March Madness

I'm baaack! So, my (baby) 30x30 taught me a lot about shopping.  Now I have gotten back on the wagon and planned all 5 of my work outfits (this has not been happening and I have been looking like a vagabond at work. C'est la vie).  I am very happy with all of them and this plan will save me a lot of time this week because the forecast is already busy.  I will try to outfit post this week! Until then, here is a taste: my new spring favorite color- raspberry and polka dots for the Everybody, Everywhere Polka Dot Day on Tuesday! I'm really excited because I sent them polka dots as my idea...and then it got picked...and then it won! I love polka dots.

I'll have to post soon about my amazing thrifting/Marshall's finds!! A few of them are in here somewhere....

Apologies

Soo I was be-bopping along with my 30/30 Remix Challenge and then life happened.  Too many things are happening in my life at once and I have no spare time. Though I have only posted 10, I have like 9 more that just didn't get photographed.  (again...no time)  And though I was only a little over half-way through, I have learned SO much.  I will tell you:
1. My wardrobe needs more prints and patterns.
2. I own some things that are highly uncomfortable.
3. I don't really like wool..nor do I do well wearing wool in 60 degree temperatures (freak February)
4. Belts are amazing.
5. Being creative is something that stores can't sell you (I have never thought this, but it has been reaffirmed during this challenge.)
6. I actually didn't shop for a whole month (I started not shopping before I started my outfits) and it was AMAZING.
7. I have a denim situation: It's a lot like Goldilocks and the Three Bears actually.  Some are too tight, some too loose, some too low...you get the point. Needless to say, I couldn't pick one.
8. I had forgotten how much I love my own personal style.
9. I love Adrian Brody. (unrelated)
10. and finally. I WILL complete a 30/30 remix challenge one day!

Coming up....outfit posts, ideas, inspirations, thrifted gems etc. etc. etc.!

9 and 10/30: A Little Game of Katsup

 I'm very behind on my 30/30 postings and two outfits I never took pictures of.  Ooops.  So I am posting 9 and 10.  11-infinity will be posted soon enough.  Also, "sorry i'm not sorry" for changing my denim selection.  I worn at least 3 different pair so far, but my skinny jeans don't work on a non-skinny day and I think wider leg jeans are coming back into style and I wanted to wear a few of my old pair.  I'll say it again,  I wish I could wear jeans everyday.

turtleneck: OLD NAVY denim skirt H&M belt: stolen from brother  tights: ZARA boots: FRYE

The below wind-blown pics were taken by my brother.  While we were driving to visit our granddad, we pulled over to a scenic view on Afton Mountain.  Gorgeous spring weather and early March winds in February. (as you can see by my hair-do)

freezing and being blown away 

jeans: LEVIS tshirt: GAP belt: H&M boots: FRYE teal silk scarf/jade and rose quartz earrings: gifts

8/30: Peace

My night has been spent with hot tea, new magazines and this song.  I'm looking forward of the next week's mid-winter-identity-crisis and 60 degree temperatures! And hopefully taking some pictures outside because I have terribly lighting in my lil apartment and would love to experiment with this nice camera.. I planned some 30x30 outfits for next week today at work...almost 1/3 of the way done!

dress: CYNTHIA ROWLEY via Marshalls scarf, tights, sweater: Marshalls belt: brother's (stolen) boots: FRYE via Zappos

7/30: Lucky Number

7 is my lucky number. And I just discovered I can't write with the TV on (not that I can write with it off, either) I am not even half way done and I cannot possibly see the end of this 30x30.  I feel like anything in my closet wasn't chosen is in trouble.  I also feel that I picked some of the wrong things.  Not quite the beginners luck I was hoping for.  I realized this today.  After my Trader Joe's experience last night, I realized that not only do I buy clothes that don't work, but I do the same thing with groceries.  I always get home with only half of the things I would need to make any one particular thing.  For example... cheese, tortillas = quesadillas, but I get home and realize I have no sour cream, no salsa, no black beans. This is a distressing thought that seems to weave itself into all aspects of my life.  I am even doing it with this blog.  I am so concerned with actually taking the photos (because I haven't gotten the hang of it yet, probably) that I forget about the writing, the sharing, the gem of amazing-ness that no one has heard about and I get to share with the world.  That will all come after I get through the 30x30....

cardigan: JCREW Outlet pink belt: KENSIE via TJ Maxx skirt: OLD NAVY booties: TAHARI via Marshalls

Even though I'm not shopping...for clothes/shoes/accessories this is still an allowable purchase. It has the sweetest, springy-est smell ever.

6/30: Slippery Shoe

Let me start by my Trader Joe's mishap...after work I decided to head over to Trader Joe's. I had the heat on my feet in the car and it was about a 30 minute drive, so my feet were nice and toasty.  Well that lead to sweat, and walking through Trader Joe's, my shoes would NOT stay on. I was basically limping through the store.  I couldn't decide whether to act like I had a recent injury, or... to top it off I didn't have my reusable bags. I always feel like a jerk when I don't have my bags.

Sorry these photos are a bit blurry! I am just practicing with a Nikon D40 that I am borrowing and I keep pressing buttons!

<-------Exhibit A: the slippery shoes

button down: KENAR via Marshalls (wrinkle free!) silk tank (as vest): OLD NAVY pants: MICHAEL KORS via Marshalls shoes: GUESS via Marshalls necklace and flower pin H&M

5/30: Double Take

So, two posts in 1 hour is very difficult. On the bright side, this skirt is very bright.  Even better, its vintage.  I look like I'm making lusty eyes at my bird calendar (apologies) but we match! She has pink bottom-feathers.

I'm sorry, these two posts don't have my shoes very well. I'm borrowing a nice camera and tripod and I'm still trying to work out the kinks.  But surprise, surprise, they were the leopard flats.

top: GAP skirt: HALCYON Vintage bracelet: vintage shoes: invisible leopard flats (Ellen Tracey via Marshalls)

2/30: Going Backwards

Finally! Outfit 2! I had to wash it...and re-create it. So sorry.  Actually, last Wednesday when I wore this, I got  to work and thought I had forgotten to put on deodorant. Oops. Come to find out, I actually did put deodorant on, but the last time I wore this shirt, I went out dancing.  Double oops. Who picks something to wear in a 30 day rotation without washing it? This girl.  Oh well, washed now and ready for action.

Who doesn't love buttons?

lace top and belt: H&M black pencil skirt: OLD NAVY boots: FRYE c/o Zappos 

  

4/30: New York, New York 10022

Something you may not know about me is that I lived in NYC for about a year. It was amazing, a little too fast-paced sometimes but always exciting.  My parents gave me this enormous book about New York for Christmas before I moved.  It makes a good prop...and I love the smell of books, so opening it up and sniffing it was a must-have picture.  Another unknown fact is that I was an English major in college...TONS of book sniffings were possible.  Happy Friday!

striped tee: FOREVER21 vest: BCBG vio Marshalls jeans: UNIQLO leopard flats (can't seem 'em but the're there)

I should confess to my fellow 30x30ers that I changed my jean selection...these UNIQLO skinny jeans work better with what I have. and my new target jeans need to be shrunk!

10022 was my New York zip....I miss it!

3/30: Poser

This outfit, posing as #2, is really #3. Outfit 2, from yesterday (remember my sob story?) must be re-assembled and get it's picture taken.  But I really did wear it.  And I really wore this today.

black jumper: CYNTHIA ROWLEY via Marshalls turtleneck: OLD NAVY tights: Marshalls flats: ELLEN TRACY via Marshalls belt: H&M

Anywho.  This outfit is all black. How original....do a challenge to push your creativity and wear all black within the first week.  Hopefully my creative juices will kick in (like tonight) because I can wear jeans to work tomorrow! You have no idea how much this excites me.  I will probably be wearing this belt again. Best $7 from H$M I have spent in a while.  I've worn it so much and only had it two weeks.

A clue to the missing post from yesterday: I wore this belt but not these shoes.

Sob Story

Apparently, while the rest of the country is having cold fronts and blizzards, central Virginia's temperatures were mid-60's. It felt like spring and my outfit was AWESOME.  But you don't get to see it. Just kidding. You will see it eventually. Long story short, I wore it to work, left work and had to go on a mini-road trip until tomorrow. 2 problems with this situation are: I am taking a temporary 30 for 30 time-out.  Details are irrelevant but it will only be one day.  The other problem is that I was in such a rush, I didn't get to take any pictures! Have no fear, I will re-create this outfit when I return home and post it as Day 2.  (and you will play along and pretend)

p.s. this blog post is title-less in honor of the little-outfit-that-couldn't <ADDITION: not having a title was making my posting list look disorganized.>

Makeup Cures the Winter Blues!

Recently, I have gone back to some old favorites and found a few new beauty must-haves I don't know how I ever lived without....click on the links and browse online! The skin clearing Neutrogeana is really smooth and smells great!

Polyvore.com

Covergirl Cheekers Blush | Walgreens, $4.49

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, $25
Walmart.com: Neutrogena Redness Soothing Gentle Scrub Oil-Free Acne..., $5.84
Buy Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF 20, Classic Ivory Online..., $14
Dior DiorShow Mascara - 2010 - Best Beauty Buys - InStyle
Lip Shimmer - Burt's Bees
Thayers Rose Petal Alcohol Free Witch Hazel reviews - Makeupalley

1/30: Numero Uno

Day one.  I have learned many things today...
1. I will have to use props in my pictures...like my never-ridden bike (i WILL ride this spring)
2. I should take a before and after picture on days I go to work...well that's Monday through Friday.  I work at a law firm but somehow I look very disheveled when I get home.
3. Burts Bees Lip Shimmer makes me look like I re-did all of my make up.
4. I need a new camera.

taupe sweater dress: H&M navy pencil pants: GAP peach scarf: JCREW taupe kitten heels GUESS via Marshalls

Another lesson learned: When you can't wear jeans to work, invest in navy pants.  In other news, $10 will get me two "jeans day" passes at work...heck yes!

Let the Games Begin...!

I finally decided on my 30 items...while at work.  I kept the list, scratching through and adding until the last minute.  30 ended up feeling like a lot more than I expected...interesting, I was never good at math.  Let's hope I actually have 30 things.  Some of my items (hm hm the Bebe sweater) have been around for a long time...I hope they can make it 30 more days.

 

30 for 30 Challenge..

Hi! Recently I have been following many beloved style blogs and have decided to start my own so that I can cultivate my closet into something that works for me, everyday. Right now, it doesn't.  I am starting this journey with Kendi Everyday's 30 for 30 Remix Challenge!

My 30 for 30 Remix Goals:

1. I want to be better at accessorizing.

2. I want to stop buyin' and start stylin'..yet I'm not sure what this means

3. I want to be more appreciative of what I have and shop for the right reasons.  

My 30 for 30 Remix Expectations:

1. I may cry.*

2. I will try to cheat. But I wont.*

3. I will have an awesome time and really get creative so that I can learn to remix everyday and save money!

*Luckily no one except myself will know about 1 and 2 

Badge thanks to Kendi Everyday

Tune in tomorrow for my 30 items.  Challenge starts Tuesday!