Queen of Plaid

I love to mix plaids. I’m wearing three different plaids here, but the navy and red color palette gives the outfit a cohesive look.


Shirt, Mossimo (thrifted). Skirt, Plenty by Tracy Reese (thrifted). Boots, Sofft (consignment). Sunglasses, Earthbound Trading Co. Necklace, Taneesi. Vest, J Crew. Bag, Steve Madden.

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!)

Kid Tested

I hung out with a bunch of kids all day at a nature festival. They probably couldn’t have cared less what I wore, but I wanted to well represent our volunteer organization. I tried to create an outfit that was fun, sporty, modest, and just a half-step up from casual.


Tank, Old Navy. Capris, Arizona Jeans (consignment). Sneakers, Superga. Hat, Charlotte Russe. Backpack, Toms.


I think this outfit would have been perfect with a fox mask, but opted to chat with another volunteer instead of making one.

Runaway

I’ve fantasized about running away since I began daydreaming. As a child, in church, I would imagine stepping through the mural wallpaper into the redwood forest it depicted. As an adult, I consider NOT taking my home exit from the freeway and driving until my credit cards max out. My most powerful fantasies were listening to the train whistle from my military bunk at the USMC Officer Candidate School in 1999. I was there of my own volition and could have left at any time, but still imagined a nighttime escape from the barracks and a harrowing leap onto an open car as the train slowed through base. Life on the tracks sounded much more appealing than being yelled at by sergeant instructors and much more exciting than simply washing out.


Shirt, Old Navy. Pants, Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoes, BCBGeneration. Hat, Betmar. Sunglasses, Charming Charlie. Earrings, vintage. Bag, Aldo.


My runaway fantasies were reawakened by a recent This American Life piece about the boy who ran away from home to live with Piers Anthony. Give it a listen! (Especially if you were ever a Piers Anthony fan.)

BoBu

Bohemian Bunnie inspired me to pair my favorite floral skirt with my new hat.


Jacket, London Jean. Tank, Old Navy. Skirt, Carole Little (thrifted). Boots, Vince Camuto (consignment). Hat, Free Press. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Francesca’s Closet.


I’ve been throwing the “boho” word around a lot on this blog lately, so let’s talk another “b” word: “ball.” Jasper is so ball obsessive that we have to hide them in the freezer or he will NEVER GIVE UP on a game of fetch. (The freezer is the only place he can’t sniff out the ball and then scratch and whine at the hiding place.) At the risk of creating another ball monster, we’ve been actively working to interest Jackson in the ball. (Because he needs a hobby besides eating and barking for attention.) He’s not do or die, like Jasper, but he’s finally interested in a bouncy, short toss and sometimes even brings the ball back.

Grump

I’m not a terribly moody person, but, every once in awhile, I get in a funk. Sometimes it’s ennui, but most often it’s frustration. Today, after I spent 30 minutes trying to find parking for a lunchtime Toastmaster meeting (and eventually missed the meeting because of it), I was in a black mood. I didn’t want to eat my feelings and didn’t have time to walk it off, so I listened to a podcast. Listening to something educational or inspirational always puts my frustrations into perspective and resets my mood.

Later, two different photo locations didn’t work out (and I had to be home by five), so I resigned myself to photos in front of the boring, old blue wall in my backyard. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but a glass of wine and my always entertaining puppies cheered me up.


Jacket, J Crew (consignment). Dress, Lipstick. Shirt, Banana Republic (thrifted and altered). Boots, Nine West. Earrings, flea market. Rings, vintage, thrifted, and/or heirloom.

How do you turn that frown upside down?


Can you tell that my pups make me happy?

Old Band

Do you remember when the band jacket look was trendy for a hot minute in 2010? I still have my military/band inspired sweater from that spring. I should wear it more often, even if it is now out of style.


Sweater, Outback Red (via The Limited). Shirt, Mossimo (thrifted). Skirt, Ann Taylor (thrifted). Boots, Vince Camuto (consignment). Sunglasses, Giselle. Earrings, thrifted. Bag, Clark’s.


It’s been a versatile piece in my wardrobe for the past five years:


365 catchup:


A Northern Shoveler and his mate. A Wella Spring/Summer Trends class.