February Freeze: peacock feathers, cloud 9

Matthew Williamson for H&M top (2009)

Michael Michael Kors zipper detail sweater, Macy's

White House Black Market blazer, thrifted

necklace, Forever 21

Sarah Coventry ring, random little kiosk

Beau jeggings, Ross

     This is what I wore to drop off the payment for the wedding officiant. The office does lunchtime weddings on site, and as I paid for the officiant, a wedding was going on behind the wooden partition. As  I listened to the judge lead a couple through the ceremony, I realized that I'm going to be doing the same thing in just about a month. It was an amazing moment for me - while I've been planning the wedding for a bit, it didn't seem real until right then. 

    This top is a February Freeze item, but I do like the colors (yes, I probably have said this about every February Freeze item so far). The ring is also another February Freeze item - the stone (it might be a watermelon rhinestone) is gorgeous, but the ring is so heavy duty that it's not quite adjustable, and tends to slide around on my finger. I used to refer to it as my cocktail ring, but I just don't get out for cocktails much, so I've decided to wear it anytime I feel like it.
    I think I'll be adding to my wardrobe wish list a pair of black skinny or straight leg jeans. Looking at the photos, I realized that a black pair of skinnies would have really pulled this look together. Honestly can't remember the last time I owned a pair of black jeans ... 

     

     Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! :)

February Freeze: red + purple

JJ Basics cardigan, hand-me-down

shirt, India

Grane flare jeans, Ross

Carole quartz necklace, Nordstrom Rack clearance

Dansko sandals, Nordstrom Rack

      I used to send this shirt to the dry cleaners, until one day it occurred to me that probably
very few people in India dry clean stuff and I should chance hand-washing it instead. Now the bottom part is horribly wrinkly. It's almost as if those little red threads don't like water and shriveled up. Anyhow, the shirt counts as a February Freeze item but every time I do wear it I remember how much I like the color scheme. The flares are also a February Freeze item and I think this is my favorite outfit with them so far. 

 

     Totally gratuitous peek at my wedding shoes. I knew right away that I didn't want white or neutral shoes, and was excited to find these for $45 at 6pm.com. I'm already looking forward to adding them to my regular-shoe rotation after the wedding ...

take one, pass it on: day 1

     This is my second year doing February Freeze, and I was thinking about ways to mix it up. Then Sarah of Sarah's Real Life shared her Take One, Pass it On challenge, and bingo! New approach, no effort on my part. ;) So this week I'll be posting 5 outfits that carry on one item from the previous outfit.

striped dress, Gap

scarf, Ross

Dansko "Calliope" sandals, 6pm.com

     I keep meaning to belt this shift, but it's so comfortable as is. I did decide to add a bow, though! Both the scarf and sandals qualify as February Freeze items. 
     

February Freeze: orange

  Splendid top and Carole quartz necklace, Nordstrom Rack

Beau skinnies, Ross

cardigan and necklace, Forever 21

     My second February Freeze item is this orange top. It's cute, but like my first February Freeze  choice, the strange neckline means it hardly gets worn. It appears that the lesson for me when shopping is to not buy it if it has a strange neckline ... 

     Using Susannah Conway's Unravelling the Year Ahead planner, I picked a theme for each month. January's was "laying the foundation," when I focused on getting on track with healthy habits. So, basically, I  ate a lot of oatmeal (which I love) and resumed my regular schedule for physical activity.

     The theme for February is "acts of love, big and small." The focus is on taking care of myself and others better. To that end, I attended my first meditation class on Saturday,  because I've realized that establishing this as a daily practice is something I need to move forward in my life. Also, any $5 bill that comes my way is corralled in an envelope and headed to the bank to build up my savings.
      In terms of taking care of others, I'm trying to look more carefully to see what small things might need doing, and doing them without being asked. I think one of the things I love about having a little extra money is spending it on others, whether it's mochi ice cream for the Mr., pastries for the family, or little care packages mailed to friends or family. But since I'm not working regularly (I've been playing an economical grad student for the last two years), I've had to shift my mindset. What can I give? My full attention, careful listening, and thinking ahead about what needs to be done, and just doing it. I also enjoy cooking for my family because it makes me happy to see them enjoying a home-cooked meal.
     What do you like to do to show others you care?

February Freeze: life's little mysteries and a big bow

Zinc top, gift

camisole and pearl and chain necklace, Forever 21

JJ Basics cardigan, hand-me-down

trouser jeans, Macy's

Seiko watch, gifted 
 

        Welcome, February! I'm kicking off February Freeze 2013 with this outfit. Last year's February Freeze (roundup here) gave me the opportunity to: a) save money by not shopping, and b) wear many of my closet orphans. I'm looking forward to getting creative with my closet as well as participating in Sarah's Real Life Take One, Pass It On Outfit Remix for a week.
       My first February Freeze pick is this top. I don't wear it much, just because the neckline is ridiculously large, but I do like the bow detail. 
       I wore this (plus sensible black sneakers) to chaperone a field trip to the symphony. The students enjoyed it and it amused me to see many of them start waving their arms in imitation of the conductor! What I particularly appreciated was that the program featured the youth symphony. I think it makes a huge difference to have kids who could be the audience members' big brothers, sisters or older cousins up on stage as musicians - I think it helps the kids in the audience realize that they can pursue their interest in music. Sadly, with the testing craze, music is not a regular offering at school, but more kids need the opportunity to create, not just listen to, music ....

Put a big ol' bow on it!

Life's little mysteries (a.k.a., things I just don't get):

• Why is it that elementary students, if left to their own devices, will hurtle down the hall when the recess bell rings ... yet, on a walking field trip, will dawdle through the crosswalk. I lost track of how many times I said, "Walk faster!" or "Keep up.
•  Why do clothing manufacturers use the most itchy, uncomfortable plastic thread to sew their labels into clothes?  
• Why do clothing manufacturers seem to love making tops with crazily low necklines and/or semi-sheer fabric? I am not a prude by any means, and I do acknowledge that being smaller than average means most things are not cut to fit me, but given the warm weather here, I don't want to layer a camisole under every shirt I own. 

Do you have a little mystery to share? Leave it in the comments!  :)