Thanks & Giving

So nothing like a blur of a week. I swear that I sat down but I sure don’t feel that way.

I am not hung over on turkey, but lacking in sleep. Even after a 2 hour nap yesterday I am still exhausted. In light of that, my post for the last 7 days has been lacking.

I will do a quick summary and then start new with pictures from today.

In the last week I wore:

• flare jeans (multiple times!)
• black t-shirt with black sweater
• white t-shirt with orange sweater
• gray sweater with white long sleeve t-shirt
• blue t-shirt with black sweater
• pink sweater with black shirt and black skirt
• striped black & white shirt
• white sweater, black shirt and skirt 
• and a purple sweater.

I wore a few of the t-shirts with a combination of sweaters in the last week. I can’t even remember all the combinations (due lack of picture taking!) but I didn’t stray from the 30, I promise! 

I spent a lot less time thinking about what I wanted to wear and more time with my family this week. And I like that.

Today’s outfit included one my favorite accessories, leg warmers! What better way to make sure your legs are toasty warm inside those boots?

My lack of writing made this blog seem lackluster but I did make it through the biggest meal I have ever made! There were a few tears while sitting around the table with family. It was an awesome weekend. I am very proud of myself and hope I get the opportunity to make that kind of meal again. I loved having everyone around while baking up a storm (homemade cheesecake, anyone?).

It also so happened that there was a 5k and 10k at the State Park this weekend. why not add 6 miles to the cooking! Results? Ok! Click here! There are four of us to find, go!

Even after all that rushing around we still managed to put up our very first Christmas tree. I am very sentimental and it meant so much to me to have our first tree as a married couple. Could I be any cheesier? 

So in spite of of my lack of pictures of outfits this week here is my offering:

Have a great week! I'll write again soon!

The Albano's First Christmas tree!

Days 4, 5, 6 and 7: 30 for 30

30 for 30 week update: Well. I made it. One whole week down. I surprised myself, I thought of some new combinations that I don't usually wear (I know this because I always wear some of my favorite pieces together). It got a little tricky at the end when I needed to do laundry and get errands done (I might have worn the same t-shirt twice in a row).

So far I have found that 30 pieces is plenty to get through a week, but I am missing some of my favorite pieces. I could easily see this going to 60 pieces and relying solely on those. I do like that my closet isn't so stuffed that I need to shove things around to get more clothes in. It's nice to wake up in the morning, have a few options, pick out something I love and feel comfortable all day. There is nothing worse then picking out an outfit because you feel like you bought something uncomfortable yet feel like you should wear it at least once ( I speak from lots of experience).

So here's the rest of the week recap:

 Friday- At my office we reserve the right to wear jeans. Some people think jeans are ok every day but I prefer to save them until the end of week in order to have something to look forward too. So, starring in Friday's role is flare jeans, my orange sweater and a black t-shirt. I must say, this is one of my go to outfits that I love to wear. The sweater is very warn in. I think its one of the pieces I would like to replace after my 30 days are up. It's getting faded and piling.

Saturday- Although it was one of those sleep until 9, drink coffee until 11 am kind of days, I did have to run out and get some things done (the Christmas rush is on!). I put together one of my favorite stripped black & white shirt, flare jeans, and some bracelets. I went for comfort and even wore a pair of tennis shoes. I know, very mid-western of me but all that walking is hard in heels.

 Sunday- Um. Well, that 9 mile run on Saturday must have killed me, or else I am pathetic because I slept until 10:40 on Sunday. Not that sleeping in is bad, but a commitment to 11:30 Mass does make this a rushed morning. Some thing about rushing around in the morning is not appealing to me. I really don't like it. I have enough rushing by in life, I don't need my weekends to be fleeting too! Needless to say, the navy skirt, white shirt and black knitted sweater were the most easiest pieces to throw on (literately!).

Monday- Back to work! Ok, I have a thing for sweaters, and sweater vest fall into this category.

I went classic with my look for today. This shirt has appeared in a my challenge a few times so far.

Tuesday- I love this sweater. It's knitted and I love the pockets (I am a pocket fan too!). I got a little crazy and went with two necklaces (neck party?

I am especially proud of my no shopping for 30 days adventure. My husband has noted that I don't need another piece of clothing before and I am proud to tell him I am not shopping for 30 whole days! (This no shopping is going to affect my trip to NYC though. It will be difficult to resist!)

OK. Back to baking things.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 


EAA

the craziness

besides being a sadist, i am slightly crazy. and I can explain. 

it's cause: wanting to run a marathon

it's problem: darkness + lots of miles + life + work 

literally this is what one of my runs looked like last week 

 

The red lines are my running "tracks" or where I went. Ha. This is great. When I wear my GPS watch at the gym and run around a 200 meter track this is what I get. This really looks like a hot mess, which is how I feel after some runs any ways. 

So this is why I am slightly crazy. I run around a track over 48 times in one workout.

I have not even gotten close to super crazy, but it's coming soon.

I can feel it. There will be plenty more post about the craziness that is life.

All signed up for my next 10K too! I am running with my family in the local Turkey Trot here in Erie. I have not raced in a while but I am looking forward to it. I convinced my father-in-law, husband and brother-in-law to run with me too. The Albano racing team will be in full force. Look out Erie road racing!

More on the closet challenge, weekend and adventures and trip plans. Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading!

Always, Erika

Promised Update- I swear!

Ok. I know I promised an update. And I swear I will get there. Later.

In the mean time (and why I have been m.i.a the last few days): ready, set, winter fashion

Perhaps I should revise my 30 for 30 challenge: update on a weekly basis? We will have to analyze this further. Running 40+ miles a week is starting to get tricky. I am still holding true to the challenge, but updating pictures has been a struggle!

By the way, ever want to know all the ways you can get sick? HUNDREDS! There are hundreds of bacteria just floating around. I studied them last night with my husband and am now a germ o-phobe. 

Days 1, 2 & 3: 30 for 30

Before I go on and on about myself and fashion I will give some credit where credit is due.

"To be meek & humble; if we are meek and humble, we will learn to pray. If we learn to pray, we will belong to Jesus. If we belong to Jesus, we will learn to believe, and if we believe we will learn to love, and if we love we will learn to serve."  -Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

It is through God's many gifts I can be here.

Ok. I made a slight error in writing that I would update my 30 for 30 challenge with a photo (and subsequent) post Monday.

Something happened between the tornado watch, taking out the trash and making dinner. I am not sure why time moved so much quicker but I soon changed and never took a picture. I have attempted to recreate the look here:

Purple floral shirt

skinny black pants

brown boots

(see, its even in order of how it was on my body!)

On a better note. I did manage to get a picture from Tuesday's and Wednesday's look, and its not too bad if I do say so. I paired the black skirt, ruffled top, black sweater with some open toe pumps and tights. I feel very professional yet cozy (it is freezing in my office every day!)

For Wednesday I picked one of my favorite dresses and a white long sleeve. I dug out my winter-like gray boots and some leggings. Good to go!

So far so good. Three days down! The hardest part will be doing laundry to keep up with the 30 pieces. Also my model needs to work on posing and standing still (oh well, I will have to watch more America's Next Top Model. Too bad.)

In other news: Thanksgiving is a little over a week away. Did I mention that I am hosting? YIKES! I shopped for about half of the things I need last week and will get the rest this weekend. I don't know why I am so nervous but I want it to be nice, edible and enjoyable. I am afraid cooking for 6 is slightly different than cooking for 2! Yes, that is my rant about Thanksgiving. And it will continue until next week. You're welcome.

Ok. I need to make a master shopping list now.

Always, Erika