confession: today's other posts were pre-programmed

 Sorry about today's post-overload. But here's what I wore to church:

 shoes: mudd brand. tights: gifted. dress: ralph lauren. shirt & flower hairthing: gifted. necklaces: don't recall. watch: citizen brand.

I loved this outfit today. I love how I didn't wear black shoes, which I normally would've (because of a black skirt) but for some reason didn't. I love how I wore a button-up over a wrapdress. And tied it. I love how the colors don't match but "go." I love the random bits of hairness--braids, bun, barette, headband, flower--that are numerous but not in-your-face. I like the purple tights and the mass of necklaces.

Not like I think I'm so cool or whatever. I just happen to like how this ensemble is entirely Unexpected and Maybe Awesome and exemplifies the whole "method to my madness" thing.

Speaking of madness: my stomach is growling. I'm off to eat.

Happy Sunday. Again. But for real this time.

More Chico's...

  

sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy

The sun's out today. First time in weeks...months...maybe years? Yeah, probably years. And I'm eating it up, every last ray. Hence the crouching and squinty-eyed smiles. Totally worth it.

 shoes: unionbay brand. pants: banana republic. belt & necklace: don't recall. shirt: f21. watch: citizen brand.

So, here's the thing. And it's going to probably sound odd. But. I'm totally discovering myself through doing this blog. My sense of personal style is slooooooooowly shifting to a more cohesive, manageable mass. It's nothing defineable, not yet, but as I plan outfits and get dressed and take photos and (over)analyze what I look like, I'm discovering what is and is not the true "me." Unfortunately, the True Me is proving to be a rebel. An expensive, peanut m&m-consuming rebel. Yet I can't help but adore her. 

I've been a clearance-bargain junkie my whole life. As a result, I too often end up with stuff that I don't need, fit, or even like, simply because it was cheap. And my closet, bursting in a rainbow of randomness (not a happy sparkly rainbo-brite rainbow, either...more like a scary drug-induced psychadelic one) (so I've heard. or imagined? read about? hooo boy. digging...digging...), is the sad result.

So. No more. I'm not buying things just because they're on sale anymore. Neither will I pass up an item that I love and that totally works just because it's not on sale. And I'm slowly working to transform my closet into just that -- my closet. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all. (Feel like putting your hand over your heart with this solemn pledge? Me too. But that makes it hard to type.)

I love today's chocolate linen pants. And this shirt. I've never worn them together, but I like it (I'm a sucker for a blue/brown combo). There. Totally simple, totally done.

...Except I needed a belt. Just one.

...Then I wanted a necklace. Just one.
...THEN when I was headed out the door my watch jumped onto my wrist and clasped itself, so I sighed in resignation and checked the time. It was time to make cookies with my girls. I may or may not have eaten 7 or 12 of them. Guess. 

Happy Friday. 

p.s. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Want this look?   floral shirt    linen pants   flower belt

More Xhilaration...

are you sitting down?

There's not a belt to be seen on this outfit. I know. It's like a shift in the Force.

 boots: target. socks: smith's marketplace. tights: f21. skirt & tee: don't recall (no labels anymore). cardigan: rue 21. necklace: gifted. watch: citizen brand. belt: nope.

I don't want to become predictable or stale, so I opted for beltlessness today. Then sealed the deal for unpredictability by doing some weird unexpected poses. You're welcome.

So, actually, I'm going to be honest with you all: I did have a belt on. For about 3 minutes this morning. But then I looked at myself and decided it was too much. And back on the belt hanger it went, to party with its macho belt friends and flirt with the scarves (you ask her. no, YOU ask her...). Anyway, for me, that's Unexpected and Maybe Awesome.

Jumping-off point: this skirt. On the closet purge hit-list because I never wear it because it's too big. WAS too big, I should say. Because this morning I took in the side seams. 10+ years of hanging in my closet practically unworn, and it took about 4 minutes to fix. That's mildly embarrassing. I love how the plaid is diagonal in front straight in back of this skirt. And the colors. They're fun and bright and a deliberate tongue-out-thumbs-in-ears gesture to Old Man Winter with his nasty ice ice and more ice outside.

Which probably isn't a polite way to treat the elderly, come to think of it. But sometimes the elderly aren't as innocent as they might have us believe. Case-in-point: Old Man Winter, who's actually probably the weird brother-in-law of Mother Nature, behind whose back they all talk at nature family reunions.

Wow. Let's refocus, shall we? Skirt is great. White tee alone would've sufficed in spring/summer, but I added a cardigan because it's (ahem) cold. [Editor's note: Yes, I think that's been adequately established in the duration of this post, along with my personal feeling toward said temps...]

I like the layering of colored tights, long grey socks, and boots on my legs for some reason here. And, always, the pop of color in this salmony necklace. Which I've worn here and here.

Sooo...I'm dying to know. Do you secretly wish I'd worn a belt with this? Be honest.

Happy Thursday.

p.s. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Want this (kind of) look? plaid skirt   cardigan   tights

More Forever 21...

get out your tiny violins...

 shoes & jeans: american eagle outfitters. long-sleeved tee & hoodie: old navy. scarf: smith's marketplace. watch: citizen brand. belt: thrifted. hairthings: don't recall.  

Ever wondered what a girl with strep throat looks like? Wonder no more. [Editor's note: Not to pat myself on the back too hard, here, but...did I call it? Strep, I mean? Yesterday? Yes, my friends. I called it. Anyone out there need a medical diagnosis? Because I *think* I might be your woman...]

Yesterday was baaaad. Like, deathbed bad. Today is bad but slightly better, thanks to the inventor-o'-penicillin. And my dr who prescribed it for me. I needed another scarf today (I even slept with my O scarf on last night because it felt so good on my neck. I know. Weird.), so I guess you could say this houndstooth number was my jumping-off point. And, if you'll recall, it's "softer than cashmere?" Haha. Yep. Still funny.

There's something refreshing and earthy about green-and-b&w as a color combo. So I chose my top(s), paired them with some aging almost-holes-in-the-knees jeans (which are super old but a fresh light blue...I'll be sad to bid them adieu when they die), and slipped on my go-to metallic flats.

Know how belts are often a style statement? This one is an exception. I'm wearing it simply to hold up my pants. It's even brown. Paired with b&w. I know. Rebel. But I kind of like how it "grounds" the look overall.

Um, my brain is actually starting to get a little fuzzy. Better sign out before I start rambling like an old man.

Happy Saturday.

Want this look? jeans   scarf   flats   zip-cardigan

womens green zip cardigan

taming the wild beast within. or at least embracing him... her... whatever.

 shoes: converse brand. jeans, long-sleeve tee, & vest: gap (what the trifecta? that. is. embarrassing.). belt: pocket's. watch: citizen brand. hairthing: gifted.

I don't know about you, but I think puffy vests are awesome. And warm. Which is a huge win-win when you check the outside thermometer every hour *fingers crossed* that you get to the 15-degrees mark that day, and heaven forbid mother nature sends you into the blazing-hot 20s because you'd probably have to break out the shorts and have a luau in such balmy temps.

I'm not bitter. I'm just sayin. It ain't hot.

(ahem) So. Puffy vest. Love mine. Throw it on over a long-sleeved tee, and we're in business. After donning some dark wash jeans, of course, because otherwise (a) chilly! and (b) gross. I was warm at this point, but felt rather, well, puffy. I happened to glance at my belt hanger...a crazy idea forming in my hot little head...

...with an internal monologue that went a little something like this: A belt? Over a PUFFY vest? Dare I? No way. I'll look like the Michelin man! Wait, is it MISHuhlin or muSHELLin? Hmmm...note to self: pay attention next tire commercial. But hopefully it won't be that one where the old lady chucks a tire in the store window...seen THAT about a bajillion times. Oh. Belts. Let's go brown.

I belted it up, donned the thickest most comfiest warmest socks I could find (Pocket's, natch), threw on my fave red converse shoes [Editor's note: They're actually my only red converse shoes, in case you're wondering. Which makes them my favorite and, technically, also my least favorite. I think I just blew someone's mind.], and braided my hair into two messy free-spirited braids. And added one loosey-goosey braid for my front bangs and pinned it back with a flower. Which I think is Unexpected and Maybe Awesome. Goes with the whole outdoorsy-backwoods(wo)man-devil-may-care vibe of today.

Happy Thursday.

Want this look? converse vest jeans long-sleeved tee
  

womens down vest