Thrifted Skirt Refashion

Skirt: thrifted and refashioned...Tank: Old Navy...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: J Jill via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: who knows?

Thrifted and refashioned skirt?! Ohmygosh, I can't believe I sewed a straight line. Not only that, but I sewed TWO straight lines. You can't see it, but I folded the top down about 1 1/2" and then folded that in half again, sewing along the bottom edge to create the space where the elastic is slipped in. After the elastic was threaded through and sewn to the correct waist circumference, I stretched the elastic and fabric out and sewed another seam along the top edge of the elastic to keep it from flipping and bunching (it's about 1/4" seam around the top, seen above the belt) and to keep the top edge upright. I'm still a little shocked that I didn't need to enlist help or seam-rip out too many poor attempts. Am I getting better at machine sewing? 

Not likely.

By the way, here's how long, flowy, fluttery and 80/90's-tastic it started:

I'm spreading the magic and joy of my handiwork around the internets today: Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday and Rolled Up Pretty's Whatever Whenever Wednesday!

Jackpot

Spring can come. I'm ready now.

The fun of being "too busy" is this: when you finally have time to shop, you have many budgets that have lumped themselves into a bigger sum, all your good luck collects itself,  a hallelujah chorus strikes up and all of a sudden, you walk out of Buffalo Exchange with your spring wardrobe for under $75. Here's what I scored last week (and clutched to my chest happily for the following 4 hours that evening):
Calvin Klein leopard pointed kitten heel shoes, made to fit my feet
Theory tropical wool cropped trousers in my size, NO ALTERATIONS NEEDED
Sparkle and Fade lightweight green heathered sweater (I found one in a grey-green and white heather and am in love)
Fei coral sleeveless blouse with adorably random buttons and tie waist
Liberty of London floral silk scarf in all the colors I've been purchasing lately
MRKT green and tan colorblocked heels, again, which match everything I've been purchasing lately.

I got them all ready to wear as quickly as I was able and dove into the stash.

Forgive the horrendous photos of my OOTD, another  busy day and party prep at Boss Lady's house- lots of running, hauling, lifting, moving... I had to run out the door and forgot my tripod. Oops.

Pants: Gap Really Skinny...Sweater: Sparkle and Fade via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: Calvin Klein via Buffalo...Scarf: Liberty of London via Buffalo...Bracelet: gift from Jie Jie Sue

Late Evening

There's something wonderful about pairing a slim pencil skirt with a big personality with a crisp white button-down. I should have left this cardigan out of it, though, especially since this thrifted white blouse has the most wonderful tuxedo-shirt details like box pleat all the way up the back and high arched details on the hips. Another "live-and-learn" outfit.

Last night was strange- I was ready to walk out the door at 5 to come home and make a crappy dinner so my guy could eat and head back to school to work at a piano, but I have work ethic, which is oftentimes my downfall. I called Boss Lady before I left and she said "I'm so glad you called- could you please please help me pick up my granddaughters? Their mom is taking their brother to the hospital for his knee and I'm stuck at Verizon still." I figure, sure, no problem, I'll buzz over, grab them and pop back by the house to drop them off for family dinner. Too bad Valentine's Day meant all the crazies were out driving, road raging their way home for their own celebration- both the freeway and back-roads options were completely clogged. I spent an hour driving the 7 miles to their house. Aaaand, one of the ladies of the Board (who had a meeting at the other office which is about 3 miles away from the house) left her laptop on a chair and needed it to work that night. I agreed to pick it up and meet her at a grocery store parking lot after I dropped the girls off.

7:25 rolls around and I make the hand-off of the laptop, abandon my dinner plans and grab a handful of crappy grocery store sushi because there's nothing to cook and a very large container of ice cream and book it home.

I'm tired today. Unexpected late evenings at work are exhausting.

Skirt: thrifted...Button-down: Express, thrifted...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Target...Belt: Banana Republic

Lipstick and Stripes

I'll be honest, I'm in Memphis already- I took photos of my travel look last night so I could take part in the last Challenge Day! We're all asked to push boundaries and do something that scares us. I will be enjoying the day in Memphis wearing lipstick. Not just lipstick, but bright fire-engine RED lipstick. Have you all seen me in lipstick any more than once? Nope. And that was a rose pink. So, true to rockabilly pin-up aesthetics, I thought I would wander around Memphis music museums in the correct shade. It's loud, it's really "there" but I kind of like it. I don't think lipstick will ever become part of my signature look because,well, I'll own it, my face is incredibly crooked.

If you want, I plan to post photos and updates of our adventures on Twitter (@KBMcClure) and Instagram (KateBMcClure) all weekend long. Check it all out, if you'd like!

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny...Sweater: Banana, thrifted...Tee: H&M...Shoes: Nine West Outlet

Monkeying Around

As of today, I am officially a member of the Houston Zoo. My guy gets in for free with his student ID and the Zoo is literally a 12 minute walk from our apartment (and we're less than 2 minutes from the Museum, 7 minutes from Hermann Park... We are in a priiiiime neighborhood. So lucky are we!) so we can spend our spring weekends sitting a watching animals to our hearts content. It was such a fun fun fun way to spend the morning today!

My memory card (8Gb!) filled up juuuuuuuust as the male Tiger literally humped the female. Here is the frame I caught about .5 seconds before he went for it:

Saturday's casual outfit:

Jeans: Gap Always Skinnies...Sweater: J Crew Outlet...Boots: Target...Jewelry: thrifted and from the Guild Shop

Sunday Safari-wear:

Jeans: Gap Perfect Boot...Button-down: Target...Sweatshirt: J Crew, thrifted...Blazer: Gap...Shoes: Sperry via DSW...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

Our upstairs neighbor's super-cat, Gypsy. She's a mouse-catching machine!

Happiest Holidays and Safe Travels!

T-minus about an hour and my Guy and I are OFF AND AWAY. We're driving through the night with our pup and will pick up my sister in Chicago on our way from Houston to Toledo. It's going to be a veeery long car ride, but worth it!

I am wearing the most bat-wing-ish/ cocoon sweater I own for the road trip. Doesn't hurt that it's red and I painted my nails green. I'm defying my guy's grinchy statements and will be wearing festive attire for the remainder of the weekend!

See you all soon! In the meantime, enjoy your holiday weekend, love on your families, relish watching the kids in your life squeal with excitement and stuff yourselves silly.

Pants: Gap...Tee: GapBody...Sweater: via Buffalo Exchange...Socks: Target...Boots: thrifted...Scarf: Gap

Bang!

Well, not really a blow-out, because I don't recall anything catastrophic happening, but we've got another crazy overnight flat tire. My Guy and I were taking our dandy time driving around last night, I saw the low tire pressure sensor pop on and thought "No biggie, I'll pop into Costco and have them fill it up tomorrow after work." I drove out of the carport this morning and just knew I already had a flat. So I looped around the block at a glacial speed and convinced my Guy to change into real-people clothes and come outside to help me. Working at home in your PJ's is rough stuff.

That's threeeeeee in a year, people.

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet...Cardigan: Target...Belt: Banana...Tights: Gap...Boots: Thrifted...Scarf: Beijing boutique

Oh, yeah, you're so cute... Glad you took your time getting ready- because you're reeeeeeeeally late now that you have a flat tire.

A little Friday Fun, but stalled 'til Saturday

A few funsies after a quick outfit post... (BTW- I plan on slimming these sleeves a little. the details are great, but they're a little wide)

Pants: Zara...Shirt: Gap...Blazer: thrifted...Scarf: Target...Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction via Piperlime

And now for the good stuff.
1. I painted my nails another wacky color. I blame Katie, my nail guru buddy.
2. Even better, Katie is hosting a giveaway. I am already entered. Beat me to the win. I dare ya.

3. I joined Twitter and have only a little bit of an idea of what I'm doing. Follow me @KBMcClure and Instagram, KateBMcClure. I'm fumbling, but it's fun!
4. 30 Days Hath November- Check back later for a multiday combo.

Snuggling up

It got chilly around here! I walked the dog and was cold, but I figured it would be up to 75+ again today. Nope. 65. I was not prepared. At least I had the good sense a few weeks ago to leave a cozy sweater over my chair (No, it doesn't look good with my ensemble, and no, I will not show you). Also, check out my broken-blowdryer, missing hairbrush hair. Nice, huh?

Skirt: thrifted...Blouse: Tucker for Target via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: thrifted...Shoes: Steve Madden...Necklace: Thrifted

Day 17 of 30 Days Hath November: My family.
I have been pumped about this one all week. My family is the bomb. From left to right: Momma, Sissy S, Daddio, Brother P, me, my Guy, Sissy A, Grandma and Grandpa. This was our Christmas week Family Vaca two years ago. It's a tiny island on the southern tip of North Carolina and has been a frequent vacation spot for years (Including our wedding and week-long familymoon in two houses).

Here's the details:
Mommy is wonderfully warm, artistically inclined and the most thoughtful, inclusive person in my world. I admire her positivity. Daddio is the king of dad humor, handy as crap, dedicated to a fault and loyal loyal loyal. His opinions and guidance are always the best bet. Sissy S blossomed from quiet middle sister into an adventurous traveller with a thirst for knowledge and new experiences (she's the sis who's lived in Beijing for years). I feel like we're still getting to know one another as adults and it's fun. Sissy A lives in Phoenix and is my sister that I talked about yesterday. She was so obstinate and independent as a kid, imagine my surprise and joy when we spent two years living just two hours apart in Arizona and I discovered how quirky and chill she became as an adult. Brother P was adopted at age 5 from China (we thought for sure we would get an adopted sis, SURPRISE!). We are birthday buddies, 10 years apart. He and I text back and forth all the time, talking about girls, his aspirations and goals with college coming up. His interests are diverse and exciting. I can't wait to see him grow. Grandpa is the cutest old man I know, he's sharp and funny and used to draw pen and ink drawings of buxom ladies. I bet your grandpa isn't that cool. Grandma taught me to sew and is so generous with her time. She also makes some of the best German food I've ever tasted. Me and my guy, well, you know us already. Isn't my family cute? I'm lucky to have them!

No Casual Fridays 'Round Here

When will the visits end?! Boss lady is out of town and I'm still hosting things at her place! A crew of about 20 from a museum will be coming through for a tour of her collection. I had on a Friday-casual look this morning and then remembered I needed to look profesh. Dang it. All I want is to wear my jeans! And ill-fitting sweaters.

Skirt: Thrifted...Sweater: Banana Outlet...Belt: Target, I think...Boots: Biviel via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: J Crew Outlet

There is, however, something comforting about having a smattering of chic, simple, easily-put-together black based items in one's closet. I am so glad I found this thrifted skirt, I think it has so much personality and is really easy to create outfits with, I just have to be careful not to wear it too frequently (I've been tempted!).



And for today's 30 Days Hath November: Day 11- Something I've Been Craving...
Well, that's not hard. I've been itching to get my hands on more thrifted bags and purses- my finds lately have been very skirt-centric and I have donated away most of my unused, "not ME" bags. My wish list is for black finds- I want them to be leather and I want them to be cheap. Too much to ask? Maybe, but I'm diving in full force to hunt this weekend!

via Simplychicforcheap, that's the kind of bag I crave finding!

Backtracking and Re-posting

Well, my outfit photos would have been posted yesterday, but keyboard-walking kitties (not plural- just one, who is so sweetly a nuisance) deleted the post. So I gave up for the night and instead present you with a Two-fer today!

Tuesday: Grey on darker grey with texture and my favorite thrifted necklace.

Skirt: Target...Sweater: Banana Republic via Buffalo Exchange...Shoes: Nine West via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: thrifted...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

Wednesday: Orange Show wrap-up lunch, so I'mma wear my Obnoxious Orange Bow Blouse.

Jeans: Gap Always Skinnies...Blouse: weird Asian brand, thrifted...Sweater: American Eagle, thrifted...Blazer: Gap...Shoes: Steve Madden via Ross...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

I am mucho pumped about my first foray into Booties territory. I've never known how to wear them with pants, particularly non-jeans, I've been stumped. I haven't had an opportunity to try them with skirt and tights yet, but that may be on the horizon. We'll see. For today, though, a casual wrap up party for the auction was the perfect time to give it a try.

And now, 30 Days Hath November:
Day 9: A Close Up of my day
I'm an assistant. No, a contractor. No, a bookkeeper. No, a scheduler. No, a GPS. No, an electrician. No, a pack mule. No, the asshole making demands on the other end of the phone. No, an Art Collection Manager. No, a housemaid. My job is schizophrenic. At least it isn't dull. I will say this- at least I went into this job with a base knowledge of A LOT of varied things. And a penchant for protocols and systems. I would be drowning without both!