Shh... it's a secret

That I am telling the whole world. . .

How is it still considered a secret you ask?  Deal with it "because I said so" and no I am not Diane Keaton. 

So, here's the deal.  I'm finally going to tell you what happened!

I wrote a 50k novel in the 30 days of November (along with lots of other people, with the NaNoWriMo group, but they are not as awesome as me... cause it is me).  Long sleepless nights, endless staring at the computer wonder "WHAT am I DOING?!?", and wondering how truly terrible it will really be.

But alas, it is done and it is awesome if nothing else to be able to say, "I wrote a novel."

On to the reason you came:

Do you remember that shirt and pants that I wore for two days on a trip?

Well, here's it with the sweater.  Simple and easy and took up about the space of a small purse to pack: awesome!  ; P

Here's to wish you a happy weekend! 

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Thrifting vintage makes me feel like I am stealing

When get great finds I feel like Gollum... my back starts to hunch as I claw the item to my chest.  I don't pet it... most of the time.

This outfit wasn't any different.  The whole outfit is fully thrifted, thanks to ___ for challenging me to put logs onto the ever growing thriftaholic fire,... ok, save for the necklace: it was a gift from my grandmother.  I got the skirt, shirt, purse at a yard sale and the bracelet was in one of those piles of giveaway that have filtered through my home. 

By Rachel Abi

You can clean in this right?  I guess not but it is great for making your way through your small downtown to a great little spot to write... too bad to, I really wanted to clean?

My poor husband is stuck taking my photos everyday and it isn't his favorite thing...  I make his stop his early morning ritual to come out and take pictures of me in my outfits... and then I act silly, point in fact:

The sad face is because he told me I couldn't smile... so I did exactly that, NOT smile ;P

Travel with style?

I know that you are supposed to travel in business attire to be first choice for first class... I lean on the I want to be comfortable when I travel side but that's just me.

For our recent trip I decided to try and look cute instead of rocking Pj's... thought this was a bit more appropriate.  Rocked out my thrifted necklace and vest and was on my way.

By Rachel Abi

I also tend towards being cold on planes... why?  I don't know you should ask the airlines why they like it feeling like an icebox! ;P

Flashback

No I don't mean that we are going to have a heart warming memorry of years past that have some deep meaning to me.  Much less self important: I mean a fashion flash back.  Yes I did wear this all about town doing what I need to do.  Why?  Just because honestly.  I looked in my closet at one of those items that you at times wonder why you still own it since it isn't the most flattering when you look in the mirror and it isn't the most versitile but then you put it on and forget about your notion to get ride of it.  Does this ever happen to you?

Being the youngest of five, I am no stranger to hand me downs however in my family whether boy or girl the clothes were handed down.  This particular shirt was handed down from oldest to youngest, switched hands 5 times.  It is well worn and is far from fitted since it is a male shirt by design yet some how, despite what I know I actually look like in it, I feel cute and comfortable each time I wear it.  As soon as I look in the mirror I get a large awakening... my solution: don't look in mirrors!

No, my solution isn't the sensible choice of getting ride of the guys shirt that is over 2 decades old but instead avoid seeing my reflection. . . I cannot explain it save for apparently I'm crazy.  And I am in good company!

This week I took on two challengers again: Clothed Much (breaking rules) and Meet Virginia (thirft-a-holic weekly).  The rule broken is a bit (just a bit) obvious  #sarcasm : Looking like I walked out of the 80's.

As to the thrift-y-ness (yes, the Y is needed ;P) that comes down the shorts and socks ( must admit are indeed thrifted but they did have tags still on them, in my defense)
Written by Rachel Abi

What about you?  Do you wear what you know you shouldn't or keep you know that you won't wear?

The triple...

Just another day... but not another date.  We were super married and by that I mean we went on a triple date (us with two other couples).  Whenever we do this I think of all those cliche scene in a romantic comedy where there is one poor (not cause he/she is single but because of the jerks the married people usually are) single chick or dude a midst a horde of married couples all asking "so... who you dating"

As I mentioned before I pick one thing I want to wear well today it was the shirt and then the flower... so I found the skirt and necklace.  I left like the necklace was needed because I have yet to master feeling ok in color blocks without a diffuser. 

The visual makes me giggle inside every time.  If you haven't caught it yet I am a really imaginative person... I can't seem to help it you say man, swaddled, beach ball and I can't help but laugh... the picture is amazing.

By Rachel Abi

  Ps. I always felt like triple should have three p's... 

Ironic how an un-patriotism is our patriotism!

The colors red, white, and blue are in so many flags.  Our flag looks very similar with its color choice and stars to so many others, but it is our flag.

I find it ironic that, much like Nicolas Cage says in National Treasure, our country is actually founded on an unpatriotic act.  We would be Britain 2.0 in another dimension.  Not that I have any issues with  England or the British Isles (I can't really cause that's my hertiage) but I am glad that our dimension happened as it did.  For all it's issues and debt (don't get me started on the later) I am glad for the country in which I have been raised.  But that doesn't stop me found giggling a little at its start... treason.

All the same it is a great day to celebrate out independence!

Happy 4th, I'm celebrating mine at a friends house by a lake.  I'll be sporting my red, white and blue, basking in the cool water and enjoying grilled foods... what about you?

By Rachel Abi

another beautiful day

Out and about.  Not something I would wear were I to be outside for a long time.  It isn't a hot outfit but NC is HOT (well to me) so I tend towards wearing super thin materials.  What's special about this outfit? nothing. That's the whole point.  Remember you can make beautiful and unique outfits with ease: let loose, who cares if you cause a few fopas on the way?   

By Rachel Abi

Day Date!

Taking my honey some lunch for a day date!  Sorry for the blur on the picture... but I guess you can get the idea.  It is such fun to steal away an hour... makes the week seem less terrible.  This week try to steal one of your hours back!



By Rachel Abi

These are some of my favorite shoes: so universal! 

Say yes to imperfections!

It's been a long day.  The list of to do's has gone undone because of things that had to be done... unforeseen.  "That day"... it was today for me.  I had my list of things that "had" to get done... but they did not get done.  After a long day of disappointment it was nice to know that we were having some friends over but not much time to get home and get food done.  

What do you do then?  How do you make yourself feel cute when you have no time.  

Ready for my secret?

It's huge!  

By Rachel Abi

Have a back up.  My back ups range but a great default are jeans (make sure they fit your body well... staple for most closets) and a top you feel attractive in.  Have these back up outfits as your defaults for these situations. You know what I am talking about you already have your "defaults"... those outfits that you find yourself just falling back on.  Whether because they are comfortable, easy or they actually make you feel good.  Take this idea of defaults and take 20 min and mentally note some tops that fit the style of your jeans/pants.  Make sure they make you feel attractive/confident.  Nothing is more attractive than confidence.  Final touch throw on a necklace.  I have default necklace too.  Personally I lean more towards long necklaces that I can leave long or layer to make whatever length works with outfit.

You say impossible?  NO

This outfit was literally thrown on.  You think I am kidding I had literally 4 minutes before the guests arrived!

The key: you need to feel pretty.  Better than any accessory you can put on bag you can own: confidence in your beauty!  I love the idea that each person is like a snowflake: imperfect and beautiful.

So let's go out and have fun with our imperfections...

Lunch date with the girls

I had a lunch date with some really awesome friends the other day.  We used to work together but over the years we make sure not to drift apart by getting lunch every once in a while and of course social media!

Got to love Twisted Fork's new salad buffet and a day of being personal shopper... ok, well everyone might not enjoy, but I do.

By Rachel Abi