Work Wear

I am still easing back into my pre-pregnancy wardrobe, and becoming more ok with not all of it fitting again. I'm pretty sure I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight but my hips man, they don't lie. I definitely had a baby. I don't know how much I weigh, because I don't own a scale--seeing those numbers is a mind game I just don't need to play. I know I'm better off putting my energy to a balanced diet and regular exercise. 

I started taking a quick snap of what I wear to work every morning mostly so I can remember what I wore to work the day before. Amazing the things that get blocked from your memory when life gets full. I didn't plan on blasting these to the internet so please excuse my "no smiling, need one more cup of coffee" face! 

If you think I have style, THANKS :) Here's how I just tricked you into that thinking that was true:

-Start with a neutral, basic top & pants or skirt

-Add something (or two)

My "add something" tends to revolve around chunky sweaters (office buildings are always cold!) and neckwear (scarf or bling). I've amassed a pretty decent collection of sweaters, jackets, scarves, ballet flats and bling. And a lot of it was thrifted, clearanced or clothes swapped. I've learned that a cheap t-shirt looks so much better in a neutral, and to announce my love for turquoise through a necklace instead. Often times I pick my featured accessory first and then I choose what to wear behind it. Think of that piece as art, how would it be featured in a gallery? Choose the background (the rest of your clothes) to enhance it not distract from it. 

And everyday is one day closer to the next clothes swap! 12 more days...!

Maternity Style: Dressing the Bump

I completely fell off the wagon on documenting outfits during my pregnancy. Such a missed opportunity, I know! I was pretty tired throughout my pregnancy so its just the way it goes. I've sorted through photos though and came out with some examples on how I kept my wardrobe affordable with an ever changing and growing tummy. I wore a lot of maxi dresses and sandals, so if I am ever pregnant again through the winter this list will change quite a bit!

 

Just to clear the air, I gained nearly double the recommended 25 pounds during my pregnancy. I tell you this because I think a lot of us are/were in that boat (way more than the doctor will admit to!) and I was still able to wear many of my pre-pregnancy clothes. A few things to keep in mind...

-DO NOT pay attention to size labels! During my eighth month of pregnancy I wore two dresses, both non-maternity, one was a size small the other a size 14. Go figure. Don't worry about what the tag says, just wear what fits!! 

-Empire waist is king (--or should I say Queen?)

-Hand-me-downs are a huge resource, I purchased several pairs of gently used work slacks on Ebay.

-Leggings are crucial, a few of my shorter summer dresses became cute tops with the bump.

-Other than jeans, work slacks, and a couple of t-shirts nearly all of my clothing during pregnancy was not maternity wear.

-I gave up trying to keep up with my bra size, your rib cage changes shape too so I used low-key (read low spandex content!) sports bras. Nordstrom Rack has a great selection in every color!

-A statement necklace/jewelry is key. Throw some bling on top of that plain stretchy t-shirt and you'll feel like a million bucks! You don't even have to be pregnant to benefit from this one either :)

And now that I'm a momma, my wardrobe decisions are based on whats easiest to wash spit-up off of. More on that some other time!

Clearance Couture: The Emeralds are Coming!

The stars finally aligned for me to update you with an outfit post! With 2013 being the year of Emerald (according to Pantone), I've realized I own quite a bit of the color.  I have also been wanting to try the illusion of layering two similar colored pieces so that they look like one (dress).

(photography by Katy)

The gray sweater is camoflauging a tank tucked into my skirt. And essential for winter warmth of course.The emerald pieces aren't exactly the same color, but with the gray area (hardy-har-har) its not so noticable!

Jewelry, belt & J Crew cashmere sweater: thrifted

Pleated skirt: TJ Maxx

Sleevless blouse: H&M

Flats: Old Navy

Knitted Comfort

I mentioned previously that I got onto a knitting kick.

 Yum.

I've made about a dozen scarves, infinity and traditional using a standard stitch pattern. After testing them out, the infinity scarf is my new favorite. I used acrylic yarn that I found in my stash of supplies while setting up my 'shop' in our garage. I wouldn't have expected this yarn (Lion & Homespun brands) to be so so soft! They've definitely brightened and chased away any winter & rainy day blues!

I've also fallen in love with wearing hats. Since I'm now home alot, I'm walking to run errands. A little extra head warmth is essential for January walks! Any new favorite accessories for you all out there?

Clearance Couture & Family Heirlooms

This sweater dress was one of those I grabbed last minute--off the go-backs rack at the thrift store. Sometimes that is the best rack to look through, the sifting for good stuff was done already for you! It just didn't quite make the cut for whoever held it last. Honestly, I didn't even try this one on. It looked cozy and had a great shape to it, so I just snatched it!

Sweater dress: thrifted//Belt: My grandmothers//Jewelry: Lia Sophia//Boots: Donald Pliner

This belt is one I used to play dress up with at my grandmothers house. She had a drawer in the guest bedroom of snazzy belts, and I took every oppurtunity to steal away and try them on. It is all the more special now as she lays in a nursing home suffering from alzheimers disease. While her own memories are fading, my memory of her lives on through this belt (& her fabulous recipes!). Hoping that this will somehow, someway allow some of her character to rub off on me. Through her home-daycare and large family, she had many children and was a servant to the neighborhood. In my memory, she was always sure to have a full cookie jar, and at least one cheesecake in the freezer. Dessert was a required fourth meal in her home. "It will help you sleep", as she scooped an extra spoonful of ice-cream into your root beer float. Quite a lot of sentimental weight to this belt, but I can use a good strong reminder of how to love now & then.

Clearance Couture: Denim on Denim

I've long admired and wanted to take a shot at the denim-on-denim trend. This experiment has been over a year in the making! Sad, I know. I purchased this distressed denim button up last Christmas from UO's clearance rack. I kept 'himming and hawing' over how to perfectly wear it. Yesterday I decided to just have at it. So here it is!

The button up & sweater are both a bit wide on me, wide enough that this belt couldn't completely correct it. But after waiting a year to wear this thing, that wasn't going to stop me!

Hoping I'm not the only one who has stalled on a style..What's in your closet that's keeping you up at night? Clothing, talking about clothing...

Denim blouse: $9.99 from UO// Sweater: thrifted// Belt: clothing swap// Jeans: Target// Boots: Justin// Jewelry: thifted

Clearance Couture: Leather Edition

On my last day of full-time employment one of  the thrift shops in walking distance from my office was having their annual 50% store-wide event (American Cancer Society).  I had been visiting this skirt for a few weeks and decided that if it was still there on 50% day, then I could have it. Originally priced at $29, I scooped up this mid-length Tracy Ellis leather skirt for $14.50! It was a happy last day of work!

Jewelry: Lia Sophia, from my sample sale days// Black long sleeve and tights: Target, $15//Boots: Thrift Town $9

(photo by Cody)

I Swoon for Orange

Specifically, burnt/reddish orange. Every time I turn around I catch myself gravitating to this color (in my closet, out shopping, online browsing...). And paired with turquoise? Be still my heart! I just love, love, love it right now! I blame this blanket for starting my obsession. So here is another chapter to this love story, and an almost entirely thrifted outfit!

Brown v-neck, $3 (Goodwill)

Orange wrap, $7 (Goodwill)

Jeans, $9 (Goodwill/Target new)

Boots, $11 (ThriftTown)

Necklace, $15 (World Market)

Clearance Couture: Thrifted Head to (Almost) Toe

It's really exciting, at least to me, when I can put together an outfit of all thrift finds. Just proves (to anyone still doubting) that thrift stores have more than the frumpy costume items that immediately come to mind. Or maybe I'm frumpy. 

This second photo is the equivalent to winning the lottery. Both dogs looking at the camera at the same time? Impossible. Thanks for capturing the moment, Katy!

Shoes $4.98 (Target)

Jeans $6 (Happy Dragon Thrift)

Belt $? (street vendor in Mexico 6+ yrs ago!)

Blouse $3 (Happy Dragon Thrift)

Clearance Couture: "Blogger Style"

I have been wanting to try this head wrap trend for a while now, seems like its the blogger thing to do anyways.. Kind of fun. Especially since I have LOTS of scarves...I usually find them for a dollar or two each so they're pretty much irresistible. I keep saying I will make a blanket or something with them one day. This is the same reasoning I use for buying (almost) every Coca-cola shirt I come across...Oh my poor closet.

By the way, my $20 a month shopping limit? Yeah, it's out the window. Gone, baby gone. There are just way too many good thrift stores in my new neighborhood. Still not spending a whole lot, but definitely spending more than $20...

Scarf: Flea Market

Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack, $16

Floral Tank: Old Navy $4

Jeans: Target $5

Flats: Urban Outfitters, $9.99

Bangles: Flea Market

Nail Polish: Slate by Insta-Dry (my new favorite brand of quick dry polish)

Big Gold Bling

What's not to love about this chunky gold chain? I've been visiting this eye-catcher every lunch break this week at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. And now for $12, its alllll mine!

Bought it today. Wearing it today. That's when you know its money well spent. But I am looking forward to pairing it with a black crew neck tee...

July Clothing Allowance

I'm pretty sure I bought this in July. Honestly it could have been August 1st. But I'm not sure. So we'll just count this for July because it's still early August and I didn't shop at all in July. Ok, lie--I bought a 75th Anniversary for the Golden Gate Bridge with my cousins when we spent the day on Pier 39. Anywho...I scooped up these pieces from The American Cancer Society store. It's a khaki blazer ($6, Target brand--Mossimo follows me) and a faintly printed blue floral scarf ($3). 

I also picked up these magazines ($1 each) & Ansel Adams photo booklet ($3). I really loved the prints on the back of the Cook's magazines and I'm a sucker for Ansel Adams Yosemite photos. 

Plus, the Yosemite mini-book has 4 great shots of Half Dome in different seasons, it was a must buy. And its just in time for our anniversary on Thursday! Probably won't have those photos framed in time, but I still have good intentions and high expectations :)

June Shopping Allowance: Part 1

Summer weather is in full swing and I couldn't be happier. Getting dressed for the day is so much more fun in the summer. Although I feel like I say that at the beginning of winter when I get to layer again. Maybe I just like change? Anyways I picked up this tank at Target for $9.98 and paired it with some white pants I've waiting for like 8 months to wear!

And I realize I just blabbed about loving summer weather and here I am in my leather jacket..I took these pictures in the morning and it was breezy at the time. So not the most summery look, but color wise, blue & white--that speaks summer right?

Flats: Urban Outfitters // Pants: Old Navy // Tank: Target // Jacket: Heritage // Jewelry: Lia Sophia

Clearance Couture in Action

Snapped these pics on my phone while browsing boutiques in downtown Los Gatos on my lunch break last Friday. I am really loving this tunic I bought a while back during one of my 'giftcard saved the shopping challenge' moments. The colors make it easy to accessorize with lots of options, although I typically grab my turquoise loves. But that shouldn't surprise you!!

Tunic: Rue 21 // Purse: clothes swap // Belt: Goodwill // Jeans: Ross (?) // Wedges: Target // Turquoise Jewelry: same stuff you've seen all over here before! 

Better Late than Never!

Realized I forgot to share my other May purchase! Picked up this lovely, chunky, beaded necklace from World Market for $14.99. I wore it with my black maxi dress and last fall's clearance wedges. Not sure how I feel about myself in these serious photos. Something to play around with I guess!

Dress: TJ Maxx (I think? I've had it for a few years)//Earrings (also old, can't remember)//Necklace: World Market//Wedges: Target

So with $14.99 on the necklace and $1.50 on my Goodwill belt I have $3.51 left over to carry into June! Woohoo! Never thought I would have left over funds--guess its all this house shopping, it's got me all distracted.