Post 30-for-30 Catch Up

30 for 30 has been over for a while, and now that I am almost completely recovered from my virus, I have had time to reflect on my experience. This questionnaire was floating around the World Wide Webs, so I thought I would use it to explain all my epiphanies to you, since you aren’t lucky enough to live in my brain.

1.     Why did you decide to do the 30 for 30 challenge? I had just moved out of an apartment that was the source of much grief in my life, and I was feeling really ambitious when the challenge was announced. Also, I know I buy too many clothes, and the month-long shopping fast seemed like something I needed to do. Really, I think I was “leaving the hell hole” high I was on. I like to over extend myself a lot.

2.     What was your favorite outfit that you remixed? Day 11 I wore something that didn’t really feel like an Annie outfit, but it was comfortable. I delivered my closing argument in it, as defense counsel. My client was pleading self defense in a murder charge, based on her history as a domestic violence victim. The general consensus was that my outfit helped make my case – the black pants were tailored and professional, and though the cardi had clean lines, it was soft and feminine. I learned about how your outfit represents your client – presenting an innocent appearance to the jury reminded them that my client is a small, delicate lady who would not have shot her husband except that her life was in danger. The softness of the cardi helped convey my client’s innocence. As far as outfits go, I didn’t really like it, but it taught me an important lesson in the practice of law. Who would have thought law school would teach fashion lessons!

As far as the actual outfit goes, I think I liked Day 26, the polka dot blouse from H&M under my yellow cardi. I think it was a unique take on the buffalo check under a cardi. I liked it, and I think it’s an outfit I’ll wear again.

3.     What was your least favorite outfit that you remixed? To be honest, there were a few of them. I regularly went the safe route, sometimes out of exhaustion and sometimes because I had certainly not put a lot of time into picking my clothes for the challenge. Any outfit where I put one top with a pair of pants is a disappointment for me.

4.      What was the hardest part of the challenge? Not shopping was surprisingly easy. The hardest part was working with my poor choices. I had SO many blue tops. It started making me, well, blue.

5.     What was the best part of the challenge? Having a good excuse not to shop for 30 days. My credit card definitely enjoyed the vacation.

6.     Are there any items in your 30 that you regret including? There are a couple pairs of pants I never wore because I didn’t get them hemmed in time, and a dress I never wore. I only needed one dress that could be gussied up, since I didn’t do anything during those 30 days but go to class and occasionally dinner with my parents, and they aren’t fancy people. By the time I realized they weren’t going to see any Challenge play, it was so far into the challenge and I had already not even gotten dressed so many days that it didn’t seem worth it to replace them.

7.     Did you cheat during the challenge? I think the only way I cheated was by not really putting in the effort a few days. A couple days I repeated the outfit, and I definitely wore outfits I had worn in real life before. Also, there were handfuls of days when I didn’t even get dressed in anything but yoga pants and sweatshirts, thanks to being sick and not having class.

8.     Do you think your shopping habits will change at all after this? Definitely.  Of course, immediately after the challenge I went on a post-30 for 30 Challenge spree. But I definitely chose discriminatorily, thinking about the different ways I could wear one thing. I also felt the need to supplement all the blue and black in my closet. I have so many “safe” pieces in my closet, and even putting them all together didn’t make them anymore creative-looking. My new pink suede platform heels will help with that!

9.     Any advice for future remixers? Not only pick versatile pieces, but shop for versatile pieces. I am working on finding things that are unique, but not stand alone. Like a long sleeved top is basic, but with pintucking and sequins, it’s interesting, too! Also, have some outfits in mind when you pick your items for the challenge. When I went through my closet, I had LITERALLY (in the proper sense of the word) moved my entire closet it and pulled out pieces as I was organizing.  It did not work out well. I put no thought into what I was picking except “Oh, I like this shirt. I haven’t worn this skirt yet. Hm, I bought this? You’re in!”

10.  Would you do another 30 for 30 challenge in the future? Absolutely. I can’t wait to give it another go – better picks, more effort. I can’t wait to rectify myself in the 30 for 30 culture!

11.  What would you do differently next challenge? Whoops. I hate when I already answer something in an earlier challenge. Well, as I said, I would be more discerning in my picks for the challenge, and I would try not to get sick, rendering my interest in looking appropriate absolutely null.

12.  What did you learn from the challenge? Shop for versatility, and invest in more accessories. They can definitely change the look of a piece. I also learned that it is possible to dress with a smaller wardrobe. I also learned I need to go through my closet and get rid of things I don’t remember buying or haven’t worn or things I just don’t like anymore. I can think of two dresses that I don’t want to wear ever because I don’t like the fit. They’re out.

I’m happy to say that right after the challenge, I had my trial. I think my trial wear was a bit stuffy, but whatever, I looked good. (That’s my mantra when I can’t turn back time and re-do something. Acceptance with a dash of denial!) I also only had partial hearing and my voice went in and out, but my feedback from my jury full of lawyers was really positive and made me feel better about my life choice. It’s always a good day when I don’t go home crying wondering what the hell I’m doing in law school. Yes, that has happened. Less frequently since 1L year, but still, it happens sometimes.

Also, I sent in that AWR at 3 am on Saturday morning, went to bed for 5 hours and got up because I was SO excited to start my Christmas vacation. I spent the whole day shopping for Christmas craft supplies, crafting, and shopping for my childhood bff’s aborable baby toddler’s birthday. As my honorary niece, she received a toy Quarter Horse foal with a blanket and halter and all kinds of choking hazards her mother will have to hide from her. I can’t wait till she’s old enough for one of the favorite gifts I have ever received – Thelwell books. English humor, hilariously proportioned ponies, and equestrian witticisms? I think it’s safe to say Thelwell made me the person I am today. I am so excited to have a part in instilling a love of horses and a sense of humor in a little person, especially when that little person belongs to one of my favorite ladies in the whole world, and who I can enjoy for a couple of hours and then leave when she gets cranky. I can’t say I blame her. Boyfriend has definitely witnessed my “I’m SO TIRED” breakdowns, and I’m 26. Still. It’s fortunate for my sanity that Mulder fulfills my very small maternal instinct.

Welp. That’s pretty much what’s been going on. Boyfriend is going to take and post pictures of the Christmas décor at casa de Anniekins, after I tell him to do it. We’re sitting around enjoying the rain (!!!!) and watching episode after episode of 30 Rock. Oh Baby Jesus, I love Christmas break. It almost makes 4-months without a weekend worth it. 

Yeah, About That

You know how I declared myself "Alive and Walking Around"? Well, that ended Saturday, as I lost the fight to the virus I've been battling since Boyfriend brought it home from Nebraska after Thanksgiving. Thanks for nothing, Boyfriend. So after a week of attending to him, I proceeded to spend 16 hours on the couch, drinking Nyquil and coughing and sneezing and whining about the failure of my breathing passages.

I did get dressed on Saturday, though, for a meeting with opposing counsel. I wore the same jeans as in my last outfit, with my Breezy Polks cardi (red, for the Nebraska game, which they proceeded to lose!). Then I came home and before I could even think of snapping a picture, changed into hot pink polka dot pajama pants and a Nebraska hoodie for my extended nap on said couch.

Today I am still in those polka dot pajama pants, but now I am sitting up, drinking earl grey + cinnamon + ginger root, working on my AWR. I feel like I am writing in English, so that's good!

Speaking of English, Boyfriend had his third riding lesson and he cantered! I am sad to say I missed it, because when he left for his lesson, I was not yet at the point of breathing on my own as well as I believe I should be. But I am very proud. Next step is to throw him on my horse and see how well he does figuring out which lead Sonny would like to use that day! It's good to challenge ourselves.

I hope to get dressed tomorrow. I need to finish the challenge on a good note!

Day 26: Alive and Walking Around

Barely. It's finals time at Casa de Smartypants, which means my brain does funny things. Like yesterday, in the shower, I thought, "Oh my god, my mom's birthday was yesterday! I forgot all about it! I am the worst daughter ever!" I jumped out of the shower and checked the date on my phone. Sure enough, it was December second. Good thing my mom's birthday was last month, and I got her leaf-shaped pie cutters and went out to dinner with her. Way to be on top of it, brain.

Other than that, there's been a whole lot of AWR and take-homes writing. This is my first semester where I don't have any in-class finals, except for my trial. It's very weird. I never even had take-homes in undergrad. I almost don't know what to think about them. I still have one take-home left, and my trial is Wednesday, and there's that AWR.

There's also been a lot of sneezing, coughing, and moaning about sore throats. That translates to not a lot of getting dressed, because there isn't anywhere I have to be that requires wearing, like, not pajamas. And I have been taking advantage of that. There are even clothes in my 30 for 30 section of the closet that I haven't worn yet because I haven't been getting dressed very much! Crazy!

Tonight, though, I went out to dinner with my parents. We went to my dad's favorite Mexican restaurant, but I wasn't hungry, so I drank more than I ate (but I still didn't turn down dessert, because I'm not, like, dead or anything).

I seriously only had two mojitos, you guys. I think it's the fatigue that puts me over the edge, though.

I don't know. I have to blame it on something.

I think I look like a gangster here, right? I'm like, "Yo, 'sup." See? Gangster. Whatever, you guys.

Cardi: J. Crew

Top: H&M

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: NYC Blank

Shoes: Banana Republic

Necklace: J. Crew

Earrings: Kenneth Cole, via Nordstrom

Belt: snagged from a dress in my closet

Oh, look, one picture where I do not look like a total ham or a deformed lush. (Every shot of my left side looked like my right elbow is, like, grotesquely deformed. I performed a thorough inspection, though, and my elbows seem to be approximately the same size. I blame the camera man, Boyfriend.)

Only four more days left! My outfit tomorrow will also have to be in accordance with the Saturday dress code, ie., red. No worries, I have a red cardigan! After that, I'm gonna try to get dressed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, too, and I'm gonna try to wear stuff I haven't worn yet, but there will be two pairs of pants that never got worn, because I couldn't get them hemmed in time, plus a dress. I probably should have just replaced them, but oh well. I survived just fine on 27 for 30. 

This challenge ends just in time, because I don't think I could have constructed an appropriate court outfit for trial. There are just some things that require a devoted outfit. Things that determine my grade are one of those things.

17 and 21

Those both sound like lucky numbers, right? I don't know. I don't like numbers, let alone have a "lucky" one.

I finally got it together to get dressed on Wednesday, and even took pictures (quickly, while I was packing to go to my parents'), and then promptly forgot to upload them.

Top: Modcloth

Jeans: Banana Republic

Shoes: Nine West

As you can see, I decided to switch it up a bit and model in front of my mirror that is propped up against the wall. In the old apartment, it hung above my dresser, but now, said dresser is under a window, and my poor mirror is homeless. I have no idea where to put it.

Thursday I was so busy making food and then shoveling down my throat I forgot to take any pictures, except for the ones of my aunts performing a song they did for the retirement home they both work for, and those pictures I am forbidden to post. Don't worry, I'll recreate it here later. 

And then, dear readers, I did not get dressed again until today, because I have been feeling under the weather ever since Friday. But today I went to brunch with my lovely parents. It was quite chilly! Even hunkered next to a heater, I shivered when the wind blew through at our favorite Sunday brunch spot, appropriately called Local Breeze.

Top: Anthro Molded and Melded tee

Cardi: Anthro, I can't remember its name, but it's soft and has a little bit of shimmery thread

Jeans: NYC Blank

Boots: Enzo Angiolini

Scarf: Old Navy

Earrings: Express

Puppy Belly: Mulder

These ones were taken by my sicky Boyfriend, who is wearing head-to-toe Nebraska stuff today, drinking tea as fast as I can boil the water for him. Oh! And! They were taken on my couch, and did you note the table lamp sprouting from behind the cushion? That is courtesy of the shelf I added as a sort of faux sofa table, because the couch extends beyond the wall, so an actual sofa table would be awkward. It works. I think. Stop asking me.

Thus ends my outfit updates, along with some house therapy updating as well. More of the latter to come after I turn this paper in for reals.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, even though you probably didn't have miming aunts at yours.

Getting the Shakes

So we're about halfway through this 30 to 30 Challenge. I am wearing real clothes today because I am actually out of the house (pictures to come later!). But here's the thing. The hardest part of this challenge is the no shopping. Seriously, you guys. I went to Stein Mart last night looking for a fireplace screen (no luck, in case you were wondering) and I had to close my eyes to walk past the shoe section. It isn't clothes I crave. It's shoes. DSW's website has become my porn. And the SM Ollie bootie just got marked down. Seriously! This kills me. You know what else I want to buy?

 Scarves. Wraps. Warm things in which to snuggle. Fall has finally deigned to visit the valley and it is COLD and I want to wrap myself in cashmere and poly/rayon blends. I am also discovering another problem with the seasons here. Everyone else started the challenge during autumn, and the end will probably fall at the beginning of winter, temperature-wise. Right? I don't know how seasons really work. Here, it's hot for a long time and then it's cold for a couple months, and then it's hot again. Well, I started this challenge during out 2 week "autumn," which is when it's chilly at night, but still warm-ish during the day. Now, it's chilly all the time, and I didn't pick out any sweaters because it wasn't sweater time yet. I have to hope my cardis get me through, I guess. I also did not think through the items I selected very well. Recall that I picked 5 tops. Do you know what color those tops were? Blue. Some shade of blue, off white, black, and black and white. That's pretty much it. There is an overwhelming amount of blue in my 30 for 30 section of my closet, something I did not notice when I was grabbing clothes and throwing them on the floor hours after moving all my stuff to a new apartment. Next time, I really need to be more prepared. I need to think things through for more than 15 minutes. Also, between the end of this challenge and the start of next challenge, I need to add a lot more colors that are not in the blue family to my wardrobe. And I NEED SHOES. Platform heels, booties, oxfords hklnjdjknvjkdhpaskml;dsc. Seriously, all I can think about are shoes. Guess what the paper I am STILL writing is NOT about. Shoes. I'm pretty sure it's going to turn out "In Katz, the defendant was convicted Steve Madden booties counts of transmitting Seychelles wagering information Zappos narrow width 4in-4 3/4in nude platform by telephone WHEN CAN I BUY SHOES AGAIN OHDEARGOD THE PAIN."

Sigh. At least tomorrow is my favorite holiday, and I get to sit around eating tons of food with my family until I pass out. (Remember, everyone, elastic waistbands!) I'll also take the time to be thankful for the shoes I DO have. A lot of people don't even have cute shoes, you guys. I'm blessed.

I'd be super blessed to have those puppies in my closet, though. (Says the girl who should not legally own any more pairs of black heels.)

I'm also blessed to have my family, including my big brother who just convinced me I can easily get to 20 pages in this Type Z Darla in grey patent paper. And my family, whom I hopefully will not torture by lecturing them on the "reasonable expectation of privacy" hooey. I'm extremely happy they let me cook for them and bring them stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. And I'm thankful for my boyfriend, who is not here. I'm blessed to have such a kind and understanding person who puts up with me, and I'm fortunate that I miss him when he's gone. Instead of being fortunate that he's gone, as I was with other people I may have dated.

(This pie is probably 9,000 times better than the last couple boys I dated, present company excluded, of course.)

Happy Thanksgiving, doves!

C'mer you delicious, juicy bird.

Excuse MUCH. Rude, or anything?

I know, I haven't been posting outfit pics. It's because I've been going naked these past couple of days. Just kidding. I just haven't been getting "dressed" in a true sense of the word. With no classes left this semester, I haven't had a reason to leave the house, and, accordingly, I have been wearing pajamas all day, and if I do, it's into something pajama-like. Workout clothes, at the most. Right now I'm wearing yoga pants and a hot pink long-sleeved t-shirt. And yes, I did sleep in this. But I added a bra, because I'm classy.

Trust, you're not really missing anything. I'm camped out with my laptop, a Word document, and a stack or law review articles, working on my AWR. Mulder is right next to my chair. And I'm about ready to go make a Lean Cuisine for lunch.

If you have any thoughts on Fourth Amendment protection from the government or the concept of "widely shared societal expectations," feel free to share. I need someone to write this puppy for me.

Sorry, no pictures

You know how I said I'm working on my paper? Well, I wouldn't be me if I were not procrastinating.

I woke up this morning thinking about a book I read a few years ago. This one. I did not like this book, and in a fit of rage and not wanting to read about the Fourth Amendment, I wrote something about it. I'm gonna post it here because I feel like it.

I read this book a few years ago. I had made the mistake of confessing my love of trashy “historical” romance novels to a group of friends from church. A few of them immediately insisted I read Francine Rivers’ most famous book. I stupidly thought that since the book was “Christian,” it would not be as sugary and junky as my guilty pleasures. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll admit it: I love Philippa Gregory’s Tudor novels. It’s sickening, but some people eat chocolate; I read trashy romances that purport to be historical. It’s unhealthy, and I know I should limit myself, but we all have our vices. Every time I read one of those amazingly overwrought, inaccurate bound books of empty calories, my teeth hurt and my stomach feels warm and sick. I get embarrassed, like I need to conceal the evidence and stick the candy in the cupboard behind the fridge and hope I forget about it. I was hoping that this Christian novel would provide that silly, fluffy, romance storyline, but not make me feel so bloated and gross. I was wrong. “Redeeming Love” is so much worse. It’s disguised as a retelling of Hosea and Gomez from the Old Testament, but set in the Gold Rush Days in the wild west. It sounds interesting, but Rivers molests the true message of the Biblical story and turns it into a “romance” between a “soiled dove” and a “man of God.” You’re supposed to find this compelling and believe that this is just like how God pursues us and wants us to love Him.

I read through a number of reviews, and apparently I am the only one who thinks Michael Hosea should be locked up. First, he abducts “Angel,” the woman who was sold into prostitution as a child and who has been living her life the only way she knows. To me, Angel is a victim of slavery and abuse, stuck in a terrible situation and has no control over her own life. To Francine Rivers and Michael Hosea, however, she is a big old sinner in need of salvation for her wicked ways. To compound this insanity, Michael Hosea hears the voice of God telling him to marry this woman and make her his wife. So Michael does the only reasonable thing, which is carry an unconscious woman away, have a minister proclaim them married, despite the fact that Angel can no way consent to this, and then falsely imprison her on his ranch, where she begrudgingly performs manual labor and “takes care” of Michael. Unsurprisingly, Angel decides she’s had enough and determines that her old life was better than living with this crazy person who thinks God is talking to him, and she leaves. But she needs a ride, and the person who gives her a lift demands sex as payment. Other readers apparently believe this means Angel is a whore and a slut, but to me, it was her only way out of yet another life she didn’t choose.

The story drags on and on and becomes repetitive. Angel leaves, Michael goes and gets her. Angel leaves again and Michael goes and gets her. I know the story of Hosea and Gomez, so the novel dragged on. The entire time, Michael insists on calling Angel “Sarah,” just like the controlling, manipulative nightmare of a man he is. Because, see, Angel isn’t good enough for him. To him, “Angel” is a dirty prostitute, and he needs a good, clean woman. So he just decides to change her identity. I wanted to hit Michael Hosea approximately every 5 pages. I felt so bad for Angel the entire time. She clearly wanted Michael to just leave her alone and to be her own person. I know the story, so I know that this is supposed to be about God’s love and unending pursuit, but Michael is so unlikeable and Angel has such a sad tale that it just doesn’t work.

Finally, Angel ends up in a gold rush town, befriends a kind family who takes care of her, and begins to have her own independent life, where men don’t use her for sex, where she isn’t a slave to the whims and finances of others, and where she is a person who deserves respect. At this point, I was so happy for Angel. She finally seemed to have what she deserved in life! I wanted her to put this whole “Michael’s wife” thing behind her and move on and use her experiences to help others in need. But that’s not what Francine wants for her protagonist. Instead, Angel returns to Michael, deciding she can fully submit to him and love him now. At this point, I gritted my teeth and decided just to plow through to reach the end of the book.

This book is not any more intellectually or spiritually stimulating as my conniving, manipulative, adulterous Tudors. It’s actually more insulting. It beats its readers over their heads reminding us that “God loves you!” and tries to force us to like Michael Hosea by justifying everything he does. It talks down to the reader in short, choppy sentences and the old “fade to black” doctrine every scene that ends with sexy times. It wants us to pity Angel by giving her a tragic, dark past, but at the same time, demands that we judge her for having sex for money. It attempts to solicit interest in its terribly one-dimensional characters. Worst of all, the ending takes the clichéd and easy way out: Angel, who apparently could not have a child due to her previous lifestyle, is suddenly and miraculously pregnant! She can finally give her husband a son (hopefully, because girls are so emotional and difficult, oh those silly, whorish girls!). This comes after a discussion with Miriam, and woman I liked up until she declared that being a wife and having children is the most important thing for a woman. WHAT? How about seeking God’s will for your own life, and living a life pleasing to Christ? No. Get married and knocked up, girls. That’s your job. So of course, at the end, Angel has to be pregnant so she can be a true woman and perform her womanly duties.

When I read the last period on the last page, I roared and threw that book across the room. I will never feel guilty reading my campy, trashy historical romances ever again.

At this point, I would like to discuss some concerns raised by other readers. First, yes, this book has some very dark and disturbing scenes. Is it porn? No. Porn is about sexual arousal; the scenes in this book are true things that happen every day, and they’re the only way poor Francine can give her protagonist any interest or make her readers feel sympathy for her. The scenes are not designed to titillate. They’re designed to nauseate and evoke emotion for the victim of sexual violence. If you’re giving this book to your daughter to read and this is a concern for you, sure, read it. But don’t think just because it’s sexual it’s pornographic. Also, you have a bit of ostrich syndrome if you think you can just pretend this doesn’t happen if you don’t read about it. Children and women are still sold into slavery every day. Sticking your head in the sand doesn’t make it not true.

Second, other writers have explained it, but this story is not like Hosea and Gomez. Michael marries a woman who is not Christian, which is outside God’s law in the Old Testament. But in the actual story, both Gomez and Hosea were Jewish, so God was not telling Hosea anything contrary to the law.

Thirdly, I have a huge problem with how many Christian women, and apparently Christian churches are encouraging this book. Michael Hosea’s actions are cruel and criminal, yet he is supposed to be a man of God doing God’s will. Really? God wanted him to abduct an unconscious woman and keep her away from other people on his ranch in the middle of nowhere? Putting aside the fact that a man who says he hears God’s voice would be a lunatic in this day and age, I have a seriously hard time believing that Michael is doing God’s will by kidnapping a woman and marrying her against her will. (When he asks her to marry him, she is in and out of consciousness and mumbles something like, “Sure” before passing out again. Does this sound like a woman consenting to marriage?) Then, in this sham of a marriage, I’m supposed to believe that God condones their sexual intimacy? Try again, Francine.

It’s one thing for a secular romance novel to possess this level of behavior, but I truly expected more from something that purports to be Christian.

The end.

I forgot I wanted to also address the readers who seemed to think that Ms. Rivers conveyed a true marriage. I just wanted to point out that while I am not married, I hope that if I do get married, it will be to someone I love and who loves me back, not someone to abducts me and uses me as slave labor. I also hope that if I am in a marriage, I have had the opportunity to give my full consent.

That's all. Really. I spent an hour ranting about a dumb book. Amazon tried to tell me I should be between about 75 to 300 words. My review weighs in at a little more than 1500 words. I know, I need help.

Days 10 and 11: Maybe There's a Shark in the Water

It's been a pretty busy week at casa de Annie. Between finishing up edits on a massive law review article and working on my own paper, I've spent far more time sitting in front of a computer than I would like. The good news is that I only have one day of class left, and that's for only one class! Also, I found out I have two take home finals and only one in-class, which is my trial. (Yikes!) I'm feeling a lot better, too, so that's always exciting. Especially for Mulder and Boyfriend.

Day 10 was Wednesday. I had Pretrial Practice and wanted to be comfy because I had my last "quiz" in that class. I also had to sit through possibly my last editing meeting! 

Top: ModCloth

Jeans: NYC Blank

Boots: (I'll get back to you on that! Just realized I don't know!)

Thursday, Day 11, was my last Thursday class of the semester. That's three classes, one of which I was my closing argument (yes, the one I thought I was going to do on Tuesday). I knew I wanted to wear these pants, but I really wanted to soften them up a bit, so I added the lavender cardi. One of my professors mentioned how it helped my closing argument, which was defending a woman accused of murder; the justification was self-defense. I guess it's good to know - for my trial I will be playing the role of the prosecutor, which plays well to my lack of emotion and drama.

Cardi: J.Crew chiffon

Pants: Express Editor

Heels: Kate Spade

Earrings: Nordstrom

Necklace: pictured with Tiffany & Co. heart tag, but I switched it out for a long J.Crew necklace, which I took off during lunch and forgot to put back on for my closing

Day 12 doesn't have an outfit. I've been in workout clothes all day. Not cause I'm working out. I'm securely sitting on my butt. But because I've been reading for my paper. Mostly re-reading. I read all this back when I wrote my outline, but that was a number of weeks ago, and I can't remember what I'm supposed to be talking about.

Day 9 - Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury

Today I'm feeling a bit more like myself, so I had a bit more fun getting dressed. If "fun" equals a pencil skirt and button-down, which it does to me. I'm weird like that.

I have a closing argument today in Trial Practice. It isn't mandatory that we dress up, and I don't dress up for these kind of assignments, but Tuesdays and Thursdays I do try to dress with a bit more effort, because that class is taught by three adjuncts, all of whom I hope to know someday on a professional basis. As far as I'm concerned, every day is a job interview at law school, so it's always best to err on the side of professionalism. Plus, when I know I'm going to be the focus of attention, I feel better if I look the part, or at least more the part than I would in jeans and a tee shirt. I don't know how some of those people do it.

Don't worry, the dog doesn't go with the outfit when I leave the house. But if I am standing around, he stands next to me and stares at me.

See?

Top: Rogan for Target (I haven't been wearing this shirt much, which is why I put it in my 30 for 30)

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Kate Spade

Necklace: J. Crew

Glasses: Coach (yes, I need them to see when I am reading.)

I love this necklace more and more every day, and I like its chunkiness. 

Off to Lawyer Pretend Time!

Day 8: Porchrail

What happened this weekend? A whole lotta nothing. Saturday I went shopping with my mom (house shopping! not clothes shopping!) and I wore the purple sweater dress from me 30 for 30 pile with the BR wedges and a pair of leggings. I didn't get pics, though, so use your imagination. Yesterday I went with Boyfriend to his riding lesson, and I didn't wear any of my official 30 for 30 pieces, but I really couldn't. It requires different clothing, like working out. Other than that, I spend probably about 20 hours on law review stuff. No lie.

Here's todays' outfit. I'm still not feeling totally great right now, and I'm still sticking with safe outfits. I hope once I'm feeling better, I'll try branching out.

 Top: Anthropologie (I forget its name)

Jeans: Banana Republic

Cardigan: J. Crew

Shoes: Nine West (I can't stay away from them for long!)

You guys are going to be seeing a lot of this little guy. He is my shadow. My shadow who sits on my lap and leaves blonde hair all over me. Sorry, I just can't get rid of him, not even for a second.

Oh, and the title is from a new album I downloaded last night called "Batten the Hatches," by Jenny Owen Young. I listened to it while I ran this morning, and I love it. This is the name of one of the songs, and it seemed fitting.

Day 5 - English Style

In an effort to stay on track, I'm bringing you the only non-blurry photo I took of today's outfit... the outfit I didn't put on until about 5 this afternoon. It was really one of those days, on top of one of those weeks.

If it hadn't been for RT week, I don't think I would have made it out of my pajamas today. Not that I didn't do anything - I spent a good chunk of my day cite checking for my last law review article of the semester. Which explains the face in these pics, along with the consistent blurriness. Dead face from editing, and blurry from the wine in which I consoled myself from the day of editing. Anyway. I acknowledge the lack of enthusiasm in this post, and I apologize. Tomorrow I am shopping for my new home with my mom, so hopefully I will have revived spirits.

Anthropologie Highest Accolades dress

Old Navy cardi

J. Crew dot tights

Anthro Bright Bulb earrings in peach

Miss Bisou wedges

(And Mulder's polyfil-free fox on the crate)

Everyone has bad days. Today was mine. I hate when people say "FML," because it's like, cheer up charlie, things aren't that bad. People have it way worse. But sometimes, days just suck. That's ok. Because tomorrow is a clean slate. And now it's time for bed, so tomorrow can arrive sooner. I really need that blank slate right now.

Day 4... reported on Day 5

I know! I'm a day late! Thursdays are always kind of hectic for me, and last night went even longer because I had a law review dinner/celebration to attend for the completion of the third volume (in which I am published!) So by the time we got home and took pictures, no one really had the energy to do anything other than watch Parks and Recreation episodes and eat chips and queso.

You might be getting today's pics tomorrow, too, because I right now I am on the couch editing in my pajamas and a sweatshirt, and I have no reason to get dressed until dinner tonight with my parents (it's RT week!). Anyway, here's what I wore yesterday.

Before I post anything, can I just say that I do have a full length mirror in my house, and if I thought I looked as hippy as these pictures make me look, well, I probably would have cried and gone back to bed. I mean, it looks like I've pushed out 5 kids. Does this mirror/picture incongruity happen to anyone else? And why is it only my boyfriend's camera that likes to disfigure me? So confused. And sad.

Anthropologie Molded and Melded Tee in sky

NYC Blank Skinnies

BCBG blazer

Banana Republic wedges

Forever 21 earrings

J. Crew necklace

This is the first time wearing this necklace, and I got raving compliments on it! The best part, I paid $10 for it. No lie. In fact, I don't think I paid full price for anything I am wearing today, except maybe my earrings, which came in a four pack for like three dollars.

I don't generally talk about how much I spend on clothes, or anything. Like Don Draper, I am from the midwest, and we don't talk about ourselves -or money. Money is a tacky subject - if you're talking about your own money, you talk about a sale or a great price. You do not talk about how much you spent on something if you're referring to "Oh, my gold crusted diamonds were SOOOOO expensive, but they're SOOOOO worth it. I can't imagine wandering around with regular, non gold crusted diamonds like you're POOR or something." You do not ever talk about other people's money. You can complain about prices going up, but you should never talk about how much you paid for something as a pretext for bragging. It's an Ohio thing. Also, most of my family never had the kind of money where you could brag about how much you  spent, and if you're bragging about funds, it's like you're throwing your financial situation in the faces of people who work in factories and don't get vacation days. So if you're discussing money, and I freeze up and cringe, this is why.

It's also why I don't talk prices here. To me, how much a person chooses to spend on herself is not open to discussion or judgment. It's as personal as health matters. It's no one's business. The only time I might bring up price is if I am discussing dressing on a budget. THEN it is ok, but in general, we won't talk about money here. I will say, though, that I am a law student living on loans, and that there are great deals out there at places like Bluefly, Gilt, Rue La La, Zappos, and just the sale section of stand bys. I am not someone who will never pay full price for something I really love, but I am also a person who can't afford to be irresponsible. Not that I am always the girl with spreadsheet budgets or anything. The blazer in those pictures sat in my close for a good number of months with the tags still on it. Still. I wish I could peruse websites and click my little heart out, but I can't. Someday. And I'm proud to say that when that day comes, I'll have earned it, which is something else my working class roots taught me.

I just want to know who gave me these hips. It's absurd. I don't really look like this in real life, right??

Day Three: Falling onto Old Ways

Today was a bit of a blah day, and I'm not going to lie, I went with a standby. This skirt is one of the best investments I have ever made. I probably wear it once a week, it's basic but still interesting, and I get compliments nearly every time I wear it. Most importantly, I feel comfortable in it - not "sensible shoes" comfortable, but it's true I don't worry about it getting twisted or sliding down or getting otherwise wonky. When I say "comfortable," I mean that I feel like it looks good on me and I don't worry that I look silly. I want to say that I don't care what people think about how I look, and screw them if they don't like my style, but that's just not me. I care. And if I don't feel like something looks right, I will be (even more) self-conscious until I can change into my pajamas. And when I hit a certain level of self consciousness, I get very cranky. So we don't want that to happen.

But this, I feel like it always looks right.

J. Crew skirt

J. Crew Jackie cardigan

Nine West flats

Tiffany & Co. necklace

Forever 21 earrings

With the cardi undone, Forever 21 tank

One of the reasons I chose this skirt as part of my 30 for 30 Challenge is because, while it's something that I wear regularly, I always wear it with the same old thing (a black H&M top). I didn't include that top in this challenge, and I'm gonna force myself to try it with something new. That's one of the reasons I'm doing this challenge: with all the clothes in my closet, I still wear the same things all the time. Don't tell my dad, but he's right: there are clothes in my closet that still have tags on them. So I'm challenging myself to try new things. 

So while this is a standby for me, I am trying something new with the cardi. Baby steps, you guys.

I realize I have worn these shoes every day this week. I promise, different shoes tomorrow. Just for you guys. Don't say I don't do anything for you.

30 for 30 Day 2

Today I have followed all the rules, but I'm not sure about this tank. I didn't select it, but I pretty much have four tank tops/camis I wear under everything. To me, they're underwear that it's ok to see, because it means people don't see your actual underwear. Like a trick! Buttoning the cardigan isn't really an option here because of the skirt, but I obviously have to wear something under it. Or not! I can be a rebel! Or take fashion cues from Madonna and walk around in my bra at work/school!

Oh, wait, I just remembered I'm a 26 year old law student. That might have worked if I had chosen stripping as a career path, but as you can see, I'm more academic and nerdy than... however you choose to describe strippers. I don't judge!

Regardless, this is my outfit for Day 2. It's another new piece - the cardigan. This combination was inspired by the wonderful blog, Little Girl Big Closet.

Anthropologie Breezy Polkas Cardigan in red

ModCloth Pro Bow-no skirt

Nine West flats

Anthropologie Bright Bulb Posts in peach

J. Crew necklace

Fossil watch

You will notice my hair is dry today! That's because I had to wait a bit later to take pics. See, Mulder had his salon grooming appointment and needed to show off his new haircut.

Bitches love his new haircut. And that isn't even a bad word, because Mulder really does mean female dogs.

Also, I think I need to get a different system for photos. This whole hold-camera-point-at-mirror thing is just a bit to myspace-y for me.

Oh! And did you see that adorable thing on top of the stack of clothes on the bookcase behind me? That's my third dress for the challenge! And yes, it IS the Highest Accolades dress from Anthro, and YES, those ARE horse show ribbons on it! So you see why it had to come home. I don't think I have anywhere to wear it during these 30 days, but I'll make it nerdy for school. Well, if I just out it on, I up the nerdy factor anyway. It's my special talent.

Off to school to plow through my authority binder for law review. As my fellow law reviewer/friend says "I hate law review. Id." No black "Id./2010 L. Rev." shirt for us, thanks.

Day One: It starts

Today kicks off the 30 for 30 Challenge, and I am still a weird combination of scared and excited. And I might have already broken the rules. I know there's no shopping, but I assume this is limited to clothes. Because, like, I need a broom, and I'm not gonna make do with paper towels for the next 30 days. But also, you guys? Gilt is totally not supporting this no shopping rule. I checked me email this morning to find out when my router will be here, and bam, right there, a Kate Spade sale. So I bought a purse. I know, I'm not good at this. For realsies, no more shopping at all, except for new things for my house. Pinky swear.

But! I did my first official 30 for 30 outfit. This is my first time wearing this top, and I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it.

This was the first round:

Modcloth Double Helix Sweater

Blank NYC skinnies

Nine West flats

(and wet hair, sorry)

This face says, hm, this needs something else.

H&M scarf (which comes in handy as a wrap in this freezing cold classroom)

 Much better! But it could still use my favorite accessory.

Mulder

Fossil watch

 There he is! Mulder makes every outfit look exponentially better. Oh, and I added my favorite watch.

Do the cuffs make my legs look even shorter? I think they do, but I don't care. I kind of feel like I need to stop dressing to "hide" "flaws." Since when are short legs a flaw? My legs can run a 5k, chase Mulder up the stairs, and hold me in a nice 2-point position and support my horse's bend in a shoulder-out. They won't get me on the runway, but I love my legs because of all they do for me. So yeah, I'm stumpy. Deal with it, everybody. I'm not going to go around my whole life pretending to be leggy for your benefit.

Love your body, everyone! It takes care of you! If someone wants to criticize you for your short legs or long torso or curly hair, that's just their own insecurities rearing their ugly heads. Don't listen to those people. They are miserable.

Saw this quote at the coffee shop today: The beauty of being beat is that you made it through.

Saturday was a rough day. I cried a lot. I doubted myself. I wanted to quit. I felt beat - beaten down, battered, defeated. But I was still standing.

At least, I was on Sunday. Saturday was still a hot mess. But the moving is over. I'm in a new home, learning new sounds, and figuring out a new thermostat. I'm happy and excited to start anew. A new day, a new home, and a new chance for something great.

Also, I handed the keys over to the old place. That has done wonderful things for my spirit.

This challenge seems a bit daunting. I went to bed last night contemplating whether I should switch out one of the skirts for another top, or wishing I had something in my closet that I don't possess, because I just realized how awesome it would be with the other stuff I picked out. In the end, I'm sticking with what I have, because that's the point of this challenge: work with what is in your closet. What you don't have won't help you now. And maybe, by the end of these 30 days, I'll realize I didn't even need it all along.

I'm leaving you with a couple of pictures of Mulder from this morning. This guy is seriously the most important thing I "own." Though I feel weird saying I own him. He's like my best little buddy who is more than happy to rest his head on my feet under the table while I study blog.

Up for the Challenge?

I am! This starts tomorrow. Yikes! I'm already thinking about the clothes I'm gonna miss wearing. But here goes. First, the clothes on my bed:

Five tops:

Two button downs and two blazers. (No, not two identical blazers, I swear. One is a jacket/top. I don't know how to properly categorize it. I searched Express for it, but it looks like it's all gone. So you'll just have to take my word for it.):

Three skirts:

 Three dresses:

 Wait, there are only two dresses there, you say? Well, how very mathy of you! The other one will be here this week. It is enroute and could not make it in time for the 30 for 30 Challenge Kick Off. If it doesn't work out, I'll substitute another dress. Or pick another top. I don't know. I feel scared.

Here are some pants! Five of them. Two have to make a trip to the dry cleaner's, and one of those needs some hemming before they get some play.

Five cardigans.

Finally, five pairs of shoes:

As I mentioned earlier, this is work day and weekend wear. What is not included? Glad you asked!

You noticed there wasn't any underwear in those above pictures? Well, that's because I don't wear underwear. Just kidding. I totally wear underwear, because I am a hygenic, Christian woman. But underwear doesn't count. Neither do workout wear, pajamas, or whatever I put on after I drag my tired booty through the door. In case we get a very unlikely cold snap in the next 30 days, coats don't count, either. Neither do accessories or tanks or camis, because I pretty much wear those under everything. I also didn't count clothes I wear for horses, because that seems silly.

All of these are now all together in my closet, ready for go time. I'm scared. I think I might have withdraws from some of the things I left out. But I think this will be good. They're just clothes, after all, and life isn't about shopping during class or having something new, even if you really, really, really want it and it's the only one left in your size and it's so cute. I think I need to learn some serious lessons about my appearance and not buying something new to impress someone. I should impress people because I am charming and fun, not because I spent three hours getting dressed, which they never even know anyway. Right? Plus, it will be fun! That's what I"m telling myself, so go with me here, please.

Ok, I need a drink.