What I Wore (Plus: The Weekend Update)

Friday, Kevin and I went out to dinner. I love the times when we have a lot to tell each other and our time together is full of conversation and questions and sometimes a debate or two. I had left work a little early (not even 30 minutes) and got home when I am usually clocking out. I changed into something more comfortable ... and of course had Kevin take a few pictures before we left.

Gold Flats: Old Navy // Rug: UO

Pants: Old Navy

Hat: Christys' (UO) // Shirt: Gap

This weekend ...

Saturday we were up early - I made blueberry oatmeal pancakes. Then we picked up a fridge for our garage. See? 

Inside the fridge; needs a good cleaning.

This is where we're going to put the fridge:

Then we had lunch with our friends the Chandlers, went on a couple errands, cruised a few garage sales, then home for the afternoon. I decided it was high time I get a little painting done, so I took some watercolors out to the back patio and got creative.

Sunday we slept in; I'm not a big fan, but it was nice this time. I guess we needed it. More pancakes this morning! Then Kev did some work in the yard while I drank another mug of coffee and did a couple crossword puzzles. He's been trimming the big tree in our backyard - got a few dead limbs down

This afternoon we've been cleaning out the new fridge - a trip to Lowe's is coming up soon for a few supplies, then we can make sure it's stable on the ledge/step where we'll be placing it.

Here are photos of our chairs that need to be reupholstered ... anyone know of a good, economical upholstery place in the Dallas area??

got a pair of these for $10 - vintage

curb freebie!

What I Wore

I decided I would fall into the trap of self-induced peer pressure and succumb to the 'here are pictures of what I wore today' blog trend. I certainly have no claim of being a fashion icon or diva or even educated in the field of styles and trends and what actually looks good. Kevin tells me what I wear (in recent months) often resembles a Grandma's outfit: something a blue haired old lady would pull out of her closet; the closet she hadn't updated since 1973.

And yet ... oh well. Ya know? I am getting to a point - very progressive and slow, and sometimes one-step-forward-two-steps-back - where I don't care what people think about what I wear (that said, I do take Kevin's insight into consideration - sometimes his 'tweaks' make my outfits even better and slightly less Granny).

I used to care very much; and I used to worry that people thought I was fat or unfashionable or ugly or unpopular ... and it concerned me. I just didn't know how to fix it so I could 'fit in' which I never ever did. Now I know how fruitless the pursuit of popularity is; I keep telling myself to just 'be yourself', 'be confident'.

I think, pursuant to the thesis of this post, what we wear is truly what we make it. What's in my closet doesn't define me nor does it limit me. I don't care if someone thinks grellow and pumpkin orange shouldn't go together in an outfit; if I want to wear it, I'm wearing it with confidence. I don't care if you think my butt looks big in my high-waisted paper bag tweeds; those pants rock and I will wear them with pride.

We are who we are, not what our hair or our clothes make us look like to other people; that leaves us open to so many misconceptions that often we don't give people a chance to be who they are after making a snap judgment based on ... well, nothing.

So here are some photos of outfits I have worn over the past several months (years, in some cases). However minimally important other people's opinions are, I AM receptive to glowing praise. ;) (except for my 'modeling' skills which I am already aware are greatly lacking!)

From 2007 ...

Tank: Mossimo (Target) // Sweater: TJMaxx // Jeans: Gap // Flats: Marc Fisher (Macy's)



3/2/11 ...



Tee: Gap // Cardigan: Old Navy // Scarf: Gap RED // Pants: Kimchi Blue (UO) // Belt: Gap // Flats: Report (Macy's)



 

1/20/11 ...

Tank: BDG // Cardigan: Old Navy // Coat: FOG by London Fog // Pants: Old Navy // Flats: Report (Macy's)

 

3/7/11 ...

Oxford: NY&Co // Cardigan: Target // Skirt: UO // Tights: Target // Shoes // Target

3/17/11 ...

Blouse: F21 // Cardigan: F21 // Pants: Pin & Needles (UO) //Jewelry: AE

 

Shoes: Rouge Helium (SenseofFashion.com)

Good Things for March

Spring is finally here. I can tell. Even though it's still cool in the mornings and when I go to bed, the days are mild and warm and my plants are starting to grow. This week it's been misty and gray but generally the sun has been shining. I have about a dozen daffodils in the front flower beds now. We recently cleared some entirely-overgrown Lantana from one of them and found a bunch of lovely daffodils starting to grow - the perfect emblem of Spring.

Here are a few of my favorite things for Spring


1. Gardening - You can't beat the warm air and sunshine ... and the feeling of dirt in your hands! Not to mention the fulfillment of having grown your own food. This Spring, I planted several herbs and vegetables. I'm sadly not having a lot of luck with some of the herbs (like dill - it is so delicate and just stops growing when the sproutlings are still little whisps) but my basil and rosemary seem to be growing well. I've planted 2 varieties of grape-type tomatoes, okras, cucumbers, strawberries, bell peppers, lavender, balsam (I did not know what this was! If you don't either, check out the link) ... we'll see if I have any results! I'm really excited about the cucumbers and okras since I have pickling 'supplies' and would like to try my hand at homemade.




Forget-Me-Not's from last year and (back) a few lemon seeds.



Seven little cucumber plants!

2. Bright colors - I am always a fan of color, all year long. But I think Spring and Summer are just begging for happy colors everywhere:

• Kitchen (cheerful mixing bowls and colored glass) 
• Dining table (bold floral and colorful dishes and serveware - obviously fresh flowers make the perfect, simple decoration, too) 
• Living room (throw pillows, candles)
• Bedroom (change out the heavy bedding for a bright, light quilt)



Turquoise enamel colander, $25 (Overstock.com)





Zak!Designs Confetti bowl set, $29.00 (Amazon.com)

 



'Catcher' Reamer, $8.00 (Amazon.com)



Yellow floral quilt set (3-pieces), $60.00 (Overstock.com)



Michael Kors Platinum Nairobi Coverlet Set, $78.00 (Overstock.com)




Gray and coral toss pillow, $42.00 (Urbanoutfitters.com)

3. Shimmer & Tulle - I like things with a bit of sparkle and shine. It makes any old day feel like a special occasion. A tulle skirt can really dress up a look and feels a tiny bit 'formal' and feminine ... great paired with a crisp white shirt or a blazer.





Silver Shimmer Tank, $25.00 (Bodycentral.com)



Gold Shimmer Platform Pump, $50.00 (JCPenney.com)



Similar, $48.00 (YesStyle.com) or $29.00 (Forever21.com)
Find the original photo here - Lookbook user 'Modern Vintage .'



Norah Headband (and similar), $16.00 (etsy.com)

Thanks for reading!


What are some of your favorite things for Spring??






Good Things for February

Here again is my monthly edition of the good things list: just a few things I've encountered - products, foods, experiences - that stuck out and that I feel are worth passing on to my faithful 5 (blog followers, that is).

1. Tree Hut brand Sugar Scrubs. I recently found these for under $6 at Wal Mart. A quick Google search showed that most places sell them for the $6-7 range so I think this is pretty good. I got the Brazilian Nut (omg, rich, nutty, warm ... like a cup of mocha latte for your skin) and the Coconut Lime; my 'signature fragrance' for the Spring and Summer is Coconut Lime Verbena from B&BW and Kevin loves it so that's definitely a factor. This scrub is like that, but slightly milder and even more tropical. Tree Hut puts lots of natural oils in their products and I think this helps the whole 'tropical paradise' image that happens whenever you twist off the cap. Highly recommend.

2. Freeman Beauty GoodStuff Organics Foot Balm. I recently got this for about $2 - since I've had such a great experience with their hand lotion, I thought I would give it a whirl. This balm has a nice mild fragrance (shea butter and lemongrass) and is very thick to nourish dry, calloused feet. A great way to moisturize overnight during the dry Winter months: just massage onto your feet (or preferably, have a generous spouse do this for you!) and cover with thick socks overnight.

 3. Bolthouse Farms 100% Carrot Juice. This save a lot of time; I'm not sure how much money it saves - each bottle is $3-5 depending on where you shop. But it's definitely easier than juicing pounds of carrots at home and is SO delicious. It's the best carrot juice I've had. They use baby carrots so it's extra sweet. It's a great, filling drink as an in-between-meal ... plus it has a lot of great nutrients like potassium and Vitamins A and C. (www.bolthousefarms.com)




4. The Aveda Institute of Dallas. This is where I got my most recent haircut and I couldn't be more pleased. I previously worked with one of the very talented students here and she is the stylist who gave me my great new hairstyle. Check out her up-and-coming website here as well as her articles in the Dallas Examiner. Their pricing is incredibly competitive, their salon very profession and spa-like, their staff friendly and welcoming, and their service A+. I have finally found a salon I'm happy to visit at a price I can afford and not feel like I'm getting ripped off or worry I'll have to live with a horrible haircut that I paid ENTIRELY too much for. Check them out, and ask for Anita while you're at it.

5. High-waisted trousers from Urban Outfitters. I have recently revolted (if only temporarily) from low-rise pants. I am sick of the way they feel, especially for work pants. I'm sick of them hitting in just the wrong spot and constricting and pinching. If my weight changes by 2 pounds, they no longer fit me. UNacceptable. So I recently discovered some high-waisted pants (Kevin calls them Grandma pants but I ignore him) from Urban Outfitters. Their apparel is not especially economical but they often have some great items on super sale - like pants that are usually $60 or $80 on sale for $10 or $20. I got this pair by Kimchi Blue and this pair by Pins and Needles (pictured at right) and am happy with them both.

I don't have tiny calves like the models (I'll go ahead and blame the 3 years of Irish dancing that bulked up my leg muscles, even if that's not 100% true ;) so the pants are not quite so loose at the hems ... but they are still loose enough and very comfortable all around. I usually wear these pants with a blouse (silky materials work well) or camisole tucked in to show off the cute tie-waists and then wear a cardigan or a blazer over that. Basic; easy; comfortable.

My style is a very dynamic and evolving creature and I try to just go with the flow - whatever my 'style brain' likes I will try it and experiment and see if it works for me. Sure I don't want to look like a grandma - I'm not even 30 - but I want to be comfortable. And I think there is room for comfort and a bit of vintage charm while still looking like a 20-something. Yes? Apparently people who shop Urban Outfitters apparel department agree. ;)

Owltastic!

I am not sure whoooo determined owls would be en vogue this year (and hopefully indefinitely), but they deserve a doff of my cap (if I was wearing one). I love animals and decor with animals or jewelry with animals. I'm not sure what it is: a woodsy appeal, or something warm-and-fuzzy from childhood, or the lure of nature, or maybe just the need in many people to cling onto something that is popular and 'in'. I may have a little of all those things, but mostly, I love owls!

In 'real life' (there are many versions of life that I have 'going' at the same time: dreams, imagination, work, home and then the mysterious 'real' life ... it's a lot to juggle, I won't lie) owls are just a tiny bit scary. This doesn't really endear me:




Disturbing!




Beautiful, but slightly creepy.


But the following examples of owl themed collectibles definitely endear me! I am currently working on my personal collection ... I love the eclectic, cheerful vibe these little owls can bring to a room or an outfit.

This great owl statue from my cousin - so green and handsome!

This orange owl cookie jar. I have previously blogged about my desire for said owl, for obvious reasons:

This presh Betsey Johnson owl ring, which I just purchased from Macy's:

This past weekend, I scored this darling owl oven mitt by Kitch'n Glam at Paper Source in North Park Mall. TOO cute:

Not to mention this great sparkly ornament and cotton rug at Urban Outfitters:

Also, Conan likes owls ... 'nuf said. ;)

What about you? Are you an animal lover? Let me know what your favorite animal is and if you have decor or jewelry with an animal theme.