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 they may be outdated in some regards, but I tend to go for classic looks...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)