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Hello, from the El Paso International Airport…
…where I have been camped out since noon trying to fly to Austin for the Texas Library Association annual conference. My plane on Southwest Airlines developed a smell shortly before landing in El Paso. After several hours of attempting to remedy and remove the pungent odor (as described by Southwest gate personnel), the maintenance staff determined that the plane was unfly-able. Apparently that isn’t a word, but you know what I mean.
Smelly plane. Strangely, I am reminded of a song Phoebe sings on the TV show Friends entitled “Smelly Cat”. The chorus goes something like this: “Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you?”
And so I have been sitting here waiting to catch the next flight to Austin which doesn’t depart until 8:30 p.m. Under normal circumstances, that would be a fair length of time but I began mentally packing for my trip about 3:30 this morning, and finally got up to pack for real about 5:00 a.m. so this has been a long day.
Ever the multi-tasker, I am going to take full advantage of this time before my flight to not only sit and wait, but to also write the first blog post for tomorrow’s brand-spanking-new Style Me Bloggers Link-Up series. We will finish up the previous Style Me Bloggers Link-Up series on Friday, kind of strange chronology there…putting the horse before the cart, or something like that.
Hopefully, I will be in Austin by then.
Today’s post is a look at the first (2) outfits-of-the-day (OOTD) for the Style Me Pretty Spring Challenge 2015.
The challenge just started yesterday, Monday. And yesterday was a crazy day for me. I subbed half a day then had about 900 errands to run to get ready for my trip and then PC and I went to a Chihuahua’s baseball game. It was rainy and cold and I didn’t feel like dressing, much less dressing up. (Not that camos and a gray tee are exactly dressed up but you understand)
The first outfit was camo or olive pants, a gray tee, bright jacket/trench and bright flats, a long necklace. I subbed a Cincinnati Reds’ windbreaker, blue cargo pants and a Chihuahua’s tee for my OOTD.
Oh, and Chihuahua ears.
Fast forward (or not so fast) to this afternoon, whoa, wait a sec, it is now this EVENING. S L O W forward to this evening. I am wearing the first challenge OOTD (which I thought stood for Outfit Out The Door for a long time) today. I had planned to have PC take a picture of me in it when he dropped me off at the airport but I was running late (apparently NOT) and didn’t take time to ask him.
Now, six hours later, I have wallowed all over Southwest gates B4 and B6, Carlos and Mickey’s Terminal Restaurant, and each of the four women’s restrooms at the El Paso International Airport. My camos are no longer crisply starched and pressed. My gray tee has salsa dribbled across my chest in place of a long necklace. My new hot pink flats are already dingy with airport grunge. My hair is flat, my eyeliner is half on-half off and my lipstick was nibbled, no make that gnawed away four hours ago.
Here is that good look.
Wow, my hair has turned strawberry blonde while I have been here.
My apologies to Alison Lumbatis.
At least I remembered to suck in my stomach.
Be nice.
Today’s OOTD was supposed to be a cardigan, striped dress, hoop earrings, long necklace, wedges, all of which I have packed in my suitcase which was loaded onto smelly plane. Well, with the exception of the long necklace, which in my case appears as aforementioned salsa on my chest.
If I had on today’s challenge outfit, this is how I would look.
With flat brown hair.
About twenty-five pounds heavier and that many years older.
Oh, and blue eyes.
Ok, gentle readers, I am at less than 10% charge on my laptop and my adapter is in my suitcase on smelly plane. So whether or not my work here is done, I am going to have to quit. Will try to proof read this before the post goes out and my computer shuts down, but no promises.
Please stop by the blogs of the other Style Me Bloggers to see their OOTD for the first days of Style Me Pretty Spring Challenge 2015. Please stop by my daughter’s Lauren’s blog, Curls and Cardigans, which will show you how I should have looked.
If only.
Hugs and kisses,
Sharon
Hope you made it to Austin. What a crazy day you’ve had friend. You still crack me up with your adventures! Hope you made it to Austin! XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Whew, Tuesday was exhausting but Thursday was worse after Valerie fell in Austin. Never a dull moment in my life, Val’s life or yours. Love you! XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Made it to Austin and made it home. Whew! Crazy week. Everything is always an adventure in my life and yours. XO
Morgan
Leslie, Don’t be so hard on yourself! You look fine! At least you thought about your outfit. I put on yoga pants and a Mizzou t-shirt! Traveling is rough on you and your clothes, I agree. You do crack me up though. (Love the salsa part!) Have a good trip!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey cutie! TLA was great until my sister took a terrible fall. We wound up having to leave early (understandably) to get her home. She now has a broken nose and two black eyes. Poor baby. Have a few goodies for you from TLA. Maybe we can get together soon.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You make me laugh, Morgan, with your Mizzou tee and yoga pants. YOU JUST HAD A BABY! You are entitled to wear that ‘uniform’ for weeks to come. For years to come! TLA was great but there’s no place like home.
Mary
Oh, sweet Leslie, you still look beautiful! I really hope by the time you read these comments, you’re in Austin! Safe travels and have fun!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey, Mary! Made it to Austin. Had a great few days until Valerie fell flat on her nose and broke it. Poor baby sister! I am in Houston now with Lauren. Home tomorrow. Thank you for your sweet message. XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Back home today and enjoying the sounds of spring from my bedroom balcony. Had a great trip but there’s no place like home. Thank you, sweet Mary, for stopping by.
Wendy Buer
Lol, what a long day! Hey don’t feel so bad after a day of flying to Florida my daughter “kindly” pointed out that I had salsa all down the front of my shirt! Ha!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! Wendy, at least we have good taste in what foods we dribble down our fronts! Gotta love that salsa. You sure have been rockin’ the spring challenge OOTD. Would you want to guest post on my blog with some of your great looks? Maybe you and Mary could team up for a post?
Wendy Buer
Leslie that would be so fun!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Let me talk to Mary Jensen to see if she would like to be a guest blogger. Would it be ok if you guys picked out two outfits from the next few days of the challenge and I could feature them in our next Style Me Bloggers link-up? You could write up a little something about your outfits, the pieces, the challenge, whatever you want to share and I could copy and paste it into my blog post for next Wednesday. Think about it and let me know! Thanks, Wendy.
Sarah C
You look great, I still need to find a pair of camo jeans! You have such a good attitude about being stuck in an airport for 7+ hours! Hope you got there safely and are enjoying your librarian conference. Random note, I worked at my college library for a year 🙂 I totally forgot about that.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Love that you worked in the college library! I did, too. It was a Animal Studies Library on the campus of the Animal Sciences College at the University of Tennessee. I had to laugh at the crazy titles of the reference materials every time I shelved books. Bovine Encyclopedias, Equine Almanacs!!
You might try Loft for camos. I was totally opposed to camos for grandmas my age until I saw Mary Jensen’s great pair from Loft. Soft colors, with hints of blue and pink. Thanks for stopping by!
Lana
Hope you finally made it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Made it there and home. So nice to be back in my bed last night and enjoying a beautiful spring morning in my very own house. Thank you for coming by, Lana!
Joy C.
Lookin’ good!! Sounds like you had quite the adventure!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
The whole trip was an adventure but my life tends to go that way, Joy. Learned some new tricks for my blog and to use as I sub in school libraries. Enjoyed being with both daughters, my granddaughter and sister. A true-girls’ week. Thank you!
Deena
Happy airport living! Glad you could put a post together, I always enjoy reading your stuff.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
As further evidence of my dingy-ness, I thought I had commented on your comment but can’t find my comment. Oh, bother! I am so technologically challenged. My trip home was on time and quick. Spent the whole time entertaining twin babies who took turns screaming. Little ginger-headed baby dolls. Thank you for stopping by!
Katie
I say this every time but you are just too funny!! Love reading your blog!! And can i just ask who took that photo of you in the airport?? Did you explain to them you are in a style challenge and it was for your blog?? Glad to see you all got there safely and rocked your day two look at the conference!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I told Deena that I thought I had replied to these comments but can’t find my comments! Gee, this old dog has such trouble sometimes. I did exactly what you mentioned in your comment…I told the Southwest Airlines counter personnel that I needed a pic of me in my challenge outfit, wrinkled as I was. They were great, allowed me behind the counter and took several snap shots! Thank you for coming by!
Shaunacey
lol you’re too funny… glad you put something together and I think you look great in the camo oufit! Love that you’re back for another challenge and linkup!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for stopping by, sweet friend. How was mini-you’s birthday? Will look forward to a blog post full of pics. Glad you are doing the challenge as a trimester mommy-to-be. You are an inspiration.
Christy
I’ve been stuck in an airport for 16 hours over 2 days. With kids. Worst trip ever. I feel for you.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for stopping by! You are so right, being stuck in an airport with children is tough. I should post about a tough time I had waiting with my two daughters, 1 and 3, to get on a military flight back to the Republic of Panama. I could have swam back faster. We mommies live through some stressful experiences!
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
Ahh, airport living. Such a glorious time, no? Your outfit still looks cute!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! Airport living! What a fun comment. I felt like I was living there on Tuesday, for sure, but it was kinda nice to have some down time, too. Thank you for stopping by my friend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Alison, for stopping by. Turns out my camo outfit is perfect for laying around for hours in an airport (or anywhere…ER, doctor’s office). It gets comfortably wrinkled and soft!
Carrie
Yep, I remember Smelly Cat!!! Love your camo pants, friend. You always have the most adventurous adventures!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Truly, truly Carrie, my life has been really crazy. My mom and dad, and both daughters have encouraged me to write a book about it. I am a magnet for pop fly baseballs and odd experiences. Thanks for coming by, sugar!
Tamara
This is my first visit to your blog (found via Alison and Carrie). I LOVE your writing style! I’m curious to read more of your blog. Oh, and you look pretty dang cute for dealing with all you had to this day! Smelly plane, smell-y plane…
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet new friend, for coming by my blog! I hope you will come back again soon. My daughters and friends who follow me say that my writing sounds just like the way I talk…all over the place and barely intelligible. But I guess that what makes this blog me! Thank you for your kind compliments. I am happy to report that my return trip home to El Paso was uneventful! XO