Red Camel

Recently, I've been making a concentrated effort to stop neglecting pretty clothes that I've never worn. In the past, I've collected a lot of clothes that I like, but I never planned a way to wear these things. They either end up shoved into the back of my closet, prettily wasting space, or landing in a Goodwill pile. This skirt was in the back of my closet, and this sweater just took up space despite how much I liked them both. Last night, I had a little chat with my closet, and we agreed upon this outfit. Good talk, closet.

To be honest, I bought the skirt and cardigan to wear together. Sadly, I could not think of a top to wear under the cardigan. SERIOUSLY, DANIELLE? The white t-shirt has become my universal wardrobe solution. Thank you, fashion bloggers. Many items would have lost their space in my closet without this helpful bit of inspiration.  

P.S. They really have been sitting, unworn, for at least one year. Probably two or three. 

Hey, at least I'm still the same size. 

 I would like to reiterate from yesterday's post that this heel height is perfect. Just perfect.

I almost went with brown wedges today, but I'm glad I settled on a color that contrasted with the tights. 

Additionally, I really like the detail on this skirt. 

Please disregard my IZZE bottle. 

I need to clean. 

Badly.

This corner was the only mildly unscathed area of the main level. Let's be serious. It was the only mildly clean spot in the entire house. 

Cardigan, Skirt, & Tights: The Limited (like I said, old)

T-shirt: Kohl's 

Shoes: Candie's for Kohl's

Berry Wonderful

My new intern started today, and he already complimented my outfit. It looks like he's quickly learned the way to my shallow heart. 

I happened across this frock in my closet awhile ago (why was I neglecting it!?), and when I spied these burgundy tights at Target, I imagined this outfit. I do believe I succeeded in the execution of this get up. Sometimes, I think of what seem to be great pairings, but they turn out terrible, sort of like my bangs that I cut on my own. (Thank you to the lovely stylist who fixed them.) 

Granted, I think I already have a fuzzy spot on my tights because I kept grazing the velcro on one of my students' jackets that was hanging over his chair. Damn kids and their stuff all hanging out in the aisles. I am always tripping over their bookbags and unsuccessfully squeezing by their chairs. I imagine their parents feel this same frustration when they leave this same crap strewn all over the house. Like I said, damn kids. 

 This size heel is perfect. I feel a bit like baby bear: "they're not too high; they're not too flat; they're juuuuuust right." Is there a pair of shoes you put on and think, "yes, I'm happy to wear you today." These shoes are it for me. 

Cardigan: Target ($15-current)

Dress: LOFT (old old old)

Tights: Target ($8)

Shoes: BCBG at Boscov's (scored 'em for $20! I know, right?)

What do you think of the darker locks? Am I working them?

Highlighter Legs

I made a terrible, no good, very bad mistake. I cut my own bangs. By cut my own bangs, I mean I botched them all to hell. As a result, I ended up at a hairdresser near me because I needed someone else to salvage them. For all of my YouTube video watching, I still killed them. Good grief.

In addition, I cannot successfully sport ombre hair. Maybe it could look good on me, but when I look in the mirror, I find I'm staring at my roots, my horrifically overgrown roots. I think I'm too obsessive compulsive for the ombre look, so the stylist put a "glaze" on my hair. (Recently, I've become too cheap for highlights.) 

I'm digging it...for now. I do change my hair as often as some people change their underwear. (Some very dirty people, I suppose.) 

On with scheduled programming...

Please meet the highlighters on my legs.

They look much tamer on camera than in person.

Sweater & Pants: Gap ($44 for both! Thank you, black friday.)

Boots: Steve Madden

Jacket: Wilson's leather ($41 down from $180)

Necklace: The Limited ($10, I think)

Please enjoy this picture of our pitiful pup, Squirt, and part of Jeff's pajama pants, which match my new gingham shirt. BAM. 

Thanksgiving Number 2

On Saturday, we celebrated a second Thanksgiving with Jeff's family. At first, Jeff put on a wrinkled t-shirt. I informed him that he needed to change, and this was his change. Hotness. I love a simple, white polo and blue jeans! 

I opted for an burnt orange sweater, matching scarf, and boots. I figured burnt orange was a very fall color. No?

This leather jacket? I have been looking for one for a long time, but they were all too short or too cheap looking or too expensive. This one, I found on Black Friday! I bought it at Wilson's Leather for $41 down from $180. You're impressed, right? I am, too.

Also, I've been looking for a versatile brown and black purse. Everything has been either too expensive, not exactly what I'm looking for, or not big enough. This one had handles to hold or a strap to make it a crossbody bag. It has four pockets, and it's wonderful. Please note that I very rarely buy purses. (I bought two on Black Friday because I was actually willing to pay the prices.)

Edit: I forgot to add this article about the meaning of Black Friday, which I fully intended to include! I am still not sure about the validity of articles from About.com. 

Sweater: Target ($15-size small)

Jeans: The Limited (on super sale last year)

Boots: Franco Sarto from Marshall's ($99)

Scarf: Francesca's 

Leather Jacket: Wilson's Leather ($41)

Purse: Naturalizer ($30 down from $60)

Please enjoy this picture of Jeff jumping on one foot and singing Disney songs. Nothing sexier than a man comfortable enough with himself to act foolishly during a game of Disney Cranium. (How can we say no to our niece?)

Hanging out at Jeff's sister's house was so relaxing. We ate a delicious meal, sat in front of the fire, enjoyed some hot tea, and shared some wonderful conversation. This year, I'm thankful that I married into a sweet family :)

Mustard Gingham Style

I think I need to dye my hair, not because I can't rock ombre hair, but because I found my first silver hair. Well, an army of them. Let me tell you what: those magnification mirrors are the work of the devil. I use them to pluck my eyebrows, and that's when I found a silver hair. Since it looked all shimmery (versus a dull gray), I figured I could pretend to be half unicorn. That way, I won't cry. If I do cry, it will be magical. 

Since Jeff has four white "spots" on his head, he told me to let it happen because it's "cool!" He said, later on, I'd be the "hot mom with silver streaks." I'm not feeling it, guys. Thanks for being supportive, honey. 

Anyway, please enjoy today's Thanksgiving outfit. I didn't actually gorge myself this Thanksgiving. Our house was so hot from the oven going all day that I didn't even want to eat. I just wanted to pound five bottles of water. 

Also, I would like for you to know that I think the "no white after Labor Day" rule is stupid and has always been stupid...in my humble opinion. Consider this: every season, we pull the colors that we wear from our natural surroundings. This fall, we see leaves changing and beautiful colors like mustard, dark green, and maroon (three of the season's hot colors). If this statement is true, and I believe it is, then why can't you wear white in a season THAT BRINGS SNOW? Snow is white. (Snow White, duh.) Unless it's on the ground and a dog or a drunk frat boy peed on it. Therefore, we can wear white in the winter, too. If we can wear white in summer and winter, then we can wear it whenever the crap we want.

If you would like to read about the history of this fashion "rule," see this article from Time magazine. You're welcome. 

Button down (or is it up?): Old Navy (this summer)

Cardigan: Target (current) - $15

Pants: Forever 21 (current) - $19.80

Red wedges: DSW (current) - $35

Red belt: was my mom's back in the day :)

Necklace (which you can see in the pictures below): Stella & Dot

Now, please enjoy my husband's and my iPhone self portrait session. His faces are hysterical.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :)

I bought a boy's shirt.

Before I show you today's outfit, allow me to show you today's purchase, a boy's shirt. Yes, I plan to wear it. Since my top half is built like a twelve-year-old boy, this shirt fits quite perfectly. I am not letting you see the bottom of it because I'm not wearing pants. I'm sorry that you know that information now, but I felt it was important to let you know. Rest assured that the hemline reaches past my behind. AWESOME. I find a lot of women's shirts are too short. I really am built like a twelve-year-old boy. 

Also, this top was $12.99 at Target. (It's a size "large.")

               

I originally wanted this shirt from J.Crew, but they didn't really have my perfect size, and it was  $34.50 (even if I got 30% off, it'd still be more than I'd want to spend). As a result, I said no.

Tell me you're proud. I need to hear it (er, read it?). My mom said, "that's my savvy little shopper!" Mommy loves me.

Without further ado, here is today's outfit, which was mighty comfortable. Don't ask me why I forgot to remove my sunglasses. Just start singing, "I wear my suuuunglasses at night" in your head, and all will be well. Unless you kill cats when you sing. In that case, all will not be well.

 I love this coat because the liner is thick and so soft. Can you believe I found it for $20 at Forever 21? Woot woot.

Top: Old Navy (size small)

Scarf: Friend brought it to me from India! I love it. 

Mustard-colored pants: Target (size 5)

Boots: Steve Madden (last year)

Do you find clothes in unexpected places? Do tell.

Oh, and Happy Early Turkey Day! :)

Fields of Gold

Okay, there are no fields, but there is some gold in this post, and what a great song by Sting. Right?

I can only imagine what my neighbors or the people who drive on that busy road behind my house wonder as they watch me moving around a camera tripod in my backyard. At least I am taking pictures of me and not them, which would be creepier.

At one point this year, I told my mom that I'm not a fan of gold. I said something about how it doesn't look good on me, and blah, blah, blah. Silver is better. Blah, blah, blah. Hot dog, have I proven myself to be a big, fat liar. I have bought gold shoes, this gold necklace, this gold top (can't really see the gold in this picture because I need to improve my self-protrait skills), and I'm sure there's more to come. 

I wanted you to see my Sasha Fierce face. And there you have it.

It's not sunny outside, but I'm squinting. I think I'm actually mean mugging the self timer on my camera.

Blazer & Necklace: NY & Co.
Pants: The Limited (and they're not skinny pants! WHAT!?)
Shoes & Purse: Marshalls (pretty sure the shoes are Aerosoles, but fact checking requires movement, which I don't intend on doing)
Shirt: The Limited (on sale, hooray!)

I know that, yesterday, I posted about picture poses to strike, but this one hand on the other arm thing does not work as well for me as it does for other ladies. I feel super awkward (big surprise there). I'd like to say it's because I was wearing a blazer, and they're not always the most flexible items of clothing, but, if I'm being honest, I know it's just because I'm a little bit like Gumby.

I'd like to add some color to this outfit. What would you suggest?

Since it's November, I shall tell you something that I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for not having killed a child this week. I'm not saying I haven't had to talk myself out of it, but at least I'm not being carried away in handcuffs because for the millionth time, a kid has asked me the question that I just answered...three times. Keep calm and teach on, Wo.

10 Picture Poses to Strike

So, I follow a lot of fashion blogs. I won't actually tell you how many because I'm not sure whether or not I should be ashamed about it. Until I figure out which emotion I should feel, I'll keep my ever-growing number a secret. 

Since I browse so many blogs, I have started to pick up on some key poses that seem to flatter many body types. I thought I would share some of these poses with you. 

For the record, these poses do not apply to just people who write fashion blogs. These poses are supposed to help every girl find a few poses that work for her when she's posing by herself in a picture. I'm sure you have engagement photos, wedding photos, holiday photos, and other photos that might require you to pose alone. If so, these poses give you a nice little 

Pose #1: You Put Your Hand Up On Your Hip...

(Did you just have a 90s flashback? Good.)

One arm at hip, shoulders back, and other arm at side  (feel free to rest this hand on your leg or put the thumb of this hand through your belt loop)

J's Everyday Fashion

Pose #2: Purse as prop***

To showcase your purse/bracelet(s) and prevent at least one arm from looking awkward, hold the purse in the crook of your elbow and bring your hand up. You can place the other hand on your hip, in your pants pocket, on your belly (like the lovely blogger below), or rested on your leg.

Marionberry Style

What I Wore

Banana Republic

Pose #3: Purse on shoulder

Maybe you're feeling bloated on this day, and you want to show your outfit without showing your midsection. Make it look like you're showcasing your purse/bracelet(s) by slightly turning to the side, bending one knee, and putting that same foot farther back. Place your other hand in your pocket, on your leg, or on your hip. Just don't hide if behind your back. 

Pose #4: Hands in pockets

I recommend not putting your entire hand into your pockets; otherwise, you look handless, and that's kind of weird unless you actually have no hands. In that case, I don't mean to be handist. I have nothing against handless people, just something against people who make it look like they're handless when they're really not. 

Pose #5: Hands on lapels*** 

Sometimes, I don't know where to put my hands. I feel like they're just hanging around wondering, "hey, where do you plan to put us?" This pose solves the problem. 

Banana Republic

P.S. I love this outfit!

Pose #6: Embrace the Awkward

Just do something awkward and go with it, especially if you're awkward in real life. 

Pose #6: Hide yo' face***

Sometimes, I don't like my make up, or I don't feel like making googly eyes at the camera. This pose allows the shot to look a little more candid, and I don't feel like people can zoom in on my nose hairs. Turning your head a bit makes you look desirable yet unattainable. Ow ow. 

Pose #7: Look back

Show off your 'donk. Enough said.

Pose #8: The New Artsy Shots

Gone are the days of foggy bathroom shots. Here to stay (for a hot second) are the days of downward shots. Hey, and it has a slimming effect?

Detail shots are also pretty artsy (some are even quite frame worthy.)

My wedding shot (by Eric Stocklin) is a pretty good example.

Pose #9: Cross Your Legs!***

Crossing your legs helps make your hips look less wide. I like this model's shot because her shoulders sort of match the way her legs are crossed. Plus, one hand is in a pocket. Looks sharp. 

 Banana Republic

 Pose #10: Hold your elbow***

I didn't know what to call this pose, and the title of it makes it sound awkward, but this pose is HUGE among fashion bloggers. And they don't look awkward striking this pose. Hey, even the models for Banana Republic are doing it. You know it's legit now.

Banana Republic

***These shots are some of the most common ones I see.