The Day That Thrifting Fulfilled My Dreams

Behold - the thrifting haul!

white blazer // $2.78
banana republic shirt // $2.00

suede booties // $5.80

maxi dress // $3.40

And most importantly...

My ballerina skirt.

warm-up skirt //  $0.83

If you've read this post, you know why finding this was pretty much the highlight of my week. Possibly the highlight of my month, if nothing  more amazing happens.

I spend about 10% of my time at home in my pajamas {sleeping},

5% changing in or out of whatever socially acceptable clothing I wear in public,

and I may or may not now spend the remaining 85% of my time playing dress-up in my ballerina skirt.

And I'm not afraid to wear it in public...

Before driving to the library, I was wearing it with a black t-shirt and leggings.

To go to the library, I threw on an over-sized black sweater and my riding boots and called it good.

Sorry, sweat pants...this is a childhood dream being fulfilled here.

Dear Boys,

Dear Armed-and-Dangerous,

Don't pull out 5-inch knives in in front of innocent bystanders. It's rather startling.

Thank you for your consideration,
An Innocent Bystander




Dear Duck,

Alright. Two words was nice for the moment, but I was kinda expecting some real communication to come shortly thereafter. Get on that, please.

Love,
Turtle



Dear Bacon Strips,

You're surprisingly...un-annoying. That's pleasant.

Yours,
Niamh



Dear Squint,

After initially being very disappointing, you've improved. Feel free to continue doing so!

Love,
Squash



Dear Tech-y,

No, it's not that serious.
No, I don't want to hang out.
No.

Independent



Dear Carrots,

It's been years...but you haven't changed a bit.

Lurve,
Blondie

My Name is Niamh and I Take Awkward Outfit Pictures.

And as a result...the face gets cropped out.

But not the soccer ball.

everything: thrifted 

I was ready to give up on pictures altogether, but I'm way too proud of this jacket not to have a post dedicated to it. It's the product of yet another fabulous thrifting trip. A brand-spanking-new $80 Vera Wang leather moto jacket for $6 ...that doesn't happen every day. So when it does, it must be documented, regardless of how awkward the pictures are.

I am truly, deeply in love with thrifting. 

And I'm broke again.

My Thoughts on Tutorials

I've always (as in, since I started this blog last April) thought it would be really cool to be one of those super-crafty bloggers with loads of amazing tutorials and recipes that everyone loves. 

Then I made a tutorial and realized how strange it would be for me to become that person.

Let me explain my relationship with tutorials:

Using them: I really only look at the pictures in tutorials. If there are no pictures (or fill-in-the-blank templates when it's dealing with HTML stuff for blogging) it's a no-go. Call it laziness, but that's just how it is.  I go about the project, whatever it is, based on the pictures and a quick scan of the page.
Good: This approach let's me be uber-creative with it. Bad: "Uber-creative" doesn't always turn out so well if I'm supposed to be following specific instructions.
With recipes...I'm just super-talented and I manage to get something wrong regardless of how closely I follow the directions. But then I just add extra flour and everything fixes itself.

Making them: I only give the bare bones details, according to how I went through it. Which was probably the easiest way possible. I'm also prone to use "thingamajig" or "whatchamacallit" in my description.

The verdict: tutorials aren't very me. I'm really glad I've found my place as a "lifestyle" rather than "crafty" blogger - better for you and me both!

What kind of blogger did you start off thinking you would be? Has that changed over time?

Dear Boys,

Dear Boys,

Give me books. It's romantic, I promise.

Loves,
Niamh



Dear Duck,

These are really sucky circumstances to get to see each other under. I'm happy...but it's all so sad!

Love,
Turtle



Dear Tech-y,

I'm torn between getting rid of you for, like, ever and trying to keep being nice.
Which one would you prefer?

Yours,
Independent



Dear D,

I kinda feel bad for you. But then I think you're a jerk.
You two should never, ever, ever get back together.

Just sayin',
The BFF



Dear Milo,

You owe me a dance. Don't you forget it!

Love,
Your Bestest Friend



Dear Bloglovin',

I'm practicing using you to prepare for Google reader being gone...and I'm not liking it.

Ugh,
Niamh



Dear Google,

I may never forgive you for this.

Niamh

Just Trying to Make Your Life Better

I'm pretty sure the best part of my friends having birthdays is making them cookies...and then me getting to eat the extras.

You've seen this recipe, right?

Peanut Butter and Nutella Cookies

from The Sister's Cafe

1 cup butter (2 sticks) room temperature

2/3 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy – I like crunchy)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 2/3 cup flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

heaping 1/3 cup Nutella

Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla together until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to butter mixture. Add Nutella in dollops over the top of the dough.  Use a butter knife to swirl the Nutella through the dough.  Do not over mix.  Chill the dough in fridge for 15 minutes before spooning onto cookie sheet to firm the nutella.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Bake until slightly brown at edges.  Let cool a few minutes on cookie sheet before transferring.

Go make a batch. And eat them warm.

You're welcome.

Back in the Loop

I didn't have time to read any blogs this past week. Pretty much all I've done is check my emails. I've been rather confused by the sudden influx of emails notifying me of new Bloglovin' followers. 

And now that I'm caught up on blog reading, it all makes sense.

As you all probably already know, GFC/Google Reader/whatever is closing on July 1, 2013. 

Meh. I liked GFC. I've never been a fan of having blog posts delivered to my inbox with Bloglovin'...but I'll do it, just for all of you!

via, edited by me

You can follow me on Bloglovin' HERE.

And just in case you're interested...

Pinterest HERE.

{that's the end of my social-media-ing}

Aaaaaaand HERE is a super easy tutorial from Northern Belle Diaries on importing your GFC list to Bloglovin. So get to it - and have a great week!

On My Mind

Dear Boys,

Dear NM,

Yeah, I am beautiful. Punk. Say it to my face.

Yours,
JK



Dear Tech-y,

Golly, you're awkward.
Also, I can talk to whatever guy I want. Back off.

Lurve,
Independent



Dear Ewok,

I got a hug! I got a hug!

Love you too,
Meep



Dear Peewee,

I will find an excuse every single time you want me to have lunch with you. We are NOT starting that up again. But out of the three of you, you are my favorite.

Yours,
Niamh



Dear Wanna-Be-Hipster,

Let's all stop for a second and remember that age is just a number...

Love,
Her



Dear Dough-boi,

I love how you don't mind us being total freaks. And what's more - you join in! I like you, kid.

Love,
Niamh



Dear Deere,

Your dad is setting us up. This is SO going to happen. I seriously can't wait until summer!

Love,
Doe



Dear Duck,

Is it bad that every time I talk to you, I am VERY strongly tempted to tell you all about my flirtations with guys here? I'm torn between doing that, and telling you that I actually kinda maybe miss you a little bit. Not sure which would be worse...

Love,
Turtle



Dear Dr. Octopus,

This whole situation just makes me laugh. I'm super excited to actually officially meet you!

Love ya already,
Blondie

Helloooooo, Friday

It's about time you got here.
Once again, I've missed a few Fridays...so this covers more than just this past week.

1// I took a trip to the snow! I love the snow.

No, really, I do!

2// I saw Beautiful Creatures. And now, for a movie review.
If you've read the book, don't see it. That can only lead to disappointment {as is usually the case}. If you haven't read the book...go read it. It's good, and then you don't have to see the movie.
I just saved you twelve bucks - you're welcome. Go splurge on frozen yogurt.

3// I spent a day in Berkeley...and I didn't see a single angry protester, and I wasn't approached by any crazies. Major disappointment.

4//Last Friday through Monday were spent in bed with the plague. The only thing better than staying in bed wearing sweatpants all day when you're sick...is doing the same thing when you're healthy. Too bad that never happens.

5// I just got home from Time Out for Women!!!!
And John Bytheway was there!!!

More about TOFW tomorrow...
Have a fabulous weekend, everybody!

P.S. This video...I die.