Nude...

Just the other day, Sal put up a post about nude shoes. In her post, she commented that while she is developing a love for nude sandals, she does not "love/want/get" nude pumps.
I left her a comment letting her know that as I was reading her post, I was wearing my nude pumps!



Dress: Context, thrifted
Shoes: RSVP via ebay
Earrings: the Limited
Necklace: very old
Belt: Kmart

Closeup:


(apologies for photo quality. note sure what happened -- suggestions?)

By no means do I feel slighted by Sal's preference away from nude pumps, but for me, I love how much longer my legs look with them. Plus, they really do go with everything! I feel that if I'd worn blak or brown shoes with this outfit, my feet/legs would have ended up looking heavy and stumpy. Add in instead the nude pumps, and I get extra height, better posture, a longer visual leg line, and I still get to click-clack down the hallway.

Will my outfit bring Sal to the nude side?
No, not likely.
But that's what's so wonderful about fashion -- I may never want what you have for myself, but I can appreciate (1) that it looks good on you and (2) that you like it. We don't have to all like everything!
And that's ok.

But Sal, if I did convert you, let me know!

Calling All Fashionable Ladies...

Ladies, bloggers, friends, I need some help!
I am on the hunt for some fashionable sneakers, and I'm hoping you all will have some awesome suggestions!
I currently own a pair of Diesel Baffin Grape Red Women's Trainers, pictured here:

What I love about these tennies is that they add some color and flair to an otherwise basic jeans-and-tshirt outfit.
Now I'm looking for another pair or two to do the same thing, only I want different colors. (So that means no more red, since I've got that covered!)

Here are my guidelines:
(1) No red
(2) Must be under $100 (ideally under $75)
(3) Must make the foot look slim when viewed from above or any other angle (yes, I think my feet look fat. let's move on...)
(4) Must have some color (I'm thinking about blues and greens, especially)
(5) But must NOT be crazy with the color
(6) I like sneakers that aren't just one solid color. (Notice that my Diesels have the white stripe along the sides and mix the red and blue in the same shoe.)

I realize this is a long list of guidelines and that I'm super-picky. But see, that's why I need your help!
If you come across something that you think first the bill, please either drop me an email or leave me a comment with the link.
Thanks dolls!

PS: These aren't on my list of shoes to be considered, but seriously, how cute are these?

Fill in the blank!

Na-na-na-na, Hey-hey, Goodbye...

I would apologize for cutting my feet off in the full-body shot, but sadly, my shoes bit the dust when I took them off to travel home, and I had to wear my comfy traveling shoes (aka, tennies) to take the photos. Side Note: I usually try to somewhat match my traveling shoes to my outfit, just in case.



Top: Sweet Pea via Nordstrom Rack
Pants: Old Navy
Jacket: don't recall the brand, thrifted
Earrings: gift
Shoes: very old, via Payless?

Closeup:


I loved this top when I found it at Nordstrom Rack. The colors are very "me" and I love the stretchiness of it -- it will fit through weight fluctuation, but it isn't lycra or spandex or some other material that looks cheap. I love the detailing at the bustline. It is work appropriate, but special enough to wear out for dinner or drinks. I hadn't heard of the brand Sweet Pea when I purchased this top, but being that I'm not a brand snob, that didn't matter much to me. However, I receive daily emails from Rue La La, and imagine my surprise when they featured Sweet Pea. It seems I managed to get me a schmancy brand without even knowing it!

Sadly, in the last 2 weeks, I have lost 2 pairs of jeans. My jeans wardrobe was already sadly tiny, at only 4 pairs (2 casual, 2 trouser style), and it was my 2 casual pairs that bit the dust. What's a girl to do? I've been trying to curtail extra spending, but this was an emergency.
Dear fiance and I hurried to the mall last night (jeans-shopping has never been a hobby of mine, so I like to bring him along for feedback and emotional support). I found many, many pairs to try on -- after all, we gals really do need to try on many pairs to find just one that will work, right?
Magically, I managed to find not one, but THREE pairs that all had promise! The dilemma: save money, or buy up the whole lot?
The solution presented itself like an angel in the light with a choir singing in the background: my darling dear fiance offered to purchase one pair for me, and then reminded me that I still had gift cards left over from Christmas and my Bday. One pair from him and one pair "from Nana" left me just one pair to purchase for myself!
In the end, I've not got a lovely pair of Calvin Kleins, and rockin pair of DKNYs, and a practical pair of Levis.
Ahhh... what won't we do for the perfect pair of denim?

Pop of Blue...

I was so excited to spy this belt at NY&Co for half off. I have really gotten into the habit of belting my outfits in the last few months, and I love having a colored belt that can instantly add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit.



Top: H&M
Vest: H&M
Skirt: Land's End, swapped (actually a skort)
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Belt: NY&Co
Earrings: Claire's
Necklace: made by me

Closeup:


I had dear fiance play photographer for me again, as it was late, dark, and raining outside. Between experimenting with Kasmira's tips and directing him better, I think I am getting the hang of having a personal photographer!

I had an evening where I was actually able to pull out some of my jewelry supplies and play around. This necklace was the result. It's not exactly what I had envisioned (my skills are very elementary, so I'm still figuring out how to create when I picture in my mind), but I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

My mom surprised me right before I left work to let me know they were in town, and would I like to meet them for a drink? Why yes, it's Friday, it's been a long week, and I think I will have a drink, thankyou. This was a great outfit to transition from work to happy hour with my parents.

Do you make jewelry? If so, do you plan your creations, or do you let them organically take shape?

Feeling a Little Stepford...

When I saw this dress on a table at a clothing swap I went to last year, I immediately snatched it up. It is so very different from what I think of as my style (though, I've been finding since I started this blog that a lot of what I wear is different from what I think my style is -- perhaps I need to either redefine my style or shop more specifically?) but I thought it would be perfect for slightly dressier events such as summer weddings, date nights, and classy backyard barbecues.



Dress; Nine West, swapped
Cardi: NY&Co
Shoes: Modern Vintage, thrifted
Belt: wrap belt from another dress
Bracelet: gift
Earrings: Laila Rowe

Closeup:


There is something about the fitted bodice and flared skirt that makes me think of this dress as my Stepford Wives dress. Clearly I need pageant hair, strappy shoes, and a plastic face to go full-on Stepford, though...
I admit freely, however, that I caught myself twirling a few times during the day.

Chapter One Says to Love Her, Love Her With All Your Heart...

On the Metro on the ride home yesterday, I ended up having front-row seats to an impromptu doo-wop concert. Normally I just like to read my book on the ride home, and any noise above a whisper would receive a slightly snarky glance from me, but these gentlemen were actually quite good, and it was just the thing I needed to lift my rainy-day-blah mood.



Purple Top: Charlotte Russe
Black Tee: Sears
Charcoal Gray Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Aldo, thrifted
Ring: Laila Rowe
Necklace: made by a friend

Closeup:


(It's kinda hard to tell in these pictures, but the top is really a beautifully rich purple, and while it was a darker outfit, it didn't quite look to depressing in person!)

Because it was so ick outside yesterday, outdoor shots just weren't gonna happen. I figured there was no better time to try out some of Kasmira's advice on how to get better photos indoors. I haven't perfected things just yet, but my pictures turned out remarkably brighter!

I made a point to take some pictures before adjusting my settings per her advice so you can compare:



At least you can see the fun hats I bought dear fiance and myself. He gets the monkey, I'm the bumble-bee!

Well I Never...

When another blogger pointed out weeks ago that pastels are a huge trend for spring, I said that I hardly ever wear pastels because they tend to wash me out, and also because I tend to see them as an overly-feminine style that I don't reconcile with my own style.
Well, color me a liar.



Aqua Wrap Top: Charlotte Russe
Orange Tshirt: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: RSVP
Faux Peal Earrings: very old
Orange Pearl Necklace: Laila Rowe

Closeup:


Here I am sporting not just one, but two pastels. At first, I was concerned I would look like an easter egg, but the longer I saw the two tops together the more I liked the pairing, which was initially inspired by the orange pearl necklace.
I bought myself this necklace last spring from Laila Rowe, which is truly one of my favorite stores for accessories. I bought the necklace to add to my more delicate pieces, then I'm fairly certain I never wore it. If i did, it was only once or twice. I could just never quite figure out how to style it. After having already paired the two tops together, the addition of the necklace was purely natural.

Unrelated, I finally got myself a tripod, so I can venture out a little more with my photo locations. Of course, there are still actual, yknow *people* around, so I haven't ventured out very far just yet. Terra often posts about people catching her "in the act," but dare I saw that she is much braver than I am!

Is there a fashion trend of style piece that you once swore you would never take part in, only to find yourself wearing it later?

ETA: BTW, Danielle also has this same top in white. Small world!