Like pegged jeans and statement necklaces, it’s taken me a long time to try out leggings.  When they first started to re-surface in stores about two years ago, I tried on a pair and thought they were awful and made me look like a teenager.  It’s taken me this long to finally accept that they actually make my legs look good, and that when styled right, they don’t make me look fifteen.  Even while putting this outfit together, I kept questioning it.  But while wearing it out, I loved it.  I received at least three complements on my outfit during the day, I felt comfortable and stylish.   (And by the way, if anyone else is really hesitant to try out leggings, these were only $7 at Target.  I bought them figuring that I could spend that much to at least experiment with something new.)

Now that I’ve finally realized that I can make leggings work, I’m looking into buying a few more pairs.  Most stores seem to have a limited color selection, but I’ve found several in different colors and styles on Sock Dreams, so I’m thinking I might order some from there sometime.  Of course, that doesn’t perfectly fit in with my original shopping guidelines, but I am going to be modifying them somewhat for the summer, since it’s my last semester.

I’m so happy that I’ve been finding more ways to wear this dress again.  You’ve only seen it on here once so far, mainly because I had been self-conscious about it since it’s shorter than most of the dresses and skirts I regularly wear.  Lately, I’ve come to accept that this is okay, and I’ve found other ways to wear it, such as here with leggings, that can make the length not so much of an issue.

Dress: Sortie L.A. (via Revolve)
Camisole (under dress): Old Navy
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Clarks Rime
Earrings: Gift from my cousin
Necklace: June Designs
Cuff Bracelet: Thrifted
Purse: Morelle City Bag

Does anyone else ever have those days when they feel crappy, blah and uninspired?  Where trying to choose an outfit for the day becomes an hour-long chore?  Where every outfit either makes you feel fat, looks totally un-stylish or is a carbon copy of something you wore last week?  Yeah, that’s what the last few days have been like for me.  At times like this, I think that the best idea is to just wear something that you know you look good in, even if it is the exact outfit you wore last Thursday.  Because trying to be creative and original when you feel blah is not so easy, and sometimes just wearing something that you know you likes makes the day a bit easier to deal with.  Anyhow, this outfit is very similar to an outfit I wore recently for a bike trip to the grocery store.  I knew that I liked it then, so I decided to go ahead and wear it again yesterday.

See how wearing something you like can instantly make the day a bit brighter?  I’m so glad I kept this top around.  A few months ago, I put it into my “garments-to-be-cut-up-and-sewn-into-something-else” bin, but luckily in this case, I simply hadn’t gotten around to any of those projects.  When getting ready for a bike ride last week, I was really craving a nice jersey knit top that had a bit of length to it.  I pulled this back out, and now it once again has an honored place in my closet.

And yes, I’ve finally jumped onto the pegged jeans trend.  I had been hesitant to try this out for awhile, largely because my jeans were fitting too tight since I had gained a couple pounds.  I’ve been trying to eat healthier and ride my bike more, and I guess I’ve lost enough that now they fit alright (still a bit snug, but not obscenely tight).  I originally tried this outfit with the jeans rolled down, but it just didn’t have the right look.  

I love how this outfit had a Euro-bohemian look to it.  I find myself very drawn to European styles, especially French style.  It’s amazing how simply adding a scarf instantly makes an outfit more chic.

Blouse: Target
Jeans: Express
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Shoes: Clarks Rime
Scarf: Thrifted
Necklace: Target
Earrings: Target
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Audi at Fashion for Nerds has a contest ending this weekend where you build an outfit inspired by the above image of an interior.  I love this concept of finding inspiration for outfits in what would seem to be unlikely places.  When I found the perfect dress on a thrifting trip this weekend, I knew I was ready to give it a shot.

This fab little dress cost all of $12!  I need to get the bodice taken in a bit, but that still won’t add too much to the cost.  It’s perfect for summer, and it can work for casual wear or work wear, depending on how I style it.

Most of my inspiration came from the colors in the image.  This contest was definitely a bit of a challenge for me, since I don’t have a lot of items in those shades.  I took the green of the olives and the white of the furniture as my main color, with deep red and pink accents.  The only thing I would change with this outfit would be to add more pale pink to it.  Unfortunately, the only thing I have in that color is a scoop neck t-shirt, which just looked frumpy layered over or under this dress.  Still, I’m happy with how things came out.

Dress: Rampage (thrifted)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: Vintage
Shoes: Naturalizer
Scarf: Thrifted
Bangle: Thrifted
Pendant: Lii Lii
Earrings: ???

Yesterday, I was feeling not so great.  Between allergies and school-related stress, I felt rundown and tired.  Trying to get dressed in the morning was seriously difficult.  The first outfit I put together (not this one) made me feel even worse about myself because it was not flattering me at all.

Finally, I decided that I wanted to have lots of color in my outfit, but still feel really comfortable.  Thus, this chic yet slouchy ensemble came together.

I just got that lovely grass green cardigan a few days ago at Ann Taylor Loft (they’re on sale right now!). This shade of green seems to be one of the few colors this season that really works well for me, so I’ll probably be getting more of it. That purple necklace is a vintage number that I inherited from my grandmother. I think the way it pulls this outfit together is proof that I really do need more colorful necklaces.  I also got some new prescription sunglasses the other day, and I’m really happy with them.  Not ultra-trendy movie-star big, but still big and round enough to make me feel pretty chic.

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Tee: Target
Pants: Banana Republic Outlet
Shoes: Naturalizer
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Necklace: Vintage
Earrings: Sara Westermark
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Sunglasses: Ray Ban