Daily Outfit - Kate - 11/12/10

It may not look like much, but I'm calling this outfit a TRIUMPH.



Because originally I was wearing something else which wasn't that flattering, and which I wasn't that wild about. But instead of leaving the house in the unflattering icky thing, and then being miserable all day, and then being in a bad mood all night, I (for once) had the good sense to think to myself, "Self, this outfit would make you very unhappy. Take two minutes and change. The world will be a better place for it." And for once, I listened to myself. And changed. And now I am happy today.



Also? Morning outfit pictures rock. (Good suggestion, Jen!)

Cardi: Old Navy
Tank: thrifted
Jeanskirt: Old Navy
Boots: Born
Jewelry: mumsie

The Spoils: Old Navy

A week or so ago, I received a coupon in the mail offering 30% off of select fall fashions at Old Navy. Exercising self-restraint, I promptly discarded the coupon.

On Friday, my coworker approached me and said that she had something for me. She'd also received the same coupon in the mail, but she did not dispose of it. Instead, she'd saved it for me. It was kismet. I called my coworker an "enabler," thanked her for the coupon, and paid a visit to Old Navy.

I know these hangers are sexy, but if the Texas temperatures would kindly accommodate, I could show you what the spoils look like on me!

The Spoils: mostly Old Navy, and Daily Outfit - Kate - 8/29/10

EDIT - fixed the pictures!

I ran some errands yesterday. One of those errands involved Old Navy, and a 30% Friends and Family discount.

Good (read: bad) things happen when I run an errand in Old Navy. Especially with a discount in hand.

A purple wide-wale corduroy waistcoat happens, for example. As you shall see later.

Also, a new denim knee-length skirt happens:

It's so I don't have to wear the same one every day. Mix it up a bit!

And then there's an airy woven tunic thingy:



($8.99 on clearance!)

Oh, and a cute little ruffled henley:

Look at me, all explorin' outside the box! Shaddup. It's a big step. For me.

And because we can't be *too* adventurous, we end up in Grey Cardigan Land.

But it fits perfectly, and was only $7!

Why buy one cardigan, when you can buy *two*?!

This one is different, though. 'Cause it's purple. And lace. And cropped. And $11.

After leaving Old Navy, I decided to inflict some damage at the adjacent Marshall's. To the tune of $7 pumps:


Which I wore today and... ::shudder::. Glad I didn't pay more than $7 for them!

Oh, and a Talbots skirt:


It may not look like much now, but I can tell ya that it's the *perfect* length to pair with these beauties.

Ssh! Don't tell Jeff I'm already planning outfits, OK?

Goodwill was my last stop, and I tried on a *bunch* of stuff but only came away with one item:

We shall see. It's a bit tight, and it needs a slip, but that grey floral print is just so charming, and the color's so bright and cheery! Worth a shot at $2, yes?

::contented sigh::

Oh! I almost forgot! Sunday night I had a work function to attend, and it was really casual. So I test-drove a couple of my new pieces:

I felt like major hotness!


Yeah, this one will definitely be repeated at some point.

Top: Old Navy
Tank: who knows?
Skirt: Old Navy
Belt: Target, 2008
Sandals: Sofft, 2009
Necklace: super old
Earrings: Kirksville Farmer's Market, circa 2006

The Spoils: Lots of places

Now that I've got job/financial security for the first time in several months, I've decided to splurge just a bit. Also, it turns out I don't get to go to New York next month as planned (boo!). So last night I made the rounds - Avalon Exchange (resale), Old Navy, and the Gap.

I set out with one goal in mind: BUY INTERESTING STUFF. No more super-basic tanks or solid-colored skirts. I needed a couple new pretty dresses and a cardigan for early fall. Shirts with interesting detailing or prints (like Jen always rocks!). Shoes. BOOTS.

So how did I do?

See for yourself...


This hits right above the knee, and I love the print (it reminds me of silk cocoons). Only $11 at Avalon, but it's from Target originally so is it really branching out *that* much?


$12 at Avalon. I love the cropped length, and the button detailing is SO CUTE!

I think that one warrants a close-up:

Gah. J'adore.

Then, Old Navy:

Simple cotton cardi, but with embellishments! Be proud of me, y'all. I can't wait to wear this with my brown cowboy boots and one of my black pencil skirts. And I'm SOOOOOO glad to see dark colors back in the stores - all those brights were wearing me out!

But that's where my ambitiousness ends. There was a $5 tee sale, and...

Sorry guys, I tried. Grey and white. Crewneck. Fitted. SNORE. (but also needed in my wardrobe)

I went to the mall and poked around in Anthropologie, but nothing on the sale racks were calling me and I'm feeling too poor for even a $40 skirt right now. So I dashed into the Gap before the mall closed, where I tried on lots of stuff that pushed my comfort zone - pleated front jeanskirts, a maxi dress, and an oversized woven shirt. But all I left with was this:

Yes that's a navy-blue zip up. No I don't have one already. No it's not exciting. But it was $13 (cheaper in store than online!) and I really needed it! So there's no guilt associated with this one. :-)

Overall, though...I'm not all that proud of myself. I really like what I got, but I should've pushed my boundaries even further. Maybe I'll stop by my favorite Goodwill soon, but then I'll be saving my money for a trip to Kansas City (and shopping with a girlfriend!) in August. And on that trip I'll do even better. I promise you.

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/25/10

I need a tripod so freaking badly. We are surrounded on all 3 sides by 2-story houses, so I know that if a neighbor happens to be looking out a window, they're already thinking I'm insane and/or vain for taking photos of myself. I like to pretend that the fact that I use a lawn chair in lieu of a tripod adds to my charm.

This dress is one of my $20 Old Navy finds. My only (non-) complaint is that it's a bit sheer, so I had to wear a slip. What's that? Oh, I'm supposed to wear slips with dresses? Well, YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!

Cardigan: Newport News

Dress: Old Navy (clearance!)

Necklace: Gift

Belt: J. Crew

Flats: Tory Burch via Nordstrom

Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/22/10

This wasn't my most creative outfit ever, I admit, but I enjoyed it. It was comfy and cute and had a bit of visual interest so that's good enough for me, for a Monday :-)



Weaker mortals are still wearing heavy coats in this weather, but I was dying to bust out my new trench so I decided today was as good a day as any. And then I went to the grocery store a few blocks from my work this afternoon and didn't even bother with a coat. Hey, it was 38*. I was in no danger of freezing.

Anywhoo, under the coat:

Fuck it. I took the rant down. But suffice to say I hate how unphotogenic I am. Rant is gone.

Well there goes my mood. Dammit. Sorry to be Miss Negativity tonight.

Anyway. Tights and jewelry:


Trench: Target, Spring 2010
Scarf: Filene's Basement
Skirt: thrifted, originally Old Navy
Cowlneck top: Target, 2008
Cardigan: Target, winter 2009
Belt: Target (ugghghhghg so much Target) 2009
Tights: F21
Shoes: Naturalizer
Bracelet: Tiffany & Co., gift
Earrings: Mom-made

Daily Outfit - Jen - 2/8/10

I may or may not be (I totally am) retroactively blogging this outfit. I'm sorry! I was (am) sick! Will you forgive me?

For full disclosure, not only am I retroactively blogging this outfit, but these pictures were taken on Saturday. I'M A FRAUD. We went out to dinner with friends, and I thought, "I am going to wear this Monday, because I promised to accessorize this month and I am totally wearing a necklace right now and they would be shocked and oh my gosh I am going to post this Monday and and and!"

I really truly wore this yesterday, though. Pinky swear.

You've surely noticed that I don't really wear a variety of jewelry. I wear my college ring, my engagement ring, my wedding ring, and my fake pearl earrings that I never change or take out (unless I replace them with new fake pearls).

This necklace was a gift from my dear friend, Sylvia, who brought it back from India after her studies abroad. I love it so. It makes this pretty chime (but not obnoxious wind chime) sound when I walk, and HELLO IT'S FROM INDIA. Pretty cool. My friends are cool. And by association, I am cool. That's how it works, right?

Shrug: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: gift

Top: Old Navy (clearance)

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Boots: Aldo

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