Sartorial Wishes

I regret to do two fashion posts in a row, but in all the hustle and bustle, my brain is too cluttery to produce deep thoughts. And in all the shopping, I've wished for many clothing items, most of which are out of my price range. So just for fun, here's what I would add to my wardrobe this Christmas if I won the Mega Millions... and if these clothes were still available! I've been stalking them so long that most of them are sold out now.


 

J. Crew Factory Graphic Dot Dress // ModCloth Twinkling at Twilight Dress (perfect for New Year's Eve)




Madewell Shirred Silk Dress in Hazestripe // this entire Moorea Seal ensemble


 

PJK Patterson J. Kincaid Sweatshirt (similar) //  Limited Striped Shirred Front Sweater
I've been obsessed with this specific sweatshirt since I saw it in a fall issue of InStyle. I'd like to DIY one, but finding a pattern even similar to that in a sweatshirt fabric seems unlikely.


 

Gap Camo Always Skinny Jeans // H&M Faux Leather Skirt

A neutral pattern like a subtle camo is the only way I'll participate in the patterned jeans trend. I was converted after Hollywood Housewife posted about a similar pair.

 

Fossil Erin Satchel in Real Red //  Nine West Flax Pump in Peacock (other colors)


 

Steve Madden Heaven Star Flat (sold out everywhere) // Wallis Gray Platform Ankle Boot

What have you had your eye on for the holidays?

Jewelry Winner

Sweater: Uniqlo // Cami: Old Navy // Denim pencil skirt: Gap

Lips: Revlon Black Cherry // Nails: OPI I've "Red" The Script

Necklace and Earrings: Ruth Barzel Jewelry Design

Two weeks ago, I won a giveaway on my favorite fashion blog, Wardrobe Oxygen! I'm pretty sure it's the first blog giveaway I've ever won, and it was a great one - a $100 credit to Ruth Barzel Jewelry Design. After I got the happy news, I had a hard time choosing just one or two of Ruth's gorgeous pieces, and figuring out whether to stick with the credit or put it toward a larger investment. I was very tempted by the Starfish Necklace and the Mixed Chain Necklace. But eventually...

...I settled on the Long Turquoise Pendant and the Mint Amazonite Earrings. I've been on the lookout for more yellow gold jewelry, and I like the simplicity and boldness of the turquoise square.

Here's a better look at the earrings! They're the same size, shape, and color as one of my most frequently worn pairs, which are plastic/aluminum and starting to look rough. As I get older, I'm getting more sensitive to fake metals (womp womp). So I jumped at the chance to "upgrade" to these nice silver hooks and real stones!

Thanks so much Allie and Ruth! You've made my holiday season happier. Also, thanks to my friend Stacy for taking these pictures outside in the freezing cold.

Life Lately 11/20

To be honest, I am Just Not Feeling It this week. Despite the beautiful fall trees, I feel exhausted and bummed. Part of it is some bleah circumstances, part of it is just November (which is historically not a happy month for me). So I haven't had a lot to say here, but here are some things that have been going on.

Tiger basketball season started well last Thursday with a solid win over Austin Peay! But last night we were utterly humiliated by Oklahoma State on national television. November beatdowns are often par for the course for Tiger fans, but this was one of the worst I've ever seen. By the end of the game, most sports media had (unfairly, IMHO) kicked us out of the top 25 and written us off for the season. I'm distraught, and will remain so until the next victory.

 

Alanna and I ran the Meowathon 5K last Saturday for the House of Mews, a local cat shelter. It was really fun! We even saw a lady running with her cat in a baby sling. I didn't get a picture, but people were crowding around with their phone cameras like the cat was a celebrity. My time wasn't as good as the True Blue 5K a few weeks ago, but I did set a new personal record for fastest mile, so I was pleased.

In other kitty news, my Peach turned 9 last week! Given her ongoing health issues, I'm extra thankful for every birthday. Recently she started refusing the pill pocket treats she's happily eaten for a year. I've tried all kinds of alternatives with no success, but last night I ground up her pill and sprinkled it on some chicken, and she went for it. Let's pray that this continues to work.

A few months ago I bought new glasses from Warby Parker. I'd had the same frames since high school (no joke) and wanted glasses I could feel cute in if I needed to wear them. Good thing I made that purchase, because I've been having an extended series of eye problems. It peaked last week when I got an ulcer in my eye (something I didn't know was possible). Turns out it's kind of serious, and I'll be in glasses at least through Thanksgiving. Lacking peripheral vision, and having something on my face all the time, is annoying... and medication and office visits have eaten up my entire Christmas budget and then some. But, you know, my eye still works. :\

I had a clothing swap at my house on Sunday! A few friends brought clothes and accessories they didn't want anymore, and we went to town. I think everyone left with at least one new-to-them item. It was a small and well-behaved group, so I didn't impose any sort of system. I also kept a lot of the leftover items so we can have another swap in the spring. Oh and if you need an easy snacky dessert to bring to a party, Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies are a safe bet. I've already made them twice.

What's new with you?

Musings on a Military Jacket

[Jacket: Madewell // Shirt: Ann Taylor, thrifted // Skirt: "vintage" Old Navy
Boots: Civico 10 Sportster (no longer available) // Necklace: The Monica, K.O. Designs]

When I really like something unnecessary, I stalk it for months waiting for a sale. By the time I finally purchase it, my friends are so tired of hearing about it that they probably want to throw a party. A few times they've even bought it for me to bring the agonizing to an end!

Toward the end of last winter, I started to wish for a lighter jacket that wasn't a trench. I was tired of the belts and buckles and added bulk. Happily, the military jacket trend is right up my alley - I wore my dad's olive green Coast Guard coat for most of college. It was big on me then, but now I practically look like the kid from A Christmas Story in it, so I can't start wearing it again. When I saw this Madewell military jacket online, it was instant love. But it cost more than I've ever spent on one item of clothing. For the last six weeks I've searched for something comparable at a more reasonable price. I hit T.J. Maxx, Ross, and all my usual online haunts. Friends sent me links from fashion blogs. Nothing else came close to the perfection of this jacket. Every detail was exactly what I wanted.

I was off on Monday for my friends' visit. So after they left, I drove out to our only Madewell in Germantown to see the jacket in person, hoping that it wouldn't work for me and I could stop thinking about it. No such luck. When I put it on, it was like it was made for me. The salesgirl saw her easiest commission of the week in my face. I took the jacket home, and everyone rejoiced.

When I was growing up, all my clothes came from garage sales and bargain basements. On the rare occasion we bought something in a regular store, it was from the clearance rack. In high school I had a few cherished items from final markdown at the Gap. My mom did a great job within our limitations - once she found me a pristine Girbaud jean skirt, which was the height of cool in Memphis in the early 90s. But the message that clothes weren't a financial priority was deeply ingrained in me. I still get most of my clothes at thrift stores, by choice (I'm very selective and no one can tell the difference). I love a good deal as much as the next person. But I've been working for a long time now and can occasionally afford nice, new pieces. Yet I feel so guilty and irresponsible when I do. I'm trying to convince myself that it's not a sin to invest in quality sometimes, rather than going for the cheapest possible option every time. Does anyone else struggle with this?

Friday ADD

I planned to write a serious post for today, but I'm just too distracted. I've cut back on caffeine for health reasons, the result being that one cup of real coffee followed by a Coke Zero turns me all jacked-up and jittery. More notably, workers have been replacing most of the flooring in my house for the past three days, and I've been really focused on that. I also didn't consider that after the work, it would look like a dirt bomb had gone off. EVERYTHING needs to be dusted or washed. So I have a full weekend of heavy-duty cleaning ahead of me... which I'm sort of looking forward to in my weird OCD way. (I've been pinning homemade all-purpose cleaner recipes like crazy!) Once everything is back to normal, you better believe I'll be posting before and after photos. It looks like a whole new house. I'm really excited.

Meanwhile, here's a smorgasbord of my usual Fridayish topics!

♥ Kevin Ware presents the Top Ten on Letterman - about his thoughts when he broke his leg. Seriously, how awesome is this guy?

♥ From Elora of A Deeper Story: I Am Not A Robot.

♥ Another Susan Isaacs post at Storyline: Talking It All Out - How To Get Past Hurt Feelings.

♥ Justine Larbalestier reflects on ten years of writing for a living.

♥ A happy, heartwarming video about a man with Down Syndrome who owns his own restaurant.

♥ Memphians, here's the farmers' market opening schedule, the Levitt Shell concert schedule, the Peabody Rooftop party schedule, and a list of upcoming crawfish festivals. April through June is the best time to be in Memphis!!

♥ I've been wearing these Steve Madden "Heaven" flats almost every day for weeks! They're so comfortable and go with everything. I think it would behoove me to get another pair or two in one of the MANY colors and patterns available. 6pm.com has neon ones for $20 right now, but I used up my lifetime allotment of neon as a child of the 80's.

♥ Old Navy is overflowing with cute casual dresses right now. I didn't buy either of the dresses I posted about recently, but loved so many others that I now have $20 of Super Cash to spend this weekend. Well worth it.

Fashion Friday

It may be finally, officially spring, but we were under a winter weather advisory last night. I suspect true spring will take its time getting here this year. Womp womp. But I'm still thinking ahead to spring attire!

Scalloped lace dress // Stretch tank dress

I've been pleasantly surprised by Old Navy's dress selection the past couple of years. I'm very tempted by both of these, but I'd have to try them on first! Old Navy dresses that look great on the model often look terrible on me.

Loft // Banana Republic

Two takes on black and white stripes. I've pinned some version of the Loft dress for several seasons now, so maybe I should get one already!

Black flower eyelet // Turquoise diamond eyelet

I'm loving Loft's array of eyelet dresses (though they're all too expensive at the moment). I'd probably choose the turquoise one. We brunettes really rock the turquoise.

This gorgeous ensemble is from the spring Ruche lookbook. I'm not into that bag, but I'd like one of everything else, please.


On the homemade fashion front, I haven't been sewing much. A friend asked me to help her make some seat cushion covers, and I've been dragging my feet on that project for about a million years now. (Sorry Tessa! :() But if I ever finish those, I want to try my hand at a skirt again. I have enough skirt tutorials to keep me busy well into summer. The last one I made came out okay, but I'm not sure if it looks okay on, so I haven't worn it anywhere. Anyway, my first warm-weather sewing project will be this Scalloped Shorts Tutorial. It's cute, unique, and looks like it can be finished in an hour or less. Win-win!

Fashion Friday (on Wednesday)

It seems that this year, Thanksgiving has officially crossed over to a new status as Black Friday Eve. The sheer quantity of commercials, proclaiming Black Friday as "the day we wait for all year!" and ignoring the actual holiday completely, make me feel ill. Especially since Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I haven't "done" Black Friday in years - I've become a huge fan of hitting the online sales in my PJs, finishing my Christmas shopping in an hour without any stress or violence, and then getting back to relaxing and time with loved ones.

I realize how ironic it is to spout off against materialism at the top of a post of pretty fashion links. Anyway, after taking out my winter clothes, I've identified some holes in my wardrobe. But while I will be checking for deals on the below items, they aren't my priority this weekend!

(For unexplained reasons, I can't resize most of these images. Have I mentioned how annoying the "new Blogger" is?)

 

Rocket Dog Leopard Flat // Steve Madden Heaven Snake Flat

I've been wearing the same two pairs of $10 Target flats for several years, and while they're still cute, they're not supportive at all. My feet can feel every bump in the concrete. I'd like a cushier pair in an animal print.

Women's Chuck Taylor All-Stars

For at least a year I've been considering some gray Chucks, and I think it's finally time. They'll go with everything. I'm on a huge gray kick right now.

Banana Republic Gray Flannel Sheath Dress

Speaking of, I saw this pale gray dress at Banana Republic and it was love at first sight. In person it has tiny, subtle silver sparkles, making it perfect for the holidays. Sadly, I can't justify spending $130 on a dress unless it's for a REALLY good reason. I was afraid to even try it on, which probably means that when I finally do so months from now, it won't look good on me and all my longing will be for naught.

Land's End Sequin Elastic Waist Skirt

I spotted this sequined skirt on Wardrobe Oxygen! Not practical, but very fun.

The Limited Tiered Striped Knit Dress

This cute, versatile dress is down to $17.99 on The Limited's website! But only in medium. It figures.

Loft Bow Necklace Sweater

I could probably approximate this with a Target sweater and some creativity. Maybe a project for my Christmas break.

Marianna Swirl Bracelet

I discovered Marianna jewelry in a shop in St. Augustine in October. I love their oceany motifs!

 

Stella & Dot Leona Pendant Necklace // Stella & Dot Sofia Pearl Bib Necklace

Stella & Dot has a lot of beautiful pieces.

Miriam Merenfeld 14K Gold Initial Necklace

I love the simplicity of this necklace, and want to add a little more yellow gold to my collection (after not wearing it for years). I saw it on Rue La La and didn't get it, and now it's not available anymore. Oh well.

I also need cardigans in brown, red, and possibly navy. Why is it so hard to find basic colors these days?

Wild on Wednesday: Summer Fashion MVPs

Today's Wild on Wednesday is even girlier than usual. Here are my Summer Fashion MVPs - things I've worn the heck out of this summer!

I can't remember the last time I wore a heel higher than about an inch. I KNOW! My office has gone to casual attire the past two summers, and this year that's translated to fully embracing flats and wedges. Most days you can find me in (left to right): Chinese Laundry wedges, Report Tia sandals, Unisa wedges, or Anne Klein bejeweled flats. I got the first three pairs at DSW, and the Anne Klein pair at Ross for $15 two years ago. Sadly, my CL wedges are falling apart from so much wear, and there's nothing I or the shoe repair guy can do except keep gluing them back together. I haven't seen any others like them, and they go with everything.

The nail colors I've reached for again and again: Party In My Cabana, Miami Beet, Privacy Please, and Bright Lights Big Color. I have a mini pack of a few South Beach colors (of course), but loved Miami Beet so much that I got a full size bottle. OPI is the best.

I've been all about the semi-floofy skirt this summer. I now have the Loft eyelet skirt in three colors, because when something really works, I get several. But I've also gotten a lot of mileage out of this purple patterned skirt (a no-name brand that I happened upon at Half Off Half), and this embroidered Gap skirt that I picked up in Evansville last year. I often wear these skirts with the Merona tees and tanks from Target that have some ruching at the neckline. I usually prefer Mossimo tees at Target because they're more fitted, but Merona ones work really well tucked in to a skirt. Yes, despite visions of Steve Urkel dancing in my head, I'm daring to tuck some things in for the first time since 1997. Having that option is already revolutionizing my wardrobe!

It took me a while to establish my "uniform" for summer, but I'm really enjoying the comfort and breeziness of it. Soon enough I'll be back in structured clothes and stilettos. Maybe by then I'll feel ready.

Wild on Wednesday

Happy August - my birthday month! Here are the things I'm wild about right now (besides my new car):

Bunheads on ABC Family. I am CRAZY for this show about a dancer and former Vegas showgirl who finds herself helping to run a dance studio in small-town California. I still haven't seen Gilmore Girls, but I'm told the dialogue and main components of Bunheads are just like it. This is the only series on TV right now that I look forward to watching regularly. My favorite scene so far involved a long conversation about layaway at Contempo Casuals.

Loft Eyelet Hem Skirt. I scored one of these (in black) for $15 before my NYC trip. I ended up not even taking it to New York, but it's quickly becoming my favorite skirt at home. I wear it at least once a week. It's cute, cool, and comfortable. I want to get another one while the getting is good!

 
The Olympics, of course.  I love the excitement, the surprises, the focus on sports that you don't hear about at any other time, and cheering on Team USA and my other randomly-chosen favorite countries. :) The Olympics are basically an extended good cry for me. Every night I sit weeping quietly at all the medal ceremonies, even if I have no personal attachment to the competitors. The high concentration of people's lifelong dreams coming true is just too much for me. I'm not kidding, I even got choked up typing that.

Last weekend I saw Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D with my friend Elizabeth. We were each other's only friends who wanted to see it. :) I've felt a growing kinship with Katy since her divorce from Russell Brand, and this documentary/concert film sealed the deal. Like me, she grew up Pentecostal (there's an old clip of her singing Crystal Lewis's song "I Now Live," which I listened to constantly as a teenager). Like me, she's one of three kids and is close to her sister and younger brother, and considers herself a writer. Like me, she deeply loved a man who wasn't equally invested in the relationship, and fought unsuccessfully to save her marriage. From what I've seen and heard over the years, I think she's the real deal. I refuse to write her off as many other Christians have. It's clear to me that she has a very loving heart, a God-given talent, and an amazing work ethic. Even if you don't agree, the movie is great and surprisingly moving (in between fun songs).