It is as terribly, brutally cold here in DC as it is pretty much everywhere else (except Boston - props to the NE for surviving the apocalyptic levels of snow you've gotten this year). And on Valentine's Day I made the dumb-ass decision to try and take blog photos as quickly as possible without my coat.

Not a good plan.

*I've also mentally dubbed this my "Meghan Trainor" outfit. Was I a bit over dressed to be hanging out in Michael's and Home Depot? Yes. Did I care? Of course not!

// "This is a jar full of major characters" - one of the best articles I've read about the importance of including characters of color in a variety of cultural mediums.

// I might have a slight obsession with  looking at recipes I'm never going to make in real life, but I like to think that things like Apple Dumpling Monkey Bread are inspirational and aspirational.


// "Valentino's Pre-Fall Collection: My God It's Full of Stars" - WANT. (And if you need more specifics, I would probably wear the hell out of 90% of this.)


// I don't know how I'd make the excuse that I need another geeky figuring of any kind, but these original Power Ranger mini figs are so cute!


//OMG Jimmy Fallon's Lip Sync battles are so great and even though I'm not the biggest fan of Kevin Hart this "Superbowl Edition" is AMAZING.



Fun Posts: I feel validated that something I already considered is A Beautiful Mess approved. // I'm trying to think of new ways to add plants into my apartment and this is super cute! //  There are only 3 episodes of this anime up so far and it is already batshit crazy. Make of that what you will.  // Definitely yes to a variety of party punches. // Also have to give it up for caramel apple cheesecake. Never made it, but now I really want to.  // I have so many feels about this pastel hair post. Mostly that I wish I liked the way fun colors looked on naturally curly hair >.< //

Clothing: I picked up a couple of suits from GabiFresh's latest Swimsuits For All line and I can't wait to get them! // Used a 40% off code and 2 rewards coupons to pick up this shirt and while it runs small the print makes it all worthwhile

I'm still not sure what possessed me to try on this dress. To be honest I picked it up mostly because it I thought it was hideous and I didn't understand why Anthropologie was making a sweatshirt dress. Apparently they did that because it makes an incredibly comfy dress, and in weird 50 degree "winter" DC weather it worked really well. I wouldn't say this dress was par for the course for me style wise, in fact it's very 70's in my photographer's words, but sometimes you just buy a dress regardless of what decade in style it harkens back to, lol.

Despite the threat of snowy weather, this past weekend my friend and I made plans to see a movie that'd been on my list for months. If you have the chance to still catch it in theaters (or at all, I mean, who am I kidding) Big Hero 6 was awesome in all the best ways and highly recommended.

// As much I love a gold accent, I think I'll use this tutorial to add some silver to sorority gifts!


// I can't say I'm a huge fan of rosemary but this crock pot bread looks so tasty I may have to give it another shot.



// I wish I'd known how to make these bows for DragonCon! They would have been great accents to my Sock Hop Tiana costume.


// I don't have any power tools and certainly don't intend to buy any, but I love how this scalloped wall detail looks.



// I picked up this shirt from TeePublic a few weeks ago and it is PERFECTION.



// In my opinion you can never highlight women in science enough, so these prints by Rachelignotofsky are amazing and timely.



// A friend pointed me in the direction of these memorial bracelets that use your loved one's handwriting, and I think I'm going to take some time this weekend to see what pieces of letters and/or envelopes I have from my mom.



// Oh Amelia Bedelia, when will she learn?! (Warning: will more than likely ruin some of the nostalgic memories you have of this kooky literary figure.)



//I've been watching Tao, aka iamgrape1119, for what feels like forever and this hilarious video (& the great new ones with her husband!) are why.

Now this outfit was a case of happy accidents. I bought the sweater during Ann Taylor's 70% off sale sale, lol, and only when it arrived did I notice how perfectly it matched these burgundy jeans. Love when that happens!

I haven't posted as much this year, the lack of accessible rooftop space at my new job has been the only downside of the position, but all in all I would say 2014 has been a good-to-probably-great year.

I blew past my original purchasing goal less than halfway through 2014, and tracking my purchases got way too depressing when I realized just how much I spent on clothing. It was one of those "ignorance really is bliss" moments, but I think I'll take the information and at least make sure I remain cognizant of what I'm buying in 2015. I don't want to deny myself the option of shopping, and I'm still constantly pulling things out of my closet for donation, so as long as I'm not buying mindlessly I'm going to say things could be worse.

I hope you've all had a great holiday season, no matter how or who you celebrate it with, and I'm going to send up a wish for all of us that 2015 is slightly better for the world.

Sometimes when I'm out and about I find myself asking, "Dana, do we need this?". Which is always a silly question because no one ever needs anything once you're past the bare essentials, but I still consider this decoupaged piggy bank a worthwhile purchase. I mean look at it! It's covered in all the best women heroes and villains, up to and including Xena and Storm!