WOW.

Well, it only took me three months, but I've finally found an apartment!  Not going to lie, the desperation was totally there and we're sacrificing the walk to work...BUT we still get to walk to the bus stop and then from the stop to work...the place has every other amenity we were looking for, I really can't complain.

I'm calling it a win.

I've started work at my new job and so far, I'm happy.  The food looks amazing, it's farm-to-table!  Crafted Cocktails made with fresh ingredients, and a small "Urban Grocery" so you can take with you what you loved about your meal.  I'm absolutely plugging it.  Go there.  Merchant Restaurant, right off the square in Madison. Tonight is my first solo shift, and it's Friiiiday.  Holla.

Did I mention there are no uniforms?  BEST PART EVER.

Still gotta get a few things before tonight, so I'm out.

Wish me luck!

Whirlwind = Mess = Me

Hello hello.

So, the purpose of today's blog is to inform my readers that I will be changing a few things.  Aside from the template (as I'm sure you can tell it's different), it's going to be a general blog.  I realized that clothing just isn't my forte.  Don't get me wrong, I love fashion and continue to follow many blogs about it, but it's just ain't my thang, ya know?

As I make my move to Madison, I hope to put into play these changes.  An outfit post might make an appearance occasionally, when I find something that I need to show off, but it won't be the focus.  If you've read my about me, you'll know what the true reason behind having this blog is for me, and I plan on pursuing it with a new vengeance, broadening my scope and touching on all topics of interest, instead of just the one.


I appreciate all the support!  Please subscribe or follow or comment or...don't.  Ha, it's not like I'll know, right?!

Take care.

Keeping it squishy

This is the dress I wore to John's sisters wedding.  Unfortunately, things were so squishy that I never got a picture while in Seattle, but the Science Museum has a beautiful garden that worked out nicely.

It was an outdoor wedding, surrounded by sunshine and greenery.  It was beautiful, simple and stress free.  His sister used the term "squishy" to define plans and it turned into the phrase of the week (though I'll probably use it forever).

I wanted wedges so I wouldn't aerate the lawn, and this polyester dress kept it cool and comfy.  Not to mention easy to travel with.  Zero ironing. Oh yeah.  

I never actually used the clutch since the wedding was at the house we all stayed in, but, it was bought as part of the outfit so here it is.  Plus, it's kinda awesome.

 Gift from my mother.

I love finding comfortable shoes that you can actually wear for more than one occasion.

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Hinge via Everyday People

Shoes: Dolce Vita for Target

Earrings: Art Gecko

Belt and Clutch: My Sister's Closet

I wear my sunglasses at night

My fellow blogger over at petite femme jolie sent me a Sunshine Award via my comments, thanking me for inspiring positivity and creativity through my blog to other bloggers.

Thank you, Samantha!

My inspirations are so many that I'd like to thank them in one fell swoop.  If everyone wouldn't mind looking to their right.  Under "My Blog List" is every single inspiring blogger that I follow.  They've become a part of my daily routine, my source of sanity after a stupid day at work, and the catalyst for my own personal style blog. 

MUCHAS GRACIAS A TODOS!

touring for tourists sake

Yesterday, I got back from Seattle.  It was the first time I've ever been and it was awesome!  We went for John's sisters wedding and then stayed for a few extra days because it's the West coast and we love all things west coasty.

I chose shorts because it was sunny and 75, we were going to be walking all day and I didn't want to overheat.  Fortunately, I didn't overheat.  Unfortunately, it was only warm in the sun.  Anywho...

Of course, we had to go see the Space Needle (didn't go up, though).

But we did go into the EMP (the Experiencing Music Project).  I have to say, I didn't know that much about Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix or Battlestar Galactica but...now I do :)

Got this necklace at an estate sale.  Dang, I'm lucky ;)

It was sunny out for sure, I couldn't even keep my eyes open.

Anyway, Pike Market!  Didn't see any fish being thrown around, but we did see some great vendors and amazing artwork.  I always regret not getting something from markets like this.  Why don't you get something then, you say?  Well, I'm a pack rat, and the less I pack, the less of a rat I'll be about it.  I have plenty of knick knacks and no where to display them.  Working on it...

Jellyfish

 This was in the Aquarium, in a glass archway.  Pretty sweet.

What I'm Wearing:

It's all thrifted.

More pictures from the trip to come!

Fun in the Sun

 Nothing too spectacular about this outfit... except the earrings!  They're lime green sombreros! My sister got these for me in Mexico, I believe.  I'm a huge earring wearer (huge in both senses of the word) - and these are really hard to find outfits that work with them.  I mean, I could always wear black, but that's no fun...

John and I went on a stroll in downtown St. Paul because it was absolutely gorgeous out and... yeah. Why not?

While it's not the most flattering of dresses, it's 100% thrifted (cotton/jersey) and super worn in (read: comfortable).  The pockets are my fave.

And because it's a fun kinda dress, I needed a fun kinda hairdo - enter: backwards half up, half down.   

Oh yeah- the purpose behind the walk was to return this library book.  Two weeks late, but meh...that's like, two dollars in fine.  I'm over it.  I had a glass of wine and forgot about it.  Seriously...

That's me, Fine Bordeaux...on a budget ;)

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: thrifted from Everyday People

Tank: thrifted

Cat-eye sunnies: Sears
Earrings: gifted from big sis

Shoes: Target

Purse: Africa - at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro :)

Aren't they awesome!?  Do you have a crazy pair of earrings that are hard to match with outfits?

Cest la vie - Arrivederci Frost

So many things happening right now.  I'm going to take this moment to blather about my life.

I'm leaving the Twin Cities.  I've called this place my home for the last seven years.  It's strange how I always told myself I could never love another place, yet here I am, getting ready to move back to Madison; my hometown, childhood play place and the last place I ever thought I'd want to live again.  Don't get me wrong, Madison has its beauty... but I thought I'd grown out of it.  I'm getting all sentimental.  Every time I go back to Madison I become nostalgic, yet this time, this move... it's a new chapter.

John is moving with me and my reasons are more intense than saving money.  I need to reconnect with my roots, this move will be good for me.  For us.

This probably isn't making much sense, and to be 100% honest, I'm O.K. with that.  I'm opening the box that has held it all in the back of my mind these past few weeks and it's all rushing out, getting lost in translation.  Maybe that's a good thing?  Maybe you don't really need to know exactly how much I mull things over (to the point of nonsense).

Whatever.  On top of all my reasons for moving back, a new can of worms, so to speak, has spilt over as well.  I'm leaving a job that has been my life for the past year and a half.  Boo hoo, you say?  Boo hoo, I say!  Seriously.  I found this job and so many things about it intolerable, but with a definitive date of unemployment, I'm beginning to realize what I loved about this job, who and what I'm going to miss... and it's astonishing.   This job has aged me, like a nice French Bordeaux or some cheese.

I worked 60 hours last week, and if it wasn't for my aching legs (and feet), I'd be there tonight, too.

Sigh.  If only I knew French, I could better exaggerate my feelings.  Cest la vie.

Better late than never

Sorry for the delay in posting.  You know how life can get in the way sometimes...

Now, onto the good stuff.

The only thing I don't like about this outfit, is how pale I am.

The top is actually a dress, but it's very short so I used a different skirt to create a longer look.  I really like the combo of patterns.  What do you think?

What I'm Wearing:
Top: lent to me by a friend
Skirt: thrifted
Belt: lent to me by the same friend
Shoes: Target
Purse: vendor in Africa
Bracelet: thrifted


I prefer to keep things simple.  I own a boat-full of accessories but I rarely take the time to integrate them in my outfits.  A new years resolution for the past couple years, actually.  Come to think of it, I'm going to start making new years listless pledges instead, because resolutions only last for the month of January.  Then they become half-hearted, then they become obsolete.  If you make them lackluster from the start, then you won't really be breaking them later and who knows, maybe you'll be more inclined to keep them up if it's not something you must be resolute about!

Anyway....

hiking, naturally

This photo shoot was spontaneous but the walk was premeditated. 

I don't know why, but the urge to dance like an Egyptian usually trumps any 'normal' poses at least once through out these shoots.

My eye catches shape and color.  Were I a photographer, my portfolio would probably contain a similar photo to this.  Reflection in the windows, stark rust against a wall of sandy hues; not to mention the historic edge.

When I bought this cardigan, I was not considering anything else in my wardrobe.  Believe it.

This architecturally sound bridge is also aesthetically pleasing. 

Wind is much easier tolerated with short hair.

 Nothing but a thin sole between me and mother nature.

A favorite skyline from afar.

What I'm Wearing:

Cardigan: Modcloth

T-shirt: 3-pack from Target or stolen from my brothers closet...or both ;)

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Target

Nautica

I wish I was telling you that in this outfit, I went on a nice cruise in a yacht, ate fresh seafood and sunbathed in the middle of vast ocean air; however, aside from the Mississippi River, I didn't see any water while wearing these stripes.

I did, nevertheless, spend the afternoon at an art fair, indulging myself in fried pickles and walking tacos, unlimited root beer and vintage jewelry.

Believe it or not, but these shoes are comfortable.  

Nothing like a simple outfit to make you feel great inside and out.

What I'm Wearing:
Shirt: H&M - I went through a stripes faze, my closet can vouch for me.
Pants: H&M.  Don't you just love customer service that tells you there's a $10 jean sale...as you're handing them your card for the $30 pair?  Oooo, nothing boils my noodle faster.
Shoes: hand me downs.  Just a tad too big, but still comfortable.
Purse: thrifted

Grandpa Ito

My Grandpa Vicente Herrera -Valle.  

Born in Apulco, Jalisco, Mexico in 1930, he was a loving father and grandfather.  

He was also an accomplished painter, sculptor and carpenter.  While living in Mexico, he had his own carpentry shop and since moving to the States, he made many a side table and frame to beautify not only his own home, but mine and my aunts and uncles as well. 

I remember as a child, playing in his garage turned workshop, using his wooden sculptures to hide behind, and asking him to use those skills to build us a tree house...which he did.

More recently, my mother began buying him chili plants.  He would go through them so quickly, eating the chili's like candy.  

When we were kids, my sister and I challenged our younger brother to eat a jalapeno from grandpa's bowl.  He did, and he got so angry at us when we gave him a glass of water to wash it down with.

I remember my Grandpa as a cultured, serious man with a stern demeanor, but I'm learning now that he had a great sense of humor.  Something that is very apparent in pictures and stories shared - and it makes me wish I'd paid more attention.  We called him Ito, short for abuelito...probably his idea, come to think of it.

My grandpa Vicent Herrera-Valle, passed away one week before father's day at 81 years old, but our memories will keep him with us forever.  

R.I.P
April 1930-June 2011

Do the Fandango

John and I took a walk to downtown St.P for lunch and it was pretty much required that I wear the Iron and Wine tee I bought at the show.  Not only is it made from pre-washed, oh-so-soft cotton, but it has a sweet picture on it.

 Burning forests, huge peacocks, and perfect colors.  I'm just now realizing how many orange hued items I own.  I think I go on kicks when I shop, like, I'll go crazy for stripes, then natural tones, black and green.  Those four categories basically sum up my closet.

 I love these shoes!  They're super versatile and comfy.  Not to mention they don't give me blisters! (knock on wood...)

 "Get some detail. Detail."  Boob shot.  Boys... ;)

The following munchkins are the new additions to the apartment; because cats are part of your home decor, obvs.

Apple

Anette

Or, 'Adorable Cuteness Maximus' and 'Adorable Cuteness x 2'

So, anyway...

What I'm Wearing:
Cardigan: Thrifted So finely knit that it snags on all things jagged.
Jeans: Old Navy, I think.  My clothes are old!
Shoes: Payless
Purse: Garage sale!  Fiddy cents.

John pointed out that I'd forgotten to put earrings in...not gonna lie, I felt naked for a few minutes.  But I'm getting over things quickly these days.

Toods!