It’s beginning to look a lot like…

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Diana

The last week before Christmas break, I challenged myself to wear red and green everyday without being tacky. I was also battling a cold that had me slipping into pj’s and going to bed the second I got home everyday, so unfortunately, this outfit is the only one I had enough energy to capture. Fortunately, it was my favorite, so it all evens out.

It’s not unusual to get compliments sometimes from people I work with. This was one of those rare, wonderful outfits that garnered compliments from total strangers. As I was leaving my dermatologist’s office, this cute little old lady stopped to tell me how much she loved my skirt. At the grocery store, a clerk commented on how I must be dressed up for something special. Thus, this skirt remains one of my all-time favorite second-hand finds.

Speaking of the dermatologist, I finally made myself go and find out what was making my lips peel and get irritated during the winter. Turns out, lip balm addicts like myself have a habit of licking their lips a lot, and in the winter, it dries them out to the point where lip balm stings and does more harm than good. My lips are better now thanks to some lotion my dermatologist gave me. She recommended that I switch to lip stick or lip gloss during the winter, since you’re less likely to lick it off. So here’s where I ask for your help: I’m a total lipstick noob. I’ve always been a diehard balm user, and I think I own maybe four tubes of lipstick (which I got for free in Clinique gift sets).

So here’s my questions:

How do I go about finding my perfect shade?
What’s your favorite shade of lipstick?
Do you use different shades of lipliner for different lipsticks, is there a one-shade-fits-all, or do you use it at all?

Tank: Target
Cardigan: J Crew (via eBay)
Skirt: Mix Noveau (via Revolve)
Shoes: Born Codder
Necklace: garage sale
Watch: Fossil outlet
Purse: Morelle Oyster

Outfit: 10-2-11

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Diana

Today was the first day that it really felt like Fall here in Florida. I know that we’ll have many more 80+ degree days before it really cools down, but this weekend, I was just relishing in the cool weather. It was the first day that I was able to turn off the A/C, open up the windows and enjoy the cool breeze. Fall is definitely my favorite season of the year. Winter is too erratic (in Florida at least), Spring is too short (it lasts maybe two weeks here), and summer is too blasted hot. Fall is cool and fresh and full of possibilities. It’s the start of a new school year (and work year for me), with new and old faces all mingling together. It’s the time to bring out your long-sleeved tops and jackets that have been sitting in a box in your closet since May. I love Fall.

So of course, I celebrated by wearing a cardigan that I haven’t worn in months. I’m not even sure if it’s ever made it onto the blog before. It’s super soft, with beautiful details, and pockets. I love a cardigan with pockets

I was having a good hair day today too. I really love how long it’s getting. Short hair was fun, but I think I really missed wearing it long.

By the way, this tree in my backyard always starts blooming right around the first week of Fall. All those little yellow flowers will soon turn into pink ones. It’s been in several of my outfit shots in years past (see here and here). I actually wrote a post about the tree last year. Happy Fall everyone!

Tee: Gap (via Revolve)
Cardigan: Bobeau (via Nordstrom Rack)
Capris: Levi Strauss
Shoes: Born Barcelona (via eBay)
Necklace: ??
Watch: Target

“Everything in French sounds fancy”

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Diana

How do you make a 3/4 sleeve cotton and cashmere tee work in the heat of summer? Pair it with shorts and sandals! I was determined to wear this lightweight tee, despite the fact that it’s in the 90s everyday now. I realized that if I balanced out the longer sleeve length with shorts, I could wear it and still not be overheated. The head scarf was mostly there to add a nice pop of color. It also brought out the color of this gorgeous nail polish, which I’ll be talking about more tomorrow.

For some reason, I always feel very French when I wear this striped tee. I’m not really sure where the association of stripes and France began. The head scarf added a nice Euro touch as well.

Do you see stripes as French, Nautical or both? Or something else?

Shirt: J Crew (via eBay)
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT
Sandals: Born (via eBay)
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Scarf: Vintage
Cuff: via Classy Consignment
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Fancy Nancy, by Jane O’Connor

Nail Polish: No Miss Manalapan Melon

Shopping Plan: Week 19

Posted on June 13, 2010 by Diana

Week 19 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe

Mustard Born Peony Flats, $22.50 on eBay

I just saw this exact style of flats at Nordstroms a few weeks ago, for $85. I fell in love with them, but there was no way I could afford that price tag. I keep a saved search on eBay for Born flats, so when this pair popped up in my inbox, I immediately started watching. You know I have a thing for mustard shoes I only bid $27, thinking that I would probably be outbid anyway, so I was stunned when I got them for such a low price. I used to be so skeptical of eBay, but now it’s become my secret weapon for awesome bargains. I can’t wait until this lovely little package arrives in the mail.

I had $47.50 left in my budget for June after last week, so now there is $25 left. Things are about to start getting a lot tighter money-wise, now that school’s out, but I have a plan for that. Hopefully, I will find a part time job. In the meantime, I’ve planned a lot of things I can do that don’t require any additional spending. We’ll see how it goes.

“Past the chimney-tops soared the kite”

Posted on June 7, 2010 by Diana

My media center has frigid A/C, while outdoors we have 80 degrees temps and super high humidity. I’m trying to find more creative way to have outfits that can easily transition between the two drastically different temperatures. My favorite solution: lightweight scarves. When I go indoors, I can wrap a scarf around my neck and instantly feel cozy and warm. When I go outside, I ditch the scarf and cardigan, and I’m ready for the balmy Florida heat.

This week is the last week of school, and after that I won’t have work (or paychecks) until August. It’s bittersweet for me, because while having free-time will be nice, I really love my job, and I’ll hate not being there for nine weeks. I’m trying to find a part-time summer job to make ends meet, but so far, nothing has worked out. I’m a little nervous about this, but I do have some savings that I can use if needed, and I will be attending a couple of paid work-related trainings. It’s going to be a bit hard money wise, but I’m looking forward to having time to sew, knit, read, and work in my garden. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get together a small Etsy shop over the summer? (Of course, I’ve said that many times before. We’ll see if I actually do it)

For those of you who work (or have worked) at jobs where you have the summer off, what do you do? Do you travel? Work a temporary summer job? Catch up on projects around the house?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express Stella (re-conned by me)
Shoes: Born Codders
Scarf: Kohls
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Anatole over Paris., by Eve Titus

“A manner serene and sedate”

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Diana

I normally don’t wear outfits with a lot of black, but these capris just looked so right with this blouse, that I couldn’t pass up combining them. I tried to keep the outfit from being too morose by adding a bright green cardigan and red shoes. I think it worked out just fine.

My blouse is the only item in this outfit that is actually vintage, but I love how the whole look has a vintage feel. Somehow it has a “Betty Draper at a summer picnic” feel to me. But without all of Betty Draper’s drama.

I used one of Sally of Already Pretty‘s tricks with my cardigan. It’s a crew neck, but I didn’t like how that looked with the collar of this shirt, so I secured the corners of the cardigan with fashion tape to create a faux v-neck.

How do you create vintage looks with a mix of modern and vintage pieces?

Blouse: Vintage via Sherry’s Yesterdaze
Capris: Erik Stewart
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Shoes: Born Codders
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Earrings: Garage Sale

Quote: Don’t Bump the Glump!: And Other Fantasies, by Shel Silverstein

“Groove the night long”

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Diana

This outfit was my debut for my new black straight leg jeans. I’ve been wanting a pair of black straight leg jeans for a really long time, but for some reason it never occurred to me to check out Levis until last week. I did some research on their site before I went to the store so that I would have a good idea of which jeans I wanted to try on (Levis gives each cut a different number). The only one of my picks that was in the store was the 552, and they fit like a dream. The rise is not too high, but not too low, falling about an inch and a half below my belly button. They are a nice, inky black shade. The straight leg is flattering on my figure, and the hem is long enough for me to decide what length I would like them to be. In these pictures, I shortened the hem by 1″ with fashion tape, to see if I like the length. I’ve come to realize that, on days that I feel like wearing jeans, I also tend to feel like wearing flats. I’m not sure why – I guess maybe it’s a comfort thing. I think these jeans will definitely be a multi-season staple for me.

And did I mention that they’re 98% organic cotton, with a touch of spandex for a nice fit? I love that.

This outfit was a color experimentation of sorts. I really wanted to wear my fuchsia cardigan, but I also really wanted to wear my red Born Codders. Normally, I wouldn’t mix these two colors together, but when I added the red necklace, and kept everything else to simple black and white, it worked.

Never be afraid to try something different.

How are everyone’s Memorial Day weekends going? I’ve been working on some gardening, sewing, and reading. These three things do a fantastic weekend make.

Cardigan: Fossil
Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Jeans: Levis 552
Shoes: Born Codders
Necklace: Garage sale
Earrings: June Designs

Quote: Bring on that Beat, by Rachel Isadora

I realize that I’m a few weeks late, but I’d like to say thank you to Dolly Features for giving me the Sunshine Award.

“The new normal”

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Diana

Ack! Things are so busy lately! I’ve got a lot of big things coming up soon. At work, there’s several big events in the next few weeks that I’m an planning and preparing for. And here on the blog, I’ve got some exciting projects coming up soon. There will be some new changes coming up soon. For quick idea of what’s to come, I’m planning on starting to write more posts that focus on buying hand-made, second-hand, vintage, local and eco-friendly. I want to shift my focus more on these issues, because they’re something that I’m very passionate about, and I want to support them more and encourage others to support them. I’ll go into more details on Monday. Stay tuned!

I’ve noticed that, with the warmer weather, my weekend uniform tends to be a variation of what I’m wearing here. Shorts, sandals, sleeveless blouse, light cardigan. It’s taking me a bit to readjust to warm weather dressing, but I think I’m finally starting to remember how to be a Floridian in the Spring/Summer without looking too sloppy.

What’s your weekend uniform for warm weather?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Sandals: Born (via eBay)
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Earrings: Mackie Jewelry
Bangles: Jill Popowich Designs

Quote: No Talking, by Andrew Clements

“Let’s celebrate spring with a party”

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Diana

Due to my crazy schedule right now, today’s post is short and sweet. Yay for fun, spring colors and florals!

What’s your favorite Spring trend?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: J. Crew (via eBay)
Jeans: Gap Curvy (altered by me)
Shoes: Born Codders
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Mañana, Iguana, by Ann Whitford Paul

“Blue was a quiet color”

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Diana

I have a confession to make: I love dresses. I’m beginning to feel like I could have a wardrobe of almost nothing but dresses, and I would be happy. When I discovered this gorgeous Tulle dress at a local boutique last week, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous color and subtle print. It fits wonderfully. Since it’s a bit on the short side, I wore it as a tunic with leggings to work. I felt so comfortable all day, but I still felt nicely put together.

There’s quite a few little parks in my area that I love to visit. This one has a sidewalk that leads down to the river, and is basically a place for people to walk their dogs. But it has this nice little concrete thing (jetty?) that sticks out into the water, and makes for a great photo spot. This time of year gives me mixed feelings about being outside. The weather is gorgeous, the citrus trees are blooming and filling the air with beautiful scents. But along with that, the oak trees are also blooming, so I’m having to load up on allergy meds everyday in order to function. It’s still lovely though, and I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts, because the sweltering temps of summer are just around the corner.

What’s the one type of item in your wardrobe that you can’t live without? Are you a diehard cardigan lover? Do you have an insane collection of skirts? Do you keep acquiring new dresses like me?

Dress: Tulle (via Penelope T Boutique)
Leggings: Target
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Shoes: Born Sokal (via eBay)
Purse: via Advintagous
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels

Quote: One, by Kathryn Otoshi