September’s Anthropologie

I’ve always been attracted to Antropologie’s bohemian/polished/vintage-inspired catalog, but I was especially blown away by September’s issue. It’s got everything I love–classic silhouettes, a few ruffles, vintage-cut skirts, and PERFECT shoes. Ohmygoodness, the shoes. I want them all. I’ve also included some things not pictured in the catalog–that I found on the website, which I can’t look at very long because I’d spent much more money than I actually have.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dustin!

You’re my most favorite human, and I love you.

Subject: Why We Hate Writing

It’s this dress again. I told you it’d be a favorite. I know it’s only been a week since I wore it, forgive me. Forgive me also for this hair. It’s time for a cut and my stylist is 500 miles away. Right after this photo was taken I 1)blotted my lipstain, 2)tried to fix my hair, 3) belted this dress to create a more hourglass shape. 

Dress–Belks; Blue Button-Up–New York and Co; Blazer–New York and Co; Pearls & Earrings–Stolen from Mom; Shoes–Thrifted

Subject: Writing Personas and Advertising Toilet Paper to a 13-Year Old

This is my go-to outfit when it’s the end of the week, I’m tired, and don’t feel like putting a whole lot of energy into an outfit. It’s a little casual (especially the shoes), but I dressed it up with a little funky jewelry and by belting the cardigan.

(And Mom? Before you complain about my décolletage, I keep this dress pulled up–I just didn’t notice before the auto-timer went off.)

Dress–NY&C; Cardigan–NY&C; Jewelry–Wal*Mart; Shoes–Payless. I don’t remember how much I paid for the dress and cardigan, so I can’t estimate how much my outfit cost (definitely under $50). Everything I’m wearing was on sale when I bought it. Because I’m cheap/chic like that.

Oh, and the toilet paper? It’s in-class writing day, and to get my crazy kids more practice in modifying their writing persona, I’m having them advertise a product (toilet paper, mouthwash, a Chuck Norris DVD, etc.) to an assortment of audiences–a 13 year old kid, a housewife, a 50 year old man, and a 94 year old woman. I think, considering it’s the Friday of their 1st week of college, it will go over well. 

Sad.

My family-cat, Socks, died today. He was 13 years old. He pretty much always looked like this.

Sad.

My family-cat, Socks, died today. He was 13 years old. He pretty much always looked like this.

Sad.

My family-cat, Socks, died today. He was 13 years old. He pretty much always looked like this.

Subject: Accidentally Patriotic

I usually avoid the red/white/blue combo unless it’s Independence Day. And even then, I’ll only pair two of the colors. But this is the one outfit I was remotely satisfied with after trying on clothes for 30 minutes. You should see me when I haven’t picked out an outfit the night before…

Dress, Target; Cardigan, Wal*Mart; Necklace, Thrifted by Mom; Shoes, Ridiculously on sale at Shoe Carnival.

This is another one of those super cheap outfit. Less that $30 this time for everything. 

Bear with me as 1)my camera takes blurry pictures since I’ve dropped it (i’ll be getting it fixed next weekend when I’m in Birmingham) and 2) I find a decent spot to take photos. My neighbors already think I’m crazy, but I haven’t gussied up the nerve to take my photos in public yet.

Subject: Ashley and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Tuesdays are my “work day,” which means I read/edit for a literary magazine for two hours in the morning, and then I mostly sit on the couch for the rest of the day, watching movies and ignoring my workload.

It also means I don’t take my outfit picture until 9:30 or so, when the sun is up and too bright for a decent picture. I realize you can’t see anything in this picture except my lack of living vegetation and neighbor’s house. But I took it, dammit, so you’re going to see it.

Top-Target; Jeans-Old Navy, Shoes-Birkenstock (Gizehs); Sunglasses-Target; Jewelry-Gift. Nothing interesting, I know, but it’s my day off.

As an aside, the cat I’ve had since 6th grade is old now, and his health has rapidly declined in the past week or so. (He’s in my capable mother’s care back in my hometown.) He’s currently on a feeding tube and IV drip, and we’re hoping this will get him back on his feet–his liver function has decreased significantly.

And of much lesser significance, apparently every bite of food I eat makes me feel sick, no matter what it is.

Tomorrow will be a better day, I’m sure.

Subject: Read the Syllabus

Ah, First Day of Classes! This day could be skipped if everyone would just read the syllabus. Mine get progressively longer each semester I teach.

I needed a bit of encouragement this morning, and since I’m pretty sure drinking this early in the morning would not be a good idea, I opted for orange high heels. I don’t usually wear heels this high and skinny to teach in (my feet will hurt before I even walk through the door), but they make me feel confident and in charge. 

This entire outfit cost me less than $20! 

Dress, Belks, ridiculously on sale ($80 down to $8 or something like that); Shoes, Payless ($7), Flower Brooch, New York & Co ($5, but I had a coupon). 

I LOVE this dress. It’s my first time wearing it, but it will definitely be a staple piece. And it has pockets! I love pockets on dresses, even when I don’t have any money to put in them.