Stumble into Style

Friend Friday...

2011-12-16T10:18:00.002-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.
This week, we're going old school to the creation of those forms we used to fill out on Facebook a few years back.

No holiday party is complete without:

The yule log on TV in the background, s Secret Santa swap, and a game of Apples to Apples.

My favorite Christmas song/album:

My favorite Christmas songs are "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses and "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. However, my favorite Christmas Album is the Mr. Hanky's Christmas Classics from South Park.

Christmas Wrapping:

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy:

My favorite seasonal recipe:

My dad's roast potatoes are the best. No one can ever replicate them.

The perfect New Year's Eve outfit includes:

If I'm going out, sequins, a tiara, and a noisemaker are a must. If I'm home, it's PJs all the way!

At the parties, I'll be drinking:

Diet soda with vodka. It's Weight Watchers friendly!

Eggnog, good or bad?

Ick.

Did you ever take pictures on Santa's lap at the mall?

Of course! Heck, I'd still be doing it if hubby wasn't so camera shy.

Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Mocha:

I. Heart. Gingerbread. Lattes.
No, seriously, ya'll. I can avoid Starbucks 11 months out of the year, but as soon as the gingerbread lattes come out, I'm like a crack fiend.

Worst gift I ever got:

I'm grateful for any gift I receive. However, there was one year that I received IOUs for gifts that never materialized.

Best gift I ever received:

There are a few, but I remember when I first bought my house, I was SUPER-PSYCHED to receive a power-drill. I still love that thing.

My family has this weird tradition:

Christmas crackers are an English tradition. Our family has never had a Christmas without them -- except the year it was my turn to buy them. I did buy them...but then I left them at home in the closet when we went to my parents' house. Along with the gifts for my nephews. Christmas FAIL.
And this year it's my turn again...

My best bargain find for a gift this year:

Since we got married last fall, we didn't get our wedding photos back in time to give them out as Christmas gifts.
This year, thanks to the wonderful deal emails that I receive daily, we have put together a wonderful photo book for each of our parents and hubby's grandparents. I think the total for 4 books was something like $40 plus an additional $6 per book for shipping. so $16 a book? Yes, please.

If I could only buy all my gifts from one place, I'd shop at:

The internet. It's this really cool place...

Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman:

Olive, the other Reindeer. ;)

My favorite holiday memory:

I have so many. I especially have always loved the Christmas Eve church service, where everyone gets a candle and they turn the lights down low while we sing a few hymns. By then, the shopping is done, the gifts are wrapped, the plans are made, and it brings me back to what Christmas is really about.

My favorite Christmas movie:

The year Without a Santa Claus.
If you aren't familiar with it, let me introduce you to Heat Miser and Snow Miser:

Heat Miser:

Snow Miser:

The best part about holiday decorations is:

The lights!

Rip off the wrapping paper or neatly pull off the tape:

If you ain't rippin' it, you ain't doin' it right!

Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life:

Can you believe I've never seen either one?
Though, thanks to Phoebe on Friends, I don't think I will ever watch It's a Wonderful Life.

It doesn't feel like the holiday season until:

I've actually started shopping for my loved ones. That really gets me geared up!

All I want for Christmas is:

Flat, brown riding boots. Specifically these or these.

Friend Fridays...

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you have plans for Halloween? What will you dress up as this year?

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I know some people just don't get it, but I have always loved the idea of getting dressed up and pretending to be something you're not, but only for a day. I have also always loved coming up with costumes different from everyone else and trying to create them on my own. Sure, I have bought costumes sometimes, but I'm always most proud of the ones I whipped up on my own.

2. Where do you go for costume and makeup inspiration?

I've never been great with makeup, especially Halloween makeup -- I get this great image in my head of what I want to look like, then it never quite comes out right. As such, I focus more on the costume. I have found myself inspired by current events, movies, songs, inside jokes, and memories of my childhood.

3. What was the best costume you've ever donned?

I've worn a few that I was proud of, but in recent history, there are 2 that stick out.
The Halloween before I got married, I wore an old wedding dress and a knitted hat and arm warmers that looked like dragon scales. I was Bridezilla. (I figured it would be the only time I could get away with being Bridezilla!)

A few years before that, my bf at the time dressed up as a Snidely Whiplash-type character, and I was the damsel in distress --tied to the train tracks and all!

4. What's the most creative costume you've ever seen?

Any costume that people actually make themselves impresses me, especially when it's the needle-and-thread or paper-mache type of thing. When you can tell that people spent real time crafting their costume, that's awesome!

5. No holds barred if you could dress up as anything, what would itbe?

I don't know, honestly! Last year, hubby and I were at Disney World for our honeymoon. We were allowed to dress up (they usually don't allow adults in costume, but they do during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party), but we went low-key as GI Joe Characters. This year, we are heading back to Disney for our honeymoon. I don't think we will be at the Disney Halloween party this year, and we will be home on Halloween day. I have bought pieces of a pirate costume just to have something, but I think we may be too exhausted to dress up at all. We shall see...

Friend Fridays...

2011-10-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you ever see a fad hit the stores and immediately dislike it? Has that fad ever began to grow on you?

Honestly, my natural instinct is to immediately dislike MOST fads initially. Shopping tends to be difficult for me because most often I wander through racks of clothes at most stores thinking to myself, "Meh."
Oftentimes, though, after a fab has lingered for a while, my eyes adjust to it, and I'm better able to evaluate whether or not it would work for me (for my shape, my lifestyle, my budget, etc). I might start seeking out the perfect piece that incorporates the fab, but makes it accessible and just right for me.

2. Has the popularity of a certain piece of clothing or line everconvinced you to try on something (or purchase something) you dislike?

I have never really been someone to plunk down money for a name. I have almost always just bought the clothes I like.
That said, I can think of a few things I have bought that at the time I thought I liked, but in retrospect, I probably bought for the name. I remember owning an entire Champion outfit back in middle school and a pair of Fila sneakers in high school. They were popular brands, and I was an unpopular kid. The math just worked out.

3. Have you ever changed your mind about a trend after seeing it around for a while?

I think when a trend has been around for a while, our eyes begin to adjust to it. It grows on us. Sometimes dislike turns to toleration which eventually can turn into open-mindedness if a look lingers long enough.
Growing up, I was taught that tights with open-toed shoes was a big no-no, but nowadays I sport that look without batting an eyelash. When ballet flats first re-emerged, I found them frumpy and a bit little-girl looking. Now flats are my saving grace when I just can't wear heels.

4. Do you feel a certain pressure to have specific items in your closet because 'everyone' else does?

I don't feel pressured to own something because everyone else has it. If anything, that's more motivation for me to NOT cave into a fashion fad. I don't need to stand out like a neon sign, but I do like to be a little bit different from the crowd. After all, as George S. Patton said, "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."

5. Be honest, what do you think of the Missoni line? Did you grab any items? Is it worth the eBay prices?

I used to hate the colors and the chevron stripes. Both have grown on me, but I wasn't so overwhelmed with the collection that I felt the need to go get any of it. Looking online, I found a few pieces I thought were sorta cute, and if they were in my closet, I would wear them. But no, I definitely don't think they are worth spending the amount of money people are asking on Ebay. I have seen several bloggers wearing Missoni-esque pieces that they thrifted for pennies. Why blow your budget on a name?

Giveaway...

2011-10-04T09:24:00.002-04:00

Allie over at WardrobeOxygen is giving away a $50 giftcard to Drugstore.com, sponsored by BlogHer.
I know I'd love to win this one, but if you'd like a chance to win it for yourself, check out Allie's post here!
And of course, if you win, I totally promise I won't wrestle you to the ground and steal your prize...

Friend Friday...

2011-09-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Since fall is just around the corner (or already tapping on the door for some of us), the focus of this week's Friend Friday is our five favorite fall fashion trends.

The first thing I noticed when looking into this year's fall fashion trends is that so many of them remind me of revamped versions of what I wore back in high school. The 90's a re back with a vengeance, kids.

(1) Patterns: Polka dots and Plaids

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Stylish gals love their patterns, and this fall is no exception. Polka dots are classic and never go out of style, but they are even bigger than ever this fall.

And remember donning your dad's flannel shirt with some combat boots? (No? Was that just me?) Well this fall's plaid is a little less Angela Chase and a little more Kate Middleton. Fitted and classy, not oversized and clashy.

(2) Colors: Mustard and Jade

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Mustard has been a popular color for several seasons now, but it always makes a resurgence in the fall. Along with browns, tans, and rusts, mustard is a typically fall color.

Jade is sort of new to the popular colors group this year. While jewel tones are never out of style, it's not often that a particular shade is pulled from the pack and spotlighted. It's sorta like in Heathers or Mean Girls, only without the backstabbing and murder. And what with green being my favorite color, I'm sure I will have to rein myself in with the Jade for a while...

(3) Skirts: Leather and Midis

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Leather skirts are HUGE for fall, and let me tell you, I want one, y'all! (You can tell I really really really want something when my twang comes out in writing.)
Midi skirts are also still hanging around from this summer.

While leather minis and flowy midis are still as popular as they have always been, one particular shape of both that is prominent for fall is the longer pencil skirt -- the type that comes to just below the knee. This shape offers more covereage for cooler temperatures. In addition, it also adds a little conservativeness to the already-sexy leather skirt and reins in the free-spirited mentality of the midi.

(4) Ring Around the Collar: Peter Pan and Chokers

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This fall seems to be the season of the neck, no?
Gals who have been into vintage clothing have been coveting peter pans collars for ages, and now that look is becoming easier to access with these youthful, fun-spirited touches being added to tops, dresses, and coats everywhere.

If, like me, you prefer the look of peter pans collars on others, chokers may be the neck-enhancing trend for you. Now again, I'm not talking about the oversized cross on a velvet ribbon that we all used to pair with the aforementioned flannel shirt or babydoll dresses we wore back in high school. Instead, think funky, chunky baubles. It's a statement necklace of a whole other kind.

(5) Hard and Soft: Goth Looks and Lace

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Ahh, the goth look. It will always hold a place in my heart. Yes, I was the gal who occasionally may have worn ripped tights and a dog collar to the mall.
This season's goth look is a little less "I will eat your soul" and a little more romantic. While I wouldn't put her into the Goth category, Audi does a good job of employing these romantic touches to create awesome, unique looks. Think Edwardian era and romantic --lots of lace, ruffles, and frills, just in dark tones like black, burgundy, and eggplant. (I do, however, recommend using in small doses, so as to not look like you are in costume.)

And speaking of lace, back when we were discussing trend for spring, I also mentioned lace back then. Well, yknow, it still holds true. I guess we just haven't gotten enough of it. The key to wearing lace in the fall is to have it be a detail in a layered outfit: a lace-trimmed cami peeking out form beneath a sweater, lace tights under a tweed skirt, a lacy blouse paired with a velvet blazer.

(and one to grow on...) Bright Coats

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There is something about cooler weather that intrinsically makes us slink back to wearing darker colors. Subconsciously, we think a black sweater will keep us warmer than the same white sweater, and of course those chocolate brown pants will keep us toastier than the same pair in khaki. But in a sea of darkness, a nice bright coat is like a beacon of hope; a reminder that, yes!, we are still our happy selves and totally not preparing to hibernate all winter long. (Because yes, in my mind, fall is just Winter: the Introduction.) Bright coats just scream cheerfulness, and really, we could all use a little more cheer in our lives, no?

Friend Friday...

2011-08-19T08:50:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

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1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?

Oh crap, this is the whole "What do you want to be when you grow up" questions, isn't it?? Yknow, I still have yet to figure that out!

When I was little, I wanted to be a Rockette. Then I decided I wanted the job Tom Hanks has in the movie Big. At another point, I was intrigued by the idea of doing something in forensics -- but then the idea of dealing with dead bodies oogied me out. When I was heading into college, I was *thisclose* to being a Psych major, because I was really convinced I wanted to be a psychologist.
Honestly, at this point, I still just don't know!

For the sake of being able to answer the rest of the questions, I will say an Interior Designer/Decorator, because this is the one career that has piqued my interest all my life.

2. What draws you to this?

I love the idea of decorating -- it's kinda like getting dressed for your house! You can create a feeling, evoke a time and place... You can take something that's not practical or functional and make it so. I think the main thing that appeals to me about it is that it's sort of a more technical way of expressing my creative aspirations -- and that is just so very me.

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?

I remember when I was a kid in elementary school, we took one of those career aptitude tests. This is actually the career it chose for me, and for just the very reasons I stated above -- it is a good mix of technical and creative, concrete and abstract.

4. What's holding you back from going all in?

Well, lack of knowledge, for starters. And let's be honest -- laziness. Plus, unless you land million-dollar contracts or one of those shows on TLC or HGTV, I'm not sure that it pays amazingly well ("I'm not sure" being the key phrase -- I really don't know), and I will be blunt -- I need money to support all of the hobbies/habits I have in my life.
Beyond that, there is fear of failure. What if I put all this work into something and my client hates it? And speaking of clients, the main thing that turns me off is that I would actually have to put together a design based on what someone else wants, instead of what intrigues me at that moment.
What, I'm supposed to care what someone wants in their own home? Pshaw.

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

Well, hubby and I are currently starting the process of figuring out if we can afford to buy our own home. There will be meetings with money-people and realtors and lots of house-hunting in our near future. I have always held back on really decorating the places we have lived together because they have all been rentals -- why put that much time, effort, and money into something that we will only live in for a year or two? (Did I mention that I am both cheap and lazy??)
But once we have our OWN home, I would LOVE to turn it into exactly the type of place we want to live, to create a home that works just right for US.
After all, if I can't even create my own perfect oasis, how can I even consider trying to do that for someone else?

Friend Friday...

2011-08-12T09:08:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Actually, this week's Friend Friday is a visual one sponsored by Miss Rockwell of the blog Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless.
For her selection, Miss Rockwell requested all of us to share photos of our manicures.

Now, I have been keeping up my manicures all summer long -- ever since winter ravaged my nails, I love to keep them in shape and colorful! Sometimes I have a bright color, sometimes it's dark. I have done glitters, jellies, cremes, appliques... you name it!

For this week's post, I had originally wanted to do something that would make my readers ooh and ahh, but unfortunately, I have had the week from hell. Mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. I just didn't have it in me to do much more than simply paint my nails.
However, I did recently buy a fun new super-glitterly polish while on vacation that I have been dying to try out, so I took this opportunity to do so!

I recently picked up a bottle of nail polish from Claire's called "Bedazzled" (I think). I normally don't buy Claire's polish because the one bottle I bought many years ago was terrible, but recently, I had heard ok things about their polish. But really, the main reason I bought this bottle was because it reminded me SO MUCH of "Happy Birthday" by Deborah Lippmann.

Let's Compare.

My bottle of Claire's "Bedazzled" :

Deborah Lippmann's "Happy Birthday" :

Multi-sized, Multi-colored, Multi-shaped glitter.
Check, check, and check!
Why spend $15+ when you can pay $5 or less and get the same thing?

Now, let's see this gorgeousness on my fingers.

Sooooo sparkly...

It only took me 2 coats to achieve uber-sparkles. One coat even looks good on its own. I could also see myself doing 3-4 coats to seriously cover all visible bare nail or even applying a coat of this over a multitude of other solid colors.
Seriously ya'll, this stuff is like a party in a bottle -- oh wait, Deborah Lippman already said that on her site.

I can only say that after the total crap of a week that I had, it's wonderful when something as simple and silly as glittery nail polish can put a smile on your face.
It certainly did that for me!

Friend Friday...

2011-08-05T10:18:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What part of the world do you blog from? (feel free to be as specific or as vague as you are comfortable with.)

I work in Washington DC and live in Maryland. Sometimes I blog from home, and sometimes I sneak in a quick post in my downtime at work.

2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say?

In DC, the general look is businesswear: suits or business casual, mostly. Where I live in MD, people have money and often dress in clothing that reflects that. Does that mean they are always well-dressed or tasteful? No. But they do look expensive.

3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold?

At work, I follow the rules while bending them as much as I can. I don't even own a suit, but thankfully my office is business-casual. I express my creativity as much as possible, and I think I manage to do so while still being office-appropriate.
Outside of work, I think I totally break the mold. I don't spend tons of money on my clothes, I don't care to wear name brands, and frankly, I don't even dress like a lot of my friends. I'm not sure exactly what my look is, other than "me."

4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve?

I traveled ALL THE TIME growing up. my parents are from England, and my mother worked for an airline. Travel was our MO!
I think what I loved about traveling was seeing all the differences across the country and around the world. There was so much variety, and to me, it pretty much just solidified my desire to be unique...or at least to not worry so much about trends. Did I ever follow trends growing up? Sure. But only the ones that actually piqued my interest.

5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be?

I'm not sure. But definitely not DC. heh.

Friend Friday...

2011-07-15T08:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. As a someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed
yourself into some sort of blogging category?

I actually don't consider myself so much a fashion blogger as a personal style blogger. I think fashion bloggers actually follow the world of fashion, trends, runways, brands, couture, etc. I don't follow any of that. I may pick up on what's trendy from the blogs I read or the people I see, but that's about the extent of it. However, I have always reserved the right to blog about anything that catches my interest, so long as it is related to the world of fashion and style.

2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a
certain kind of blogger?

While labels are useful tools to help describe yourself, your outlook, or your blog, they also serve the dual purpose of putting you in a box. Once you label yourself a certain way and present yourself that way to people, it becomes more difficult to do or present something different. Too often, people become trapped inside the box and can't find a way out.

3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that
indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being?

Yes and No. There probably is a certain theme I am most drawn to in the blogs I read, but I don't actively seek out blogs that say/do/show something specific (ie "I will only read blogs about thrifting" or "I will never read blogs if they participate in the 30x30"). My decision to read a blog is based on a multitude of different criteria, most of them subconscious.

4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others?

As I said before, labeling does have the benefit of helping to more quickly identify things. If I know someone is a daily style blogger who likes to thrift and remix, I have an idea of what their blog is like, and I know I would be more likely to be interested in that blog than, say, a blog that is all about high fashion.
However, those labels alone won't keep me reading a blog. And certain labels may turn me off of reading a blog that, otherwise, I may actually have been interested in, had the label not lost my interest.

5. Agree or Disagree -- We're all just people; we don't need all the
labels.

At the heart of that statement, I agree.
However, I think we, as people, have a certain need to qualify things. We want to know what is similar and what is different. We want to be able to quickly identify things, and thus, labeling happens, even if we don't want it to.

I think what we really need to do is to understand that while we may throw a label on something (or someone), that label is not the end-all be-all definition. People aren't black-and-white -- we are much more complex and there are so many subtleties that it is such a shame to not explore further. Further, people change! We grow and evolve, and if you've thrown a label on me in the past, you may not see who I am today.

So I guess what I'm saying is, sure, feel free to write a label on my forehead, but do it in pencil, not permanent ink.

Giveaway...

2011-07-13T11:40:00.002-04:00

Thanks to this wonderful world of blog-land, I have discovered my love for dresses and skirts. They really are a girl's best friend! You can go up or down a few pounds (or many pounds) and somehow, they still fit and flatter. They are MUCH easier to find and more forgiving than pants. Dresses -- YAY!

As such, the gals over at The Pretty Life Anonymous are hosting a giveaway of the Ashley Dress by Mikarose.

Now, I would love to win this lovely dress for myself, but I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't share the opportunity with you too, dear readers.
If you'd like a chance to win the dress for yourself (or hey, for me!) head on over to their giveaway post.

Don't say I never did anything for ya. ;)

Friend Friday...

2011-07-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

I missed the questions from June 24, so I thought I would take the opportunity to answer them now.

1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of
things you gravitate towards while shopping?

I definitely buy more dresses and skirts than I used to. I am more willing to try different things and things that I assume won't be flattering on the off-chance that they are. I have rediscovered my long-lost love of thrifting. I have been pulling more pattern and color into my wardrobe. I have also discovered a slew of stores (both online and brick + mortar) that I wouldn't have known about or considered had I not seen their clothing on other bloggers.

2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from
your family and friends? Do they comment on that?

Like everyone else, I think I kinda of always dressed differently -- for better or for worse! Nowadays, I am a little more fashion-forward than most of the people I see on a regular basis (but I am only speaking relatively here -- I don't think of myself as being very fashion-forward at all!).
There is a set of ladies who work in my office who comment every day on my outfits -- they think it's awesome that I have a blog (they are some of the only people I know who know I have a blog) and every day they comment on how "cute" I look. I must admit, it's a really nice ego-boost. ;)

3. What's the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you
aren’t bold enough to wear it?

Nothing specific comes to mind. It's not "weird" but for the longest time, I was afraid to try leggings/jeggings because I thought they wouldn't work with my plus-sized body. Now I own 2 pairs of jeggings and leggings are on my must-have shopping list.

4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to
build up the courage to do?

Again, nothing specific comes to mind.
I did just build up the courage to make yet another drastic change to my hair. If you're my friend on Facebook, then you already know what it is, but if not, you will have to wait a little while for photos.
(Nothing like a juicy teaser to keep people coming back!) ;)

5. Toot someone's horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you
with her bold fashion choices?

Audi, Christine, Suze, Terra, and Erin, just to name a few!

Honeymoon Dress...

2011-07-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

When hubby and I got married 8 months ago, we honeymooned in Disney World at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Having gotten married at the end of October, we predicted autumn-like weather for our time there, and holy cow, were we wrong! We had packed mainly jeans, tshirts, and hoodies, but we were so hot on our first day out, I knew we wouldn't make it through the whole week dressed like that. Luckily hubby had brought a few pairs of shorts, but I don't own shorts and hadn't thought to bring a skirt other than my dressy outfit. I knew I had to remedy my sartorial situation STAT!

Our first day out, we decided to visit Animal Kingdom. I spied this dress and instantly fell in love. It was a tad more expensive than I normally would have paid for a piece like this (yay, tourist-pricing!), but I knew it would be a nice souvenir of our honeymoon, since I would be able to wear it again! (And I did -- every day that week -- talk about a capsule wardrobe!) I knew once I got home I would be able to wear it on weekends and after work, but I wanted to find a way to make it office-appropriate. On weekends I would just wear this dress solo, but for work, I wanted to ensure there would be no wardrobe malfuntions, so I opted to wear both a bra and a cami underneath, just in case. All straps are hidden by the cardi, which was also needed for extra warmth in my overly-air-conditioned office.

Dress: Disney World
Cardi: Target
Shoes: Fioni via Payless
Ring: Laila Rowe
Earrings: gift

Closeup:

I love being able to make more casual clothing work for the office. While my office is business-casual, we are really allowed to lean a little heavier on the casual side. I'm lucky in that respect. I know not everyone would be able to wear a dress like this one to work, but I love that I was able to pick up a fun reminder of my wedding and honeymoon that won't just sit on a shelf. Every time I wear this dress, I remember all the fun we had and how lucky I am to have such a fabulous husband.

Do you have any souvenir clothing that has special memories for you?

Friend Friday...

2011-07-01T10:51:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What’s your go-to outfit formula?

I don't know that I have one specific formula, but I guess for work, when I don't feel like thinking about it, I usually grab a dress, a belt, and a cardi or else I swap the dress for a top + skirt. If it's cold I will layer under the dress and throw in a pair of tights.

2. How did you come about this formula?

I hardly wore dresses + skirts before I started blogging, and I almost never wore belts. Now, those are my favorite pieces -- dresses and skirts are more forgiving to my figure, and belts help define my waistline.
I rediscovered dresses and skirts after I discovered the world of blogging, and now I'm hooked!

3. Do you have different formulas for different occasions in your life?

I suppose I do -- when it is the weekend, I tend more towards jeans and tshirts, though I usually try to dress it up either with a better-quality T with a fun pattern or feature and a nicer pair of shoes.
If I'm headed to a concert, I love wearing my over-the-top jewelry, some crazy hairdo, and a little too much makeup. ;)

4. Has it morphed over the years?

Certainly. I used to be strictly jeans-and-a-tee for weekends. Work was just pants-and-a-top. Nothing interesting. Nowadays, when I walk into the office, people are checking in to see what interesting piece or combination I'm wearing. I have to say, it's really flattering!

5. Which other blogger’s outfit formula would you like to swipe?

I'm so schizophrenic with the styles that I like; it's so hard to choose!
When I'm feeling funkier, I would totally go for something along the lines of Audi or Erin.
When I'm feeling more classic, I love the clean lines of Allie.
I also really love the looks Hillary pulls together.

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together...

2011-06-21T13:39:00.003-04:00

First up, thanks to all of you who have sent good vibes, prayers, and well-wishes out to my dad. I am happy to report that he is now home and recovering. Aside from being basically malnourished and dehydrated (he REALLY doesn't take proper care of himself) the reason he couldn't walk was attributed to "neurological neuropathy from acute spinal arthritis." He spent a week and a half in the rehab section of a nursing home and has not only graduated to using a walker, but he is moving walker-free around the house! He only needs the walker for longer outings.
Needless to say, I am SO RELIEVED about his progress.

Now, onto something more frivolous: clothes!!

Blouse: Heritage 1981 via Reddz Trading
Cardi: Target
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Aeropostale
Cami: Kohl's
Earrings: I forgot earrings! oh no!!

Closeup:

I really love it when I throw on an outfit with little effort and minimal accessorizing and it turns out looking put-together and polished. (Though, after looking at these photos, I think I have made the decision to always wear my nude cami under this top, instead of white.)
I am totally in love with this new-to-me blouse. I love the reddish-coral color (which also happens to be big for spring/summer) and I love that it has not one, but 2 shades of blue in it (aqua and true-blue) so it pairs so beautifully with this aqua cardi. I also love the dainty pleats up near the neckline.

Tonight I am going to my second-ever blogger meetup.
Just two months ago, I attended my first meetup, where I got to meet the lovely Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen, and I also met a handful of new-to-me DC-area bloggers.
I am looking forward to seeing some of these gorgeous gals again tonight and hopefully meeting a few more new-to-me blogs. I love expanding my personal blogosphere! (Of course, being the ever-responsible blogger that I am, I totally forgot to bring my camera today. Oh well -- I'm sure there will be plenty of photos to be shared!)
So ladies, if you are a DC-area fashion or beauty blogger (or heck, even if you don't have your own blog, but want to be in on some DC-area fashion and beauty happenings), check out the newly-launched DC FABB site. There is a link to a list of other DC-area bloggers as well as a tab that lists upcoming meetups and events.

Friend Friday...

2011-06-17T08:00:00.004-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

Share the recipe to your favorite seasonal dish... the one you love to make and love to eat this time of the year.

Every year for Christmas, I love to bake cookies for my friends and family.
But I don't make the usual chocolate chip. I like to hunt down recipes that are unusual and out of the ordinary.
A few years ago, I found this recipe and fell in love with it, but I had to hold onto it until spring/summer, since that it when Rhubarb is in season. Since then, I have made these cookies a few times, and they are always a hit.
The best part, though, is that the dough freezes nicely, so make a large batch of it, and freeze it so you can have these cookies year-round!

Frosted Rhubarb Coconut Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups diced fresh rhubarb
3/4 cup flaked coconut

Frosting:
1 3oz package cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp butter, softened
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350.
In large bowl, cream together shortening and brown sugar.
Beat in eggs.
In a second bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add to creamed mixture.
Stir in rhubarb and coconut.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Transfer to wire racks to cool.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth.
Spread over cooled cookies.

Check out some of my other recipes at the blog I created to store them: Foster's Kitchen. I'd love to hear your feedback if you try any of these, and if you have any amazing recipes to share, I would LOVE to try them ouy!

Mayor of Squintsville...

2011-06-13T12:08:00.003-04:00

I swear, I wasn't angry when I took these photos. It was just super sunshiny, and I didn't want to wear my sunnies in the pictures.

Top: H&M
Skirt: consigned
Shoes: Target
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: old

Closeup:

Summer has bitch-slapped the DC area. Seriously, guys, it has gotten H-O-T HOT.
(Ironically, this morning was actually cool enough that I pulled the sleeves back down on my cardigan and it is only supposed to peak in the low 80s.)

Brilliantly, I decided to sign up for a running class. (Yes, some of us actually need instruction on how to do this.) Running on 100+ degree weather when there is like a billion percent humidity? SMART. Yep, that's me. But after all the complaining I have done about how I don't like the changes in my body over the last several years, I have finally decided to DO something about it. In addition to the running class, I have also purchased a Groupon for one of the local dance/fitness studios in my area. And I'm attending a Weight Watchers at Work open house meeting this week -- pretty sure I'm going to start that program. I'm not looking to revamp my entire lifestyle, but I'm trying to be more active and make smarter choices.

On a personal note, my dad has spent the last 2 weeks in the hospital. Without going into detail, he doesn't take care of himself, and his health was at an all-time low. At the same time, he also has to learn how to walk again. He is now temporarily in a nursing home for physical therapy/rehabilitation.
I saw him this weekend and he looks much better, but has a lot of work to do.
I would appreciate any prayers and positive vibes you can send his way.

Friend Friday...

2011-06-10T08:00:00.004-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season? (Can be anything from makeup, shoes, accessories, clothing, etc...)

I actually found more than five summer trends that I'm diggin, so here is a whopping eight of them!

(1) Fly Away with Feathers

(source)

Feathers are a huge trend for Summer 2011. You see them everywhere from earrings, to headbands, to necklaces, and most recently, people are sporting temporary feather hair extensions. I love that this trend is simultaneously soft and natural while also being totally rocker-chic and bad-ass.

(2) Bright Bottoms

(source)

Bright pants, especially colored denim, is a big trend this Summer.
Personally, I'm not so sure I will be buying a pair hot pink jeans anytime soon, but I could definitely see myself picking up a pair of chinos or work trousers in a Kelly green or Cobalt blue.

(3) Braid it Out

(source)

Ladies, braids are everywhere. Well, everywhere except on MY head (that's sort of the downfall of super-short hair).
Everything from french braids to cornrows, milkmaid braids to fishtails.
I have seriously been feeming for some long hair, just so I can play around with this one. Besides, braids are the perfect summer hairdo: you can dress them up or down, they keep your hair out of your face and off your neck, and they are the perfect hairdo when your hair *should* be washed but you really just cant be bothered.

(4) Pleats and Thank You

(source)

Gals, these are NOT your mother's pleats.
(OK, maybe they are your grandma's, but not your mother's!)
I'm seriously in LOVE with the ASOS skirt pictured above, but pleats are also popping up on dresses, tops, and even pants!

(5) The Long and Shorts of It

(source)

I admit that I haven't owned a pair of shorts (outside of my husband's old soccer shorts, which I only wear for exercising, painting, and cleaning) in several years. I have heavier thighs, so I just thought they were a fashion no-no for me. But with all the styles of shorts available, it's just not true -- everyone can wear shorts!
Hack off your old jeans and make yourself a pair of jorts. Class it up with a crisp pair of bermudas. Go girly with a high-waisted scallop-hemmed pair, or dress them up with a blouse and heels.

(6) White Hot

(source)

White is a cool trend left over from Spring that has caught fire for Summer.
It is a great neutral for hot weather since it doesn't attract the sun the way black, navy, and brown does. It pops better than olive or khaki. Maybe it's the fact that with our hectic lifestyles whites have so much potential to become NOT white, but there is just something about it that screams crisp, polished, and put-together.

(7) Join the Tribe

(source)

Tribal prints, most notably Ikat, were all over the runways, but you can find them everywhere in every price range. Tops, tanks, skirts, shorts, dresses -- even jewelry, scarves, and purses. Tribal prints are great for summer if for no other reason than, when the heat is on and you want to wear the least amount possible, these prints are so vibrant that you can ease up on accessories. Sure, you CAN layer on the jewelry, but it's always nice to be able to throw on a dress that does all the work for you.

(8) All that Glitters is Gold

(source)

Some of you may argue that gold isn't a trend, since it has always been around, but as a self-confessed silver-phile (Sal can understand me on this one, since she is as obsessive about silver as I am), I have recently found gold appealing to me in a way that it hasn't in years. I have very few gold pieces, but I recently picked up a gorgeous set of gold bangles and a few gold chain-link bracelets that I have in mind for a certain DIY project. I've also been keeping my eyes open for gold earrings and necklaces.

What about you, readers? Have these trends piqued your interest?
Are there other trends that you're itching to try out for summer?
Do any of the trends I've mentioned make you break out in hives?
Share your thoughts!

Friend Friday...

2011-06-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?

"Pack Everything"
hehe

2. What are your must packs?

I actually have a checklist saved on my computer that I use whenever I need to pack. Some things get crossed off for shorter trips, and it might be time to revise the list.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?

I'm the kind of person that likes to be prepared, so if there is room, I will bring anything. Leaving things behind is not my strong point!

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?

I have a few beach vacations coming up this summer, so I am going to try to think of packing as a wardrobe capsule challenge and sketch out how different pieces can go together. Hopefully this will help me pack minimally.

5. Beach reading... what are you taking with you to read in the sand?

I have a Kindle, but I need to download some new books!
I have a few "beach books" in mind (this is what, in my family, we refer to as books that aren't good for anything other than lying on the beach -- sorta like guilty pleasures), but I really need to come up with some actual good books that I would like to read. Any recommendations?

Friend Friday...

2011-05-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. How often do you get your hair cut?

These days, I get my hair trimmed every 5-6 weeks. Short hair requires it!

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?

I have gone to the same stylist for about 8 years.
I started seeing her at one salon, then followed her to her house when she quit the salon. Then I followed her to her next salon, and now we are back at her house.
My first appointment with her, I had shoulder-length hair when I walked in. Now, everyone knows you don't go to a new stylist and ask for a totally different haircut. You just ask for a trim + see how they do so you can assess their skills.
Not me.
I went in armed with a coupla pictures and asked for her to shop it all off. The devilish sparkle in her eye let me know that we would long be friends.
I love my hairdresser, and I travel an hour from my house, just so I can keep seeing her!

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?

I love coloring my hair! I have played with my hair color since high school!
I don't always dye it the same color, and I'm not currently coloring my hair, but I have something in mind... if I do it, you know it will end up on the blog!

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:

Trims.
It's funny to me today that I am sporting a pixie cut, because all through my life growing up, I wanted hair that reached the floor. Seriously. I got a trim MAYBE once a year, and I just loved having super-long hair.I never had a really style, it was just long.
Then, one day in high school, we had a fire drill. It was late autumn/early winter. A friend of mine was looking at me funny and looking up into the sky. I asked her what was going on, and she said she thought it was snowing, because there was white stuff in my hair. Not dandruff, thankfully, but it wasn't much better -- my hair had so many split ends that my friend thought it was snow. That's when I knew I needed to take better care of my hair. Ever since then, I have had my hair trimmed on a regular basis.

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?

Honestly, despite the fact that I haven't had long hair since high school, I have been dreaming of long hair again. Ponytails, french braids, topknots... I have been considering growing my hair out long again, just to play with it for a little while, and then maybe chop it all off so I could donate it.
Maybe I will!

Zoya Freebies...

2011-05-20T13:36:00.002-04:00

Since several of you are into Zoya Nail Polishes, I thought you would like to know that from now until Monday, whenever you order anything from Zoya's site, just enter the code ZB52 and you will receive 2 free bottles of polish in Caitlin and Dove!

You can find details here.

If you gals are anything like me, "free" is right in your price range.
;)

Friend Friday...

2011-05-20T08:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

List the 5 things that drive you crazy about blogs you visit.

(1) Messy layouts.

Some blogs have busy backgrounds, tons of ads, numerous columns, overuse of colors, front, graphics, etc. I don't want the blogs I read to look boring, but I like to be able to tell where the actual blog entry is.
If your blog looks like the yellowpages because of all your ads, I'm going to stop reading it.
If it looks like a 5-year-old designed your page for you, I'm going to stop reading it.
Don't make me work to figure out what I'm supposed to look at. I read blogs for fun, and once it's no fun for me to visit your blog, I'm going to stop reading it.

(2) Too much writing.

This is a touchy subject for some bloggers. Personally, I just don't like to read all that much. Strange for an English major who loves to read, innit?
For some reason, when it comes to blogs and greeting cards, less is more.
Sure, if you have a post here and there where something strikes a chord for you, and you have a lot to say, that's ok. Heck, if it interests you that much, it will probably interest me too.
But if every post you write is a dissertation on your outfit, no thanks. In the end, there's just not THAT much to say. I would take a photo-heavy post over a word-heavy post any day. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words, right?

(3) Lack of detail shots.

Again, this all comes down to the style of the blogger.
But for me, as a reader, I am looking for inspiration. I cam reading your blog because I'm interested in what you wore. If I can't really SEE what you wore, I personally find it to be a turn-off. To me, it's the little details that make your outfit unique. That's what I'm really interested in seeing.
But again, that might just be me...

(4) Walking billboards.

I'm not so much referring to people who are wearing all one designer head-to-toe (though that is also kind of annoying), but instead I'm referring to bloggers who are constantly posting outfits that they got for free from some shop or website.
I understand that you're stylish and thin and that you look great in their clothes. But when that's all I see on your blog, it just serves as a reminder to me that I'M not getting freebies and that I'M not the sort of blogger that companies want to tout their stuff. Reviews are great, I love them. But don't wear so many company-sponsored clothes that you lose yourself and your voice.

(5) When I feel like just a number.

Some blogs are like cozy little houses where you get lots of personal attention. Other blogs are like concerts at Madison Square Garden: a bajillion seats, and they sell out instantly and scalpers charge you your first born just to get a glimpse.
Bad metaphor, maybe, but what I'm getting at is that no matter how many readers you have, I want to feel special. (We all do, duh.) If I ask a question or make a thoughtful comment, respond to me! (I have been working hard on this myself, so I feel I have the right to say it.) Better yet, ask for my opinion or feedback -- and pay attention when I give it to you. After all, what is a blog without its readers?

Pardon my Dust...

2011-05-18T09:12:00.002-04:00

I spent yesterday evening redecorating things around this here old blog. I wanted to change things up a bit, but I also wanted to reorganize some things.
First, if you look up top, you will see an "About Me" tab and a "Blogroll" tab -- those things are pretty self-explanatory, but I'm glad to have that information off the main page.
Also, I pushed all my gadgets down to the bottom of the page. I did this because I want my blog posts to be the main focus whenever you come to visit. Plus, this new layout allows wider posts, which means that I should be able to post larger images. Wahoo!

I'm still playing around with a few ideas, but I think things are shaping up nicely...

Thoughts? Feedback?

Inspired by my ipod...

2011-05-17T13:31:00.003-04:00

I wore this outfit a few weeks ago when it was still chilly. This cardi really is a go-to piece for me. I love pairing it with all sorta of different colors. This particular color combo was actually inspired by my ipod -- the case on my ipod is teal, and the earbuds are orange. I recently started listening to my ipod again during my commute, so the color combo has been in my brain...

Top: H&M
Cardi: TJ Maxx
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Aeropostale
Earrings: CATO

Closeup:

I have been doing quite a bit of shopping lately. I think since I had put myself on a shopping diet to prepare for the wedding, I'm now rebelling against saving. Granted, old habits die hard -- I still can't help but look for deals and the best price on things -- but I have been picking up items left and right lately. I have half a closet of things y'all haven't even seen!

Unrelated:
Do you Pinterest?
If so, find me here: http://pinterest.com/evanadine/

What Would You Do...

2011-05-15T20:14:00.002-04:00

Hey Dolls, I'm asking you lovely, fashionable ladies for your opinion.
If you could get a subscription to any fashion/beauty magazine, which one would you get?
My adorable nephew is selling subscriptions as a fundraiser for his school, and I want to be a good, supportive auntie. I have never had a fashion magazine subscription before (other than good ol Seventeen magazine, back in the day), so I'm not really sure which one to go for. I'm looking for something along the lines of good, affordable fashion for 30-somethings. You gals see what my style is like -- which magazine do you think would suit me best?

Thanks in advance!

Friend Friday...

2011-05-13T13:22:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What magazines do you subscribe to?

Right now, I don't subscribe to any magazines!
I actually just got a fundraiser from my 6-year-old nephew, and they are selling magazine subscriptions, so I was thinking of picking up one or two for myself.
What are you suggestions and recommendations?

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows?

I sporadically watch Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, How Do I Look, What Not to Wear, and shows along that line.

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration?

I don't frequent any websites that are specifically fashion-related.
However, I do garner inspiration from anywhere and everywhere, so any website I look at might inspire me. I recently started a Pinterest board for outfits (and other things) that inspire me, so now I just need to train my brain to clip images!

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand... what ads do you like and why?

Honestly, I usually skip over the ads when I flip through magazines, and commercials on tv are the perfect time for using the bathroom or getting a snack.
But when I do pay attention to advertisements, I prefer the ones that are simple, basic, and speak to my type of life. I don't relate to ads for high fashion or abstract artistic ads for clothing, makeup, etc. When will I ever be walking the highwire atop an elephant? Show me a model rockin an outfit and sweat-proof makeup on a Metro train with broken AC in the middle of July. That will catch my interest!

5. Do you own any fashion books?

I bought Winona's book, but I'm sorry to say, I never finished it.
Her tips really are applicable to the real world, and she is an amazingly witty writer. I'm really sad her blog is now defunct.

I'm a Pixie, I'm a Paper Doll, I'm a Cartoon...

2011-05-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

Welcome to another edition of the Paper Doll Project, hosted by Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy!

As you may remember, I participated in the first round of this fun project back in March. I had so much fun with the first go-around that I was excited when Suze announced round two! I signed up immediately!

This time around, I was paired up with the awesome Betsy of Miss B Gets Dressed. Betsy has a great sense of style -- comfy, cozy, and really chic all at the same time. Plus she is really talented and does the most amazing sketches! (This is in no way a shameless plug for her to do a sketch of one of my outfits -- only it totally is.)
I was really excited to see what outfit Betsy put together for me, and the gal did not disappoint! Check it out for yourself:

Dress: H&M
Blazer: Sashimi via Nordstrom Rask
Shoes: Michael Shannon via Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
Necklace: NY&Co?
Sunnies: Plato's Closet
Earrings: gift
Belt: TJ Maxx

Closeup:

You've seen me wear this dress several times on the blog, but I had never thought to pair it with this blazer. I really like how the pairing makes the dress a little less flowy and a little more businessy. I also really like how she chose my bright orange wedding shoes to go with this outfit. It added a pop of brightness to an otherwise darker outfit, and I really like how well the orange played off of the coral color in the dress. They don't match, but they go. And yet another detail I like about this outfit is how the texture of the necklace mirrors the pattern on the dress.

If you'd like to see how I styled Betsy, check out her Paper Doll Post. I totally want to steal every piece of that outfit, and possibly some other items in her closet too.

Friend Friday...

2011-05-06T09:46:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?

I have a few pairs of shoes that are my go-to, depending on the season.
In the summer, my flip-flops, unstylish as they may be, are my go-to for commuting and running errands.
Year-round, I have a few pairs of flats that I wear for everything from commuting, running errands, work, casual social outings, etc.
I have had trouble lately with heels, so while I have a few pairs of heels that I truly love, they just aren't my go-to shoes anymore.

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?

Comfort is huge. Most of my heels are relegated to "sitting at my desk all day," but I would love to be able to wear them when I'm going out.
Price is also very important. Sure, I'm more than willing to pay more for a good-quality shoe that won't kill my feet. But I'm also the kind of person that wants quantity. (Sure, I know that quality is more important, but I'm just being truthful -- I still want lots of stuff!) If saving on one pair of shoes means I can get a second pair, I'll opt for Payless everytime.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?

While I do own several shoes in fun colors, black is still the primary color in my shoe-drobe. Black flip-flops, black flats, black sneakers, black heels, black booties, black boots, and other shoes that have black in the pattern.

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?

I'm not really brand-loyal when I buy my shoes. I really just buy what I want/need and what feels good. I love the styles of Steve Madden shoes for fun, and I love the classic lines and shapes of Nine West shoes. The high-schooler in me still loves Doc Martens, and I think I may need to buy myself a new pair of combat boots for the adult me. On the cheaper side, I also often tend to be drawn to Fioni shoes when I'm at Payless.

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?

A magical stiletto that made my legs a mile long that I could walk and stand in for hours on end without sore feet or back and neck pain.

Friend Friday...

2011-04-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why?

I grew up as a dancer. I basically lived in the dance studio -- hours a day, days a week. I never consciously thought of it as working out, though I know it was. I danced all the way through high school.
When I went to college, I stopped really dancing. Sure, I was still part of a dance club, but it wasn't nearly the same level. And I did a lot of trekking across campus, so I was still pretty fit in college too.
Since college, I have belong to various gyms for various amounts of time. I have had a personal trainer. I have also put on 50+ pounds, lost all my flexibility, and am now winded just walking up a flight of stairs.
I need to get back into a serious fitness routine and stick with it. Not only for the way I look (though, I finally admit, that really is my main motivation), but also for my health in general. When I have kids, I don't want to be the mom who sits on the sidelines.

2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image?

When I was a dancer, I was thin and solid muscle. I never really thought much about my body image. I could buy clothes without trying them on because I knew how they would fit my body.
Nowadays, my body image is frighteningly low. Sure, I have days where I love how I look. But even on those days, I wish I were thinner. As much as I want other gals to love and accept themselves for who they are, I have a problem doing so myself.
So I can only imagine that when I get myself back on an exercise regimen, I will feel better about my body.

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion?

I am 99% about function when I'm getting sweaty. Sure, I might wear a cute tshirt or a colorful bandana, but even those items are more about function. I used to have a few cute workout tops, but they don't fit anymore, and frankly, I was always more comfortable in a tshirt anyway.

4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness?

Of course. As a plus-sized gal, people expect that I should want to be thin, and that I should be eating healthier and working out to achieve that goal. (The fact that I *do* want to be thin doesn't justify society's pressure that I want those things.) I feel pressure from my family and from my husband. As much as they tell me that they love me regardless, I know they want me to be healthier. Only in my own mind, I equate healthier with thinner. So when they talk about me working out, I hear "You should be thinner." It's a vicious cycle.

5. Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal.

If I were to take up tomorrow the same size that I was in high school or college, I think I'd crap myself. But really, to be that size isn't my goal -- I know that's just not realistic (and possibly, not even healthy).
I would love to lose somewhere in the realm of 50 pounds. I would love to be more physically active on a more regular basis -- to play soccer or tennis with my husband. To go swimming (and more than just get in the water and float). To pick up dancing again. I want to not be out of breath from doing the most basic things.
Basically, I want to be active without thinking of it as being active. I want to love my body without even realizing it -- the same way I used to when I was younger.

I'm Still Standin (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)...

2011-04-28T11:14:00.004-04:00

Hi all!
While I still consider myself to be getting back into the swing of posting, the swing has been kinda jerky and bumpy. Nonetheless, I have been *taking* some outfits shots -- I just haven't managed to actually get a post put up.
I am working on revamping the way I do my posts by taking all photos during the week + spending time on the weekend to edit photos, create collages, and write and schedule my posts. It's tough to get things done in the evenings, so I think this new plan will help be get back onto a regular schedule.

Despite my lack of posts, I really have been getting dressed. And leaving the house, too. In fact, I even managed to get myself to my first-ever blogger meetup!
I recently joined a Google group called DC FABB, which is for DC-area fashion and beauty bloggers. One of the gals put together a meetup, so I went! The only person there whose blog I was familiar with pre-meetup was Allie from Wardrobe Oxygen. But once there, I met several other gals and I am now following a handful of new blogs. Yay for newness!

Here is a photo of me and Allie (please excuse the craptastic quality of my point-n-shoot camera:

Allie is even sweeter in person than I already thought she was.

Also, here is another (still craptacular quality) shot of some of the other lovely ladies there:

From L to R: Oby (aka Vivi), Fashion Cloture, Allie, and Katherine.

I also managed to get a few late-night shots of my outfit after I got home.

Top: JC Penney
Pants: Marshalls
Shoes: Payless
Bracelet: thrifted
Earrings: gift
Scarf: made by me

Closeup:

I was really excited to be sporting this scarf I made, and it was a hit at the meetup! Many bloggers have been sporting similar scarves over the last few months -- it seems to be one of those DIYs that has been making the rounds.
I finally decided to make mine after it was chosen as the first DIY for the Made This, Love This group, started by Indiana of Adored Austin. I'm now kinda obsessed with it and want to wear it all day, everyday. I totally plan on thrifting tshirts in all colors so I can make myself an arsenal of awesome.

Friend Friday

2011-04-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Which celebrity (celebrities) do you look to for fashion inspiration?

Honestly, I don't really look to celebrities for inspiration. If I happen to see an outfit that strikes me, sure I will try to remember it and recreate it, but I don't really follow certain celebrities.
I'm more likely to look to my friends, neighbors, coworkers, strangers, and --most of all-- to YOU for inspiration!

2. When it comes to your own personal style, what inspires you?

Again, people I see around me are huge inspirations.
I also take in architecture, art, nature, anything really. When something strikes a chord with me, I emulate it. But in my own way...

3. How do you hope to inspire your readers?

I am by no means a fashion guru (or any other sort of guru, for that matter). But if someone comes to my blog, if they take anything away, I hope it is this:
Break out of your rut. Try something new. Don't be afraid of colors, styles, shapes, sizes. Try it once, and you just might like it. And if it doesn't work, that's ok too.

4. Outside the realm of fashion who/what inspires you?

Music. Dance. Theater. The arts have always moved me.
There are also a few people in my life who I find inspiring. Not only their style (and believe me, they've got style!), but they are the sort of people who just have it all together. I'm sure it's as much work for them as it is for everyone else, but they just make it all look so effortless.

5. And since Idol is ending… Which songs inspire you?

I find different kinds of inspiration from different kinda of songs.
Lately, I have really been enjoying disposable pop music for its dancability: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ke$ha...
But I have a whole slew of favorite bands/groups/artists and favorite songs. They run the gamut, and I love them all for different reasons. I won't get into all of it here, but feel free to send me an email or leave a comment if you wanna talk music!

Friend Friday...

2011-04-15T08:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to me personally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

My parents, my friends, my husband.

2. When it comes to be professionally – I owe a lot of who I am to:

Several coworkers and managers who I have had the pleasure (and some, the disdain) of working with. I have learned a lot.

3. When it comes to the art of blogging, I’m grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots:

Mainly, all of the readers who stick with me, despite my sporadic posting. I love that you're willing to read what I have to see, even if it isn't at regular intervals!
Also, specifically, I'd like to thank Kimberly. When I was first getting up-and-running, she was kind and patient enough to answer some of my n00b questions. It was probably nothing to her, but I remember it!

4. One blogging challenge I’m grateful happened because it made me stronger was…

I don't think I have really faced any blogging challenges, other than a lack of time and motivation. And I am still fighting through those. I think I'm getting back to normal, though!

5. To my readers, I’d like to say…

Thank You. Is there really anything else I *could* say to my readers? I love hearing your feedback, whether positive or constructive. I love hearing your tips and suggestions. I love my little peanut gallery. :)

Friend Friday...

2011-04-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

What are the top 5 Spring trends that you are looking forward to seeing/sporting this season? (Can be anything from makeup, shoes, accessories, clothing, etc..)

(1) Eclectic Chic:
Basically, this is just pattern and texture mixing, something we have been doing forever anyway! I've been trying to push my own personal boundaries and experimenting more with different, interesting combinations, and I'm looking forward to having more patterns to play with this spring.

(2) Bold Color:
Citrus colors, especially, are bit this spring -- orange is all over the place! I guess I was just ahead of the trend with my orange wedding shoes. No matter the color family, I am a huge fan of bright color pairings.

(3) Stripes:
Stripes are back again this Spring, so many fashionistas will already have a jump on this trend. I spent half my workday yesterday trying to decide if I'm willing to dish out $70 plus shipping for this nautical military jacket.

(4) Maxi Skirts and Dresses:
While "midi" skirts and dresses are on the rise this season, maxis are still front and center. To me, maxis are like the pajamas of fashion, only appropriate to leave the house in! (Coincidentally, "pajama style" also seems to be a trend this Spring.) I love that a maxi can take you from office to evening to weekend, all just by swapping out some accessories. Plus, any piece of clothing that lets me get away with not shaving is a bonus, in my book.

(5) Embrace Lace:
Along with lace, I am also bundling in anything flowy, flirty, floral, and feminine. Lace is something totally new to me, so I'm excited for this trend. I never imagined I would choose a lace wedding gown, but once I saw it, I was in love. (Ahead of the trend again, I guess!) I think I am really starting to embrace my more feminine side, and lace and florals have been floating through my mind.

Friend Friday...

2011-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you think is the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?

I can't speak to this, as I've neither written nor solicited a guest post. The guests post I have enjoyed reading the most are ones where the two bloggers are actually friends (whether IRL or online.)

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?

Leave a comment that's relevant to the post you are commenting on. Show that you are actually interested in the blog. Don't leave a "follow me and I will follow you!" comment -- those are THE WORST. I only follow blogs that I'm actually interested in, and asking me to follow you is a surefire way to ensure I will never lay eyes on your blog. In the end, if you have good content, people will follow.

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?

I don't send many emails, but I do try to leave comments -- but as I said above, I leave comments because I have something to say about the post. Don't leave what I think of as a hit-and-run post -- even if you don't specifically ask to be followed, if you just "tagged" my blog and didn't put any thought into your comment, it leaves the impression that you ONLY commented so that I would heck out your blog. Just be yourself, and you will stand out for that.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?

I try to build real relationships, much the same way I would try to build them in real life. If someone knows you actually care about them and what they have to say, the support will just come naturally. Put the focus on them, not you; otherwise, you are pretty much just saying, "Hey, look at me!" This isn't really a good look on anyone.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?

I have been really horrible at responding to comments.
The last few weeks, I have made a bigger effort to respond to every comment someone makes on my blog, but I'm not always sure if people see my responses. I have considered switching my commenting system to DisQus, but I'm not completely sold yet. But essentially, I am making more of an effort to make it clear to my readers that I care what they have to say, and I'm glad they made the decision to visit my blog!

Flash, Bam, Alacazam, Out of the Orange Colored Sky...

2011-03-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

To be honest, I can't even remember when I wore this outfit. My best guess is sometime at the end of February or early March. I know it wasn't recently, but we must have been having a "heatwave" if I want tights-less.

There is not too much to note about this outfit other than the fabulous shoes.

Blouse: Forever XXI
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Michael Shannon via Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
Scarf: Laila Rowe
Belt: Amazon.com
Earrings: gift

Closeup:

These, dolls, are my wedding shoes. And man, were they a biotch to find!
You see, orange heels are tough to hunt down to start with, and when you add a VERY picky bride, darned near impossible! I was just about to give up and resign myself to more traditional shoes when I found these on the clearance rack -- just over $20. Umm, yes please!

I have already posted a few of my wedding photos, but I haven't yet posted one with my shoes -- and how can I not do that?!

Dress: Michelle Roth via Kleinfeld
Shoes: Michael Shannon via Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
Earrings: Gift from hubby a long time ago
Sapphire Bracelet: shower gift from MIL
Hair Feather: Etsy seller sibodesigns

Our wedding had a "Rustic Elegant" theme, with a strong reliance upon natural elements and autumnal colors. I hadn't told my hubby that I would be wearing these shoes (as they were intended to be a surprise to everyone except my mother and my 'maids), and I was shocked when he decided upon orange ties and pocket squares for all the guys in our wedding party -- could we be more in tune? I went with the flow and had my gals' gorgeous flowers wrapped with orange ribbon. As you can see from the photos I had already posted, our "aisle" brought us down a short flight of steps, and everyone was pleasantly surprised to see my shoes as I descended. I got so many compliments on them!
What I love most about them, though, is that I can still wear them. Had I opted for more "traditional" wedding shoes, I'm not sure that would be the case. But I love that most of the pieces I wore that day (other than the dress itself) are ones that I can still wear.

Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a sixpence in your shoe.

Of course, I still have the sixpence taped inside my shoe.

Heartsy...

2011-03-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Have you all heard of Heartsy?
It's new to me, so I thought maybe it is new to all of you also -- so I thought I would share!

OK, I know you all have heard of Etsy and love it as much as I do. Vintage and handmade goods? One-of-a-kind items? Supporting small businesses and up-starts? Custom-made pieces? Umm, yes please!
Heck, I ordered so many items off of Etsy for my wedding. People commented on so many of them, and I was more than happy to share my secret!

OK, I know you all have heard of Groupon and love it as much as I do. (Echoey in here, no?) There are also several other Groupon-like sites. (Living Social, KGB Deals, WTD Deals, Eversave, Trubates -- I'm sure there are more.) All of these sites offer vouchers on goods/services at a discount.

So, Heartsy? Put those ideas together!
Each day, Heartsy features one Etsy seller. You buy a voucher to that seller's store that is worth more than you pay for it. The voucher is good for anything at that seller's store. For example, today's Heartsy deal is you spend $19 to receive $50 worth of credit at Tonetti Jewelry.

Now, I am not an Etsy seller. But I read an article that debates whether deals like these are beneficial to sellers, who may feel as though they are giving away their items or losing potential profit. This article does some hypothetical number-crunching, and the gist of the article is that while, yes, sellers may potentially lose some money in the short-term by participating in the deal, it is also possible for sellers to gain many new customers who will return to buy products at full-price -- thus making long-term gain outweigh the short-term loss. So basically, a seller needs to know their costs, their customers, and their product. They need to be honest about the quality and uniqueness of what they are creating and selling, and they need to ensure that first-time customers will become repeat customers. If you can hook a seller using a deal, the profit over the long term will be worth it.

But again, as I said, I am not an Etsy seller. I am an Etsy customer. And as is the case with any customer, I want amazing products, and I want to find the best deal I can get to purchase them. That said, I love Etsy, and I don't want to rip off any sellers.

I suppose, in the end, I believe it is the responsibility of the seller to determine if participating in a Heartsy deal is beneficial to them. And if I happen to see a Heartsy deal that piques my interest, I will buy it -- and if I love my purchase, I will gladly become a repeat customer and recommend the shop to my friends.

What are your thoughts on Heartsy? Would you purchase a Heartsy deal?

Day to Night...

2011-03-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Remember back a whole month ago when we were wearing red for women? I managed to post two of my red-themed outfits that month, but I really did wear red every Friday in February. I didn't manage to snap a photo of the last Friday of the month, but I did get a few shots of my third-week red-Friday outfit.

I was going straight from the office to a girls night out, so I needed something that could transition from work to play. Here is how I did it:

Top: Forever XXI, altered
Skirt: Old Navy
Cardi: NY&Co
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Earrings: gift
Bangles: thrifted
Jeggings: ANA via JC Penney

Closeup of the Work Outfit:

I really love the pattern that runs down the front of this tank, but the straps aren't really work appropriate. Let me show you:

Totally cute, but not quite office attire. Hence the cardigan. It pulls double-duty of keeping me warm AND taking a casual piece and making it appropriate for daytime.

But, as I said, I was heading out for a night with the girls. While I love the skirt, I thought it would be chilly, so I wanted a little more coverage. Plus, to be blunt, after downing a few drinks, I didn't want to have to worry about being too ladylike in a skirt. Enter the jeggings!

I also peeled off the cardi, but I carried it with me in case I would need it. (Thankfully, it was an unseasonably warm evening. Other than the drive home, I didn't need it.)

But ladies, cute outfits aside, let me share with you the lesson I learned that night. Sometimes, it makes no difference how MUCH you drink. The combination of alcohols alone can be enough to leave you praying to the porcelain god. For six long hours. Ugh. My once-in-a-blue-moon reminder of why I'm not much of a drinker.
But hey, at least I looked cute!

Friend Friday...

2011-03-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Do you think there is an incompatibility between feminism and a love for fashion?

Absolutely not.
So many people think that a feminist has to look a certain way: unfashionably dressed, no makeup, almost dirty in a way, as if our appearance is the last thing we care about.
But just the opposite is true.
If that's truly what you want to look like and where your priorities lie, go for it.
But if you actually like nice clothes, makeup, fancy hairdos, go for that too.
Disregarding your own appearance doesn't make you any better a feminist, and caring about your own appearance doesn't make you any more a feminist.
All that makes you a feminist is actually caring and fighting for the rights of women. (that includes BOTH the right to dress up and the right not to give a crap about fashion at all.

2. There is more to each of us than a love for fashion, how do you incorporate every aspect of yourself into your blog?

While my blog is mainly a fashion/style/beauty blog, I do talk about aspects of my own life. I'm not interested in incorporating EVERY aspect of my life into my blog, but I do hope my personality comes through. I want my readers to have a grasp of who I am.

3. With the fashion industry still being a male-dominated profession, how do you think it would differ if women played a larger role?

I think if women played a larger role in the fashion industry we would see more variety and equality spread throughout different shapes and sizes of women. Not only in the models that walk the runway and grace the catalogs, but in the clothes that get designed. No matter how much men study women's bodies, until they actually live in one and have to dress it, they can never truly understand the way it feels to be women or the needs we have in our clothing.
Further, as a plus-sized gal, while the variety in clothing for our demographic is getting better, it's still minuscule compared to "average" sized gals. (Though, last I checked, the average size for women is considered plus-sized in the fashion world. But I won't get into that.) Most of the clothes I see for larger women are matronly and have no shape. Those that do are often created in unattractive prints or cheaper fabrics. Also, designers of plus-sized clothing seem to think if you're a larger gal, you must be larger everywhere. So not true! I have a big booty and thick thighs, but I'm still small-of-boob. By the time I find dresses that fit my hips and thighs, there's enough room in the chest for someone to crawl in there with me. I feel like if women were more involved in the fashion world, there would be more innate understanding of these issues, and they would be better addressed.

4. How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?

I'm not really sure what this question is getting at...
I generally believe in the "to each their own" adage, but I don't often-enough apply it to myself. I don't judge others nearly as harshly as I judge myself.
I'm a fairly liberal gal, but I think I behave and dress much more conservatively than my personality really is -- whenever I go shopping, my husband points out cute outfits and I shoot them down, saying I'm too old or big to wear them. Who says? No one but myself...

5. Do you think clothing/makeup/hair helps communicate the truth about yourself or are those things superfluous add-ons?

Both.
From the perspective of someone looking at me, they can probably guess my age, possibly my weight, and know that I work in an office environment from the way I dress M-F. They may be able to tell if I'm heading to work, the gym, or somewhere more fun. All these things could be true. However, if I'm wearing a short skirt or a low-cut top or heavier makeup and someone thinks I look loose or cheap, does that make it true?
But from my own perspective, I can dress to intentionally mislead people. Maybe I'm feeling ugly that day, but I don my best dress, put on bright red lipstick, and style my hair fabulously. Someone else might look at me and think I've got all the confidence in the world, but inside my own head I know I'm doing the whole "fake it til you make it" thing. I'm basically lying to the world.
Also, sometimes I like to dress silly and just for fun. If you ever see me out at a concert, you will probably think I've lost my mind. I might spike my hair up, wear 3 tons of crazy makeup, and wear things no adult woman should be caught dead wearing. In those moments, my "style" is purely superfluous -- I'm dressing 100% totally for fun.
I guess in a way, all of these things speak to some sort of truth about me. But at the same time, it's all superfluous and means nothing unless you get to know me.

I'm a Paper Doll...

2011-03-23T17:23:00.005-04:00

Apologies for not getting this post up yesterday -- my evening reads like a laundry list of bad excuses: power went out, cooked not one but two dinners, allergies, not feeling well, bathtime, sheer exhaustion.
Anywho, on with the outfit!

The lovely Ashley of Image Envy was my stylist for the day.
She scoured my archives and this outfit was born, pretty much on the first try. She asked if I owned tan shoes (darker than my nude pumps), and I was surprised to learn that these heels have never made it to the blog. They are ancient, and despite having been shoe-gooed a few times, they definitely need another round! The only change-up I made from her original vision was changing the cami to this t-shirt. My camis are a little more fitted than I prefer to show off at work (without a layer over them). Other than that, I couldn't wear the gold bangles she asked for, since I don't own any, and she told me to wear corresponding earrings -- not hoops.

And, voila!

Cardi: TJ Maxx
Tshirt: JC Penney
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Fioni (very old)
Earrings: Target
Belt: unknown
Bangles: Claire's

Closeup:

We all know I love this cardi, but strangely, I usually wear it with bright colors. I rarely wear it with a more toned-down color palette and let it be the sole star of the show. It's nice to have someone else's eye go through your closet and show you new combinations.
So if ever there is a Paper Doll Project: Round 2, I will be a part of it!

Paper Doll Project...

2011-03-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sure most of you have heard of Suze's Paper Doll Project.
For those of you who have been living under a rock (bigger than the one I have been hiding under lately) and are unaware of this awesome little project, basically, she has paired up bloggers who asked to be involved, and we get to dress each other for a day!

Suze paired me up with the lovely Ashley if Image Envy.
Stay tuned for the cute outfit Ashley put together for me, but for now, you can go check out the ensemble I created for her!

This was a fun little project. I really enjoyed getting to know a blogger who was new to me. First, we exchanged a couple of emails to get to know one another: I shared that I'm a little sensitive about my weight, and she mentioned that she dresses a little on the conservative side. We scoured each others' blogs and swapped a few photos for ideas. We emailed each other our outfit ideas and tweaked them a bit with each others' feedback. The extra bonus was that I didn't have to think about my outfit for today -- Yay!
I had a lot of fun with this, and I will definitely participate again if Suze organizes another round!

If you're interested in seeing what all of the other participants came up with, join me in checking out the rest of the dolls!

Paper Doll Project partners!

Windy City Fashion and Doc Starr Chic
A Fashion Fixation and Snappy and Savvy
A Monkey Fatshionista and Matters of Merry Making
After My Fancyy and Style Within Reach
Closet Confections and Diary of a Chic Mommy
Made by Maison and Queen of Oz
Unusual Form and Curvy with Confidence
Fashion Momma and Employed Panache
Better in Sepia and Silver Pool of Light Girl
The Brunette One and The Stylish Housewife
From the Mixed-up Files and Hope and the Dress Code
Second Star Style and Effervescent Evelina
Pieces of My Earth and The Average Girls Guide
Consumerism Killed My Soul and Fashion Frugality
Kate Olmstead and Lemon Drop Love
Oranges and Apples and Watch Me Dress
Skrush and Tart Lemon Drop
Lindsay Living and Elle Enchanted
Snappy Casual and Chasing Davies
Leaving the House in This and Sweet Laundry
Coffee and a Cardigan and Inner Cupcake
Stumble into Style and Image Envy
Miss Vinyl Ahoy and Ordinarily Urbane and Lori's Wardrobe

Friend Friday...

2011-03-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

So far, what have been the 5 hardest blogging lessons you’ve learned during this process and have helped make you a better blogger as a result.

(1) Be honest. That doesn't mean I have to tell everyone everything all of the time, but I don't want to be the sort of blogger who only posts the great outfits. If I've got the time to grab a shot, I'm gonna show you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

(2) Don't feel required to blog. It's OK. Sure, you don't want people to get bored and stop reading. But you don't want to get burned out either. Besides, as a reader, when I can tell that the author is posting more out of a sense of requirement than a true interest or love, it's just not as enjoyable for me to read. I've seen several bloggers apologize or take a hiatus when you can tell that they really need a break but feel like they are letting their readers down. It's OK. We all have lives outside of the blog, and sometimes those lives have a lot of things going on that just rank higher than blogging. It's OK. It's OK!

(3) Post topics that are interesting to you. If you're not feeling it, it will come through in your writing, and no one will want to read it. For example, I'm just not a high-fashion kinda gal, so you're not going to see runway-themed posts on my blog. Sure, if I spy a haute couture outfit that just speaks to me, I might point it out, but otherwise, I'm sticking to writing about what I know and love.

(4) Let pieces of you peek out. Don't worry, I don't want you to pull a Janet Jackson Super Bowl stunt. I just mean, let your readers get a little insight into your non-blog life. My favorite fashion and beauty blogs are the ones where I have a pretty good sense that if I met the author offline, we would probably be good friends. I've come across other blogs where I couldn't get a sense of who the author was, and despite the fact that the blog was otherwise pretty good, it just didn't hold my interest. I like seeing your pets or silly notes from your hubby/wife/BF/GF or knowing that you're as deathly afraid of spiders as I am.

(5) Respond to those who leave comments on your blog. Let me apologize right up front, because I'm really terrible at this one. But I'm trying to do better! There's nothing that will turn off a reader faster than when they take the time to post a comment on your blog and get zero feedback from you -- just a thanks to appreciate their readership or (even more importantly) an answer to any questions they may ask. Lately, I've seen a lot of bloggers change their comments to DisQus because it allows the author to respond individually to each comment. This is awesome! Other writers prefer to email the commenter back personally. This is great too. Whatever your preference, take the time and make the effort to let your readers know that you hear them and appreciate them.
And to my readers, I'm trying!

Friend Friday...

2011-03-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. When it comes to prioritizing your life, in what place does
blogging fall?

While I love my blog and taking pictures and writing posts, blogging falls pretty close to the bottom of my list of priorities. My husband, My family and friends, my job, my health, and a million other things are more important to me. My blog is for fun -- and fun is important -- but only after my other priorities are tended to first.
That said, if someone wanted to pay me to work on my blog full-time as my job, I think it would suddenly jump much higher on my list! ;)

2. We all wish we had more free time to dedicate to blogging and all
it entails. What are your tricks for taking advantage of the time you
do have to be as productive as possible?

If I have down-time at work, I try to whip up an entry or two or brainstorm/research an idea I might want to do a post on.
At home, I try to blog while catching up on my tv shows.
Also, now that we are getting FBFF questions ahead of time, I can write these posts up early and schedule them to go out on time!

3. Have you discovered any short-cuts that makes blogging easier or
more time efficient?

I recently discovered the Blogger app for Android, so now I can blog when I'm not near the computer! I've only used it once or twice so far, but I can see this being really handy if I want to blog something, say, while I'm out shopping or on vacation!

4. Do you have an editorial calendar or something similar that helps
you plan ahead?

Nada. Nothing like that. I'm totally not that regimented or organized in my blogging. I love the bloggers who I can rely on for posts, but I'm just not there yet with my own blog.

5. If time wasn’t an issue what you would be doing on your blog/for
your blog that you aren’t doing now?

Daily posts! There are other reasons in addition to just the time why I'm not posting more often now (cold weather, lack of indoor space, lack of money, etc.) but if I have more time, I could at least research and write up more posts other than my own outfit posts.

Friend Friday...

2011-03-04T09:04:00.003-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What's your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite
higher-end product?

This whole topic of questions is interesting for me since I love buying makeup and playing with it, but I don't wear it on a daily basis.
For drugstore makeup, I love Covergirl's Simply Powder Foundation in Classic Ivory -- though I don't wear it every day, I have stuck true to this product for years.
I don't own many high-end products -- since I don't wear my makeup often, it just isn't worth the investment to me. When I was little, my mother almost exclusively wore Clinique makeup. I remember having to make special trips to the makeup counter in the department store. I'm not sure if Clinique is considered high-end anymore, but I love their Different Lipstick in A Different Grape. It is the perfect pinky-browny-purply color without being too dark, and I have come back to the color time and time again since high school.

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live
without?

I'm not sure if lip balms are considered a beauty product if they don't add color, but I don't go anywhere without my Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. I have a tube in my purse, one on my desk at work, one in my jewelry armoire, and several of them floating around the house -- I love to have it at arm's length at all times.
If lip balm doesn't count, I would have to say an eye lash curler and mascara. I'm not really brand-loyal, but I do really like Benefit's Bad Gal Lash Mascara. Because my eyelashes grow straight down, I don't bother with mascara unless I curl my lashes first. I'm not too particular about my eyelash curlers, so long as they don't pinch.

Edited to Add:
I almost forgot that I am in absolute love with my St. Ives Oil-Free moisturizer! Sadly this item has been discontinued and I shall soon have to find myself a new facial moisturizer, but when I found out you couldn't get this product anymore, I went online and bought as many bottles as my wallet would allow. I think I've still got one or two left...

3. What's the best hair product you've ever used?

I've yet to find the one single hair product I can't live without. That might have something to do with the fact that I change my hair like I change my mind. Each different color, length, or texture requires a different type of product. Right now, with my super-short hair, I need a product that emphasizes the choppiness of my 'do. I'm really happy with L'Oreal Studio Line's Overworked Hair Putty. A little goes a long way, and it gives me a great controlled-chaos bedhead kinda look.

4. Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look
back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did
that?

Ummm... all of them? I did the dark lip liner with nude lipstick thing back in my high school days. I also plucked my unibrow until my brows were so far apart, skinny, and uneven that I actually shaved them off entirely one summer just so they could grow back in evenly.
Also, thanks to growing up as a dancer, I was also forced to model bright blue eyeshadow for most of the 80s -- that is until my teacher came up with an even better look (and by "better" I mean far, far worse): bright blue on the eyelid, bright pink on the inside edge of the upper eye, and bright yellow on the outside edge of the upper eye. Oh yeah. it was awesome.

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic
products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and
personality?

I guess what shows my personality the most is that I actually don't wear makeup most days. It's not that I think I'm just that gorgeous, but I'm confident enough in my appearance that I don't feel the need. Sure, I like to play with my look. I will put on makeup for special occasions, and sometimes I wear some if I'm feeling a little self conscious about something (pimples, undereye circles, redness, etc.).
Heck, today I'm wearing a bit of coverup to cover a red spot between my eyes, black semi-liquid eyeliner and extended-wear red lipstick. I'm just full of surprises, and you never know what you're going to get from me. ;)

Save Big on Big Style...

2011-03-02T09:39:00.002-05:00

Hey dolls! I just saved myself some money on some fun nail art, and I wanted to share.
If you're into nail color and nail art, then you have probably heard of nail shields or nail strips -- they are basically strips of color/pattern that you can apply to your nails instead of painting them. (Hillary and Kirstin Marie have both blogged about the Sally Hansen brand before.)
Also, I'm sure many of you are familiar with companies like Groupon and Living Social -- websites where you can save a large percentage on products and services that are featured daily.

Well, another similar site is KGB Deals. Basically the same deal: you sign up for their emails and select your location. When an offer pops up that you like, you save big bucks! Easy as pie.
Well, today's KGB deal is on Jamberry Nail Shields. I hadn't heard of this company or product before, but it seems to be more or less the same idea as the Sally Hansen nail strips. I have wanted to try them out before, but I had heard mixed reviews about them and wasn't really willing to spend $10+ on something that may or may not work for me.
Using today's KGB deal, you can get $15 worth of Jamberry shields for $7.50 -- half price. According to Jamberry's website, this will buy you one sheet of shields, which should cover 2-3 sets of hands or feet (yes, you can use them on your toes too).
I checked out the website and love some of the patterns they offer, so I bought myself a few of these deals so I can try them out!

If you're interested in trying them out too, click here to purchase! (By purchasing via this link, I will earn a nominal rewards fee.)

I Nailed It...

2011-02-25T13:26:00.002-05:00

Kiddoes, this is what my toes are looking like these days. Can we get an intervention? I am seriously in desperate need of a pedicure! I painted my little piggies like 2 months ago, and sadly 3 of them are totally naked by now.
*facepalm*

On the flip-side, let me show y'all my fingers:

This polish is 2 weeks old! Aside from the expected grow-out, there are no chips and minimal wear. What magical brand is this??
Wet-N-Wild! Yes gals, the same brand from your youth! And the best part? Their polishes only cost $2 a bottle at CVS. I have tried 2 different colors, and both have lasted 2 weeks. (Needless to say, I've gone back and stocked up!) The coverage is great, it feels good on my nails. For regular colors I only used 2 coats. For this glitter polish, I used 3 (just for optimum coverage).
They have a wide variety of colors, and frankly, and polish that lasts 2 weeks on my nails is amazing to me.

So ladies, get yourself some Wet-N-Wild!

Giveaway...

2011-02-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

Meggy, over at Chasing Davies, is sponsoring a giveaway where the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Apothica. Apothica.com is an online site that has an incredible selection of skin and body care, aromatherapy, and cosmetic products.
If you're interested in a chance to win this giveaway, go check out Meggy's site and enter for yourself!
Personally, if I win, I'm totally coveting Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey!

Friend Friday...

2011-02-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?

I have grown to accept my weight and shape so much more since I started blogging. I'm still learning, but I better know how to dress the shape that I am now, as opposed to the shape I was 10-15 years ago. It's a lot more work now than it was back then, but I find myself so proud when I put together an outfit that is flattering, creative, and fun all at the same time.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?

I am self-conscious about EVERY aspect of myself! It's probably my biggest flaw -- I care way too much what people think. I act like I don't, and I wish I didn't so much, but I do -- I want everyone to like me!
Physically, while I've come a long way, I still have a really hard time accepting the size and shape that I am. I was tall and thin all the way up through college, so not only is it incongruous in my mind when I look in the mirror, it's also hard for me to accept that the reason I have gained weight is all my own doing.
I do go out of my way to either camouflage the areas I'm not happy with when I dress or to at least make a point not to emphasize those areas. I'm not afraid to talk about the things I'm self-conscious about, but I have been working on not focusing on it so much mentally -- while it is something to think about when I buy clothes, I don't want it to be the ONLY focus of my fashion choices.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?

I'm hoping that I will be able to get myself in better shape. I don't imagine that I will ever be as tiny as I was back in the day, but right now I'm obese, out of shape, and flat-out unhealthy -- I don't want that for myself, my husband, or the children I hope to have someday. Still, I have always had curves, and I love that!
I have grown so much over the past year or two in my self-acceptance, and I see that just getting even better!

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?

While I haven't taken many photos for the last several months, yes, I do take photos of myself for my blog. I am getting better at knowing how to pose in a way that flatters my shape. I grew up as a dancer, so I always had my pictures taken -- somehow, despite growing up with low self-esteem about my appearance, I also developed a huge sense of vanity, and I *hate* showing people bad pictures of me! Are my photos perfect? no. Do I post photos that are not true about how I look? no -- I don't even retouch redeye and I rarely even do so much as adjust brightness/lighting. But yes, I may turn to the side or suck in my gut so my tummy looks a little flatter.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?

As I'm learning for myself: every shape is beautiful, including YOURS! If the clothes don't fit or flatter, it's not the fault of you or your body; the clothes simply don't do justice to fabulous shape you've got. You aren't wrong for the piece. The piece is wrong for you. Keep searching for a piece that's flattering to your amazing body.
There are many gorgeous bloggers out there of all shapes and sizes, so no matter what you look like, you can find some fabulous inspiration out there. And no matter which struggles you face in shopping for clothes or putting outfits together, there is someone out there who is in the same situation who can share tips, tricks, and hints with you! We can all learn from each other and inspire one another!

RED Between the Lines...

2011-02-15T08:46:00.004-05:00

So, as promised, here I am posting the outfits I have worn so far for Go Red for Women month. Despite posting them horrifically late, I promise I wore them right on time!

OH! and before I get to showing you the outfits, I wanna point out my new haircut! I got really tired of my hair, having to grow it out for the wedding, and I was beyond ready to trim it up. Seriously, my hairdresser thought I was going to be at her house the next day, ready to have my head shaved. Well, I didn't shave it all off, but I did go drastic -- pixie cut! I'm amazed at how versatile this cut is, but I am still learning how to style it. Most days I just wake up and see what sort of shape my hair is creating and just sorta go with it. But I'm not quite at the point yet where I can make it do what I want it to do... Either way, I'm loving it!

On with the photos!

First up, Friday, February 4:

Top: Charlotte Russe
Vest: H&M
Pants: Torrid
Boots: Torrid
Scarf: gift
Earrings: gift
Charm Bracelet: gift
Garnet Bracelet: old
Nail Polish: Wet-n-Wild

Closeup:

The charm bracelet was a bridal shower gift from my mother. It is a Troll Beads bracelet, which is perfect because you can buy beads from any charm bracelet company and they will work on there. (Most companies have theirs designed so you have to buy their beads.) When she gave it to me, she had a few beads on it: 2 stoppers, a white wedding bead, and 2 beads with an S and a C -- my husband + my initials. Then for Christmas she gave me 2 Christmas-themed beads, and for my birthday, she gave me another bead with my birthstone. All of the other beads were Christmas and birthday gifts from my husband, and all of them have meaning to me. I never thought I was a charm bracelet kinda gal, but I really love gifts with meaning, so this is perfect!

And these earrings. YOWZA! These were a birthday gift from my husband, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! We went to the jewelry store together, and he let me pick them out -- I love them because they mirror the shape of my wedding ring, but aren't exactly the same. So they coordinate, but don't look like a matched set. Hubby (and the salesgal) actually tried to talk me into a bigger set, but I love these because they are still demure enough for everyday wearing. Anything larger, to me, would look strange with an everyday outfit and would be relegated to "special occasion only" use -- and really, what's the point of that? I have worn these ever day since he bought them for me, and I'm in love with them.

Moving on to Friday, February 11:

Gingham Top: thrifted
Black Top: JC Penney
Pants: Marshalls
Belt: unknown
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Earrings: gift
Charm Bracelet: gift
Glasses: Versus (by Versace)

Closeup:

First, you probably notice that I'm wearing glasses in this set. I don't usually wear my glasses during the day -- not because I don't like them, but simply because my eyes are so sensitive to light that I need sunglasses if I'm outside. Like ever. Even at night if there's any hint of sunlight in the sky. But the 2 nights before sporting this outfit, I had fallen asleep in my contacts, so my eyes were bugging me. Hence, the glasses. I'm actually getting ready to have my eyes re-tested, and I think I will get new lenses put into these frames that tint in the sunlight so that I can wear my glasses more often. (It's an added bonus that my hubby LOVES it when I wear my glasses!)
I love these glasses. I received several comments at work that they made me look very intelligent (apparently I look like a doofus most of the time?). The brand is Versus, by Versace. I never chose them because of the name -- in fact, when I bought them, I had no idea who made Versus; I actually thought they were a no-name brand. I simply bought them because I really liked them. Then I got home and felt all posh that I bought Versace glasses.

The other piece of this outfit that I really love is the red wrap/poncho thingamajiggie. Yes, that's the technical name of it.
It was a secret santa gift from one of my coworkers. (His lady-friend has impeccable style!) I love that it can be worn in several different shapes (as I attempted to show in my collage). Most of the time I wear either the back or the front belted and let the other half swing free. Belting it still give ME a shape while I can still cuddle in the warm coziness if this thing.

*WHEW*
Seriously, if y'all are still with me, reading this novel, you deserve an award. A MAJOR award. ::snickers to self while thinking of A Christmas Story::
I'm not back to taking daily outfit photos just yet, but I really appreciate your comments telling me to just ease back into it. I'm glad you're still with me, and it feels like a homecoming getting back into posting here.
(((BIG GROUP HUG)))

Giveaway...

2011-02-15T08:41:00.004-05:00

Rose over at From Sneakers to Stilettos is hosting a giveaway!
Head on over to her blog for your chance to win a $100 Shopbop giftcard.

Or better yet, don't -- so I have a better chance at winning it for myself.
;)

Memories, Light the Corners of my Mind,,,

2011-02-13T21:22:00.003-05:00

Wow, y'all, it's been a LONG time since I have posted an outfit photo, hasn't it?!
Well, before I get into posting anything new or recent, I decided to go ahead and post the last set of photos I took pre-wedding -- these are from all the way back in August. Yes, that's right, August -- the last of summer, sunshine, and warmth. *le sigh*

Dress: Target
Boots: Torrid
Earrings: Body Central
Tights: Marshalls?
Cami: NY&Co

Closeup:

OK kids, I'm slowly working on getting back into the swing of things. I haven't taken many photos yet, but (despite not having yet posted them) I have at least taken pictures of my Go Red for Women Fridays -- and I promise I will be getting those outfits posted soon!
Hang in there, guys. I'm getting my mojo back. :)

Friend Friday...

2011-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What color dominates your closet?

I don't know that any one color dominates my closet, honestly. Sure, I have my fair share of black (like most people), but it really isn't a predominant color in my closet. I do tend more toward darker neutrals when it comes to heavy, winter clothes -- somehow they just seem warmer mentally/emotionally. But for the last 2 winters (since I have discovered this wonderful world of fashion blogs) I have done a multitude of remixing and layering with my non-winter-specific pieces, so now even my winter outfits are full of color!

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?

There are definitely certain colors I don't have as much of in my closet (yellow and orange are two specific examples, and purple is also a little thin) so if money were no object, I would have pieces made in the right shades of those colors to flatter my skin tone. Now that I think about it, I do think most of my color is in my tops, so I would also spend some money on getting more color into my pants, skirts, and dresses.

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?

While I'm not as bold and daring as some ladies out there, if it's something you're into, just DO it! I have found some of my most favorite outfits by putting pieces together that I thought would clash or be too bold of a color statement. You'd be amazed what looks fabulous together! Just try it -- you'll like it!

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?

I first started by buying pieces I knew I liked in colors that I would normally avoid for various reasons. I knew the item was a good cut/fit for me, so I broadened my color horizons that way. Then Once I was comfortable with more color in that way, I moved on to adding accessories in other colors. For example, a neutral pant, a colored top, and a necklace in a contrasting color is simple, but it makes quite a statement! From there, I moved onto bold prints and color/pattern mixing. It's kinda like an addiction -- once you try it, you just can't stop!

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe?

Seriously, this list could go on forever, but here are a few gals I picked at random:

All the gals over at Academichic
Sal from Already Pretty
Hillary of By Hillary
Kimberly over at Fab Finds Under $50
Audi at Fashion for Nerds
Rose with From Sneakers to Stilettos (her combos are some of my favorites!)
Suze from Miss Vinyl Ahoy
Andie over at What Andie Wears

Keep up the good work, ladies!

Friend Friday...

2011-02-04T08:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?

Basically, I participate in whichever ones appeal to me and that I have time for in my life. I like challenges as a way to look at my wardrobe differently and get more use out of it, but some challenges seem more like work than fun to me -- and I don't need any more work in my life! For example, the idea of Kendi's 30x30 sounds truly interesting, but I can just sense about myself that I'm just not ready for something like that. Instead, I'm thinking of participating in something similar, but more short-term like Jane's Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. The concept is similar (limited number of pieces for maximum number of outfits) but the time-frame is much shorter (a 5-day workweek). I have done this one before, and it is just more my speed.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons? How did that turn out?

I don't think so, not yet, at least. So far, the only blogging events that I have participated in are the aforementioned Capsule Wardrobe Challenge, the Annual Go Red For Women campaign, and Kimberly's monthly Outfit Inspiration Calendars. The first I did to challenge myself a little bit. The second I did because, well, it's just a good cause. And the last I did, I guess to toot my own horn a bit, but also because Kimberly's calendar has been a great go-to tool for me on several occasions, and sometimes it's just nice to give back a little bit!

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?

Y'know, I've never really written out a mission/purpose for my blog. Really, I guess it's just to document what I wear -- hits and misses. not everyday, necessarily, but whenever I manage to snap a photo. I share info I find useful too. Really basic. So, if I decide to participate in some blogger challenge or wardrobe event, it's still keeping in the theme with showing my readers what I wear. Obviously not every challenge is for everyone, and that's ok; but if it sparks my interest, I'm gonna go for it.

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?

I'm not an instructor, and I'm not here to push the envelope of anyone but myself. Really, I'm here more as a student than anything else. If I find something interesting or useful, I figure others may as well, and I will pass along that information. Do with it what you will...

5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something worthwhile but not your style?

As I said before, not every challenge is for everyone, and that's ok. For example, just because I'm not participating in Kendi's 30x30 myself doesn't mean I'm not still interested in seeing the outfits others put together. Will I be looking at the blogs of all 800+ people participating? Oh hells, no! But if I already follow your blog, it's because I like your style -- and I don't see that diminishing just because you're using a limited section of your wardrobe for a month. The same way that I'm interested in expanding the usability of my clothes, so are other gals, and if I can pick up a tip, trick, or hint from someone else's experience, I'm totally game for that too.

Go Red for Women...

2011-02-01T09:24:00.005-05:00

Andie, over at What Andie Wears, is hosting this year's Go Red for Women Campaign. Heart Disease is the number 1 killer of women in America. In fact, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next 5 causes of death combined. That’s including cancer!
National Wear Red day is this Friday, February 4th. Women (and men!) throughout the country will be wearing red this Friday to show support for the cause and bring attention to this disease.

Andie is pushing the envelope a little farther by urging bloggers to wear red, not just this Friday, but every Friday for the entire month of February.
I'm in!

Friend Friday...

2011-01-28T14:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)

I use a basic point-n-shoot camera. Not even sure what type, to be honest! I want to say it's a Canon, but I might be lying. I originally started my blog with a different camera, propped up on whatever was available, but it took a little tumble and the shutter took a bad hit. Got myself a new little buy, and now I've got a collapsible tripod as well. I also have a gorilla-pod, but I don't use that so much.

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system, photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)

I'm almost embarrassed to answer this, since it seems like so many bloggers have all of these amazing tools at hand. I load my photos onto my computer, and I crop them in Paint. I use Fotonea to create my collages, and I host my images on Flickr. My blog is run via blogger.
I know some bloggers take this hobby super-seriously, and for them, it's worth investing money into certain technologies. For me, starting this blog was really just a toe dipped into the blogging waters. I'm always willing to learn about new tips, tricks, and technologies, but at this point in my blog, I'm just not willing to invest much money into it. It's a hobby, and it's for fun. What I *would* like to spend some time doing is learning about my camera and how to take better pictures. I'd love to know that for any aspect of my life, not just the blog.

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

Attach camera to tripod, find location, adjust lighting/camera setting if necessary, snap a few full-body shots, snap detail shots, head back inside. At some point I load images, crop, create collage, and smack it all on the blog. It's a pretty basic operation I've got going on here.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?

I mainly use the same coupla places. I have definitely seen locations that I thought would be great, but frankly, I'm a shy gal and I'm not too interested in the strange looks from others. Also, I almost always take my outfit photos when I get home from work, and I need to get them done ASAP so I can cook dinner or whatever else needs to get done. Sometimes it's out front, sometimes it's out back. I've been scouting a place inside the house, but I haven't found anything suitable just yet. I do have my eye on a certain wall as a backdrop, though!

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?

I guess I would get a better camera. But I don't know how to use it. Or I could get better computer technology to better manipulate the images I've got. But again, I don't know how to use it. Does a professional photographer count as equipment?
;)

Questions for the Peanut Gallery...

2011-01-25T13:04:00.002-05:00

Hey Y'all!

As you're all sorely aware, I haven't posted any outfit photos here in several months.
First, it was my wedding -- I was busy planning, then recovering.
Once I was mentally ready again to start taking pictures, it was too bloody cold outside! I love the natural light and backdrop; those photos always came out so much better than anything I ever took indoors...
Which leads me to another issue: indoors, I have literally NO space in my house that isn't occupied by stuff. no bare wall anywhere that would make a decent backdrop for an outfit pic.

Now, this post isn't meant to be a list of excuses, but rather a cry for help.
Do any of you have any suggestions for places within a seriously messy house to take pictures? Would you rather see craptastic images than nothing at all? I mentioned to the hubs last night that I really want to start posting here again, but I just lacked the proper place to take my pictures. (Come on warm weather!)

Basically, I just want to know what YOU want. What do you want to see here?

Friend Friday...

2011-01-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to this week's edition of Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?

If a blogger actually wears the outfits they post. If a blogger is honest with their readers about where the pieces of the outfit came from, how much they spent, if they were gifts/courtesy of a company. If a blogger shares aspects of their day to let you know why they wore certain parts of their outfit (ie, high heels because you sit at a desk all day.) All of these are pieces of the whole picture. Each individual blogger doesn't have to share every last piece, but the more complete a picture the readers see, the more authentic the blog/blogger is.

2. When it comes to your blog how to you infuse it with that true/
authentic feeling?

The pictures I post are always of an outfit I have worn, usually to work, since I don't often post weekend outfits. When something is different from my norm (a weekend or evening look) I mention that. If I wore something differently than how it is pictured on the blog (sometimes I forget to change from my commuting shoes to the shoes I wore all day, for example), I make a note of that on the blog. I often talk about an aspect of my day that relates to the outfit -- I think that ties my clothing into my personality and who I am a little more.
I also try to write pretty much the way I speak in real life. I've found that the blogs I enjoy reading the most are the ones where I feel like I'm sitting down with a cuppa tea, chatting with a friend. It just happens to be a friend I've never met who lives hundreds of miles away. I don't know if I'm quite there yet with my own blog, but it's something I strive for.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?

I probably have, though I haven't really kept track too well. Everyone's style adapts over time, and sometimes I find that some bloggers whose style I used to adore just don't work for me anymore. It's not a judgment on them at all, but it just doesn't pique my curiosity anymore. Personally, the vast majority of blogs I follow are ones where I can draw inspiration, learn for myself, or relate to in some way. While there is something to be said for fantasy-outfit blogs, for me, if I can't translate your looks into something I could/would wear, I'm not likely to keep reading your blog.

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don't live in real life... what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?

I live my life for me, not for my readers. While I do sometimes catch myself wondering if an outfit is "blog-worthy," I don't dress myself for the blog. I take pictures of what I wear, and I post them. Now, that's not to say that I don't use my blog as motivation for holding myself accountable for actually making an effort to look nice. (Maybe that's the same thing as dressing for the blog, but I don't think it is...)

5. Give a shout-out... Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?
Hillary from byhillary
Kimberly from Fab Finds Under $50
Suze from Miss Vinyl Ahoy
Tina from T Minus, T Plus
Andie from What Andie Wears
Erin from Work With What You've Got

Truly, my list could go on and on. but these gals are ones whose blogs seem to speak to me the most. They write about real things that happen in their lives, and they write with a voice that comes across as their own. I can get a sense of who they are from their blogs. They just happen to also post photos of what they wear. I think that's the key -- I love the clothes, but it's the people that make the blog authentic.

Friend Friday...

2011-01-14T08:00:00.003-05:00

I'm sure most of you have seen various other bloggers taking part in Friend Fridays, sponsored by ModlyChic.
Since I have been remiss in updating the blog lately (I swear I keep meaning to take and upload photos for you, but I can't find anywhere inside to pose, and it's just TOO DARNED COLD outside!) I have decided to start taking part in these little Q&Asessions to at least keep the blog semi-conscious.
After all, I'm still here, and I'm still reading and commenting!

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?

For work, I usually set my outfit out the night before -- this allows me to sleepwalk through my morning as much as possible. The most important thing I keep in mind is the weather. If it is cold, rainy, or snowy outside, I take that into account when selecting something to wear, adding extra layers or avoiding something that wont hold up well in the rain. It is always a little cool in my office also, so when it's hot outside, I always try to remember an extra layer for inside.
Other than the weather, I keep in mind other things like comfort, pieces I haven't worn in a while, clothing items or accessories that are new to me, or things I've seen that have inspired me. If I see a trend in the outfits I've been putting together (for example, I seem to have a natural tendancy to wear darker colors in the winter), I try to be aware of it and break the cycle.

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month,
weekend?

As I said earlier, on work nights, I lay out my outfit the night before. I have done this since high school. Since I'm not an early riser, I like to sleep in as much as possible and just sleepwalk through my morning. I have, a few times, been inspired and put together outfits for a few days, and I have noticed how much more smoothly those days/nights go when I don't have to stop to pull an outfit together before bed. I might try to start planning a weeks worth of outfits on Sunday night, just to see if that's a habit I can maintain.
I have also seen a few bloggers who put together some "emergency" outfits -- for those days when you've overslept and forgotten to pull something the night before, for those times you just don't feel like wearing what you put together, for those spontaneous moments when you need to look cute or pulled together but don't have the time or energy to put into it. Voila, the work is already done! I think this is an intriguing idea, and I may try to put one or two ensembles together on a day when I'm feeling creatively inspired.

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?

I don't worry about repeats -- I've never claimed every outfit I put together is unique, and frankly, if I like something I've whipped up, I can pretty much guarantee that I WILL repeat it, either verbatim or at least in a different iteration. I understand the idea that repeating an outfit might lack creativity, but sometimes you just gotta know that something works. And if it works for me, I'm gonna do it again!

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?
(Trial try-ons? Hanging items together?)

I have my clothes hung in my closet by color (and sorta-kinda by function) so I really don't like to move things around too much. Sometimes when I have a certain piece in my hand, I will hold it up near other pieces to try to get ideas. Sometimes I do try things on -- I have definitely been stuck in the morning with an outfit I put together in my mind and thought would work, only to realize it doesn't, and with no time to grab anything else! (This would be one of those occasions where an "emergency" outfit would come in handy!) There have been times when, even holding pieces beside one another, I didn't think they would work together, but just fot fun I put them on together and end up loving the way they look.
Basically, I just keep looking back within my closet and saying to myself "What else can I pair this with? How else can I wear this?"

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?

Like I said earlier, I think I am going to test out the week-long outfit selecting process and see how that goes. I've noticed that most mornings I seem to be getting ready faster than I used to, so maybe I can try to start wearing makeup on a more regular basis (most days, I wear NONE, which I'm pretty sure would garner a few gasps from the fashion crowd!). I also want to throw together a few "emergency" outfits.
I'm really interested in seeing how other bloggers answer this question, since I'm always looking for ways to cut down on the amount of time it takes me to do anything...

Giveaway...

2010-11-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Liddiegal over at Chic on the Cheap is hosting a giveaway!

CSN Stores offer all kinds of products from housewares to clothing, and they are giving her $65 to give away to one of her readers!
Being a newly married gal who has seriously cut back her spending for the past 6+ months, I could definitely use this one if I win!

If you are interested in a chance to win, check out her post here.

What I've Been Up To...

2010-11-09T16:00:00.002-05:00

Remember me?
I used to post here many-a-moon ago?
Apologies for my absence, but I've been busy, y'all.
Busy gettin married!

I'm eagerly awaiting the "real" pictures, but in the meantime a few family members and friends have shares some of the photos they snapped of our big day.
We were lucky enough to have a warm, GORGEOUS day and were able to have our ceremony outside. (In Maryland, nearing the end of October, you never know whether you are going to have snow or a heat wave, so we were truly blessed!)

I will spare you all of the details, but here is one of my favorite pictures I've seen so far, of my daddy and I walking down the steps/aisle to the ceremony site:

Now that the stress of wedding-planning is behind me, I'm hoping to get back into the groove here. I need to re-train myself how to take pictures, and I also need to find my camera cord... I know it's around here somewhere.
Anywho, know that I haven't fallen off the planet. I'm still here!

Giveaway...

2010-10-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hillary is hosting a giveaway of a FABULOUS Marc Jacobs owl bangle.
I normally am not a gold metal wearer, but I *AM* a fan of all things owl (I am wearing my little shrinky-dink owl pin and my tiny little owl stud earrings today!). I am feeling a NEED for this adorable owl bangle in my jewelry wardrobe, so I am crossing my fingers, toes, eyes, end everything else that I snag this baby!

If you'd like a chance to win the bracelet, fill out Hillary's entry form here.

Good Luck to all of us!

Vote for My Friend...

2010-10-06T13:49:00.002-04:00

My friend Gabrielle Howell is an amazing designer (of both fab outfits as well as graphic elements).
She is currently competing to design a costume/outfit that, if she wins, will be worn by Florence + the Machine!
Needless to say this is an amazing opportunity.

Please help her out and vote for her -- and feel free to pass the link along to all of your friends and fellow fashionistas!

http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a55debc25185bbc242dba8540e43b7e5/120

Happy Birthday Hillary...

2010-10-06T08:27:00.003-04:00

Hi All! I promise, I'm still here. I'm still reading all of your blogs and commenting when I have something to say. I haven't been posting much, but I'm just 2 1/2 weeks away from my wedding, and frankly, outfit photos just aren't at the top of my priority list at the moment. I am definitely planning on picking up the camera post-honeymoon, though!

Now, onto bigger and more important news, today is Hillary's birthday!
Happy Birthday lady!

For her birthday, Hillary asked her readers to take photos of the insides of their purses and show them to her. She claims to be nosy, but really, I think we are all curious about what others carry around on a daily basis, and especially how different people keep their stuff organized!

I used to swap out my purses on a daily basis, so I like to keep things fairly streamlined inside my purse. These days, I have pretty much been carrying the same purse for weeks. (Maybe I will just have a seasonal purse, kinda like Kameel.) The side-affect of carrying the same purse for an extended period of time is that I have started to accumulate more items in said purse.

Hillary, these pictures are for you!
(apologies in advance for the blurry phone pics!)

This is my purse:

And here are all of the contents of my purse:

Nothing earth-shattering going on in there, but those are my essentials.
One thing I'd like to point out is the pile of perfume sticks -- those are from The Morbid The Merrier, an Etsy seller that Hillary reviewed several times. Based on her review I picked up some for myself, and I LOVE them!! So kudos to you, Hillary, for the awesome recommendation!

Requesting Halloween Ideas...

2010-09-14T11:29:00.002-04:00

Hey gals!

I am putting feelers out for good ideas for halloween costumes.
I have always preferred to piece together my own costumes rather than buy one from a store, and I like the to be kinda witty and relevant.
As y'all know, I'm getting married soon (just 39 more days! eep!) and therefore, but budget is VERY tiny for this costume. However, as part of our honeymoon, we will be in Disney on halloween, so i really want to have a fun costume to wear!
Nothing too revealing, and kid-friendly, please (as I'm sure there will be more kids than adults in Disney on halloween).

And with that said, feel free to make as many suggestions as you can think of!
:)

Fasion Night Out, DC...

2010-09-09T09:54:00.004-04:00

Hey DC Fashion bloggers!
Are any of you planning on attending DC's Fashion Night Out events tomorrow night?

I am so late to this party, having only heard *today* that DC will be having events for FNO!
I'm hoping I will be able to make it -- and if I do, I will do my best to snap some fab photos to share with you all.

Check out the Fashion Night Out, Georgetown DC website for more information!

Cheap Chi...

2010-08-27T11:08:00.002-04:00

I have spoken before about Target's Daily Deals emails. Basically, you sign up for the emails, and each day a message arrive to you in-box with a list of 5 deals that can cover anything ranging from fashion to baby accessories to home decor. The items are on an extreme discount, and shipping is free. The deal is only good for 24 hours, so you gotta jump on it -- use it or lose it.
(Note: you don't have to sign up for the email -- the Daily Deal is also available from Target's homepage.)

Well, today's Daily Deal is a fab one!
A CHI 1" Ceramic Flat Iron (only available with the skull mania design, but who cares?) for only $67.50 and free shipping -- regularly $134.99!

I don't own a CHI myself, but it doesn't take much research to know that these are the epitome of awesome when it comes to flat irons. I have been working very hard to not spend much money since my wedding is quickly approaching, but this is such a good deal that I am seriously tempted.

But whether I hop on it or not, if you've always wanted to own a CHI, now is the time!

Not Dead Yet...

2010-08-25T10:24:00.003-04:00

I swears it, y'all, I'm not dead!
I have taken an unintentional break from blogging due to personal burnout: in the last year or so, my team at work has reduced from 4 people to, well, me.

Also, my wedding is in 2 months, and we have been super-busy planning for that.

Since I haven't been snapping photos of my daily outfits (though I promise you, I HAVE been getting dressed everyday -- no nudity, I swears!) I will leave you with this tiny little taste of my wedding style.
This gorgeous little number will be worn in my hair.

In the meantime, I promise that I am still reading your blogs and commenting from time to time too.
I'm still here. :)

Fashion FAIL...

2010-07-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

I. Hate. This. Outfit.

Seriously, can you tell by the look on my face that I just wasn't feeling it?

Top: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: Claire's?

Closeup:

This outfit started out with good intentions. Really, it did.
The skirt. You all seems to love it. I hadn't worn it in a while, plus it was hot. Seemed like the perfect time to pull it out. But alas, I almost Marilyn-Monroe-a-la-Seven-Year-Itched the DC Metro area several times.
And the shirt. I wanted to pull out the orange in the skirt for this wearing. But the shirt...is so bright. and loose. and baggy. I was futzing with it all day.
And oh, little black shoes. I really need a new pair of black flats. Somehow, I manage to have gotten fat in the feet. Seriously people -- in the FEET. This day, my ankles were swollen for some reason, which makes my legs look *extra* stumpy, and really, I should have just worn heels. But no, I wore flats for comfort (I had been on my feet for several hours a few nights before at a reception for dear fiance's office and was not warned ahead of time that there would be no seating. DOH!) and my feet were still hurting.

So, this top has already been tossed onto the giveaway pile. The skirt is slowly crawling its way there, and I'm thinking these shoes are next.

Inspired by: Erin...

2010-07-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

Last week, I inadvertently conjured Hillary in one of my outfits. This week, I have inadvertently channeled Erin.

Top: KMart
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: thrifted
Earrings: made by me

Closeup:

Now, this outfit isn't nearly as Erin is my Hillary outfit was Hillary. But here are the main connections I saw:
(1) Flowy top with cute detailing
(2) Super-cute piece bought for a super-amazing steal
(3) Mostly pretty and feminine, with a touch of rocker-chic
(4) thrifted gems
(5) DIY

Erin often wears pretty pieces that seem to just float on her. I happened to snatch this top at Kmart (along with that dress I wore last week) for just $10 -- not only is it floaty and gorgeous, it seems to be cut like it was made just for me. Now, I haven't often seen Erin in pencil skirts, but she does wear thrifted items quite a bit, and that's where the skirt ties in. The shoes too -- even though her shoes are normally funkier than a pair of peep-toes, I love these the way she loves her signature pieces.
Now, the earrings are where I really felt like I was channeling Erin. Not only are they DIY, but the little skulls toughen up the outfit just a hair. They are long and dangly, so still quite feminine, and most people probably didn't even notice how tough they truly are. But feeling a little Erin, I loved throwing on something a little edgy and unexpected with this otherwise pretty outfit.

The Day Her Camera Died...

2010-07-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

There was nothing groundbreaking about this outfit, other than the fact that it marks my first post wearing full pants in quite some time. The weather in the DC area has been super-sweltering this summer, and, as evidenced by this blog here, my summer uniform has consisted mainly of skirts and dresses.
Finally, we had a few days that took a break from the "kill me, it's so hot" sort of heat. It was more "my, it's quite warm outside, isn't it?" kind of hot instead.

Top: Old Navy
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: thrifted
Earrings: Target?

Closeup:

I attempted to get some other more detailed shots of the outfit, but my camera battery was literally breathing it's sad, pathetic last little breaths, just to get these shots. Quite literally -- I had to turn of the camera, wait, turn it back on, and grab a quit picture before the camera caught on to the fact that there was no juice left.
Yknow that scene from the second Hellboy movie where they reanimate the dead little tooth fairy to ask it a few more questions about the underground troll market? (Sure ya do, right?) Well, it was kinda like that to get these coupla shots.

So, instead of schmancy outfit shots, I shall distract you with pattern mixing (florals and stripes, oh me!) and these shoes, which you all seem to love so much.

N00B...

2010-07-27T09:00:00.003-04:00

Yet another new dress today, that almost never got worn!
I bought this dress from Target a few weeks ago, and because my fiance thinks it oogy to wear things that haven't yet been washed, I immediately threw this baby into the wash so I could wear it STAT. Yeah, you'd think I would know to read laundering instructions first.

Dress: Target
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: CATO
Earrings: Claire's

Closeup:

The day I originally planned on wearing this dress, I pulled it over my head, only to discover that this gorgeous beauty, which was already right at the limit of how short of a dress I would wear to work, had shrunk itself several inches. Tres Basic Instinct.
Of course, the label said to line dry. (What, you mean that's not a setting on my dryer?) As dear fiance and I were concocting a scheme to take said ruined dress back to Target, I decided to try one last effort: get the dress soaking wet, and hang dry, in hopes it would stretch itself back out to a decent length. That never works, right? So I thought, but it DID work, thus bringing you this purty little outfit.

*whew*

I got a new dress...

2010-07-21T09:00:00.003-04:00

I got a new dress! I got a new dress!

Dress: Kmart
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohls
Cami: Old Navy
Earrings: Claires
Necklace: made by me

Closeup:

Let's jump in the WAY BACK machine for a moment and look at the stuff I was wearing a year ago. OK, i didn't have this blog back then, but trust me, a year ago, dresses and skirts were NOT my go-to look mid summer. Not loving the weight I am carrying these days, last summer I would wear skirts and dresses only on the absolute hottest days, instead preferring to cover myself as much as possible and suffer the consequences (aka sweat and stinkiness).
Seriously, y'all -- what was I thinking?!

This year, I have pulled my head out of my arse and invested as much as I can in skirts and dresses. They are FAR more comfortable, and frankly, much more flattering on my figure! Plus, it's a whole outfit in just a piece or two -- couldn't be easier.

I scored this little number for just a song at Kmart last week. Kmart is one of those stores I wouldn't have thought to look in for clothes, since in my mind they aren't even on-par with other similar retail chains. But I have seen several other of you ladies sporting really awesome pieces you found at Kmart, so when dear fiance and I were there the other day, I decided to pop my head into the clothing section, and I'm glad I did! This little ditty was just a mere $15, and I also snagged a top for only $10. (I'm sure the top will be making an appearance soon.)

This dress does have a self-tie that I would like to remove, but I need to take a closer look before hacking away. I am not skilled at all at sewing -- or even un-sewing, since that's what removing pieces would be! I'm hoping to take a class somewhere (maybe AFTER the wedding) so I can know how to do basic stuff like hemming things and maybe even creating basic little pieces like the ones I have seen other bloggers wear. My mind is creative, so I would love to know how to do this stuff!

Casual Night Out...

2010-07-20T13:00:00.004-04:00

This outfit was worn the same day as my Hillary outfit. After getting home from work, dear fiance and I decided to have a casual night out, so I decided to throw on a top I almost never wear, since it sorta screams 13-year-old teenybopper. Open tie-shoulders and a hole in the back combined with polka dots? Definitely pushing the boundaries, but at least the fiance thought I looked cute!
(Excuse the blurry photo -- I used dear fiance instead of my regular tripod.)

Top: Rue 21
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: Payless
Earrings: made by me

Closeup:

I attempted to do the cute jeans-pegging look that I have seen several other bloggers sport, but alas, on me, it just looks like I rolled up my jeans to go dig for some clams. Methinks I need pants that are actually fairly wide-fitted to get the look right, and frankly, at my size, I'm not about to invest in pants and larger than they need to be.

Inspired by: Hillary...

2010-07-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

When I put this outfit together, I wasn't intending to channel another blogger. I was simply standing in my closet, holding pieces next to each other until I felt like an outfit was born. When I held the vest beside this blouse, I knew they would be great together, and I knew balancing out the fitted upper-half with a poofy skirt would be a great look.

Blouse: Zara
Vest: H&M
Skirt: Gadzooks
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohls
Ring: Laila Rowe
Earrings: Claires

Closeup:

So, as I said, when I pulled this combo together, I knew I had a winner, but there was something nagging at me that I just couldn't quite put my finger on until I actually put the outfit on the next morning. This outfit totally screamed Hillary to me. Poofy sleeves, check. Top nipped in at the waist, check. A skirt that just makes you want to twirl, check. Hillary is a master of this look.
I felt that to truly conjure Hillary, I should have added a long necklace, but none of the ones I have fell right with the vest. Instead, I threw on a slightly funky ring, of which she has several. (I used to wear mine a lot more often, but ever since becoming engaged last year and wearing a rather flashy engagement ring every day, I haven't felt quite right sporting a fun ring anymore. Hopefully when I'm more used to wearing the e-ring every day it will fade into the background and my beloved fun-ring collection can come out of hiding again...)

All the Colors Mix Together to Grey...

2010-07-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

I bought this top to wear to see my friend's band (aka my wedding band!) play out in Ocean City, MD -- dear fiance and I had taken off the Friday before July 4th to have an extra long weekend. I realized I could also make this top work appropriate, if I mixed it with the right pieces. Remove the booty-jeans and instead wear capris. Slash the flashy earrings and go with something a little more subdued. I probably should have worn a cardi with it also, but I'm a rebel, and I like to push the limits that are imposed upon me.

Top: Forever 21
Capris: Target
Shoes: Aeropostale
Earrings: NY&Co?

Closeup:

I haven't worn these capris much this summer (I also have them in black) because I remember last year deciding that I need to do something with them to make them more flattering. I'm thinking that I need to take them in inch or two shorter, and possibly also have the hem brought in just a smidge, to taper just a bit. I do like how these pants fit, but the bottoms just aren't quite right. What do you gals think -- what alterations would make these perfect?

I'll Stop the World and Melt With You...

2010-07-16T13:09:00.004-04:00

It has finally cooled off just a smidge in the last few days -- and last night I experienced my very first earthquake! Yes, that's right kiddos, Maryland had an earthquake last night -- a whopping 3.6 on the Richter scale. From what I've read, there were no injuries or any destruction reported. Which totally makes sense, since when it woke me up at 5am, I seriously thought there was just a large truck driving by the house or something...
It is strange to look back just over a week ago and see that it was SO HOT that I was literally melting while taking my photos. So much so that I had to do silly poses just to stay cool:

Dress: swapped
Scarf: gift
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Cami (unseen): Old Navy
Earrings: Claires
Necklace: CATO

Closeup:

I started taking pictures outside the back of the house again, since there is some shade back there that makes it ever-so-slightly cooler than the front of the house. Of course, the downside is that, well, there is shade in my pictures too.

Better Late Than Never...

2010-07-15T13:06:00.004-04:00

Yes, kiddos, I am still alive. And despite the lack of posts, I have even been taking photos on some days! What with the heat wave that has suffocated the east coast, there were definitely a few days that I skipped capturing images of myself, since I was 99% melted by the time I got home.
But for the rest of those days, where I actually managed to get some pictures, I have just had seriously bad time management as of late. Work has been pretty busy, and not-work has been... well, spent planning a wedding! (Seriously, I have always hated when my friends used "planning my wedding" as a reason to drop off the planet, but now I get it. This stuff really can take some time out of your schedule!)

Without further ado, I offer you an outfit!

Dress: swapped
Cardi: NY&Co
Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Rack Room Shoes
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: NY&Co?

Closeup:

I wore this outfit last week, on my first day back to work after a 4-day Independence Day weekend.
I have only worn this dress one other time on the blog (and that was the only other time I have worn it, ever). I got it from a clothing swap I went to last year, and never quite knew how to style it. I like this look much better than the other one, since I feel much less like a disco-loving stewardess.
The outfit is nothing amazing, but considering I had spent the previous 4 days wearing jeans, tshirts, golly -- even gouchos, this was a strong step back into the world of actually caring what I look like.
I found these simple little earrings at a freakishly amazing sale at Old Navy several weeks ago -- don't they look like they were made to go with this necklace?

Does it bother you when bloggers post their outfits out of order or several days after the outfit has been worn? Do you like to know what people are wearing each day, as the day passes? Or do you just prefer to see the outfit and gather inspiration from it?

Science Fiction, Double Feature...

2010-07-06T10:29:00.002-04:00

OK, so maybe it's just a single feature, and not so much of the science fiction. But still -- I am this month's featured blogger at Miss Vinyl Ahoy!
I was super surprised and very honored when Suze asked me. After all, I still consider myself quite new to this whole blogging thing, and I'm still trying to find my voice and my perspective on things.

Anywho, if you're interested in checking out the Q&A, check out the post here. My attempts at being funny and witty probably feel flat, but oh well. Check it out!

Me-OW...

2010-06-30T10:29:00.004-04:00

Dressing myself has been rather tough in this hot and very humid mid-atlantic summer. It is already warm and muggy when I walk out the door at 6:30 am, and by the time I am coming home, I am absolutely melting.
In the middle, however, is my overly-air-conditioned office where I shiver the day away. I usually run a space-heater under my desk, but thanks to a recurring rash on my ankles, doctor's orders are to use it as sparingly as possible now.
As such, I'm forced to dress creatively, in layers that can be piled on in the office and removed for the commute home, without me fellow Metro riders becoming too concerned that they are traveling with *that* type of working girl.

Cardi: NY&Co
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Merona, thrifted
Cami: Macy's?
Earrings: Claire's
Nail Polish: both from American Apparel

Closeup:

Cardigans and camis/tanks/tees have been my go-to so far this summer. Dresses and Skirts all the way. Sure, I have tossed on a pair of jeans for the occasional after-work or weekend activity, but leaving my arms and legs free to feel the wind has been the best plan of action so far.
The challenge I have faced is this: while I can pile on the layers (meanwhile injecting my personality into my outfits) in the office, when I shed the layers outside, I often feel like I am also peeling off the details that make my outfit interesting; that make it ME. Remove the heavy necklace, strip off the cinching belt, get rid of that sweat-inducing cardi. Now I'm just left bare with a plain dress, or a top and skirt.

How do you create interesting outfits with minimal layers and pieces that still feel unique and personalied?

Deja Vu...

2010-06-23T10:19:00.002-04:00

Yes, I know I promised new outfit photos, but they just haven't happened. It is now officially summer, and I am just melting by the time I get home from work -- too melty to take photos. I need to figure out a new routine, then everything will be hunky dory.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a bit of deja vu with you.
Way back in April, I wore this outfit, one where I felt great and just knew I looked good:

So imagine my surprise when I'm browsing the clearance dresses over at Torrid and I see this:

Guess I'm just ahead of my time, y'all.

Excuses...

2010-06-18T09:22:00.003-04:00

I have not taken any outfit photos for you this week. You see, I unexpectedly had an AMAZING start to the week by making last-minute plans to have dinner two nights in a row with lovely ladies who I haven't seen but maybe once in the last decade!
My friend Erin and I went to high school together, and I have literally only seen her once in 14 years -- and that was when I just ran into her while shopping. We only spoke for like 30 seconds before we had to be on our way, and we weren't able to exchange contact info before doing so. Thankfully, we got back in touch recently, and I had dinner with her Monday night.
I went to college with Joi, and I have also seen her only once since then. I didn't even know she was in town until she sent me a message Tuesday afternoon, so I quickly arranged plans for her to come over for dinner. (Thankfully, I actually had something thawed out in the fridge to cook!)

It was wonderful to be able to catch up with these two lovely ladies, and they are the reason that I feel not-at-all guilty about not snapping any photos for you.

What I will offer you in the meantime, until I get to taking pictures again is this website that was pointed out to me by a friend.
Jamie is an 18 year old student who has just graduated high school and has lived the last month of her life according to the rules, tips, and tricks out lined in Seventeen magazine. The goal of her project is to explore what she calls "a dying aspect of teenage culture." She wears what the magazine tells her to wear, performs the beauty rituals the magazine prescribes, and does the activities it recommends. Meanwhile, the blog serves as her outlet for her own thoughts, feelings, and ruminations on the outcomes and connotations of the assumptions and tones of the magazine.
I find her to be a very perceptive and intelligent girl, and her blog makes for sometimes funny and often thought-provoking reading.

I find this project fascinating.
If you are interested too, check her out at The Seventeen Magazine Project.

Summer Blackout Challenge Roundup...

2010-06-15T09:26:00.003-04:00

I only participated Monday through Friday, since I'm too much of a slacker to take weekend photos. Here is the collection of what I wore during Sal's Summer Blackout Challenge:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Giveaway...

2010-06-15T09:16:00.001-04:00

Tina over at T Minus, T Plus is hosting a giveaway!
She is offering up a beautiful orange tote, courtesy of CSN stores.
If you're interested, check out the details over on her blog!

Black-Out Challenge, Day Five...

2010-06-14T10:49:00.003-04:00

Though the challenge technically lasted for a full week, I rarely take weekend photos, so Friday was the end of the challenge for me. For the record, I wore no black on Saturday, but I did finally wear black on Sunday: I wasn't feeling well, and the brown comfy-pants that I had been vegging out in really needed to be washed, so I ended up wearing their black counterparts. So really, I was *thisclose* to going completely blackless for the full week.

Dress: Anne Taylor Loft
Earrings: Claire's
Necklace: bought from a friend
Thin Bangle: thrifted
Thick Bangle: Claire's
Shoes (not pictured): given to me by a friend

Closeup:

Despite the photographic evidence showing otherwise, there were shoes in this outfit. However, it was a GORGEOUS day outside, and I just didn't feel like wearing them come picture time. Plus, this is much closer to how I wore the outfit all day -- the shoes were kicked off under my desk 99% of the day. Anywho, they were nude wedges. Nothing exciting, but I'm not sure that they've made it onto the blog before (or at least not recently) so maybe I should have snapped them. Oh well -- can you forgive me??cl

Giveaway

2010-06-14T10:43:00.002-04:00

Fashion for the Economically Challenged is celebrating her 1-year blogoversary!
To celebrate, she is hosting a giveaway for a $25 gift card. If you win, you get to select one of the following stores:
TJMaxx
Target
JCPenney
Jcrew
Ann Taylor Loft
Macys
Lane Bryant

Head on over to her blog for your chance to win!

Black-Out Challenge, Day Four...

2010-06-11T09:45:00.005-04:00

For some reason, wearing this outfit, all day I had the song "Red Red Wine" stuck in my head...

Top: Anne Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: American Eagle via Payless
Necklace: Claire's?
Earrings: Claire's
Cami: very old
Bracelets: thrifted

Closeup:

With all of the other outfits I have worn so far this week, I seem to have unconsciously created a theme of pairing contrasting colors. It wasn't intentional, but I guess when I try to avoid neutrals, I end up looking like a rainbow threw up on me.
When I put this outfit together, I didn't intentionally dress monochromatically; I just didn't have anything that seemed to want to contrast correctly with this top. (Side note, is it possible to correctly or incorrectly contrast?) All-in-all, I really liked this outfit. I received several compliments, it was figure-friendly, and I was comfortable all day long.

The other night, dear fiance and I had a fun talk about wedding stuff. And by fun, I mean NOT fun. Basically, we realized that we seriously need to stop spending money on non-wedding stuff so we can actually afford the wedding stuff we want!
Inspired by all of the other bloggers out there who I have seen do so, I decided to start writing down some new rules for my spending for at least the next few months. However, instead of naming these practices a "Shopping Ban," as so many of my predecessors have done, I have decided to call my experiment a shopping "diet."
You see, whenever I try to BAN myself from something, my willpower holds for a while, but then it eventually gives out and I gorge. I am hoping that in calling this thing a diet, I will understand that I am still allowed some indulgences, but it's all about portion control. Y'know, just like an actual diet.

Here are the rules I have come up with so far:

(1) No fashion-related purchases that aren't related to the wedding.

(2) Exceptions to rule #1:
(a) Goodwill/thrift/consignment
(b) Items already on my WANT list
(c) I am allotted $50 per month to spend on pretty much anything. However, this money does NOT roll over to the next month if it is not used.
(d) I am allowed one "emergency" purchase over $50 between now and the wedding.

(3) Any non-fashion-related expenses (other than regular bills/expenses) must be discussed and agreed up by dear fiance and myself.

I think I will be able to follow these rules quite easily, and honestly, I think I will be able to not spend my $50 in free money each month.
Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on these rules?

Black-Out Challenge, Day Three...

2010-06-10T10:34:00.005-04:00

I once asked for help finding other colors that I could pair with this skirt. I love this skirt -- it is soft and comfy, has pockets, and an elastic waistline which is very forgiving. However, I often find myself limiting myself to purple, violet, and white when finding tops to pair with it. Last time I wore it, I paired it with a black top, but LyddieGal had suggested that I try pairing it with rust or teal.

Top: thrifted
Skirt: NY&Co
Shoes: xhilaration, thrifted
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: Claire's
Necklace: Laila Rowe

Closeup:

I'm not sure the drapey top was quite right to pair with the flowy skirt, but I think belting it helped rein it in a bit. I was glad I added the shoes so that the top didn't seem to come completely out of left field.

What do you all think of this pairing?
Do you think it works?

Giveaway...

2010-06-10T09:44:00.003-04:00

Fashion Therapist is hosting a Talbot's gift card giveaway!
Up for grabs is a $250 gift card to use at Talbot's.
As she points out, Talbot's isn't a store at the top of every fashionable woman's "must shop" list, but over the past few seasons, they really seem to have revamped their image and their styles. I haven't yet swung into a Talbot's for myself, but the more I see, the more I think I need to!

If you'd like to enter her giveaway, check out the post here!

Black-Out Challenge, Day Two...

2010-06-09T11:01:00.004-04:00

I warned you that there would be some summer white in my upcoming outfits, and I wasn't foolin!

Cardi: TJ Maxx
Top: H&M
Skirt: Gadzook's
Shoes: RSVP
Earrings: NY&Co
Necklace: CATO

Closeup:

When I bought this cardi, I assumed it would be the bold pop of color against otherwise neutral outfits. I never dreamed that I would be able to pair it with other bold colors and that it would work so well. I have paired it with purple a few times before (both on and off the blog) and it continues to be a combination I love.

A teeny-tiny bit of brown managed to work its way into my necklace and earrings today, but as promised, this outfit is still 100% free of any black pieces.

This flowy white skirt was exactly what the day needed. It was warm, but not hot. Breezy, but not windy -- and the wind was neither warm nor cool. I commented to dear fiance that it was the absolute perfect temperature. You could wear a bikini by the pool, or just as easy sport jeans and a long-sleeved shirt and be just as comfortable. Those days are few and far between, so I'm glad I was celebrating such a gorgeous day with a fun and fancyfree outfit!

Black-Out Challenge, Day One...

2010-06-08T12:09:00.004-04:00

I almost ended up with a belt that had black in today because the buckle is blue and I think of it as my blue belt. Glad I caught that detail in time, since I'm planning on going totally and completely black-less!

Dress: NY&Co
Belt: NY&Co
Shoes: Fioni, thifted
Necklace: Laila Rowe
Earrings: very old

Closeup:

I have further challenged myself to try to avoid neutrals as much as possible during this challenge, with one exception: white. I don't really think of white as a neutral, though it is. In spring and summer (whose door we are knocking on!) white just lifts an outfit to a different level of cheeriness.
While this outfit has no white in it, you will be seeing some tomorrow!

Totally unrelated, I had a few days of outfit photos and even a product review all lined up for you, but now those pictures are nowhere to be found. Not on the camera, not in the Flickr, not on the home or work computers.
How Bizarre.
Anywho, if you're interested in my review of The Morbid The Merrier, just sneak over to Hillary's review, since hers has images. I pretty much second everything she said about the perfume solids. I ordered Dessert Absynthe, Natali, and Black Leather, and seriously, I can't stop sniffing my own wrists when I wear these scents.

Summer Black-Out Challenge...

2010-06-03T09:09:00.007-04:00

Sal over at Already Pretty has challenged herself to go 2 solid months without wearing black. No black at all. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. NONE.
She has invited everyone to play along with her for the week of June 7 through June 14. You can choose whether or not to allow black in your shoes and accessories, but the main rules are simple: no black in your outfit! (Black is allowed within patterns, but not as the predominant color.)

I have never been a person to idolize black as the perfect neutral. Sure, I own plenty of it and love it as most gals do, but I have always been content to wear gray, brown, tan, or any other neutral just as much as black. In fact, I actually prefer brown and gray as neutrals, since they are softer on me and I think they offer a little more depth and variety than black does.

I tend to wear a lot more color in the warmer summer months than I do in the winter. So in theory, I don't think this challenge will be too tough for me. I just need to be more conscious of my use of black than I normally am. I think, if this first week isn't a problem for me, I might stretch out my part of the challenge.
Of course, maybe the week will end up being WAY harder than I expect.
I love a challenge!

If you're interested in joining up with Sal's challenge, peep the deets here. I can't wait to see everyone's creativity!

Yes, I'm Alive...

2010-06-01T09:32:00.002-04:00

I was on vacation last week.
I hope you can all forgive me for my absence and complete lack of notice.
I also hope you can forgive me for the beautiful weather we had at the beach (we were in OBX) and the tan I brought home with me (and for not using sunscreen, which I most certainly know better than to do).

I wore no fashionable outfits and took no photos.
A vacation in all senses of the word.

I will be back to posting this week!

Beautiful Blogger Award...

2010-05-20T09:34:00.003-04:00

Many Thanks to the beautiful Kayleigh of Fashionably Later for giving me this award. Kayleigh is truly an honest-to-god trooper. She has been through so much in the last year-plus, and she is handling it all with dignity and grace -- even if SHE doesn't think she is.

Here are ten (hopefully new) factoids about myself:

(1) I know the lyrics to almost any song (especially from the 80s and 90s) on the radio. Until you ask me what those lyrics are -- then my mind goes blank. I can only recall them while singing along.

(2) I am afraid of the dark. And any creatures with more appendages than me: spiders, octopi, squid, etc.

(3) Despite being an English major and *knowing* good grammar and spelling, most of my emails and facebook/blog posts (except on this blog) are riddled with bad punctuation and no capitalization. It's not that I don't know any better, I just don't care.

(4) In light of the above, I am FOREVER seeing signs with misspellings and incorrect punctuation in places of business. And it seriously irks me to no end. I mean, seriously people, can't you take the few extra moments to have someone look it over? It gives me a poor impression of your business when I see that!

(5) I grew up traveling a lot. I have been to England, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Italy, and many of the states in the US.

(6) I have the sense of humor of a pervy 13 year old boy. If there is any way to twist a statement to make it dirty, my mind will do it. I think this stems from growing up with an older brother who would do so with anything I said, so I just started running my thoughts through a filter before I spoke. Now my filter works on overdrive.

(7) My favorite ice cream is lime sherbet. Sadly, I rarely see it in the ice cream shops. Rainbow, check. Orange, check. Raspberry, check. Why not lime? *le sigh*

(8) I wish I could look as put-together as many of the bloggers I read. They make it look so effortless and natural. Meanwhile, I struggle to piece together interesting outfits, and I feel like I usually look too piecemeal and like I tried too hard.

(9) I desperately want to lose some weight, but I hate working out, and I have little willpower to control my eating. I know these are excuses, but I have yet to figure out how to get over my biggest hurdle: myself.

(10) I am a people-watcher. So is my dear fiance. Whenever we go to the mall, if we are sitting in the food court, we can hold an entire conversation without ever looking at each other. For me, I think it stems from the fact that I was *thisclose* to being a Psych major in college -- I am intrigued by why people behave the way the do. For him, I think it comes from his Anthropology/Sociology background.

I'm not sure how many people I am supposed to tag for this, so I will just name a few:
Sal of Already Pretty
Jenny of Closet 365
Allie of My Wardrobe Today
Taylor of Taylor Wears Everything
Andie of What Andie Wears
Sher of Fashion After Forty
A-C of Law School Fashionista

Dress Your Best: Butt...

2010-05-18T09:57:00.003-04:00

Day 5 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:

Tshirt: Pixies concert Tee
Jeans: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Etienne Aigner
Cuff: The Icing by Claire's
Earrings: Black Coral from Curacao

Closeup:

Remember when all of my jeans died and I scored not one, but three pairs of awesome jeans? These Calvin Klein's were one of the pairs I brought home from my haul. These are definitely not sitting or eating jeans, but these are most definitely booty jeans!
I have always loved having a larger-than-average booty. A little junk in the trunk, if you will. Growing up as a dancer, I could totally shake it. Being on the hip hop team I was a part of this past year, my badonkadonk helped me show everyone that I've still got it! My fiance loves to climb the stairs behind me, just for the view -- and rarely does he do so without copping a feel. ;)

While I did wear a rear-end flattering outfit to work (something involving a pencil skirt -- I don't recall what exactly, since I was too exhausted to snap photos) I thought it would be more appropriate to celebrate my arse in these jeans, in a more casual ensemble. What does it say about me that I had no qualms about showing off the girls at work, but calling attention to my rear assets made me a bit nervous? Hrm...
Either way, thanks be to the bootay!

Giveaway...

2010-05-18T09:18:00.004-04:00

Paper Platypus is a company that makes BEAUTIFUL paper flowers. Use them to decorate your home, or place a customer order for wedding decorations or placecards. You can order a variety of flower shapes and request them in a wide range of colors.
Personally, if I win her giveaway, I am hoping to use her gorgeous flowers as placecards/decorations for my upcoming wedding!
Check out her blog or her etsy shop!

Dress Your Best: Neck...

2010-05-17T10:25:00.004-04:00

Day 4 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:

Top: Burlington Coat Factory
Jacket: Nordstrom Rack
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Rack Room Shoes
Earrings: Claire's
Bangle: Claire's?
Necklace: bought from a friend
Cami (unseen): Old Navy

Closeup:

For many people, wearing a turtleneck or other top with a high neckline means that none of their actual neck is shown. Oftentimes, it creates the illusion that the person's chin rests directly on their clavicle.
I love that I am able to wear high-necked tops and still have some of my actual neck able to be seen. There is something a bout a long neck that makes me feel a little more graceful. Dare I say swanlike.

Ironically, the day I decided to celebrate my neck was the day it decided to fail me. I have suffered on and off for a few years from muscle spasms in my back that make it extremely painful to turn or tilt my head to the left. Thankfully at this point I know fairly well how to treat it myself, but of course, on the day I decided to dress for my neck, it decided to pay me back by being stiff and painful.

No worries, neck.
I still love you, and I will nurse you back to health.

Dress Your Best: The Girls...

2010-05-14T09:00:00.007-04:00

Day 3 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:

Dress: H&M
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Belt: TJ Maxx
Earrings: Claire's
Necklace: made by me

Closeup:

Sal always says that cleavage is never, ever, ever appropriate for the workplace. And 99.9% of the time, I agree.
However, on a day when I am celebrating the girls, I decided to go for it.
Normally I would wear a cami beneath the dress, but I knew I had no meetings today and wouldn't be interacting with clients. For just sitting at my desk, I figured I could deal with a little cleavage.
Of course, when I went to my hair appointment later, my hair dresser told me I was dressed like a St. Pauli girl, and the poor college kid sitting in her chair before me couldn't look me in the eye on his way out.
Oopsie!
But I guess that attests to just how awesome my ta-tas are!

I don't have amazingly huge breasts. I wear a B-cup, and sometimes I don't even fill that out. When I was younger, I absolutely despised my flat chest, and was mortified to have to go to a bra fitting. I remember being 11 years old, and my dance teacher told my mother it was about that time, as the studio was cold, and well, you know... I just never saw the point of needing a bra when I had nothing for it to hold up.
Then I discovered padded bras. Something that would GIVE me a little something up there. For several years, padded bras were my savior!
Fast forward to recent years, when I have put on some weight, and wow! The first place it went was to my chest! As I said before, I still don't have the kind of knockers that are gonna rival Dolly Parton. But in being smaller boobies, they have stayed seriously perky over the years, and mine are still right up there where they started while several friends' larger gals are already heading south.
Mine are like goldilocks and the three bears -- not too big, not too small... but just right.

Dress Your Best: Small Waist...

2010-05-13T15:00:00.004-04:00

Day 2 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:

Top: Marshall's?
Cami: Old Navy
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Madden Girl
Necklace: Bought from a friend's jewelry party
Earrings: black coral from Curacao, gift

Closeup:

OK, kids, let's not kid ourselves -- I'm not a tiny gal. I used to be, but these days, I am smack-dab in plus-sized territory. But yknow what? That's ok. I still have a curvy figure and a tiny waist. And it's that tiny waist that I'm celebrating today.
Even when I was super-skinny, I have always had curves. I didn't necessarily have much up on top, but I always had hips and a little waist -- and I always loved that about myself. It makes me feel extremely feminine. I have an hourglass shape, which makes me think of the glamor of years gone by. Had I been around back in the 30s and 40s, I could have been a hollywood star on the soundstage of an MGM musical. I have just *that* kind of waistline.

This may not be the most exciting outfit I have worn on this blog, and I know I just wore this top about a week ago -- but I received several comments about how tiny it makes my waist look, so I figured it would be the perfect top to wear for this day, showcasing and celebrating just that.

Dress Your Best: Eyes...

2010-05-13T08:00:00.004-04:00

Day 1 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:

Top: H&M
Sweater: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Sam and Libby via Marshall's?
Earrings: Claire's

Closeup:

One of the body parts/areas I really love about myself are my eyes. My eyes are mostly blue, with a gray tone and little touches of green. I love that my eyes turn more gray when that color is predominant in my outfit or green, likewise. I love that whenever I have been crying, my eyes turn a bright aqua blue. (I may be an ugly crier, but at least there's still something beautiful there!)

When I was little, just a toddler, I used to love making faces with crossed eyes. As everyone's parents have said at some time or another, my mom used to say "don't make that face or it will stay that way!" Who EVER believes that? Well, I do -- it happened to me!
Once I was making a face with crossed eyes, and I had some sort of muscle spasm or something -- and one of my eyes was STUCK. I actually had to have surgery to fix it! I am very lucky to have nor only normal, but truly lovely eyes today. I always had perfect vision growing up, but these days I do wear contacts. It's a small price to pay for the wonders my eyes have let me see throughout the years.

Totally unrelated side note:
Are there any bloggers in the OBX area?

Green with Envy...

2010-05-12T10:08:00.003-04:00

This is the last outfit I wore before embarking on the Dress Your Best challenge. Those posts will be coming soon, I promise!

Dress: Anne Taylor Loft
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Claire's
Bracelet: Old Navy

Closeup:

I saw this dress at Anne Taylor Loft when I went to buy the petal cardigan worn in this post. I loved the color, but also knew there was NO WAY I was going to be paying full price for this dress. (I love Loft's styles, but their prices are rather high for me. Luckily, they have good sales, and often, and they email out great discounts all the time!)
Well, the day after buying the cardi (50% off all sale items!) I got an email about 40% off all non-sale items -- SCORE! I instantly knew I would be swinging back to the store for this little number!

I just LOVE the color (green is my fave!) and the detailing along the straps and waistband a perfect. I can wear this on its own, like I did for its inaugural wearing, or I can throw a belt around it for more waistline definition. I think the options are endless for dressing this baby up or down.

I'm Dressing My Best...

2010-05-10T14:00:00.003-04:00

"So often, our focus when getting dressed in the morning is how to minimize or downplay aspects of our bodies that we’re just not crazy about. Does this skirt smooth my hips? Does this top hide my tummy? Do these pants make my thighs look slimmer?
But what would happen if you inverted that thought process? What if, instead of dressing to mitigate your so-so, you dressed to highlight the parts of your body that you love most? What if, for a whole week, you committed to self-consciously dressing your best bits?"
-the lovely ladies of academichic

This week, May 10-14, is Dress Your Best Week -- and yours truly will be participating!

Here are the 5 body parts I have chosen to highlight:
1. my “girls”
2. my curvy waist
3. my long neck
4. my boo-tay
5. my eyes

Now, because my posts are often a day or two behind when my outfit was actually worn, there is still a backlogged post or two in store before the Dress Your Best posts will display. To clear any confusion, I will post which day of the week I wore an outfit and which body part is was intended to highlight.

If you haven't already signed up to participate, I urge you to!
Too often we ladies dress ourselves to hide flaws instead of celebrate beauty. Let's embrace our fabulocity!

Artists Can Color the Sky Red Because They Know it's Blue...

2010-05-10T08:00:00.006-04:00

I used to have oodles of red pieces in my closet because someone once told me red was my color. Lately, though, I have realized that I actually have very few red items, so I have been trying to keep an eye out for things in that punchy color.

Top: Anne Taylor Loft, thrifted
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Cami: Forever XXI?
Earrings: black coral from Curacao, gift
Necklace, made by me

Closeup:

I love this necklace. Like seriously, when I whipped this thing up, despite having initially made it as a Christmas gift, I knew it would be mine. I think it may be my favorite of the few pieces I have made so far -- I'm darned proud of it.

I also really love this top. I think it was my first Anne Taylor Loft purchase, and I was smug to have bought it thrifted. It is so soft and comfy, and the wrap styling really makes my waist look tiny.

Finally, I really love these new shoes! Payless had the end of the BOGO deal this weekend, so despite trying to save money, I decided to head in there (hey, I need wedding shoes, right?) I wasn't able to find a second pair to BOGO these with, but these were so cute and cheap that I snatched them up anyway.

It's such a happy feeling to be wearing several pieces that you really love.

Take a moment to view the link about the earrings I am wearing. It is really fascinating to me to read about the black coral and the man who makes this jewelry.

Which outfit of the week was your favorite?
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