Unseasonably warm.

I went on a run. Outside. On January 31st in Decatur, Illinois. What is this? I checked the weather for today - the high is 64 degrees!If you know how the Midwest is, you know that this is not anywhere near normal. I mean, I'm not complaining, it just blows my mind. The Illinois winter this year has been really strange. It didn't snow when I was still here in December and when I came back early January, I was expecting to see mounds and mounds of snow and be freezing my butt off. Quite the contrary! I was able to go outside with just a pea coat and a scarf. Usually I'm wearing layer upon layer in the winter! It seems like winter has been strange everywhere, though, judging from the 2 weeks of sunshine I experienced when I went home to Oregon in December. Yeah, you read that right - sunshine. A.k.a. no rain for 2 weeks. What? In Oregon? In Winter? Yes.

Global warming aside, this balmier weather has been greatly appreciated. I'm not really a hot-weather girl and I actually enjoy the cold and snow (thumbs up for boot weather!), but these breezy days and mild temperatures have been a treat. And I love love love cold weather fall and winter fashion, but I'm starting to get excited for warmer days and fun, spring clothes. I'm currently obsessing over swingy, pleated skirs, and I always love a pretty floral no matter what time of year. And though the holidays are over, I think sequins are necessary year-round :) My wardrobe is mostly made up of neutrals, so I'm going to try and incorporate more color with my neutrals this Spring, especially the bright variety! I just bought a pleated, knee-length, hot pink skirt from The Limited that I will post about later :) But for now, here is a little inspiration for Spring! Bring on the shorter hemlines, bare legs, open-toed heeled sandals, and pretty colors!

Spring Fling by hgies89 featuring leather sandals

Alice Olivia nylon shirt, £340
Marc by Marc Jacobs tie shirt, $230
J Crew cotton t shirt, £30
H M sequin tank top, £13
Alice Olivia long skirt, $396
7 For All Mankind pleated shorts, £155
H M knee length skirt, £15
H M short skirt, £13
J.Crew j crew shoes, $275
J.Crew suede shoes, $198
H&M leather sandals, £15
J Crew leather handbag, £270
J Crew animal jewelry, $98
J.Crew plastic sunglasses, $128
M·A·C Quite Cute Nail Lacquer, $14

Spring Fling by hgies89 featuring j crew shoes

Alice Olivia nylon shirt, £340
Marc by Marc Jacobs tie shirt, $230
J Crew cotton t shirt, £30
H M sequin tank top, £13
Alice Olivia long skirt, $396
7 For All Mankind pleated shorts, £155
H M knee length skirt, £15
H M short skirt, £13
J.Crew j crew shoes, $275
J.Crew suede shoes, $198
H&M leather sandals, £15
J Crew leather handbag, £270
J Crew animal jewelry, $98
J.Crew plastic sunglasses, $128
M·A·C Quite Cute Nail Lacquer, $14

This first post is a winner

This is me. Sitting in my bed. Where I have been about 90% of this day. This is what happens when you graduate in December, get back from choir tour in late January, and still have to get a job. Thankfully, I have had success in finding a job, but I don't have anything until Wednesday. This past week-and-a-half hasn't been completely useless. I went on interviews. I worked out. I cleand and re-organized my room. I finally washed the clothes that I took on tour. It's been nice to have some extra time, but also not, because I like being busy. I thrive on a schedule, even when I get stressed out. I just feel extra lazy today as my 4 roommates are starting their second week of classes and I left the house for a total of 30 minutes in order to go to the gym and use the treadmill. Yeah, I'm doing big things.

The thing is, I should be savoring these last few moments of doing nothing, because starting Wednesday, I'm a working woman. I mean, I still won't be getting all the hours I need, but it's a start, and right now I'm taking what I can get. I need the monies! The nice thing about today is that I had time to Skype the fiancé for a couple hours this morning before he went to work (again reminding me of how lazy I've been), watch last night's episode of "Once Upon a Time" (new favorite show), browse the Spring 2012 and pre-Fall 2012 collections on vogue.com, go to the gym whenever I wanted, skype my friend from Chicago, pin my heart out on pinterest without worrying about being late to anything, and Skype the fiancé once more tonight for 2 hours. Somehow during my crazzzy schedule I forgot to make myself dinner until about 9 pm! Woops. Something else I did today was browse some blogs, which have inspired me to start my own blog, something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I wanted a way to update everyone (if anyone will even read this) on my life since I've graduated, my life with Nick (when he finally comes back to me this Spring! :D), and other little things. So what if this day was kind of pointless, I at least can say I officially started my blog! And I guess relaxing isn't really pointless. I kinda deserve it after the crazy semester and cutting my break short for a crazy 2-week choir tour! Now I'm rambling because I'm tired (ya know, from all the sitting in my bed I've been doing today), so I'm gonna watch some more trashy tv and hit the hay pretty soon, but stick around, I'll be posting more soon!