Category Archives: Fashion

Creative style and experiments.

September 5, 2015 · 8:38 pm

Flouncy Skirt and Turquoise Tank

Here’s my first H2T outfit from Germany. I picked up this flouncy skirt at an outdoor art market in Berlin. I was drawn to the 70’s, Pucci-inspired print and great colors. It’s a great travel piece too. It packs small and doesn’t wrinkle. I met the designer herself—another reason why I liked the piece. I was supporting a small, local business.

Top: Tranquillo
Cardi: Thrifted
Skirt: Karo und Punkte
Shoes: Aerosoles
Jewelry: Markets in Berlin

Later in my trip, I found this terrific tank. It’s designed by a German company, made in India, and is fair trade. I loved the asymmetrical woven details on one shoulder.

Next to Karo und Punkte at the market, I saw a vendor selling this neat puzzle-piece necklace. My mom got one as well. I forgot to check to see if the pieces fit together. I bet they do.

Also in Berlin, at the Mauer Park flea market, I met a wonderful vendor who sells silver jewelry from Turkey. I bought three rings from her, two of which you can see here.

It’s funny how when I’m not trying to buy an entire outfit, all the pieces just come together.

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Tagged as ethical fashion, ethical style, fashion, jewelry, silver, silver rings, skirt, style

August 31, 2015 · 10:00 pm

Jeans and a Mayamiko Tee

I’ve had my eye on a few items on the Mayamiko website, so imagine my surprise when I had the opportunity to take one of their limited-edition Time for Tee shirts for a test run.

Tee c/o: Mayamiko
Jeans: Suzy Shier
Pleather boots: Diba
Cuff: Boutique in NYC
Earrings: DIY

I was drawn to Mayamiko’s beautiful African patterns with a contemporary twist, and I was really wowed when I learned Mayamiko products are ethically made in Malawi. The brand is fair trade, and provides training, a trade, living wages, and steady employment without harsh conditions—exactly the things I strive to support!

I chose this bold red, black and blue design because I knew it would be a great top to dress up denim. It’s also going to look great with black pants, my red jeans, and my blue pencil skirt. I love that the fabric has a slight stretch to it, which makes it really comfortable. It’s sturdy but not stiff, and it keeps its shape well.

On the site, you’ll see prices in British pounds, but you can change the currency using the drop-down. Sizes are also UK, so be sure to check the chart before ordering. I’m usually a US 6 or 8 and I ordered a UK 12. While I was choosing my tee, I couldn’t resist the Mayamiko culottes that I found on the website, so you’ll be seeing this top remixed soon!

Check out Mayamiko and see which pieces you like!

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Tagged as ethical, ethical fashion, fair trade, fashion, jeans, Mayamiko, style

August 29, 2015 · 12:45 pm

Gray and White Thrifty Look

I just came back from vacation in Germany and while I sort, edit and cull my photos, I thought I’d share a thrifty look I wore shortly before I left for my trip.

Top: Swapped
Pants: Suzy Shier
Shoes: Swapped
Bag: Thrifted

I picked up this top at a clothing exchanges a few years ago. It belonged to my friend Andrea, whose style I admire. At another clothing exchange, my friend Kristin handed these awesome wedges to me. She knew they were my size and, since I love her style sense too, she knew I’d like these.

The shoes and top work great with my cropped cords. I’ve had these for years. And they were only $5 from the Suzy Shier outlet in Cambridge, Ontario, the town my parents lived in for a while.

My Harvey’s seatbelt bag was thrifted, and was also about $5, making this one of the least expensive outfits I own. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

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Tagged as corduroy, fashion, sandals, style, thrifty fashion, wedges

August 13, 2015 · 11:10 pm

Bermuda Shorts and Basket-weave Top

Seattle’s summer is showing no signs of slowing down—and I’m not complaining! I love the warm weather. In summer I gravitate toward dresses, but shorts are a nice change.

Bermuda shorts

Top: Damselfly Seattle
Shorts: Saltworks via swapped
Shoes: Aerosoles
Purse: Crystalyn Kae
Bracelet: Brooklyn flea market

Shorts are usually too short and casual for work, but Bermuda-length shorts are fine in creative and/or casual environments.

woven-pattern top

I wore these to work with a loose top. I was drawn to this pattern because it looked like a thick, woven fabric. It’s an illusion—the pattern is printed on the fabric.

I like the dark background and how the top incorporates so many colors. It means I can wear this with almost anything. I like it with denim (so the denim shorts are a good fit), but it will look great with any solid pant or short.

shorts and sandals

I met up with Crystalyn Kae at Urban Craft Uprising this past July and I ended up with a cute lime green cross-body purse. Adorable, isn’t it?

Crystalyn Kae purse

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Tagged as Crystalyn Kae, sandals, shorts, style, vegan

August 6, 2015 · 10:45 pm

White Shorts and a Sweater

I love the look of a long-sleeved top with shorts. But it’s not always practical. If it’s cool enough for a sweater, it’s usually too cold for shorts. If it’s hot enough for shorts, who wants to wear a sweater?

coral sweater

Sweater: H&M
Shorts: Old Navy
Shoes: BHAVA Studio
Sunglasses: Convenience Store

On a summer day with a bit of cloud coverage, I knew this combo would work. As the sun set, I was right. My legs weren’t too cold, and the cotton sweater was perfect in summer evening.

shorts and a sweater

I chose my white jean shorts because they’re sturdy (aka not transparent). A lot of white fabrics are sheer and seams and underwear show through. White denim is a perfect solution.

white shorts

My BHAVA shooties are making another appearance. I predicted they would, they’re just so comfortable and versatile!

Floral Pants and Shooties

Okay, okay, I know. “Shooties” (shoes + booties) is a silly word like “jeggings.” But if “skorts” and “brunch” have staying power, maybe “shooties” will too.

floral pants

Cardi: Goodwill
T-shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Terra Cotta
Shoes: BHAVA Studio

I styled these floral pants on the blog last summer and the summer before, but the shooties are new. They’re by a vegan company called BHAVA Studio. These opened-toed booties are terrific for summer but will carry me through fall as well.

coral and floral

I’m looking forward to wearing my new footwear with shorts, pants, dresses—they’ll go with practically everything.

BHAVA

Another item that looks great with everything—especially bright colors—a simple white t-shirts. I don’t wear them often, but they’re classic and don’t fight for attention with busy patterns. So I went with a white T this time.

semi-sheer pants

Black Eyelet and Stripes

Here’s a #tbt to the end of last summer. My hair is lighter and shorter now but I would still rock this outfit.

eyelet pants

Top: H&M
Pants: Dolce & Gabbana
Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini
Necklace: Beacon’s Closet

I saw these black eyelet capri pants in a consignment shop in Seattle. I wanted them so badly but I was about to fly to NYC and I knew shopping opportunities were in my future. However, after sleeping on it, I rushed back to the store and bought them. They’re just too neat to pass up.

cowl neck

I see a lot of white eyelet but black is harder to come by. For some weird reason, I don’t look scantily clad—even though the pants aren’t lined. Boy-cut briefs and strategically placed pockets seem to do the trick.

capris and wedges

I wore the pants with the honeycomb necklace I bought in New York. I kept finding honeycomb patterns wherever I went: a dress, this necklace, a manhole cover, neon tubing artwork in a subway stop. There were so many honeycomb patterns that I decided to get a honeycomb added to my bee tattoo.

honeycomb necklace

Stripes and eyelet almost count as pattern mixing. I went with a neutral top, but these pants will look great with a bright shirt too, or even just plain old white.

eyelet

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Tagged as eyelet, fashion, stripes, style, thrifty fashion

July 9, 2015 · 2:45 pm

Sunny Stripes for Summer

I found this shirt at a clothing exchange and loved its day-glow colors. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but I took it figuring I could pair it with black pants.

Top: Swapped
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Target

However, when I saw that the yellow in the topic was the same hue as my highlighter-yellow cropped jeans I decided to put the two pieces together.

Gold shoes aren’t exactly subtle either but I went with these because a demure ballet flat seemed to be a good fit for the psychedelic swirls in the shirt. It’s not often I find a shirt busier than my tattoo sleeve!

It’s summer, and to me that means bright, fun clothes—especially ones that you can get wet! I bought a little pool for my dog so he can cool off. I enjoy dipping my toes in the water too.

What are your go-to summer tones?

I’ve joined Happiness at Midlife, High Latitude Style, The Penniless Socialite, and Rachel the Hat for blog linkups. See what everyone else is wearing!

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Tagged as ballet flats, fashion, jeans, stripes, style, thrifty fashion, yellow jeans

June 30, 2015 · 9:26 pm

Paisley Pants and a Monarch Tote

I’m wearing the paisley pants from Walla Walla again. I love how they’re a basic cropped white denim—with a special touch: velvety paisley. red, white and black I’ve always like the color combo of black, white and red, so I added a red top. Bonus, the color theme carries over to my new Cykochik tote. The tote is black and white with a red heart. And if you know your butterflies, you’ll recognize the pattern from the wings of the monarch. I had the pleasure of meeting Cykochik founder Nikki Duong Koenig when I was in Austin last month. I was so happy to see all her designs. Her cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and custom-made vegan handbags are made in Dallas. It was hard to choose just one, but I’d been eyeing this pattern online for a while so I grabbed it. Another awesome part of my outfit (if I do say so myself!) is that I’m wearing my new Nicora Johns Sally flats. I blogged about my Nicora Johns boots before, and I’m so in love with the company, the quality, and their mission, that I added these cute shoes to my collection. They’re handmade in LA and also vegan, sustainable, and eco-friendly. I enjoy shopping but when there’s a personal connection and I know I’m helping small businesses instead of conglomerates, it’s just that much better. I’m buying less these days, but when I do shop, I make sure I buy quality, and I support businesses whose values align with mine. It makes shopping so much more meaningful. Every piece has a story—and meaning.

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Tagged as Cykochik, nicora johns, paisley, white jeans

June 24, 2015 · 10:38 pm

Still Rockin’ My Missoni Shift

Some items in my closet have staying power. This Missoni for Target shirt is one such item. I’ve worn this with tights and booties and I’ve worn it with skinny jeans and boots. This time, I’ve chosen denim leggings (yeah, yeah–jeggings) and nude ballet flats.

Cardigan: Target
Shift: Missoni for Target
Leggings: JC Penney
Flats: H&M
Necklace: Handmade by Dad

Yes, you read that right. My dad mad my turquoise necklace. Isn’t that sweet? He’s a fan of stones and gems so it made sense that he’d incorporate turquoise stones and silver beads into a neat piece.

The matching cardi was great for the office–it’s always chilly at my desk.

Stripes (zigzags) and flats are always in style, making this outfit have staying power. Next time I’ll pair it with my mustard jeans and pick up the yellow stripes in the top.