i laugh at myself.

crop top & striped tank :: target // shorts :: forever xxi // shades :: walmart // necklace :: umm...

So... I have decided something. Shopping for clothes is significantly less fun when you're paying with your own money.

This is what it's like when mom's paying.

Me: "Ooh, this is cute. Oh, I like this. Hmm, I want that." *piling stuff into cart*
Mom: "Are you even paying attention to how much this stuff costs?!"
Thus ensues the dreary and heart-wrenching process of elimination with adorable might-have-been friends.

It's a tough life.

And this is what it's like when I'm paying.

Me: "Oh my goodness, I love that! Let's see, how much is it...? Nevermind. Ooh, what about this? WHAT! IT'S FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS. ARE YOU KIDDING ME HERE. WE'RE IN A RECESSION. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PAY FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS FOR A LEATHER JACKET. Grrrrr."
Later... "Okay, I have four shirts here. That's all. And it's... let me add it up..." *gasp/choke*

Yeah.

Bleh.

But I suppose that's part of life & growing up. Dislike.

Well, on the bright side, at least it's making me think about spending carefully and looking for great deals! I'm really wanting to check out a nearby thrift store... I have seriously been inspired by all the amazing things people find at those places. Let's hope I get lucky!

Anyway, as you can see, whenever I buy new clothes, I have the urge to run outside, set up the tripod & camera, and get my self-timing skills on. Because, no matter how much I beg them, my brothers won't take pictures of me. Sigh. So, it's an okay-let-me-try-this-I-hope-the-focus-is-good moment. And that feeling of success when your pictures turn out sharp. WIN.

And I realize this isn't much of an outfit -- shorts, a tank, and a top -- because it didn't take much forethought or clever fashionista design skills. But hey. It's still 100 degrees over here. We haven't gotten into the cute-scarf-and-jacket weather yet. I'm lovin' this last sweet breath of summer, but every day increases my anticipation and excitement for all the cute stuff I'll be able to wear this fall. I feel like you have more fashion options in the fall (depending on where you live, of course)... you could wear a jacket, blazer, shorts, scarf, blouse, jeans, boots, flats, or heels... Because it's not too hot, not too cold. Can't wait for that fresh, crisp breeze and those crunchy leaves.

Of course, you could always wear sweats and and a sweatshirt, as I will opt for most days.

But still... it's nice to have the freedom to dress up a bit more. :)

*change of topic here*

I had to get three shots yesterday. It was not fun.

And I had an embarrassing memory-lapse yesterday as well. We went to Target to get a few things, and I smartly set down the bag of stuff we'd purchased somewhere. In so doing, we walked out of Target... without our purchases. Complete waste. Needless to say, I felt awful this morning when we realized what had happened. My mom called Target on the slim chance that someone had turned it in, and lo, and behold...

IT WAS THERE.

So we got it back. And I am one happy/grateful camper. Oh, God is just awesome. Thank You.

So, on Sunday, when I was in the backyard taking those outfit shots, I found these two little birds. They were quite peculiar. (I want to use the word "peculiar" in an everyday sentence, just to see how people respond.)

Anyway, they were just walking around, watching me as I posed for the camera, apparently unperturbed by the snapping and clicking sounds it made. So I curiously inched closer to them. They just looked at me. I got closer, taking pictures of them the whole time. They waited patiently while I adjusted my camera's settings, even posing for me at the right moments.

I have no idea why these lovelies didn't fly away. I was literally a foot and a half away from them. Don't judge me... I talked to them. Who are you to say they couldn't understand me? At least they might have been calmed by the soothing sound of my voice.

...Or maybe just creeped out. You never can tell with birds.

Diva. Possibly slightly annoyed I was taking so many pictures.

Love this one. ^ I slowly came to the conclusion that they didn't know how to fly very well, and that's why they weren't escaping for their lives. But they looked quite old enough to fly. I don't know. Maybe they just didn't mind humans.

One of them flapped awkwardly up to a fence post, looking rather proud of itself, while at the same time nervous, while the other one looked on encouragingly.

Then they both mustered up the courage to fly to the top of the fence, where they sat observing me. I decided I might as well get closer, if they didn't mind. So I did. But apparently they did mind.

They perched atop the fence, one of them long enough for a last shot, before fluttering away.

Maybe they did know how to fly already.

I don't really know anything about birds, as you can obviously might be able to tell.

I am in love with these shots. SO happy with how they turned out! And I changed the blog header. You like? :)

How has your week been so far? ♥