And I Thought the 30 for 30 was Hard...

Those of you who have followed this blog for awhile are familiar with the 30 for 30 Challenge I did a while back.  Essentially, you had to chose 30 items (shoes included) and wear only those 30 for 30 days.  Additionally, the 30 day challenge came with a 30 day shopping ban.  To say the least, It was an eye-opener about how much importance we put on our clothes- the quantity, the newness, the "look" that they give us and the way they make us feel.  

In less than two weeks I'll be leaving my life in the good ole' USA behind to become a Peace Corps Volunteer to Panama.  I couldn't be more excited, and I'm blogging about it all on my new blog.  

I've just finished packing for TWO full years, and it made my 30 for 30 challenge look like a piece of cake.  If you're interested in seeing what I'm up to (and what I'll be wearing over the next two years) head over to AbbyExplores.  

Thanks for sticking with me!

Does anyone else consider $30 a splurge?

Shorts: Banana Republic Outlet, $28

Top: Gap, $5

Tank: Target, $7

Clutch: Thrifted, $2

Sandals: Forever 21, $15

Necklace: Lucky, $32

Bracelet: Random Beach Store, $5

What I love: Spending a little bit more on something I'm not too sure about (Side note- this never happens.  Also, I mean spending more than $5 on something.  I don't buy it if I don't love it) and then wearing it CONSTANTLY because I absolutely fall in love with it.  This has only happened a few times.  Once with my chambray shirt- it was $36 on sale- and that was still a bit much for bargain hunter me.  Second time with these shorts.  I kind of liked them.  And they were almost $30.  And now I wear them alllllll the time.  

What I hate:  Falling in love with a clothing item and absolutely not being able to buy it because they no longer sell it.  My friend Dawn works at The Limited and wears the CUTEST stuff.  Today she blogged about her chambray ruffle button up.  During my lunch break I called multiple stores trying to find it- with no luck.  

Soooo, you should check out Dawn's Blog.  Because she's cute.  And also because I want her shirt.  

Messy Hair

Maxi Dress turned skirt: Forever 21, $12

Top: J. Crew, Thrifted, $2

Belt: Old Navy Men's, $2

Wedges: TJ Maxx, $20

Bracelets: Mom's

Sunglasses: Forever 21, $5

I don't know how summer has ended up being busier than the school year, but it definitely has!  My two internships are going awesome- although working on social media 75% of my day generally means I'm ready to be away from the computer after work (hence my lack of outfit publishing.)  I'll be on a work trip this coming week to help lead the Tennessee 4H teen conference- Roundup.  It was always one of the highlights of my summer during high school, and I have to admit- I'm still looking forward to it!

Long post ahead...

  

Top: Forever 21, $7

Shorts: J. Crew Outlet, $25

Scarf: Target, $2

Purse: The Limited, $25

Sandals: Forever 21, $15

Bracelets: Gifts, Forever 21, Old Navy, Rue 21

I'm gonna be honest- I don't even know what number outfit I'm on of the 30 for 30.  I'm guessing around 15?  But I'll figure that out in a little bit.  I also noticed a few things about this challenge so far- there are so many items I haven't even worn (well, I've worn them, but not "officially") like these awesome shorts!  Even though they're slightly too close to the shade of my legs at the moment, I'm pretty much in love with them.  I'm also pretty relieved that I finally wore this scarf- I bought it last summer and had never found the right outfit for it.  

So yesterday after taking these pictures, Greg and I wondered over to the Grocery store to find something cheap and as healthy as possible to make for dinner.  You see, for meals he does NOTHING but eat out, and that habit has followed over to me, and I'm starting to see the side effects of that on my bank account and the general tightening of my clothes (Yikes!)  So here is the picture story of our night in.  As a bonus, the only thing we bought were chicken breasts ($3.24!)  The rest came from my padre's garden!  

I couldn't get the whole garden in one picture...

How anyone could ever eat this much fresh dill in their LIFETIME is absolutely beyond me.

More herbs!  

Sometimes things fall from the vine and split, making them undesirable to us, but extremely desirable to Eeyore!

Our picks from today

And this is just ONE squash and cucumber.

Left- Greg's, seasoned with herbs, banana, jalapeno, and chili peppers.  

Right- Mine, with herbs, and later cheese, tomatoes, and pecans!

The finished meal.  

Complete with a frozen diet coke

And a smiley faced pepper.

The Fourth

Pants: Old Navy, $5

Top: J. Crew Outlet, $35

Belt: Forever 21, $3

Sandals: Forever 21, $15

Oh hey, speaking of that shirt that I just wore... here it is again!  In real life though, there was a four day gap.  And it was washed... maybe. Details aside, here are some pictures from my fourth of July.  From tons of good food (red velvet cake pops anyone??) to lots of good company and some good ole patriotism, it was a good day.  What about you?  Any fun plans from the fourth?

The Lake Day

Shorts: Banana Republic Outlet, $20

Top: J.Crew Outlet, $35

Scarf: Thrifted, $2

Sunglasses: Forever 21, $5

Sandals: Forever 21, $15

I live in this shirt.  And these sandals.  They seriously go well with every single thing I put on.  After a full day at the lake, this was the perfect outfit to run around in.  The shorts are SO incredibly soft (which is good for the burns on my legs...) and the scarf helped disguise my dirty little lake head.  Ditto for the sunglasses and the lack of makeup.  What can I say, its summer :)

On a random note, Greg treats his car like a child... well, better than some people treat their children... So I had to (pretend to) kiss it, to make up for hitting it with my lanyard on accident.  

As if it weren't already proof about how much he loves his car- just see the photo below, and notice what he chooses to focus the camera on... 

The bland day

Skirt: H&M, $16

Top: Old Navy, $5

Scarf: Old Navy, $9

Necklace: Gift

Sandals: Forever 21, $15

Sunglasses: Forever 21, $5

I spent this past long weekend relaxing (and getting sunburned) at the lake, hanging out with my family and my boy, making some delicious cake pops, and sleeping alotttt.  So get ready for a few catch-up posts!  

This outfit is from last Thursday, when I was just burned out (having few clean and even fewer put away clean clothes just kills your creativity.) As you can see, it was a good thing I took a quick blog break :)

For me, scarves are always my go-to to spice up a boring outfit- even in the summer!  I've found that lightweight summer scarves are perfect for keeping you a little warm in a chilly office without overheating you when you go outside.  Perfect!  

Jeans

Top: Loft, $4

Jeans: Gap, $15

Shoes: Dillards, $30

Necklace: Forever 21, $4

In high school, I wore jeans CONSTANTLY.  My mom used to joke that I collected pairs of jeans, because I had some to go with almost everything.  Although blogging hasn't changed my style too much, it has made me much less likely to put my jean "collection" to use.  Now I just feel so much more put together and even more comfortable in a skirt or dress.  

For other bloggers out there, do you feel like blogging has changed your style?