What'd I Say?

Fall Wishlist by mary_lou86 featuring a platform peep toe pump

Did I say that fall wasn't here yet? Apparently its here now. I mean right after I said that it was warm the weather changed The one nice thing about living in Texas is that you never know what to expect when it comes to weather. Why is that nice? I don't know, because I said so I guess.

Here's another wish list, I love using Polyvore. Ever since I saw Kendi wearing a chambray button up I have been wanting one. I also want a striped top and purple suede shoes. The oxfords, boyfriend blazer, and skinny jeans would be great staples... and my skinny jeans are worn out.

Anyway, here is what I wore the other night. The top and jewlery I had on with my work pants, but changed into jeans before heading to teach English.

Tank: Target

Top: LOFT

Jeans: Abercrobie via Plato's Closet

Earrings: Sam Moon

Necklace: Epcot in Disney World

This is the first time I've worn this necklace. I got it when I went to Disney World a couple years ago. At the Japanese pavilion in Epcot you can pick out a clam for a pearl inside. Mine is a cute little 7mm and is so perfectly pearly white! When they show you your pearl they make such a big deal cleaning and measuring it, its a lot of fun. It matches my cheapo Sam Moon earrings too!

Half of Half, Richardson

This week I decided to try out the store Half of Half in Richardson. They claim to have tons of name brand clothing for very cheap and they get new stock every Tuesday. So, I stopped by after work on Wednesday so I could see all the new things. Oh, and of course I printed the $5 off of a $25 purchase coupon on their site.

When I drove up to the store I could already see that it was pretty messy inside. First I looked through the $3 racks outside. Am I the only one that feels weird looking through the cheap racks outside for all to see as they drive by? So far the clothes looked out of date and badly damaged. Inside I went through all the shoes and found nothing. There were a few name brands, several damaged, and I also saw some Walmart brand heels.

Next I went through the new stuff they just got in. There were clothes from Ann Taylor, LOFT, Chico's, and some department store brands. I saw a couple sweaters, but they had holes in the arms and weren't cheap enough to be worth a refashion. In the back they had overstuffed racks of clothes that just didn't pull me in. Pants and sweaters and dresses and tops all mixed together. They were organized by XS through XL. They also had a rack full of Micheal Stars t-shirts.

I tried on a jacket from LOFT that was too short, a sweater from Lord and Taylor that looked wrong on me, and decided I'd had enough. But, determined to find something, I looked through the bins of jewelry near the check out counter and found unimpressive department store jewelry. Empty handed and frustrated that I had wasted my time I left with nothing. I didn't notice belts or purses and I didn't even look at the dresses, but I don't think I missed much.

My conclusion? Don't bother. The Salvation Army organizes their stuff better.

But, everything was better when I got home to my wonderful husband making broiled salmon with rosemary. It was perfect!

After dinner I ran to Target and happily found this belt that I've wanting, on clearance, in my size :)

Not Yet

  

Top: Salvation Army - Refashioned by Me
Pants: Kohls
Earrings: Target

I live in Texas and it's not even Fall yet. Seriously, I'm wearing sleeveless tops and open toed shoes! I love it. I'm not looking forward to winter.

I bought this 100% silk top at the Salvation Army for about $2. The silk feels to nice, hangs perfectly, and I love the color. Here's the "before" picture.

I removed the sleeves, collar, and pockets. I used the collar stay and cut the sleeves up to make the little ties. Here are a few pictures of some of the steps I took.

After taking it all apart I cut across the chest. I know its a little difficult to see.

I gathered the bottom part and sewed it back together.

I took it in on the side. Then gathered and sewing across the chest threw off the sides a little, but I evened it up.

Then I trimmed the neckline into a V shape.

Then I put the collar stay back on.

I cut bias strips from the sleeves to create the ties for the neck. Don't mind the sleeve pattern piece. I was thinking about making sleeves, but cut more bias pieces again to bind off the armholes.

Sorry I didn't take pictures of putting the ties on. I also hemmed the back because when I sewed the sides back together the front and back were uneven.

Red, Cream, and Navy

  

Top: LOFT ($8!)

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Ross

Necklace: Can't remember

I really like this top. I picked it up this week during LOFT's 50% off their sale styles event. Usually by the time they bring their sales down this low it gets pretty difficult to find anything left in my size. Ok, what I really should say is its difficult to find something extremely cheap that I like in my size. I'm afraid my demands when shopping are pretty high. I think it would look even better with a printed pencil skirt and a big chunky necklace. I really should get off the computer and start sewing... I have so many ideas and plans, which would help diversify my meager work wardrobe.

Structure

Top: LOFT
Skirt: NY & Co.
Shoes: Nine West
Jewelry: American Eagle

I love the structure of this top and skirt. But, they're also really comfortable because they're both made from stretchy knits.

I'm really starting to wish for some new shoes especially boots! I wish I knew about some good thrift stores around here... I can't seem to find any reviews on any online. I guess I'm going to have to explore and write some myself. There is something depressing about walking into a thrift store, so much to dig through for a possible find. But, maybe I'm looking at it all the wrong way. Here's a little wish list of three different types of shoes I want for the fall.

Fall Shoe Wish List by mary_lou86 featuring brogue boots

I first want some high heeled oxfords and especially love the ones with the cutout. Next I want a pair of bright purple suede heels. I guess I should go with regular sized boots, but living in Dallas where cold weather lasts for about 3 weeks, they don't seem as practical as booties.

Silly Toys

Tank: H&M
Top: Made by Me
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Nine West
Belt: LOFT
Necklace: Claires
Earrings: Samoon

Only after my pictures do I notice all of the toys at my feet. I really should take more notice of my surroundings.

I love these shoes. A couple years ago I ordered a jacket at Nine West, but it fit weird and when I went to return it, they gave me store credit. I was so mad! I can't remember why I thought I should get my money back. Anyway, I tried to purchase several items under $20 each so that I could return them and get cash back. The girl at the register figured it out (I wasn't trying to hide anything, by-the-way) and said "Are you just trying to work the system?" (or something rude like that). And I said "You are asking me to follow your rules, and I am following your rules!". It didn't work out, so I ended up with a store credit and stomped all the way to my car. But, things worked out in my favor. I happened upon these shoes on sale months later, bought them with my store credit, and will never regret getting them.

Funny how things turn out. Everything is better in retrospect only if you are stuck on everything working out right now. I don't want to wait to be happy with my life until after its over. I want to enjoy it now and look at the disappointments as simply a redirection of my path. I'm not under the illusion that everything in my life will work out, but I do know that I can't control my circumstances.

And for the record, those silly toys make me happy.

Hiding My Face

Tank: Dillards Outlet
Cardigan: NY & Co.
Skirt: NY & Co.
Shoes: Nine West
Earrings: Target

This was just one of those days that I didn't feel like showing my face. Not because I felt ugly, but because my smile felt fake.

I'm beginning to see myself wear the same things a little too often (after just a few posts, yikes!). I would be a pro at Kendi's 30 for 30... more like 15 for 30. So, my goal for the weekend is to find something to try and accessorize. This is why I'm blogging, to help myself be more creative!

~Mary

Date Night

White Top: Express
Pink Top: LOFT
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Payless
Headband: Ulta

Thursday after work we went to Desperados for tacos and a margarita. Lucky for us, their signature tacos are half price on Thursdays! And we always split everything.

~Mary

Dress Up

Dress: LOFT
Cardigan: NY & Co.
Belt: LOFT
Shoes: Nine West

The first of this week I felt like dressing up. So I went with this little dress I got on sale last winter at LOFT. Now that I see the pictures I wish I hadn't tried to hide the ruffle under the cardigan. I guess this is why I'm blogging, so I can pay more attention to these kinds of things. I like the look of the belt, but it felt so tight when I was sitting at my desk. Oh, and another thing. Once I was all dressed, running out the door while still trying to shove my shoes on I realized that I had a big bruise on my leg. Can you see it here?

Its on the inside of my right knee. It actually kind of matches my dress! I got it because I was riding my bike with the handlebars loose (not on purpose of course).

Lesson of the Day:
Going downhill without control of your bike can't possibly end in anything other than falling.

~Mary

P.S. Today is 10/10/10...

Thai Salad

This past weekend we decided to plan our meals for the week and made a few of them on Sunday. One of the recipes I chose was the Thai Salad recipe I got from a very dear family friend at my kitchen bridal shower.

Toss:

1/2 cup grated carrots

4 cups grated cabbage

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1/2 bunch green onion, chopped fine

1 small root ginger, shredded or chopped fine

1/4 cup toasted almonds

1 package of Ramen Noddles (uncooked w/o sauce) broken

Whisk:

1/2 cup canola or peanut oil

3 table spoons rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Then mix it all together and refrigerate it.

I used one of those prepackaged bags of cabbage for coleslaw. The ginger was good, but next time I think I may skip it because the flavor is so strong I get tired of it. When I realized that I had no rice wine vinegar I went with a red wine vinegar and it was good. I found b I like the Ramen when its first put in the salad, but by the next day its pretty soggy. Next time I'll add it right before I eat it instead of tossing it with the salad. It kept pretty well for about 3 or 4 days.

Overall I like the salad and I'll definitely make it again.

~Mary

Purple and Grey

Top: LOFT
Skirt: NY & Co.
Shoes: Nine West
Sunglasses: Wal-Mart ($5!)
Necklace: Macy's 

When I'm at work (or trying to fall asleep, designing something, in class, etc) I like to draw pictures of clothing to relax. So, here is a little drawing of my outfit of the day. 

I love the lines of this skirt and the little satin inserts in the shoulders (and back) of this t-shirt. I would love to dye different types of fabrics and mix them like in the top. It's not easy to see in the picture, maybe this will help.

And just for fun, here is my little buddy going for a ride. Looks like I'm not the only one holding on to summer.

Thanks for looking!
~Mary

New Job, New Clothes

 

Tank: LOFT

Cardigan: NY & Co.

Pants: NY & Co. 

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: American Eagle

Picture Editing: Picnik

I have always loved clothes, but never really loved the way I dress. In high school I wore T-shirts and jeans, in college I wore.... T-shirts and jeans. Now that I have a realish job and will soon (fingers crossed) have an even realer job, its time to dress the part. After being inspired by so many fashion bloggers this is my attempt at a fashion blog where hopefully I will be able to offer as much as I want to learn. However, I couldn't possibly limit myself to only fashion so you will definitely see some fitness, sewing, and food thrown in here. 

*I originally thought I should go with Fashion, Fitness, and Food... but I can't live without sewing and the S doesn't quite fit in the mix.

Thanks for reading!

~Mary