Saturday, July 30, 2011

Repeat

Are you seeing a theme? Because I sure am. Striped tops and blue bottoms. Today, I needed an easy, comfy outfit for running errands around town and for going to the brand new Goodwill that just opened this week!  Yeah, that's right.  I managed to hit it on the second day it was open. I found a jacket and blouse from J.Crew, a Land's End tee (kid's I think), and a Michael Pollan book.  All in all a good haul.  


2011-07-29


Tee - Gap
Shorts - J.Crew, Thrifted
Sandals - Vintage, Thrifted
Jewelry - Vintage

Friday, July 29, 2011

Accidental Tory Burch

So, I went out to buy a glue gun and came home with a Tory Burch dress. This has happened to you, right? I had to go to Hobby Lobby to get the glue gun. I knew I was going to drive by one of my favorite thrift stores going to and from. I mentally debated whether or not I wanted to stop. "I've done quite a bit of thrifting this week." "I need to start sticking to my shopping budget." "Blah, blah, blah." I finally decided, "Well, I'll go in and look. I don't have to buy anything." How many of you have used this rationale and had it backfire on you?



Dresses


Anyway fast forward to the dress section. I'm quickly skimming the rack and an orange Mexican inspired number catches my eye. I go for the tag thinking at the very least it's some teenage brand, American Eagle or some such. Nope. Tory Burch. $4.00. A few dresses down, the lovely vintage floral number. Perfect fit. $5.00.



Board


I also picked up a cork board already covered in fabric for $1.75. It makes a perfect display for my necklaces.



Board Detail

New Pants

When thrifting/shopping second-hand I try to buy either unique vintage items or nice brands I would buy new.  I generally try to avoid the fast fashion brands (Target, F21, etc.).   Sometimes, though I find something that is so cheap and fun, I can't resist.  These Forever21 pants were $6.00 at Plato's Closet.  I don't have any colorful pants, so I thought that they would make a nice addition to my wardrobe and a good alternative to skirts.



2011-07-28


Striped Tee - BDG, Urban Outfitters
Pants - F21, Plato's Closet
Necklace - Grandma'd
Brogues - Thrifted

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Engagement Photos Preview!

We did something really fun this past weekend, we had our engagement photos taken.  I received a few preview images and I can't wait to share them with you.  The talented lady behind the camera is our friend and photographer Meredith Mashburn.  She was able to perfectly capture our quirky, vintagey style.  Please check out Meredith's page on Facebook to see all the other wonderful images she is responsible for.




DSC_4462


We had our pictures made at a local picturesque location, War Eagle Mill.  The Mill's rural location provided a multitude of shooting spots.  Fields, the river, the bridge over said river, a random barn on the side of the road (don't worry, we asked permission).  Despite the extreme heat, we had such a fun day, even my fiance who hates to have his picture taken.  After the shoot, D admitted that it wasn't so bad, it was even pretty fun.  It made him feel like a model.




DSC_4560


Now on to other important matters, the clothing. The skirt I'm wearing is actually the first thing I ever ordered from Anthropologie. I bought this, gosh it had to be six years ago. It really is a testiment to buying something you love. I don't think it's ever been on the blog, but I love this skirt and wear it often, even after six years. My shirt is new, I bought it the day of from Banana Republic. It's the first item I've bought from BR this year! I really have been good in my not shopping "new". I'm not counting this as one of my pieces for my Spring 5 Piece French Wardrobe, I think I should get a few free passes. Can I get everyone's permission for two free passes? One for an engagement photo blouse and one for a wedding gown, two new items that won't count on my 5PFW.




DSC_4386


On Me:
Blouse - Banana Republic
Skirt - Odille, Anthro
Earrings - Anthro
Bracelet - Urban Outfitters

On Him:
Shirt - Banana Republic

All photos by Meredith Mashburn

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Promises - Outfit 29

I finally did laundry last night, so I'm picking up where I left off on my 30 for 30.  I promised you I would get to those last two outfits.  So here's outfit 29 in all its freshly laundered glory.



Outfit 29


Blouse - Thrifted
Capris - Old Navy
Sandals - Lucky, Dillard's
Necklace - Simply Vera, Kohl's
Bracelet - Vintage

Monday, July 25, 2011

Cloudy Day Can't Dampen My Mood

Today is one of the first overcast days we've had in a long time. I took that as my cue to dress extra colorfully today. My future's looking bright! Well at least my clothes are.


2011-07-25


Tee - Gap
Skirt - Thrifted, Altered
Wedges - Jeffery Campbell
Necklace - Vintage, Gifted
Bracelet - UO
Belt - Thrifted


2011-07-25 Detail

Friday, July 22, 2011

Hire Me

Is it bad that I only have one summer interview outfit?  What if I have a call back interview?  Would people notice that I'm wearing the same clothes?  I guess I should invest in another summer suit.  However, if I get this job today, I may never need an interview suit again.  Without further ado, the summer interview outfit.


11-07-21


Jacket and Pants - Ann Taylor Loft
Tank - Anthropologie
Heels - Antonio Melani, Thrifted


Based on my outfit, would you hire me?

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thrifted Paper Doll

Alright, you've probably guess by now, but I gave up on my 30 for 30 or 24 for 30 or whatever.  My biggest problem this time around was trying to keep everything clean.  In the winter you can usually get two wears out of most clothing, but not with summer.  I was lucky to make it all the way through one day with the same outfit on.  I guess I made a valiant effort with my 24 for 28?, especially considering everything that has been going on in my non-blogging life.

I had several more outfits planned with my chosen items.  Honest, I did.  I promise I'll wear them (once the items come through the wash).  Now on to more pressing items, like today's outfit.

As most of you know, today is Paper Doll Project and EBEW Special Thrifted Edition.  My PDP partner Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy (and PDP founder) devised a outfit for me that covers both bases.  My chosen item was this teal thrifted skirt.  It was originally a midi skirt, but looked a little frumpy, so I hemmed it up during the commercial breaks of "So You Think You Can Dance".


July PDP Outfit


Blouse - Vintage
Skirt - Thrifted, Altered
Necklace - Thrifted, Gifted
Belt - Resale Shop
Flats -  Thrifted
 
Suze specified this yellow polka dot top and pink accessories.  In honor of EBEW Thrift Edition, I chose to use all second hand items.  Blouse and belt not strickly thrifted, but they are definitely preowned.

Don't I look very Suze in my colorful outfit? 



Before


The frumptastic before.



EBEW: Thrift

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Opposites - Outfit 28

Sorry ladies. I've got other things on my mind today. I could try to write something really witty and pithy, but I'm just going to leave you with my outfit photos instead. 



Outfit 28A


Chambray - Gap
Skirt - Liz Claiborne, Resale Shop
Sandals - Lucky, Dillard's
Necklace - Target
Bracelet - Vintage




Outfit 28B

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

More Yellow - Outfit 27

Everybody looked so sunny yesterday, I thought I might just continue the yellow streak by getting this skirt in one last time before the end of my Summer 30 24 for 30.  Can you believe this 30 for 30 is almost over?  I feel like it's been fairly easy.  I haven't done all the charts and grafts and planning like I did with the other two challenges I participated in, yet I haven't been short on outfits.  I don't know if it's easier because now I'm experience or because most outfits only take two pieces, three if you count shoes.  Probably the later.



Outfit 27


Tank - J.Crew
Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted, Altered
Sandals - Lucky, Dillard's
Necklace - Vintage

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Hazey Shade of Yellow - Outfit 26

Well, I'm still in a post-engagement haze, as well as a trying-to-get-a-job haze, and a still-trying-to-move-into-that-apartment haze.  I feel lucky to just be dressed today.  I would like to point out that I did manage to pull off Step 4 of my Pattern Mixing Tutorial.  I think that's a pretty good accomplishment.





Outfit 26A


Cardigan - Madison, Belk
Skirt - Odille, Thrifted
Belt and Flats - Thrifted
Jewelry - Vintage








Outfit 26B










Outfit 26C


I'm pretty sure that a picture of my ear should never be this close.




Yellow | Everybody, Everywear

Monday, July 11, 2011

Surprise Weekend - Outfit 24 &25

Part Two of my engagement surprise (aside from the engagement itself) was that my boyfriend had, unbeknownst to me, planned a weekend getaway to Kansas City.  After dinner Friday night, we rushed back to pack bags and then hopped in the car to head out.  He actually wanted to have my bag packed for me, but he knew better than to try to pick out clothes for me, plus I would have noticed the missing clothes.

We spent most of the car ride up calling friends and family to share the good news.  D had booked a hotel within walking distance of The Plaza which is a major shopping district in Kansas City.  The man certainly knows the way to my heart.  We spent Saturday morning perusing the shops and then went Saturday afternoon to the Nelson-Atkins Museum.  We were equally in awe of the new addition by architect Steven Holl and the special exhibit of Monet's Waterlilies.




Outfit 24


Blouse - Urban Renewal, Resale Shop
Capris - Old Navy
Belt - Gap
Flats - Thrifted

I feel like Emily standing in front of such cool architecture.  Now if only I can get my boyfriend fiance to take more than two outfit photos at a time.

Saturday night, we went to dinner at a Spanish restaurant that had been recommended to us.  This was my first experience with Spanish food (outside of Spain) and let me say, it was amazing.  That dinner alone made it worth the drive.  Seriously, I had the best mushrooms I've ever put in my mouth plus the sausage, chorizo, the cheese, these potatoes covered in garlic, on and on. All I can say is, "Yum!"

Sunday morning we got in a little more exploration of the city before heading back home.  All in all it was a fun trip and a great addition to an already memorable weekend.





Outfit 25


Chambray - Gap
Shorts - Mossimo, Target
Flats - Thrifted

New Accessory - Outfit 23

Friday afternoon one of my friends texted me to see if I wanted to go on a double date that night with her and her husband (who works with my boyfriend).  I said sure and she said we could meet at 6:00 at a local Mediterranean restaurant.





Outfit 23



After my boyfriend got off work, we freshened up and headed out to meet them at the restaurant.  We got there on time and grabbed a table.  By 6:10, I started to wonder about our friends and voiced my concern.  My boyfriend then admitted that our friends were not coming and the real reason we were there that night is so that he could propose.  He then pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him.  Of course I said yes.






photo(4)








photo(5)


I was quite surprised. I certainly wasn't expecting the proposal to happen when it did. He is such a sneak. He used our friends as a cover because he knew that if he asked me to go to a nice restaurant, I would suspect something. He also knew that I would get more dressed up for dinner with our friends than if it was just him and me on a night out.

The surprises didn't stop there. On top of the proposal, he had secretly planned a weekend in Kansas City. After dinner, we rushed back to pack some bags and hopped in the car that night.

In true blogger fashion, I did manage to grab 30 for 30 items for the trip. I'll post my outfit photos and a couple of shots from the trip this afternoon.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Twenty-Four - Outfit 22

Sooo...This is Outfit 22 of my Summer 30 for 30 and so far I've only used 24 items.  I have several other outfits planned, so who knows?  I may not even need those last 6 pieces.  How are all you other challengees doing?  Are you finding the Summer Challenge easier or harder than the others?  

I think in someways it's easier, because most outfits only take two pieces of clothing.  I picked three jackets for this challenge, but with Arkansas' 100 plus temperatures, they were pretty much useless.    



Outfit 22



Button-Up - J.Crew, Plato's Closet
Skirt - Simply Vera, Kohl's
Necklace - Talbots, TJ Maxx
Belt - Thrifted
Flats - Thrifted

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Keep the Old - Outfit 21

I'm really excited because tonight I'm going out to dinner with a group of ladies.  It's been quite a while since I've been invited to a girls night out.  I guess that's the benefit of moving to a city where you already know people, you don't have to built friendships from scratch. 




Outfit 21



Blouse - Urban Renewal, Resale Shop
Skinnies - BCG, Urban Outfitters
Heels - Gianni Bini, Dillard's
Belt - Gap
Jewelry - Vintage

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Pattern Mixing 101

Prevailing fashion thought has long held the belief that a pattern should be mixed with a solid neutral.  Below is a list of "traditional" neutrals. 


  • Black
  • White
  • Grey
  • Navy
  • Cream
  • Khaki
  • Olive
  • Brown

As most bloggers know, it is now acceptable to mix two different patterns.  The difficult part, however, is to mix in a way that looks intentional and not like you got dressed in the dark.



Pattern Mixing - Identify Pattern Categories.

All patterns can be divided into two general categories, neutral patterns and color based patterns.  A neutral pattern is a fairly simple pattern in a traditional neutral color (see above).  Below is a list of what I consider neutral patterns.

  • Stripes
  • Polka Dots
  • Checks
  • Pinstripes
  • Window Panes
  • Lace
  • Some Animal Prints
  • Any print in a single, neutral color






Neutral Patterns



The color based patterns would encompass any pattern involving one or more colors.  Color patterns are generally busier than neutral patterns, therefore, more challenging to mix.  Below is my list of color patterns.


  • Florals
  • Geometrics
  • Plaids
  • Paisley
  • Ethnic (Ikat, Batik, Tie Dye, Etc.)
  • Artistic (Brush Stroke, Abstract, Etc.)
  • Any pattern from first list in a non-neutral color (Red Stripe, Purple Polka Dot, Etc.)





Color Patterns





General Mixing Guidelines.

Pattern mixing is both an art and a science.  The science part is the easiest to impart.  It deals with scale, proportion, complimentary and contrasting colors, etc.  The art of pattern mixing is much more subjective.  It must be developed through experience.  You can develop your eye by studying other bloggers whose mixing skills you admire and by experimenting with your own closet.  I lay pieces together on my bed and ask myself.  Do those two pieces look totally wacky together or do they have a certain harmony with each other?  Pattern Mixing can be daunting so I have set up a 5 step program to make you a mixing pro. 
 
Pattern Mixing Step 1 - Two neutral patterns in similar colors and scales. 

Pick two patterns off the neutral list that are similar in color and scale.  It may help to pick two patterns with different background colors.  Example:  A white piece with a black pattern and a black piece with a white pattern.





Step 1A

Two smallish patterns in black and white.  Pattern on left has slightly more white space than pattern on right.






Step 1B

Two smallish patterns in navy and cream.  Pattern on left has more cream while pattern on right has more navy.


Pattern Mixing Step 2 - Similar colors, variety in scale. 
Pick two patterns from the neutral list.  This time make them similar in color, but vary the scale.  Example:   two patterns in navy and cream. 






Step 2A

Two patterns in navy.  One a small dot, the other a large floral.






Step 2B
Large stripe with dots.


Pattern Mixing Step 3 - Neutral pattern + color pattern. 
We are taking it up a notch.  This time pick one piece from the neutral list, best to keep the pattern simple (think small dot or stripe) and add a color pattern (think floral).  You still want to think generally about matching the color, might be strange to have a navy stripe with a black outlined floral, but you never know it could work.  That’s where the art comes in.






Step 3A

Small scale neutral pattern with larger scale colored pattern.







Step 3B

Neutral small scale pattern, larger scale colored pattern.  Both in blues.







Step 3C
Neutral pattern with color pattern.  Both feature black.



Pattern Mixing Step 4 - Two color patterns in similar colors.   
Pick two colored pattern that share a similar color.  At this point it is easiest if one pattern is on the simple side (simple pattern, one color) and the other is more complex, but contains the color of the first piece (think red stripe shirt with red based plaid skirt).






Step 4B

Varying scales with common color (purple).







Step 4A
Varying scales with common color (yellow).



Pattern Mixing Step 5 - Two multi-colored patterns. 
The final, most complex step of pattern mixing.  At this point you should choose two multi-colored prints.  The key to making this work is to pick patterns with varying scale and at least one similar color (Think small scale floral blouse, large scale floral skirt, both have elements of yellow).






Step 5A

Two multi-colored prints, fuchsia in common.







Step 5B
Two multi-color prints.  Vary in scale.



Finishing Touches.
There are several additional steps that you can take to make your pattern mixed outfit more coherent.  I would suggest a belt to separate a patterned top from a patterned bottom.  Also think about adding in some neutral pieces.  A patterned blouse and a patterned bottom might be perfectly balanced with a neutral jacket or cardigan.

From here the possibilities are only limited by your imagination and your bravery.  Remember that your pattern pieces can come in a number of combinations.  Patterned blouse with patterned jacket or cardigan.  Patterned blouse with patterned bottom.  Patterned cardigan with patterned bottom.  You could even go crazy and do three patterns at once or experiment with patterned accessories.

Good luck with your pattern mixing.  If you make an outfit based on this post, please let me know.  I'm planning on putting together a roundup of pattern mixed outfits.  Be sure to let me know which step you're on.

Finally, I'm going to leave you with an example of me wearing each step.

Step 1          Step 2          Step 3          Step 4          Step 5

Step 5 - Outfit 20

No, I have not entered a 12 step program for shopping (though I probably should).  I'm talking about the 5 steps of Pattern Mixing that I'll introduce to you later today.  Step 5 is the most complicated and challenging, mixing two multi-color patterns.  And I did it today as a demonstration for you.  

I am wearing two multi-colored patterns, but they do have some common colors, yellow and green.  Also, the top is a small scale pattern and the skirt is a large scale pattern.  Finally, I added a belt as a division between the two pieces and keep my other accessories simple.

Be sure to check back in a little while to read my entire post on pattern mixing.



Outfit 20



Blouse - Odille, Thrifted
Skirt - Odille, Thrifted
Belt - Thrifted
Flats - Thrifted

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Back in the Swing - Outfit 19

Did everyone have a nice weekend?  I went to the lake and spent some time with the fam.  Needless to say that didn't result in any photo-worthy outfits and I'm not about to put up a photo of me in a bathing suit.

I'm back in the swing of things.  This should be a big week because I'm finally moving into my new apartment.  I'm a homebody and nothing will please me more than having my own apartment with all my things accessible (not in boxes and bags).  Maybe I'll do an apartment tour in a few weeks once I get everything organized. 




Outfit 19


Cardigan - Madison, Belk
Dress - Vintage, Grey Dog Boutique
Flats - Thrifted
Belt - Thrifted
Bracelet - Mom'd

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Time to Party - Outfit 18

It has now been a respectable amount of time, so I thought I should break out the yellow skirt again.  This time I've pair it with the floral tank and a dotty sash, for a festive look.  Since I have the pattern mixing going on, I decided to keep the jewelry simple.  I hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll see you back here next week.



Outfit 18


Tank - Tucker for Target
Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted, Altered
Sash - Thrifted
Flats - Thrifted
Bracelet - Urban Outfitters

Friday, July 1, 2011

Style Deception - Outfit 17

Alright, I admit it. I look like I'm dressed for some kind of rock PR event rather than a day of running errands in Arkansas, but that's how I (rock and) roll. Even though the heat index will top 100 today, I just couldn't resist grabbing an outfit shot with my new cream blazer. Will you all feel terribly deceived if I reveal that the blazer only made an appearance for the photo and probably won't actually be worn until October? It's that hot here. 



Outfit 17


Blazer - Thrifted
Blouse - Thrifted
Jeans - BCG, Urban Outfitters
Heals - Gianni Bini
Necklace - Dillard's
Bracelet - Vintage

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