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Monday Morning, You Sure Look Fine

So.

Another week, another Monday.

You know when a post starts out like that, it ain’t gonna be winning any Perfect Post awards.  (Hey, do they still give out Perfect Post awards?  I’m showing my age in blog years again.)

There’s something about sitting here at the computer on a Monday morning with the blank Add New Post screen staring back at me and the whole week ahead of me that makes me feel like I’m getting a fresh start.  All the failures of the past week are behind me, all the achievements are old news, and even the tasks left unfinished are new action points on my fresh To Do list.  It’s a great feeling.

There’s no menu plan this week because this week is all about getting ready to go to the event which shall not be named on Thursday.  I know I promised not to bore you with all the talk of preparations and stress about which parties to attend and what to wear.  But it does take a good bit of planning to get oneself ready to go to the biggest women’s blogging conference of the year, and I’d be lying if I told you I was thinking about much else these days.

I actually made a spreadsheet of the events I’m obligated to attend so that I can see what I have committed myself to.  I remember that someone did this last year and posted it so that others could borrow the basic format.  At the time I thought it was a wee bit obsessive, but now I get it.  It’s the only way not to be stressed out about it.  Now that I have my itinerary all mapped out, I can relax and just go by my schedule.  I even have it in Google Docs so if I forget to print it out, I can access it on my laptop or my phone.

(If you are also going to the event which shall not be named and are overwhelmed by the amount of events you’ve committed to, and you’d like to see how I set it up, email me.  I’m happy to share.)

Of course the other big topic of conversation floating around the blogosphere is OH MY GARSH, WHAT ON EARTH DO I WEAR???

As I said, I am mostly shopping my closet.  Over the past few years, I’ve attended enough events that I have a pretty good collection of pieces, both casual and fancy, and it’s just a matter of pawing through the black hole that is my closet and putting outfits together.  I did this on Friday.  Then I made a list of a few odds and ends that I needed to round out the outfits — accessories, mostly, and a new pair of shoes to replace my favorite gold wedge sandals that I wore with everything before they mysteriously disappeared.

Now let me tell you, the LAST thing I wanted to buy before the event which shall not be named is a new pair of shoes.  Any other time I’m happy to shop for shoes, but EVERYONE says to make sure you wear shoes that are comfortable because there will be a lot of walking.  Thus I would prefer to wear shoes that are already broken in and reliable, but with the loss of my go-to wedges that are perfect for wearing with all of my pants that are hemmed for heels, I was forced to go shoe shopping over the weekend.

Oh the trials.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about shoe shopping.  Hello, have you met me? What I’m complaining about is shopping for something so specific that you’re pretty much guaranteed not to find it.  Isn’t that always the way?  And as predicted, although I bought two pair of new shoes, neither is exactly what I want.  So I’ll keep them in their boxes while I continue to look around, and they can always go back if I luck out and find exactly what I’m looking for before it’s time to hop into my Chevy Tahoe Hybrid loaner and drive to NYC.

Yes, you read that right.  I am now officially certifiable.  I’m driving into New York City.  You may remember that I did that once last summer, and I swore I’d never do it again.  But this year I was chosen as one of the Chevrolet Roadtrippers, so Robin, Melissa and I are going to be driving a Chevy Tahoe into the Big Apple on Thursday.

On the one hand, it will be fun to travel with friends, and it’s fabulous to have plenty of room for our luggage and all the swag that I’m told we will be carting home with us.  But on the other hand, well, New York City streets weren’t exactly designed for conspicuously large SUVs.  So there’s that.

But I’m sure we’ll do fine, and if we don’t, that’s what body shops are for, right?

Fortunately, the shopping trip wasn’t a total wash.  I did find most of the accessories that I needed, and I somehow managed, even though I wasn’t looking for one, to find a new outfit.

It’s nice to shop your closet, but it’s also nice to have at least one new outfit that feels hip and modern.  Again, it’s always easier to find something perfect when you aren’t looking for anything specific.  And so it went.  As I was wandering through the King of Prussia mall, I came across a new store (new to me, at least) called Madwell.  I almost walked by, but there was a shirt on the model in the window that was calling out to me so I turned back and went in, and long story longer, after trying on a couple of outfits, I left with an adorable embellished tank top and a boyfriend cardigan to go over it.  (I’m hoping the conference rooms are on the chilly side.)

And then.  THEN, of course, I had to have shoes and accessories to go with it.

If you give a girl a new outfit…

Heehee.

This time, I found exactly what I was looking for – a bracelet and earrings that compliment the outfit as well as a pair of embellished T-strap sandals that are comfortable as well as stylin’.

Wanna see?  Well, I’ll show you anyway.

Oh yeah, and there’s my new ‘do.  I actually had it clipped back because I had been making pizza, but it’s working out pretty well.  I hate the one side and love the other.  (I’m losing a lot more hair on the right side, for some reason, so my dear hair stylist did the best she could with what she had to work with.)  I also like the back, and I tried to figure out how to take a picture of it, but that didn’t work out so well. I think when I get my next trim, I’ll ask for even a little more drama in the back.  And maybe by then the one side will be growing in a little bit.  I’m dying to get to the doctor and figure out what is causing my hair to thin and if it’s remediable.

Hey, look at that, I thought I was making up a word, but it’s legitimate after all.

I never cease to find ways to amuse myself.

So yeah, anyway, let’s wrap up this epistle.

How ’bout you?  Did you have a relaxing weekend?  Or if not relaxing, was it at least a productive one?

Join The Conversation

31 Responses

    1. I can’t do both either. I’m so bummed. But I would love to drive over (it’s only an hour from me) and see some of you guys, for a late night dinner or something? Is there going to be time for that?

  1. Have fun at the event that shall not be named 😉 I’m planning on Blissdom and then we’ll see how the conferences go from there lol I figured I’d start with that one!
    Your hair looks fantastic! and yes you are a dork but in a cute way lol! (I think we are all that dorky but just don’t post about it!)
    That outfit is super cute too! Have fun and I’m sure you will but post pictures! I need the info on conference etiquette! 🙂

  2. I really like your new cut. When you mentioned in an erlier post about cutting it,I was trying to picture it and it is way cuter than I imagined!!!

    1. Thanks!! It’s cuter than I imagined too, lol. I hadn’t washed it and styled it myself the morning I wrote that post, and I was kind of in shock the night I had it done. If the one stupid thinning side wasn’t so wispy, I’d love it. As it is, it’s a ton better than it was before. 🙂

  3. Also love the haircut. It definitely takes a while to get used a shorter cut. What is supposed to save time requires a lot of fuss in the beginning to figure out how to do the new, “do.” My hair was falling out like crazy in the beginning of my pregnancy. While yours is for a different reason, once I tried this product, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TKH6G2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000Z0TW0E&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=070YTFWD2WCF0KBQD96J and upped my fermented cod liver oil dosage, it literally stopped. Once you get a diagnosis, you could also look into Cheeseslave’s posts on, “The Diet Cure” and “The Mood Cure.” I purchased the books and haven’t made it through them yet but they are very interesting. Based on your, “issue(s)” the author gives recommendations for taking amino acid supplements. You only have to take them until your symptoms subside…which is nice to not have to think about taking a particular supplement or medication for the rest of your life. Anywho, sorry for babbling. This is the least of your worries right now. I know it’s not the same but I feel the same way every time I have to drive into Washington D.C. Scares me to death but then I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I leave the district…kind of like Ellie May proudly returning from driving in the big city. 🙂

    1. Thanks! I’ll look into it. I already know I’m iron deficient (untreated) and also there is the thyroid issue, so I expect one of them is the culprit. I’m already on a lot of cod liver oil but maybe I’ll increase it. I’ll look at Cheeseslave’s posts too.

  4. I think the cute is very cute. And no, not relaxing or productive. The stomach bug invaded. I’ll leave it at that.

    And I’ll tell you gain, rosemary essential oil. One drop in your shampoo every time you wash your hair.

    1. Oh yes I meant to look into that. Where do you get it? I guess at my whole foods store?

      And the stomach bug? UCK. So sorry to hear that.

  5. Do you have the Pioneer Woman cookbook? I always use the pizza dough recipe from it and sub in whole wheat flour (it’s flour, water, yeast, and olive oil. Can’t beat that!). Google it if you don’t have the cookbook. YUMMMM.

  6. Great haircut! Of course, the true test is always when you have to style it yourself.

    Our weekend was productive and hot. I do have a couple of new raw food adventures planned for this week. Is it sad my weekly highlights revolve around food?

  7. Love, love, love your new hair! You look adorable. Don’t give it another thought.

    Now, about Madewell . . . they are owned by J. Crew and have THE cutest clothes! Unfortunately there is not one in Chicago yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed. My daughter bought a bunch of stuff there when we were in Dallas this summer. Very good choice!

    1. THANKS! Madwell is a LITTLE BIT young for me, but I did score with this outfit. I will definitely wander in there again. 🙂

  8. Your hair is KEY-UTE! I love that outfit. Well both of them, but specifically the one with the jeans. Soooo slimming. Have great time!

  9. Love it love it! Y’know you’re all over the place, I feel like I keep up really well because I’m the same way lol. hey, did ya think that maybe you might be “thinning out” because you sleep on that side? Ugh, just a guess since a friend of mine had that problem…someone may have already suggested it too Idk. You get sooo many comments (very jealous btw.) Anyway. Great post and lovelovelove your new shirt too!

  10. I like your new ‘do – and your pencil skirt too!

    Have a wonderful time at BlogHer! I went to BlogHer in ’08. It was overwhelming, exciting, exhausting, productive, lonely, friendly, and fun all at the same time (you’ll see).

    If/when I attend another BlogHer in the future, I will schedule more time to…be unscheduled. Next time, I want to have time to think – to pray – to lounge in my pajamas in my hotel room w/ a few good blogging friends. That kind of thing.

    P.S. Did you read Jennifer James’ excellent advice about BlogHer? https://jjamesonline.com/2010/07/26/my-obligatory-blogher-post-advice-on-how-not-to-stress-out/

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