Daily Outfit - Jen - 02/14/11

It's only in retrospect that I am realizing that this was my Valentine's Day outfit. Man, I couldn't have at least worn red? Of course, I am wearing this sweet invisibility shawl (scarf, I know, I know. HARRY POTTER FOREVER!) to hide my cold dark heart.

My outfit (about) one year ago.

Invisibility shawl: Gift (Thanks, Kate!)

Top: Dumbass company that just won't remove me from their mailing list after multiple requests over the course of a year. Rhymes with Shmelia's.

Necklace: Etsy Seller GreenEyedSoul

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Boots: Aldo

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/21/10

I got a compliment on my scarf tie at work today.



It was pretty awesome.

And now if you'll excuse me, I need to go eat peanut butter fudge and watch The Wizard of Oz.

It's tough being me.

Turtleneck: Target
Skirt: F21
Pashmina: Amazon seller
Boots: 704b, via DSW
Earrings: booth at Kirksville farmer's market
Ring: booth at Maple Leaf festival

Daily Outfit - Kate - 12/18/10

Occasion: yarn crawl with a work friend (a new knitter!):



Is this like the un-macho-est way to wear plaid flannel? I hope so.

Shirt: Mossimo, Target, 2010
Tee: thrifted, originally Target
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: Target
Boots: LLBean
Necklace: Mom!
Earrings: ancient history

Daily Outfit - Kate - 11/30/10

Behold, my masterpiece:



OK not really but doesn't that at least sound impressive?

I did like this outfit, though - it was a great and cozy color palette, with the cheerful orange pashmina, teal turtleneck and colorful plaid skirt. Yep, this is about as bold as I ever get.

Turtleneck: thrifted, NWT from Target
Pashmina: Amazon.com
Skirt: F21, years ago
Boots: 704b, via DSW
Tights: Target
Earrings: Mom!

Daily Outfit - Jen - 10/26/10

I think this is one of those shirts that you just have to wear with jeans. I was not sad about wearing jeans. I felt super casual, comfortable, and cute. You know what that means, right? I need about 6 more of these shirts.

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW

Daily Outfit - Kate - 10/25/10

I really liked the *idea* of this outfit.



I'd even go so far as to say that I like the execution too.

But I think I've gotta get rid of this skirt. It's just too short - I felt exposed all day, and uncomfortable. It would seem I'm a knee-length girl at least.

And also? Sometimes it just feels really good to wear a crisp white button-down.



Can't go wrong with a crisp white button-down.

Skirt: garage sale, originally A&F
Shirt: Calvin Klein, via Macy's
Belt: Target
Boots: 704b, via DSW
Jewelry: Mom

Daily Outfit - Kate - 10/21/10

Man, I really wish these pictures had turned out better.



I LOVED this outfit. If I were to go for a tromp in the moors, this is what I would wear.

Sadly, as I am lacking in moors to tromp in, I just wore it to work.

Loved the way this plaid looked against the bright green, and how the whole thing had a very vintage-y, rural English sort of feel to it. In a perfect world it would've been the skirt wearing the plaid rather than the shirt, and the cardigan would've been a bit looser and less trendy. But hey, I'll take what I can get.

Skirt: GAP
Boots: LLBean
Shirt: NY&Co, 2010
Cardi: Target, spring 2010
Belt: thrifted
Earrings: mum

Daily Outfit - Kate - 10/7/10

I won't call this an outtake. I must call it 'the best of the lot.'

And also, 'damn that dog.'



Perturbed much?

(PS I really liked this grey + purple + blue + white + brown color palette.)

Top: NY&Co, 2010
Tee: Target
Belt: Target
Skirt: GAP, 2009
Boots: LLBean
Necklace: mumsie
Earrings: Twisted Silver

Daily Outfit - Kate - 10/6/10

Guess this is my interpretation of "sexy schoolmarm."

...what's that you say? The phrase is "sexy schoolGIRL"?

Whatevs. Potato potahto.



Love the look of these patent leather brogues. Don't love how they make my feet feel. Don't care.



Tee: Target, circa 2008
Skirt: Forever 21, super old
Tights: ???
Shoes: Nine West via DSW, 2010
Necklace: MUM!
Earrings: MUM! again!

Daily Outfit - Kate - 9/1/10

Y'all know what September hails...



BOOT SEASON!

And apparently "shake hands with the mayor* season" and "this outfit is really cute but the pictures suck because my lens's motor is dying" season

As if I had to tell you.

As you can see, now the mayor* is attempting to eat my hand. The mayor* is fickle.



I broke my own rule about "don't wear thrifted clothes 'till you wash them" just for this occasion. I LOVE this skirt and when it was literally sitting on the floor next to the blue plaid top, I couldn't *not* wear them together, y'know?

Also, some random student at work complimented me on the belt. So that's cool.

Skirt: thrifted
Top: NY & Co., 2010
Cardigan: Francesca's Collection, 2009-ish
Belt: thrifted
Boots: LLBean
Earrings: Mum

Random 1970's-esque hair feathering:

WHERE THE HECK DID THAT COME FROM?

~~~
*She's not actually the mayor. In case you hadn't figured that out. But she does like to shake hands and kiss babies and make stump speeches**.
**By which I mean, pee on stumps.

The Spoils: miscellaneous

EDITED: Fixed the pictures.

I went shopping on Saturday. It wasn't a "pop into the store and look around" or a "just browse a bit". It was actual SHOPPING.

And nevertheless, I just came away with a few items. Either I'm too stupid to figure it out, too discriminating, or too parsimonious.

Either way, though, I love what I *did* get.

($7.99, clearance, New York & Co.)

This is the most perfect-fitting shirt ever. EVER. It's amazing. It's one of those ones where I came out of the dressing room to show my shopping partner and then there was *mutual* squee-ing.

So you know what I did, right?


Yup. Bought it in two colors. But hey - are they not both patterned (thus filling a wardrobe gap)? Are they not both supercheap? And versatile? YES. So it's OK.

I love this plaid.

It reminds me of fabric from the '30s.

And then...another plaid shirt came along:

This one is a bit different though, eh? Decidedly more casual, in a cotton/linen blend and an awesome color palette that reminds me of my grandma (in a good way). This was only $12 at Marshall's - how could I resist?

These next couple items just rock my world. Back about a month or so ago when I was feeling really uncertain about my job (ie, "would I still have one?" and was griping to my mom about the recent dearth of clothing purchases, she picked up a couple items for me, so I wouldn't have to be new-clothes-less forever and ever. THAT'S WHAT MOMS ARE FOR, YO.



I LOVE this top. The jersey fabric is so incredibly soft and comfy, and I can already think of about 40 bazillion ways to style it.

Check out the super-cute neckline detail:



(Does it remind you of something Jen would wear?)

Actually, I may wear it today :-)

Finally, check out this gorgeousness:

Mom got that at a shop in Lawrence, KS when she was there with friends recently. I love it! The color is *so* "me", don't you think? I can tell already it'll be a frequently-worn wardrobe staple :-)

New clothes = happy Kate.

Daily Outfit - Kate - 5/11/10

This, my friends, is the face of pure, unadulterated pride:


And also exhaustion. For today, I rode my bike to and from the train station, instead of driving! For the first time ever! And I survived! Read all about it here, if you're interested. Which you probably aren't. That's OK; I heart y'all anyway.

So anyway, that's why I look so tired, and proud.

As promised, this was my attempt at black + brown + grey. Does it count as cheating because the plaid top has all three colors already? I hope not, 'cause I love it.



Top: Nordstrom Rack, Chicago, winter 2009/2010
Tee: Target, 2007ish
Skirt: GAP, 2008
Boots: LLBean
Belt: Target, 2008 or 2009?
Earrings: Meierotto's
Necklace: Mumsie

Daily Outfit - Kate - 4/28/10

I got home superlate last night and could barely bring myself to pause for the camera before crawling into my PJ's. So:



I don't know if it's the sort of western-y vibe of this dress, or what, but I always consider it sort of a "workhorse" item. Doesn't require a lot of thought while I'm wearing it, and there's almost no effort involved. I love pairing the pink + brown plaid with my orange flats and orange copper jewelry, though! :-)



Wow those pics are yellow. Can we just pretend I live in Springfield? :-D

Dress: Old Navy
Tights: Hellmart
Flats: Dillards, circa 2006ish?
Necklace: Mumsie
Ring: booth at Maple Leaf, 2009 (wow I'm getting a lot of wear out of this piece lately!)
Earrings: Twisted Silver

Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/25/10

If I were a better outfit-maker, I'd have incorporated more purple (besides just the corduroy skirt) into this ensemble. Unfortunately, 4 days of insomnia has taken its toll on me, so let's just thank [deity] that I remembered to put a skirt on over my slip, eh?


Hey, I already said I was exhausted. So I won't apologize for the slumpy shoulders and goony expression. MY EYES ARE OPEN. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!



I love this bib-style shirt. It gives that "Oh hai, boobs!" effect for those of us who aren't naturally blessed ;-)


<3

Shirt: Nordstrom Rack
Layering tee: Target
Skirt: GAP
Tights: Hellmart
Boots: LLBean
Belt: Target
Earrings: mamma mia

Daily Outfit - Kate - 2/18/10

Still now sure how I feel about today's outfit, honestly. I think my opinion of it may be marred by my growing hatred of these body-segmenting tights. I also don't feel like the layers transitioned as it smoothly as the last time I tried this trick - I don't think it was as noticeable in person, but in photos you can definitely see the waistline of my skirt.

THAT SAID, I love the theory of this outfit - the plaid peeking out below the dress, the contrast between the prim dress vs the preppy plaid vs the rustic cowboy boots. And this dress? OMG LOVE IT SO MUCH. It fits me perfectly and I'm finally seeing the light re: empire waists. It's all about finding the *right* empire-waisted garment. Consider my eyes opened.


And also? The details on this dress are fabulous. I've always liked the fit and fabrics from BCBG, and I'm so happy to have found another piece that fit within my budget (hint: Nordstrom Rack price + 75% off clearance = gettin' there)

Oh, and the earrings were a totally impulse, last-minute decision as I was dashing out the door this morning, but I love how they worked. I adore them but don't wear them often enough because they're relatively large. But I love the style and the color just makes me happy in my heart whenever I see them. Plus they're incredibly lightweight and comfortable. They really should get rotated in more...


Dress: BCBG, via Nordstrom Rack
Skirt: F21
Tights: Target
Boots: Ariat, via Zappos
Earrings: Mamma mia
Bracelet: very old

Daily Outfits - Kate - 2/6/10 and 2/8/10

First I'll take care of a bit of backlog.

Modelled in our fabulous hotel room, this is what I tromped around in on Saturday in Chicago:

Yup, that's my new scarf! I didn't realize 'till after I bought it how well it'd work with the rest of my outfit.

I knew I'd be running around all day, in a bunch of different places and spending a fair amount of time outside, so I went for COMFORT. Those LLBean boots are one of my most comfortable pairs of shoes, and even so my feet were KILLING me by the end of the day. But I think the outfit was a success - it took me from shopping on Michigan Avenue, to a show at Second City, and everywhere in between :-)


That's a pretty good indication of the "vibe" of my outfit, I think. Casual and comfy, yet put together (is there any easier way to instantly look put together than throwing on a scarf? I don't think so...)

Sadness, though - at some point in the day I lost one of my earrings :-( I had them both at about 4:00 in the afternoon, but by the time we left the restaurant after dinner it was gone. So was my 3-day CTA pass. Luckily, Mom can make me a new earring. She can't make a CTA pass.


Cardigan: Francesca's Collections
green tank: Anthropologie
Jeanskirt: Old Navy
Tights: Target
Boots: LLBean
Scarf: Filene's Basement
Necklace (not visible) and earrings: Mom-made
Belt: thrifted

And here's today. I was exhausted and crabby and not wanting to be at work, so I rolled out an old favorite:

Not much to say there; the photo is horrible I know. But the outfit was comfy and cozy and just what I needed, on this day when I just wanted to stay in bed. I also just noticed how it's another green tee + white sweater combo. Oh well. None of my co-workers were in Chicago (nor were there Chicagoans in my office, for that matter)

Skirt: Forever 21, a billion years ago
Tee: thrifted, originally Target
Cardigan: Apostrophe by Sears, circa 2001-ish
Tights: Target
Boots: LLBean
Necklace: Mom's creation, with thrifted pendant
Earrings: Mom