Mud Bugs

Crayfish, crawfish, crawdads, whatever you call them, two things are true:  I am allergic to them and I think they're adorable.  I know, I have a weird sense of adorable.  When I saw this pendant at a consignment store recently I knew it had to come home with me.  It may be a crayfish, it may be a lobster, but it is definitely mine now.  I like that the crustacean design is etched in the crystal.  It is subtle but fun.  I love offbeat jewelry like my cicada earrings, octopus pendant or chili pepper necklace.

 

Shirt, Younkers; skirt, Coldwater Creek, thrifted; sandals, Clarks, Younkers; belt, I don't remember; earrings, Claire's; bracelet, thrifted; pendant, thrifted.

 

I found the skirt and bracelet at the same consignment store as the pendant, and they were each only $1!  Nothing beats a good deal.

 

Make sure you check out other bloggers' gorgeous Monday outfits at Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday!

Weekend Recap: Spinning & Pioneers

Yesterday I tried something new, something exciting, something scary.  I tried spinning.  I'd been wanting to get together with a friend, but our schedules didn't mesh well during the week.  She suggested that we meet at the Spinning Gallery for a morning class.  

When I told Stephen that I was going to a spinning class, he asked whether I needed a spinning wheel to do it.  He was thinking of this kind of spinning...  

A different kind of spinning.
Image Credit: Wikipedia

To his credit, his mom does that kind of spinning, so I understand where the communication breakdown happened.

Spinning: It didn't kill me!

I had never tried spinning, and it was pretty brutal.  It was simultaneously the quickest and longest 45 minute exercise class ever.  By 5 minutes in the end of class I was soaked in sweat and gasping for breath.  The music and the instructor's enthusiasm buoyed me through, even if I didn't adjust the resistance as much as he commanded.

Image Credit: Beth's Facebook

I've been struggling with insomnia, stress, illness and other non-fun things lately, so it has been hard to get the motivation to exercise.  I seriously considered backing out at the last minute, but then I saw this post on a friend's facebook page.  I want to be where the magic happens, and part of the purpose of this blog is to push me out of my comfort zone.   Thank you, Ashley, for helping give me a nudge.

Yesterday Stephen and I had some friends over and got in touch with our pioneer side.  I made fresh mozzarella cheese and pita bread, and the guys started a fresh batch of beer.  The cheese and bread were both delicious, and we shall see how the beer turns out in about six weeks.  I used this recipe for the cheese.  

Cheese: Started

Cheese: Finished

Beer on the boil.

 I hope you had a wonderful weekend, tried new things and stepped out of your comfort zone!

Ele-fun

This skirt is part of a two-piece outfit from Thailand that I found at Goodwill.  It is a wrap, and it might not wrap quite enough.  Oh well.  That's why I have a slip.  The top that goes with the skirt is cropped, and I'm trying to figure out how to style it.  This outfit is a better use of the sandals than last week.

 

I managed to avoid accidentally cursing during my TV appearance last night, so I consider it a success.  Unfortunately we didn't go on until around 9:30 and didn't leave the studio until after 10.  Who knows what time I actually got to sleep since it seemed to take forever for me to wind down.  I'm dragging today.  So glad it's Friday.

 

Tee, George, Walmart; skirt, thrifted; sandals, Sketchers, 6pm.com; belt, Claire's; earrings, gifted (thanks Stephen); pendant, ebay.


Stephen got two new beer recipe kits in the mail yesterday, so we will be brewing this weekend.  We've invited some friends to share the fun.

Tangerine TV

I'm going to credit Gracie at Fashion for Giants for inspiring me to experiment with the tangerine color family this year.  I found this shirt at Goodwill, and I decided it was worth the $1.75 investment.  What do you think?

Shirt, Goodwill; tank, Rue 21; slacks, Younkers; shoes, Born, Younkers; dragonfly pendant, purchased in Cozumel; cicada pendant, ebay; bracelets, purchased in Cozumel; earrings, Christmas craft bazaar.

I am supposed to be on TV with my boss tonight, and I am not looking forward to it.  I was going crazy trying to decide what to wear until I remembered one little secret... It doesn't matter.  No one cares.  Yay!

A new cicada.  No, it's not a cockroach... or a
palmetto bug.  I think I'll paint the eyes red
to make it clear.

Yes, my feet are kind of busted.  You should have seen them
before I painted them up last week.

These earrings don't get enough wear.  Hopefully
they will get more now that I am embracing the
tangerine.

Don't forget that Thursdays are for Thrifters!