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

little secrets

There are two things that send me into a giggly frenzy:  1) too much red wine, 2) sunshine after too many days of rain.

Jared was able to to catch both in the same day; these pictures are the evidence.  Some things you don't see from these photos are the following: 
--the teenagers making out in the car beside us with the mother on the cell phone right beside them.
--me trying to do a natural "jump" picture.

I learned that there is no recovery for poise and grace after what looks like a velociraptor jumping. But did we ever have fun!

I'm wearing:  boots and belt (forever21), lace shirt (h&m), skirt (kohls), denim jacket (thrift)

street style & IT girls

Oh look who's getting ready for a job interview--that's right, Jana. And where did she get inspiration? Sunday Crossbow Work Edition!  Now, I have to level with you all--Jana ALWAYS looks fantastic and put together, but here's what I'm diggin' about her outfit:

1. Those shoes are fierce:  my iphone doesn't do them justice.
2. I love the printed tank:  this is one that will go great with wide leg trousers, pencil skirt, skinny jeans. I'm nominating it for closet staple must-have.
3. The bag. Not all accessories need to scream "Look at me!" A pop of color makes this look so chic.

So it's no surprise that my inspiration comes from people I know and adore. Typically, I look to fashion icons and those with experience and fashion know-how, but I think we need to start looking for the next IT girl; and I'm nominating this little one:

IT baby:  Maddy

Yes fashionistas, Miss Maddy Carlson is paving the way for babies and toddlers alike.

color me happy

I have to admit this season's color's trends have challenged me to look at what I'm pairing together and step it up.  When I was getting dressed, I had chosen a full slip that was cream and beige and matched the accessories perfectly.  But I have found myself trying to wear some sort of coral every day, which is great because it makes me look less like a pasty vampire.

There has been much speculation about me being with child due to my obsession and jokes about maternity wear. So I should probably mention that the "bump" you see in some of these pictures is only a "food baby." Yeaaaaah, these were taken right after Easter dinner.  I was going to wear sweat pants, but there's something about Jesus, church, and fashion that go hand-in-hand.

I'm wearing: all thrift. Dress ($5), slip ($3), and shoes ($5).