The Ballad of the Blonde

Most outfits I wear don't spark controversy. But for some reason this one did:  After reinventing my wardrobe and cleaning it up, I'm finding I am able to think up more creative combinations for outfits because I can see more. So, less is more is the moral of that story. But I saw some past outfits where people took summer "jumper" dresses, paired them with button-ups underneath, and gave them a fresh, almost Indie-look. So when I realized I could wear this dress another way, I instantly pulled it out and chose what I felt was the most interesting and suitable combination - my buffalo plaid top. I stepped out of my room and my roommate immediately took a look and, very unlike her, said, "Hey, just wanted to let you know, that top and dress don't match." My immediate thought was, "But print mix and matching is one of the coolest ways to pair clothes in the Fashion Industry world." Bloggers... Lucky Mag Editors circa 2009 and ear...

This outfit came from a funny happenstance. When my eBay score (the skirt) came in the mail, I immediately tried it on, not thinking it would work with this top but just to see if it fit. After on and laughed at its goofy combination, I had an epiphany: Lord. Of. The. Birds.  The idea to actually wear was kooky. It was crazy. It was... awesome. Alas, this outfit made me feel amazing. I felt like my true self and very confident. Fashion is meant to have a little whimsy in it, and this outfit made me and other faces smile. Totally worth it for the load of friends who cracked up at "Lord of the Birds."  Why that name? So it's difficult to see from the image above, but there's a giant pheasant appliquéd / embroidered on the side (see below). If this outfit was Middle Earth, this turkey rightfully earned the position of Lord Sauron over the flock print in the blouse.  Also, there's a huge amount of satisfaction that comes from ...

Although this was actually for a Christmas party, since I knew my New Years would be unremarkably casual attire, I pulled out the gold sequins earlier in the month. Also, enjoy the supremely posed picture below from my office's party. We had a little fun checking out the ritzy rooms in the hotel's presidential suite. Black Pencil Skirt, J. Crew Outlet (50% off)  Faux Feather Vest, Etsy @  BackfireVintage Gold Sequin Blouse, Buffalo Exchange (Under $15) Black Waist Belt, Goodwill ($1!) Green Earrings, Buffalo Exchange Red Watch, Kohls Red Heels,  Never Too Elated in Garnet, Modcloth Also, what do you do the day of New Years Eve? I found myself going on a very quiet run at my favorite park that was unusually empty. Perhaps it was the downpour of rain and the temperature approaching freezing, but I got to match my workout gear! Enjoy my day outfit and having a very zen-ful closing to 2014:  Jacket, pants, socks - Roadrunner Sports Fleece Ja...

This outfit goes out to the old-school Jason Mraz song, "O. Lover," a sassy little number about the emotional torrents in the pursuit of love. This outfit was intended for a hot comeback, a fire-y revenge, and a whole lot of attitude. With words to describe the song and the outfit as "burning up inside," "a fire under you," "self-exposed," "advertising louder," and "flirting with disaster,"  these two make a great "hate to love relationship" between style and music.  When I get burned or burned out, sometimes red lips and a tight, hot little number prepares me to return to my social scene with guns a-blazing. A great outfit helps me to emerge from the ashes a fire-y phoenix.  But it won't be the last romance cause when the weekend starts the guilty party's on. Weekend party's over, Don't stop, let's get closer. Friday, got cold shoulder, Monday, got a new composure. (Lyric...

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Needing inspiration for Spring Cleaning? Hopefully you're more intrinsically motivated to deep clean your wardrobe than I was. I had the fortune of discovering that there were bed-bugs in the apartment I just moved out of - yikes! Needless to say, that motivated me to clean everything. And it was time anyway with some things collecting some closet dust from college (I graduated almost a year ago). If you like fashion at all it's virtually impossible to only own clothes that are laundry-machine friendly. So here's the tips from my experience for deep cleaning and managing a high volume of items. Let's start with clothing you can't machine wash. Happy Spring Cleaning! How to Hand-Wash Your Clothes: Prep - Wool Wash, Lysol, Fabric Softener :  You know how some tags say "hand wash only?" Well, here's what my mother taught me - go buy some light wool wash, some lysol (optional for you germaphobes, bed bug paranoid, dirt-rollers, or sick-littl...