I am large, I contain multitudes

Usually I welcome the coming of spring weather most excitedly in the transition from winter footwear to sandals. The specifics of those sandals changes depending on what stage my personal style is going though at the time. In the past, this meant a lot of flip flops and various flat-soled shoes, but the upheaval and progress I have made this past year as a style blogger has meant my first choice in warm weather footwear has been my ridiculous Nine West quasi-espadrille wedges. They are astonishingly comfortable for their height, though they have their limit. And the way they push my toes together isn't significant enough to cause pain unless, as I remembered today, I haven't clipped my toenails in awhile. I also donned this skirt, which started out as a crazy pair of vintage shorts I was going to put in my shop, but decided to gut and remake. They still have a certain shorts-y aesthetic, but the transformation was pretty successful. Unfortunately, the before photos I took got erased, but if they hadn't you could see that not only did I change the shorts into a skirt, but I moved the zipper from the front to the back. In addition, this was my second sewing project ever, done entirely by winging it and hoping for the best. While the final product looks decent from the outside, don't ever ask to see the seams/stitching underneath, cause....yikes.

I recently finished the books I had been working on the past couple of months, the Hunger Games trilogy (great, though the last book isn't as compelling as the first two) and Schulz and Peanuts. The latter, which was a bit scattered in places and not the best written biography I've read, was nonetheless fascinating and enlightening. Schulz come across as single-minded, contraditory, ambitious, insecure, self-involved, child-like, loving, and brilliant. Even if you have only a cursory interest in his work, it's worth reading about his journey from an unappreciated, unknown cartoonist to the creator of one of the single most influential pop culture forces of the 20th century. 

You can't tell from the pictures, but the skirt is actually made of corduroy. Yep, high-waisted, pleated, dew-covered, corduroy leaves. Only in the eighties.

Handed-down American Eagle cardigan, Old Navy cami, repurposed vintage skirt, Nine West wedges from Ross, Urban Outfitters trench, vitnage Lou Taylor purse

Cheap and Cheerful

Is it just me, or does cuffing a pair of skinny jeans above the ankles instantly make them look tons cooler and more stylish? I'm pretty sure it's wishful thinking on my part, but just go with it.

Incidentally, I never get more compliments than when I wear this shirt. Okay, maybe that's not true, but honestly people love it. Personally, I'm not totally smitten, though probably because its tunic cut means it doesn't go with anything except skinny jeans, and I can't really do anything creative with it. But when I wear it I do enjoy the satin trim, which is irresistibly smooth and soft. I used to have a blanket with a similar trim when I was a baby, so it's strangely comforting.  

Guess cardigan from Labels consignment, top from a store in Anaheim, Buffalo Exchange jeans, Nine West wedges from Ross, bracelet here

A hasty, chilly photo shoot yesterday resulted in pretty sub-par photos, but here's a couple of semi-decent ones. I'm still struggling to find something to match this skirt besides white (purple and white were my high school colors, I still feel a bit strange wearing them together) or black. While not totally successful, I did like the tone-on-tone look with my green shoes and tights. I find myself more and more working similar monotone elements into my outfits, such as with my coral t-shirt and red sweater from last week. Full monotone is a bit extreme for me, though... I always have to include at least one major piece in a contrasting color. 

Target t-shirt from Goodwill, Wilson's Leather skirt from Labels consignment, Charlotte Russe tights, Payless Shoe Source heels

Good Grief

However frowned upon it may be to wear the same cardigan two days in a row when documenting both those outfits for a style blog, I've done it anyway. And once again, I flout the conventions of my former (more rule-oriented) self by pairing red with purple. I ended up wandering the trails for quite awhile, enamored of the beautiful weather, communing with birds that called from the trees and skittered about in the underbrush. And then, I welcomed again that spring phenomenon that always seems to slip my mind in the dark days of winter: allergies. I sneezed and sniffled, but it was relatively minor, and nothing could shrink my enthusiasm for a day that was so lovely.

American Rag cardigan, Target children's section dress, Betsey Johnson tights, vintage necklace, Blowfish flats from Ross

So no one told you life was gonna be this way

As much as I like this outfit, I have to say that a blue sky is the best accessory I could ask for. I've really missed it these past few months! It's shining presence begs bright bright colors and happy clothes. Though fifth grade me would be highly disapproving of my mixing of a pink shirt with a red cardigan. I can't help it...all former rules go out the window in my attempt to look as sunny as the sky. I've brought a bit of neutral in with the belt and shoes, but I did give my red flats and pink belt serious consideration first.

The last outfit I posted was the an uncontested hit, earning me more attention on chictopia and weardrobe than anything else I've ever posted. And the lovely white skirt was sold in record time. Tomorrow it will be on it's way to California. I'm a bit sad to see it go so soon, but I certainly welcome the money! I guess I'll have to use it to add in a couple new items, since I also recently sold a pair high-waisted pinstripe trousers. I feel just the slightest bit closer to being able to make a living off my thrifting and vintage obsessions. I still have lots of stuff in the shop, so click through the link on my sidebar to take a look!

American Rag cardigan from Macy's, Walmart t-shirt, Pacsun skirt, Target tights, Target shoes, vintage belt


Oh, and before I forget...thanks so much to Meganne at The Posh Pearl for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award! Her blog is great, and not just because of her adorable bird-themed header. She always wears tons of bright color, has a great eye for pattern, AND she has the same skirt I'm wearing here in a different color AND she likes Radiohead. And I love all her shoes. So win-win-win.

How You Doin'?

I am in love with the colors in this outfit. Coral, mustard, caramel, sage and crisp white. I'm not sure if I feel like a cheerleader or a housewife in this skirt, but the pleats and stark whiteness demand to be contrasted with bright, pretty colors. It feels fun and feminine at the same time...like a cross between a tennis skirt and a gown. After a couple of weeks wearing skinny jeans and t-shirts every day, putting on this outfit was like going home again. 

Target cardigan, handed-down tank top, vintage skirt available here, mom's old belt, vintage Lou Taylor handbag, Payless Shoe Source shoes

Rookie of the Year: Hailee Steinfeld

I know that it's way way too late to be posting ruminations on award season style, but I have to put my two cents in on perhaps the most impressive show of formal dresses by a singe person I've ever seen. And to make the feat even more astonishing, it was delivered by a fourteen year old girl, True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld. I don't know about you, but I'd kind of hate to be expected to choose red-carpet worthy dress at that age. Or rather, I would have loved to, and then years later would have looked back in dismay at my choices. 

Usually when a young teenager or preteen is thrust into awards season, they end up being stuck in something that looks very mall/promish. Parents or stylists seem afraid of getting too close to sexy territory, lest they be lambasted in the press. All future female actresses in Hailee's situation should print out these photos as a guidebook on age appropriate, fun, modern, and classic. First off, her Oscar dress is simple and sweet with lovely beading, and the netted material that takes the stapless silhouette to a more modest sleeveless is the perfect touch. I love the headband, which is at once youthful and sophisticated. 

Her Golden Globe look was equally successful. Her hair, though different in all three looks, is always simple and sleek. She's not showing too much skin, nor does she feel the need to cover up her bare arms with an awkward shawl. The clutch and bracelet are perfectly minimal-it would have been ridiculous to put her in diamonds. She isn't caked in makeup, and the slightly stronger eye is balanced by a nude lip. She doesn't look like a child who got into her mother's makeup, but rather a lovely fourteen year old.

My personal favorite is also the most imperfect of her choices-the orange and pink Prada dress she wore to the SAG Awards. There's something a bit off about the color combo, and I simply cannot decide if the gathered hem at the bottom is good or strange. But of all the dresses I've seen so far this year, this one is the one I have remembered. It's a bold choice to be sure, but for a relatively unknown actress who isn't even eligible for a driver's license to step in front of millions of people wearing it, I can give her nothing but respect. Most established actresses are so terrified of being criticized that they opt again and again for beautiful but safe dresses. Few would have the guts to step out in bold, bright, stripes. She plays the rest of her look perfectly, no accessories except a single ring, hair smooth and wavy. She must have known that people would be inclined to hate what she was wearing, yet she shows not a hint of uncertainty in expression or stance.

The more I look back on this dress, the more I love it. While all three looks are fantastic, I can't see the first two making a lasting impression. But whenever I watch award shows, the third will always serve as a sort of standard by which I'll judge how willing the attendees are to take risks. If only red carpets were filled with more color and pattern and daring and with less diamonds and draping overly-hairsprayed updos. Well played, Hailee Steinfeld. Please do more award-winning movies, because I can't wait to see what you wear next year.

It's not easy finding green (in my wardrobe)

I'll admit, I had no recollection it was St. Patrick's Day this morning. At some point I checked my Facebook and noticed some updates mentioning it, which I promptly forgot and went about my business. Still, I somehow managed to throw on a green cardigan before leaving the house this morning, so I guess my subconscious was looking out for me. In celebration, here's some pictures of me wearing green things.

I would make each picture a hyperlink if I was smooth and cool and fancy, but alas, I am not. Also, I tried captions but I couldn't do that and have two pictures in the same row. Isn't blogger lovely?

Green items are: 1. Old Navy button-up (on clearance) worn here. 2. Charlotte Russe top, which I apparently photographed but never posted. The blazer is from some store in California and also has green stripes in it. 3. Anne Taylor cardi from Goodwill worn here. 4. Secondhand skirt from Labels worn here. 5.Charlotte Russe tights I wear ALL THE TIME but specifically here. 6. Old Navy t-shirt worn here. 7. My grandma's scarf, she used to wear it in high school (and the tights again) worn here.

Is that enough content to appease you while I am too lazy to take photographs? Yes? Ok cool. 

Throw it over

Many of my friends are still skeptical of the whole shirt tucked into a skirt thing, though I valiantly try to convince them of its merits. They also tend to yank skirts down to their hips, looking at me askance if I dare suggest the waistline should hit above their bellybutton. All this to preface that I wore my shirt untucked with a skirt today, and it was weird. Not insomuch that it looked wrong, but I felt as if I was betraying a steadfast guideline. Rest assured, I will be tucking away for a good stretch in order to realign my worldview.

Really old Wet Seal button-up, PacSun tank, Macys skirt, old black tights, Charlotte Russe green tights, vintage boots