8. sundresses

Graduation is over (pictures later), and my life has somewhat returned to normal, which means I'm sleeping.  I forgot how wonderful it was.

I was looking through my closet, and I think I have more dresses than everything else combined.  I'm kinda of sundress junkie.  There is no support group for this addiction; therefore, my only hope is retail therapy.

Confession:  30 for 30 has been challenging and a fun creative outlet, but I already miss dressing for the day apart from 30 items. This is the problem with not posting an outfit everyday.  I may have to step it up.

Kendi Everyday is launching the official 30 for 30 again on June 13th. Even though I've started early, I'm sure everyone will catch up in plenty of time.  Join the party now!

Works Cited:  dress (aerie); cardigan (h&m); belt & shoes (thrifted)

7. the student

I just realized in this moment that if I'm going to wear patterns, they should be contained by some sort structured jacket. Oh well.

More importantly, this is the last post of Sunday Crossbow, Masters Student.  Tomorrow, I will be Sunday Crossbow, MACC.  Yes, the more education one receives, the more letters they get after their name.  Which is why you have to know how to spell and use punctuation.  (Yes, I did have to correct many mistakes in the above sentences.)

My family will be here within the hour, and the party starting. So you may not hear from me until Monday. Happy Weekend!

Works Cited:  skinny & gingham shirt (old navy); shoes (payless); tank (jcrew); clutch (thrift or gift; I can't remember).

6. transitions

Transition from early spring to temperatures found in the 5th circle of Hell literally happened over night.  Don't get me wrong--I'm beyond thrilled for the sunshine, but give a girl some warning.

I now understand why fashion likes to stay focused on the next season:  because you never really know when the next one is popping up.  I was cruising some of my favorite fashion websites, which have started dedicating attention to Fall 2011 trends and clothing lines.  I'm all about being prepared, but I technically just finished putting all my winter clothes away.

With temperatures in the 90s, I have lived in tank tops and shorts.  My favorite shorts have been DIY cut offs made from old jeans found in a thrift store and these from JCrew.

Speaking of summer trends, I saw an article on Refinery 29 about whether or not to go bra-less.  I know it's hot outside, ladies but keep them covered and supported.  No one needs to witness a circus from underneath a t-shirt.  There. I said it.  When in doubt or desperate, go bandeau.

Works Cited:  shorts & tank (jcrew); cardigan (old navy); necklace (target); shoes (thrift)

5. you can do it

I'm not sure if the spirit of freedom that comes with Memorial Day or the fact that I'm graduating with a Masters Degree in T-5 days, but I'm feeling all kinds of empowered.  Today we celebrate and remember our soldiers who fought for our country's freedom and the women who stepped up to work during a time of need.  I'm honoring both.

My calloused and less than manicured hands may be from this week's yard work rather than working job, but nonetheless I am thankful for those women who have pushed me to think outside the box of social expectations.  I would not consider myself a radical feminist; but ladies, Rosie the Riveter started the revolution in the workforce just as Coco Chanel in fashion.  (yes, you were wondering how I was going to tie in that one.)  So express yourself and rejoice in the freedom.  I am by wearing denim on denim and have traded the steel-toed boots for open-toed heels.

Works Cited:  skinny's (old navy); tank (aerie); denim shirt (h&m); shoes (payless)

4. mad hatter

Parachute or Harlem pants may be the most unflattering pant I've ever worn, but I love them.  These are especially great for "water-weight" and "all-you-can-eat buffet" days. Being a woman means dressing your hormones accordingly.

I'm happy to report that I started the gym again this week taking Zumba! classes.  Yes, there's an event that I wish Jared could photograph--me dancing.  Looks like a cross between a seizure and someone falling.  But whatever.  My arms are starting to look less doughy.

Works Cited:  pants and tank (aerie), shoes (urban outfitters), and fedora (xxi)

3. french fusion

I went on strike against my hair dryer last night, and this is the result.....or consequence.  The second offense occurred after I slept on it. Windy weather....strike 3.  My hope is that I pull off the effortlessly fabulous look like most Parisians do.....Yeah, that was my plan all along.

Do you ever have those days when your dressing routine is just off, but you get so many compliments?  "You look so great!"  Why thank you, I got dressed in the dark. 
This is how it typically happens for me.

I found this shirt while out thrifting, or as I like to call it hunting.  It's kinda one of my favorites because it reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw in Paris.

Works Cited:  shirt, belt, purse (thrift), pants (gap), shoes (payless)

2. plaid picnics

Greetings from a sunshine day! (No, I'm not on drugs; just bouncing back from a Vitamin D deficient depressive episode.)  The past couple of days have been so pretty, and I wanted to frolic down the street with a picnic basket.  See what good weather does to me?

A summer trend I have noticed with my own style is that I tend not to go the usual bonkers with jewelry.  There's something about heat and not wanting to wear a lot around the wrists and neckline. But I'm also super paranoid about tan lines.  I can't have people speculating that non-tanned wrists were in fact from bandaging from cutting during the Great Weather Depression.  I'm in the mental health field after all.

Works Cited:  tank (H&M); skirt & belt (thrift); shoes (urban outfitters); necklace (XXI)

1. may showers

Choosing the my 30 items was most tricky.  Somewhere between spring and summer in Ohio means it's 50 and rainy  one week and 80 with sunshine the next.  Layers really never go away in the midwest; and I'm the person who keeps sweatshirts out year round.

It's no secret that I have obsession with blazers, which is why I had to have the perfect one for summer.  Light cotton and linen are clearly the way to go. I got this one at Urban Outfitters, and it's completely worth the investment.

I also hope you dig the umbrella I'm holding because you're probably going to see it in almost every post. Thanks, mother nature.  I appreciate the rain, but my yard is starting to look like a scene from Twilight.

Works Cited:  shoes & blazer (urban outfitters), skinny's (old navy), tank (aerie), necklaces (XXI & target), purse (thrift)

30 for 30 Remix

When closets get boring, it's time to shake things up a bit.  My current inspiration and brilliant-blogger mastermind Kendi Everyday created the concept of 30 for 30 to teach and challenge readers, along with herself, how to shop and work what is already in possession.

So I'm ready to put my money where my mouth is and challenge my own creativity.  My next 30 outfit posts will be dedicated to the great 30 for 30 remix.  The rules are simple:  30 outfits from 30 items (tops, bottoms, shoes).  To read more about the history and how-to, visit here.

And here's the starting line-up:

6 tops + 5 tanks + 4 cardigans + 1 blazer + 3 skirts + 3 dresses + 4 pants/shorts + 4 shoes =
A party on a dressing rack.
(Yes, I did count it all 20x to make sure I had the right number.)

PS--two weeks til graduation!

on the rise

Along with gas prices, the waistline is on the rise too.  This works great for me, considering that I'm convinced that low rise is made for stick-figure teens who shop at Abercrombie.  And don't even get me started on "ultra low rise." I got curves, just sayin'.

I wore this to class, without the pretense of presentation or exam.  Sometimes, I gotta dress it up for me and for no reason at all.

None of this is thrifted so rush out to your local stores now:
shoes on clearance!; H&M shorts; similar tank; cardigan & necklace(target)

city safari

Has anyone else had strange weather? Last week the high was in the 50s and this week it's in the 80s.  I don't know if I'm coming or going, but my cute spring outfits have taken a halt--jackets over cardigans, tights with sandals, and maybe the occasional arm warmers.  It's a jungle out there.

So when all else fails, I turn to the oversize tunic, skinny jeans, and heels.

Now, I must confess to you all that I have given my beloved thrift stores a much needed break.  I'm not cheating or renouncing the ways of penny-pinching, but they need to time restock.  I've just about over-shopped them all..... and you're right, I do need a hobby.
I'm considering painting and designing my closet because getting dressed should be an organized, fairytale experience.

Get the look here:  tunic, skinny's, the shoes are in payless stores now but these are similar