Shopping Spree: Updated Wardrobe on a Relative Dime

We all know that "on a dime" doesn't really mean that. Even when you score the fab vintage find (or not so) at the not-so-glamorous-but-ever-so-fabulous Goodwill (you do know about DC Goodwill Fashionista, right?!), then another, then another...well, all those $10 dresses add up.

Same goes for some inspired and spur-of-the-moment wardrobe updates, even if they are at the didn't-know-I-could-find-that-here Target and Ann Taylor LOFT. A couple of days ago, I had an hour to kill (long story about the MIA phone, Verizon's network going down, and waiting around hip cool Fair Lakes for a work happy hour), so I popped into Target to see what I could find. I'd been meaning to do a few teensy updates to alleviate the "I have absolutely nothing to wear and I hate everything in my closet" syndrome. That being said, I didn't want to spend a fortune - I'm in the process of getting healthy, remember? (Never mind that I fit into nothing in boutiques at the moment, as drapey and loose as some things are right now.)

After I tore myself away from the evil dollar bins (I can always find something - like a plastic boat for the Beans' bathtub), I went rapid-fire through the women's clothing - juniors + misses + who knows what it's all called now. I threw all sorts of possibilities in my cart - why not? And while some that I adored the idea of on the hanger worked not at all on me, I did find a couple of sweet deals to update both the "going out" and the "work" areas of my closet.

First up, the dresses. This bright orange find would be that. much. better if I could figure out a way to unstitch and remove the v-neck insert. The pretty drapey V would work for night, of course, and clean up easily for day with a brooch. But given the thin jersey, I'm thinking I won't be able to remove it without serious damage. So it'll stay.

The next pic doesn't represent the actual dress - just the silhouette. It's a classic minidress shape, but I found it in a fun black & white stripe with a non-ruffle-ruffle texture stitched in that makes it that much more forgiving and interesting. So why did I buy a form-fitting mini when I'm trying to lose weight? 1) I look good in it. True to style advice, the more appropriately fitted (appropriately being key, of course), the slimmer you look. 2) I knew H would love it. He does. He's "ordered" it for our night on the town Saturday.

Lastly, I found a pretty deep blue sheath that I thought perfect for work. H thought I could wear it out. Mine was missing the belt, which suits me just fine. I can belt or no. Without, it's MaryTylerMoore-esque. With, I can add a splash of yellow or green or red or orange...you get the picture (note to self: buy fun big wide belts).

As I tweeted earlier, I'm wearing my all-LOFT outfit. Working from home today, so I can go see Bean #1 in her music camp show. I'll post the rest of my finds after I go see my diva-in-training rock the house.

Style Dilemma Solved: Winter Nautical

prettyinpink:

Ok – here’s a question for you.

Light gray and navy large horizontal striped sweater (with big turtleneck) what color pants? And what color shoes?

Initial thought is a darker gray pants and a medium very warm brown shoe (with and little gold buckle)

Would a herringbone pattern pant be too much pattern?

DC Celine:

like the herringbone idea, but would have to see it. brown herringbone or solid might work, too. but again, would have to see. darker grey would definitely work, as would a navy. would do either with a grey or black shoe. not getting the vibe of a brown shoe w/ the grey pant. but again, would have to see. don't suppose you have pics?

prettyinpink:

Sweater (in navy and gray)

can’t find the pants but they’re a darker gray and lighter gray herringbone pattern.

Also have camel pants

DC Celine:

prettyinpink, I think any of these options would work. I'm still not crazy about the brown trousers or shoes option...of course trouser or skinny jeans (if you're so inclined) would work best - that is if you don't want to wear to work (or for Fridays). camel pants would work, but lighter khaki/cream might be good too. or, for that matter, go bold with a winter white trouser a la kate hepburn. then you could swing the warm brown shoes and gold buckle.

Climbing out of the funk...

slowly, but surely.

Step #1: Wash and blowdry hair. Can't even tell you how much of a difference it makes being able to wear it down if I like.

Step #2: Shave legs. I'm fair, so can get away with much more than the average bear, but there is a limit. Shaved legs = skirts are an option.

Step #3: Pick up drycleaning.

Step #4: Pray The Bean gets up at 5am, not 4:30am. That half hour makes all the difference in her mood, which makes it oh, so much easier for me to get ready in the morning.

Step #5: Pick out decent clothes.

Today, I'm the opposite, though not horribly edgy or high-end style, of my Hot Mess Day. It's gradually been getting better. I feel better, and therefore am sure I look better. It was amusing getting dressed today.

My first choice was one of my new skirts with my new white T, which now has made it through the Coke stain only to have picked up some random pink splotch in the wash. Weekend shirt, here I come. And yes, that would be the only shirt I own that really goes with the two skirts (the one other option I wore yesterday).

Second option? Brown silk/merino shell with said new skirt. Ummmm...not sure whether that's banana or yogurt, but either way, it doesn't belong on there. Drycleaning bag.

Final choice - works! Grey pinstripe pencil skirt and pink/grey striped button down. It's actually a great French cuffed shirt I scored for practially nothing at Filene's oh, say, 100 years ago, but the buttons on the cuffs broke at some point, and I haven't sewn them back yet. So we go casual rolled up sleeves, and oila! Throw on the new(er) black peep toes, my single black belt, and done.

We just will ignore the teensy yogurt spots on the skirt.

Yeah, that's right, I'm a Hot Mess

I've posted before about losing the Style Mojo. Old news.

This time, though, I've really done it.

Never, ever, ever thought I'd use the phrase "hot mess" to describe myself. Even on my worst days, I'm at minimum passably coordinated and presentable.

Today, all I get is presentable. And that's just 'cause I work in a place that could give two patooties about style and fashion. I'm a fashion Don't all over the place.

Let's use me as a lesson.

Do: Mix patterns in complimentary colors and "weights." For example, pairing the brown plaid with a blue stripe, as I've done today, works just fine.

Presentable points = 1. Style points = .5. Attempted difficulty points = 2

Do: Make sure your clothes fit. It's difficult to do, especially when you're running around like a madwoman. Hence my "slouchy" menswear pants that aren't really slouchy, just too big.

Presentable points = 1. Style points = -1. Attempted difficulty points = .5

Do: not try to be too matchy matchy with accessories. And don't worry too much about matching your jewelry metals - gold and silver together are fine, which is part of why I love my wedding ring - yellow and white gold together gives me even more license. But don't wear a peeling gold-colored belt buckle (the only "professional" belt I own) with shoes with a hammered silver coin accent. Does. Not. Work.

Presentable points = 0. Style points = -5. Attempted difficulty points = .5

Do: wash your hair only as often as you need to. I'm a big proponent of the every couple of days wash. I hear all of you out there screaming, "but if I don't wash my hair every day, it gets so greasy!" Try this: pick a week when it doesn't matter. Don't wash it. Suck it up. And then wash, and see how it is. Try it again the next week, not necessarily going as long - it's kinda like detox for your hair. Washing adds oils from scalp stimulation - needed, but you can overdo it, and washing can dry out your scalp. Plus, everyone knows that "day 5 hair" is the Frenchwoman's answer to perfection. But when it needs washing, wash it, unlike me, who just couldn't deal with the process last night so didn't. Ponytail.

Presentable points = .5. Style points = -5. Attempted difficulty points = 0

Do: Wear the best accessories you own to cheer you up. Like the gorgeous blue topaz ring H bought you for finishing your thesis and you were mad at him for a second for spending the money then you Got Over It because now you have a Cocktail Ring.

Presentable points = 2. Style points = 2. Attempted difficulty points = -5 (c'mon - wearing gorgeous jewelry is such a no brainer no points here at all)

Total Points: -1.5

If I were to publish one of those guides to scores like in Cosmo, this would read: Anything below a 1 is a Hot Mess. You do not deserve to be walking around like this. Take care of yourself. It doesn't take that long. And you certainly shouldn't be writing a style blog. But go easy on yourself, life is hard, and sometimes you Just Can't. So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again tomorrow.

*Remember, all of these scores are on a 3-point scale.