Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/31/10

I don't want to jinx anything, but this week, if you haven't noticed, has been jean-free for me. It would be kind of embarrassing that my coworkers have been commenting on that fact were it not for my bloated self-esteem. And stomach. Oops!

Sorry about the photos - these were rushed as I am about to head out to a movie. New camera is being delivered on Friday. Hooray!

A few years ago, I walked into this adorable boutique in Williamsburg and saw the most wonderful necklace, ever. I remember special ordering this and feeling so fancy. When it arrived, I was not unlike my dogs at dinner. I maybe drooled. THAT FREAKING EXCITED.

I hadn't worn it in some time, because I guess I am sort of moron and did not realize how easy it is to clean tarnished silver jewelry. Bowl of warm water lined in aluminum foil + salt + maybe 30 seconds. It's seriously that easy.

Fear not - my slacks are not hemmed this short. Had to wade the waters for this picture, so you could see me in heels!

Blouse: I think Urban Outfitters

Necklace: catbird

Slacks: Banana Republic

Belt: Gap

Heels: Nine West

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/30/10

I really liked this outfit on, but as usual I was less than thrilled with the photographic evidence.

That dress came out of the wash sorta funny; since it's a bit big all over I may pop it in the dryer next time (I usually hang-dry all my clothes) and see if that helps.

All day long I felt like a very stylish 1930's farmwife. In a good way. The open, relaxed cardi, the simple dress, the classic and comfortable shoes. Except the jewelry. I don't think many 1930's farmwives had this necklace:


So I give this outfit a 9 for in-person appearance and a 4 for photographic. ::sigh::

(I think I'm going to try for more simple, comfortable, wearable styles. I feel like a lot of my outfits sometimes are better in concept than in execution; I'm hoping to remedy that this spring :-))


Dress: thrifted, BCBG
Cardigan: handknitted by meee! Whisper Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig (available in spring 2009 IK)
Shoes: Softspots, 2009
Necklace and earrings: custom design by my custom designer

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/30/10

Hold the phone. Is that... is that a skirt? Heck yes, it is! This is honestly not the outfit I wanted to wear, and I am tired of wearing this shrug/cardigan/whatever it is. But I was running late and blah blah blah excuses excuses.

Shrug: Nordstrom Rack

Blouse: Urban Outfitters

Belt: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Gift

Skirt: Old Navy (clearance!)

Wedges: Aldo

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/29/10

I was holding out and saving this dress for a special day, but I just couldn't wait anymore. Is this not the prettiest and spring-iest dress, ever?

I was also having a heck of a time trying to figure out what shoes to wear, when I realized that I had a pair that could work! A few years ago, before I even knew I was thrifting, I bought a Halloween costume from Goodwill, and these sandals have been with me ever since. If I wasn't such a chicken, I would have bought these cuties last night, when I had the chance. I'm just not ready to rock heels that high at work, yet. YET.

Cardigan: Newport News

Dress: Tulle

Necklace: Gift

Shoes: Thrifted (Goodwill)

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/29/10

I've no idea *what* I was thinking when I bought this dress-shirt thing.


(I've also no idea why I was making another gooney face there. Such are the mysteries of the world.)

I mean, it's (the dress-shirt) is scandalously short as a dress, but definitely too long to be a shirt or tunic. I'm not a huge fan of the scoopneck, there's no waist shaping, and did I mention it's SHORT? But I liked the color, and it was $3. So it came home with me many months ago, and has been hanging neglected in my closet ever since.

UNTIL! Today. When I wore it. With a modesty skirt underneath (hey will you help me turn 'modesty skirt' into a "thing"? Please?) and my new UO belt and one of my favorite cotton scarves, it's not *horrible.* Right?



Dress: Old Navy, summer 2009
Skirt: thrifted, originally The Limited
Tights: Old Navy, 2008ish maybe?
Shoes: Softspots "Bronte", summer 2009
Belt: Urban Outfitters, winter 2009/2010
Earrings: MUMSIE WUMSIE
Scarf: Target, summer 2009

Dear Jen

That's so awesome that you're camera shopping :-) Are you looking at a DSLR? Is Leah a Nikon person or a Canon person? Because if she's a Nikon person then I'll say "Listen to Leah!" but if she's a Canon person I'll say "Listen to Leah then do the EXACT OPPOSITE." Even though I'm sure she's lovely, she may be misguided :-P

Speaking of Nikons though, I really need to take mine into the shop. Really. Even my outdoor photos are suckier than usual, and I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with my autofocus. Or something. I only hope it's not too expensive to fix, because the more money I spend on camera repair, the less money I can spend on boots for next fall.

Because OMG guess what? It is going to be 80* here this week. Eighty. Degrees. DO NOT WANT! I'll be sweating in my boots for sure, but there's no way in hell I'm bustin' out the sandals in March. NO WAY.

I love your approach to the wardrobe gaps idea. Mind if I do that too, or would that make me a total copycat?

Also, I don't know how much credibility there would be in saying "Wardrobe gap - Fluevog Chinoa." YKWIM?

Hope the weed pulling went well. If I lived in Austin, I'd SO be over there helping you. I <3 the setup part of gardening; it's just the maintenance that I suck at.

Holdin' on to winter with every ounce of my strength,
Kate

Dear Kate

How was your weekend? I ended up pulling weeds. And weed-pulling requires gardening gloves. Check out the ones that Jarod picked out for me!

I was pretty impressed that he actually selected something relatively feminine, but according to him, they were "the only ones that said 'ladies' gardening gloves.'" Be that as it may, he still deserves a pat on the back, don't you think? At the very least for walking in to a home improvement store solely to purchase ladies' gardening gloves, right?

What else? Oh! I am officially in the market for a new camera. My (insanely talented photographer) friend, Leah, is doing everything to make sure that I follow through with this purchase. She remarked that my Two Closets pictures would improve and that my learning to take better pictures would be "FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY" - I'm thinking the upgrade is seriously needed.

Do you feel that you have any gaps in your wardrobe? I've been following Diana's Great Shopping Plan of 2010, and she totally shops with purpose, whereas I (rather stupidly) approach my shopping with OH THAT'S CUTE I SHOULD BUY IT. I would really like to compile a list of gaps in my wardrobe like she did and to start shopping to fill them! Ugh. It sounds like such a daunting task, though. I mean, the whole point of Two Closets is to learn, so how am I honestly supposed to know what the gaps even are! I could use a little (a lot) of help.

Can't wait to see your outfits, this week! I am looking forward to seeing more spring fashions from you.

Yours,

Jen

Friday Favorites - 3/26/10

Jen's Favorites:

Krystal's outfit makes me cry tears of happiness (and jealousy), because it is so dang gorgeous.

A $12 bag? I dig it.


Kate's Favorites:

I adore this outfit of Jessica's. So fresh and clean and pretty!

Congratulations to Chelsea and Nic!

More style inspiration from Hillary - I'm in love with the lines and colors of this ensemble.

This post from Daddy Likey made me smile. And think. And smile again :-)

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/26/10

Happy Friday!

Top: Old Navy (clearance!)

Necklace: Ancient and unknown - cute, eh?

Jeans: Martin + Osa

Flats: Tory Burch via Nordstrom

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/25/10

We were rushing this evening, so the photos are even crappier than usual. But that's OK, because this outfit was the epitome of laziness and comfort :-)



I originally put it together to wear with this new shawl I knitted, but then once I got it all on I realized - I really needed a darker color up at my neck. So I subbed in *another* shawl I knitted.

It's rough being me, you know.

Especially when I'm having a BAD FREAKING HAIR DAY.



Ever have days when you just want to cut your bangs OFF? Yes. Me too.

Cardigan: Old Navy, 2007 or 2008
Tee: GAP, 2008
Skirt: LLBean
Boots: LLBean
Shawl: pattern - Ishbel; yarn - Buffalo Gold Lux Lace
Earrings: mummy
Ring: Maple Leaf festival fall 2009

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 - 3/24/10

I'm feeling ornery today.



Even so, I'm rather proud of this outfit. I've had this skirt since high school and I've always worn it one way - with my old teal button-down and strappy black sandals. This was the first time ever - EVER - that I've worn it with anything else. I'm branching out! And it doesn't totally suck!

Oh, and check out the belt - that's one of my Sarasota finds! I'm madly in love with the color :-)



Also, it's official. I *must* find a fair replacement for this cardigan. It's what I really wanted to wear with today's outfit, but I've gotten to the point where I "save" it more worthy days. So I wore the pictured cardigan instead, which I don't like nearly as well. ::sigh::

What do you think? Is it stupid to "save" my favorite items? Even if they're raggedy 10-year-old white cardigans?

I kinda like the tone-on-tone necklace, by the way. It added a little texture to the outfit, I think, without a whole bunch of color discordance.



Button-down: Sears, summer 2008
Cardigan: Francesca's Collections, summer 2009
Skirt: really freaking old. Originally Kohls, maybe?
Boots: Born, winter 2008/2009
Necklace: Ummm...Kohls?
Ring: MacroSun

PS>What's the verdict on boots-without-tights? Acceptable springtime wear, or kinda trashy? Hopefully the former.

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/24/10

The dress didn't happen, today, I know. But it rained! So, that's a good reason to wear jeans... right? Anyway, I am pretty happy with what I threw together.

OH. And please note that this is the first time you have seen me in non-skinny jeans. I ordered these from Martin + Osa and am really happy with them, which is no surprise since their sister company is American Eagle - my jean brand of choice in my youth (YOUTH, HA!).

Could I possibly wear this shrug more often? Sheesh. I would really like to add more warm weather-friendly cardigans and shrugs to my wardrobe, but I did swear off shopping for the rest of March. That and now my coworkers are leaving notes of concern on my packages.

Shrug: Nordstrom Rack

Top: Old Navy (clearance!)

Necklace: Gift

Jeans: Martin + Osa

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/23/10

We maybe possibly had a bit of wind, today.

I was talking to my friend, Thao, over dinner the other day about dress code in the office. With the weather quickly warming up, I observed that my coworkers were already starting to show up in tank tops and flip-flops.

"What about the women? What are they wearing?"

"I was describing the women."

Thinking about wearing a skirt or dress, tomorrow. I know, I know. You're thinking. "DON'T GO TOO CRAZY, NOW, JEN."

Cardigan: H&M

Tank: J.Crew

Cami: Unknown

Necklace: Gift

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Flats: Camper via Nordstrom Rack

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/23/10

So um...how obvious is it that I'm still loving this 90's inspiration thing?


Lose the jacket, you weirdo!



This was actually my first time ever doing the whole "footless tights with flats" thing. I think I liked it. How 'bout you?



You see, I - in my unrelenting fashion-forwardness - have always worn footless tights with boots. So I could wear handknitted socks with said tights and boots.

I told ya I was cool.

And also? I <3 my new necklace. Bet it won't surprise you to learn that Mom made it :-)

(even if I forget to make it lay straight before taking pictures)

And I bet you'll be even less surprised to learn there are awesome matching earrings, too:


Happiness!

Dress: Old Navy fall 2009, purchased on super clearance
Jacket: GAP
Tights: Target
Flats: Michelle D (Dillards), 2008ish
Earrings, necklace: mi madre
Ring: booth at Maple Leaf, 2009

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/22/10

Happy Monday! Mondays. Blech. Are they ever really happy? Really?

I recently ordered a few things from Old Navy. Of course, I always order from the clearance section, but this time I did something a teeny bit different. Instead of buying my usual supply of solid tanks and tees, I stepped outside of the box and bought some other things... like a DRESS and SKIRTS and this cute red-striped tank. I am patiently waiting to see how my fashionable friends wear their skirts, because I am clueless. Also, I am very pale. My-legs-will-blind-you pale. What-the-heck-is-wrong-with-her pale. You-should-see-a-doctor-about-that pale. Ya dig? VERY PALE and very reluctant to show these bare legs.

I was also reluctant about showing my forehead, but what is a girl to do? Friends, don't let your friends go without bang trims.

Cardigan: Target

Tank: Old Navy (clearance)

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW

Dear Kate

It was so funny reading your letter, because I was just about to write you in panic - panic because it is getting warmer here and I have no idea what to wear and am feeling not-so-confident. But then, then I read that you think I have "an awesome natural sense of style" and that I am a "great source of style inspiration." You are a damn liar, BUT I'LL TAKE IT!

Anyway, so you're lacking in your summer wardrobe, you say? Well, I will be sure to send you something summery and interesting post-haste! I hate that I made the suggestion to send each other something and have not made good on it. What is wrong with me! Honestly, part of the reason is that I've had a hell of a time trying to figure out what to send you, but now I feel like I have direction! Incidentally, the other part of the reason is laziness. Surprise.

What size shoe do you wear! What size top! What size waist! How tall are you! What's your blood type! And social security number! Just kidding. I don't need to know what size waist you have.

Do you know what makes me sort of sad? I never got brown riding boots. But I guess the bright side is that I have plenty of time to find the ones I adore for when I'll need them in September (okay, January). Wear yours for me as much as you possibly can for as long as you can. In the shower. To sleep. DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

Oh, yeah. I bought 3 skirts. I am terrified. You wear yours sans tights, first. It will give me strength.

Yours,

Jen

P.S. You don't know that you'll look like a potato until you try!

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/22/10

Help me, girlies.

This is what I wore today:


Accessories and meeeee:


Not so great, is it?

Only thing is, I can't quite put my finger on it. I partially think it's a case of "throw together a bunch of random pieces that I all love individually"-itis, but that's not quite it, either. I think the main problem - please I'd love your input on this - is that I have about 3 or 4 outfits all trying to happen at once.

I *love* this shirt, and it's the first time I've worn it since I thrifted it a couple months ago. I've styled it about a billiion different ways in my mind, so I think when I got dressed this morning I forgot which way I was shooting for *today*. Shirt + belt? CUTE. Shirt + necklace? CUTE. Shirt + earrings? CUTE. Shirt + skirt? meh. Shirt + shoes? OK whatever. Shirt + belt + necklace + earrings + skirt + shoes? FAIL.

So how could I have fixed this? For the winning Shirt + belt + necklace combination, I think I should've worn my burgundy tulip skirt, and maybe my patterned brown tights instead of these (saggy itchy gross) ones. Shoes can stay just because they're my only brown comfy heels.

Or I could've worn another necklace - one of my silver/gunmetal ones - and smaller earrings. And I could've stacked on a bunch of bracelets, and worn my denim pencil skirt and black tights and grey maryjanes, and no belt. That would've worked too.

OR I could've worn the shirt with my new skinny green belt and my simple brown skirt and some new blue tights that you haven't seen yet and my blue copper necklace and the earrings pictured and I could get some other brown heels (maybe some that are dressier/less clunky looking?). Or green flats, if I had any.

*OR* I could've worn the shirt with that awesome new teal skirt, and worn a red scarf like a wrap belt and worn no tights and some black flats (which I don't yet own, but that's neither here nor there).

There are lots of awesome things I could've done with this outfit (err...shirt) and I tried to do them all at once and failed. Lesson learned.

Just goes to show - I have a *long* way to go.



Shirt: thrifted, originally Benetton
Belt: Urban Outfitters ($9.99 on clearance!)
Skirt: thrifted, originally George
Tights: old and icky
Shoes: Softspots "Bronte", summer (?) 2009
Earrings and necklace: mom

Dear Jen

I have a plan. Well, it started out as a theory. But now it's a plan.

So you live in Austin, right? And it's hot in Austin for about 10 1/2 months out of the year, right? So that means you have a pretty good assortment of summery clothes, right? AND you have an awesome natural sense of style, right? (I bet you know where I'm going with this).

For you see, I am sorely lacking in variety and interest in my own summery wardrobe. I'm telling you this straight up because it will soon become painfully obvious. Spring is on its way to St. Louis, there's no avoiding it.

I've always thought you're a great source of style inspiration anyway, but now that my mind is turning to breezy cardigans and tights-less skirts and cute little tank tops, I'm realizing even more the impact that your style is having on my own mindset.

Don't worry, I'm not gonna start looking like a Jenelganger (get it? Doppelganger? Jenelganger? I should get *paid* to write these jokes!). But I will be keeping many of your tricks in mind as I shop for the upcoming season. I've already seen you try a lot of cute things - like flats and skinny jeans (the jury is still out on whether or not I'll look like a potato when I try that), and layers that can easily be adjusted without losing the whole "look" of an outfit. So since I'm sure it'll be 80* in Austin by this time next week, I imagine you'll be rolling out even more awesome outfits - I can't wait! :-)

In the meantime I'll just sit over here and hug my boots and shawls and weep quietly, for soon we must part...until September (ok, August). And until September (ok, August) rolls back around, I'll be thrifting up a storm and drawing style inspiration from you and other lovely bloggers.

<3
Kate

Daily Outfit - Kate - 3/19/10

I went back and forth about posting this outfit - yeah it's just another turtleneck + jeans + cowboy boots + shawl. But I've gotta be honest about the awesome outfits and the not-so-awesome ones, so here it is.



And even if my outfit wasn't the most creative, isn't my big blonde accessory adorable?



The outfit wasn't a total loss, though. I'm wearing my new Citron shawl, and I actually figured out a way to style this dinky little thing so it's not *completely* useless!


Love that little flower clip, and I'm glad to be able to wear it for its prettiness *and* usefulness!

Turtleneck: Target
Jeans: Levi's 518's
Boots: Ariat Legend in "Brown Oiled Rowdy"
Shawl: Citron, knitted by me
Clip: Denielly at that craft show last fall
Earrings: mum

Frunday (Friday + Sunday) Favorites - 3/21/10

Jen's Favorites:
This necklace is apparently out of stock, now. Boo. Still freaking cute!

Am a little (read: a lot) obsessed with Tieka's outfit. That blueeee! Those layerssss!

Dingity dang! These heels are out of stock, too. They are so cute, they make me SICK.

I love books. Pretty books are a bonus!

One of my favorite outfits I've seen lately! I'm too chicken to try something like a red blazer, though. Sometimes I suck

Kate's Favorites:
Great post from Academichic to help me think outside the belt box. If I had a belt box. Which I guess I do, metaphorically speaking.

SWF's take on the Joan Barbie. I think I like her version better than the doll itself!

AWESOME tights, beautiful color palette.

Can one take style inspiration from a non-style source? what if this is the source?

I can't decide if this would make me look awesome, or even shorter than I already am.

I'm loving the color inspiration this week! Another amazing palette.

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/19/10

When your friend comes to you and says, "I have a 30% off coupon for you," you graciously accept it. YOU HAVE TO. Even if you're already expecting an online order from this store. Even if you may have sworn off shopping for the rest of the month. You don't just turn down a 30% off coupon, people!

So, I didn't. I made a trip to Old Navy, and per my M.O., shopped their clearance section. I left with 5 v-neck pocket tees, which were already marked down to $4.99/each. 30% off of that! YOU DO THE MATH. (Really. Would you mind? I can't do math.)

I really do love these very basic shirts and find them flattering and comfortable. Never mind my posture and angle; they're deceiving! I just laughed at the thought of writing "deception." It's a funny word.

I just got some new stuff in and am so pumped to share the spoils. Not share-share, though, ya dig? They're mine.

Happy weekend!

Shirt: Old Navy (clearance!)

Necklace: Gift

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW

Daily Outfit - Jen - 3/18/10

Well, I'm on my own for a few days, so photographing my outfit today required a bit of creativity. And by creativity, I mean "the ability to set the timer and balance the camera on the arm of a lawn chair."

Don't you love the blue? I do. I love the blue. And I love this necklace. I don't know why I don't wear it more often, but something tells me that the sunny days ahead will present lots of opportunities!

Shrug: Nordstrom Rack

Tank: Old Navy (clearance!)

Necklace: Gift

Jeans: Nordstrom Rack

Flats: Steve Madden via DSW