I'm Hooing at You

I used to keep my outfit ideas (clippings and jotted notes) in a folder but that quickly grew unwieldy. I copied Sheila and upgraded to a binder, complete with tabbed dividers. It contains six sections: Fall/Winter Business, Fall/Winter Casual, Spring/Summer Business, Spring/Summer Casual, DIY, and Wish List. Now that my magazine clippings are taped to cardstock, instead of in a loose jumble, I find it so much easier to use them as inspiration.

Sweater, Bloch (I cut the wrap ties off). Shirt, J Crew. Belt, thrifted. Skirt, gifted, shortened, and embellished. Tights, Hue. Flats, Joyce (thrifted). Bracelet, Pangaea.

Today I was inspired by a clipping from In Style. The inspiration outfit was designed to make a strapless sheath dress appropriate for work. I’m wearing a skirt, instead of a full dress, but I’ve got the other elements of the In Style ensemble: long-sleeved sweater, oxford shirt, double wrap belt, flats, and a charm-style bracelet. Of course, I had to add a Kasmira element with the studded owl. (By the way, I’m “hoo”ing at you, like an owl, in the lead photo, not blowing a kiss. I think most people write the owl sound as “hoot,” but I don’t hear a “t” in an owl’s call.)


These super flexible, and never worn, ballet flats are my fourth pair of thrifted shoes. I never would have considered thrifting shoes before the $20 outfit challenge. The second-hand pair I bought for the challenge were a disappointment (expensive to replace the heel tips and horribly uncomfortable) but the studded flats and Champion sneakers I found later are real winners!