What I am Wearing Now

So, I'm about to embark on a 13-day work trip (with a weekend stopover to see friends in between) and I am having some anxiety over what to pack for a trip that includes meetings in New Orleans, Boston and Orlando.

As I was trying to write down my packing list the other day while sitting at Starbucks, I realized that I had on three of my favorite winter picks.

So to avoid packing for another 15 minutes or so, I thought "why not do a blog post?"

I'd like to confess that I was late to the party when it comes to skinny jeans but I have been converted!

I have two favorite pairs of skinny pants.

First are a pair of dark wash jeans from Gap that I ordered online a few months ago. I can't find them anywhere on their website (a pet peeve of mine, I find a style I like and they discontinue it). Oh well, trust me, they are awesome.

Second, are these Rockstar style stretchy skinny jeans from Old Navy.

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I may have bought a half dozen (or more) pairs of the cords in this style when they were on sale for less than $10 for my sisters and me...I kept three of the cords for myself.

My only complaint are that they are super short so there is no way I can wear them without boots.

Speaking of boots...

I grabbed these at Kohl's the day after Thanksgiving for $20 and have kicked myself ever since that I didn't get them in black too. I wear them ALL THE TIME!!

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I love winter time when I can wear boots not only with skinny pants but also with skirts. Nothing I like more than a skirt, a pair of patterned tights and boots!

The last item that I am in love with this year is my Ultra Light Down Jacket from Uniqlo. (Sorry for the blurry photo. It's an awesome jacket, I promise.)

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My sisters and I found this store when we went to New York City a couple of years ago and we fell in love - especially with their Heatech line. My sisters each got one of these jackets when we were out there and I didn't.

I regretted it every time I saw them wearing theirs. But when my sister and I took my nephew to NYC last fall and visited the store TWICE, I still didn't buy one. WHY?!?

So, when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas I decided I was going to get one. And I love it now. It is super, super light but still quite warm.

The only thing that might make it better is a hood. Like this one...

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It may be on my wish list for next Christmas!

What are some of your favorite pieces right now?

DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this blog post are my own. The only way Gap, Old Navy, Kohls and Uniqlo know me is as a customer and the links are NOT affiliates links. However if you choose to shop at any of these (except Uniqlo), consider signing up for Ebates to earn cash back (this is a referral link) when you make purchases.

Heading to the Big Easy

I'm headed to New Orleans...

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the Big Easy...

NOLA...for the first time next week.

What should I see?

What should I eat?

What should I drink?

Suggestions needed!!

Wednesday Evening Musings

I'm thinking of re-naming this blog. What about...

A Whole Bunch of Random or Randomosity or Gal in Random Land

I can't seem to put my thoughts together for an actual post but I have so much to say, so much to share.

Well...maybe not "so much" but I have stuff!

Oh well, maybe tomorrow. For now, here's some photos I've snapped and thoughts I've had over the last week or so.

First, I keep thinking it's Thursday and I keep being deeply disappointed that it's just Wednesday! The biggest disappointment of this non-Thursday? No new Big Bang Theory tonight! 

If Soft Kitty wasn't just for when I'm sick, I'd so be singing it right now!

I'm getting ready to head out on an almost two week roadtrip for work and I am having anxiety over what to pack.

What are the items that you ALWAYS pack when you travel? 

Hotel socks (so your feet never touch the bed or floor), your favorite pillow, maybe a bag of M&Ms so you don't starve?

For me it's...

That's right. I almost NEVER travel without a bottle of water, can of Coke Zero and a mini bottle of booze or two. Add to that some Advil PM and you have my survival kit.

I'm flying so I'll have to leave the water and Coke Zero behind, but the mini booze bottle can go in my checked bag...or in my quart-size bag as it's less than 3 ounces! 

Since this is a random post, I just have to share this next photo. 

OMG...these girls just make me smile and for some reason this photo just makes me smile even bigger. They are just the cutest cousins ever. They are going to be SO much trouble when they get older.

It's Ash Wednesday, which for us Catholics means not only the start of Lent, but also the tradition of giving something up, a sacrifice if you will, for the next 40 days.

As a child, my mom made us give up sweets. No cookies, candy, desserts. It was hard, I always cheated always.

I usually give up something and never quite completely succeed. A couple of years I did something during Lent instead of giving something up. One year I wrote a letter a day to someone who touched my life in some way. That was a good exercise and encourage everyone to think about doing something similar at some point.

Last year I gave up my morning Starbucks and then donated the money I saved to my nephew's school. I admit I slipped up a time or two. I'm not perfect, God doesn't expect me to be.

I thought long and hard about what to do this year. I have a friend who always chooses something extraordinary to give up. One year she gave up all beverages except for water (maybe milk). This year she gave up social media. She's a rockstar.

So, this year I decided to give up fast food. I love a greasy cheeseburger or some hot, salty french fries. And I tend to take the easy way out and swing by a drive through on the nights I work later. No more! Not for 40 days at least.

In preparation for this fast, I indulged one last time yesterday with one of my favorites that I don't allow myself to have very often because it's kind of expensive AND more sandwich than I can usually eat...the Son of the Baconator at Wendy's.

It was oh so good and the perfect way to say good-bye!

Random Thoughts from the Big Game

After Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan's Sprint ad this weekend, I am scared to call the big game by its real name...do you think the NFL goes after blogs that I read by a handful of people and my mom?

Actually, since I haven't blogged in a while, I don't think my mom even checks my blog anymore. How sad...

On another note, I have a secret crush on Paul Rudd...

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Guess it's not a secret anymore, huh?

I think I have unrealistic expectations of the big game ads...I just didn't think the funny ones hit the mark this year. Did you?

Though I had a couple of favorites in the sentimental category...the Budweiser  Clydesdale and the Dodge Ram "so God made a farmer" - BTW, watch the Dodge ad, share it and $1 will be donated to National FFA.

While I have high expectations of the big game ads, I seem to have low expectations when it comes to the big game's half time show. I thought the half time shows in the last 2-3 years have been OK.

Beyonce wasn't perfect, she danced more than she sang but I thought she looked good and loved that she brought out her Destiny's Child girls. I love me some Destiny's Child!!

While watching I thought about Beyonce's stage personality - Sasha Fierce. It really fits her stage presence.

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So I started to think what my stage name could be. It needs to capture the essence of me on stage...I came up with Susie Awkward. 

What would yours be?

Do you think Beyonce's half time show caused the lights to go out during the big game? I loved all of the Reba comments on Facebook after that happened. 

When the lights went out at the stadium I made the decision never to go to the restroom at a sports stadium (maybe in public) again...or carry a small flashlight with me at all times. Can you imagine what it was like for those who were just minding (and doing) their business and bam...it goes dark. Yikes.

Finally, after watching the two coaches, who are also brothers, go head to head I decided that I could never coach against my sister...first I am not a competitive person so the win would not be the end all for me and second I am people pleaser and I would probably feel guilty if I was winning and just want my sister to catch up and win the game.

Well, that concludes another installment of "Random Thoughts by Me." Goodbye and Good Night.