#1800MinuteChallenge Starts today

The #1800MinuteChallenge starts today!! I’ve signed up with over 950+ other people!!

These lovely ladies Erin from Living in Yellow, Alissa from Alissa Circle, Emily from The Freckled Fox, and Alycia from Crowley Party are hosting this awesome challenge in hopes that we can all become a more health version of ourselves and support each other while doing it!

Starting April 1st (today) through May 31st, I have signed up to commit myself to being physically active for 1800 minutes total, each day. If you do the math that rounds out to nearly 30 minutes a day. This idea is awesome because it allows you the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. It doesn’t mean you have to do 30 minutes everyday, but instead you could do 45 minutes one day, zero the next, maybe 20 the next, and so on. Also, being physically active doesn’t mean you have to kill yourself! Go on a walk with you little one or your dog, throw the Frisbee with your boyfriend/girlfriend, get a quick workout DVD in, lift weights, or run on the treadmill. You could do like Caveman & I do and complete 3 rounds of pushups, situps, squats & chin-ups – our sets vary depending on our fitness level. As long as you reach 1800 minutes by May 31st, what does it matter how it happens?

Here’s what you need to know:

1. You will want to sign up to be a part of the challenge just so Erin will know who is joining in on the fun (and so that you have a chance to win the amazing grand prize at the end of the sixty days). You can register here.

2. Starting April 1st, you will be responsible for tracking your own progress. Don’t worry, Erin’s gotcha covered. After signing up for the challenge, you will receive a spreadsheet via email from Erin which will allow you to quickly track and total your minutes! I got mine earlier today!

3. Throughout the challenge use #1800MinuteChallenge on Instagram or Twitter so that those of us also participating can follow along and cheer you on. Make sure to follow @livinginyellow, @alissamcircle, @thefreckledfox and @alyciagrayce for occasional workout ideas, our favorite playlists, and extra tips + tricks on how to get your 1800 minutes in! I’ll be following along too so be sure to follow me too, @cavegurl!!

4. At the end of the challenge (May 31st) those of you who have completed all 1800 minutes, you will need to email Erin your spreadsheet [livinginyellow@gmail.com]. On Monday, June 9th one winner will be drawn to receive the #1800MinuteChallenge grand prize. It’s still a secret on what you will be receiving but don’t worry, Erin & the girls will fill you in on the details as time goes on. Keep in mind that the best prize of all will be how great you feel and look at the end of the challenge. The prizes will just be the cherry on top 😉

Are you ready for a great body in just a few minutes each day???? Do I sound like an infomercial or what!! LOL

Added Bonus!! Melissa Rose, web designer of Erin’s blog, Living in Yellow designed a free workout printable just for the #1800MinuteChallenge!! Head on over and check it out!

End of July Update….

Everyone having a great summer so far?! This one seems to be flying by for us.

Neighbors Crepe Myrtles

Dressing for summer weather while working in an office is always tricky. I mostly keep one of my lightweight scarves to double as a shawl or a lightweight cardigan that goes with everything. In summers past I’ve worked all day inside with only a short break outside during lunch, but this summer has been a little different! I’ve been taking summer classes at the University of Tennessee to further my education and since the university is only a few blocks from where I work, I can easily walk to and fro. Therein lies the dilemma, my outfits need to be office casual, lightweight and breezy enough for the hot midday sun, and easy to walk in. I’ve found that with a little planning and creativity I can easily pull this off with my current spring/summer wardrobe. I’m not exactly wearing my dressy office wear this summer but I’m not completely casual either – because in our office shorts are a no-go. Here are a few looks I’ve documented, not the basic pieces and the simplicity of each. The top look is what I’m wearing today, Silk Sweater and Navy Capri’s.

Capri’s and skirts have been in heavy rotation, but I’m also sticking with loose, billowy skirts instead of pencil skirts unless they have stretch to them (blue one above qualifies 😉 ). I’m also relying on more casual sandals instead of heels this summer too.

So I pass this view everyday on my walks…

and knowing I would be out and about in the rain at times, I purchased a cute, but very useful umbrella that I love. I thought it would be getting heavy use today because we were forecasted to get loads of rain but thankfully its held off so far.

If you didn’t already know, I’ve been mostly on Instagram this summer and am currently participating in the #30dayselfportraitchallenge with #abeautifulmess. Here are a few random photos from the challenge so far. Today was #day15 (or 15/30) so I’m are halfway there!

I hope to get back into blogging more in August, so until then. Hope your Hump Day is great!

Sundays: What I Wore Sunday linkup / Sunday Style

Mondays: Funday Mondays! / Monday-Mingle / Visible Monday / My Style Monday / My Style Your Style / Color Blind- Thrifters Anonymous / Lowercase Letters- Miscellany Mondays / Covered in Grace- Monday Meet Up /Claire Justine oxox- Creative Mondays /Southern Sunflowers and Coffee Beans- Monday Mingle /Join the Gossip- Monday Morning Gossip / DC in Style /

Tuesdays: Real Girl Glam Link Up / Anything & Everything / Style Statement Tuesday / Style Sessions Contributor

Wednesdays: WIWW @ Transaltantic Blonde /Whatever Whenever Wednesday / Get Your Pretty On / Wardrobe Wednesday / Dress For the Day / My Whims Wednesday / Diaries of a Bargainista / Whatever Works Wednesday / What We Wore, Read & Made Wednesdays / Trending Pretty Wednesday / Random Wednesday @Shannasaidso / Wildcard Wednesday

Thursdays: Think Tank Thursday / Three-fer Thursday /Look What I Got! / #ThrifterThrusday / All Things Pretty Thursday!

Fridays: Casual Friday Link Up / Fridays Five / Fashion Friday @ All Things Chic / Favorite Frock Friday / Fridays Fancies / Fashion Informant Link Up / Style Me Friday / The Best of Friday Style Link-Up! / White Tee Challenge

Saturdays: Watch Out For The Woestmans / Weekend Recap /  Sami’s Shenanigans- Weekend Update /

June’s Trend of the Month Announced!

Just a quick pop-in today to let you know that Marion announced this month’s Trend of the Month Challenge!

OK, I’m sure this is not a shock to any of you since you have never seen me wear a maxi here on the old blog, BUT I don’t actually own a Maxi anything! Not a skirt or dress! I did however cut out a pattern for a maxi dress I’ve had for years, a few months back in some beautiful fabric. So now all I need to do is finish it! Maybe I’ll get in some late night sewing this weekend?? Here’s hoping cause I’d really like to link up next week with my new maxi dress!

Do you have a Maxi and want to show it off too? Here’s How It Works…IT’S AS EASY AS 1 – 2 – 3!:

1) In the middle of every month, Marion announces a new trend that is either here or forthcoming. You’ll have 1 week to pull together a style and take photos.

2) When the date arrives, simply link-up your specific post using the link widget Marion provides on Marionberry Style. This MUST be a NEW post…please don’t link old blog posts.

3) PLEASE link back to Marionberry Style from your site so this “Trend of the Month Challenge” stuff makes sense to your readers. Plus it’s the kind thing to do and helps spread the word!

Casual Friday: Yellow Graphic Tee & Jeans

Today is the last day of my week long, self-challenge based on the Trend of the Month Challenge – Yellow.

I’ve really enjoyed the challenge, but I have to say today’s was the toughest to come up with and then, the most fun! Things I’ve learned through this process, I actually do have a few yellow items – if I really dig that is…

Button-up & Belt – Thrifted, Graphic Tank Top – Rainforest Cafe, Jeans – JCP, Sandals – Shoe Show, Bracelet – Handmade by Me

Today’s graphic tee was found in the bottom of my dress, under everything else. Maybe you think it should have stayed there, maybe my co-workers do too, one will never know. I purchased this one a whim way back in 2005. No, I wasn’t on Spring Break I just wanted a top from the Rainforest Cafe! I hardly ever wear this tank top because it shrank after I got it home and washed it. But I was actually happy with the way I styled it for today’s look so it might, actually get some wear this summer!

To make this graphic tank top more office appropriate I added this thrifted pink button up, left open; a blue cross necklace;  a mint green & pink/coral bracelet; a belt to my low-rise jeans and some cute strappy wedges.

Hope you guys have enjoyed the yellow looks this week and everyone has a great weekend!!

Joining in on these linky parties this Friday!

Think Tank Thursday / Three-fer Thursday / Fashion Friday @ All Things Chic / Two Thirty Five Designs / Favorite Frock Friday / Fridays Fancies / Fashion Informant Link Up / Fridays Five / Style Me Friday / The Best of Friday Style Link-Up!

Thrifter Thursday: Denim Skirts

We’re continuing Yellow Week here in honor of Marion’s Trend of the Month challenge!

I recently saw Lindsey‘s post on the Return of the Jean Skirt and read that denim skirts are coming back in style and I couldn’t be happier! I have a dark denim pencil skirt I picked up from Target a couple years ago and I love wearing it, but this skirt is one I made years ago before I even had a blog! It’s flare at the bottom makes it really fun to wear too!

Graphic Tee – Thrifted, Denim Up-cycled Jean Skirt – ME, Belt – Forever 21, Ballet Flats – Target

I made this skirt out of two pairs of old jeans, using a New Look pattern to go by. Knowing the color of the denim was different, I kept the darker denim in the middle and the lighter denim on the sides (the back looks exactly the same as the front so the side seams match).  I added the brown piping for interest and also because I didn’t want to hem the jean material. This is actually a really heavy skirt!

I accented today’s look with yellow accessories, however I have worn this tee with a bright pink skirt too. This is a great weekend casual look or great for going out for an evening of family fun at the park.

Joining in on these linky parties today!

Linking up with these beauties today! WIWW @ Transaltantic Blonde /Whatever Whenever Wednesday / Get Your Pretty On / Wardrobe Wednesday / Dress For the Day / My Whims Wednesday / Diaries of a Bargainista / Whatever Works Wednesday / What We Wore, Read & Made Wednesdays / Trending Pretty Wednesday / Think Tank Thursday / Three-fer Thursday / Fashion Friday @ All Things Chic / Two Thirty Five Designs / Favorite Frock Friday / Fridays Fancies / Fashion Informant Link Up / What I Wore to Work Link-Up! / Fridays Five