Navy and Wavy

Outfit Notes: Cardigan-old // Dress-thrifted for $4 // Tights-Target // boots-old // naked vintage  lady necklace-old, found in a craft shop

Ever since I had Simon, my hair has changed. It is thicker, and naturally a bit wavy if I allow it to air dry. Because I spent the first 28 years of my life with stick-straight fine hair, I have had no idea how to deal with this, and usually just round brush or flat-iron it out. Recently though, after letting my hair air-dry, I decided to leave it alone and see how it felt for a day to have waves in my hair. I ended up liking it and getting a lot of compliments. So when I went in for a much-needed bang-trim the other day, I asked my stylist if she could teach me how to style my waves, and cut some layers back in to encourage them more.

She showed me how to scrunch my hair up after washing it, and use my diffuser to really make the waves come out. She showed me a couple of products that would help the hairs curl and hold them, and then she told me to avoid drying my hair all the way, so that the air drying could help my hair do its thing.

I absolutely loved the result, and the waves lasted even the next day after I ran a brush through them in the morning. I will definitely be “wavin’ it up” on the days when i have more time to get ready in the morning.

Thrifted Finds

I have been cooped up in the house for the last several days, taking care of my sick little one. Yesterday, I needed a break so I went thrift shopping while Daddy and Simon stayed home, and I found a few new items:

~The tank top was only two dollars plus change, and is a silky fabric with a pretty print and a very flattering fit. It will be great, paired with a pencil skirt for summer days that call for something a little bit dressier, or with a cardigan over it the rest of the year.

The skirt is something I have actually been looking to find for a while now, and I found this one for five dollars. I have been trying to find a casual skirt that will be great to toss over a swimsuit at the beach, or to wear to picnics, barbecues, and other casual summer activities. This one is made of a cotton blend that stretches, and it feels as comfortable as wearing sweatpants.

Finally, I have wanted a leopard print belt for a long time, but belts are very expensive, and as you might have figured out by now, I very rarely pay full price for anything. So when I spotted this one for two dollars, I did a little mental happy dance.

I am looking forward to mixing and matching these new finds with my wardrobe.

Have you done any thrifting lately?

Pops Of Coral

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-a gift // Shirt-Kohl’s, old // Dress-Kohl’s, last year // Tights-Target // Shoes-Target, a couple years old)

I posted the other day, three ways to wear this dress. One way was under a top, as a skirt. That is what I decided to do again today for Easter dinner with family. I knew I wanted to wear floral print, as an homage to the return of Spring. The dress has some orange in it, so I thought adding the orange tights would be fun and unexpected. That led me to adding this coral colored necklace, which was a recent gift from an aunt who shares my love of chunky, bold jewelry.

If you love the color coral, check out this post over at Juggling Chic and see her awesome outfit incorporating the color.

(I didn’t get around to taking pictures until late, so the lighting here kind of stinks.)

No Socks!

(Outfit Notes: Cardigan-Target // Tank-Old Navy, on sale for $2 // Skirt-Thrifted, H$M brand // Leggings-Sears, when my local store went out of business // Flats-Target, old // Scarf-too old to remember)

Today was the first time all year that it was warm enough outside to wear flats with no socks. I also did not need a coat or jacket, my cardigan and scarf were sufficient. This was very fitting, since this weekend as a family we celebrate the return of Spring.

We spent a bit of our time in the outdoors at my parent’s house, and I was soaking in as much vitamin D from the sun as I could. The warmth and sunshine really brighten up my mood and make me feel optimistic.

Turquoise and Marigold

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-made by me // Sweater-JC Penney clearance rack // T-shirt-too old to remember // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Tights- too old to remember // Belt-Target, last year // T-Strap Heels-JC Penney clearance last year)

Three things about today’s outfit:

1-My husband, Jeramy, and I are going out on a date night tonight to a late 1950’s/early 1960’s-themed drag show, after dinner. I wanted to dress somewhat suitable for the occasion, and so, this marigold and turquoise combo was born. I felt the colors of the ensemble, and the t-strap heels fit right in to the time periods being represented. (Though, with it being March in Maine there will most likely be a cardigan thrown over the top when we go out later, but I haven’t decided yet.)

2-This outfit was cheap. Very, very, cheap. The sweater was a recent 2 dollar find at my local JC Penney. (I bought two fun shirts for just 2 bucks each that day.) Score! The skirt is listed at full-price on the website, but someone ordered it online and then returned it to my local Target store. So, I got it for only 5 dollars instead of full price. Another score! The clutch bag was also marked way down, which I wrote about here. Triple score! The heels were also in the clearance section, last winter, for only 5 bucks too. Quadruple score! Add to all of that the t-shirt being only a few dollars on clearance, the fact that I made the earrings myself, and the tights being marked down…the most expensive item in the whole outfit was the belt, but I paid less than ten bucks for that. The whole ensemble for less than 40 bucks!

3-Lastly, this outfit is my offering for this week’s Style Imitating Art challenge. The lovely Jess, of the blog Animated Cardigan, chose this piece:
(Roses jaunes dans en vase), by Gustave Caillebotte
The title of the painting translates to: “Yellow Roses in a Vase”.

When I first saw this painting I thought: “How am I going to work with that when I don’t own any pale yellow?“. But Jess encouraged everyone to click on the image and look at it as large as possible to appreciate all of the flecks and strokes of color in the paint. Once I did this, I appreciated fully just how many rich colors really were in this seemingly pastel work.

If you look closely, you will find many shades of yellow in there, including the same marigold shade as my sweater. There are also ticks of orange, which I brought in with the beads on the earrings and the flowers on my tapestry print clutch. I also thought it fitting that the orange earring beads and the clutch print were roses, the subject matter of the painting. Finally, the dark background swirls with different browns, which show up in my tights and shoes.

(Be sure to check Jess’ blog on Monday when she posts all of the outfits that people submitted for the challenge!)

Finally, A Little Color

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-a gift // Cardigan-a gift…Eddie Bauer brand  //  Blouse-JC Penney, several years old // Cords-Kohls, last year // Booties-TJ Maxx // Belt-came with a tunic from TJ Maxx)

Simon and I went for the first walk in the park of the year today. The sun was shining, but there also happened to be a few snowflakes flying in the air. Not totally Spring yet…but close. I should admit, I wore different boots to the park, because though these booties are cute, they are not comfy for walking, and would get all icky caked in mud. But the rest of the outfit was perfectly functional for a Mother-Son park date. I have to work at the Library later, so the booties will be worn then.

I finally got myself into a bit of color after a long string of monochrome and neutral outfits.  The cardigan is pastel though, and the pants are grey, so not the most colorful ensemble I have ever worn. However, just like this mix of snow and sun we had today, this outfit is a perfect hybrid of Winter warmth and Spring thinking.

Pink, Purple, and Black

Outfit Notes: Cardigan-Target// Necklace-Target clearance// Dress-Kohls on sale last summer/ /Long sleeved tee (layered under dress)-an old Target clearance purchase// Purse-Anthropologie clearance many years ago// Tights-Christmas gift// Shoes-TJ  Maxx)

This is a recent outfit that I wore to work at the Library. It is also a color combination that I am not usually fond of, but I really like the way it works together here with the bag, dress, and undershirt all in the pink and purple family, up against the neutrals black and grey. The only issue I ran into wearing this was some static cling between the dress and the tights. To solve this, I grabbed a dryer sheet on my way out the door and rubbed it inside the dress before I went into work. Oh, the joys of winter!

This post linked up with What I Wore Wednesday 🙂

A Couple Of Little Splurges

While I have been out and about doing some holiday shopping, I picked up these two little gifts for myself. I know that sort of defeats the purpose of gift shopping, but every once in a while, I think it is OK to give yourself a present.

The clutch is from Target, and I wanted to buy it months and months ago, but didn’t feel like paying full price. (Even though full price was only $16.99, not really that bad for a purse– I guess I am cheap.) While I was out holiday shopping one night with a friend, I spotted it sitting in the clearance bin. I grabbed it to look for the orange price sticker, but there wasn’t one. I figured it was probably not supposed to be in that bin, and almost just tossed it back, but my friend (who used to work at Target) convinced me to at least ask. Turned out, it was supposed to have gone to salvage, and shouldn’t have been in the store anymore at all. The manager asked me if I would pay 5 bucks for it…a price much more like I had in mind. Score!

The headband was something I have been wanting for a long time. As you might know, I live in Maine, where winters are usually looooong and cold. (Although the past few have been milder than usual. Global warming?) I own a couple of winter hats, but when I wear a ponytail there is always an awkward bump under the hat. So I have been thinking of picking up one of these knit headband/ear warmers for a long time. This year I happen to be trying to grow my hair out, and it is long enough for ponytails again. So when I saw this ear warmer with the cute black buttons at a local vendor’s booth while craft fair shopping, I decided to check the price tag. It was only $10, and I bought it. (Along with some gifts for other people, that are still a secret until after Christmas.)

Have you bought anything for yourself lately?

Coat Weather

 

(Outfit Notes: Coat-Target on sale last year// Scarf-Too old to remember// Skirt-Recently thrifted for four dollars// Tights-Target, this past January// Boots-Target clearance last year)

Most of this outfit was bought cheaply at Target. Under the coat was a long-sleeved tee that I recently got there on sale, and a .99 cent thrifted belt. This outfit serves as an example of the fact that I have almost never paid full price for any clothing item, ever.

My main reason, however, for sharing this outfit, is to show the change in the weather. It is November in Maine, and that means wearing a coat. Brrrr! It has been windy and frigid these past few days, and I am definitely not ready for it.

Is it cold where you are?

Dress as a Jumper

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-a gift// Turtleneck-Kohl’s 3 years ago// Dress-Kohl’s this summer// Tights-Kohl’s// Boots-Target clearance last year)

Another way to extend the wearability of Spring and Summer dresses through the colder months is to wear them over the top of long-sleeved shirts. In this case, a sleeveless dress is working as a jumper over a tissue-weight turtleneck. This was my outfit for a day of working at the library.

I was a little unsure about this combo at first, but once I had it all on I liked it enough to post about it despite the terrible photographs. They were taken indoors because the sun had set, with poor lighting, a too cluttered background, and in auto mode with a flash that made me blink…hence the downward gaze in the last photo. Hopefully the appearance of my cute kitty Molly in both full-body shots makes up for it.