Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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!}

Thursday, November 17, 2011

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.

Monday, November 14, 2011

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

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

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 21st 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

Monday, November 7, 2011

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

Friday, November 4, 2011

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!