30 for 30, Day 22: Channeling E-Jo

I didn't actually realize this until I started looking at the pictures and writing this post, but today's outfit reminds me a lot of E-Jo's Day 15 Outfit.  Don't see it?  Okay, how about now?

I guess it's not too surprising, especially since I swapped in my Chucks mid-challenge, inspired by seeing them on E-Jo's item list.  I would've gone with a cute long necklace here too, but it's really cold today, so a scarf is more fitting.  Seriously, it's supposed to snow tonight.  I've only left the house today to go to the gym and I have to take Jude for a walk in a few too.  But after that, it's warm, cozy pajama time.

Have you ever unintentionally or subconsciously copy-catted someone?

Cardigan (item #4): Loft

Tee (item #13): Loft

Jeans (item #16): Gap

Shoes (item #27): Converse

Scarf: Eddie Bauer

30 for 30, Day 21: Back to the Grind

I don't know about you, Stylenation, but it was nearly impossible for me to drag myself out of bed this morning.  I was pretty tired after a busy, family-filled weekend, so 5:30 came especially early today.  On top of that, I think I must have caught Rad's cold, because I've been sneezing and sniffling all day.  Ick.  It's been so hard to get back to my work routine after 5 days off, but I managed.  Today's outfit is nice and simple, which is perfect for those kinds of days where you don't want to get out of bed.  And being 70% done with the 30 for 30 Challenge, I'm glad I even have the flexibility for easy, fall-back outfits at this point.

How's your first day back after the holiday going?

Sweater (item #21): Loft

Pants (item #19): Limited

Shoes (Item #28): Naturalizer

Necklace: Ann Taylor

Hat: Target

Coat: Liz Claiborne (2006)

November Dreamin'

I think I figured out how to make Monday easier- sleep most of the day when you are possibly sick on a Friday. I didn't get that much sleep last night (6 hours?) because I have an uber early appointment with a tech person at work at 9 AM (I know, that's later than most 9-5-ers get to the office, so I won't whine too much). I had a lovely Thanksgiving meal at a friend's house with many other nice people, but Blokey and I both got tired earlier than we would have liked. Also, I was sneezing all through out Wednesday and Thursday. I decided to take the "holiday" part of the weekend seriously and did almost no work on Friday. And we didn't do any shopping all weekend (except a couple gift purchases online). But here's the weird thing- I dreamt about doing crazy amounts of shopping on Friday night, and when I woke up on Saturday morning, I was so relieved. Hm, what is my self-conscious saying about GAAD?
Looking back over these past few posts, I realize that I am such a cardigan gal, like my beautiful co-blogger. I need to sneak in some sweaters and blazers soon.
I hope that you're equally energized and ready for this work week. I have 4 classes left after today. (Not quite as awesome as E-Jo's schedule). Speaking of those fine ladies at In Professorial Fashion, they're hosting a lovely giveaway, between now and December 15 (the end of the semester!) If you're a jewelry person, I highly recommend that you enter their contest!

Shirt: Gap
Skirt: H&M
Cardigan: Dillard's junior section (very old)
Belt: Not Just Vintage
Tights: Target

30 for 30, Days 19 & 20: Relaxing

Saturday

Happy Sunday, Stylenation.  How has your weekend been?  This long holiday weekend has been non-stop busy, and I'm finally getting a chance to relax at 4:00 on Sunday.  Fella is out in the 'burbs watching the Bears game with some of his man friends, so Jude and I are on the couch watching some Mad Men while waiting for a big, tasty batch of turkey chili to finish cooking.  Yesterday, we had my parents over for breakfast before my mom and I hit the mall for some holiday shopping and got manicures to pamper our Thanksgiving dishpan hands.  Fella, bless his heart, hung out here watching football all day with my dad.  The mall wasn't too crazy, but everything had been picked over on Friday, so I wasn't able to find anything I was looking for.  I did, however, win a $25 to Brighton, which was exciting.  Less exciting was that it had to be used yesterday.  A lot of their jewelry isn't really my style, but I did find a nice pair of earrings (see Sunday's outfit) for $30, so they ended up being about $7 with tax after all was said and done.

Sunday

Today we had brunch before my parents had to head back to Ohio.  These family visits always seem to go by so fast, but I'm visiting Ohio in a couple of weeks, so I'll see them soon.  Jude seems to be taking their absence the hardest, since he had gotten used to my parents feeding him all kinds of table scraps because they can't resist his cuteness.

I got some early Christmas presents from my parents this weekend, including a new coat and shoes, and I'll get around to posting those. But even cooler than presents, my dad found my very old pair of cherry red Doc Martens boots and brought them with.  I bought these sometime in college, so they're probably about 10 years old.  At the time, a $120 pair of boots was a huge purchase for me, but as you can see, they were much-loved so the cost per use was pretty low.  I wore these pretty much everywhere for years, so I'm excited to have them back.  Although I notice they're a pretty big contrast to all of the shoes and boots I own now.

Lastly, a couple of you asked for the recipe for the pomegranate martinis.  Thankfully, Fella's mom left her recipe behind, so I can share it.

Pomegranate Martini

2 oz pomegranate juice

1 oz Absolut Citron

1 oz Cointreau

Splash of sparking water (optional)

Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Pomegranate seeds (for garnish)

Saturday sweater (item #7): Limited

Saturday pants (item #15): Loft

Saturday shoes (item #29): Loft

Saturday scarf: Target

Saturday headband: Hazel Chicago

Sunday cardigan (item #3): Target

Sunday tee (item #11): Gap

Sunday jeans (item #16): Gap

Sunday shoes (item #28): Naturalizer

Sunday brooch: Etsy

Sunday bracelet: Loft

Sunday earrings: Brighton

30 for 30, Day 18: Grey Friday

Happy Black Friday, Stylenation!  Are you out shopping today?  I've braved the crowds before, but this year I'm sitting it out.  Instead, my parents and I are headed out for a very late brunch (they're on their way to pick me up as we speak) and then going to the Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Zoo Lights.  We're definitely steering clear of the shopping madness downtown on the Magnificent Mile (although my mom and I are planning to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow).

I realized this morning that I have yet to wear this sweater in the challenge.  This surprises me, because I really really love this sweater.  So I got to it post-haste.  This is not too different than how I wore it before, but just with a different belt and boots instead of flats.

For those of you in the U.S., how was your Thanksgiving?  Mine was pretty good, and amazingly, everything ran pretty smoothly.  All of the food was finished at about the same time, and thanks to Fella's mom shaking up an endless supply of pomegranate martinis, everyone had a wonderful time with each other.  Both of our turkeys were delicious, but I have to say, the smoked (above, in action) was by far the superior turkey.  The deep-fried was very moist and all, but the smoked had so much flavor.  Sorry, team turkey-fyer.  But this won't stop me from eating a deep-fried turducken at E-Jo's.

How are you spending your Black Friday?  Anyone find any good deals today?

Sweater (item #9): Loft

Jeans (#16): Gap

Boots (item #30): Gift from Fella's mom

Belt: Target

30 for 30, Day 17: Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving, Stylenation!  I'm so excited Thanksgiving is finally here!  It's such a fun holiday for a food nerd like me.  We got up early this morning to remove our turkey from it's 18 hour brine bath and get it smoking.  My whole apartment smells like hickory right now, it's pretty awesome.  My parents are coming in from Ohio later today and Fella's whole family will be here too, which will be our first combined family holiday.  Eek, what was I thinking?!  I mean, er, yay family holiday!

You probably know by now how much I love to accessorize, so I thought I'd show you that it extends well beyond my personal style and into my kitchen.  I'm thinking next year I'll have to get Jude his own coordinating apron.  Do they make aprons for dogs?

Here's my other, non-kitchen accessories.

This past year up until about July has been so unusually stressful for me and Fella, so I'm most thankful that our lives are back to normal.  And of course I'm thankful for my family, friends, Jude, my health and a job that, although annoying, pays my bills and gives me insurance and all of that. I'm also thankful for the lovely community that is Stylenation.  I so enjoy reading all of your posts everyday.  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Dress (item #20): Target

Shoes (item #29): Loft

Tights: My dresser (I have no idea where I got these)

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: Loft

Headband: Forever 21

Apron: gift from Mom, Sur Le Table (2005 or 2006 I think)

30 for 30, Day 16: A Low Fat Copy Cat

Today's outfit is inspired by Kristen at Low Fat Dressing.  I had never even considered the long boyfriend cardigan as an option for me or something that would look good until I started seeing Kristen wear all of hers.  She manages to keep this style looking fresh by pairing it with different tops, belts, scarves and jewelry (check out her 30 for 30 intermission, which features a few such looks, including this exact cardigan!).

Fella and I are both off work today so that we can get ready for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast.  I already got started on cooking last night (I made pumpkin soup, pupmkin cupcakes and a cheeseball) so today I'll be cleaning our apartment and picking up last minute stuff, like beer and a fire extinguisher.  Fella and his brother are both making turkeys, one of which will be deep-fried, so we can't be too careful there.  What are you up to today?

Look, I even coordinate my baked goods to my outfits

Cardigan (item #2): Loft

Tee (item #18): Old Navy

Shoes (item #27): Converse

Scarf & Earrings: New York & Company

Thanks

I did not cancel classes, which many of my colleagues did today. Oops, I mean, we're not allowed to ever cancel, but on days like today with significant absences, some professors provide alternative class assignments. Since we won't have full attendance, I went more casual than usual. Plus, there will be cookies for the students. Cookies and talk about genocide.
My parents regretfully live a 2 1/2 hour plane ride away. I wish they lived train distance, though. Because of the distance, I don't travel for Thanksgiving. I haven't traveled since I was an undergraduate, as we only got Thursday and Friday off in graduate school. Plus, I hate holiday travel. And with the new, uber invasive security measures, who doesn't hate holiday travel?
But I am thankful for many things. I am a very lucky person. I've been spending the past two days cold emailing more fancy professors than myself, trying to round up some folks for a panel at our next national conference. Evidently, we junior profs have to network to convince "the field" that we've made a contribution by the time our tenure review rolls around (for me, that will be 2014.) Not everyone has responded, but I feel so lucky that some famous and fancy profs have been really receptive, encouraging, and kind. I am so impressed. I've also been thinking about all the things I am thankful for, that I often take for granted. I have a great partner, a loving (if sometimes fitting cultural stereotypes too well) family, great friends, great cats, a cool city, cute apartment, awesome colleagues and good job. And StyleNation! I am excited to debut this shirt, which I picked up at Beacon's Closet over the week (part of my GAAD controlled cheat). It has scalloped embroidered cuffs and collar! (Edit: It is also very Jesse.anne.o style). Sadly, despite taking more than my usual 3 pictures, I could not make a non-Muppet face at all today. So here's the good stuff. I am breakin' all the rules today with brown and black. I hope that I don't look too much like I am playing a banjo in a bluegrass band (which to me is an enviable look, but is strange to my students). What this outfit clearly needs is a bolo tie. But just like Anne likes to defy the black wool coat wearing crowds in Chicago, I also like to look a little country in the urban-ist city in North America.
Blokey and I have a vegetarian Thanksgiving to attend tomorrow, and I'll try to post my outfit tomorrow. I hope my fellow American friends are enjoying today off!

Cardigan: Express (thrifted)
Skirt: H&M
Shirt: Vintage, Beacon's Closet
Tights: Target
Boots: Born

30 for 30, Day 15: Brrrr!

You know that expression "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes?"  Yeah, that's totally how Chicago is feeling right now.  It was 65 here yesterday, so naturally when I woke up this morning it was only 27 out.  I knew cold weather was on its way, but knowing never makes it easier.  One thing that makes winter more bearable is that I've amassed a pretty good coat collection over the years, so here's another outerwear shot for you.  I snapped this while taking some recyclables out to the alley this morning (glamorous, I know).  I've been seeing Lisa from archivechicago post pictures of her Chicago alley and this morning it just clicked that, duh, I have a similar Chicago alley that's pretty much always empty.  No chance of my neighbors spotting me here.  Which seems weird, since it's a lot less private than the back yard. 

To fight the cold today, I donned a nice warm sweater, and some heavy, lined pants (these were on Sal's list of Winter Weather Must-Haves and seriously, the lining does make a difference - and it just feels nice!).  Get used to this kind of pairing, because it is my default winter-wear.  I should probably work on spicing that up this year.

Stylenation, how can I keep my winter-wear looking fun and different?

Coat: New York & Company (2008)

Scarf: Gap

Hat: Apt. 9 by Kohl's

Sweater (item #8): Gap

Pants (item #19): Limited

Shoes (item #28): Naturalizer

Nude fishnet trouser socks: Target

Scarf: Embellish

Brooch: Etsy

Bea Arthur

The last time I wore this outfit, I was told that I was dressing like Bea Arthur by a colleague of mine. Of course, this is a huge compliment. I love Bea Arthur as she is clearly a B.A. In fact, I want more turtlenecks as I get cold in the neck area easily but find scarfs in the winter to be heavy. Turtlenecks are supposedly no-nos for the long torso-ed, but I like to live dangerously. Today, I have a full day of meetings and teaching. I hope that my human rights activity goes well in class today, but who knows. There's 6 class sessions left in the semester, and so it's definitely the time of the semester where everything moves just a little slower than you expect. Hopefully, not the train.
Hope everyone has a lovely Monday!

Turtleneck: Uniqlo
Cardigan (with Mr. Chips-esque hole in the sleeve): Uniqlo (it is from 2007 , though)
Skirt: Uniqlo
Tights: Beacon's Closet
Boots: Palladium, via Heavenly Soles

30 for 30, Day 14: Remixing the Red Dress

On Day 3 of the challenge, I wore this red dress while channeling my inner Joan Holloway.  Emily commented that it will be interesting to see how I can remix the red dress again during the challenge.  This is what I had in mind for a remix, but I wouldn't have guessed that a few changes would make the dress look so different!  I experienced the same phenomenon when I remixed a navy dress (the original outfit was here), but it still blows my mind that a few different pieces can change up an outfit so much.  I kept the black tights and heels (although these tights are thicker and patterned), and added a blazer, belt and black beaded necklace.  I think the first iteration of this dress looked like a more classic style, definitely a nod to Joan's time.  The remix looks a bit more modern.

I'm pretty excited that it's finally Thanksgiving week.  I'm working today and tomorrow, and then off for the rest of the week!  How's your week looking?

Dress (item #22): Target

Blazer (item #6): H&M

Heels (item #28): Naturalizer

Belt & Tights: Target

Necklace: New York & Company

30 for 30, Days 12 & 13: Weekend Swap

Saturday

Sweater (item #21 - swapped): Loft

Cords (item #15): Loft

Shoes (item #27 - swapped): Converse

Necklace: Lois Hill, gift from Fella's mom

Sunday

Jude's going for the boxed wine

Tee (item #18 - swapped): Old Navy

Jeans (item #16): Gap

Shoes (item #24): Puma

Scarf & Earrings: Hazel Chicago

Headband: Enjoy, an Urban General Store

When I started the 30 for 30 challenge a couple weeks ago, my biggest concern was having to keep up with taking outfit pictures on the weekend.  Posts like this remind me why I don't normally blog on the weekends - I dress sooooo boring!  Seriously, snooze fest.  Most of the weekend was spent running errands to get stuff for Thanksgiving, so there was really no reason to get too dressed up.

I took some inventory of my item list on Saturday and noticed there are 5 items I have yet to wear.  I swapped 4 of those out in favor of more versatile items (well, at least I hope) and/or things that might be more weather-appropriate.  I've seen Kristen and La Historiadora de Moda swap unworn things out, which I hadn't even considered before reading their posts, but I think it's okay for the challenge.  It was unseasonably warm when the challenge started, so I wasn't thinking about needing warm sweaters or shoes that weren't ballet flats or high heels (including my Converse low-tops, inspired by their inclusion on E-Jo's list).

Is anyone else swapping?  How's your weekend going?

This necklace is silver, but looks gold thanks to crappy lighting

30 for 30, Day 11: Another Celebration

Happy Friday, readers!  This week flew by for me, which is great, but wow, Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  I'm so not ready for it.  Anyway, like last Friday, I'm headed to a birthday celebration after work.  Apparently I know a lot of people with November birthdays!  One of my best girlfriends here in Chicago had a birthday on Wednesday (she's 6 months younger than me, which she likes to remind me of often!) so a group of us are going out for dinner and drinks downtown.  She was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Chicago, and she introduced me to all of her friends, who became my friends and, often, my family.  

Once again, I need an outfit that will easily transition from work to evening.  And in honor of another very special November birthday girl, I thought I'd add a little color.  I don't have any fun, colorful pants (in my collection or on my 30 for 30 list) but I resisted the urge to pair this purple/wine-colored tank top with black or gray, and instead added my bright pink, cozy warm cardigan so I'm at least colorful on top.

How's your weekend looking?

Cardigan (item #2): Loft

Tank (item #12): Gap

Jeans (item #16): Gap

Boots (item #30): Rampage, gift from Fella's mom

Necklace: New York & Company

30 for 30, Day 10: Pot Luck

Happy Thursday, Stylenation!  The extremely keen observer may possibly know that I don't typically go to the office on Thursdays (okay, the only people who really know my schedule from week to week are me and my dog walker).  Today we're having a Thanksgiving pot luck lunch at work, and I definitely can't pass up the opportunity to socialize with my team and cook up a bunch of food (if you're wondering, I made a double batch of my Irish Beef Stew, since it's technically an International Food Day, and a Guinness-based stew is as close as I come to celebrating my Irish heritage when it comes to food).

Yesterday's outfit felt somewhat conservative with the blazer included, so I feel like today's outfit is a good contrast to that.  Lyddie commented on yesterday's post about dressing in cozy knits when you'd rather be sleeping all day.  Enter the sweater dress.  It's safe to say that it's been at least 20 years since I've donned a sweater dress.  I wish I could find a picture of a dress that looks even a little bit like the sweater dress that I remember from the 80's.  It was a huge pastel print, totally shapeless (pretty much equivalent to wearing a bag) and so incredibly ugly that even as an 8-year-old, I knew it was a serious fashion faux pas.  You can see why I've stayed away for so long.  But today's sweater dresses are different, so I'm giving them another chance.  They're a little bit more structured, and don't have ridiculously bad prints.  At least this one doesn't.  It's warm, cozy, comfy and doesn't look half bad.

I had kind of a hard time accessorizing this though, because the neckline doesn't really lend itself to necklaces.  So I went with my favorite pink brooch and some coordinating earrings.  I think a scarf or belt might work next time too.  I added some purple tights for another pop of color.

Since it's getting chilly here, I thought I'd throw in some outwear too.  This coat really does fit me, but my timer went off at about the exact second I realized that my neighbor was home, and looking out the window at me and my self-timed pictures.  I don't really care I guess (I'm fairly certain he already thinks I'm weird), but it caught me off guard, so this is me pulling my hands out of my pockets to grab my camera and scurry back upstairs.  I'll try to get another picture sometime soon though, because I like the pink and purple tweed that this coat has going on.

What personal fashion faux pas are you giving a second chance?

Sweater Dress (item #23): Limited

Shoes (item #25): Tsubo

Tights: New York & Company

Brooch: Etsy

Earrings: New York & Company

30 for 30, Day 9: Black and Blue

I've had this corduroy blazer for at least 5 years and used to wear it all the time, but this is the first time I've worn it probably since last winter.  I added it to my item list to make myself wear it more often.  I've gotten in a pretty big rut of wearing cardigans all the time lately (which occurred to me after reading A-Dubs' post last night), and could definitely wear a blazer instead sometimes.  Although I did complain a little about the challenge in Monday's post, I do like that it's making me wear stuff that I might not have thought to wear otherwise. I like a structured jacket from time to time (and have been inspired by Cynthia's jackets as of late), and based on today's outfit, I'm really glad I included it in the list.

Remixers - do you find yourself dressing any differently now that the challenge is under way?

Blazer (item #6): H&M

Tank (item #10): New York & Company

Pants (item #19): Limited

Shoes (item #28): Naturalizer, via PiperLime

Stockings: Target

Necklace: Ann Taylor

Brooch: New York & Company

 

More copy catting, and thoughts about not shopping

Today's outfit is inspired by A-Dub's love of black and red, and E-Jo's mastery of the stripes. Today is mild again- 60 degrees at 8:30AM, so this outfit might be too warm for the weather.
This belt, which I thrifted last spring, is definitely on it's last legs. I need to replace it, probably with something new. Which brings to the issue of GAAD and my shopping desires. I've officially been on GAAD since mid July, and 4 months later. As Cynthia, Style Underdog, and the Waves have discussed recently- not shopping is hard, and sometimes you want to break it. I did try to mitigate my shopping desires by going to a swap, and that was fun, but I still feel antsy and unsatisfied with the same old clothes, when standing in front of my wardrobe at times. There a few things I need to replace (black cardigan has a whole in the sleeves, this red belt is falling apart, need a few more pairs of tights) but I fear walking into a retail store.
That said, I think I will allow myself a premeditated cheat. I am not sure when, and I will have a dollar amount. But buying a little something makes me feel refreshed and renewed in a way that yoga, jogging, or cooking does not. I am not quite sure I can explain it well, but I don't feel too bad about it. I've been very busy and focused on my research goals this semester, and I'm not rewarding myself, but I recognize that being in controlled in almost all things (how I spend my time, exercising, eating, shopping, general spending habits) creates a new kind of stress. And while all these things are good, I need to let off a little pressure every now and then.
Have a happy Wednesday, everyone!

Skirt: H&M
Cardigan: Loft (thrifted)
Belt: Not Just Vintage, thrifted
Shoes: Me Too
Tights: Target

30 for 30, Day 8: Blue Sapphire

I have nothing exciting at all going on today - just another day working from home.  I went to the gym over my lunch break, did some much-needed laundry (I'm starting to run out of clean 30 for 30 clothes!) and maybe got a little sucked in to the announcement of Prince William's engagement.  I'm a sucker for stuff like this, and obviously looking forward to seeing the fashions at a royal wedding.  And how gorgeous is Princess Diana's 18 carat sapphire ring?  I don't have a beautiful blue gemstone for today's outfit, but at least I have a bright blue sweater.  Close enough.

How's your Tuesday going?

Sweater (item #8): Gap

Jeans (item #16): Gap

Shoes (item #24): Puma

Earrings: Gift from my mom, Hazel Chicago (close-up here)

 

Later and later

One major problem of the "flexible" professorial work schedule is that in the beginning of the semester, I am bright eyed and bushy tailed and up early and ready to go. And now I am taking my time, leaving the house later and later, and maybe (just maybe) marginally less stressed about that extra 10 minutes I might want to reorganize my thoughts for class. Perhaps this isn't the smartest strategy for the last 4 weeks of classes. 16 week semesters are long though. Here's to the last month.
Thanks again to everyone for your advice on Wednesday. I was very lucky, as all the students were cooperative and not disruptive. I did break them up into groups, so that worked well.
Today's outfit is influence by Cynthia. I love the way she uses long, swingy lines on top. I had a different outfit with a real sweater planned for today, but the weather is pretty mild. I was hoping for actual cold, but maybe later. I heard that it snowed in Minneapolis this weekend, so I am madly jealous.

Dress: Uniqlo
Summer weight cardigan: Loft
Belt: Thifted
Boots: Paladium
Tights: Uniqlo

30 for 30, Days 5, 6 & 7

Day 5 - Saturday

Cardigan (item #3): Target

Tank (item #10): New York & Company

Jeans (item #16): Gap

Shoes (item #29): Loft

Earrings: Embellish Chicago

Watch: Anne Klein, gifted

Day 6 - Sunday

Cardigan (item #4): Loft

Tee (item #13): Loft

Pants (item #15): Loft

Note: I totally didn't realize I was wearing an all-Loft outfit until I started writing this up!

Shoes (item #24): Puma

Earrings: The Limited

Watch: Kohl's (2004)

Day 7 - Monday

Sweater (item #7): Limited

Skirt (item #17): Target

Shoes (item #28): Naturalizer

Tights: Target

Earrings & headband: The Limited

Happy Monday, Stylenation!  We're now a week into the 30 for 30 challenge.  If you're participating along with me, how's it going?  I think the longer that the challenge goes on, the crazier I'm starting to get about planning outfits for the entire week or perhaps even remainder of the month.  I'm trying to take things such as days I'll be in the office, social commitments, errands that need to be run, etc. into account while not just repeating outfits, or repeating pieces too soon.  So yeah, my previous musings about how much of a planner I can be are definitely coming true, and it's getting annoying.  I like the challenge's idea of shopping my own closet, and certainly I know a shopping ban is a good thing for me, but at the same time, it's getting hard to look at all of the other cute clothes that I own but am not supposed to wear for another 23 days.  What's the point of having all of this stuff but not being able to wear it?  I think a better idea for me in the future would be to remix more items into unique outfits (creating unique outfits has pretty much been the outcome of me style-blogging anyway), while still banning myself from shopping.  Or something like that.

But then on the other hand, if not for the challenge and the idea of remixing things, I might not have paired today's skirt and sweater together.  A quick search of past posts would probably show that anytime I've ever worn this skirt in the past, it's been a skirt + tank + cardigan combo.  But as you can see, I've worn nothing but cardigans since Friday, so I needed a break.  It's supposed to be in the mid-50's today, so I didn't want to wear pants (I'm trying to enjoy above-freezing weather as much as I can since it'll be gone before we know it here in Chicago), but I wasn't in the mood for a dress.  This is a great compromise.

What are your thoughts on challenges such as these?  How is your pre-Thanksgiving week shaping up?