17. fillers

If there is one outfit in the 30 for 30 challenge that simply takes up a space, this would be it for me.  I think when I was planning, I had a different vision of inspiration than what was actually portrayed.

I look like teacher in the middle of summer.  Perhaps my heart is subconsciously longing for the classroom....doubtful.  However, I have been reading more beyond the daily feasting of fashion blogs.  I just finished Chelsea, Chelsea Bang Bang by comedian/talk show host Chelsea Handler.  She's crude and perfect; and if you're not easily offended, I recommend this.

Works Cited:  cardigan (old navy); tank (aerie); skirt (xxi); shoes (thrifted)

16. function vs. fashion

 

While on vacation, I noticed signs that somewhere between my first year of marriage and grad school, I started to grow up.  For someone who is married to Peter Pan himself, this could be alarming. If the 20s are not awkward enough with discovering identity, I'm now supposed to do something with what I discovered.  No pressure. 

As a child, no one wishes to be a bartender or professional lounge chair tester; but a change has clearly happened when one realizes this is no longer an acceptable occupation. 

While I don't have a degree in fashion and personal style, I developed some sort of style perspective that I'm not ashamed to publish. (There were some dark days; ask my bff Haley.)  Trading pageant hair for the pixie bob and leggings for cropped trousers, I now shop asking the question, "Could I ever wear this work?"

Works Cited:  shirt (h&m); jeans (old navy); shoes (thrifted); bag (urban outfitters)

15. beat the heat

 

I'm home! And after spending a 4 days in the dry desert air, I highly recommend cotton, linen, and sunscreen for every occasion.

While sitting at the pool, I came up with some vacation do's and don'ts based on my environment. 

Do's

*Drink at the pool at noon solo:  you're on vacation. No one is judging. (Guilty.)

*Buy a waterproof camera for water zumba in the resort pool. (This happened.)

*Do at least one activity that you would not do in daily life. (Mine was gambling.)

*Develop a vacation motto.  ("It doesn't matter, it's Vegas.")

*Create a music playlist. (Mine was Pitbull inspired.)

*Leave work and drama at home because let's face it, your suitcase is already exceeding the weight limit.

Don'ts

*Matching mother/daughter bathing suits.  I wouldn't post a picture making fun of someone else, but

  all I can say is, "Yikes."

*Wearing no shoes in the pool restroom. 

*Laying out in anything that could be braided or used as kite tails.

*Go without sunscreen. I wore at least SPF30 the entire week and still got a tan.

Works Cited:  tank (jcrew); pants (aerie); necklace (target); shoes (payless)

14. summer serious

Doin' The Creep

I really wanted to show off my professional serious side since I will soon be job hunting, which like my usual hunting but less fun. I think I may use some of these photos when I turn in my resume, especially the last one.  Everyone needs a creep picture.

Summer was once thought as the glorious months of freedom from school and vacation.  I am technically free from school and currently on vacation, but now I require SPF50 sunblock and afternoon naps...Maybe much hasn't changed since kindergarten after all.

I am reporting to you live from Las Vegas, where it is only mid-afternoon.  I've already had 4hrs of pool time and a few drinks so why not take a break to say, "Hey Y'all!"  We will be seeing the Lion King tonight; it's not my first time but definitely my favorite musical.  Hope your Tuesday is just as slammin'.

Works Cited:  necklace (target); top (xxi); pants (gap); belt (thrifted); shoes & bag (urban outfitters)

13. make me a supermodel

Unfortunately, I missed the auditions for Make Me a Supermodel (insert sarcastic emoticon here), but Tyra isn't the only one that can smile with her eyes.  And I could probably give her a run for her money with making a crazy/choking picture look so chic.

You wanted candid?  Well, there you have it friends.  Of course, you're more than welcome to recant; but it's a lot easier to do shoots now.  I refuse to give a genuine smile altogether.  Every current picture  now looks like picture 5.

The dress and shoes are thrifted.  I almost didn't buy the dress because it's Abercrombie and Fitch.  It's not that I have a personal problem with the brand; I just wasn't sure if I could wear a brand that jr. high and high school kids parade like a cliche fashion badge.  But I went for it.

12. my favorite

That's a wrap.

This is one of my favorite outfits for several reasons--the main reason being function.  I have shopped, traveled, ran errands, grabbed dinner with friends, and walked the dog in this.  I never once felt burdened, sloppy, or uncomfortable in it.

Speaking of comfort, I think it's time that you, my fellow readers/friends see more of a goofy side.  Let's face it, I'm really not the smolder-glaring-due-to-starvation-model type.  I'm neither tormented nor do I live in angst so I'll leave that to the professionals.  Why the announcement? I think I've been taking blogging a little too seriously. So get ready for candid. :)

Also, Jared and I took pictures of 30 for 30 outfits in advance so I could still post on vacation.  Committed much?

Works Cited:  dress (express); belt, bag, necklaces, & cardigan (h&m); shoes (thrifted)

what's in your carry on?

Friends--I need your help. Getting everything ready for vacation. What are your travel essentials?

treasure hunt

Aside from my weird obsession with pirates and dinosaurs, I've mentioned in previous posts that I refer to thrifting as "hunting," which is why I need a crossbow.  And while Sunday is not my middle name, "Emerald Crossbow" doesn't have the same ring to it.

I know that remixers are not supposed to shop during the 30 for 30 challenge, but I'm all about breaking some rules. Isn't fashion about making it your own? That's what I did, and it was a good day. Here's what I found.

And they all said, "Amen."

11. american girl in paris

If you frequently leave comments on the blog and received a million responses yesterday, it's because I drank coffee.  You may be thinking, "Coffee? What's the big deal?"  When one typically avoids caffeine then consumes a grande latte, the central nervous system goes into circus mode (not that it's a huge deviation from the norm for me).

I know I previously threatened to flake out on 30 for 30, but I underestimated how much I loved making the red-striped shirt look like Parisian outfits, or my interpretation thereof.

However, the Vegas-hooker threat remains in effect until this time next week. (I seriously hope you've read the previous blog before this point; otherwise I sound like I've gone off meds.)

Works Cited:  shorts (jcrew); shirt & scarf (thrifted); shoes (urban outfitters); bracelet (target)

coming soon: 11

Just in case you need more websites to waste your time, I highly recommend lookbook.nu. Inspiration central.

in review: looks 1-10

Ten down, twenty to go.  Here's what I've learned so far.

A. I'm going to have to cool it on the jeans.

B. I probably didn't 30 items to create 30 different looks.

C. I could live in the black skirt/dress.

10. essentials

So I'm pretty basic on a day to day to basis.  I've not been feeling super inspired to play dress up since school and graduation are over.  It's summer.  I'm in vacation mode and have the official "I don't feel like wearing that" blues.  Why didn't I put cut-offs in my 30 items?!

Here are some things that you should not surprise you over the next couple of weeks.
1.  Flaking out on 30 for 30 due to creative control rights.
2.  No longer drying my hair.
3.  Never come back from Vegas.

Jared's going to sell gold watches out of his jacket, and I'm going to tackle the challenge of being a local without looking like a prostitute.  See where higher education gets you?

Works Cited:  jeans (old navy); shirt & bag (h&m); necklace (aerie); belt & shoes (thrifted)