Outfit log: What to Wear Country Western Dancing

Howdy, y'all! I've got the post-four-day-weekend-back-at-work blues today, plus lots to catch up on. Joy! However, it's a short week so I'll be a-okay... especially since tomorrow is my birthday! Last year of my twenties, coming right up.

Occasion: Boot Scootin', Saturday May 12th

Outfit details:
thrifted skirt
anthro top
belt from nordstrom rack dress
dan post boots
thrifted necklace

As you may have guessed from my post title, what you see above is the first outfit I wore out country-western dancing. Below were some other options I tried out and then photographed, totally Cher-from-Clueless-style. More boot-scootin' ensembles to come!

Outfit log: Business Boho

The slight shoulder pads in this blazer make me feel gloriously 80s... like Christina Applegate's character in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. Remember that flick? I freakin' loved that movie! 

Occasion: Workin' it, May 11th

Something about pretending to be all adult-like, yet still with the mentality of a kid. I really liked Big with Tom Hanks for that reason too. Being a grown up sounds like so much fun! An adventure! Well, before you become an adult anyway. However, as cheesy as it might sound, it's good for me to remember that being an adult is an adventure, and it's up to me to make it fun and exciting. Hokey idea, but thinking that way makes me feel better about life. More excited.

Hence why queer country western dancing is so thrilling! I'm learning something new while moving my body and having a blast... not to mention designing costumes for each night (I can't wait to post them... expect to see cowboy boots!). Being twirled around the dance floor certainly feels adventurous. 

My other favorite past-time, since forever, is karaoke. Some of my favorite songs to sing are: Elvis' "Burning Love," Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock's "Picture" (duet of course), "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (another duet), and a new favorite is "Criminal" by Fiona Apple. I also throw in some random 90s country music. And Elton John. Also love duetting "Shoop." Oh gawd... soooo fun! This list could be endless.

Outfit details:
wrap skirt via vegas street vendor
thrifted f21 top
theory blazer via tj maxx
rocket dog flats
modcloth necklace

Anyhoo, enough rambling. I loved the feel of this outfit, and the contrast between business-y blazer and bohemian skirt (that's bohemian right?). 


I'm off for a long weekend of fun... see yas next week if not earlier ;)

Outfit log: Flowy

Back to more familiar/comfortable territory today... clothing of course! I snagged this chiffon number while in LA over Thanksgiving, and while it was a contender for part of my New Year's Even outfit, didn't get it's first wear out of the house until a few weeks ago. 

Occasion: Floating through my work day, May 10th

Outfit details:
thrifted twirly skirt
banana republic outlet tee
h&m belt
clarks outlet flats
gifted tiffany & co necklace
theory blazer via tj maxx

The skirt drew me in initially by the lovely hue and luscious material, plus it's incredibly twirly and feels just magnificent against bare legs. I gotta say that clothing that not only looks, but FEELS pretty... is the best.  

Admittedly this color pairing is pretty tame, however I'm thinking this skirt would be great for some color blocking... maybe with contrasting coral?

I made food: Garbanzo bean Greek salad

Greetings, earthlings!

How's your Monday treating you? Mine is okay, though I'm a bit grumpy about the foggy/chilly weather we're having. But that ain't nothin' new, y'all. What IS new is that this weekend I made food!

You may have have seen evidence of such over the weekend via the above instagram shot... that is indeed the garbanzo bean greek salad I mentioned Friday that I was going to try to attempt over the weekend... and attempt I did! Mia was my initial inspiration for this endeavor, though I didn't use the recipe she linked to (I'm not a fan of fruit in salad... I'm weird. Whatev.). Instead I searched for a more-me version of the salad, and ended up tweaking this one a great deal by removing tomatoes, garlic, and onion and adding kidney beans, green bell pepper, celery, and salami. That's a lot of tweaking... would that count as a new recipe? I don't know the etiquette/protocol of these things. Anyway, just to be clearer here's a list of the ingredients I used:

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cucumber, de-seeded, chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1 can large black olives, halved
• 1/2 of a small dry italian salami, chopped into small chunks
• a bunch of feta
• 2 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

I mixed everything together, then made a dressing with about 2 parts olive oil, 1 part grainy mustard, and 1 part lemon juice. Mixed dressing in... and voila! BOMBASTIC. 'Twas even better the next day when the veggies absorbed some of the dressing. 

I can't believe I just posted a recipe. WHO AM I?

Outfit log: Fuchsia

First of all, this dress is fuchsia. As in hot pink. I know it reads as RED, however I swear it's pink! I can't quite explain my compulsion to clarify the dress' color to you, though probably it's because I freaking love fuchsia!

Occasion: Workin' it, May 9th

Especially paired with black and white. Black and white and red is such a classic combo, I love livening up the idea with a sassy pink instead. 

Outfit details:
anthro dress
jcrew outlet cardigan
born "bitsy" boots

This was a crazy simply combination (3 pieces to the entire ensemble!), but because I had that awesome pattern contrasting wonderfully with the bold color of the dress, it felt more complex. I'm not even wearing any jewelry, save for the silver band and nose stud I wear all the time. Oh, and a butterfly ring. But no necklace! This wasn't intentional, however. I wore some gorgeous but cheap metal earrings the day before, and thought I could wear another cheap metal pair this day, but about an hour into my workday I took them out because my lobes are ever so delicate.

In other news, it's about to be the freakin' weekend and I'm stoked! I've got plans to:

• Do some more unfucking to my apartment starting with going through my shoes and clothes and taking stuff out to donate and/or swap
• Stretch my comfort zone a bit and make some delicious and nutritious food that I can eat throughout the week. Ideas so far are garbanzo bean Greek salad and some sort of soup, likely with beans or lentils. I love beans. Maybe some broiled chicken too? We'll see what I come up with. Oh, and if you have any suggestions for easy recipes that make delicious leftovers, I'd be so grateful if you'd share! I'm new to this cooking-for-myself thing, so could use all the help I can get. 
• Boot-scootin'... obviously! I tell ya, it's my new thing. Already have the outfit planned :)

Hasta lunes!

Outfit log: Baby Shower

Nah, I didn't go to a baby shower... I dressed like one! Because of the pink and blue, ya know? Though I suppose most people know their baby's sex before the baby shower happens, so it'd be one or the other unless it was for twins or something... though my potential future baby shower would be neither blue nor pink, though maybe both plus other colors, oh I don't like a rainbow maybe? ANYWAY. I matched the newborn blankets and caps in the hospital, so I guess there's that.

Occasion: Workin' it + Book Club, May 8th

Outfit details:
thrifted vintage sundress, as skirt
handed down cropped tee
charlotte russe necklace
clarks outlet flats

I snagged this cropped tee from my friend Kate's "to donate" pile, and I'm so glad I did because it layers over this sundress so well! Methinks I need more crop tops in my life just for layering over high-waisted things.

Hope your week is going well! My mind has been occupied with daydreams of being twirled around the honky tonk dance floor... which will become reality on Sunday again :) It's my new thing, I tell ya!

Outfit log: Maid Marian

... is who my mom said I looked like when I texted her the pic of my outfit below. She needlessly added "in a good way," however I can't see how there could be a bad way to look like Robin Hood's lovah who is also a known hottie in Nottingham. Thanks, mom!

Occasion: Workin' it, April 27th

Outfit details:
maxstudio outlet sweater
modcloth necklace
wrap skirt via vegas outlet mall vendor
born boots

And lest you think I just have a casual interest in Robin Hood: Disney's animated Robin Hood (with the foxes) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (with Kevin Costner) were favorite movies of mine as a kid... I suppose I've always been a sucker for medieval romance (and I guess that whole steal-from-the-rich/give-to-the-poor mentality). I don't know why I never saw the Robin Hood that came out a few years ago, but perhaps I should!

I hope your Monday is off to a good start! I'm in a much better place than I was Friday (boo and I broke up last week... which sucks balls, but is for the best), mostly because I ventured out and did shit on my own this weekend and had a grand ole time (and felt like such a brave badass!). Friday was spent seeing my cousin Dylan's friend's band play in San Francisco, which was so much fun because 1) I totally dug their music, and 2) I've known one of the band members since he was like 8 years old, so I felt super proud of him, and also like one of the cool kids.

Saturday and Sunday nights I went country western dancing (for queer peeps). Oh my goodness... my lifelong dream is becoming a reality, you guys. Seriously... my mom used to take me line dancing as a kid and I loved it so much! I remember being 10 years old and watching these teenagers doing crazy twirly couples dancing and all I wanted in life was to do that like them. So, now I've got two 2-stepping lessons under my belt, as well as a couple new line dances :) Also, not to toot my own horn (okay, totally to toot my own horn),  based on feedback from the more experienced guys and gals I danced with, apparently I'm a natural at 2-stepping...  likely due to my Texan heritage. So, thanks Mom for that too! Stay tuned, y'all, cause my country western dancing outfits are totally gonna be posted in coming weeks! I learned after the first night that the twirlier the skirt the better. I mean, duh! TWIRLY SKIRTS ARE THE BEST.

Outfit log: Dark Sided

Here's a dark and gloomy outfit for ya, though today promises to be sunshiney and warm in these parts...

Occasion: Workin' it, April 23rd

Outfit details:
gifted abalone necklace
maxstudio outlet sweater dress
hue plaid tights
born "bitsy" boots

I love this sweater dress to pieces: the pattern, the fit... it's so comfortable and EASY. And that's all I have to say about that.

Have a great weekend y'all. I'm a little under the weather emotionally, so time off from work is definitely in order.

See ya on the flip!

Outfit log: Eclectic

You guys. The weather this week is knocking my socks off! Blue skies and sunshine everyday! Yes... there's wind, but highs in the 70s?? Where the hell am I? It feels like LA and I'm soaking it in.

This outfit is from another warm weather day a few weeks ago, and came together around the earrings that my soul sister, Gaby, sent me for... Christmas I think? Girl has good taste, which I benefit from on the regular. 

Occasion: Workin' it, April 20th

Outfit details:
gifted cost plus earrings (thanks, Gabs!)
top via nordstrom
thrifted belt
wrap skirt via street fair vendor
clarks flats

Since the earrings have got some blue and dark rasberry colors going on, I grabbed this crocheted top and tried layering it under my only blue-hued skirt. The hot pink belt felt like a natural waist-defining add on, and also broke up the contrast between the crochet pattern and the pattern on the skirt.

The result wasn't as matchy matchy as I was hoping for (there's some green in the earrings that I couldn't incorporate elsewhere), but made the combo felt a bit more eclectic than my usual ensembles, which stretched my comfort zone a wee bit.

Hope the second half of your week is lovely. As long as this weather keeps up, I know mine will be :) 

Outfit log: LOL redux (+ weekend)

What a weekend! Perfect for a bulleted list of activities:

• Friday night I saw The Black Keys in concert, and they were outstanding! Such a fun show.
• Boo and I played backgammon for a few hours on Saturday morning followed by a Cinco de Mayo party in the cafe below my apartment.
• Sunday began with some sleeping in and lazing about followed by a delicious burger with my lady in Piedmont. We also went on a lovely walk to find a copy of the New York Times for her to do the crossword, and I caught up with my dad for a bit over the phone. 
• I did start unfucking my apartment (see inspiration), mostly by putting away all the crap on the foot of my bed (ridiculous how much accumulates there) and doing about 5 million loads of laundry including sheets and towels. OMG clean sheets are the best. I'm trying to do a GIANT unfucking in tiny steps, and then will work on maintaining. Next up on the agenda are cleaning the crap out of my kitchen and going through my clothes to get rid of shit I don't need (via donation or swap).

So that was that! The weather was gloriously perfect throughout the weekend: warm and sunny with a slight breeze, reminding me of so many LA days. One thing that makes Monday a bit less wah-waaaaaaah is that we are supposed to have glorious sunshiney warm weather all week! And not only in Oakland people; San Franicso is going to be lovely (Oakland gets more sun and less fog so is generally warmer than SF... and this is why the East Bay is where it's at). I'm a happy camper because the warmth feels so good AND because it gives me a chance to put together warm weather ensembles ALL WEEK. Holy crap.

But... those outfits won't show up here for a little while. In the meantime I've been super busy after work with social engagements and haven't gotten the chance to take tripod pics for the next few outfits, so bathroom iPhone shots it is! 

Occasion: Workin' it, April 18th

Outfit details:
handed down leopard tunic
h&m vest
gifted abalone necklace
banana republic cords
target blue suede loafers

First up this week, a favorite silhouette of mine, the LOL: long (on top) over lean (on bottom), capped off with a waist-highlighting item. For this look I decided on blue flats to have a wee pop o' color amidst all the neutrals, and tied the blue suede shoes in with my top half via my trusty abalone pendant necklace.

Hope your day goes swimmingly!

Outfit log: What's black and white and red all over?

A zebra with a sunburn! Annnnnd my outfit. (Sadly "the newspaper" isn't as great of a punchline anymore.)

Anyway, Happy Friday my fellow M-Fers! Um, I mean "Monday through Friday-ers", not... you know. ANYWAY! I'm exhausted/boosted up on caffeine, which is always an interesting combination, and I'm getting pumped for this weekend. Tonight I'm going to a concert with friends that I'm super stoked about, tomorrow I'm hoping to hit up Free Comic Book Day in my 'hood followed by an evening of debauchery with my lady, and throughout the weekend I'm starting my journey towards unfucking my habitat (UfYH is my new favorite blog that simultaneously validates my slobbiness while inspiring me to be less gross). Wish me luck on that one!

In the meantime, here's an outfit that I officially deem a FAVORITE OUTFIT (yep, there's a label for that). For one thing, the ensemble looks particularly fresh given the natural lighting I was lucky enough to catch. But really, it's all about the black/white/red combo, and my midday stroke of genius to tuck in my wrap top. Honestly, I'd never thought of this before even though I like my skirts high-waisted like whoa. 

Occasion: Workin' it, April 11th

Curious to see how it looked pre-tuck? Well, you're in luck! I snapped this backup iPhone pic before my brain was awake enough for tucking-in-brilliance.

Annnnd back to the natural lighting with some extra poses. You know, I really actually like the look both ways, but tucked in just feels more moi. 

Outfit details:
thrifted eileen fisher sweater skirt
banana republic outlet faux wrap top
necklace via antique faire
assets black tights
born "bitsy" boots

So that's all I have to say about that! Oh, and yesterday I mentioned how I'm on facebook (well, reminded), but I forgot to remind you I'm also pretty heavily into pinning awesome body positive/self-lovin'/equality supporting/baby animal swooning/harry potter celebrating./femme-inist-tastic shit. Let's be PIN PALS!  

Until next time (or see you on FB?)... MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU!

BSD on Facebook

Hey y'all*...

Did you know that I am a facebook ADDICT? Okay, actually I'm just addicted to the internet like ALL OF YOU. But really, I think facebook is where it's at (I suck at twitter). Which is why you might be interested to know that there here blog has a facebook page! Many of you may already know this, but I've been getting into the FBing groove lately, sharing links to self-love blog posts and other cool ass shit from the internet, so thought it'd be a good idea to remind you.

Find me at facebook.com/brightsidedweller. Easy peasy!

*While I could claim Southern roots because of my family being from Texas, I didn't grow up in the South, and hardly any of my family members use "y'all".... and to be honest it only really entered my vocabulary in the last couple of years... while I've been living in the Bay Area. It makes no sense, but I'm not stopping, y'all! 

Outfit log: Oh, Baby (not mine!)

Oh my goodness, you guys. Today I held a newborn baby!!!! You may think I do this all the time, but it was my very first time, ever. I definitely see a lot of newborns through my job, but since I'm not able to develop close relationships with all of the patients I meet, it has never been appropriate to ask to hold their precious new babes when I see them in our Birth Center. And when I've volunteered as a doula it hasn't seemed appropriate either, mostly because I don't want to take away from family bonding time in the few hours after delivery.

Occasion: Workin' it, April 10th

But today... TODAY I visited a couple I've been getting to know throughout their care with us, and they invited me to hold their little guy. Not only was it pretty magical to see this couple just almost instantly become a family since the last time I saw them, but just witnessing how in love they both were with their baby boy was so heartwarming. 

Outfit details:
handed down sweet pea top
banana republic cords
born boots
necklace via antique faire

The couple told me a bit about mom's labor and birth and how they were treated by my clinical colleagues, and I was really proud to hear that it went well for them. Actually... today I'm just feeling pretty proud in general about the work that I do. Love when that happens :) The dad also taught me how to swaddle the baby, which I've seen countless videos about and tried on dolls before, but now I've experienced the real deal. Weeeeee!

P.S. I don't have much to say about the outfit above, except that I love wearing tunics over skinny cords or jeans (or jeggings!). Best comfortable/cute "pants" combo everrrrrr. Also I'm in love with this dragonfly necklace and wanna wear it every damn day.