Work With What You've Got

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2012-01-19T11:22:00.005-06:00

Nathan was one of 4 DJs for a party some of our girlfriends threw to celebrate turning 30 recently. It was a blast. Any reason to dress up is a good reason to dress up.

I wore a black leather and knit tank, a lace fishtail maxi and bike shorts (modesty!)

I felt great, but I was FREEZING. Normally spaces get all packed out and hot during a party, but this one refused to warm up even when the event got this packed...

I took my jacket off anyway. For effect, you know. Sometimes we suffer to look good. Nathan's set was of course, amazing, and I really enjoyed the other DJs as well (DJ Business Casual, Sarah Jaffe and DJ Sober).

His bow tie has tiny skulls.

There was a LOT of jewelry happening...

And pinball...

I bustled my skirt for dancing...

And hung out with pretty people.

And had an awesome time.

Tank and skirt, vintage via Buffalo Exchange
Jacket, H&M via Buffalo Exchange
Shoes, Aldo
Bag, Etsy

We're S-H-O-PP-I-N-G, we're shopping

2012-01-19T11:10:00.005-06:00

Did a little shopping with my Christmas money.

Leather jacket, H&M via Buffalo Exchange
Vest, Kensie Girl
Tee, Black Angels show
Jeans, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange

Saw the AMAZING Gaultier exhibit at the DMA (if you are withing driving distance at all and have not seen it, make plans NOW, it was an amazing and emotional experience to see the clothes so close up) in pretty much the same outfit...

Tee, Joy Division via Buffalo Exchange
Sweater, Antropologie (new with tags!) via Buffalo Exchange
Ankle boots, Dansko via Zappos

Your Love's Got Me Lookin So Crazy Right Now

2012-01-02T16:31:00.009-06:00

So my friend Stephanie works at V.O.D. V.O.D. recently hosted a Pamela Love trunk show. I went and hung out with a few friends and drooled over beautiful jewelry I can't afford surrounded by beautiful people. In perfect leather jackets.

Stephanie being luminous...

Keith, the amazing D.J...

Soul Sisters...

(spot the Wendy Brandes above?)

Photobombed sisters

Charlie discusses something very SERIOUS about FASHION with Bethany and I...
>

One of the most interesting people I met that night, Tucson John...

Beautiful people...

For actual, meaningful coverage of the event, see savagesouls coverage of the event here or thexsfiles coverage here.

Wendy Time

2011-12-12T11:41:00.003-06:00

I'm so excited. It finally got cold enough for me to wear my pink leather biker jacket.
It's such a cute take on the biker shape...

Also? There's THIS...

That's right. An airbrush unicorn with creepy teeth. BOOM.

Leather Jacket, Buffalo Exchange
Scarf, American Apparel
Vintage Tee, Buffalo Exchange (Austin!)
Leather shorts, Buffalo Exchange
Weak lame tights, Target (Just buy We Love Colors, Ya'll, everything else is pointless)
Legwarmers, American Apparel via Buffalo Exchange
Ankle boots, Dansko

Life In A Gold Plated Body Cast

2011-12-07T18:47:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure where in the new house to take pictures. So I'm going to try a couple places. The first one I tried was my dressing room. I get dressed in there...

It's a pretty great room, but not, I think the right place for pictures as it turns out.

Whatever, who cares? Because it finally got cold and I got to wear LAYERS. And FUR and GIANT BOOTS.

Those boots. I love them. The beading, the suede, the ridiculous rabbit fur. I got them maybe two or three months ago and it was pretty rough waiting for the cold. But it came and it even stayed a few days.

And I STILL think you can never go wrong with a silk romper. Unless you also have on two cardigans and a pair of tights and you have to pee and the bathroom is occupied and you KNOW that even after you get in there you have to take off ALL YOUR CLOTHES before you can pee...but really, even then, I still vote yes on silk rompers.

Leather jacket, Wilson's Leather
Rabbit fur cowl, Buffalo Exchange
Cardigan, Target
Layering Cardigan, Alternative Apparel
Silk Romper, Buffalo Exchange
Tights, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, self made

A reintroduction

2011-12-06T10:27:00.005-06:00

Hi. I'm Erin. Or E.J. to my friends. Let's be friends.

I live in Dallas, and I work at Buffalo Exchange. It's nice work, if you can get it, and I've never been happier. I have a ridiculous level of freedom in my sartorial choices, limited only by my imagination and my funds. My style has evolved since I started working at Buffalo Exchange, not because I am any different, or like different things, but because I have access to so many things and the dress code to wear them. It's fun.

I like:
Black
Leather
Fur
Silk
Really tight pants
Sterling Silver
Turquoise
Mismatched earrings
Slightly subversive jewelry
Layers
Handbags
Reality Bites
and looking slightly ridiculous.

I wear gold eyeshadow and gold liner on the daily and this fur coat when the temp drops below 60 degrees...

"Work With What You've Got" is about looking and feeling good with the resources you have. Working within your budget, body, time and style. It's just a bit of fun, really, without pressure to spend more than I should, or be anything I'm not.

Ghost Town

2011-12-06T10:23:00.003-06:00

Lazy. I've just been lazy. But I'm over it. Watch this space. I'm digging the camera and the tripod out. Let's do this.

FUN FUN FUN!!!

2011-11-08T09:15:00.004-06:00

Last weekend we went to funfunfunfest in Austin. I saw so many friends and had such a good time but I did NOT get to spend enough time with Laurel. I ran into her at, I think, the blue stage on Friday, and planned to meet up with her again later, but the cell signals were nil all day for us and I never found her again. Sad face.

I also didn't manage to get an outfit pic the first day. I was too busy having funfunfun. I got a snapshot of my pal Nick photobombing me though!

And this picture of my legs showcasing both the gorgeous sun and the DIRT. (Those are black boots.)The reason everyone in Austin festival pictures is always wearing a neckerchief is the dust. It swirls and dances and will end up right in your lungs if you're not careful!

Saturday I did better and managed this one outfit pic. This outfit was perfect, but I do have to dry clean that silk top now!

Silk blouse, Joie via Buffalo Exchange
Jeans, Heritage 1981 via Buffalo Exchange
Boots, Dansko via Zappos (BEST ANKLE BOOTS OF ALL TIMES)

Those are totally my favorite jeans right now. I got them for 11 bucks at Buffalo in the men's department.

Sunday I finally thought to pose for an outfit picture. Largely due to my love of the Lykke Li tee I had bought the night before after her set, which was AMAZING. AMAZING. Totally my favorite of the fest. And the shirt is gorgeous.

Tee, Lykke Li show
Leather shorts, boots, Buffalo Exchange
Tights, Target
Bottle necklace, Buffalo Exchange
Magnifying glass necklace,Love Nail Tree booth at FFFF

I LOVE THOSE SHORTS. Just so you know. Leather shorts are my favorite thing of all time (right now). I have 3 pairs. 2 black and 1 gold. And I adore them.*

yellow wrist band, FFFF
Bangles, turquoise ring, trinity ring, Buffalo Exchange
Claw ring, Black Oak
Opal ring, Coldwater Creek (ages ago, a gift)
wedding band, Jame Avery
Spinner ring, Some silver site I was obsessed with and can't even remember now.

Other than the Lykke Li show, the best thing I saw was Page and Stephen's fun wedding. I thought it was going to be sketch comedy. But it was a real wedding. A very sweet and fun wedding. Officiated by HENRY ROLLINS. (these pics are bad. I only had my phone, I had no idea something this cool was about to happen.)

The bride had on the BEST dress for the occasion and setting and looked so super cute!

I laughed and cried in equal measure.

Also? SEXY SAX MAN WAS THERE.

And if all that wasn't cool enough, I spent a good 20 minutes watching Ryan Gosling watch some band I don't remember. I was too busy staring at RYAN GOSLING. I had heard he was there and Nathan finally located him for me Sunday. What a good husband.

*Nathan told me last week he kind of hates leather shorts. That made me sad. But it didn't make me not wear them!

Blister In The Sun

2011-10-18T09:44:00.006-05:00

Every year I struggle with what to wear on Fair Day. The outfit must be comfortable in both heat and cold, have comfortable walking shoes, a manageable bag with extra room and still be stylish enough that I feel good in it. This years effort...

"The Gossip" by Bjorn Wiinblad

Every year we try a couple of the fried delights on offer. This year he tried friend salsa and I had the sweet potato praline poppers.

We visited the butterfly house

and saw a Monarch butterfly get tagged.

And I got my first henna tattoo

We had a great time.

Dress, Free People via Buffalo Exchange
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Boots, Doc Martens Via Buffalo Exchange
Watch, SWATCH, thrifted
Studded leather cuff, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, The Shining, Dallas (closed)
Claw ring, Etsy
Trinity ring, Buffalo Exchange
Skull ring, I honestly don't remember

I Want To Ride My Bicycle, Bicycle, Bicycle

2011-09-13T11:22:00.003-05:00

There is an open air market a few blocks over from our new house about once a month. We went this past weekend to grab some local honey (GREAT for allergies!) and while we were there we spotted this bike for sale by a nice gentleman that repairs old bikes...

Nathan bought it for me...but I had to ride it home. I'm not sure I've been on a bike at all in the past 15 years, but I made it the 5 blocks home (would have been 3 if I had remembered to turn at the soccer field like I was told!).

And I did it in heels.

Silk tank, Buffalo Exchange
Velvet leggings, Target
Ankle boots, Dansko

In My Room

2011-09-12T10:07:00.004-05:00

This post is going to be very picture heavy. I just can't help myself. Our house is coming along. We still need to buy a chair for the living room, and a pub table for the dining area. Today I have to put my books away in a bookcase from IKEA Nathan spent hours putting together for me.

But one room is just a little more exciting to me than all the other rooms combined. My dressing room. When you walk in, the first thing you see is a distressed black bookcase with shoes and bags.

The creepy face artwork is something I've saved for years. Nathan and I have long since used magazines as wrapping paper and the face is a collage he made as wrapping paper years ago that I framed.

Next to the bookshelf is a rolling rack.* This rolling rack has band tees and silk tank tops. I use the ends of the rolling racks to hang bags, and there is also a wire shelving system nestled in the rack for more bags.

Then I have a dresser, and another rolling rack (dresses, skirts and pants) and a waterfall. The dresser has jeans, shorts and casual wear like PJs and sweatpants.

(That little glass jar is where I collect all my tags from Buffalo Exchange)

Around the corner is another tiny dresser. I got this dresser, which I use for lingerie, as well as my vanity and stool from Craigslist. It took weeks of searching before the right pieces showed up, but I got them for a steal and saved hundreds of dollars over buying them new. Plus they are JUST what I wanted, even down to the soft cream color.

I've got my earrings and rings on display as well as this ceramic cupcake from Valentines Day a couple years ago and some adorable kittens friends brought me back from a road trip several years ago.

The vanity holds all my cosmetics in those drawers, which are bigger than they look.

I paid 2 bucks for that at a thrift store. I'd have paid 20. It's so adorable and so ridiculous.

My favorite style books, a Hello Kitty from Alannah, and an adorable little deer made for me by a friend. The deer is one of my most prized possessions.

Next to the vanity is a rack of jackets. I know I can only wear them a few months a year, and I don't need as many as I have, but I can't help myself. I love them. And this is not even all of them, some of them are in the cedar closet in the other room.

This lamp makes everything faintly pink. I love that.

There are shoes all along the floor in addition to the bookshelf...

So that's it! It's the nicest, most amazing thing ever. And it's perfect. The only thing I need to do now is to hang some blackout curtains in the windows, and find a place for a couple more pictures from my Grandmothers house (laying there on that blue dresser, which my sister gave me. My room is full of family and friends) and find the right mirror. I'm pretty sure I've found it, it is full length and it swivels on it's stand to get the best angle every time.

What do you think?

*I got the rolling racks from the Container Store and they are SUPER sturdy and affordable.

Blogger iPhone App (test!)

2011-09-08T23:15:00.001-05:00

A little test and a little sneak peak of my dressing room! Tour to come, but I LOVE it!

Gold Dust In Our Hand

2011-08-27T20:58:00.005-05:00

Nathan hates these shorts. They are:

1.Leather
2.Gold
3.Metallic

He thinks it's too much. I don't even know if I would know "too much" anymore if it slapped me right in the face. I love them.

I wore them today with a plain black silk tee, but I think they pair well with any number of tee shirts and tanks. And I think they will be great in the fall with tights. I mean...LEATHER GOLD METALLIC. The only thing that could be better is...I don't even know.

I am also wearing my new favorite piece of jewelry. It is by a fellow blogger and one of my top 10 jewelry artists of all time, My Own Little Universe. And she is super affordable for the quality of work she produces. Each piece is one of a kind. This is sterling double finger pyrite matrix ring.

Here is a pic I stole from the listing as well, just to impress you even more...

Just LOOK at all the colors. I love it. It reminds me of looking at deep space. And for a two finger ring it's very comfortable. The smaller sized ring fits my pointer finger like a normal ring and the middle finger ring fits about a size too big. What that means is that the ring fits really well, and is in no danger of falling off, since that first finger is thr right size, BUT I also have range of motion to type, count change and work with clothes at work. It's absolutely perfect. Please shop her store if you can! She is amazing.

Silk Tee, Forever XXI via Buffalo Exchange
Leather shorts, vintage via Buffalo Exchange
Heels, Target
Ring, My Own Little Universe

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves

2011-08-18T10:13:00.005-05:00

(Or, I Am Overly Smug And Proud of Even The Smallest Craft Projects)

When we move (just a few weeks now!) into the house I will be getting my own small room to turn into a closet. I have been slowly thinking of ways to make it the most efficient closet I can including ordering 3 rolling racks and a waterfall (for staging outfits I think of for later wear).

I'm still on the hunt for a vanity (I have a mirror and a lamp, I need a smallish table with a nice sized drawer, I'm hoping to thrift it) and a chair. I also still need a rug. But I'm getting there. I have a couple of really cute jewelry storage things I've been working on for the problem of my overflowing collection of adornments. The first is this ring display I ordered from etsy.

After giving it a test run I removed all the foam rolls and unscrewed the legs. Then I painted the whole thing a much cheerier turquoise/teal color.

I also took a chance on a really ugly, sad, brown FILTHY little glass door jewelry box from Goodwill. It was $1.99. (No before shots, sorry, sometimes I get ahead of myself) I removed the drawers and carefully painted the whole thing the same color as the ring display. Then I put my earrings, both dangly and stud in it.

(The actual color is somewhere between this color and the color it appears in the other pictures. It's a very bright turquoise, almost teal)

I am pretty sure the little carousel wheel is meant for necklaces, but I don't know anyone with necklaces that short, and earrings seemed to fit really well in it. I'm really happy with how it came out.

No, I don't Want Your Number, No, I Don't Want to Give You Mine

2011-08-18T09:46:00.005-05:00

I went out last night with my co-workers for a little karaoke. I sang "Slow" by Kylie Minogue and then more yelled than sang things like "9 to 5" and "No Scrubs". I wore this...

Tank, Urban outfitters
Shorts, Forever xxi
Bag by Fossil via Buffalo Exchange, spikes added by me
Belt vintage via Buffalo Exchange
Necklace via Buffalo Exchanged refashioned by me
Sweater and clogs, Target
Cuff, Nest via Buffalo Exchange
Talon Ring, Moon Raven Designs
Pinky Ring and cross poison ring via Buffalo Exhchange
Ram/Goat (not sure really), from Stephanie

Stephanie wore this...

Silk playsuit (JCrew) and vest via Buffalo Exchange.
Bag Alexander Wang via V.O.D. in Dallas, tail charm via Buffalo Exchange

I can't compete with an Alexander Wang cross body with rose gold studs. I just can't. But I can still come up with something pretty awesome. Stephanie pulled this Fossil bag for me at work, and placed it on my hold. It was missing a rivet on the left side, so I simply popped the rivet off the right side and added spikes up both sides.

It actually came out pretty awesome if I do say so myself. It's basically perfect now and at $30.00 for the whole thing I couldn't be more pleased. Sometimes the Goodwills here charge more than that for ripped and stained Fossil bags, so it was a great price!

Jump Around, Jump Around, Jump Up Jump Up And Get Down

2011-08-16T09:08:00.004-05:00

I just really like silk rompers. I like to call them playsuits. That way when I put them on and run errands all day it feels less like work.

I've started packing. Oh man. I forgot how overwhelming that was. I enjoy it, and I like using it as a time to get rid of excess, but it's tiring and I'm just hoping I have time to get it all packed by the big day!

Someone else is moving around the same time, maybe you heard? Can't tell a lie y'all, I'm excited.

Silk Playsuit - Madewell via Buffalo Exchange
Gold Leather Bag, vintage via Buffalo Exchange
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack
Headband/Turban thing, Urban Outftters

You Know It's Summer In The City And The Sun Is High

2011-08-11T10:50:00.005-05:00

I have been...

Hanging out with my amazing husband...

and my adorable puppy...

wearing all the rings all the time...

making Adventure Time paper dolls...

And getting new glasses.

I'm also trying to remember to have fun during August, which is our busiest month at the store, and thinking about my upcoming move at the end of the month, and in general, just being busy and offline. I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and finding time to relax and enjoy the ride.

I See In Different Lights

2011-08-01T09:46:00.003-05:00

I got this romper at Buffalo the other day (via Trade, of course!) and since I was meeting the girls (Katie, Tina, Julie and Elissa)after work, I knew I had to bring it in and show it to Elissa. Because Elissa loves me, but she hates rompers, and I love to tease her about it. She thought it was super cute, when she thought it was a dress. When she discovered it was a romper she rolled her eyes at me and gave up on trying to talk sense into me. I'm not easy to talk sense into.

I wore it three days in a row. No lie. Friday, Saturday and then to work on Sunday. I suppose I'll have it dry cleaned now, but there's a dry cleaner next to work, so it's not even really a bother. And three days wallowing about in silk and nothing else is worth a little dry cleaning bill if you ask me.

Elissa, you can borrow it whenever you want. <3

Silk romper, Eliot via Buffalo Exchange
Cardigan, American Apparel
Shoes, Collin Stuart for Victoria's Secret
Leather bag, Thrifted by Nathan
Ring and cuff, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy.
Sunglasses Forever XXI about 3 years ago. Maybe 4...

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot!

2011-07-22T13:36:00.004-05:00

(There are too many photos in this post, just so's you know I know. He's a cute dog. I can't help myself.)

My dog's name is P. Bitty. He hates having his picture taken, but he ALSO hates not having all of the attention.

Cuff and bracelets, Buffalo Exchange
Tee, Buffalo Exchange
Sparklebutt pants, H&M via Lane Wayne
Boots, Docs

Life Is A Short Trip

2011-07-19T11:38:00.001-05:00

I wore this outfit for 3 straight days basically. And I'll probably wear it again soon. I last wore the skirt on Sunday and to be honest, I am seriously considering putting it on with a tank top here in a few when I get dressed for my shift...

It's silk. And there is so much of it. It's awesome.

I've also worn these boots at least once a day for the past 6 days, at first it was because I needed to wear them a little every day to break them in and stretch the leather across my toes where they were a bit tight. But now that's all done and I'm just wearing them because they are so awesome.

My favorite part is how TALL they are for western boots. I knew a few months ago that my old boots were on the way out or to the repair shop, and I have been on the lookout since then. If I could replace them for less that it would cost to repair them, then that was the plan. And these were $26, and the repairs were going to be extensive. So win/win as far as I'm concerned!~

I love that cuff. I got it at Buffalo Exchange (naturally!) for a STEAL, but it's by Nest. When I first saw it, I thought it was really pretty, and it reminded me of the moon. When Nathan first saw it, he said it looked like acid burned flesh. Well. OK. I'll be honest, that's all I see now. Acid burned flesh. But I kind of love that. What can I say? I love subversive jewelry!

Tee, Warpaint
Skirt, Buffalo Exchange
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Pendant, Yard Sale
Chain, Buffalo Exchange
Cuff, Nest via Buffalo Exchange

(I know, I know, the iPhone pics are kind of lame, but for now they mean I post when I wouldn't. Nate can snap a few shots, and I can edit and upload them to flickr from the car in less than 10 minutes. It's keeping me going for now!)

See The World Clearly Now

2011-07-15T16:48:00.004-05:00

It's hot in Dallas. I'm sure this is not news to you. It is hot. It zaps your strength and melts your face. It makes the small of your back sweat just to step outside or walk to the car. But INDOORS, it's cold. (Like an icebox some places.) I cannot understand how they afford to do it, but it is. And as such, I still bring a sweater everywhere I go.

Do they do that everywhere? I know office buildings are terrible about it, but what about the theater? Or restaurants? It's crazy. It makes it so much harder to acclimate to the heat!

I look so tired in these pictures. It's because I am. I feel life crashing over me in tall, fast waves. But I'm holding on. Good things are coming.

Sweater forever xxi,
dress target,
shoes dansko,
bag buffalo exchange
bangles, buffalo exchange

You May Find Yourself In A Beautiful House

2011-07-12T11:42:00.003-05:00

Nathan and I have been house hunting. And by "Nathan and I" I mean mostly Nathan. He did 100% of the internet research. He did all the preliminary paperwork for loan approval. He contacted the realtor. He viewed houses. I only looked twice. I was told to dress as "normal" as I could, so as not to offend current homeowners. I loled. And then I wore this...

Pretty normal, eh?

I only went on two ride alongs, and I knew the house I wanted as SOON as I saw it. I'll share pictures with you soon, I hope. We have made an offer, and it has been accepted. All that's left is inspection, and if that goes well, we will be homeowners by September. It's crazy. We have lived in one bedroom apartments our entire adult lives. We have had a washer but not a dryer, or a washer and dryer, but a shared one. We have had basic refrigerators, and no dishwasher. The new house? Has all the nice things. A dishwasher. A fancy fridge that spits water and ice out the door and is all huge and stainless steel and gorgeous and our OWN washer and dryer. And two (and a half*) bedrooms. It's so exiting I can't stand it. Also mildly terrifying.

But mostly exciting.

*You guys? There is a nursery tucked behind the master bedroom. You know what that means right? CLOSET ROOM. I AM SO EXCITED! I can't wait to get it all set up and share!

Jacket, Target
Dress, Forever XXI
Shoes, Worishorfer
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Cuff, Moon Raven Designs

But trust me on the sunscreen…

2011-07-05T09:35:00.004-05:00

I've love the sunshine, but the sunshine doesn't always love me. When I was younger, I did not really understand how important sunscreen was and I got a couple of really bad sunburns. I'm much more aware now, I never burn anymore. It's just a matter of remembering to reapply and being in charge of your own skin. In the words of the great Baz Luhrmann...

"If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists..."

Seriously. WEAR SUNSCREEN.

My t-shirt agrees, although it has a less serious way of saying it...

Tee, Nathan's
Shorts, Thrifted
Shoes, Worishofer
Bag, Buffalo Exchange

It's Been A Long, Hot Summer And I'm Shaking Like A Cool Lemonade

2011-06-28T10:41:00.005-05:00

(Beware! Pictures below may inspire bag envy!)

Last week we had a big week at the store. NARTS had a conference in town, and our store was one of their stops in Dallas. We had hundreds of resale, consignment and thrift store owners come and see us on Friday. In order to make sure we had coverage I picked up a shift on my day off. And I am so glad I did! It was SO MUCH FUN!

Our guests had lots of questions about how we do things at Buffalo Exchange and we were so happy to have the opportunity to show them around and answer questions. They were all inquisitive, and so kind and it was such an honor to get to host them at the store for a bit (by the busload!).

On Sunday, Kerstin Block stopped in to see us (she had come by Friday as well, but before my shift) and I got to meet her, which was really exciting. She was wonderful, and since I had a register shift I had the pleasure of ringing up her and her friends, who were all having such fun it was contagious.

It was a great couple of days and I am so glad that I was there to experience everything.

Romper, The Spice Rack
Sandals, Victoria's Secret
Belt, Target
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Silver bangles, Buffalo Exchange
Claw Cuff, Moon Raven Designs

A Thousand Million Shivering Furry Holes

2011-06-21T10:43:00.004-05:00

My friend/co-worker Stephanie found this blazer. The first I saw of it was when she was bringing it to the front of the store to place on her hold.* You can't tell from the pictures but it is the MOST luscious silk. I can only think of a handful of people in the world whose wardrobe would demand an oversize floral silk blazer, but Stephanie and I both have such wardrobes. As a result, I had an immediate reaction of longing and need when she showed it to me.**

Circumstances eventually dictated that I end up with the blazer (because Stephanie is a doll and conceded it to me). And I LOVE IT.

I've also decided that pettipants = black shorts for this summer. I have something like 7 pairs, because I wear them so often under dresses, so I might as well get as much use out of them as possible and what can be wrong with lace bottom shorts?

I've got a long week ahead of me. The store has some very important guests coming this week, and we are all very excited. We are prepping for their visit and I am needed for a short shift on my day off to help with our guests. I hope they have a wonderful time and I'll tell you all about it!

*Buffalo employees pretty much always have a hold. We are allowed a very limited number of things on our hold, and we are only allowed to hold them for a couple shifts, but we pretty much always have one. One of my favorite things to do at the store when I have a minute of downtime is peruse my co-workers holds. They are fashionable, fascinating collections and most of the time you can tell who they belong to without even looking at the name on the tape.

**Not an uncommon reaction between the two of us. We have overlapping styles and often fall in love with the same pieces. It's a constant compromise between us.

Blazer, Buffalo Exchange
Cure Tee, Buffalo Exchange
Pettipants, Amazon
Shoes, Dansko
Isabella Wolf Necklace, Wendy Brandes

I'm Free, To Do What I Want, Any Old Time

2011-06-14T10:03:00.006-05:00

Elissa gave me this tank a while back (during TxSCC!) and I said I would wear it with a tank top and pettipants. But after finding this amazing bandeau for 5 bucks at the Nordstrom Rack, I took it one step further...

A year ago I would never have had the body confidence to wear this, but I've lived and learned a lot in that year.

It reminds me a bit of an old fashioned bathing suit! It's bare without being over the top and it's really fun. I seem to dress for fun a lot these days.

It was a big hit at work. I can't think of higher praise to be honest, than when my co-workers like something. They are just as obsessed with sartorial choices as I am, and when they love something it always makes me grin from ear to ear!

Also, sometimes I wear a lot of rings. And by sometimes, I mean MOST times.

P.S. Good luck to sweet Kendi and all her friends embarking on the latest 30x30 re-mix! Can't wait to see what you guys do this go round!

Tank, Free People, gift from Elissa
Bandeau, Nordstrom Rack
Pettipants, Underworks via Amazon.com
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack

Cause Baby, When I Saw You, For The First Time I Knew

2011-06-12T20:38:00.003-05:00

You guys? This happened:

That is a strapless silk harem panted romper. Yeah. That's what it is. It's over the top. It feels like walking around in lotion. And it is AWESOME.

I don't get the impression too many of my guy friends are impressed. But I don't care. IT"S SILK. AND HAREM PANTS. AND AWESOME. Did I mention that it's awesome?

It was originally sold at Anthropologie for around 80 bucks, but I got it at Buffalo Exchange for 21.50.

It not only feels good but it feels fun. I felt so happy in this romper. And I wore it straight from work out to a nice dinner with friends. (OK, I admit it, I had to change into flats after work, but the romper stayed!)

I can't wait to wear it again!

Silk romper Buffalo Exchange via Anthro
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack
Claw cuff, Moon Raven Designs

Dance To The Beat Of My Drum!

2011-06-07T08:55:00.004-05:00

I have wanted a pair of relaxed, slouchy leather shorts for a couple years now. The thing about leather shorts is that they are not really a classic. Or a wardrobe staple. Or all that affordable, really. So I improvised. I bought a pair of mean's leather jeans at Buffalo Exchange, and had them cut off into shorts.

And even though I find they don't photograph super well, I am pleased with the results.

I've worn them dressed up and down and I like them both ways. Silk blouses and Cure t-shirts. Works either way. And you KNOW how much I love leather, and this is just about the only way I can stand to work it into my life outside of shoes in the Texas summer heat.

The MAIN problem with these shorts is that I bought them maybe 8 pounds ago. 8 pounds is not a huge amount, but they did fit better when I weighed more. Not that I'm complaining. I'm actually back down to my goal weight, and I'm super pumped about it. And I like these shorts enough that if they get too too big, I'll do the same thing again!

(That's right. I've worked retail long enough to wear heels once or twice a week now!)

Silk Blouse, Buffalo Exchange
Leather shorts, from leather pants bought at Buffalo Exchange
Clogs, Target
Belt, GAP

Hello, Is It Me You're Looking For?

2011-05-31T11:31:00.003-05:00

Oh. Hi. That was longer than I meant to be away. I'm busy. In a good way. Living. I spend so little time on the computer that I miss emails and updates. And I'm OK with that. It's nice not being so connected. I don't know how long it will last, but for now, it's nice. I feel free.

I've also felt really free in my outfit choices. Sometimes, I'm a little over the top. Like this...

The vest, the tie dye, the tail. It's a lot of look. And I love it.

Anyway. I hope you are feeling good too. And I hope I do a better job of keeping up with you. I like you.

Wild, Wild Horses, Couldn't Drag Me Away

2011-05-15T10:20:00.003-05:00

I found this shirt on the sale rack at work. The sale price was around 4 bucks. And I felt sorry for it. I had an emotional connection with it. I knew it wasn't really my style, but something about it made me want to take it home and give it a chance. So I did.

It's vintage and the cotton is so soft. It's from an actual Western Wear company which surprised me. I expected it to be from JCPenny or maybe Montgomery Ward...

The print is amazing...

Are you ever attracted to things that seem way off base for your normal style? Do you try and style around them or change your style to suit them?

Shirt and bag, Buffalo Exchange
Jeans, ANA at JCPenny
Shoes, Kork Ease
Jacket, Target

Everybody Has Those Days

2011-05-10T11:21:00.003-05:00

None of the pictures I have saved seem all that inspiring or interesting today. It happens. I actually really love wearing this dress but have come to accept that while it flows and looks very pretty in real life it makes me look a wee bit like I'm wearing a tent in pictures.

It is one of the first things I bought after I started at Buffalo. It was all of like 10 bucks. And it is a total "teacher dress".

But not math teacher. More like art teacher. Or pottery even. That teacher who seems like she might actually be a bit cool, but still, she's your teacher. You know the one.

The store has started opening an hour earlier and while it shouldn't be a big deal, it has been a huge adjustment for me personally. Slowly it is becoming more normal, but I haven't quite made it up early enough to get dressed and take photos so far. I only just realized it's actually light enough that I can take them when I get home again, so hopefully I'll be back and more inspired soon.

Dress and boots, Buffalo Exchange

If You Liked It Then You Shoud Of Put a Ring On It

2011-05-08T12:16:00.005-05:00

I'm sure you have noticed if you've ever pursued the archives, but I love jewelry. I love jewelry with an edge to it. My first sponsor is the awesome edgy jewelry boutique Betsy and Iya and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get this piece. Some of my favorite places to shop for shiny things are Etsy, Buffalo Exchange and the (now closed) boutique The Shining in Dallas. I've been acquiring a lot of jewelry lately. Here is a small sampling.

Nathan got me this gorgeous pirate ship ring at The Shining the day before the shop closed it's doors forever. (I already miss it.)

I bought myself these clever silver hoops/octopus tentacles the same day.

This gorgeous studded leather cuff formerly belonged to a co-worker and when he sold it to Buffalo Exchange, I snapped it right up.

But my favorite recent purchase has got to be this massive silver two finger ring I got at Buffalo Exchange...

The center of the roses is skulls. So perfect. And the ring has such heft to it, it feels great on my hand.

I'll try and get some pics of some of my other recent acquisitions and post them soon as well. Where do you shop for jewelry? What's your favorite style?

Balancing Cake and Bread

2011-05-05T18:04:00.002-05:00

My BFF moved last year to a much smaller place, and as a result, she purged a lot of old tees. I ended up with a box full. This Tori Amos tee is one of the ones I asked for. It was huge. An XL maybe? It needed to be altered to fit in some way, but I can't sew. So I cut instead.

I'm pretty happy with the results. I did go to this tour. It was maybe the last show I enjoyed. I was a big Tori fan back in the day and still really enjoy her first few albums, but her recent albums don't do anything for me and honestly, her new face freaks me out.

Jeans and a tee (especially when you throw in sneakers) is not my strong suit, but I was really happy with this outfit. I love the line on the straps and the tee was just the right fit to get a super low scoop cut out of it. It drapes really nicely now.

I've tried cutting tanks out of tees and few times now and only lost one tee in the process. It was a doozy though and oddly the one I screwed up was the last one I made. Not the first, or second. More like the fifth. I was pretty disappointed, but it's a risk you take when you pick up the scissors and DIY.

Have you ever really messed up a DIY? Was it a tragedy or just kind of disappointing? Got any other ideas for cutting up a tee that don't involved sewing?

tank, Alannah's old tee
Bra, Forever XXI
jeans, Buffalo Exchange
Shoes, Chucks
Watch, Swatch

'

Someday, Love Will Find You

2011-04-30T16:34:00.003-05:00

This is an awesome vintage Journey tee.

This is a ridiculous Journey video.

This is an awesome still from that ridiculous video.

This is an awesome shot Nathan took of a ridiculous girl.

That about covers it.

Tee, Vintage
Jeans, Buffalo Exchange
Shoes, Worishofer
Belt and buckle, vintage
Bracelet, Buffalo Exchange

I've Been Workin' Workin' Day and Night

2011-04-25T09:21:00.002-05:00

I loved this outfit beyond reason.

There is just something about florals and stripes that really speaks to me. It is my favorite pattern combination of all time. (OF ALL TIME!)

These pictures were also taken right about the time I started to adjust to and really love my bangs. I'm good with them now. I feel like they were a positive step, but it was touch and go there for a while in the beginning. I'm not good at learning how to style my hair in new ways and whenever I change it I have an adjustment period that includes thinking I have a made a huge mistake. When I cut it it's the styling that gets me, but the few times I've changed the color it's been eve worse. Suddenly none of my clothing or make-up looks right on me anymore and I panic. And that is why I just keep it it's natural color now. (Oh I dye it to cover the grey now and then, I just dye it the same shade it actually is.)

Today is my co-worker Alanna's last day at Buffalo Dallas. She is transferring to a store in California. I wish her all good things and happiness, but I will miss her terribly. We love you, Alanna!

Jacket, Forever XXI
Tank, Target
Jeans, Target
Clogs, Nordstrom Rack
Bangles and Bracelet, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, Wendy Brandes

We Can Do Whatever We Want To

2011-04-19T09:21:00.005-05:00

There is not a pattern to be found in this outfit*. Which is unlike me, I know. But sometimes basic is good.

This tee is from a men's multi-pack of Hanes tees, and it is ridiculously comfortable. And crazy cheap.

I love that the basic look of the plain white tee and jeans let's the bag shine. I love this bag. My manager wanted it as well, but I had it on my hold and I'm cold-hearted enough I bought it. But come on...wouldn't you have?

The fringe pieces are not sewn to the bag, there are hundreds of tiny holes on the outer leather layer of the bag, and the fringe is just threaded through them. On the one hand it's unnerving, and I worry I'll lose pieces. On the other hand it's really kind of soothing to sit and pull them though to make sure they are secure. Like a worry stone in purse format.

*if you look closely there is, in the form of a leopard print bra.

Tee, Hanes
Jeans, ANA at JC Penny
Shoes, Worishofer
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, Yard Sale

You've Caught Me And You Know Why

2011-04-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

I have a couple new pairs of jeans that are flares, and I'm really excited about them being back on trend, but on the flip-side, I hope the jegging never dies. I know it's an unpopular thing to say among the trendy and cool, but I never claimed to be trendy or cool! I still hate the word..."jegging"...it's kind of gross to be honest. But I love the actual pant.

I bought two pair of these grey tie dye leggings when they were in stores and I'm already wishing I had bought a couple more for safe keeping. They are such a go to item for me.

And I love the new swingy tanks like this that are everywhere right now. Because I love my tight pants, I am always on the lookout for flattering but forgiving things to wear on top.

What's your favorite jean shape right now? I feel like pretty much anything goes! skinny, bootcut, flare, high waisted, wide legged, low waisted...I'd love a pair of high wasited wide leg myself! I've no idea how I'd style them but I'm sure I'd figure it out!

Tank, Buffalo Exchange
Jeans, Target
Clogs, Amazon
Bangles, Buffalo Exchange
Necklace, self made with charm from etsy.

Don't You Call Anybody Else Baby

2011-04-12T11:04:00.003-05:00

This outfit was perfect for me.

I loved all the patterns and how they echoed each other. Swirls and swirls of blues and blacks and purples and greys.

When Nathan brought home this blazer from the thrift store I really never envisioned it with something so casual, but I love it.

When I wear a jacket at work, I have to be really careful about when and where I take it off on the floor. Because we are a second hand store, our clothes can be any brand or style. More than once my jacket has ended up in the bin where we place the items that have lost price tags in transit from the buy counter to the rack. I can always dig it out, but one of these days, if I'm not careful, it will end up priced and on the floor and maybe even sold before I notice! When I wore this jacket, I was so concerned I put hold a hold ticket on it that said "Erin's, please do not run*!" Ha! Did the trick though.

I've been so busy lately! Is it just me or has Spring got everyone going a million miles a minute? I have had so much to do. I'm all turned around about what day it is too! I check about a million times a day but always manage to forget and have to check again. I'm tired but I'm a good kind of tired.

*run = price, tag and place on the floor for sale.

Jacket, Nanette Lepore
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Jeans, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Bag, vintage Coach via Buffalo Exchange
Bangles, Buffalo Exchange
Gold Hummingbird Skull necklace, Moon Raven Designs at Etsy

Kendi Wuz Here

2011-04-06T11:14:00.004-05:00

I bought this tunic from Kendi, like, forever ago. And then I had no idea what to do with it. It is too long to pair with pants. It doesn't look right with black leggings and I don't have a green or pink pair. It is both low cut and short. I didn't do a great job of capturing it on film but it's also much shorter on the sides. But it was so pretty I held onto it in hopes something would come to me. And then it did.

I know you have heard me go on about pettipants before, but they came to the rescue again. I paired the tunic with a beige pair and just let the peek of lace be a part of the overall look. It worked beautifully.

AND...I totally made it through the work day in those clogs. So go me. And go clogs. High heels for the summer. Maybe even once a week. And I totally just realized this, but I got those clogs because I loved the ones Kendi wore all last summer. The pair Kendi had was from Target and when I tried them on they hurt my feet, but I looked for a pair that worked for me for a few months and finally found these at Nordstrom Rack last Fall, just in time to pack them away for the Winter. But it's finally warm enough to wear them! So double Kendi in my outfit today.

Jacket, Target
Tunic, Kendi
Clogs, Nordstrom Rack
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Bangles on left arm, Buffalo Exchange
Bracelet on right arm, Buffalo Exchange
Earrings, Ebay

She Bangs, She Bangs!

2011-04-05T10:01:00.003-05:00

After over a year of hemming and hawing and being turned down by one stylist, I found another who agreed cut bangs for me.

So far it's a love/hate relationship. For the first week, it was mostly hate. But I was prepared for that. I take a while to warm up to pretty much any change at all when it comes to my hair.

I ultimately went ahead with the change because I was so tired of bumping the front that I dreaded having to style it, but didn't know what else to do. With it all one length, anytime I wore it down, it was in my face all day...sticking to my lip gloss, obstructing my view and I ended up touching it so much it had to be washed the next day. I'm not great with braids, and headbands give me a headache. I've had bangs before and loved them for years so they seemed the most obvious and simple solution.

And so far, it's worked. I can wear it all down, no problem. And I can do that for 2 days before it gets dirty enough I need to put it up, and then I do a topknot or ponytail for a couple days and wash again on night 4. It's a bit more often than I'm used to washing, but I can work with it. Plus I've even skipped the flat iron a couple days, and I haven't been able to do that for YEARS.

It's very... dramatic. The bangs make the rest of it look even longer. And I think they make me look younger. I already look younger than my age, but I'll take it. I think I'll probably keep them for a while.

Tunic, Target
Skirt, Preswap-swap with Elissa
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Bangles, Buffalo Exchange

Like Birds of a Feather, We Stick Together

2011-04-03T09:20:00.005-05:00

I wore my fashion sweatpants to work the other day. And I liked it.

It's not for everyone, I know. It's not for Nathan. He sort of hates them. But I don't. I really like them.

The combo of the sweatpants with the tank was so breezy and free it felt more like I was wearing pajamas than anything else.

I also wore my high heel Docs. I think I have the secret code for wearing heels to work cracked. A princess shift* combined with a register shift seems to be the key. The combination of not having the extra chores to do after the day is done combined with less moving about on the floor and more standing on the nice padded mat seems to work. My feet are still more over it than normal by the time I leave, but I look good. I'm testing this theory today with some clogs. Wish me luck.

*A princess shift. One where you neither open or close, so you have no opening chore and no closing to do, and you just waltz in and waltz out, like a princess.

Rules are For Fools, And Fool's Paradise is Hard to Find

2011-03-29T09:49:00.004-05:00

Shortly before the TxSCC, Jentine challenged herself to thrift me a sequined top. I hear she tiptoed dangerously close to the deadline, but she totally came through!

And I, of course wore it to work. With cutoffs. Because I'm classy. In fact I was working at the buy counter that day and I had a wonderful seller come in with some fun sequins and lace and even a Betsy Johnson dress (new! with tags!) and she talked about how she loved all her sequins and lace and fun things, but where could she wear them? And I just pointed at my top. "The grocery store" I said. And she laughed, but I think I may have planted a seed. Sure there are "appropriate" times and places to wear your fancy duds...but who wants to wait?

I can't wait to style it up different ways as well. Skinny jeans, a body con black skirt, who knows? Black sequins are my new neutral.

I also wore dark blue boots with it. Because they were new to me and I wanted to and rules are for fools. I have been trying on every single pair of these little fringe boots that have come in since I started working at Buffalo Exchange and these fit really well.

Nathan said he noticed them all over Austin and the thing was to wear them with cutoff shorts and super ripped up pattern tights. Have you seen this trend? Austin ladies? Was it a SXSW thing? I mean, I'll try anything once, but that sounds strange...

I wore my geode slice earrings...

And this beautiful new pyrite and sterling silver ring I got from My Own Little Universe.* I love Katie. She's so talented and she is also beautiful, and smart and really genuine. I love love love knowing a little bit about the artists I buy my jewelry from!

(I got al little carried away with the editing trying to obscure my dry winter hands! Sorry about that kids...)

I love pyrite. And I love the color contrast of the pyrite against the darkened silver. She has another similar ring in the shop right now, so if you love it, hop on over and grab one for yourself!

Blouse, gift from My Edit (blog)
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Tights, Target
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Earrings, self made
Ring, My Own Little Universe
Watch, Swatch

* I purchased this ring on my own, it was not a gift, and I was not compensated to promote MOLU. I just like Katie's work.

Not The Last Time

2011-03-28T10:16:00.003-05:00

I know this will come as a sort of "duh" revelation to those of you who have been living the dream for a while, but having a job I enjoy has had some unexpected health benefits. Overall, my body is less stressed. It's visible in my face and how I hold my body. Nathan has noticed. I sleep better, and spend less time worrying. And, it turns out, I've lost weight. Not a lot, but some, and because of my steady wardrobe of comfy dresses and generously fitted shorts, I didn't notice until I wanted to wear jeans. I woke up one day last week and it was finally warm enough to wear the butterfly shaped top I picked up when I went shopping with Elissa in February. I was so excited at the idea of wearing it I decided to just suck it up and pull on my ANA denim, even though I knew they was far too small now. And you know what? THEY FIT. In fact, I even have a little breathing room in them.

Now I'm not actually too fussed about the weight, but I am excited that my jeans fit!

In fact I wore them for the next 3 days solid. I had been without a good fitting pair of jeans for so long, I had forgotten how good they can feel and how great they can look.

And I just love this top. It's so flattering (and a size smaller than I normally take at Forever XXI, because that was all they had, so I'm glad it works!) and fun. And the colors are really nice on my pale skin. I'm so into any and everything lace right now, I can't get enough!

Of course this week it got chilly again and I'm back to warmer clothes, so I'm glad I got wearing of my top in last week!

Top, Forever XXI
Jeans, ANA at JCPenny
Bag, Vintage Coach via Buffalo Exchange
Shoes, Worishofer (now available at Urban Outfitters online)

Mannequin, Yeah, I Did It Again and Again

2011-03-25T15:27:00.008-05:00

The level of ridiculous I can get away with in my everyday life has skyrocketed. Because I can wear whatever I want...I wear whatever I want. This skirt was picked up at the swap by Elissa, but she decided to pass it on to me. It is much sparkly-er in real life than it comes across online.

When she handed it to me I wasn't sure what to wear it with, but my motto is "when in doubt, wear a band tee" and that pretty much always works out for me.

My other motto is something about washing my hair almost never.

So...I dressed my first mannequins at work the other day. I choose "floral" from the options Stephanie had put together and here is what I did...

Stephanie tweaked a couple things, but overall my original concept was kept in tact. Not bad for a first try! I'm pretty proud of them!

Keep On Dancin' Till The World Ends

2011-03-23T10:43:00.008-05:00

Just a couple days ago, Elissa talked about her feeling on the romper trend (not good) and Vanessa recently wrote about the rules of flattery and how some days, we just don't care. Today, I'm not only wearing a romper, but I suspect it's not the most flattering thing I've ever worn and I DO NOT CARE.

It's fun, and I got a lot of compliments on it! Plus it defines my waist and showcases my legs.

I felt fun and flirty and it showed. Sometimes the actual fit of a garment doesn't matter as much as how it makes you feel. For every fashion and fit rule, there is an exception. The trick is knowing when you have found one, and for me this romper is absolutely a rule breaker.

Besides being amazingly fun to wear, it holds special meaning to me. I bought it from Jessie the day we met. It's from her shop, The Spice Rack, and when I look at it, it brings back memories of meeting her and getting to know her. I love that I got a chance to support her at the pop up shop Saturday night of TxSCC, but more than that, I love that I made a new friend.

But let's be honest, I'd have bought this from anyone. Ha! My favorite thing? The shorts are long enough for me. I don't love short shorts on me unless I can wear tights with them, and that's not going to fly in the summer. But these are short enough to still be cute, but long enough I feel covered.

I'm also wearing these amazing boots from Buffalo Exchange.

I was on one of my first shadowing training sessions at the buy counter when they came in and I thought they were amazing. But they were a size 8, and I'm a size 6. The next day I decided to try them on anyway and by some strange twist of fate...they fit. I was so excited I bought them (I had a gift card from Elissa for my birthday, so technically, SHE bought them!) that night and I have worn them several times a week since then.

AND, speaking of new friends and great shops, pop over to Clyde's Rebirth and vote for your favorite blogger in her harness contest. Everyone looks amazing so it's not an easy choice!

My take?

Romper, The Spice Rack
Belt, Thrifted by Nathan
Boots, Buffalo Exchange
Bag, Vintage Coach via Buffalo Exchange
Earrings, Ebay
Bag charms, various, Kid Robot

Hello Again, Friend Of A Friend

2011-03-22T09:58:00.005-05:00

It feels like forever since I've done a regular outfit post. I've been taking pics though, so I have a few ready to write. I keep thinking I am going to get used to the new schedule, but the new schedule changes every week. Not in a bad way, I don't dislike it, but I am having a hard time figuring out when and where to see friends. I have Fridays and Saturdays off. But which days I work open and which days I close fluctuates each week. The truth is there is so much to learn at Buffalo Exchange and even though I anticipated that, it's still draining. It's not just the hours that I'm adjusting to, it's the physical aspects (hours on my feet after hours on my bum for years and years) as well as the learning. Learning makes you tired! I had forgotten just how intense mass amounts of new information can be. I've done my register training. That was in all honesty, the scariest thing for me. And I'm doing pretty well on it. My Buy Counter training has slowed down to make room for that, but I'm not concerned. It will pick back up again. It's an ebb and flow. A give and take.

That cammo jacket was a much more versatile buy than you might think. I find myself wearing it with any and everything and I get tons of compliments on it. It's just a touch better on me than an army issued one because of the fitted waist (which is achieved by drawstrings inside, and to keep them at the same place I adjusted it once and then sewed them down so I never have to think about them again) and the light fabric. And that TIKKR watch? People ask me about it all day every day at work and I am always sure to give them the full lowdown on it. I hope they are going right home and ordering one, because it's so fun.

It's getting warmer. Which means I'm getting lazier with my hair and I'm wearing it in a topknot 8 times out of 10. I am planning on getting a haircut this weekend actually (Nathan is going to pay for me to get a REAL big girl haircut at Toni and Guy!). I'm planning on having the "U" shape put back in the back and the dead ends trimmed and...well, that's about it. I still like my hair long. I still know it would have more body and look more flattering shorter. I still don't care!

I mean look how cute! Who wouldn't want to wear a cinnamon bun made of hair on their head all day every day? And with my spin pins it's so easy!

Jacket, Old Navy
Dress, Forever XXI
Boots, Dr Scholl's via Zappos.com
Watch (and new pink band!), courtesy of TIKKR

Pictures of You (TxSCC)

2011-03-19T14:49:00.010-05:00

Every time I try to sit down and recap the TXSCC, I get overwhelmed. I hope those of you that were not able to make it aren't totally irritated at those of us who were just yet. The sheer volume of tweets, posts and pictures of the event must give you at least an inkling of how amazing it was for us.

Since I'm having trouble finding the words, I'm going to let the pictures I have guide me. These are by no means an exhaustive set. I mean, I didn't even really remember to use my camera much until Sunday. But they will do...

Friday I was driven to Austin by the lovely Elissa (who did not drive us off an overpass to our deaths even ONCE) along with Suze. We ate cupcakes from my favorite Dallas bakery, Society Bakery in the car.

Elissa, Suze and I eating car cupcakes

Friday night was the swap hosted by The Swapaholics. I didn't get a single picture! I helped man the registration booth with Rachel. She was so calm, cool and professional I had NO IDEA she was only 15 and invited her to a bar. And she was kind enough not to laugh in my old lady face. Thank you, Rachel. A group of us went out after the swap and sang Karaoke at a nearby Chinese food place. And I sang (and rapped) in public. That? That was epic, my friends.

Saturday we grabbed a bite and went shopping with Katy, Kyla and Jessie. We took pedicabs over to Gueros. Kind of. Our driver said he would get us as far up the very steep, very long hill as he could, and he made it! But he had some assistance.

That biker in the helmet? He saw our driver giving it his best shot, grabbed the side of the basket and said "You can do this!" He then helped our driver make it the rest of the way up the hill. It was a hilarious and totally unforgettable ride. He dropped us off with only a few blocks left to walk in the sunshine and amazing temps, so it was no hardship on us!

Saturday night was the party at Bo Concept and I left my camera in the car. Maybe not the best move but I had a good time. Laurel finally decided to show up! Ha! I spent more time that I should have probably sitting around talking to just her and not networking, but I loved every minute. I bought an amazing fur collar/scarf combo from Lisa of Archives Vintage and an adorkable denim romper from Jessie's store, The Spice Rack. It was pretty amazing to not only score some really fun new things, but to support friends while doing so. I ran out of money before I got to Merl, but I plan to shop Clyde's Rebirth really soon, after talking to her about her upcoming plans for body harnesses!

Sunday I finally remembered my camera. Here is a small selection of the ones I took at brunch...

Top Row: Penny and I, Amy and I, Kyla and I, The adorable and amazing Eric and Kelsey, Reiko and I
Bottom Row: Heather and I, Elissa and I with the lovely Krista (coming soon to a blog near you!), Kelsey and I, Katy and I

After brunch we headed to the conference where amazing amazing things happened for me. More on that soon! Also, Elissa live tweeted the WHOLE thing, an amazing hidden talent I didn't know she had so please go check out her feed!

Top Row: Kendi, me and Bryan, LIFE CHANGER Betsy (more on that to come!) with me and Turi from Modcloth, The amazing Pamela and I (wearing a blouse from her shop, Market Publique I scored at the swap), my sweet girl Elissa and me, The Longevity panel with Kyla and Katy and Jennine, Jennine and I (she. was. amazing you guys. AMAZING.)

Sunday night was dinner and the Etsy party! I know there have been a lot of links so far, and I'm not saying you have to click them all, but I might be saying you SHOULD! (I've been writing for a couple hours now though, so if I already linked to a blog above, I'm going to skip it below.)

Top Row: The first picture is dinner with me, Erica, and Heather on the top row and the bottom row is Elissa, Laurel and Reiko. The second pic is Elissa, Laurel and I. MORE Elissa and I, what can I say? We love each other.
Bottom row: Jessie, Rachel, Indiana and me. Blogger topknots and geeky glasses on Jessie and me! Adam, me and Punky, Elissa, Laurel and me.

An amazing near-the-end group shot...

Indiana, Kendi, Jentine, Jessie, Rachel, Stephanie from Lulu's, and Punky
Jen, me, Emily.

And last but not least, when I was home and cleaning off my camera, I found a couple surprise shots left by Adam and Punky. THANK YOU, guys. It totally made me laugh and gave me the warm fuzzies to think of you guys taking them...

Every one, every single person I met was amazing. How often does that happen? Basically never, really. But it did last weekend, and I am forever grateful to Indiana and Grechen for organizing everything.

TXSCC

2011-03-16T21:50:00.003-05:00

Oh, hey. Remember me? I used to blog. Thought I'd say hi...

In all seriousness, I can't believe it's been a week! I am still totally exhausted, but I have managed to make it in to work, unpack and buy groceries. Laundry on the other hand...we'll see.

So, TxSCC. I'm sure you've read tons of updates, and if you haven't please feel free to drop me a line and I'll find you a good one. I'll just say a few things.

1. I love Elissa even more. We are meant for each other.
2. I learned so, so much and if you have a blog I can't stress enough how worth it it was.
3. Style bloggers. As nice in person as they are on the screen. This was the least competitive, most amazing, friendly, supportive group of girls and guys I have ever met.
4. Style bloggers men folk? AMAZING guys. Amazing, amazing guys. Every last one of them.

I ended up with two outfit shots. One from Saturday afternoon and one from Sunday.

That pink watch is courtesy of TIKKR, one of the major sponsors of TxSCC and all around great company (by which I mean great guy, who we got to hang out with Friday night. Karaoke. Oh yeah. That happened.)

The gorgeous amazing blouse I'm wearing on Sunday was courtesy of Market Publique, who was a seed sponsor for the swap Friday night. I was lucky enough to score this amazing piece from them and I am so, so grateful. It is crazy beautiful and I love it.

I'm putting together some super cheesy poorly edited collages for you (oh I know! I make it sound so appealing!) and I'll get those up in the next couple of nights. My day off is Saturday and I plan to spend basically the whole day catching up, adding people to my blog roll and twitter and saying hi to as many of you as I can.

Until then, I leave you with this super unprofessional, super cheesy myspace style pic I asked Bryan to take Sunday night. It's poorly lit, and super silly, and one of my favorite pictures of all time.

From left to right:
Me, Bryan, Elissa, Kendi and Laurel, livin' it up, kids. Livin' it up.

You Know That I Could It To The Next Level Baby

2011-03-09T11:00:00.004-06:00

I have a bruised heel, a blister on my pinky toe and I have 8 more hours on my feet today. Physically, this is not the easiest transition, to be honest. But I also logged a couple hours behind the Buy Counter yesterday and got to do full on role playing as part of my training so the fun of the job still makes up for the pain.

I started breaking in these new Docs yesterday. I promised myself I'd wear them half a day and I managed to wear them from 10 to 3, so I call that a success. I'm paying for it today but that's the way it goes with Docs sometimes. You have to really want it. And I do with these, because, well, LOOK at them! Gorgeous!

I brought a back up pair of flat Docs to change into and they saved the rest of my day.

This will most likely be my last post before TxSCC. I am working a mid shift tomorrow and then grabbing Suze at the airport, and we head out with Elissa for Austin first thing Friday AM. Oh. And I still need to pack.

I can't wait to meet everyone. I am SO EXCITED and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Jacket and dress, Target
Sports Bra, Forever XXI
Tights, ?
Boots, Docs
Bag, vintage Coach
Necklace, self made

Spice Up Your Life!

2011-03-07T21:00:00.002-06:00

Are you tired of hearing about work yet? I swear I don't mean to bore you but it's so exciting to enjoy my work after all these years trapped in an office! So I've gotten a bit of training behind the buy counter and it's totally fascinating. And I'm really enjoying all the personal interaction. Our customer base is by and large really friendly and I love talking to them. My feet hurt less each day, and the time! It goes so much faster. I'm not saying I never look at the clock, I do. But I don't check it more than once an hour (until that last hour!). I'm busy, and moving and engaged in The Now.

I wore a painfully adorable outfit yesterday, but I choose dinner and drinks with Elissa and Tina over pictures last night. I'm sure you agree I made the right choice!

Today I went a little more casual but you know what was exciting? Being able to wear my Spice Girls tee shirt to work!

I love that tee shirt. That was the BEST concert. Maybe not the most outstanding musically, but as far as dreams coming true? Winner. Hands down.

I'm wearing my awesome new watch by TIKKR, a sponsor of the TxSCC who generously sent one to several of the attendees.

And these gorgeous earrings Elissa scored on sale and got for me...

I'm soooooo far behind on reading your blogs and I miss it so much. I know I'll get it figured out soon and my schedule will even out but that has honestly been the hardest part. The good news is I'll see so many of you this weekend! I CAN'T WAIT!~

Tee, Spice Girls concert
Jeans, Target
Jacket, McQueen for Target
Boots and bag, Buffalo Exchange
Watch, courtesy of TxSCC and TIKKR
Earrings, Gift from Elissa

I'm Fierce And I'm Feelin' Mighty

2011-03-04T10:17:00.004-06:00

After Day 1 my feet were like "Eh, we don't feel so great but it's not so bad." But after Day 2 they were more "We hate you, please die". Oh my gosh. I am so glad I have today off. My co-workers promise my feet will adjust. Let's just hope they do it fast!

I had an exciting day though, with my fist training session behind the buy counter. I learned a lot. I spend most of the day right now working the floor, which means direct interaction with customers and lots of back and forth between the dressing room and racks. SO MUCH FUN. I seriously get paid to talk to people and handle clothes.

Plus I had a co-worker remark that she noticed that I was doing really well, and that my customer service skills are excellent. Feedback from managers is nice, sure, but feedback from fellow staff members is priceless. I don't mean to gush (OK, I do) but I have at least 3 moments every day where I just take a deep breath and breathe it all in. I am so happy. I don't remember the last time I was this stress-free. I'm focused when I'm there, and I don't have to struggle to pay attention, because I'm interested. It's interesting.

Jacket, Old Navy
Smiths shirt, Everything English
Shorts, Wal-Mart
Tights, ?
Boots, Docs, thrifted
Watch, Swatch
Bead bracelet, self made

The Tattoo Ink Never Runs Dry

2011-03-03T08:33:00.004-06:00

Did you guys watch Portlandia? I didn't think the promos looked very funny to be honest but we had free IFC* long enough to catch the entire run and it was super funny. It basically makes fun of everyone I know, including myself.

Anyways! I had my first day at Buffalo Exchange yesterday and it went really well. I think the transition of going from both working in an office with a dress code and the restrictions of 30x30 to being able to literally wear anything I want at any time, is sort of overwhelming. So even though I felt like my outfit was super-crazy-I-can't-believe-I-can-wear-shorts-happy-fun-time it was still one of the most conservative outfits on the floor.

I still love it though!

I've had those shorts for a while now but never wore them. They just didn't look right with anything I tried but that's because they need to be worn with something either fitted (no thanks) or tucked in, and I never tucked anything in. Something I learned during the 30x30 is that I CAN and SHOULD tuck blouses in sometimes. I had it in my head it's unflattering on me but...

A. Who cares? and
B. It's not.

As a little "Congratulations on your new job" gift Nathan went to The Shining boutique again, and he got me a new Moon Raven Designs piece (how cool is it that they carry one of my my favorite jewelry designers?).

This piece is both a ring and a pendant and it is cast from a lizard skull and yes, it makes me cooler than everyone else as long as I am wearing it. (Just kidding. Kind of.)

I love it as a ring most but I also love that I can still wear it as a pendant, because it's more everyday versatile that way!

*Dish Network gives us a few free channels every month, I know it's meant to entice us into upgrading our package, but it doesn't. We like free stuff too much. It's more fun the way it is.

Cardigan, AA
Tank, Target
Sports Bra, Forever XXI
Shorts, Forever XXI
Tights, Target
Boots, Docs, thrifted by Nathan
Necklace/ring, Moon Raven Designs via The Shining

7 for 1 (The End is the Beginning)

2011-03-01T11:18:00.005-06:00

I have sort of run out of time for the 30x30. My new job starts tomorrow and the pieces I selected are not suitable. I choose these pieces when I was living a different life. Now that my life is changing, the way I dress will be too. I hope that you will continue the journey with me. I think the next evolution is going to be a good one.

I can't stand the thought of quitting unfinished, and the truth is? I could probably knock 10 more outfits out of this, no problem. So I spent some time yesterday planning, putting together and photographing 7 final outfits for you to wrap up my Winter 2011 30x30. I hope you like them. (You can see larger versions of the pictures by clicking though to my Flickr.)

24 (29 + 18 + 8 +24)

25 (13 +22)

26 (25 + 22)

27 (19 + 8 + 24)

28 (29 +14 + 20)

29 ( 26 + 14 + 20)

30 (26 + 17 + 9 + 20)

The 30x30 was a wonderful learning experience for me. I learned that I have a LOT more clothes and so many more combinations than I ever dreamed. I flexed remix muscles I didn't even know I had. But I am ready to move on now, and put my new skills to use with the rest of my clothes.

You can see all 30 outfits here.

Interview Interlude

2011-02-26T15:05:00.000-06:00

I interrupt this edition of 30x30 to bring you my interview outfit. I did not wear 30x30 items to my interview the other day. One of the skills that is required for the job I was applying for is a sense of style and a working knowledge of fashion and trends, so I needed to really let my personal style shine.

I went with a thrifted red leather pencil skirt, black tights and boots and a satiny top. I'm not sure the detail come through in the shots, but the pattern on that top is actually a print of sequins. I thought it was so clever (and so did Elissa, she got the same one!)

I also went with almost all DIY jewelry because I think the jewlery I make for myself really showcases my personal style.

I felt stylish, confident, classy and just sexy enough to be appropriate.

For my second interview I went with this:

I'm a big fan of a mixing casual with dressy so this combination of a band tee and blazer worked really well.

AND...I got a job offer, which I totally accepted. I start Wednesday. I'll be working as an entry level buyer at Buffalo Exchange, a clothing and accessories store where you can buy, sell and trade. Basically it recycles within the community. It's a concept I really believe in and I've been a longtime seller and shopper and am really excited to be starting as a buyer. I'll be getting paid to be around clothes and people all day and stay up to date on fashion trends, which as you may have noticed, I really enjoy doing.

Outfit #1
Blouse, Forever XXI
Skirt, thrifted
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Necklace, DIY
cuff, Target
Bag, LUSH

Outfit #2
Blazer, Forever XXI
Tee, Hot Topic
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Docs
Earrings Forever XXI

Day 23 (3 + 14 + 24)

2011-02-26T10:28:00.003-06:00

+ + =

OK. I admit. I'm over it. I feel like I made my point. I learned my lesson. I get it. And I want to quit it. I'm not going to. I have 7 outfits to go , and I am going to deliver. But I'm frustrated by it. I got cute things to wear for my birthday. I'm getting bored. I want to wear open shoes. But the real kicker is that I'm not working in an office and I should have total freedom to wear whatever I want, but I'm shackled to these 30 items for seven more outfits. *Exhale* OK. Enough whining. This is still a cute outfit.

I'm glad I put those cammo boots in this mix because they made the floral dresses more bearable and because if I get the job I want? I'll not be wearing them much at all.

Seven more outfits. I can do this...

(I skipped FBFF this week, and A Working Mom's Closet covered why pretty eloquently.)

Cardigan, AA
Dress, Target
Belt, Forever XXI
Boots, Aldo
Necklace, yard sale

Day 22 (12 + 21)

2011-02-25T10:20:00.003-06:00

+ =

I can practically hear the 90210 theme song when I look at this.

Du nu nu nu, nu nu nu nu, ch ch!

(Thanks to Elissa for taking the pics today!)

Dress, Target
Boots, Docs
Sports Bra, Forever XXI (purchased 45 minutes prior because I forgot to put one on, and was exposing more than I intended and it was coraly pinky gorgeous.
Bag, Buffalo Exchange
Necklaces, Moon Raven Designs

Day 21 (29 + 10 + 20)

2011-02-24T18:00:00.003-06:00

+ + =

I have had a great day. And just to be fair, this is not what I was wearing. This is what I was wearing yesterday, but my day has been so great, I want to talk about today, today!

I met Elissa for breakfast and shopping. And had a wonderful morning with her. Relaxing and fun and happy. And then I came home and prepped for an interview this afternoon, which, as fair as I can tell? Went really really well. Dream job stuff. So. I feel good. I feel happy. And I hope you had a great day, too.

OK, fess up. Who did I see do this? It was chunkier copper pipes. Not these smaller gold ones, but it was the same concept. And I filed it away in my memory, and when we were in Home Depot this weekend and I saw these, I just had to copy you. So speak up and take credit! And thank you for the inspiration!

Jacket, thrifted by Nathan
Dress, Target
Tights, We Love Colors
Necklace, self made
Boots, Docs

Day 20 (4 + 13 + 20) + (A Giveaway)

2011-02-22T16:38:00.005-06:00

+ + =

I'm actually really pleased it got cold again even if it's just for a minute! My 30x30 combinations are so much more exciting to me with the addition of sweaters.

Today I have a sweet little necklace to give away courtesy of Birnam Grove.

All you need to do to win is leave me a comment. One entry per person please, and make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. I'll draw a winner next Tuesday. Birnam Grove is also offering a 10% discount with the code "SWEETIE" at checkout.

Cardigan and Dress, Target
Boots, Docs
Necklace www.etsy.com/shop/birnamgrove

Day 19 (3 + 18 +9 + 20)

2011-02-22T09:24:00.002-06:00

+ + + =

Ehhhhhh. I always love the way this skirt looks when I see other girls wear it with the blouse tucked in. But I think...not so much on me. I think it's much more flattering with the blouse out. Lesson learned.

I had an impromptu and brief but exciting discussion yesterday with someone about a new career opportunity I hope works out. It would be a totally new direction for me, and I'd have to start over from the bottom, but I'd be doing something I love and working in a field where my hobbies and passions would actually contribute to my success instead of being just something I enjoy in my free time. Wish me luck!

Day 18 (30 + 20)

2011-02-21T09:28:00.003-06:00

+ =

If we do 30x30 this time next year, I'll remember to add some open toed shoes. I think this looks adorable with the Docs, but my feet long to be free. I am actively NOT painting my toenails in order to avoid sandals.

I am glad it is warm enough to show you the gorgeous flutter sleeves on this dress. This dress which was all $15.00. I got it at Nordstrom Rack, which means it originally sold at Nordstrom(or I assume so anyway, perhaps they have brands that go straight to NR?)and the truth is, while I am happy to have it, and I think it is very pretty, I would not have paid more for it. It's not any more well made than most of the dresses I get at Target. Which is not to imply the dresses I get at Target are not well made. I think a lot of times people assume that discount clothes are not made very well, and that is absolutely true some of the time, but no matter where you are buying, Target, Forever XXI, Saks or Barney's, it's up to you as the consumer to inspect that garment inside and out and determine whether or not the price and the quality are a match for you.

Dress, Nordstrom
Boots, Doc Martens

Poindexter

2011-02-19T11:18:00.006-06:00

The other night I went to a new Hibachi place with my friend Laura. For those of you who have never been to Hibachi, the tables seat 6-8 and when you have a party of 4 or fewer, you are seated with other restaurant guests. Laura and I were seated with a couple who were in town from California on business. The wife was of a very "Las Vegas" aesthetic. Fake tan, fake boobs, face lifted a little too far. Now there's nothing wrong with that. It's not to my taste, but I am always happy for you if you're happy with yourself. She was not so happy for me though.

Over the course of the meal, she told me no less that 5 times (probably more, I stopped counting to be honest) that my glasses were too "Poindexter", too nerdy, too unattractive and I needed to get contacts. She said "you are a pretty girl, but you need to do something about those glasses". I told her I liked my glasses. My husband likes my glasses, my friends like my glasses. This is who I am. A girl who is bespectacled. I am comfortable and happy with that. But she just didnt understand. (To be fair I'm sure some of that had to do with the straight citrus vodka she was downing by the glassful). It quickly went from being mildly amusing, to being really irritating. And by the end of the meal, I just wanted to get away from her before I said something rude about her style choices to get back at her.

All of that to say, I love my glasses. I feel good in them. My friends compliment them. And I'm happy this way. And with that I leave you with these pictures of my friend Marla Jo and I celebrating my birthday* last night. Her glasses just came yesterday and she could not be more adorable in them!

*Yep! I'm wearing my birthday dress (much different than my birthday suit)! I get a new dress to wear out on my birthday every year and this year my birthday fell right in the middle of 30x30. It's not cheating, it's just tradition!

Day 17 (9+5+20)

2011-02-18T16:16:00.004-06:00

+ + =

Today's Friend Friday questions dictated both my choice of outfit and my photo selection.

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
I'm not sure. Not much I don't think. The change for me came before I started blogging, and in fact was the reason I had the courage to start blogging at all. You have to have a certain level of confidence and comfort with your body to post pictures of yourself everyday!

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
Absolutely. I'm self conscious of both my chin (or depending on how you look at it, chins) as well as my arms. I have what I call matronly arms. My arms are larger than I'd like and less firm. I don't normally feel comfortable in sleeveless tops or dresses without some sort of jacket, shrug or cardigan. And my chin is sort of a family curse. It's the first thing we check on a baby and we always apologize to them when we realize they have in fact inherited it. I do normally choose photos that showcase these at the best possible angle and I tend to really loath candid shots of myself from any angle. I am that girl who untags the picture you tagged of me on Facebook 10 seconds after you tag it. But today I've chosen pictures that highlight both my double chin and my bare arms, because really, neither is that bad.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?
I've noticed that I feel more comfortable with myself the older I get. I hope that continues to be the case as I age. I'd like to be 50 and feel absolutely at home in a bathing suit at the beach!

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?
I take most of my own photos. My husband does sometimes as well but I'm back to taking most of my own pictures now. I don't remember the last time I didn't post photos. I've only done it once or twice and it was always down to the quality of the pictures and nothing to do with how I looked in them. Since I take most of my pictures myself and have been doing it for a couple of years now it feels like the most natural thing in the world to me. I get up and wash my face and brush my teeth, I put on my make-up and style my hair, and then I get dressed and document the results. It's second nature.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?
Whatever the flaw is that you see, whatever it is that bothers you, NO ONE, notices it the way you do. In fact, I bet most people never notice it at all.

Tank, Urban Outfitters
Jeans, Target
Boots, Docs

Day 16 (3 + 11 + 22)

2011-02-17T15:57:00.004-06:00

+ + =

How cute is that little bag? I got it with a credit to CSN Stores that I won from T Minus T Plus and the boots are a give away prize from Sperry and Between Laundry Days! Not bad for free, eh?

I met Elissa from Dress With Courage for lunch today. Here are some things I love about Elissa:

* Her blog. It is well written and super interesting. Almost every single day you can learn a little bit more about Elissa as a person and I love that. I'm a big fan.

* Her smile. It's wide and geniune and goes alllll the way up to her pretty eyes.

* When I talk, she really listens. You can see it in the way she looks you right in the eyes.

* She laughs when I say stupid things, but not at me. She laughs because she thinks I'm funny.

* She is real. She tells the truth and she opens her heart.

* Her shoes today were ADORABLE.

*She can talk clothes for hours and she is an expert thrifter. Having no real skill myself, I am drawn to excellent thrifters.

And those are just a couple things. I could go on and on. But don't take my word for it. Go give her a read for yourself.

Cardigan, AA
Dress, Target
Boots, Sperry
Bag, The Sak

Day 15 (3 + 18 + 7 + 20)

2011-02-16T09:47:00.003-06:00

+ + + =

Oh no, my friend, your eyes do not deceive you. Those are bare legs, right square in the middle of my Winter 30x30. Welcome to Texas.

I didn't plan for this weather. Not that I'm complaining. I have 15 days left. And it looks to be warm for most of those. Most of my outfits were planned around tanks, or strappy dresses and sweaters, sweaters, sweaters. I'm not a bare armed kind of girl. I'm a little nervous. But it's cool. I got this. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

Cardigan, AA
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Skirt, Old Navy
Boots, Doc Martens
Earrings, savagesalvage

Day 14 (3 + 17 + 6 + 20)

2011-02-15T11:49:00.002-06:00

+ + + =

This outfit is...boooorrrring (duh-lee-eet)

I think I'm probably just being really hard on it because I'm not as wowed by it as I have been some of my other 30x30 combinations,so here are some good things about it:

Those pants look great on my legs.
Those boots are comfortable and elongating.
That blouse is breezy and cool, which is good, because Winter or not? It got warm up in here.

Cardigan, AA
Tank, Banana Republic
Pants, Target
Boots, Doc Martins

Day 13 (26 + 10 + 20)

2011-02-14T11:12:00.008-06:00

As has become almost a custom, I did not get dressed yesterday. We stayed in bed and watched “Wanted” and SNL and a slew of other things (OK, I got up and went into the living room and watched “Anastasia" on DVD for a bit. Nathan watched something with a robot fighter pilot that went bad and killed people. Justin Timberlake’s girlfriend was in it. It looked…not for me). But we did do the 6th Day of Valentines! This was the poem:

And I was like ”…….fix my hair? What’s wrong with my hair?” But I should have known nothing was wrong, he was just trying to tell me that he got me…

AN INSTYLER!~

Oh man! So exciting! And how awesome is it that he remembers the one or two random times I must have said “Oh that thing seems amazing but way too expensive”? I’m not often dumbstruck by gifts but I was by that one. Just really amazing attention to me and what I’m saying. He is as close to perfect as you will find and I do apologize, but he’s mine and I’m not giving him up.

Of course, I got dressed today.

+ + =

That dress will, I’m afraid, be the thing I regret adding to the 30x30. I think I would have been better off with another top instead, but I will make it work!

And for the Seventh and final Day of Valentines, the actual Valentine's Day gift…a super romantic and touching poem…

And a gorgeous necklace…

The heart itself is a nice solid chunk of sterling silver. It has a lot of weight to it (but not too much!) And the dagger…

is 14kt gold and removable. I suppose you could even wear it outside of the heart, but I’m not sure I own anything low-cut enough to do that. The necklace is designed by Bittersweets NY and Nathan purchased it at The Shining boutique in Dallas. They also have a blog you can follow (and I do!).

Hoodie Blazer and Dress, Target
Shoes, Doc Martens
Tights, We Love Colors
Bag, Fossil

Day 12 (4 + 12 + 22)

2011-02-12T16:20:00.003-06:00

+ + =

Happy Saturday! We started out ours with brunch with friends. Then we hit Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart fills Nathan with discontent as soon as his feet hit the pavement of the parking lot so we got out of there as fast as we could and stopped at the record store on the way home to cheer him back up. Now he's out in the living room with his guitar and his borrowed bass and his microphone and computer writing music. I won't know what kind until he plays it for me. It might be pop, or drone or metal. There is no telling. He's prolific and mysterious. I love him.

I totally failed to guess today's gift...

I'll give you a hint though...

Can you guess?

Seriously, that was an amazing hint. I just wasn't pop culture savvy enough to get it.

Sweater and Dress, Target
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Sperry Topsider (giveaway)
Bag, Vintage, thrifted

Day 11 (4 + 18 + 5 + 24)

2011-02-11T10:37:00.002-06:00

+ + + =

Yeah, I wore three prints. Three strong prints. And it's maybe a wee bit crazy pants. Maybe a bit over the top. And I don't care. I love it.

That little lock on the necklace came on my bag, but it banged up against the key that's also on there and was really clangy and noisy and so I removed it. But it was too cute to toss, so I just added it to the chain with the bullet.

Today when I read this poem:

I replied in my sleepy voice “Is it a PLUSH PIZZA?”

And you know what? It was.

I have the frosted pink donut as well, and I keep it on the couch like that is a normal adult decorating choice. I’ll do the same with my new pizza!~

Cardigan, Target
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Jeans, Target
Cammo Boots, Aldo
Bag, Fossil
Gloves, Vintage, gift
Scarf, Target
Necklace, self made

Day 10 (14 + 15 + 20)

2011-02-10T09:35:00.004-06:00

+ + =

Today is day two of our two day Living Paper Doll Project (if you think you would enjoy it, please let us know, I think we plan to try and do another round before the 30x30 is done!) and I am styled by the lovely Liz at 26 and Counting. (Liz is Styled by Suze, Suze is styled by me)

HOW CUTE IS THAT? And honestly? This outfit would have never, ever crossed my mind. I love to layer, but I tend to layer out, and this shirt under a dress look is more layering in, if that makes any sense at all...

The tee is so cozy and soft under the dress, and so warm. Even belting it was Liz's idea! And stripes and floral together are basically my favorite pattern mixing of all time. OF ALL TIME!

And now, today's poem:

I have to admit, if I were even a little more awake I would have gotten that. But I literally wake up to Nathan saying "Turn your light on" so that I can read the poems and am still pretty bleary eyed and brain dead when I read them.

A hand for my rings! (ETA for Suz, It's from Urban Outfitters) I had specifically asked for something like this so I knew as soon as he handed the tissue paper package to me what it was. I love it. I even put my rings on it this AM before I got dressed. (And then I forgot them, but that's just how I roll.)

Tee and Dress, Target
Scarf, AA
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Doc Marten
Gloves, vintage, gift

Boobs, Wendy

2011-02-09T21:49:00.008-06:00

For Valentines Day, the Southern Fashion Bloggers were asked to write about Valentines themed accessories. Obviously I'm going to write about my newest Wendy Brandes piece, the Emoticon Heart Ring.

Wendy posted a Facebook only sneak peak and sale before she posted about the new ring on her site or made it available in her regular store. I was the very first to order one. I just couldn't resist it's charm.

I've been using the "less than 3"* combination to mean "Love" for years now. When I first started signing off on email that way, my sister asked "What is this? What are you saying? Is it boobs, Erin ?" and I got a real kick out of that. In fact, I often still read it as "boobs, Erin" in my head.

The ring is stunning in real life as well. It is adjustable, so you don't have to know what size to order, sterling silver, so no turning your finger green, and has a really nice weight to it. I love when I can FEEL a piece of jewelry like I can this one.

I'm not saying everyone should run out and buy one. I'm not saying that because there is nowhere to run. So I'm saying click right over and buy one. Do it. You know you want to. It's the Jewel of The Month for February, so now is the time!**

Be sure to stop by and see what all the other Southern Fashion Bloggers had to say!

Penny Loves Charlie
Prototype Mama
Trashy Diva
Southern Belles and Beignets
Miss Malaprop
No(LA) More Chains
Slow Southern Style
Odelma Vintage
Style Cakes

*Hey! guess what? When I try to type the actual emoticon, Blogger says "OMG, your HTML is broken!" and refuses to post.

**Guess what else?. I was not compensated in any way. I just really like this ring. And Wendy.

Day 9 (4 + 19 + 9 + 24)

2011-02-09T09:33:00.003-06:00

+ + + =

Today I am styled by my good friend Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy, for the Living Paper Doll project she came up with. Liz (26 and Counting) is styled by me and Suze is styled by Liz. I think you can see how I feel about this outfit by looking at my face in that first picture. I love it. I feel really SEXY in it. I wouldn't change a THING.

I took my pictures today during an active sleet storm. That's what it looks like when a big blast of sleet hits a personal style blogger square in the face on about shot 5 of 10.

It's OK, I obviously thought it was pretty funny. Those gorgeous gloves? On my desk yesterday with a note from a co-worker "If you like them and if they fit." Um, I LOVE THEM! And they fit! How nice is that?

Day 2's poem is a haiku!

Notice that the style of poem today is the hint...

Giant Pocky! Guys! It's bread-stick sized. It's so cool.

I ate two for breakfast.

Sweater, Target
Tunic, Urban outfitters
Sports bra, Target
Skirt, Target
Boots, Aldo
Purple leather gloves, gift
Tights, We Love Colors

Day 8 (26 + 25 + 20)

2011-02-08T10:38:00.005-06:00

+ + =

I was originally going to wear the navy blazer (I know! It looked grey, which made me feel kind of like a liar when I realized, but I didn’t mean to lie. It’s Navy.) but I decided to go with this one for one reason and one reason only. Comfort. This is as comfortable as pajamas. The navy one looked great as well, and I may still do that pairing before the 30x30 is up, but I have to think about it. This dress has spaghetti straps, which means the blazer could not come off at all during the day. With a knit blazer? No worries! With a blazer blazer? A bit more concern. I’m not sure I’ve ever worn that blazer in that kind of a situation and I KNOW I always end up removing it to let me arms breathe. But maybe I can wear it out one night instead!

This year I have decided to share The Seven Days of Valentines with you. The Seven Days of Valentines have been around since year two of our relationship. On year one Nathan said “Oh, I didn’t actually get you anything, I didn’t realize we celebrated Valentine’s Day”. He decided to make up for it the next year and a tradition was born. The Seven Days of Valentines has two parts. The poems, and the gifts. Neither are elaborate. The poems are more funny and punny than romantic. The gifts are often only a buck or two. It’s not how much the gifts cost, or how long the poems take to write. It’s the consistency. Year after year, Nathan pauses for seven days to say “Hey. I still think you are really special and I’m glad to have you as my girl.”

It’s my favorite time of the year.

The poem comes first. On simple strips of notebook paper cut to fit the poem. He writes them each morning just a few minutes before presenting the gift. Today’s poem:

The poem is a joke about how I get this gift every year, see? And also a clue “gnome more of these” about what the gift might be. I knew right away it was a gnome gift…

A plate! Every year Nathan gets me at least one plate. My dream it to eventually have a 12 piece serving set of all different plates, glasses and bowls. I have not started collecting anything but plates yet due to limited space, but I adore each one he has given me.

(If you hate Valentine’s Day, you may just want to skip my blog for the next seven days, but I hope you won’t. It’s not meant to make anyone feel bad or sad or jealous. I just wanted to celebrate this really special thing Nathan does this year.)

Knit Blazer, Target
Dress, Target
Tights, We Love Colors (including black!)
Boots, Doc Martens
Bag, Fossil

Day 7 (1 + 3 + 13 + 20)

2011-02-07T09:08:00.003-06:00

I took yesterday off to...basically nothing. I didn't get dressed, I didn't brush my hair. I laid in bed and watch TV and then sat on the couch with Nathan while he watched the Super Bowl. It was lovely. And I never changed out of the sweatpants and tee I slept in. But today I'm back in the game with look number 7 of my 30x30...

+ + + =

Outside of the 30x30 I would never have paired this sweater and this dress together, I don't think. It's a little...loud. But the truth is, during the day about the office, I will only be wearing the layering sweater, which is a dark solid, which helps tone down the loudness of the tights. And hey! Why NOT have a little fun with your outwear?

From the beginning planning stages this paring was one of my favorites because it's humorous and playful. It's little cheeky. And all that color is a real mood lifter early on a Monday morning.

I've got a super easy and fun week this week as far as my 30x30 outfits go. Tomorrow is a new Everybody Everywear (blazers!) and Wednesday and Thursday Suze and Liz and I are all dressing each other for Suze's Living Paper Doll Project, which is such a cool idea, and so easy right now with all of us having access to basically each others entire wardrobe displayed via our 30x30 introduction posts. I can't wait!

Striped sweater, Forever XXI
Layering cardigan (not seen), AA
Dress, Tucker for Target
Tights, Target
Boots, Doc Martens

Day 6 (28 + 3 + 17 + 5 + 20)

2011-02-06T08:59:00.000-06:00

+ + + + =

Yes. I am sitting around my house on Saturday afternoon in a silk blouse, blogging and trying to get Nathan to change the channel so I don't have to watch "The Bounty Hunter" or "The Last Song". (Nathan loves bad movies.) I kind of like it. It's very warm, but not all sweaty like fleece can be. I feel fancy. Plus we have tickets to a concert tonight (Wild Nothing), and look, I'm already dressed for it!

Our amazing friends Cody and Ashlee (we met when we crashed their destination wedding trip to Cabo. True story.) are in town, and we plan to have dinner and catch the show with them. They came over last night and I'm just really excited to get to spend some time with them. They are in town to support their team, The Green Bay Packers, in the Super Bowl, and I couldn't be more happy for them. They are total superfans.

Cozy sweater, Urban Outfitters
Layering Sweater, AA
Blouse, Banana Republic
Jeans, Target
Boots, Doc Martens

Day 5 (2 + 15 + 5 + 21)

2011-02-05T08:52:00.000-06:00

+ +
+ =

Snow! Instead of just yucky ice. Snow is prettier, easy to walk in and all around more fun.

Gotta go! I hear the hot cocoa calling my name!

Hoodie, AA, altered by me
Tee, Target
Jeans, Target
Boots, thrifted by Nathan
Scarf, AA (circle scarf cut in half)
Hat, crocheted by Nathan
Gloves, Target

Friend Friday : Joiners

2011-02-04T12:14:00.002-06:00

(If you are looking for today's 30x30, scroll down one post)

Friends make Blogging more fun. Tina and I last winter.

Today for Friend Friday, Katy asks:

1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?
I participate in the things I participate in for tons of reasons. Sometimes it just SOUNDS FUN. Sometimes it presents a learning opportunity. Sometimes it's being spearheaded by a friend and I just want to throw my support her way. The reasons I don't do things are just as varied. For instance, I'm not participating in Andie's Go Red for Women, not because I don't care, but because I don't really have much red in my wardrobe (or by extension in my 30x30. I try not to participate in things I think will be more stressful than valuable, and I never participate in ANYTHING that doesn't seem like fun.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons? How did that turn out?
Not yet. I doubt I will. I'm too lazy to do anything I don't want to do.

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?
I've never participated in anything that really called for anything other than each bloggers own take. That's what is so amazing about bloggers challenges and groups. All they are really asking you to do is be you.

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?
Do I feel like it? Do I have the means to participate? (I don't ever want to buy something just for a challenge.) Does it seem fun?

5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something
worthwhile but not your style?
Commenting, retweeting links when they are featured or guest bloggers, emailing and just letting them know I am proud of them.

Day 4 (28 + 3 + 11 + 20)

2011-02-04T08:08:00.001-06:00

+ + + =

So most of the time when I am styling my outfit for a photo (you know, adjusting everything to look JUST SO), I untuck my hair from my scarf like so:

I don't know why I do that. We all know that it's much more effective and warmer to have the hair in the scarf. Or maybe that's just me! But it is! And some scarves are itchy, and my hair is soft (just ask Reiko, she of the world's silkiest skin). In real life, I normally keep it in the scarf. Unless I'm bein' all weird about volume. I'm obsessed with volume. I have really thin hair, and everyone always wants what they haven't got.*

Are those Mocha tights not GORGEOUS? It's not a color I have ever seen made by anyone else and I just love it. I stared at my legs all day. We all have full length mirrors in our offices** and I held many a conversation with people who I am sure thought I was very vain. Staring at my legs in the mirror. But I just love the color.

This shot?

Was really cold.

* Speaking of and kind of off topic, but then what is ON topic on my blog, ever? I have been using TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen for a Day Spray for a couple weeks now and I just have to say it is amazing. I don't normally use any styling products other than hairspray (and man do I love me some hairspray, I'm from Texas, y'all). But I gave this a try out of, well, being desperate for aforementioned volume. It does NOT make me have to wash my hair more often and it...DOES WHAT IT SAYS! Imagine! I'm so unaccustomed to that in a hair product! But it does. Amazing. Love it.

**What? Not every office does that? Just kidding. We used to be in cubes and we had them set up along the back in front of us behind our monitors. That way you can see fools creepin' up behind you when you have headphones on and not get startled right out of your skin. They were like 5 bucks at Target or something. But we didn't throw them away. We put them in the new offices. Cause we like to check our selves before we wreck ourselves.

Sweater, Urban Outfitters
Layering Cardigan, AA
Dress, Target
Tights, We Love Colors
Shoes, Doc Martens
Scarf, Celapis at Etsy
Bag, Fossil

Day 3 (26 + 15 + 7 + 21)

2011-02-03T09:15:00.000-06:00

+ + + =

I'm wearing black and grey today. I have been wearing so much color and I didn't want you guys to think you had gotten lost. It's still me. I still have a lot of black. (But I'm feeling more like branching out into color lately!)

One of the really sort of random and misguided fears I had about 30x30 was that I would have to remix my clothes in ways that were not very "me". Looking back I can see that that is a super weird thing to think, but I thunk it.

I had to go into work today! Nathan went outside to warm his car up and move it out of the driveway where it sits behind my car. Then I went and sat in my car for like 45 minutes to warm it up and try and defrost the ice off the windows. Nathan had done the "towel across the window" trick the night before the big storm, which normally works wonders, but this time...not so much. The towel was like "Look at me, I am one with the ice. The ice and I are the same." but that was not good for me. So I defrosted the window. For, I'm serious, like 45 minutes. And Nathan attacked the towel-ice-being with an old CD-R. Then I ventured out. Then I hit a couple patches of ice, right near stop lights that were turning red so I HAD to stop, and then I turned around and came home. Nathan managed to get me there...2 hours after my 10 AM call time and 3 hours after we started*(call time makes it sound like I'm in theatre, which I am not, but I do deal with people I am only pretending to like, so at least I;m still using my degree, right?). Then we were dismissed at 3:30. So. Not a long work day but for sure the 3 (me trying, Nathan getting me there Nathan getting me home) most terrifying car rides of all time. OF ALL TIME!!!!

*normally? A 10-15 minute drive tops.

Jacket, Target
Long sleeve striped tee, Target
Skirt, Old Navy
Leggings, Target
Boots, Doc Martens , thrifted by Nathan
Bag, Fossil
Scarf, AA
Isabella Wolf Fang Necklace, Wendy Brandes jewelry

Day 2 (27 + 2 + 14 + 22)

2011-02-02T08:40:00.001-06:00

[I'm excited and honored to be featured on the We Love Colors Style Blog today! Check me out if you get a chance!]

Day 2! This dress is reversible, and we only took one picture of the dress. So I'm not cheating. Cheaters never win! (OK, sometimes they do, actually, because life is not fair. But hopefully they feel really guilty about it.)

+ + + =

We ran (and by ran I mean we creeped slowly down the sidewalk because none of that is snow. All of that is hard, slick ice. It just started to snow as we took these though! Double danger!) outside to shoot these and I realized I was wearing my old glasses. Plus they were fogging up a lot. So I'm glassesless in these shots. I am not comfortable without my glasses! I've been wearing them most of my life since I was six months old and I just think they look good on me. I have a face for glasses. Plus Nathan was making me smile real smiles, so you get to see the full on chipmunk face! Also, I am amused by the snow that looks like giant dandruff. I am not accustomed to it being so cold outside that snow sticks to a person and does not melt.

I just have a really round face. I think it might have something to do with why people think I'm younger than my years, though, so I'll keep it. I was in Target the other day looking at shoes (I didn't buy any! Go me!) and this nice lady started chatting with me about what I thought she should get her 20 something daughter (we decided on the Gold Dolce Vita for Target platforms from the Spring collection) and then said "you are about her age? What are you 25?" Um, yes. In my dreams. When I told her I would be 35 this month she seemed genuinely shocked, which naturally made my day!

So far I'm not feeling any pressure at all. I feel free not having to look at my whole closet. And both of the outfits I've worn so far are things I would not have put together. I had no idea I had so much to learn from this, and it's only day 2!

Sweater Dress, Free People
Layering Cardigan, AA
Reversible Dress, Target
Tights, C/O We Love Colors
Boots, Sperry, via giveaway from Between Laundry Days
Bag, Fossil
Black leather gloves and scarf, both Target
Belt, vintage

Day 1 (30+29+20)

2011-02-01T08:19:00.001-06:00

+ + =

I was unbelievably excited to get started today. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks and staring at the rack of clothes for a week. Plus the clothes I pulled just happen to be some of my favorites.

I went with this dress today because it’s pretty thin and we have some super cold weather coming this week, as do most of the rest of the United States. Plus it’s new. And I thought it would be fun to start the 30x30 in something brand spanking new.

I don’t seem to have any dress guards. So I may have stuck panty liners in the underarms of the blazer to keep it from getting stinky since I need it to stay fresh for me. I’m not saying I DID, I’m just saying I MIGHT HAVE (I totally did.)

This blazer used to be Nathan’s but he loaned it to me a while back because he wanted to see me in it and I’m pretty sure it’s mine now. You can’t see it in any picture I ever take of it, but it actually has little blue and burgundy/pink/red (depending on the light) stripes. Which made it perfect for my 30x30 mix.

Day one down and feeling confident!
Blazer, thrifted by Nathan
Dress, Nordstrom Rack
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Doc Martens

30x30 Intro, Winter 2011

2011-01-31T08:57:00.000-06:00

When I signed up for the 30x30 challenge, I did so sort of reluctantly. It seemed like a lot of work. And I'm lazy. And I won't lie. So far, I've put about 4 hours of good solid work into it. Pulling clothes, choosing how to mix and match them, hanging them up, photographing them, working on my spreadsheet working on this post keeping it real and thanking my tremendously awesometacular husband for basically just being alive. He's just so freakin' rad and also my reason for drawing breath every day. Srsly you guys. He rules. The most. (He may or may not have written some of that while I was putting some blankets in the dryer. But in all seriousness, Nathan participated in 100% of my prep work. It was really fun to be able to work on that with a friend, so if you have a friend you think might enjoy helping you, I encourage you to ask them for help.)

I started the process by purchasing Kendi's guide and reading it cover to cover. If you feel anxious at all about taking the challenge next go round, start there. It gave me the confidence to get started, and it was only 4 bucks.

After that, we pulled out a spare clothing rack we had stowed away. I went into the closet and started pulling things. I pulled things I know worked together and then pulled things that fell into similar color categories. My mix was pretty pattern heavy, which surprised me, but made me that much more interested in wearing those clothes for 30 days.

After I had pulled about 27 items I stopped. I wanted to be able to fill in any holes I found with those last three items. (Like the blazer I later found out I will need for the next EBEW!) Nathan booted up the computer and I called out item descriptions and he logged them in the spreadsheet. We had categories for each clothing type. They were numbered in the order they were in at the time and we did not worry about renumbering.

(if you need to see that bigger, click on the image to go to my flickr page, where you can see it in larger sizes)

Once everything had a number, I started calling out combinations I would wear. Not that I WILL wear mind you, just possibilities. We stopped at 37 combinations. That leaves room for a couple that just don't look right once I get them on, AND once I added my last 3 items, I have even more possibilities. Charting out that many possibilities made me feel much more confident about the challenge. The last column on the spreadsheet was left blank. That is where I will log outfits as I actually wear them so as not to repeat any.

And with all that background stuff out of the way, I give you my items

Individual items, by number, not category (for info regarding how may items I selected per category, please see the spreadsheet...)

As before, if you'd like to see any of these bigger, please feel free to click on through to my flickr...

And that's it. I'm ready to get started!

Chains of Love

2011-01-30T20:07:00.002-06:00

The other day I wore a super cool shoulder harness I bought recently from SNEFTER over at Etsy. I let the artist know that a couple of you expressed interest in getting a similar harness of your own, the artist offered to give my readers a 10% discount for the month of February! Just enter the code WWWYG at checkout.

These are just a few of the super cool harness in the shop (there are also knuckle and cage rings and hand cage bracelets...)

Silver and gunmeteal shoulder harness

Antique Brass Gold Body Shoulder Harness

Silver Ladder Body Chain Harness

Antique Brass Gold Chain Shoulder Armor Bib Harness

The customer service was above and beyond and service was super fast.

But I Still Love Technology, Just Not As Much As You, You See

2011-01-28T09:14:00.004-06:00

It’s Friend Friday

1. What technology do you use in blogging? (computer, camera, video camera, tripod, etc...)

Pretty basic really! I recently upgraded to my very own laptop, a Toshiba Satellite, and I LOVE IT. I use a cheap tripod from Target, it was like $20 bucks, in combination with a Gorilla Pod. I use the Gorilla Pod to attach the camera to the tripod, which may seem a little weird. But the little adapter thing that you put on your camera? You can only have one on there at any given time, and it strips the inside to replace it over and over (at least if you are me). If I use the Gorilla Pod one, then I can use both tripods. So it just works for me. I use a Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD (Can you tell I copied that description from Amazon?). I choose it because it’s sort of a halfway point between fancy pants DLSR and a point and shoot. Plus it has a setting that allows me to take 10 shots each time I use the self timer. so I get 30 shots in about the time it would take me to get, say 13 on another camera. I also like that it takes regular AA batteries. That means I bought a charger and 4 pack of rechargeable, which I use most of the time, but just in case I ever run the batteries all down with no time to recharge, I’ve got a super easy fix. With the Rebel it was two batteries and once they were done, so was I

2. What computer and online technology do you use? (blogging system,photo storage, photo editing tools, etc..)

I’m a straight up Blogger girl. I have considered (am considering, I guess) my own domain, but haven’t taken the leap just yet! I tend to write my posts in either a Google Doc or a Word Doc before I post them to catch spelling errors (works most of the time. But not all!). I use flickr for photo storage because I have been using it for YEARS, way before I started blogging and I am so used to it. Plus I feel like it allows me much more control over picture sizes. For photo editing I go back and forth between Picsa and Microsoft Photo Editor. I prefer the Microsoft Photo editor. The devil you know!

3. What is your process for taking pictures?

I use a tripod (well, technically the two tripods!). When Nathan was unemployed he took my pictures with our Rebel, and I loved that. It was fast and easy and he was good at it. But I’m back to the tripod now! If for some CRAZY reason I am up early enough, I take pics in my backyard before work. If not I take them on a 15 minute break. I basically run down to my car and grab the tripod, find somewhere really close by, snap a few pics (I tend to do 3-4 rounds of 10 shots ) and then run back in. I edit on my lunch break or at home. I basically catch as catch can, you know? I do what I have time for when I have time for it.

4. When it comes to backdrops for your photos what do you consider? Do you scout locations or shoot the same spot daily?

I am more concerned with lighting. I’d like to get my time management skills to a place where I have time during daylight hours to scout and shoot in cool places, cause I do think those are more fun, but I’m not there yet, and that’s OK.

5. If you could splurge and get one new piece of equipment what would you be buying?

Lights! So I could get good, quality, indoor photos. I’ve never managed that...yet. <3

TL:DR Involving lots of CAPSLOCK

2011-01-27T17:21:00.004-06:00

(You know how I hate a post without a pic so sometimes I just post a random one? This is one of those times. Please enjoy the dog.)

Recently, I decided to Get Involved. Getting involved is not in my nature. I am not participatory. I fear, above all things (except maybe needles), rejection and failure. If I don’t try, I can’t fail, right? (Wrong!) WHAT IF? What if I put myself out there and no one responds? What if no one likes me? What if the other girls never ask me to swap? Or do a guest post? What if she never comments on my blog? What if I am making a huge fool out of myself and they are having Twitter Parties where they just make fun of how desperate I seem (ahahaha, OK, I never really thought that one. I’m not quite that vain. But it’s funny, so I’m leaving it.)

I also struggle LIKE WHOA with jealousy. WHY? Why does she have more followers than me? Why does she get so many more comments than me? Why is she so popular, how can I be more like her?

WAAAAH WAAAAH WAAHHHH!

It’s not pretty and it’s not helpful and it’s…SILLY. I love these girls, I’m PROUD of these girls, these girls deserve their success and I am happy to contribute to that success in any way I can. These are wonderful people.

Seriously, Self, I said, GET OVER IT*. I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and regardless of whether or not other people like me (and they do, they REALLY, REALLY DO!) I’m worthy of being liked, LOVED, by me. It’s OK for me to be happy with where and what I am. In my blog and in my life.

Plus, I’m doing this whole blog thing to have a good time. If I hold back, it will never be the blessing to me (and to others) that it has the capacity to be. I’m only cheating myself.

So I put on my Big Girl Panties and I put myself out there.

I got to Twittering.

I got to commenting. Even if the post had 14 bajillion comments already and I had nothing new to add. If I wanted to comment, I commented.

I joined FBFF

I stepped up to the plate and signed on for challenges (30X30) and community projects (EBEW).

I started emailing people and speaking up when I had something to say.

I signed up for a conference (TxSCC) and made a new friend to travel with (Hi Elissa, Love you!)

And guess what? Not only have I made TONS of wonderful new friends, but I’ve also been happier. SO MUCH HAPPIER. And able to experience JOY for my friends at their triumphs and successes. I feel light, and happy and free, but most of all, I’ve experienced the warmth and comfort one only finds in COMMUNITY. Because that’s what this is. A community. And a great one. Full of wonderful people.

So if you haven't yet, get involved. Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you.

*I love you, Mama <3

Strike A Pose, There's Nothing To It (For the Love of Wendy B)

2011-01-27T10:32:00.003-06:00

Today is for doing your best Wendy B pose. Pop on over and take a look! (I think Jentine nailed it, personally!)

I went with the double hand on hips and added leopard print for a little edge. And to compensate for my complete lack of red lips or ability to do an open mouth smile unprompted. (You have to make me laugh, or it looks...unnatural...)

(I'm interested in feedback on how you would style this shoulder harness! Please let me know!)

Shoulder harness, snefter at Etsy
Tees, Target (men's)
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Doc Martens

Everybody Everywear, Breton(?) Stripes(!)

2011-01-25T07:30:00.003-06:00

ETA: OK! Totally going to add it, but it won't be until tonight, for some reason EBEW is blocked at work. <3

I don't know. I googled, we chatted over Twitter...and I still don't know if this counts as a "Breton Stripe". Seriously. Google was zero help. Google images was even less help. Some said it needed to be navy and white. Others said it could be any color combo, but must be evenly spaced. Some said it must be a shirt to be Breton Stripes and others still said it must be a boatneck shirt. Well. This garment is none of those things. It's a skirt, it's black and white and the stripes are not evenly spaced. It is obviously not boatneck, since it has no neck. But I am with you in spirit. Should I upload this to the Everybody, Everywear page? Or did I miss the mark so much I ought to pass and give the next one a go? What say you, dear readers?

Regardless, it was a marvelous outfit.

Both comfortable and flattering.

I finally bit the proverbial bullet and shelled out the "big bucks" for some quality tights from We Love Colors, and I can absolutely tell the difference. They are warmer, thicker and more opaque than any of my other tights.

And this is another little body con skirt. I can't believe I avoided them for so long. I thought they would be unflattering on me. And I could not have been more wrong. This one actually looks nice enough with good tights under it I could have tucked the shirt in and felt totally fine about the ol' pooch. And my butt? Looks AMAZING. For reals.

I leave you with this outtake, which I have titled "Drunkface McGee", for totally obvious reasons...

Hoodie, American Apparel, customized by me
Tee, Target (men’s section)
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, We Love Colors
Boots, Doc Martens
Bag, LUSH

So Shimmy Once And Do It Again

2011-01-24T10:47:00.002-06:00

Last night I had dinner with Elissa from Dress With Courage. We decided that it would be a good idea to meet, since we have already booked a room together and decided to drive to Austin together for the Texas Style Counsel Conference (see sidebar! Are you signed up yet? It’s going to be a wonderful experience for the community!). I’m super excited about the event and after having (a very long) dinner with Elissa I am stoked about spending more time with her as well. I felt right at home with her and I hope she felt the same.

I’m starting to look at things in terms of “should I wear this now or will I need it for the 30X30?” I plan to drag out the extra clothes rack tonight (I think separating out the pieces is going to be key for me) and get to work with my selection, so after that the rest of the week ought to be pretty easy. Anything NOT on the 30X30 rack!

I’m really nervous about the 30X30. I know I can’t be the only one to feel this way, but I can’t envision how my personal wardrobe is going to work. It’s all dresses and no pants. I plan to sub skirts for pants. I can’t wait to get to work on it tonight. I know that once I’ve got my selections sorted I’ll be much more comfortable. I plan to try and squeeze out 30 outfits before I even start and document them. I don’t HAVE to wear those 30 combination,. But knowing I’ve already sorted them out will make the actual challenge that much more fun for me.

So hey! I haven’t even mentioned the outfit yet! It was just a casual outfit. Worn to do a little shopping in the afternoon and then dinner out with Elissa. I got a couple of those body con skirts from Forever XXI recently and WHY did no one tell me how COMFORTABLE they are? I mean, I never considered them before, because I have such a pronounced tummy, but with an oversized top, no one can even tell. It’s like wearing pajamas for crying out loud.

Hoodie, American Apparel, altered by me
Tee, Hot Topic (lololololol)
Skirt, Forever XXI
Tights, Target
Boots, Doc Martens
Bag, LUSH

I Get This Feeling I'm In Motion

2011-01-21T07:30:00.001-06:00

This is from Tuesday. Thank you so much for all your kind words. I got dressed and Nathan drove me to work today and I plan to try and hang for at least half a day. Not sure I'll make it much longer than that without my meds (can't take them and drive myself home and my car is still here from Wednesday!) but I'm giving it my best shot!

This is probably the most amazing outfit I will ever wear. It was perfect in every way.

To be honest, I was not originally pleased with the pictures, but then Alannah and Suze gave me just the boost I needed to see how well they actually came out.

Sunday I had an AMAZING day with my friend Taryn, who I had not seen in at least a year. We went to see “Country Strong”, shopping and then to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. While we were at Nordstrom Rack, Taryn found this amazing cape. I have been trying on capes ALL WINTER and none of them have looked right on me until this one. Just LOOK at those ridiculous shoulders, they are amazing.

It’s more of a Fall/Spring weight cape, but we were blessed with an unseasonably warm day on Tuesday so I sprang at the chance to wear it just once this season (oh, you know I’m trying to find ways to make it work before Spring, I will.)

The other thing I really loved are these Aldo cammo boots with the floral dress. I actually considered these earlier this year at full price, but just couldn’t justify it. But they went on sale for less that $40 and I didn’t even hesitate. I knew JUST how I wanted to wear them, too. They were just begging to be worn with floral dresses and I am happy to oblige.

Did you notice my hair is down? I really am trying to listen to suggestions (yours, my husbands, my co-workers...) and learn to wear it down. Having seen both a side and middle part now, which do you prefer? I think the middle is easier to wear and stays off my face better but perhaps the side is more flattering and I could train it to lay that way?

Cape, BCBG via Nordstrom Rack
Dress, Tucker for Target
Tights (ugh worst tights ever. I don’t know.)
Boots, Aldo
Gloves, Target

Adventures in Agony

2011-01-20T20:55:00.003-06:00

(This post is basically just a tale of woe and adventures in random, sudden and intense pain. It's too long. Feel free to come back tomorrow for an outfit post.)

Wednesday AM I got up and noticed my pillows were all askew. I had had a rough night. Our neighborhood dogs have choir practice all night most nights and sometimes it keeps me awake most of the night. Tuesday night had been one of those nights, so I had tossed and turned and blah blah blah...I noticed I had a bit of a crick in my neck. Nothing new. I got up and got dressed. I couldn't really turn to look over my left shoulder to check my hair, but whatever. No big deal. I drove to work. I couldn’t check my blind spot. A bit worrisome but I got there OK.

I worked until about 10:30 and then took a call. Something about the way I moved or held the phone triggered something and I could no longer really move my neck at all. I couldn’t look at the computer. I tried laying down on the floor to relax but ended up yelping in pain like a wounded dog and then had a really hard time getting back up. It felt like a really severe charlie horse in my neck every time I moved. Eventually I called my Dr (in tears) and asked if they could see me and they said yes. I had a co-worker (God bless her soul) drive me. Every stop, every start, every pothole was absolute agony. I wasn't sure I could make it.I did and my co-worker parked in the handicap space and I slowly made my way in, the car ride had made it much worse, or so I thought. I think now it would have gotten worse either way. It was sort of a slow creep into the peak of it. By the time we got there even speaking was painful. At the Dr I saw a P.A. and she asked what was wrong. I explained what was going on and she said that my options were an injection or pills. I wanted the injection. She brought pills. I don’t remember the chain of events that lead to that. The pain came and went in waves, but no matter what I had to remain totally still. Each tiny movement brought on a spasm.

I was at the Dr for 4 hours total. I spent that time in an uncomfortable hardback chair with no support, trying to be perfectly still. In that time the option for an injection to help the pain never came to fruition. The P.A. had chosen (I have NO IDEA WHY) to give me some Celebrex, which for one reason or another, meant I could not have the injection. The Celebrex did nothing for me. My husband came, and my co-worker left. I had to pee, and the P.A. insisted I do a pregnancy test when I did. It took 5 minutes for me to get to the bathroom 10 feet away. Each step brought blinding pain. We had to cut off my tights. After I “passed” the pregnancy test, they gave me a script for muscle relaxers and sent me on my way. I crept slowly to the car. Nathan brought me home and got me settled on the couch. In order to get me out of my dress (a very cute maxi dress, my ONLY maxi dress, I wanted to get in on the winterized maxi dress trend started by Kyla. I did not get pictures before the pain started and well...) Nathan had to cut me out. It hurt too much to take it off any other way. I spent the rest of the day sitting (I couldn’t get into a laying down position) on the couch. I refused to drink much because getting up to go to the bathroom hurt too much. I was able to take my first muscle relaxer at around 6:30 last night (I wasn’t allowed to take it before then because of the Celebrex?) I went to sleep around 9. I was exhausted from holding my body still. I had to sleep sitting up on the couch.

This AM when I woke up I felt better. I made it all the way to the bathroom without stopping to catch my breath from the pain. I fed myself. I raised a soda bottle to my mouth and drank from it. These were all HUGE improvements from yesterday. My progress has continued through the day and now I can move my legs and arms freely without much pain and I am able to walk without any extra pain. My body is sore all over from having to move in weird ways yesterday to try and stabilize my neck. But I feel much, much better.

And then I found five dollars.*

*Not really. That’s just a little something my friends taught me to say when you realize your story went on for way to long and was probably pretty boring.

Your Father Cracks a Joke And In The Usual Way, Empties The Room

2011-01-18T09:12:00.002-06:00

I have wanted to wear this outfit for at least a month.

Two things conspired against me. 1. The weather. It’s been very cold and I’ve been reluctant to wear dresses. And 2. That jacket was stuffed into a box last Spring and when I took it out it was unreasonably wrinkled. I could not even conceive of trying to iron it. The thought made me feel defeated before I’d begun.

Well, the weather finally warmed up, and I finally bit the bullet and bought something I’d been wanting for a couple of years…

Joy Mangano's My Little Steamer® Go Mini Hand Steamer. Guys. I cannot rave enough about this. I hate to iron. HATE IT. So sometimes I just never wear things. Because the thought of ironing them just turns me right off. But this is so easy to use. I got the tiny version, because I want to take it with me to the Texas Style Council* in March. I can use it to freshen up my daily outfits, but it is also going to be wonderful for making the clothes I bring for Fridays’ swap look much nicer so that someone else can take them home and love them. Wrinkly sad looking clothes are never good news at a swap!

I steamed this particular jacket twice, because it’s such thick fleece and it was so wrinkly, but even that was super easy. Just run the steamer up and down the garment while pulling at the bottom. That’s it. Easy Peasy. Seriously. Consider ordering one of these if you hate ironing as much as I do. I steamed a wrinkled Sonic Youth tee in like 90 seconds. BOOM. I would never have ironed that. I'd have rewashed it.

The affair with The Little Wooden Staircase continues, LWS continues to not give me what I need.

*Have you signed up yet? It’s only $45, and it is going to be AMAZING. I’m planning for one of the most fun and friendly weekends of my life! You should too.

Jacket, Old Navy (hand me down from Lara B)
Dress, Target
Tights, Target
Boots, Sperry (Give away from Between Laundry Days)

Moon Raven Designs Winner

2011-01-17T12:10:00.001-06:00

irishdancer2459 ! You are my winner! I'll send you an e-mail shortly.

I Just Can't Hold My Tears Away The Way You Do

2011-01-17T10:34:00.001-06:00

This is the kind of thing I’m most comfortable in during my down time.

The white tee doesn’t show my sweet dog’s shedding as much, and the dog hair wipes off the jeans with just a brush of the hand. I’m not sure I can emphasize how much the dog controls my clothing choices at home. How something will look covered in dog hair is probably 95% of why I do or do not wear it at the house.

I love those ankle boots with jeans tucked into them! I have so many boots now that when I put together an outfit I almost never have fewer than 5 or 6 viable boots choices, and often it’s more like 10. It’s both awesome and intimidating.

I cut the cuffs and a bit of sleeve off the sweatshirt and I KNOW I got the idea from one of you. I am 98% sure it was Kasmira. I think she cut hers into short sleeves, but I choose ¾ sleeve for my DIY. I am not even sure it qualifies as full on DIY it was so easy.

1. Lay flat.
2. Cut
3. Roll
4. There is no 4.

Tee, Everything English
Hoodie, AA (sleeves shortened by me)
Jeans, Target
Boots, Target

Friend Friday: Planning Outfits

2011-01-14T09:36:00.003-06:00

(I’ll tell you a secret that is actually not a secret at all. That’s not even really a closet. It’s a small hallway between my bedroom and the kitchen. I’ll get into that more when I do an actual closet post as was requested.)

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?
It varies. I go through phases where I have planned two to three days in advance and phases where I don't even think about it until I’m standing in the closet and need to leave in 10 minutes or be late. I check the weather every AM, because in Texas the weather is so changeable. It might be 54 degrees today and 78 tomorrow. So checking the weather is key for me.

(see how I gave Nathan 1 whole shelf? I'm so generous.)

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month, weekend?
No. I have planned outfits, or looks that I have put together, but I don’t normally plan when I’ll wear them. They are simply available until I use them. I have a metal shelving unit I store my shoes in and I use that as a staging ground for planned outfits or elements I want to remember to work with. Whenever an idea comes to me, I pull it and place the pieces here. I check this first to see if any of the looks that I already have put together appeal to me and are weather appropriate. I also have just single pieces pulled, and I might build an outfit around those. For instance, you can see I’ve got two floral dresses already pulled and paired with jackets (and a tulle dress and floral velvet jacket hiding in the back), and I have pulled the appropriate gloves for the jacket with ¾ sleeves (DIY suckas!). But I also have a dress I want to re-wear soon and a tank I have not worn in a couple weeks ready to be worked into outfits.

In the picture above, you see how they actually hang in the closet, but I’ve pulled them apart here so you get a better idea of what’s there.

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?
Nope. I don’t see anything wrong with repeats. Repeats are natural. In fact I often use my Flickr account or blog to scroll through and try and find an outfit I remember feeling particularly good in to re-wear. That said, last night I put together that look with the Tucker floral dress and hoodie and realized that I had no less that 11 legitimate boot choices for the look and they would all look smashing, so I made a mental note to try to wear that look with at least 3 different boot choices before it gets too warm for boots!

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?
(Trial try-ons? Hanging items together?)
Hanging items together as seen above mostly. And I do sometimes just take a while and root around in the closet for the purpose of putting together looks. But that’s mostly just something I enjoy doing for fun and not a planned activity.

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?
I could pre-plan the night before each night, but I won't. lol. I do sometimes, but only when a particularly inspired outfit strikes. I like the time I spend getting dressed. Sure I have days where I end up late or dissolve into panic because nothing is working, but most of the time I find it a fun and relaxing way to start the day.

XOXO

There's A Little African Child...Trapped In Me

2011-01-13T11:46:00.000-06:00

(I'm taking a sick day, scratchy throat. so I'm postponing the drawing for the ring a couple days at most. But I have this written so I thought I'd ho ahead and post it. Have a wonderful day!)

So, weekend and evening looks...I wear denim cutoffs over leggings or tights A LOT when it’s cool enough and the biggest difference between a work look and what I wore that night is really most often just a band tee. I love a band tee. I think they go with everything. Skirts, jeans, cut offs, whatever.

Anyway! Let’s have a look! Friday after work Nathan wanted to go out for Tex-Mex, so I changed my blouse for this tee:

I didn’t see “Get Him to the Greek” in the theater, and I didn’t even see it for a while after it came out on DVD. I had no idea. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen. I rented it, and loved it. And then I bought the DVD right before the holidays. I have watched it no less than 20 times since then. So naturally I needed to get a band tee for the band in the movie, Infant Sorrow.

I got a second pair of those jeans, because I have been living in them. When I first got them, I was skeptical I could make them work with anything but a tee, and I have plenty of those but I wasn’t sure what else I could do with them. I think the better question might be what can’t I wear them with? I almost wore them with a dress today but I stopped myself.

BOOM, peek-a-dog! Have I explained that window seat? We built him one in the old apartment and we had to make him one when we moved as well. It’s a piece of wood, with a bedpillow on top of it. It’s not classy, but we pull up those blinds when the sun is out and he sunbathes like a cat and sits up there and tells squirrels where they can go. And the mailman. And the neighbors. And any dogs that have the GALL to be walked through his yard.

Cardigan, Target
Tee, Infant Sorrow tee, Ebay
Jeggings, Target
Boots, Doc Martins, thifted by Nathan

Take A Flying Saucer Trip To The Stars In My Eyes

2011-01-11T17:00:00.005-06:00

This little wooden staircase is going to spend the next 6 months trying to convince me that there IS a time of day when the sun shines in just the right way to take good pictures there.

And I’ll believe it, because I want to believe it. Because it is SUCH a great place and the branches will slowly fill in and wouldn’t that be super cool to watch from season to season?

It’s such a romantic little spot. It’s also a LIAR and will never, ever deliver the shots it promised. And I’ll stop going to it, but I’ll remember the good times, when I believed.

Even though the truth is the pics are just OK and the lighting is never going to be right.

And then I have to go and take quick pictures over by a FENCE. An ugly fence. I have one of those at HOME, Little Wooden Staircase, I didn’t need to come all this way for THIS.

It was about 27 degrees in my house this AM, and I was scampering about in my skivvies trying to find ANYTHING to put on my body to stop being so cold. And that’s how this outfit came about. I think it only about 60% works. I like the tank with the pants but when you add the cardigan it gets a bit frumpy. But it was warm and I have to say that was pretty much all that mattered.

Also, after taking these, my hands burned like FIRE they were so cold. Then they looked like little lobster claws for like 2 hours. How do you DO it Canadians/Mid-Westerners? So miserable.

The End

Sweater coat, Free People via Nordstrom Rack
Layering Cardigan, AA
Tank, Urban Outfitters
Layering tank, Target
Pants, Target
Clogs, Target
Hideous hiking socks, Dick’s Sporting Goods

Could You Hold Me Tighter, When Worlds Collide

2011-01-10T12:09:00.004-06:00

Nathan and I went to a birthday party for a friend on Saturday and Nathan got dressed up. I did not. The dress code was as follows:

“Just dress cool. You are a grown up, it's a party and your photograph will be taken. You'll want to make sure everyone who sees your picture realizes what a fun and interesting life you lead ... so just wear that outfit.”

That is maybe the most awesome and open ended dress code I have ever seen. So I went casual. Nathan went fancy. And he looked amazing.

He graciously posed for the adorable photos for me.

He was hands down, the best dressed guy there, no vote necessary.

I on the other hand, wore this…

Which was not fancy at all, but which is actually pretty typical for me as far as weekends go.

But look! My hair was down. I’m still not a fan. I don’t get the appeal. But Nathan likes it.

On Him:
Blazer: Dior, from Buffalo Exchange
Vest: Standard Cloth, Urban Outfitters
Shirt: Merona, Target
Bow tie: gift from Bill Chandler as part of a tuxedo set he gave Nathan probably 10 years ago that Nathan has cannibalized in a million ways (He has found uses for everything but the cummerbund and the suspenders). It was his choir tuxedo from college (I also think it has been to Prague and back on choir tour, which is farther than I've traveled).
Pants: Gap 1969 corduroy
Shoes: Dr. Martens, thrifted
Hat: Urban Outfitters

On Her:
Sweater, Forever XXI
Tee, Hot Topic
Skirt, Target
Tights, Target
Boots, Aldo (I totally changed into the flat Docs before we left, chickened out of the pain. And I was glad I did. The venue was gorgeous, but all hard wood floors and almost no seating. I did not regret those flat boots one little bit.)
Bag, SR Squared by Sonia Roberts
Necklace, Moon Raven Designs