tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55532230523105391102024-02-07T08:38:20.180-05:00Animated CardiganStyle without regretsJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.comBlogger830125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-91697384232969573672016-01-27T23:32:00.000-05:002016-01-27T23:32:27.055-05:00Style Imitating Art: Aspens, Northern New Mexico<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1665/24176924550_0793e17eb5.jpg">
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It's Style Imitating Art time! As a reminder, this week's inspiration was <i>Aspens, Northern New Mexico</i> by the great Ansel Adams. Let's get started! (Wednesday night side note: I logged on tonight to check on comments and...apparently I didn't click Publish. Fail. I apologize that this post is late!)
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Stephanie said that this was a great choice for a winter palette, which I didn't even think of but she's totally right! And she looks awesome--I've never thought to wear a maxi skirt in the winter but I'm going to have to do it now!
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I was really hoping someone would pull out some plaid this week, and Mike delivered! He looks ready to spend some time among the aspens.
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I am really excited about Kezzie of <a href="http://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.co.uk/">Kezzie AG</a>'s pattern. It matches the tree in front so well!
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Melissa of <a href="http://www.flinthillshausfrau.blogspot.com/">Peace and Crumbs</a> did a wonderful job styling her outfit--I love the little details like the stripes on her skirt and the circle belt!
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AW at <a href="http://rabbitstylenews.com/2016/01/24/style-imitating-art-aspens-northern-new-mexico/">Rabbit Style News</a> is participating in SIA for the first time, and I hope she sticks around! She looks incredibly <i>sharp</i>.
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First of all, I'm still so in love with Jen's bangs (they frame your face so well!). Her post on <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/2016/01/25/sia-interpretation-ansel-adams/">Librarian for Life and Style</a> details her super-textured outfit, which is a great way to interpret this week's inspiration!
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I love Erin of <a href="http://looplooks.net/2016/01/25/pinterest-parallels-vol-17/">Loop Looks</a>' camel coat--it compliments the feel of <i>Aspens</i> perfectly!
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Noelle of <a href="http://theclassyjunk.blogspot.com/2016/01/style-imitating-art-aspens-northern-new.html">The Classy Junk</a> has more chutzpah than I do because all weekend during our snow storm I just wore yoga pants. She looks awesome!
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My cocreator of SIA, Salazar of <a href="http://wp.me/p1qok6-41E">14 Shades of Grey</a>, looks super ready for crappy weather. I usually look like a frump in long coats so I am quite jealous!
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And there's me. My quest for cords that fit FINALLY came to a happy end!
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Thank you all for participating! It's so exciting to have a big crowd this week!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-24606716290406832072016-01-25T23:27:00.001-05:002016-01-25T23:27:55.156-05:00Aspens quiver<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1542/23989559444_0f9efef7a0.jpg">
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Jacket: Loft Outlet | Top: Gap Factory | Camisole: Gap Factory | Pants: Loft Outlet | Boots: Belk
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My camera REALLY struggled to take these photos. I can't decide if it's because it's just not doing well, or if it's because it sat in the cold in my car for two weeks. To be fair, if I had to sit in the cold in my car for two weeks, I wouldn't work too well either.
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Check back tomorrow for this week's Style Imitating Art roundup!
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1524/23989571844_1bd53388df.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-12125566666940116902016-01-18T22:54:00.001-05:002016-01-18T22:54:58.559-05:00SIA: PSA<center><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1665/24176924550_594d609575_o.jpg"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1665/24176924550_0793e17eb5.jpg"></a>
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<i>Aspens, Northern New Mexico</i>, by Ansel Adams
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1958, gelatin silver print
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2016 is the centennial of the National Park Service, and I've thought so much about our public lands over the last few months. I'm lucky to have been able to visit a number of our national parks over my lifetime (Shenandoah was my first, and Congaree--one of the least visited NPs in America--is in my state and I go every year!), and <a href="http://librariansintransit.blogspot.com/">my friend S.</a> has made a life goal of visiting every national park in America. I'm running a half marathon (!) at a national park in September, god willing and the creek don't rise. And this year's summer reading theme at work is based around the national parks, to tie into the centennial celebration. When I think of the national parks, and what beauty they hold and how they look...well, no one's ever captured it better than Ansel Adams. This week's SIA inspiration is one of his photographs, taken of aspen trees in northern New Mexico (you probably already gleaned that from the title of the photograph). If you don't know who Ansel Adams is, it's impossible for me to adequately explain who he was and the kind of influence he had on the state of American photography, but do <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ansel+adams&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZoc-E_bTKAhVI4SYKHUkjCiQQ_AUIBygB&biw=1280&bih=613">check out the Google image search results for him</a>. That should help.
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Please email me your photos of outfits inspired by this week's SIA by Monday, January 25th. Enjoy!
</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-28004335182038905662015-12-30T23:37:00.000-05:002015-12-30T23:37:03.870-05:00Donna Draper<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5731/23969363662_a331d5cbe7.jpg">
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Glasses: Prada (ooh la la) | Necklace: gift from my parents | Dress: Anthropologie | Boots: Belk | Lips: NARS Funny Face
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Okay, so a few notes on the things I'm wearing.
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First of all, I have new glasses! I smudged them within five minutes of wearing them, which is par for the course for me. I feel very modern Mad Men in them. Trying on glasses is probably the only opportunity I'll ever have to wear things by the likes of Tom Ford and Prada.
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Second, this dress was a Christmas gift from me to me, wrapped by my mom because I'm weird and like to buy things for myself for Christmas and then unwrap them. I stalked the <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/0d/89/b70d8964016cc7ca58e2400e19bd117d.jpg">green version of this dress</a> online for a while but it was ridiculously expensive and I resigned myself to the fact that I would never have it. I ended up in Charlotte to get a new Mac power cable, and I swung by Anthro while I was at the mall and they had this colour version of the dress--and it was $40! WORTH IT.
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Three--that pink thing on my arm is not some cool new thing. (If it is will someone please tell me so I know?) Over the weekend I went for a walk with my mom and on the way back I caught a glimpse of our neighbour's horse with her leg through the fence. We went down into her field to try and help her, and of course she bit me. Like the took a big old chunk of my arm. Nerves, definitely, but I wasn't too pleased. (We ultimately got her separated from the fence, thanks to a sharp pair of wire cutters.) I iced it but it actually turned slightly green--and I don't bruise, so greenish is bad for me--and it's extremely tender, sore, and slightly hard. I read online that KT tape sometimes helps with swelling and soreness, so I swung by the Cardiganland sports place and picked up a roll. So far, it's at the least stabilized the area and it doesn't hurt as much, so that's nice! And now I have a roll of KT tape in case (for when?) I get hurt running. Because let's be honest, when you run, it's bound to happen.
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Brooches: my mom's | Sweater: Kohl's | Skirt: Talbots | Tights: Target, no doubt | Flats: Target
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<a href="https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com/">Salazar</a> always has amazing brooches, which makes me want to put a lot more effort into developing a bigger collection of my own. As it stands, almost all of my brooches--including the six (six!) in today's outfit--are direct hand-me-downs from my mom, which she wore quite often at her office job. One, a white fish, came all the way from my grandmother. The only "brooches" I've contributed to my own collection are <a href="http://www.capemay.com/play/cape-may-beach-information/">Cape May beach tags</a>, which is pathetic. (Not that I don't love my beach tags, because I do!) I made a huge mistake by going on Etsy, because now there are star shaped brooches in my eyes and I want to dump a pile of cash on everything from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/65154928/an-octopus-love-affair-brooch-pin-laser?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=brooch&ref=sr_gallery_40">octopi</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/200573487/black-bird-brooch-geometric?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=brooch&ref=sr_gallery_2">birds</a> to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/212038523/1pcs-vintage-brooch-with-swarovski?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=brooch&ref=sr_gallery_4">bows</a> (Salazar this seems very you!) and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250413308/jj-jonette-pewter-vintage-brooch-pin?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=brooch&ref=sr_gallery_17">station wagon with a canoe on top because why the hell not</a>. Someone get me away from Etsy before I fritter away my entire massive public servant salary.
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Bow: my parents' stash | Necklace: JCPenney | Top: J.Crew Factory | Skirt: Talbots | Heels: Urban Outfitters | Lips: Maybelline Are You Red-dy
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I usually kind of wait until the last minute to figure out what to do for SIA, but this time around I knew exactly what I wanted to do: jack my hair up to Jesus. I think it's a kind of sourthern thing to tease the living daylights out of your hair, but considering this week's inspiration, how could I not do it myself? And I feel like I fit the theme. So I'm pleased. I picked blue shoes to highlight the itty bitty tornado in the woman's hand. I tried to find one myself but it's not really tornado season. Womp womp.
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Check out <a href="https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com/">14 Shades of Grey</a> tomorrow for Salazar's Style Imitating Art roundup! And just a note--SIA is taking a break for the holidays. We'll return on January 4th, 2016 (2016!!) with <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/">Jen</a>'s next pick!
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<a href="http://www.ghosttt.com/illustrated-interview-layla-holzer/"><i>Stressed Out</i></a> by Layla Holzer
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Ink & pastel on paper, 2015
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This week's Style Imitating Art inspiration is compliments of an illustrated interview with Layla Holzer (click the title of the artwork to see the interview--it's really neat!). This is the perfect time for a piece like this: it looks holiday-y, but it's also all about that end-of-year stress so many of us encounter. I'm stressed right now about a billion different things, but it's a tempest in a teapot (see tiny cyclone) compared to so many other people. And I feel lucky to have so many things that are good in my life.
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And one of those good things is SIA! Send your photos inspired by this piece to <a href="https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com/">Salazar</a> by Monday, December 14th to be included, and she will post the roundup on Tuesday!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-33923943436554466052015-12-01T22:00:00.002-05:002015-12-01T22:00:30.618-05:00Hello from the other side<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5690/23432446876_c26c94946b.jpg">
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Jacket: Target | Dress: Old Navy | Belt: Target | Tights: probably Target | Boots: Target
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The other side of the <i>holidays</i>, that is. My boyfriend put up his tree, which is 100% decorated with ornament discards from my parents. I kind of love it though--it's like my tree, but somewhere else! And it's nice to look at all the ornaments and think of all the people that have helped make these ornaments, especially my grandmother. She died when I was only 5, but I have some fond and comical memories of her. In addition, we found a black Santa ornament, painted by her. She took me to an AME church when I was little and she drove an old Red Cross station wagon stuff to the gills with crap. So when I look at the tree, with all its unique and weird and cute and kitsch ornaments, I'm reminded of her and how funny she was. And then I look at the bottom of the tree and see a cat rolling around under it and knocking a poor wool cardinal off its branch. Perfect.
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/654/23376648161_c2f771db75.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-85094592280459991242015-12-01T21:39:00.002-05:002015-12-01T21:40:36.131-05:00Style Imitating Art: Freedom from Want<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/688/22886904809_a24fb74d34.jpg">
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OH MY GOD YOU GUYS. Everyone looks so amazing this week!!! AAAAAH! As a reminder, this week's SIA inspiration was <i>Freedom from Want</i> by Norman Rockwell but let's get to the outfits because I am dying.
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Erin at <a href="http://looplooks.net/2015/11/30/sia-thanksgiving-edition/">Loop Looks</a> took her photos by her parents' dining table, which is so perfect for this week's SIA! And she looks so stylish, too.
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I love the comfortable but put together look Alison of <a href="http://nouveaunorthwesterners.com/2015/11/29/style-imitating-art-freedom-from-want-part-2/">Nouveau North Westerners</a> submitted! And the blue is stunning on her--perfect for her skin tone, right?
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Kezzie at <a href="http://kerenzaallin-garner.blogspot.co.uk/">Kezzie AG</a> has a BROCCOLI BROOCH. Adorable!!
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Mike looks super sharp in his suit! He managed to match his suit shirt to the blue in the painting. Awesome!
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Noelle at <a href="http://theclassyjunk.blogspot.com/2015/11/style-imitating-art-freedom-from-want.html">The Classy Junk</a> found a great backdrop for her photos too! And I'm pretty sure we own the same scarf. (Is there anyone who doesn't have a scarf similar to this one this season?) She looks great!
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I love SIA curator Jen of <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/2015/11/30/sia-interpretation-freedom-from-want/">Librarian for Life and Style</a>'s outfit--it's so classically chic. Yes please!
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My SIA co-creator Salazar at <a href="https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/weekly-capsule-48-1-sia-freedom-from-want/">14 Shades of Grey</a> looks really modern in her outfit. She said this silhouette is awkward but I'm not seeing it--I think it looks great on her!
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And then there's me! Hiiiii from what feels like the wettest part of America.
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I am blown away by how everyone nailed this week's SIA. I kind of want to photoshop us all together in one big SIA family photo! Thank you all for participating!
</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-38476931638721612062015-11-24T14:29:00.002-05:002015-11-24T14:29:35.174-05:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/688/22886904809_a24fb74d34.jpg">
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_from_Want_(painting)"><i>Freedom from Want</i></a>, by Norman Rockwell
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Oil on canvas, 1943
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I get to choose this week's artwork for SIA, and I feel like for me, personally, it's a burden and a gift. I found out about what happened in Paris right before I went to bed that night, and I haven't slept well since. Our world is in crisis in so many ways, and now I'm being slapped left and right with reminders of the commercialism that has overtaken the winter holidays. Do people in America even care what Thanksgiving is about anymore? That two groups of people who didn't know or understand each other still assumed good faith and sat down together for a basket of corn and a pile of eels? To love, to care, to hope for better?
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So I struggled with what to pick for SIA this week. I wanted something that would embody some happiness for the holidays, that compassion of family (even when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2zyjbH9zzA">they talk politics</a>) and love and care for one another. Nothing screams that quite like Norman Rockwell, so here in all its glory is the famous <i>Freedom from Want</i>. I've always loved Norman Rockwell's ability to capture sentimentality, and there's no better example of that in his body of work than this one painting.
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Send me your photos inspired by <i>Freedom from Want</i> by Monday, November 30th, to be included!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-91822023688450193242015-11-12T09:59:00.001-05:002015-11-12T09:59:38.639-05:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5712/22940626806_618e6d87a2.jpg">
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<a href="http://faith47.com/capax-infiniti/"><i>Capax Infiniti</i></a>, by <a href="http://faith47.com/">Faith 47</a>
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Paint on brick, 2014
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To pile worse on top of bad, I was on vacation without access to the blog world because my computer power cord broke and I had to leave the computer at home! But here, belatedly, is this week's SIA, selected by <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/">Jen</a>. This mural is part of the <a href="http://www.forestforthetreesnw.com/">Forest for the Trees</a> initiative to support public art in Portland, Oregon. I love public art, especially on walls of buildings--I'm always so impressed by the scale that mural artists are able to achieve--and <i>Capax Infiniti</i> is no different. It's absolutely beautiful, especially the draping and shading.
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Below is a photo collage that Jen made when she saw the mural last year, which gives us a better idea of scale and the colours used in the mural. Submit your photos to Jen by Monday, November 16th to be included in this week's collection!
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/721/22940630696_8d080b76c3.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-74092500098259999712015-11-01T20:29:00.001-05:002015-11-01T20:29:44.018-05:00Sweet teeth<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5792/22060969073_d0c04a79bd.jpg">
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I hope you all had a happy Halloween! I had to work yesterday, so I went with something fairly easy to move in, and Sweet Tooth is now my favourite costume as an adult of all time. (Cousin It still takes the cake for childhood.) I tweeted Jeff Lemire, the author of this great comic, and he favourited and retweeted this photo. So I feel like Halloween was a success. Did any of you guys dress up? What were you?
</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-87105470774585874492015-10-29T21:57:00.002-04:002015-10-29T21:57:30.161-04:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://one1more2time3.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/1a-alphonse-mucha-seasons.jpg" height="280" width="500">
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<a href="http://www.muchafoundation.org/gallery/browse-works/object/80"><i>The Seasons</i></a>, by Alphonse Mucha
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Colour lithograph, 1896
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I was in the process of writing the code for this post and unceremoniously dumped a bowl of pasta on my lap. RIP carbs!
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But anyway--this week's Style Imitating Art inspiration is compliments of Alphonse Mucha, whose beautiful artwork reminds me of a fantastical version of John William Waterhouse. The colours, the lines, and with this set, the group--everything is so well placed and has clearly been considered, but Mucha still manages to maintain some whimsy.
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Send <a href="">Salazar</a> your SIA photos by Monday, November 2nd to be included!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-77045174462440765712015-10-24T12:53:00.000-04:002015-10-24T12:58:58.207-04:00Sitting duck<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5735/22450012411_0f4eaa609c.jpg">
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Top: handmade; shirt itself from Walmart | Skirt: Talbots | Flats: Target
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I only wear this top once every four years or so. I'd say I don't know why, but I know exactly why: it's too short. You guys, it's practically a crop top on me. I was a moron and found the perfect shirt for making my own version of the 2008 ModCloth shirt above, and then chucked it into the wash and it shrunk. Of course, I didn't notice until I had spent dozens of hours stitching on strips of sequins, and was like I DON'T CARE I'LL WEAR IT ANYWAY. And then I didn't. But I should just sew a strap of fabric on the bottom to make it longer, right? Red, white, something different? I don't know. But I do know that this shirt has survived at least 6 serious closet weedings, so maybe I need to take it a little more seriously.
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/683/22251371808_f0488d8fb3.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-12087618649141368092015-10-22T21:11:00.000-04:002015-10-22T21:11:05.799-04:00Runner's high<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/630/21775404593_d677832e81.jpg">
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Shades: Party City | Necklace: J.Crew Factory | Top: J.Crew Factory | Skirt: <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/skirts/chic-ing-of-which-skirt">this one</a> from Modcloth | Wedges: Target | Lips: NARS Funny Face
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I ran (like legit ran, except for a few walks) my second 5k on Saturday, and managed to not die! My only goal was to make it in less than an hour, and my time ended up being 45:48! I'm really pleased, because I'm generally a pretty slow runner. If I had known I was so close to under 45, I would have pushed it a little harder--but regardless, I'm happy. I loved the race I ran (it's a small one in Cardiganland), and now I have a legit 3.1 mile course fairly close to where I live that I can train on! I'm already aiming for a 5k in January and I'm hoping to shave my time down to sub-40 by then. Ultimately, my official year long goal is to run the <a href="http://greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com/">Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon</a> on September 10th, 2016. I might be insane, and I might have to walk parts of it, but I'm doing it. And I'm really excited. Doing the math, it makes sense--I can spend the rest of this year focusing on my 5k work, then start nailing down a 10k training program. The half marathon training program I've found is a 16 week program, and that leaves me with the first five months of 2016 to really get ready for that. I have no delusions of grandeur here; I know I'm in for pain and misery and torture and long nights at the gym and a lot of hours on my sneakers, but I'm kind of looking forward to it.
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I mean, I'm going to hate myself immensely while I'm running. But I'm still going to do it.
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<img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/697/22370487236_9f901e6776.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-52455027838063430572015-10-20T07:42:00.000-04:002015-10-22T21:31:31.580-04:00Style Imitating Art: Leopard I<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/781/21498591694_e8bfd80b64_o.jpg">
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It's Style Imitating Art time! Yessssss. This week's inspiration was <i>Leopard I</i> by Megan Carn. Let's get to it!
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First up is Stephanie, who doesn't have (a lot of) leopard--but that doesn't matter! Her outfit still rings true to the painting, and even the backdrop matches!
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Next is Erin of <a href="http://looplooks.net/2015/10/19/sia-surprise-leopard/">Loop Looks</a>, who looks super sharp. I love that she licked a location that <i>also</i> matches this week's painting!
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Noelle of <a href="http://theclassyjunk.blogspot.com/2015/10/style-imitating-art.html">The Classy Junk</a> embodied this week's inspiration without the leopard! (Well, mostly.) I love that she still has a pattern in the same family going!
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Carriehas a really cute top that emulates the same pattern as the leopard. It has a really cool vibe, and the colours complement the painting, too!
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SIA co-curator Jen of <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/2015/10/19/sia-interpretation-leopard/">Librarian for Life and Style</a> found a light blue cardigan to wear with her leopard skirt. And red lips! Everything about her outfit works so well together!
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And other SIA co-curator Salazar at <a href="http://wp.me/p1qok6-3U3">14 Shades of Grey</a> is wearing <i>burgundy</i>, which I would have never even thought of. But Salazar knows how to class it up better than I do so I'm not surprised ;)
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And then there's me! I dig this outfit, even if my pencil skirt kind of hung off me all day...
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I love this week's entries. Everyone looks vibrant and bold (I guess leopard does that to you, even if you don't actually wear it), and these outfits are so stylish. Thank you all for participating!
</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-35388469074728440312015-10-19T21:53:00.002-04:002015-10-19T21:53:39.156-04:00Glamour<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5638/21697305083_de2f732f11.jpg">
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Jacket: Forever 21 via Dani | Top: J. Crew Factory | Skirt: Target | Tights: oh, probably Target | Heels: Urban Outfitters | Nails: butter London Artful Dodger
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Something about the photo above--the shot of my moneymaker--feels really 90s to me. Maybe it's the leopard. Maybe it's the red. Maybe it's the gigantic hair. But whatever it is, I love it. Getting my glamour shots on.
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Swing by tomorrow morning for this week's SIA roundup! Everyone has great outfits this week!
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5733/22328900561_42ef2d1f87.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-15937697735032539272015-10-12T22:32:00.000-04:002015-10-12T22:32:04.884-04:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/781/21498591694_e8bfd80b64_o.jpg">
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<i>Leopard I</i>, by <a href="http://www.megancarn.com/">Megan Carn</a>
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Acrylic on canvas, 2015
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I <b>love</b> Megan Carn's artwork. I recently found out about her after sending <a href="http://animatedcardigan.blogspot.com/2015/04/something-wild.html">Bart</a> to <a href="https://www.framebridge.com/">Framebridge</a> for framing, and fell pretty hard. I love her eye for colour--so much pink!--but I thought I'd avoid the pink this time because even I don't own a whole lot of it. But I found this beautiful painting Carn made of a leopard, and I thought it would be perfect for SIA! Email me your photos inspired by this great painting by Monday night (October 19th) to be included!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-2861615763020112712015-10-07T18:07:00.000-04:002015-10-07T18:07:00.213-04:00What to wear to a Kesha Concert (again)<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5779/21969780852_dab51bcda6.jpg">
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Kesha
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September 19th @ 9:45pm
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Upper intramural fields, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
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S. wore:
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K. wore:
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L. wore:
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I wore:
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Talk about usual suspects--all this crew has been on AC at one point or another for going to a concert with me! K. and I surprised L. with with a ticket to see Kesha with us for her birthday, and we were all stuffed into my Prius for the twoish hour ride to Clemson. The school's performance/production group brought Kesha in, and since she hasn't done a great lot of live performing recently, we jumped at the chance to see her live (again for most of us; this was L.'s first time). K. dumped an entire bag of glitter into her weave, and even now at work I find little clusters of purple glitter on the carpet and in the bathroom. But anyway--the show was supposed to start at 9, and when 9 rolled around, we were still waiting in line and my poor friends experienced their first fan crush. (Or maybe poor me, since it wasn't my first by a long shot.) We finally got around to getting into the field Clemson had blocked off for the show and the show didn't start until 9:45pm, but it was great. Kesha looks happy and healthy and sounds fantastic, and while her set was nothing new, it was still a lot of fun and involved an enormous blow up rainbow to celebrate gay marriage's legality. Kesha mentioned that she was sick all day and her doctor told her to cancel, so I'm really glad we didn't end up with another <a href="http://animatedcardigan.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-to-wear-to-miley-cyrus-concert.html">Miley situation</a>, especially since we had to drive almost two hours to get to Clemson! And Kesha just ain't that kind. She made it happen, and it was awesome.
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And as a note: of all the concerts I've been to, I've never been to one whose parking situation was as well done as Clemson's. The Intramural fields were all used as parking, and they were all very well lit (they have sports lighting so our pictures turned out great, and we were super safe!) Clemson's production club also had the police on hand to help direct traffic. This is probably peanuts to them compared to the games at Death Valley, but still--for those of us who are used to pitch black parking lots and sitting for an hour waiting to get out of the lot in the first place, the organization and setup of the concert were greatly appreciated!
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5722/21793843400_67c13398d5.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-37049318603527574322015-10-05T21:33:00.000-04:002015-10-05T21:34:01.388-04:00Small goals: October<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/583/21981168905_6db60bf6b5.jpg">
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Last month, I decided to take part in <a href="http://www.writeslikeagirlblog.com">Nicole's</a> small goals challenge. I did not do so great! But I'm going to be up front about it anyway. Here are the goals I set for last month:
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<b>Finish all stitchwork and beading on the Sleeping Princess.</b> <a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/PIMDV">I did get this done!</a> And I actually got it framed, which makes me really happy. I spent over a week looking for a frame and got pretty stressed out because it's a really weird size/shape, but I found one at Michael's on Friday that I missed on the first go round. Next weekend is when the fair starts! <b>DONE</b>.
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<b>Don't skip a day of training.</b> I had to skip ONE day of training this month, because I was having some stomach issues, but I made that my rest day. So technically I didn't skip, I reappropriated. <b>DONE</b> enough.
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<b>Finish <i>Between the World and Me</i> and read <i>The Wonder of All Things</i>.</b> <i>Undermajordomo Minor</i> by Patrick deWitt, who wrote one of my favourite books, was released partway through September, so I quit reading <i>Between the World and Me</i> for that. (No regrets, because <i>Undermajordomo Minor</i> is wonderful.) I did finish <i>The Wonder of All Things</i>, though! It was pretty good! Half <b>FAIL</b>.
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<b>Write and post at least one blog post per week, not including SIA.</b> Fail. I was so committed to getting the cross stitch done that I basically ignored the blog. This one stays as a goal for October though. <b>FAIL</b>.
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<b>Paint the damn living room.</b> Got it done! We painted the living room (except for the fireplace wall, which needs to be redone) a couple of weeks ago, and Tippy the cat moved in with Andrew. They're precious together. The living room is green screen green, and it looks great! I was kind of concerned about the green being too dark and bogging the room down, but it ended up looking excellent. <b>DONE</b>.
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3 outta 5 ain't bad. 60%. That's...almost passing, and I guess my 3rd goal could be half complete, which is 70%, which means it's a C! Yaaaaaay. So here are October's goals:
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<b>Write and post at least one blog post per week, not including SIA.</b> Like I said, it stays.
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<b>Submit five cross stitches to the fair.</b> I've done five in the last year (whoa), and I want those tiny blue ribbons and $2 prizes for first place! (Uh, I hope. One ribbon would be solid.)
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<b>Clean my car.</b> After New Orleans, my car was relatively clean, and after I took it to the shop, the guys who work there vacuumed it for me. But between life and a Kesha concert, my car is a mess inside. The rain has probably helped the exterior, but I need to vacuum and clean out the trunk.
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<b>Figure out what the hell is going on with my phone plan.</b> A. and I share a phone plan, and it is $$$$$, even though employees there have told me it's the least expensive it could be, and I find that really hard to believe I tried downgrading our data last week and it ended up costing more! I also need to upgrade my phone--my dear sweet 4S is starting to go a little senile--and I've been putting off all of this because every time I go to Verizon, it's an hour of standing around. I just need to gather the chutzpah to go. I'm also still trying to decide what iPhone to upgrade to (I'm an iPhone fan and not ashamed of that) but I'm probably going to go all in and get a 6S, because I'll probably have it for the next 3 years. I'm not a serial upgrader.
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<b>Start working on a blog facelift.</b> This is something I've wanted to do for a while. Header, font, colours, everything. It's just outdated. I don't expect to get it all done, but I have a header in mind that I really like the idea of, at least. And everyone has a white blog now. I want to be cool and have a white blog too!
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So those are this month's goals. Let's see if I can do a smidge better this go round!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-61643721648738001642015-10-05T21:00:00.002-04:002015-10-05T21:00:42.146-04:00The water is wide<center><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/591/21793865469_3101f715c8.jpg">
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Scarf: JCPenney | Jacket: Target | Dress: Gap Outlet | Belt: Target | Tights: Target | Cowboy boots: Belk
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Cardiganland spent most of this past weekend bracing for impact, and expecting the worst, but I'm very lucky to say that most of Joaquin missed my part of the state. We got plenty of rain--about 7 inches overall--and one person did die in the area last week, but the situation could have been much, much worse. I have friends who live in Columbia but were in Charlotte over the weekend and now they can't get home, because every interstate between the two cities is flooded in some areas. I hate that there are parts of South Carolina that are in such dire straits right now. It's devastating. But one thing I know about this state is that for better or worse, people band together. And in this situation, I believe it will be for the better.
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Check out <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/">Jen's blog</a> tomorrow for more outfits inspired by this week's SIA selection!
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<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5655/21968578072_dfe8f1ea88.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-48035589730627477492015-09-29T23:48:00.002-04:002015-09-29T23:48:51.769-04:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5720/21836037301_e07995fd98.jpg">
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<a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98510092/"><i>Be Kind to Books</i></a> poster, by Arlington Gregg
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Late 1930s, silkscreen on board
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I'm a librarian so I guess I'm not the least biased person ever to say this, but who doesn't like a good book, amirite? So when Jen emailed over this week's SIA inspiration, I was pretty pleased. It's Banned Books Week in America, and this SIA is a great way to highlight that. To be included in this week's SIA, send your photos to <a href="http://librarianforlifestyle.com/">Jen</a> by the night of Monday, October (!!!) 5th to be included!
</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-38575157743823306542015-09-15T13:28:00.000-04:002015-09-15T13:28:00.396-04:00Mad for plaid<center><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5757/21438623831_dd680d04c3.jpg">
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Jacket: Target | Top: Target | Pants: Old Navy | Fledges: Target | Necklace: aptoart on Etsy
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I have been looking for plaid pants for three falls now. It's taken THAT LONG to find a pair that suited me. I checked all over the place and liked a few pairs, but I really struggle to find pants that fit--I'm 5'10 and I have a long torso, but my legs are comparatively stubby. Usually pants are either too long, or they're baggy, or they're tight in the waist, whatever. But Old Navy! They came through! And in a big way, because these plaid pants are Philadelphia Eagles green! Fat lot of good it did, since they lost last night (boooooooo), but I did what I could to support the cause. Happy football season, y'all!
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<img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/742/21430133325_5f3a033427.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-5094020826238520402015-09-15T01:11:00.001-04:002015-09-15T01:11:24.537-04:00SIA: PSA<center><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5797/20807150314_35ee3cf365_o.jpg">
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<a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/works/79234?locale=en"><i>Painting Number 2</i></a>, by Franz Kline
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Oil on canvas, 1954
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This painting is NINE FEET LONG. And we all know how I love big art. So I'm pretty stoked for this one! Salazar said she was influenced by my skirt from the pervious SIA, and...is it tacky to wear the same skirt two SIAs in a row? <i>We'll find out</i>. Send <a href="https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com/">Salazar</a> your outfits inspired by <i>Painting Number 2</i> by Monday, September 21st to be included in this week's roundup!</center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5553223052310539110.post-40196216392744638962015-09-09T14:44:00.000-04:002015-09-09T14:44:00.118-04:00Evander Holyfield<center><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5796/21075766138_e3963d096a.jpg">
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Top: J.Crew | Skirt: Target | Wedges: Target | Cat: Lily
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As I have steadily clawed my way to completing this month's <a href="http://animatedcardigan.blogspot.com/2015/09/small-goals-september.html">small goal #1</a>, I have encountered some needs. Most recently, I decided to change a shade of metallic thread in the pattern from copper to purple. I didn't want to buy it online and pay for shipping and wait a week for a three dollar spool of thread, so I found a shop on the outer edges of Cardiganland that sells the thread and decided to drive out on my day off to buy the thread.
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On the way there, the guy in front of me on the interstate hit a shred of tire, which went airborne and slammed into my headlight, skidded across the hood of my car, then slid off at the windshield, but not before wailing into my side view mirror and ripping it from the body of my car, leaving it hanging by a strip of wiring. My poor car lost an ear!
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I've been driving around ever since with only one side mirror. I used to make fun of people with only one mirror and now I am one. Shame on me. But hopefully my car's ear will return by the end of this week--the body shop is getting a replacement--and I think I've found a way to file a claim to make the state pay for it, since they aren't cleaning up the roads. It's better than nothing, right? And now I have a spool of thread that cost only $350.
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<img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/759/21075553130_0da8fc00d2.jpg"></center>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18127138043675417803noreply@blogger.com0