Blue Collar Catwalk

day 31: have you met ... fab finds under $50?

2012-05-31T10:00:00.000-04:00

Have you met Kimberly from Fab Finds Under $50?

I've been reading her blog for several years and love her for many reasons:

1. She smart! I'm pretty sure she's an engineer or architect (help me out here, Kimberly).

2. She's also beautiful! I've never met Kimberly, but I'm fairly certain I'd love her. She strikes me as a very kind and ground person. She's also taken on her own personal transformation over the last year or so that has been so much fun to witness through her daily outfit posts.

3. She finds inspiration everywhere and shares it! I love seeing the picture of blog spot that planted the idea for an outfit. I hope to get better at posting my own inspiration soon!

4. Hello! She shops on a budget! Just like the title suggests, 99.9% of everything Kimberly wears is $50 or under. She's also a super saavy thrifter.

So, are you interested, yet? Hop on over and say hi!

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day 30: my healthy lifestyle

2012-05-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I try me best to lead a healthy lifestyle. Since losing 30 pounds nearly 4 years ago, I've made healthy eating and exercise a regular part of my daily routine. While I focus most on these two aspects of healthy living, there's so much more to it. And the older I get, the more I realize how important my mental and emotional health is.

I don't want this to be a preachy post, and quite frankly, don't have the energy to delve head first into developing a healthy mind, body and soul. I will, however, leave you with a little list of things I try to prioritize that make me a happy, healthy and balanced lady.

1. Exercise regulary. Preferably with a goal in mind, which is why I'm always training for a race. The cardio strengthens my body while the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a training routine or set a new personal record strengthens my confidence. And roller derby has been such a gift! Not only do I get lots of exercise, but the competitive edge and downright physical nature of the sport work as the best stress relief ever! It certainly doesn't hurt that my leaguemates make great friends and confidantes!

2. Shoot for 8 hours of sleep every night. Okay, this doesn't always happen, but if I can get 8 hours at least 2 nights and week and no less than 7 for the remaining 5 nights, then I am a much kinder, more patient person. I also find that when I'm well-rested, I'm more likely to take the extra steps to make healthier choices, whether it's exercise or eating.

3. Indulge a little. If I'm going to keep this up for the rest of my life, then I have to enjoy it! Sweets are my achilles heel. I try my best to limit them, but when I want to indulge, I don't skimp. I'd rather have something once in a great while or have a little bit every now and then than replace it with something lackluster and not-so-satisfying.

4. Maintain connections with others. I'm so bad at getting in a zone and completely forgetting about cultivating relationships with others. I would definitely consider myself an outgoing individual, but if I don't see people on a regular basis, I'm not very good at seeking out their company. Even John and I have to be intentional about the time we spend together. I treasure the moments we get to go out to breakfast and just talk. It's amazing the impact bottled-up emotions can have on everything else in your life. Talking things out is sometimes the only way to get around them.

5. More pampering. I'm also really bad at this one. Recently, I've made a real effort to do little things like paint my nails and visit the salon more often. I always feel so refreshed and instantly pulled together when I do so. Why am I always putting it off?!

What do you do to find balance and lead a healthy lifestyle?

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day 29: an interview with stella says go

2012-05-30T17:17:00.001-04:00

When I was in Texas this past March, I had the extreme pleasure of working with Stella Says Go as their brand ambassador for the Tecas Style Council Conference. I absolutely loved working with the store's owners Natalie and Amy. Not only were they totally down to earth, generous and just all around fun ladies, they are also small business owners. I just stand in awe when I meet people who take on opening their own retail business and then work to expand it to an online business. Thank to the internets, the possibilities are endless!

Natalie was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. If you want to know more, you can find Stella Say Go at their online store, Blog, Twitter and Facebook. Link up!

(Side note: I just went to their site to retrieve all of their links and got completely distracted by the new arrivals. Bright colors and shiny objects...)

Tell us a little bit about your business and how long you've been established.

Stella Says Go opened in 2010. We are a shoe store in Austin, Texas, dedicated to the concept that shoes can be cute, comfortable, and affordable.

In what phase of your life did you decide to persue your own business venture?

I am a mother of four-year-old twins, so this has definitely been a busy time to launch a new business. It would have been impossible for me if not for a partnership with Amy. She, meanwhile, has gotten married since we opened, and is now expecting her first baby in the fall, so it's been a time of transition in her life from single to family. Starting and running a business is really time- and brain-consuming. There is no real work/life balance; it's more like flow from personal life to work life, and figuring out how to control that flow. In many ways, having a business is like having another child, in that you want to nurture it and help it to grow. A lot of you goes into the business.

More specifically, what made you decide to open a boutique?

I moved to Austin in 2008, and my business partner Amy Filbin moved here the following fall. Coming from California and New York, respectively, we both love independently owned stores and both had our favorites in San Francisco and New York. We found that there were many great clothing boutiques here in Austin, but very few independently owned shoe stores, none of which focused on really cute, unique shoes. Amy and I share a mutual friend, Llyndara Harbor, owner of Stella-Mae in Burlington, VT. Her shoe store added clothing a few years ago, and has been in business for 9 years. We asked her to open a second store here in Austin that we could run, and instead she encouraged us to open our own store, which we ended up doing.

What were your biggest fears when you started your business?

That no one would come in! But it is really true what they say -- if you build it, they will come, and we started selling shoes from the moment that the doors opened. More importantly (and more seriously), I did worry that we wouldn't be able to effectively do all that needed to be done to manage the business, because there is just so much to do..

What did you learn about your strength in over-coming those fears?

Having two people and a plan really helps. First of all, having another person to bounce ideas off of is invaluable. Also, partners are helpful because when one person gets down, the other can be the voice of optimism, or reason, or goofiness, if that is what's required. Writing things down, setting goals, and having priorities helps to push through as well.

What's the best part of owning your own shop?

The best thing for both of us is being able to create and work for our dream, not the dream of some faceless, huge corporation. We feel like we are in control, which is great. And, we love our customers.

Any words of wisdom for all the budding entreprenuers out there?

Make a business plan! Find a great partner! Have confidence! Realize that it costs a lot of money to start a boutique, but there are always ways to start small and work up to a store.

Lastly, what would you be doing right now if you hadn't started your own business?

Before opening the store, I had started working as a wedding and family photographer, so I would probably be pursuing that. Amy would be working in energy conservation.

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day 28: 5 facts about my family

2012-05-29T21:05:00.001-04:00

I threw this little post in the #31bloggingdays challenge, because I almost never talk about my family on my blog. So, here's a little peek into my past, present and future!

1. My parents are both 1 of 5 kids, which has always made for amazing family holidays growing up. The cousins are now all over the place with their own families, so the usual crowd has dwindled, but I will always look back on my childhood holidays and reunions with great fondness.

2. My parents have been married for 33 years! I think that's awesome and take great pride in their accomplishment.

3. I have a little brother who is 5 years younger than me. When we were young, we were always in two very different places, but I love that the older we get, the better friends we become. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved him. It's just really neat to see that love turn into a deeper relationship of friendship and respect.

4. On my mom's side of the family, almost all of the girls' names start with the letter K. Needless to say, it would get a little confusing!

5. On my dad's side of the family, there's a 20-year spread between my dad and his oldest brother (with 3 siblings in between). I've always thought is was funny that his first neice and nephew were only a couple of years younger than him. It also means that my grandmother was 40-something when she had my dad - not a big deal now, but almost scandalous in the late 1950's!

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giveaway: win $50 to shabby apple

2012-05-29T07:02:00.002-04:00

Shabby Apple has such well-curated collection of swoon-worthy dressed, and one of them could be yours! Enter to win a $50 gift card to use towards the item of your choice at Shabby Apple!

To enter, just do the following 2 things:

1. Visit Shabby Apple and tell me your favorite piece in the comments.

2. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook.

That's it! Good luck!

Contest will run until midnight on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

Must have a US shipping address to win.

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day 24: one item three ways

2012-05-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, I realize this dress has seen a lot of blog time, but you know what? If it ain't broke...

I love this dress on so many levels. For one, I feel fantastic in it. Both physically and mentally, it makes me feel on my A-game. But even more than that, it's sustainable fashion at it's best. Not only is it vintage, leaving little to no carbon footprint, it's also garnering a lot of wear, which means it's not likely to go back into the forgotten clothes pool for quite some time.

Here's just a few very different ways I've worn it in the last couple of months, proving that even the special dresses are not one trick ponies. Stay tuned, because I'm wearing it yet again in my next daily wears post!

Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend!

On a cool day with booties, socks and a sweater:

With some shiny shoes and a bright top:

Simple, yet updated with a pair of funky platforms:

Vintage dress via The Rag and Bone (get the look)
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day 22: a personal story

2012-05-27T09:39:00.003-04:00

I just read this post on the "loop" of creativity, productivity and the inevitable crash.

Let me just say: story of my life.

It seems only fitting to write about this vicious loop as I post my "personal story" 5 days later than my editorial calendar intended. To be honest, reading this post actually brought me relief. The loop he describes fits my life to a T. I can't tell you how many times I've sat in the dregs of unproductivity, beating myself up for losing my momentum.

But it's true. If you're a creative type, you push yourself beyond limits until you have little energy left for basic mental wellness. And such is life, the setback comes. I've found that the set back can be anything. As big or little as the set back may be, the result is always the same. It's like a balloon losing air as I whir and whiz into the ground. Crash and burn.

Earlier in the year when I sought help for other stuff in my life, I talked a lot about what I now know as the loop. My biggest problem and frustration at the time was not realizing it for what it was - a natural ebb and flow. I just kept asking How can you feel so alive and productive one minute and just lose it all the next? My therapist shrugged and simply said, "Inertia."

Inertia. That's it! It's all just physics. I can resist change and remain in the dregs, or I can find that one little outside force (sometimes just a cup of coffee and a quiet space) that will move my creativity just enough for inertia to take over. Because once the inertia kicks in, I'm on the move. Of course once I'm interrupted, that movement is likely to stop, but if I can just keep it in terms of simple physics, it's easier to manage. I can beat myself up for losing momentum or I can recognize the cycle, find that little flicker of potential energy, harness it and ride out the inertia once again.

How do you get moving after a creative crash? Does inertia work for you, too?

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for sale

2012-05-23T15:44:00.000-04:00

Did you fall in love with this dress like I did? Well, guess what.

It can be yours! That's right, it's up for sale in The Rag and Bone's Etsy shop.
Hurry up, because there's only one!
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un-color blocked

2012-05-23T13:59:00.001-04:00

Love this outfit, you guys. LOVE! It makes me feel way more modern, cool and minimalist than I actually am. The perfect completer was my new 'do from the one and only Mel of Portfolio Salon. Now, I just need it to grow in a bit. Not becuase I want it longer, but it just always takes me a few days to really get a hold on a new hairstyle. I do love me some change, though. That's the one thing I really like about having short hair. My hair grows so fast that I can literally change the style every couple of months.

I'm also a big fan of these shoes. They're like magical leg extenders! And I just happen to LOVE magical leg extenders. I've been jonesing for a pair of nude shoes for a while now, so these fit a unique place in my wardrobe. And of course, they're super walkable!

A couple of weeks ago, I returned a blazer to JCPenney's and was issued store credit, since I didn't have my receipt. The woman who helped me even gave me store credit in an amount $10 more than I paid for the jacket. I was honest and told her that was too much. She was confused and didn't know how to change it. So, lucky girl I am. I'm a pretty loyal JCPenney shopper - mostly because it's one of the only decent stores around here and their clothes usually fit me well. Lately, I've been even more of a fan since they've restructured their pricing. If you haven't shopped there in a while, I would definitely encourage you to check it out.

Alright, that's enough free gushing. On to my coffee and tart.

(Next time, I'll tell you more about how difficult these pants are to wear, but how I love them so. And how in these pictures, they are actually safety-pinned at the waist grade-school style. Always classy.)

JCPenney top, $18 (get it here)

ASOS pants, $20 (get the look)

JCPenney shoes, $25 (get your own)

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tartan and leopard

2012-05-22T15:21:00.001-04:00

Last week, Amanda sent me a Tweet with this picture. She said that they outfit reminded her of me and suggested that I recreate it. She really hit the nail on the head, because I fell in love with the look. So much so that I bought my first pair of heels in the last 3 years!

For the first time since I swore off stilettos, I've really been craving leaopard pumps lately. Unfortunately, I super high heel is just not going to happen for me. As I was looking through some random links, I came accross these. They are perfect! The print and pointed toe are just what I wanted and the reasonable 2" heel makes them completely wearable - even the day after running my half! Crazy, I know - but I just couldn't wait!

Macy's jacket, $25 (get the look)

Target tank, $8 (get the look)

Thrifted and deconstructed men's jeans, $4 (get the look)

Seychelles Accent pumps, $60 (get your own)

Thrifted Baekgaard tote, $6 (get the look)

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day 18: inspiration notebook DIY

2012-05-21T15:13:00.001-04:00

This is barely a DIY, but so useful nonetheless. I am an inspiration hoarder. That's right. I collect inspiring photos and magazing clippings to the point of unorganized clutter. While I love making inspiration boards, I don't have a proper place to display them. Not to mention, they take way too much time.

Last week, I decided to turn my inspired mess into a rightful inspiration book. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, so I bought a 5-pack of 3-hole punched report holders for less then $2. I simply lined up my pages on the straight edges, punched 3 holes in them and secured them in the cover. I even organized them into books by category: outfits, beauty, home, DIY, etc.

I love having so much inspiration at my fingertips and a place to make notes as to why each photo appealed to me or how I plan to recreate the looks. And I LOVE not having random piles of unorganized, thus unused, inspiration!

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day 16: body image and self talk

2012-05-21T14:31:00.000-04:00

Last week, Sal wrote this amazing post on finding a postive self-mantra. I couldn't believe how personally moved I felt by her words. I'm always the first to preach positive self-talk and positive body image, but lately, I've been the last to practice what I preach.

My recent struggles have left me with a lot of anger towards my body. I go to great lengths to take care of my body, and the fact that it's not returning the favor has left me pretty pissed off to say the least. While I never intend to say mean things to myself, the anger seems to have hijacked that inner kind voice, leaving the most critical words in its place.

When I read Sal's post, I initially thought, "Right on! I love a positive self-mantra!" Then, I went shopping. As I was in the dressing room trying on pants, I looked in the mirror and the first thought to cross my mind was, "Ugh, I'm so white, lumpy and see-through ... so gross." Suddenly, I was shocked. How could that be the first thought in my mind? When did I become so critical and unappreciative of this body? And what do I need to do to change my attitude?

It seemed a positive self-mantra was in order. This past week, I've made the effort to do just as Sal suggested. Find a mantra and say it out loud. My mantra? You are strong.

I can't say this small gesture has completely cured the problem, but it's made me so much more aware of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. I know that a mind filled with positive energy is far more productive than one filled with negative energy.

Last night while getting ready for bed, I made it a point to look in the mirror and thank my body for such an amazing experience. But even after all that, this morning I sat at my computer and scrutinized the photos of me running, zooming in on all the lumps and bumps I hated to see. As I lamented my thighs, it hit me. What are you doing? Are you kidding?! This body carried you across 13.1 miles of terrain for over 2 hours! Do you know how lucky you are?!

Reality check received. I seized those thoughts and immediately changed my focus to the photos that were more flattering ... and then did what any proud lady would do: I posted them on Facebook.

Do you have a positive self-mantra? What is it?

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day 21: weekend recap, marine corps historic half 2012

2012-05-21T11:27:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, John and I drove to Fredericksburg, Virginia with another couple (and their baby) to run the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon. I ran my first half a year and a half ago and had no intention of running another. But time heals all wounds, and lo and behold, here we are again. My first race was a really hard course, a very small crowd and incredibly anti-climatic - which all made the experience a little meh, to say the least.

After lots of research, I decided to run the Marine Corps Historic Half, because I loved the idea of running to support the troops and being awarded by a Marine with a finisher's medal at the finish. There were thousands of runners and hundreds of Marines. It was really inspiring/emotional to hear why certain people were running this race. Some had loved ones overseas. Some had lost loved ones overseas. Seeing SO MANY people come together in support was such an incredible experience. I even chose to run without any music just so I could soak it all in. I was shocked at how fast the time went by!

The weather was gorgeous, but warmed up quickly. I'm not great a running in the hot sun and haven't had much training in those conditions so far this year. I also managed to get a pinched nerve in my neck that morning, so had to make an emergency trip to WalMart and ran most of the race with a Tiger Balm patch on. Luckily, once I got going, I forgot about the pain and just powered through. Definitely not ideal, though.

I did manage to finish just a couple of minutes before my previous time, but more importantly, I finished super pumped about running another one. And learning to run it faster! Which is more than I can say for my first experience. I also didn't cry at mile 12 this time ... so, there's that.

Have you ever run a half marathon? Any ones in particular that you would recommend?

And they're off! It took 10 minutes for all the runners to cross the starting line. It was about 5-6 minutes until I crossed. I've never run in such a big race before, and it was AMAZING!

This was at mile 10. Also known as the start of the hardest 3 miles of my life - 2 of which were UPHILL! I was feeling pretty great, though. At this point, I kept thinking that it was only mile 9 - everything gets a little muddled in the middle. I didn't run with any music, but there was so much going on throughout the course that the time went by really fast!

The finish is in sight! It's so fitting that the top photo is so blurry, because that's exactly how I felt at the time. I spent the last mile chanting to myself "left, right, left right, left, right ..."

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day 20: comfort is key

2012-05-21T10:40:00.000-04:00

MICHAEL ANTONIO PLATFORMS:

Okay, I've raved about these shoes a million time. With good cause, though - because THEY ARE AWESOME! Not only do they look like something fierce right out of The Hunger Games, but I swear, they actually ARE comfortable! The platform is super high, but the rise is pretty shallow. Usually, fabric shoes tend to rub and pinch, but these aren't bad at all (and I have a wide foot). Also, the wide base makes them totally walkable. So, I wouldn't wear these to traipse around a giant city for a day, but they easily take me through a normal work day.

Michael Antonio Alura Heels (now on sale!)

(tip: size down a half size)

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peplums and palazzos

2012-05-18T23:13:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm a little behind on my #31bloggingdays project, but considering everything I've got going on these days, I'm pretty happy with my progress so far. I'm over halfway done, and so far, I've only missed 3 posts. And I fully intend to make them up!

Until then, here's an outfit. A late-night outfit at that. I loved the unique silhouette of this outfit and how the peplum just floated over the wide leg trousers. And nothing makes a more perfect topper than my mom's vintage Wrangler jean jacket.

Happy Friday, everyone! We made it!

TJMaxx top, $6 (get the look)

Vintage jacket, was my mom's! (get the look - worth every penny - mine is 35+ years old!)

ASOS pants, last year (get the look)

Really old shoes (get the look)

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vintage neon

2012-05-17T22:46:00.000-04:00

There's nothing I can say about this outfit that would truly do justice to the way it makes me feel.

Let's just say ... love, love, LOVE!

This skirt is one of my favorite vintage pieces of all time from my favorite vintage shop The Rag and Bone. Want some unique vintage of your own? Check out the collection I curated for The Rag and Bone's Etsy shop. I seriously want to buy every single piece for myself! And you may even see a piece or two that you've seen here - FOR SALE!

Vintage skirt via The Rag and Bone (get the look)

JCPenney blouse, $15 (get the look)

The Loft sandals, $20 (get the look)

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day 17: have you met ... seeking style?

2012-05-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

Jennifer is the beauty behind the person style(seeking) blog Seeking Style. She's become one of my daily reads with her sense of humor and model-esque photos. If you haven't met her, do yourself a favor and go now.

What are you still doing here? Go! Now!

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day 15: an interview with shelley

2012-05-16T16:39:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited to introduce you to Shelley! Shelley is the proud owner of the The Rag and Bone, my favorite brick and mortar and Etsy vintage seller. I met shelley many years ago (like 7+ years ago?!) at my then job. We've kept in contact ever since, and I've had the pleasure of collaborating with her on many projects. Living in a small town, I'm finding the true value in being able to work with creative and independent people like Shelley.

You can find her at The Rag and Bone in State College and on Etsy. Get the latest news from The Rag and Bone on both Twitter and Facebook.

Tell us a little bit about your business and how long you've been established.

The Rag and Bone is a vintage boutique for women and men specializing in vintage clothing and accessories primarily from the 1940's through the 1980's.
I opened the shop in August of 1995 - almost 17 years ago now. In addition, I recently opened an online shop through Etsy, which I'm excited to be building up as well.

In what phase of your life did you decide to persue your own business venture?

Through college and just after graduation, I did several internships in my major of advertising. That experience made me realize the office cubicle was not where I wanted to spend 8 hours a day.
I started exploring the idea of opening a vintage shop because I was very interested in the idea of working for myself, doing something I was passionate about and that filled a void in the town I decided to set up shop.

More specifically, what made you decide to open a boutique?

State College, where my shop is located, is home to Penn State University which has a student population of over 40,000 students. There was not a vintage shop in town when I opened so I figured with 40,000 students, there must be a handful that like vintage, so why not try it out here. On a personal note, opening a boutique for me meant an amazing challenge doing something I loved and was interested in sharing with others.

What were your biggest fears when you started your business?

I built it, but would they come??? I had a lot to learn about running a retail business which I had zero knowledge of, so naturally I worried as any babe in the woods would. But I also started off very small and conservatively, meaning I didn't get myself into a lot of debt to start, so if I could see it wasn't going to work out I could get out of it easily with a killer yard sale.

What did you learn about your strength in over-coming those fears?

That I'm super duper stubborn which can certainly be a strength in business. Also, that I'm not afraid of hard work and a challenge when doing something I love. And finally, that the things you fear because they are unfamiliar or not mastered yet always end up the things you feel most proud of once you've learned it and mastered it with perseverance.

What's the best part of owning your own shop?

Doing things the way I want, having creative freedom, having control over my schedule, the feeling of pride and achievement as I build it. I think sometimes I'm a bit too emotionally attached to the shop like its an entity in itself versus just a business that makes a buck because it's definitely an extension of me. My mark is all over it, but I just can't imagine it any other way.

Any words of wisdom for all the budding entreprenuers out there?

Despite being in business for myself for a good number of years, I still find myself seeking out and scribbling down little motivational quotes I read here and there to stay inspired and empowered. Here's the latest one I found and liked:
Behind every success is effort. Behind every effort is passion. Behind every passion is a chance that someone took at being wrong.

Lastly, what would you be doing right now if you hadn't started your own business?

If I had ended up in that cubicle for any length of time, the longer I stayed, the harder I think it would have been to break out. It's easy to get conditioned to think its okay to hate your job. I think I would have eventually come around but it is scary to take chances and get out of the comfort zone, especially the older you get. But now I know, it's never too late. Anther quote: It's better to begin in the evening that not at all.

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pajama chic

2012-05-15T17:02:00.001-04:00

Haha. I totally made John use the words "pajama chic" when he told me that I looked nice. Yes, I find really stupid things quite amusing.

Either way, I did feel like I looked rather nice, and I was essentially wearing fancy pajamas. Having seen it pop up everywhere, I've been loving the PJ trend. I just hadn't found a way to work it into my own style.

The combination of the sheer shirt, subtle piping and wide-leg pants hit the perfect note for not only my style, but also my body type. This is why you never get rid of polka dot pants that cost you 30¢ - you just never know when they may come in handy!

JCPenney shirt, $8 (get the look)

Thrifted pants, 30¢ (get the look)

Aerosole blackjack heels, $30 (get the look)

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day 14: 5 facts about me

2012-05-14T16:03:00.003-04:00

Hmm ... 5 things that I haven't mentioned here before? That will be tricky.

1. I've always had a dog my entire life: Sloan, Bowser, Bosco, Oscar, Ebby, Bok Choy, Felix, Iggy Pop and Mr. Beans. A couple of those are my parents' dogs, but I love them all the same!

2. I always read magazine backwards, but I think I've mentioned that before.

3. I was a cheerleader for 9 years from grade school through high school. Surprising no one, I'm sure.

4. I love to dance. Unleash me in a dive bar with a sub-par cover band and I'll tear the place up!

5. I hate having blood taken and getting IV's. Sure, no one likes this, but I really hate it. Tattoos and piercings don't bother me at all, but the mere thought of medical needle stuff makes my stomach turn.

Now, tell me 5 facts about you!

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day 11: easy cut-out blazer DIY

2012-05-14T15:53:00.002-04:00

* I used a faux leather binding, which made the opening a little too stiff. Play around with finishing techniques that work best for you!

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day 13: new series, comfort is key

2012-05-14T11:36:00.001-04:00

I really try to make it a mission of my personal style and this blog to focus on realistic, accessible fashion. I wear so many hats on any given day that my clothing needs to be comfortable, utilitarian and most importantly, not in my way. So, in the spirit of #31bloggingdays, I've decided to take Sundays (or Monday when I'm slacking) to showcase some of my most comfortable wardrobe workhorses.

AEROSOLES BLACKJACK SANDALS:

I bought these on super clearance at the very end of summer last year. I barely got to wear them before packing them away for the winter, but this year, I am forever grateful to my former self for seeing the value, versatility and comfort in these babies.

Why are they so comfy? Let's see:

1. They are Aerosoles, which means they are super soft and flexible. I've never gotten a blister wearing them, and the heel is more than manageable even for me.

2. Comfort extends beyond fit and encompasses my overall feeling in my clothes. These add just enough height and style to make me feel great without impeding my daily activities like walking.

3. I think I paid $30 for them. That included about $10 for shipping. So, needless to say, my bank account remains quite comfy!

Get a similar look and feel here or here.

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day 12: career gal

2012-05-14T11:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm a little behind on my #31bloggingdays, but I have every intention of getting caught up and posting for every single topic! Until then, enjoy these posts in no particular order.

My main intention for including something like "Career Gal" in the #31bloggingdays challenge was to create a space to talk about the stuff I do in my real life. You know, to pay the bills and all. For the last few years, I've worked part time at the same company. It's one of those jobs that can easily take over all of your personal time if you let it, so I've taken great steps - in the last few months especially - to really start structuring my personal time. While I love my job, I would not consider it my career. Ugh, I hate that word. I guess because I've never been able to decide on that one thing I want to do for the rest of my life. I'm always looking for something new and am just not wired to work at the same job for rest of my life.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to work part time and still live comfortably. I've always valued my time more than money, so while I may never be rich, I will be happy and I have no problem sacrificing the finer things in life for precious moments of time that no amount of money can buy.

That being said, I still manage to work around the clock. I do a some freelance graphic design here and there, work a few hours a week doing marketing materials for a beer distributor, taking pictures for a local vintage shop, and blogging among other things. It's really important to me to do the things that bring me joy. Maybe that's an extremely idealized world view, but I just don't see the point in spending the marjority of your life in a position that stresses you out. That position is different for everyone, and I'm sure that there are thousands of people out there who love their careers. For me, the simple act of working for someone else stresses me out. I want to be self-reliant. I want to use my skills to create my own niche in the world. I want to be in control of my time, my income and my destiny.

Over the last couple of years, I've been taking the teeny tiniest baby steps toward the one thing I think I could do forever. Last year, I finally launched a wardrobe consulting service here in my small town. My ideas were grand, the execution was lacking. I kind of hit a wall. Luckily, over the last couple of months, I've had a great stroke of luck. Somehow, I landed myself a few clients! It's always fear that holds me back. I know that. I've even written about it. And I think the fear of working with real people - putting myself out there in a big way - was paralyzing me and my new business.

Things always happen for a reason, though. Little by little, I started putting myself out there. And little by little, I've started seeing some interest. I'm not only selling myself, but I'm selling a brand new concept is this area, and I'm finally starting to find a market! This is not to say that things are booming by any means, but I have managed to actually get paid for my dream job! Does it get any better than that?! As I write this, I'm pumping myself up all over again, thinking about how much I love doing what I'm really good at: styling clothes and helping people.

This post hasn't had a whole lot of direction and perhaps even lacks a point. I guess I just wanted an outlet for accountability. A place to write my goals, so that I can push myself to take the steps to get there. I'll continue to write about my experiences from time to time. They have been amazing! For now, my next step is clear: marketing, marketing, marketing. This month, I will focus on telling more people about my business, which means taking all those cards I've had on hand for months and distributing them around town. That's a good start for now. I'll be back in a couple of weeks to let you know how I'm doing. Wish me luck!

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bibs and kimono

2012-05-11T13:19:00.003-04:00

I pretty much lived in this outfit last weekend. And there's a pretty good chance I'm going to do the same this weekend. It's just too comfy, but with that one thing I love in a good outfit: the combination of seemingly opposite pieces, like this Asian-inspired kimono jacket paired with all-American overalls. While it may not be for everyone, it's certainly for me!

Target had a bunch of these little jackets in the beginning of the spring. I tried them on, but just couldn't decide on which pattern I liked or if I would truly wear it. Well, lucky for me, this one popped up on the clearance rack a couple of weeks ago. For $13, I decided I could at least get my money's worth. Now, I think it's safe to say I've not only gotten my $13 out of it, but it's about to see a lot of play this spring. It looks super slick paired over all black, laid-back with a t-shirt and long flared denim and ready for anything with a tank and cut-offs - you know, just to give you a couple of ideas.

Well, kids, we made it to Friday! I'm already done with my commitments for the day and intend to spend the rest of the day blogging, finishing up some odds and ends, eating fro-yo and recovering from this morning's 12-miler. Nine days until my half! Honestly, I'm so ready to be done with the pain.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! Check back later for a couple of DIY's and the weekend's posts for my #31blogging days. See you on the flip side!

Target kimono jacket, $13 (get the look)

TJMaxx AE overalls, $15 (get the look)

Cropped Hanes mens tank

Aerosoles Blackjack sandals, $30 on crazy sale! (get the look)

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color-blocked and cobalt blue

2012-05-10T21:01:00.000-04:00

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty much in love with my outfits this week. I love the weeks where the inspiration is plenty and the creativity flows! It's especially nice when the weather is so springy - and by springy, I mean overcast and rainy.

This outfit was so streamlined and yet, so comfortable! I was on the road all day, so soft knits were perfect. The bright colors, sportswear and floral are everything I'm loving in spring trends right now. It has such a sophisticated, yet playful and fun vibe. Just like me! Haha!

Macy's jacket, $25 (get the look)

Target tank and skirt, $7 and $12 (get the look)

Michael Antonio shoes, $60 (get your own!)

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