Mad, mad world [outfit]

Gap dress - 2011 - $25 (similar) / Nina Paladin pumps via Ross - 2009 - $16 (similar) / J.Crew outlet belt - 2011 - $5 (similar) / Vintage frame bag via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 (similar) / Necklace via Gottschalks - 2009 - $6 (similar) / Silver ball studs via Target - cheap (similar)

Outfit analysis: The sleeves, wide neckline, and defined waist of this dress really hearken back to the Mad Men days. I think the bag only adds to that vibe, and I like it. Looking back at this outfit now, I sort of wish I'd tried it with my braided leather belt, to carry the color of the bag through to the outfit, and maybe another necklace. Although I really do think the leopard print of the belt is a nice touch. Well, that was rambly. Bottom line: I liked this outfit. It was easy. It was comfy.
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When I get a new item of clothing, I tend to start out simply and then branch out. That was the case with my gray Target dress (iteration 1, 2, 3), and that's how I'm approaching this dress as well. Sure, I have an idea of how I'll be styling the item when I buy it, but in reality it often takes me a few tries to figure the piece out. This styling isn't all that different from the first time, but hey, it's only my second try, so cut me some slack, okay? Any ideas for my next try with this dress?

How do you approach working a new piece into your wardrobe? Do you try out the waters one toe at a time or do you cannonball right in?

Schoolboy or stewardess? [12 of 30]

The Rundown:
3 + 15 + 25 + 29
Vintage scarf - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Artisans Lane Turkish Jewelry necklace - 2010 - gift from mom (available)
Premier Designs crystal earrings - 2010 - $19 (similar)

I call this look "schoolboy chic."  Something about the scarf as a tie and the black blazer with jeans really was very menswear.  Alternately, the scarf tie also reminds me of a flight attendant--good thing I didn't wear this with a pencil skirt and pumps!

I also got new stud earrings! Not during the 30, of course, but a few weeks before. My friend Shawna sells Premier Designs jewelry, and when I found out all their studs have hypoallergenic titanium posts, I was sold. I'm allergic to silver and gold, and it can be difficult to find nice earrings with surgical steel or titanium posts (reason number 572 why I'm hard to shop for).  I ordered these, a pair of pearl dangles, and a jewelry set (which will be a gift). They just arrived on Sunday and I'm loving them (and to be honest, finding it a little hard to let go of that set I bought--so pretty! Someone's getting very lucky this Christmas).

What worked:
The necklace + scarf layering!  I started out with the blouse and necklace, but the expanse of white looked a bit bare, and it was only supposed to be 54 degrees today, so I added the scarf. It goes outside of the collar so it doesn't hide the necklace.  The blue and orange complemen t each other really nicely, too, adding some interest to an otherwise bland outfit.

What didn't:
Not that it didn't work, but I think this would have looked better with skinny jeans and boots than with bootcut jeans. But I wanted to get away from that combo since I've already resorted to that so many times.  What's a challenge if you don't try something new?

How are you getting out of your comfort zone with the challenge? Or if you're not doing the challenge, what's something you'd like to try?

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EDIT/UPDATE

So I totally forgot that Rochelle of Rochelle Approved tagged me to share seven secrets! Not sure if these are secrets, but maybe fun facts.  Here goes...


I have a bad habit of picking off my nail polish. I've read nearly every issue of Sports Illustrated over the past five years (except for the last few, which are sitting on my nightstand).  I love jigsaw puzzles and I have a 3,000 piece one that I haven't finished (yet). I make a killer meatloaf. My favorite movie is Singing in the Rain. I married my first boyfriend. I'm allergic to cats, but determined to get one when we get our own house.


I tag...YOU. Share something in the comments!

Sleeveless in the summer

So remember that little ol' challenge I did with a bazillion other bloggers? This is the outfit I wore on day 31.  In August. Yes, it is old, but I really liked it and never posted it. Plus I got home at 8:30 last night, so outfit pictures were out of the question. And this outfit is reminds me pleasantly of summer.  Fall decided to hit suddenly this weekend, and as much as I'm looking forward to scarves and boots, I'm missing the sun.  See how nice and bright it used to be in my apartment at 5:40 p.m.? Now the lights are all on.

The Rundown:
Ann Taylor Loft top - 2005 - $20? (similar)
Vintage belt - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Target skirt - 2007 - $6 (similar)
Nine West shoes - 2009 - $25 (similar)

What worked:
I loved the proportions and balance of this outfit--the high neck of the blouse balances out the bare arms and the longer skirt, the open toes. This was truly one of those thrown together in panic outfits, but was easily one of my faves.

What didn't:
I'm not quite sure of the wide belt gives me a waist or makes me look straighter. I wonder if I should have worn it higher? It certainly doesn't look bad where it it, but I wonder if moving the belt would improve the look (there is always room for improvement).

I'm still on a bit of a skirt kick, but thinking I'm going to need tights with them soon (it was only 70 degrees today--yes I am a wuss).  Still haven't figured out a good solution for outfit photos in the winter yet, which explains the posting of old outfits.  Any ideas?

What do you miss most about summer (fashion-related or otherwise)?

Inspired by...Vogue (and Style Underdog!)

What I wished I'd worn.

 

What I actually wore. The framed bag would definitely have been a better choice.

 

The Rundown:
Corduroy blazer - 2010 - swapped (similar)
J. Crew blouse - 2009 - $20 (similar)
Old Navy trouser jeans - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Gap belt - 2010 - $10 (similar)
Target shoes - 2010 - $7 on clearance (here)
Nancy Rosetta circle ring - 2010 - gift (here)
Forever 21 chain bracelet - 2010 - $5 (similar)
Vintage framed bag - 2010 - $12 (similar)
H&M leather mini-duffel - 2007 - $45 (similar)

Although I no longer subscribe to 11 monthly magazines, I do still love the feel of the glossy pages between my fingers. Heck, I even made it my career (well, some of the time).  Fashion mags, like fashion blogs, continually inspire me, and I ripped this photo out of Vogue several months ago.  It's been a while since I intentionally based my outfit on a magazine clip, and I have plenty sitting around just waiting for some use.

 Vogue, May 2010, Americans in Paris

Isn't it a great look?  I sure think so. So did Style Underdog. She featured her take on the look last week, which reminded me of my little treasure hidden in my file folder of magazine cutouts. Since the office is pretty empty this week (it feels like half the organization is off at this annual conference we sponsor), I figured I could work in some jeans on a Monday.  For those with stricter dress codes, save this for Casual Friday.

What worked:
I love that this outfit is super-basic without using any trace of black, which is so common in the office.  The colors (tan, blue, red, stripes) and textures (denim, corduroy, leather, suede) combine without looking over-the-top.  The layers really helped keep me warm (or at least not freezing) in my icebox of an office. And can you say comfy?

What didn't:
Nothing in particular.  I wonder what it would look like if I belted outside the blazer next time...the fit is a bit baggy so I think the cinching would set off the trouser legs more.  Oooo, ideas!

Have you ever copied a look from a magazine verbatim (or close)?  Which magazines or blogs do you get the most inspiration from?

p.s. Like the pics? K (plus my b-day presents from his parents and grandfather) got me a new camera for my birthday, which of course, he gets to use to take my outfit pics. Maybe it's just me, but the photos look better already, even though we're still shooting on auto.

A wrinkle in time

The Rundown:
Mom's blazer - from the '70s or 80s (similar here and here)
The Limited top - 2009 - $12? (similar)
Old Navy bootcut pants - 2008 - $20 (similar)
Blake Scott pumps from Off Broadway - 2010 - $40 (similar here and here; probably still in stores)
Anne Klein watch - 2009 - $55 (available here)

What worked:
Loved this blazer for work. Two of my coworkers (who remembered back in the day when this style was all the rage) cuffed my sleeves for me, and I think I really like it this way. I also really like the teal and the red in the same outfit...for some reason, they both feel like neutrals to me (at least this deep red), and really let the blazer stand out today.

What didn't work:
I think I should have cuffed up the sleeves just one more time...uncuffed it was bracelet length, two cuffs may have made it near-elbow length. But this is a little awkward in between. Also, I have to remember to really press out the hem of these pants next time (I recently let out the hem since the pants shrunk and didn't accommodate heels anymore).

I'm pretty bad with the whole wrinkles thing. Granted, these photos are taken after a day of sitting at the office and 20-minute-per-way commute.  I tried spray starch this last time (in a spray bottle, not one of those aerosol cans; was supposed to be all natural, too), and its been a bit better than starchless, but not consistent enough to make me a believer. Still on the lookout for a good solution.

Do you starch when you iron? What are your tips on staying wrinkle free?

p.s. Trying out a new format and some new info (similar items on the web) based on the your feedback from my reader survey! If you haven't filled it out already, please do...you have until this Friday.

Home stretch

CK top (4) + Rockabilly jeans (17) + Blake Scott pumps (24)

 Old Navy top (10) + Limited skirt (19) + Gap sandals (30) + vintage earrings

H&M cardi (13) + Loft top (3) + J & Co. jeans (15) + Gap sandals (30) + Old Navy belt

So close! I know I said that last week. But yeah. I've gotten really sick of taking photos. I think the weekends are really ruining all the fun. So these are probably the last weekend photos you'll see.  I guess I am opposite of most people...I suffer getting dressed on weekends to make it to the weekdays, unlike a lot of people who make do during the week and really dress like themselves on weekends.  Did I mention that in elementary school I use to put on my mom's suit, grab my dad's briefcase and be a businesswoman for Halloween?  Yes, I'm weird.

Two more days left.  Monday I'm working from home (really have to crank through these last few magazine articles and sitting in an open cube next to two printers doesn't help at all) and then Tuesday I'll try to go out with a bang.  Wish me luck!

On a more interesting note...I did have some time this weekend to play around with the blog layout a bit...have a look around and enjoy! I still have to fix the navigation up top, but that's for another weekend (jealous of my weekends yet?).

Do you feel more like "you" in workweek wear or weekend garb?  What do you prefer?

The elephant in the room

4 + 11 + 17 + 26 + vintage scarf

So I'll confess.  You know that neato braided belt from Monday?  I bought it this weekend.  The same day (and store) that I bought this elephant scarf.  Yes, Kendi, I promised you I wouldn't shop.  But I haven't shopping for clothes in months, and am determined to finish out the next seven-and-a-half months of my clothing shopping ban, so let's just let the accessories slide, okay?  Fine, I won't buy shoes or bags this month either (but after the 30 they're back on the table).

This scarf screamed to me from the hook it was tied to.  It was the colors at first.  Then I looked at the tag and it said "elephant scarf. $7" and I knew I had to untie it to see what was so elephant-y about it.  What a lovely surprise!  Since I don't usually wear scarves completely unfurled, it's like a little secret that I can smile to myself about during the day.  I like how letting it hang under a blazer gives a menswear tie feel.  Once the blazer and scarf come off it's like a whole different outfit.

Everyone, meet my new photographer: my husband K.  Both of the previous photographers I've tried out (both coworkers) are now or soon to be gone (this blog is like a curse, but more on that in a much later post), and while I love my husband dearly, I wanted to spare him the neuroses I have about my blog photos.  He's helped me before in the past, but it never really turned out (the photos or our partnership in creating them). Today was our first outdoor shoot, in the alleyway behind our apartment (prettiest little alley I know of).  Turns out, the lighting was the problem before; all my indoor photos would turn out blurry.  But now we have a new problem--my husband is 11 inches taller than me and so I'm looking up and top-heavy in most of my pics.  Let's just say we're still working out some kinks, but for a first go, I like how today's photos turned out.

If you're a blogger, who takes your outfit photos?  If you're not a blogger -- do you like my elephant?  Be honest.

Just a random sidenote, here is a pic my brother took and tweeted this morning of his pink gingham tie.  I've been trying to convince him to write some posts on guy fashion, but he's too cool living on his own in Houston, working, and spending his free time as a talented musician and photographer to help his big sis out a little.  So I'm just going to share what I can.  Isn't he snazzy?  It must run in the family. :)

Like mother, like daughter

Everything I learned about shopping, I learned from my mother.  When we were young, she would take us on walks around the mall.  Even as recent as a few years ago, when I lived at home for a brief eight months, my mom and I would often walk the mall after dinner on weeknights.

It is fitting, then, that I would love my mother's closet.  During my visit this past weekend, it got a lot colder in Southern California than I expected.  I mean, really, I live in Northern California now...winter is a lot colder up here.  So silly me did not bring a jacket, and boy did I regret it.  I rummaged through my mom's closet before I went out with the girls for dinner and found this gem--a wool houndstooth blazer from the '70s.  I threw it on and out I went.  The next morning I left to head back up north and took the jacket with me.  My mom said to bring it back next time I see her, but I have a feeling she might have to pry it from my hands.

My mom comes to visit next month, so in the meantime, I will be making regular use of this blazer.  I wore it to work on Tuesday for a mismatched suit type look.  Threw a tie-neck shirt underneath to give it some feminine flair and tried to curl my hair (result: ponytail).

Details: Blazer - vintage (mom's); Top - Target; Pants - Banana Republic Factory Store; Shoes - Enzo Angiolini.

Here are some detailed shots of the outfit.  The pattern on the blazer is blue, black, gray, and brown.  The shoes I stalked for over a year before I found them on sale at Nordstrom.  Already planning on rewearing this outfit at my conference next week in New Mexico.