Pass the veggies please

6 months ago I touched down in India and stopped eating meat. At the time, it was a decision made because southern India is primarily vegetarian and, to me, any meat that would be served would probably be questionable. I didn't really miss it much so decided to continue when I returned home.

{The last piece of animal flesh I ate was some duck on the way to India. I was traveling business class so the food wasn't half bad.}

Many yogis are vegetarian or even vegan for numerous reasons; mine was more, I don't really need it, my practice seems to be fine or even better without it, and I think I feel better since cutting it out of my diet (i.e. I don't have that "I-can't-move-because-I-am-so-stuffed" feeling). Now, granted, I have never been a huge carnivore - those enormous chicken breasts you can buy at the grocery store completely gross me out - but we did eat quite a bit of fish. I also love almost every vegetable there is and tofu as well, so finding substitutes hasn't been difficult.

I don't think I could ever be completely vegan because I still love eggs, butter is in practically everything when you eat out and I wear leather shoes and carry leather bags. Will I continue this vegetarian thing the rest of my life? I think so, especially if I plan on practicing yoga the rest of my life. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Now onto more pressing matters :)

all items remix'd
top: Anthro
skirt: Old Navy
shoes: Ann Taylor
necklace: Francesca's
cuff: Tiffany's, gift'd
belt: Gap

After the pattern mixing challenge, this outfit seems a little dull to me. I think I should have paired the top with the blue skirt I wore yesterday. THAT would be a fun mix!


I guess some days you will be more inspired than others.

Today is Friday but tomorrow is a working day for me, which is probably why I am not smiling in these photos. I hope you get a good weekend of rest!

Baby, it's cold inside

My outfit is almost entirely inspired by ladies in the blogsphere, especially the items from Anthro and the Seychelles shoes. I don't even think I knew what Seychelles were, except exotic islands in the Indian Ocean.


all items remix'd
top: NY+Co
skirt: Anthro
shoes: Seychelles
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: gift'd
necklace: Loft
belt: Anthro

One of my favorite bloggers, miss Amy Kelinda of kelinda.kelinda always wears the cutest outfits and layers upon layers, even while living in the sauna we call Houston. I always wondered how she managed in cute jackets and cardis with this heat. Then I spent a day in my office in my tank without my lab coat...I forgot that office building are always cooled to arctic temperatures!


That was a lesson learned. Never leave home without my white coat!

Gimme more

I had so much fun mixing pattens for EBEW
that I thought I would do it again.


all items remix'd
top: LoL for Target
skirt: Loft
shoes: Geox
earrings: Collingnon Designs,gift'd
cuff: gift'd
belt: Anthro

I'm feeling a bit tired already and it's only Wednesday. This is going to be a long week!


I am looking forward to seeing The Help soon. If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend!

Babbling on and on (and on...)

Can you believe...5+ years and 1500 posts later I am still at it. Thanks for taking the time to listen to whatever nonsense my little brain has been putting out into the blogosphere. To celebrate I am...mixing prints!


all items remix'd
tee: Gap
shorts: Loft
shoes: Pierre Hardy for Gap
sunnies: D2
earrings: gift'd
necklace: Collingnon Designs, gift'd
belt: Gap
bag: LV, gift'd

For the first time in mixing stripes and florals, I decided to keep it simple and casual. I draw inspiration from my fellow bloggers, especially Lisa of respect the shoes. I love her most recent outfit post combining polka dots and stripes - ingenious!


One of my biggest fans is the man behind these photos - the hubs, of course. I'm not sure what is going on with the head tilt here...

I'm looking forward to seeing more inspiration today!

Week in photos

I notice that I like to take photos of mostly people. I guess life would be most dull without them and I really adore the people in my life.


Baby buddha is 4 months now and just even cuter than ever. This snap is a little blurry but it really captures how happy he makes us.


We had a breakfast date with a buddy who is away earning his PhD in education at Purdue. I have smart friends too.


"My auntie is crazy with all the photo taking. Help me please!"


The return of Project Runway night! We were in Austin last week so missed the premier episode. I think this season is going to be a good one, and not just because we are getting together every week.


I love how fat and chunky baby buddha is. Just makes me want to squeeze and kiss him. (Note: Baby J is still around, but usually asleep or moving too fast for me to take a decent photo!)


Almost everyone at Marc's birthday party.


Our friend JC is super fit and skinny so we always tell him to go eat a cookie, or, in this case, a french fry!

Good morning sunshine!

You know you are an early bird when waking up at 7 AM feels like sleeping in! Last night we had the honor of celebrating on of my besties last year in his 30s.

He is one of those people who make you feel like you are the most important person in the world when you talk to him, hence everyone thinks he is their best friend. And my world is definitely better for knowing him. Happy birthday cutie!

I wore a new dress to his party. It was on super-sale at Anthro so I couldn't resist.

dress: Anthro
shoes: BCBG, remix'd
necklace: gift'd&remix'd
belt: Gap, remix'd
bracelet: Chan Luu, remix'd

It is a shift dress and runs rather large (I am wearing in XS and I am not an XS person) but is super comfortable for the summer, machine-washable, and looks great with a belt. I think it could even be work appropriate with a cardi thrown over.


Note to self: remember that celebrities always put at least one hand on their hip when taking photos of a sleeveless outfit - helps define the shoulder and get rid of arm fat!


And just a quick photo of me and the hubs. Isn't he the cutest?

Weekend casual

This is the first Saturday morning in I-can't-remember-when where we have no obligations for work or travel or anything. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I won't have to travel for work this month; I am so looking forward to an August where I can get in a good yoga groove, spend time with the hubs and nephews and friends, get our house in some kind of order and bake in the Houston heat! To that end, getting motivated to get dressed up is more difficult.


tank: Old Navy
shorts: J.Crew
shoes: 9West
earrings: gift'd
necklace: lindadearie via Etsy
belt: Gap

I actually wore this outfit on Thursday night to watch Project Runway with my peeps. I think this is going to be a good season! I am currently wearing practically the same thing, just different colors :)

Here's to a fun, relaxing weekend!

So old it's new

I sometimes wish I took outfit photos back in the 80s and 90s just to see what I thought looked good back then! Some things I am sure would look completely dated, and some things, like this dress below would not.


all items remix'd
dress: Benetton
cardi: Loft
shoes: Ann Taylor
earrings: gift'd
necklace: M+O
belt: H&M

I am quite sure that this dress is one the oldest articles in my wardrobe that I still wear on a consistent basis, especially since I started documenting my outfits. I mean, who really shops at Benetton these days? I remember why I bought it: to attend a wedding with my not-sure-if-I-should-call-him-boyfriend-now-husband, so I have a lot of fond memories associated with it. That was back in 1999! Now I feel old. :) Do you have any pieces of clothing that you especially love because of the memories tied with wearing it?


Even though the heat index here in H-town is around 110degrees, inside office buildings can feel like icebergs. So light layers can be useful.

TGIF!

What goes around comes around

Last October I got the bad news that I was being laid off from my position of 7+ years. Not the best way to end the year. However, since then, I have traveled to India for 2 months, been to both American coasts, spents oodles of time with my nephews and generally been enjoying the time off, especially since work called me back part time in January. Today I am signing papers to be re-instated as if I never left. Corporate America - gotta love 'em.

I really have enjoyed working shorter weeks but I know in the long run going full-time will be better for me and the hubs, what with insurance, 401K, etc. Sigh. Sometimes it feels like feast or famine!


all items remix'd
dress: Anthro
shoes: Taryn Rose
sunnies: Dsquared
choker: James Avery, gift'd
brooch as pendant: vintage, gift'd

Anyways, now that the hubs and I are both gainfully employed for the first time in 2 years, I plan on keeping up my frugal shopping ways. I read a good post on how complete shopping bans are not good for someone who enjoys it as much as I do, but with a closet bursting at the seams, do I really need another pair of shoes (Hmmmm...that is a difficult question!)?

Auspicious day

Backbends are one of the toughest poses in ashtanga yoga. Correction, doing backbends properly is really tough, at least for one yogi who does not have a very flexible back.

I finally learned to go back into backbends from standing while in India, but coming up was a whole another challenge. I have basically spent almost every practice since then working on coming up. And today I did it! I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can do it again tomorrow, and the day after and the day after...you get the idea.

Yoga definitely requires much patience and dedication. But I really believe good things happen when you do your daily practice.

What a difference a few inches makes

The last time my hair was cut was in February, before I left for India.
It was short, mostly for ease of care while I was away. When I returned I decided to grow out some of the layers but still keep a short length (I cannot deal with the maintenance of really long hair). Inspired by the lovely megan mae, I finally got a short bob.

I love it!

all items remix'd except for necklace
dress: Gap
sandals: B. Makowsky
sunnies: Dsquared
necklace: lindadearie via Etsy

Besides a new 'do, I am also sporting a new necklace I bought from Linda. I saw her wearing one and when I found out she actually made them, knew I had to have one too. She will custom make one to any colors you like, so go check her out!

We return to our regularly scheduled programming

Now that I have finished up taking my Week in the Life photos, I need to create an album for them. Stay tuned to see the finished product (hopefully in the next couple weeks!).


all items remix'd
dress: CK
shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
sunnies: Dsquared
earrings: gift'd
necklace:?
belt: Ann Taylor

I always feel very Audrey Hepburn-esque in this dress. Simple and elegant, kind of like me {or what I pretend to be ;)}. My hair is driving me insane and I am finally going in for a haircut today, after chopping it all off 6 months ago. Wish me luck!

week in the life | sunday

Short on time this morning so lots of photos, little words. More to come soon.


And what I wore:

all items remix'd
dress: Old Navy
shoes: Miss Trish for Target
sunnies: Dsquared
jewelry: gift'd
chains as belts: Calypso for Target


I am particularly fond of the ladybugs on my sandals. Happy August!

week in the life | saturday

I've been really bad about filling out the daily sheets. And I have been taking less and less photos everyday! Remembering to snap one photo everyday is much easier than remembering to snap photos all day!



And my evening outfit:

all items remix'd
dress: Gap
shoes: Miss Trish for Target
sunnies: Dsquared
necklaces: Collingnon Designs