Little bit of new clothes

A new job requires a new wordrobe, and I have a new job I am starting soon and have bought a couple of things to help with that process. Today I want to share with you the lovelies I picked up in the last couple of weeks. I have also been trying things on like crazy and would like to know what you all think of them. While at the moment wallet damage has only really been made at two stores, Maurises and Pac Sun. However try-ons were done at Deb, forever 21. Anyway, on to the try-on.

Starting with Deb I found a wonderful top and jean combo I loved

These skinny jeans/jegging were $30 and a size 18 regular the length and fit was amazing unfortunately the top I picked to go with them was too small and a 2X which depressed me a great deal. 

Here is the top on another day in a 3X and I love the fit of the bodice portion however the sleeves are way too long. 

I really am into sweaters at the moment as well and I love the lace hem on this one. 

 This I love but as I do not have a bra that would work with it right now I decided not to get it. 

Second stop was at Forever 21, I was killing time before work the other day right after finding out about my new job, which I will let you all know about that when I start. But anyway one of the main perks is that I can wear casual and colorful clothes which resulted in me trying this top on. 

I know it is a crap-tacular blurry mess but it is a muted dusty teal color with lacey cable work. I love the feel of it and it is a size large! Yes a size large, I know this sweater is supposed to be a slouchy baggy sweater but I love how it fits me. And at $17.90 I really should have picked it up. But I did talk myself out of it because I couldn't decide if I actually liked it or if I only liked it because I am allowed to wear color. Live and learn right? 

So on to the items purchased, from maurices I picked up two tops.

 This adorable sweater, it zips up the back. I really like it a lot.

this top as well the flannel is so soft and I love the fit of it and cannot wait to wear it.

And lastly from Pac Sun, my lovely boyfriend picked this skirt up for me. 

I love it unfortunately I don't think I will be able to wear it for a couple of weeks, it is a wee bit on the small side. There was a funny time with that skirt at the time they were having a buy two get three free sale. The only part that stunk was we were only able to find that one skirt.

Well that is all that I have gotten in the last couple of weeks, I figure I still have a bit of things I should probably pick up in the next couple weeks before I start my new job. 

QOTD: what do you all like to wear in the fall/early winter seasons? 

Collective book haul.

I have fallen really extremely behind on my reading goal for this year within the last coue of months, between the move and switching locations for my job, I just haven't had the time to get to the library. So this post is about the books I have collected in the last couple of moNths in hopes of having time to read including those that were given to me, thrift store finds, and books from the local book store. 

Thrift store goodness: 

Now this is a book I have been looking everywhere for ever since I heard about it from Jen over on organized like Jen on YouTube, yes I know that just because someone else likes a book it is no reason to buy it one's self. But I did find it at the thrift store and I had been looking for a type of devotional book for a while, and it was a 1/2 off books sale that day. (Notice the rationalizing of spending $1.50 on a book) add to that it was bought by the bf as a reward for being good on my no-spend month. He also got this for me, 

The cover art and title got me with this one and it was only $2 plus 1/2 off so you know. 

Bookstore:

Picked this up for the simple reasoning of needing to improve my people skills, and wanting to move forward in a career that I will be able to feel comfortable with. Add to that it has been recconended by my family and friends for years, my dad had even suggested it when I was in high school, I wish I had read it then or at the very least when I was in college. 

(Not pictured How to gain friends and influence people)

I picked up this book for the simple reason of it was suggested reading by several books I have read previously in college. I am not to sure if I will keep it, it is still sitting in the bag with the receipt, but I have a few more days to make that call. I also didn't take a picture of it just in case I do return it I don't want to be a total liar. 

Well that is it for now I really need to get ready for work. Hope you all have a wonderful day and as always luv ya all!

Days 5&6 #rwrunstreak

Yep I am still going strong, been less than a week of running/walking/jogging daily. So on this update we have days 5 and 6, so let's get started. 

Day 5: 

Was done with my Nike lunarfly+4, these are my favorite running shoes for when I am on the treadmill. However this day was not on the treadmill, it was just walking in the mall because I was closing at work so I had to get my workout in while on my break. So that was fun. On a side note, normally I would have done my run before work outside, but I did have a doctors appointment that morning. So that is my excuse for using shopping as exercise for the day.

Day 6: 

This run was right after work, and was originally planning on only running 1-1.5 miles but ended up with 2 by trying to avoid clouds of weed smoke sigh. But I suppose it is good as I needed the exercise, right? Yes of course I did. It was really beautiful out on my run last night though. 

Just enough clouds to make the sky look interesting in photos at dusk, not only that but I also took a route that brought me by this sick car 

Yes that is a neon green 'cuda, such a sexy beast of a car. Wanna see it from another angle I know I do, Bam. 

Not the best lighting but what can you do the sun was going down. 

Anyway that is it for days 5&6, hope to see you all again tomorrow for days 7&8 they should be a little more interesting the bf promised to go with me this time. As always luv ya all! And have a fantastic Sunday! 

Day 3 & 4 #RWRunStreak2014

Day 3: this was a 1.5ish mile loop day.

Not super exciting, it was cloudy and slightly beginning to do this little misting rain thing. Not a super enjoyable run by any means, however I was really happy to get out for it anyway. 

Day 4: walked 1.5 miles indoors at my local mall, one of the great things about malls is a lot of them have walking programs that will tell you a rough guesstimate of how long the "track" is so to speak. Mine is about .5-.75 miles around it I did one loop upstairs and one on the bottoms floor as well. The main reason for this is it was raining all day long, and while at the other apartment when this happened I would just take a quick jaunt to the gym across the street I do not have that option at the new place.

 And while I hope to be joining a gym soon, but I haven't really gotten past the reserch phase on it. I know the next step is a trial membership for like a week or a month somewhere but I just don't know yet. I mean I probably could get by with just a few hand weights in the apartment and a massage roller, but these are things that are "not essential and will not be purchased right away" bf's words not mine. Anyway, this post was just supposed to update you all on my run streak and not to much more than that. I am off to get some breakfast, get ready for work/doctors appt and head out for the day. I will try to update you all on my new projects tomorrow. As always I luv ya all! And have a great day! 

Black Friday review

Well I made it though another Black Friday without really buying anything. Although I wasn't really looking, not getting enough hours at work to pay my bills just puts a little bit of a damper on super spending. Anyway there were some pretty decent sales going on at penny's and what not. I also think that it is morally wrong for stores to be open on thanksgiving day, as it is traditionally a day that I would be spending with my family. So my bf and I did not shop Thursday nights portion of the Black Friday sales. That and I really am more of a cyber Monday shopper anyway.

Unfortunately Sears disappointed me with their sale on clothing, most of what I had seen was the same price if not more expensive than it had been during the sales leading up to Black Friday. A pencil skirt that was on sale last week I was told would be less expensive come Black Friday and it had actually gone up in price. The sale now is basically less of a percentage off than it was the week prior. I don't know if it was the associate's plan to make me end up paying more for the skirt or if she had really thought the sale would be better. But either way I refused to buy knowing that the pre-holiday promo will probably go back into play come next week.

Even the sale in the store that I work at wasn't that fantastic, our door buster was tummy sleeves for $5 a piece, to be honest they are usually 2 for $25 so if you think about it it's a much better value. However I think people were still limited to 2 per transaction if not only 1 at that price per transaction. So in reality it was not the best deal as the 2 for $25 was no longer in effect during those hours. I don't know I think that there were better ways that it could have been done. Like having door buster pricing on more of the merchandise in the store, switching up more of the sale prices, deeper sales early in the morning, sort of thing. But at least I did end up making my goal for the day. That is all that mattered to me anyway. Means that I can hopefully keep my job, and the DM will see that I can make my goals when I don't have my manager stealing sales out from under me...

Well that is enough complaining about my job, you did not come here for that. Well like I said I did not shop too many of the Black Friday door buster sales. It isn't really my thing, while it was a holiday tradition I had with my Mom, I just can't seem to do it without her it doesn't feel right. And if don't know the bf's Mom well enough to ask her if she wants to shop. Eh oh well, there I go again rambling. I think it would be best for me to end this here. I will either update it later today if I pick something up, or I will write a new post entirely. We'll see how much shopping I really do. Thanks for listening/reading.

Luv ya all!

The random strikes again

I Books books books!

Well where to begin this post? As I stated in my last post I finished reading Ender's Game, and I must say I really did enjoy it. The ending left a bit to be desired, however I am not at all surprised by this fact. It is the start of a book series, and unlike most books I actually want to finish the series as well. I am really interested in reading them and am looking up pricing to have them shipped here as we speak. Unfortunately I need a book to read while I wait for the researching process my mind goes through to end. So if anyone out there has any suggestions for me could you leave them in the comments? I am pretty open to any kind of book, although it would need to be one that is able to be found in print in English, other than that pretty much game for anything. I am still debating on writing a personal review of Ender's Game as well. Just not too sure on if I should wait until I finish the whole series or do one as I read each book? If you guys could let me know on what you would like to read here that would be great as well.

Crochet
I have just about finished the blue bear and fully expect for him to be uploaded into My Etsy store within the week. I am also almost finished with another tan doll as well. I am not sure why I haven't just invested in a basket to put my knitting and crochet into out here. It is really more difficult to work on the pieces while I am out than it would be to work on them while I am at home. It's not so economical to have in my purse for working on in the car when I have been the one driving lately. So... Yea. I am thinking though of making little outfits for the dolls to wear as well. But I have had this idea in my head before so we shall see what becomes of it now that I have a wee bit more time on my hands at home.

The tan doll that I was working on when I was at my old job is almost done, I just happened to have run out of that particular color of that yarn. So I may make him into a frankin-doll. I can't just get more of the yarn, I got it at Hobby Lobby and the closet one to me now is about 30-45 min away if the traffic is good. So using what I have on hand would be more logical. And making several frankin dollies would have been a better plan in September rather than the end of October when they probably will not sell. Meh could be worse. 

I think I may also get myself an early Christmas gift of  sock and lace weight yarns from knit picks {link} they have amazing deals usually and I love the feel of their alpaca/silk lace yarn. I left all of my knitted shawls and socks in colorado in storage. I had thought that I would be able to go back and visit long before now, but that hasn't happened and probably won't before the end of the year either. really wish that the move we are planning to make in April was going back to colorado but it won't be that move for almost 3-4 years. Which doesn't exactly make me happy but as long as the boyfriend is happy that is all that matters at the moment. I am hoping to actually start saving money again soon, I mean I pretty much have to if I want to have any kind of spending money when I go to Florida in February. Which means that I need to request more hours at work or find a second job.

Etsy update
I have put some of the older dolls in my shop on sale the White rabbit $15

, and Pink panda $20

 dolls are all at discounted prices. Hopefully to make room for same newer dolls that I have made in the last couple of months. They will stay at these prices for the next 3 weeks. Until my race the Saturday before thanksgiving, if I can sell them and post some newer dolls I will discount the new ones for Black Friday threw cyber Monday. But I would need to sell off my current stock. I may bring back my knitted knitters too if there is a want for them. But we shall see. I am off to get ready for work.

Later all

P.S. This was my work outfit yesterday I was quite proud of what I put together on zero sleep and it was surprisingly comfortable all day as well. 

 I am a bad blogger putting all of my photos at the end of my post but oh well. Later for real this time. 

Luv ya!

Week in review...

For lack of a better title for this post. This past week has been interesting to say the least. Starting with the Friday before last when my car was supposed to be picked up from my parents house in colorado, there was an issue with the first carrier that was scheduled to pick it up, that would have delayed it up to a week or more. So the company that I used to find me the carrier had to scramble to find me a new driver for the shipment. I loved the company I ended up going with for this process Robyn at Monarch Car Shipping was amazing and within 24 hrs of the issue had found a new driver for the same price as the first one. She wasn't rude, like the first guy I had tried to work with, and didn't pull a bait and switch on me. She was very professional and knowing that I needed the car shipped ASAP when she couldn't get a hold of me to confirm that I wanted this driver she booked him anyway, with the mindset that if I didn't want to go with him we could just cancel. I liked that. And  I know that if I ever plan on shipping a vehicle again I will most likely use her company again. 

Anyway the van arrived on July 4th in the morning. So we were able to take that to my boyfriend's parent's house for their Fourth of July party. I can just say I haven't had that much fun in a while.

Lucky, their dog, has her own little pool to help keep her cooler on the days where they keep her outside with the family. 

There was also games to play, horse shoes was the game of choice for this gathering. Here the boyfriend and his father are setting up the poles to start the game. 

Dessert was s'mores with flavored marshmallows. I hadn't had s'mores since I was about 8 yrs. old so that was quite fun And tasty. We ended up not leaving there till about 8 pm even though I did have to work on Friday. 

Saturday morning I went out for another run. I had originally wanted to go for a 10km but cut it short to 5miles instead due to the heat and humidity. I also still could not take the loop I would for 4mi in one direction because the bridge has been out for the last couple months. It would have taken me by this beautiful old Inn. Yet I did go by some older houses on my run as always. 

Which was still fun. However on my run I did notice something that is making me rethink my whole move to the east coast. The mosquito issue, I am slightly allergic to their bites and I get eaten alive every summer I would spend out here with my great-aunt. Oh well now I know. I will hopefully find a way of dealing with it or repelling them. 

Saturday night we went to play cards at his aunt and uncle's house. Which was quite amusing as well. We played a game called hand and foot until about 12am. 

This game was really enjoyable and I would love to play it again. 

Then yesterday, Sunday, we went to the outlet malls out in Lancaster. I got a new purse 

A really cute Kenneth Cole Reaction clutch, I picked it up at the Wilson's Leather for $19.99. I almost picked up a pair if Nike Lunarglide+4 also, they were really quite comfortable and I had made it all the way to the line for the register, was even 2nd in line to buy. But I noticed they did not have much in the way of tread which is the problem with my current running shoes, the tread has worn out. And due to the massive amounts of rain recently I notice I slip more when I don't have that little bit of a security blanket. But I do love the stability aspect of the running shoe. Oh well maybe I will pick it up at another store. Well that was my week last week. Not too exciting, this week will be worse I only have 2 days off.😱 Hope you all have an exciting week.  

Mother's birthday

Wow so yesterday was my first day off in almost a full two weeks, and my mother's birthday all rolled into one. Which in some ways can be fun but yesterday was packed with different things that had to be done. First there was the fact that it was in fact my mothers birthday. I will not give her exact age but she is 40 yrs older than my youngest brother. So she is getting up there in the years. But I digress, most of the issues on this side happened toward the end of the day and will be touched on later.

First thing in the morning yesterday (after wishing my mother a happy birthday of course) I had gone for my longest run in quite some time with my dogs in tow... Worst idea ever as the puppy thinks he should run behind you not in front, so the 4mi was a tangled mess of leashes and dogs. But it was fun and I did get 4.25 mi in for my training runs. Friday is 2 miles and Saturday, my long run is 5 mi long I am actually excited. But anyway it was interesting Nala doesn't get distracted on walks unless she feels you might be in trouble so she will look back and check on you if she feels you aren't running fast enough, buster (the puppy) does not. Wanted to take him down the hill and back up figured I could jog down the hill and run/walk back up. No his running behind down the hill did nothing for my coordination so it was walking down the hill. Then he felt that we must run back up the hill... No common sense this puppy has. Anyway long story short on that one was bringing the dogs with me on my run took my pace from a 16'07"/mi to a 17'14"/mi pace. So not a huge super fan of that.

The next step of my day was finding and picking up my mother's birthday gifts and cards, planned on that last week so it wouldn't be the last minute but work and everything conspired against me in every way last week (went from a scheduled 28hrs to 44.5hrs... Yep) and ended up at the last minute again anyway. But I got her a couple things from the hallmark store and a plant as well, jasmine. I will be posting a picture of those to my Instagram account later in the week (tomorrow) because I don't know why, I am just lazy like that...

But now on to the big awkwardness of the day dinner from heck. (Wasn't really that bad but the greasy food made me wanna be sick) anyway cronically late family members, me perfectionist and germaphobe. Long story short reservation made by me for 7pm gets pushed back to 7:15pm and we don't get to the restaurant until close to 7:40. Greasy food, nausea, and a family with no filter on their minds... Equals fun times

Anyway I am hoping to get to my storage unit in the next couple days to get some of my yarn out and into space bags for shipping...but that is another post all together. Good night all