Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/23/11

Of all the days I'd like to have more than ONE CRAPPY-ASS BLURRY WAIST-UP PHOTO of my outfit, this was it.



That's my new cardigan and scarf from LLBean, and they're awesomeness incarnate, but you can't tell because it was too late and I was too tired to be bothered with decent photos.

Lesson learned. And also I think I'll repeat this exact outfit again tomorrow and take proper pictures then. Because it's goodness.

Cardi: LLBean
Turtleneck: Target
Scarf: LLBean
Skirt: LLBean
Boots: 704b via DSW
Tights: TJMaxx
Earrings: Mum

Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/21/11

I was told that I look very "Mad Men" today. I can only presume that means Peggy, rather than Joan. Alas.



Still, I'll take what I can get. Especially when it involves Fluevogs.



Skirt: Etsy
Tee: Target
Cardi: Target
Scarf: Marshall's
Tights: Target
Heels: Fluevog
Earrings: Mom!

Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/3/11

This outfit would be almost entirely unworthy of merit, as I yet again walked to work and had to dress accordingly:



UNTIL you see what I have hidden under that scarf!



TA-DAH!!! (This was all of 2 minutes old at this point)

Jen dearest sent me a SNITCH! My very own snitch!!!



It's pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen. EVER.

But wait! There's more!



Matching earrings!

I am just absolutely floored. Wow'd. Amazed. Surprised.

I may be a bit of a Potter fan, y'know...



That's the picture they're going to use for my inclusion in the Cool People Club. Doesn't get cooler than a goofy grin and an armful of wizard stories does it?

Don't answer that.

Cardi: Old Navy
Tee: Old Navy
Jeans: Levi's
Snow boots: LLBean
Pashmina: Amazon
Snitch necklaced and earrings: JENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/25/11

I need to invent a new word. A word which adequately conveys the idea of "comfy and nice but completely expected and thoroughly uninspired."



Any ideas? Because I'm feelin' it.

Skirt: Etsy
Tee: Target
Cardi: Target
Boots: Fluevog!
Scarf: TJMaxx
Earrings: Mum

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/24/11

GUESS WHAT?!?!

I just finished this sweater!



GUESS WHAT ELSE?

That's a crappy picture! So here's a better one - of an almost-identical outfit - from Sunday!



I <3 my new sweater. I <3 that I made it.

This outfit was the perfect cozy winter getup. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get daylight pics, because my awesome Scarfshop scarf matched the teal in my sweater *perfectly*. And I know I don't usually go for matchy-matchy, but I think there are worse things in life than matching your scarf to your sweater, right? The corduroy skirt and quintessential LLBean boots just make everything wonderful.

dark purple + teal + grey + cream = my new favorite. *Really* wish I had better pics so it could be your new favorite too.

Cardigan: ME!!!!!
Turtleneck: Target
Scarf: Scarfshop
Skirt: GAP
Boots: LLBean
Tights: Target
Earrings: MUM!

Daily Outfit - Jen - 01/17/11

Ancestors
Hear my plea
Help me not to make a fool of me
And to never let me dress ugly
Keep my outfits delightful

Cardigan: H&M

Top: Gift (Thanks, Thao!)

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Boots: Target

Necklace: Gift (Thanks, Thao!)

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/12/11

This photo is dark for a reason:



And that's because this outfit is THE MOST BORING ONE KNOWN TO MAN.

That's what tends to happen when one is so busy knitting that one is running late for work, and then one must throw on whatever clothes one can find.

(You see? I used "one" there as if I weren't the person doing it.)

Cardi: Filene's Basement? maybe?
Tee: GAP
Skirt: Old Navy
Boots: FLUEVOG!
Necklace: Christmas gift from Jeff :-)
Earrings: Mumsie

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/11/11

I'm so happy with today's outfit!



It's one which evolved sort of naturally - piece-by-piece, rather than occurring to me all at once. I've had that skirt in my closet - unworn - since two summers ago, when I thrifted it from a shop in the Loop. I thought it was just a bit too long at the time, and never got around to hemming it. Well, it's still maybe half an inch too long, but now I'm OK with that :-) (read: lazy). Everything else was just an attempt to create a color palette full of pretty neutrals, showcase my handknitted shawl, and enjoy the cardigan that I picked up (OK I actually bought two - one in this lavender grey, and one in a darker sage grey) at Marshall's in KC a couple weeks ago. I'm feeling skinny and pretty today, and I think the outfit is entirely to thank. This one makes me really happy :-)

Know what else makes me happy?



GIANT DANDRUFF!! Umm...I mean...SNOW!

Close-up of the pleat/buckle detail on the skirt:



Yay happy outfit!



Cardi: Marshall's
Tank: Old Navy
Skirt: thrifted
Shawl: handknitted by meee! (Pattern is "Invisibility Shawl")
Boots: Born
Tights: Target
Earrings: MOM!
Bracelets: don't recall

Daily Outfit - Jen - 01/07/11

I bought some new heels and freaking loved them until everybody at the office commented that they were really loud. And really it was just 2 people that hinted at the unusual decible levels of my footwear. 1 was my sister, and she doesn't count, so really it was 1 person. Anyway, UGH. It just crushed my sole.

SEE WHAT I DID THERE?

Cardigan: H&M

Blouse: H&M

Jeans: Martin + Osa

Heels: Madden Girl via DSW

Daily Outfit - Kate - 1/3/11

Man, is the first day back to work ROUGH. Especially when you've been off for 10 1/2 days. Especially when you've been in your pyjamas and husband's oversized hoodie for 10 1/2 days. Especially when it's like 15* out.



Rather than wearing cozycomfy work clothes and trying desperately to pretend I was back at home, I decided to head the opposite direction - heeled boots and more structured pieces to help me get back in the swing of things.

AND, in keeping up with my new year's resolution, I stayed dressed until 8:00 last night!

I iz a champion. Yes.

Boots: Born
Tights: umm...?
Skirt: thrifted
Cardi: GAP, 2009
Tank: Target
Scarf: somewhere in Chicago (ooh that really narrows it down!)
Earrings: Mom

Daily Outfit - Jen - 12/28/10

Where the heezy did the rain come from today! Gross, but I guess I shouldn't complain since it waters things. Like grass. And my car.

I used my tripod again and am loving it. The only downside tonight was that every time I ran to my place, 3 dogs would charge at me. I know they thought that I was running to something exciting - maybe a squirrel or some yummy sticks to chew on. PSYCH. JOKE'S ON YOU. JUST TAKING SOME PICTURES, STINKERS.

So I had to have Jarod press the button on the camera. Guess I still need him after all!

Cardigan: H&M

Scarf: Gift (Thanks, Ashley!)

Belt: H&M

Tunic: H&M

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Boots: Target

Golden Snitch Necklace: Gift (Thanks, Beetle!)

Tablet Necklace: Gift (Thanks, Misti!)

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/23/10

In honor of the last day of work 'till 2011, today I am an elf:



And a very convincing one at that, I'd wager.

So...to make this post at least marginally outfit-y - I love this color combo! Assorted blues + whites + greys + blacks. It feels very natural and comfortable. Which makes me wonder how much of an impact color has on an outfit, in general? Do you feel energized in red and orange, calm in yellow and green, or contented in blue? Maybe that would be a good way to give myself a pick-me-up in those long dark days of January.

Oh! And also! Since we had a half-day at work today and I had the whole afternoon to kill, I decided to go and get my nose re-pierced:



It's got a tiny purple stone, and I <3 it a million.

I had my nose pierced a few years ago, but then on our wedding day in May 2007 I took it out, and that night when I tried to put it back in it had already closed up. I thought the beginning of a long break would be a good time to get it re-done, so my work people don't have to see the crusty bloody bit. It's so subtle, though, that once it heals I wonder how long it will take people to notice? :-)

Cardi: Old Navy
Tee: Old Navy
Skirt: GAP
Tights: Target
Boots: Born
Shawl-as-scarf: MEEE!!
Earrings: Mom

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/15/10

This outfit.



This outfit is the cursed thing I was wearing when I cried at work. When my lemon bars completely failed me. And when I hit an acquaintance's parked car.

I love all of these pieces individually, and none of them have failed me before.

Therefore I must figure that it's the combination - innocuous though it may seem - which is deadly.

NEVER AGAIN.

Tee: so old it doesn't matter
Cardi: Target
Skirt: GAP
Boots: Fluevog
Scarf/shawl: MEEE!!!
Earrings: Gift from Jeff, two Christmases ago :-)

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/13/10

Jeff drove me to work today, because I was running late and had to proctor exams and...awww hell, it's snowy.

Guess what that means?

NO BOOTS.

(But Fluevogs. Which are so comfy they might as well be boots.)



I'm not really fuzzy and angry. Just tired and worn out from trying to navigate the Trader Joe's/Target/PetsMart parking lot in the middle of December.

I'm lucky I came out of it alive, wouldn't you say?

Oh! So...outfit-y talk!

One thing I loved about this outfit is just how many components are personalized, and/or thoughtfully made. Aside from the Target cardi and GAP/Old Navy components, everything else is either handmade, and/or consciously and mindfully constructed. I love buying from small sellers or companies, and getting free pretties from my mum. It makes the outfits that much more special, eh? :-)

Skirt: Etsy
Tee: GAP outlet
Cardi: Target
Tights: Old Navy
Shoes: Fluevog
Scarf: Scarf-Shop
Earrings: Mum

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/7/10

It was 17* out when I hopped on my bike yesterday morning.

Time to pull out the cold-weather gear.




No more bare legs for me for a while, that's for sure. Good thing I <3 tights :-)

But all the same, I was sweating in my windbreaker by the time I got to campus. Hills tend to do that to ya.

Cardi: Target
Tee: GAP
Skirt: thrifted, originally F21
Tights: Target
Boots: Born
Earrings: Mom
Scarf: somewhere in Chicago

Daily Outfit - Jen - 12/07/10

I can't remember the last time that I loved an outfit this much. I mean, I really loved this. I forgot how much I love yellow (and skirts and belts and making a concerted effort in my appearance).

There's one teeny little regret, though. I wish I owned booties today.

Cardigan: H&M

Blouse: H&M

Belt: J. Crew Outlet

Skirt: Target

Tights: My dresser

Boots: Aldo

Daily Outfit - Kate - 11/23/10

This was the perfect thing for the less-than-perfect stupidly warm weather.



Don't you love long flowy skirts?



I love these boots. I've had them for almost four years (I bought them on our honeymoon) and have NEVER worn them out of the house. I've always just worn them around the house, thought about wearing them out, then gotten scared of the heel height and taken them off in favor of something more reasonable.

Because I'm an old lady, you see.

Skirt: TJMaxx
Tee: GAP
Cardi: Target
Boots: BCBG
Earrings: mum

Daily Outfit - Kate - 11/22/10

I'm still fighting this stupid cold.

So yesterday I wore new Fluevogs to help:



It didn't work. I may still lose a lung at any moment.

Also? It was 70+ degrees yesterday. END OF NOVEMBER FAIL.

Skirt: thrifted; originally Talbot's
Tee: GAP
Cardigan: Sears, approx 58,000 years ago
Shoes: Fluevog, via endless.com
Earrings: mum
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co.

Daily Outfit - Kate - 11/17/10

Simple and comfy and happy.

Can't go wrong.



And the glasses too, of course.



Skirt: thrifted, originally Delia's
Tee: Old Navy
Cardi: Target
Boots: Born
Necklace: Mom, from thrifted elements
Earrings: Wai Sze on Etsy

Daily Outfit - Jen - 11/17/10

Observations:

1) I'm a wee bit puffy in the AM.

2) This skirt is a wee bit short for work.

I've got nothing folks. I have a one track mind, and it is currently occupied by HARRY POTTER. Tomorrow! Can't wait! Ahhhhh!!

Cardigan: Martin + Osa

Top: H&M

Skirt: Old Navy

Necklace: H&M

Tights: My dresser

Boots: Target