My Cohabitant and an Inspired Beer T-Shirt

When I started contributing to TCC again regularly, I think Fella may have thought it a little odd that I'd want to share my daily outfits with the internet.  He's gotten over that and is used to the idea of it all, but still pokes fun at me sometimes anyway.  He and Jude started posing after I finished my pictures yesterday, so I had to share this.  If anything, I think it proves that he's a natural.  Obviously Jude thought it was a normal blog picture.  And now you all know that we still haven't taken down our Christmas tree.  Woops.

No Repeats, Day 22

Over on MinnChic yesterday Rebecca pointed out that one of the benefits of working from home is being able to wear beer t-shirts.  She's so right, and fortunately I have a pretty decent collection of beer tees.  Well, 3 of them.  I picked this one up at the Coors brewery in Golden, Colorado a couple summers ago while Fella and I were out there for a family wedding.  I think if we were to have an Us Weekly-style "Who Wore it Best?" poll Rebecca would win hands-down, but I'm still sick, so cut me some slack on the lack of creativity.

And if you wondered, my training class yesterday went surprisingly well.  Honestly my biggest concern was that I would go into a sneezing fit in the middle of it, which would be preserved forever since our classes are all recorded and stored on the company intranet for any of our 50,000+ employees to listen to anytime.  So that not happening was a plus.  I'm not sure I'd be able to lead classes like this everyday, but I had a good time doing it.

I'm off to whip up some tomato soup for lunch since we seem to have run out of canned soup.  I could just walk to the store to buy some, but this way I get to stay warm.  How's your Thursday shaping up?

T-Shirt: Coors Brewery
Thermal tee and Jeans: Gap
Shoes: New Balance via Nordstrom Rack
Earrings: Embellish

Jeans conundrum

Happy Wednesday Style Nation.  I've taken on such a slacker schedule- sleeping, working until late.  I am not dying to get back to the semester schedule, but I do have a bit of guilt about sleeping like a college student on spring break.  I tried to smart it up a bit yesterday, by wearing heels to the grocery store/running errands.

But today, I wanted to wear jeans.  I don't wear 'em often, because the only jeans I own are lower rise. These aren't supposed to be the most flattering for my body type, but I still like them because they fit (plus layering helps break up the long line of my torso).  I happen to have a longer rise (distance between natural waist and crotch point) and a significant difference between my waist to hip measurement,* so I can't find jeans that fit my waistline very easily, so I get them to fit my hips.  But then once they stretch out just a little bit after more than one wear before washing, they get super saggy and a belt can't do much.  (There's no spandex in these jeans, which means when they fit, they really fit, but this doesn't last long.)  But since I don't want them to get all saggy, I rarely wear them.  I was hoping that I could wear my jeans more often in No Repeats. 
How do you get your jeans to fit more than once before rewashing?  Or is this just a problem for me because I fit to my hips?  Since buying new jeans is not an option for now, I'd like to hear your strategies for the future.

I also wanted to wear jeans today so I could wear this jacket I bought years ago but just found again yesterday.  I dig the retro vibe, pockets with zippers, the turquoise trim, but especially the Statue of Liberty patch.  What is going on here?

 

Outfit one:

Dress: H&M

Cardigan: Uniqlo

Scarf: Some pashmina street vendor, around 57th and 6th Ave. (last winter)

Tights: Target

Shoes: Naturalizer

Outfit two:

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Uniqlo

Belt: Gap

Boots: Vasque (via Midwest Mountaineering)

Jacket: Nike via Marshall's

*I realize that I often look like I have a very straight body in pictures.  If I did, I think pants would be so much easier.

I Have Confidence in Me

No Repeats, Day 21

Did you all read Allison's post about blogging and body image the other day?  If not, definitely check it out.  She's hit on what I think a lot of us may have discovered through our blogs.  Her closing paragraph sums it up nicely.

"In terms of body image, starting this blog was the best thing that I could have done for myself. Blogging is not just about the clothes.  It’s about creativity, connection, and community. It’s also about acceptance and celebration. And somewhere along the way, I figured out how to love myself just a little bit more.

Allison mentions community as a result of blogging, and on that note, I want to thank you all for the kind words and suggestions on yesterday's post.  I'll admit, I do usually get a little blue in the winter and it's really helped to hear that I'm not alone in that.  Probably because our winters never, ever end.  But I'm okay with it right now, and I plan to fight it this year.  I've got a pretty steady gym routine in place, so the endorphins will help keep my spirits up.  And unlike past winters, I'm going to try not to be a total shut-in this year.  If nothing else, if I don't leave the house, I don't really have a reason to wear nice clothes, which is no fun.

And while we're on the subject of confidence, today's outfit was carefully chosen as I'll be co-leading a training class at work this afternoon.  I can't possibly stress how much I dislike public speaking, although work making me do presentations like this periodically has helped me to be not too terrible at it.  I don't know how you academics do this everyday though!  Anyway, I wanted something that would be comfortable (skirts always are for me), but professionalish, and just something I'd feel good in.  And I pretty much always feel good in skirts.  I don't know how many people will be attending, but many will be my peers that I've worked with only via phone and email before, so it'll be interesting to put faces with names.

Does how you dress instill confidence?  If so, what are your never-fail items?

Sweater: New York & Company (recent)
Skirt: New York & Company (2004 - bought for $5 on clearance!)
Shoes: Indigo by Clark
Brooch: Etsy
Earrings: Limited

A Break from Casual Wear

No Repeats, Day 20

Sunday marked the end of my 10 day vacation from work, which also means the end of back-to-back casual days.  I'm not thrilled to be back at work (it takes a few days to ease into it), but it was getting difficult to come up with different casual outfits day after day.

I picked up this sweater while out shopping with my cousin over the weekend.  She desperately needed clothes after being abroad for about a year and a half, so we went all over Lincoln Park on Friday.  I wasn't looking for anything for me since I have more than enough clothes, but this sweater was hard to pass up.  It was only $15 (originally $65) and I love the color.  It'll work with jeans or dressier work pants, so I think it was a decent deal.

Sweater: Banana Republic
Cami & Pants: New York & Company
Shoes: Converse
Necklace: Lois Hill (gift from Fella's parents)

No Repeats, Day 21

And back to work.  I think the black, blue and gray coloring reflects my feelings toward getting back to work, and winter in general.  I spiced up my usual pants + cardigan combo by adding in a print underneath, but still, I wonder how I can make these types of looks a little more interesting.  More accessories perhaps?  More daring color mixing?

Sweater: The Limited
Tank, Pants and Necklace: New York & Company
Shoes: Tsubo

Day 22 is going to have to wait until tomorrow.  All of our weird weather happenings over the weekend (going from 30 to 60 and back to 20 over the course of 2 days) have left me feeling like crap today, so I doubt I'll be getting out of my pajamas.  Instead, I'll share some of the spring clothes I'm lusting after.  I know it's only January, but who else is ready for spring already?  These are from Target's new Retro Resort Collection, and I could definitely picture myself going sightseeing or sipping tropical cocktails in either of these outfits.

source

First Monday, and the Times end-of-year style snark

Happy first day back to work, Style Nation.  My "out of office" rely is gone, I've written back some annoyed students about their grades (mostly to make an appointment with me in the Spring semester to discuss), and I'm Manhattan bound to take care of business (including schlepping to the credit union, many library books, incomplete grades, housekeeping, etc.)  Today, I am wearing something practical for lugging books, running to the bank, and dressing for the fairly mild weather (in my book, 35 degrees and sunny in early January is "nice.").  I am also taking notes from A-Dubs and Anne, as well as trying to incorporate a "warmer weather" piece into winter rotation for No Repeats.
Yesterday, when I should have been working after dinner, I read and giggled to myself (because Blokey doesn't care about fashion terms) about this article about over-used and thus worn-out fashion terms.  I am guilty of overusing many of these: "pop", "fashionista", "geek-chic", "well-edited", "DIY."  Also, check out Cathy Horyn's list of 10 looks she doesn't want to see again.*  While I disagree about the adorned jackets (epaulets obviously rule), I agree about the trapper hats and denim diapers.  (I might be able to be convinced about the mid-century stuff, too.  More 70s, less 50s!)
Are there any over-used fashion words you'd like to see less of?  Fashion trends?

*edit: I don't want to suggest that anyone's individual style should be curbed according to some kind of fashion police mentality, but rather I read Horyn's list as a tongue-in-cheek chiding to designers and mass marketer/industry types, who tend to be really repetitive of certain trends, reproducing certain a a few dozen styles at the detriment of diversity.

Black dress: Land's End, thrifted
Grey knit tunic: Arwyn (local MPLS designer), via Cliche
Leggings: Target
Boots: Palladium
Belt: Swap from Pineapple Mint Vintage

Happy 2011

Sadly, I don't have such an enticing photo as Anne to share.
But here are my outfits the past couple days.  I wasn't kidding when I said that I was taking a couple days off.  I started to feel sick on Thursday night, and and so we canceled our NYE plans and had take out and Taiwanese New Wave film night.  We were able to connect through phone calls with nice friends that night (they were drunk, we were sober), so it still felt fun.  Honestly, though, going out on NYE is kind of a hassle in this town, unless you're going somewhere walking distance away.  And we were able to see the Prospect Park fireworks from our 5th floor, West facing window.  It was pretty awesome.
I wore this outfit on New Years Eve and New Year's Day.  I think if I could exclusively wear knits everyday, I would be a happy gal.

 

I enjoyed reading Cynthia's discussion about clothes purging yesterday,  I bought this dress (Blokey calls it "corporate hotel moss green"- he's not a fan) my first semester teaching here in New York, the day I flew out, right before giving a final exam.  I was cranky (I had to move my ticket back 3 days because I had misread the final exam schedule), exhausted, and was looking to "treat myself."  But I find this dress difficult to style (low neckline, empire waist, short sleeves, clingy knit fabric that makes layering look bulky) so it may have to go into the donate pile, even though I bought it full price (unless someone here might want it?)

Happy Sunday, Style Nation.  Here's a great New Year!

Outfit 1: 

Shirt: Target

Skirt: AA (swap)

Tights: Hue (via Macy's many years ago)

Shoes: Ecco

Outfit 2:

Shirt: H&M

Dress: Urban Outfitters (2008)

Tights: Target

Boots: Palladium

Scarf: Ragstock (MPLS), very old

A Little Behind

Okay, not that behind.  Although it's worth noting that this skirt does have magical buttocks-enhancing powers (though maybe it's also 6 months of consistent elliptical use finally paying off here, I don't know). This is a good example of why I rarely ask Fella to take my pictures for me.  But seriously Stylenation, I'm way behind on outfit posts.  I haven't had much time for reading or writing blogs this weekend as my cousin has been visiting from South Korea, and Fella and I were busy hosting a fantastic New Year's Eve party.  How was your New Years?  Can you believe it's 2011 already?  I don't actually have any resolutions for 2011, except to have a better year than 2010.  And it'd be nearly impossible not to do that, so I think I'm in good shape there.

Obviously I'm jealous of other bloggers having their sisters in posts (La Historiadora de Moda and E-Jo come to mind), so my cousin and I took some photos.  You can't tell how much we're actually dressed alike here - we have the same sequined tank top, just in different colors.  Our Grandma always used to buy us identical gifts for Christmas and birthdays when we were kids, so this is an homage to that.  Anyway, on to the outfits.

Thursday: No Repeats, Day 17

On Thursday, I got my hair cut again.  It feels like I just got it cut, but the ends were more than due for a trim and it was starting to get shaggy and impossible to style in any reasonable amount of time.  I saw a new stylist since my last one is now living in Florida, and I think she did a pretty good job.  Also, the new salon serves wine, so an afternoon of wine, Us Weekly (hair appointments are the only time I ever read stuff like that, I swear) and pampering isn't bad either.

Cardigan: Loft (last seen during 30x30 - those items are finally, albeit slowly getting back into rotation)

Tank & Jeans: Gap

Boots: Rampage (gift from Fella's mom)

New Year's Eve: No Repeats, Day 18

This is what I wore for the New Year's Eve part at my apartment, and it's just another example of the totally weird Chicago weather foiling my best-laid plans.  Thinking that it's December and winter and all, I had a nice, sparkly outfit planned out that included my wardrobe staple, a cardigan.  It ended up being close to 60 degrees here on Friday, so a sweater seemed like a poor choice considering I had the oven running for a few hours making food for the party and that we'd be cramming 15 of our closest friends into our apartment all night.  Seriously, it gets really hot in here really fast.  So this is the best I could throw together.  The shirt has some shine, and so do my accessories.  Even my shoes have a metallic sheen to them.  

source

Top: The Limited

Denim Skirt: Loft

Tights: Target

Shoes: Indigo by Clark (Christmas gift from Fella's parents)

Necklace & bracelet: New York & Company

Saturday: No Repeats, Day 19

The catch for having unseasonably warm weather in Chicago?  The next day is pretty much guaranteed to be at least 40 degrees colder.  It was in the low 20's yesterday, so short sleeves made way for warm, cozy sweaters.  The good news is that the warm weather caused all of the lingering snow and ice to melt, so the sidewalks are once again safe for normal shoes!  At least until it snows tomorrow, which it totally will.  My cousin took us out for Korean food for lunch, then we spent the afternoon shopping and the evening at the Bulls game.  So the day definitely called for comfy and casual.

Sweater: Loft

Cami: New York & Company

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Privo

Necklace: Embellish (gift from Fella)