old navy

Weekly Therapy: when the boyfriend’s away, the derby will play

- Mel

the week:
practice. practice. practice. repeat weekly. I’m learning to adapt to the late nights of practices and added responsibilities (and soon, travel) that come with the beginning of the derby season. We had tryouts for our incoming meat class on Sunday, which is exciting (I’m a Mentee to two newbies); and hosting out-of-league skaters for a training camp this weekend. I slept surprisingly well for the boyfriend being out of town… likely because I. am. exhausted.

I’m also on 26 days without a drop of alcohol, so I’m all kinds of cranky. (FOUR MORE DAYS to meet my January goal!)

And that’s why Friendly’s makes ice cream.

Oh, and that incident last night with cops responding to an intruder alarm at my neighbor’s house. When I was home overnight alone. o_O

weekend:
It’s the quarterly Gallery Crawl tonight in downtown Pittsburgh! One of my favorite nights to explore the city and new exhibits (yes, even in 20 degree temps and a few inches of snow). New event this year: there’s a pop-up night market and curling session with Yelp and the Pittsburgh Curling Club.

Sunday is BOUT DAY!

52 books in 52 weeks:
I’m falling behind! I’m stuck on this book that is overly repetitive and extremely slow to read… and I should just QUIT already.
8. “I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” by Julie Dawn Cole

seven things, seven days:
1. Interviewing two “hot” jewelry designers for a client – so exciting!
2. Refreshed, new hair color. *ahhh*
3. Brunch at Verde is my new fave. We checked it out as part of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week specials.
4. Found TWO different unused gift cards: Sephora and Old Navy (woo-hoo!)
5. Shopped two sports bras, a yoga tank and a BRIGHT track jacket with balance on Old Navy card.
6. Was nominated for league’s rookie award at our banquet a couple weekends ago. I didn’t win, but so proud and honored. I love my leaguemates.
7. Two weeks until California! (Can you believe it’s been over 20 years since I’ve last visited?)

Wearing the unwearables… MAKE IT SO!

- Mel

That face is one of a woman who is REALLY pissed that her boyfriend packed her camera and tripod doo-hickie. *groan*

iPhone photos it is for a while… we’ll be in the new place by the end of October, so it will be a welcome change of scenery, with many new places to take photos (including my own private patio).

Feeling a little “wild” for a performance of Electra at the Public Theater with some of my fellow Yelpers.

This outfit — consisting of wardrobe items that have spent quite some time in my closet — fit the (play) bill for the theater. That skirt? I owned for nearly four years before FINALLY bringing to the tailor to have it fit properly at my waist.

The result: super comfy style that is fun-meets-classy (yes, I can actually walk 5 blocks in those boots!).

Top: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Sweater Shawl (in hand): hand-me-down from my awesome sister (LOVE this cover-up!)
Tights: Gabriel Brothers
Boots: Hmmm… I actually cannot remember. Likely, online (off-brand is “Delicious”)
Necklaces: Claire’s Boutique 

Art Openings: Looking Good! (and scoring the good deals)

- Mel

Some unconventional shots taken during last Friday’s Gallery Crawl (with a couple friends… *snort*). I find it difficult to find the RIGHT outfit for nights out like this that are a combination of happy hour drinks, multiple art openings, one toonseum-rific after party and LOTS of walking. But I think this ensemble fared well with the art crowd for the evening.

My hair, on the other hand, didn’t make it through a night of misty-rainy, windy temperatures (for SERIOUS, stupid umbrella!). But surprisingly my FEET did, courtesy of my $6 shoes from Gabriel Brothers. Yes — SIX DOLLARS. I can’t tell you how excited I was to find these laced, heeled loafers on the clearance rack. I NEVER find cute shoes in my size that are on the shelves long enough to make it to the extreme discounts category. 

These sort of fashions scores complete me.

Speaking of scores, I purchased this cropped jacket at Banana Republic MANY years ago for $9.99. SERIOUSLY. *rubbing it in* It’s the little things — with super-awesome price tags — that make this 30-something happy.

Tank: Old Navy (just bought it; can’t locate it online anymore. Man, they cycle through items fast!)
Jacket: Banana Republic
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Tights: Gabriel Brothers
Shoes: Gabriel Brothers
Necklace (Lionette) & Bracelet (Alkemie): on loan from Spoil Me Fashion