Tag Archives: efy tal

"Sunny like yellow"

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A few weeks ago, I showed you a once-cream colored cardigan that I over-dyed purple.  In that post I also mentioned that I dyed a pink blouse purple.  Well this is that blouse.  Not necessarily the most exciting outfit, but perfect for running errands on a chilly weekend.  (I was actually really cold in this picture, and I added a few more layers when I left the house.)

The fit on this purple blouse is really comfy.  It’s not so loose that it looks formless and sloppy, but it’s not too snug either.  I love how it looks with my bright yellow scarf.

I bought this red cotton coat just before I went to NYC a few years ago, and it continues to serve me well.  Despite the fact that I long for J Crew’s gorgeous wool coats, the fact is that I can generally get by in Florida with this cotton coat and my suede/faux fur coat.  But as soon as I get a chance to travel somewhere cold (i.e. when I have money and time), I plan on purchasing a lovely wool coat.

Coat: Target
Blouse: Liz Claiborne (Thrifted and dyed)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (Ebay)
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown, NYC
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bracelet: Zad
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: One, by Kathryn Otoshi

“We’d like some electric blankets”

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Yes, I wore this cardigan two days in a row.  I realize some may scoff at the idea, but everything else in the outfit was different, and I only own so many woolen sweaters.  It was chilly, and I needed me some merino.  In my mind, most style rules should be ignored anyway.

Yesterday, you saw this cardigan with a shawl pin.  After those photos were taken, I modified this sweater by adding some button closures.  They still keep the look I was going for, while allowing for a greater variety of accessory options, since I don’t have to wear a great big statement pin to hold it together*.

Did I mention it was cold this day?  I threw on my coat as soon as these photos were done.  I’m wearing three different wool items: a cashmere scarf (thanks Village Shoes!), a merino cardigan, and a wool wrap skirt.  And a dress layered underneath to provide extra warmth and a little extra modesty in case the wrap skirt flys open.  And two pairs of tights.  I know, Floridians are wimpy when it comes to cold weather (cold being in the 40s here).  But honestly, there’s so few “cold” days here, that I have to take every chance I can get to wear my winter items.

Oh, and I got my mom’s ring re-sized.  I like it so much better now that it fits on my ring finger instead of my pinky.

Dress (as shirt): Express
Skirt: The Limited (via Revolve)
Cardigan: Sweet Mary Jane (handknit by me)
Blue Tights: Hue
Brown Tights: Kohls
Boots: Dansko Risa (Ebay)
Scarf: Village Shoes
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Ring: from my mom
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, by Doreen Cronin

*Of course, I can still wear a big statement pin with this cardigan even when it has buttons.  And I probably will.

"I found some crazy places"

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(For the next few days, I will be posting regular daily-outfits or Etsy Love posts in the morning, and Year in Review posts midday, to count-down to the new year.)

I work on a college campus, and there’s lots of neat little nooks and crannies that not many people know about.  Recently, I found this cute little park within two minutes walking distance from work.  I’ve started going there on my lunch break sometimes to take pictures.  I was only able to get one this time, because apparently other people like to eat lunch here too, and I feel really awkward taking outfit pictures with others watching.

The rest of the pictures I ended up taking at home.  One of my mini-resolutions for the New Year is to get more creative with where I take my outfit photos.  My back porch is the most convenient location, but it’s not always the most interesting.

Tee: Gap (via Revolve)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express (re-conned)
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Necklace: Pixisette
Earrings: Efy Tal
Bracelet: Zad

Quote: My Sister’s Rusty Bike by Jim Aylesworth

"Drifted on the dancing breeze"

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This outfit was all about comfort chic.  I was tired, I had a long day of work ahead of me, and I really felt more like staying in bed and reading all day.  But I don’t get sick days, and getting a paycheck is pretty important, so I needed to find a way to feel comfy at work while still looking presentable.  On days like this, I will often go straight to jeans and flats with a pretty blouse.

This blouse is a little slouchier than most of my clothes, and it’s a gorgeous, dark teal-green color.  It seemed like the perfect thing for today, since it’s basically a t-shirt with some interesting details.  I added to cardigan to polish it up a bit.  Combine that with a fun headband, nice earrings, jeans and patent black flats, and I felt comfy and stylish.

I’ve noticed lately that my comfort outfits tend to be the ones that take the least amount of thinking to put together.  A dress with flat boots and leggings, jeans and a nice blouse, etc.  I prefer to be less complicated on my days when I really feel more like staying home.

Blouse: St John’s Bay
Cardigan: Target (thrifted)
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Born Sokal
Purse: Morelle City Bag
Headband: Target
Earrings: Efy Tal
Bangle: Vintage

Quote: The Happiness Tree Andrea Alban Gosline

"All I want is to play"

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This outfit made me feel fun and playful all day.  That full Boden skirt is oh-so-fun to twirl in, and wearing the tunic layered underneath the skirt helped me to keep warm while not having a thousand crazy mismatched layers on (which was my original outfit).  Unfortunately, after spending a day in this outfit, I’ve come to accept the fact that this skirt really is a size or two small.  I thrifted it for only a couple of dollars, so I’m not crushed.  It has a small tear, so I can’t really re-sell it on Ebay.  I’m going to see if I can alter it to fit me a bit better.  Otherwise, there is one on Ebay right now at the right size, if I’m willing to spend about $50.  I’ll try altering it first, and then we’ll see.

This outfit also gave me an opportunity to debut my new Dansko Sallys, which the lovely people at Dansko graciously gave to me for free.  These shoes have so many amazing re-mixing possibilities.  They’re very comfy, and I can tell that they’re going to work equally well with dresses/skirts and pants.

I think your clothes should make you feel happy.  If they don’t, then you should find some that do.  It’s not about price so much as it is about what makes you feel good when you wear it.

Blouse: Target (Thrifted)
Skirt: Boden (Thrifted)
Tights: Target
Shoes: Dansko Sally
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown
Belt: Anthropologie
Earrings: Efy Tal
Headband: Target
Bangle: Vintage

Quote: It’s Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell

"Notice the good stuff"

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This outfit is the official outfit debut of my new Fluevog Heather boots.  And let me say, they were worth every penny (and worth cheating on my ban).  They are comfortable, they keep my feet warm, the color is fantastic, the brogue details make them very unique.  Yep.  I adore these boots.

The blouse I’m wearing here is something I got at the clothing swap I went to a few weeks ago. Originally I wasn’t going to keep it, but then I changed my mind and I’m glad I did.  It has a bit more distressing in the screen printing than I’d prefer, but the fit is fantastic, and it’s very comfortable.

Tee: Style & Co (clothing swap)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT
Leggings: Target
Boots: Fluevog Heather
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown
Purse: Liz Claiborne (garage sale)
Bangle: Thrifted
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Clementine, Sara Pennypacker

"All that cold, cold wet day"

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Lately there have been quite a few cold and rainy days here in Tampa.  It presents an interesting challenge for me, as I’m still learning how to be stylish in chilly weather.  For this day, I figured that wrapping myself up in a cashmere blend cardigan and a pashmina scarf.  This scarf is fast becoming one of my everyday pieces.  I bought it in Chinatown when I went to New York City last year.  That was the day I first tried on the goldenrod Fluevog Malibrans.  I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much on a pair of shoes at the time, so I consoled myself by buying a scarf that I knew would match them when I bought them eventually.

I love wearing items that have stories attached to them.  It feels so much more meaningful that something bought at a big box store on an average weekend.  That’s why I love to buy clothes and accessories when on vacation.  Everytime I wear them, I can remember where I was and what I was doing when I bought them.  Or when it’s something handmade, I can think about the artist that created the item (or the time I spend making it, in the case of this cardigan).  I think that’s a good goal to set: cultivate a more meaningful wardrobe.

Tunic: Target (thrifted)
Cardigan: Minimalist (handknit by me)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Risa
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown
Bangle: Vintage
Earrings: Efy Tal
Sweater Pin: Nicolas and Felice

Quote: The Cat in the Hat Dr Seuss

"A Cheerful Hello, A Nice Smile"

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I currently work two part time jobs, and one of them is filling in as a substitute media specialist (school librarian).  Being a substitute, means that you have to make frequent first impressions.  This is what I wore for one of those days last week.  I was originally going to wear plain black shoes, but those goldenrod Malibrans really make the outfit pop.  I really wish I lived in a city that had a Fluevog store.

Lately, I’ve noticed that shoes really are key players in my outfits.  I’m beginning to loathe anything plain and ordinary and black.  I like my shoes to be fun, unique, colorful.  It’s so funny, because a few years ago, all my shoes were brown, and I never bought any other color because I was afraid they wouldn’t match anything.

Dress: American Rag Cie (via Revolve)
Blouse: Anthropologie
Tights: Kohls
Shoes: Fluevog Malibrans
Belt: Anthropologie
Purse: Morelle
Earrings: Efy Tal

Quote: Do Unto Otters, Laurie Keller

Daily Outfit: Urban Bohemian

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Generally, I am not a big fan of bohemian styles.  I went through a “hippie” phase in my teens, and such styles generally make me think of the awkwardness that was those years.  Yet lately, I find myself drawn to flowing silhouettes and earthy shades of brown.  However, I don’t think I’ll ever go “full-hippie”.  What I do like is mixing bohemian accents with modern colors.  Thus, this outfit is born.

This beautiful blue tunic is a twin of the purple one you’ve  seen before.  For some reason, I often find twin Target items at my favorite thrift store, Second Image.  I don’t usually buy both colors, but I couldn’t resist with these.  I removed the ties off this top, since they made it look too much like a maternity top for my liking.  Pairing it with my favorite belt gave it plenty of waist definition, although it looks fine unbelted as well.

And in case you were curious, that is my sewing machine in the window.

Tunic: Target (thrifted)
Belt: Anthropologie
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena
Purse: Easy Spirit Outlet
Cuff: Thrifted
Earrings: Efy Tal

Daily Outfit: Matchy-Matchy

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I usually shy away from matching too many elements in an outfit.  But for this outfit, it just felt right.  Every other color of purse I tried felt out of place, and this was perfect.  There’s no such thing as hard and fast style rules in my book.

The theme at my school for this day was “Fall Colors”  However, most fall colors don’t really look good on me (at least when they’re all together).  I chose to make it simple and wear brown and brick red, with denim and black to keep the ensemble from being too warm in tone.

Oh and of course, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  And Happy Thursday to those not in the States!

Tank: Ann Taylor (garage sale)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Jeans: Express
Boots: Born Biddy
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Pearls: Garage Sale
Earrings: Efy Tal

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