Standing Out on St. Patty's

I was so hopeful these jeans would fit still. I bought them on clearance in a size above my normal and dryer shrunk the crap out of them the last few years pre-pregnancy. Now that my hips got all wide and funky, they're a little too tight, but I couldn't not wear them- this springy color combination was begging for white jeans. And the most fun part is this weird little scarf in my hair has been my St. Patrick's Day go-to little bit of green(it has green cherries and little fuchsia vines on it) for years and years now and I just decided to go for the loud and bright complimentary look. And all my adorably reserved office mates thought it was the most awesome thing ever.

So, moral of the story is this: in the last week of work, wear whatever you want to and all your colleagues and every other Chinese person on campus will stare unabashedly at you and your pregnant belly. No disguising being one of the only white girls working at the University and dressing up anyway, let alone sporting a huge baby bump, so give 'em all something spring-like to stare at.

No Heat Curls Trainwreck

Pants: Gap...Tank: Odille via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Calvin Klein via Buffalo Exchange...Scarf: Liberty of London via Buffalo Exchange...

In honor of hosting a sushi-making night with our friends, I dressed like a piece of salmon sushi with wasabi pants. Flattering? Don't care. It's an excuse to wear this weirdly awesome blouse.

Also, Grace, you lied big time, my friend. The no-heat curl trick was a biiiiiig bust. There was no semi-like, only a weird kinky curl at my ears and absurd flip at the ends. You led me very, very astray with your link to Melissa's flowing, beautiful hair. Please enjoy a post-it drawing of how mine turned out:

It was promptly yanked into this french braid (which I kind of like) but WHOOOO, the no-heat-curl-mess I started with was genuinely awful. 

Happy Thursday, you all!

Perks

With hair loosely based on this pin, I love the mashup of prim and proper hair with jeans. I'm working my way through hairstyles... because my tried, true and dull high bun secured with a crappy claw clip is flattering only about 25% of the time.

We have been housesitting for one of my Guy's professors during the second half of the summer and last night was the last time we had access to a nice washing machine and dryer- she's getting back today. Biiig bummer. I can't tell you how much better about life I felt with thoroughly cleaned clothes. The washing machine in our complex once took over 2 hours to finish a load and the whites and lights came out mud-tinged. Repulsive. And even though the nearest laundromat is right next to my fave coffee house, I hate coughing up almost double for using the machines. So, housesitting is an enormous treat. What gets you pumped about housesitting?

Bangs Trim

Skirt: Beijing seamstress...Tee: H&M...Belt: thrifted...Necklace: Target...Shoes: Seychilles via DSW...Clutch: gifted from Katie

I know it doesn't look like much, but my hair is 3/4 of the way to its intended summer style. It started out long, stringy, washed out and uneven. It was long, trimmed up and washed out via a Groupon for a cheapie haircut. It got a slightly darker color at the roots. And yesterday, I forked over an Alexander Hamilton for a real hairdresser to give some shape to my long, grown out bangs (The gal I saw is named Rita. Being in the hands of someone with that cool of a name just had to be a good omen, right?). My last step? Imma try an at-home ombre. I'm nervous but excited about how this turns out.

Not much else to say about any of this, so I'll give you a few photos of the tragic before and cleaned up after.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Ice House and Tacos

Pants: Zara...Blouse: Target...Cardigan: Target...Necklaces: Target & J Crew Factory...Earrings: Banana Republic...Shoes: J Jill via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Shades: Gap via TJ Maxx

We said goodbye to our couple friends last night. He finished his Master's and they're going to travel for the summer before they move to Seattle. It's big and exciting, especially since she went up a few weeks ago for a few interviews and has already landed a job and found a place they're likely to rent.

The group met up at the West Alabama Ice House which has a great outdoor seating area, dogs milling around, basketball hoop, and lots of picnic tables. There's an amazing Taco Cart across the street. My Guy has had the hardest time warming up to not-really-nice-looking food carts, but he agreed that we could eat tacos for dinner while we sipped on beer and got nibbled on by mosquitoes. I thiiiink he might be a convert. Mmmm, all that spiced, greasy meat, warm tortillas, cilantro and onion overflowing and tasty, tasty green sauce that burned my mouth. It was a magical meal. And CHEAP!

One of the cute milling dogs was a fluffy, curly haired black ragamuffin, a poodle mix, maybe?, and it kept casually jumping up on the bench of our picnic table as the guys were getting up to shoot some hoops and stuck it's little face into the plate of taco leftovers. I had to swat him away a few times, nervous that he'd eat the onion. Onion is bad for dogs, right?

There was also a minor tragedy with me and the red version of the hot sauce. It was seriously pigmented and managed to get all over my fingers, the back of my hand, up my arm and in between my fingers as I opened the little plastic container. Which meant there was a very high likelihood of getting on myself, which of course I did. I ran into the bathroom and used hand soap to launder myself, walked out with an enormous wet spot and went on my merry way with the knowledge that it's so blasting hot it would dry within a few minutes. And it did. And I stuffed my face with delicious tacos and all was right in my world. Small pleasures.

Which way to the Gun Show?

Skirt: Banana Republic...Tee: H&M...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: via DSW...Shades: via TJ Maxx

Here's to hoping the rest of the week rolls along quickly. I'm tired already!

For the first time since we've been in Houston, I am a member of of the University's Rec Center. This means that 1. I can yank on my swimsuit and hang out poolside anytime I want, which is great since we live in an old apartment complex with no extras like that. 2. My Guy's Bromance teaches swimming lessons, so we can go harass him and/or eavesdrop for the adorably awesome kid quotes he tells us about. 3. I can work out at real equipment- something I haven't done in years.

We worked out yesterday and I am out. of. shape. Scary out of shape. So, starting now, we're going to make a real effort to get over there and sweaty at least 4 times a week. Because if you're too wimpy to work out for long segments, you should just do your best to work out often. And I want good muscles, so there you have it.

Are you linking up? Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday!

Faux Braided Ponytail Tutorial

I'm leaving for the Lake today, but I wanted to skip off into the weekend having left you all a little hair tutorial (with the non-braided front and high ponytail from last Sunday). I've never done a video before, never done a tutorial, and my cat was hungry. Please pardon all three.

So, join me and the interrupting Eddie and learn how to Faux-plait your hair, secure it using a super-secret bobby pin trick (maybe not- I am posting this for all the internet to see) for a high ponytail. Follow this part up with a bun, sleek ponytail, messy topknot... Whatever you want! It's your show.

Of course, you're absolutely welcome to ask questions- I'm a messy, messy hairstylist and move quickly with a bobby pin (Darn you, ballet bun!) so I'm happy to clarify. 

Have an awesome weekend and don't forget to check my Instagram feed... It's gonna have a lot of music nerds, card games, lake views and pictures of the dark beer flight my friend and I are sampling. @KateBMcClure!

Week of Lip Gunk, Day One

Full disclosure, I edited the crap outta my undereye bags, I spent a very very tearful evening finishing season 3 of Lost last night (and if you've seen it, you know I wasn't overreacting). I'm not at all ashamed of being a cry-er in the worst way, heck- I'll cry in front of the entirety of Rice University's student population while standing on a podium with a spotlight shining on me, but I'm definitely embarrassed by how very puffy my eyeballs get for days afterward.

So, welcome to Day One of my Week of Lip Gunk. Today I chose Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait. Here's why I don't wear it: I like the pinkish peach tone, but the shimmer in the formula is super deceptive. I was expecting a little hint of light reflection and ended up with frosty gold and silver-based shimmer. I purchased a colored lip butter. I ended up with something a little too 90's for my taste. But, I'm stuck with it for the day, so I'll smile like I enjoy it.

There's another goodie going on here. Kayley from Sidewalk Ready posted this amazing hair tutorial a few days ago, so I had to give it a shot. I did it over last weekend for Jersey Girl's birthday (I was working with Day 2 and a 5 hour car ride hair...) and thought I should try it again during the week. If you have any hair at all to work with, I suggest you give it a shot. It feels instantly glamorous with preeeetty minimal effort. 

Pants: Zara...Blouse: Target...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer...Jewelry: Target and thrifted

My Dye-ing Day

That was literally the worst pun I'm likely to make all year. But, heeeeey, look who has a 'do that's all one color. And who didn't get caught taking photos. And who doesn't have too many bruises on her legs. Win, win, win.

So, the review of my eSalon.com custom hair dye:
I'm not sure if it's my hair or something in the formulation, but the color came out warm toned, even though I ordered a cool light brown. I made notes in my account about the brassy color, so I'll give it one more shot in 12 weeks. But, I will say, the formula was easy to use, they provided a color for my roots/ new growth and a separate one for my ends, it smelled no better or worse than any other dye I've used and my hair feels healthy after use. Which is always a good thing. (BTW, this isn't a sponsored post- just thought you all would enjoy learning about a new company out there)

I'm a little disappointed about my hair turning out the "wrong color" but at least it's still light, has no roots, and looks good, even if it wasn't my intention.

Also, can you believe how short this dress is?! Whoops.

How nice is that packaging??

2" roots, eSalon's "light cool brown" photo, final color on me

Nope, nope, nope.

Everything about the bottom portion of this look is "off." As it turns out, I hate flared pants. The sock bun? Cute. The simple Blazer and striped sweater combo? Flattering. Dumpy hip and thigh proportions and puddle of fabric pooling around my feet? Nope. I also discovered that these simple black flats look like bad ballet slippers when worn with socks. And that part's probably only in my head, but I hated it.

Can't win everyday, huh? Own up to it and try again!

Coming out a-Head

Terrible pun. Sorry, guys.
Let's be real here. A fedora at the office will never be functional. During cleaning day, neither will a feathered plume, a pillbox hat, a birdcage veil, or a wide-brimmed sunhat. Today's challenge was to adorn my noggin, so a headband, perhaps? With little jersey flowers? DIY cuteness and head adornment, I win at life today. It's Friday, thaaaaank goodness. I'm going to keep getting this enormous house ready for my boss' return, then retire to the Grad bar for evening cheap beers as the sun goes down.

Pants: Gap...Tank: Gap...Blazer: Gap...Belt: Banana Republic...Shoes: DSW

DIY headband...Earrings: Banana Republic

 I'm a walking Gap Ad. Eep. To be fair, I worked there part time for 2 years. It was only natural.

This headband was super easy to make. I cut long strips of jersey, folded them in half and started using a running stitch along the raw edges, pull them tight to make the fabric wavy and let it coil, tacking the fabric to itself occasionally to keep it's form.

Enjoy your Friday evening, I can't wait to have some time tomorrow to spend in my closet looking for a fabulous outfit involving my Sunday Shoes.

Hair!

I know, I know, it looks like I didn't do anything with my hair. But here's the scoop:
My hair normally looks like this in the summer (it it too darn hot to use a blow dryer and air drying= frizz):

...And so I took the time to blow dry it straight for today's 21 Day Challenge:

I've been growing it out for years now and I'm pretty sure I ought to straighten it much more often, it's more gratifyingly long when I do. Not until October, though. It's too dang hot still.

Dress: Target...Shoes: Naturalizer...Necklaces: J Crew Outlet

I really like this dress. It was one of those "meant to be moments" when I found it- The only one of it's kind, in my size, shoved behind something truly boxy. It's a weirdly subtle bold print reminiscent of leopard or something, but it looks like little paintbrush stippling up close. On board with the animal print, but a little more my style (although I did buy a pair of leopard flats and a headband, to be debuted later). I got chilly in the AC and threw on a cardigan, which gave it way more of a fall feel. I feel good today!

Cardigan: Target

How was everyone's weekend? I spent Saturday in the house sitting location pool, Sunday day converting a pair of hideous wool walking shorts into a skirt (photos soon, it isn't quite done, and our Sunday night tradition is to go to the Grad bar on campus for my Guy's bromance's volunteer bartending shift and drink $.95 beers for an hour or so. EPIC sing-along to classic rock and 90's music.

Stolen Ideas

 And now for something completely different: Replicating another fashionable woman's outfit.

Let me preface this whole outfit by saying two things: 1- I have never owned a chambray shirt. I wasn't able to find one that didn't flap like bat wings at my armpits. 2- I have never owned a bright floral skirt. It draws attention and is the only red article of clothing I own. Mid-20's and I don't own red.
Anyway, I was immediately drawn to the summery look of these ladies and knew I had to go for it when I found the chambray shirt at Target last week. It fit, it was $17 and it was mine. I am not sure this look will become a staple for me, but it really is good to try new things.

Kendi Everyday: this outfit and Mint & Mellow: this outfit

      

Here's my rendition:

Shirt: Target...Skirt: Kimchi Blue via Urban Outfiters

Reverse french braided bun

I needed to house sit for the last two nights and so this bun saved my butt today. I showered yesterday, put my hair up and slept on it and am still not in bad shape for today. Kate-1, hair-0.

I am so grateful this weekend feels like it's lasted for at least 5 days, and I still have all of today to enjoy! My Guy may end up choosing to spend his day at school finishing a movement of his string quartet, so that sounds to me like an open invitation to spend my day wandering around Marshalls or something. See everyone tomorrow.