Merled Dress: Third Time’s a Charm

The first and second times I wore this dress I was busted taking pictures of myself. D’oh! This time no one spotted me. I posed in front of a movie theater on the way to work because people don’t usually watch movies in the morning.

black and gray

Dress: TJ Maxx
Belt: TJ MAxx
Tights: Hue
Necklace: H&M
Ring: Crazy Harry’s
Boots: John Fluevog

I’m wearing the dress with blue tights again but I changed the boots and accessories. I think the Fluevogs make this outfit funkier and less dressy.

I bought this necklace at H&M. It reminded me of necklaces I made as a kid using pieces of colorful drinking straws threaded with yarn. This is made of silver-tone plastic tubing and black string. A grown-up version.

necklace

This ring was a great find in Florida. I like how it looks like diamonds but was only $5. I’m guessing they’re fake. Oh well.

ring

On a more serious note, I read about a new law being proposed in Indonesia that intends to ban mini skirts because they’re “pornographic.” This makes me so irate! The country’s parliamentary speaker blamed women’s attire for rape and said, “You know what men are like. Provocative clothing will make them do things.”

I’m sick of victim-blaming. It’s not just Indonesia. The SlutWalks that started in Canada and spread around the world draw attention to the same issues women face on every continent. As though modestly dressed women are never assaulted. As though men can’t take responsibility for themselves.

When I wear a short skirt or dress, I think of the progress we’ve made and the distance we still have to go.

merled dress

Note: I wrote this post up a couple of days ago. Imagine my surprise when I found out that April 3 is the first anniversary of SlutWalk and is the International Day Against Victim Blaming.

slutwalk

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Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Feminism, Thrifty

Beautiful Bats and Venus Fly Traps

When I found out that this month’s theme post at Sophistique Noir was floral, I knew exactly what to write about. Last spring I participated in EBEW’s floral group post, and I wore florals in Florida, so I’m not against wearing pretty patterns. But I didn’t want to showcase another floral outfit. This time, I want to show you an amazing find: Purple and black bat-and-floral wallpaper!

cute bat

When my group at work moved into a different building one of the first things I did was explore the area. I’m in a cube but there are a few offices in the building. In one of the swankier offices I found an entire wall of this amazing wallpaper. I don’t know whose space it used to be, but he or she sure knew how to decorate! I love how the office is currently a contractor bay and the paper remains.

bat in flight

I snapped photos and showed my friends my amazing find. I didn’t have a blog when I found this wallpaper but I’m happy to share the photos with you now. I did a web search for “bat wallpaper” and had page after page of desktop wallpaper links. I kept hitting dead ends until my colleague and friend Pleiades found the source: Flavor Paper.

flavor papers

Flavor Paper has a wallpaper section with amazing patterns. Some of my favorites are Flower Pedal, Flower of Love, City Park, and Iris. But nothing is better than Elysian Fields. I prefer the black and purple, but check out the other colors too. In fact, the colors change the look of the paper so much! It might seem obvious, but the same print in antique pink has a totally different effect.

pattern

I’d put this up on one wall of a home office or paper the entire bathroom! I think an oval mirror with a silver frame would pop against this background. I love that this paper is pretty with a dark side. Even the plants are dangerous!

What would you do with this paper? Do you have any others that you like?

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Filed under Art, Decor

Hot Pink and Houndstooth

You know I love hot pink. And I love houndstooth. So it was only a matter of time before I paired this color and pattern combination together.

houndtooth coat

I got this little Valentino-style rosette purse from a flea market in Florida. I absolutely love it! I don’t usually go for frills but the way the pleather is ruffled to create a flower was so appealing.

hot pink top

I wore my houndstooth coat with black pants. The surprise element was the fuchsia dolman-sleeve top I wore under my jacket. The infinity scarf came with the coat! What a deal!

pink and black

Jacket: Macy’s
Top: JC Penney’s
Jeans: Banana Republic
Shoes: Thrifted
Cuff: Greenbelts
Purse: Flea market

Whenever I wear this top, people say, “wow that’s bright.” I’m not sure it’s a compliment but it’s a sign I’m getting noticed! What do you wear that gets you noticed?

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Brights for a Gray Day

We sure do have a lot of gray days in the Pacific Northwest. But as they say, summer is a great month! With all the gloom, I have to add my own color. Can’t rely on the skies.

yellow, teal, and purple

Dress: Nordstrom
Scarf: Fred Meyer’s
Tights: Roots Canada
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: Snap Designs

brights on a gray day

This dress was the very first outfit I ever wore on this blog. It was Day One of the first 30 for 30 challenge I participated in. I’ve worn it since, but I’ll always think of this as my debut dress.

The bag is a terrific sunny yellow. It’s not neon, but it’s close. I recently got a neon envelop clutch. You want bright? Wait until you see that! In the meantime, this bright Snap Designs tote bag will do.

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Black and Blue with a Touch of Bright

I accidentally wore my Gunnar glasses home from work on Friday so I’m wearing them this morning to I can take them back to work. I wrote about these glasses a couple of months ago. They really help with computer glare. A must for any blogger!

bright bag

Tank: Old Navy
Top: Gifted
Cardigan: Thrifted
Pants: Eileen Fisher via Goodwill
Shoes: John Fluevog
Necklace: Boutique in Las Olas
Watch: Florida street market
Tote: SNAP Designs

Funny thing is, the glasses match my bag. I grabbed this sunny yellow tote because the rest of my outfit was so neutral and I wanted to brighten it up.

details of outfit

I have a few Florida pieces in this outfit. The watch, top, and necklace, to be exact. I loved this mesh top. My mom and I were each going to buy one but the sales guys kept changing the price and changing their story about the sizes in stock so I decided not to support their store. My mom bought one anyway and later gave it to me because she knew I’d regret letting this walk away. She was right! Bad service aside, I do like this 80s-inspired mesh shirt.

thrifty look

I have a few thrifty pieces in the mix too. The cardi and pants are thrifted. The snap-band watch was $5 (although I still haven’t figured out how to set it). The top was gifted but the price my mom paid was reasonable ($15 I think). The necklace was on sale for $9.

How do you handle bad service in a store?

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The Skirt with the Roses

I picked up this skirt at a clothing exchange a few years ago and it’s been in rotation in my closet ever since. I like its subtle A-line shape and the delicate lace ruffle at the hem.

green and pink accents

Top: H&M
Skirt: Swapped
Cuff: H&M
Socks: Sock it to Me
Boots: Mia
Bag: JC Penney
Earrings: DIY

The outfit it simple, but I love it. The ruching on the shirt and beaded appliqué on the skirt add just the right amount of details without being fussy. I fall into an all-black outfit wa-ay to easily so I added a green bag to complement the pink roses. I don’t wear a lot of different shades of pink. This bright hue is the one I gravitate to most often.

beaded skirt detail

I tried a bit of subtle pattern mixing too. The skirt has stripes and my socks have stars. They’re just peeking out of my boots but they’re a fun element. What fun items do you add to spice up your outfits?

black outfit

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Fishtail Denim Skirt

I’m wearing my long denim skirt again. I wore it a few weeks ago for more of a dressed down look with chunky boots and a jacket. Today I wore a blazer and pointy, faux-suede boots. I added a long necklace to dress it up.

blazer and skirt

Blazer: Dynamite
Skirt: Sears
Tank: Wet Seal
Necklace: Florida street market
Boots: Rampage

navy and pink

This necklace came with a shirt I bought when I was in Florida a couple of months ago. I’m usually a low-key jewelry person but I’m learning how an interesting piece can change an outfit. I’m especially getting into longer necklaces. What style of jewelry do you wear most?

necklace and tan boots

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Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Fashion, Thrifty

Short Pants and a Make-up Bag

I have a secret: My “purse” is really a make-up bag. Worse Better yet, it was a free gift I got when I bought a bottle of perfume. It was filled with goodies like lip gloss and concealer. I got it when I met Diane von Furstenberg last fall.

free clutch

Top: H&M
Shorts: Swapped
Tights: Roots Canada
Shoes: Old Navy
Clutch: Gift with purchase
Cuff: Greenbelts

getting dotty

The way I see it is that only people who also bought the perfume and got the bag will know my secret (well, now you know too).  To everyone else, this is a simple clutch. A waterproof, zippered clutch.

Do you have any fashion secrets? Pyjama top as dress? Blanket as scarf? Something even more scandalous?

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Houndstooth Coat and Furla Tote

I was taking a shortcut through Macy’s a few weeks ago when I found this wonderful houndstooth coat. It was in the junior’s department so it wasn’t expensive anyway, but it was half off too. And because I checked into Macy’s with my FourSquare phone app, I got an extra 15% discount. I think it came to about $20 total.

houndstooth coat

Coat: Macy’s
Scarf: Toronto street vendor
Pants: See by Chloé
Shoes: Seychelles
Bag: Furla

Notice the great forest green tote bag I’m carrying? My dad gave it to me! He was working for a client who was giving away some “things she never used” and he saw the purse. He was pretty sure it was a good name brand. Plus it was made in Italy. He took a chance and brought it to Florida with him.

book bag

When we met there a couple of months ago he handed it over. Wasn’t that thoughtful? It didn’t cost him anything but it would have been so easy for him to overlook. I’m glad he has an eye for quality and style. Thanks Dad!

bag by Furla

I like pairing black and white with pops of bright color. What are your favorite color combinations? Any cool freebies come your way recently?

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Filed under Fashion, Thrifty

Pencil Skirt and Stripes

I love my new pencil skirt! I don’t usually wear pencil skirts, as flattering as they are, because many don’t stretch and I imaged myself being confined and restricted in them.

pencil skirt

Sweater: Thrifted
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Target
Shoes: Old Navy
Scarf: NYC street vendor
Cuff: Greenbelts
Clutch: Crystalyn Kae

But this little number is thick, stretch jersey and is very comfortable. It doesn’t have zippers or a lining or anything fussy. I can just pull it on.

orange skirt

I’m looking forward to wearing this with a bright, contrasting top for a color-blocked look. But it’s still cool so I wore a sweater today. Instead of a coat, I wrapped a scarf around my neck. I chose lime green to continue the citrus theme. Plus, the added color removes the Halloween effect that black and orange usually cause.

shadows

It’s so funny how what I wear affects how I feel. The colors and shapes of the pieces in this outfit felt right. I walked a bit taller and felt confident in this look. It pays to try things on. I initially didn’t want to get a pencil skirt, but the skirt proved me wrong. It cost less than $10 too! An inexpensive mood booster if ever there was one.

What articles of clothing do you have that make you confident, happy, or bold? If you like stripes, check out all the participants at the Pretty, Shiny Sparkly stripes challenge.

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