30 St. Patrick's Day Finds Under $30

I have one shirt that I wear almost every year on St. Patrick's day. It's a green striped polo that I got from Aeropostale when I was in junior high (it was a time when their polos were super popular, and I felt so cool buying it). Of course, polos have never really been my style, so after the first few months, it sort of collected dust in my drawer until I realized it was the perfect shirt for St. Patrick's Day. 

Now, whenever I clean out my closet, I always go to get rid of it before I stop myself, because if I get rid of it, what else would I wear on St. Patrick's Day? I realize that it's not practical to keep a shirt around that I only intend to wear once a year, especially when I have other green things, so I think this may be it's last year with me-- particularly because I'm overdue for a closet purge.

So, for those of you who still want to celebrate by wearing green *and* you'd like to still be able to wear the shirt/dress/whatever year round, I've rounded up 30 green items. And, because I'm super cheap and sometimes super broke, they're all under $30.

1. Target, $22.99. 2. H&M, $29.95. 3. Forever 21, $24.80. 4. Target, $24.99. 5. Forever 21, $24.80.
6. Forever 21, $24.80. 7. Charlotte Russe, $29.99. 8. Forever 21, $22.80. 9. American Eagle, $29.99.
10. H&M, $29.95.

Can I just start buy saying that I saw number 4 at Target a few weeks ago, and I was so tempted to try it on, but then my "I'm saving money" logic won over. So, someone should buy it so that I can live vicariously. I'm also obsessed with number 6, because there are few things I love more than interesting backs.

Also, isn't that purse from Forever 21 so classy? 

1. Lulu's, $13. 2. American Eagle, $19.99. 3. Target, $19.99. 4. Forever 21, $17.80. 5. Forever 21, $17.80.
6. American Eagle, $19.95. 7. H&M, $19.95. 8. Asos, $18.82. 9. Aeropostale, $12.50. 10. Target, $19.99

I'm loving the sweater from H&M. I love how simple it is. Like, you could throw it on and maybe add a scarf, and then you'd be set. Ditto for the dress from Target-- it's cute, but super simple. 

I also really like the top from Forever 21. I have a shirt that's a similar style that I bought when I was studying abroad. I really like it, and the style is perfect for summer.

1. Forever 21, $3.80. 2. Target, $9.99. 3. Aeropostale, $9.75. 4. Forever 21, $9.80. 5. Charlotte Russe, $5.00. 6. Forever 21, $5.80. 7. Forever 21, $3.80. 8. Charlotte Russe, $9.99. 9. Forever 21, $5.80.
10. Forever 21, $6.80. 

There's nothing I love more than really cheap things, and the fact that I found four shirts for under $10 makes me incredibly happy. I like them all, but I think that number four is my favorite. You can tell in this picture, but the back has a fun zipper detail that I love.

I'm also in the market for new sunglasses, and these ones are pretty cute. I'm thinking that I'll definitely have to hit up Forever 21 soon.

Do you wear green for St. Patrick's Day?

Reflection

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I've been thinking a lot about my blog, what I want it to be, and where I want it to go over the past couple of weeks. When I (re)started my blog, I knew that I wanted to post outfit photos, but other than that, I didn't really have it figured out.

For the first few months, I was really good at posting outfit photos, but then life got in the way and I forgot about it. I would like to get back there but I currently can't use my camera (the battery's dead and the charger is somewhere at my mom's house). Even then, I would be confined to my apartment since I don't have a tripod and I can't think of anywhere nearby where I wouldn't feel painfully awkward and self-conscious trying to take pictures.

So, what to do in the meantime? For awhile I tried scouring Pinterest for inspiring images around a specific theme or trend, but that got tiring-- it's hard finding good pictures sometimes!

Anyways, during these weeks, I've been reflecting on what I want to do (particularly now that I am currently unable to use my camera). I've been brainstorming ideas and trying to decide on a direction for my blog, so please bear with me over the next few weeks (months?) while things get figured out.

This picture has nothing to do with my blog or this post, other than the fact that it involves a reflection and I like it.

What I Bought: Black Riding Boots

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I've been looking for the perfect pair of boots for a few months now, and these ones fit the bill! I was hoping for black, since I already have a pair of brown knee high boots (and black just looks classy, no?). I stumbled across this pair tonight on the Lulu's website and they were on sale for $32. How could I say no? They were just what I was looking for.

And it's even more perfect timing because I discovered about a month ago that the brown ones I have are finally showing signs of being worn to death. As in, I can stick my finger though a hole and feel my foot. So I haven't worn them since then, though I'm sure I'll probably sneak a couple more wears in since the hole isn't noticeable. But the fact remains that I live in Seattle and I don't need shoes with holes when it's wet out. So it will be nice to have variety so I'm not wearing the same pair of boots every day.

I told my friend to pray to the shoe gods that they fit and her response was, "What happened to your shopping ban?" Whoops!

What I Bought: Sheer Drape Dress

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Patience is a virtue, and this dress is the proof. I first saw this dress on Aeropostale's website a month or two ago. I thought it was gorgeous, but I didn't want to spend $38 (plus shipping) on it because I'm cheap I'm trying to be good and save money. So I told myself probably wouldn't look good on me anyways, and I told my friend she should buy it (she didn't).

But then I was perusing again because I heard rumors of sales. And lo and behold, it was now on clearance for $18.99. How could I resist? Even better, I found a code for free shipping (I despise paying for shipping). It just arrived today, and I haven't tried it on yet, but I'm excited! I'm glad I bought it after all.

Also, unrelated, but I'm tempted to make an Instagram account for my dog. But then what would I post on my account? #lifestruggles

New Year

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I originally planned on writing this post much earlier this month, but then it hit me: I don't actually know what I want my resolutions to be.

I feel like every year, I say the same things over and over again. Clearly, they're not happening, because they keep being resolutions year after year. After some thought, I think I've finally figured out what I want my resolutions to be. Here's to hoping it's a successful year!

1. Start running again. I'll admit, part of this goal is wanting to lose weight-- it's been a struggle my entire life. But I also want to start running again. I miss the accomplished feeling I got this summer after I would run my furthest distance, even if I probably could have walked it faster. The point was that I didn't stop jogging. And I felt really proud of myself, knowing that I was pushing myself. I live close to a path along the water that I've been meaning to run along, but actually getting out and started is often the hardest step.

2. Overcome my picky eating. I have a confession. I am probably the pickiest eater that you'll meet. I eat like a five year old. Actually, when my brother was five, he ate more things than I did. Part of it is fear of trying new things, part of it is bad experiences when I have, some of it is texture or appearance, and a whole lot of it is mental. Thinking about food often stresses me out, and I typically avoid eating out with people I don't know, because what if there's something I don't like? I know my friends and family will accommodate me when choosing restaurants, but with those that I don't know that well, it's nerve-wracking trying to find something on the menu that isn't totally scary. And it's embarrassing. I'm 22, I shouldn't be eating like I'm a picky five year old. It's going to be a very long process, but I'm hoping that this is the year that I start making process and broadening my food horizons.

3. Be more creative. Sometimes I write, sometimes I take pictures, sometimes I draw. I go through phases where I'm really into something for a few days (or weeks) and then I get bored of it, or get stuck, or get busy and stop altogether. I want to keep pushing through, to continue to be creative on a regular basis. And maybe, finally, finish one of the countless stories I've started writing. Even if I only finish the first draft, it would better than stopping and letting it sit around for months (or years) untouched, just because I've hit a bought of writer's block.

4. Read more. I love reading, but I find that I go through phases with it. I'll have months where that's all I want to do, and then I'll go months without reading anything. I've been in one of my off phases for awhile, but I'd really like to get to the point where I read more. And I'd like to broaden what I read to. As someone who calls myself a fan of reading, I feel like I need to branch out. Right now, the books I pick up are almost always young adult books. If I'm feeling like I need to branch out, I usually find chick lit in the normal fiction section of the library. Occassionally, I'll also read a classic (typically involving 19th century England), but that's about it. I'd like to start exploring other types of genres as well. I may hate it, but at least I'll have given it a shot.

5. Get out more. Now that I've moved to Seattle, I really don't have any excuse to sit at home all weekend watching tv (like I'm currently doing). I live close enough to walk to both the Seattle Center and downtown, with tons of other fun neighborhoods just a short bus ride away. I truly don't have any excuse not to get out there and get discovering. I've always wanted to live in Seattle, so what am I doing sitting around at home for? Even just taking my dog on a walk, it's fun to people watch and discover little cafes that sprinkle ever block.

What about you guys? Any New Year's resolutions?

Disappearing Act

It seems that I've made quite the disappearing act. While I can't promise that I'll be posting nearly as regularly as I was during the summer, I do want to start posting again. I think I was pushing myself too hard to regularly post content, even when I wasn't inspired. That, combined with a style rut (I hate everything I own) makes for a hard time blogging.

Anyways, quite a lot has happened in the past few months! Just to get you up to speed: 

Chop chop.

1. I chopped off my hair. I've been going thinking about it on and off since spring, but I started seriously considering it in July. But it's me, so it takes me approximately 5 million years to do something once I start thinking about it. Like now, I want to dye my hair (for the first time ever) and it will probably take me months to do. Though I want my hair to be longer first anyways (naturally), so I don't mind waiting. Anyways, I was all ready to make the appointment in September when I decided to be Katniss for Halloween. So, y'know, I couldn't because you can't be Katniss without the braid. Procrastinating aside, I did eventually cut it off.

Please ignore the horrible quality.

2. I was hired full-time. I started working as an intern a couple days after I graduated from college. In September, it was extended without a definite end date. It was kind of a "stay as long as you want" arrangement. In October, it was made official though and I was hired on full-time. Needless to say, I was pretty excited! I love the company I work for and the people (and animals) I work with, so I'm psyched that it's official now.

3. I moved out. I've moved out on my own for the first time ever (not counting college, of course). I now rent a studio in Seattle that I share with my cat and my dog (even though she drives me insane). It's basically a glorified dorm, but it's my glorified dorm. It's in an old building, which I love, though I don't love the condition (I've been waiting on a few repairs since before I even moved in...), but you get what you pay for, I suppose. It would be lovely to get my closet rod fixed though, so I can finally finish unpacking. Soon, supposedly. All annoyances aside, I really like the location I'm at. I'm close to the Seattle Center, and it's only about a 15-20 minute walk downtown. It's also outside of the main area of my neighborhood so it's a bit quieter (and safer, which is nice when you're dog insists on going outside at all hours).

So that's that. Like I said, lots of big changes! 

I'll try not to disappear again. I'm hoping the extra time I have in a day will help motivate me. Here's to a good start to the new year!

My commute is an hour shorter than before, and it's glorious.