The Lady in Red

I'm being a bit repetitive, but it's official, I'm tired of every single summer item in my closet....I am struggling to regain inspiration out of my summer clothing and since my limited budget won't allow me to shop for a whole new wardrobe, I'm just ready for the season to change so I can pull out some of my fall-appropriate clothing items to wear. I think it's time for a thrifting expedition to add some new things to my closet for a reasonable price. I sure wish there was a Buffalo Exchange in DC or better yet, a Beacon's Closet...

Short: H&M

Skirt: Forever 21

Shoes: Calvin Klein via Marshalls

Necklace worn and Bracelet: Etsy

Earrings: Modcloth

Walk the Walk

This outfit is actually from a few days ago. I love this skirt, but rarely wear it because its a tad too short for work and I think the skirt lends itself to heels better than flats, so it gets relegated to the bottom of outfit possibilities on weekends because of that self-imposed limitation. I don't always feel like wearing heels on weekends, or if I do it's rarely for a full day. I think I've only worn this skirt once or twice this season, shame on me.

I regularly carry flats in my bag to change my shoes when I need a break from heels on weekdays and sometimes on weekends as well depending on what I'm doing on that day. I'm always amazed when I see women on public transportation or in the street walking with no apparent extra pair of shoes. Am I the only weakling that needs to switch out my shoes, or does everyone else simply drive everywhere they go instead of walk?

Shirt (Body suit): American Apparel
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Zappos
Hat: Amazon.com
Bracelet: Thrifted

Pink Positivity

Shades of pink always put my in a positive mood, so I decided to wear this dress (as a skirt) that hasn't seen the light of day this season until now. I'm pretty good at getting regular wearings out of items in my closet, but this dress (skirt) somehow hasn't managed to get worn this year until now. I think I need to get a few more wearings out of it before fall sets in.

I don't really have much today else to say today besides, Happy Monday!

Shirt: Gap
Dress (worn as skirt): Zata
Shoes: Zappos
Scarf: H&M
Belt: Nordstrom (BP Junior's)

Fall Wish List

Gap Chambray Pocket Shirt

Arden B Asymmetrical Military Vest

Forever 21 Polka Dot Platform Heels

Boxing Kitten Althea Skirt

Walter Sequin Mesh Tank

Rebecca Minkoff Helmut Pants (Shop Bop)

Top Shop Buckle Leather Strap Satchel

Calvin Klein Cropped Tuxedo Jacket

CLEO Earrings in Gold and White (via Etsy)

Top Shop Leopard Print Skinny Belt

RGB Grey Nail Polish

I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, but I really do love fall mainly because of the clothing options! Here are a few items I'm currently wish for this fall. Part II will follow...

In Need of Inspiration

Red and grey has been a color combo that I've favored in the past, and I decided to pair the two colors again today. I've been a little uninspired by my outfits this week, this usually happens at the end of each season. Though I love summer, I'm finally starting to miss having the option of layering clothing without breaking out into a sweat and I've been eyeing my boots each time I open my closet to hunt for a pair of shoes.

On another note, my outfit kind of coordinates with the cover of the book I just finished. I sure did get funny looks on the Metro train from nosy people standing/sitting near me when I pulled this book out because of the title. I never thought I'd read a memoir by a person still in their twenties, but I think everyone has a valid story to tell if they really want to tell it. I think the desire for people to tell their own story is the reason why so many people gravitate toward blogging. It's a more immediate medium than publishing a book, but it can stem from a similar desire to tell your story whether it's with photos, writing or a combination of both. So whether you want to publish that novel, write for that publication or blog or write that poem, tell your story if you feel you have one to tell.

30 for 30 Recap

Here is a recap of all of my outfits from the 30 for 30 challenge which turned out to be more fun than I expected.

If anybody has any fun ideas for style challenges, let me know, I'd love to participate!

30 for 30 Finale: Days 28, 29 and 30!

I made it to the end of the challenge! I actually finished the 30 for 30 earlier this week but life got in the way a bit and I just had the opportunity to post my pictures. This was actually a fun challenge that wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I learned the following things during this challenge:

1. I did get a little tired of having a limited variety of clothing, but it made me look at the clothing I already own in a different way. It's not always necessary to go out and buy a new item when trying to put together an outfit, taking a second look at an item and wearing it in a different way (like inside out) can create a new look. I definitely plan to challenge myself to remix new and older items more in the future.
   
2. I really didn't miss shopping because most stores are now carrying fall items now and to be honest, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that the summer is almost over and fall is right around the corner.
3. My family, friends and coworkers really don't care what I wear and didn't notice the repetitive nature of my outfits over the past several weeks.
   
4. I'm happy to now be able to make it a whole week without having to wash a clothing item because I absolutely have to wear a certain item the next day or my planned outfit won't work.
5. I can consistently photograph my outfits everyday instead of a few times a week! But this will get trickier when the weather gets cold and I'm forced indoors.
   

An added benefit of participating in this challenge was discovering some great style blogs through Kendi's list of 30 for 30 participants. I appreciate the lovely comments that many of you have had during the challenge! Now I have to re-teach myself how to dress with more than 30 items...

30 for 30: Day 27

I was really at a loss for what to wear this morning despite my limitations because of the 30 for 30. I really do love this skirt, it's such a cheery shade of red but I'm getting a little 'remix fatigue.' I feel like I've exhausted all of my 'exciting' remix options, so now I'm just trying to make it until the final day of the challenge. But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and that's reason enough for me to be happy! I can't believe I've taken outfit photos every day for the past 27 days! Before the 30 for 30 challenge, I was averaging about 2-3 outfit photos a week and maybe even less if I got busy with other things. While I've enjoyed the routine, I'll be happy to ease up a bit and not photograph/post outfits every single day. My wardrobe isn't as big as you would think and you can only do but so much remixing!

Here's to a positive, productive week and making it all of the way through my massive to-do list!

30 for 30: Days 24-26

Today is a triple play to make up for not posting my outfits for the weekend which flew by very fast! Today's outfit #26 is my reversible maxi skirt worn as a dress and belted. I originally thought I was going to regret including this skirt in the 30 for 30, but it's proven to be surprisingly versatile.

I only have four more outfits to go in the 30 for 30! I guess I should now start thinking about what gaps I need to fill in my fall wardrobe when I'm allowed to shop again. I'm not really ready to be in the fall clothing mindset yet though...maybe I'll feel differently in a few days.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Summer Reading List

I'm a little shocked by how quickly the summer is speeding by. Before the summer offocially ends, I'd like to try and read all of the books above. I have always enjoyed reading for pleasure from a number of genres from self-development, to business/entrepreneurship, to memoirs, to historical novels, to fantasy/supernatural, to a good mystery/thriller. Though the number of books I read vary depending on my schedule, I do a lot of my recreational reading during my public transportation commute which is like is built-in time for me to read each day (I'm so not a driver!). These days, I get most of my books from my local library, Paperbackswap or Amazon.

Here are the reasons why I chose the books on my summer reading list:

Infidel - I heard this was an interesting memoir from a friend.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - I was initially intriged by the title and the fact that I've seen this book just about everywhere over the past several months.
Making Ideas Happen - I love reading for information and it's high time I start figuring out how to implement all the ideas I have swirling around in my head, so I thought this book would be a start.
*itch is the New Black - I've also read about this memoir in a few magazines and blogs and the title alone is intriguing.
Vegan Cupcakes Takeover the World - I'm not a vegan, but I am a semi-vegetarian and not a big fan of dairy, so I thought I'd give a few recipes a try. I'm trying to improve my baking skills overall, but I've decided that cupcakes will be my signature dessert.
The Carrie Diaries - Because I need a bit a fluff just to read for fun and I'm not ashamed to say that I sometimes enjoy books clearly geared toward a teen/young adult audience.

Do you have any books on your summer reading list?

30 for 30: Day 23

As I've reiterated before, I'm really missing variety in the last stretch of the 30 for 30 challenge. I usually pick my outfits based on my mood on that given day, and it's a bit confining to have only 30 items to choose from. I'm pretty happy with most of the items I've chosen for the challenge (such as my nude pumps!), but I guess we always want want we can't have. Of course because I can't wear it, my bright yellow dress is the only dress I own that seemed to suit my mood for today...I'm so close to the end though, I guess can't complain but so much.

On another note, while I was on the Metro today, I noticed that this girl standing next to me had on the exact same shade of nail polish that I had on. I noticed it and went back to fiddling with my iPhone; it's just a habit seeing as though I get spotty service at most stations. A man standing next to both me and my 'nail polish doppelganger,' said: "Hey you both have the same nail polish on!" I smiled and nodded but my 'nail polish twin' gave me such a withering look, you would have thought I stole her puppy, or her boyfriend....sheesh. I would have complemented her on her taste if she hadn't been so funny about it. I still like my nail color regardless of the fact that other ladies obviously wear it also.

Song Currently on Repeat: 'Fake is the New Real' by Alice Smith

Top: H&M
Skirt: H&M
Shoes: Target
Nail Polish: Essie (Mint Candy Apple)
'Dove' Earrings: Modcloth
Necklace worn as bracelet: Etsy

30 for 30: Day 22

The dress I'm wearing is one of the older one's I own. It's actually strapless hence the cardigan I'm wearing with it to make it 'work appropriate.' I first wore this dress to my high school graduation. It was a tradition at my high school for the graduates to all white and in hindsight, I'm happy I chose a simple dress that I'm still wearing eight years later (yikes, its been that long?). I have a rule, that unless I am especially sentimental about a clothing item, if I haven't worn a piece of clothing in over a year, than it's time to sell it or give it away. This dress measures up to that rule every year since I bought it, so I think I will be wearing it for years to come.

Dress: The Limited
Cardigan: Nordstrom BP
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Thrifted

Currently listening to....nothing, sometimes it's good to enjoy the silence

30 for 30: Day 21

I fell asleep ridiculously early last night before posting yesterday's outfit, so here it is. There were also a few other things I had planned to do before falling asleep that didn't get done such as watch the season premiere of The Rachel Zoe Project, oh well, I guess I needed my "beauty" rest. On a good note, I feel pretty well rested because I actually got eight full hours of sleep!

If I had to pick a "signature" skirt from my wardrobe, it would be this one. I've worn it countless times and am still not tired of it.

Top: H&M

Skirt: Target

Belt: H&M

Shoes: Target

'Dove' Earrings: Modcloth

30 for 30: Day 20

Here a few random thoughts from Monday:

1. Having a limited selection of clothing sure helps the process of getting out of the house on a Monday morning faster!
2. I obviously couldn't decide how to wear my scarf...
3. I can't believe I only have 10 outfits left in the challenge. I think I'm happier about the fact that I've been photographing my outfits on a regular basis than my actual remixes.
4. It's great to connect with the other bloggers participating in the 30 for 30 who have been leaving me lovely comments. Connecting with people is one of my favorite parts of maintaining a blog.
5. This summer is flying by on warp speed! I feel both happy and sad about that.

Here's to a positive, productive week.

Shirt: Forever 21

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Nine West via Zappos

Scarf: Thrifted

30 for 30: Day 19

Casual comfort was what I was going for today with this look. It was also a bit cooler this afternoon than it has been recently and the first day in a long time that I felt that I wouldn't be too hot in jeans. I'm also happy I can say that I've worn my jeans during the 30 for 30 because in hindsight, if I had known that it would be such a hot summer in DC, I would have picked another item that would get more wear during the challenge like another top or a skirt (FYI for new readers, I love skirts!).

That's all I have to say for now....I have some vegan chocolate cookies have to finish baking and the week to get ready for, so goodnite!

T-shirt: Out of Print Tee's
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Gold Brogues: Zappos
Bamboo Hoops: ?

Song Currently on Repeat: 'Letting Go' by Janelle Monae

30 for 30: Day 18

This dress that I wore yesterday may not look familiar because I'm actually wearing it inside out to give it a different look. I typically only wear this outfit to work, but needed something to wear yesterday that would work for an evening out. I hope I pulled it off and didn't combine too many colors with my bright accessories. See how I wore this dress in the past here and here. I can't take credit for the idea of wearing my 30 for 30 items in different ways such as inside out. I got this idea from Miss Melissa, another 30 for 30 participant. Today's outfit is significantly less colorful and more casual since I've had a rather low key Sunday; it will be posted later today.


Dress: Target
Belt: H&M
Shoes: Target
Necklace: H&M
Earrings: random accessories store in Philly