Prep School

I love these socks! Aren't the shoes great too? I don't know if I'm that keen on the rest of the outfit, but I was in a hurry this morning and didn't have time to change. That's one of the great things about experimenting with fashion. If you don't like something you put together, you just take it all off and start over again. It's fun!

Where:
work

What:
Shirt: vintage, used to be my mother's
Skirt: Trina Turk (thrifted, $3)
Argyle Socks: Xhilaration for Target, $3
Shoes: Joan & David (thrifted, $2)
Drama Masks Necklace: gift from parents
Earrings: gift from parents

Total cost of outfit:
$8

Checkmate

I was feeling a bit dramatic when I took pictures this evening. And when I picked out my clothes this morning.

This turquoise shirt is ancient. I've had it since 7th or 8th grade. I've only had the tights for a year or two, and every time I wear them, I say it's going to be the last because they're getting a bit worn. But, I just keep wearing them again. Next time I might actually try pairing them with something that doesn't match their bright turquoise color!

I like tights. I like brightly colored tights. I like crazy patterned tights. I like tights that match my clothes. I like tights that don't match my clothes. I like them in the rain. I like them on a train. I like them in a box. I like them on a fox.

Where:

farmer's market, work, errands and shopping downtown

What:

Jacket: Express

Striped button-down: Express

Turquoise T-shirt: Hanes Her Way

Skirt: Moda International

Tights: from Pink Frog in Lakeview

Celtic Cross: from St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

Blue Stone Earrings: gift

Headband with Big Bow: H&M

Boots: Moda Italia (thrifted, $4)

It's a Jungle

I've often worn this jacket and leopard print top together, but today I threw in the orange cami to change it up a bit. Those long necklaces are getting to be a bit of a thing with me. I never wore long necklaces until a year or two ago. I have about 4 or 5 right now, and I wear them often.

Where:
work

What:
Jacket: Express
Leopard Print Top: from L.S.Ayers
Orange Cami: from Presence in Andersonville
Pants: Delia's
Necklace: World Market
Snake Earrings: from a little boutique in Lincoln Park
Bag: The Sak (free!)
Shoes: Aldo

My cat Amaretto jumped into the picture of my shoes, just as the flash went off. She really has a thing for shoes. The smellier they are, the more she loves them.

The Blues

My grandmother gave me this shirt. The story is that her youngest brother got it somewhere in Asia when he was in the military and brought it back as a gift for her. I've had the shirt in my closet since grade school. When I was a kid, it was really loose on me. I wore it as part of two Halloween costumes - a gypsy and a Mexican señorita.

As I got older I never wore the top, as a costume or for real, but I couldn't bear to part with it. Then, just a few years ago in my late 20's, I started wearing the top as a regular day-to-day shirt, and I'm really glad that I kept it around. During, you know, those 20 years or so that it just hung unworn in my closet.

These navy hose ran today, which is unfortunate because navy is hard to find. It's not the trendiest neutral color at the moment. The heels on the shoes are pointier than I would usually wear, but again, navy is hard to find. And I love the look of navy tights and heels with this navy suit.

Where:

work, errands downtown

What:

Top: vintage, gift

Jacket: My Michelle

Skirt: My Michelle

Navy Tights: ??

Navy Heels: Newport News

Navy Hoop Earrings: ??

Volume

I don't generally wear clothes with a lot of volume, but I'm trying to work more volume into my wardrobe. This outfit is particularly unusual in that it includes volume on both the top and the bottom. And my hair is poofy too! I think the banded low waist on the top helps, and the amount of legs and arms showing. Plus, adding the jacket slims it down a bit.

Where:

Dinner at Bistro Zinc to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday

What:

Sheer Top: Wet Seal

Lavander cami: H&M

Skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT

Tights: ??

Jacket: H&M

Shoes: Etienne Aigner (thrifted)

Necklace: World Market

Earrings: ??

Surprise!

Monday is my boyfriend's birthday. Sunday was his surprise birthday party. Except that he already knew there was going to be a party. And he knew where. And he knew when. And he knew which out-of-town family members were coming in for the party. So, not much left to be surprised about. :-)

It was a nice party, outside with a tent for shade. The weather was beautiful. It got cooler in the evening, so I ended up adding another sweater and some thigh high socks and closed shoes by the end of the night.

Where:

Boyfriend's "surprise" birthday party at Chicago Mex Grill

What:

Sweater: Moda International

Lacy cami: Wet Seal

Skirt: ?? (thrifted)

Shoes: Etienne Aigner

Peace Sign Earrings: World Market

No Place Like Home

I love these shoes! Because they're so bright and shiny, I try to pair them with more reserved clothing.

Where:

work; dinner with my boyfriend and a friend

What:

Jacket: Express Design Studio

Sweater: Wet Seal

T-shirt: Wet Seal

Pants: Gap

Silver Sequined Shoes: xhilaration (thrifted, $4)

Necklace: Target

Earrings: ??

Fun lining!