Tag Archives: mackie jewelry

“They’re only interested in clothes”

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I’m not one to be vainly interested in clothes, but I am coming to the realization that my closet needs an overhaul.  I have a lot of great clothes that currently don’t fit, since I gained a little weight over the summer.  I have a lot of clothes that I don’t completely love – the fabric isn’t soft, the color is wrong, etc.  Some of these problems I can fix, but really, I mostly need to get rid of a lot of my clothes and buy some new duds that I actually really love.  I would estimate that right now, I only regularly wear about 25 – 30% of my closet on a regular basis.  I think I should maybe revisit my wardrobe inventory and wardrobe gaps lists, and really take a look at what I need.

I’ve also got another change in the works: I’m buying a pair of running shoes.  I’ve been wanting to do this for awhile, but good running shoes are expensive, and I didn’t have enough money saved up to afford a pair until recently.  I want to get a really good pair, because my feet pronate (or is it over-pronate?) – the thing where your feet tend to roll to the outside.  I like to wear running shoes that correct this, because it helps prevent injury, and I really don’t want to screw up my knees.

I used to run three times a week for about 20 minutes, but for the past several years, I switched to just working out at the gym, and then recently, I added yoga.  I absolutely love practicing yoga, but the gym just isn’t doing it for me anymore, and my membership rates are about to go up, so I’m thinking it’s a great time to take up running again.  We’ll see how it goes.

Tank: Sonoma (thrifted)
Cardigan: Anthropologie (eBay)
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Keen Barcelona (eBay)
Bracelets: Jill Popowich
Earrings: Mackie Jewelry

Quote: Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

“It was a lovely summer morning”

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Yep, variations on this outfit are becoming my default summer uniform.  Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s because I’m not working, but I just seem to have trouble being very creative with my outfits lately.  When it’s hot and I’m craving easy going comfort, anything that squeezes, restrains or requires slips or Spanx just isn’t worth it.  I’m longing for soft, flowing fabrics, simple silhouettes, fabrics that let me move and don’t require lots of adjusting.  I only have so many items in my wardrobe that fit this bill right now, so I feel like I keep wearing the same things over and over.  Maybe a little consignment shopping spree in is order (within budget of course).

Even though I’ve still got four more weeks of summer vacation (working in the school system is awesome) I’m starting to think about my work wardrobe again.  I’m realizing that I really need to get a few key pieces before the school year starts, so that I don’t find my outfits constantly repeating themselves.  Here’s what’s on my work wardrobe list right now: comfortable non-polyester trousers that fit well, knee-length jersey dresses (yes I have some already, but I always want more), and tops that are long enough so that my stomach doesn’t show when I’m shelving books.  I guess I like my work clothes to be really functional.

Do you find yourself defaulting to certain items in your wardrobe during the summer?

Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Isabella Rodriguez (Anthro) (via eBay)
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT
Sandals: Dansko Neve (courtesy of Solestruck)
Earrings: Mackie Jewelry

Quote: I Love It When You Smile, by Sam McBratney

“I don’t think I’m abnormally obsessive”

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I think I’ve discovered something about myself – I’m a jersey girl.  Not New Jersey, but jersey fabric.  This outfit of a cotton woven shirt and a linen woven skirt looks great, but it didn’t feel so great.  I had to readjust it through-out the day.  It wrinkled after five minutes of sitting down.  I didn’t have a full range of motion in my arms.  I like the look of woven fabrics when I first put them on, but I’m not so crazy on them after that.

This doesn’t mean that I’m getting rid of all my cotton woven items, I’m just realizing that I’ll probably be focusing more on soft, comfortable jerseys in the future.

Which do you prefer?  Crisp, woven fabrics, or soft, jersey fabrics?

Blouse: St John’s Bay (thrifted)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT
Skirt: Lane Bryant (via Revolve, altered)
Sandals: Dansko Novalee (eBay)
Belt: Thrifted
Earrings: Mackie Jewelry

Quote: Me and the Pumpkin Queen, By Marlane Kennedy

“The new normal”

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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

“Shopping at the shop-o-rama”

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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

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