Happy weekend, everyone!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Fire or freshness
dress: Charlotte Russe | belt: thrifted | tights: Target | shoes: Francesca's Collections
These shoes, however, were not one of those new purchases - not exactly. I actually bought them online last September, and proceeded to not wear them even once. Much to my dismay, when I tried them on I realized that they rubbed my ankle every time I took a step. I'm willing to be slightly uncomfortable for a pair of shoes I really love, but even I know my limits. I kept meaning to do something to fix them, but I never did...until last week. I finally bought some little squishy pads to cushion the ankles. Now I'm kicking myself for not having done it sooner! True, I may never run a marathon in these shoes (or in any other shoes, ever) but for the occasional wear, I think they're lovely. I've got a girl's night planned on Thursday night to go see the Great Gatsby, and you better believe I'll be dressing up with these shoes and a flapper-inspired dress. Old theatre habits die hard!
Have any of you seen Gatsby yet? It's my favorite book of all time, and I've heard mixed things about the movie, so I'm trying to keep my expectations in check.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Casual Monday
top: Ruche | jeans: Charlotte Russe | bracelet: c/o Fleet Collection | sandals: Target
Well, here you have it: photographic proof that I do, in fact, occasionally wear pants! After the crazy week leading up to our Easter, which was this past Sunday, all I wanted to do was wear something as un-fussy as possible. So I took my favorite top - which I usually dress up with a lady tie and skirt - and dressed it way down. This is definitely the most casual look I have ever posted on this blog; it's different for me, no doubt. But you know what? I still felt amazing in this outfit. Something about this top makes me feel awesome, even when it's untucked and messy.
I think there's probably a lesson in there somewhere. Style is about more than fit and color and pattern - it's about what makes you feel your best. I think that's why I hardly ever wear pants. I've worn dresses and skirts for so long that pants usually just don't feel right. But after this outfit, I think maybe I'm willing to give them another shot!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Goodwill and green
dress: vintage (via Bluesville USA) | top, belt, shoes: thrifted | lady tie: Flapper Girl | glasses: c/o Firmoo
More and more, I'm learning that when I'm feeling stagnant with my wardrobe, Goodwill is the place to go. Case in point: this dress. I bought it on Etsy months ago, and I absolutely love it - gorgeous color, wonderful texture, insanely comfortable. The problem? It's a little bit low-cut for me, and didn't feel quite appropriate for work...which I have to go to 5 days a week. So for most of the fall and winter, it hung sadly on a hanger, unworn. I don't know what exactly spurred me to try it with this top I thrifted last year, but I'm so glad I did! I felt amazing in this outfit, both because I loved how it looked and because it allowed me to give this wonderful dress a spin. It inspired me to hit up Goodwill again that evening, and I walked away with a bunch of new tops and a skirt - all for less than $4 each. Can't beat that!
This post is basically a reminder to myself: if you're bored with your clothes and short on cash, Goodwill is the way to go. It's not exactly a brilliant new idea, but sometimes I forget what a treasure trove thrift stores can be.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
If not now, when?
sweater: thrifted (via Fawn on a Lawn) | shorts: Forever 21 | belt: thrifted | tights: gift | shoes: Target
Maybe it's the fact that we are finally experiencing some approximation of spring weather in Michigan, or maybe it's just that my new apartment and new job have me in the mood to take on new challenges...but whatever the reason, I'm finally taking steps to accomplish something I've always wanted to try: selling art prints.
Ever since I began taking over graphic design duties at my old job, I've had this lingering feeling of being an impostor. After all, I'm not a trained designer. I didn't go to school for it, and the last graphic design class I had was back in tenth grade. In some sense, I was worried that I would be "found out." It's a ridiculous (but common) feeling. I didn't realize how ridiculous it was, though, until I had a lightbulb moment when listening to Austin Kleon's phenomenal talk "Steal Like an Artist":
There’s this very real thing that runs rampant in educated people. It’s called imposter syndrome. The clinical definition is a “psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.” It means that you feel like a phony, like you’re just winging it, that you really don’t have any idea what you’re doing. Guess what? None of us do.
So I'm done feeling like an impostor - I can hardly imagine a more self-defeating endeavor than that! I expect I'm going to be humbled, and I expect I'm going to learn a lot. But I could hardly be more excited. I posted my first piece on a few sites last night (a Doctor Who fan piece - what else?) and got a great response. I'm going to give this all I've got, and I can't wait to share with you.
On a side note: it's awesome to be posting outfits again! My all-yellow outfit from a couple weeks ago was intended to be a bit of an April Fool's post (yellow is my favorite color, and it's by far the most-represented color in my wardrobe) but I'm glad you all liked it - I had fun with it!
Also - there are just a few days left to vote for me in Fleet Collection's April contest! If you haven't already voted for my picture, I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to do so. Thanks!
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