“Zooming down the street”

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Diana

I talked about this blazer a good bit on Sunday, but let me say again that I absolutely love it! And it was perfect for work last week, when my media center was hosting a teacher meeting. I wanted to look very professional, and this blazer did that perfectly. Yellow is definitely becoming one of my favorite colors to wear.

My hair is getting overdue for a cut. I’m thinking of shaking things up a bit and trying something I’ve never done before: getting a variation on a pixie cut. Not super short, but definitely shorter than anything I’ve ever tried before. I figure that summer is a good time to experiment with a new hair length, since it gets so hot, and if I don’t like it, I can just grow it back out. While I love my bob, I’ve had it for six months now, and I’m starting to get a bit bored with it. I think something short, layered and piece-y could be a lot of fun.

What do you think? Should I go for the pixie cut?

(And by the way, do you like the new header? I made it with my mad photoshop skills )

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Jacket: J Crew (via eBay)
Skirt: Semantiks
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels
Watch: Target

Quote: In My New Yellow Shirt
, by Eileen Spinelli

“And if you’re the type that gets finicky-finick”

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Diana

This has been the week of comfy, put-together outfits. I’ve been trying to meet the challenge of remixing outfits as the weather warms up, and it hasn’t been easy. There have been a lot of days with repeat outfits that I didn’t photograph. Adding a few new items to my wardrobe has helped to freshen things up a bit, but I’m still struggling to create new looks in the warm temps. Cardigans have been my saving grace lately, and I’m dreading the 80 + degree temperatures that will soon become the norm for the next four or five months here. Without the cardigan, this outfit would have just been shorts and a tee – which is a bit too casual for me most days. A cardigan adds a nice dose of polish to it. Right now I’m very much on the lookout for nice sleeveless blouses and light, short sleeved cardigans to get me through summer.

It’s come to my attention lately that I wear a LOT of blue. Blue has always been one of my fall-back colors for clothing, because I’ve always loved how it brings out my blue eyes. During the winter, I started adding a great variety of colors, but much of my summer wardrobe still centers around this hue. I’m trying to diversify my wardrobe more now by adding yellow, green, fuchsia and other colors into my summer wardrobe.

What’s your fall-back color?

Tee: Old Navy
Cardigan: NY & Co (via Classy Consignment)
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Sandals: Clarks Rime (via 6pm)
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Nail Polish: Essie Calypso

Quote: You’re Only Old Once!, by Dr. Seuss

“Shopping at the shop-o-rama”

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Diana

I’ve been having a wonderfully relaxing spring break. I can’t believe it’s almost over. It’s been great to catch up on little projects around the house, get some reading done and sleep in until the luxurious hour of 7:30 everyday (I normally get to work at 7:10 every morning).

I’ve also had time to do a good bit of shopping, looking for some new work essentials. And I’ve noticed how my shopping habits have changed. I tried going to the malls several times this week, looking in various stores for some great blouses, slacks and dresses. But in every store I went to, I ended up coming out empty handed. Sure, I would find stuff to try on, but an element wouldn’t fit right, or I wouldn’t like the print, or it would be too expensive. I’m very willing to alter or have altered cheaper items that I find, but if I’m already paying $74 for a dress, I want it to be perfect or almost perfect to start with. Even though I have the money to actually buy things in the mall now, I still don’t find shopping there very satisfying.

Then I went to some of my favorite thrift stores, and found a few great gems at each one. Like this tunic that I’m wearing today – it was a mere $6. Sure, I had to sew up the neckline a bit so that my girls don’t fall out, but that wasn’t a big deal. I found some great work dresses too, and some shorts that are long enough to wear to the field day coming up at my school. So I guess I’m starting to find that I really, truly love second-hand shopping more than mall shopping. There’s not anything wrong with mall shopping, I just often find it unsatisfying. I like it when I already know that the store will have exactly what I want, like my Gap Curvy jeans. But other than that, I like the thrill of the hunt and the excellent deals that come with buying second-hand, in real life or online.

(And of course, I love shopping at local boutiques and buying handmade as well. I like it when I actually know who I am supporting with my money.)

Do you prefer shopping at the mall or second-hand shopping? If money wasn’t an issue, would that change your mind?

Blouse: Tammy Mars (thrifted)
Capris: Express (altered be me)
Sandals: Clarks (via 6pm)
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Earrings: Mackie Jewelry
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Purse: Morelle Oyster

Nail Polish: Essie Calypso

Quote: Llama Llama Mad at Mama, by Anna Dewdney

“Oh the jobs people work at!”

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Diana

I wore this last week when meeting the district support team for media specialists. I wanted to be polished and professional, since this was my first time meeting most of them. I think the outfit came together quite nicely. All the color allowed me to feel “me”, but the structure of the blazer and pencil skirt plus the smart heels kept me looking sharp.

Putting together outfits like this over the next few months will be very important. I want to make sure that I am constantly making a good impression, because how I do over these next few months will determine whether or not I get to work at the same school in the fall. Learning to dress in a way that is professional, while still incorporating my own personal style, is going to be an enjoyable challenge.

I love how it looks like I’m flying in that picture. Fun pictures really are the best pictures ever.

What do you wear when you want to make a good first impression?

Blouse: Anthropologie
Blazer: Forever 21 (thrifted)
Skirt: Semantiks
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Purse: Vintage (via Advintagous)
Necklace: Coryell Design
Watch: Target

Quote: Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?, by Dr Seuss

“No sense of what was proper”

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Diana

Last week, I styled this skirt to look like Joan Holloway. Today, I went with more of a Peggy Olson look. I love how vibrant all the colors looked together. I’m not so sure how I feel about having all black on the bottom half of my body, though. I think this would have looked amazing with some white pumps. I know a lot of style advice columns recommend matching shoes to tights to elongate your legs, but to me, it felt just a bit boring.

Originally, I was going to wear a strand of pearls with this outfit, but that felt just a bit too prim and proper. Tying the blue scarf in a bow threw an extra color into the mix, while still retaining the vintage flair of the outfit.

Unfortunately, this will probably be the only time I’ll wear this green sleeveless button-down. I got it while thrifting last week, but it’s a bit too short and the arm holes are a bit tight. I could fix the arm hole problem, but the length is a bigger concern. Even though this is my highest-waisted skirt, the blouse kept popping out when I would sit down. I don’t like garments that I have to constantly fuss with, so this will likely go to the swap pile. I might hang onto for a bit longer in case I get some true high-waisted skirts.

Do you incorporate vintage stylings into your wardrobe? How do you make them look modern?

Cardigan: J Crew (via Ebay)
Blouse: St Johns Bay (thrifted)
Scarf: Thrifted
Skirt: Semantiks
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Earrings: Sara Westermark

Quote: The Red Balloon, by A. LaMorisse

"A Sunny, Sweet Smile"

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Diana

Oh how I love Ebay! I’ve been longing to own some J. Crew cashmere pretty much since I became aware of its existence, but their sweaters tend to retail at $150 plus a pop, so they’ve been out of my graduate and now post-graduate-still-searching-for-a-permanent-job budget. But it didn’t dawn on me until recently to simply look for one second-hand on Ebay. I scored this gorgeous sunshine beauty for a mere $50! And it is the softest, most luxurious thing I have ever owned. The color is so fantastic. This has quickly elevated itself to a new wardrobe staple for me.

Wearing items of good quality does something to you. Having soft, comfortable fabrics close to the skin just makes you feel so good. I think that every one should own at least one 100% cashmere item.

This outfit, by the way, is also what I decided to wear to Eyeliah‘s virtual birthday party. Nothing like a pretty dress and a sunny cashmere cardigan for dancing the night away, virtually or otherwise.

Dress: Ella Moss (via My Mosh Posh)
Cardigan: J Crew (Ebay)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Pearls: Coryell Design
Watch: Target

Quote: Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? (Classic Seuss) By Dr Seuss

"More regal like purple"

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Diana

Sometimes I end up with an item of clothing where I love how it fits, but the color has grown dingy over time, or wasn’t a color that I like to begin with. When this happens, and I’m feeling motivated, I’ll mix up a batch of Procion MX dye and give new life to my garments. That’s what I decided to do with this cream cardigan, which you last saw here. The cream was looking more and more dingy, and it was started to make me feel frumpy wearing it. But I didn’t want to give up on it, so I dyed it purple, and now it’s like having a brand new cardigan. I love how the white buttons contrast now.

I dyed a pink blouse with this batch too, which you’ll see before too long. My preferred method of dyeing garments is in a top-loading washing machine, but I don’t have one in my house, so I just use a 5 gallon bucket, lots of hot water and lots of manual stirring. It takes about an hour and a half, start to finish, but it ‘s worth the effort. I almost always use more dye than what’s recommended, otherwise the colors don’t come out strong enough for my liking.

Blouse: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT (over-dyed)
Trousers: Express
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Headband: Anthropologie
Earrings: June Designs
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Watch: Target

Quote: One by Kathryn Otoshi

Daily Outfit: Trendy and Loving It

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Diana

Normally, I tend to shy away from trends. I usually prefer classic styles, and trends come and go so quickly, that it seems pointless to spend too much time worrying about them. However, sometimes a certain trend will really resonate with me. When that happens, I will wear, even after it’s gone out of fashion. Today’s outfit embraces two current trends: belted cardigans and layered chain necklaces.

I. loved. this. outfit. so. much. I felt amazing all day. The combination of wearing my new favorite belt, my beautiful new necklace, and my pencil skirt which always looks awesome, was the perfect storm. Not to mention my beautiful new $2 Ann Taylor tank.

All this has made me realize something. I MUST buy more pencil skirts. In good fabrics with quality tailoring. I think I will be spending my Christmas money next month at J. Crew.

Tank: Ann Taylor (garage sale)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Belt: Anthropologie
Skirt: Semantiks (Nordstroms)
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Necklace: from a local boutique
Purse: Easy Spirit Outlet
Watch: Target

Daily Outfit: Professional

Posted on November 10, 2009 by Diana

Yes, uber original title, I know. I wore this outfit when there was a big principal’s meeting at the school I work at. It was hosted in the media center, so I wanted a polished, professional appearance.

I think this black and white blouse is quickly becoming one of my favorite thrifting finds. The material is so soft, the print so modern and versatile. It’s definitely becoming a staple piece for me.

Whenever I need to look really professional, I always reach for my pearl necklace. To me, no other jewelry looks quite as polished and sophisticated.

Cardigan: Handknit by me
Blouse: Ann Taylor Factory (thrifted)
Trousers: Express
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Purse: Morelle
Pearls: Coryell Design
Brooch: Vintage – 5Gardenias

Daily Outfit: Social No-no's

Posted on November 9, 2009 by Diana

Inspired by Kimberly’s Inspiration Calendar, I decided to try a color combo that I’ve never ventured into before: navy, black and brown. I usually shy away from all-neutral combos, because I really love color. But I still found this a fun experiment.

The funny thing is, the entire day, I kept thinking about a character I performed in a play in high school. She was Estelle, leader of the popular clique. My main line was this: “Oh my God, did you see what Becky was wearing at the party last night? A brown belt and black shoes. Ugh. That is such a social no-no”. This made me smile, since I was totally breaking that rule today.

I think that this look might have worked better with a short black cardigan, but since my only black cardigan didn’t really work with this dress (because it’s a crew neck) I had to improvise. I think it would have looked fantastic with a cropped black blazer as well.

Dress: Ella Moss
Shoes: Clarks Apple Sky
Shawl: Target
Belt: Thrifted
Headband: Anthropologie
Necklace: Kira Ferrer

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