Inspiration Monday: Pippa Middleton

I really liked Pippa Middleton's outfit and couldn't wait for Inspiration Monday!  I also played a little bit with my photos in Piknik because I looked a little washed out in the originals and decided to try the 60s filter.  What do think?  Really like Meagan's photos so I asked what she did, yes I copied.  Also, today you get views of my front yard instead of the back yard.  Trying to mix it up a little.

Dress: LOFT outlet-Black and White Print Dress-$15
Tank Top: Old Navy-Black Tank top with leaf shaped trim-$5
Tights: Macys-Brown Hue tights- too old to remember bought originally for ballet class
Boots: Ross-Aerosoles Black Boots-$20
Sweater: Francesca's Closet-Teal Cardigan-S4
Approximate Total Cost~$44

I was cold so I put a tank under my dress...kinda adds a little more visual interest to an otherwise boring neckline.

These last two I just wanted to show you the pretty flowers currently blooming.

Be sure to check out the rest of the lovely inspired ladies over at Two Birds! So many cute outfits resulting from this inspiration photo.

Shopping Ban Outfit: #2

I'm considering yesterdays post my official start of the shopping ban, making today's out Shopping Ban Outfit #2.  While getting dressed this morning I also found a belt that's newly purchased and never worn.  I love the giant flowers and found out today that they spin! You can line them up straight or have them off-kilter.

 Wearing item 5 the black and white printed dress and item 14 the purple sweater vest gifted by my mother. I haven't worn a dress as a skirt recently and I think i'm going to try it more often.

 The sun was in my eyes.  It was such a pretty day and I had to let you guys see the beautiful view from our deck where its possible to see San Pablo Bay and hills on the other side of it.

Dress: LOFT Outlet-Black and white print dress-$15 (similar here or here)
Sweater Vest: Macy's-Purple-Gift from mom-FREE (similar here)
Belt: Francesca's Collections-Black with flower design-$10 (similar here)
Shoes: Payless Shoe Source-Black Flats-$12

And for your general amusement, my bunny Bun Bun. First he hopped on top of the storage bin next to his cage.  Then he surveyed whether he could make it on top. And then he sat in his spare bed I had tossed up there and started chewing on his treats bag.

Bun Bun is my first real pet.  As I kid I only had fish...not as cute and cuddly and since I can only remember the names of two of them Dwight and Theodore they don't really count.  What was your first pet?

Can't keep anything new

Bothered to put on make up today!

5 Random Facts about Me:

1. I can't keep anything new.  I must wear an new item of clothing as soon as I can, such as the LOFT skirt i bought Monday and wore today.  My mom complains about this all the time saying "Beti, can't you save your nice clothes for special occasions".   No mom, I really can't.  I think its a sign that I really like whatever I bought.  If it stays in the bag I probably don't know how to incorporate it into my wardrobe and it will stay unworn for a long.
2. I have a fear of birds.  They fly, drop excrement while they fly, and have sharp beaks for poking your eyes out.  No, I have never watched the Alfred Hitchcock movie and I don't know where this fear comes from but its a full blown phobia. 
3. I have never dry cleaned an item of clothing.  If it says dry clean only I'll walk away from it in the store before I buy it.  If i don't notice or love it too much to pass up I will probably never wash it or try and wash it by hand.
4. I love Gordon Ramsey.  At first I thought he was a really jerk when I saw him on Hell's Kitchen, but my opinion quickly changed after watching last years season with my husband.  I've probably seen every episode of Kitchen Nightmare's.
5. My best friend organized my dresser and I've kept it organized for 3 weeks now!  This is a real feat.  Normally my dresser looks like a tornado landed.

smelling my roses

Seemed like a good idea at the time but the dried shrub left me with several spinters in my foot! Ouchie!

Shirt: Ross-Purple Sleeveless top with ribbon flowers-$8
Skirt:LOFT-Pintuck Hem Cotton Viola Skirt-$3
Scarf worn as belt- orange with beaded hem- Gift from a relative in India-FREE!
Earings-Silver and orange-Gift from a relative-FREE!
Shoes-Cork and silver flip flops-gift from a relative-FREE!

Approximate Total Cost-$11