The last ten days have been quite a whirlwind! As the school year was closing, I was feeling less and less inclined to look like anything other than an ad for the local City Sports store. So I put together a fashion challenge for June so that I'd have some motivation to look halfway human during this lazy time of year. Between my eighth graders' promotion ceremony, the DC Pride Festival, a retirement party for two of my sweet co-workers, and our 7th grade awards ceremony, I didn't even want to think about grading finals, cleaning my classroom, or all of the chores around the apartment that still need tending to. More detailed outfit breakdowns are coming, but for now, here's a quick rundown of the more fun times of the last 240 hours :-)
Clockwise from left: with my eighth graders who I had as seventh graders; my polka dot OOTD; my black and white OOTD; with my chica Georgia at the DC Pride Festival; at home after giving myself a blowout; with my co-worker Danielle at the retirement party; with my co-worker Jim (AKA JT) at the retirement party (and, no! he wasn't one of the retirees!); with Thom at the DC Pride Festival; my "collar" OOTD (even though you can't see the collar, haha..... it's gold studs).
Cardigan: Old Navy (sale for $4.99); Polka Dot Blouse: TJ Maxx ($12.99); Black flared skirt: H&M ($17.95); Fuchsia pumps: H&M ($24.95)
This is a really quick post about the outfit I wore to work yesterday since I got a load of compliments on it. It's actually been hanging in my closet as a "potential" outfit for over a week now. We had a spurt of warm weather in DC and then were smacked with a straight week of rain and under 70 temps. Not exactly bare legs weather.
At the first chance I put on this outfit. I've been eager to wear this blouse again, as it has one of my favorite features -- a self-bow neckline. The top is super sheer and sleeveless, and since I'm a teacher, I put a tank underneath and a cardigan over top. I like the contrast of the yellow against the black and fuchsia pink. It really pops, especially atop a black flared skirt. I finished things off with a pair of fuchsia platform pumps that are in desperate need of some sort of "foot slipping forward" prevention pad.
Sorry for the wavy mirror. I left my flat mirror at my previous place. It looks great in the living room but isn't the best for outfit selfies :-) I am seeking a replacement! Hopefully one that doesn't resemble a fun house warped reflection of myself.
"Tell me what do they see when they look at me Do they see my many personalities" - "Split Personality" by P!nk (from Can't Take Me Home)
Okay, so it's really more like multiple personalities, but I digress...
I'm one of those people who has a fear of commitment, or rather, I steer clear of commitment -- at least when it comes to clothes. I think people are too multidimensional to stick with one style. Even those of us who feel like we have the most die-hard classic sense of style are sometimes seduced by the rebellious, anarchist attitude of studs, leather, spikes, and jet jet jet-on-a-red-eye black (blackest black if you're further indulging your rocker side with liquid eyeliner). That's why sometimes you'll see me in sweats and a skirt, a motorcycle jacket with jeans and lace, or a sheath dress and pearls.
H&M - head to toe
H&M - head to toe
Old Navy - cardigan, polka dot chambray shirt, polka dot Rockstar skinnies, plaid flats
H&M - navy cropped peacoat
TJ Maxx - navy quilted vegan leather chain crossbody bag
Don't be uncomfortable picking up something new just because it doesn't fit in with your normal style. Too many of us get bogged down by the expectations that we think others are putting on us. And this leads to a suppression of self. Whether it's at work and we're afraid that we'll be looked at peculiarly because we have an out-of-box idea, or whether we take an unconventional approach in meeting new people... we need to be true to ourselves and stop worrying so much about perception.
Take it from me: if I can snatch a dude's hand as he's walking by me on campus my freshman year of college, spark up a conversation about anime and occult fiction, and then be best friends with him for the next 12 years, you can do a similar feat.
Feats over fear. Split your personality. We all have more than one.
As always, thank you for reading! Stay true to you!
I'm not a shopaholic. I'm not a hoarder. I'm not addicted to shopping.
But I do have a clothing habit! And no, I'm not trying to be euphemistic and prettify any problem I may have. After watching "My Shopping Addiction" and reading numerous articles and psychology texts, I can safely say that "addiction" would be a stretch.
But for some people, shopping, whether it's for clothes, shoes, beauty products, food, technology, trinkets, etc. is a way of feeling powerful again. It's a way of feeling in control. It's a dangerous counseling tool (retail therapy, anyone?) that we sometimes use as an excuse for remedying a bad day. The latter has been my issue before.
With a demanding job, several moves, personal life changes, and emotionally-paralyzing tragedies in the last few years, I simply couldn't find the energy to invest in anything that made me feel better. I would work out, but not stick to it. I started writing again, but it was all depressing and self-deprecating. I attempted to lose myself in the worlds of fiction, but found it overwhelming to read at work (as a teacher), read my students' assignments, read books for class, and then read recreationally.
So I shopped.
At H&M September 2012 (bought the dress: $20)
And usually I felt better. Coming from a family of fashionistas, I always strived to look nice. I enjoyed (and still enjoy) being put together and trying out new looks. I got a fashion design kit from my Aunt Kim in sixth grade and haven't been the same since. My mom went to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) and always looked like a perfectly coiffed woman suitable for the cover of Elle or InStyle (my personal favorites as a teen and a now near-thirty-something). Looking good wasn't a priority. It was a passion. I can't draw or sculpt or sew or paint, but I love art. And this was the only way I knew how to make any that I was proud of. Color combinations. Mixing prints. Multiple textures. I love all of it.
December 2012 - Sweater: Target ($15); Pants: H&M ($12.95); Patent Loafers: Express ($6.99 on sale); Black Wool Coat: H&M ($30 on sale - they still have outerwear for $30 and under!)
Dress: Xhilaration by Target (old); Shoes: Enzo Angiolini ($60 on sale at Nordstrom); Earrings: Target ($3.49 on clearance)
Hooded Brown Vegan Leather Jacket: TJ Maxx ($24.99); Orange and Brown Leopard/Zebra Scarf: TJ Maxx ($12.99)
Dress: H&M ($20 on sale); White tank: Forever21 ($2.50); Tweed Open Collarless Blazer: H&M ($34.95); Nude Patent Pumps: Target ($29.99)
But when is it enough? I have Pinterest boards filled with outfit ideas. A photo album of favorite looks. A notebook of potential wardrobe combinations. I even have a list posted of things that still have the tags on them so I can force myself to wear them. But as I near that "something" age I parenthetically referred to earlier, I feel a pull to spend (or save) my money elsewhere. I want a house. I want to travel. I want a laptop that was not provided by the State Board of Education (well, I quite like the one they are letting me use, but a personal one is preferable, yes). I want to not work during the summer so I can concentrate on writing my novel.
And so the Fashion Fast was created. Last year I didn't shop for six months (December 2011 - May 2012) and it was a revealing time. I changed a lot in my life --- moved to a new apartment outside of the city, got a dog (Munki HarleyQuinn Morgendorfer, below), got rid of TV (Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, baby!), cut some people out of my life, started writing again, and went outdoors more. I got clinically diagnosed with ADHD and my doctor urged me to start a diet, lifestyle, and meditation plan that has worked WONDERS for me.
And, alas, it's that time of year again. Many people make New Years resolutions that are hard to keep. "Lose 50 pounds." "Exercise 3-4 times per week." "Travel to 'insert international destination.'" "Become a rock star." "Stop blaming my parents, ex-boyfriends, and employers for all of my problems. We know it's society's bias against single women that's holding me back anyway! This year I will be a WOMAN: hear me ROAR!" But the Fashion Fast isn't really a resolution. It's more of a goal to restructure where my money goes. Will I still shop? Yes, most likely. But it will be a lot more carefully and with this fact in mind: "The average person spends 4% of their net salary on their wardrobe." If you net $40k a year, that means you're probably spending around $1500-1600 on clothes (though let's be honest, it's probably closer to $2000 when you factor in beauty products and hair care, INCLUDING trips to the salon!).
Cut that in half to $750. What would you do with an extra $750? You'd at least be able to afford that international flight. You could invest in a dream you've always had. And maybe you won't be a rock star, but you could pretend on your new Xbox360 Rock Band game.
Let's not have the "revelation" of one of pop culture's favorite spenders: Carrie Bradshaw.
I'll update regularly with outfits, money spent on clothes/shoes/accessories/beauty/hair, and trends in the new year. Let's just hope I'm also telling you all how much I love not working this upcoming summer as well :)
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT net $40,000 a year :-) I'm a 3rd year public school teacher. 'Nuff said.
Munki is a fan of pretending like she's going to be Speedy Gonzalez if I take her to the dog park in the afternoon. She scratches at the door, whines incessantly, and looks up at me with those big caramel eyes, imploring me to leash her up and drive her down. But alas, when we reach the park, instead of being like that Mexican mouse she is more like cat-and-mouse (sad for a dog). She runs for a good three seconds while another dog chases her and then flops on her belly under a bench in submission. This has earned her the nickname "Punki Munki" and I am left to leave only my wardrobe as some kind of hope for redemption.
Shirt: H&M $12.95
Shorts (old): H&M
Belt: Banana Republic $9.99 on sale
Purse: H&M $24.95
Shoes: Express $13.99 on sale
Sunnies: H&M $6.95
Bracelet (old but just took the tag off!): Forever 21
Scarf: TJ Maxx for $12.95
"Come on, mama! Let's go!!!"
I get a LOT of stares when I wear these to the dog park but I don't care! You can be chic even when you're picking up your pet's poop!
With the new school year quickly approaching, I have been running out of casual options to wear without doing a new load of laundry. When work resumes on Monday I'll be back to more structured, but still fun, attire but snapped shots of my "outfits" from Sunday and Monday. I'll try to snap a pic or two of today's outfit as well (if it warrants a photo in the first place).
Dress: H&M $12.95
Hat: H&M $7.95
Sandals (old): Gap
The ultimate in casual: hat and pigtails
Shirt (old): Express
Shorts: H&M $24.95
Belt: Betsey Johnson at Marshalls $12.99
Bag: Deux Lux at TJ Maxx $39.99
Wedges (old): Nine West
On Monday I went into school to meet the new principal and make sure I'm still in my same classroom as last year. I wanted to look professional but still able to climb on tables, move furniture, and put up materials if need be.
This is my first time wearing this belt. It's a bit big on me, which is why it's sitting outside of my belt loops, but I love the metal ladybugs so much!
One of my favorite pairs of wedges! I got them at Nine West about 4 years ago and wear them all the time every summer.
When I was 19 I fell in love with the diluted world of Claude Monet. His seemingly haphazard brush strokes created beautiful images of nature on previously blank canvases. That's what I love about this dress. The mix of purples, dark pinks, greys, and even the faintest tint of green are a soft cascade of color across an on-trend hi-lo hemline. The shoes were a last minute addition. Originally opting for nude strappies, I took a chance and slid on these Enzo Angiolini pumps I recently scored at the Nordstrom Half-Yearly. My favorite sales girl dropped her mouth into a surprised "O" when she saw me ask for the mate from the sales rack. Someone had JUST returned them, they were the only pair, and, at $44.90, they were 50% off of the original price. Throw in my Forever 21 clutch from four years ago ($9 price tag) and it was the ideal balance of shine and chic.
Dress: Necessary Objects at Marshall's for $24.99 (similar feel here and here)
