“You’re really quite lucky”

I’ve received so much support and encouragement from my readers since lamenting about my job situation on Monday, and I can’t thank you enough.  I feel so very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful, caring community.  My spirits have definitely improved.  You helped me to realize that there’s no point in dwelling on all the what if’s.  The right job will come along, and it will work out eventually.  I have to keep in perspective that this will probably be the hardest time for me in my career – which means that it can only get better from here.

Another antidote for blah days is wearing some of your favorite items.  For me, that means my favorite goldenrod Fluevog Malibrans, my oh-so-comfy Ella Moss dress, and a cozy handknit cardigan.  Wearing things that make you happy is a good way to get your spirits up.  In fact, I try to get rid of anything clothing that doesn’t make me happy when I wear it.  Life is just too short to wear boring or uncomfortable clothes.

This navy and white striped jersey dress really has become a staple for me.  I love how endlessly versatile a dress like this can be.  I’m curious to see how it will transition into spring and summer, though, since it generally requires layering to be decent.  I think if I get some lightweight slips and cardigans, it should work just fine.

What do you like to wear as a pick-me-up on days when you’re feeling a bit down?

Dress: Ella Moss (via My Mosh Posh)
Cardigan: Minimalist, handknit by me
Belt: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue
Shoes: John Fluevog Malibrans
Cuff: via Classy Consignments
Necklace: Kira Ferrer

Quote: Did I ever tell you how lucky you are? By Dr Seuss

“One day, I’ll grow up to be really excellent at something”

(Note: Fair warning, this post gets a bit personal.  I usually don’t go into personal details on this blog, but every once and awhile, a girl needs a chance to get something off her chest.  This is not meant to be a pity party.)

I have a confession to make: I’ve been feeling a bit down lately.  I know that it’s a combination of factors: One) I’m actually getting tired of cold weather.  I feel like I’ve exhausted my winter wardrobe, and I’m ready to be able to go outside wearing only one or two layers and sandals.  Two) It’s been six months since I finished my Master’s Degree, and yet I still don’t have a permanent, full-time job in my field.

Number Three is the biggest factor in why I haven’t been feeling myself lately.  I went back to school so that I could work in a field that I love, and yet I have only had three interviews in the past six months.  I thought that once a librarian position opened up with the system I worked in before, I would be alright, but when I applied for an opening a few weeks ago, I didn’t even get called in for an interview.  Money has been really tight while I’ve been substituting and working at a grant-funded temp job, and both of those will be ending after May.  I’ve got to start paying off my loans as well.  All this stress is constantly getting at me, even when I don’t consciously realize it.  I’ve been eating poorly out of stress, I’ve gained a few pounds, and I’ve bitten down my nails pretty badly.

I really started realizing how much this stress is taking its toll on me when I was going through the pictures of this outfit.  I wore this on my birthday, and I loved how the outfit came together.  And yet, hardly any of my smiles seemed genuine.  And that really bothered me, because my philosophy on life is to always stay optimistic, and that plays a big part in this blog.  But now I’m realizing that, sometimes you just don’t feel like smiling.  And that’s okay.  I know that I will get through this.  I know that things will get better.  I’m just ready for them to be better right now.

What do you do when stress rears its ugly head in your life?

Dress: Boden (via Ebay)
Cardigan: Sweet Mary Jane, handknit by me
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Risa (via Ebay)
Purse: Vintage (thrifted)
Earrings: Wear-thou

Quote: The OK Book, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

“Taking a walk through the woods”

Like many people, I find Mondays difficult.  My sleep rhythm is usually out of whack from the weekend, leaving me tired, groggy, and not in the mood to stare at my closet for about 20 minutes trying to decide what to wear.  But that is often the case, making me late for work, stressed out, and in need of more coffee.  But now I’ve realized that, since my workplace basically has no dress code, and everyone is very casual, it is totally acceptable to wear an easy, fall-back outfit on Mondays.  This is often a jersey dress and a cardigan.   Last Monday (yes I’m a week behind on outfits)  I decided to dress up jeans and a tee.

And I loved it.  I felt like this outfit was casual and comfortable, yet also stylish and smart.  Having that cashmere cardigan and pink pearls took what would normally be a weekend outfit and made it a little more dressy.  I added my hand-knit, hand-spun scarf for a little extra warmth and coziness, and it was perfect.

I’d like to pretend that I’m walking through a beautiful forest in these pictures, but as I’ve mentioned before, this is actually just a field near my place of work.  I can see two major roads from where I’m standing.  I used to love to go hiking when I was a teenager, but it’s been years since I took an afternoon to walk through one of the larger nature parks in my area.  I should try to do it again while the weather is not miserably hot, like it will be in a few months.

What do you do about Monday outfits?  Do you plan ahead?  Do you wear one of your go-to outfits?

Tee: Style & Co (via clothing swap)
Cardigan: DKNY (via Revolve)
Jeans: Express Stella
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Scarf: Spun and knit by me
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Pearls: garage sale

Quote: The Three Silly Billies, by Margie Palatini

“If you want to have fun without worry”

For several weeks, I thought I had lost this cardigan.  I searched all over the house, checked the lost and found box at work, but I couldn’t seem to find it anywhere.  Then one day, I remembered that I had recently moved my handknits to a different drawer while reorganizing my studio.  What a relief!  Nothing feels much worse than thinking you lost a cardigan that took you a few months to knit.

Finding my cardigan gave me the perfect excuse to wear my new belt that I got at Anthropologie last weekend.  I think I’m one of those types who likes to wear new things right away.  I’m really, really happy with this belt.  It filled a definite gap in my wardrobe, and I can tell it’s going to get plenty of use.

I’m really beginning to love wearing scarves tied up like this.  They keep my neck nice and cozy, and they still allow me to add an additional pop of color with a long necklace.  In this outfit, I echoed the color of the necklace by wearing a turquoise bracelet.  I really love mixing yellow and pale blue/turquoise.

Do you like to wear new things right away? Or do you prefer to save new items for a special occasion?

Long sleeve tee: Issac Mizrahi for Target
Cardigan: Minimalist, handknit by me
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Belt: Anthropologie
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown, NYC
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bracelet: ??, gift

Quote: Don’t Take Your Snake for a Stroll, by Karin Ireland

“They’re awfully old-fashioned”

Some people consider the circular shawl to be solely something that old-fashioned people wear to church.  I disagree with that view.  There is no reason why a circular shawl can’t be worn in a modern, stylish ensemble.  With this outfit, I aim to prove the nay-sayers wrong.

Here, I wore my circular shawl as a delightfully warm capelet.  It’s amazing just how warm and comforting lace weight merino/silk yarn can be.  I decided to keep the rest of my outfit very simple, because I wanted this shawl to shine.  I wore a simple black cashmere sweater and jeans, with pops of tan and a green bag to echo the color of the shawl.

I’m of the opinion of that if you knit something, and it turned out nicely, you should wear it.  So many knitters hide their knits away, afraid to take them out for fear that their hard work might be damaged.  But what good is it if you never wear it, if you never get to show it off?  I agree with Sally’s philosophy of “wear everything all the time“.

What items do you own that you are sometimes hesitant to wear?  What is holding you back?

(Look for a tutorial on how I wrapped my circle scarf later today!)

Coat: Colebrook
Sweater: J Crew (via Ebay)
Belt; Anthropologie
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (via Ebay)
Shawl: Pi Shawl handknit by me
Purse: Easy Spirit Outlet

Quote: If I Ran the Zoo, by Dr Seuss

“Your yarn is all loopy”

The weather has finally turned cold again in Florida, and I’m milking it for all it’s worth.  I know that pretty much everyone is ready for Spring, but right now I am loving winter.  Boots and tights and scarves and sweaters are so much fun, and I know that it’s only a short few month until the hot temps of summer will be here.

This outfit definitely kept me warm, but I must say that I wasn’t completely sold on the color scheme.  I would rather have worn a solid white blouse underneath, or even a pale blue one, but I didn’t have any that would work with this outfit.  I still think it looks good, but the tones are a bit warm overall for my liking.

One thing I am sold on is this method of tying a scarf.  Referred to by many as the Orchid Grey wrap, it essentially involves wrapping a scarf around  your neck once or twice, and then tucking the ends in.  It worked fabulously with this hand-spun, hand-knit merino scarf.  It was fantastically cozy.  If I ever do decide to open an Etsy shop, it would probably be to sell scarves like this.  That won’t be anytime soon though, as I have more than enough on my plate right now.

What’s your favorite winter accessory?  Do you love getting bundled up for winter, or are you more of a spring/summer type?‘

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: J Crew (via Ebay)
Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT (via Ebay)
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Risa (via Ebay)
Scarf: Handspun and knit by me
Cuff Bracelet: via Classy Consignments

Quote: Woolbur, by Leslie Helakoski

“Bright like green”

I knit this sweater last year, but recently I’ve been struggling with how to style it because it always looks a bit slouchy and casual.  But this was the weekend, so a little bit casual was okay.  For this outfit, I layered a long-sleeve green tee underneath, and folded up the cuffs over the sleeves of the sweater.  Because the colors are so similar, it looks more like one piece.  I decided to wear a green necklace to keep with the theme, and then threw in a bright yellow purse for a little extra color.

This outfit was really soft and comfortable, and it was perfect for getting things done around the house, as well as spending time with the family.  The only problem I had was that the elbows of the sweater kept getting stretched out, but I think a fresh wash and blocking should fix that.  For non-knitters out there, blocking is when you shape a damp knitted garment and pin it into place to make it stay that way.  Usually I only block garments the first time I wash them, but sometimes it helps to do it again.

I’ve got an interesting trick for how I made these cuffed sleeves work.  Initially, I didn’t like how the inside seams were showing when the tee was cuffed.  But then I realized that the cuffs were the only part showing, so I turned the layering tee inside out, so that the right side of the garment would show when the sleeves were cuffed.  It might sound a bit odd, but it worked in this case.

I am so in love with this vintage purse I got on Etsy recently.  I’ve never had a frame purse before, and I love how easy it is to snap it open to pull something out, and then snap it closed again.  And I love that it’s roomy enough inside to hold all of my everyday items.

I also used this outfit to premiere my latest Etsy purchase, these gorgeous earrings!  I’ve been loving the look of long, silver feather earrings, but I wanted something that was a bit more modern and less organic.  I wanted them to be long, but not too long, and to have a good bit of movement.  These fit the bill perfectly, and I love them!

I love that almost every accessory in this outfit is from Etsy.  What has been your favorite Etsy purchase?

Sweater: Handknit by me
Long sleeve tee: Gap (thrifted)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (eBay)
Purse: Advintagous
Necklace: Pixisette
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Earrings: Wear-thou

Quote: One, by Kathryn Otoshi

“Down, down, to the frozen ground”

This outfit repeats a lot of the elements of yesterday’s outfit.  When it gets as cold as it was last week, and your winter wardrobe is limited, sometimes repeats just happen.  But I like how adding an aqua blouse into the color mix changes the whole look.

Weather this cold requires strategic layering, and in this outfit I experimented a little by layering my cashmere cardigan over a slim fitting hoodie.  I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I think the result came out quite well.  It kept me warm, and it was a nice mix of casual and dressy.

On my list of things I want to buy before next winter is definitely a pair of colorful leather gloves, lined in silk or cashmere.  These black faux leather gloves do the job of keeping my digits warm, but they’re so boring.

See that shimmery stuff by my feet?  That’s ice!  This weather has been so bizarre.  I’ve felt like I’m living in a wintery twilight zone.

Coat: Colebrook (garage sale)
Blouse: Anthropologie
Grey Hoodie: Express (via Classy Consignment)
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Nena (Ebay)
Scarf: Spun and knit by me
Hat: Knit by me
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Earrings: Efy Tal
Gloves: ?

Quote: White Snow, Bright Snowby Alvin Tresselt

“The bracken shone like frosted silver”

We came so close.  So close to having snow in Tampa last week.  The temps dipped all the way into the 20s, the coldest I can ever remember being in Florida.  But then we didn’t get any snow.  Northern Florida got a light dusting, and so did Orlando.  But all Tampa got was rain and ice pellets.  Sigh.  (Did you know that there’s a Wikipedia page for Florida snow events?  I found this quite amusing.)

Those of you in the North who take outfit photos outside everyday in winter seriously deserve a medal.  I took these pictures as fast as I could, then hurried back inside to my warm, heated house.  I definitely loved the cold weather, but in a way I’m kind of glad that it’s starting to warm up again.  There’s only so many days in the 30s that a Florida girl can take.

I love how this cold snap has given me the opportunity to break out so many of my handknits.  I’m so proud of this scarf, because I spun the yarn on my drop spindle.  It’s super cozy and warm, and it’s long enough to wrap around my neck several times.  The way I tied it here is  something I’ve been trying ever since I saw this video.  I think it’s my new favorite way to tie scarves.

I’m also getting to wear my tweedy beret, which is special to me because I completed it on the first day of my trip to NYC, and wore it everyday while I was there.

Coat: Colebrook (garage sale)
Cardigan: DKNY (via Revolve)
Flannel shirt: Faded Glory (garage sale)
Long sleeve tee: Issac Mizrahi for Target
Jeans: Express
Boots: Dansko Risa (Ebay)
Scarf: spun and knit by me
Beret: Knit by me
Purse: Morelle city bag

Quote: The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams

“Everyone had to stay indoors”

In winter, it’s so easy for the daylight to get away from you.   I didn’t have time to take photos on my lunch break this day, and I went to IKEA after work, so by the time I got home, it was dark.  But, at least it gives me an excuse to show off my teddy picker trophy wall.

I’m really loving cold weather layering.  It’s like getting to wear three outfits in one every day.

I think that the teal of the tunic I layered works with the navy stripes in the dress.  Multiple shades of one color can sometimes be tricky, but this combination came out alright.

Coat: Colebrook (thrifted)
Dress: Ella Moss (via Mosh Posh)
Tunic (under dress): Target (thrifted)
Cardigan: Sweet Mary Jane, handknit by me
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Tights: Hue
Boots: Dansko Risa (Ebay)
Scarf: Bought in Chinatown, NYC
Earrings: Modern Bird

Quote: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett