Back to Basics

Where did spring go?  Back to something warm.  Now that my closet edit is done for Spring Summer I feel safe enough to try out some of those 30-30 pieces again.

I found this scarf that I permanently borrowed from my Mom but never have gotten around to wearing.  Another item that will feel too wintery in a few weeks.  I loved how the color palette matched the red boots.  This outfit is so basic, just the jean skirt, the plain black sweater and tights but the accessories really kept it from feeling boring (like that one did).

Pulling off the whole scarf look again, and after my sisters comments (see comments after linked post) that a scarf need not feel “stewardessy” I tried to wear it with confidence.  Somewhere I read this inspiring quote, “You can change your clothes as many times as it takes to feel right, but once you walk out the door you need to rock it, because it’s confidence that really make the whole thing work.”

Sweater: Banana Republic, ’10

Jean Skirt: H&M, ’03

Boots: Miz Mooz via Nordstroms, ’10

Scarf: ??

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The Capriciousness of Spring

I wore my jean skirt without tights for the first time since October.  It’s always such a strange thing to go bare-legged.  It was still a little chilly so I ended up wearing my scarf and sweater (not pictured) almost all day.

I feel like dressing in the dark mornings is getting a bit difficult, as I’m in my winter rut of easy clothes – the same few pairs of bottoms and different shirts.  Since finishing my 30-30 I’ve just replaced the featured skirt and pair of jeans for another – mostly because I need to take a bunch of things to the tailor.

Next week perhaps I’m going to try to wear the things I didn’t get around to wearing in my winter wardrobe one last time before I pack them up at the end of the month.  My closet is small enough (or perhaps my wardrobe large enough) that the closet can’t hold both seasons at once.

My goal at the end of the month is to get everything clean and pack it away for next fall.  The new season always brings a fresh outlook on what I have – things I’ve forgotten about and new ways to wear everything, so I’m excited for that – but to break it out too soon is a little headstrong.  Who me? Headstrong?

White shirt with shirring: Hand-me down from the Sister, Express – Year unknown

Denim Mini-skirt: H&M (purchased in Nice, France, ’03 when there were no H&M’s in the states)

Scarf: Street Vendor Florence, Italy, ’03

Shoes: Nine West via TJ Maxx, ’10

 

Spring is a Party

As much as we all hate daylight saving time, I have to say, the change of more light in the evenings really has spring pulsing through my veins!

I once saw a woman working in a train station in Toulouse, France, she was wearing skinny black jeans, and a uniform shirt similar to this, with short puffy sleeves.  She had the collar popped and was wearing a classy scarf (those French women and their scarves!).  I wish I’d taken a picture of her, but the image of her dressing up her otherwise boring train uniform has stayed with me.

I’ve switched her scarf for a colorful wooden beaded belt.  It was a steal at $12 from Wet Seal.  Although I’m afraid one day the elastic will die and the wooden beads will go skittering around the floor, to great embarrassment.  Well, until then, I’m enjoying this find that looks very well-traveled – as if I found it languishing in a market stall in Bali.

Chevron Black and White shirt: Express, ’07

Cropped Jeans: J Brand, ’09

Belt: Wet Seal, ’10

Shoes: BCBG via N Rack, ’11

Flesh Tone Pollock

I found this dress last fall at BCBG hidden in the sale rack.   My mama always told me to always try something on before I wrote it off, and this dress is a perfect example.

Normally I’m not drawn to things with beige, tan or peachy colors.  I also had a hard time seeing what this looked like on the hanger.  As you can see from the sketch, which even in the flat version looks confusing.  What are those bubbles of fabric along the side?

But when I put it on I realized how wonderfully it fits.  It’s tight in all the right places, and loose in all the others, and the way the color panel angles together in the front is wonderfully slimming and I love the pop of the subdued colors against the black.

Dress: BCBG

Shoes: NYLA via Piperlime (see them here, still on final sale in lots of sizes)

Black & Tan

 

It’s been a crazy week, and I’m exhausted, it’s only Thursday?  I think you can tell from this picture how tired I am.  Oh well, not every picture or day can be our very best.  At least I felt good in this outfit – which is a sure way to brighten an otherwise dragging week!

I’m loving these pants I just got from Anne Taylor Loft.  They’re so retro and comfortable.  Dressy but don’t need dry cleaning.

The shirt I found at Marshalls a few years ago, I love the print and the unique color scheme – marigold, tan, and black with spots of peacock blue-green.  Sadly, the cut of it is so blousey that it makes me look like I’m slouching with no shoulders.  For this reason, even though it’s silk I’ve kicked it out of the VIP section of my closet and have relegated it to my work wardrobe.  This isn’t anything to be ashamed of, but it’s probably the shirts last stop before it hits Good Will in a few more years for someone else to slouch around in.

Cropped Black Pants, Ann Taylor Loft, ’11 See them here (I bought my a lot tighter than the model shows them because I hate baggy pants!)

Silk Blouse, Marshalls, ’07

Shoes, Nordstroms, ’06

30-30 Day 17

I missed day 16 because I was sick – yuck.  I slept all day, so obviously there wasn’t an outfit involved.

I threw on the navy tank top under the black sweater because I was out of undershirts.  I didn’t realize it would show up, but it is a happy accident.  I love the navy, black and pink together!

30-30 Day 9

Trying out a new color combination today, lime with navy tights.  Oddly it ties together with my wild multi print leopard print shoes, which have both colors in them.  The shirt looks more yellow in the pictures, but the color is more like the sketch – acid lime.

I washed my hair finally – so the big sexy curl is gone and I’m back to my normal curls.

I had to wash some of my shirts last night.  The only downside of having such a limited wardrobe – things need laundering more often.  But I really don’t think the average joe could even tell that I’m rotating the same 30 things – which really makes you realize how little you actually need – again!

Multi Print Leopard Shoes

A close up of these lovelies!

Audrey Hepburn Meets the 80’s

I always feel boppily 60’s in these cropped jeans and flats.  My shoes and blazer are more firmly planted in the 80’s.  It’s a nice post-modern fashion mix.

This was an outfit that I put together from what was nearby since I woke up with only 10 minutes to get ready.  And happily it works!

I’m addicted to pushing up the sleeves of blazers.  I’m usually feel so strong and manly and shape-less in them and somehow pushing the sleeves up seems more approachable.  It also probably stretches out the sleeves and ruins them for wearing down but… that’s the beauty of Express!

Jeans: J Brand via Antrhopologie (sale!), ’09

T-Shirt: H&M, ’08

Blazer: Express, ’02? (Pilfered from my sisters cast offs)

Shoes: Nine West via TJ Maxx, ’10