Daily MelWear BBCA: BBCA Begins!

This post is going to be short and sweet! This is what I wore yesterday and rest assured, I did wear pink on Saturday, the very first day of the challenge, but I don't have pictures of that. You'll just have to trust me. :)

How are you all feeling about the BBCA challenge in this first week, do you have lots of ideas for how to sprinkle pink into your wardrobe? Remember, pink doesn't have to be the dominant color of the outfit; it just needs to be present.

I've updated the list of participants, so be sure to check that out and let me know if you're taking part and would like to be added as well.

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was fabulous. And happy. :) Have a great Monday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Ross
Belt: Salvation Army
Necklace: Wal-Mart
Sandals: Beall's

Daily MelWear: Seeing Spots

I think this outfit is an example of how a little bit can go a long way. A little bit of leopard, a splash of red, and a simple black dress is jazzed up just enough.

Thursdays (obviously I'm back posting) are jeans days in our office, and I was the only one not wearing jeans. I'm going to have to work on that when the weather starts cooling down. Maybe I need to go shopping for some jeans that fit better. Who wants to go shopping with me?

I have a small request, for those of you willing. The daughter of one of my former bosses took her own life last week, and the funeral is today. I'll be there to support their family, and I'd like to just ask for your thoughts and prayers. The entire situation (there's a lot more to it) is tragic and heart-breaking.

So...just pray with me. Please...and thank you.

And one reminder - BBCA kicks off tomorrow! We've had a few more participants sign up over the past couple of days and I'm so excited! I'm not promising an outfit post every single day, but I WILL wear my pink every day and I'll make a strong effort to take photos every day to post later when I can.

Hope you all have a great Friday - and please remember to pray.

Today's outfit:

Dress: Goodwill Boutique
Leopard Belt: Stein Mart (came with a skirt)
Red Sandals: From my mom

Daily MelWear: Seeking...

I'm seriously in need of some inspiration and ideas lately. I feel like I've run out of creativity with my wardrobe, and maybe that's partly due to the restrictiveness of my office, but I'm normally pretty okay with restrictions.

It may also have something to do with the fact that I've been SO busy I haven't had time to read any other blogs, and that's normally where I find my inspiration.

So, this outfit was thrown together on a whim while rushing to get into the shower after my workout. An all-neutral outfit is out of the norm for me, but the leopard belt helps. Leopard helps everything.

There has been a really positive response to the BBCA challenge this year and a good amount of bloggers have already signed up to participate. Click here if you haven't signed up yet!

Have a great Thursday, everyone...Friday is just a day away now! (Funny, that's how that always works on Thursdays...)

Today's outfit:

Black Shirt: NY&Co (OLD - this is probably from 1999 or 2000 or something ridiculous like that!)

Skirt: Ross (part of a suit)
Belt: Stein Mart (came with a skirt)
Sandals: Beall's

Daily MelWear: One More Time...

Look! I did it again! I put an outfit together WITHOUT A BELT. Belters Anonymous would be proud!

If such a thing existed and all.

I almost did grab a belt but then I figured it went over okay last time without one, so I could do it again. It's comfy and the cardigan draws the waist in enough, right?

Smile and nod, ya'll, smile and nod...

So I feel like I haven't been around to visit blogs lately because...well...I haven't. I've been busy. And work is getting really busy as we work on our policies and procedures in preparation for our upcoming accreditation.

I miss reading all of your blogs! At least my reason for not being able to do much reading lately is a happy one. I'm happy. And I hope you are too. 

Have a fabulous Tuesday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Skirt: Kohl's
Pink Tee: Target
Cardigan: Kohl's
Heels: Wal-Mart 

Daily MelWear: I Feel Naked...

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I wear a belt pretty much every day.

I couldn't find one that worked the way I wanted with this outfit...so I'm not wearing one. And it makes me feel a little incomplete.

Most people have nightmares that they find themselves walking around naked...I have nightmares that I find myself without belts.

I never claimed to be normal.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

{PS - thank you to those who thought about me and asked about my daughter's first day of VPK! She had a BLAST and couldn't wait to go back the next day! Her daily report was full of good news and I'm so, so proud of her. Taking the day off on Monday to bring her to school and pick her up just makes me wish I could be a stay at home mom, though...}

Today's outfit:
Brown Skirt: Salvation Army
Leopard Blouse: Salvation Army
Red Sandals: From my mom

Daily MelWear: All Mixed Up

I've always loved the black and brown combination on other bloggers, but I don't have enough brown in my closet to pull it out very often. Today felt like a simple day, after being a bit more formal with meetings the past two days, so I went with this black shirtdress and decided to throw on my cognac sandals and cognac snakeskin belt.

The mixed neutrals begged for mixed metals too, so I added this necklace that has both gold and silver.

You guys, I've been doing really well with the whole exercising and eating well thing, even allowing myself some cake for my mom's birthday last weekend, but I've just had the munchies the past couple of days! I need to drink more water and pop more gum, I think.

Do you have a calorie range you try to stay within each day? What do you do when you're hungry or have the munchies?

Today's outfit:
Black Shirtdress: Ross
Cognac Belt: Salvation Army
Cognac Sandals: Target
Necklace: Wal-Mart (I think...)

Daily MelWear: Swirly

I really had no idea what to title this post, and then I looked down at my dress and figured swirly was appropriate.

This cardigan is a little too long with the length of the skirt (see the full length of the cardigan here and wow that dress would be too short at this office...) so I folded it under (hence the extra love handles around the waist - I assure you that's the cardigan fluff. I think.) and used a wider belt. (What's with the plethora of parentheses and asides in this post?!)

I posted a photo of this dress styled for the weekend on Facebook last weekend. Are you a fan on Facebook?

FYI, since some of you have asked about my dress code at work, so I've added a page that explains more about it.

I'm still a little preoccupied with some things this week, but I'm trying to make the rounds to visit blogs even if I can't comment and hopefully I'll have more to say next week. Unless you're liking these less verbose posts, in which case maybe I should make this the norm. :)

You guys are awesome. You all make me smile every day with your sweet comments and emails, and I'm so grateful for technology to have "met" you. Have a great Thursday, friends!

Today's outfit:
Dress: Wal-Mart
Cardigan: Plato's Closet
Belt: Kohl's (came with a dress)
Heels: Wal-Mart

Daily MelWear: Meow

I don't feel particularly leopard-like, but "meow" is what my co-worker said when she saw me in the jacket, so I'm going with it.

I wore this yesterday because I met a friend for dinner last night and wanted to be able to go from work to dinner in the same outfit (see the dress by itself here and here). I figured she would look fantastic because she always does, so this was my best effort.

I'm kind of short on words and thoughts today, friends. I may be a little sparce in the internetz this week. And maybe next. I dunno, we'll see what happens.

Today's (yesterday's) outfit:

Dress: Ross

Leopard Jacket and Belt: Ross
Heels: Beall's

Daily MelWear: Torn

I can't decide if I like this. The outfit started with the shoes. I haven't worn them on the blog yet and figured a week while the boss is away would be a good time. First I considered a black dress with them, and I'm really wishing I'd gone with that option instead.

As much as I complain about this skirt, how it doesn't quite fit so I never feel good in it, I do seem to wear it an awful lot. That just goes to show me that I need a new A-line white skirt!

Originally I had the top tucked in and the skirt pulled up to create a paperbag waist, but that didn't do it for me, so I untucked. I will be honest, I do like it a little better after seeing the photos. The mirror made me uncomfortable though.

And now I'm at work, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, and trying to breathe because I'm congested. The worst part of a cold is not being able to breathe.

Anyone want to bring me some chicken noodle soup-without-the-chicken-because-I'm-a-vegetarian? And some orange juice? I'll be your best friend!

Hope you all have a happy and HEALTHY day!

Today's outfit:
White Skirt: Gap
Pink Cami: Charlotte Russe
Green/White Floral Top: From my aunt (but it's an Ann Taylor)
Pink Belt: Salvation Army
Pink Necklace: Wal-Mart
Nude Wedge Sandals: Beall's

Daily MelWear: Black & Blue

I truly, honestly, wholeheartedly believe that I have the best readers in the world. Because you're not just readers, you're friends - and you've given me so much support and encouragement that just saying thank you doesn't seem to be enough. 

I'm going to say thank you anyway, and in the meantime I'll try to come up with a better way to express my gratitude. :) I so very much appreciate all of your comments yesterday. Yes, I'm in the middle of a rough patch at the moment with a lot of things, but I tried to make my post lighthearted in spite of all that. Thank you for recognizing that I needed some encouragement and for sending some to me. 

Now before I get all weepy...

This is what I wore for the board meeting. I don't know why I'm having such a difficult time coming up with board meeting attire lately. I feel like I should wear a standard skirt suit but I've worn them all already. My boss isn't big on prints in skirts, so I there are a few dresses that I can't wear and several skirts that I can't wear for board meetings. 

I do like this though. I think it's the jacket that pulls it all together! There's some subtle pattern mixing with the vertical pinstripes in the skirt and the horizontal stripes in the shirt. Those shoes are really fun too with the zipper detail on the toe bed. 

And...since our meeting ended up being around 3 hours, I didn't leave work until 9PM so I'm kind of exhausted and am going to bed.

Thanks again, friends. If you've ever doubted how special you are, don't. You're all very, very special to me. :) Have a great day!

Tuesday's outfit:

Black Pinstripe Skirt: Ross (part of a suit)

Striped Top: Macy's

Blue Blazer: Burlington (part of a set)

Black Belt: Can't remember

Heels: Target

Daily MelWear: Weekend Attire

I don't normally post my weekend outfits but a few people have asked about them and I have some extra time today (my daughter is with her dad for Father's Day and my parents are out visiting my brother and his family) so I thought I'd go ahead and post some. So exciting, no?

There are no photos of today, because I slept in and haven't showered (and may not today. TMI? Sorry, but this is the ONE day I have to stay home and get things done!) and probably will not be wearing anything cute. Moving on...

Friday is my day off work because I work 10 hour days Monday - Thursday. My daughter knows Fridays as Mommy Day since we always have the day together. I love my Mommy Days!

I was originally going to wear this dress just by itself, but then it seemed like WAY too much pattern so I threw the cardigan on top even though it was almost 100 degrees outside. Pops of yellow in the belt and shoes are always fun with the blue and green pattern. Usually I wear something underneath too when this dress goes to work but since it was the weekend, I left that off. 

I spent the morning with my daughter, having pillow and tickle fights, and then I had a nail and hair appointment at 11AM. When I came home, we had lunch together before her nap. After her nap, we played, had dinner, then took a trip to Target so that she could pick out anything she wanted with the gift cards/money she was given for her birthday. She picked out the new Alice In Wonderland DVD with Johnny Depp (that's definitely my daughter!), a bath toy, a Toy Story car racing toy, a Rapunzel doll and some new black sandals that matched my yellow ones I was wearing.

On Saturday, we went to my cousin's daughter's dance recital in the morning and then to lunch with the whole family. After lunch was nap time, then I brought her to her dad's house so that he could spend Father's Day with her. He opened his Father's Day gift then instead of waiting so I could see him open it. I found Star Wars lightsaber chopsticks! One adult and one kid-sized pair. He was so excited and so was our daughter. Yay for good gifts! :)

I went back home, picked up my mom and headed to Wal-Mart and Bath & Body Works, then we went back for my dad and he took us to dinner.

That was my weekend! Now for a few other things to mention...

Daphne from Fashion Confessions of a Mommy tagged me in a What's In Your Bag post. My bag isn't all that exciting, but here's a photo (I have one of those purse organizer thingies because I'm a neat freak - there, I said it):

And here's what's in there (basically): hairbrush, medicine case with ibuprofen, dramamine and chewable pepto, gum, pens, business cards, sanitizer, lotion, make-up, thigh-highs in case my boss freaks about us not wearing hose, and two extra pairs of panties in case my girl has an accident. I usually have my wallet, keys and phone in there too but didn't take a picture of them.  I'm entirely unexciting, I know. Heh.

One other thing is that I was awarded the Lovely Blog Award by B. Inspired at Bravoe Runway. I know this has gone around several times (and I also really don't like leaving anyone out) so I'm not going to tag anyone else, but I'll quickly share seven things about myself.

1. I like to sing. A lot. I'm no star or anything but I do get paid to sing with an entertainment company during Christmastime. In fact, my ex-husband and I met at a restaurant where we both worked, where the waitstaff put on shows each night. I was a hostess, he was a chef. FUN times! :)

2. I have weird fears of elevators and water. I'm claustrophobic so I HATE elevators for fear that I'll get stuck in one, and I don't like natural bodies of water. I'm okay with pools, but lakes, oceans and other natural things freak me right out. And I also hate flying. The last time I flew was on a missions trip to Thailand back in 2005. Nothing happened on any of those flights, except that I had a panic attack for no good reason. Even though the flights were "okay", I'm still PETRIFIED of flying.

3. My favorite color is green.

4. If our daughter had been a boy, we would have named him Giovanni Michael. However, I'm SO GLAD we had a girl and that we had EXACTLY the girl we have. I adore her!

5. My two favorite jobs were working as a barista at Barnie's and as the administrative assistant in the music department at a huge local church.

6. I'm a little bit terrified of the day when I'll pay off my bills and be able to move out of my parents' house into my own place with my daughter. I've never been on my own and it scares me. Plus I'll have to learn to cook. Meh.

7. I could probably live on coffee, chocolate, and pizza. Not for long, cuz I'm sure eating that badly would kill me young, but I do love those things. :)

And that's it for my weekend post! I have the next 7 hours all to myself to get several loads of laundry done, more blog posts written, guest posts completed, organize my room a bit and who knows what else. Hopefully I can even get all of that done!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend and Sunday!!!

Daily MelWear: What's Black and White and Pink and Purple and Teal?

I know that post titles are supposed to be catchy and enticing, but sometimes, I got nothin'. Except colors. And clothes. I'm wearing some, so that's good.

There has been some interesting talk in the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday group this week about becoming a professional blogger and advertising and creating marketing packets and everything that goes with it. These discussions have made me wonder how you, my readers and friends, feel about those things.

If you are a blogger, is it your goal to become a professional blogger, or would you take it if it turned into that naturally, or would you prefer to keep it as a hobby?

Do you have a marketing packet and if so, how did you put it together (secret - I don't have one, I've gotten lots of advice on creating one, yet I'm still a little unsure how to go about doing it and gathering all of the information I'd need)?

As a reader, how do you feel about ads and/or links being placed on blog if you know that they provide some source of sustainability to the blogger? Do they bother you, do you not notice them either way, do you find they're typically for products or services you'd be interested in so you like to see them?

That little pink flower is part of the blazer's button! CUTE!

I think those are all my questions. I really want to know what you think, so let me know - and have a FABULOUS Thursday while you're at it!

Today's outfit:

Black Dress: Plato's Closet

Floral Black/White Blazer: Stein Mart
Teal Belt: Target
Lilac Wedges: Payless