11 Goals for 2011

As you might be able to guess, I want to start 2011 with a plan. I've got 11 goals/resolutions that I'd really like to reach. I will be documenting the completion/implementation (hopefully) of them on the blog.

1. Lose 20 pounds before Spring Break:Vegas (mid-April).
I am in no way unhappy with the way I look currently, but I would like to tighten/tone up a few areas and maintain a more healthy weight. I've done it before and I think I can do it again.

2. Be on time.
I'm never on time. For anything. And I desperately want to be.

3. Get over J. & Move On
I broke up with him for some very good reasons. I need to keep those reasons in my mind and get over it.

4. Save More $$ From Each Paycheck/Stick To My Budget/Pay Off Store Cards

5. Buy a DSLR camera (this directly contradicts #4...but whatever...lol)
I've been saving up for one and I really want one. Plus it will make blogging prettier!

6. Create a Weekly Chore List and Follow It
My apartment will likely not need my every-3-week cleaning overhauls if I do this.

7. Become a Better Wardrobe Remixer
In an effort to be even more frugal.

8. Read at Least 11 Books
I love to read but don't make enough time for it...11 for 2011!

9. Make Some of My Own Clothing
I enjoy sewing & knitting...I think it is time.

10. Spend More Time Blogging
More time, more effort.

11. Continue to Become a Better Teacher
Through experience, learning from other teachers, research, grad school, etc. My career is something that I take very seriously and I am constantly looking for ways to be better at it.

I am sure that I could probably think of even more things that I want to do this year, like learn more Spanish, or take time each week to have some "me" time...but I will limit myself to 11.
What are your New Year's Resolutions/Goals?

Happy New Year, lovies. See you in 2011.

♥Case

What I'm Listening To

Before I even begin this post, I want to give a sincere thank you to those of you who commented on my last post. You all remind me of who I am...you make me believe in myself when I feel like all is lost. Thank you.

I am slightly obsessed with my most recent Old Navy purchase: a Techno Hoodie.


Now, I'm not usually a hoodie kind of girl, but with my recent lack of enthusiasm for getting dressed, this hoodie has found a pretty regular spot in my wardrobe. The drawstrings are actually headphones and there is a little headphone jack in one of the pockets so I can plug in either my I-pod or my Droid. It's not the most fashionable, but if you're going to wear a hoodie (and for only $15), it may as well serve double-duty and play some music too, right? And it's pink, too, so that makes it a little more exciting in my book. You can find techno hoodies in Old Navy stores- it seems they are sold out online.

And now, just for fun...my recent playlist:
1. Dirty Dancing by NKOTB
2. You Be Killin' Em by Fabolous
3. Stereo Love by Edward Maya
4. Move That Body by Nelly & T-Pain & Akon
5. Last Dance by The Raveonettes
6. Please Don't Go by Mike Posner
7. Runaway by Kanye West
8. Music is My Hot, Hot Sex by CSS
9. Never Forget You by Noisettes
10. Little Secrets by Passion Pit

I have a very eclectic music taste, if you couldn't tell. :)

And get excited, because I am feeling a whole lot better so I am going to force myself to dress nicely and take some good OOTD pictures for you later this week. Finally.

♥Case

My Apologies. Merry Christmas.

I feel that I owe it to you all to apologize for my lack of posting lately.
The blog is truly not what it could/should be right now. And I need a place to vent.

To tell you the truth, I haven't been posting because I can't bring myself to dress nicely. Or put on makeup. Or really do anything with myself.

J has a new girlfriend. Already. After less than 5 months. We spent almost 8 years together.
If it had been up to him, he would have never ended our relationship. It was 100% my decision to end it.

So WHY am I feeling like my entire world is crashing to the ground around me?
Why is my planet destroyed? Why is my chest constantly aching?
Why is this the only thing I can think about?
And why do I feel like I am so alone...with no one to even talk to? Ha, even if I did have someone to talk to, I don't think I could accurately describe how I feel. I'm not trying to be overdramatic. Or dwell on the past. Or wallow in self-pity. It's not that at all.
But perhaps I should have never ended it to begin with. Perhaps I should have never taken a chance with what we had.

...and now I'll never have him back.

I feel like I can't breathe.
Merry Christmas.

♥Case

My Secret Blogger!

As mentioned in this post, I participated in BBM's Secret Blogger Gift Exchange! I was so excited to send my gift off to Ariana of FATale Fashion, who was SO fun to shop for! You can check out what I got her on her blog!
I was so excited to GIVE my gift that I almost forgot I'd be GETTING one, too! Needless to say, when I came home the other day to a big brown box on my doorstep, I was ecstatic to figure out what was inside and who it was from! When I opened the box, here is the pretty package I found:
I proceded to open it up and WOW! I was totally blown away! Whoever this secret blogger was did an AMAZING job of picking out gifts that suit me perfectly! Here is what I found inside (sorry for the phone pictures, I cannot hook my camera up at the moment):

Sweet gray scarf, black lacy flower pin, black and purple headbands (with flowers and bows!), glam necklace, awesome black studded gloves, a mini mirror, ultra cool eyelash curler, eye makeup remover wipes, and some delicious cookies!

I am in love.

Seriously...could she have picked gifts that were any more "me"??? After I opened the gifts I searched and searched for a card, thinking I must have missed it somewhere...but I did not find one...so I had a SUPER mystery blogger! Once I did some blog browsing, I realized that these fantastic presents came from the one and only Erica, aka misss_e, over at Plum Proper. She is so fabulous. I love reading her blog and she is such a sweetie. THANK YOU ERICA!!!! I love all my gifts so SO much! :)

Tomorrow is Chistmas Eve! It is one of my favorite nights of the year!

I hope Santa brings you everything you want! Thanks again to Erica for the gifts and BBM for hosting such a fantastic event! :)

♥Case

Why, Hello Winter Break!

Today was my last day of work of the year! I am officially on winter break until January 3rd! How sweet is that? I totally need this break, though, if for nothing else besides my sanity. A lot of people imagine teaching as an easy job...and although I do LOVE my job, it can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. This break will certainly help me to reduce the stress and enjoy some relaxing holiday time with friends and family.

We had a Winter Party in Kindergarten today! Here is what I wore to join in coordinate the festivities:

Blazer: Old Navy, $25ish last fall

Top: Avenue, $6 on clearance last fall

Necklace: Lane Bryant, $14.99ish on clearance last spring

Belt: Old Navy, $14ish last fall

Jeggings: Old Navy, $29.50

Boots: Avenue, $49.90

Nothing super exciting in this outfit, but I felt totally chic all day. Super easy and I felt put together.

I am off to celebrate the beginning of my winter break by snuggling with my blanket and reading some Harry Potter. Hopefully I will be able to do lots of posts now that I will not be super busy! Enjoy your Friday!

♥Case

Thrown Together

Today's outfit is brought to you by my random 6:30am brain. So I wanted to wear this sheath dress, because it is SO versatile and when I bought it, I imagined at least 3 ways to wear it off the top of my head. THIS was not one of the ways. However, I was still really excited to wear the dress and I actually felt pretty good in this all day. I originally bought an almost identical dress at NY&Co for $38 on sale...and one day just happened to look at Avenue and found this one on clearance for $9.99. I was super pumped, so I am determined to wear it until it dies.

I promise this scarf has a lot of the same color red as my tights. it was just not too evident in photos.

Sheath Dress: Avenue, $9.99

Blazer: Old Navy,$25ish on sale last fall

Tights: Avenue, $6

Scarf: NY&Co, $12ish on sale last spring

Boots: Avenue, $49.90

Without the scarf, just for kicks:

And yet another new pair of boots from Avenue:

At first I was not sure how I felt about these boots. They're not really my typical style, but they had nothing but good reviews and the calf size claimed to be promising...and to my surprise, they are actually very loose on my calves so I get the look that I want. After wearing them for a day, though, I was very impressed at home comfortable they were and how stylish I felt wearing them. One of the S's even said to me, "You look like you're about to go jump on a horse" which I took as good thing. They are riding boots, after all. They also have a lace-up back, which is kind of cute and yet functional. My only complaint is that they make my normally pretty small feet look and feel huge...and it seems to me that they run a little big. I got them here and again, here is that 40%off coupon code (JLA4030).

Stay frugal, friends!

♥Case

I'm All Choked Up That You're Okay...I'm Falling to Pieces.

I am looking especially washed out in today's photos. Maybe it's just the flash of my camera, but I'm not going to lie to you- I feel especially washed out lately. I am really trying to cope with the stress/hurt of my recent breakup with J. It's actually kind of strange, because we've been apart for just over 4 months and I've been totally fine (and the break-up was completely my decision) but suddenly about a week and a half ago the pain finally hit me. I'm trying to be happy because I know this is what is best for me. It has just recently gotten incredibly hard. Several of my friends have told me I seem so much happier now...I just wish I actually FELT so much happier now.

Anyway, enough of the pity party (sorry...) today I went to a good friend's bridal shower. I got this sweater (or is it a dress? I can't tell!) last weekend at Lane Bryant for a huge discount, so I was very excited to wear it. And my new gray boots seemed to be the perfect pairing item because I adore the combination of purple and gray this fall/winter.

Sweater (or is it a dress? I'm not sure): Lane Bryant, $21 on clearance

Vest: LOFT, $12.99ish on clearance last fall

Necklace: Kohl's, 2 or 3 years ago

Leggings: Avenue, $25ish last fall

Boots: Avenue, $29.99 on sale

Here is another new pair of boots. I especially like these ones because they easily make anything look more dressy. They also fit my calves wonderfully because of the way they are designed. I would most definitely recommend them for ladies who have trouble finding boots to fit their calves. They are from Avenue (go figure- I am loving their shoes lately), and you can get them for 40% off right now with the code JLA4030.

I am going to spend my Saturday evening watching movies and relaxing. Hope that your Saturday is super!

♥Case