What's the Point?

I sat down to work on this blog post full of outfits from 2 months ago and I found the whole process to be excruciating. I just didn't want to do it. The thought of lugging my laptop, keyboard and mouse (it's a whole embarrassing setup) down to the scanner in the basement made my stomach turn and the thought that I was going to post outfits from November when it's almost February made me feel like a huge slacker.

I ended up taking photos of the sketches with my phone and I'm posting them even though they're old because I like these outfits and I wanted to share them.

The moral of the story is that I don't care anymore, but I still care so much.

It's confusing being me.

When the Victoria Bekham for Target line came out last Spring, I nearly crapped my pants with excitement. How could I resist all of those bright candy colors, bold floral designs and boxy 60s silhouettes? After trying on everything I could get my hands on, I went home with one black dress. First of all, everything was huge. I normally wear a large and found I was swimming in a medium. It was exhausting trying everything on multiple times because I couldn't figure out what size I should be wearing. I also thought that most items were overpriced for what they were: novelty/showy items that I'll probably wear once. I'm glad that I only bought the one dress because I love it and have worn it several times, in multiple seasons and I even incorporated it into a Halloween costume. 

No, I am not wearing that dress in this drawing, but I am wearing one of those boxy 60s inspired blouses that I chose not to buy at full price from Target. I found it at Everyday People this Fall and was not surprised how quickly these items were showing up in thrift shops. It's a very spring/summer top, so to make it more appropriate for Fall I wore it with school pride. This is pretty much the look I was rocking this Fall. Bright school/team colors worn with preppy flair. Rah rah, sis boom bah!

Dottir

I wore this sweater a lot this fall. I love it's full-on 80s appeal and that bright green color really fit in with my Fall 2017 look.

Dottir

Olive on olive. Boy, do I love olive...with gold. Oh yeah...

Ah hah! Another thrifted Victoria Bekham for Target shirt! I didn't buy this one for full price because I'm not really into collarless shirts. I have worn it successfully collarless, as it is, but I'm also a professional when it comes to layering, so many times you'll see me rocking it with another collared shirt underneath, like so.

Lipstick Obsession

I've been super into lipstick lately, so much so that I've been avoiding the drug store because I can't seem to leave Walgreens without buying a tube. This week's drawings all include a face (a rarity) because I thought it was significant what shade I was wearing with my outfit.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

I've been loving classic colors this fall. School or team colors like red, green, navy, yellow, etc. This outfit is a great example of my current fall style. I love wearing this 70s jacket with these navy blue bell bottoms. The jacket is red, green, white and navy plaid, which could scream Christmas, but I think that when I highlight the blue with the rest of my outfit, the color combo works. 

Revlon Pearl Lipstick - Violet Frenzy

I LOVE this outfit! I have no need to dress like this at work, but sometimes it just makes me feel good to look professional.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

This sweater is something that I got at a clothing exchange and I'm still trying to decide if I like it. It's a tad small, but I love the color and the mock turtle neck. Unfortunately, it only works when tucked in. 

I wore this skirt backwards because it looks sleeker that way. That means that the pockets and fly are in the back, but no one seemed to notice anything amiss. Unless it's all happening behind my back.

Lalunette

Revlon Creme Lipstick - Va Va Violet

I'm loving on this color combo. This outfit was a hit, but it was like 20 degrees that day and I wore sandals.

Idiot.

Dottir

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink - Voyager

This crop top is new. I've worn it twice since I got it and I think it's going to become a versatile piece in my wardrobe.

Who Knew I Liked Blue?

I've never been fond of the color blue. I've always considered it to be the most boring of colors, besides South Dakota beige, of course. However, I've noticed that blue has been creeping into my daily wear more and more lately. This is partly because I've been wearing a lot more denim and chambray, and also because I've discovered that blue looks great with my hair, which is currently dyed bright red/orange.

Giant penny earrings from I Like You

I think it's in my DNA to love the look of denim on denim, or the Canadian tuxedo, if you will.

Some people think it's tacky, but it reminds me of my dad and makes me feel strong. I'm gonna keep wearing it, fashion faux pas be damned.

Earrings made by Kristina

Navy and sea glass. This is a beautiful color combination.

Earrings from Poppy

The first day that I wore these chambray overalls, the side zipper split open in the middle. The only way I could get out of my pants, was to cut them off of myself. This experience really enhanced my fear of getting trapped in a jumpsuit when I really have to pee. Thanks a lot fashion.

Earrings made by Liz

Batik skirt from Aviena

Teal is a shade of blue that has never been far from my heart. I've always considered teal to be closer to green than blue so I've been wearing head to toe teal ensembles for awhile now. Nothing new here. 

Feeling Blue

Blue is not a color that I wear very often, but apparently, I was feeling it in November.  The color is especially dynamic when paired with my new orange corduroy jacket.

I came up with this outfit in an attempt to wear this little blue sweater. I think it's OK, but it would be better in warmer weather so I don't have to wear the awkward socks. 

The chambray shirt is becoming one of my new favorite clothing items. I call this look, the cool professor.

Dress

This is a dress that I love, but have only ever worn for special occasions. It's not terribly fancy, but there's something about it that makes it more formal that casual. I wanted to wear it as an everyday dress, so I paired it with this corduroy jacket and I think it does the trick.

Catching Up

After a month of bag making, I am back to blogging about my clothes.  I created about a dozen bags and sold many of them at art sales this holiday season.  It's been fun and I'll probably continue to make bags.  Stay tuned for a post-new year Etsy page.  

During my time working in my own personal sweatshop, I did a few outfit drawings for special occasions.

Wedding

Similar dress

Similar jacket

Similar fishnets - Target

Shoes - Schuler shoes

Similar necklace & Earrings

Similar ring

In this outfit, I decided to wear all of my black silk and all of my jade jewelry.  While that sounds crazy, I think it turned out pretty good.  

I really love this dress.  I got it at a vintage store with an awkward group fitting room and when I put it on, all of the other girls in the room went "ooh".  So I bought it.  I thought it would become my little black dress, but because it's silk, I think it's a little fancy to be so versatile.  I've only worn it twice, but I'll probably keep it forever because it's so timeless and unassuming while being completely fabulous.

 Art Sale

Similar blouse - Stephanie's

Skirt

Similar tights - Target

Boots

Similar earrings

I completely butchered the print on this shirt.  It's really more art deco than jagged fangs.

Cabaret

Similar dress

Similar fishnets - Target

Similar shoes - DSW

Similar brooch

Similar earrings

Here's a fun one!  I had the opportunity to sing in the annual Christmas cabaret at Nye's piano bar in Minneapolis.  The dress code for performers was to wear something that we considered to be festive.  I opted for a blue velvet dress, even more appropriate considering I sang Blue Christmas and Pretty Paper.  All I needed to complete my look was some dramatic back lighting and a cigarette.

Road Trip Capsule Wardrobe

Monday

Similar dress - Up 6

Similar cardigan

Similar boots

Similar belt

Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar coat - Savers

I found this amazing dress at Up 6 when shopping for my Halloween costume.  It's a summer dress, but I really wanted to wear it, so I styled it as best I could for Fall.  I think it's pretty successful.  I might do more outfits like this with my other summer maxi dresses.

Tuesday

Similar sweater

Different color skirt - My Sister's Closet
Boots
Similar tights - Urban Outfitters
Similar earrings
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters
Coat - Delia's

Usually, a gray day makes me want to wear as much color as possible, but for some reason, today, I just wore a shit ton of gray.  It did not help improve my mood.

Wednesday

Similar sweater
Shirt
Similar pants - Forever 21
Boots
Similar earrings - Everyday People
Coat - Delia's

I'm still trying to find good ways to style these pants.  This is a little weird.

Thursday

Similar dress - Up 6
Similar tights - Tights
Shoes - Schuler Shoes
Similar coat - My Sister's Closet

I was Veruca Salt for Halloween, but everyone thought I was Little Orphan Annie.

Friday - Sunday

Striped dress

Similar black dress
Houndstooth dress
Similar cardigan
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar striped sweater - Avienna
Similar skirt
Cords - Anthropologie
Leggings
Similar tights in black, blue and plum - Target
Socks
Black boots
Brown boots - Delia's
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar penny earrings - I Like You
Similar necklace
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters

I went on tour with my husband's band this weekend to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.  I am a notorious over packer, so since I was a non-essential passenger on this trip, I did my best to pack as light as possible and I think I did a pretty good job of coming up with this capsule wardrobe.  I wore 6 different outfits, but could have combined what I brought to make at least 6 more.  When I pack, I like to start by choosing a color pallet.  This time it was black, camel, white and orange.  I started with my tan leather skirt and trusty orange cords.  From there I chose a few tops that I could wear with either of those two items as well as sweaters for layering.  I threw in a little black dress that could be worn with tights, leggings or pants.  Everything else was accessories: a few earrings and necklaces, a hat, a gray scarf, a black jacket, different colored tights, fun socks, black and brown boots.  It worked out splendidly.  I felt like I had options each day.  I could be dressy or casual and every choice was comfortable.
I did have a few flaws in my packing job.  I didn't need two long gray sweaters, I brought two shirts that I did not wear and I didn't pack enough underwear.