Me-OW...

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?

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!

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!

No Bullseyes...

Neither of these looks is a fashion bullseye. One is a bit off-target, and one missed the whole target entirely.
But in the interest of full disclosure, I share them with you.

Tuesday, I wore this:


Cardi: NY&Co
Top: Old Navy
Pants: thrifted
Shoes: American Eagle
Scarf: vintage, thrifted
Earrings: (faux diamond studs, unseen) Claire's

While the scarf adds a much-needed pop of color, the outfit felt much like the weather -- drab and dreary. Nothing exciting. Forgettable.
At least I was able to repeat the dot theme in the scarf, the neckline of the top, and the sequins of the shoes?


Wednesday was a bit better:


Top: Faith21
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Payless
Belt: KMart
Necklace: Cato
Earrings: (unseen) Target?
Headband: Claire's or the Icing

The color had returned both to the world, and to my outfit. I wanted to build an outfit around the rarely-worn headband, which I think is just-too-cute.
These pants are definitely up on my wardrobe's chopping block. The fabric just screams 1970's polyester suit to me every time I see them in photos. I have held onto them because I need me some chocolate brown pants, and these keep surviving until I find a better pair.
I *LOVE* the pattern on this top. L-O-V-E. But I think I need some help with how to style it. It is sheer, so it requires a cami underneath, which I have no problem with. Because it is large and blousy, I always feel the need to belt it, so I don't like enormous, but sometimes I feel like the belted look ends up making me look... expecting. As in, several gentlemen on the Metro offered me their seats.

Mission (for myself, and for you, if you choose to accept it!): How to create a shape in this top, without that shape saying "with child."

On the bright side, I picked up this belt at KMart for a mere $2! I have been trying to find a belt this color for about forever, and this one fits both my waist AND my hips, so this is a major score!

Peacock Strut...

Do you have a piece of clothing that you really love, but you just can't seem to make it work right?
That's how I feel about this top -- I love the peacock print, and I even love that it is sheer, but I haven't really figured out a good way to style it. Because it is larger and blousy, I always feel the need to cinch it at the waist, but then I feel it makes my proportions look awkward.
I am thinking this top will be easier to style in the summer when I can just wear a cami or tank under it. I think since it is sheer, my figure will show through and I won't feel the need to belt it. Right now, since I am forced to layer thicker (i.e., *warmer*) layers beneath it, I don't think my figure shows through as well, and it makes me feel frumpier -- hence my constant desire to belt it.



Turtleneck: H&M
Peacock Top: Forever 21 (Faith 21)
Pants: NY&Co
Belt: NY&Co
Scarf: Laila Rowe
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Bracelets: various -- Laila Rowe, thrifted, from a friend, gift from mom
Earrings: gift from future MIL

What I love about this outfit is how the orange scarf brings out the touches of orange in the top, which I usually pair with green accessories.
I also love the cluster of bangles that I stacked up on my right arm. Usually I try to go a little more sparingly with my accessories, so as not to look overdone, but this top has sort of a boho feel, so I think the tall stack of bangles works.

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On a side note, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful bloggers who have already made me feel very welcome in this large community. I am still learning the ropes and gaining a "fanbase," but already I feel like I am carving out my little niche here.
I am grateful for all of the help and feedback that you provide, and most of all, I truly appreciate having the chance to read your blogs and get to know all of you.
You really have created a wonderful community, and I am happy to have finally become a part of it!

Very First Outfit Post...

That's right ladies and germs, here it is: my very first outfit post! It might not rock the world of fashion, but it's an exciting even for little me.

For my first outfit post, I'm sharing an outfit inspired by the Inspiration Calendar created by the lovely Kimberly over at Fab Finds Under $50.
Monday's theme called for Color Combo: Purple & Orange so I went with it.



Cardi: TJ Maxx (I don't recall the brand)
Black Tshirt: H&M
Khaki Pants: NY&Co.
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Scarf: I don't recall -- probably Claire's
Earrings (unseen): Claire's
Necklace: made by a friend

(apologies for the creased pants -- for now, photos are being taken after work)

When I bought this cardigan, I wasn't sure how often I would wear it since the orange is a little bright for my skin tone. (I'm really quite terrible at knowing which shades of which colors look good on me, so more often than not, I just wear the colors I am drawn to and hope they "work.") I think wearing the darker color top beneath the cardi helped subdue the brighness of the orange and made it manageable.

I didn't wear the scarf for most of the day because I wanted to world to see this lovely necklace made by a friend of mine. I don't own much purple jewelry, but I loved the beads in this one, so I just had to snatch it up.
When I did have the scarf on, I tied it using the new-to-me knot that I learned here. I always get compliments from the ladies at work on the way I tie my scarves, and the funny thing is that I really don't know any actual knots -- I just mess with them until I like how they look. Thanks to Kimberly for pointing out this video. Now I can share the knowledge with other fashionable ladies!

These shoes are to DIE for. It's hard to tell, but they are really a very deep aubergine color, not black. Purple suede heels had been on my WANT list for a while, and while these aren't suede, as soon as I saw them (and saw that they were only $30!) I decided that they were sufficient to fill the void. I have a tough time with heels because no matter the quality of the shoe, they *always* end up hurting my feet. But these do surprisingly well. I still wouldn't run marathons in them, but I can sport them around the office and not want to throw them out the window when I get home. (I suppose that it helps that I sit at the desk most of the day and wear "comfy shoes" for walking to and from the office.)

Since I still very much consider myself a student/novice in this fashion blogosphere, I openly welcome constructive comments from you wonderful ladies (and gents!) who have already established yourselves here. Since you are my reason for starting this blog in the first place, I invite your comments on anything and everything -- colors, fit, style, you name it! I'm here to learn and maybe even teach others who can learn from my mistakes -- and I expect I will make plenty of them!