Inspired by my ipod...

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/

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

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.

I'm a Paper Doll...

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!

Black-Out Challenge, Day Two...

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!

Dress Your Best: The Girls...

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.

Sometimes You Just Know You Look Good...

Sometimes, you just KNOW you look good. And this outfit was on one of those days.



Top: H&M
Skirt: old
Belt: Marshall's
Shoes: Madden Girl via TJ Maxx
Earrings: Claire's?

Closeup:


I just recently bought these awesome shoes at TJ Maxx and I couldn't wait to work them into some outfits. This is actually the second outfit -- the first one never made it to the blog. I felt sexy, and I felt extremely feminine all day long.
It was beautiful outside, and the wind was picking up my hair, my skirt and my earrings -- these earrings are almost like tiny little windchimes. I love hearing the tinkling in my ears all day long, and they always remind me of warm weather.

I really wanted the shoes to be the stars of this outfit, so I went for something simple and ended up with a color blocked outfit that I really felt great wearing!

Do you have any wardrobe items or accessories that you equate with Spring or Summer?

And She's Back...

It feels like forever since I have posted here and even longer since I've been able to read your blogs! In reality, it has been less than a week -- can we say "addicted" much?
While I don't yet have an outfit post to share with you, I do have this little number:



Yes, that's right ladies -- you can find Coach shoes at TJ Maxx!
Now, Coach isn't a brand that I am personally likely to buy since it's just not my style, but it's nice to see these designer items for myself as my neighborhood store. Of course, you will still have to shell out a solid $100, even at the discount stores.

I did manage to pick up a pair of Madden Girl shoes for myself, and they were a MUCH more manageable price. You will be seeing them when I post the outfit I'm wearing today.

And now, for a moment of silence...
I lost a favorite pair of jeans last night, when I was vegging out on the couch and saw the the stitching on the inseam had completely busted itself apart.
At least these jeans had a few years of love put into them, but now I supposed it's time to start the hunt again...

A Spring in my Step...

Huzzah! Finally, an outdoor photo!



Yellow Top: H&M
Cardi: TJ Maxx
Brown Pants: unknown
Shoes: Mudd
Earrings: Cato

After having participated in the Wardrobe Capsule Challenge last week, you'd think I would have all sorts of ideas for new outfits I would want to wear, but when I stood in the closet, I was completely clueless. Uninspired. I had no idea. So of course, I turned to Kimberley's Inspiration Calendar. This called for "Neutrals with a Citrus Pop." I think I have more pop than neutral, but with the official start of Spring nosing its way ever-so-near, I don't care!

Not only was it finally WARM enough to attempt an outdoor photo, but after having cleaned out the garage this past weekend with dear fiance, I think I actually have somewhere to take outdoor photos again! See, when we moved, we lost the joy of having a deck, and I really had trouble finding a place where I could snap a few pictures. Of course, I need enough light, but I also like a halfway decent background and a tiny bit of privacy. This location isn't perfect, but it will do for now -- at least you can't see light switches and power sockets in the background!

This weekend we have our first pre-wedding counseling session, and next week is our food tasting. We already have a venue (with a caterer), and I have a dress. We are *thisclose* to having both a photographer and the band I reallyreallyreally want to have -- just need to sign contracts, but they are pretty much good-to-go. I was worried about not doing much wedding-wise for January and February, but March seems to be falling right into place. *Yay!*

Movin on Up...

Today the fiance and I found out that our application for the new rental house has been approved! That is great news. Of course, that means that in the next two weeks I have to pack up everything I own, move, compete in a dance competition (which includes extra rehearsals), and still fare well at work while things are getting busier. Somewhere in there I am hoping to hit up another bridal show and get some wedding planning done.
*WHEW!*



Yellow Tee: Target
Striped Sweater: Marshalls
Vest: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction
Socks: very old
Belt: TJ Maxx
Earrings: Claire's

I don't own many items with stripes, and this is a problem I seriously need to remedy! I have seen several bloggers layer striped tees and turtlenecks in the cutest way, and I am totally inspired!

I am realizing more and more how much I love this vest (another item I bought after having been inspired by you bloggers!) I love layering it for funky casual looks and for professional looks with a little bit of flare. It creates a defined waist even when worn beltless, but sometimes, like today, I like throwing on a belt for an added oomph.

Are there any items you were inspired to go out and buy after seeing other bloggers rockin a great look?

Long Weekend Ahead...

I have this coming Monday off for the MLK holiday. My fiance and I are going to be spending much of the weekend looking at rental homes, as our lease is up at the end of February, and we don't want to stay on where we are living now. Since we have so many places lined up to look at, we decided to take Friday (tomorrow) off to make an extra-long weekend out of it. In addition to house-hunting, I also have 2 bridal shows, 2 concerts, and an extra long dance practice scheduled for the weekend -- we shall see how many of those actually happen.



Dress: Mossimo via swap
Tights: We Love Colors
Shoes: xhilaration, thrifted
Earrings: Laila Rowe
Necklace: vintage, thrifted
Belt: TJ Maxx

I wasn't initially sure about the color combination I put together with this outfit -- mainly, I wasn't sure if the dress and the shoes went together. However, the belt contains both a dark blue and a pale blue (though the pale blue of the belt isn't the same as the blue of the shoes) so I decided that it worked.

I think a lot of fashion is attitude.
I have seen so many women wearing amazing outfits, but there is something in their personality or demeanor that makes the outfit just not-quite-right on them. Conversely, I have also seen ladies wearing outfits that would look totally ridiculous on others, but because they have the attitude to make it work, they totally rock the ensemble.

For example, take the lovely Gwen Stefani and her posse of Harajuku girls:

(image originally found here)

These gals have decided that they look hawt, and thus are ROCKIN their fashion!
However, if I were walking down the street in that getup, I'd look a total fool!

The lesson?
If you decide that something works, and you carry that attitude along with you, others will agree. It's all about confidence.

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!