finding the fun...

so we've been trying really hard to find the fun at work this week.  our challenge was to make great connections with people and have a story or experience to share.  well, can i just say that it made for a great week. 

everyday i had girls sharing stories with me, gentlemen thanking me for all my help with their gift giving,  ladies feeling great about fitting into a large instead of extra large as expected, racks and racks of beautiful clothes, some of which were put aside specifically for a great new customer, lots and lots of laughter, so much that we could have been heard from kernels.  i just love love love my team and all the great fun that we get to have with our guests!

this is one of my ruche blouses... tucked in for a different look!  see here for my last outfit with this blouse... (and yeah, i know i wore it twice in one week.)

all right girls...

need i say more??  competition's going to be awesome!

biggest smile i could muster...

ok so it has been brought to my attention that i never smile in my pictures.  well, i'm not really that happy of a person, i don't laugh very often and smiling hurts my cheeks.  so this was a real stretch for me.  i hope you appreciate it because you won't see another one again any time soon.  :)

sweater... anthro, morning jubilee top... ruche,  crop jeans... addition elle

 shout out to the girls in my lift class tonight... way to build those muscles.  and for those of you that haven't starting watching downton abbey yet, what are you waiting for???  so so so good.

all things new...

i got my ruche order!!!  this is one of the beautiful tops that i got, i was so excited to open the box and even remember what i bought.  delivery time was a little longer than i hoped for (perhaps because i was so looking forward to getting it), but i love everything i ordered.  even these... which i don't know if i'll ever be able to wear to work because they're a lot higher than they look.  super comfy though.  girls, a word of advice, the fit chart is accurate even if the size 'label' is higher than you may be used to.

another new thing, CAR!!!  i went and picked it up yesterday morning.  this seemed like the best choice for carrie and i, a lot smaller than our x-terra though.  it was very sad saying goodbye to the car that has been our good little buddy for the last eight years.

some other new things... newly appointed choir director, keys to the store, renewed relationships with my much loved nephews, two tubs of cookie dough,  three musketeers, new episodes of all my favorite shows **work of art**,  fun fun fun trim, adult hip hop and zumba classes...

the drawing challenge...

so today we were coloring pictures during dance class (i saw lots of great things like a beautiful heart, a big sailboat and her baby sailboat friend and, as one girl put it, 'i don't even know what i'm drawing, just a lot of lines')... oh i love my girls.  anyways, i was challenged by my student teacher sarah to draw a phantom. 

as requested... well, i was told that my picture looked 'weird', not scary as intended. 

  well, excuuuuuuse me.  this car is actually the phantom she meant, which incidentally retails at approximately $400,000.  this is apparently the car that my sister would buy, but only if she won at least $20 million in the lotto.  any less and she'd go with an escalade. 

no fashion pics today, i'm still waiting and waiting for my ruche order to come in...  how about this to tide you over.



train stop 8 is right up my alley!!!

i love treats...

i work with this great girl who is always bringing us delightful and delicious treats to snack on... today it was pumpkin cookies and chocolate zucchini carrot cupcakes.  not gonna lie, i had one of each (sorry to everyone that worked the night shift).  but i wasn't the only one drooling in ecstasy, i seem to remember a certain someone shouting out "hey, stay away from my lunch!" when i merely sat down on the table where they were placed.

          

hilary, how i aspire to gain some of your amazing culinary skills, you are so generous with your time and talent, someday i will make your delicious pizza dough!

this is actually my outfit from yesterday since i didn't take a picture today.  empyreal cardigan from anthropologie, (this is seriously the softest sweater i have ever owned, jill will attest to that),  patterned blouse, black shorts and diamond printing tights from addition elle. 

still waiting for my ruche order... it just cleared customs today!

hearts in hand...

these two girls are big hearts in my life...not only are they a couple of the sweetest and kindest people i know but they are both so talented in their own way.  i aspire to learn from lori's generosity, she is so genuine and cares so much for the people around her, that hug today made me so happy!  jill is one of those girls that you find yourself laughing with, even though you don't know the joke, just because you want to be a part of whatever she's doing.  both of these girls are also fashionistas extraordinaire, we're always jealous of their super amazing outfitting skillz... today i give hearts back to you both.

then there's me.

nothing new today although i'm waiting for my order to come in from ruche... should be any day now!

a bunch of pics...

ok, so i'm sorry there are a lot of pictures but this is what happened on my car ride home...

then my outfit from yesterday...

and my outfit from today...

good times in the lebaron life.  ps... anyone have a new fall favorite show?  i'm currently obsessed with hart of dixie.  even though i'm definitely not a rachel bilson fan.

happy thanksgiving...

just wishing you all out there a super happy and stuffed full thanksgiving!  i'm going to make some pumpkin pie this year, can't wait!  i do aspire to be a better baker, sometimes i don't follow the recipes so good.

cowl t... inc via macy's

blazer... forever 21

rolled denim... addition elle

i was also wearing my brown booties and now my feet hurt.  boo.

yay for friends...

oh what a day we had today.  there was lots of laughter and a little bit of yelling, maybe some blushing and lots of inhaling.  not what it sounds like, believe me... there was just some spraypaint in the air!  there are many people i admire in this world, and i get to see a good lot of them every day.  i aspire to be the kind of gal that can set a good example yet still embrace a bit of the unexpected.  i think that the more we stretch out of our comfy little pockets, the better we can make ourselves. 

hilary, thanks for introducing me to the new love of my life, ruche... she's a little heart in my hand.  and she's got plus sizes... i'll take some photos when my new purchases arrive.  excited!

my outfit for the day...

i capital ell oh vee ee this sweater (look at the pin!!).  now, scotch & soda, you are my friend, but don't try to outdo the masters of beautiful.  you tried to make a sweet little book vignette...

but it doesn't quite have the same impact as this...


good on ya for trying though!

the lying game is anthro crazy...

ok, so i've been catching up on my tv shows by watching three episodes straight of the lying game.  not really a big fan of alexandra chando but she sure does wear a lot of anthro!

    

anyways, today i am trying to be more enthusiastic about my life.  sometimes it hurts to put a smile on my face but i figure the longer i try, the easier it will get.  right?

the bits and pieces...

the whole...

the entire outfit came from addition elle at some point or another and the turquoise loafers are from anthro.  just a side note, there is currently an additional 25% off sale apparel and lounge at anthro and shipping is free to canada until monday!

cute things...

i really love to look for the beauty all around me... here are some ordinary things made inspirational just because i chose to look a little differently.

my yummy phil's hot chocolate

our super fun and inspirational studio chalkboard

the label off my water bottle that i made into a tree while waiting for paula's dad

and here's my ood... no new pieces this week but sometimes you just gotta mix up what you already got!  jean skirt & top from addition elle, lace sweater from anthro, scarf from jacob, keebler elf shoes from payless.  hearts for everyone!