Girl's Not Grey

So, I was in a very bad mood today, extremely tired, and all around not feeling the inspiration. Nonetheless, I think I did a damn good job. I actually added some gray in for irony, and added some delicate touches with the makeup and accessories

Cardigan is Xhileration, and honestly one of my favorite Target purchases of the year
Green blouse is from Japan
Necklace was on sale for $3 at Target about 4 years ago, and I thought it was cute
Earrings were purchased at a gift shop in Leavenworth, WA, and the emeralds set into them are from the ash of the Mt. St. Helens eruption. I'm fairly obsessed with the whole idea of this, for a couple reasons... first off, I'm a May baby, so emeralds are my birthstone... second, my birthday, May 18th, fell on the 9th anniversary of the famous eruption. Therefore, when I saw 'em, I had to have 'em




Tomorrow will be inspired by the song Good Gone Girl by Mika.
This should be fun. The entire premise of the song is basically the good girl who is bored with being good, and tries to use people... (kinda reminds me of Allison in Cry-Baby). If I can't find inspiration for that, well then I don't know what's wrong with me these days.

Grace Kelly

What do you get when you mix a very tired girl who has been gone and not able to dress up for more than 12 hours of her day with a fashion challenge involving a favorite song?
A VERY weak attempt at classic Hollywood glam. I'm sorry. The dress is what I intended to use all along, but I did not have the energy to accessorize or do my hair as I'd originally thought I would.
I took three lines of inspiration from the song:
"I tried to be like Grace Kelly, but all her looks were too sad"
"I've gone identity mad"
And, there's one bit where the lyrics list off a bunch of different colors, so I picked one, and it is blue. Because that matches my dress.
Note, I am not directly going for a Grace Kelly look, but my own, updated take on a classic, quaint dress.




Please note: the dress is Zac Posen for Target, the spring '10 Target/designer collaboration. I spent a lot of money on it, but it was my 21st birthday dress, and SO worth it. Rarely do I find a dress that fits solidly through the waist and flares out with a sort of full skirt. And with the details, it has just enough "would be punk rocker" to suit me perfectly. Best $70 I ever spent

Tomorrow's outfit will be inspired by Girl's Not Grey by afi. Please check out the super amazing song and video.
There are so many things I can do with this song, but as is so plainly put by the title, it needs COLOR... therefore it is an AFTER WORK outfit, and I will do my best to come up with something worthy tomorrow after 4, in time to see my boyfriend (therefore we all know I will do everything in my power to look my absolute best.)

Bitter for Sweet

Alright, I went with a pretty "literal from the title" thing for today's outfit
The sweet portion is characterized by elegant blouse, the super feminine accessories, and the sideswept hairstyle
The bitter part is where I went for "tough" rather than "bitter"... a sort of "jaded to the ways of the world" sort of bitter. Thus the edgier aspects to the outfit... the dark makeup, the boots, the jeggings, the way it all fits together.
And, as promised yesterday, 100% wearable for normal daily activities. That counts as casual in my book







So, a few details to point out... first off, the jeggings I'm wearing were featured in a quick blurb sans pictures a few weeks back. As you can see, they totally look like normal skinny jeans, except they fit better, are way more wearable and comfy, and the comparison to leggings is totally unfair. Nonetheless, I'm going to be making a habit of buying these while they're still in style, because I'm a skinny jeans sort of girl, and am getting tired of the fact that the non stretch ones just don't fit me right.
Also, the makeup... instead of my usual dry powder, layering of shades look for eyeshadow, I went for something a little more dramatic... I mixed one of my favorite loose powder shadows with water to give it a texture that feels like really watery paint... it goes on amazingly and creates super vibrant color. I used silver rather than my usual off-white on the upper half of the eyelid to do something a little more dramatic/almost smokey.
Finally, the hair. To get it to lay sort of flat but in pieces, and with some of my natural waves intact, I simply ran a straightener lightly through it, pressing harder closer to my scalp to get rid of some of the bumps this style of ponytail was creating, and eased up towards the end to keep my natural curls intact towards the bottom. I do this every great once in a while when my hair is just too bushy to manage but I'm not feeling fully straightened hair. Note: This works best on thick, wavy hair. Doesn't really work on thin hair at all. (It does, however, work on FINE hair. People frequently get confused when I talk about having thick hair, because my hair is so fine. There is a big distinction between thick, meaning I have a lot of hair, and coarse, referring to people whose individual strands are thick. A good example of coarse hair is Asian hair... the individual strands are usually thicker and tougher, and don't tend to cooperate with updos or excess styling, which is why choppy, layered hair tends to be very popular among Asian girls... some of my past photos of Lara showcase her normally unstyleable hair, though it should be noted Lara is a genius at getting her hair to stay in curls)

Tomorrow's outfit will be inspired by the song Grace Kelly by Mika (my favorite pop musician, for the record...)... check out the song and the super awesome video right here
Naturally, it's got to be something very old movie star glamorous plus a little bit weird and flashy... this is definitely NOT a work outfit song, and since I'll be working in the morning and have plans after, I will do my best to get a photo shoot up in the evening. This should be fun

Chocolate

As mentioned yesterday, I was going for naivete meets the real world, to complement certain lines in the song
Crediting Snow Patrol follow for all the following lyrics, I'd like to mention what some of those lines are:
"I can make my first steps as a child of 25"
"A simple mistake starts the hardest time"
"Just because I'm sorry doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it at the time"

Because this is about what I'd wear, I made it into a very me outfit, but tried to do a bit of a "innocent young girl" meets "ready for the grown up world" outfit... lots of lace and sweet accessories, a bit edgier with the jeans and shoes... here's what I came up with.







Pretty sure I've covered most of this before, but not the shirt... it's Anna Sui for Target, the special Fall '09 designer collaboration featured at Target... I like how it's casual enough to wear at work, but the lacy sailor-esque collar makes it special and super feminine at the same time
I think I've mentioned the earrings before, but in case I haven't, they are Betsey Johnson, so I think I'm entitled to brag a little about them, even if I did find 'em quite cheap at Nordstrom Rack

Tomorrow's featured song will be Bitter for Sweet, by Blaqk Audio, which you can check out right here
I'm thinking of going for something that manages to be edgy, dressy, and casual all at once. We shall see what happens.

A song for tomorrow

Alright, the first song to inspire an outfit for December iiiis:

Chocolate by Snow Patrol
Check it out here

I do have to work tomorrow night and am not sure I'll be able to think of a work related outfit tied to this song, but I promise at least one morning outfit themed to the song
I'm debating going for a very innocent mind meets being thrown into the real world vibe, as is the feeling I get from a few of the lines in the song. We shall see what happens.

A December challenge for myself

Since November has totally been dedicated to writing for NaNoWriMo, December will be a little more focused on fashion: I'll have my computer back so I can post photos, I'll be working on finishing my skirt, and I've had a fantastic idea for myself.
First, I thought "I want to try something new, create a brand new signature look for myself"... but the more I thought about it, the more a new idea came to light.

So, the song a day challenge for the month of December will work like this:
The night before, I set my iPod to random, and the first song that comes up will inspire the challenge (This is one like one of those stupid Myspace surveys: song skipping will be allowed, for a variety of reasons. For instance, if I really don't like the song and have no clue why it's on my iPod, or I just plain can't get inspired by it, or the only inspiration from it is for the wrong sort of occasion)
Each day, an outfit will be formed using inspiration from either the title, the lyrics, or even the artist themselves. If all I plan on wearing in any given day is work clothing, I'll either try to make the outfit work for an all black theme, or I'll just throw it on for photos only. And, in addition to being inspired by the song, it HAS to fit what I'm doing for that day (unless, of course, work gets in the way and the outfit can't be suitable for my job)
On November 30th, I will post the first song, followed by the outfit on December 1st (given ANY delays in my computer situation, the picture will be taken and the photo will be uploaded as soon as possible)

If I have a lot of fun with this challenge, it will be repeated in May or June for the skimpier, warmer weather version

Winter outfit time! Yay!

As I will still be without a computer for approximately one more day (assuming Staples legitimately meant within 48 hours -_-), and still don't want to upload photos onto my mom's computer, I'm going to do a photo free fashion suggestion post (I know, I know, ridiculous)

Layering is one of my favorite things to do, so this time of year is my favorite, fashion-wise. I've also been trying to cut back on the wearing of pants lately, and since likable skirts and dresses are tough to find for me, it means I've had to get more creative with what I already own.

A great trick I used yesterday was this: I took a dress with a straight skirt that hit a little above the knees, basic, simple cut, but slightly dressy material, and dressed it waaaay down. Leggings rather than tights, a cardigan rather than some of my more dressy top layer options, my daily use pumps, a multi colored scarf, and it definitely looked less like a party dress, and more like your basic average, day to day use dress.
I'm trying to figure out an outfit for tonight that will take me from all black at work to something stylish for making a mad dash over to the theater for Harry Potter, but am still struggling with specifics.

Soon to come: I'd like to do a post on some of my best tricks to wearing clothing when you have boobs, because I am tired of magazines telling me the WRONG advice (note to all busty girls out there: when you wear a shirt that fully covers your breasts, and is not layered with something with a different neckline, you actually bustier and saggier. More on that to come)

Halloween has come and gone

So, due to yet MORE computer difficulties, this blog has kind of taken a backseat, but I do have one charming photo of me from Halloween, doing what I do best: last minute creativity forming something cute out of desperation over what to wear

I went through every idea I had, giving up after 9 stores produced nothing, when Lara conveniently reminded me of the movie/comic Watchmen, and an idea was born. With less than 24 hours 'til our planned Halloween party, and a seriously limited supply of yellow clothing, plus me NOT having a curling iron to give my hair the necessary oomph, a Silk Spectre costume was put together, and this is the result...



It is by no means a perfect representation of the actual Silk Spectre costume, but I was pretty proud of it given the time constraints
There was a lot of layering that went on here, as well. The actual costume involves fishnet thigh highs, but I figured since it was pretty freaking cold, I could make an exception for myself. Over that went a tight cami, for two reasons... first off, the shirt was see through, second, whatever I could do to flatten my waist for this extremely fitted costume, the better...
Finally, a knee length, flared out skirt was hiked up around my rib cage to give the super short effect, and the closest shape I could possibly find to what Silk Spectre is wearing in the comic...
Yellow t-shirt, super tight belt, my favorite boots, a black choker, and black gloves, and the whole thing was as close as I was going to get without having a lot more time.
I will say this: I COULD NOT BREATHE! Between the 5 layers of tight things over my stomach and how hot the costume was, there was really no good way of catching my breath. But I was so pleased with how it turned out, and I've been inspired to make my own Silk Spectre dress for next year.

Which leads me to my next comment:
DIY dress forms: I've learned how to make one. If you google it, a method using an oversized t-shirt and duct tape should come up. This is going to be my trick to finally getting to sew some of my dream clothing. Wish me luck!

Jeggings: I am officially converted

I have avoided trying them on for some time now because I thought the concept sounded stupid, and that they wouldn't fit right, and be just like denim look stretch pants.
But... I was wrong.
In Target today, I grabbed a pair for curiosity's sake, and they fit like a dream. Looked like the first pair of skinny jeans I bought back in high school. Ya know, how skinny jeans USED to look, just with a little extra stretch and minus the zipper. My butt looked great. My waist looked properly concealed. The extra stretch helped eliminate my usual problem of "my thighs are too big for jeans that fit around my waist!". The stretch also made them easier to yank up through the legs so the length wouldn't be an issue for me. (Yeah, I LOVE buying pants... my thighs are too big for my waist size, my waist size is too big for my height... I am not in any way designed to wear pants straight off the rack)
I am actually convinced. They don't look at all legging-ish. They look AND feel like better fitting skinny jeans, and at $15 on sale, I can't complain AT ALL. Thank you, Target, for finally something I fit into.

My tremendously successful Target shopping trip also resulted in some great finds that will be featured later (a button up lace overshirt, a Converse plaid button up, and a gray cardigan with some charming details), and some pajama finds that made me immensely happy (a lovely nightgown, which I have been hoping to find one I felt good in for ages now... this one did the trick... and a Halloween themed t-shirt that my inner Rocky Horror fangirl couldn't resist, as it says "Creature of the Night" across the chest... though the picture on it is of a cat, NOT Rocky)

And the computer is baaaack!

Finally, there is a computer on my desk again...
So, some updates on outfits I happily flaunted for the camera while my laptop was off in repair-land

A couple different times, I had great fun with purple tights and my brand new black heels... check it out
Outfit #1:



I believe all of these pieces have been individually featured before, but here was one of my "nice but chilly day" looks from a couple weeks ago... really, really loving the new shoes (which were Madden Girl for $50 at Famous Footwear)

Outfit #2:


Skirt is Mossimo from Target, $20, shirt is something or other from Target, I think $13, cami is the usual... Vol. 1. This was an outfit for going out with a friend, and yes, it's a smidgen dressy for getting coffee, but sometimes it really is about feeling adorably quaint...

And another new pair of shoes just begged for their own, slightly edgier look to be created, soooo... outfit #3:





Jeans are Jolt, $25 at Nordstrom rack
T-shirt is Mossimo, $7 at Target
Boots are R2 by Report, $50 from Famous Footwear
Scarf has been featured previously
Jacket is I.N.C, $70 at Macy's... expensive, but worth every penny
This jacket is seriously the ultimate thing to own for fall... tailored like a blazer, but thick and warm like a sweatshirt... also, the collar can be buttoned back to have the blazer look, or unsnapped and zipped all the way up for warmth. I bought it last fall, and have worn it diligently ever since (well, when it's cold)

Fashion flashback

While I'm in my in between phase (haven't sent off my computer yet, still don't want to add new files to it), we're going to do a bit of a flashback period... some of my older outfits which I've got pictures of, but have never posted... they may be outdated in some regards, but I tend to go for classic looks... if I could wear it 6 years ago, I can probably still wear it today.

This outfit, however, is NOT 6 years old... it was first worn back in June of this year, on a chilly, rainy day that demanded putting on a bit more than June usually calls for. (Since my feet are not shown in these pictures, I'll just clarify that I'm wearing my black pumps from Payless with the laceup toes with this outfit)



Cardigan is Dolce by JJ Basics, from Nordstrom Rack for about $15
Purple tank is Mossimo from Target, about $7
Black cami is Vol. 1, Nordstrom rack, $12 (you guys should recognize this by now)
Skirt was DIY, and I'll actually clarify how I made that in a sec... the pants used to make it were $20 from Wet Seal
Tights are HUE from Nordstrom Rack, $5
Belt/sash is Converse, from Target, about $17
Necklace was a birthday present

I was trying to get for a fun take on a Japanese look here, hence the sash around the waist, and attempted kimono style fold of the neckline of the sweater. I had success without getting the outfit to stay put ALL NIGHT, which was a total bonus for me, who usually has my clothes going every which way.
The idea was to be a fun yet classy look, so I went for a very conservative look from the waist down, with the colorful layered look up top. I got many compliments on my outfit that night.

Wondering how I made the skirt?
Well, it was sort of a success/failure type of venture. Failure in the fact that if you saw the waist, you'd run screaming away from it. But the success comes in how nicely the shape of the skirt turned out, so if I cover up the waistband, it looks quite decent.
I had an old pair of work pants that were just not holding up anymore (holes aplenty!), so I went with a DIY project I'd been wanting to try for some time. The original plan was to pleat it, but I didn't have as much material as I thought I did. This is actually a really simply project to do at home, if you're better at sewing in a straight line than I am (the waist had mega potential... I just can't do anything in a straight line).
I cut the top of the pants off right below the zipper, and then for the skirt part, I actually took the lower, flared part of the legs, rather than the usual sort of "make it at home" skirt where you just cut open the crotch and sew together. That's why it's flared out. I can't remember how long I made it, but whatever it was, I cut a quarter inch above that for something to sew into the waist. I ripped the insides of the legs open, and sewed them together. Then, to give it a more streamlined look than random, awkwardly placed seams, I turned the skirt before sewing it to the waistband so I'd have two seams in front, two in back. Again, QUITE pleased with how the skirt turned out, and I do wear it quite frequently. Yay for creativity! One day, I'll try again, hopefully with more success.

A quick gripe

So Glamour tells me big, unplucked, and even filled in eyebrows are in this fall... SAY WHAT?
For years, magazines have been telling me the natural look is so "yuck", and that I should be plucking or waxing my eyebrows. Now, they're all the rage, and I should apparently make them look even hairier with the use of an eyebrow pencil.

Now, for the record, I have never once plucked or waxed my eyebrows. They're 100% how they grew in themselves. I make sure they're not all over the place and looking wonky, but I've never ONCE touched them with tweezers or wax. And the great fashion experts of the world have always claimed this is wrong. Now, it's "in"?
Wow... who knew it could be in to not have swollen, painful eyebrows?
Oh... that's right... me... for the full 8 years I've been into fashion. Go figure.

(That said, I'm a huge fan of Glamour...)

Tip of the week: find a perfect pair of jeans without going broke

Jeans are sort of my downfall
I can't go into a Target and grab $20 jeans, because I'm not tall and I don't have slim thighs. Every once in a great while, Target makes something short in a size I can get over my legs and button comfortably (the pair of jeans with the incorrectly sewn on waistband, and my work pants), but it's not like I can make a habit of it.
Back in the day, I could go to Wet Seal and pick between two sizes in their "short" length. Then, suddenly, I went in one day and all the same sizes I had at home, I suddenly couldn't even get over my hips, and the even the short length was too long... what happened??????
I've always loved YMI jeans, but I've never had a pair that doesn't get the hem totally ripped out because of how long they are on me.
Needless to say, me + jeans is kind of a disaster.

People say jeans should be the one thing you splurge on it, and that's true. You're going to be wearing them a lot, and usually when you wear them, it's because you want to be comfortable. But plenty of us know that $120 is not even close to an option, while some people consider that "cheap" for jeans. Ha!!!

So, what can you do to find jeans that actually fit RIGHT (as all jeans should), while keeping it in the "I can afford this without a credit card" range?

Tip #1: If you can find a size that fits, always buy your jeans in the juniors department.
This can be tricky at times, especially since I have hips and a good number of them are made straight through the waist, hips, and thighs. But you're saving about 50% if you go into a place like Nordstrom or Macy's by making this choice. And not all of them look like something only a teenager would wear.

Tip #2: Nordstrom Rack is your new best friend.
If you want to splurge by getting the very best jeans, the least you can do for yourself is find those same jeans at a much more reasonable price. Sure, not everything at Nordstrom Rack is at the same quality as what's in the real stores. But that's usually not the case. Most of what I buy from Nordstrom Rack is off season. Sure, there's plenty of stuff that's never made it to their real stores for various reasons, but I haven't found quality to be a big one. The only thing I've gotten from them that's fallen apart is tights, and to be perfectly honest, I can't find tights ANYWHERE that won't fall apart.

Tip #3: Don't limit yourself to one style.
I was extremely against skinny jeans for the longest time. One I started wearing them, I found that in spite of my curvier figure, they actually flattered me a lot more than some other jeans I'd been trying. I still go for moderate flare and bootcut when I can, but why fight jeans that fit correctly?

Tip #4: First trip to the dressing room, load up on the item limit with JUST JEANS!
Once you find your favorites, you can start pairing them with shirts, but first, try different brands, try a range of sizes, and don't settle until you're absolutely satisfied with the fit.

Tip #5: Be aware of certain fit problems that will annoy you more once you're home than they do in the dressing room.
Extremely long legs, too short legs, waist gaping in the back, waist pinching anywhere, anything digging into your hips, and tight material in the thighs. (The last one, I have discovered, actually makes your jeans more prone to sliding down in the leg, and taking the waistband with them)
Of course, if you mess up on leg length, you've got solutions later. High heels work wonders with length problems in either direction. They lift long hems off the ground, and look adorable with skinny jeans that hit right at the ankle. Hemming is always as an option for the long pairs, and boots over the legs of the short pairs will leave no one the wiser. The other problems are a bit trickier to overcome, so if you're not really the same height as your waist size in most brands, don't sweat it, that's manageable.

Ultimately, if you end up with a couple pairs that fit you perfectly, and a go to brand that you can fall back on next time, AND you can spend less than $40 per pair (ok, I'm living in a dream world, but my perfectly fitting brand is only $25 per pair at Nordstrom Rack!), you'll be fine with jeans in the future!

Sigh... it'll be a while

I have some updates in waiting, but due to a computer problem, I don't want to upload any photos right now, as I may or may not be getting this computer back.

In the meantime, though, I have some fantastic photos of my dear friend and model, Lara, looking absolutely awesome as for "what to wear to a fall party" (which, sadly, she did not wear to a party last night... but I will be expecting her to take this dress on our upcoming road trip)

So sunny, but a little on the cool side... what to wear?

It's a little below 70 degrees today, and super sunny... so I wanted an outfit that would be the perfect blend my usual summer AND fall looks...

Apologies for the picture quality, unfortunately this slightly blurry one came out the best of all of them...

T-shirt is from Target, but I don't remember the brand or price
The vest is from Hot Topic and cost me around $25, also don't remember the brand
Jolt "City Skinny" jeans, $20 from Nordstrom Rack
Converse around $40 at Famous Footwear
I'm loving the way the "paint splash" detail on the shirt just peeks out from underneath the vest
I'm also totally in love with this vest... I saw it on a mannequin when I went in to grab a t-shirt, and had to buy it... the blend of tailored menswear piece + super feminine sheer ruffles is pretty much everything I love in one...
Interesting tidbit about my Converse... I love Chucks... as I've gushed about before, they're the only flat shoes I can wear comfortably. I even EXERCISE in them... nutty, I know, but they're like a glove for my feet, and I adore them... I used to wear only basic black with white trim, the standard Chuck Taylors, and went through like 3 pairs of those before getting unbearably bored and making the transition into colorful Converse... I don't like the super bright "these are more of a focal point than my actual outfit" colors they offer, but I do currently own these charcoal ones, and a pair in pine green, which is a very dark, muted green that looks great with everything... they're less obnoxious than the brightly colored pairs you see a lot of people wearing, but still have more character to them than the basic black.
I'm currently considering a pair in cranberry red, which are also quite nice

Also, anyone want to see my new purse?

It's... wait for it... Converse! (Anyone noticing a trend here? I swear, I live in the tiny little Converse section of Target...)... it was $25, but I had a nice little coupon for $5 off any purse at Target
I'm not usually a fan of big bags, but this one still screams "purse" to me, while having enough room to comfortably throw in my planner and still be able to take my camera and a book along... biggest bag I could ever feasibly call a purse, but it works for now.

Ah, it's that time of year

I officially get to roll out my fall layers, enjoy my pumpkin spice coffee (today was the official start date, for anyone who enjoys Starbucks/B&N... soooo good), and wait for the leaves to change color.
Buuuut one tiny little problem: fall is my favorite time of year fashion wise, but I'm so not rich enough to take advantage this year. Sooo, I thought I'd feature a few "turning my summer purchases into fall wear" posts for the next couple of weeks.

Here's a dress I bought for summer use, $20 at Nordstrom Rack. The brand is Nicolette:

The shoes were borrowed from Lara, the necklace is from Hot Topic.
I love it, because it's casual, laid back, lightweight, and and the two in one look is awesome, because I love the contrasting look of a skirt and shirt, but hate how skirt waistbands can dig into my stomach and make me look heavier than I really am. It's served me well this summer, everywhere from a "it's too hot to think of what to wear" dress, to a lovely "easy to wear to the pool" dress.

But, because of the plaid which always makes me think of fall, and how easy/effortless it is to wear, I decided it would make the perfect first example for a summer to fall transitional piece. Here's how to make a simple summer dress perfect for the colder months:



I'm a huge fan of cardigans... they can do so much for an outfit, and just throwing it over this dress created the illusion of a very "back to school" plaid skirt look. This one was around $17 at Target.
The tights are Hue, available at Nordstrom rack in two packs (one colored pair, one black pair) for $10. I love bright colors, but I also love them to be rich. That's why a deep but noticeable purple makes for a great contrast to the black and gray look of this outfit.
Throw in the boots, and it's good to go. The dress no longer looks a summery but dark sundress, and while it may not be up to this year's fall trends, the plaid schoolgirl look is a tried and true classic for every fall.

So, any readers out there, what are you go to transition looks when the weather starts to cool down?

Fall fashions? For once, no thanks

I'm usually a HUGE fan of fall trends
I go nuts for jackets, tights, boots, rich colors, etc.
But this year, I'm noticing a disappointing amount of things that are flat out no goes for me: camel colored everything (of all the neutrals out there, this season's just has to be the one that makes me look washed out and monochrome? Well, I did dye my hair this year, so not so bad, but still.. just... no), the shapeless look is back (I don't do shapeless. I've got curves, so I'm going to flaunt my curves...), flat boots (as I've complained about before, I'm pretty limited on what I can do with flats... despite the minimal arch support, Converse are the ONLY flat shoes I can wear, because what little arch support they do have hits in exactly the right spot, and they feel sort of like going barefoot but not to me... anything else flat, and my arches go "I HATE YOU", followed my heels throwing an epic temper tantrum... I'll stick with my 3 inch heeled boots, thanks...), and... floral? Really? I don't even like floral in the spring/summer, but the fall colors with floral patterns looks like a bad attempt to be retro.

My fall favorites?
Button ups
Tall boots
Jackets, jackets, jackets... preferably black
Richly colored scarves
Pumps with a bit of a menswear look to them
Rich colored tights (think burgundy, brown, forest green, etc.) under a black or neutral skirt/dress
And like all year round, DRESSES!!!! Lots and lots of dresses

I'm still working on making the transition from pants being my wardrobe staple to having enough skirts and dresses to wear them about half the time. I don't mind jeans, but more than 3 or 4 days a week, and I'm feeling annoyingly modern...

A change for fall

Not my best picture day, but I'd like to show off my amazing new hair, and a lovely new shirt...

As of today, Kathryn is once again a (artificial) redhead!


And in other news, I'm really liking my outfit from today:



Most of the items seen here have been featured before, with the exception of the lovely black overshirt... available at Target for I think around $17, and it also came in green and pink. I really wanted the green, but I picked black so I could have more options for work, and on the bright side, it means I can pair it with more colors.

Here's me using the same shirt for one of my work outfits (somehow, I manage to stay creative, even with the black/white dress code! I don't wear white, so...):


In the coming weeks, I have some plans to start trying to channel more movie inspiration into my clothing, so we'll see what happens with that.

A cheap, effective hair straightener

Well, quite sadly, my lovely salon quality straightener that my sister had given to me years ago finally died... blades won't stay put, other bits were falling off... I was therefore stuck with a crappy Vidal Sassoon straightener I bought in 10th grade on vacation... which fills my bathroom with the smell of burning hair whenever I use it.
I really did not have much money for a top quality straightener right now, so I want to Target and grabbed one that looked just decent.

I just did the first test run (usually I only straighten my bangs, but for curiosity's sake, I did the whole thing), and my hair feels AMAZING! I hadn't even noticed 'til now just how much having a broken straightener was frying my hair... (even before falling apart, that super expensive one had blades that would slide out and dangle by their wiring... not really safe, but I used it anyway... result? Lots of frizzy, staticy hair that felt kinda brittle)... my hair feels just as smooth as it did before I straightened it, and it kinda looks like something out of a shampoo commercial.

So, here's the straightener everyone can afford to get right now, that really does do the job (and hey, guess what, it's on sale now! Sale price shown on website, but it was NOT posted at the store, so I got a happy surprise at checkout):
http://www.target.com/Remington-Extra-Plate-Ceramic-Straightener/dp/B003521CAW/ref=br_1_16?ie=UTF8&id=Remington%20Extra%20Plate%20Ceramic%20Straightener&node=13828331&searchSize=90&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-16&qid=1281742592&rh=&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=price&frombrowse=1

Have I mentioned I love Target? A lot?

Tip of the week: dress how you WANT to feel

I don't understand why people dress their worst when they don't feel.
I'm not pointing fingers or intending to cause offense to anyone who does this, but as I'm sure you yourself are well aware, all it does is draw attention to how you feel.
I remember this particularly from the high school days: there would be the girls who would get sick and show up in baggy sweats sniffling and wiping their noses on their sleeves. While you obviously feel awful and don't want to deal with much, something I've learned the years that holds very, very true is this: putting in the slight extra effort to look nice will actually help you feel marginally better.

We all (or, at least most of us), have "fat days"... when nothing you own seems to flatter you, you notice your tummy sticking out in every single shirt you try on, your jeans don't seem to want to button... you just feel "bleh" about every possible outfit.
The thing not to do: reach for your baggiest, most ill fitting clothes in hopes of drowning yourself in fabric and hiding your problem spots.
The solution: have go to outfits that you KNOW flatter and still mask problem areas (for me, fat days tend to involve that dreaded thing... the stomach... I have large thighs, but for some reason, that just doesn't bug me). A cute dress with an empire waist that's short enough to wear for every day use. That pair of jeans that's just a LITTLE on the roomy side but still make your butt look great, paired with a nice flowy top that doesn't cling where you don't want it to. A skirt with an elastic waistband plus a pretty cardigan. And definitely give yourself a pretty hairstyle and wear your favorite jewelry. There's no excuse to look like you're ashamed of your body, "fat day" or not.

And when you're too sick to really care about anything, but not sick enough to stay in bed all day?
The thing not do: go about your day in pajamas, or throw on something wrinkly and unkempt looking from your laundry basket
The solution: have nice basics that look good on their own (jeans and a flattering t-shirt), or if you have to work, always be aware what your most comfortable thing that fits your company's dress code is. Another really important thing: makeup and hair. This is a biggie for me when I feel like crap... those tend to be the only days I go heavy on the makeup, and trust me, those concealer sticks I recommend like crazy work wonders on the chapped red area underneath your nose (just don't put them right ON your nose... keep 'em clean). Be generous with powder, use light colors on your eyes (chances are your eyelids look pretty heavy, and dark colors will only add to that problem), and take the time to wash, brush, and pull your hair back.

Rainy days

The rain is back in Seattle!!!!!!!!!
Here's the deal: I hate those days when it's so rainy you can't do anything. But I love overcast days, light rain, breezes, and just anything that reminds me of FALL! So once summer turns to fall, I get freaking excited. And even this weekend's mini glimpse of fall weather is totally my thing.
So here's me and my featured model Lara looking quite adorable in the rain:



I don't know all the details of her outfit, but the shirt she's wearing underneath her raincoat is Converse (check out their button ups at Target... $25, endless color choices, SO COMFY AND FLATTERING!!!!), and the raincoat itself is Arden B... and a hand me down from MY closet (Lara's skinny. I used to be that skinny. She gets me pre weight gain cast offs). Originally found at my favorite secondhand store, Buffalo Exchange (check their website to find one near you), for probably around 20 bucks. Doesn't she look adorable?

And my lovely outfit (Thank you, Lara, for being my photographer for the day):


Scarf: Sovereign Code, from Macy's, around $30 (purchased last year, but they generally have a great scarf selection)
Shirt: H&M, around $10 bucks (I purchased it in Dublin for 7 Euro, so that's a REALLY rough guess)
Hoodie: Tripp, secondhand for about $15 (also Buffalo Exchange... I'll need some closeups on this one later, because it's VERY lovely... it has lace trim around the hood, and ribbon lace-up on the back... I love it)
Jeans: Jolt, the usual
Boots: Born (pardon the lack of correct symbol), featured previously
Bag: Converse, Target, $25 (will also be featured in close ups in the near future... it's the daily replacement bag for my DKNY from last post)

Feeling a little like fall today

The weather has dropped from the mid 80s to low 90s of the past few days to a whopping 64 today... and I celebrated with a break from boring hot weather clothing by switching to my a tried and true set of clothes... the individual pieces in question have all been displayed on here before, but I'd never tried wearing this shirt with a cardigan before... LOVING how it came out
And, my apologies, playing my own photographer again, so I can't guarantee I look in any way photogenic...






Last picture of those is definitely my favorite! I think I'm getting the hang of hitting the button and jumping back before the flash goes off! Go me!
As a refresher:
Shirt and cardigan are Mossimo, cami is Vol. 1, jeans are Jolt, shoes are Predictions

How about a little peek at my chosen accessories for the day?




Headband was about $7 at Target... I love the mesh detail, and burgundy/wine is one of my preferred colors for accessories or low key color.
Earrings are Brighton, purchased from United Airlines with mileage points.
The necklace was about $12 at Target, but I've had it for ages... love how it looks a little bit old fashioned, and therefore is just so me...

And, because I've been starting to show off my purse collections, I wanted to show off my much loved DKNY bag before I retire it from being my go to purse for everything. It's getting a little tattered plus I've used it for over a year now... a year and a half is the average life span of my purses before they go from "everyday bag" to "I feel like yanking this one out of the closet for an occasion" (And no, I never get rid of purses unless they fall apart or are the plastic-y ones I used to get at Claire's in junior high!
This bag was one of my airline mile treasures, and has been super usable the whole time I've had it... I bought a brand new bag today, and I fear that my DKNY might not be making out of the closet quite as often these days... but I LOVE this purse. It fits everything I need to take with me (clearly, I'm a pretty simple girl), it's so cute, and it goes with everything... so let's hear it for my wonderful purse.

Isn't it beautiful?

Wondering what I keep INSIDE my purse?


Fossil wallet- airline miles. Super useful, nice fun color, a pocket for everything.
Coach wallet- a birthday present. I was a little worried about what to do with it since I'd just gotten the Fossil one before my friend gave this to me, AND I'm used to having plenty of pockets and organizing everything... but, I've used it to clean up the inside of my purse a bit and not have everything falling all over the place. I can stick extra cards that won't quite fit in my regular wallet, the notepad I use for to-do lists, scribbling down books/movies/CDs I want (I work in a bookstore... I get inspired pretty regularly), and keeping track of my budget, my iPod, and a pack of gum... all that would be stuff normally making a mess of my purse and making it twice as hard to unearth my car keys or my phone!

'Til next time!