my week: 3 random things

i dropped by the office just now and there's paint on the walls! :) hooray. i am pretty excited to see it finished. they've promised me that i'll be back in the office monday morning. until then - i leave you with another 3 random things for this week:

1 // the super bowl was almost a full week ago and i never shared my cookies! i found then modified the yummiest gfree sugar cookie recipe. i'll make valentine's cookies and share the recipe next week, promise! {i don't mean to be a tease, i just don't have the recipe on me at this time.} in my own opinion, the cookies turned out as adorable as they were yummy ...

{our failed attempt to put a helmet on chris}

2 // speaking of failed photography attempts ... how's everyone doing on the "31 days to a better photo" challenge? we're 10 days in (get it - it's february 10th) but you're not too late to catch up. link up your test shoots @ the bottom of this post! i've concluded 2 things: 1// i really want this 50mm lens. 2 // i need to find a model as my pics have been pretty lame thus far. of course, not too lame to share:

{larger aperture - f/3.5}

{smaller aperture - f/22}

3 // last but not least, remember that box my boots came in?

well ... it's no longer a box. a little chop chop here and there, a few jumbo paper clips and it's my fancy schmancy new fabric organizer:

though the rest of the closet needs a lot of prayer, one shelf down! here's the before and after:

before:

 after:

share your "31 days" progress! 

link to your aperture experiment post specifically (not your entire blog!).

work attire ...

wade's office might be getting a dress code. a dress code, people - blah!

wade's in non-profit. i am thankfully in the music business ... where there's quite a bit more freedom. however lately i've been wondering if i could possibly earn a bit more respect around the office if i dressed a bit less like a kid, yo. i've gotten so stressed over work attire at times that i've envied my friends that are required to wear uniforms to work. ha. yup. i've been thinking about it so much ... i had an anxiety dream last night that the office no longer allowed JEANS. gah.

what would life be like w/o jeans?

a challenge i'm willing to accept ... at least w/in the workplace. in fact, i've committed to purchasing a dress or skirt per paycheck for the next few months to build my jean-less wardrobe (within the "blair's clothes" perimeters of our budget of course).

here's what i have my eye on:

1 // pretty lace dresses, dark tights and t-strap heels ... via asos
2 // oversized cardigans + polka dots ... via sunday crossbow
3 // more lace & herringbone (in fact any mixed textures) ... via sidewalk ready

credits:
blog bling - pugly pixel

during the merry happy ...

my office shuts down the week between merry christmas and happy new year. i commonly refer to it as my "merry happy". while most adults work (including mr. munday), this year i got a kick start on spring cleaning. why not? it's 56º outside on january 5th - feels like spring to me!

the ultimate challenge for mini apartment living is figuring out where to hide your junk. in 2011 - our attack was simple: shove it in a closet and shut the door. not this year, people. mission organization 2012. it's amazing how adding shelves to 2 closets can kick start an organization revolution. now i'm gung-ho ... leave no "closet" behind.
a few things on my to do list:

the challenge: the multi-tasker (1 part crafts, 1 part luggage storage, 1 part coat closet, and 2 parts holiday storage)

1 // purchase an over the door storage system like this one featured on better homes and gardens for gift wrap + ribbons. cute cute.

{source: bhg}

2 // add a couple xtra bookshelves. what for you ask? see #3.

3 // organize my fabric samples w/ the fabric organizer (or a version of my own). totally inspired by stef of girl. inspired ... these fabric organizers make her collection not only pretty pretty but also completely practical.

{source: girl. inspired}

the challenge: a distasteful pantry

1 // in my dreams, we would have a pantry just like this ginormous beauty by emersonmade featured in the design*sponge book. filled w/ anchor hocking heritage hill jars and french hermetic terrines. in the meantime, finally a use for the (over) 200 mason jars & jelly jars left over from our wedding.

 

{source: design*sponge}

the challenge: a very cluttered linen closet w/ lots and lots of little things to store.

1 // install a door mounted spice rack to store medicine. once installed, it's the perfect opportunity to toss all expired meds & cosmetics! random factoid for your thursday: did you know that you shouldn't store your medicine in your actual medicine cabinet? the heat and humidity can cause meds to lose potency before the expiration date. hmm. 

{source: cabinetparts.com}

2 // want to know a secret? i moved an entire apartment once in BASKETS. slight addiction. but one can never have too many bins, baskets, and boxes! 3 of my favorite words. a few canvas storage bins like these found at the container store are totally the ideal way to store small items that might otherwise create clutter.

 {source: bhg}

3 // i'm also pretty smitten about those "shelf within shelf" organizers above. maybe w/ one of those, i could pull out the sheet i need w/o unfolding the entire stack.

okay truth is - this list could go on and on and on. inspired? what's the one room you totally need to declutter A-SNAP?!?

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there's still time! be sure to sign up for the noonday giveaway. three fabulous noonday necklaces to choose from in you win & entering is super easy so go check it out. click the banner below for all the details:

{closet intervention} shoes!

last night i went w/ wade to buy him a new pair of khakis. he really really has been needing some ... and new work shoes & new converse. poor guy. afterwards he asked me what i wanted to buy myself. i'm definitely interested in getting a pair of toms as my everyday shoes this summer.

the debate - sparkly or sensible!?!

{click to shop}

truth is i can always find a new pair of shoes to purchase! most girls are that way. no matter how fat/ugly/blah i'm feeling on a particular shopping spree ... my feet look good in everything. ha! so i actually have this list covered! not that some of my pieces couldn't use an update ...

let's talk shoes, betch. (oh yes - that unfortunate music video always comes to mind when i hear the word "shoes".)

{click to shop}

the essentials - and my must-have:

1 // ballet flats (in a neutral or a versatile red) - corso como festive ballet flat {59.00}
2 // flat leather sandals - aldo nelidia sandal {34.98}
3 // basic black pump - nine west zuki {44.99} ... twice i've bought carlos bungalow pumps in both black and brown. and i can't imagine life w/ out them. BUT sad sad day - they are no longer in production! so i really need to be open to something new. or pretty dang similar.
4 // flat boots (black or brown) - asos kate leather long pull up boot {83.09} ... i've had my eye on a pair of frye boots ultra similar to these for a while. let's face it $83.00 is so much more in my price range than the frye's at 350 buckaroos. tempting.
5 // black heeled boots or booties - jildor carlsen cuff ankle boot {66.75}
6 // metallic evening shoes - guess tokenique {74.95} ... you might have guessed it by now - i love a 4" heel!

well - that's it folks! you know have the perfect shopping guide for a kickbutt closet! and it's completely changed my shopping ADD! pretty thrilling. :)

hope you've enjoyed the series as much as i have. have any all-time favorites of the pieces i suggested?

{closet intervention} outerwear

i was out of the office all day last wednesday for a photo shoot (my favorite "office" days). again on thursday for a worship retreat. friday was a day of catchup around the office. then we spent saturday + sunday w/ wade's family. at one point, there were ELEVEN neices/nephews running around. needless to say - i couldn't find time to post. grr. finally a free moment ...

have you been keeping up with the {closet intervention} posts? if you've missed them - catch up: the pants, the dresses/skirts, + the tops. hopefully this feature isn't getting old! next week it's a wrap (plus we talk shoes - my favorite!). and today ... we talk outwear:

{it's sort of inopportune time to talk outerwear - summer and all - so some of my finds are limited in size. sorry!}

{click to shop}

the essentials - and my must-have:

1 // wool winter coat - asos collarless double breasted coat {64.63}
2 // lightweight trench - gap the soft trench {89.95}
3 // cropped jacket -urban outfitters cooperative cropped verona blazer {59.99}
4 // menswear-inspired blazer - asos boyfriend blazer {101.56}

okay - time to get back to family! hope you all are have a fantastic memorial day w/ family + friends. we're heading over to celebrate w/ the lovely ellen (and nekos) of black and white and loved all over later today!

also thinking of my brother-in-law and sister (and their little boys) today. leigh and brandon moved to hawaii last weekend where they will be stationed for the next 18mos, and brandon deploys next weekend. we love you all, miss you so much and are very thankful for your sacrifice! xo.

{closet intervention} the tops

i did a little shopping last night! and wade informed me this morning that he was proud of me. i guess it has been a while since i bought myself a couple of things - not including craft supplies or things for the house.

i was proud of myself too ... i stuck to the list! i found a great pair of sanctuary casual chinos for just $29.99 and 2 rebecca beason scoop neck tees (black/white) on sale for $9.99 (marked down from $82.00) according to today's {closet intervention}. don't get me wrong - i definitely carried my usual armful of random items around the store. but the point is i convinced myself to only purchase these 3 staple items! victory! (also a lesson in patience ... once i have my essentials together, you can bet i'll add some of those accent pieces.)

today we're talking {closet intervention} tops:

{click to shop}

the essentials - and my must-have:

1 // white cotton button down shirt - urban outfitters bdg classic breezy button-down {19.99}
2 // white silk button down shirt - asos bow blouse {55.40}
3 // fitted tees (white/black/grey) - old navy scoop-neck tee {8.50}
4 // fitted tanks (white/black/grey) - jcrew perfect-fit tank {14.50} ... i have about 8 of these (w/ at least 5 in white!)

{click to shop}

the essentials - and my must-have:

5 // long-sleeve striped tee - jcrew perfect-fit stripe snap tee {39.50}
6 // neutral cardigan - gap beaded grandpa cardigan {34.99}
7 // colored cardigan - ruche pick-a-posy cardigan {43.99}
8 // flowy floral blouse - anthropologie heartsease habotai blouse {98.00} ... this was sort of a challenge for me as i'm not always that into girlie girlie floral prints. though a little xtra $ - i do love this little top.
9 // thin v-neck sweater - madewell academy sweater {39.99} ... LOVE the bleached linen. in case you really want to buy this for me - i wear a medium!
10 // tunic length top or sweater - dkny pullover w/ ruched side seam {86.99}

okay - confession: i am the queen of cardigans! so that's 2 items automatically marked off this list. then again ... isn't that pick-a-posy cardigan cute. hmm ... maybe it wouldn't hurt to have just one more. ha ha.

your turn - what item off the {closet intervention} list thus far do you have covered?

{closet intervention} the dresses/skirts

last year i happened upon an interview w/ naomi from rockstar diaries on sensibly styled. during the interview, she admitted to not owning a SINGLE PAIR OF JEANS! say what!?! {who knows if that's still the case ... she had a sweet baby girl earlier this year.}

i've always been uber jealous of her wardrobe. so pretty and put together. always wearing adorable dresses and skirts perfectly accessorized w/ the right tights, belts + tops. so today's {closet intervention} is by far where i'm most inspired!

today ... we're talking dresses + skirts!

{click to shop}

the essentials - and my must-have:

1 // tailored skirt - asos tailored ponti pencil skirt {55.40}
2 // printed skirt - urban outfitters kimichi library skirt {49.00}
3 // flirty sundress - roxy under the pier dress {39.50}
4 // work sheath - asos linen pencil dress w/ cowl front {64.63}
5 // little black dress - gap cascade trim dress {44.99}
6 // casual shift - asos vila button belt striped sun dress {40.62}

today i want to know what's your ultimate favorite dress/skirt in your current closet? BONUS question ... have your eye on a new dress/skirt out there on the inter-web?

my favorite would have to be a black + lace cocktail dress i found a few years back while shopping the clearance racks at banana republic. i think she ran me a total of $40 bucks (if that). and has definitely been worth every penny. a couple favorite memories:

l: an oldie but a goodie. w+i at my best friend em's wedding
r: you wish you looked as cool as i do rocking the robot w/ my little brother

right now - i of course have my eye on ANYTHING sequins. (funny that didn't make the real simple essentials list. ha!) but today i am gaga over this little sundress. too bad they don't carry it any longer in my size:

asos vero moda floral button-through sundress {36.93}

okay - your turn!