Knocked Up (Not Out)

This is an Awkward, but more Awesome announcement.

It's way past due  (the awkward part) for me to finally come clean to you all about something super awesome happening in my life.  I've been meaning to tell you, I just hadn't had the proper time to spend in formulating my thoughts properly.

I still don't think I have formulated the right words yet.

You may have already guessed by the title, or the very noticeable bump here the other day, but I am pregnant. Knocked up.  Bun in the Oven.  With Child.  And I'm SO excited.

I will defiantly be weaving in some pregnancy topics into my regular posts (as it's just unavoidable), and you'll be seeing me grow and my fashion choices having to alter with it.  But, I'm not leaving you, nor totally turning this thing into mommy central.  

Some basic stats you may be wondering... I'm 17 weeks along and due right around Christmas (December 23-24).  Which means, I've been pregnant since March 17th!  It's been an interesting journey. I'll have more stories for you later and bits and pieces here and there to catch you up.

For now, lets discuss this hair (awkward and awesome).  I haven't worn my hair like this since the 5th grade.  But the other night I was watching the current season of True Blood, and saw Sooki running around with this do.  While the show is sort of annoying so far this season, I liked the hair and decided to try it.

{Vest - on sale at J.Crew; Dress - ASOS; Belt - Marshal's; Necklace - way old from H&M, Heels - Target}

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Menswear

Awkward.
So I have been eyeing this papaya gingham shirt from J.Crew for months, then it finally went on sale - for $60.  But then I saw the men's version for $40 - in the same color and everything. So the cheapskate in me is wearing a men's shirt...that I bought for myself. I'm not even borrowing it from the hubs.

Awesome.
My new shoes, to go with my manly outfit - finally got some menswear inspired oxfords that I've been wanting.  These ones are from Nine West and quite comfortable (and a steal from only $41).

{The dress is an oldie from New York and Co years ago.}

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Awkward & Awesome Thursday

Awkward.

- Wearing the same shirt within one week.  But my cost per wear is getting smaller by the week!
- Getting so many mosquito bites on my Minnesota vacay, that I look like I have chicken pox... or my hand up my skirt or down my shirt and inappropriate times itching my bites like crazy.
- Husband out in the front yard, in 80 degree weather, wearing long pants, a windbreaker and gloves... He was treating the massive amount of growing oak trees out of the fallen acorns of our grown tree.  He was protecting his skin, but he looked funny.
- True Blood. Fairies gone bad?  Season 4 is off to a weird start.
- Jame Franco's invisible art for sale.... Free Shipping!

Awesome.

- Getting to spend quality time on vacay with best friends who don't live near.
- And making friendship bracelets!
- Boat shoes - but not just any, metallic boat shoes.  Perfect for summer lake getaways. Also worn here.
- Popsicles.  A summer time favorite.  My favorite is Edy's All Natural Fruit Bars in Tangerine.
- Pinterest. I'm really starting to get addicted!  I've been pinning more.

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Last day to enter my ad space giveaway!

When All Else Fails...

Awesome.

- When all else fails, do as J.Crew does.  Doing as J.Crew does.
- But my outfit is tons cheaper than J.Crew's... Denim top (shop) & ivory skirt (similar) from Target, Stripe tee an oldie from SJP's line and Sandals from Payless
- Whatever happened to Sarah Jessica Parker's clothing line, Bitten, anyways?
- 1/2 day Fridays at work...oh yes.  Summer hours.  My new summer Friday ritual is working in the morning and then heading straight to the gym to work out before hitting the pool.
- Getting my hair did.  Oh yes.  Best thing ever.  And the hair washing - I wish I could just get my hair washed once a week.  It's magical.

Awkward.

- The majorly giant carpenter ants that are sneaking into my house and causing a lot of antsy nights (haha, pun intended).
- Aka, me feeling like there are ants crawling all over me and jumping out of bed for no reason.
- 6am flight for one-day work trip.  6am means, getting up at 4am.  Eeep.
- Copying J.Crew without any creative alterations of my own.  I'm a copycat today, I guess.

That's my Awesome & Awkward Thursday, folks.

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Clowning Around

Awesome.

- Mixing colors, patterns and experimenting with clothes a little bit!
- Sunny days with blue skies and funny looking clouds (I love laying in the grass looking for shapes in the sky).
- Buns.  They extend the time between hair washes.  Seriously.  Also, quick and easy - whip it up and run out the door!
- Going baaack to San Fran this coming Sunday - this time, work conferences, but also, hopefully warmer weather!

 Awkward.

{Stripe Top - H&M, Polka Dot Skirt - Target, Blue heels - DSW, Bag - Theit}

-  Finding clothing inspiration from a clown.  Polka dots, bright colors, stripes....
- I'm so strong.  I can lift my purse.  Actually, my bag does way 10 lbs. I stuff a lot in there.
- On a work call...thinking you are on mute, chomping away on your lunch (loudly) to realize your not on mute...
- Looking back to the beginning on my blog and some of the photos I use to take...and post. yikes! I've come a long way.
- Walking into work with all my bags and realizing my skirt (this on) has turned itself around... slit on the side, pockets mid-body. Weird.

Now go Follow Me on Twitter and Enter my Shabby Apple Adorable Dress Giveaway!

An Inspired Awkward & Awesome Thursday

Awesome.

- Plum & Turquoise

- Inspired outfits by Rachel Roy
- Outfits with interesting color mixtures.  I can't get enough - I'll try it all.
- April.  Tomorrow is April!  Means patio time, margarita's, sunshine and summer ahead.
- More California time ahead - freshly back from family vacay in Sonoma and San Fransisco, and I'll be back to CA for a fun work conference in less than 2 weeks!
- Dinner parties with friends - had a fun one at my house last night, and wee bit tired today because of it!
- Pay day! Been waiting for this so I can justify a lil J.Crew order...
- Last day to vote for me to be blogger of the month - takes 2 seconds to click & vote for Chasing Davies, please help me out! :) Click here and look for the poll on the right side!

Awkward.

 - Wearing tights in late March.  Seriously? I'm over it.  That is me saying that - I LOVE tights, you know... but I'm over it now.
- Awkward outfit shot in a hotel room, with poor lighting to boot!
- Snow on freshly bloomed flowers - actually, that's not awkward, that's just mean!
-Tripping in front of an entire group of people meeting on my way to the bathroom (I really had to pee, and everyone then knew)!
- Adult break outs!  I don't know if it's the flying (recycled air usually makes me feel a little ick), lack of sleep, or getting immune to my face wash - but I'm broken out way more than usual!

Good Stuff to Check Out:

Shop via Chasing Davies virtual party to get entered to WIN jewelry
Last day to enter my Giveaway to win $100 to GNC

Leopard & High (Low) Kicks

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! You can send me a virtual pinch if you'd like for not wearing my green, but the good news is, this outfit is from yesterday and I am in fact wearing green today.  Nevermind, I'm not even for real wearing green today.  Double virtual pinch me. How about a bit of Awkward & Awesome today?

Awkward.

- My husbands garage door was open, mine wasn't.  But I backed up anyways.  Not a good way to start off the day.

- Did I mention these were TWO MONTH old garage doors?  They were. Ouch.

- My see through foot, and attempt to high kick.  Which good thing I failed, since it's probably not proper to to high kick in a skirt?
- My brassy hair.  I'm holding strong till my next hair appointment in early April. 

Awesome.

- Leopard. Anything leopard, like my cardigan, or new Target belt, or flats I wear a ton.
- Pockets. In any skirt or dress - always a plus.
- Spring! I've got major spring fever.  Love jogging and walking outside this time of year.
- Cali vacay next week!!! San Fran & Wine Country. 
- The AWESOME guest bloggers I have in store for you.
- A cold beer on a warm day, outside while the sun is still shinning (thanks to daylight savings)
- Roasted carrots with honey & oranges. Yum.
- Red flats. Love a pop of color in an otherwise neutral (besides the print) outfit.
- TWO Giveaways still going on....

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The Bag Lady - Awkward & Awesome Thursday

My busy schedule is tarting to catch up with me.  I hate being behind on posting.  Next week will be better! I have so much I need and want to share - I just need to find some time to snap some pics and write.  For now, I'm going to participate in Awkward & Awesome Thursday!

{Dress - Cynthia Rawley via TJ Maxx find; Stripe Cardi - Old Navy; Small necklace - Weston, Mo boutique; Bigger necklace - Washington D.C. market; Leopard Flats - Marshalls; Ruffle Scarf - The Limited; Green printed bag - Lill}

Awkward.

- Lugging way too much around with all my bags and looking like the bag lady - at least I'm working out my arm. One arm will be strong.
- Getting so little sleep, falling asleep on the plane with my mouth wide open, waking myself up with a little drool.
- At the KU basketball game last night with some friends, including Lisa M. from the Bachelor, a little high school girl and her mom were staring at Lisa and frantically texting/tweeting on her phone.  She was so excited, we all felt awkward.
- On Monday, showing up to work post-7am flight, long delay in gross St.Louis Airport the day before and getting only 4 hours of sleep.  I looked like a gremlin. You will not see pics of that outfit!
- ...Which was pieced together clean clothes that I had left, since I was supposed to have gotten home 24 hours earlier - I had run out of outfits!
- All this flying has dried out my hair and skin and caused me to break out a TON!  I feel like I'm going through puberty.
- Um, remember all the running I did in January?  I've run like 10 miles since... I miss working out.  I've been too busy.  Need to get back on a good schedule.

Awesome.

- Getting my room upgraded from the nice guy checking me in at Hotel Monaco in Denver.
- Walking into my kick a$$ suite that has a living room, separate bedroom with sitting area and a jacuzzi tube!
- Being in Washington D.C. last weekend to see Gaga and friends.
- Being in Denver now for work. I just love Denver.  We walked to dinner - went to to Wynkoop Brewery and I had the Vegetarian "Chicken" Pasta.  So good.
- All of our home painting being DONE!  All the current remodeling projects - DONE!  Now just need to put our home back together again...
- Free breakfast and lunch at work all week from vendors - majorly reducing my grocery bill!
- New, big flat screen TV for our bedroom - delivered, only to find they sent us the next version better because ran out of the one we bought.
- This TV has 3D! Now I need the glasses.  This line is now turning into more awkward - can you see me hanging out at home with big 3D goggles on?  Love it.
- Bare legged season!  I love my tights, but love the signs of spring/summer!

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Awkwardly in the Garage with my Awesome Closet Doors

Participating again in Awkward & Awesome Thursday!!  1 day until FRIDAY! :)

Awkward:

- My limp hair & puffy face...all signs of a late night of a) blogging, b) packing for Washington D.C., c) working, d) All of the Above.  If you guessed D, you are right!
- The length of my sweater vest with this higher-waisted skirt = poochy mid-section.
- My garage being covered in plastic & paper (have I mentioned I'm ready to have my house back? I'm not sure I have yet.)

Awesome:

- Today's outfit was inspired by Virginie's awesome outfit
- It still feels so good to wear some different clothes than the 30
- Especially wear these brown boots I've missed!
- This plaid shirt... Thrifted,  Men's and by DIOR!  Love it.
- Bright YELLOW tights
- Those are all our pretty closet doors drying.  The white enamel was sprayed on on them, so now they are ready to be hung...as soon as all the rooms are ready to have them.
- Said trip to Washington D.C. this weekend to see Lady Gaga (again) & visit one of my best friends!
- Recent J.Crew purchases!!!  Stripe Painter's Tee worn yesterday & Maritime Dress you will see TOMORROW! :)
- Having more Awesomes that Awkwards - yes!

{Plaid Button Down - Dior, Thrifted; Sweater Vest - J.Crew; Plum Skirt - Gap; Yellow Tights - Target; Boots - Nordstrom Rack; Purse - The Limited}

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Day 25 {Oh so Awkward & AWESOME}

Today I'm participating in Syndey's Awkward and Awesome Thursday round up.  Let me know how you like my lil' Awkward/Awesome post!

Awkward:
- Taking outfit photos in a restaurant bathroom {but it was a pretty one!}
- Looking a wee-bit homeless in all my outerwear {scarf and coat}
- Awkward hair length that sits on my shoulders and likes to be really fluffy {please grow faster, hair}
- Trying to get into my annual company meeting through glass doors that were locked, everyone looking, but doors were chained shut.  Followed by walking around the whole GIANT art museum that is still covered in icy snow to find the open doors to get in.
- Then fast forward to after meeting happy hour, trying to parallel in the last spot avail around a giant mound of snow, in front of same said co-workers.  They probably think I'm nuts.

Awesome:
- My bright teal tights.  I loooove colored tights.
- My lace skirt {sometimes shirt} from Target that I've worn so many times, my Cost Per Wear {CPW} is probably down to $0.25 right now
- Same goes for my lace up heels.  They go with everything.
- Said happy hour hosted by work, aka free beers.  I think from my awkwardness, I earned it!
- Then rushing off to go out to a restaurant to eat good food & partake in a jewelry party for free {I mean, work, another work thing}
- My job: work hard, play hard
- Only 5 days left of this Remix Challenge & Shopping Freeze!!!  {HELLO J.CREW}
- Hubs waiting up for me after such a busy evening so we can hang out - and him at least pretending to care about the jewelry I scored {again, for free - I mean, work}