Sweatered All Over {BEWARE: Photo-Overload}

Shhh...don't tell, 'cuz it's kind-of-not-really illegal, but that's a real Army-issue overcoat! Stolen from hubby.

Pose? I dunno what I'm doing, don't ask me. BLUE STEEL.

the outfit at its most basic

OOPS!  You caught me doing some laundry!

handmade for me by Shellie, a family friend

Sorry for the Photo Overload, but this outfit was just too fun to play with!  Sooooo many options/layers/textures...denim and corduroy and cable-knit, OH MY!

I've been seeing a trend of wearing thigh-high stockings/socks lately.  Decided to try it with the only thigh-high thing I own: those ivory cable-knit socks.  Turned out like I wanted it to: very innocent-looking.  Whew... Thigh-high things are suuuuper risky, I think. 

My Gauge of Approximate Tartiness is how comfortable I'd feel running into my extremely conservative mother in the outfit in question. 

I'd feel fine meeting her in this.  :-)  So it passes.

Hat: gift
Coat: shhhhh...
Sweater: gift
Denim Button-up: H&M
Tank: H&M
Skirt: thrifted
Socks: ?
Boots: Michael by Michael Kohrs from T.J. Maxx
Tote: Target

My Colorful Life

I find it interesting that an all black & white ensemble can be one of the more "colorful" ones I've ever created.

Inspired majorly by KARL by Karl Lagerfeld.  Wish I had the technology/skills for a proper photoshoot...

I'm feeling pretty punked out...listening to some hardcore dubstep while driving [too fast, as always] suited me today.

detail of accessories

detail of pattern on pants

I've wanted a chic pair of pants like this forEVER.  Found them at Goodwill yesterday.  I never thought I'd fit into them, because they are a much smaller size than I've ever worn...but, lo, and behold!  So that made me feel good, too!  And I picked up four new AMAZING pairs of shoes...it was such a lucky day!

Blazer: thrifted
Button-up: Express
Pants: thrifted
Boots: Charlotte Russe
Gloves: Forever21
Bracelets: thrifted
Necklace: ?
Clutch: Payless

Can you get more American?

"Western" may have been last year's fad, but it will ALWAYS be one of mine!

These photos were taken in the dressing room of my local Goodwill, where I found this FABULOUUUUS belt!  I couldn't wait to take photos, 'cuz it was just so exactly what this outfit (and MANY others) needed.
And how about that bomber jacket?  :-)

Coat: ?
Flannel: Target
Tank: Aerie
Skinnies: Target
Boots: Forever21


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Leather, Denim, and Tweed

Textures detail...

Awesome tweed! Love rough textures...

This is actually a shoulder bag with the strap tucked in.  I like it better that way...but maybe someday I can find a clutch I like that's meant to be a clutch!  ...I'm thinking colorblock...

Like my piggy tails?  ;-)

Was checking out some online photos of slick London street style (since it's London Fashion Week); it was very inspirational! 
And I, being the slight Anglophile that I am, have been watching black & white Sherlock Holmes episodes. 
These two influences combined in my brain, and out popped this outfit of leather, denim, and tweed!

Still trying to master the "messy cuff" on jeans...mine always turn out too crisp, like they're folded rather than rolled.  Any tips?

Sunglasses: thrifted
Jacket: JouJou
Vest: thrifted
Shirtdress: H&M
Jeans: Charlotte Russe
Socks: ?
Boots: Charlotte Russe
Bag: thrifted

So...word on the street is that white and NEON are in for Spring...I'm SOOOOO down with white...but NEON isn't exactly my thing.  But, I don't wanna be a hater, either, so here's my NEON contribution:

 

WOO!  This is a bit much, I think...but it sure is a bold statement!  heehee  A girl's gotta have fun with her nails.

a Slouchy, Sunny Day

THESE SHORTS WERE A DOLLAR.  <3

Anyway...

40 degrees again today!!  Yay for shorts in February!

I'm semi-obsessed with this gradiented (is that a word?) top...I've had it for awhile, and neve realized that it was actually the rockinest (I know that isn't a word, but oh well) button-up ever.  It's so light that it just slouch-tucks perfectly!

>>So, yes: the button-up fades to being lighter on the bottom than it is on the top on purpose: it's not due to my camera sucking (though there's plenty of that going on, too) or a laundering accident.  ;-)

I like this outfit, because it's suuuuper comfy, and the unstructured nature of the top and shorts is balanced by the harshness of black tights and fierce booties.

I kinda wanted to put some color in there (black and grey? bo-ring!!!), but couldn't think of a way to accomplish it.  Any ideas???

Button-up: Gap

Shorts: TJ Maxx

Tights: ?

Booties: Payless

Ring: ForLove21

Shot through the heart...

Hubby and I had a weekend trip to the Audobon Inn for Valentine's Day...it was loverly and romantic.  :)  You can see a little bit of the pretty, pretty room in the background of these photos of the outfit I wore to dinner...the hotel is done up in a sot of Victorian-era country inn syle...so many delicate details and a four-poster bed draped with lace...beautiful!  I love the divided walls and LOOK at that delicious fringed lamp behind the loveseat!



I hope everyone has a fabulous LOVE CELEBRATION day!  You're ALL my Valentines!!!  (Cheesey, I know, but you're all dear to me: gimme a break!)  :)

If you had any sort of celebration, let me know what you did in the comments!

Sweater: Kohl's
Dress: Charlotte Russe
Tights: thrifted (they are soooo '80s)
Shoes: Payless
Belt: White House | Black Market
Purse: thrifted (Prada !!!)

Fingernail Friday

Kate Spade New York (@katespadeny) tweeted about a bazillion photos of polka-dot nails, clothes, bags, etc. this morning (because it's Day 2 of NYFW).  It was all so darling that I just had to jump on the dotty bandwagon!!!

The manis they have are all black with white polka-dots.  I figured I'd do it a little differently so that a.) it's not some weird kind of copywright infringement or something, b.) my mani is unique, and c.) it's a little more subtle and romantic in feeling (it is almost Valentine's Day, after all, and I probably won't get to re-do my nails anytime soon).

Sidenote: I've never done that whole "ring-finger-is-somehow-different" thing before.  I was worried my OCD couldn't take it (lol), but I'm actually loving watching my tips while they type!

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

Went to lunch with mommy again today and was luckier still to get my photo taken on a gorgeous afternoon in my beloved hometown...
We went to the Chocolate Factory, and--after enjoying a scoop of decadent Chocolate Factory Special ice cream--mom snapped a photo of me out front. (I'm sure we got lots of funny looks from tourists and locals alike, but who cares?)

Fun Fact: In the background to the right (behind the garbage can) you can see what's left of an ice sculpture from the annual downtown contest during Winterfest. 

My hometown is so...quaint.  I miss it.

Break it Down:
Sweater: Kohl's
Shirtdress: H&M
Jeggings: HUE at TJ Maxx
Booties: Payless
Necklace: thrifted
Fur Coat: thrifted
Bag: thrifted
Scarf: gift (It was brought from China by my family's foreign exchange student.  His name is Kai Liang, but he goes by Carter.  Thanks, Carter!!!)

Dotty

Loved this outfit!  I loved it so much that my smile made my eyes disappear...
Pretty blouse, eh?  You can't really see in this photo, but the fabric has polka-dots in it, so it was the perfect opportunity to bust out my polka-dot tights!


Hey, look! My tattoo! (It's my only one...I designed it myself.)

I went to church, took the dog for a walk with my mom, and shopped Jason Wu for Target in these shoes!

Blouse: thrifted
Skirt: H&M
Tights: ?
Shoes: thrifted
Purse: thrifted Prada