The Looney Challenge

Today I represented one of my favorite characters of fantasy literature. Don't be scared by the word fantasy. I took the more classy route in creating this outfit. This character is quite looney but very loveable. If you have read the books or seen this individual on the screen, you know where I am coming from. Besides, it gave me a GREAT excuse to wear glittery shoes (Not that I have ever needed an actual reason. I love a good glittery accessory!)

This is me. Like the electrical outlet posing beside me?



Guesses for who is Looney?

 Drum roll please. bddddddddddddddddddd!

Miss Luna Lovegood!

Who is Luna Lovegood? Luna Lovegood is a care free, Quibbler loving, Ravenclaw from J.K. Rowling's series following a certain Harry Potter! If you would like to know more about her character, Wikipedia has a great page with her information. Click here!

The Character: Luna Lovegood
The Outfit: Pink button down from Anthropologie 2010
                 Purple Shrug from Foley Outlets 2009
                 Brown skirt from New York & Company from 2008
                 Brownish/Orange belt from Papaya 2011
                 Glittery flats from Target 2011
                 Leaf earrings from Papaya 2011
Disneybound Inspiration:

You're probably thinking about how Luna is not a Disney character and of course you are right, but Disneybound's Harry Potter outfits are just great. That is the surprise for this month. If you been keeping up with Eo, you would've seen that we were doing something special the month of February. If you were thinking that the surprise was a Valentine's theme or some kind of President's Day theme, SURPRISE! It's Harry Potter month. Don't forget to check Eo's page!

I hope you are having a magical day!





The Cats Meow Challenge

You will probably be able to guess who this is. This character is one of my very favorites and I loved this outfit!  This is another outfit that I modified for January weather.

Any ideas?

Drum roll please. bdddddddddddd!

He is my favorite cat who lives in a swanky mansion in Paris and paints for his owner's delight. He is little Monsieur Toulouse from the Aristocats.

The Character: Toulouse
The Outfit: Orange/Mustard colored sweater from Kohl's 2010
                 Brown shirt (layered under the orange sweater)
                 from Kohl's 2010
                 Jeans from Ann Taylor 2011
                 Oxfords from DSW 2011
                 Turquoise coat from Fant's 2009
                 Turquoise headband from Christmas 2011
                 Gold and Turquoise earrings from Christmas 2011
Disneybound Inspiration:

I just love him! Click here to see Eo's week 4 outfit. It might mess with your mind! :)

The time I had to stay an extra day in Italy... Part 1

There wouldn't have been a Brassart on this international trip without a crazy adventure. Remember this?
We made it across the pond and to 5 different cities without any major catastrophes. It was all too good to be true.
Side note: Every time we've traveled internationally and gathered our baggage, I have seen the carousel that is bringing around the baggage from Milan and I've always wanted to visit the city. I was finally in Milan! My luggage was going to come out from the carousel entitled Milan! Score!

We arrived in Milan on Friday before leaving the upcoming Monday. Our touring plans had to change suddenly due to a state funeral taking place in the famous Duomo (Cathedral) of Milan on Saturday morning which was our scheduled tour time. After visiting the Castle of Milan and seeing one of Michaelangelo's three Pietas, taking a quick photo in front of the Opera House of Milan
seeing where St. Augustine was baptized, and watching the sunset from the roof of the Duomo, we headed back to our hotel.

The Castle of Milan

Michaelangelo's unfinished Pieta

The Opera House of Milan

The Duomo

The baptistery where St. Augustine was baptized

Flying buttresses...So Gothic!

Sunset

Breathtaking

Britney and Me

More Sunset

I just loved it!

Friends! We took on Milan together!

We had a lovely afternoon. On our way back to the hotel, I pulled my phone out of my purse to text my wonderful mom. We were having a lovely chat when the bus pulled up to the hotel. I slipped my purse over my shoulder into its proper cross-body position. As we all headed towards the doors, I saw two suspicious looking characters trying to maneuver through our crowd of people. I instinctively grabbed my purse and attempted to pull it to the front on my body. The next time I looked down at my purse, I found that the zipper was open and my travel wallet was gone. It was my wallet that held my passport. I ran back out to the bus to see if it had fallen out in my seat. No luck! Then it hit me that the two squirrly individuals that were crossing through our group grabbed my wallet because my purse had unfortunately been unzipped.

No, I didn't cry at first. I told my professors and Dr. Huelin took off down the street to see if they had grabbed what they wanted and dumped the wallet. No luck there either! Inside the lobby, I processed what had happened and the tears came. Everyone was so great and encouraged me. I gained my composure. I went back to my room to double check that I hadn't left it there before we began our tour. No luck! I went back downstairs and called my mom. The tears came again. My wonderful mother also encouraged me and assured me that it was okay!

The hotel managers encouraged us to file a police report in case my passport was found. Our tour guide from the afternoon was so kind and postponed her evening plans to head down to the station with us. It was Dr. Huelin and 5 girls. We got to the station and I filed the report. I had to sign four copies of the report for their records. That is when it really hit me. I HAVE BEEN PICKPOCKET/VIOLATED! I WANT MY PASSPORT BACK! I WANT MY MAMA! ALL OF MY COOL STAMPS ARE GONE! That all ran through my mind. I didn't actually verbalize it and scare the police officer half to death.  Here is a snapshot of us in the police station. I'm the one sporting the police report.

Rachel, Britney, Rebecca, and Me They were the best!

Our next move took us to a photo booth in the metro to take my emergency passport the Consulate would issue me. Here is the result of that exciting side adventure.

Illena our wonderful tour guide

After taking the photos, saying goodbye to our tour guide, and eating a really good dinner I began to mentally gear up for visiting the American Consulate on Monday morning. Stay tuned for Part 2.

The "Bless 'em" Challenge

Well, I'm back! Before I start posting about my awesome trip, I am going to reveal some Disneybound outfits that I have worn since the Hairy Challenge. If you are just joining the blog and are very confused as to what "Disneybound outfits" means, click here.

Let's begin with the picture. The beautiful scenery behind me is the beautiful city of ruins known as Pompeii. Please excuse the roughness. Our bus ride from Rome took 3hrs and just about eeeeeverybody fell asleep for extended periods of time. Jet-lag plus SO. MUCH. WALKING. mixed with late nights because of the the city's awesomeness made us tired. Please know that I loved the walking, but there was just A LOT of it.

Back to the picture.

I had to modify this outfit for winter-ish weather purposes. 

Look in the background. That is the real life Mt. Vesuvius.

Drum roll please...bddddddddddddddddd

 

I was a modified version of the one and only "bless his heart" Mr. Smee. 

The Character: Mr. Smee

The Outfit: Blue and gray stripped sweater from Tommy Hilfigger 2008

                 Burgundy vneck from Target 2011

                 Jeans from Ann Taylor 2011

                 Boots from Clarks 2008

                 Gold belt from New York & Company 2011
                 Yellow scarf from a vendor in Times square 2009
                 Earrings from Eo 2011
Disneybound Inspiration:

Like I said, I had to modify the outfit for winter. The yellow scarf was supposed to go along with the gold accents. I had a great time wearing it and a great time in Pompeii. I will post more about our excursion soon.
January Week 2? Challenge Completed!

Click here to see Eo's week 2 creation. It is super cute!

Sadly, I do not have a picture of week 3's outfit yet. I wore it the day after life in Italy got a little crazy. Stay tuned for that blog post. It is coming next.

The Hairy Challenge

Well, you are reading the first post of "No Buy 2012" and I am SOOOOO excited! If you missed what "No Buy 2012" is, click here. I wanted to start the year off with one of my favorite winter-y outfits I have created. I know you are just dying to know who I am wearing!

Factoid: It was the first outfit I put together. 

Any guesses? 

Drum roll please...bddddddddddd

If you guessed the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, you were right! 

The character: The Beast

The outfit: Navy blue dress from H&M 2009

               Yellow sweater from New York & Company 2009

               Black tights from Target 2011

               Brown boots from Clark's 2008

               Gold belt from New York & Company 2011

               Pearls from my Great Grammy circa 1960

               Gold button earring from the pottery sale at Union 2011

The Disneybound example: 

January Week 1? Challenge Completed!

Click here TOMORROW to see Erin's creation

*I will not be posting my outfits next week or  the next because I will be in Italy. I do have my two Disneybound creations all ready to go, and I will post them with the rest of my adventure when I return. 

Until then,

Ciao!

Italia!

Well, the big news for 2012 is out., but I can't stop with No Buy 2012/Disneybound challenge. I have other news to share...

I AM GOING TO ITALY... IN JANUARY...FOR TWO WEEKS...TO STUDY ABROAD!
I received my tickets and travel information in the mail yesterday. I had to share!

One evening in October, Laura Kay and I were talking about what we were going to do during Union's mini semester, Jan-Term. We knew of the Italy trip that Union takes every year. It is a study abroad opportunity to earn credit for World Lit. I, World Lit. II, Arts & Western Civilization, and the Walking for Fitness PE credit. You are only allowed to take 7 hours. I was in need of these classes. So, I casually emailed my mom to see if the trip might be a possibility. I told her that whatever the decision was, I would be fine. She replied the next day. "Daddy said Yes! Go ahead and register." I couldn't believe it for a minute. I did a happy dance and squealed, "I'm going to Italy!"

This trip is open to all Union students, staff, and faculty. They CLEARLY state that on the information guide. Sorry, Mama! The program is Sponsored by the English Department and assisted by the Art Department. When I return from Italy, I will have earned 6 hrs worth of credit: 3 for World Lit. II and 3 for Arts and Western Civ. Why not study those subjects where a lot of the material being studied was drawn, painted, sculpted, and written? The lecture part of the Arts and Western Civ. portion took place before I came home for Christmas Break. We crammed almost 20 chapters of Art and Music into 5 class periods. As we looked at each piece of art, talked about the Sistine Chapel, and learned about Vivaldi, I swelled with excitement! I realized that this trip will a be a once in a lifetime trip!

Click here to see our itinerary. We will start in Rome, travel to Florence, then on to Venice, and then finally finish in Milan. Once we arrive in Rome, we are on the move until we get on the plane in Milan to head home.  I will be gone from Jan 9-23.  I can't wait to share all about it with you once I return. Don't worry, two Disneybound outfits will be crossing the ocean and sported on the streets of Italy!

Challenge Accepted!

It was a hot day in July. I was gearing up to take Statistics at Union. My sister was helping me unpack the stuff I would be living on the month of July. She unfolded shirt after shirt. After seeing how many articles of clothing I brought with me, she suggested we do a "No Buy July" project: no clothes purchases for the month of July. It was a loving way to keep me accountable...I protested inwardly for a minute. I came to my senses. We succeeded and did not buy any clothing for the month of July.

It was a warm day in December. (It happens in the state of Alabama!) I was cleaning out my closet at home. I recalled a statement my sister made in November. "I think I'm going to do "No Buy 2012." I thought, "That's great for you but not for me!" After seeing how many articles of clothing I had, I knew I needed to do "No Buy 2012" to appreciate all I have been blessed with and save money. I sent Eo the fateful text saying that I was planning to do it...

So, here I am. It is December 18 and I am getting ready to embark on "No Buy 2012." I have been a little scared from the beginning, but Eo helped me overcome some fears with good ol' Pinterest. If you don't know what Pinterest is, click here. Dear Pinterest has a whole "line" of Disneybound pin boards. Disneybound takes characters from Disney movies/other movies and creates stylish/posh/retro/"I would so totally wear this in 2012" outfits. To see what I mean click here. Do you love it? I know I do!

Here is the challenge Eo and I are accepting. First, we cannot buy any new clothing except necessities during 2012. Second, we have to create a similar outfit for at least one Disneybound character (or other creations based on other movies and books)  AND wear it one day of the week. My friends, if you check my blog weekly, by January 1, 2013 you will have seen 52 outfits that are Disneybound inspired that come directly from my current wardrobe. Let me just tell you that I AM ALREADY LOVING IT! I have been going through my clothes and putting together the "Amiee" version of Disneybound. Here are the characters I have already worked on: Flounder, the Beast, Snow White, Faline, Down on the Bayou, Hogwarts school girl, and Willy Wonka. (If you didn't click the link for the example, please do so now. Hopefully you will find this a little less crazy!)

I am so excited to do this. I have always wanted to make a resolution or give myself a challenge to conquer. God has blessed and continues to bless me with more than I deserve. My salvation through Jesus Christ is the number one blessing on the list, and being able to choose from more than one outfit each day is near the top. We quickly take for granted the ability to open our closets and choose from multiple shirts, pants, shoes, etc. Jesus told us that "to whom much is given, much is required." I have been blessed with clothes, now I need to do my part and use what God has given me.

The Challenge has been accepted: No Buy 2012 + a Disneybound Creation for each week during the year! Please stay tuned to see it come to life!