Chambray & Mustard

I hate that my habit is to go weeks without posting anything, but it has been quite the busy two weeks. 

In this two weeks I have:

Finished my graduate degree

Received a promotion at my job &

Celebrated my brother's wedding

In other words, it's been an amazing past two weeks.  I'm overwhelmed with all the love in my life.  All of events surrounding my brother's wedding allowed me to see my family and my in-laws more than I would normally and it has reminded me how much I have to cherish my time with them.

Next Saturday, I'll be graduating with my Master's of Divinity and I could NOT be more excited.  These four years in Dallas really have flown by.  So you can imagine I'm super sentimental right now.  I literally cried watching The Office last night.  I understand that this is how life goes.  We go in and out of seasons but I'm blessed to be able to stay in my current work place. So it feels like I'll finally be able to fully my time and effort into my work place. 

All that to say, I've missed being in the blogging world but I've loved being in the real world.  Hopefully I can master the two soon...

This mustard skirt is one of my favorites.  I've worn this outfit quite a few times and it just doesn't get old for me.

P.S. This article has officially ruined me, but we can talk about that in another post.

{Skirt: Thrifted ($3.99), Chambray Button Up: Thrifted ($2.49), Shoes: Target ($14.99) similar}

C'mon Ani

Right as I started to pose for this picture Austin said, "Typical 'Ani' pose".  Indeed.

So I don't wear overalls often, but when I do, "C'mon Eileen" is stuck in my head all day. Too-rah-loo-rah-Too-rah-loo-rye-yaaaaay. Ah Dexy's Midnight Runner's, why was this your only memorable song? 

Right?!  So when I walked into the kitchen wearing this outfit this morning, Austin looked at me and said, "Nice overalls."  I said, "Are you making fun of my overall's or are you saying you like them?" and he said, "Both." So that's that.  However, the outfit was perfect for a day of cleaning and running errands. Also, in perfect Ani fashion, the tag was still on the overalls as I was wearing them.  

I realize I've taken quite the hiatus from blogging, but in that time I finished my FINAL semester of seminary therefore all is so, SO well in my life now that I'm done with school.  I don't actually graduate till next year, but it pretty much feels like I'm done.  Plus, I have an amazing job and my family is coming to Dallas tomorrow (minus the brother and future sister-in-law, waaah) so we'll get to celebrate all of these blessings together. 

Here is to finishing school, blogging again and living life to its fullest.

{Overalls: Thrifted ($6.56), T-Shirt: old (?), Shoes: Urban Outfitters ($10.00)}

Fair Warning

I'm just giving fair warning here, but this blog post is filled with awkward poses. 

Favorite awkward face ever.

So you gotta give me a break.  It's been almost two weeks since I've taken pictures of myself and I was reminded of how truly odd it is to take pictures of yourself, especially when you're in fairly populated places.  I think it actually shows in some of these pictures.  I'm just more uncomfortable than usual.  Truth is, I'd much rather not have to take my own pictures, especially since husband, sister and sister in law have often spoiled me by taking good pictures of my outfits, however my husband is the only one close by and we don't normally get to see each other in daylight during the week.

Anyhow, I'm disappointed to say that I will not be attending Texas Style Council due to a work commitment that came up.  I'm super bummed, but my focus right now is school and work so my hobby can't take priority over the two.  I'm sure I'll regret it, but it just wasn't the right time.

On my way to school last week I saw a sign that said "Thrift Shop" in a shopping center that I pass by every day and immediately got giddy at the thought of yet ANOTHER thrift store in my area.  So I checked it out on Tuesday and while the place was definitely newly opened and still slightly unorganized, I scored a couple of great items.  They actually had quite a few vintage dresses that I seriously had to tell myself that I could not buy because I've accumulated so many that I don't wear.  I think eventually I'll sell them once I take my Etsy shop seriously, but for now. I don't really have the time.  

Anyhow, just trying my best to keep my head above water.  Thankfully, I have an unending source of help and a great support system.  Two more months and I'll be done with this madness! 

Also, I cannot wait to see Gungor tonight.  It will, no doubt, be amazing. 

Ani

{Shirt: Thrifted ($1.99) Skirt: Thrifted ($2.40), Shoes: Thrifted ($3.99)}

Who's that Girl?!

It's ANI!

Yup, this is the first blog post I've made in a what feels like forever.  School and work have taken over my life and unfortunately, hobbies such as taking pictures of what you wear everyday take a backseat to being a responsible adult.  Tis sad, I know. 

But I've done my best to balance having a good time so that I don't burn out completely. In fact, I had two girls nights this weekend and both were so fun and I really did need them just to feel sane again.  So I'm just trying my best to balance it all.

So this outfit was a totally attempt at a look I saw on New Girl which is, like many other fashion bloggers, my new favorite show.  I mean what fashion nerd wouldn't love the show?! It's a perfect balance of cute outfits, awkward Zooey Deschanel humor and SCHMIDT. Haha. Anyhow the V-day episode this week inspired me. 

She's so adorable it makes me sick.

When I asked my husband if he liked my outfit, he nodded his head and then said, "How come you get to wear a brown belt with back shorts?"  And of course I said, "Because I wear what I want."  Truly, all I felt like wearing was a leotard, tights, shorts and my new brown belt. 

Anyhow, I've still be able to hit up my favorite thrift store at least once a week and as of late I've bought not one, not two...no, not just three, but FIVE pairs of colored jeans and all of em fit me so well.  I'm thinking that people bought their colored jeans on a whim and then had no idea how to wear them and so they threw them out because they're all in amazing shape.  So I now own teal, coral, purple, red and pastel purple jeans.  I've already worn the coral jeans twice this week so get ready for it. 

Hope you are having a great weekend.  I truly hope I can make more time for this hobby.  We shall see!

Ani

{Leotard: Thrifted ($1.99), Shorts: old (?), Shoes: Thrifted ($5.99), Belt: ($1.99), Necklace: Fallas Paredes ($2.49), Tights: Gift from my madre, Jacket: Target ($19.99)}

Vaquero=Cowboy

Check out this sweet mural I found on a liquor store!

I rarely want every single picture from a photo shoot in my blog, but today I wanted EVERY SINGLE PICTURE on my blog.  However, I will spare you because they become redundant pretty quickly.  I can only look down, stare intensely and put my hands in my pocket so many times for a photo before they really do look boring.  I'm working on it though!

Austin and I are enjoying what feels like a six day long weekend.   Life is pretty good.  I even just signed up for the Texas Style Council and I'm feeling super pumped about meeting incredible people who share some of the same passions as I do.  I really am hoping that I can keep this up once school gets going.  It's all about balance and I think I can manage.  

When I took my jacket off at lunch Austin said, "You have a hot air balloon on your shirt."  To which I replied, "I DO!" I found it at Casa View Thrift Store, down the street from my house and it was marked down to $1.21 from $1.71.  The prices are so random, seriously.  I quickly tried it on and knew it was mine. I love when you find items that really do feel "one of a kind".  This one certainly makes me smile.  The skirt was bought at St. Vincent De Paul a few months ago on 40% off day and I had yet to find a use for it, but with 70 degree weather (Yes, you read that correctly), I knew I could go bare legged.    The jacket was also bought at SVDP.  In fact, I walked out of the store without it because I convinced myself that I didn't need it and that it was too expensive, but when my total came out to far less than I'd expected, I ran out to my car, dropped of my bag and walked straight back into the store to try on the jacket ANOTHER time.  Of course, I bought it.  Finally, my shoes were bought at Urban Outfitters on sale for $10.  That's about it with my outfit.

Hope everyone is enjoying their day off!

Ani

{Shirt: Thrifted ($1.21)

 Skirt: (Thrifted: ($3.60)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters ($10.00)

Jacket: Thrifted [Gap] ($9.00)

Earrings: Thrifted ($.99)}

Grandma Curtain Skirt

The first half of these pictures were taken earlier in the day.  For whatever reason, I just didn't like them. So I snapped a few more later in the afternoon while Austin was up in the air flying a helicopter.

Today was splendid.  Austin got out of school by noon and we had lunch together and spent the afternoon relaxing.  Last night I finally hung out with friends since it's been the first weekend in awhile that we've actually been in Dallas.  We played games, watched a movie and overall, it was just a chill night.  I couldn't ask for much more.  

I'm hoping I won't regret this, but I am being incredibly indecisive about registering for Texas Style Council.  I am seriously such a pansy when it comes to these things.  I'm going to give it another day before I sign up.  I know this seems random, but I can't stop thinking about it because it makes sense for me to go.  It's down the road, I'd meet some incredible people, but truthfully...I don't know if I necessarily have a goal in mind with this blog.  I just enjoy sharing excellent thrifting finds and keeping an outfit diary of sorts.  So we'll see...I know once school starts, that will be the priority so who knows how this will shape up.

This outfit was found at one of my new favorite thrift stores that is 2 miles down the street from my house.  The only downfall is that they don't have designated days for certain items to have extra discount.  So sometimes, it ends up being a little more than I'm used to paying (we're talking a dollar difference here).  However, both the shirt and skirt were marked down so it felt like I still got em for a good price.  I fell in love with this skirt.  For some reason, I like the fact that it reminds me of a curtain in the home of a grandma.  I think I'll be wearing it often.

I found the heels at ValueWorld and I was so close to leaving them behind because I kept saying, "Ani, you don't wear heels," but they were just so cute and actually comfortable so I bought them for $4.50.  I wore them most of the day and they really were so comfy up until the sweater tights started to get annoyed with them.  Anyhow, I'm excited about the new items I have to share!

Hope everyone has an incredible weekend!

Ani

{Shirt: Thrifted ($2.99), Skirt: Thrifted ($1.71), Cardigan: Target ($9.99), Shoes: Thrifted [Mossimo] ($4.50), Sweater Tights: Target ($12.00) similar, Necklace: Forever 21 ($3.99), Belt: Thrifted ($1.99)}

Matchy Matchy

It is a gorgeous day in Dallas, TX.  It's quite cold, but the sun makes up for it.

Yes, we are serious about recycling.

 Austin took most of the pictures because he's had half days all week which makes me one happy wife.

Tried not to match today, but it just didn't happen.  My fashion challenge is to make things more interesting by mixing it up and not be so matchy matchy, but I really love this outfit and the way it came together.  It just happened to match really well. 

With that being said, I have not much to say here except for one funny story.

I started a new job this week and I'm working in youth ministry. For whatever reason (there are many), I was super nervous about meeting all of them last night.  I hopped in the car with my Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper (which is really a red/brownish color) and immediately went for a sip...which missed my mouth and spilt all over my shirt.  The shirt was, of course, off white and navy stripes.  I began to have a quick "freak out" moment until I remembered that I'd thrifted earlier that day and had to try on clothes over my shirt because there weren't any dressing rooms and one floral tank actually looked kind of cool on top of it.  So once I arrived to the church, I threw on the shirt, regained what was left of my confidence and had a spectacular night.

So what I'm trying to say is...thrifting saved my night.  HAHA. 

Ok, going to spend time with the hubster, hubs, hubby hub hubens, hubs mcgubs.  Ok, seriously, that's enough. Goodbye.

{Dress: Plato's Closet [Forever 21] ($6.00), Sweater: Thrifted [Merona] ($2.59), Boots: Target ($34.00), Leg Warmers: American Apparel (Groupon for $25), Tights: ?, Flower headband: Old Navy ($5.95), Pin: Thrifted ($.99)}