Counting Down

Top: Gap / Cardigan: from a local boutique / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target / Bag: Vintage Coach, via eBay / Sunglasses: Target / Belt: Target / Bracelets: DIY (how to, here!)

 

So the good news is I "inherited" this belt from my mom. Hooray for free stuff! The bad news is is broke all of two hours after taking this picture. :-/ It was a cheap-y belt from Target, so I suppose the fact that it lived for a few years is quite good.

I'm trying to be mindful of what I buy on the (super) cheap and what I spend my money on. Colorful skinny belts that will last a few years? $20, max. But, classic bags or workhorse shoes that will last forever? I'm trying to work up the courage to spend more on those sorts of things. Thus, my decision to buy that beautiful Cambridge Satchel as soon as I move to, fittingly, Cambridge, MA.

Speaking of which, I have only 3 days left working in the elementary school I've been in for the past year, 5 days left at this job, 10 days until I move, 11 until I start school, and 12 until my birthday! Whoah, there. I'm a serious combination of excited and nervous for what the next few weeks has in store. Wish me luck!

Hope you are all having a lovely week!

Brights & Blues

 Top: Old Navy Tie Hem Blouse sz s ($10.99, available in charcoal for $8.99 online!) / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 (same) / Bag: Fossil men's messenger (similar) / Bracelets: "inherited" from my roommate / Necklace: bought in Italy / Glasses: Coach

 

I hope everyone had a relaxing and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Thank you to anyone who commented on my Academic/Professional post recently; I really appreciate knowing there are others out there who think about similar questions regarding blogging and the professional world!

* * * * * * * *

This weekend, after going to my cousin's bridal shower in Santa Barbara (which was compltely lovely, by the way! So good to spend time with family), my mom and I stopped by the Camarillo outlet mall on the way back. We power-shopped our way through and came home with some pretty good deals! A backback for me for school (yes, apparently I am starting middle school, not grad school!), a heavy winter coat, and a Le Creuset tea kettle in an adorable bright blue, all deeply discounted.

 Did anyone else take advantage of weekend sales?

A Little Less

 

Dress: from a local boutique / Cardigan: Target / Sandals: Gap / Necklace: from a farmer's market / Bag: Gift, from Guatemala 

 

My car died this weekend, by which I mean the battery is fully and completely cooked. It's a Prius, so this may mean (if it's the fancy Prius battery) a nice chunk of change to get it replaced. Hot on the heels of having my first car totaled, this most recent adventure in grown-up car ownership got me thinking about how much I'd like to simply not have so many...things.

Of course, that may sound too simple. No car means no totaled vehicles, no paying for batteries, no batteries dieing in the first place, and no annoyance of what to do when the car's not there. (This is all presupposing a great public transportation system I could rely on, and is after, obviously, counting my blessings that I am able to have a car and pay for its fancy new battery in the first place.) But fewer things do, I think, mean less mental clutter and more breathing space in the long run.

This is something I've always want to do with my closet. Get it down to the few, perfect, timeless, beautiful pieces that I could wear anywhere, to do anything. I'd love to have everything match everything else so perfectly that putting looks together is a breeze. I'd love the paired-down simplicity of the one perfect cocktail dress, the one perfect blazer, the one perfect white shirt. But, in reality, I do buy with the trends (though I try to do it sparingly), I do like doubles and triples of things I wear often (skinny jeans, t-shirts, boots), I do buy silly impulse purchases, and I do think I "need" that cute new dress from H&M, when really I should save my money for the one perfect dress from a much more timeless store. This, I think, is what my wardrobe aspires to be, when it's all grown up. Simple, timeless, paired-down, and thoughtfully put together as opposed to bought on a whim. I'd like to think I'm getting there (with a few unnecessary purchases along the way), piece by piece by piece.

Casual Shmasual

 Dress: from a local boutique / Cardigan: Forever 21 / Flats: Macy's / Bag: Alice + Olivia
 

I'm not even sure I get credit for this outfit, it's so easy. Dress + cardigan + flats + bag = business casual Friday. Today, being a Saturday and a perfect 68 degrees, will be an even more casual version of the same. I've got to make the most of the LA wheather while I'm still here!

Spring Green

 Top: from a local boutique ($12) / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Shoes: Target leopard print flats sz 7.5 / Bag: BCBG / Necklace: from a farmer's market

 

I have a few new rules for myself right now as to what I should and should not buy. The number-one culprit on the not-to-buy list is any solid colored, short sleeved cotton t-shirt (my wardrobe staple since high school). In leui of that, I'm trying to get slightly more "grown up" shirts instead, be it by virtue of cut, fabric, detail, or color.

This shirt is still, obviously, a solid colored, short sleeve shirt, but!, it is made of silk (which wrinkles, apparently, no matter what), and has at least an interesting button detail on one shoulder. I think this makes it a "blouse" rather than a "shirt." And blouses are totally grown up, right?

January, Say What??

 Sweater: H&M / Dress (worn as a skirt): local boutique / Boots: Thrifted / Necklace: local farmer's market

 

 Los Angeles really threw me for a loop this weekend. It's January, so I wake up bundled in blankets and dreaming of cozy sweaters and warm socks. Surprise: it's 80 degrees outside. I wore this outfit to go to the nearby farmer's market this weekend, and was instantly overheating.

But there is no WAY I'm going to complain. I'll just bust out my flip flops and apologize profusely to anyone not currently in Southern California. :)

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

49ers!!!!

Today, there will be football. So, so, so much football. I'm going to a San Fransisco themed bar here in LA and will be watching the playoff games with many, many rabid fans. Wish us luck!! :)

Go 49ers!

Massachusets Dreaming

 Top: Gap / Sweater: Target sz s / Jeans: Paige / Shoes: Rocket Dog / Bag: Fossil / Bracelets: bought in England

 

I think one of the keys to saving money on clothes is to keep things foreverrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I have had these black flats for years, have put multiple pairs of drugstore-bought insoles in them to extend their life, have worn them into the ground, and (much to the Boyfriend's chagrin) am still wearing them.

That, my friends, is how you save money! :)

In other news, I spent all of Saturday sitting in a coffee shop and editing the heck out of my grad school applications, which are due in a few days (!!!). I thought I'd give myself a leg up by channeling my inner east coast grad school student through my outfit. I was hoping for a collared shirt/sweater effect a bit more like this one from i am Khatu, but it turns out I actually have zero necklaces of that length/weight (which really makes her outfit). Maybe I'll be able to buy one in April to congratulate myself on getting into grad school? Goodness, one can hope!

2011: Looks in Review

Oh my goodness, it has been too long! I'm back! Winter break was lovely; full of friends and family and vacations up the coast of California and across the country to chilly NY. I'm glad, however, to be back in Southern California, back at my job, and back in my own bed!

I started this blog with the intentions of breaking my jeans-and-tshirt rut, finding some fun and creativity in how I presented myself, and helping out other petites (and non-petites!) who wanted to feel good about how they dressed without spending a bazillion dollars.

I hope I've kept to those goals throughout this past calendar year, and that I'll continue sticking with them into 2012 and beyond (please use a Buzz Lightyear voice to read the previous phrase). To celebrate the first year in which I started this little project, a recap of my 10 favorite outfits (or, the times in which I was most proud of myself for getting dressed in the morning), of 2011.

Full layout inspiration credit to the lovely and stylish Megan of Feathers and Freckles who daily proves that a little Picnik goes a long way.

 1. Warm and Cozy 2. Crisp Oxford 3. Can you really dye my shirt to match my wall?

 4. PFC #11 5. PFC # 10 6. Casual Fridays 7. Party Dress

8. Pattern Mixing 101 9. It's Summer, and I'm Confused 10. Is it Fall Yet?

Things I have learned from these 10 looks: I love cardigans, I really love black and purple, I like high belts way more than the Boyfriend wishes I did, I'm proud of myself when I wear skirts, and I'm extra proud of myself when I wear heels. :) Happy New Year, everyone! And thank you so, so much for reading.

Real Simple

Shirt: Gap sz xs / Shorts: DIY Paige jean shorts / Scarf: bought in Spain / Necklace: bought at my local Farmer's Market ($15.00) / Shoes: Target Leopard Print Flats sz 7.5 (bought with a Gift Card; $12.99 but out of stock online)

Ah, lazy Sundays. And lazy bloggers who post their Sunday outfits on Wednesdays. This outfit is a variation on what could be referred to as Lauren's Uniform: jeans, a solid-colored short-sleeved shirt, flats, simple jewelry, and possibly a scarf. Done and done. Lazy blogger, indeed.

 Two new things in this outfit today! My Target Leopard Print Flats ($12.99 but out of stock online), and this lovely necklace, bought at a local Farmer's Market ($15).

First, the shoes: I bought a size 7.5 because the size 7 was sold out online, but, alas, 7.5 is a bit too big. I put in insoles, which fills up a bit of space, but even then...I really should have a 7. I love, however, how they take such a simple outfit like this one and make it a bit more interesting. I'm debating weather or not to keep them.

And, the necklace: I LOVE this little thing! I've been keeping an eye out for a longer pendant necklace for a while now, and I stumbled upon this little beauty at a local Farmer's Market the other week (I bought produce too, don't judge). I love the fact that it is a working watch...it reminds me of men's pocket watches and the good ol' days. Or something like that.

The World's Easiest DIY: Jean Shorts

Honestly, this might not even be worth a DIY post.... I think everyone and their mother has probably made jean shorts out of old jeans. I do, however, have two tips that may or may not improve your jeans-shorts making process!

Start with: Weird old jeans that you realize you've had since middle school. Note the really strange fade-out at the shins, unflattering flare at the bottom, puckering around the knees, and too-light wash.

Top: from a local boutique / Jeans: Paige petites (very, very old)

 Step 1: While standing, put your finger where you want your shorts to end, then mark just below that with a sharpie.

 Step 2: Fold your jeans over and make sure everything lines up. This will save you from having your pant legs be two different lengths. Cut just barely above your line.

 

 Step 3: Roll up the cuffs to hide the frayed ends, and give your shorts a slightly more finished look.

Step 4: Wear with a loose tank top and no shoes in your backyard. Mojitos optional. (Though possibly mandatory for those of you also in LA. 84 degrees on Halloween day?! Craziness.)

WorkWorkWorkWork

 

Sweater: Gap / Top: Forever 21 / Skirt: Forever 21 / Necklace: Bought in Italy / Shoes: Macy's

 
You guys, these pictures lie. I am not this chipper right now. I worked 12 hours today, 10 of them spent teaching 5th graders (per usual) sooooo....zzzzzzzz. How about some happy-looking photos to cheer us all up?

  Ok, can't even type more right now. Sooo sleeeppyyyyy.
There, this is more what I look like right now:
 
Hope you all are having a good week! 

Oh Hai

 
Sweater: Cashmere, Bought in Scotland / Top: Urban Outfitters / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Boots: Urban Outfitters / Scarf: Gift, from Chile

The title? Don't judge. It's what Flickr said to me when I signed in this afternoon. Good enough for me. Also because, oh hai, here's my face:

I haven't been showing my face in photos as of yet for a few reasons. At first, I was weirded out because...the whole internet? Merh. Then...I kind of got over that as I read more style blogs and saw other ladies who were confident enough to put themselves out there. Also, my mom puts tons of photos of our whole family up on her blog already! :) Yup. She has a blog. Go read it!

I also was feeling like I didn't look cute enough/put together enough/make-up-y enough/done-hair-y enough to put full photos out there for you all to see. Now? I guess I'm kind of getting over that too.

  If I go around all day with my non-makeup-ed face and talk to everyone in my life and feel just fine, then I shouldn't worry too much about being seen that way in photos!

I'll probably switch off between full and cropped photos from here on out, depending on how weird the faces I'm making when I take pictures are.
 

So, hi there. Happy to see you!

Sunday Funday

 
Sweater: Macy's, men's sz small /  Shorts: Urban Outfitters sz 00 / Boots: Urban Outfitter sz 7 / Socks: Target

 This is quickly becoming my brunch-and-farmers-market-and-chilling-around-the-house-on-Sunday look. I have woken up for the past few weekends, put some variety of this on, and been sooooo happy all day. I like the play of the covered up/loose top with the tight, tiny shorts. And the boots, of course. Because it's almost fall in Los Angeles (kind of?) so I'm definitely prepared to justify boots.

Man, I wish it were Sunday right now...

(Not Quite A) Misfit

 
Top: Thrifted (68 cents!) / Sweater: Forever 21 sz m / Jeans: Gap 1969 skinny sz 0 / Shoes: Macy's sz 7 / Necklace: Gift

This top isn't quite a misfit, so much as it is something I got recently but hadn't yet had a chance to wear. I really really like it. It's so simple and casual, but in a bright fun color I don't wear too often (I have hardly any pink in my closet), and it has stripes, AND it was only 68 cents!

 
This top: a definite keep!