Category Archives: what i wore

Hot pink pants!

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For this version of the Paper Doll Project, I am paired with Alyson from The Average Girl’s Guide. Now I know what you’re thinking, “wow, two fabulous redheads?!”
Yes! (Although I’m sure she’s natural, and mine’s from a bottle.)

We each picked pants as our main piece. Mine are these hot pink skinnies from Zara and Alyson picked a really cool pair of printed jeans from Kmart (Check out how she wore them!!).

I’m really ready for fall to get here so the tree that I usually pose by won’t cast such lovely shadows on my face. Sometimes they make me giggle, and other times they annoy me. Today, they annoy me.
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Top: Ruche
Pants: c/o Zara
Jacket: H&M
Shoes: Target

Be sure to check out the rest of the bloggers that are participating in Paper Doll Project (the next one will be in November!):

Fabulously Average and From the Mixed-up Files
I Have A Degree In This! and Smart n Snazzy: Stylish Without Going Broke
The Socialite’s Closet and Tulips to Kiss You With
Unusual Form and The Daily Dani
An Old Story and Matters of Merrymaking
The Brunette One and BiblioMOMia
The Average Girl’s Guide and Miss Vinyl Ahoy

Carrie and Knoll’s wedding

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(I love how Knoll’s looking at Carrie in this photo. You can see the love in his face.)

Saturday was Carrie and Knoll’s wedding (9-10-11!!). The location was four hours away from where I live, so I drove up on Saturday morning, planning to get there early to assist Carrie with her makeup (she bought it from etsy!). She’s a beautiful woman, so she really didn’t need any help, but I offered any way, so she wouldn’t have to worry about it (no racoon eyes!!).

I’ve been hearing about the wedding for months, had seen some photos and had discussed plans with Carrie at lunch. I was so honored that I was invited to witness their special day. I’ve only known Carrie and Knoll a short time, but they’re amazing people and an amazing couple. I had such a blast meeting all their other friends (I only knew one other person at their wedding!), and could immediately tell why they were all friends.

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The bouquets were exactly as Carrie had described, and I love the shades of blue and green in the flowers.

Their cake was covered in a sand colored frosting and homemade beach glass candy.
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It was delicious, as was the beach glass candy.

Knoll wore a suit that was picked out, piece by piece. But seeing him in it, you’d never know.
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Sportcoat and tie: Haggar
Shirt: Stafford
Striped socks (not pictured): Richer or Poorer
Pants: Kohls
Shoes: Kenneth Cole
Cufflinks: Etsy

Carrie was just plain radiant in her dress. She showed me a picture the day she picked it out, and I couldn’t wait to see it on her. It was just perfect on her, and for the location they picked.

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Dress: Davids Bridal
Necklace: Etsy
Hair flower: Etsy
Shoes (not pictured): Spring Shoes via me!

The shoes are a funny story. I wear a larger size in European made shoes, but didn’t know that when I purchased a pretty pair of vintage inspired white mary janes a few years ago. They didn’t fit, but they were only $10, so I was planning to just donate them, but I never did. Fast forward to a few months ago when Carrie was having a tough time finding shoes she liked, and I remembered this long-lost pair I owned. I offered them to her, as a backup pair, in case she couldn’t find any she really like (knowing she wears a size smaller than me). Well, long story short(ish) and Carrie fit perfectly in my shoes and they matched her dress.
I bought her wedding shoes two years ago, for $10. And, her family knows me as “the shoe girl.” It was really funny to meet her family on Saturday, because when I told them my name, they asked “oh, the one with the shoes?!” and I’d laugh and say yes.

My outfit wasn’t nearly as interesting as the rest of the wedding, but I really need to sing my praises for this dress. I drove 200 miles without realizing I didn’t have an extra bra, so I only had one choice to wear, and it was lime green (poor planning on my part, I know). But you couldn’t tell at all. The lining of this dress is amazing, and on top of that, many of Carrie’s friends and family complimented the dress. So kudos Karen Kane, this is an awesome dress!
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Dress: c/o Karen Kane
Belt: Forever 21
Bracelet: Anika Burke
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

My first trip to Ludington was well worth it. I’d love to go back, when I can spend more than a night there. Living on the east side of Michigan makes it difficult to spend time on the west side. But I swear I am working on it.

Cats on my shirt

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Dress (as a top): c/o Shop Speedy Girl
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Target

Saturday I drove up to Ludington to watch my friends Carrie and Knoll get married. Knowing it was a long drive, I wanted to be comfortable, but I also wanted to be ready and able to change in a rest stop bathroom, if I was running late.

So I opted for my new dress, worn as a top, with a flowy skirt. Green-on-green matches, right? Well it does in my mind.

I have a longer post coming up about Shop Speedy Girl, to talk about how awesome it is. I like to say it’s like the Groupon of shopping, because it really is. And how cute is the top with the crocheted back and cat print? It’s the same brand as the phoenix dress I own that I (also) often wear as a top, so it’s a given that I’m going to love it.

Red pants, comfy top and new hair

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Top: c/o Karen Kane
Pants: Express
Shoes: Target

It’s really hard to get photos of your new hair color and bright red pants when a storm is rolling in.
Yup, I dyed my hair. Some of you may be shocked to learn that I’m not a natural redhead, I’m naturally blonde (my eyebrows give it away). So now, my eyebrows are way lighter than my hair, which makes me laugh. I felt like I needed a change, so this is what I went with. Hopefully it will transition nicely into fall. If not, I’ll be back to bright red in no time.

I also need to point out this shirt. It’s so comfortable. My own mother tried to steal it from me. It’s drape-y in the front, and has long enough sleeves that I was comfortable all day long at work. Yes, it’s now 60 degrees instead of 95, so my body is having a hard time adjusting. It’s very odd here in Michigan right now. But, then again, the weather always is!

Long lost dress

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Dress: Liberty of London for Target
Belt: H&M
Shoes: Go Jane
Purse: c/o Handbag Heaven

This dress was one of my very first Target designer collaboration purchases, and some how it ended up being shoved to the back of my closet and nearly forgotten about until this summer. I’m in need of a huge closet clean out, because I know there has to be other items like this that are forgotten and should be worn. Maybe that’s what I’ll do with my extra day off this weekend.

I’m also planning to post up the sign up sheet for the September version of Paper Doll Project this weekend, so if you’ve been wanting to sign up, it’ll be up shortly.

Oh, and this purse? I didn’t realize it had a padded slot for a laptop in it. If only I had a laptop. Right now it just protects my notebook, because I have nothing else to put there.

 

Vintage maxi dress

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Dress: Vintage, thrifted
Bracelet: Anika Burke
Sandals: Target

Something I really love about vintage clothing is the patterns. Sure you can find a similar column style maxi dress, but could you find one with this pattern that is modern? Probably not.

The other thing I really love about vintage clothing is that it’s very personal. You either love it or you hate it. I think this dress is a really good example of that. I love it, but I bet there are a few of you out there thinking “wtf is she wearing?!” and thinking I’m insane. But that’s the fun with fashion, right? Just because I wear it doesn’t mean you would!

Jedi Angry Birds and birthdays

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Top: Shop Ruche
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Go Jane
Bracelet: H&M

This is not what I wore on my birthday, but earlier in the week, and it’s proof that I finally fixed this top! I bet you guys thought it would be lost in the abyss of my closet forever. Well, proved you (and myself) wrong.

My birthday was very Star Wars heavy! Did you see the cake Joe has made for me? It’s a Jedi Angry Bird!
This is the birthday cake Joe designed for me. :D

My sister gave me a Darth Vader cookie jar and Star Wars cookie cutters. Every time I go near the cookie jar I start singing the Imperial March. I’m sure Joe will get really sick of it very soon!

Pardon me, but I’ll be celebrating!

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Sometimes I hate taking photos after work. Sure, I could get up a little earlier and take them in the morning before work, but I really enjoy my sleep.

Today I get to sleep in, and I am really excited about. I get to sleep in because it’s my birthday. So when the little monsters (cats) wake us up at six a.m., it’s Joe’s job to keep them out of the room and feed them. I’m sure I’ll be wide awake by seven though. I never was very good at sleeping for a long period of time. Now lounging on the couch, I am VERY good at that.

I took these photos at my mom’s house, on her back porch. It’s kinda creepy when it’s about the rain (seriously Michigan? What is up with all these storms?), but in the normal daylight it can be really nice and shady.

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Dress: Anthro (on sale!)
Shoes: Target
Belt: Modcloth

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One day I will own a home with a back porch as cool as this one.

 

tighten up on your reigns

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Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Anthropologie
Shoes: c/o Wanted
Necklace: Anika Burke
Sunglasses: Ray Bans c/o Cheer

Sometimes I can’t take a serious photo to save my life. Or a photo that doesn’t look weird. Take these for example:

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I decided I wanted to blow a bubble for one photo, because I thought it would be cute, until I realized I had no idea what I was doing. And as for the other one, I have no idea why my feet are so far apart! Cute outfit, but awkward poses.

And thanks for the nice comments on my last post. I wasn’t knocking magazines, but trying to describe why I don’t read them. I get the craft of designing and sewing and why it makes their items expensive, but I think it’s kind of ridiculous that designers and these magazine editors tell us (the consumers) what is fashionable and what we should be wearing. Can’t I just wear what I want and not worry if I’m in style or not? For the most part I do that, but sometimes, especially if I read magazines, I find myself getting swamped with the idea of “needing” this trendy item or that trendy item. It’s better for my mental health and my wallet if I don’t read magazines, because then I don’t feel like I “need” something to complete my wardrobe.

(See? Now you’re getting an inner look at my psyche, and I bet you’re not prepared for the way I look at the world.)

Nervous in the alley

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Tank: Target
Skirt: Thrifted
Bracelets: H&M
Shoes: c/o Wanted

Although I’ve been back from Ohio for over a week, I am still posting photos from the trip! Liz took me to her favorite secondhand shops, and of course I found a few things! This skirt was one of the coolest items we found. There’s no tag, so I have no idea where it’s originally from, but it came to me previously loved!

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Have you guys been playing along with the Strange Talk video on Youtube? I know a few of you have already won some pretty cool things! Please tweet me up, leave me a comment or write on my Facebook wall and let me know what you got. If you send me a picture once you receive your item, I’ll put them together on my Facebook page so everyone can enjoy! (I swear, that girl at 1:53 and 1:57 looks like me, but it’s not me. You know I’d be way too excited if I was in another music video!)

And speaking of Facebook, I’m posting a pretty funny outtake from these photos today, so just beware. I’m either doing the robot or the Charleston. It’s your call.