Ultimatums

I am not a clothing hoarder.* I do have my fair share of huge t-shirts, ragged cut-offs and sweatpants that do not make it into my regular rotation. Generally, I am not afraid to admit when I simply do not use an item. I try to donate an item when I buy something new to keep inventory low. As a result, I mostly wear the same things over and over with a few (temporary) items to mix it up.

This belt is a different story. The first (and only) time I wore it, I was 16. I hooked it over a velvet mini-dress, patterned tights and black cowboy boots. I have been hauling it around with me ever since. Every time I pack for a move, I look at it closely, examine its dimensions... I just can't give it away. So I give myself an ultimatum: Wear it NOW or it has to go. So in an effort to justify it staying in my closet...

The Lion Head Belt Outfit

red plaid shirt: "the past"
black cardigan: thrifted Benetton
"trouser jeans": Mossimo/Target
black flats: Kenneth Cole Reaction
lion head belt: thrifted
clear blue glasses: Zenni Optical

*note: I did not include "shoes" in this discussion.

Staying Neutral

I put the socks on earlier as a temporary, purely utilitarian measure, but I liked the textural contrast it has with the silver shoes.

My cat's eyes look creepy and my eyes are closed. What a day!

creme t-shirt: American Apparel
cocoon sweater: Urban Outfitters
black jeans: "the past"
silver shoes: BCBG via eBay
brown socks: Target via Mom

The Spring Break

I went to Alabama last week! I only have one outfit photo from the trip (taken while visiting my alma mater). Next time I wear this shirt, I'll have to capture the details, it's amazing!

doggie blouse: thrifted
cocoon sweater: Urban Outfitters
jeans: Levis
black flats: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Get Vertical

Hi!

Thought I would share the rainbow layered cupcakes that Katherine and I made this afternoon as well what I wore tonight.

blue sweater: Target
striped dress: adopted
sheer tights: American Apparel
black flats: Kenneth Cole Reaction
owl locket: gift from Danielle

Establishing Patterns

Maybe I should rename this blog "The Many Faces of the Purple Grandpa Cardigan."
I probably use it so much because it's the only bright colored cardigan I have, but it's had a life of its own this Winter.
Striped t-shirts seem to have had a moment recently. I may not have noticed for a while because, well, I love striped t-shirts. If you watched me thrifting, you would see that I take a good look at every striped t-shirt on the rack. Someone recently looked at my closet and said, "I see stripes and plaid." That's about right. (The plaid is a different story, to be addressed)
My love affair with the striped t-shirt began in elementary school. My "go-to outfit" was an over-sized two-toned striped purple t-shirt that I wore with "matching" purple bike shorts (lace-trimmed?). Since then I have been accumulating striped t's like crazy. The combination of "1970's little boys' wardrobe" and "chic" that the striped t encapsulates is irresistible.

purple sweater: Old Navy via clothing trade with Mom
striped t-shirt: Gap sale rack '07
jeans: Levi's
creamy sweatshirt-coat: Old Navy circa '07 (a good year?)
black flats: Kenneth Cole Reaction

Thank you Rachel for taking the photos on campus today!

A Peek at Spring

The bright sunshine gave me an excuse to try out a new pair of sandals today. I am looking forward to full-blown barefoot weather, but I must wait...
Friedrich and I had a nice big breakfast, I had a meeting on campus, now it's grocery shopping time and preparing for the week to come!

purple flower dress: Free People
gray leggings: Gap
black cardigan: Target
branch sandals: Urban Outfitters
red bracelet: triple-wrapped knot rosary

Comfy Thursday

I was really a rumpled mess by the time I got home tonight. Alas, my goal is to document my clothes no matter what condition I am in. I was partially productive today, but Thursdays are long and I am worn out. It was chilly this morning, so I opted for a comfy combo that included pants and socks!

plaid shirt: thrifted
mens' cashmere sweater: Old Navy sale rack
jeans: Gap
moccasins: Minnetonka
locket: Etsy seller: herprettybird

Errand Wednesday

Lady at post office (looking at passport photo): "You're cute. You look really studious, then you let your hair down and take those glasses off, it's a whole different party!"

Today was a good no-class day. Friedrich and I slept in after I promised myself that I would get up early. The bed was a perfectly toasted marshmallow cloud and I could not get out. We went to the post office downtown to process my passport and stopped at Lit, the restaurant supply store, on the way back. I spent a little time at school and went out to celebrate Rachel's successful thesis proposal defense (Hi, Rachel!).

This post introduces my watch, "First Naked Lady."
Also, I ordered these tights thinking that they were navy, they are actually really bright and I like it!

Take care out there!

pale blue oxford: thrifted Banana Republic
horse print skirt: Urban Outfitters
"navy" tights: We Love Colors
silver shoes: BCBG via eBay
brown coat: J. Crew via eBay
Eve watch: Swatch
mood bracelet: ?
clementine: Cuties

Life as a Giant

I'm only 5'6", but in the photos Katherine took in her apartment today, I am precariously out of proportion.

Nothing more to report really, just "trying to stay afloat." Oh, Spring Break, don't let me down.

teal sweater dress: TJ Maxx
gray leggings: Gap
red boots: Dr. Martens via eBay
glass beads: gift from Zak (hi, Zak!)

Silly Day

The photos came out quite silly and the day followed suit. I'm just going to go to sleep now.

Blonde Redhead t-shirt: gift from Friedrich
purple sweater: Old Navy via clothing trade with Mom
jeans: Levi's
platform ankle boots: Payless
necklace: gift from Mom (Hi, Mom!)

Behold!

Step 1 has been taken toward becoming a Global Citizen.
Special thanks to Robb for the generous $2 donation that financed this passport photo.

Chapter Books

Another beautiful day .. Katherine & I stopped by Burke's Book Store, where Friedrich works, on the way to school. Katherine was looking very sharp and we had a little photo shoot in the Chapter Book section. Today's "Graduate Assistant Workshop" was held at Garibaldi's, so class consisted of pizza and beer-- very casual.

gray t-shirt: American Apparel
pink sweater: Target
jeans: Gap
wool jacket: Gap
brown suede boots: Michael Kors via eBay

I don't know the origins of Katherine's look, but she did say this very neat dress was found on a Target sale rack.

Sun Striped

The sunlight this morning gave me a glimpse of Spring...
Maybe the anticipatory sandals I've been buying are actually making the weather warmer!

Yesterday, Friedrich & I both had the day off, so we went to AmVet thrift store on Elvis Presley Blvd. I brought in quite a bounty, some items I am very excited about (i.e. Summer stuff).

Aubergine. This color, or rather the use of this word, caused a little debate over the holiday amongst my family. I doubled up on the raisin-y color today. What would you call it? Mull it over. (Mulberry!?)

Good Night!

creme t-shirt: American Apparel
striped cardigan: H&M
"trouser jeans": Mossimo/Target
bow shoes: Pink Studio/Piperlime.com
oversized hoops: adopted from Mom's overstocked hoop collection

Cold Tuesday

Me: I think we need to work on poses and photography.
Friedrich: I think you need to buy a tripod.

Very long day!
I gave a presentation today so I wore "my most capable looking outfit."
Well, not exactly, but I like to work in a Clueless quote when I can.

Friedrich could not be coaxed outside this morning and, as you can see from the above dialog, takes his photographer position very lightly.

Now it's time to avoid the dishes and put in some couch time. Hope everyone is having a nice week so far!

neck-tie blouse: Target
tulip skirt: Urban Outfitters
brown herringbone tights: Gap
purple sweater: Old Navy via clothing trade with Mom
brown heels: Target

Powder Blues

The snow will not stop!
Did you know that you can play bingo at Chick-fil-A? I won coupons for both chicken nuggets and a salad (of my choice? I do not know). The seniors seemed pretty bummed that a bunch of school kids showed up and reduced their odds, but we'll be back.
Other than that, I completed my statistics homework and managed to fit all of my answers on one page using options "shrink" and "text box."
Enough of that...

shirt: made by great-grandmother, embroidered by aunt (wow, huh?)
mother of pearl cuff links: grandmother's jewelry box
nails: blue manicure courtesy of Katherine
gray-ish pants: Gap
striped flats: Keds

Valentine's Day, RIGHT?

I participated in Valentine's Day! By that I mean I cut paper hearts and treated Friedrich & myself to heart-shaped ring pops. I even wore this Valentine-themed outfit.
We went to Beauty Shop for a delicious brunch! The rest of the day will be very un-romantically spent reading for class. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

ancient red t-shirt: Old Navy
gray skirt: Cheap Monday
black tights: Target
gray net tights: ?
red shoes: thrifted

Plaid Pt.2

Something about the snow has me reaching for plaid (and Doc Martens) ... not that it's unusual for me to wear this shirt at least once a week. It was initially purchased for someone else, but has been in heavy rotation in my wardrobe for a few years.
I've had a very slow start today. Now I am off to the bank, to campus to catch up on some homework & hopefully to the rec center later to get a little exercise in an otherwise sedentary day.

plaid shirt: thrifted
tiny boys' vest: thrifted
jeans: Levis
red boots: Dr. Martens via eBay
tiny gold bow necklace: Etsy seller: verabel