Mark Morris

My high school colors were cardinal red and baby blue. At the time, I thought those colors were simply awful together. I like the pairing, now.

Dress, Delia*s (swap). Cami, Forever 21. Scarf, flea market in California. Shoes, BCBGeneration. Studded leather cuffs, Hot Topic. Metal bangles, Deb.

I still dislike the school’s mascot. We were the Monarchs. I had to explain to many people that the Monarch was a lion, not a butterfly. I’ve had a string of obliquely named school mascots: the Trojans, the Vikings*, the Monarchs, and the Cavaliers. I didn’t know how good I had it when I was a Mustang in elementary school.


*Well, I guess people know what a “Viking” is, but I still thought it was lame. I think I would have rather been a butterfly.

Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Mail Bag: Styling Collared Garments

My wardrobe is not very "stylish" currently, but I like to make do with what I have for now. I'm trying to lose some more weight and hate buying clothes only to not have them fit another month later ya know? Anyways, I tend to gravitate toward collared shirts and dresses. However, I'm noticing they don't make the best choices for layering and looking stylish. Do you have any pieces that are collared....I remember not seeing many if any throughout the years. If you do or just have a recommendation...how would you use them? I have long sleeve collared business type shirts, collared polos, and like I said a collared dress or two (think shirtdress from 50's).

Ashley

I went through three and a half years of my photo archives to discover that I don't wear many collared shirts or dresses. In the early days of my blog, these were one of my wardrobe staples, but they fell out of my favor as I became more eclectic with my style. Button-ups can easily seem stuffy and boring. It sounds like you are feeling the same way!

Long-sleeved, collared, buttoned shirts
The simplest way to relax an oxford shirt is to turn up the sleeves. Unbutton the cuff and give it one turn for flair and flare. Or, fold the sleeves up to just below the elbow and then push the cuff above the joint so that you get a puffed effect. (I do this with my blazers, too.) Experiment with different cuff heights. It’s a no-commitment way to temporarily “alter” the garment.


An oxford shirt and slacks is a clean, simple combination, but it can also come across as rather sterile. I prefer to pair the button-up with something girlier, like a feminine skirt. (E, of Academichic, does this look well.)


This type of shirt can also pair happily with dresses. You can sharpen up a dress by wearing a collared shirt underneath:


Or on top:


In fact, a button-up over a sundress promises to be one of my favorite looks this summer.

Collared dresses
Shirt dresses are my absolute favorite for dress layering. Treat them like an indoor coat: wear another dress underneath, button from your bust to your bellybutton, and belt.


Admittedly, both these looks are a little casual, but I’m confident they can be adapted for a business setting.

You can also layer over your collared dresses, but be conscious of the type of neckline you choose. I’ve found that shirt dresses pair best with round or v-neck sweaters, cardigans, and vests. You can wear them with a collared blazer, but be prepared for a collar fight!


Collared polo
I don’t wear this style of shirt. Any reader suggestions for fresh ways to style a polo shirt?

I’d also like to recommend these ladies who can really work a collared shirt:

Kyla of Blue Collar Catwalk
Angie of You Look Fab
- Check out Angie’s Tunic Shirt series: Business Casual, Semi Formal, Smart Casual, and Casual.

Jangly Bits

Sal* published a piece today about “being seen” and standing out because of one’s style choices. Today, I’m afraid I was not only seen, but heard. I jangled up and down the halls.

Blouse, J Crew. Skirt, Herman Geist (thrifted and shortened). Tights, Apostrophe. Shoes, Gianni Bin. Bag, Simply Vera. Belt (worn as a necklace), thrifted. Belt (worn as a belt), The Limited (thrifted).

Take Meow Tonight

This outfit was 100% inspired by Sal’s sexy secretary look from three weeks ago. She wore a leopard sweater, a khaki skirt, and red accents. I shamelessly copied her.

Coat, Bebe. Sweater, INC. Black top, Moda International. Skirt, Talbots (thrifted). Shoes, Bongo (thrifted and gifted). Bag, vintage. Sunnies, Girl Props.




I can tell you that I did NOT look like a sexy secretary as I climbed up on that stump in a pencil skirt and high heels.


Sexy bandages




All that relentless posing made me hungry. Guess where I went for dinner!


Here’s another clue.
And the answer.

Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Kazzy

As you can imagine, I’ve endured my share of nicknames over the years. So many were unflattering that I’ve insisted on my full name for years now. “Kazzy” was popular with my teachers and friends at one point, but I put a stop to it because of the accompanying rhyme.

Sweatshirt, Old Navy (thrifted and customized). Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Peggings, Bongo. Boots, Dan Post. Belt, thrifted.


I had to stop wearing my peggings until I found a belt to hold them up. They seem to have lost all “snap” in the waistband and my other belts are sized for my natural waist.


Today, though, I’m going to own the nickname because this dress seems awfully appropriate for someone named Kazzy.

So Long

I hate Sundays right now. My long, training runs are followed by rehearsal which is followed by grocery shopping and, this week, a Play Reading Committee meeting. Wah wah wah, right? At least I got a chance to visit someplace pretty for pictures.


Jacket, Dex (swap). Sweater, The Limited. Dress, thrifted. Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Dan Post. Bag, MCI (thrifted). Owl brooch, swap. Ring, vintage.


So long, So Long Sunday. See you next week.


Any Cincinnatians know where I’m at today?

Photos by Beefy Muchacho

LOL Savings Summit 2010

I've been a Cincinnati.Com Locals on Living blogger since August of last year. It's been a great opportunity to connect with local ladies. Now, I'm looking forward to meeting 350 of you in person at our first LOL Savings Summit! See you on May 15th!

Ask the Muchacho: Answers, Round 3

Hey Everybody! Once again, I'm diving right in. Thanks for reading!

SaraJana said...
I would like to ask, when did you let each other know about your blogs? Or did you know about them already before your relationship began? Did you formally "come out of the closet", or did it just pop up naturally? And most interestingly: If you knew about your blogs before you hook up, what did you think of them or the other person??

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
It's weird, but... I don't remember the exact scenario. It's far more likely that I knew about her blog before we started dating than it is that she knew about mine. I'm fairly sure I Googled her early on and found it. One thing I know for sure is that I LOVE her blog. I think it's awesome. In any case, there definitely wasn't a “coming out” moment for either of us.

Ann said...
Kasmira's home looks perfect. How does she keep all those lovely clothes put in their tidy little places on a daily basis? Or.. does she really have piles of tried on clothes around and cleans up for photos?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
Um... Both? For the most part, she's extremely organized about her clothes, and they really do stay in their various closets (It certainly helps when you use all of the closets in the house). Then there are times when she's been running around for a few days. The clothes tend to pile up in the guest bedroom, where the cats don't go. She's very....ehmm.... strategic about where her pictures are taken. It's not a terrible bet that when she takes her own outdoor pictures, it has to do with the house being less organized than she'd like.

marta said...
Do you prefer her as a blonde, brunette or with red hair? Short or long?

Now that you're going out w/ her, do you find it hard to keep up (fashion wise)?

How does she stay in great shape? Any tips, secrets?

Is she funny, does she tell jokes?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
So many questions! I'll answer them in order...

We met while she still had her long red hair, so I have a bit of a nostalgic leaning toward it. She pretty much rocks it any which way though, so I can't complain no matter what the color.

Hahahaha... Oh Marta... I feel absolutely NO pressure to keep up with her, fashion wise. She's so self-assured and creative, attempting to keep up with her would only make me feel bad about myself. I'm a jeans and polo kinda dude.
How does she stay in great shape? She runs like a mad woman, she swims like a mad woman, she takes a tap class every week, teaches an aerobics class once a week, and eats pretty healthy. It's a daunting routine for sure.

Personally... I think she's hilarious. She's really, really quick and also is unencumbered by being easily offended, so she's also an awesome audience. She doesn't tell a ton of jokes, though. Mostly she's situationally funny. She actually only has 1 real joke, and it's not clean enough to re-tell here.

Cindy Arenas said...
Boyfriend? Does this mean that one day we will be able to see another wedding dress on her?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
She's an amazing woman, and I'm reminded how lucky I am every day. I'll just leave it there.

Vanessa said...
Do you ever wish Kasmira dressed differently? I ask because I love to dress up, but I have a boyfriend who by FAR prefers when I wear jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. I was wondering if other guys wish their girlfriends were more casual when it comes to clothing.

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
I'm the same way as your boyfriend... I'm not a dress-up kind of guy most of the time (though a do look sex-ay in a suit). That said... Her style is awesome, and fun, and pretty accessible. It's an interesting contrast, because she is extremely put-together and creative, but at the same time, I never feel under-dressed when I'm with her (even though I probably am). Her style is very adaptable.

peeks said...
Hello Mr Beefy

Do you rue the amount of time spent blogging? Or do you have happy side by side laptop times?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
Hello! I'll tell you.... She's got her blogging down to a freaking SCIENCE. She's very quick (and she does her own HTML!). I tend to blog late at night, so there's not a lot of side-by-side blogging going on. I do a lot of work from home, so if she's blogging while I'm there, it's usually because I'm stuck working.

lux said...
what is kasmira's ethnic background? (her name and her sister ping's name always make me wonder)

do you get enough time with each other considering all kasmira is involved in?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
Well... Her first name is actually from Star Trek, so I don't think that'll be a clue. Her background is partly Polish and partly “other European”.

We have enough time with each other most of the time (except when my work schedule gets wacky). The biggest activity she's involved in is probably theatre, and I'm pretty heavily involved with it as well, so we see each other a ton. In fact, the play she's doing now is directed by a guy named Dan (aka Beefy Muchacho).

Mel said...
With so many felines in the house, doesn't cat hair get on the clothes?

What's her best method of ridding outfits of the cat hair?

Beefy Muchacho's Answer:
You know.... I've actually never paid much attention to the cat hair issue.... I know that she takes great care to keep clothes off the floor, and to store her clothes mostly in the closets of the guest room where the cats are not allowed. She typically changes into more casual clothing when she gets home, too, so she isn't contaminating her “public” clothes with cat hair.

Also... Magic.

99 cent dress

This striped dress cost me only 99 cents. It isn’t fancy, but it was great for tap class and cleaning the house. And, of course, it mixes nicely with my checkered tunic.


Jacket, Forever 21. Checkered tunic, Wet Seal. Striped dress, Zoey Beth (thrifted). Leggings, JW. Boots, Dan Post. Belt, thrifted. Sunglassses, Girl Props.


This is the same tunic I wore over a hibiscus print dress two weeks ago. That outfit made the NY Times prints mixing slideshow!


(Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk is also in the NY Times slideshow. And she's wearing a very similar checkered tunic.)


(Thanks to ...bill for telling me about the NYT call for photo submissions!)