this is what you get

You should have seen the outfit I had picked out to wear today.  So cute.

Unfortunately, I snoozed through my alarm, and am absolutely exhausted today, and the thought of wearing a pencil skirt and fitted shirt just killed me.  Killed me, I say!  Not to mention that I hadn't ironed said fitted shirt.  And the skirt requires a slip.  Plus there's something about about a cute outfit that makes me feel like my mood has to live up to it...and it probably wasn't going to manage that today.

So, safety outfit it is - comfy pants, even comfier tank top and cardigan with a pair of basic black heels.

Throw on some pearls and it even looks like a wasn't running late this morning.  Brittany 1, Snooze Button 0.  Well, except maybe in this pic:

I may even sleep in it

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I'm cheap. 

Ok, that's not really a great way to start.  I like a good deal.  That's better.  That makes me sound a little more frugal, a little less prostitute.

My price point is set at about $20.  I'm not saying I never spend more than that.  But on average, that's what I'm usually willing to purchase.  You show me something I like for $20, and I'll almost always buy it.  $25 isn't much of a stretch, and if I like it a lot, I'll pay $30.  Much more than that and I start to get into well I like it but is it really worth that much and will I ever actually wear it? territory.

It's ridiculous, I know, but that's the way my momma must have raised me.

Let me tell you something else.  I'm loving this season's flowy and pastel vibe.  I want to buy everything in the Banana Republic, Gap, Ann Taylor, and J. Crew ads.  Unfortunately, to meet my $20 price point there, I'm shopping at the clearance rack.  As it turns out, the clearance rack is from four months ago when apparently seasonal summer clothes weren't exactly what was being coveted.

Every once in a while, however, I'll pay full price for something.  It's usually something that I've mentally wanted for a long time, and can never find, and then I walk into the store and bam! there it is, but apparently I'm not as special as I thought because everyone else must want one too or they will eventually, because there it is front and center just waiting to be bought by me and everyone else who walks by.  But in those cases, really rare, oft not acknowledged, and never retold to The Husband, I cave and buy something at FULL PRICE, WITHOUT A COUPON, IN THE FIRST WEEK IT'S AVAILABLE.

And that's exactly what I did with this Express dolman-sleeved sweater.  I paid a whooping $50 for it, and I'd do it again and again and again.  (Probably not a fourth time though, because I think I have to draw the line at $200.)

I can't wait to restyle this baby. 

Do you have price points for yourself?  What is the piece that you may have paid a little too much for lately, but you don't regret it for a minute?

P.S.  Happy 8th Anniversary to The Husband and me.  I love you :)

Don't Know Why You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Hello again after a long absence.  I had no idea when I did that last post that I needed a two week break, but evidently I did.  I'd like to tell you that I took the time to focus on revamping and restyling this blog, but I didn't.  The truth is, I just took some time off. 

The best part about this blog has been exactly what I intended for it to be:  to serve as a visual diary for myself and to motivate myself to look nice everyday.

But every once in a while, I find that it becomes a chore.  And it seems like for a minute there, it was becoming a bit of a chore more often. 

So I took a break.  And I'm starting to miss blogging.  And I don't care about how many followers I have, or whether I have any sponsors, or how many comments I get a day (though every comment does still excite me, no matter how much I tell myself it doesn't matter!) I miss it, and I have some new clothes, and I find that I'm not near as motivated to read others blogs for some reason when I can't show off my own.  So here I am again!

Thank you for those who sent me nice comments and checked on me and remained my follower despite my absence.  I admire your dedication, which is obviously a little stronger than mine these days!

And, without further ado and other uncreative transitional phrases, today's outfit:

It is important to note that this shirt cost a whopping $6 at the Gap this weekend.  Seriously.  I also took the opportunity to wear my new edgy bracelet with a very feminine and professional outfit...and think it adds just the right amout of grr.

P.S.  If you and your coworker decide to start running during your lunch breaks, perhaps you should pick a different time of year than June to start.  It is REALLY hard to stay motivated when its 106 outside.  You don't get valuable advice like that very often, I'm sure, so I'm just trying to be a good friend here...because I'm currently the smelly girl in the office, and the least I can be is a good friend.

You Can Look In One of Two Places

If this dress was red, I'd never wear it to work.  It's a little clingy and a tiny bit short, but I feel like I can get away with it since it's black.  No one questions your professionalism in a black dress, right? 

I purposely didn't put on a belt, because I only wanted two pops of color today, strategically placed to pull your eye away from the hemline and towards my (1) neck and (2) feet. 

I've felt a little like a flight attendant today...except that I haven't gone anywhere cool except the local hot dog vendor at lunch (but I did order the Seattle Dog, so maybe that counts).  I'm also planning on making a trip to the library after work.  Yea, it's a pretty busy day over here.

Picket Fence Life

Sometimes Mondays are made for casual clothes.  Especially Mondays in the week of Memorial Day when you only have to work half-day Fridays for the rest of the summer.

Have I mentioned to you how much I love this shirt?  This perfectly preppy boat-necked nautical-striped shirt from Gap?  Because I do.  Not just because it's a really comfortable t-shirt, either.  But because it goes with ANYTHING.  Seriously, anything - like pickles and blow pops or popcorn and Jolly Ranchers.

Today I'm living my white picket fence kinda day.  The only thing that would make it better is if I could leave work, go to the pool, and sip homemade lemonade.  Awww...perfect.

Hey, by the way, I know this isn't a picket fence.  Doesn't it look like I'm on a farm today?  Maybe I am!  Just maybe this shirt works as FARMWEAR, too!  Amazing!!!

Virus

Know what one of the worst thing in the world is?
Getting a virus on your computer at 9 a.m.
I finally got it off and fixed at 4 p.m.
I wasn't even in virus butt-kicking attire today.  Nobody kicks viral butt in pink slingbacks.  Super-spy black boots, maybe, but not kitten heels.  Next time I get a virus on my computer, I'm wearing spiked heels and leather. 
And as for you, AVG Anti-Virus Protection, how's 'bout you just show up for the fight next time?

In Vest (in me)

I wanted to be comfortable today, so I put on the stretchiest dress I could find in my closet.

Then I decided it looked just a bit too comfortable, so I dressed it up a bit with vest.

But it looked a little manly, so I took off my lace-up oxfords and threw on plain black heels and a pink belt. 

Almost right, but still missing a pop of flower power and some diamond jewelry.

After all that, it seemed a little "safe" so I went and trespassed on some private and most likely electrical property. 

Do I know how to get crazy, or what?

Grainy and Drained

Not to take too serious of a turn here for you, but do you ever have periods in your life where you are just stuck in limbo?  The Husband and I are prepared to move on to the next phase in our life, but circumstances won't allow it yet.  Because of this STUCK feeling I have, I find myself slugging through my days, weeks, and even months.  I turn around and realize it's already the middle of May, and I'm not quite sure where this year has gone already.  I'm afraid that by looking forward too much, I'm missing the Now, but I feel helpless towards it.

I guess the only thing I can do at this point is to try to remain in the Now, and keep dressing for everyday, and for what everyday can bring.

Kicks, Kids, Keds

My little town in West Texas DOES NOT get Keds.  EJ bought them for me for my birthday and has a funny story about the 12 year old working at Journeys (labor laws anyone?) who didn't understand and kept insisting that they did indeed have "kids" shoes.  Ok, so she probably wasn't 12, but the point is she looked 12 and might as well have been for all the usefulness she was.  Do you all feel as dated as me?  Yes?  (Hmm...that doesn't seem to be the way to get more readers, does it?)

I wore them last weekend with a skirt to the mall, and I think people were trying to decide how old I was myself.

Have they never seen Dirty Dancing?  If Baby can rock her Keds in the 80s AND get Patrick Swayze, I'm gonna give it a try.  Hellllllooo....girl sitting in the corner here!  Anyone?