“Figuring out what book you want”

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Diana

This outfit was one of the few I got to wear recently where I didn’t need a bazillion layers to stay warm. This freakishly cold weather is starting to wear me down, so I was ecstatic to have a few days of tanks and cardigans. This lovely drapey number is my newest one – I got it from Boden’s 50% winter sale (which is still going on!). I had coveted it since I saw it in the catalog months ago, but I wasn’t ready to plunk down the cash. It was only $38 on sale, so I quickly snatched it up. I’m so glad I did.

Since it’s the end of the year, tomorrow will be my usual Etsy post, then Thursday and Friday I’ll take a look back at the past year in Smiles Go With Everything. I’ll wrap up the Great Shopping Plan on 2010 on Sunday. Then there will probably be more reflecting and thinking about next year, etc.

I hope everyone had absolutely wonderful holidays! I know that mine were fantastic, even though they were crazy busy.

Tank: Target
Cardigan: Boden
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: Keen
Necklace: Wendy Brandes

Quote: Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe), by Kimberly Pauley

Lazy Sunday

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Diana

Can everyone agree with me that lazy Sundays are pretty much the best days in the world? The one day every week where I can get up late, feeling well rested, and do whatever I feel like for the whole day. No deadlines, no huge responsibilities, just lazily doing the things I like to do. I realize that every Sunday isn’t like this for everyone, but on those days when they happen, they’re just blissful.

This past Sunday it was overcast and chilly all day. I didn’t want to go out, and I didn’t have any reason to, so I wore cozy, comfy clothes and had a fantastic day. This isn’t really an outfit I would wear out (layering shirts like this isn’t super flattering on me, and I only wear my Ugg moccasins indoors) but it was perfect for lounging around the house.

Here’s what I did:

Snuggled up with a warm blanket and read (Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe) and Travels with Charley in Search of America: )

Started a new crochet project (my own adaptation of Fluffy Bunny Slippers

Made some butterscotch and chocolate chip cookies (Yum!)

Long sleeve: Target (thrifted)
Tee: Spoon concert tee (American Apparel)
Jeans: Gap Curvy
Scarf: Target
Moccasins: Ugg Dakota

“May the odds be ever in your favor”

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Diana

I’m still here! I swear I didn’t plan to be such a slacker blog-wise these past few weeks. It’s been a combination of factors: holiday busy-ness, work busy-ness, general overall busy-ness. I’ve had a lot of stuff I had to get done that had deadlines attached, so everything else just got kind of pushed aside. My winter break starts after this week, so hopefully things will calm down soon.

These boots really have been a lifesaver. We’ve had unusually cold weather in Florida the past two weeks, so I’ve worn these boots almost every single day. They’re so super comfy, and the keep my toes nice and warm. I’ve also discovered that they go with pretty much everything. Definitely my favorite boots ever.

Tunic: Tulle (via Penelope T)
Leggings: Target
Cardigan: J Crew (via eBay)
Scarf: Target
Boots: Dansko Kylee (courtesy of Dansko)

Quote: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Shopping Plan: November

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Diana

*November edition of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

Between money left over from October and the $125 I budgeted for November, I had $188.50 to spend this month. Here’s what I bought:

Tank Tops, Target, $8 each

Terribly exciting, I know, but I needed some new tank tops for layering.

From L to R:

White Tee: Ann Taylor LOFT
Green Long Sleeve: Aeropostale
Red Beret: ?
Black Cardi: NY & Co
Brown Dress: NY & Co
Grey Tunic: French Connection
Goldenrod Sarong: ?

Total: roughly $30 at various garage sales

Neighborhood garage sales where there’s a lot of well-off, young hipsters are the best. I got some fantastic items, at a really good quality, and there was a minimal amount of digging through nasty old polyester clothes to find them.

Earrings: $3 from local artist at garage sale

They didn’t have a website that I know of, or I would link. These are fast becoming my new favorite earrings.

Keen Chamonix Boots: $51 on eBay
Keen Barcelonas: $25 on eBay

Once it started getting cold this year, I realized that I had no comfy, flat boots that I could wear all day. I love my boot collection, but they don’t cut it for eight hours on my feet. The chamonix boots turned out to look a little more like snow boots than I had expected, but they’re comfy, and they’ll be great for cold weekends.

The Barcelonas I bought because I adore my black nubuck ones, and I decided it made sense to get them in more colors and fabrics.

Denim Capris: Levis
Tunic: Forever 21
Striped Tee: Old Navy

All bought from Revolve with store credit

Oh how I love shopping with store credit. Revolve Clothing Exchange is the best.

So I spent exactly $125 this month, leaving me with $63.50 to add on to December. After next month, I’ll go back through my original wardrobe gaps list from the beginning of the year and see how many I filled.

“She made her home in between the pages of books”

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Diana

Even librarians have to let their inner rockers out every once and awhile And what better way to do that than wearing the boots I stalked eBay for months to get?

This is one of the reasons why I love fall – my sad, neglected boots get to come out of hiding and shine. Even if it’s only for a few months, it’s still glorious.

Tunic: Tulle (via Penelope T)
Vintage Slip: Sherry’s Yesterdaze
Leggings: Target
Boots: Frye 8R (via eBay)
Necklace: Self-made
White Clutch: Thrifted

Quote: Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 2), Maggie Stiefvater

“Let’s go get me some glasses, a pocket protector, and some velcro shoes”

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Diana

I suppose there’s really nothing nerdy about this outfit, although I do consider myself a nerd. The shoes aren’t velcro, but they are slip-on, and are pretty much the comfiest shoes I own. So much so, that I’m currently stalking a brown leather pair and a blue nubuck pair on eBay. You can never have too many comfy shoes, right?

I think this outfit really demonstrates the effect that yoga has had on my style. Yoga has helped me to realize the importance of being comfortable – of being able to move and stretch in whatever I’m wearing.

My practice of yoga closely coincided with when I started working in the school system, so things that were just fine for a desk job (heels, stiff fabrics, etc) were uncomfortable or downright painful for eight hours mostly on my feet. Even my comfiest heels can’t handle a regular school day.

So, I’ve embraced my love of comfort style/ effortless chic. Fabrics that are soft, that allow movement, shoes that are flat and supportive (but not hideous). Cozy scarves to counteract air-conditioning. If I can’t stretch my back without ripping a seam or popping a button, I probably won’t wear it.

The other thing I love about this outfit is that it was so thrifty. I bought the tee, tunic and earrings at garage sales for a few bucks a piece. The shoes came from eBay. The only “pricier” items are the scarf (Express), and the leggings (Target) but even those didn’t cost too much. I love being thrifty

Tee: Ann Taylor (garage sale)
Tunic: French Connection (garage sale)
Scarf: Express
Leggings: Target
Earrings: Garage sale
Cuff: consignment
Shoes: Keen Barcelona (eBay)

Quote: Smile, by Raina Telgemeier

“You’ve gotta loosen up a little…”

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Diana

“…Learn to laugh.”

Fall is awesome – I wish it lasted a little longer here. It’s already feeling warm again after last week’s cold front. But at least I got a few good boots and scarves outfits in. Maybe it’ll cool down again soon.

Tank (under long sleeve): Target
Long sleeve Tee: Old Navy (thrifted)
Button Down: Thrifted
Jeans: Levis
Boots: Frye 8Rs (via eBay)
Scarf: Target

Quote: Smile, by Raina Telgemeier

“I will concentrate on my positive and not on my negative…”

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Diana

“…e.g. I will think less about my nose and more about my quite attractive teeth”*

*Note: I have no issues with my nose, I just like the quote.

It’s finally starting to feel like fall in Florida with temps in the *gasp* 70s. I was actually able to wear long sleeves and scarves this week. Of course, it warmed up by the middle of the day, but it’s nice to not feel drenched in sweat everyday.

Oh, did you happen to notice something new in this outfit? Why yes, that is a new yellow purse. Or at least, it was new a few months ago. It’s so beautiful, that I was scared to take it outside of my house. This outfit was it’s first official outing.

So here’s the backstory: back when I was underemployed, broke, armed with a master’s degree, and searching for a full-time job, I promised myself that whenever I got a (permanent) full-time job, I would treat myself to one of three things: 1) a watch, 2) a pair of Fluevogs, or 3) a new Morelle bag. I found out in June that I would get to keep my full-time job (which I love), but money was tight, so I had planned to wait until the fall to get my treat. Then, Morelle announced that she would be closing up her shop. And my decision was made.

Despite money being very tight, I ordered a yellow leather slouch from her. And it was over $200. Which I did not count against my shopping plan because it was special occasion. But let me tell you: this. bag. is. the. best. bag. ever.

I love it so much. The gorgeous yellow color, the soft leather, the roominess without bulkiness, the wrapped chain handle. It is pretty much perfection in purse form. I’ve treated it with water-resistant leather spray, and now that I’ve braved taking it out of doors, it will definitely be one of my regular purses. Love.

Tee: Old Navy
Cardigan: Anthropologie (via eBay)
Jeans: The Gap
Shoes: Keen Barcelona (via eBay)
Purse: Morelle Slouch
Scarf: Target

Quote: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson , by Louise Rennison

“Jeez, Bells. You didn’t used to be so melodramatic.”

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Diana

Yep, I just used a Twilight quote as a post title. What can I say? I love and hate the series at the same time. The writing quality is not so great, yet I found the stories engrossing. Bella’s insecurity and her feeling of incompleteness without Edward really annoy me. But I absolutely love the character of Jacob Black. He’s caring, loyal, emotional, sometimes erratic. And I love reading about the wolf pack and their Quileute history. So with this outfit, I decided to show my Team Jacob spirit, with a lovely little piece that you may not notice in that first picture:

That’s right: I got my Wendy Brandes Little Woolf necklace!

I love this little necklace. The charm is so tiny, and is beautifully detailed. If you haven’t checked out any of Wendy B’s jewelry before, you totally should. The quality is fantastic.

Tank: Old Navy

Blazer: J Crew (via eBay)

Jeans: Gap Curvy

Shoes: Dansko Sally (courtesy of Dansko)

Headband: Target

Necklace: Wendy Brandes

Quote: Jacob Black in Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga), by Stephanie Meyer

“I turned on the light”

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Diana

I made this tunic over a month ago, but I didn’t get around to incorporating it into an outfit until last week. It’s so hot and muggy right now, that long sleeves and leggings are usually too warm. But my school has a new a/c system now, and it’s freezing, so I get to wear clothes that aren’t completely seasonally appropriate.

This re-con really turned out beautifully, but I wish that the empire waist was just about an inch lower. It would be a lot more flattering. Unfortunately, because of how it’s designed, it’s something I can’t really alter. Eventually, I’d love to make something like this from scratch, so I could correct that. That is, whenever I actually have some time for from-scratch sewing.

As I’ve said before, I absolutely love my job, but the summer made me forget just how little free time I have while working. I didn’t do any blog reading all week last week, and my projects and to-do’s pilled up. I know I’ll relearn to budget my time again, but right now it’s a bit stressful. Once I get into a routine, I know it’ll be a lot better.