An Easy Ending

Shorts (challenge item #7) Thrifted:: Top/ Old Navy:: Scarf/Gift from J:: Sandals/Kohls:: Bangles/Target. F21

This is my last outfit from the challenge. I actually wore these short a few times undocumented. I can't believe how much I ended up loving them!

This is one of my favorite scarves. I feel a little bad saying this because when you have so many scarves that it hard to say this is really your favorite. But it is. J is the best gift-giver and he gave me this beautiful scarf for my birthday last year. This should automatically make me bias toward this scarf but I have other reasons, too. This scarf has all of my favorite colors strategically arranged making this scarf combine perfectly with just about every piece in my wardrobe. It is also very light weight, making it a great multi-seasonal piece. And for the girl who would wear scarfs all year round, this makes it a big winner.

The bangles. They're back in a big way. For whatever reason, I equate bangles with summer, which seems slightly odd seeing how, depending on the bangle can feel bulky. But I don't care. Love me some bangles. I would also like to note that I was not lying about the sparkly shorts. 

Well, that wraps up The Challenge outfits. A recap is coming up!

The Short of it

"Work horse" blue top, meet white shorts. You two should get along nicely....

Shorts (item #7), Scarf/Thrifted :: Top/Old Navy :: Belt/F21 :: Sandals/ Kohls

This outfit was pretty easy to put together. I wear this top a lot, though I have only managed to document a few outfits with it. That said, it was pretty easy to check off these short from the list with this top. I have no real objections to these shorts. I just don’t really like shorts. I’m not really sure what possessed me to buy white shorts (they actually sparkle. Weird) but here I am, the proud(?) owner of them.

On this day, it was venturing into the quite warm degrees and seemed an appropriate day to give them a go. I have to say, they were not too bad, as shorts go. They are actually lined, which is kindof nice, and necessary as they are practically see-through.

 

But seriously, let’s talk about this top. I love this top. I pretty much dread the summer months (I sweat. A lot. An embarrassing amount, in fact) so my summer shirts have to be able to withstand my constant body temp changes. This shirt is really good at that. It also billows nicely, which means I can wear it belted or undone and it still looks good. I rarely wear it unbelted seeing how I have Stacey and Clinton constantly in my head screaming “WAIST DEFINITION!”

 

I bought this scarf because, as my last few (ok most) posts will attest to, I love scarfs and anything navy. Plus…POLKA DOTS! To be honest, I actually haven’t worn it much. It a big scarf and so I’ve had to find creative ways to tie it up. This was my most successful attempt.  I think my next challenge should be an accessory challenge. I think my scarfs, jewelry and shoes would like that. 

And The Challenge  continues...

Structured Surprise

Jacket: item #6 /Thrifted:: White top/Ross’s:: Shoes,Tank Top/Target :: Jeans, Scarf / Thrifted

This jacket has been with me for quite some time. You would never know it since I never wear it. It is a tricky piece. All the characteristics that should work in this jacket’s favor (lightweight material, barely there blue pinstripes, fits me perfectly) became the exact roadblocks I had to wearing it. I couldn’t wear it when I needed a substantial extra layer but it also didn’t feel like a necessary piece in the warmer months. The “color” also posed some problems. And lastly, if I wanted to wear this jacket, I had to wear it buttoned up (the way it’s supposed to be worn, mind you) otherwise it draped funny.

Upon forced wear of this garment, I have surprised myself with how much I love it. Take this outfit, for instance. The weather on this particular day was all over the place so having this light, extra layer allowed me to feel perfectly comfortable all day. I also found that I loved wearing it buttoned up. It help take this pretty casual outfit to another level. Score for this jacket.

The white top I am wearing underneath the jacket was on of the only non-returned items for the other day. I actually do not own many ¾ length shirts and none in basic white so it made the cut. Plus, J liked it. A lot.

 One more note about this outfit. I bought these little brogue shoes at Target last year because they were so cute and knew hundreds of outfits I could wear them with. The problem? They were so uncomfortable. As in “I can’t wear these for more that ten minutes” uncomfortable. What saved these shoes from being doomed to scant wear: in-sole supports. And now? It’s like walking on air. Thank you, Dr. Scholls.

Curious what is up next in The Challenge? 

The skirt that should

Skirt (item # 8 from challenge):: T-shirt/Old Navy:: Cardigan, belt, flats/Target :: Scarf/Anthropologie

Ah this skirt. This skirt was one of those purchases that I was so excited about because, in theory (and based on last years obsession with midi skirt) it should have been a easy piece to welcome into a regular rotation. I have pinned probably the most pins around midi skirts thinking that the all powerful pinspiration would encourage me to bust this skirt out. 

Alas, that was not the case. For starters, the skirt was originally two inches longer which meant it was a somewhat awkward length. Second, even with copious inspiration, I still couldn't figure out how to wear it and the right time to wear it. It seemed a little to strange for grad classes along with student teaching observation and I wasn't going to wear it just around the house. Sadly, it hung in my closet with many attempts at wear but no successes. 

Thanks to this challenge I finally wore it yesterday. I have to say that while the skirt was very comfortable, I still felt odd wearing it. Maybe with a few more wears I will feel that it is a keeper. For now, I'm a little on the fence about it. 

Any items in your closet that you are on the fence about?

Shedding layers

black skinny's, teel tank, floral top/Target::shoes/Payless::cardigan/OldNavy::Scarf/F21

A pretty casual outfit. The weather was absolutely perfect yesterday and this outfit was worn happily without any sort of outer layer. My feet, on the other hand, were not as ready to part with the out the protective comfort of socks or tights. Blisters abounded in these oh so adorable (but not made for actual movement) shoes.

Today J and I are heading into the city to the Hirshhorn to see this exhibit. It had us both at Suprasensorial...

Apples and Triangles

Top, Jeans/Old Navy:: Moto Sweater/ Target::Scarf/Anthropologie:: Boots/Thrifted:: Belt/F21

For some time now, I have tried to figure out what "body shape" I am. I have narrowed it down to an apple or an inverted triangle. Both of these "shapes" describe women who carry much of their weight in their shoulder, chest and tummy and tend to have smaller legs (minus my bottom) than their top half. All of these are true for me. My ankles are freakishly small compared to the rest of my body.

Upon discovering what, I think, may be my body type, I have then began the search for what looks best on my body. This has been a fun little experiment. And I believe the fact that I document my outfits allows me to actually see what really does look best, rather than relying on the mirror (that for some reason always skim a few pounds here and there...).

This outfit is one of those experiments. While my body type is usually discouraged from wearing skinny jeans, the inclusion of the (I'm going to say it FABULOUS) boots help even out the proportions. Though billowy tops are usually discouraged as well (they make you look bigger) the inclusion of the belt both reins in the top and defines a waist (all things you should do when you have a semi-undefined waist). Finally, the sweater and scarf create interest and bring the eye up above problem areas like the tum-tum.

The result? A look I love. I felt so incredibly comfortable and put together in this outfit.

Yes, these are pants

I wore this outfit to hand-deliver some resumes to a few schools I am interested in teacher for. And yes, these are pants. Linen-blend pants, in fact. And are the just the length for which I can only wear these blue shoes.

Top/Kohls:: Belt/Target:: Scarf/gift:: pants (Anne Taylor)/Thrifted:: Shoes/Thrifted

A better view of them can be seen below.

Man, I miss natural light for taking photos...

A short post

I got tired of looking at the suit. Here's an outfit I wore sometime last week.

Sweater/Express:: Dress(as skirt)/swapped:: top and tights/Old Navy:: boots/Kohls :: scarf and belt/F21

This is basically this look made winter friendly. I really like this dress as a skirt, and only as a skirt. The top part is pretty awkward. You most likely will never see the rest of it on this blog.

I went to Zara, H&M and Forever 21 the other day and I walked out empty handed. I actually think this is a good thing because it means they don't have anything in their stores that I don't feel like I already have or felt like I needed/wanted. Score one for me.

Going to Old Navy or Target? Totally different story....

A Day at the Fair

I actually had a great time at the teacher hiring fair I went to this weekend, mostly because it included my favorite thing - networking! I met some really great people and talked to some incredible schools. I would be lucky to get to teach at almost any independent school in the DC metro area.

I did end up wearing a suit as shown here. I think I was a little overdressed but I didn't care. I felt remarkably comfortable in the suit and the pop of the blue collar gave it something that said "Talk to me! I'm friendly!" Thanks to J for snapping these photos (s0 early in the morning, too!)

Today has been spent at the library (internet!!) researching jobs, writing cover letters and updating the old resume. No small task, let me tell you. For this task I wanted to wear something very comfortable. I also wanted to incorporate something I have been struggling to style. These polka dot shorts fit that description. While they are so adorable, they are a little tricky to wear. They are a little big, to start and I have to wear them with tights which doesn't help. After many combinations I opted for this (mostly because I needed to get out the door). I'm ok with the outfit but think there has to be a better way to style these pretty shorts.

This necklace has a compass on the other side. So cool!

shirt/hand me down from J:: Scarf, tights, socks/ Target:: shorts/Kohls:: necklace/Buffalo Exchange:: boots/Payless

Happy Valentine's Day! Tell someone you love them!