30DFF: Day 3

Gloomy, rainy school day with an afternoon exam. Brightening up the day with a pin that was a gift from my Manpanion made by a local artist, spiffy stripe socks, a super cozy soft wool cardigan (also stripes!) and a lace cardigan for texture. Along with my cloudy-day-sunglasses, which are totally non-prescription, but I use them for keeping junk out of my eyes while biking when too much shade is unnecessary. 

Fetching Femmes: Playing Catch Up

Oh hello.

It's been quite some time, my friend, has it not?

Luckily, I've been asked to participate in a small community of ladies attempting to up their femme side for 30 days, and I'll be putting in the effort and needing photographic evidence.

It's also a nice reflection on what I wear that makes me feel feminine, because it's not always dresses.

I did miss the first day, October 1, but I made up for it yesterday with Day 2:

Buttoned cowl sweater from Forever21 picked up at a clothing swap. Cotton accordian skirt from Club Monaco, also swapped. Tiny leopard print belt purchased at Everyday People, a local second hand store for $5, and wood//feather earrings were a gift. Suede and corduroy boots were thrifted up north for a mere $6. 

So, this outfit cost me $11. Not too shabby. 

shop shop shop.

I met up with a girlfriend today for coffee. We talked and drank seasonally appropriate flavored lattes and when that wasn't enough, we shopped.

There's a Buffalo Exchange down the street, which I didn't know was a chain until I visited San Francisco about 5 years ago and saw one on EVERY STREET CORNER. So, it's a chain consignment shop, but a good one. They are very picky about what they buy, so if you're not into the trends they're looking for, you'll leave empty handed.

I thought that'd be me today, after everything I tried on looked ridiculous. Today's trends are not geared toward the curvy girl, except that pencil skirts and high waists have come back, and for that I'm grateful. I've rocked those for years.

Sarah, on the other hand, found a handful of gems.

As we were walking to the check out to... check her out, I stumbled upon the accessories. And hence, my credit card was drawn from it's sheath.

My take:

 Elliott Lucca Tote with cross-body strap $25

Amazing felted fall hat $8

 flop.

glittery peter pan collar necklace $8

also looks great sideways, for an alternate wearing.

I am most excited about the Elliott Lucca bag. These retail for over $200, and this one is in great shape. I've been wanting a gray purse for quite some time. I don't really own a neutral bag. Purses are one area I prefer to pop. I have a hand-me-down Kate Spade bright red tote, a thrifted ($28) lime green Coach handbag, and a handful of yellow, blue and various other shades of non-neutrals. This is a score. 

And just for kicks, here's what I wore to our coffee date, as photographically documented in the fitting room mirror like a true champ:

I got this terry cloth dress at Mighty Swell, a vingage pop up shop here in Minneapolis, this past weekend. It's extremely springy, but I managed to fit it into this very autumnal day by pairing it with a gray wool cardigan (by Icebreaker! MY FAVORITE), gray sweater tights from Target, and my trusty Frye campus boots from the 70s and pulled it together with a multi-colored vintage belt with a leather strap that echos the boots and a fun little flower broach that brought a pop of orange to the outfit. 

I'm also thinking of cutting off all my hair. The hair I've been growing out. And, like, REALLY cutting it, like this:

Can I pull it off? 

for habit.

Oh habits. Oh blue jean habits.

I want to update you, blog. I also want to show you something other than jeans, but I can't. My life is so full of casual activities these days, and I haven't broken out my fall boots yet.

To Do: Fall Boots.

And so, I bring you a little ketchup and mustard to this most basic outfit.

The New-New

Well, it's been a few years hasn't it?

We're just receiving the few first crisp fall days here in Minnesota after what was arguable the hottest, driest, and therefore grossest summers of my existence.

Fall is so romantic: the sweaters, the tights, the hats, the boots, the possibilities.

All of those layers leave so much room for play.

My goal this fall is to attempt to wear most everything in my closet. You know, because I have 3 of them. And a dresser. And a series of baskets... and I mostly have fallen into a trap of wearing nothing but jeans and t-shirts again. Like today...

 It's time to shake things up.

Well, hello love.

This poor blog, so lonely.

I can direct you to my latest fashion project, however, which began with a simple Facebook status update vowing to wear more dresses this summer.

Someone built a website and now I've been on the radio, in 2 newspapers and 2 magazines.

www.summerofdresses.com

i have something to say.

Statement Necklaces, what a great way to cheer up an otherwise drab winter wardrobe or set yourself apart in that LBD. I feel naked without my trusty arsenal of gigantic necklaces, but this one is new and made it's debut last night at dinner with a girlfriend.

Doin' the Bump.

Last night Justin and I attended a 70s themed party. We couldn't agree on costumes so we went our seperate ways.

DISCO vs ROCK N' ROLL

Everything either of us is wearing belongs to me, which I think is funny. My closet really is more like a dress up trunk.

But who wins?

Sweather.

It's "fall." Technically, here in MN, it's already winter. We've already had snow, but on a particularly gorgeous day like yesterday - it's Sweater Weather. My favorite time of year.

Here are a few of my most adorable over-layers.

knubby wool lined shunken hoodie (with lots o' buttons)

boyfriend style with runched bust

shawl collar with tie (the warmest comfiest most often worn sweater ever)

and my new fall favorite, this beautiful mustard riding coat.

Do you totally love fall or what?

FEAR not my friends.

Ok. I get it. I haven't posted here in a billion years.

Halloween is coming, and that is BY FAR my favorite holiday. We here in Minneapolis take it pretty seriously, and as I experiment with costumes and see others around town, I'll update you.

In the mean time, expect a sweaters post. It's freezing here and there are sweaters everywhere. They're hanging off chairs in my dining room, taking up space on the couch, stuffed in the back seat of my car... it's a sweaterstorm.

More to come. (promise)

Weather Advisory.

It is 834475 degrees in Minneapolis today, with an even higher heat index.

...I just had to go shopping.

It is a monumentous year, people. The year that - after 15 years of not - I am wearing shorts in public.

Jean Skirt - Banana Republic [$0 - score from Steph]

High-waisted Jean shorts - Homemade (1940s) [$40]

Madras Shorts - The Limited [$12]

Cropped Cuff Jeans - The Gap [$16]

Summer Scarf - Unmarked [$8]

Vintage Jersey Dress - PhaseII [$25]

Vintage Jersey Tank - Kneat Knits - [$6]

Springing in.

Today is Bike/Walk to Work Day. Lots of stuff going on in Minneapolis. Normally, I volunteer for these types of events, but this year I had to turn it down in order to get the last bit of work done in the office before my San Francisco trip. I did, however, ride to work... as I try to as often as possible. Restaurants and Bicycle Shops were doling out free coffee and breakfast, so I grabbed my favorite mug (from Birchwood/Peace Coffee) to take along.

(my mug.)

(just got home.)

(basking in the sun before more work.)

I decided that since it was such a nice day, and because after I officially finish my last hour of work from home I'd have nothing to do but laundry - that I definitely had time to snap a couple pictures of some of my latest finds.

Out of Town Thrifting

I am headed to San Francisco in less than a week.

I realize I haven't posted much in the last month, but you can SURELY expect some fantastic fashion coming out of this awesome coastal city.

I have been forewarned that I should bring lots and lots of money for thrifting, and I fully intend to do so.

Stay tuned for beautiful wares and wears.

TRTMYSLF

As I said, Spring has sprung. The sun is showing up a little more often these days and so is the trash that jerky litterbugs thought they could hide under the snow. Sunny yet brisk afternoons make me want to throw open the windows and clean. I didn't do that, but I did, for the first time ever in my life... do this.

(I don't condone people who put their dogs in clothes. I think it's gross. But my dog is very handsome and he wanted a spring accessory. He told me.)

Yesterday, I brought a bag of things to consign at Nu Look. I did a little shopping while they sorted my things and I certainly had Spring on my mind.

I realized I literally have very few warm season clothes that fit me. I scoured the racks for cute tank tops and light sweaters, trying to stay open minded about color, something you get used to when you shop thrift or consignment either way.

Thrift Shopping Rule #1: Do not wear make up to shop. EVER.

That goes for you retail ladies too, because it sucks to get your gross make up stains on the necks of brand new shirts, but also because you're cheating yourself out of things that make you look good. You should go to the stores fresh faced, as in... your skin. No foundation, nothing. That way, when you try things on, you are able to pay attention to the color. Does it wash you out? Does it bring out your eyes? Exaggerate red spots? You get the point.

I tried on quite a few colors I would never have picked for myself, but still thought they wouldn't work. Mostly, because I'm drawn to yellow, mustard and gold in things, (I'm a Leo and a sun sign.) but that color looks horrible on me in my winter skin. Give me 2 months in the sun, and we'll try again.

I landed on a couple things in boring gray, (clockwise from top left) a long sleeve tissue-tee from J Crew to get me through the transitional weather. A ruched tux-esque tank from Diesel. The diamond in the rough was a BRAND NEW tank from Free People (one of my favs) that just reminds me of South America for some reason, and I love it. Topped the pile off with a pair of REALLY well fitting jeans for $8, which apparently retail at Kohl's, so I'll be headed there.

The accessories were the tops though.

I picked up these adorable spring Mary Janes by Kenzie. They're surprisingly comfortable for being so cute.

and...

the...

best...

part....

Dun Dun Dun Duhhhhhhhh!

$50. No pen marks on the lining (yet), no nothing. Perfect shape. I love Nu Look.

My sister is currently judging my "arrival" into adulthood and says I'm finally there. I would have though when it was my 18th birthday and the subsequent decade to follow, plus the man, the kid, the dog, the house, etc.

But no, because I have something that came in a little blue box (Tiffany's) and a Coach purse (second hand!) I have arrived. I'm a woman. I can deal with that.

I think what she means is that I'm finally and officially chic and grown up in HER eyes, and it's about time.

Spring has SPRUNG!

I love Spring. Even though today is technically the 1st day of Spring, I woke up to a small dusting of snow on the porch. That's Minnesota though. Spring is a time to dry clean the winter jackets and break out the spring ones.

Today, I get to sport my adorable Lavender/Heather Gray Leather jacket. Peter pan collar and all.

Experiment in Color

Yesterday I was headed to a showing of my friend Jessi's dance troupe : Wicked Sister. Knowing I'd be sitting in a theater style chair for 2 hours, I had to think comfortable. I'm not extremely artistic in anyway, but I figured being around arty types, I could use some sort of bright obnoxious color that I wouldn't normally wear anywhere else and see if it worked.


I, of course, anchored it with something boring so I would feel more comfortable.




I might have been wise to cut my head off in this picture. That deer in the headlights thing isn't working for me. However, as an explanation, my camera was literally FALLING from it's perch as this picture was taken. I love my camera, and I would take a bullet for it.





This is a locket I found at a garage sale a million years ago. I'm guessing it was a watch at some point, but that piece is gone. Now, I can put things in there if I want. Like lifesavers.

I always need lifesavers.