Looking through some old pics I wanted to retry my halter top as sweater vest look again last week. This time around I added my trusty blue cardigan and sparkly brooch as well as my super awesome leopard print rain boots. I kept this close up pic to show you all how cool (in my humble opinion) the different textures of the purple halter, the blue cardigan and the sparkly brooch look together. This pic also has the added benefit of showing you all my blue freshwater pearl necklace that I put together. I bought the pearls on a string and restrung them on jewelry wire and added a lobster clasp and ring to either end. It was really easy and took almost no time at all. I definitely recommend trying it out as its a cheap and easy way to grow your jewelry collection. It's also the same reason I've begun sewing. Even if all I do is rework old garments, it will end up saving me money in the long run as well as keeping me in control of my own closet.
Do you make anything yourself to save money or gain creative control of your closet?
The Details: Blouse: BR Faux Sweater vest: ? Blue cardigan: Target Jeans: ON Sparkly brooch: consignment Pearls: me Rain boots: Steinmart
Generally when I get dressed on weekends, I do it because I have to go somewhere, not because I want to look cute. But sometimes, I end up with a cute result. Do you find yourself dressing up more for weekends or for the work week?
The Details: Jeans: ON Belt: Target Tank: Ralph Lauren (Marshalls) Necklace: Swarovski (gift from sister) Cardigan: Hanes
I Last week on Tuesday morning I had a meeting to attend. Knowing that I'm 5'5" and female, I wanted to make sure I could convey some authority and be taken seriously. So I chose a blazer. But I didn't want to wear a full suit. My solution was to wear a pair of dark gray pants with my navy pinstripe blazer. After my meeting I swapped out the blazer for my blue pashmina for the rest of the day. It kept me warm and added some color and detail to the outfit.
When you need it, how do you convey authority through dress?
I will be participating in the Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge hosted by The Small Fabric of My Life from March 1 to March 5. Last winter, by the time I came across the challenge it was already too late and the challenge had started. This time around, I am prepared. I've been looking in my closet trying to figure out how to combine a total of 15 different items into 5 different outfits and not have them look repetitive. I've got 2 outfits planned so far, and I'm looking forward to planning the rest. The initial rules are below, and for those of us still in the throes of winter, we've gotten permission to add "one functional coat, one pair of functional gloves or mittens, one functional hat, one functional scarf and one functional pair of snow boots or other essential footwear needed to get from A to B without your feet freezing off!"
Choose ten items of clothing from your wardrobe and mix and match them for five days between Monday March 1st and Friday March 5th.
You can have any combination of shoes, dresses, skirts, tops and jackets as long as it adds up to ten individual items.
You are also allowed five accessories which include jewellery, scarves, bag, belts etc.
Underwear and hosiery do not come under the ten items and five accessories! If you are joining the challenge please blog about it and if you want to appear in my Capsule Wardrobe Challenge round-up the following week then please email your pics to workthatwardrobe@googlemail.com
The reason I really want to participate in the challenge is that I think it's important to be able to create outfits that are fun and interesting from a limited wardrobe. Granted, with the challenge we get to choose the wardrobe around the outfits, but the idea is to use clothing as efficiently as possible to make them look different in several outfits. In addition, the capsule challenge really plays into my shopping ban. Without the ability to fill in the holes of my wardrobe that I have discovered, I have to put together 5 outfits from only shopping in my closet. I think it's cool and should pose an intriguing challenge for the next week in figuring out outfits. Do you plan on participating in the Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge?
I wore this dress last Friday to work and felt sassy ALL DAY LONG! It was amazing. The combination of the red belt and shoes with the purple dress rocked. Not to mention that I also wore my favorite gray tights. (Sadly, these tights are now departed since I snagged them on my desk today and caused them to have a ginormous run in them. :'( ) I think the reason I felt so sassy was the proportions of the dress. With the red belt, I was able to make my waist look smaller and the skirt of the dress look fuller. The combination reminded me of something out of the 1950's, and frankly, that made me happy. Also, I think the proportions somehow combined to make me look taller, what do you think? When I chose the red shoes, I knew I was treading a fine line between being an individual and work appropriate clothing. Knowing that my office is very casual and accepting, I figured I could run that risk. Especially since the red shoes matched the red leather belt. And believe it or not, one of my bosses told me I could get away with wearing my outfit with light purple tights and the other told me he liked my red shoes. It was pretty cool to know that others, including my bosses liked what I was wearing.
How do you tread the fine line between being an individual and maintaining work appropriateness with your accessories? The Details: Purple Dress: Target Red Belt: Target Red Shoes: Nine West Cream Sweater: LOFT Tights: L'eggs Earrings: gift
Sometime last week I decided to wear this dress and try to make it look different than the last time I wore it. I think I achieved my goal. I layered a skin-tight black long sleeved shirt under the dress as well as black tights and boots. I think I dressed it up pretty well. In fact, one of my professors asked me if I dressed up for work that day. She then told me that if I wanted to, with a sweater or blazer, my outfit would be office appropriate. So yay for me! When I first put the outfit together I was kind of afraid of the lumpiness and curviness. As you can see, you can't really hide a whole lot in a bright green fitted sheath dress. I was afraid that the belt would highlight my tummy pooch and make my boobs look enormous and . . . In the end though, I ended up feeling really comfortable all day long and didn't really worry about the lumps and bumps. I added the Bravissimo trench to the dress so I could brave the elements. I have really grown to love how the trench itself as an outfit piece. I love how the cut creates an illusion of a much smaller waist and that the "skirt" of the coat is so swingy. It reminds me a lot of the 50's and how different proportions can create the most amazing illusions. If it buttoned a bit lower I might risk wearing the trench as a dress, but as it is, I would be exposing myself a whole bunch if I did that and that's not a risk I'm willing to take.
How do you face your body issues when you get dressed? Sometimes I suck it up, like on this day, and wear whatever I want regardless. Other days, when I'm not feeling quite so confident, I cover up in great big sweats. Which do you prefer? If you do both, what makes you decide? Do you think there's another way?
The Details: Green Dress: Target Shirt: Gap (old!) Tights: L'eggs Boots: Target Belt: Target Trench: Bravissimo
I made this skirt. By myself. Without a pattern and with lillipilli's instructions as my only guide. What do you guys think? Any beginner sewing projects anyone recommends?
The Details: Black Blazer: ON T-shirt: Target Necklace: gift Tights: L'eggs
Have I mentioned that I love this cardigan? Because I do. LOTS. So last week I wore it with a lavender t-shirt, but to keep things from getting boring I threw on my very first sparkly brooch. For a bit of color I added my dark turquoise loafers (yes those are black socks, I was cold). I matched my earrings to my shoes and off I went to school.
The Details: Cardigan: Target Jeans: ON T-shirt: Target Loafers: Target Brooch: consignment store Earrings: gift
Sorry I've been a bit MIA the past week, but when it comes to being exhausted, blogging is the first and easiest thing to go in my crazy hectic life. But not to fear, I am still here. In fact, I looked pretty cute last week and took pictures; I just didn't have the time or energy to post. This outfit is from last Monday. It is a more casual version of an outfit that I wore a few weeks ago when it snowed, which is why there aren't any pictures. I got home that day, raced inside and jumped into sweats. This Monday outfit is different though. I raced home, grabbed my camera and headed outside because you can see the gorgeous sunset from my front yard.
I also made sure to get a pic indoors so you can actually see what I'm wearing. Please excuse the wrinkley-ness, this was after a long day of class.
The Details: Red silk blouse: consignment store Flower cardigan: Sam's Club (yes, really) Jeans: ON Sneakers: Reebok
So we had 77 comments which translated into 80 entries. I put them all in a spreadsheet, went over to random.org, but in my parameters and came up with the number 35. Number 35 on my spreadsheet was Heidi who chose the cherry apron. Congratulations Heidi! I'll be putting you in touch with CSN in the next few days.
Thanks to all of you who participated and hopefully I'll be able to host more giveaways in the future.
Today I'm dressing for the weather I wish we had rather than the weather we actually have. I'm also covered in my favorite color: blue. I *love* the color blue. To me it's evocative of a raging ocean, a peaceful evening sky and everything in between. So when I got up today, knowing that the weather would be rather icky, I chose to incorporate something that makes me happy, the color blue. I've been thinking a lot of my personal style lately and have realized that I am most happy when my hair is down and wavy. I also have a tendency to like my outfits that are gypsy-esque. Today my hair, layering necklaces (something I haven't done before), and a deep V-neck gauzy top makes me feel like a gypsy. Another gypsy-type outfit is in my spring preview post. I'm not really sure why, maybe it's the color blue or a good hair day?, but I really like both of these outfits. Maybe it's the flowy elements of the clothing that are in both outfits. I don't really know, and even though part of me wants to pinpoint exactly what the elements that draw me to these pictures are, another part of me is just happy to be happy. So I'm going to stick with that sentiment for a while.
How do you keep yourself from over thinking things?
The Details: Gauzy shirt: American Eagle (old) Blue tank: ON Jeans: ON Boots: Etienne Aigner Bead necklace: Consignment store Greek Eye necklace: present from my parents Celtic necklace: Galicia Blue Pashmina: BCN
P.S. Don't worry, I kept warm by wearing my red coat and pashmina as a scarf while outside.
I want to give you all an update on the status of my resolutions/goals. I did buy the Reebok tone your butt shoes, and they are awesome. I have no idea if they’re actually toning my butt and legs, BUT they are making it easier for me to walk for longer. I’m not sure why or how, but when I wear them on the treadmill I can go significantly longer and faster than if I wear just normal tennis shoes. It’s quite awesome. For example, Friday night I put on my super cool shoes and did an hour on the treadmill for 2.5 miles. In comparison, without the shoes I tend to do 20-30 minutes or however long it takes me to get to one mile. Even though I’ve only had the shoes for 3 weeks, I feel that they’re definitely worth the $110 I paid for them. Yes, they’re the most expensive shoes I own, in fact probably the most expensive things in my closet right now, BUT if they’re going to make it easier for me to work out and to work out for longer periods of time, then its money well spent.
While blog hopping this weekend I came across Fashion for the Economically Challenged and her Shabby Apple dress giveaway. I highly recommend you enter her giveaway, and in the process check out her blog. I am so happy to see another curvy blogger with her J.D. So yea, check it out.
About a week ago I posted the advice that Audi of Fashion for Nerds gave me in figuring out how to wear this hat. The advice that really struck me and got the gears turning was this:
It would look great with a skirt, blazer, and boots, particularly with an outfit in which you mix different neutrals together.
I immediately thought of this yellow linen skirt. I bought it several months ago at the consignment store and even thought of dyeing it brown. Even though dyeing it is still in the back of my mind, for the time being, I really like the yellow. Thinking of combining neutrals and staying warm, I initially wanted to grab my brown blazer. Knowing that I would need to wear a heavier coat, and that one wouldn't fit well over the blazer, I opted for a sweater instead. Keeping with the neutral theme, this turquoise-gray sweater over a black tank top fit the bill. My black boots over black tights made sure to keep me warm. I've had this belt for years. I'm not entirely sure where I got it from, but I *think* it came with a pair of jean shorts I bought in high school. I'm pretty sure the shorts are long gone (or hiding somewhere in my closet at my parent's house). But the belt remains, and when putting this outfit together, I felt like I needed an extra detail to bring it all together, hence the belt. That the beads at the end of the leather strands happen to be a darker turquoise than the sweater just worked out wonderfully.
The Details: Turquoise sweater: Mossimo Target brand (old) Black tank: ON Yellow skirt: Consignment Tights: L'eggs Boots: Target Braided belt: no idea Necklace: no idea
This was my first try wearing this hat out and about. It ended up working perfectly as it was raining all day long and I was able to store my hat in my locker when I got to school. I really liked wearing it and felt like the bad weather was a good way to ease into wearing something new.
How do you try new things? Jump right in or slowly ease into them?
Earlier this week, someone from CSN approached me about doing a possible giveaway on Law School Fashionista. After looking through their sites http://www.cookware.com/ and http://www.allbarstools.com/ I found these three aprons and knew I just had to figure out a way to give one of them away. CSN sells all sorts of kitchen stuff aside from aprons including stool, bar stuff, and cookware.
Remember way back when I said I was looking to get this coat? Well it's here! And I love it! In case you're not aware, Bravissimo is a UK based store and site that sells clothing for women that have big boobs. In other words, they noticed that women with big boobs weren't always plus sized and have made clothes in a range of sizes (8-18) that are based on your waist measurements but then add in extra room for boobage. Why no one came up with this before is beyond me, but I am THRILLED to have found it. The only downsides I see with it are 1. International shipping and 2. Lack of specificity in sizing guide. Otherwise, from the concept to the website to the clothing items, I am ecstatic (as you can tell by the pictures). Since it snowed here on Friday evening and all day Saturday, figuring out what to wear on Monday centered around being warm and dry. So I went with my rain boots and new Bravissimo coat. When it came to choosing the rain boots I knew I wanted to be happy on icky days so I went with leopard print, which regardless of the situation, would always make me smile. As for the coat, I went with something a wee bit more traditional. Since I already have a black trench coat, and since gray is slowly becoming my favorite neutral, gray just seemed like the perfect color. The coat itself is really great, it's cut with ample room for my boobs (I got a Super Curvy) and nips back in at the waist. The best part of the coat (and Bravissimo in general) is that I can have clothes that fit my WHOLE body and not just the biggest parts of me. *happy dance* As for the other clothes, jeans and a black long sleeved tee were the exact no fuss outfit I wanted. I was warm and comfy all day long. I added the blue pashmina for color and I'm SO glad I did. In the middle of my 3-5:50 pm class I was freezing so I ended up wrapping the pashmina around myself like in the picture to the left. It helped tons! In fact, at one point I was so cold I put my coat on too.
La Historiadora de Moda, this picture is for you! -->
The Details: Black Tee: Gap Jeans: ON Boots: Capelli via Steinmart Pashmina: streets of Barcelona Gray coat: Bravissimo
This is not a paid review (not to say I wouldn't LOVE to review more Bravissimo products. Hint hint).
This outfit is from a couple of Fridays ago. Sorry my posting has been all out of order, but sometimes I just don't feel like writing a post about some outfits when I do about others. Anyway, I chose to debut my black Hanes cardigan by belting it over this ruffly purple top. From the second I belted it, I felt like a modern day punky Mozart (hence the title). Looking at the pictures now, I probably should have gone for a lighter gray pair of pants to add some life back into the outfit. Or maybe it's the light (or lack thereof) in my dining room. I'm not sure. Either way, this belt is new and actually one of the only things I've paid full price for in a LOOOOOONG time. I've been wondering for a while now why that is. Part of it is that I want to save money, and if waiting a bit longer for something to go on sale is what it takes, well that's all fine and good. What I'm afraid of is that this feeling that is from a good place, will turn into one from a bad place. That I'll start to think that I'm only worth paying sale price for things, that I deserve to wait for things to be on sale and possibly miss out on them, that I'm not worth the full price. My guess is that thinking about it beforehand will insure that it won't happen, but there's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that's telling me that my love for sales shopping will turn into self-destructive behavior. Let's hope not.
The Details: Cardigan: Hanes outlet Purple Ruffly top: Target Gray pants: Gap Black Heels: Nine West Belt: Target
Wednesday afternoon, I went to an employer meet and greet hosted by the law school. Since it was cold, I went with my black pant suit. The problem is that I couldn't figure out what to wear as a blouse. If it were an interview I would have worn a button down, but a Meet & Greet isn't AS formal. After looking through my closet and coming up with a back up option Tuesday night (a light aqua blue sweater), I went to Target Wednesday after my first class in search for a nice shell which is perfectly within the rules of My Closet Shopping Challenge.
If you've been to a Target lately, you may have seen their Merona Collection offerings. The current in-store offerings are a bit Mad Men + Spring inspired. Thinking that the lovely tops would work under a blazer I tried some on, the ones pictured above to be exact. I was *really* hoping the Elizabeth Bow Top would work, but it didn't. Not sure if its because I had to try on a Large, but the neckline was just too low and the bow did not sit right under a jacket (ie it didn't look like it did on the model). I was hoping to be able to just tie it in a knot and let the pieces hang, but the low neckline would have made that impossible without layering a tank underneath, which I did not want to do. I ended up buying the Elsie shell as it was the best of the four I tried on (and fyi it did not fit me nearly as nicely as it does the model, but I digress). I was a bit worried about the geometric print, but it turns out there was no need to worry. On my way home, I stopped at the consignment store and found a beautiful red silk-spandex shell. The owner of the store has known me for a while and gave me an additional 10% student discount off of the blouse that already had a 25% discount, so I was able to get it for $12, about half of what the the Target blouse cost. I got home, steamed the shell, threw on my suit, did my hair and makeup, went to class and then to the meet and greet. (As an aside, I highly recommend getting a garment steamer. For fabrics such as silk and thin knits, it allows you to get wrinkles out fast. Also, by steaming you're able to remove a LOT of smells so you won't need to wash delicate items as often, thus making them last longer. I was able to find mine at Bed Bath & Beyond on clearance as it had been returned and was listed at half price. So keep your eyes open, you'll never know when you'll encounter a great deal!) Back to business: The meet and greet was fine. There were 9 employers and the only one that I was really interested in didn't have the funding to hire attorneys. The other employers were all big firms that have already hired who they're going to hire for the year. I did talk to some of our career services ladies and they told me to keep an eye out for job fairs and the like. What I like most about this outfit is that I felt really good in it. Even though I've lost weight since I bought this suit, the jacket fit wonderfully. The pants, not so much. I had to MacGyver them into staying them into place by wearing Assets pantyhose under the pants and folding the top over the pants. And it worked! As I mentioned in this post, I like to keep my hair under control when at a career event, so I opted for a low bun with pinned back bangs. The pearls were sort of an obvious choice considering my lack of jewelry. All in all, I felt like I looked the part of a lawyer. What do you all think, do I look like an attorney to you? The Details: Black Suit: Garfield & Marks (separates) Black heels: Aldo Red shell: Patrick Christopher Selections via Consignment store Freshwater pearls: strung by me Earrings: Blue Nile
I kept this close up pic to show you all how cool (in my humble opinion) the different textures of the purple halter, the blue cardigan and the sparkly brooch look together. This pic also has the added benefit of showing you all my blue freshwater pearl necklace that I put together. I bought the pearls on a string and restrung them on jewelry wire and added a lobster clasp and ring to either end. It was really easy and took almost no time at all. I definitely recommend trying it out as its a cheap and easy way to grow your jewelry collection. It's also the same reason I've begun sewing. Even if all I do is rework old garments, it will end up saving me money in the long run as well as keeping me in control of my own closet. 
Do you make anything yourself to save money or gain creative control of your closet? 
