A Cry for Help?

It seems like I’ve been losing some focus with this blog, so it’s easy to decide what my New Year’s Resolution is going to be.


I’m behind on reading all my fellow bloggers on Blog Lovin, and I’m not even sure that’s the platform I prefer to read them on. Maybe I should just go back to Google Reader, or find a new method all together.

I also feel like this blog has evolved over time, both from the quality of photographs and the actual writing content, so I’m considering a totally new revamp altogether, but am not sure I can dedicate the time necessary to do so. I’m going to give this some thought in the very near future.

Can you offer some suggestions as to what you like best about your favorite style bloggers blogs, and what you think I could do to improve my site? I have some very loyal followers who I appreciate more than you know (seriously, whenever that number ticks up or down, I’m paying attention) but I’m interested in knowing what you recommend to make my blog more enjoyable and interesting.

Help a sister out? Thanks so much for your readership in 2010. This blog experience has been so fun, and I’m so glad I’m able to participate with you all!!

Don't Fret, the Holidays Aren't Over Yet!

The first day back.  But luckily, it's also Day 1 of another three-day work week! 

We're working in semi-crisis mode right now at my office, as one of my co-workers was in a pretty bad motorcycle accident this weekend.  After my car wreck last year, I'm so much more aware of what is going on around me when I'm driving, but I still realize that things can happen in a millisecond, and sometimes there is nothing you can do to prepare for them.  All you can do is avoid the obviously stupid things and hope and pray for the best the rest of the time.  Sigh.

These are purple velvet pants, can you tell?  Yea, I'm wearing purple velvet...love it!

My Christmas was wonderful!  How was yours?  I vowed to take pictures this weekend because I got a new digital picture frame for my office, but I took exactly two pictures of me with my family. 

Wait!  I did take one Christmas Eve party outfit picture!  A Christmas present to you all!! (hee hee)

The Countdown is Beginning

Part of the fun of Christmas break is the last day of work before Christmas, don't you think?

I mean, I have all this stuff I should get done, but I'm sluggishly going through it all.  I'll get it all finished before 5 today, but my productivity has definitely slowed today.

I just keep telling myself that tomorrow I'll be in my hometown with my family and a glass of wine.

Nice.

Someone buy Santa some sunscreen!

Dear Texas:

I get it.  You don't like the cold.  Usually you and I have an amicable relationship regarding that very fact.

But even me, your biggest warm weather fan, says that it's a little hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it's 75 degrees outside.

It IS the first day of Winter, after all.

Just sayin,
Brittany

My Mantra Today

You will not be overly stressed today.  You are only one person.

You survived last week, and you will survive this week.

You only have to work three days this week, and three days next week.

You'll be fine!

Back from somewhere!

Wow, guess who took an extended blogosphere break?

It all started when my computer woke up one morning with a virus.  No amount of IT-antibiotics seemed to help it. 

Sigh.

Fast forward to me without a computer, stumbling through time into an age where work was done by hand.  It was horrible.

On top of all that, this is the day I began to feel my second round of sickness.  Cue my own round of antibiotics (the second one in three weeks). 

P.S. Look at that hair!  Look at that look!  Watch it, Zoolander!

I'm finally feeling better.  I didn't take pictures every day while all this was going on, but I wish I would have.  I missed some great photo ops - the CEO/investor meeting last Wednesday (when I thought I truly might pass out but faked looking awesome!), and last Friday's company Christmas party (planned by yours truly). 

But here's what I got for you, and I'm back to the blog grindstone starting tomorrow!  I can't wait to read all your posts, too!!

Where's my prince?

Ugh, Monday again.  The only thing that can describe my disheveled look.

I really like the word DISHEVELED.  If I was the heroine in a romance novel, I'd like to be described as slightly disheveled.  Its never the put together ladies that get those handsome rakes...its always the quirky, disheveled stepdaughter of the viscount of Bismark.

Today's outfit was designed around two things:

1.  Monday morning

2.  Not wanting to use the iron.

I'm off to another grand ball at the Earl's.  I hope no one seduces me outside in the rose garden.  I do have a reputation to consider, you know.

Jeans and a Jacket

Do you realize that it’s December 3rd?

I don’t have a Christmas tree up yet. I lost mine in one of my 700 moves in the past year (well, 2 moves) and just bought a new one this past weekend.

Do you realize how expensive fake Christmas trees are?

Seriously, those suckers are insane.

Speaking of insane, I heard on Kidd Craddick the other morning that some of smartest people in the world have psychotic tendencies. Like, some of the best doctors are crazy about focusing on one thing (medicine) and that’s why they’re so good at what they do. That means your psychotic doctor could be treating you for psychosis. How very Freudian of you both.

Guess what?  It's Friday!

T.G.I.F.

Or, in the alternative,

Much Gratitude to the Lord for the Last Day of the Weekday.

M.G.T.L.F.T.L.D.O.T.W.

I think that might catch on.

 (I decided I liked this jacket open.  So I opened it for the rest of the day!)

My topper is black

Last Friday there was a marathon session of What Not to Wear on TLC. I recorded every episode and have been watching them periodically over the last week (hello sick day on Monday).

In one of the episodes, Stacy and Clinton talk about the importance of a “topper” piece. What they meant was, a great skirt and top can look really good on their own, but what really pulls the it all together and amps it up as an “outfit” is the topper – either a fitted jacket or blazer, or even a cardigan.

I am so glad they finally put an idea that has been drifting around in my head into a tangible concept.

I liked this pencil skirt and gray top combination together, and I loved the bright blue belt that fooled you all into thinking I have an hourglass figure. But what really sealed the deal on this outfit was a simple black cardigan.

Who says you can’t learn things from your t.v.?

You Need to Know: Is It a Leopard or Cheetah attacking you?

Feeling all kinds of lady-like today.  This dress is SUPER comfortable.  I debated whether it was too short for work or not, but I figured the black tights made it seem more appropriate.  Plus, it's such a conservative neck, I gotta flash something, right? 

The bun I envisioned this morning did not look like this one.  How unfortunate.  Also, I'm not picking my nose, for the record.

Regarding the Animal Print Debate from yesterday, I have done some master sleuthing in the safari for you and got some great shots (via wikipedia, of course).

Cheetah-print is made up of smaller black, round spots along the fur.  They also have "tear" marks down their faces (it's hard constantly having to live up to the title of "Fastest Animal", I'm sure). 

Time for your close up, Cheetah:

Leopard-print is a rosette shape consisting of a brown spot with some black spots smudged around it. 

Show me what you got, Leopard...

I read a lot more interesting things about Cheetahs and Leopards, but I promptly forgot them all.  I'm trying to remember what I'm going to cook for dinner tonight, and there ain't much room for nothin else.

I can say with extreme confidence and smugness to people who don't know I spent an hour researching it, that yesterday, I was wearing a LEOPARD-print shirt!  Don't you all feel smarter now?