On Motivation and the Art of Productivity.

Hey there.
I just wanted to let you all know that I am not dead.
I have just been hiding in a dark corner for a few weeks. I've been feeling.. shy? Unproductive, unmotivated, the opposite of creative. In a slump, I guess you could say. This early? Yes. I am not trying to be the biggest, best, brightest out there. But I got bogged down in what I felt were my own shortcomings. I don't spend a lot of time shopping, I love to shop, but I'm probably the most frugal person you would ever know. I don't feel like I have a lot of money to go toward clothing, even if they are thrifted or whatever. So I have been repeating outfits, and sliding back into the comfortable jean and t-shirt territory. Terrible, I know.

Plus, I have also been going through one of those "not enough hours in the day" spells. But when I look back at the past few weeks, I have spent my free time doing nothing productive, and just making excuses as to why I couldn't put on something worthwhile and snap a few quick shots. I have been lazy, mostly. So I apologize.

I realize there are only a few of you subscribed to this blog, and to those few I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. But I am not doing this for anyone except myself. And I realized that keeping up with this blog is something that has kept me occupied and happy and without it I have been miserable and bored. So, I went to this thrift store where Jonathan's mom volunteers at. They were having a massive sale, and let's just say I have a huge black trash bag sitting next to me with articles of clothing and accessories like you wouldn't believe.

My drive and excitement is back, and I can't wait to get involved again!

Yay!

What a Way to Spend the Day...

Part 1!
Thursdays Jonathan and I have off together. We mostly spend it lazing about all day and maybe going shopping or something like that. Today Jonathan randomly decided we should go to the Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens. And I almost peed myself in excitement. haha. I've lived here aaalmost two years now, and have yet to really experience anything. I've been so busy just working and whatever. Which brings me to my point about why I named this part 1. We already have plans for next Thursday, too! So I was thinking maybe Thursdays could be mini-vacation days where we explore some cool place in Texas. :] I know I'm up for it.. Just gotta see about talking Jonathan into it. hahah.

So anyway, here is the outfit. You knew it was coming. hah. Pretty simple for a day in nature. hah. I don't know why.. maybe because I wore nothing but black all throughout high school, but for the past few years I have refused black in every way I could. Choosing white, grey or brown as my neutrals of choice. But randomly this summer (when you're not even supposed to wear black..) I decided that I really like black and wants lots and lots of it! How backwards is that?? haha. So I picked up this top and these black sandals from Forever 21 when Jonathan took me birthday shopping, and these shoes have almost never left my feet since.

Don't get me wrong, I still love white, grey and brown colored things, but for some reason I just have this black craving. It's so weird. hahah. Anyway.. on to the day!


A couple more outfit shots for ya. We went on the nature trail when first arriving. It was very serene and beautiful. Luckily we spent most of our day in the shade, considering the temperature was like, 97 degrees. I definitely got sweaty, but it was never overwhelming, thankfully.
This is Jonathan. Conquering nature? haha. I don't know. He has the silliest poses for his pictures. :] The best part of the day was definitely the Japanese Gardens. So so so so wonderful. There's toons of water filled with Koi fish. Bigger than I had imagined! And boy, are they hungry. There are quarter machines set up with fish food that you can buy. We plopped down by the water and got to feeding. My absolute favorite part of the day.
We caused a feeding frenzy! Even the ducks came to get their share. Right out of Jonathan's hand!
This guy knew the drill, too. He was right up in my face! haha. They definitely aren't scared of people. They want that food! They would jump around and splash water up onto me. It was pretty awesome.
A perfectly Zen rock garden. :] And of course we took some time out for meditating...

Isn't it all just so beautiful? I love things like this. And except for paying to go through the Japanese Garden part, the rest was free. So we're being thrifty, and having a great time, too! Thank you again Jonathan for the beautiful day together. :) I can't wait for next week to come now! Ahh! haha.

Reeeemixing.

Even though I've worn this top a few times before, I bought it with this specific skirt in mind. And in case you don't remember, this skirt is the one I had asked about shortening in this post, here. I got a great suggestion about using safety pins and kind of bubble-hemming it, but it's not permanent because I really did love wearing it longer, too. But now that it's so hot out, the shorter hem length is mandatory. And I must say, this is definitely a favorite of mine. I was in a funk for awhile, but i feel like I'm slowly pulling myself out of it. With my clothes, anyway. hah.



This is another appearance from my favorite bangles. Which Emiley, my best friend, noticed and brought up, and thought it was really weird that I was wearing bangles. haha. Her and I hadn't seen each other for almost two years and last Friday we finally were able to get together and eat some dinner and catch up a little bit. It was surreal, and the best night I've had in a really long time. I miss her every single day. Living so far apart is really hard on both of us, especially because prior to my moving we spent almost every minute of every day together. We lived together, worked together, had the same friends, and all the same interests. So yeah, this has definitely been a big adjustment. But I'm just so thankful to have been able to at least eat dinner with her after so long. And.. yeah. This is what I wore! haha. Don't ever let anyone tell you that a friendship is not important. Seriously.

Tank-Norma Kamali from Walmart $5!/Skirt- Thrifted $4.60!/Shoes- Forever 21 $14.80/Accessories- Forever 21

Simple and Sweet.

Here's just a little something I threw on for my day off. It's been over 95 degrees every single day since the end of may. Shorts and skirts have been a necessity. And I just really love the pattern on this top! So I thought I'd go ahead and grab a couple of photos. :]

This is almost one of those optical illusion outfits where you're not sure if there are shorts under there or not. But I think that would definitely be a bit too scandalous. haha. Comfort and staying cool were my only two thoughts at this point.

Purple tank- Forever 21 $2.50!/Tunic- Ross/Shorts- Ross/Sandals- Dollhouse from Ross/Bracelets- Thrifted/Ring- Forever 21

Favorite.

I have to say, I'm pretty sure this is one of my favorite outfits so far this summer. I know it just started, but I've worn this twice already. haha. I even got a compliment from Jonathan on it, and I was pretty surprised. I didn't think this would be something he would like. So it's a double wammy of favoritism. Gotta love that! :] I will admit that the first time I wore it was a much simpler version, i didn't own the hat or necklaces yet. But I bought them all with this exact thing in mind. And I'm sooo happy with the way it turned out!
It's a fairly preppy look, so I feel like the lace and accessories make it a little less traditional. The chain necklace I had been spying at WalMart every time I went, but I didn't want to pay the measly six dollars for it. I'm so cheap! lol. But this last time I went, it was on sale for three bucks!! I definitely couldn't pass it up then. Then the feather necklace came from a birthday shopping trip Jonathan took me on yesterday. I spent some money in Forever 21 on some other things you'll be seeing pretty soon also. :] Oh, that's where I also got the hat. I love birthdays! (Mine isn't until the 11th, but he'll be out of town so we're celebrating early.) Next is sushi!! And then when he comes home we'll finally be going to Movie Tavern. I've never been and I'm so excited! hahah.
P.S.- I got to see my best friend tonight!!! Emiley, I'm so so so glad we got to have an in-person conversation for the first time in almost 2 years. This outfit isn't from tonight, but I'm too excited to not tell everyone until I get to that outfit. haha. Ah, it was so nice. I wish we could hang out all the time again. I miss her so much. :( blahh. anyway. No being sad! I'm just happy we had this opportunity tonight.

Hat(7.80), feather necklace(5.80), ring(3.80), brooch on pocket($1)- Forever 21/Chain necklace- Walmart $3!/Bracelets($1 each!) and Belt ($2!)- Thrifted/Lace top- thrifted/Chambray shirt- Walmart/Shorts- Thrifted/Shoes($8!) and sunglasses($3.50!- Dollar General!!

Megan Loves.. Music Mondays!

I'm switching up my Monday routine, I think. I did an all music post once before, and I just really really love music, and I think incorporating it into my blog more will bring me a special dose of happiness, especially on Mondays, when happiness is hard to find. hah.

So, I'm thinking that each Monday I will post about new bands I've heard about or news from old bands we already love. (Or that I love, and hopefully you do too.) So without further adieu:

Megan Loves.. Music Mondays!

• I will let you in on this little secret right off the bat, I get most of my music news from Absolutepunk.net these days. So, it is no surprise that it is that very website that brought me to the genius that is Jeremy Messersmith. That name is a mouthful, but I plan to be saying it a lot and singing his praises. He hails from Minneapolis, MN and makes music that I cannot stop listening to. If I had a soundtrack, it would be his newest album; The Reluctant Graveyard. Although I hate to make comparisons between artists, because I'm sure the artists themselves don't always appreciate it, on AbsolutePunk there is a mention of a Sufjan Stevens comparison, and I have to agree. So definitely, if you like Sufjan, you need to check this guy out!
• I love to dance! And We Became Actors has some fun indie/pop music that I can definitely wiggle around like a crazy person to. This band is another new find for me this week, and I'm so excited! They have some great synth sounds, hands clapping, and groovy beats. This band also is from Minneapolis (Lucky city!), and their new album This Is Where We Stand will definitely be on rotation when I'm drivin around with the windows down.
• Next is A Rocket to the Moon, which is a band you might have heard of. They're on Fueled by Ramen with some other greats, and they're super amazing! Although as far as I know they only have an EP, and now their first full length- On Your Side. I just gave a few songs a listen today, and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. The song "Like We Used To" made me nearly cry because it's just so emotive. And oh dear do I love emotional music. haha. Not only do they have a great sound, but they're going on tour this fall with HANSON! And in case you don't pay attention to me, that is my favorite band. My tattoo is even a reference to them. Which brings me to my next bulletin:
• HANSON!!! haha. In case you are a person who thinks they broke up after Mmmbop stopped being played on the radio, you are wrong. They have grown up, and brought their musical talent with them. Shout it Out is their 5th studio album, and oh my goodness, it's amazing. Fun, catchy, dancey ( I don't care if that's not a word. hah), and full of talent. Not only do I respect Hanson's music, I respect them as people. To me they represent what life should be about. They're living their dreams, having fun, but they are married, with children. And they use their name and spare time to give back. Their previous album, The Walk, was dedicated to helping AIDS victims in Africa, and they continue to do and give lots to the people who have been affected. So far their fall tour doesn't have any dates here in Texas, but I'm praying they add some in!

I'm going to leave you with their first video from Shout it Out for the song "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'". I promise it will bring a smile to your face. I dare you to NOT want to learn this dance. :]

Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

HANSON | MySpace Music Videos

Marooned.

Kind of a simple look today. But did you notice? No tights! Ahh! Bare legs. I'm not used to it yet. But summer is definitely upon us in North Texas. These pictures were taken at 8 at night, and I was on the edge of breaking a sweat! I love it. haha. It's better than burning up during the day, then freezing once the sun starts to go down. I had no idea how to dress myself. It was torture. Now I at least know that it's going to be hot, and stay that way all day long.

I was kind of digging my monochromatic look, with the metallic to break it up. This top was thrifted, and I really like it. Especially the cute little surprise it has hidden! You'll see. Also, I found these bangles at the same thrift store as the top, and I L.O.V.E. them. They add just, something special, to any outfit I pair them with. So perfect!
Plus, skirt remix, BTW.


So, these pictures are from yesterday, and then today has been my day of pampering. I got my eyebrows waxed, my hair trimmed, and I bought a yoga mat and DVD. I know I'm a bit behind on that trend, but I had been doing just some generic stretching in the mornings and I really feel like I need direction. Plus, I've read and heard of a lot of great benefits of Yoga. Things I really need like energy (I'm cutting out caffeine), focus, and to help my body feel generally better. I eat too much fast food and don't do any physical activity except at work.
Do any of you do yoga, pilates, or anything similar? What have you found about your results, and how are you liking it?

Top- Thrifted/Skirt- Ross $5!/Belt- Thrifted/Shoes- Wanted from Ross $10!/Bangles- Thrifted $1 each!