pinspired: 'merica nails and cut-offs for memorial day!

I know my DIY last week was all 'Merica-fied, but can you really have too much of it?! Abso-freakin-lutely not!

I've seen a lot of USA inspired nails in my day, but this one totally stood out to me.

There were no instructions, but I didn't really need any. I've done the red/white stripes before, and I figured I could use pins for the polka dots! That I did!

[I feel like I have 80 year old hands to match my knees... heyzeus]

You might be able to see that there's a stripe down the middle of the red. I originally tried to do vertical stripes, but liked it better just plain red.. so I painted right over it.

Just in case you wanted to know my colors, even though I don't know what they're called.

I found a pair of red jeans that totally didn't fit me and I couldn't return, so I've been trying to figure out what to do with them.... then I saw this.

How cute are those?! Since my pants were red and JoAnn's has a whole section of 'Merica fabric at the front of the store, I knew exactly what to do.

There aren't a whole lot of pictures of the process [and by not a whole lot, I mean zero], but that's because it's basically just tracing, cutting, and pasting once you've cut your pants to the desired short length.

I got 1/4 yard of fabric, put it over the front pant leg, traced with a washable marker, and then cut it out. Then you just repeat for the back pocket, and either sew the pieces on or use your fusible web tape that I've been preaching.

And even though it's What Ya Wearin Wednesday, I'll give you a look at my outfit right here. 

More proof that I need to work on my ass.

I'm probably going to change the length of them and either roll them up or just cut them. I feel like they look horrible when they hit at that length.

The whole cost for this: $2. That's it. The fabric was about $1.50. Wham, bam, thank ya ma'am!

Do it. Like now. Maybe to all of your shorts or old pants.

love,
elizabethany

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my week of red, white, and blue outfits

As you've probably definitely been able to tell, my life is revolving around the Olympics now. Because of my excitement, I challenged myself to a week's worth of AMERICA outfits!

This is difficult for two reasons: I wasn't sure how much red, white, and blue I truly had, but more importantly: I never really get dressed these days. [No one is in the building when I am, so who do I have to impress?! A whole lot of computer screens? No thanks.]

I did it, though! Well, 6 days worth. Sunday was spent in the ocean, so... my 'Merica suit was on, and that's about it.

I apologize in advance for the awful quality of the pics. I need a fancydancy camera for posts like these, but homegirl is poor.

MONDAY: 

White lace tank from Ross [$4], red shorts from Forever21 [I think $10 last year?], sock bun with blue ribbon, white sandals. 

TUESDAY: 

My "trashy 'Merica shirt" from Forever21 [$10], ripped jeans from Charlotte Russe [$20], white Keds sneaks that you can't see. 

 WEDNESDAY: 

Blue racerback-lace tank [wish I had taken a picture of the back! from Forever 21 clearance- $6], white jeans from Wet Seal [$15], red and cork heels from Rue21 clearance [$4], $1 red earrings from some cheapo store in the mall, and curly hair! My friends were in town from NoVA, so it was obviously a special occasion.

THURSDAY: 

[I can't believe I just posted a picture of my feet. GROSS.]

Simple and comfortable day- Blue dress from Forever 21 [$8], red polka dot flats from Wet Seal [$1] and an old white necklace.

 FRIDAY:

I had an event at Ocean Breeze Waterpark, so I went with a pretty see-through linen shirt from Old Navy clearance [$10], jean skirt from Forever21 [$10], and red, white and blue bathing suit top from Wal-Mart [$12]. 

SATURDAY:  

Chambray tank from Kohl's I think [~$15], red shorts from Forever21 [$10], white sandals from GoJane.com [$8]. 

They're not the most extravagant or full-of-effort outfits, but I'm not mad about them! Plus, for EVERYTHING I wore, it was a total of less than $150! Not bad for a week's worth of getting dressed, eh?

I should challenge myself to themed fashion weeks more often. It actually makes picking out clothes easier and helps me feel like less of a slob.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: the changes in women's gymnastics in the olympics since 1980

Watching the Olympics this year literally has me stunned. Even though I was a gymnast for 15 years, it seems like a completely different sport to me. Not only is the entire scoring system totally different [so I can't even pretend like I know what I'm talking about], but the skills are so incredibly advanced that even my former coach is shocked.

I don't think any of us need to see old videos as proof, but I decided to look back at some of the most notable gymnasts in the past 30 years, and show you just how much the sport has changed. I think it's easiest to tell when watching a beam routine, but since that's not normally the favorite event to watch, I have some examples from all of them.

VAULT
The horse changed in the early 2000s, but I don't think that had a whole lot to do with the skill level increase.

Nadia Comaneci- 1980


Kerri Strug, epic vault of 1996


Jordyn Wieber, 2012 Olympic Trials



BARS
The bars used to be a lot closer together, so the types of skills have changed quite a bit... but notice all the release moves and different ways of gripping the bar Gabby does compared to Kim.

Nadia's perfect 10!


Kim Zmeskal- 1992


Gabby Douglas- 2012 [practice]



BEAM
It used to be simple and dancy, with a couple mandatory skills. Now it's an unbelievable amount of connections/series of skills.

Svetlana Boginskaya- 1988


Shannon Miller- 1996


Carly Patterson- 2004


[CLICK HERE for Aly Raisman's beam routine from qualifications. NBC is selfish and won't let me share.]


FLOOR
You'll notice quite a bit of dancing early on... but now it's nothing but skill after skill [and not as much sticking].


Mary Lou Retton- 1984


Dominique Dawes- 2000 [trials, but she made it!]


Gabby Douglas- 2012 Trials



I'm really upset it's so hard to find good quality videos, but whatever... that's not the point.

It's crazy to watch the routines from the 80s again because I could have easily done any of those routines while I was in my prime. In the 90s, there was no way I'd be doing most of those skills, but I could if I really worked hard. The things they're doing now- oh hell no. They've been brainwashed into not being afraid of ANYTHING.

Kudos, gymnasts of today. You're truly incredible. And to the gymnasts of tomorrow and another decade from now- I'm terrified of and for you. I can't even imagine what they'll be coming up with.

love,
elizabethany

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the united states of shame

Tweet Let's call this the random post of the day.

Someone found out what each of the 50 states is known for being the worst in the country at, and made a map of it and called it "The United States of Shame."


Luckily all the states I represent are known for things I've already defeated or don't apply to me. *phew*

Do you fit the stereotype of your state?!

love,
elizabethany