Call Me What You Will, But Call Me Again

On this day I was running late, feeling rushed and frumpy and scatterbrained. I could not get it together. And then Nathan asked me to wear this blazer, which belongs to him. So I quickly changed tees to go with it, and had to go with the outfit because at that point I was late late late. And I didn’t feel good. In fact I didn’t love this look all day. But seeing it in pictures changed my mind.



Nathan was 100% right. That blazer looks great. I stand corrected.
And those are jeans I am not really comfortable in right now, but even they look pretty good.



Maybe it was just my mood. Or maybe I lacked perspective, but it’s finding out stuff like this that makes photographing daily outfits worth it. That plus you have all these pictures to access when you lack inspiration and you can look back and see “Oh yeah! That outfit! That was smashing” and re-wear it.



I sure hope he lets me borrow that blazer again! The arms were a bit tight at the top, because it’s a little boys blazer, but the discomfort was minimal compared with the look. And now that I know it looks so nice, I will be able to ignore the minor inconvenience caused by the sleeves, because it will be overshadowed by the convenience of feeling Fabulous.



Boys blazer, borrowed from Nathan
Tee, Black Angels show
Denim Leggings, ANA at JCPenny
Boots, Blowfish via Zappos
Bag, thrifted by Nathan
Earrings, self made

Yesterday I Got So Old, I Felt Like I Could Die

I am so excited to be blogging this outfit. The pictures are so pretty thanks to Nathan remembering the beautiful pink tree/bush around the corner from the house that looks lovely with the dress and boots.



I was largely unaware of the Tucker for Target collection, I had seen a couple things, and I knew I liked this dress the best, but it wasn’t until I saw Hillary wear it that I knew I had to have it.



It’s just so darn cute! And vintage-y, but modern. I love the cut on it. It is flattering but relaxed. And the patterns and colors are a world of tights, boots and shoe combinations waiting to happen.



And my co-workers complimented it. I always know an outfit is something special when that happens, and it wasn’t one or two compliments, it was a day long compliment fest! The best!



I am thinking hot pink tights, black knee high boots and my black studded and chained biker jacket when it gets cooler…hurry up cool weather, that outfit sounds PERFECT!

Dress, Tucker for Target
Bag, Thrifted by Nathan
Boots, Dr Scholl’s
Pendant, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

The Music Is Far Too Loud, And I’m Afraid Of It

Last time I wore this tunic I think I mentioned that I would try belting it next, so I did!



I get so many compliments whenever I wear this. It is just so…chic. And easy. I cannot say enough nice things about it.



I am realllllllly starting to itch to add my black leather biker jacket to outfits, but it is just too hot. So instead I added a bit of edge with a latex/leather look legging.



So I bet you are all wondering how my ear piercings are doing. No? Well that’s too bad because I am going to tell you anyway! Yesterday they were “healed” as far as the calendar goes. But that is outright lies. Last weekend I actually broke down and changed the earrings a week early. I did that because they were just not healing well. They stayed swollen and puffy and sad. Not oozing or anything, just unhappy. I knew this was probably because I was wearing post back earrings. In the past, I have never had any luck with post back earrings. I need a hoop or a hook, something that is open on both sides, or my ears get irritated. So I went and got some teeny gold and silver hoops at Wal-Mart.

I washed my hands like a Dr, with the run-off going down, and for a long time. Then I cleaned the earrings with rubbing alcohol. I also coated the posts in antibacterial ointment. Then I set about taking off the starter earrings. Good night it was hard! I had to pull so hard on the posts I was scared I was going to hurt myself! And when they came off…ugh! The scabbing and grossness that was in there! So super gross. Once they finally came off, I cleaned my ears with the stuff from the piercing store, and also added antibacterial ointment to them. Then I put the hoops in. It hurt. My ears are nowhere near healed so they did that thing where they didn’t go straight through right away but sort of swum around in there until I found the hole on the backside. It was much worse than the actual piercing. But I got it done.

The good news is I was right about the post backs hindering my healing and my ears have made a LOT of progress in the past week. The swelling has gone down altogether, and no more scabbing and gross bits happening. Plus they FEEL good. I will leave these in another couple of months, but I am glad I was able to get them on the road to recovery…

Tunic, mark
Belt and latex look leggings, Target
Shoes, Aldo
Bag, thrifted by Nathan
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

And Kiss Her Gently, And Kiss Her Gently. ..And Kiss Her Hard.

I love this top/tunic. But I am at a loss as to how to style it more than one way.



The first time I wore it, I styled it basically just like this. With black skinny pants. And that very day a picture was found online of Naomi Watts wearing the same top, styled the same way! I was so proud of myself, I have no idea why! But I thought it was so cool she was wearing it the same way. Until a co-worker said “well, that’s really the only way you CAN wear it”. I was so offended at the thought. That cannot be true I said, you are WRONG, I said. Only…it might be true.



I tried it with a pencil skirt. It didn’t work. I tried belting it. It didn’t work. I tried leggings, but it’s not long enough for that. I tried it over a dress. No go.



If you have successfully styled this top some other way, I would love to see pictures and/or hear ideas. I think I might try tucking it into a black skirt next, but we will see how it goes, it might be too bulky. I thought all those other combos would work, easy peasy, so I am prepared to discover the worst when I try it…that this is a one trick pony kind of piece. Say it ain’t so!

Tunic and denim leggings, Target
Shoes, Aldo
Bag, thrifted by Nathan

You’re My Brightness And I’m Your Electricity

Sunday night my gorgeous friend Marjorie was spinning at the Inwood Bar again so we went out to catch her set. She was, of course, brilliant. And I looked rather smashing. My pictures for the night came out super blurry, but I am posting them anyway, because I think you get the gist of what I’m saying with these…



Eh? Looking pretty good right? Even blurry.



I love these leggings and am always excited about any opportunity I get to work them. I’m just bad about posting pictures of them because I happen to be very lazy about taking pictures of my weekend and/or late night gear.



Monday morning I was lazy, and swapped the sequined leggings for denim leggings, but kept the tank.



I also swapped the jet beads for my Moon Raven Designs pendant.



Annnnnnnnnnd added a cardigan for the office chill factor.



I must say, I am looking forward to Fall, when I can add my cropped biker jacket to the sequined leggings look! Rar!~

Tank, Target
Sequined leggings, gift from Leina
Shoes, Aldo
Beads, Grandmama Bea
Bag, thrifted by Nathan
Cardigan and denim leggings, all Target
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Lay Me Down Now, Time For Sleeping

(yes…that is from the same song as my last entry, and what?)

I wore my hair down on Friday. I do not do this very often for a couple of reasons. I don’t like the way it looks first of all, I think that leaving all my hair down makes my face look too round. I also find it hard to think with that much hair in my face. Does anyone else have that problem? I just can’t handle it. I have to tie it up in a knot on itself in order to be able to think. I just function better with my bump. But Nathan loves it down, so I try and wear it down once in a while.



Sometimes I wonder if the good folks at Urban outfitters thought this tunic was a dress. I bet someone did. And I bet they also didn’t intend for me to wear a layering tank under it. And I don’t always. Sometimes I pin the front shut instead. But I wonder how they intended it to be worn. Because unpinned and without a layering tank, it’s quite a show, I’ll have you know!



How great is that purse by the way? Nathan found it thrifting of course. It’s the closest thing I’ll probably ever have to my dream bag, which is a Chanel 2.55. The Chanel 2.55 is the pinnacle of handbags. There will never be a handbag as perfect as that bag. But this one comes close. It’s only missing a few inches and a couple interlocking Cs. I prefer to go through life believing that at some point, the stars will align and I will have a spare 3 grand for a handbag. This is…unlikely to say the least. But I choose to believe it anyway.



Cardigan, American Apparel
Printed Tunic/Tank, Urban Outfitters
Layering tank, Target
Denim Leggings, Target
Shoes, Aldo
Bag, thrifted by Nathan, vintage Brooks Brothers
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Promise This, If I Die Before I Wake…Be The Last To Kiss My Lips

I was well pleased with this outfit. It has the ideal proportions for my body type, I think. Fitted on bottom, and floaty on top.



I actually got multiple compliments at work on this ensemble and I don’t often get compliments at work to be honest. I think it’s just not something people think of a lot around here, and that’s fine. It means when I do get a compliment, it’s all the more exciting.



This jacket is really amazing. It’s more of a flannel shirt material, really, but it’s so versatile. I have worn it to work with black trousers, and worn it out with band t-shirts and jeans and it wears just as well either way. I love something you can dress up or down. Suze was just saying today how she will not buy an item if she cannot wear it both to work and out, and I am kind of the same way. I have very few items that are exclusively for work (one dress) or exclusively for going out (sequined leggings). I just don’t have the funds to operate my wardrobe any other way.



What about you? Do you buy different clothes for your leisure time and the office (or wherever you work), or do you need your clothes to do double duty like Suze and I?

Jacket (it’s a more of a fancy shirt, really), mark
Tank, Target
Denim Leggings, Target
Snakeskin pumps, Target
Bag, Steven by Steve Madden
Pendant and talon earring, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Everything Looks Better When The Sun Goes Down

This was like an outfit equivalent to comfort food. I wore the dress and shoes yesterday,and when I woke up today I was not feeling so great. In fact I felt so bad I just added tights, a tank and a cardigan and went for day 2 in the dress and shoes.



And as lazy as the outfit was, and as boring as it kind of is, the lines are very flattering. I feel great in it. And I get around not quite being able to button the dress by adding a cami and pretending I layered for the look.



At least I hope I get around it.

I finally remembered to get a picture of this adorable gold filled safety pin earring! Too bad I forgot to close it before I did!



Isn't it adorable though? The seller normally sells pairs but listed a single for me as soon as I asked about the possibility.

I ended up feeling so poorly I lasted all of an hour and a half at before coming home, where Nathan is feeding me broth and crackers and Sprite. I’m sure I’ll be on the mend by tomorrow!


Cardigan and Dress, Target
Tights, Old Navy
Shoes, Aldo
Bag, thrifted
Safety pin earring, BBJUD at Etsy
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Well, If You Want To Know Me, I’m A War

I never mean to be gone so long! Some weeks, life just gets in the way of blogging.



I normally style this blouse with more of a sort of nature loving hippie bent. More browns and denim. But I wanted to see how it would react to being dressed up city style, with black. I think it turned out really nice and I’m not sure why I was so blind to the possibility before.



I am happy to see that Target’s Mossimo line has come out with these leggings. I know Target has been carrying denim leggings for a while now, but as far as I could tell, they were all “super low rise” or “Lowest rise”. Well I like my pants to sit above both my plumber’s crack and my bikini line. Call me old fashioned, but I don’t like to let it all hang out.



I realized a couple days ago that I was back up to alarmingly bad, pre kidney stone drinking habits. Diet Red Bull followed by Coffee, followed by Diet Soda. So today I am following y Diet Red Bull with black tea. And then water. We’ll see how that goes. Not 3 months ago I was ace at drinking water all day, so I know I can do it, but I also know tapering my caffeine back down = no fun. Any other caffeine fans out there? What’s your limit? Please tell me someone misbehaves as much or even more than I do.

Blouse, H&M
Jacket, Forever XXI
Denim Leggings, Target
Bag, Steven by Steve Madden
Shoes, Aldo
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy
www.workwithwhatyouvegot.blogspot.com

I Bet You Think I'm Kidding, I Promise You It's True

This is how I feel about my haircut.



Notice it looks pretty much the same. No bangs. (Forgive the frizz it has blessedly been raining for several hours here.)

Would you like to hear a story? It has a pretty negative overall tone to it and I’m a little whiney in it. So if you are not in the mood for that, that’s cool. You can come back on another day and I’ll be chipper again, I promise. No hard feelings…









So now that those kids are gone (SO RUDE how they don’t care about my problems, am I right?**) I’ll tell you. ..

Monday I go online and look up the schedule and it indicates that Ashley (my stylist) is working on Wednesday. So I make plans to do that. I still don’t have a car. So I can’t really just decide these things last minute, I have to plan. So I do. And then I call Wednesday around 6* and let them know I am on my way to see her. But wait. She’s not in. She’s out. ALL WEEK. Well. That is just no good. Because not only have I planned, I have spent the past 3 days really talking myself into it. Because going to get a haircut is ALMOST as traumatic as going to the Doctor for me, and that’s saying something. I am terrified of haircuts. And this one? It has not helped. Let me tell you all about my experience. It was not good. Now, to be fair, it was not BAD, like the time that guys shaved my head (2 months before my wedding, I kid you not), or the time that lady made me look like a boy (right before the formal dance) or the time that OTHER lady cut off 6 more inches than I asked (seriously, she did that). But it was not good.

So I went ahead and decided to see someone else. How bad could it be? My hair is SO SIMPLE, it’s hard to mess up. So I went in, and waited and a stylist whose name I genuinely do not remember came and got me. I had asked for a cut and blow dry. As soon as I sat down she asked if she could cut my hair dry. Well, OK. I assumed she meant she would cut it, THEN wash and dry it, since that is after all, what I asked for. The only good thing about a haircut is not having to wash and blow dry my own hair. But no. She cut it dry and then didn’t wash it. But that’s not all! She ALSO argued with me the ENTIRE time I was in the chair begging to put layers in. I Do. Not. Want. Layers. Layers require much more dedication to hair styling than I have now or will ever have. I do not want them and I should only have to tell you this once. Right? No. I had to tell her this no less than 6 times. I was actually scared she might just start adding layers regardless of what I said she was so pushy about it. And on top of that? She refused to cut bangs the way I asked her to (right above the eyebrow, straight across, not wispy, but not heavy). Just refused. She told me we could do side swept. I said that “No, I have tried that before, it does not do well with the texture of my hair”. She said we could so wispy. I said “No, I have tried that before, it does not do well with the texture of my hair”. Then she said she did not think I should do that. It was “boring” and besides, I “Have kind of a small forehead. And glasses.” I kid you not, she said that.

When she was done cutting and not doing what I asked and pushing layers on me, not ONLY did she NOT wash and dry my hair, she ADDED PRODUCT and made it even dirtier. And that was bad because Wednesday is date night. Our night to be together and just enjoy each other’s company. But now, I had to spend an hour of that night washing and drying my hair. I was unhappy. Angry even. BUT I DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING. Which is ANOTHER reason I hate getting haircuts. Because I should have said “I asked for a blowout” and demanded that she do it. But I didn’t. I am always so shaky and traumatized and nervous and I never have my head on straight and I always smile and say thank you and pay (and tip!) and leave. So. That is the story of why I don’t have bangs.

The End.

*They do not have appointments at Floyd’s 99, but you can call and let them know you are on your way and they will tell your stylists and also tell you what kind of a wait you might have.

**Totally kidding, you guys. These are not real problems. I totally know that! :D

Congratulate You, Said You Had A Double Tongue

This post is totally going to be one of those posts where I post several pictures of me in the same outfit. I know some of you guys hate that, and I apologize, but today I am indulging myself. I’ve been so bored, and this outfit really excited me.



I feel straight up out of an Urban Outfitters or Free People catalog in this. In a good way. Last night, I originally styled it with a vintage ecru slip, the lace peeking out at the bottom and over the top. I loved the way it looked and I hope to have somewhere to wear it that way in the future, but an exposed slip didn’t seem just the thing for an office. Even one as casual as mine.*



This shawl is so cozy. Being brown and beige, it doesn’t go with a whole lot, but I do have 2 or 3 dresses I love it with for Fall/Winter. I was originally going to keep it at the office, but I decided not to, because it’s just too nice for that. It deserves to be part of an actual outfit.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the pics…





I LOVE THIS DRESS. I wish I could have gotten the other print as well, but I’m not made of money folks. It’s LONG enough without tights or leggings, which is a real challenge for me. I love the floral, and the cut is super flattering. Plus, I love the lace back…



Which no one will ever see as it will always be covered by a jacket, a shawl or my hair. SPEAKING OF…

I’m getting a haircut tonight after work and I still don’t know what to do. I’ve been over it with friends on Facebook and they are 50/50 about it. I do know that I do not want layers. They don’t work in my super fine hair. They just look like flyaways. I also do not want to go short. I like it long. I think I might get bangs, but I think it might be a game time decision. I hate haircuts. So Much Pressure.

*I didn’t photograph it that way for a couple reasons. I’m lazy. And I try not to post anything I didn’t actually wear, so hopefully when I do wear it, I’ll be clever enough to get pics.


Shawl, I think it’s Coldwater Creek. My mom gave it to Grandmama and then passed it to me.
Dress, Target
Tank, Target
Little leather ankle boots, Target (ETA They are current! AND ON SALE.)
Bag, vintage, thrifted by Nathan