9/30 Who needs TV when you have customer service at Barnes & Noble?

Shirt: Elle for Kohls, Jeans: Old Navy: Shoes: Steve Madden: Scarf, Ralph Lauren, thrifted

Yesterday morning I awoke to a downed Internet and a repair guy who couldn't show up until "sometime between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and midnight, never," so I was forced to scramble over to the nearest Panera to mooch off their free wi-fi and gorge myself on pastries.

After several hours in my booth, I ran out of things to order, and the Panera staff ran out of patience with me stealing table space from their dining customers. So I picked up my computer, capitalized on free refills at the coffee carafe for the 20th time, and headed down the road to Barnes & Noble to see how long I could stay before the magazine section caught my wandering eye.

Turns out, I was not the only one turning the bookstore into my office, and the sole open seat I could find was a recliner set directly next to the customer service counter. And in this position, I discovered it wasn't the magazines that I had to worry about, the customers at the counter were a far better distraction.

Here's some highlights:

- Middle-aged man approaches counter looking for a book called Magnetics. Employee asks who it's by. Customer: "No one that I know of, I'm just hoping there is one."

- Man in construction gear looking for The Sourdough Cookbook. Looks like someone's aiming to please at the company bake sale.

- Mohawk man in search of The Ultimate Pregnancy Journal. What a sweetie, right? And please, oh please, give your baby a matching 'do. See here for why.

- Middle-aged woman looking for a book with a title I couldn't make out. Employee says they don't have it, but she can put it on order. Customer: "No thanks, my book group is meeting to discuss it at 6:00." Tsk tsk procrastinator.

8/30 aka Cowls are perfect for hiding candy

Sweater: Old Navy, Jeans: Old Navy, Cowl: Forever 21: Shoes: Steve Madden

After I saw this post on The Daybook, I crunched some numbers and realized I could save approximately 89.322 minutes per week if I switched to a smaller purse, thus avoiding the time spent rooting around in the depths of my suitcase-sized giant to find a pen or some change.

Since that revelation, I've switched to a teeny-tiny purse and in my new spare time have traced my family lineage back 600 years, done 100 New York Times' Sunday crossword puzzles, and broken the world record for longest hula-hoop.

But then on Friday night, Derek and I went to the movies, and I was reminded why I used to carry that big ol' purse - to sneak candy in to theaters of course! Yes, you heard me right, I refuse to pay $5 for a box of Red Vines when they are $1 at Walgreens. So as I pondered my situation, I looked from my tiny purse, to my candy, to my cowl, and thought, hmm ... could my knit neck warmer not only snuggle but smuggle?

Then I decided, good idea, but no, and did what any normal gal would do, put my little purse, inside my old big purse, along with all the candy I could manage.

7/30 aka Now do you believe I live in my sweatpants?

Pants: Gap, Denim shirt: Herve Bernard at Marshalls, Grey Shirt: Banana Republic, Cardigan: Polo by Ralph Lauren at Marshalls, Shoes: Steve Madden, Necklaces: don't remember!

Happy Friday my friends! As you can see, I'm still in the first third of my outfit postings, while my compadres in this process are in their final leg. If there was any denying that my work-from-home job keeps me in thoroughly un-internet-worthy clothes, you better believe it now. Luckily I have a boyfriend who prefers the no-makeup ponytail me, and when I do get gussied up, it makes it all the more fun.

And now, the weekend is here, and I'm finally going to be home, dressed, and have the time to snap some shots. So except more to come! I also have some fun recipes and projects coming next week so stay tuned.

In the meantime, here's some posts that caught my eye this week.

Wouldn't this or this dress be fun to change into for your wedding reception? Or wear the whole time if you want a short dress! And both under $70.

This fish dinner we made this week was melt-in-your-mouth good.

If I'm good, can I please have this kitchen when I grow up?

Oh yum!

Are you looking forward to the Oscars this weekend? I am! This was my favorite Oscar dress growing up, though I think if I went, I'd want to wear something like this or even this.

6/30 aka U.S.A. is A-OK!

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Tommy Hilfiger from Marshalls, Shoes: Kohls, Belt: thrifted, Hairbows: Claire's

After spending the weekend in D.C., I was feeling ultra patriotic - especially so when I came home from 30 degree weather to sunny and 80 San Diego, ah how I love travelling from sea to shining sea.

So I donned my most red, white, and blue 30 for 30 duds and went national anthem caroling 'round the neighborhood. Or at least I thought about it. I was too nervous after Christina's disaster a few weeks back.

P.S. Please excuse the close-up of my hobbit feet. If you ever were a ballet dancer in pointe shoes, you understand.

4/30 aka just call me Denim Dan

In case you were wondering, my fashion inspiration for outfit number four ...

4/30 aka Ladies, lock up your brothers' ... closets

Shirt: Elle for Kohls, Jeans: Old Navy, Belt: thrifted, Shoes: thrifted

 Between my middle school and adult years, I experienced minimal movement in the growth department and thus found minimal motivation to stop shopping in the children's section. Don't worry, don't worry. You won't ever catch me in a crop top or school girl skirt. This isn't a Britney Spears' video. But when items like flip flops and flats look just about the same in a girl's style as they do in a woman's, and the price is so much better, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll find me in the former section at Old Navy, pretending to be shopping for my non-existent niece.

This particular outfit, however, has a few choice item from my new favorite department - the boys'. Sure, I could have splurged on a pair of Sperry boat shoes to get my nautical fix, but why bother when I thrifted this boy's pair, brand new for $4. And the belt? Also thrifted. And I'm guessing from the stamps it once belonged to someone who never outgrew his Thomas the Tank Engine phase. But for 99 cents? I'm all aboard.

2/30 and 3/30 aka my face isn't lookin' so good, so why not admire my shoes?

Top: Gap, Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: Candies for Kohls, Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack

After photo shoot numero uno, I thought I was feeling just a wee bit better about outfit posing and was excited to show off my mad skills. Derek and I located this scenic barren little spot in our apartment complex and went to work.

Definitely still in need some practice but I do have excuses. The squinty eyes look and the gaze upward? Those are a result of two things. 1. A too bright sun and 2. Our handy complex maintenance man, Lefty, standing behind Derek and saying over and over again, "Mighty fine day for some picture taking ... miiiighty fine."

As a result of these distractions, you get a nice close-up of my shoes for outfit two and an extra shoot to boost! Outfit number three below.

Shirt: Calvin Klein from Marshalls, Pants: Gap, Belt: Forever 21, Shoes: Candies for Kohls, Necklace: c/o The Afternoon

1/30 aka I won't be changing careers anytime soon

Shirt: Herve Bernard from Marshalls, Jacket: Banana Republic thrifted, Necklace: thrifted, Belt: thrifted, Jeans: Old Navy, Boots: Endless.

Hello, hello!

I know I promised just one post with all my 30 for 30 outfits compiled each week, but I can't lie, I've been getting really excited checking out some of the other remixers' blogs, and wanted to make sure to get up outfit number one in case anyone stops by! Then I swear I'm back to the old plan.

So here's pretty much how the first photoshoot went:

Me (in my head): OK, pose, pose, over the shoulder, sexy smile, leg pop, skinny arm. You're lookin' good girl!

Derek (after about 10 seconds): Why don't you stop and take a look at what we've got?

Me (realizing what Derek already knows: I look constipated and/or insane in every photo): Accck! What am I doing wrong?

Derek: Why don't you come over by the door instead, turn to the side, give a little bit of a smile like this (demonstrates several poses which I mimic. New pictures turn out great).

So the moral of the story here is, my boyfriend is a better model than I am. Great. Looks like I have an ANTM marathon in my future.

And to make sure you get a good laugh with your morning cup of coffee, here's a sample of what my pictures looked like without Tyra Derek's direction.

30 for 30, before I'm 30?

My first attempt at fashion blog posing. Can't keep a straight face. Looks like someone needs some practice.

Over the weekend, inspired by some of my favorite fashion bloggers, I decided to participate in Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 challenge. If you haven't heard of it yet, you choose 30 items from your closet (accessories not included) that are the only things you can wear for the next 30 days, and share pictures of your ensembles on your blog.

The remixing of clothes doesn't scare me so much, but I can tell you that I'm rather terrified to post pictures of myself for all to view. That may sound silly since I often post weekend or vacation pictures, but, I'm feeling terribly self-conscious about my ability to pose for the camera as cutely as girls like Emily and Sydney do.

So while my outfits may not be high fashion, and my poses rather unmodelesque, I do hope that the project will inspire me to get creative with my closet, and also provide you with some budget shopping tips and perhaps a good laugh at some awkward pictures of yours truly.

And since this blog is meant to be lifestyle focused, I won't detour from my regular recipe, project, and DIY postings. I also confess, that because I work from home, I sometimes spend the entire day in sweats, and I won't include those days in this project. With these two caveats in mind, you can expect one weekly fashion-related post that will include all my remixes from that week and a hope that I find enough days to get dressed up that I finish my 30 for 30 before I'm 30, six years from now.

So without further ado, here are my 30 for 30 picks, also known as, that which must be moved before Derek comes home and freaks out about my mess!

The whole crew:

Details:

Top row: Gap, Urban Outfitters, Kenar from Marshalls, Ralph Lauren at Marshalls, Elle for Kohls
Second row: Target, Banana Republic (thrifted), Vera Wang for Kohls, Lauren Conrad for Kohls

Third role: Marshalls, NY and Co., Ralph Lauren from Marshalls, Old Navy

Fourth role: (green dress) NY and Co., Tommy Hilfiger at Marshalls, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Old Navy, Gap

Fifth role: Lauren Conrad for Kohls, Old Navy, Polo at Marshalls, Calvin Klein at Marshalls, Marshalls,
French Connection at Marshalls
Shoes: Boots from Endless.com, Old Navy Flats, Candies for Kohls heels, Red heels from Kohls, boat shoes thrifted.