Green Arches

Charlotte Russe shirt, Kohl's shorts, Converse sneakers, Ralph Lauren sunglasses

Since the college students will be flooding into town soon, I decided to hit the trails while they're still relatively empty. I saw nary a soul for the first ten minutes or so, but soon a bicyclist came whoosing down the hill, scaring the bejeezus out of me. I also got the worst case of itchy legs coming back down the trail. From the knee up, they were in a constant state mild burning, and turned a lovely shade of red.  For the last twenty minutes or so of my hike, all I could think about was getting back to the car. 

Twirly girl

Handed-down AE cardigan, tank top my old roommated gave me, UO skirt from Buffalo Exchange, vintage sandals

This skirt I just got is kind of twirly, and so I decided to get a good picture of me demonstrating said twirliness. Instead I got a lot of really strange shots where it looks like I'm standing still but it also kinda seems like I'm doing the robot with just my arms (see photo #2 above). 

Tale of two watches

Concert tee, Macy's skirt, Target sandals

I went to go have lunch with Joe while wearing this outfit.  About half an hour in, he gave me a strange look and asked "Are you wearing two watches?" I confirmed that I was, knowing it was kind of a silly thing to do but standing behind my choice of accessories. He looked at me for a few seconds, then told me I was weird. To which I responded, "Well, you married me!"

So I win.

Primary

Express cardigan,  Buffalo Exchange (F21) dress, Kohl's wedges

The first three photos are what I what I looked like at work...the last one is what I looked like at home. 

Gold is shiny, the sun is shiny- what could go wrong?

Gap Outlet shirt, Buffalo Exchange (delias) skirt, vintage belt, Kohl's flats

Some style tips, from me to you:  When planning and outfit, one should take into account the occasion/fanciness level of each piece, and choose other items in the same genre. Gold slightly shiny clothing is considered party/holiday appropriate. Preppy polka-dot skirts are everyday casual. Animal print flats can look sophisticated paired with a simple outfit, and dark skinny jeans are a perfect anchor to keep them from looking tacky.

In conclusion, here's me paying absolutely no attention to those rules, which are arbitrary anyway because even though I usually follow them I made them up myself.

Complimentary cardigan

Cardigan from some shop in Portland, Urban Outfitters dress, Steve Madden flats

My first impulse for this post was to say that I got a lot of compliments on this sweater. But then when I thought about it, I realized I got only two compliments on it. Which might not sound like much, except they were from random strangers while I was working. Random stranger compliments are worth more than friend compliments, because they're not as common. Still, "a lot" seems a bit of an exaggeration. 

It is a cute sweater, though.

Oh, and to the anon who asked if I take my photos with a self-timer, the answer is yes. It is a very annoying process.

Tropical Color Scheme

thrifted cardigan, UO tank, PacSun skirt, vintage espadrilles

I had several other almost-great shots where I was laying on the ground, but they were all like 90% my legs. Since this is a style diary, not my attempt at attracting random dudes who like looking at my legs, they are now lost to the realms of my laptop recycle bin. Never to be seen, unless a hacker steals my laptop and somehow finds them. Or I become subject to a criminal investigation relating to my computing activities. In that case, someone's gonna see a LOT of bad/weird photos I've taken and deleted. I feel really sorry for that future hypothetical person.

The belt solution

Urban Outfitters top, Old Navy cami, Gap jeans, vintage Ferragamo flats, vintage belt

I've had this shirt for at least six months, but I was at such an impasse trying to figure out how to wear it. The flowy, boxy, wide silhouette was strange on me, and I kept trying to use my go-to fix (stick a cardigan over it), but even that wasn't working. Finally, it dawned on me- belt that sucker! Belts fix everything! Well, not everything. But a lot of things!

I'm not on a boat

Gap tunic, Old Navy cami, Gap Kids shorts, vintage belted, thrifted L.L. Bean shoes

Somebody get me a yacht to board and a scotch or whatever fancy preppy New England people drink. Actually don't, I'm a wimp when it comes to hard alcohol and I'd probably drink one, get nauseated, and go lay on the couch with some crackers to calm my stomach. Also I get motion sickness so scratch the yacht too. Man, I am a failure at this lifestyle. Guess I'll just stick with the outfit.

I don't even know...

Gap Kids shirt, handed-down Gap Outlet dress, vintage espadrilles, mom's old necklace, Roxy watch

I feel like my photos could be a kind of visual spinoff of Zach Galifianakis's (spelled that right the first time, oh yeah!) show Between Two Ferns. Maybe I'll change the name of my blog to Between Two Trees, and I can invite people to talk about our outfits, except it would be boring and not funny because no one really cares. Like, for example, today's interview might be about how to categorize my ensemble here. Preppy cowgirl with a dash of dressy casual? Dress that's slightly inappropriate for work made passable with a shirt thrown over it? Attempt at maybe not wearing a cardigan with every single dress every time I wear it? Yeah, I wouldn't want to read that either.

Incognito

Maurices cardigan, Value Village (Ralph Lauren) t-shirt, Goodwill skirt,
vintage Ferragamo oxfords, vintage scarf as a belt, San Diego Hat Company fedora

So I was getting dressed one morning, wearing this skirt and t-shirt, and figuring out what else to add, and saw this scarf in the bottom of my closet. I picked it up, wrapped it around my waist, looked in the mirror, and thought "why the heck not?" And then I put on the cardigan and hat and Joe saw my outfit and said [relevant info: we are in a band together] I was the last person he would expect to be in a rock band. 

Also, I'm sorry if your brain exploded when you saw me wearing this much brown and black, because I think maybe some people still believe that's not okay. But it IS okay, people. Neutrals like each other. Stop telling them they can't play together.

The feels of summer

Vintage boy's shirt, Mudd shorts, vintage espadrilles, Roxy watch, Ralph Lauren sunglasses

There are certain atrocities I will never abide, no matter how persistantly they march on in the "style" lexicon. Leggings as pants when your shirt is above butt level. Uggs and Crocs. Spray tans. Ponchos. Oh, my nemesis the poncho.

But I'm probably guilty of getting on other people's style nerves sometimes, too. For example- when it's hot and gorgeous out, and I'm feeling summer feeelings, I can't help busting out my booty shorts. Luckily, I don't have much of a booty, so it's really not that scandalous. But, as a person nearing her thirties, should I even be allowed to own these? Maybe not. But that's not going to stop me.