All About the Back

Dress, Blu Heaven. Boots, Blowfish. Jade charms, Phai’s House of Jade. Arrowhead pendant, thrifted. Clutch, Carlos Santana. Jacket (below), Dex.

The front of this dress is cute enough, but it’s the back that I love.


A jacket because open-back dresses are cold.

Pencil

Top, The Limited. Skirt, Banana Republic. Necklace, Zad. Shoes, Delicious.

Sunkist

Jacket, Forever 21. Dress, The Limited. Sandals, Aerosoles. Feather earrings and cuff, Pangaea.

I look like I’ve just sucked on a lemon. I’m really not that sour.


I’ve got some serious (and seriously gray) roots going on at this point

Big Yellow Teeth

Dress, To The Max. Necklace, Old Navy. Handbag, No Boundaries. Peeptoes, Bitten. Bracelet, Target. (Pictured below: Sunnies, Rampage. Coat, Bebe. Boots, TJ Maxx. Tote, Tommy Hilfiger.)


I’ve been told that this bracelet reminds some of big yellow teeth. So, just for you, I shoved the thing in my mouth and took a picture. I think I caught swine flu in the process.


Oink oink

Wall Bounce

Sweater, Merona. Skirt, Richard Malcom. Pumps, Wild Diva. Necklace, Body Central. Sunnies, Rampage.

Last week’s photography class covered the use of flash. One of the techniques we learned is to bounce the flash off the wall, instead of the ceiling. I tried that today and liked the result.


I feel a little silly wearing sunglasses indoors, but I was running late again this morning and had to take pictures after work, post-swimming. I’m concealing my goggle marks. They’re pretty heinous. As is my smeared eye makeup. I figured sunglasses were better than just chopping off my head.

Like Switzerland

Jacket, No Boundaries. Dress, Max Studio. Bag, Apt 9. Necklace, gift. Ring, Target. Shoes, Gianni Bini.

Cutsey

Dress, Ann Taylor Loft. Sweater, Express. Necklace, Target. Shoes, Miss Me. Clutch, Apt 9.

I woke up two hours late and had to go from bed to bus in 30 minutes. Pictures were rushed and I later regretted the headband choice and discarded it. It was way too cutsey.

Trek

Sweater, Forever 21. Dress, Georgio Fiolani (thrifted). Belt, thrifted. Sandals, Etienne Aigner. Earrings, Claire’s. Self-satisfied expression, all mine.



I might have to include a closeup of this belt with every wearing because I love it so.

Done

Sweater, Jolie Tricot. Tank, Merona. Jeans, Calvin Klein. Shoes, Nine West. Necklace, Forever 21. Cuff, Hot Topic.

Last day of moving props around and another inappropriate outfit. The metal on the accessories probably did gleam a bit during scene changes, but at least they didn’t jingle.

Grandpa

Sweater, J Crew (via swap). Blouse, Merona. Trouser jeans, Express. Booties, Style & Co. Belt, thrifted. Earrings, Forever 21. Headband, Claire’s.

I think I’ve got a grandpa look going on today. And like it.

Cheap Thrills

Sweater, Wet Seal. Dress, Mossimo (via swap). Necklace, Forever 21. Belt, thifted. Boots, Playhouse. Sunnies, Rampage.

My latest Forever 21 order arrived yesterday and I couldn’t wait to wear my new necklace. This was also an opportunity to wear the second belt I thrifted last weekend. (The first was yesterday’s seahorse clasp number.) This belt has tiny silver studs and wraps twice around the waist.

Once upon a time, I would have regarded this ensemble as very thrifty (under $50). The $20 challenge, though, puts it too shame. I’m really going to have to work to create an outfit within the limits.


Ah, see how much kinder the evening light is?

Recession Challenge: $20 Outfit

The monthly Recession Challenge is back! I was inspired by Sally Jane’s post A Girl, A Thrift Store, & Twenty Bucks. This May, let’s see you put together an outfit for $20 (US).

This doesn’t necessarily mean shopping at a secondhand store. Londyn told me that she has been finding thrift store prices at the department stores lately (and she haunts Macy’s and Dillard’s – not exactly discount merchandisers). In fact, it doesn’t mean shopping at all. If you can put together an outfit made up of items that you spent no more than $20 on, it counts. And there are always free sources of clothing: your friend's castoffs, swapped items, or even something scrounged from the trash.

What does an outfit include? Minimum of a top and bottom (or one piece like jumpsuit or dress) and shoes. If you can squeeze a purse or jewelry out of your $20 allotment, more power to you!

For myself, the challenge will be the shoes. I never seem to find thrift store shoes I like or in my size and even a pair from Payless can blow the entire $20. I suppose a pair of $2 flip-flops would work...but that almost seems like cheating.

As you complete the challenge, either leave me a comment or send me an email. If you blog about your outfit, send me the link. If you’re not a blogger, feel free to send a picture and/or description and I’ll include it in a final round-up. Please note that this isn’t a contest – I’d like everyone to share their results for inspiration, not competition.

Good hunting!

Morning Blue

Blouse, Forever 21. Skirt, G.J. Forbes (thrifted and shortened). Bracelet, Target. Earrings, Meijer. Peeptoes, Charles David. Belt, thrifted.



I was tempted to post only little pictures today because the morning light on my face is much too harsh. I Photoshopped the hell out of it before I got a result that doesn’t frighten small children. Next time, I'll just save myself the trouble and wear huge sunglasses.

The early sunlight does pick out the colors and patterns of my outfit nicely, though.



The detail picture of the shoes is an old shot, taken under different lighting, hence the slight color difference

Same Dress, Different Color

Blazer, stolen. Dress, London Times. Earrings, Claire’s. Pumps, Delicious. Belt, Luxury Divas.

My wing earrings are current favorites.

This dress is identical to the one I wore yesterday, except for the color. I love my London Times dresses. They are so versatile and comfortable.

Without a Plan

Sweater, Merona. Dress, London Times. Belt, thrift. Earrings, self-made. Slingbacks, Linea Paolo.



I have shocking news: I was too busy for Fashion Show this weekend, so I’m winging my wardrobe this week. Oh, the pressure! I hope this week’s ensembles live up to your expectations. And I hope wardrobe indecision doesn’t make me late for work.

Reunion

Jacket, Dex (swap). Tee, American Apparel. Mini, London Jean. Boots, Blowfish. Earrings, Target.

My vacuum is back! It was being repaired. I missed it.


What are you doing Happy? Riding a vacuum? You're acting like a damn fool!?
Accessories:

The Other Half

I won’t bore you with dull clothing label info.

Today, I ran the other half of The Pig* with my training buddy Erin. Then, I made her jump around while her husband took our pictures. My favorite picture, though, isn’t in mid-air:


Erin runs another half marathon in two weeks. Good luck!


See those medals? They gave us those because we are WINNERS!
*Actually, I ran the same half twice, but I like to think that the repetition makes a full marathon.