Happy post-turkey weekend!

I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! I got to spend a lot of quality time with my wonderful family eating and drinking delicious things. My family has a tradition of cooking with booze (in fact, "Cooking With Booze" is the name of the show my sister and aunt think they should host on the food network). This year we got Jack Daniels in the sweet potatoes, sherry in the mashed potatoes, and white wine in the turkey basting (and thus the gravy). Yummmm.

I spent most of the weekend in my pjs or eatin' pants, but I did managed to get dressed for lunch and shopping on Saturday afternoon.

Comfy casual, even in the wind! I liked the purple and red together.

And now, back to the grind (sigh).

Long-sleeved shirt: ancient, I think Sears

Layering tank: three-pack at Costco

Scarf: gift from mom

Skirt: j.crew outlet

Socks: TJMaxx

Boots: Madden Girl via DSW

Earrings: target

Bracelet: gift from my sister

SUnglasses: street vendor in Russia

Urban cowgirl?

Last day of classes before Thanksgiving break! I am so stoked to eat lots of good food with my family.

I've been wanting to remix this soft, pretty plaid shirt, so I decided to try tucking it in and belting, as I've seen so many other style bloggers do (most notably the lovely ladies at Between Laundry Days and Blue Collar Catwalk). That gave me kind of a midwest farmgirl vibe, so I just went with it. I swapped belts and cardigans around until it felt more modern than costume-y.

Old-school, I know, but I just felt pretty. I love a swirly skirt, and these colors.

It was, of course, totally necessary to do a hoedown in this outfit.

I am a huge dork.

Two days 'til turkey!

Shirt: TJMaxx
Cardigan: TJMaxx
Skirt: Banana Republic
Belt: thrifted
Tights: CK via TJMaxx
Boots: Madden Girl via DSW
Watch: Target
Earrings: street vendor in Russia

No fear: guest blogger

On Tuesday, the roommate of awesome, E., was inspired to try a no fear day of her own. She says she rarely wears this wide-lapeled blouse because it seems too dramatic or too fussy.

I think paired with a simple cardigan and belt, it looks just right.

No fear nohow , E.! Thanks for playing along!

Blouse: Nine West via TJMaxx

Cardigan: Simply Cashmere via TJMaxx

Belt: TJMaxx

Pants: NY&Co

Shoes: Mudd via TJMaxx

Dude, guess who likes TJ's? Ha!

No fear wrap-up

The lovely Rose at from Sneakers to Stilettos joined in our challenge! Gorgeous outfit, Rose!

I had planned to wear my bright red pants as the third day of the no fear challenge (and man, it really requires no fear to wear bright red pants!) but I pulled them out of the closet and discovered...they no longer fit. Boo. Back to the consignment store they will probably go. Anyway, here's what I've learned from this challenge:

1. I liked those "scary" clothes in the first place for a reason. They're PRETTY. And they make me feel pretty. I got so many compliments on that light blue dress that I feel silly for leaving it in the back of the closet so long. I really don't need to buy new things - I just need to appreciate what I have.

On the other hand...

2. This challenge was a lot of work. It really took some mental effort to put together combos with these pieces that felt right and were work- and weather-appropriate. It takes me a lot less time to get dressed when I'm piling on the old standbys.


Conclusion? These no-fear pieces are best for days when I'm feeling bored and have a little extra time to spend on getting the outfit right.

If anyone else played along, please let me know! I'd be happy to feature you.

No fear: B's day 2: the vest

Oh this vest. It does such good things for my upper body. And yet, it's so hard to put it on and not feel like A) an extra from the cast of Blossom or B) a wannabe hipster. So it's been pretty much sitting in my closet ever since I bought it.

Well, no more! After much experimenting (and a great deal of patience from the roommate of awesome), I came up with this combo.

I felt super cute! I think the button-down and pencil skirt make it professional, but the puffed sleeves and bright tights keep it girly and fun. And boy, do purple legs ever get a lot of attention.

Plus, I forgot how awesomely comfortable these shoes are.

And I love, love the detailing on this vest.

I count this as another no fear win!

Blouse: ancient - maybe Sears?

Vest: TJMaxx

Skirt: GAP outlet

Tights: TJMaxx

Shoes: Fred Meyer's

Earrings: street vendor on Cape Cod

Watch: Target

No fear: B.'s Day 1: the dress

I bought this dress a year or two ago as the perfect swing dancing dress - a full skirt for twirling, below the knee (for modesty while twirling), short sleeves, a lightweight breathable fabric in a pretty color, a lovely draped neckline. I wore it once or twice dancing before I discovered how resolutely casual the Boston swing scene is. Since then, it's been sitting in the back of my closet. I keep telling myself that it's too fancy for day time, but then it's too costume-y for a night out (nights out in New England are resolutely casual as well). And there it sat, as ohhoneyno says, wasting its prettiness.

So the challenge for me was to make this dress appropriate for daytime, for teaching, and for a mild fall day.

I added a long cardigan and wrapped the waist tie around the outside a la the academichic girls, gray tights, and my Minnie Mouse shoes. Ta-da! Swirly skirt dress for daytime!

I got a lot of compliments on the dress (and the shoes!) and felt pretty and comfortable all day. A no fear success!

Dress: London Times via TJMaxx
Cardigan: kersch essentials via Costco
Camisole: thrifted in Brooklyn
Tights: TJMaxx
Shoes: JCPenny's
Watch: Target
Silver hoops: thrifted on Cape Cod

c: no fear challenge, day 1

UPDATE: In an ode to academichic's "grellow," I decided to go to work in this, which brought me a lot of joy. I simply added a yellow sweater and some gray tights and called it a work day! I was accused of being "nunnish" by my 17-year-old brother, but who cares what he says, anyway?





Okay, new week, new challenge!

I like this challenge because the possibilities are nearly limitless (probably because there are a lot of under-used items hiding in my closet).

Because I will be working today, I figure I can't go wrong with this skirt/shirt combination. I know it LOOKS boring, but believe you me, I haven't worn this skirt in over five years. Why? Because for a long time I thought it made me look really, really, heinously fat. Reasons? I'm short. Like, under 5'2". As a result, most skirts that hit below the knee make me look shorter. I also have a really hard time figuring out what kind of shirt goes with a skirt when the dimensions of my body are such that button-ups are practically impossible and anything else just looks weird and lumpy.

All that said...I don't think this looks that bad. It's just a skirt and a shirt (I WISH I had some cute maroon tights to go with it...that would have been adorable) and some black shoes, but it's definitely a scary outfit for me. I'm sure the skirt is happy to be out of the shadows once more.

And can I say...good gracious, I love these shoes. They are pinup shoes (in my opinion), and that makes me so incredibly happy.


Shirt: Torrid
Gray Skirt: Old Navy (I think from like '00. Maybe '01)
Black Velvety Heels: Charlotte Russe (also a few [4? 5?] years old)
Pearly Headband: Who knows? Under the sink.