Weekends and a Lack of Trying

Aaaaah, weekend. I needed this one. It's after the first week my boss was in town, and let's take a moment to remember my hormonal panic attacks about my failures... here and here. Well, that was pleasant.

I also felt the need to be in pajamas as much as possible and since that's socially unacceptable, I went with loose dude-style shorts and a night shirt-like striped dress for Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY FUNDAY:

I don't know if you've ever owned a pair of Chaco Sandals, but it they hit your foot in just the right places, it's heaven. I have been wearing mine for 5 years now and they're still pristine, excluding the mud, etc. I have lodged in the treads. I liked them so much I bought a pair for my mom at the beginning of the summer for her travels around the Western US as an early B-day gift and she wore them all the time. Ever give a gift that rocks the recipient's world? I did. And it feels awesome.

Mom's Chaco photo game:

And my Beijing Summer Palace response:

I think my Mom is awesome and I love this absurd cross-country photo love note connection.

See you all tomorrow with another work-day outfit. Enjoy the day!

Coral Pants, with a Fall Twist?

The jury is still out on my take on this color combo... I'm not sure if it's fun and complex or if it looks like sushi and poo. I've had some troubles with these Gap pants, I knew I liked them, but didn't really know what to do with them other than neutral tops. So...

I used some of Kendi Everyday's looks as inspiration... here and here:

And here's my version of it today:

Pants: Gap...Blouse: Odille via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: MaddenGirl via Ross...Bag: D&B via Buffalo

Here's my issues: this blouse is silk, a great print, lovely details like the knotting/draping at the neckline. Buuut, it has tie sleeves (go back and look at the photos- gun show? Or wadded bows in my sleeves?), it's sheer and the tie front is very low, which means whatever cami I'm wearing gets a major presence. The pants are a great color, but make my rear look like a pancake. Am I totally overanalyzing this?

Anyway, it's the end of a short work week that, in my opinion, is never going to end. I think I may get stuck working late, too, since my boss has had family stuff aaaall week and we really need to get a major mailing list settled and get the envelopes outta here! I'll be honest, I'm sick of the boxes of envelopes loitering, I will cheerfully stay until late evening if it means I have approval to print labels and get this stuff moving.

Happy Weekend, ladies!

Preppy in Stretch Pants

Oh my, hair coiffed, makeup fully finished and real photos. It's almost like I was up on time today. (It is evening shower hair, though.)

So, today is funny. I am going to schlep tons around my boss' house again, but this evening is fashion something-or-another and a good friend of mine asked me to go with her. Fashion isn't really her thing, but nails DEFINITELY are and she's super stoked about Chanel launching new shades at the department store events. Check out some of her past reviews at Castinails.

How does one handle the demands of craptacular day work and looking decent enough to hang with the Houston Fashionistas? With black on black stretchy clothing, of course. And leopard flats. Because that's jazzy enough, right?

Blouse: oooold Gap, via Buffalo Exchange...Vest: thrifted...Pants: Gap Really Skinnies...Shoes: Nine Wst Outlet

My Guy said, "Hey, you should smile like a cheese ball." So I did.

Necklaces: J Crew Outlet and Target... Belt: Gap

 BTW, I'm finally backtracking and getting into EVERYONE's blogs from the 21DC. Oh. My. Gosh. You girlies are such a motivator. I'm getting inspiration and fantastic ideas, new color combos, twists on my normal accessories layering, different silhouette ideas, interesting new ways to wear some stubborn items in my closet. THANK YOU THANK YOU to Kayla for hosting such a positive and community building challenge. I had a uniform of sorts before and everyone else involved looked so good every day, I knew I needed to step up my game.

BTW, I'm dying for more responses from my question last post- what are some of your prized possessions and favorite things? 'Till next time, lovelies!

Prized Possessions and Other Favorites

I am not doing so hot this week. I messed another funny detail up AGAIN at work. Thank goodness my boss knows I am doing my best, as far as working for crazy socialites goes, I have an awesome gig. It's busy all the time and I see glimpses of old age forgetfulness, but she is a very loyal person and I was lucky enough to win the trust of her and her family. Aaaanyway, I failed on errand running in a wildly short time period and worked a very very long day. The two are not related, but it was my Wednesday reality.

Thank goodness I wore my feel-good workday outfit. Crop pants for carting things around and climbing ladders, stripes because I'm addicted, cobalt lightweight wool cardi because I would live in wool if I could and pearls because, who am I kidding, they make me feel pretty. These earrings make me miss my little sister, she bought them for me in Beijing at her friend's booth in the craziest haggling market known to man.

Striped tee: Banana Outlet...Cardigan: Gap...Pants: Zara...Shoes: Naturalizer

I would be very tempted to say that these are some of my prized possessions. I know they aren't fantastic quality pearls, but I love that they're carefully selected by my sister, the grey string was a gift to self that I purchased from my sister's friend and the gal also met my brother and mom when they were in Beijing a few years ago. They came from a special place and are connected to special people.

What are some of your prized possesions?  I think I feel a special post coming on with a few more of mine. Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!

Tuesday Oops- I didn't really wear this all day

As it turns out, today was accident prone for me. I let a box get thrown out that was proof for a shipping insurance claim, I sheared my nail polish off with a knife while preparing dinner, I spilled nearly 1/2 cup dry rice all over the floor, I locked myself out of my boss' house and had to hunt for the spare key.

The kicker was outfit related. I spilled peanut sauce for spring rolls all over my thigh in the car when I hit a pot hole. We aren't talking about a little drip and I wiped it up, I spilled a 6x6 puddle that was at least 3" thick onto my nubby cotton pencil skirt. Who does that?! I think I had a feeling and happened to pack a pair of crop pants "in case I have to move and haul a lot of stuff today." Or spill my lunch on my leg. Because I'm 2.

Labor Day Festivities

My Guy's department gathers all the students at the beginning of the year for a "Composers' Party", hosted by one of the graduate students. Guess how had the honor this year? There is something endearing about a bunch of freshmen running around making music nerd conversation with each other, nervously feeling out the group. Poor turds, the Masters and Doctorate students are all loud and have raunchy senses of humor, I think the young'uns felt really overwhelmed. Oops.

We had A.MAZE.ING weather for the first time in months and months, so not only did I get to dress up a little, I didn't sweat through it. Huzzah!

My unwilling modeling partner, Eddie

Tank: J Crew...Skirt: J Crew...Belt: Banana...Sandals: DSW

Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange

 

Be back soon with a post for today's get-up. See you in a bit!

Lookin' Good for Tennis Golf

My Guy's bromance exposed us all to something dangerously addictive: Tennis Golf. Well, we call it Beer Golf, but here's the details:

Whack a tennis ball with a golf club to an agreed upon target in a field. Give it a random par. Drag a cooler of crappy canned beer and drink. Repeat until you're feeling done.

Let me preface all of this by mentioning that this group of friends and fellow golfers are Grad students and Doctoral candidates at an institute of higher learning ranked in the top 20 in the States. And we putt tennis balls around campus like a bunch of tipsy goobers.

Naturally, it was the final day of the 21 Day Challenge and I needed to both look my best and remix one last time. For the first day in AGES, we had a reprieve from the heat with spits of rain, so I was weirdly chilled- return of my teal cardigan! I am a jeans and oxford button down girl at heart, so I went with what makes me feel most comfortable in my skin today. I may not have been dressed to my fullest potential, but I felt good.

Button down: Target...Cardigan: Gap...Jeans: Gap Real Straight...Shoes: Nine West Outlet

Earrings: J Crew Outlet... Oh, hi Frizz.

My Guy's "adopted" little sister, Roo.

Tomorrow we are heading over to Roo's place for the Composer Party to kick off the new school year. I looooooooove cookouts and potlucks.

See you all tomorrow evening, with drool all over my face and coleslaw on the front of my shirt. Because I'm a glutton.

Sunday Shoes, worn on Saturday, posted on Sunday

My Guy and I went to a BBQ (pulled pork, homemade BBQ sauce, Mississippi style with homemade coleslaw on top. Y.U.M.) yesterday afternoon and I was faaaar and away the most overdressed person there. It was hosted by the electronic music and equipment Guru and attended by all of the composer nerds (all dudes) plus a significant other or two. We had a lot of fun singing our heads off and playing the piano and  guitar because, naturally with music geeks you'll have a few really really talented members of the group.

Anyone recognize the dress? Oops.

Dress: Target...Cardigan: Target via Buffalo Exchange

Shoes: BCBGGeneration via DSW

Gold Pod Necklace: Banana...Short Pearls: China...Long Pearls: J Crew...Earrings: Banana

I'll check in later with a little peek at what I'm wearing today. Happy holiday weekend, everyone!

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.

Making a Statement

We're nearing the end of the 21 Day Challenge! Eep!
I'm up to my ears at work today in dust and window cleaner. My boss returns from her summer away on Sunday, so we're getting everything ready. Sooo, my hair is a wreck, my clothes are totally utilitarian, and I did my best to work in my very favorite statement necklace. It's totally out of place, but the kick of color is a cheerful pick-me-up for the drudgery of cleaning.

Shirt: J Crew Outlet...Paints: Zara...Shoes: Naturalizer, thrifted... Necklace: gift from Korea

Nearly the silliest shoes I've ever owned.

 Are the shoes loafers? Moccasins? Skimmers? Whatever they are, they're ridiculous.

So here's a question for you all. I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to style this necklace. It's a prized possession, but I very rarely wear it. The patchwork silk is so lovely, but it's an awkward length. Please help me figure out what else to wear to showcase this piece!


Well, My Guy fiiiiiiinally wrapped up the String Quartet with electronics piece he was working on all summer. The quartet was finished at least a month ago, but he's had to record, manipulate and program the interactive electronics and it took for.ev.er. Fooor.eeev.errr. Goonies? Anyone? What do you think he wants to do to celebrate? "Well, there's a rehearsal of it tonight, I think I'm going to sit in." Not even a day's break. Poor darling.