Saturday, January 30, 2010

Dear Jen

I'm glad you were excited about taking our blog public, because I was scared shitless (would you believe Firefox doesn't recognize that as a word?). What if everyone hated us and said we had no business running a style blog? What if someone was so jealous of our combined collections of awesome scarves that they came and kidnapped them? I should've known better, though, because we've received a wonderful reception from bloggy friends old and new. So instead of spending the weekend crying into my pillow and eating chocolates, I'll be spending the weekend thrifting and eating chocolates.

One thing I've noticed about your outfits is how you make an open cardigan look *so* cute! I tend to look at a cardi and see "Ooh! Buttons! I should button them!" in some sort of Pavlovian-esque button conditioning. But now I'm starting to think past that, thanks to you! I know it won't work with all cardigan shapes, but nonetheless - I think I have another goal for next week :-)

This week has been sort of frustrating for me, outfit-wise. I know I kind of hinted at it a time or two (:-P) but it's true - I've just felt icky and draggy and gross all week, and outfits that would normally be cute felt binding and frumpy. Methinks I need to lay off the chocolates (for a bit) and get my outfit mojo back, no?

Have a fabulous weekend, and kindly pretend that I wrote this post last night like I was supposed to :-D

<3>You were in a sorority? Really? Whoa.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/29/10

Thank dog it's Friday! That stinker is Dimitri. Say hello to Dimitri, everybody!

This was my second attempt at doing a fancy scarf tie, and I think I'm getting closer to what it's actually supposed to look like.


I love this coat. I loved it so much that I didn't care that it was not in my size. It was the last one left, and if I couldn't have it, I was determined that NO ONE COULD. I was so smitten that I paid real money for it to a store that I loaaatthhheee.


Cutie green coat, I love you!


Peacoat: Bebe (grrr)
Pashmina: NYC street vendor
Sweater: Gap
Jeans: Nordstrom Rack
Boots: Ancient and unknown.

Dear Kate

I loved this week. It is so ding dang dong exciting that we came out of our closets to everyone.

Your shoe inventory was especially humbling to me. It inspired me to purge my meager shoe collection, because, let's face it... I'm not going to wear those white heels that I bought for my sorority initiation ever again. And my Uggs? I know. I know it's a problem.

I felt so fancy when I tried the new scarf tie you linked. Did I look fancy? Don't answer that. It was totally fancy.

Oh! And I cannot (NOPE! I CAN'T!) wait to reveal that secret thing you secretly emailed me about today. You know the one. In that secret email.

Have a spectacular weekend, babycakes.

Yours,
Jen

Friday Favorites - 1/29/10

Jen's favorites:

Sometimes, I laugh at the clothes. Always, I laugh at the post titles. Loudly.

$12.99? I likey that.

I used to skip class to watch Felicity with my roommate. Keri Russell can do no wrong, even if she wears beauty salon smocks.

Kate's Favorites:

Anthropologie on a budget! It's finally all starting to come together...

I LOVE Megan's outfit! Everything about is spot on - this is going in my inspiration folder, for sure :-)

Already Pretty has a great guide on how to wear brooches. Makes me want to go thrift some this weekend :-)

Now I want to go thrifting in Norwich (perhaps for aforementioned brooches?).

Another scarf-tying tutorial, this one by Audi of Fashion for Nerds. Great video!

Now THIS is how you do a "pop of color"! Another outfit for the inspiration file :-)

I ADORE this color palette, and the shape of that wrap! Too bad it'd look like 1980's carpet on me :-P

I think we can all identify with this graph.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/28/10

UGH. That's all I have to say about this.

Well, I guess I have a bit more to say...

One of the risks of dressing adventurously (hey I hear you laughing at me - my version of "adventurous" is just a bit different than yours, I bet) is that there's such a gamble - you see a look, you try it out, and if it doesn't work you may be stuck with it (or a version of it) all. freaking. day.

Such was the case with me and the new tied shirt/cardigan thing that academichic shared. I thought it looked really cute and was dying to try it out, so I did. And on me? Personally? FAIL. The ties went across the widest part of me, completely hiding my waist. I tried to fix the cardigan's neckline by tucking it in at the sides and felt uncomfortable and fidgety all day as a result. The long flowy under-shirt showed under the cardi and made me look all blocky and the proportions were all wrong. Just... UGH. I couldn't wait to get home and take it off, and now I'm laying here in flannel jampants and an old t-shirt and feel SO much better.

I may revisit this look/technique sometime in the future, but not with this particular combo - traditionally-belted cardis are better for my body type, I think.

PS>I think it looks better in photos in real life, but that doesn't change that I felt GUH-ROSS all day.



Cardigan: Sears, circa 2002-ish
Self-belted tee: Target, summer 2009
Skirt: thrifted Fall 2009, originally from The Limited
Tights: Target
Boots: Born, Fall 2008
Necklace: same as yesterday
Earrings: Mummy

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/28/10

Even though it rained today, even though everyone else at my office wears tennis shoes, even though I'm exhausted from staying up late to watch Dexter with Jarod (we caught on late - sue us), I still put in (a little) effort to get dressed this morning.




Cardigan: Deja vu?
Top: Maybe Urban Outfitters? Maybe your MOM.
Jeans: Nordstrom
Boots: Aldo

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/27/10

Guess who I was (very indirectly) inspired by for today's outfit? Hint.

Not even remotely resembling any of Mrs. Parker's actual outfits, but I think it's close in spirit - the straight, simple wrap skirt, the cardigan-over-a-shirt-that-looks-nothing-like-the-cardigan, the rounded collar and vintage print on the pink shirt, the prim shoes.

Look! I even have the bemused expression!

(though admittedly mine is more "ornery", less "befuddled".)

This is one of my favorite detail photos ever, even though you can see I'm covered in cat hair:




All I'm missing is an embroidered hanky up my sweater sleeve.

Cardigan: GAP, winter 2009/2010
Skirt: Thrifted, originally Old Navy 2002
Tee: Forever 21, circa 2004 (ish?)
Tights: Target
Belt: Target
Shoes: Naturalizer, winter 2009/2010
Necklace: Gift from Jeff for our first (?) dating anniversary (?)
Earrings: Mumsie dearest

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/27/10

What went through my head when my alarm went off this morning: "Am cold. Do not want to get up."

What went through my head when I put this outfit together: "Am cold. Must go to work. Dress comfortably. Wear bright colors. Will distract everyone from what's going on waist-down."



Today, I tried the new scarf tie that Kate linked the other day. Me thinks I did it incorrectly, but I still dig it. And by I "dig it," I mean I am insanely obsessed with it.


Pashmina: NYC street vendor
Cardigan: Gift
Top: Old Navy (clearance!)
Jeans: Nordstrom Rack
Boots: Uggs via Nordstrom

Wardrobe breakdown - Kate's shoes

I decided to do a bit of a shoe inventory this weekend - I hauled out (almost) every pair of shoes that I own, lined 'em all up and checked them out, buffing and polishing and straightening a bit where necessary. This is what I came up with:

That's 30 pairs, and quite honestly I thought I had more. 30 seems downright reasonable, doesn't it?
(Even when you include the three pairs not pictured: the Birkenstocks that were on my feet - #31; my trusty Keen Newports in the hallway (those are 3-season shoes for me, especially with handknit socks (major fashion faux pas I know :-D)- #32; and the LLBean scuff slippers tucked under my favorite chair - #33.)

All pairs above are approximately sorted by use/style/season. First up - purely utilitarian:

My "chasing preschoolers" boots on the left there are vintage Dingo cowboy boots that I picked up new in box from a Kirksville garage sale. I think I paid $10 for them 3 or 4 years ago and they've been worth every penny. Not too much to look at, but they're so comfy. I don't think I've worn the tennis shoes in about two years; honestly I just don't see why they're better suited for dog-walking or running errands than a cute pair of flats. If I ever take up running again, then yeah I guess I'll wear them. Finally - there on the right - my LLBean snow boots. Wear 'em every day in the winter, but usually only to potty the dog or run out to my car. I almost never wear them to work.


I don't think I need to tell you what's so amazing about the next row down - they're the 6 pairs of shoes I'd save if our house were burning down; the 6 pairs I'd pack if we were fleeing the country. And of course, they're all boots :-)
Left to right - LLBean Town and Field boots (seen here and here, previously), Ariat Legend cowboy boots (blogged on my main site here when I first got them, these are the comfiest shoes I own), Lucchese 1883 cowboy boots (4 years old and going strong, seen here), random department store lace-up granny style boots, 704b studded flat boots (seen here and here), and Born "Bullock" (mine are black) heeled dress boots (seen here). I love my boots.
(oh yeah, and don't forget the cat :-D)

Next up, the non-boots (no, really, that's how my mind works - "boots" and "everything else". I'm not even kidding.):

Back row, left to right: Ariat clogs (great with tweed-y grey pants), Born "Bridget" clogs (my first pair of Borns!), Michelle D casual flats (love that orange color), Born flats ($5 at Marshall's. Woot! Here on KateOhKatie), Softspots "Bronte" wedge maryjanes (so versatile), and Born "Codder" flats (free when I won a supershoes.com giveaway several months back :-))
Middle row, left to right: random Shoe Carnival black stilettos (job interview shoes), Naturalizer maryjanes (seen here), random Payless dressy pumps, random Macy's brown maryjanes (rather uncomfy but cute square toe box), Sears "Apostrophe" brand ankle-strap heels (so ridiculously old), Anne Klein "Lola" d'orsay shoes (these are my favorite special occasion shoes! I almost wore them in my wedding :-) Alas, they're apparently no longer available in blue)
Front row, left to right: Black wood-sole slides from Marshall Field's in Chicago 5 summers ago (I still think of these as "too nice to wear often", which I really shouldn't...), red Payless flats (these made my feet fall off a couple years ago on the 4th of July and now I hobble around on bloody stumps and it's their fault but they're too cute to get rid of), random Macy's white strappy wedges (surprisingly comfortable), random Macy's brown strappy wedges (for when the white ones aren't quite right), old Payless flats (I'm embarrassed that these haven't made it to the trash yet), old Payless strappy heels (so versatile - my favorite non-boot shoe. And they've held up surprisingly well for being...um...9 years old).

Finally, the ones that didn't fit on the first row above:

Left to right: Privo "Arbor" patent leather strappy sandals (these are *so* easy to dress up or down. They're a bit narrow, though, so I don't wear them every day in the summer), Sofft "Rori" gladiator sandals (THESE are what I wear just about every day in the summer :-D And also it seems that the brown is gone - still online in black and red patent, though!), Born flip-flops (I think my feet look dumb in anything except jeans with these, so that's all I wear them with. Maybe I should branch out.)

This little run-down was probably more interesting to me than it was to you, but thanks for bearing with me on it :-) I'm noticing a few trends:
1)Over the past couple years my taste in shoes has taken a decidedly more expensive turn, BUT as a result I'm much more cautious about what I buy. I also wear my expensive shoes a lot more, and they're almost universally more comfortable than their inexpensive counterparts. Of course there are a few outliers (the Payless strappy heels), and I almost NEVER pay full price (except LLBean).
2)Going along with the first point, I'm really turning more toward comfort and quality. If I'm going to invest serious $$$ in shoes (which for me is >$50 or so) then I want them to be comfortable and last for years. Which I think is why I don't buy that many run-of-the-mill department store brands (unless they're on super-clearance), because in my experience they cause more pain and suffering than they do joy.
3)I really tend to favor shoes that are fine for either work or casual wear. My workplace is relatively casual, as far as these things go, but even so - I like versatility in my shoes. And "casual" for me is probably someone else's "dressy", anyway.
4)Almost all my shoes are either black or brown - BORING! I've got pink boots, red casual maryjanes, orange flats and red flats. Notice any major gaps?
5)Speaking of major gaps, I think I need to fill in some shoe-wardrobe holes. Here's my "shopping list" (HA! I wish!):
~Black lace-up oxfords to wear with skirts (ie more "shootie" less "bootie")
~Dressy brown boots - maybe Victorian-styled? mid-calf height, at least
~Grey boots - maybe in a flat, rustic-y style
~Green shoes - probably sandals, probably Born?
~Work-appropriate heels in a more interesting color - maybe those goldenrod Malibrans? :-D

But of course I'm looking at my collection from a very biased point of view. Do you see any other wardrobe gaps I should take care of?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/26/10

I really feel like these photos don't do today's outfit justice.


My goal here today was to incorporate a brighter color or two into my usually-dark winter palette. So I started building with the only bright-colored scarf in my wardrobe. I feel like the salmon-y pink complements the scarf's gold and lavender nicely, even though I don't know enough about color theory to tell you why :-P That skirt is my favorite purple corduroy one which I actually tracked down in Kansas City and sent my dad down to the Plaza to buy. It was worth it, because I wear it all the time and know I'll love it for years to come.

Close-up that shows the color of my scarf and the shiny gold threads running through it.


Finally, if I ever come out with an emo/punk album with a single called "Amber Ring" then this'll be the album cover:

Just so ya know.

Skirt: GAP, Fall 2009
Tee: Target via Goodwill, summer 2008
Cardigan: Target
Boots: LLBean
Tights: Target
Earrings: mom-made
Ring: booth at Maple Leaf, Fall 2009
Scarf: booth at Gypsy Caravan, spring 2009

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/26/10

There are so many things wrong with this photo. The posture. The facial expression. The fact that Jarod doesn't know how to focus a camera. But hopefully HOPEFULLY, you won't find my outfit to be wrong.



I concede that my cardigan is too big. All things considered (like the fact that I'm usually dressed like a color study), I think I did okay!

Cardigan: H&M
Top: Lux via Urban Outfitters (ancient - they have all my money thanks to freshman and sophomore years of college)
Tank: Banana Republic
Jeans: Nordstrom
Shoes: Seychelles via Nordstrom (ancient)

Monday, January 25, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/25/10

Look at me! Actually blogging an outfit the day I wear it!

I sorta like this, actually. Maybe I'll keep it up.

Anyway, I loved today's outfit.

(even if the photo, as per usual, makes me look silly. Today - "depressed one-legged person." Charming.)

I've had that shirt for a while, but thought it was a "weekends only" top until I saw Erin on The Office wear THAT EXACT SHIRT a few weeks ago. And *she* wore it to work. (And y'know what else? I had it 'first' ;-D). So I started thinking about how to dress it up a bit, and of course my mind immediately jumped to a wide belt. I feel like I could've done better with the skirt - ideally something voluminous and grey, with colored tights (dark green? navy?) - but I had to work with what I've got.

I also think I've finally (mostly) broken in the studded boots. So glad!



Top: Urban Outfitters, fall 2009
Skirt: GAP outlet, 2008
Tights: Target
Boots: 704b, via DSW
Belt: Target
Bracelet: thrifted
Earrings (lower pair): Mom-made

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/25/10

It's okay that I felt cute today, right? Because I did.



Having said that, I really need to explore the world outside of blue jeans. Seriously.


Cardigan: Target
Top: H&M
Belt: Gap (insanely old)
Jeans: Nordstrom Rack
Boots: No idea (insanely old)

Not Everything is Bigger in Texas

I have this thing about purses. Well, I suppose most who are interested in fashion have a thing about purses.

My particular obsession, however, has neither to do with label nor price-tag. Nope! I love LOVE teeny tiny purses. It all started a few year ago when I walked into an H&M for the first time. I bought my first itty bitty bag:


While everyone else was walking around with HUGE handbags, I was rocking a $15 purse that could only hold my wallet, sunglasses, keys, and cell. I even had a guy thank me at a bar one night for not carrying a huge purse. Whaaat? Men notice our bags? Perceptive guy, eh?

Anyway, I carried that purse around forever. I was hooked. So, on my next trip to LA, I made a point to stop by H&M, and this time I stocked up. Took home 3 bags to sustain me until my next trip to LA.




Now, I'm on my last bag. And I just don't know what I am going to do with myself when it's time to retire this cutie.


What's an unfashionable girl in a fashion quandary to do?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Unrequited Love

As I sit here gnawing at a chocolate reindeer leg (helloooo, leftover Christmas candy!) and mindlessly scanning posts in my RSS, I must confess that in another way I'm actually exercising every ounce of self-restraint that I'm able. You see, Jeff's wallet is on the coffee table in front of me, and I've got a Firefox tab open onto www.fluevog.com.

John Fluevog's shoes have been on the periphery of my awareness for some time now, but it wasn't until Audi's recent post about her shoe collection (including more than a few pairs of Fluevogs) that my internal switch flipped from "would be cool" to "WANT!" The direct problem with this is, of course, that I have already maxed out my shoe budget until 2015 (give or take a year). So until that point, I'll just share some of my favorite styles with you, and also let you know that I've never had an anonymous benefactor but I definitely wouldn't mind it. Size 7. Just in case you were wondering.


Let's start with the least attainable (for me, at least). Of course, they're boots: Chinoa:

I think they're great in either brown or black, but the reddish brown has some color contrast that really adds a lot of visual interest. And even though they don't look it, these would be VERY versatile - they'd look relatively "normal" under boot-cut jeans for a more conservative look, or tucked into skinnies with a voluminous top to be edgier. I can also imagine wearing them with a deconstructed cotton a-line skirt, plaid above-the-knee skirt, or (how awesome would this be?) tulip-shaped midcalf skirt. Like many Fluevogs, the styling really skirts the line between Victorian/steampunk and ultra-modern, so they'd work well in either setting. And the versatility makes them a perfect candidate for a one-pair-weekend trip, eh?

Xie Xie are another similarly versatile boot:

They come in black too, but I'm of the mindset that if I'm going to drop serious $$$ on some boots, I want to be able to wear them with *everything*. And in my twisted little mind, red says "everything" more than black does. Can't you imagine these beauties worn with a brown dress (maybe with crinoline peeking out underneath) and oodles of delicate copper or gold jewelry?

Libby Smith will be the last boot I talk about. I promise. Maybe.

These cuties, with the spat detail and dainty heel, are probably the most look-specific boots I've posted here. They're very evocative of that romantic Steampunk style, aren't they? Although, that's not to say you couldn't wear them with a jeanskirt and white lace knee-high socks, is it? :-D

Moving on to shoes, I've just gotta say that I LOVE Malibran:

Diana has a pair in the beautiful goldenrod pictured above, and I love how she mixes them up with so many other colors. The styling is great, too - the epitome of timeless, but with a shape, color, (and that contrast stitching!) to keep them from looking at all boring. Because of my pale skintone and red hair, most yellows make me look kinda, erm, "dead". But wearing yellow down at my feet would be a great way to incorporate the color without looking like a zombie, eh? I'd pair them with just about everything - pencil skirts to tweedy pants and everything in between.

Giulia may *look* like a boot, but it's not! No, it's a bootie. Completely different, I assure you:

This shade of brown is absolutely perfect, IMNSHO. My beloved LLBean flat boots are pretty close to this color, and it's wonderful. The reddish brown is like a chameleon - it can fade into the background and act as a neutral when paired with brighter colors, or wear with neutrals (black, white, khaki, olive) and suddenly they pop! Plus, the super-cute styling is great for 3 seasons of wear - won't look out of place in March or September :-)

I would have gone nuts for Illeana in the '90's, and I'm still going nuts for them now:

I'm sure the 90's wasn't the first place that this whole "blocky styling and lots of buckles" thing emerged, but it's the first place *I* remember seeing it. In an homage to my 8th-grade self, I'd wear these with a plaid skirt and non-matchy twinset, but I'd keep it modern by throwing a wide, cinched belt overtop and maybe wearing my favorite patterned tights. They'd also be supercute dressed down, with capris in the summertime.


I hope you enjoyed this little tour through my wishlist! If there's one good thing about all this window shopping (though keep in mind that "good" is in the eye of the beholder), it's that I've finally set upon a New Years resolution for 2010 - to buy a pair of Fluevogs before the year is out. Now I'm off to put Jeff's wallet under his sleeping head, to remove the temptation to resolve my resolution this instant :-D

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Dear Jen

Jen,

I can't believe that we've just completed our first week of this new endeavor! We rock, if I do say so myself.

I think it's funny that you talked about my scarves in your letter, because yesterday when I was composing my letter inside my little head, I was going to talk about *your* scarves! I love how you can really pull off a flowy, brightly-colored scarf. I have a grand total of one (1) scarf that's not a dark or pastel, and I've never worn it. At your inspiration, though, I think I'm going to give it a try next week!

From what I've seen so far, you also seem to have amazing taste in dressy flats. And whatever you think, I say that you ROCK that skinny jeans + flats combo. I don't ever want to just be a copycat to your style (that would be boring at best, and creepy at worst) but I do think you've inspired me to branch out a bit.

Have a lovely weekend, and I can't wait to see what you come up with for next week!

<3
Kate

Friday, January 22, 2010

Daily Outfit - Jen - 1/22/10

Well, shit. I'm pretty sure I looked in the mirror before leaving the house this morning. Casual Friday just became Frumpy Friday.



Note to self: brush your damn hair and don't dress like you push a shopping cart filled with trash around dark alleys.

Pashmina: NYC street vendor
Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Top: Old Navy (clearance!)
Jeans: Nordstrom Rack
Flats: Super old Steve Madden (to this day, I don't understand why I wear these or even own them because I think they are hideous)

Dear Kate

Our new blog! First week! Completed! Loving it!

I'm so jealous that you are able to take advantage of your winter wardrobe. The highs have been in the 70s all week, but this is probably one of those the-grass-is-always-greener cases (except not, because why would anyone ever want to experience Texas heat?).

I especially loved this outfit and have major scarf envy. You're giving me that scarf, right? THANKS. That was totally my favorite outfit that you posted this week until this one. That skirt. That cardigan. Those shoes. All together. Um, hi - cute, much??

I am totally enjoying seeing the outfits that you put together, and I really appreciate that we have different fashion (dare I say) styles. It makes everything so much more interesting and certainly gives this brain of mine a lot of ideas as to how to play with my clothes. Can't wait to see what you come up with next week!

Yours,
Jen

Daily Outfit - Kate - many days ago

I originally wasn't going to post this outfit (partially because I just posted this cardigan in Tuesday's outfit), but then one thing led to another and yesterday I never ended up taking outfit pics. So if it makes you feel better, by all means pretend that I wore this yesterday instead of two weeks ago.

I was covering my face laughing, not crying. No worries.

This outfit felt very French to me. Not sure why, as there's not a shred of authenticity about it. But it still felt good to wear - cute and colorful(-ish) and fun.


My favorite part was definitely the shoes; I just got them on super sale at Naturalizer a few weeks ago (Hey! These are actually the ones that overdrafted the debit card. In my defense (again), that particular card is the "emergencies only" one which I still share with my parents. Y'know, in case I get stranded by the roadside. Or there's a sale at Naturalizer. So it's not like it was our main account or anything :-P) I love the combination of suede + leather, and the heel is *just* the right height - high enough to be cute, low enough to be practical and comfortable.


The scarf is vintage, but I have no idea how old it is. And the earrings are by mi madre - one of the first pairs she ever made :-)

Shoes: Naturalizer (grey seems to be sold out, but black and plum are still available)
Tights: Target
Skirt: thrifted
Tee: GAP outlet
Cardigan: Target
Scarf: Antique store in Parkville MO
Earrings: Mumsie
Bracelet: don't remember. Very old.

Friday Favorites - 1/22/10

Jen's Favorites:

Oh, Fifi. You look so feminine and demure. I could take a cue (or two or three) from you.

HELLO, WONDERFUL COLORS!

~~~~

Kate's Favorites:

I'm in LOVE with these shoes (and the whole blog!). I think vintage-y booties is a wardrobe hole that must be filled, yes?

Great guide to unconventional and exciting skirt/top combinations. I'll be (attempting to) try this out very soon!

Sal at Already Pretty is running a great contest. You have 'till the 24th to enter!

I should really heed point #5 more often. Like, a lot more often.

"Alice's Adventures through"...aww, heck. I won't spoil it for you. Just click and prepare to LOL.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/20/10

(It's sort of fun to say "one-twenty-ten" aloud, isn't it? Try it. I'll wait.)
...
Part of the reason I wanted to distract you was so I'd have time to think up a good excuse for my face in the picture I'm about to show you. Unfortunately I was unable, so here it is - bereft of commentary.

That's the face I'm going to use on my as-yet-imaginary kids when they do something completely bizarre.

Anyway, this is a style blog not a "faces Kate makes" blog (though wouldn't that be a fun one too?) so here's the whole getup:

I thrifted that button-down shirt a few weeks ago - was originally from GAP spring 2008 - and have worn it twice (haven't blogged the other time, yet). I feel like I've just barely scratched the surface of what I can do with it - with the classic shape and beautiful little multicolored print, it's a very versatile piece! Yesterday I was going for the "belted cardigan" look only, um...not with a cardigan. I also - quite proud of myself for this bit - realized when I put it on that it looked a bit sloppy (or, as my grandma says, "loosey goosey"), so I tried rolling up the sleeves to give it a bit more form and definition. I think it worked. And, as a side benefit, I was in a constant state of readiness to knead bread dough or wash the dog. Can't go wrong.

The boots are ones you'll definitely be seeing a lot of in my posts - I love 'em to death and wear them at *least* once a week, especially when it's cold and/or snowy. They're amazingly comfortable and the quality can't be beat. Who doesn't love LLBean?

It may not be the most revolutionary or exciting outfit to look at, but it made me feel good wearing it - and isn't that what counts?



Overshirt: GAP, thrifted
Purple tank: Target
Skirt: Old Navy
Belt: thrifted
Tights: Target
Boots: LLBean
Earrings and necklace: Mom-made, stone and sterling silver
Ring: blue moonstone and sterling silver fair-trade, from Macrosun
 
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