Grounding Influence

I had the combination of this cardigan and floral dress in my head for awhile; in fact, after the last time I wore the cardigan I jotted down the idea on a post-it note and stuck it in my closet to remind myself. When I finally put it together though, I found that the dress was a bit too long for the proportions I wanted, so I pulled the same trick that I used the other day with my pink strapless top; I took up the excess length by folding the dress at the waist, and secured it underneath the stretchy belt.

I had previously thought this cardigan could not be worn with a belt, but out of necessity I gave it a try; it was either that or start all over with a new outfit. I think it actually worked really well with this; the neutral belt has something of a grounding influence on all the bright color and pattern of the cardigan and dress, and ties in the socks and shoes quite nicely.


The socks reach up to just above the knee; this kept the outfit from being too warm, the skirt being a dense wool. I finally managed to get some photos of this skirt that show the color; every other time it has always looked black when in fact it's a deep olive green.

Cardigan: Anthropologie
Dress: 90's romper altered into a dress
Belt: Audra Jean
Skirt: Noa Noa
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: Joy Chen

Suede Shorts

After many months of looking longingly at different pairs of leather shorts online, I finally followed Sal's lead and a pair myself. These started out as suede pants, which I picked up at Goodwill; a couple of snips with the scissors, a little folding, pressing, and sewing, et voila! Suede shorts, for $16. The best part is that Mark saved the rest of the pretty burgundy suede, which hopefully he'll turn into something amazing.

My first thought in creating an outfit with these shorts was to pair them with something unstructured on top, so that the outfit wouldn't be too risque for work. This sheer, leather-trimmed tank was actually something I selected in my head before I even started playing around with the actual clothes.When I got to my closet and started poking around, I thought at first glance that the tank would be too long, but after several fruitless attempts with other pairings, I gave it a shot and found it was just right.

The loose tank and asymmetrical cardigan keep the top half of the outfit interesting while still letting my legs be the star. I felt like anything fitted on top might push this outfit into the realm of office-inappropriate (although who knows, I might wear it that way anyway). Adding the socks kept my legs warm and somehow gave me the feeling of being less exposed.


Cardigan: All Saints
Tank: Black Market Baby
Bracelet: Leslie Danzis
Shorts: Wilson's Leather
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: MIA

Rainbow

Ah, at long last -- a comment from one of my coworkers today. I was told that amidst 'a sea of gray and black' I was 'a rainbow.' How lovely! At least one of those nerds notices.
:-p

Today I used the rich burgundy color as a way of toning down the brighter colors. This bubblegum pink skirt has a tendency to look too juvenile if I don't add some modifying elements, and with the graphic tee I was dangerously close to crossing into age-inappropriate territory. At the last minute I also threw in the scarf as another way to make the overall look more mature.

It occurred to me that today's outfit would do quite well for the contest I've got going this month. So far I have a few willing participants but no actual entries; I'm assuming you're all going to take most of the month to plan your outfit and will spring it on me near the deadline. Don't wait too long though! Get your photos in by the end of the month for a chance to win a handmade hat, which coincidentally would match perfectly with the outfit I have on today.

Scarf: vintage
T-Shirt: Gama Go
Cardigan: American Eagle
Skirt: Lemon Twist
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: Sofft

Dominatrix

I've had these amazing Fluevog boots for a few years now, but rarely do they ever make an appearance at work. With most outfits I feel like they're a little too dominatrix to be work-appropriate, but with this one they add just the right amount of edginess without the whole outfit being too over-the-top. I also like the way they accentuate the curves of my legs, which helps offset the very angular jacket.

The jacket is from the 80's and is one I picked up a few weekends ago at Goodwill. Normally I steer clear of any of the resurging 80's looks, having been a participant in some of the most unfortunate of 80's trends the first time around. Had this jacket been longer I'd have recoiled from it in horror, but the wide shoulders combined with the cropped length and fitted waist gives the jacket a 40's flair, which I quite like. And since the dress is very straight and somewhat clingy, the shoulder pads in the jacket help to fill out my top half. I added the skirt underneath the dress to bring just a little more volume to the lower hem -- balance is everything, especially when shoulder pads are involved.

Jacket, dress: thrifted
Necklace: H&M
Skirt: LA Made
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: John Fluevog

Handknit Socks

I love pretty socks. I love to knit. Ergo, I should love to knit myself pretty socks, right? Well, that's not such an easy question to answer. On the one hand socks are challenging and fun to make. On the other hand they end up costing twice as much as buying a pair and taking an inordinate amount of time to finish. And then there's that less tangible factor, the disappointment you feel when not one single person even notices them because hey, what's the big deal about a pair of socks, anyway?

The problem with making intricate socks is that only another knitter can truly appreciate how much effort went into them. Sure, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing that I made them myself, but when I think about all the time I spent, I always wind up thinking I'd have been better off making a really eye-catching sweater or hat. Thus, I haven't knit any more socks since I finished this pair. Now I'm not saying I'll never knit any more socks, but I think the next ones will either be a far simpler pattern or else a big, chunky, quickly finished pair that can be used as slippers. These days, however, I'm working on a really lovely and eye-catching sweater. More on that to come.

Socks: Knit by me from the Baudelaire pattern






Dress: Tulle
Skirt: Noa Noa
Cardi: La Redoute
Belt: Made by Mark and I
Hat: Seeberger
Boots: Bata

Irony

Oh, the irony of this outfit. I felt so Susie Homemaker in this little gingham apron, and yet that couldn't be less like my personality. My disdain for household chores has in fact reached epic proportions in recent months, prompting among other things the hiring of a weekly housekeeper to do everything from washing my dishes to changing my sheets. I don't really even cook, if I can avoid it. I strive to be a true woman of leisure, but somehow my job keeps getting in the way.

I found this apron at a vintage store over the weekend. I'm not sure if it's really vintage, but it is most definitely handmade. I immediately liked the idea of transforming the look of a skirt or dress with it, but it was my love of the color orange that really sealed the deal. Since I don't often pair orange and green, this opened up a whole new range of possibilities for me. I have to admit that I was also hoping to catch my work colleagues off guard with it, but I think I've finally lost my ability to surprise them with what I wear.

Cardigan: E-klah
Shirt: H&M
Scarf: from a local import store
Skirt: Noa Noa
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: John Fluevog

As a bonus today, I thought I'd include a picture of one of Georgie's recent outfits. This is actually from last week when it was rainy and cold; we were headed over to Mark's place, so Georgie wore her raincoat and backpack. Like many pit mixes Georgie has a lot of energy, so I sometimes weigh down this pack with books or other heavy things to give her an extra workout when we walk. I'd like to think that it burns off some of that energy, but I suspect that the only energy burned off during our outings is my own.

New Pursuit

It's been ages since I've worn this little plaid hat, but my upcoming millinery class has really inspired me. The prospect of learning something new is always very invigorating for me, whether it's a new craft, a new language, or some other random skill (Those dining room chairs in the pictures I posted yesterday? I did the caning -- i.e., the woven seat part -- myself. Don't ask me how long it took.). I love throwing myself into new pursuits from time to time, and when I decide to take up something new I give it everything I've got. I generally get really good at something before I decide whether to continue pursuing it. Usually by then it's too late, of course; the skill is cemented forever whether I like it or not. I'm sure I could still cane a chair like a pro, although the thought of ever doing it again fills me with dread. My fingertips are aching just thinking about it.

I've done a little pattern mixing in this outfit by pairing the plaid hat with this vest. I like the way the black accents -- hat, belt, and shoes -- accentuate the details in the vest and argyle socks. An outfit of neutrals such as this one needs punchy accents to keep it from looking too drab.

Just as it has happened to me before, a complete stranger walked by me at work and exclaimed, "I like your hat!" It continues to amaze me how much of a response hats elicit. I'm pretty confident that this upcoming class will produce some comment-worthy creations.

Hat: San Diego Hat Co.
Shirt: H&M
Vest: Steam Trunk
Skirt: Noa Noa
Socks: Sock Dreams
Shoes: John Fluevog

Bubblegum

The opportunities for showing off my latest tattoo are dwindling, so today I decided to go bare-legged again. I can feel that autumn chill in the air, despite the fact that it has been sunny and beautiful for the last several days. As usual I will probably miss the best Bay Area weather of the year, since my annual European vacation will have me in chillier parts of the globe during the first half of October. Paris will probably be fine, it's Reykjavik where I'll really get a taste of winter a couple of months too early. I've got just 6 more workdays to go before I take off, so I'd better enjoy what I can of the Indian summer! Wow, only 6 more days!

When I put these two shirts together, the thing I really liked about the combination was the fact that the cut of neckline on the olive top mirrors the angle of the stripes on the long-sleeved one. It's more apparent in the headshot to the left. Because the two shirts are fairly subdued in color, I added the scarf for a bit more pop. The belt, boots, and earrings also added some contrast and a neutral counterpoint to all the bubblegum pink.

Striped shirt: F21, thrifted
Olive shirt: Susina
Skirt: Lemon Twist
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Bata

Unkempt

I had my hair cut and colored last weekend in preparation for my best friend's wedding, in which I'm the maid of honor. My hairdresser, Michele, has a real knack for styling my hair with that tousled sort of look, like I partied all night and have just rolled out of bed. When I've tried to duplicate it, however, my hair just ended up looking frizzy and unkempt. That is, until I tried out a couple of different products that I'm liking very much, and which I will share with all of you, in case you're still searching for that rock n' roll style without the hangover, lingering groupies, and astronomical hotel bill.

Both products are by Redken. The first is Elastic Works 09, which I put in while my hair is still wet. Crunching my hair as I blow dry adds a few waves, which I can then exaggerate by spraying Urban Experiment 8 onto my dry hair and crunching some more. This second product really adds the texture and separates the random waves. It also prevents that frizzy look I hate so much.

I didn't really feel like a rock star today as I attended meetings, wrote reports, and answered emails, but at least I sort of looked like one, or at least my hair did...

Striped shirt: Promod
Navy shirt: Aziz
Belt: Oscar
Skirt: Sunhee Moon
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Modern Vintage

Dark

Today's outfit was tough to photograph because the dark colors all end up looking black, so I'll explain a little better about what I have on. The tunic top actually is black and is from H&M. The skirt, however, is a dark olive green; it's from Noa Noa, a store that I absolutely love but am thankful doesn't have any stores in the US, if only for the sake of my pocketbook. It's bad enough that I seem to run across one every year when I go to Europe, no matter where my spontaneity takes me.

The clocked argyle socks are from Sock Dreams, scarf from H&M, belt by DKNY (thrifted), shoes by John Fluevog. The silver bangles arrived last week in the care package sent to me by Sal; I've already worn them several times and they are just perfect for adding a little contrast to a dark outfit like this one. I'll be wearing more of Sal's care package goodies in days to come.

Portland

This evening I'm flying up to Portland, OR for my sister's graduation, so I wanted an outfit that would be comfortable for traveling. The mod colorblock tunic top is from the Red Dress Shoppe, and is lightweight, swingy and soft. The skirt is from Lemon Twist, and the boots are Bata. It's another day that requires tights; sunny but a little too cold for bare legs. Over the tights I have a pair of striped knee high socks for a little extra color. The hat is from a shop in Hamburg, Germany and the scarf is from a local import store.

There will be no work outfit tomorrow, since I'll be hanging out with the family, but if my sisters will oblige I may post some pictures of us all dressed up for the graduation ceremony. My sisters are significantly younger than I, 18 and 21, and are a couple of stylish ladies. I can't wait to see them!

Tartan

This little cropped tartan jacket has been sorely underutilized, but after rearranging my closet over the weekend and rediscovering it, I vowed to put it back into circulation. Based on the number of compliments I got on it today, I'd say I made the right choice. The jacket is by A. Byer, white button-down shirt by Guess, skirt from H&M, olive argyle socks by Tabbisocks Super Kawaii (from sockdreams.com), shoes by Steve Madden. I don't know who made the hat, since I cut the label off so it wouldn't stick out.

Strapless

I don't think strapless tops look good on anyone, at least not when worn alone, and I'm certainly no exception to that rule. Why I own two of them is really a mystery to me; though both of them look great when layered with other pieces, I'm shocked that I even tried them on in the first place, let alone purchasing them without knowing what I'd layer them with. I must have been feeling particularly adventurous that day.

This particular strapless top is by Weston Wear. The cardigan and scarf are from La Redoute, the linen skirt is from H&M, and the boots are Bata. The knee high linen socks are a handmade pair I bought in Latvia, and the hat is one I knitted myself. The pattern for the hat can be found here.

Sassy

Wearing these John Fluevogs always makes me feel a bit sassy; it must be the little satin bows. This is the first time I've tried pairing them with these cropped pants, which are from Poleci. The pants have a cute tuxedo stripe down the sides of the legs, and the very fine lines of yellow and pink interspersed with the gray and black make them perfect for combining with bright colors. The aqua tank is Old Navy, t-shirt from Supermaggie, and yellow cardigan from Solemio.

Nice Hat

Today no fewer than 5 random people who I do not know (I work at a very large company) passed by me and blurted out, "Nice hat!" This was not surprising; I'm a hat kinda gal and I'm used to such comments. But why do so few people choose to wear them? For one thing, I am strongly of the opinion that there are very few outfits that can't be improved upon by the addition of a cute hat (scarves are next in line in order of preference; the two together are a particularly fabulous fashion coup). Not only that, but I work in one of the windiest spots in the Bay Area; a hat is the perfect means for not having your hair in shambles by the end of the day.


Today's hat is a lovely creation from Parkhurst, who makes a lot of wonderful retro styles. I do realize that this outfit looks a bit wintery, but I'd like to point out that in South San Francisco, where I work, the summers are often as cold, if not colder, than the winters. If you've ever been to San Francisco and thought it was a lot chillier than California ought to be, try visiting South San Francisco some time (Actually, don't. Just take my word for it. I wouldn't want to be responsible for ruining anyone's vacation.).

The rest of the outfit: Drape-neck tank by Michael Stars (do I need to explain again how wonderful these shirts are?), cardigan by Kersh, olive wool skirt from Noa Noa, shoes by John Fluevog.

When I came home this evening, I swapped everything but the shirt and cardigan for my evening walk with my dog, Georgie. I thought the new ensemble still held up as quite fashionable, at least for dog-walking wear. This hat is one I bought in Hamburg, Germany (I don't know who made it); the jeans are Lucky, the scarf is THRIFTED (for me this is a big deal), the shoes are Rieker, and the armwarmers I found at Sock Dreams.

Note all the layers: San Francisco is COLD when in most other places in the US it is WARM. This is how the locals can tell the tourists from everyone else: they're the ones wearing shorts in July.

Final note: Why does my dog always look so guilty?

Gladiator

Thursday, April 24: This wool tunic is from Promod in Prague, and it has a sort of Roman look that makes me feel like I ought to be wielding a sword. The scarf and t-shirt are from La Redoute, the skirt by a local designer called Lemon Twist. And yes, there are my Bata boots once again.

I loved the way this outfit looked once I put the coat on, so I decided to photograph it again, even though I was already running ridiculously late for work at this point. It's from Mango.

Purple Monday

Monday, April 21: Finally freed from my shoe constraints, I started the week with my old favorites, my Bata boots purchased while vacationing in Prague. The scarf is by Anne Klein, sweater by Ann Taylor, skirt from H&M. Barely visible are my cute new lace-topped socks that I found at sockdreams.com. I'm firmly of the opinion that especially for someone of my age (38), knee high socks must be worn with the utmost discretion. Here, hiding most of them beneath a pair of boots and a below-the-knee skirt did the trick.

A Month of Shoes: Week 3

Week 3 of my experiment featured shoes by Born, John Fluevog, Cole Haan, boots by Modern Vintage, and more John Fluevogs.

A Month of Shoes: Week 2

Week 2 of my month-long shoe extravaganza ran as follows: Steve Madden, Mudd, Gabriella Rocha, Sofft, and another pair by Gabriella Rocha. Several of my fashion fixations emerge in this set of photos: hats, mary janes, and retro styles. On Tuesday I was sporting a look I dubbed Mod Nerd, while Thursday's outfit featured a 1930's vintage reproduction from the Red Dress Shoppe.