What I Wore Today

Trivia Animal

2009-12-29T10:23:00.000-08:00

I had only one reason to put on real clothes today: Last Call Trivia at Champions. Soon enough, I’ll be back at work and donning something blog-worthy ever day. Until then, I’m afraid you’re stuck with my wacky casual wear.

Hat, Vintage. Sweater, Apt 9 (thrifted). Muppet scarf, WalMart. Turtleneck, Cherokee. Dress, Blu Heaven. Leggings, Target. Boots, Diba.

I had to swap my hat for a feathered headband before heading out. The hat needs some repairs. I’m molting!

I couldn’t remember where I got this scarf, so I flipped back to the last time I remember wearing it on my blog to view the source information. This entry is from October 2006:

Couldn't Wait

2009-12-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

I’ve worn a dress over jeans, but never a skirt. This morning, I altered* this skirt and eagerly tried it on over my jeans. I was so enamored with the result, that I wore it for the rest of the day.

Cardigan, Mossimo (thrifted). Tee, Forever 21. Skirt, Rafaella (thrifted). Jeans, Dollhouse (overdyed with black dye but it has really faded). Boots, Playhouse.

*My “alterations” consisted of returning the skirt to its original closure points. The previous owner had removed the buttons and added snaps so that the skirt would fit a larger wearer. The snaps were effective, but the reduced wrapping ruined the lines of the skirt.

No Fatale

2009-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

I’ll never be a femme fatale. I don’t have the look. (I’ve always thought my freckles ruined my chances of being anything but "cute.") Most importantly, though, I just don’t have the personality. I occasionally fake it with clothes, but that isn’t me.

Jacket, Forever 21. Cardigan, Juicy Couture (swap). Dress, No Boundaries. Turtleneck, Cherokee Leggings, Danskin. Boots, Diba. Purse, Coldwater Creek

Two by Two

2009-12-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

Is two always better than one? I’m wearing two scarves, two dresses, and two pairs of tights. If not better, two is certainly more interesting.

Sweater dress, Japan. Missoni-esque dress, Lipstick. Black scarf, Cappel’s. Blue scarf, Thailand. Blue lace leggings, Forever 21. Black tights, Danskin. Boots, Rampage. Charm bracelet, Just 2 Friends. Brass bangle, World Market.

Two kittens is certainly better than one!

The last photo is taken with my new, little camera. Because two cameras is also better than one.

Hooray for Christmas!

I Sparkle

2009-12-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

I don’t think there is a more appropriate place to wear a lamé dress than karaoke. I don’t plan to sing, though. I’ll just sit back with a Lemondrop and sparkle in the corner.

Cardi, Apt 9 (thrifted). Tee, Forever 21. Dress, American Apparel. Peggins, Bongo. Boots, Life Strides Earrings, self made. Scarf, gift. Coat, vintage.

I’ve worn this tee over this dress before, but with a cardigan on top, like today. I wish it were warm enough to lose the sweater.

I can’t complain too much about the cold, though, because it gives me a chance to wear this fabulous coat.

Not so fabulous: these boots. I bought them to wear to work, with pants, three years ago. I haven’t worn proper pants (i.e. not jeans or leggings) to work since September and I haven’t worn these boots since December 2007. They are just so so ugly and I’d rather wear my Isaac Mizrahi shabooties on the rare occasions I’m not in a skirt or dress at work.

Cheeky

2009-12-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

As a dancer, I’ve got a drawer full of legwarmers. As an after-thirty woman, though, I’m afraid wearing them outside of ballet class would be ridiculous. Thankfully, I read You Look Fab and got the idea to wear them under my boots, but pulled up enough to give my outfits a bit of cheek. Brilliant!

Cardi, Mossimo (thrifted). Tank, Express. Skirt, Chaus Sport (thifted). Sweater leggings, Macy’s. Leg warmers (the yellow bits), Luxury Diva. Boots, Diva. Owl pendant, vintage.

Wow, look at those roots! I intend to do something scandalous with them…but they aren’t long enough yet.

Not Too Cold

2009-12-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

It snowed here in Cinci. It’s nothing like the east coast’s dump, but has prettified the landscape nonetheless. Despite the snow coating, it isn’t too cold for miniskirts. (At least, not when paired with sweater-like tights.)

Cardi, I Heart Ronson. Sweater, Body Central. Turtleneck, Cherokee. Skirt, London Jean. Tights, Macy’s. Boots, TJ Maxx. Scarf, Images (gift). Hat, Stray Dog.

In fact, this outfit was so appropriate for the conditions that I slept in it and wore it the next day, too.

For the Rest of Us

2009-12-18T23:59:00.000-08:00

I wore my finest Festivus finery this evening. I’m entirely unsure as to what constitutes appropriate Festivus apparel, so I took the opportunity to wear whatever the hell I wanted.

Poncho, Christopher and Banks. Skirt, Mossimo. Tights, Target, Boots, Rampage. Zipper hoop earrings, Claire’s.

And, wait for it: Dress, American Apparel. Studded suspenders, Hot Topic.

I was ready for feats of strength but settled for an airing of grievances instead. My beef: drivers who don’t use their turn signals. Seriously, all it takes is the flick of a pinky!

Mime

2009-12-18T23:27:00.000-08:00

This was an ill-considered outfit. Between the tight pants (really, peggings) and the striped shirt, I felt like some sort of slutty mime. That might be cool for Carnivolution (where I’m considering spending New Year’s Eve), but not work.

Scarf, Images (gift). Jacket, Forever 21. Sheer tank, Mossimo. Turtleneck, Gap (swap). Purple tank, some teen store. Peggings, Bongo. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Necklace, Anthropologie. Ring, vintage. Brooch (fastened to back of jacket), swap.

My mime story:

I am surprised to find myself in an invisible box.

But wait, there’s an opening:

Ah, screw that. I’m taking the stairs.

The end and deets:

P.S. Mime skills are NOT on my acting resume.

Monet

2009-12-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

Before beginning this blog, I would never have worn multiple shades of one color or paired it with its color-wheel neighbor. Lately, however, I’ve been experimenting with blue: wearing multiple shades of blue and pairing it with green or purple. The results remind me of Monet painting.

Jacket, vintage. Dress, I Heart Ronson. Tights, We Love Colors. Booties, Sigerson Morrison for Target. Earrings, Jana’s Designs. Cuff, Pangaea.

These earrings are made with spent ammunition casings. The artist told me she calls them “make art, not war.”

Underfoot

2009-12-16T17:09:00.000-08:00

This is the third time I’ve worn the doily necklace and I think I can safely say that I like it. It’s perfect for filling in a bare neckline or adding some interest to a plain top. The large scale of the piece ensures it isn’t lost among my winter layers.

Turtleneck, Merona. Dress, To The Max. Necklace, self made. Tights, Apostrophe. Booties, Madden Girl. Headband, Urban Outfitters.

The kittens have integrated well with the two adult cats. I release them from the “kitten room” while I’m home and conscious. I must admit, picture time is challenging with them racing up and down the hall.

Sammy loves loves loves the babies. He’s an overgrown kitten himself. They play “paws,” chase one another, and terrify me with wrestling bouts.

That just doesn’t look fair, does it?
No worries...the kitten-cat interactions are supervised and they are separated when things get too rough.

Tale of Two Tartans

2009-12-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

I love plaid and wear this dress often…but the shoes have languished in my closet. They’re cute, but so uncomfortable they may as well be carved from whole blocks of wood. They’re stunners, though, so I keep them around.

Poncho, INC. Dress, Bitten (shortened). Tights, Target. Shoes, Charlotte Russe. Belt worn as a necklace, thrifted. Braceet, Mod Cloth.

Gratuitous kittens:

Angels and Demons
P.S. That's a catnip cigar under Walt's behind in the first photo. I know it looks like something else...

Dirty Santa

2009-12-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

This is the third year I’ve attended TDW’s holiday brunch, but the first time I thought to get a picture with Santa.

Wrap, Coldwater Creek. Dress, No Boundaries. Leggings, LNA. Boots, Diba. Earrings, Urban Outfitters. Bag, Payless.

The Santa mannequin originally modeled in a Catholic supply store. He also has a priest outfit.

Here’s what I’ve worn to the brunch over the past couple years:

I didn’t make it to the brunch in 2006…but that was the meeting at which I won the Cairo Kate. And I missed it. Boo.

1982 Christmas

2009-12-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I found this ruffled dress at St Vincent de Paul. I couldn’t wait for an opportunity to wear it. I’ll be totally, inappropriately overdressed at tonight’s party, but I don’t care.

Dress, thrifted. Jacket, Odds ‘n Evens (thrifted). Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Rampage. Studded choker (worn as a bracelet), thrifted.

Stinky

2009-12-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Kittens are cute, but they smell really bad. I managed to transfer some of that stink to my hair this morning and then had to clip it back to keep the smelly strands from my nose.

Jacket, SO (thrifted). Sweater, Body Central. Skirt, Willi Smith (thrifted and altered). Doily necklace, self-made. Boots, Nine West. Owl brooch, vintage. Hair clip, 100 Yen Store.

Cute, but stinky:

That’s Roy in the first picture. In the second picture, Roy is on the left and Walt is on the right.

I do not recommend putting a clothespin on your nose, no matter how stinky your kittens may be. It hurts.

Pirate Booty

2009-12-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Midway through the day, I discovered I could flip up the cuff of my pirate boots for an almost over-the-knee look. I was relieved to look a little less pirate-y. The gold doubloons around my waist are pirate-like enough. (Wow, I used "pirate" in every sentence.)

Dress, Bill Berman (thrifted). Turtleneck, Merona. Belt, thrifted. Boots, Rampage. Earrings, Ali’s Boutique.

I love floral tights, but this pair makes my legs look as if I have some sort of skin ailment.

Because I had a request for more kittens…

Two of my favorite things: kittens and martinis!

P.S. No alcohol was consumed by Walt or Roy. It turns out that kittens don’t like martinis.

I'm Hooing at You

2009-12-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

I used to keep my outfit ideas (clippings and jotted notes) in a folder but that quickly grew unwieldy. I copied Sheila and upgraded to a binder, complete with tabbed dividers. It contains six sections: Fall/Winter Business, Fall/Winter Casual, Spring/Summer Business, Spring/Summer Casual, DIY, and Wish List. Now that my magazine clippings are taped to cardstock, instead of in a loose jumble, I find it so much easier to use them as inspiration.

Sweater, Bloch (I cut the wrap ties off). Shirt, J Crew. Belt, thrifted. Skirt, gifted, shortened, and embellished. Tights, Hue. Flats, Joyce (thrifted). Bracelet, Pangaea.

Today I was inspired by a clipping from In Style. The inspiration outfit was designed to make a strapless sheath dress appropriate for work. I’m wearing a skirt, instead of a full dress, but I’ve got the other elements of the In Style ensemble: long-sleeved sweater, oxford shirt, double wrap belt, flats, and a charm-style bracelet. Of course, I had to add a Kasmira element with the studded owl. (By the way, I’m “hoo”ing at you, like an owl, in the lead photo, not blowing a kiss. I think most people write the owl sound as “hoot,” but I don’t hear a “t” in an owl’s call.)

These super flexible, and never worn, ballet flats are my fourth pair of thrifted shoes. I never would have considered thrifting shoes before the $20 outfit challenge. The second-hand pair I bought for the challenge were a disappointment (expensive to replace the heel tips and horribly uncomfortable) but the studded flats and Champion sneakers I found later are real winners!

Two Scarves

2009-12-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

I couldn’t decide whether to accessorize this simple skirt and sweater combo with a rectangular leopard print scarf or a paisley square. Instead of choosing one or the other, I decided to wear both.

Sweater, Laura Leigh Ltd. Skirt, Mossimo. Tights, Target. Leopard scarf, so old I don’t remember. Paisley scarf, Camp Foster PX (embellished by me). Zipper bracelet, Urban Outfitters. Peeptoes, BCBGeneration.

I’m really digging this pattern mix.

Oh.....and kittens!

I <3 Kittens

2009-12-06T04:28:00.000-08:00

Following your recommendations, I gave the very short houndstooth dress another try today. I wore it with peggings (pants-like leggings) tucked into boots.

Dress/tunic, vintage (via swap). Peggings, Bongo. Boots, Diba. Long-sleeved tee, Forever 21. Gloves, Mossimo. Hat, World Market.

In case you haven’t noticed, I heart this hat and these convertible mittens.

I also heart these boots and wear them all the time.

As ya’ll suggested, I tried belting the dress. I did not heart this look:

If you’ve made it this far in the post, you must be dying to hear about the kittens I heart. Here, they are….my new babies, Walt and Roy.

That last picture will open a very large version if you click it. Walt’s tongue is sticking out!

East Row

2009-12-05T04:03:00.000-08:00

It’s December and I’m in denial that winter has truly arrived. I begrudgingly wore pants today for the 16th Annual Victorian Christmas Tour in the East Row Historic District. I would have much rather worn a skirt and tights, but it was so so cold out.

Sweater, St. John’s Bay (thrifted). Turtleneck, Cherokee. Jeans, M. Boots, Playhouse. Necklace, Zad. Hat, Lids.

Like most people, my standard casual wintertime ensemble is jeans + sweater. I try to enliven it with accessories.

I wanted to belt this sweater, but with all of the day’s activity, it just wasn’t comfortable.

Doily Necklace

2009-12-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

I made this “doily necklace.” I was inspired by a dark green, crocheted necklace I saw in Lucky. I found some crotched doilies at Sin City, dyed them green, and stitched them together. I finished the creation with jump rings, chain, and a lobster clasp.

Cardigan, To The Max. Tank, Merona. Skirt, Moda International. Tights, We Love Colors. Shoes, Oh Deer! Bracelet, Mod Cloth. Earrings, gift. Necklace, self-made.

After finishing the necklace, I wasn’t sure if I liked it. I had to give it a test run to decide. After styling it a few different ways, I decided it looked best under a cardigan or jacket.

While wearing the necklace today, I was initially annoyed at the way it slipped free and swung forward when I leaned over. Eventually, though, I grew to like the dynamic aspect of a bib necklace.

Late 70's

2009-12-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

My outfit today was described as “late 70’s.” This was confirmed by people in the know. I was only marginally aware of fashion during that decade.*

Sweater, Charlotte Russe. Belt, Sugadaminka. Skirt, Moschino Couture. Tights, Target. Boots, Rampage. Earrings, Wet Seal. Bangles, Girl Props.

Here’s a photo of something I actually wore in the 70’s (1976 or 1977). My mom picked it out.

*Yes, I know some of you weren’t even born in the late 70’s. Hush, I don’t want to hear it.

Woodsy

2009-12-02T17:15:00.000-08:00

Gray and brown is one of my favorite neutral mixes. It puts me in mind of Mother Nature’s color combinations: feathers on a bird, bark on a tree, fur on a cat, rocks on a hillside.

Cowl tank, Worthington. Coral sweater, Ann Taylor Loft. Skirt, thrifted, vintage, and shortened. Boots, White Mountain. Belt, H&M. Earrings, self-made. Ring, Jan Michaels San Francisco.

I added owl earrings and a leaf-clasp belt to complete the woodsy look.

We've Got Frog Legs

2009-12-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

I was quite vain about my layered tights this morning. How clever I was to add some interest and downplay the expanse of green with a large black net!

Then, a few hours after I took my photos, I ripped a large hole in the top (fishnet) layer. The hole was high on my thigh and not visible, so I was going to make them last the day. However, during my lunch-time run, the fishnet tights held some sort of crazy dance party in my locker. (The staid, green pair must have merely hugged the wall and looked on in awe.) I pulled out a twisted, tangled mess and despaired of ever stretching them over my legs again. I threw the nets out and spent the rest of the day with frog legs. Ribbit!

Cardigan, Moda International. Dress, thrifted, vintage, and shortened. Belt, swap. Fishnet tights, Target. Green tights, Hue. Oxford pumps, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Ring, vintage. Earrings, Claire’s. Bag, Payless.

Casting On

2009-11-29T23:54:00.000-08:00

I’ve had a copy of Knitting for Dummies on my bookshelf for at least three years now. I planned to learn to knit to keep myself occupied backstage. (One has a LOT of downtime when cast in a musical’s chorus.) I play the lead in my next (non-musical) production, so I doubt I’ll be knitting backstage, but I chose the present to finally learn. After spending yesterday afternoon “casting on” over and over again, I decided to give the next step (actual knitting!) a try. I was dismayed to find that my second knitting needle is missing. I can only blame the kitties for hiding it overnight.

Cardigan, J Crew (via swap). Shirt and leggings and probably the socks, too, Target. Skirt, Dex (via swap). Scarf, TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. Boots, Playhouse. Bag, World Market.

I went out to get new knitting needles this morning. I bought size 9 this time, hoping that my other 10 will eventually be recovered. I undid yesterday’s knots (no great loss, as you can see below) and cast on again. Now I’m stumped on the knitting portion. I’ve tried both the English and Continental style and just don’t understand what it means to “bring the new loop through the old.” Thankfully, I’ll be visiting a knitter next Sunday.