Editing

I spent most of the day editing photos. I finished the boudoir photos from Friday and The Everyday Elevated pics from Sunday. I’ve included one favorite image from each, at the end of this post.


Jacket, BCBG Max Azria (consignment). Shirt, Passport. Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Boots, Dan Post. Sunglasses, Coco Sunglasses. Earrings, street fair. Scarf, Walgreen’s. Bag, Rebecca Minkoff.


The editing was very minimal: just straightening, correcting levels, and brushing away the odd blemish. Every minute I spend “fixing” an image just reminds me to take better (and fewer) photos in the first place! (I did apply a filter to the boudoir photo, below, but gave all the images to the model with no filters.)

On Trial: Rugby Ralph Lauren Dress

It’s been years since I asked your opinion on whether or not I should keep an item of clothing. I’ve been pretty reckless with the donations. I need some help deciding on this dress, though.


Jacket, Mossimo. Dress, Rugby Ralph Lauren (consignment). Tights, We Love Colors. Booties, Blondo. Sunglasses, Earthbound Trading Co. Bag, Steve Madden. Gloves, gift.


I’d simply cull it if I weren’t planning on doing some teaching and professional speaking. It’s one of the few conservative dresses in my closet.

Pros:
warm, modest, well made, tailored, a-line shape, tweed

Cons:
bulky, unflattering(?), drab, frumpy

What do you think? Here’s how I’ve worn it:

Please the People

I had originally planned to wear my tan, wool, J Crew blazer with this outfit, but was tempted by my newly thrifted suede and faux fur jacket at the last minute. I posted both looks to Instagram and Facebook and asked for opinions. Instagram users voted for the suede and faux fur jacket, while Facebook users voted for the wool blazer. You can see my choice, below.


Jacket, Avanti (thrifted). Sweater tunic, Wet Seal (thrifted). Tee, Mossimo. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Miz Mooz. Bag, Steve Madden. Sunglasses, Earthbound Trading Co. Earrings, Charming Charlie. Rings, Black Hills Gold and vintage.

You can’t please all the people all the time.



The two choices:


What choice would you have made?

Timid

You’d think after 10 years of outfit photos that I’d be less timid about taking them in front of other people. I wanted to take them in the skate park, today, but was too embarrassed to pose in front of the skaters (and possibly interrupt their fun). Instead, I strutted my stuff on a hilltop above the park (where they could no doubt still see me). Will I work up the courage (or better manage my timing) tomorrow?


Shirt, Passport. Shorts, Arizona (thrifted). Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Vince Camuto. Sunglasses, Earthbound Trading Co. Earrings, Charming Charlie. Bag, Vintage.



I used the Muted Mauve iNSTAMAT!C on my hair this morning. Just like last time I used it, the results were too timid. I much prefer the Ocean Storm (blue).


(And I dearly need a haircut. I have one scheduled for next Friday!)

Shades of Green

I never thought I’d return to the military, but I found myself considering it a year ago. Last spring, I met with a recruiter. In October, I began the process of re-entering military service. It’s a long and complicated undertaking, especially for someone of my age and prior service, and I don’t want to jinx it by revealing too many details. Hopefully, by next spring, you’ll see me wearing real camouflage utilities, instead of just my fashion-y take on military greens and browns.


Jacket, Xhilaration (thrifted). Tee, Mossimo. Pants, Da Nang (consignment). Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Sunglasses, Earthbound Trading Co. Bag, Aldo. Belt, thrifted.


When I presented the idea to Beefy, I expected objections. Instead, his first response was, “We’ll get discounts on Disney tickets. And we can stay at Shades of Green!” (Actually, I just looked up Shades of Green, and any honorably discharged veteran can stay there in September and January. I guess there’s more Disney in my future whether I am accepted or not.)

Waffle and a Blazer

After seeing these patterns together, I couldn’t wait to pair this paisley velvet blazer with this fox-print waffle shirt. Halloween and pub trivia seemed to be the right occasion.


Blazer, BSB (thrifted). Shirt, Mossimo. Jeans, Old Navy. Boots, Lauren Ralph Lauren. Bag, Steve Madden. Earrings, Charming Charlie.



To make this the lamest nod at Halloween, ever, I added kitty ears and a bell collar.


My 365 photos are both about my morning runs with the dogs.


These three dogs live in a yard that borders an athletic field through which we run. I think there is a shed or a woodpile that they climb to peek over the 6 foot fence. Once, one of them jumped the fence and it was terrifying.


Jackson loves his runs, but hates the harness. He runs and hides when I pull it out. He isn’t a good hider.