First snow!

{Our backyard}

We had our first snow of this winter! The night it snowed Anna and I were hanging out with two of our friends and when it was time to go we came up from the basement to see the beautiful flurries coming down outside! We were hanging out at home so needless to say our friends were not as excited about the slight snow on the ground because they were going to have to drive home in it, but I walked them out to their cars and I kid you not it looked like it was glittering out. It was so beautiful. :] It's kind of sad that the first snow of this year's winter was so late though. We're in December and this is our first snow?? Seems like global warming is real. 

Global warming or not the first snow fall means it's officially time to bring out my winter jacket! Well, one of them at least. This is actually one of Anna's old jackets but I am seriously in love with it and have adopted it unofficially. 

This outfit I wore to lunch with Max and his family including his aunt Chris and uncle Paul visiting from Texas and their niece who we spent 16 hours in a car with once when we all took a road trip to Chris and Paul's home in Texas. She's super sweet and really cool too so it was very nice to see her again. We went to this Polish restaurant in Harwood heights, which is right by Chicago. It's called Old Warsaw Buffet and is seriously decked out. The Polish really know how to accessorize a restaurant. :D I've been there a couple times before with his family. It's sort of a tradition to celebrate Christmas there with members of the family that they won't see on Christmas. It's always nice to be with the O'Neill's. They are the best. 

I have finals this week but I can honestly say that I'm not stressing out too much. It might be because I don't really have much of a heavy load this semester with only 3 classes but I like to think that it's because I really did learn a lot. haha Two finals down already and one more to go on Thursday and then I'll finally be on break! I'm very excited. 

{Jean jacket and dress: thrifted, belt: borrowed from Anna, tights: Forever 21, shoes: Payless}

<3
Marybeth

Movin' Right Along

Hello!
I am pleased to announce that I have lived 23 years as of this past Monday!!! And to be honest, it doesn't feel much different than 22. Or 21.. they all seem to blend together after awhile. Sometimes I feel like I'm old, and I think I'm cool. And then other times, I think about the things I haven't accomplished yet. I'm a recent college graduate and I'm living with my parents. I want to leave for South Korea this February, but the process is excruciatingly long. So in the meantime, I'm substitute teacher. But after Korea? I don't know what I'm going to do...

And then sometimes I remember that I'm young. I'm still so young, and I have my whole life ahead of my still. I have plenty of time to enjoy life while I'm living it. It can be exhausting just counting down deadlines; always anticipating the future, without focusing on the present. I am so grateful for everything I have. Or at least, I strive to be. I'm at my parents house while I transition from the academic life to adulthood. The best part is, we actually get along (most of the time). I love my family. A lot of other people aren't as fortunate as that. I try not to take for granted the things I have now. I can only imagine how tough it will be once I'm actually on my own: living dirt cheap in a small apartment with leaky pipes having only my cat to keep me company. And even then, I'll do my best to consider the bright side: independence, sustainability, adventure, home decorating..

So here's to enjoying your life!

shirt, shoes: thrifted, sweater: American Eagle, skirt: borrowed from Marybeth (also thrifted), necklace: handmade! tights: I don't remember.

I made this scarf/necklace out of an old t-shirt! I have a bunch in different colors. They're so versatile!

my winter look (it was cooold out today!) coat: thirfted H&M, knit hat: we've had it forever, it seems.

Until next time!
Anna

p.s. I've been listening to my new Muppets covers album I got from my boyfriend, Cole, for my birthday. I love it! I especially like My Morning Jacket's rendition of "Our World". I also saw the movie this past weekend, and I really enjoyed it. The Muppets definitely haven't lost their touch!

Meow

{Meow!}

I just recently purchased this adorable shirt from wowch.com. They have such a collection of funny T-shirts, dresses, tights all with funny animals. Really cute stuff. 

But I realize I've been slacking with my posts on here. The problem is I'm home alone while everyone is at work and then I leave for work by the time everyone get home! I've tried taking pictures myself but they just don't turn out as well as I would have hoped. I'm thinking about asking for a remote for my camera so that I might be able to take pictures of myself without having to constantly go back to my camera and press the self-timer. We'll see. 

The winery was really fun, however, I forgot to charge my camera and so we don't really have any pictures to show of it besides one shot our other sister, Liz, got on her Iphone. It's not the greatest. But Lynfred Winery is really beautiful. It's located in Roselle, Ill and you could almost drive right by it. It's in what looks to be a huge old house, but very well kept, with ivy growing all along it on the outside and the inside is just amazing. So very warm and inviting. They have the brewers inside and you can look down at them from above. They have a special V.I.P area where you get to sample 3 wines and 3 cheeses, they also give you some chocolate, fruit, meat or crackers, and breadsticks all for only $20 a person! But Max's (my boyfriend) mom had a certificate for 10 people to go so we got a group together and had an amazing time. I've gone twice before this with my mom, Max's mom, his sister and her girlfriend, his brothers wife, Liz, and family friends. It's sort of become an annual event. I'm glad Anna was here to finally go for her first time! I hope she enjoyed it. It was a little more crowded than it has been in the past and we were kind of sitting at a different table than everyone else because we arrived late, but it was still a lot of fun. 

Thanksgiving is almost here, guys! I'm so looking forward to good food, good wine, and good company. :] Not to mention, good outfits! Because it's true, you don't need a special event to look nice, but when one comes up you really go all out! haha I cannot wait because once Thanksgiving is over, the real fun starts, and you put up Christmas decorations, begin shopping for presents, and there is just s certain feeling that comes over the area when Christmas approaches. I've been feeling it a little now, with Thanksgiving so close. There are more cars in our neighbors driveways as their family shows up to spend the time with them, you can see people preparing and it just gets me excited thinking about the comfy time you have with your family inside while it's cold and getting colder outside, and you just feel.. I don't know, comfortable, I suppose. ::sigh:: Looking forward to it. <3

{Shirt: wowch.com, sweater: Target, pants: Hollister, shoes: Payless, necklace: Macys}

{Action shot! It was pretty windy that day}

Love always,
Marybeth

P.S. Anna and I, along with my best friend Shelly, made a really cute video lip syncing to "Get Happy" by Judy Garland. I won't post the video here haha but here are some shots off my phone of our 'get happy' dresses!

{I know, I know. I'm not feelin' my lumpy dress either but it was the best picture we could get after a couple glasses of wine. haha!}

Snug Sweaters

-Anna-

sweater: garage sale, skirt: Forever21, tights: American Eagle, shoes: borrowed from Marybeth, earrings: I don't remember...

Look at me, all cozy in a cable knit sweater and cable knit tights....  

Since being out of college, my style has definitely changed. I used to opt for jeans, some t-shirt, and a hoodie or flannel. Very basic, easy, comfortable things. I mean, I always tried to add a little flair, like finding the most obscure t-shirt at a thrift store or sport some zebra printed converse. But since I've been working and reading more style blogs, I've come to realize that I don't need a special occasion to look nice or pretty, I can do it whenever I damn well please! As a result, I've been wearing a lot of skirts and dresses. I've definitely got personal style, but I'm having fun deciding what else that means and how much I can explore it.

And I'm proud of my poof today! It's a pretty good lookin' one, if I do say so myself.

Pan, Tilt, Zooooom!

Bette had me take pictures for her earlier today, so that made me want to post too. I see she hasn't had a chance to upload them yet, so I will beat her to it by uploading my own. I had my mom take pictures today, because Marybeth is at work until late. I think she did an all right job. My mom, that is. We'll give her plenty more time to practice, though, right Bette?

I subbed at a high school today, teaching a Broadcasting class. I was actually very impressed! I learned the stuff ther're learning as a senior at Winona State (but to be fair, I was only a minor and got into video production later than most..). I was also kind of jealous; I wish I had had cool equipment like that at my high school! And while I thought I'd be a real help to these kids, with all my fancy college educated broadcasting knowledge, they really didn't need my help at all. Ha!

Now the clothes. I just got this dress at T.J.Maxx for $7! I wore it to the winery this weekend (which Marybeth may go into. I've rambled enough myself), but I wanted to wear it teaching too. It was really pleasant out today, so I opted for no tights. Freedom! And ashy knees...

dress: T.J.Maxx, denim jacket, shoes: thrifted, socks: Target, sweater, earrings: American Eagle, belt: off of a skirt from Forever21

My favorite shoes, which were replaced by Marybeth after her adorable, yet naughty, dog chewed up my other pair.

More to come,
Anna

Rainy day blues

Fall is my favorite season, right after summer, but I'm not a fan of this November weather... It's been cold and rainy almost every day, making it hard for me to put together cute outfits.But this is nothing compared to when winter gets here. Winter in Northern Illinois is not my favorite time of the year. I’ll have to trade my bike in for snow boots. Still, winter means Christmas and my 21^st birthday so it’s not all bad. ;D 

Sweater & tank top: American Eagle, belt: thrifted, skirt and tights: Forever 21, shoes: borrowed from Anna.

Necklace: a gift from Max. :]

I am in love with these tights.

        I've been trying to keep busy these days while Anna is off teaching children to behave and learning new swear words. Storm and I try to get out in between rain showers for walks but last week was pretty busy. I had a ton of assignments for school due and a project in which all my members left me in charge, so I was a little negligent. Now I feel bad. I'm going to put on a jacket and take her for a walk as soon as I finish this post. :] Work has been a little crazy as well. I get Wednesdays off and it's the perfect break in the middle of the week to enjoy time alone at home. We have trivia tonight and I'm so excited! We've been doing really well (except last week... not so much) but we're going to pick it up today. I'm thinking a 1st place is in order here. Trivia is so much fun and I love that we're kind of the regulars there now. Everyone knows our name or at least our faces. Storm just walked in and is staring at me with her big brown eyes. I'm off to brave the bad weather! PEACE!

And thanks, as always, to my amazing photographer who took the time on her day off of teaching to take my picture. Much appreciated, sister! P.S. I loved your post about Jackie. Most definitely my style icon as well.

Love,
Marybeth

Style Icon: Jackie Burkhart!

Hi!

If you don't already know, Jackie Burkhart is a character from That 70's Show. She's the rich, snobby girl to the girl-next-door, tomboy Donna Pinciotti. I'm more a Donna in mind, but an aspiring Jackie in body (although, not nearly as tiny). She's dated 3 of the 4 guys in her group of friends. Her mom's kind of a floozy. And she wants to be Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. Yet, through all of this, she always looks fabulous! I mean, maybe sometimes she's a little more over the top than I would be, but it was the 70's, right? Big collars and polyester were the thing, I guess. But her sweaters, jackets, and skirts are all playful and sweet. And I still really want a good pair of high-waisted dark wash jeans!

 

Words of wisdom.

 

Even though it's sad that she's crying, this is probably one of my favorite outfits. It makes me want to like sports.

 

Jackie Burkhart, you are truly an inspiration!

I salute you,
Anna

Puppies!

Maggie May (our senior puppy) and Storm O'Neill (Marybeth's daughter puppy)

Our dogs stepped in on our photo shoot today :) Though one is old and one is new, they're both puppies in our eyes.

I'm a substitute teacher while I wait to leave to teach English in South Korea. It's only been a couple weeks, but I'm having a really good time doing it. I get to set my own schedule (as to which day I want to accept a job or not), which is pretty wonderful. But also, I get to hang out with a variety of different kids! I've gotten a taste of everything from kindergarten to high school; I can't say which is my favorite yet.

I love getting dressed up for the "teacher" role though! Especially for elementary, because I put together more exaggerated outfits (today's theme was polka dots).

-Anna-

shirt, skirt, shoes, belt: thirfted, tights, socks: Target.

My socks are a little uneven, but that's how they came! (they were on sale, what can I expect?)

 

Sincerely,

Anna

p.s. Keep up, Bette!

Let's actually get to it!

This past weekend, we went to "unnoffical" Halloween at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. We were visiting a friend of ours, Kaley. She's such a doll. Actualy, no, she was a nerd; I was a doll. Badum chhh! I picked up this blue dress at this boutique style resale shop. Kind of expensive, but the dress turned out to be 10$. It's two pieces, a plastic (crinoline?) dress underneath and a sheer dress over that. Too be honest, it was pretty tight and it completely flattened my chest. If not for my make-up, I could've passed for a kid! Bah. Everyone already thinks I look too young for 22.

Speakings of looking young, Marybeth and I were mistaken for twins 3 times while we were on our trip! I like to ask which one of us they think is older. It goes both ways. I figure I'll deal with it for now. I'll rub it in her face later when instead of looking mature, she looks old, and I still have my youthful glow and exuberance.

Anyway, Marybeth and I arranged two costumes for Friday and Saturday night. Mine, doll, as mentioned. Marybeth found an Indian costume in our chest of old costumes in our basement. She sewed up the sides have it be more fitted.

We had a fun weekend as I hope you can tell. We even managed to get our train outfits while we were in Chicago waiting for our Carbondale bound train. Yay! I'll add our other night of costumes later! Doing this one blog has proven to be more time consuming than earlier anticipated.. haha, I'm sure it gets easier as it becomes more routine. And it shall become a routine... :)
 

-Anna- 

shorts: ebay, flannel, boots, belt: thrift store, tights: Betsey Johnson, T-shirt: Flaming Lips concert (Bonaroooo!), hat: closet, sunglasses: Old Navy, jacket: Forever21

-Marybeth-

Sweater: borrowed from Anna, tank: American Eagle, leggings: Forever21, shoes: Urban Outfitters, sunglasses: adopted from Anna/Forever21

Doll Anna!

Native American or Pocahontas

Kaley, Marybeth, and me! Purty girls.

Peace!
Anna