These are a few of my current favorite things this week:

1} TOMS Ballet Flats – While I was never a fan of any of the other TOMS varieties, I fell in love when I first saw the ballet flats were coming out. Naturally I had to get a pair and I have been wearing them ever since they arrived on my doorstep. I would suggest going down a half to full size because they are roomy.

2} BaubleBar Twitter Nameplate – How cute is this?! Now if I could just ensure my boss would never figure out what it means. Never mind the fact that I had to teach him how to use his new iPad. Should have removed that Twitter app while I had the chance.

3} Urban Decay Naked2 Palette – After having the original Naked palette and loving it, I knew I just had to invest in the newest palette. After buying both combinations, I am fairly certain I won’t need another eye shadow for the next 10 years. Which is fine because I will need to save up for plastic surgery at 40. Only kidding. Sort of.

4} MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau – I started using MAC over 5 years ago when I got married and have been a convert (addict) ever since. The best part? The Back to MAC program. Return six empty packages and get a free lipstick! This punchy pink is my newest find and current love.

Have you voted in the Refinery29 Styleblogger contest?

{Scarf and Jeans – Old Navy Rock Star Jegging, Blazer – Forever21 (similar), Blouse – Express (similar), Heels – Ivanka Trump Gurdia}

Last night we attended the best Super Bowl party I have ever been to. On our couch, in our pajamas, and snuggled up with our fur babies. We cheered for the Giants win. A certain someone we know is a SUPER fan, so we became ones too. I cooked the husband’s favorite dip, vegetarian-ized of course. A girl’s gotta eat too!

The best part of the night? Naked M&M’s and doggies sporting Skechers (no, not my doggies). Those marketing mavens sure know how to get a girl interested in football with chocolate and puppies. Though I prefer my chocolate clothed and filled with peanut butter. Who am I kidding? I’ll take chocolate any way I can get it.

{Sweater – Old Navy (similar), Scarf – Old Navy {similar}, Cords – J.Crew (similar), Heels – Notty by DV}

At least 10 times each day my coworkers ask, “How are you doing today?” While I typically plaster a smile on my face and give the expected “fine” “okay” or “good,” the truth is I am not any of those three.

Because my job is miserable.

Because I am not following my passion.

Because my pants don’t fit.

Because my friend moved across the ocean.

Because my house is a disaster.

Because I don’t get enough sleep.

Because contrary to having a fashion blog, most days I just feel bad about my looks.

Because I feel like a total failure.

But I don’t give them the truth. I lie through my teeth and tell them I am fine. Because who really wants to hear how bad someone is feeling? Then there is a moment of clarity. Then and only then do I realize that someone, somewhere (God perhaps?) is trying to show me just how much I have to be thankful for. Family, friends, a healthy body, a loving husband, sweet puppies, and so much more. Just like that, hope is restored and I begin to look forward to what’s to come. It’s these moments of clarity that help you see what life is all about. To look forward to the future. And in between those moments of clarity, at least there are cute shoes to keep us going. So tomorrow when someone asks me how I am doing, I will say “Great” and I will believe it.

The goal of a leader isn’t to get bitter but to get better when faced with an “opportunity for improvement.” – Perry Noble

{Sweater – Express, Skirt – Forever21, Tights – HUE, Booties – dollhouse, Necklace – BaubleBar}

Sometimes you find friends in the unlikeliest of places; the Internet, the gym, or even the office. When I started my job in Charlotte 4 years ago, I never thought I would find a great friend in the cubicle next to me. After all, I was from a small southern town and she was from a very different small town. In India. Heck, with my poor geography skills (ignore the fact I am an urban planner), I didn’t even know exactly where India was. Who knew that two women from two very different places could build such a great friendship? We bonded over a shared love of shopping, shoes, and most of all food. I taught her to fall in love with Zumba. She taught me to fall in love with Indian food. But really, she taught me to be a better person. And last Friday, she and her family moved back to India. Jaya, thank you for being such a great teacher, friend and supporter of all of my crazy whims. Never underestimate the power of a good friend.

{Sweater – GAP (similar), Gingham Blouse – J.Crew (similar), Pants – GAP (similar), Heels – Nine West Flax, Earrings – Forever21}

Want to know a sure fire way to ensure your husband doesn’t want children for a while? Attend a birthday party with fifteen kids under the age of four. Who needs birth control when you have the au natural type living right next door? Everyone knows the best way to have kids is just to borrow them so you can give them back anyways. Although judging by this picture, I think I have some competition. The birthday girl was making major googly eyes at the husband. No worries though, I intervened before she hypnotized him into wanting kids. I think.

{Sweater – Old Navy (similar), Blouse – The Limited (similar), Pants – Express (similar), Necklace – Forever21 (similar), Heels – Nine West Flax}

It’s Thursday and sadly this is only my second post this week. I would like to say it’s because I have been busy, but then I would be lying. Honestly getting dressed has been less than exciting lately. Remember that marathon I ran a few months ago? Well thanks to that (and maybe a Reese’s or three), I have added 10 not so lovely pounds to my petite frame. The good part? Most of it is muscle. I only know this because I had body fat testing last week and am only 3 percent outside of the normal range for an athlete. The bad part? My clothes are not fitting! Every pair of pants I put on barely fits over my thighs which makes it increasingly more difficult to get dressed in the morning. So if you need me I’ll be up in the gym working on my fitness. Hopefully I will come out with Fergie’s body next time. Boom boom pow.

{Top and Cardigan – J.Crew (similar), Skirt – The Limited (similar), Heels – DV by Dolce Vita, Jewelry – Forever21}

Most of this weekend was spent in pajamas. I would like to say it was because of the weather, but honestly I just didn’t feel like getting dressed and out of the house. Sometimes you just need that kind of weekend, ya know? What I did do was watch Groundhog Day (among other things) for the first time during my pajama induced couch coma. Can you believe I have never seen it before? My life has felt a little like Bill Murray’s in the movie lately. The same thing over, and over, and over again. Same people, same problems, yet somehow instead of being on the same day, time keeps passing me by. Anyone else feel this way? What do you do to break the rut?

{Pencil Skirt – J.Crew No 2, Sweater – Old Navy Polka Dot, Blouse – thrifted (similar), heels – J.Crew (similar)}

The neighbors recently put their house on the market. I’m sure the crazy girl taking pictures of herself in the driveway had nothing to do with their decision to move. Who wouldn’t want to live next to the fashion version of Mr. Rogers? Except instead of taking off my cardigan and shoes when I walk in the house, I put mine on and take pictures in my driveway. That should go over really well when they have showings to potential buyers, “And that there is the crazy girl next door that takes pictures of herself for unknown reasons.” Won’t you be my neighbor? I promise I will share my clothes and shoes. I might even let you be in a few pictures. Inquire within.

{I started a Facebook page for PinQue Blog…won’t you head over and like me? You do like me, right? Don’t answer that.}

{Jacket – Banana Republic (similar); Top – Banana Republic (similar); Pants – Gap Skinny, Heels – Ivanka Trump Gurdia; Necklace – Baublebar Bauble Bib} 

Is there anything better than a long weekend from work? I spent the entire day plotting ways to never have to go back to work. I even went out and spent my entire paycheck on lottery tickets. The more you spend, the better the odds right? Alright, that didn’t really happen, but if anyone has any ideas between now and 8 am let me know.