007 New Year's Eve

Black dress, need to look at the tag! Black, sequined sandals, Nine West. Chandelier earrings with black feathers, Claire’s.

I wore this to the James Bond themed New Year’s party at the Know Theater. This dress is a touch too small, so it tends to creep up my thighs. I tugged at the hem at regular intervals. I also wore my giant underpants to be sure I wasn’t over-exposed.

I’m not sure what I think of my eye make-up. It was much heavier than normal. I can’t decide whether it looks whore-ish or cool.

Shopping on New Year's Eve

Black wrap sweater, Bloch. Black A-shirt, Target. Wine velveteen skirt, Delia*s. Black leggings, Target. Black boots, Jennifer Moore. Shorter necklace, Urban Nomad. Longer necklace is an old belt.

I persuaded Mikey to accompany me to the mall on New Year’s Eve. It was crowded, but the sales were incredible. This turned out to be a great outfit when the line for the dressing room at New York and Company was long and slow. I found a mirror at the back of the store and stripped down to the skirt, leggings, and tank top and tried clothes on over my layers. There was no getting around the long line to the register, however.






Denim jacket, Forever 21. Blue silk scarf, Thailand.

Festive, Darn It!

Sheer blank tank, Mossimo for Target. Black tank (beneath), Moda International. Dark jeans, Express. Red sequined scarf (worn as a belt). Black pumps, Michelle D. Red beaded earrings.

After tonight’s show, the Quandary cast is going out to B-Dub’s for a little holiday cheer.

Grocery Shopping

Navy blue sweater, Target. Black, long-sleeved tee, Target. Jeans, Dollhouse. Brown clogs, Gap. Red silk scarf with rose print, from a flea market in California. Shorter necklace, Urban Nomad. Longer necklace is a belt I’ve had a for a few years.

I actually felt like changing out of my pajamas to go to the grocery store and buy the fixings for our Christmas dinner. The scarf stayed on my head for only a few minutes. I have an oddly shaped head (no shelf in the back, above the base of my skull), so wrap-around style headgear creeps off in not time. *sigh*

Little Brown Sweater

Oatmeal wrap shrug, Banana Republic. Striped shirt, Forever 21. Brown pants, Body by Victoria. Brown booties, Style & Co. Earrings, Express.

Here is another shapeless shirt reined in with a sweater. I love lightweight, semi-transparent shirts, but they are usually lacking structure. I wonder why I didn’t think of topping them with sweaters long ago! I guess I picked up the idea from constant browsing of Wardrobe Remix.

Outfit by VS

Cropped sweater, Moda International. Black top with lace overlay, Moda International. Black and white tweed skirt, Moda International. Black pumps, Michelle D. Cameo earrings, vintage.

This is the second time I’ve worn this sweater. I hated the outfit I created with it the first time. I am loving it today, with my booty skirt. Maybe that’s because the entire outfit (sans shoes and earrings) is from the Victoria’s Secret catalog.

Like my faux tan? Courtesy of L’oreal’s Sublime Bronze. No stockings required.

Fishnets and Pearls

Pink collared shirt, Moda International. Black, short-sleeved sweater, B. Moss. Black skirt, Steppin’ Out. Black fishnet tights, No Boundaries. Black boots, Jennifer Moore. Faux pearl necklace with starburst, Newport News.

I was sick yesterday. After watching movies all day, I felt well enough to play “fashion show.” This outfit was one of my creations. I really like the way the gauzy skirt contrasts with the crisp shirttails, slutty fishnets, and heavy boots.

Today is No Head Tuesday because I had to take this photo before I did my hair and makeup. You don’t want to see what I look like when I first wake up!

Me and My Calvins

Black silk knit shrug, INC. Peacock blue tunic, Daisy Fuentes. Black camisole, Cuddle Duds. Dark jeans, Calvin Klein. Black, sequined scarf (worn as a belt), from some hippie store at the Dayton Mall. Hoop earrings, Nine West. Silver acorn pendant with rhinestones, Express. Black pumps, Michelle D.

Since our office went to “business casual” dress, we no longer have “casual Friday.” However, jeans on Friday are still common. I thought I’d join the casual crowd today with my pair of ancient (5+ years) Calvin Kleins.

I used a paintbrush today to secure my twist because I couldn't find a black hair stick. Artsy, huh?

Meow

Black wrap sweater, Bloch. Textured leopard camisole, Express. Brown suede skirt with cutouts, Target. Brown fishnet tights, No Boundaries. Brown boots, Nine West. Earrings, World Market. Leopard print scarf. Fracas perfume.

The two leopard print pieces are ancient. I bought the scarf around 1997 and the tank in 2000. Both used to be part of my “clubbing” attire. I also had a sheer, leopard print, button-up, collared shirt, but I think I finally gave it away to Goodwill. I really wanted to wear it this morning, over the cami and under the sweater, but settled for the scarf instead. I rarely regret cleaning out my closet, but I did today.

Vampire

Black, zip-up blazer with ribbon detailing, Moda International. Red silk wrap blouse with ruffled neck, Newport News. Black, lace top cami, New York & Company. Black, pinstriped pants, Forever 21. Cameo, vintage (from goodwill.com). Black, round-toe pumps with cutouts, Etienne Aigner.

I didn’t realize until after I took this photo that my ensemble looks rather vampiric. I vant to suck your blood! All I need is a pair of fangs to complete the look. Seriously, I’ve worn too much black lately. I tend to pull on black (and red) when I can’t decide what to wear. It always looks sharp, if a bit dramatic.

And speaking of drama, by blazer and blouse are “almost famous.” I was in the world premiere of the musical “The Gospel According to Tammy Faye” last June. We mostly costumed ourselves. I wore the blouse as a drag queen and the jacket as a member of the jury. Can you find me (and my famous duds) in the photos?

Thai Skirt

White, button-up body suit, Moda Intenational. Red, silk skirt with gold embroidery, Thailand. Indian brass earrings, World Market. Red pumps, X Appeal.

This skirt is gorgeous, but tough to wear. First of all, even though the skirt is adjustable to accommodate different sizes, you have to be thin to wear it. Otherwise, the fabric puckers and pulls. It isn’t meant for Western bodies. Even my modest curves tend to pull the skirt from its columnar shape. I spend a lot of time checking myself out in full length mirrors and windows to smooth errant bulges. Second, what do you pair it with? I’ve only come up with two options: white shirt or black sweater. The skirt is so flashy that a simple top is best. I originally bought matching fabric to make a blouse, but that would be much too costume-like. Instead, the extra fabric is now a hanging on my living room wall. Finally, the waist is a little strange. Because it fastens with a wrapped length of fabric, the skirt has a “paper bag” waist. (Remember when that was cool? Big baggy jeans cinched in with a tight belt so that the excess denim flared above? I’m dating myself here.) It may be retro, but I’m not a fan of the “paper bag” waist, so I try to disguise it by blousing my tucked-in shirt or covering it with a sweater. Again, maintaining the look requires constant adjustments. Ultimately, the skirt is more a conversation piece than a wardrobe basic, but it’s a souvenir of my deployment to Thailand in 2002.

Quite fittingly, I'm having Thai for lunch!

Warm Day in December

Black, short-sleeved velvet blazer, Forever 21. Pink, cowl neck tank, New York and Company. Black slacks, Nine and Company. Heart necklace, girlshop.com. Black pumps, Michelle D.

Hooray, today’s high is supposed to be 57 degrees! I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to wear short sleeves, lightweight pants, and pumps. I’ve got a black velvet scarf to wrap around me if I get too cold at work.

This will probably be my standard hairdo for the next few weeks. We are performing every night, so my hair is getting sprayed and curled every night, so I have a big pouf head every morning. Twisting it up and securing it with a stick tames the crazy hair cloud. You wouldn’t want to touch it though; it’s crunchy!

Audition Day

Green sweater, George ME. Jeans and belt, Dollhouse. Silver earrings, Target?

I’m off to an audition for the soundtrack of a new musical. I suppose it doesn’t really matter how I look (just how I sound), but looking nice definitely helps my confidence.

Jacket Quandry

Red velvet mandarin-collar jacket, Newport News. Brown tweedy skirt, Newport News. Beige lace and sequin overlay camisole, Moda International. Brown and gold-tone necklace, Target. Brown boots, Nine West.

I like this jacket, but I’m not sure how to wear it. Collar up or down? With a skirt or pants? Buttoned or unbuttoned? At the end of the season, I’ll provide a gallery of outfits built around this jacket and you can vote for your favorite. (It's also interesting to see how my summer color has faded over the months. I'll be ghostly by March.)

Holiday Potluck

Red satin blouse with tuxedo detailing, Express. Gray flannel pants, Express. Beaded silver and black belt, The Limited. Indian silver earrings.

We had a holiday potluck for our group at work today, so I dressed in my festive best.

Mostly Brown

Pink, button-up bodysuit, Moda International. Brown tweed trumpet skirt with embellished hem, Newport News. Brown scarf, Jay Jacobs. Gold earrings with dark brown crystals, Express. Brown tights. Brown pumps, Target.

These have to be the most uncomfortable shoes I own. I think the problem is that they are a little wide, so my foot slides down the steep instep and my toes are jammed into the end of the shoe. However, the shoes are super cute and the high heel makes me look long and lean. I wear them anyway and just bear the pain.

My Favorite Pants

Multicolored tweed jacket. Chocolate brown pants, Body by Victoria. Pink, sequined camisole, by Deep Los Angeles. Cross necklace with green stones, Target.

I wear these pants quite a bit. I bought them from the Victoria’s Secret catalog around February 2004, in preparation for my transition from the military to the business world. I started wearing them when I began my first civilian job, in August 2004. Since then, I’ve worn them at least three times a month. Assuming I paid about $60 for them, after 28 months, I’m down to about 70 cents per wearing.

They’ve held up well too. The inside button on the waistband is coming loose and one of the leg hems has come partially undone, but no one can see those things. The bottoms of the legs have salt stains from wearing them on the city streets in the winter, but they are hardly noticeable.

The only beef I have with these pants is that they are cuffed. I usually wear heels. I quickly learned that cuffs + heels = danger. I can’t tell you how many times I caught a spiked heel in the cuff and went tumbling. Now, I only wear thick heels that aren’t likely to find their way into the cuffs. I’ll never buy another pair of cuffed pants.

Blue Velvet

Blue velvet blazer, New York and Company. Long, beige wool skirt, Casual Corner. Lace overlay camisole, George ME. Multi-strand faux pearl necklace. Rhinestone and pearl chandelier earrings. Brown boots, Nine West.

Here I am, with my boobs hanging out again. I don’t know why I have so many low cut tops. There certainly isn’t anything to reveal down there! I spent the afternoon in a meeting with the grand poobahs, constantly adjusting my neckline to keep my bra out of sight. One poobah in particular kept staring at my exposed flesh, but I tried not to let it bother me.

Today it did not get above freezing. I was warm enough in this long wool skirt and velvet blazer under a thick wool 3/4 length coat. I also wore a very cute hat (must get a picture of it) to protect my head from the icy wind. A fuzzy scarf kept my décolletage toasty.

Red All Over

Red, button-up bodysuit, Moda International. Red and orange tweed pants, Moda International. Red bead necklace, George ME.

Monochromatic outfits are supposed to be chic and slimming and all, but I find them kind of boring. What would really make this outfit exciting is an orange shirt (the pants have orange in them) but the only orange shirt I have is a Halloween tshirt. It isn’t seasonal or work appropriate. *Sigh* At least I’m boring in a lovely shade of red. I do love red, even if it’s all I’m wearing.

Emerald Green and Cream

Cream blazer with velvet trim and asian knot closure, Apostrophe. Emerald green satin blouse, Express. Chocolate brown pants, Body by Victoria. Circular earrings with multicolor beads, World Market. Brown booties, Style & Co.

I went to the mall for vacuum cleaner bags and came home with this blazer and shirt. The blazer was a good deal (50% off at Sears). The shirt was not. I did, however, get compliments on the shirt all day long. It’s so cute that I must show you what it looks like without the blazer over it (click for a larger image):

Max Studio Dress

Brown velvet jacket with brooch, FANG. Brown and beige, empire-waist dress, Max Studio. Brown boots, Nine West.

I’ve heard that “the dress” is making a comeback. Thank goodness! I love dresses. I went dress shopping this summer and found the selection dismal. This was one of the few I found (at TJ Maxx!)

I recently learned another trick for posing for these photographs. You may have already notice that I’m almost always standing in a modified ballet fourth position, either croise or ecarte. The positions in ballet are designed to lengthen the line of the body. Long lines make for slimming photos. Until now, though, I’ve forgotten to lengthen my hands. When my hands are relaxed, my fingers half curl up, as you can see in all of the previous photos. Today, after looking at this photo in the What Are You Wearing Today flickr group, I realized how much longer my arms would look if I extended my fingers and voila!

I wore this dress on October 11, with my black shrug. I think it looks much better with this jacket instead. Or maybe it’s just the ballet fingers.

Preppy

Green silk faux wrap sweater. Pink sheer silk shirt, Bebe. Plaid pants, Express. Brown pumps, Target. Earrings, Express.

Here’s my preppy look – or at least as preppy as I get anymore. My look is more romantic than preppy.

These pants were an odd purchase for me. They aren’t my usual style, but they have pink and green lines running through the plaid, so they match a number of my tops. (Pink and green are two of my favorite colors. I like them even better together.)

The pink shirt is hard to wear. First of all, it’s very sheer, so I usually wear a camisole underneath, but I spend a lot of time hitching up the straps. It is also a little shapeless. I didn’t realize just HOW shapeless until I saw this terrible video of myself singing karaoke in it on YouTube. The shirt looks MUCH better with something over it, instead of under it.

Sweater Dress

Black sweater dress with floral embroidery, Melton. White sweater, Express. Black, lace edge camisole, NY & Co. Black tights, Danskin. Black, round-toe pumps with cutouts, Etienne Aigner. Cameo choker, vintage.

You would THINK that a sweater dress would be simple, easy dressing. Just wrap and go, right? No. First of all, I only wear this dress when the weather is cool, so I need tights. Once I put tights on, I need a slip so that the skirt doesn’t creep up my thighs as I walk. The top of the dress is too low-cut for work, so I need to wear a cami beneath. Finally, because the dress is sleeveless, I need to wear a top to cover my arms.

I’ve tried a number of sweaters, shrugs, and jackets over this dress and I think I’ve finally found the top that works. I’d prefer this sweater to be a little more cream than white, but the fit and shape are so good that I really can’t complain. It looks far better than the black shrug I wore with this dress on October 6th.

Funeral

Black wrap sweater with sparkly threads, The Gap. Black camisole, Moda International. Gray flannel pants, Express. Cameo choker, vintage.

Does this outfit make me look fat? No, seriously. I should have never paired the top and bottom together. The thick fabrics make me look chunky. This sweater is just difficult to wear because of the way it hangs over the belt. (It is also a size too large.) I’ve had the sweater for nine years and have probably worn it nine times. I give up. Anyone want it?

The colors in this outfit are no good either. I look like I’m on my way to a funeral – probably my own judging from my pallor. I taught aerobics at work this morning (6:30 a.m.) and forgot to bring my make-up. Luckily, I found some mascara in the car and had powder and lipstick at my desk. I was really missing the rest of my cosmetics, though.

Blech.

Tweedy

Burgundy chenille sweater, INC. Black and white tweed skirt, Moda International. Hat with tweed flower. Black boots.

Okay, I didn’t actually wear the outfit today as pictured. I did wear the hat, but only when outside, and with my coat. I put it on for this picture because the necklace I wore today broke. I didn’t have time for jewelry surgery before the photo and I needed some sort of accessory, so the hat went back on. It matches well, doesn’t it? I bought it at Pangea, in Clifton. I love that store.

Hot Pink Sweater

Hot pink sequined sweater, Moda International (Victoria’s Secret). Black shirt with lace overlay, Moda International. Black pants, Nine and Co. Pink bead necklace, Claire’s Boutique. Crystal earrings, Delia*s. Black pumps, Michelle D.

Victoria’s Secret’s main clothing line is actually called Moda International, so I’ve decided to start using the proper name. The other line is Body by Victoria. I think I only have one “Body” piece.

I love love love this sweater. I think I snagged it for about $20 on clearance. It is made of silk and cashmere. The color is one of my favorites and the sequins really make it stand out.

Chocolate Cherry

Red velvet jacket, Newport News. Lace overlay camisole, George. Chocolate brown pants, VS Body. Brown booties, Style & Co. Red bead necklace, George.

A Super Wal*Mart just opened near our house. Before it was built, the nearest Wal*Mart was at a 20 – 30 minutes drive from home and the inside was super ghetto. The new Wal*Mart is much closer and all shiny and new. After hearing so much about their new trendy clothing line, I had to check it out. The camisole and necklace are two of my purchases.

Mike was with me, so I had to do speed shopping and didn’t get a chance to try on anything I bought. I didn’t realize that this camisole was so long until I tried it on at home. Thank goodness it fits over my hips! My top is small, but my hips are not insignificant.

Brown Victorian

Brown velvet blazer with brooch, FANG. White lace blouse, Newport News. Brown tweedy skirt, Newport News. Brown boots, Nine West.

I love all these pieces – the blazer, the skirt, the boots, and, especially, the blouse. I could wear the blouse every day. And every time I wore it, I’d declare my outfit “Victorian” just because of its front ruffle.

Green and Black

Rabbit fur poncho, Christopher Banks. Black, long-sleeve tee, Mossimo for Target. Green tweed skirt, Talbot’s. Black tights, Danskin. Black boots. Green chandelier earrings. Green, purse-charm bracelet.

At Christmas 2004, my mother bought me this poncho and my friend Kathy bought me these earrings and bracelet.

Because I wear skirts so often, I go through a lot of tights in the winter. My favorite tights are Danskin performance tights (actual dancing tights). They have a nice, smooth finish and are extremely resistant to running. I order them in bulk, from DiscountDance.com.

Icy

Black, short-sleeved, velvet jacket, Forever 21. Slate blue camisole, Moda International. Gray slacks, The Limited. Beaded sash, The Limited. Earrings, World Market. Cameo necklace (pushed to the side, darn it!), vintage. Black pumps, Michelle D.

I dressed to match the cool, wintery day.

Did you notice that I cut my bangs? I had only about 30 seconds to cut them on Sat evening (after touching up my color) before I had to run to a performance. I usually push them to the side, but sometimes I “mix it up” and wear them down. Outrageous, huh?

Birthday Skirt

White, button-down bodysuit, Moda International. Fuchsia skirt with butterfly appliqué, Parameter. Tan pumps, Target. Chandelier earrings, Claire’s Boutique.

Mike bought me this skirt for my birthday. Impressed with his taste? He doesn’t get all the credit. For gift giving occasions, I have to send him internet links to catalog items I would like as a present. He then chooses one and orders it. There is still an element of surprise for me, he doesn’t have to leave the house to buy the gift, and I’m sure to like it.

Please excuse the wrinkles. The skirt is linen and I took this picture after wearing it all day.

Fuchsia and Silver

Cream and silver floral blazer, Heart, Moon, and Stars. Fuchsia tank, Express. Gray pants, The Limited. Earrings, Claire's Boutique. Pink rhinestone brooch.

This outfit is a catalog of good bargains. The blazer was only $20 because I bought it at the end of the season and it is an XS. The tank was $5. The pants were around $25, from TJ Maxx. I love a deal!

Blue Sweater, Red Pumps

Peacock blue sweater, Gap. Black lace overlay camisole, Halogen. Black pants, Nine and Company. Earrings with multicolored beads, World Market. Red pumps.

I admit, sometimes I plan my outfits in advance. I find it to be a soothing activity as I fall asleep. It is a relief to have that detail of my morning taken care of. This morning, though, I had no idea what I was going to wear and sort of threw this all together. But how could I go wrong with a sweater in this gorgeous shade of blue?

You may notice that I’m wearing red shoes. I paired the blue sweater and red pumps together because they both match my earrings. I like to add unexpected accessories that don’t seem to match at first…and invite you take a closer look.

Forever 21

Black, short-sleeved, velvet blazer, Forever 21. Red silk blouse, Newport News. Black cami, Victoria’s Secret. Pinstriped pants, Forever 21. Black pumps, Michelle D. Multi-strand faux pearl necklace, JC Penney.

Although I love the store, going into Forever 21 invariably makes me feel fat and old. When I first encountered the store, I was confused about the “21.” Was it a price point or an age? Evidently, it is an age, although the average age of the shoppers and staff is probably 17, making me feel like a wrinkly old hag at 31. The clothes are sized for 12-year-olds. I wear an XS or S in women’s stores. At Forever 21, I’m a M or L. Still, it’s a great place to find cheap, trendy items. I just bought this blazer last weekend.

Pink Capelet

Pink, knit capelet, Victoria’s Secret. Beige, sequin and lace cami, Victoria’s Secret. Long skirt, Casual Corner. Boots, Nine West.

Ugh, this is a terrible picture. Anyway, I love this little capelet sweater. Not sure if I love this outfit, though.

Fall Fashionable

Brown velvet jacket with brooch. Cream camisole, Cuddle Duds. Red and orange tweed pants, Victoria’s Secret. Earrings, World Market.

I bought this jacket at Vanity, in Detroit for $20 or so in August 2005. I forgot to look at the tag, so I can’t tell you what brand it is. This is one of my favorite blazers. I’m sad to see that the elbows are showing some wear. I like this jacket so much that when it finally bites the dust, I may have it remade by a tailor.










Today is my birthday. My very sweet boss gave me a bracelet this morning and it matched my outfit perfectly! I wore it for the rest of the day. Bracelet with orange beads and heart charm, Just 2 Friends by Kathy Damm.

Black and Blue

Black blazer, Steppin Out. Light blue shirt, Bebe. Pinstriped pants, Forever 21. Flower corsage, Newport News. Multi-strand faux pearl necklace, JC Penney.

This was a landmark day for me. I wore my hair down and it didn’t turn into a giant pouf-ball. I didn’t do anything special. It was just that we finally had a day with dry air!

Chocolate Girl

Brown jacquard blazer, Apt 9. Fuzzy scarf, Wal*Mart. Tweed trumpet skirt, Newport News. Shoes, Target. Earrings, Girlshop.com.

For me, brown is the new black. I’m gradually transitioning from black to brown in my base pieces. Chocolate brown blends so well with other colors. It seems less harsh than black.













I just bought this scarf at Wal*Mart. I love it! It feels like a plush animal wrapped around your neck. It was certainly too warm to wear it in the office, but I left it on for the picture because it looks so nice with the outfit. Without the scarf, you can see that I’m wearing strawberry with my chocolate – a pink silk camisole (Target) and a faux pearl necklace

Pearls and Bows

Pink, button-down body suit, Victoria’s Secret. Navy blue skirt with black pinstripes and black lace edging, Victoria’s Secret. Pink, faux pearl belt, Target. Black mules, Nine West.

I wear this outfit fairly often. I think it is a nice mix of professional and girly.

Boring, but Warm

Red chenille sweater, I.N.C. Gray, flannel pants, Express. Pearl necklace, Newport News.

After spending the week in chilly meeting rooms, I wanted to wear something very warm to work on Friday. This outfit isn’t exciting, but I was toasty all day (too warm, in fact). An unexpected bonus of wearing something so plain was that people noticed and commented on my neato necklace from Newport News.

Travel Trousseau

I went on a three day business trip this week and was restricted to carry-on luggage. I planned my outfits by emulating the travel wardrobe spreads often featured in fashion magazines. The clothing is usually all in the same color family and the pieces are interchangeable. For this trip, I brought pieces in brown, lime green, and pink. I brought one item of jewelry for each day. The result: I wore a few items twice, but the outfits were different every day.


Day 1, Oct 24. Multicolored tweed jacket, don't remember. Pink, cowl-neck shell, New York and Company. Brown, cuffed pants, Victoria's Secret. Pink chandelier earrings, Claire's. I will have to check the tag on this jacket for the brand. It is one of my favorites because it matches my favorite colors and it is very warm. It cost far more than any other blazer I own, but it was worth it!










Day 2, Oct 25. Pink sweater with sequins, Victoria's Secret. Pink, cowl-neck shell, New York and Company. Brown suede skirt with cutouts, Mossimo for Target. Pink beads, Claire's. Brown boots, Nine West. This sweater was a recent purchase from the clearance section of the VS website. It was a steal!
It's too bad I didn't get a better photo of my hair. I recently bought a "banana clip" and am enjoying the 80's revival. It works well with my wavy hair.


Day 3, Oct 26. Multicolored tweed jacket, don't remember. Lime green cami, Deep by Los Angeles. Brown suede skirt with cutouts, Mossimo for Target. Brown boots, Nine West. (Hidden necklace is very cute and I'm sorry it slid to the side when I was setting up the photo!)