"Spring" Photo Challenge

Since I got my new, fancy used camera for Christmas, I've been trying to learn how to take better pictures. The best trick? Just taking a crap ton of pictures.

And because I tend to be uninspired when it comes to subject matter, I jumped on this Spring Photo Challenge.

Here's what spring in Tucson is:

This was the first White Winged Dove of the season. They migrate in late April/early May, usually right when the saguaro blossoms open. This little guy is a little too early, as you can see the buds below it are still green and closed. It's cooing a warble that wakes me up in the summer months. In the distance, the yellow buds of the palo verde trees are past their prime and flutter to the ground in the rare breezes.

Technically, spring is just a weekend in mid-March. That's long since come and gone. Summer's coming quick, all the signs are there.

Project House Update: Framing Darth Vader

After over a year and a half of being homeless and squatting in my closet, my Star Wars Japanese tea towels finally have a spot on the wall again!

When we first moved into our house, as a bit of a house warming gift for Dan (and myself), I ordered these awesome pieces of fabric. They hung above our bed for almost a year before we got around to painting the room.

We had hoped to find a bed quickly, find frames for the fabric, and hang them right back up. It took us another year to find a bed, but it had too tall of a headboard to hang them back up in their original location.

It took a while to find a wall that worked for them. Our house has two kinds of open walls: walls that are oddly narrow so you really only stack a couple of small pieces or giant blank walls where everything seems too small. That and these pale colors really don't go with the green of the living room (trust me, I'm already thinking about what color we'll be painting it next, and hopefully soon).

Eventually, I realized the only spot that made sense is above our weight-rack, where my butterfly kite lived.

It now lives in the den. {Sidenote: Yes, the den needs a lot of work. We'll get there, eventually, I hope...}

I'm so happy these are finally part of our home again. My favorite one is of the droids, but I love how contemplative Darth Vader looks.

And yes, I know the right one is a little higher than the others, but these frames are remarkably not all the same frame and hanging them was a giant pain in the ass.

So, this brings the Star Wars art count in the house up to three. And I've got an idea with something I want to do with my lightsaber...

Stitch Fix Review: The Possibility

Click here to read my first review of Stitch Fix and an overview of how the process works.

Click here to read my second review.

Click here to read my third recent review.

 Click here to read my fourth and most recent review.

If you read my last review, you will know that I was basically done with Stitch Fix. It has been six months since my last try and, again, if I didn't have a $25 off coupon, I wouldn't have given it another shot. I'm glad I did, though.

From my last couple of reviews, the bar was set low. Very low. Knowing that no matter what you set the costs at, you get things priced around $60, I requested classic wardrobe staples, hoping for high quality pieces I could use for a number of years.

Let's look at what they sent me!

While I don't know I would have classified the items they sent me as 'classics', the pieces included a lovely note explaining that the jeans are the same jeans sent in my second box, but in a larger size. And she called my 'feedback', which is really just me complaining on my blog, as actually helpful.

Johnny Skinny Jeans by Kensie Jeans, $88. Like I mentioned before, I already received these jeans once, just in the wrong size. They are so incredibly soft. They are definitely denim, not a jegging, but they almost feel like felt, but not in a weird way. After receiving them for a second time, I finally pulled the trigger and added some ridiculously expensive jeans to my wardrobe. And sang along with 'Let It Go' when it came on the radio.

Farah Fit & Flare Striped Dress by 41Hawthorne, $68. If you needed a nice, cocktail length dress for all sorts of occasions, this would probably be a nice dress for you, assuming you found one that was sewn properly at the waistline. However, if you are sewing two parallel pieces of fabric together with parallel stripes, any incorrect angling will stand out. Great in concept, poor in execution. Back in the box.

Carlita Jersey Maxi Dress by Loveappella, $78.I'm sure this dress would be lovely if you have a great tan. However, with my lack of skin pigment, anything pastel just looks like pajamas. And come on, it's a jersey maxi dress. I have one I bought at Walmart that cost me $15. Back in the box.

Selfridge Cowl Neck Long Sleeve Top by 41Hawthorn, $48.This is a nice top, which is why I own an almost identical top. Only my top was free, since my sister was getting rid of it, and it's not shear in the back. Back in the box.

Downing Striped Knit Shirt by Pomelo, $78. This shirt does not look good on the hanger. It's a big old box. And it's orange. I don't have anything orange. However, I really like it on me. It's definitely a casual shirt, but I think it has the potential to be styled up a bit more. Not that I've figured it out completely yet, but I definitely kept this one and I've worn it twice already.

This box was my favorite so far and the first box where I actually kept two things. And while I don't seem to have the same luck as most other reviewers, there have been some positives throughout my numerous boxes.

1. I've found the brand Kensie. The jeans I kept are from Kensie. The sweater I loved from my last box, but didn't keep it because of the cost was Kensie. Actually, with the sweater, I tried to find it cheaper online and couldn't, but I did find my bird shirt, which I love and my mother-in-law got it for half-off, so it was actually reasonably priced.
2. It's helped me realize that tops that look like ugly, tent boxes on the hanger can be great when on. Like judging a book by its cover, I judge shirts poorly when on a hanger. I need to try more things on that I don't love on the hanger.
3. I've been forced to incorporate more high-waisted, jersey pencil skirts. The fastest way to make a top work appropriate is to tuck it into a skirt. It's also forced me to shave my legs more, since they aren't hidden by jeans.  

I am more optimistic now to try Stitch Fix again. Probably later in the summer for some fall staples, but it will definitely be less of an experiment and more of a treat.

*This post was not sponsored by Stitch Fix. All opinions are my own.*

'Fashion February' 2014: Week 4

The theme of this week really should have been 'Flowy Tops to Cover My Insecure Belly'.

Don't you hate that we're getting to the time of year where every single magazine is yelling at you that you need to start getting 'bikini ready'? My tummy will probably never be classified as magazine-worthy 'bikini ready', but I'm still going to work my high waisted green floral bikini here in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, things have detoured. Here is what I wore this week. It is officially getting warm down here in the Old Pueblo so it's time to break out the shorts and the lack of shame about my lazy hairy legs. 


Saturday (3/22/14)

Accessorizing with make up, specifically a crazy bright lip.

Sunday (3/23/14)

The first of two Star Wars shirts I wore this week.

Monday (3/24/14)

My birthday bird sweater from my mother-in-law. It was actually featured on this week's episode of Glee. It was worn by Brittany, arguably the best and best dressed character.

Tuesday (3/25/14)

Yes, the end of the month is quickly approaching and my ambition for this project is quickly waning. I say actually putting on a necklace a step in the right direction. 

Wednesday (3/26/14)

Making my Millennium Falcon shirt work appropriate. Also, subtly sucking up to my boss because he also has this shirt.

Thursday (3/27/14)

While I do like this outfit, I did go to Target after work to buy a belt that went a little better with this outfit. All my belts are a little casual and rustic, so I found a simpler, classier belt.

Friday (3/28/14)

Maybe this is too much information, but my red pants are always the last thing I have left in my closet. So, if I'm rocking them, then it means I need to do some laundry. Fun weekend plans, I suppose.

I know there are technically three more days in March to style (which is why this is so much easier in February). I may finish out the month with a quick post next week, but I wouldn't count on it. 

Locks of Love: Done and Done

After writing my list of '30' for before I turn 30, I decided to get off my butt and do one of them. The easiest one? Cutting off my freaking hair.

Yes, this was an easy one guys because my hair had been really annoying lately. When it gets long, it eventually reaches a point where it commits hair suicide and starts falling off my head in large clumps. And since it would be better serving kids with cancer than my shower drain, OFF OF MY HEAD!

Here is the before:

And half an hour and ten inches of hair later...

Here is the after:

I'm still trying to figure out how to style it. I did get it to look like this the day it was cut and since it was adorable, I took a million pics.

With a big curling iron, it can look too much like a newscaster or a soccer mom.And since it's so much shorter now, I have accidentally used too much product. But I'm learning.

Hair is hard, guys.

'Fashion February' 2014: Week 3

Another thrilling installment of "Let's Judge Carolyn Based on How She Tried to Dress This Week!". Don't worry, I don't think anyone really judges but me. And you are judging, let's just keep that to yourself, ok?

Actually, scratch that! Constructive criticism go!

Saturday (3/15/14)

Classing up a slouchy dinosaur shirt.

Sunday (3/16/14)

Putting chambray with white shorts to avoid the dreaded Canadian Tuxedo.

Monday (3/17/14)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tuesday (3/18/14)

I keep trying to make my pink sweater work with other colors, but I'm feeling pretty uninspired.

Wednesday (3/19/14)

My sister bought this shirt and didn't like it, so she gave it to me. Then, I wore it around my mom, aunt, and grandma and got a bunch of compliments. She was not happy. angdalkgnalg

Thursday (3/20/14)

Again, one of those pieces I have problems styling. I like to wear sweaters, and when that happens, this shirt with the cool shoulder detail just becomes a beige shirt. I will figure out how to make this work!

Friday (3/21/14)

And sometimes, it's nice just to keep things simple.

Grandpa

It's taken me several weeks to write this post and I only write about it now in the hopes of getting some sort of handle on my emotions.

At the end of February, my grandpa passed away.

It wasn't a complete shock, but that doesn't make it any less heartbreaking. He was 98 and his health had been declining the last couple of years, but he was still such a force of a man.

He played golf and ran on a treadmill, in cowboy boots, well into his 90's.

He was a ginger, even though his hair went white long before I was born.

One holiday, I think it was Easter, we were sitting next to each other on the couch at my parents' house. He turned to me and he said, "I'm so proud of all my granddaughters. They are all so smart. They will never need a man to take care of them." I don't know if I've ever felt more proud than I did in that moment.

When his sight and hearing started to go when I was a teenager, I was his unspoken guardian, making sure he didn't wander off too far or inadvertently buy himself another cowboy hat.

He had a tattoo on his right forearm. A lady's portrait in a rose. Growing up, I always thought it was my grandma. Turns out it was a Red Cross nurse he met when he was a teenager.

He was in the navy in WWII. As a sailor, he met my grandma while at port in Montevideo, Uruguay. She as thirteen years his junior. She took a boat 22 days to America to marry him. They were together almost 65 years.

My aunt came down Saturday to comfort my grandma. It didn't occur to me until I saw them together, but my aunt has been in her shoes since she lost her husband to cancer almost twenty years ago. She's trying to help my grandma get through this, but I don't think she ever will be able to. I come from strong stock, but it's not weak to be sad at times like this.

There are so many other little things I am going to miss about that man. Hanging in my hallway is one of the paintings my mom did of him. At first, I feared seeing it everyday was going to make the loss sting more, but it's actually been a comfort to me. Yes, it does make me sad, but at the same time, it keeps him in my heart and that makes me happy.

He didn't want a funeral. It's easier on my mom and my grandma this way, but I'm filled with all sorts of emotions I don't know what to do with. It's been a couple of weeks and it's getting easier, but I still need to find some way to have closure.

'Fashion February' 2014: Week 2

Here's a little recap of what I wore and what I did this week!

Saturday (3/8/14)

Spring date night watching the Banff Film Festival.

Sunday (3/9/14)

Styling glittery Tom's for a Sunday morning trip to the plant nursery.

Monday (3/10/14)

Let's just call this what it is. Urban Cowgirl. And it was soooo comfortable!

Tuesday (3/11/14)

Maybe my favorite outfit of the week. I love the combination of deep teal and gold.

Wednesday (3/12/14)

I tried this comfy, casual outfit and it just didn't flatter my figure. I keep trying to make this cropped sweater look decent, but it's really hard to style!

Thursday (3/13/14)

Realizing your wine colored tights are the same color as the tiny birds on this dress and having your shoulder break out so you hide them with a sweater. Maybe that's too much information...

Friday (3/14/14)

An attempt at combining masculine and feminine pieces (Psst. I haven't actually worn this outfit yet since I write this post on Thursday, but it's what I'll be wearing Friday and I hope it turns out awesome.)

Thirty Before Thirty

Last weekend, Dan and I went to the Banff film festival, which is a collection of outdoor short films. It's a great night and we were glad to get tickets to it from my dad for a second year in a row.

A film called '35' kind of resonated with me. You can watch it below, but it's about doing what you love and refusing to grow up.

 
And it hit me. I'm 27 years old and am I living for what I love? What am I living and working toward?

So, in a moment of panic, I decided to create a list. A list of things to work for and towards. Thirty things I wanted to do before I turn 30. The list started off fairly strong...

1. Run the Cinco De Mayo 10K
2. Run the Labor 8 Miler
3. Take a lay-on-the-beach-all-day vacation
4. Donate to Locks of  Love
5. Redo the floors in the house
6. Learn how to really drive stick
7. Learn how to use the sewing machine

...and then I promptly ran out of things. I came up with seven things. Only seven. Seven goals for the next three years. And if I really set my mind to it, I could probably do numbers 3, 6, and 7 in one weekend. There are things that are less concrete, like 'take better care of myself' and 'be more productive with my freetime', but really, only seven goals.

I had two drastically different reactions to my short list. 1) Wow, my life must be awesome if I have so few goals I need to meet. 2) Wow, I must be lazy and boring if I have so few goals.

You know, in a weird way, both reasons are quite motivating. I have so few things I need to accomplish so why aren't I spending more time working toward them? If I really got off my ass, I could probably do all of these things in the next six months.

And so I'm going to stop writing for now, move some laundry to the dryer, and get off my ass.

Fan of Friday: Week of 3/14/14

Yes, I know it's not Friday, but I've painted myself into a wee bit of a corner with my Fashion February posts being on Friday.

And yes, I probably should have just saved this until next month, but there no time for that, people! This is possibly my favorite thing ever and it's only (ONLY) available in March! I must tell you about them before this much too small window closes!

Mmmm, Lime Eegees.

God's gift to mankind. If you are currently in Tucson, go get one right now. And if you are currently in Tucson and have never had one, what is wrong with you?!? GO! Go get one!

Since Eegee's are purely a Tucson thing, let me explain a bit. Eegee's is a fast food chain and their signature frozen 'drink' is called an Eegee (pronounced 'E-G'). You can drink it with a straw or eat it with a spoon, but if you drink it with a straw you are doing it wrong and you will be mocked.

The texture is smoother than a snow cone, but thicker than an icee. And it will give you a brain-freeze almost instantaneously, every single time. 

They have three standard flavors: lemon, strawberry, and pina colada, as well as a rotating monthly flavor. 'Lucky Lime' for St. Patty's Day.

Seriously, lime is the best flavor and if I had a bigger freezer, it would just be stocked to the brim with part packs of lime Eegee's. Come to think of it, my parent's do now have a freezer in their garage. I bet I could hide a bunch in there and no one would ever know...