Baseball Coach and Homemade Happenings set all of this up and let me tell you, I had a blast. I was fortunate enough to be partnered up with Candra herself and had a blast getting to know her over the last month!

We're both runners, she's training for another half marathon and I'm seriously thinking about running half number 4. (Really really thinking hard but I also want a sub-30 5k and I'm not sure the 2 are compatible). We also both love coffee, chapstick and multiple water bottles. Shopping for Candra was pretty easy, I just bought things that I would get for myself. :)

I was really excited to break into the package she sent I have to say, she did a fantastic job with my swag.

DECORATIONS!! I've been needing to refresh my fall decorations for a while and these are absolutely perfect! I decorate with nothing but pumpkins and leaves and these go perfectly with the rest of my decor.

She also sent 2 little books. One that's a purse calendar that tells you which foods are in season and a slow cooker cook book! Seriously, just the other day I was talking to Kev about wanting to make more things in the crock pot. I pulled out a paleo cookbook and he poo pooed all the recipes. I had great plans to search Pinterest for some ideas and now I don't need to.

Ignore the sideways photo. :) I really really love the nail polish she sent, it's the perfect nude color and I can't wait to try it out! And that lip butter is really fantastic. :) Also un-pictured is the bag of Autumn mix that's already in my snack bag and I've already fished out a few of the candy pumpkins.

The swap was a great experience, I had a blast getting to know Candra and shopping for her. It's definitely something I would do again!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the swappers!

Have you ever done a Swag Swap?

What did you swap?