Remix Recap

I thought it might be nice to reflect on the outfits the way some other bloggers do....maybe it will help me feel like my outfit choices are not as monotonous looking as I think they are.

My favorite look of this six:  I think TWO:)

Seventeen

In this outfit:

• Hollister top
• Volcom Dress
• JCrew belt
• DSW ruffle flats

The temperature in my office has been so variable lately, and luckily I have been dressed as irratically as those temps, and it's been working out for me.  Yesterday it was a freezer in my cube, and I was wearing pants.  Today it is stuffy, and i'm wearing what looks like a mini skirt.  Boderline inappropriate in my office...what are they going to do - send me home?  Yes please!

So I'm over half way through this challenge.  How am I feeling about it?  I kiiiiiinda want to quit, but I won't.  I am starting to feel like I didn't pick enough 'different' things to make 30 different looks, and I feel so boring when I wear a plain cotton top with khaki shorts, but in all honesty, that says a lot about my style.  I should have picked a few more prints.  I think the next time I go on a shopping trip (end of August, yay!) I will try to pick up a few more accessories.  You've seen almost all the jewelry I own, and all but 1 or 2 belts and a handful of ribbons/sashes. 

Sixteen

In this outfit:

• JCrew Cardi
• Anthro Climbing Cowlneck
• AE belt (2002!)
• JCrew chinos
• DSW sandals

With the wearing of these pants, I have officially worn everything in my 30 at least once!

I tried selling these pants on ebay this spring but never got any bites, and I suppose I'm glad about that.  Nothing like the potential loss of an item, purposely or not, to bring out my feelings of fondness.  They weren't getting the luv then, but since I took them off the auction they have.

Today is one of those Mondays where I feel so 'meh'.  OK I feel that way every Monday, but I don't always look it.  I am glad to have been able to come up with such a comforting outfit!

I know I have posted a few pics of these shoes already, but now I'll share a story about how we almost had a tragic and premature ending to our relationship and you'll understand why they are so special to me.  The story is simple, actually.  I wore them once, left them in the entryway for a few days, and came home to find that my dear nightmare of a family dog had consumed one of the rosettes.  Short of major surgery or tediously waiting for it to come out the other end, I was helpless and began to mourn the loss of my new shoes.

So, I sifted through all her poo for a few days and re-attached the rosette.

Just kidding, would anyone actually do that?  Ewww!  I called the retailer and they ended up replacing the shoes for me.  I got lucky and we lived happily ever after!!! 

Eight and Fifteen

Worn last Sunday for a shopping trip:

• Navy JCrew hoodie
• AE tank
• Wet Seal skirt
• Sperry Boat Shoes

What,  you say?!?!  Shopping.  Relax relax, I didn't buy a single thing for myself, I was buying necessities for my son, who is rapidly outgrowing all of his clothes.  I was a good girl!  My husband accused me of diverting my shopping desires to children's clothes purchasing...but again I can explain. 
We live:

• Two hours from the nearest
• Target
• Kohls
• Anything but Walmart, Shopko, Maurices
• Four and a half hours from the nearest
• Major shopping center or source of interesting retail therapy

You can feel sorry for me now, I feel sorry for me all the time.  We happened to be in the 2-hour range from home, so I took the opportunity to pick up a few winter things for the little boy while I could and they were on sale.

I digress.... 

And worn this Sunday to dinner at my in-law's house:

 

• AE tank
• Target shorts
• Sperry boat shoes

It was a warm day here in northern Michigan so I kept it simple.  I ran through the sprinkler a few times with my son and I stood him on the grass to see if he liked it.  He was smiling....then we both got pelted in the face with water because I wasn't paying attention to the sprinker on the way back around....and he cried.  Sprinkler games were over after that!

Seven and Fourteen

Worn last Saturday for a day at the lake:

• Hollister hooded 3/4 sleeve
• AE tank 
• Target Shorts 
• Sperry boat shoes

Yes, I really was this covered up at the lake, I am not much for being in the sun, and it was breezy so actually not that warm.

And worn this Saturday to a wedding reception:

• Anthro blouse
• Anthro skirt
• Delia's belt
• DSW sandals
• Jcrew red cardi (not shown, was in the wash when i took this pic)

My brother-in-law actually helped select this outfit from a choice of two outfits. I wanted to wear these shoes:

white patent peep toes, why yes, thankyouverymuch!

but they weren't in my 30. I could have worn these shoes:

but my husband said I would be more comfortable in flats, and the reception was very casual, so I agreed. Would this have looked cuter with heels? YES! But was I happy with the outcome, definitely!

Six and Thirteen

Worn last Friday:

 In this outfit:

• BCBG cardi-wrap
• Splendid tank
• JCrew patent belt
• Express Capris
• DSW sandals

I know this is less than exciting, but I had to re-create this look at home because I never took a picture at the office.  I still loved the look for casual Friday at the office.  This is how I wore it most of the day:

And this is how I also could have worn it:

 And worn on Friday, 7/23/10 and to my nephew's 2nd birthday party:

In this outfit:

• JCrew Cardi
• AE tank
• Gap sash
• Express Capris
• Sperry boat shoes
• Necklace: Claires?

We have casual fridays at my job, which infers we can wear jeans.  Most of the people I work with dress 'casual', imo, every day, so I usually look more dressed up than everyone else...which makes me just like a million of you readers out there, right?!?

I feel like a little present wrapped up in this sash.  Perfect close to yet another unfulfilling week of work.  Have I mentioned that I'm dying to be a SAH mom?!?!

Twelve

In this outfit:

• JCrew Cardi
• JCrew black skinny patent belt
• Splendid tank
• Anthro Circle the Globe Skirt
• DSW rosette sandals
• Iridescent glass pendant necklace:  gift from mi madre

Definitely decided this skirt was a good purchase!  Does anyone else love living by rules?  Am I the only person out there who generally likes following rules?  I created an additional rule for my 30 for 30 - this skirt must be worn at least once a week while the challenge is still on.  

Today I feel festive because these colors (yellow and purple) are those of my college sorority.  I also think that the necklace helps pull the look together.  What do you think?

Not much else to say except that I feel pretty today! 

Eleven

In this outfit: 

• Dress:  Delia's
• Belt:  Delia's
• Shoes:  Kenzie via Anthro

Don't you just love how most of the items you own have a story behind them?  So, one day this spring I checked my email account where normally I only find spam and other emails from places I shop online.  Amidst 2854748 emails in there was one that smacked me right in the face:  "You have a credit at Delia's!".  Ok, I can't remember the last time I bought something from Delia's - maybe 6 or so years ago?  I almost deleted the email thinking it was interwebs trickery, but I checked it and the email seems for real with about a $40 credit.  Don't you just love when you find out you're $40 richer?!?

At the same time I was treating myself to a number of items for my birthday and I was coveting the Lavender Tiny Windows dress from Anthro.  I couldn't afford it full price, and it was getting reviews of looking 'matronly', which is the last thing I need.  So I set out to see if I could find a look-alike and low and behold I found this magenta number at Delia's.  Swiss dots, purple, ruffles, ties at the waist, cap sleeves - yes, yes yes and yes please.  Very girly, and FREE!  so I ordered it and it instantly satisfied my desire for a short sleeved summer dress.  Score!

I decided to pick up this belt at the same time because I wanted a brown belt of some sort without a huge $ committment, and this one seemed to do the trick for basically just the price of shipping.  I think the belt turns the dress up a notch.

This is the 3rd time I've worn this dress, the first time in this way - very versatile so far!  I think I will be able to winterize it, or at least make it fall-friendly as well. 

Ten

I am not fibbing, I WILL be posting Six, Seven, and Eight!

In this outfit:

• Wet Seal Skirt
• JCrew Tee
• DSW Sandals
• JCrew Scarf - Gift from a friend!

I picked up this skirt in 2003 (!) and have worn it every summer since, to the point that it is near wearing out.  It is not the most flattering cut with its simple drawstring waist, but it is such a perfect summer skirt, I can't help but continue to wear the heck out of it!  It was probably $20 - cost per wear in the fractions of pennies by now!!!

Today when I was getting ready a number of obstacles presented themselves - I almost waved my little white flag by 8:00am.  Not to mention it looked yucky out - misty/rainy and overcast!  I was going to wear my blue-gray chinos so that I could be comfy at work, but found toothpaste on them after our weekend trip.  So those were out of the running.  I decided to add this scarf to my otherwise comfy outfit because I like it, and a scarf instantly makes me feel warm and at home.  I am not sure if it is summer-friendly or even matches but I don't give a darn! 

Nine

Nine.  Wha-What you say?  What happened to Six, Seven, and Eight?  They are coming to you soon!  I still need to photograph them...no cheating, I promise I stuck to the rules over the weekend.

In this outfit:

• JCrew Cardi
• Anthro blouse (ca 2005)
• Anthro Odille skirt via ebay
• JCrew Patent Belt
• Anthro wedges (ca 2005)

I'm back in the work bathroom, today folks, and I am pleased with the way this outfit photographed!  The colors are a little wacky again, mixing of orange, cherry, and lavender.  I think it works!

I wear almost all of these items to death, but I've never worn them together in an outfit.  The blouse has pretty pintucking and eyelet detail, and I feel like a girly girl every time I wear it!  It is starting to get dingy, and I'm desperate to find something like it to alternate wearings!  I found it in the sale section (like most all things I buy at Anthro) and it was a size 2, huge on me, but I had to have it.  My husband's aunt altered it for me, and it fits wonderfully now, and has been a wardrobe staple for 5 years.  How many people can honestly say they do that with much of their wardrobe?

Same for the shoes, bought them at the same time, and after this challenge is over they are taking a trip to the shoe repair place.  They need some TLC.  I love them and their flirty little leaf detail.

Check out the cute detail on the lining of this skirt.  Anthro does such an amazing job of adding touches like this to their clothes! 

Five

edit*  this post was prepared last thursday...I am way behind!

In This Outfit:

• Volcom Dress
• AE leggings
• AE tank
• Sash - ?
• Blown Glass Necklace - Gift from my mom
• DSW suede ruffle flats

Where:  verk.

I am on outfit 5 of this challenge, and by my calculation I've worn 17 of the items already - am I doing this wrong?  I don't feel like I'm nearly out of ideas yet, but hoping I have the right items for the right occasions (not to mention having them clean when I need them - I am not big on doing laundry).  And cooperative weather, because in Michigan you never know what to expect.  I always say that the Upper Peninsula is the only place in the world that can have all 4 seasons in a one-week timeframe!

For me, there is not much more to be desired in a summery little black dress like this one:  pockets, scalloped edges, and texture (not easily seen in photo).  The one thing I'd change a little is the shape and add some length, but that is nothing that a sash or belt and in this case, leggings, can't do to make it work appropriate for my office. 

I chose to add little pops of color with the necklace, tank, and sash, and I think they really 'summerize' what could have been a hum-drum outfit.

This weekend we are packing up the dog and the baby and heading off to my parent's place for a weekend of swimming, boating, eating, and relaxation.  So, I may not be posting my outfits until sometime Sunday night. 

Four

In This Outfit:

• Old Navy Tee
• F21 Capris
• Polka-dot Sash: Delia's
• Necklace:  Kohls
• Mia Flats

Where:  I feel like this is already obvious.

Something bizarre thing happened this morning.  I woke up and looked at my watch: 7:45am (do not have an alarm clock in our room).  Holy crap I was running late.  I jumped out of bed, pretended to do something to my appearance for about 15 minutes.  I thought....how interesting that my son hadn't already woken up, he never sleeps in much past 7:15 or 7:30.  So I went and woke him, and began feeding him.  Irritated with his lolly-gagging and pointing at the ceiling fan to exclaim 'yah!', I looked at my watch....8:15am...there is no way I'm even going to make it to work by 9:00am today, I thought.  Yes son, that is a fan you're pointing at, get on task.  I kept looking at my watch as he nursed, sure that my boss was going to be disappointed in me for not even being able to make my 9:00am flex arrival time.  When it seemed like he had at least eaten something, I took him to his room and quickly dressed him...and by quick I mean he cooperated more than the usual nil, so I had that going for me.  Back to the bedroom to get dressed.  I was feeling stressed and nothing in my 30 seemed comforting after already such a hectic and unshowered morning.  So I put on an outfit, and thought it wasn't too bad given the circumstances.

I walked into the kitchen to start packing bags and glanced at the stove.  The clock read....7:45!  WHAT?!? 

That is right, I read my watch wrong how many times?!?  I was now close to an hour ahead of schedule.  The baby had been woken prematurely and rushed through his morning session.  And I had settled on and outfit and my unshowered self.

I couldn't decide what to do at this point.  So, I finished packing the bags and brought the boy back to the nursery to cuddle a while longer, and decided to take a quick shower. 

But did not change my outfit:)    These items do not photograph as well as I feel like they look in person.  It doesn't help that they are a little big on me.  Should have tried things on before putting them in the 30!  I am a little underweight at the moment because as I mentioned above I am nursing a 13-month little piggy boy, and I just can't keep the weight on.  But it is totally worth it, and I am a huge supporter of breastfeeding!!!

 luv the cute little pockets and dotty sash!

So that is my story and I'm sticking to it.  I hope to look more inspired tomorrow.  If you are new to reading my blog, please stick with me, I will do better - promise!

Three

In This Outfit:

• JCrew Cardigan
• Anthro Climbing Cowlneck and Circle the Globe Skirt
• Charlotte Russe Belt
• DSW Sandals
• Pearl Necklace - Kohls
• Sunglasses - TJMaxx

Where:  to work.

I have been wanting to wear this combination, so not gonna lie:  I picked these items for my 30 with this outfit in mind.  My coworkers must be thinking 'what is this girl doing wearing all these crazy colors and prints' but I don't care!  I feel pretty darn cute!

There are a few things I like about this outfit.  First off, I will happily wear anything with ruffles or rosettes.  Second, the skirt is such a lovely yellow color, and there is something so girly about a swishy full skirt that makes my day.  This is one of three yellow things I own!  I love yellow, but have had such a complex about wearing it since I was about 7 years old.  I remember my costume one year for my ice skating show was yellow, and I overheard my mom telling someone how washed out I looked in the color.  I don't think she meant to ruin my attitude towards yellow...but from then on I shunned the color from my wardrobe.  I decided to turn that all around and prove that I could wear the color.  I think I pulled this off :)

Here is a look at the rosettes on my sandals and my done-at-home lavender pedicure.  I couldn't decide if I wanted  pair of gladiators or some pretty shoes with girly details on them...so I sort of combined the two and found a very versatile pair of sandals that I am sure I will wear for several summers. 

Two

In this outfit:

• Lavender JCrew Jackie (summer '10)
• Leaf Print JCrew strapless dress (summer '04)
• Orange patent JCrew skinny belt (fall '09)
• Kenzie via Anthro wedges (circa 2005)
• Pearl necklace: permantly borrowed from my mom's jewlery box

Where: work. As you can see, I am in the bathroom....

Not sure if lavender and red go together, much less with orange but I kind of dig the look today.

I cannot stress enough how much I love my jackies, or any cardigan in general. No matter if purchased full price or on sale, they are worth it in my closet. I need to force myself to gravitate towards things that are not solid cotton items, and a cardi such as a jackie goes a long way in taming down a print or cut that is otherwise not as comfy for me when I do step outside my comfort zone. This lavender one was a full price birthday gift to myself this year (drat that JCrew for putting it up for sale a month later in my size!), and having owned it for less than 2 months, I'd say I've worn it at least a dozen times already.

This orange belt you will be seeing a lot over the coming 28 outfits. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I'd get so much use out of, of all things, an orange patent leather belt...but you'd be surprised...and you need to get one in your closet if you don't have one. Trust me!

One

In this outfit:

• Steve n Barry's blue button down
• Express denim crops
• Banana Republic Studded Belt
• Sperry boat shoes
• Munchkin:  Mine

Where: running errands with my son, cooking dinner, and playing:)

This is a boring first outfit, but in my defense, it was a rainy sunday and I very easily could have stayed unshowered and in sweatpants. Rather than delay starting my '30' and thus allowing the shopping ban to last longer, I had the motivation to pull this together, and I have to say I looked better than 99% of the people I ran into at the grocery store, which is not hard to do around here:)

Anyways, this button down is so versatile except that it is too short to tuck in, which is how I envisioned the outfit before actually getting dressed. I think I may have shrunk this, because I also remember being able to roll the sleeves and button them as designed, but they also seemed too small to accomplish this.

If you don't have a pair of dark denim crops like this, run to your favorite store and get a pair right now! They can be dressed up or down, and they go with EVERYTHING. Best $80 ever spent on a single pair of jeans for me. The cost per wear must be about $.10 by now.

These boat shoes were a birthday present to myself this year, and are the only item in this whole outfit that isn't 2 years old or more. It has been since elementary school that I've owned a pair of preppy loafers, and if I dare say so, I am rocking them as well as I did in 3rd grade.

30 for 30 Challenge

And so begins my very own fashion blog. I've been reading fashion blogs for so long now, and found myself wishing that I had a better outlet for my fashion cravings besides creating online wishlists or actual shopping. Not to mention, a way to link up all my daily reads! Then I came upon What Would a Nerd Wear 's 30 for 30 post. I thought it sounded fun, and being on a self-imposed (or husband-imposed) shopping ban for the month of July, the 30 for 30 was something I could use to keep myself occupied during the ban.

Rules of 30 for 30:

1) Select 30 items (not including accessories) and remix only those items into 30 outfits in 30 days.

2) No shopping, even for accessories, until 30 outfits have been remixed.
3) pjs, underwear, and work out clothes don't count.
4) Everything must be worn at least once.

Here are my 30:

3 Skirts, 1 leggings, 1 shorts

Striped Skirt:  Anthro; Anthro Circle the Globe Skirt in yellow; 

Target Khaki shorts, AE charcoal leggings, White Skirt: Wet Seal

9 Tops

Red Tee: Old Navy; Brown tank: AE; Black tank: Spendid

White Blouse: Anthro; Yellow Tank: AE; Anthro Climbing Cowlneck in Sky

Striped Henley: Hollister; Lavender 3/4 Sleeve:  JCrew; Button Down: Steve and Barry's

3 Dresses

Leaf Print Dress: Jcrew; Black Dress: Volcom; Magenta Dress: Delia's

3 Pants

 

 JCrew Chinos; Express Crops; F21 Capris

5 Sweaters

All JCrew except bottom right is BCBG

5 Shoes

Sperry Boat Shoes; MIA silver ballet flats;

Kenzie via Anthro wedges; DSW sandals; DSW black ruffle ballet flats

Wish me luck!