snakeskin may be a neutral, but my loathing of snakes isn't

I'm not a short person. I'm 5'8". That's pretty average, right? Maybe on the taller side of average?

 

 

I didn't realize how short I could appear, though, until I sat down to post these pics. Holy shortlegs, Batman.

 

houndstooth shoes: Kohl's (I think)

jeans: Big Star

snakeskin belt: J. Crew

paisley-ish shirt: don't remember

olive green jacket: Kohl's

 

I've had this jacket for a while now. I love its color and cropped length and the front pleating details. I don't love the short short sleeves (especially on my loooong monkey arms) and how it's not quite a military jacket but not quite a school-boy (-girl?) (-lady? yes, that must be right. school-lady. yep.) blazer, either.

 

 

All that aside, let's hear it for a (faux, of course) skinny snakeskin belt and some leather-and-houndstooth loafers.

 

 

The perfect accessories for any stumpy-legged non-military school-lady.

 

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Shop similar items below:

Prana Casual Jackets · J Brand Flare Denim · Skechers Shoes & Boots

{shared: Everyday Fashion & Finance, Get Your Pretty On, Her & Nicole, Kiwi Women's Style, My Fashion Forward Blog, Style Elixir, The Life of the Party Blog, The Mrs and the Momma, The Pleated Poppy, }

American History 101 & some mixed patterns

I felt like an American flag today after getting dressed. Until I remembered that it's stars, not polka dots, on Old Glory. Phew. Crisis averted.

shoes: American Eagle Outfitters

plaid trousers: GAP

striped shirt: Lands End Canvas

polka dot cardigan: Coldwater Creek (I think)

 

I sometimes wonder if I'm too old for such bold pattern mixing. But then I remember that I bought this cardigan at a store that specializes in total Christmas-vest-wearing-teacher, mom, and even gramma gear. I think I'm a good decade or two below the targeted consumer there.

 

 

Which makes me feel young and wild enough to throw on a random plaid pants to complete the ensemble. I'm cuh-razy like that.

 

 

Honestly, I'm just hoping that the pattern trio is distracting enough that you'll fail to notice my fresh-out-of-shower, major-roots-showing hair. It's a complicated life I lead, people, chock full of deception and shampoo.

 

Happy beautiful Tuesday.

 

 

Shop similar items below:

Dorothy Perkins Tees · Sam Edelman Flats · Maison Martin Margiela Pants

{Shared: Coffee Beans & Bobby Pins, Kiwi Women's Style, Mom Trends, My Girlish Whims, Not Dead Yet,  The Life of the Party, The Mrs and the Momma, Transatlantic Blonde}

we all live in a greenish-blue submarine...

 sandals: don't recall. skirt: gap. shirt: gift. watch: target.

So, solids & color-blocking are hot now. Which is great--who doesn't love color, especially in big chunks? It's like eating a milkshake with enormous hunks of butterfinger in there. Which, actually, is a point of contention between my adorable husband and myself. He prefers his milkshakes to be smooth, flavored ice cream. Me? I want them to be a crunchy, chunky food group.

I know. It's a huge marital compromise when we have to share a milkshake. Frankly, it's a miracle we've made it almost ten years together. But there are solutions to every problem, and this obstacle in our marriage is no different: Fortunately for us, we both firmly believe that sharing ice cream is for wimps, and we get our own.

Problem solved. Not to brag, but I think we're masters in diplomacy. It's a shame we're not in politics. And also a shame that politicians don't deal in ice cream.

So. Solid color-blocking. Awesome and all, but this girl [Editor's note: Two thumbs pointing backwards at myself] loves prints. Solution? Block together prints of the same color. Which, when that color happens to be a greenish blue like what dominates this ensemble, doubles as a costume for a walking piece of seaweed. Total win-win. 

 Happy Monday.

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More Asos...

bacon by any other name...

 shoes: converse brand. skirt: american eagle. shirt & bracelets: forever21. sash: off a shirt from kohl's. watch: target. earrings: hawaii.

Today's jumping-off point was EBEW's "pattern mixing" theme. You all probably know by now that I love me a mixed print or eight. In one ensemble. Which, really, if you took that exaggerative statemet literally, would be equivalent to a hole in one, a 3/4 court buzzer shot, and three Heath blizzards from DQ, all in the same day.

So far, I've only mastered the DQ blizzard, but that's okay because those puppies are delish. Do I feel a little white-trashy proclaiming that? Sure. But it's not that different from how I feel after settling in with a gigantic bowl o' popcorned butter to watch Swamp People and finding that, after awhile, I really don't even need the subtitles. If you've seen the show, you'll know what I mean.

So. Enough about you, let's talk about me. I like the irony of the girly pink satin bow/belt and the Chucks in this outfit. Unexpected & Maybe Awesome for me here. Like bacon in our salad for dinner last night. Something is definitely right in the world when everyone at the table is happily gobbling up salad as the main course, as long as that "something" is spelled B-A-C-O-N.

Happy Tuesday.

p.s. Ad slots are available for the coming month; contact me if you're interested! brittneynesmart [at] yahoo [dot] com

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More Converse...

cross your eyes, then stare at my outfit. how many lines do you see?

 shoes: cato brand. skirt & bracelet: don't recall. shirt: thrifted. belt: husband's. so helpful, I know.

I love french toast. Like, really, love it. Preferred method: a bit of butter and some maple syrup atop a steaming piece of french toast. My older brothers used to strategize breakfast for maximum acceptable sugar consumption, floating their first french toast in a pool of syrup (we're talking the deep end of a pool here, people) and then powdered-sugaring the next one, which would also be treading syrup. 

Sugar overload? You betcha. (And you wonder why I can't kick my pnut m&m addiction...) Too much of a good thing? Probably. Makes my stomach hurt a little when I think about it now.

But that's kind of how I felt in this ensemble. The sugar particles of my french toast yesteryear became the lines/stripes/plaid overload of today's ensemble. (A beautiful and deep metaphor, right? Go ahead a wipe a tear...) 

Regardless, and on a fairly unrelated note, I think every woman needs a lacy/crocheted peeptoe wedge in her life. And, sure, a pound of pnut melt-in-your-mouths within arm's reach.

Happy Monday!

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Sir Mix-A-Lot (wait, does anyone seriously remember that?)

Woah. Funky lighting alert. Nothing else is funky, though. Just the lighting. Yep.

 shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. shirt: vintage. cardigan: gap. scarf: gift from sweden. belt: thrifted (american eagle). watch: target.

It doesn't look the best in these photos, but for the record: This is one of my favorite outfits. Ever.

Hey guys. Not only is today a perfect day for wearing two types of stripes, floral, polka dots, AND metallic (it said so in my horoscope. practically.), but it's also Friend Friday! Today's topic is one of my favorites: Fitness & Fashion.

1. Do you keep some kind of fitness routine? Why? Yep. I run. Because I like to eat but my metabolism is turning granny on me, I like my husband to be bigger than me (not an easy task, if you know my husb), and I feel better about myself when I exercise. Not necessarily in that order, but that's how the fingers typed it, so that's how it will remain. 

  

2. Has working out, maybe training for a marathon or something of that nature, helped with your own perception of body image? Absolutely. I've become less obsessed with how I look (as in, the size of my legs, the bulge of my belly, etc.) because I'm doing what I can to be healthy. I'll never be a waif, but I've decided this: A body that does what I put mine through is a body worth respecting.

3. When you are hitting the gym or just going out for a long walk what do you wear? Is it about functionality or fashion? Eh, I don't give one single brain cell of thought about what I wear unless it involves weather-related decisions...but I don't go to gyms, I just run outside. I don't even put makeup on, do my hair, or anything. What I'm trying to say is...y'know all those Bigfoot sightings? They were probably just me, out for a winter jog.

4. Do you feel there is a cultural perception of what you ‘should’ be doing for your own physical fitness? Maybe there used to be. Like, when my mom was in school, they had to wear skirts to gym class and wasn't allowed to do the stuff the boys were doing. I think that, these days, so many fitness options are available that it's all about choosing what works for you to get/stay fit.

5.  Dream big… what would be your ultimate fitness goal. Run a certain 100-mile race with my sister. She's already done it twice; I paced her for a snort 14-mile leg of it one time, and now I want to do it. Our family is convinced we are both missing a marble or two...and we can't exactly argue. Meh.

Happy Friday!

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Sunday. Snowday. Whatever.

boots & belt: kohl's. skirt: thrifted. sweater: american eagle. coverage tee & necklace: downeast basics. bracelets: don't recall.

This week, I'm grateful for:

- having enough random food in the house to throw together a decent meal or two without having to go grocery shopping. (Have I told you how much I don't love grocery shopping? Yes? Well, fine.)

- snowtime with kids. Including showing my 6-year-old what being "whitewashed" means...

- and his being a good learner. I'm still getting snow bits out of my left ear and nostril.

- family time in general.

- kissable 2-year-old cheeks. I wish I could freeze time. Or at least her kissy cheeks. But that would be gross and, therefore, counterproductive in the kissability. So.

- unexpected mail.

- a 4-year-old determined to earn herself a certain zhu-zhu pet and, thus, becoming my personal slave. (Note to self: Write Mr. Zhu-Zhu a letter of gratitude for selling such kid-covetable merch...)

- spring break. Sleeping in. Staying up late. Doing nothing productive but many things worthwhile.

- starburst jelly beans.

- easter egg hunts as pasttime in the living room.

- a husband who knows of all my faults and lameties but who pretends to know of none.

- parents coming back home from Sweden in fewer than 3 months.

- pencil sharpeners.

- kid shampoo+conditioner in one.

Happy Sunday, my friends.

spring has sprung...okay, it hasn't, but it will...you hear me, spring? you WILL.

 shoes: mudd brand. skirt: american eagle. shirt: forever21. belt: thrifted. necklace & flower clip: downeast basics.

Someone commented the other day how tired they were of seeing people in winter scarves and tights and boots. I hadn't really thought about it until now, but...me too! Sick sick sick of wearing them. So. In a fit of "in-your-face-Old-Man-Winter" (which could, in a pinch, also double as "whose-legs-are-whiter-Old-Man-Winter's-or-mine") I'm treating you all to a delightful view of my non-tighted (and alarmingly colorless) legs. You're welcome.

Today's jumping-off point was this springy floral shirt. (I don't know if the universe is susceptible to subliminal messages, but, hey, it's worth a shot.) Paired, and I don't know why, with this mini-plaid skirt. That's "mini" as in the plaid pattern itself, NOT "mini" as in the skirt. Again, you're welcome. Some days my benevolance-ness is just overwhelming, I know.

I was absolutely digging the combo...until this polka-dotted belt flew out of my closet and landed at my ankles. Obviously, a belt around one's ankles will never ever do, but...dared I add a third print to this already jarring-ly busy ensemble?

(Here's where, if this were a TV show, we'd cut to commercial, and you'd spend the next 2.4 minutes discussing the options before me, the pros and cons of each, and how your sister's-best-friend's-niece once faced a similar dilemma and what she did about it. However, circumstances being as they are, I'll just take this moment to say: don't forget to check out this week's giveaway!)

Annnnnd, we're back. And, oh yes. I dared. A trifecta of mixed-pattern spring-y-ness, and legs that glow in and of themselves like the very sun in the sky. It's a win-win-WIN. Flowers will be sprouting forth wherever I walk today, I daresay.

Happy Wednesday.

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More Biviel...

white legs, white legs, what do you see?...

shoes: don't recall. white legs: wyntair au natural. skirt: thrifted. slip: a slip shop. shirt & jacket: kohl's. bracelet: forever21. earrings: hawaii.

Confession: up until about 4 months ago, my legs have been the bane of my existence. Well, nearly. I've spent my whole life being embarrassed of them, because to me they were simply massive hunks o' whale blub. Or something equally as unflattering. Even as a long-distance runner, I couldn't do anything to slim them down. Which was frustrating and embarrassing and annoying.

Enter: this blog beginning in December, which involved taking daily photos of me, which (naturally) involved my legs...or some super awkward poses. Oh. Wait...

Maybe I've become numb to them (the sight of my legs) after sorting through hundreds of self-pics over the past few months. Maybe my acceptance of and appreciation for different body types has changed as I've viewed and enjoyed countless other style blogs. Maybe...I dunno. Can't think of any other scenarios. But for whatever glorious reason, I'm not ashamed of my legs anymore. Sure, they're white. Sure, my calves are larger than the average bear's. Sure I'll never be able to pull off some styles because of them.

But it's okay, because they're functional. They're very forgiving of the pounding I put them through by running. They go wherever I want them to, whenever I want them to. And they keep my feet attached to the rest of my body...which is good because I happen to like shoes. 

Anyway. This post is dedicated to you, legs o' mine. In all your winter-whitened glory. *clink & drink*

Happy Monday!

p.s. Has anyone else experienced a lifetime outlook change as a result of style/fashion blogging? Or reading blogs? Seriously, I'd love to hear.
p.p.s. If you're a modest style blogger, don't forget to click on "Modest Style Blogs" in my top navigation bar and follow the instructions...
p.p.p.s. Could this post's "goodbye" be any more drawn-out and awkward? Nope.

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More Anthropologie...

mix & match...then realize it doesn't look cool...THEN realize "who cares? I'm too old to be cool anyway"

shoes: cato brand. pants & cardigan: gap. shirt: forever21. belt: pocket's. watch: citizen brand. flower brooch: don't recall. 

(Yes, I'm aware that these shoes today are all wrong for these pants...they put the cuff at an uncomfortably lame height. Buuuuut...meh. Whatchagonnado.)

Something reminded me today of my 5th grade school "talent" show. Some friends and I thought we were super good singers and not-too-shabby choreographers, so we performed not one but two numbers at our school's (soon-to-be non)talent show: "Barbara Ann" (beach boys) to give the audience some pep and "Greatest Love of All" (whitney houston) to deeply move them. (...and, yes, in case you're wondering, I do want to cry of embarrassment. Thanks for asking.)

Of course Surprisingly, we sucked. And even that's putting it mildly.

Post-performance, even my mother could hardly come up with words that were equally positive and true. I think she finally choked out something like "brave" and "you tried." We were the laughingstock.

You know how any publicity is supposed to be good publicity? Yeah, well, I found out that's a total lie when the news (a) centers around the fact that you and your four buddies are untalented, uncoordinated fools and (b) ushers in your junior high years.

Hmmm...Not sure how this glorious memory ties into my ensemble today. Other than I kind of feel like it's Mom-wear, and as a mom, I want my kids to skip their junior high/middle school years. I don't think I'm man enough to live through their emotional coming-of-ages, because look how adorable and confident they are at 4 years old:

 

(Her finale pose? Kills me.)

Happy Friday.

Want this look so you, too, can worry about your pre-pubescent kids' futures? Check it out:

More Forever 21...

2 wrongs don't make a right...but how about 14 wrongs? what then?

 shoes: steve madden. tights: forever21. skirt & shirt: gap. cardigan: j.crew. belt: thrifted (american eagle). scarf: gift (old navy).

 There's absolutely no method to this madness...and I'm afraid it shows. Yet, surprisingly enough, I couldn't feel more comfortable or presentable.

Which is a good thing, because I spent more than an hour at the school district office this morning for kindergarten registration...along with millions, nay - BILLIONS, of other people. I had no idea the entire state's population is swarming to my area and will be entering my child's kindergarten class, but I suppose it's true. I saw the number of people myself. And my eyes don't lie.

(Except when they read the caloric content on some delicious foods that I happen to want seconds of. Then they tend to omit a few numbers from lame categories like "calories" and "fat." Which is actually way more astute than I would expect ocular orbits to be. I should eat more carrots to reward them for their loyalty. Should.)

So. My daughter didn't get registered today, her very kindergarten (and, skipping a few minor developmental years, collegiate) existence is at risk of falling through the cracks. But don't you fret, because today's a lucky day for you all: Outtakes. Extra-awesome ones. Any by "awesome" I of course mean "please, readers, come back tomorrow...please...readers?...reader?...mom?..."

Happy Tuesday.

Want this look? Just throw on random stuff from your closet until you're dressed. Orrrr shop below. Either way.

More Gap...

a joyful heart. a candy-filled mouth.

(This number match would've been PERFECT if I only had a hairier back. And jaggedy shins...)

shoes: steve madden. leggings: don't recall. skirt & striped shirt: gap. floral shirt: f21. bracelet: downeast outfitters. earrings: hawaii.

 Sorry about allllllll the photos today...I was editing and chatting at the same time and didn't realize how many photos I'd done. Thus...one bazillion pics of yours truly. Best day of your life, I know. You're welcome.

So, there's snow outside. Just a wee bit, though, on a few sidewalks. [Editor's note: Can I use words like "wee" even if I'm not Irish? or Scottish? Discuss, but only in brogue accents.] And, although this footwear would indeed fall under the "sandal" category, I think the designers secretly had snow in mind. See the platform? Yep. Like snowshoes to keep my toes out of the snow. Brilliant.

This outfit is kinda everywhere at once. Floral & stripes, button-up and henley tee, pencil skirt and chunky bracelet, crazy patterned leggings and gladiator wedges...really, today there's no method to my madness. But I think it's Unexpected and Maybe Awesome.

And actually, if you were to peek into my soul today, you'd find an equally...um...varied array of emotion. I'm content, somber, wild, flighty, giddy, focused, and, above all, joyful. Despite the fact that my puppy broke my favorite watch yesterday. And the fact that my darling 4-year-old has missplaced (no doubt forever) one of her new ballet slippers. And the fact that my heart and thoughts rarely stray from Pocket's grampa, fighting for his life, and gramma, watching her beloved fight for his life.

There is sadness and fear and awfulness in my world at times. But the fact remains that last night my little family laughed until we cried. And all three kidlets now love Charlie the puppy. (Our 4-year-old has been struggling since we got Charlie last October. And when I say "struggling," what I really mean is "petrified" and "expressed in 180-decibel paranoid screams if the dog so much as glanced her way.") And we played and hung out and created a golden glow of warmth and home even in a fluorescent-bulbed basement (not exactly the coziest of lighting devices; I think we'll be switching back. Don't tell the Green Police on me. At least not til after taxes...).

Anyways. Despite its ups and downs and in-between plateaus, life is delicious and lovely. And I wanted today's ensemble to reflect that. Now if only the buttons were edible hunks o' chocolate...

Happy Wednesday.

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