Triple digit Jeans - OOTD

You know how your friends with a bit more money or those fancy fashion bloggers coo over their new denim that is easily 1/4 of your paycheck? Yah I'm sick of hearing about it too. But I got a pair. Of course I didn't spend the whole amount, in fact I lucked out in getting these black stretch G-star raw jeans from Brigade for only $50 on super duper clearance (as in we need to make room for winter!). I can report back that ok, maybe these are the softest pair of jeans to have ever touched my legs, yes they make my butt look good and they aren't so super tight in their sizing to make me feel like a monster (although I've given up caring what a size label says years ago). I certainly won't endorse putting yourself into questionable debt over a pair but if you can swing it you should really try it. 

As for the rest of my outfit it's also on the cheap.

Pink sparkle flats by Steve Madden from DSW

Jolly Roger belt from Express men's section with 50% coupon

Tobi Polka dot sleeveless blouse from the 30% markdown section

Leopard print Grey Cardigan that I have had for so long I don't remember what I paid for it.

Brand spanking new hair cut from my friend Amie Vonderloh at Blake Rose Salon

Speaking of my cardigan and how long I have owned made me remember this smart little post my friend Jess Gambacurta  had about Cost Per Wear which I also think is appropriate to think about when investing in a fantastic pair of jeans that makes you feel and look amazing despite it's price point.

Now with the art studio set up and place for me to take photos in a regular spot I hope to continue to add to the Out of the Day posts. I am not however going to promise a steady stream of posts. I still have a lot of work to do in the real world and I am working on making time for things that make me happy such as Video games and kitty Cuddle time which I have less of now that I do have an out of house art studio to work in.

Friday Thoughts and Easy outfit - OOTD

 I love having Lavender in the backyard, it seems so nice and comes in through the kitchen windows. The flowers also last for such a long time. We are letting it overtake one of our flower beds next to the garage. Eventually I'd like to add some Sage into that bed as well. I'm also obsessed with getting a Gardenia shrub. You know, things that smell nice while we have friends over for BBQ's all summer since we will have no kitchen for about two months. I'm trying really hard to keep on the up and up and just cook everything in our freezer before we have to say goodbye to cooking inside. With this mentality of trying to be more easy breezy I've turned to long skirts and pretty hoodies for comfort with style.

Lace Hoodie - Antrhopologie

Grey Striped tank - Target

Mint pleated long skirt - Tobi

Silver Dr. Scholl's sandals - Zappos

Baby G watch

This may become a staple combination of what I'll wear to work all summer. It is comfortable, I can easily switch out one piece for after work exploits and the hoodie has pockets!  I prefer a long skirt at work because it can be cold with the AC on full blast in the cubes but then almost non-existent when I have to switch to the front desk. The option of being sleeveless when I go to lunch is a Plus and if It rains I have the hoodie.

Ignore my toenail paint, it is terrible. I will be re-doing that this weekend among other things which includes:

• packing the kitchen more
• time on the porch with water colors
• warping my borrowed loom for an overshot project
• trying my hand at Silk painting 
• start some new embroideries
• knitting & crochet per usual

My strange little thing I like to do when I declare it is summer is wear an anklet. I don't know why but even when no one can see it, this makes me feel complete in my outfit.
I got this little handcuff one from Pop Killer in LA

Do you have any secret Seasonal habits in your wardrobe?

Fresh Greens - OOTD

Yesterday I celebrated the gorgeous weather by dressing to match. I love getting new clothes and this this cropped lace shirt was a purchase on my New Jersey Trip. I had also switched to my more "adult" purse since I was visit my high brow Bestie and her family. Normally I don't care but I know she cares so I try to pander to her because I love her. Like how I kept my hair a boring brown/black for half a year per her request for her wedding and the events leading up to it.

This cropped shirt I am in LOVE with but it's a bit challenging to piece into my wardrobe without being belly baring. I look forward to the styling challenge it will give me this summer.

Lace Cropped Green Shirt - Anthropologie (on sale right now!)

Gold Tapestry Skirt - Zac Posen for Target

Baby G Watch

Delicate Arm party - Soon to be on my Etsy

Gold Platforms - BCBGeneration from DSW

Creme Coach Bag - Bought at Prime Outlet

 I've been making a bunch of these really delicate beaded bracelets and I've just been working on taking the right pictures of them and figure out pricing for the Etsy store. I like to wear colors that match my outfit for today.

Here's a close up look, I have a matte blue grey, Mint green metallic, Pure Silver and Old Gold.

These colors will be up for sale shortly amongst a variety of other colors. It's been a busy Spring full of meetings and potential projects as well as getting our house together for some major construction. We are one week away now from starting our kitchen remodel which will include gutting and installing a half bath. I'm also looking to get a Studio space so I have a much more open set up to use my knitting machines as well as spread out my fine arts to better work on my portfolio for another round of Graduate School applications in the next year. Try and try against eh?

Jason Wu Target Haul

I've been so out of it lately that I didn't even realize this was happening at first till some girlfriends told me.  Then I was super excited when I saw the pictures online, then I lost enthusiasm because a lot of the designer for Target projects have been more miss then hit.  Like Rodarte was weird sizing since it was meant for Tweens. Jean-Paul Gaultier just didn't have the fabrics I would of liked or structure in some of the pieces.  Zac Posen was amazing but small in size all around. 

Late last night I  peeked at the site again and checked out the opening for my local Target and decided I would hit it up because at the least I wanted the Cat t-shirt and maybe the robin's egg blue cardigan.  I set my alarm for 7:30am and set my mind to at least go check it out.  I woke up brushed my teeth and threw on some clothes.  I got there about 8:01am and the parking lot was already unusually filled.  As I walked inside I saw the chaos that typically goes down.  I took and deep breath and plunged into the shopping frenzy to grab my sizes.  As I started to meander to the accessories with my arms full of things I didn't intend to buy but wanted to try on anyways I heard someone shouting my name.  I looked up to see my friend Amie had also just come to get into the battle.  She had some friends with her and we had a good time.  She like me is an enabler when it comes to buying things.  So we make a dangerous duo.

I picked up much more then I expected but I'm very happy with it.
Robin's Egg Blue Cardigan
Cat T-shirt
Bicycle Wheel Dress
Jersey Block Dress

 This dress had too long of a waste for me but that is easily fixed with a large wide black belt.  The angle in this is terrible but it was also about 9:30 am when I took this after having only about 5 hours of sleep.

 Me and the Cardigan

 I would never wear it this way with this dress but I wanted to show the cardigan buttoned up.  It has the same snaps style that the yellow Rodarte cardigan has.  I hope more cardigans turn to snaps because I prefer them over the button style.

This is the Jersey Block dress that I wasn't expecting to get but I really love it.  The stripe between the Navy and red at the top is transparent the same way the finish around the collar and sleeves are.  Very simple details making it a little higher class.

The Cat T-shirt.  I love this.  So happy I went out early in the morning to get it.  I would of been happy if this was the only thing I could of gotten.

 If you were curious this is what my closet looks like that I was taking pictures in front of.  It's a huge mess stuffed with more clothes then I really need.  Funny enough this is after two rounds of cleaning this year and I consider these necessities.

The top is dresses, shirts, cardigans, the bottom is all skirts and 3 bins of belts, hats, legwarmers.  At the far back is sleepwear, specialty sweaters, Leggings, hosiery, and on the wall hangs inspirational pieces that don't fit me but I'll never part with.  In the back corner there are two very large tuperwares.  One is full of bags and purses the other is filled with summer clothes for the dresser.  Yes there is another dresser full of clothes that I change our seasonally.  Across the floor is overflow purses that I need to put away properly

Post New Year's Eve OOTD

Now that the graduate application has been officially submitted and off my plate I feel a huge weight lifted.  I can now concentrate on my other endeavors and projects, such as this blog that I love. This year it didn't even cross my mind to make any sort of resolution, I'm just going to crack on being as active in my art and in the community as possible.

For New Year's Eve the hubby and I were bouncing around town spending time with old friends mostly.  We started the night out at a friend's parents, as they were visiting from Atlanta and finally got to meet their sweet son Jackson.  After that we hopped over to see my Ladies of the Columbus Crafty Cotillion for a party at Arcade Super Awesome. 

 Just before midnight we skipped to what we though was our final destination to a friend's house, then ended up walking to Barrel 44 to do the midnight toast with friend's we met up there and a girlfriend that was working the bar.

Ok, ok, now that I made you sit through my personal spiel here is the entire outfit that I wore that night, minus the rabbit fur.  Thanks to the rabbit fur coat I was thoroughly pet the entire night everywhere I went, I'll leave that for you to decide if it was a good thing or bad thing (ha).

 I didn't buy anything new this year.  I happily scrounged it all up from my closet.

Earrings - Express

Dress - Plndr for $15

Side Triple Buckle Belt - Target year's ago

Herringbone footless tights - Express

Silver Heels - Michael Kors

Baby Blue Swatch Watch- Swatch

Stitch Necklace - Tragic Stitches

 A close up of my makeup for the night, complete with false lashes.  I am also hardcore rocking the reverse ombre hair and I don't mind it at all.  Better then saying I am lazy or cheap right now, which are also true but come on I had a lot of going on this past month.

 Close up of my "party" necklace that I LOVE because it has Stitch on it.

 I curled my hair first and then swept it up to a chignon with the extra hair curling out of the top.

 You can see the myriad of colors in my hair best in this photo.

Soon I will be dying again to it's bright blue/green glory now that I have time again.

 This is just me playing with my wide angle lens Christmas present, this on top of my already wide angle setting on my lens gives it a semi fish eye effect which I am loving.

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve as well.  

My advice this year is to not get bogged down with unrealistic expectations or resolutions, live it day by day, take a deep breath and move forward but challenge yourself.

Dots and Dashes - OOTD

Just a quick one from this week.  I love the changing of season and going through the closet to change out summer to winter clothes.  My friends tell me they don't know anyone else who has such a huge wardrobe that they need to do an entire change out.  It's true, I have this amazing walk in closet and 6 drawer dresser but still I need to keep my summer/spring clothes in storage and switch out with my winter/fall clothes.  Maybe I will try to take some photos of my closet now that it is in order and organized.  Anyways I forgot I owned this polka dot skirt so I thought I would bring her out for a whirl again before it got too cold.

 Little boys Tuxedo shirt - Present from Brook

Polka Dot Skirt - Present from Injung from Korea

Grey booties - DSW

Earrings - Anne Holman

I haven't had my hair touched up in awhile because I simply can't afford it at this time.  I have other things I need to spend my money on such as materials for new art and fabrics for sewing.  I don't mind it,  I think I'll let it keep going as long as I can.  When it starts to look too funky I'll decide then.

Close up of the Booties that I just got.  I took a lot of time deciding and searching out these shoes.  I think it was three visits to DSW, two visits to Nordstorms and 3 visits to different Macy's later that I found these and fell in love.  I hope they are ready for the long winter and all the abuse I will be putting them through.

Just for fun I found this super old picture of me from at least 5 years ago in my old basement studio at the first Apartment Andy and I shared together.  No that is not a wig, I really had that intense pink hair with blunt cut bangs and I loved it.  I don't know why I was standing to "Super Hero" like either.

Sick Wreck - OOTD

This outfit was a mistake.  I have no qualms posting it because I think it's natural to show a bad side also.  I basically thought when I woke up what do I feel like wearing?  What is clean? let's just pile it on.  It also exemplifies what bad decisions we can make while we are sick.  This was almost two weeks ago.  I am still sick.  I am going to my doctor today with hopes that it is not strep, but I have been so heavily medicated on nasal spray, mucinex and dayquil I'm not even sure what symptoms exist except for this cough, and gross nuclear looking waste coming from my nose.  Pleasant I know.

 I don't think I can even begin to describe what this man repelling mess is that I was wearing.

 At least my makeup wasn't a total mess

I am also determined to bring back high buns and scrunchies this winter albeit my previous TiLT . Let's hope this sickness can be resolved quickly before Halloween so I can enjoy the weekend.  Work at the day job has been an angst ridden situation lately.  Not the work itself but personalities, but thus is the truth isn't it?  Nothing can be perfect we just need to move along and keep out focus.

OOTD - Wisconsin Wedding

Doing a little backtracking on my Brother's Wedding in Wisconsin.  It was back on October first and their colors were Creme, Orange and Grey.

Anthropologie creme cotton dress that has slate blue/grey geometric shapes

Navy Anthropologie Drape cardigan

Coach Black and Grey Flats

Peach silk flower hair clip from AGACI in Chicago

Swatch baby blue watch

Emerald and gold Necklace from my Mother as a Birthday present

The shoes and pattern design of the dress up close.  The shoes had these coach logo silk rosettes for decoration that I hadn't seen on any of their typical store items.  I think It was a runway item since I got them from Filene's Basement. 
Speaking of which for those readers living in Columbus the Filene's Basment on Sawmill road is closing it's doors this Sunday (boo).  You can read the Article here.

My Dad and Me

A somewhat rare picture of us together and dressed decently.  Usually when I see him one of us is wearing sweats and hanging out at the house sick or being a couch potato so we hardly have a good reason to dress up together.

All the Men together Dressed up.

From Left to right my oldest brother Ed, my Husband Andy, my Dad and my middle Brother David who was getting ready to marry.

My Mom and Dad waiting for their turn at pictures with the couple and family.  I love that my mom wore her Hanbok for all three of our weddings.  It just seemed appropriate.  It's so pretty also how could you not want to be in the swathes of that pale green organza with delicate flower embroideries.

My Nephew got to wear the male version Hanbok as the ring bearer.  You can see it was a quite stressful for him.

Lastly I just had to throw in this picture of me and Niece.  She's really growing up quickly and such a pretty little girl.  I'll have great fun with her when she's a teen and we can go shopping together.

I know when I go to Weddings I always pay special attention to what other people are wearing do you?  If not maybe it's something fun to think about next time you are at one.
Cheers!

OOTD - Home Made

 This was a very random day where I felt the need to wear something I made.
Can you guess what it is? Most people would guess the skirt since I do love to drape but it is actually the blouse.  It was something hanging around in my basement that just needed some last touches of elastic  around the wrists to finish it off.  It was one of my projects to finish after Independents day and before my onslaught of Craftin' Outlaws preperations.  I feel like this outfit was a little wonky because it was unusually cold so I grabbed the only pair of leggings I could find which were these marbled wonders I got in Paris.

 

Sunglasses are Vintage bought at American Apparel

Blouse is made by me

Grey Draped Skirt UO

Marbled Tights from H&M Paris

Blue Suede wedges from Karmaloop