to blog or not to blog today's outfit

I only give myself a short window in the morning to take a shower, make tea, get dressed, pet both cats, do some hair, and pack breakfast and lunch (and some days dinner as well).  Today I needed to wear maroon pants so I started with that and built it up around.  It was one of those mornings where I had to ask hubby if my outfit was too weird.  He made some joke about clowns but did not seem too appalled so that was my green light that I am good for the day.

I have come to realize that getting a self-photo is difficult with my phone.  Hubby has been kind to take a photo of me, but our lighting in our house is best in the bathroom and he nixed the idea of a fashion shoot with a toilet in the background.  So, I guess I have to be happy with the photos I am getting.  I remove my face so that as long as I stand still, the photo is good.  Once my face is involved, it will take a longer time to get a decent photo since I am really good at closing my eyes and making goofy faces when trying to just smile for the camera. 

Anyhoo, today’s outfit started all about the pants which are a bit highwater and look fun with my gray booties.  The striped shirt is a bit flashy and does not go with the maroon (hence the clown comment?) but I put on a navy shirt (not really a sweater or blazer, I am not sure what you call it) on top to keep me warm and tone down the stripes.  I am now noticing unfortunate bunching near my tummy in the photo - oh well.  The pants and navy shirt are Goodwill specials while the striped shirt is from Sears.  The gray booties are my most expensive shoes to-date and I have had them for a few years.  They are those shoes that you can put on that allows an outfit to work.  They have saved my undecided butt some mornings as I put on clothes and run to catch the bus.  I could write a whole blog entry on them because they are awesome.

Yesterday I wore a supercutefun outfit that I really liked but I never got to documenting it.  It was the  tree that falls in the woods  - in the blog world.  If it was not pictured or written about it may not have happened.  But it was all gray except for my superbright pink sweater shirt.  Sigh.  I guess you had to be there.

On a side note, since I am so wordy today, I am trying to slowly branch out with my accessories.  I am really talented at wearing the same earing rings for months at a time, to only wear a necklace or ring everyonceinawhile.  I have just re-discovered these larger hoops and I like the dangle.  I may have to invest in another silver set of earings that are huge-r.  Stay tuned.

easy as 1-2-3

I like this outfit and here is why.

1.  Pants with pockets*
2.  New flowery shift from JCPenny**
3.  Mustard sweater***


* These are boy-cut pants from the Gap and they have a minor pattern of grey and black and so they tend to go with everything.  I got them on super-sale and I wish now that I would have purchased other others as well.  Pockets keep my hands happy when I am at work; they give my hands something to do when I am standing, talking to someone or walking down the hallway.  When I wear pants that do not have pockets it is awkward for me.  I rarely keep anything in pockets except for a hair clip or binder.
** I am loving JCPenny (and they have had a same-sex couple in an ad which is a bonus).  It is like a Forever21 for people in their 30's.  Like the fact that my siblings and myself come from my parents having relations, I try not to think about where cheap cute clothes come from.  I originally bought this to go with my red pants, but today is not a red pants day.  I have to ramp up for those pants.  Also, this shirt is sheer, fun and flowy with a touch of grandma. 
*** This sweater I believe is from Target.  Mustard is the best color - neutral and splashy at the same time.  It seems to go with everything.  I could have gone obvious and worn a red or green sweater over this shirt, but I think mustard makes the flowers stand out more.  Mustard!

everyday sneakery

I have come to realize that for most women, boots are the solution, however for me, the answer is sneakers.

These are my new sneakers.  Thanks to my will-power and hubby I only have two pairs of these Saucony shoes since zappos.com provides a rainbow of choice awesomeness.  I find that they are my go-to shoes in the winter since I have a bit of a walk in Seattle weather before catching my bus.  Comfy.

I especially like the way that they "nerd up" my sweaters and pants for work.  They are the bridge between function and style, although I have come to understand that I am more on the functional side than many women.

The rest of my outfit today consists of navy pants, yellow sweater and a big blousy white shirt.  And a scarf.  It is now offically winter and a scarf helps me leave the house.  brrrr!

my dirty little secret

If that gets your attention then you're in the running for Gossip Queen. 

So my secret is this: If I create an outfit that I love I will wear it relentlessly, day after day until it gets dirty, or someone might notice that I haven't changed or I am over the combo and ready to move on. 

This outfit all began on Sunday.  Amongst the many blessings of church, it lends itself as a few hour trial period for Monday's work outfit.  And if Monday goes well, then my outfit typically resurfaces towards the end of the week if I have client appointment or say, a happy hour to attend.

Since I knew I would be wearing black tights with my tan booties, I needed to be sure that I offset the contrast with something lighter on top.  Balance.  This led me to my off-white knit sweater from...from...from, ok, Walmart. There I said it. Walmart. I am not a name brander when it comes to clothes, but I am also not a happy supporter of Wally-World either. Nonetheless, I knew it was a must when I saw it glowing on the hanger back in the year 2001.  It was my first year in college down in rural Minnesota. Not many options for clothing, well, for anything there. But I must admit to it's uniqueness and versatility.  It has held it's shape and served me well. 

This grey pencil skirt (with the cutest pink trim along the inside of the waist) screams for a low sophisticated loose hair bun.  A bit of back-combing through all of my hair, a few hanging tendrils and a loose twist all held together by a hand full of hair pins and some spray. 

Below is my necklace mentioned in my earlier post, Bound By Boots, when I, ehem, very politely told the Italian boutique owner that I would also be purchasing that necklace.  The necklace is quite powerful, not in a Hairy Potter sorcerer's stone sort of way, but it does make a statement.  Therefor, I must be careful not to over do the accessories.  Necklaces, earrings, glasses, nose rings, my outspoken opinion...I can easily clutter myself.

And so my fellow sorcerers, may you live a long and prosperous life...wuhahaahaha....
Katie May

Quirky but cute

 
Sometimes I love to do things that are a bit awkward and quirky.  And that is pretty much what I accomplished here.  Socks, from the dollar store, that almost perfectly match my shoes from Target with my Gap light teal boyfriend jeans.  Love it!  I guess it is a bit obnoxious...

Saucy then Soggy

Hello everyone,

It's been a particularly wet few days here in Edinburgh. Perfect weather for wellies and warm socks. Here, I demonstrate how to dress for wet weather.

I've got two pair of leggings on. Warm wool socks. A black dress belted with a red belt. and a wollen grey sweater. Green scarf. Warm warm warm. Good thing...because,

I drew the short straw and had to take the dogs out in the downpour. When I came back in I was soaked. On the outside. My saucy outfit was dry in the inside and I went back to doing the saucy things that all mothers do. You know, sweeping the floor, doing the dishes. Sheesh, I may have considered doing the ironing. BAH. no im just kidding. who irons? not me.

Anyways, see that little furry monster looking up at me in the photo. That's mac. He is the reason why we were out walking for 45 minutes. He is very particular. The guy prefers to pee at the park. So thats exactly where we went. On the way home a bus came flying past and soaked us just like in the movies. Yes people that actually happens. Coming from Minnesota where I never owned a rain jacket or welles for that matter... this whole vehicular spraying pedestrians was a total shocker to me. Who knew!?

Clashing, on accident.

There are plenty of moments when loving and wearing unique items creates a positive interest from others, but if your not careful your best items can simply make you look like an idiot in public.  Co-blogger Krisrobot mentioned being the crazy lady in the grocery store due to many mismatched items, Clashing, on purpose.  This blog flashed me back to last year when I ran out to grab some milk and a few other items from the store.  I WAS that crazy lady.  And the saddest part of this misfortune, I had no idea.  None.  Until I said to Dan, "I feel like a lot of people where looking at me today...strange."  He very calmly  and matter-of-factly responded with, "Well, did you see what you are wearing?  He said nothing more as he showed me the paparazzi picture he snapped as I came barrelling in the door.

I had on my beloved bright red sweaties from American Eagle (a gift, I don't shop there, but wear these often) with my cow/giraffe jacket with bright green buttons I sewed on, and my tealy-blue fashion cap to cover my unworthy hair.  Oh, don't overlook my winter boots.

Those folks out shopping probably ran home to tell everyone about the celebrity sighting at the grocery store that morning.  Boy, did I have them fooled.

see my vest

Orange is one of those colors we all need more of. 

Today we had a 5K Turkey Trot run and I wore this festive padded vest with a red shirt and brown running pants.  It was one of my more tamer running outfits as I love a good 5K costume.    I tend not to wear vests much since it has to be that perfect in-between sort of weather where I am ok not having warm arms.  I find that they are generally great for my running and today especially since it was cold but dry (yay!).

This vest was passed on to my from a friend (thank you Irena!) since she thought of me when she was cleaning out her closet.  I believe it is from Old Navy.  I am always interested when people think of me when they see certain clothing items since it gives me insight to how others see me.  In general I am pleased with what people think as "totally Kris" and this orange vest is a good example. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Busted

Today I was out at lunch trying to get a good self timer mode photo of my outfit. I was totally busted by one of my co workers. Haha. Anyways, he did offer to take my photos for me but I politely declined. 

I only managed to get one photo today and had zero time to crop and zoom so we can see today's outfit in all of its deserved glory. 

Today we have an eBay skirt paired with clothes I already owned. My cardigan was purchased at old navy away back in good old 1999. It's still going strong which is pretty impressive for old navy. The red belt was a last minute decision as brown was my original choice. I like pairing contrasting colors. Yet red and green always feels too festive. Definitely not the look I'm going for.

Speaking of festive. Christmas is pounding its way closer by the minute. I had great intentions to knit something for everyone I know but we are a month away and I haven't started to knit a thing! I blame eBay. :)

Dodging Muddy Bullets

Today’s ensemble is a risky one. Not riskayyy like ‘uh oh, impeding wardrobe malfunction of doom’. Risky like ‘I am wearing light colored skirt in the late fall early winter’. Fashion faux pas? Non! I am all for wearing white after Labor Day. I’ll wear white when I want and I've never heard the sirens of the fashion police coming to stop me.

What is risky is the light colored skirt and riding my bike at full speed down a muddy trail. Miraculously, I made it to work with my skirt as crisp and as clean as it was when I pulled it off my bedroom floor this morning!

Overall, I am pleased with this skirt. It was an impulsive ebay purchase. Normally, I use the ‘watch this item’ functionality and stalk ebay like a rabid and hungry panther. This was spur-of-the-moment and when it arrived I was slightly shocked as i completely forgot that I had the trigger finger the other day. Don’t you love it when that happens?

It fits well. It’s a good length. It might be a little bit puffy for my liking. I prefer my clothing to lay flat on me or drape in a pleasant way. I wore it today with brown boots but I think it could also be worn with black boots. Speaking of black boots, I am thinking of upgrading my black boots. There is a huge list of criteria all shoes I wear must fulfill. Comfort is key. I have to be able to walk for a loooong way in them with a 25lb baby strapped to my back.
I’d really like a pair of Frye boots. I’ll need to wait till i am next in Minnesota to purchase a pair of those bad boys as the selection isn't great here in the UK and they are uber expensive here. There is a pair of dr. marten combat boots on ebay. Should I? Stay tuned.

clashing, on purpose

 My latest interest is wearing two favorite items that clash, especially if it is a shirt with a pattern underneath another shirt with a pattern.  I am also enjoying putting a patterned scarf over a patterned shirt.  There is a fine line between too much clashing and just enough clashing and I am still not sure where that line is.  But in the meantime, I am going to explore.  Today for work I am wearing a shirt with butterflies (fossil) and a cutesy sweater (forever21).  To keep it all sane, I am wearing simple gray cotton pants and black danskos.

I do not have many patterned bottoms - pants or skirts... perhaps I will have to keep an eye out for some at Goodwill.  If I venture into that land, I will have to pass my outfit by hubby to make sure that I am not on the wrong side of the line, looking like that crazy woman in the grocery store.

A note on the butterfly shirt.  This was a splurge and worth it.  I am usually a fan of all good deals, but you know when you see something and there is music and angels and lights?  Well, it was sort of like this on this shirt.  It was a not a deal but I am hoping it stays with me until I am 87.

Another 99p Skirt

I am not a big fan of shopping. I don’t like the target effect. You know, when you walk through the door and all of a sudden you become hypnotized by the bullseye and you leave with a cart full of cheap crap you don’t need. In the store there is that feel good factor. So you hurl everything in sight into that red cart as you make your way through every isle.  Bank balance suffers. Divorce is on the cards. I’m not a fan.

Then there are the shops, like jCrew for example. You love all the clothes, you love the look. You buy an ‘outfit’ and you have to remortgage. I am not interested in soliciting myself in medicinal experiments, to fund a paper thin crappy ‘cashmere’ sweater.

Thrift stores are great, in theory. If i have a spare minute or two and I am near one I might go in and peruse. However, I don’t ever have a spare minute. I prefer not to spend my time shopping. I prefer things like baking cakes, dog walks, being outside, digging in the dirt, playing, doing - anything but shopping.

Alas, what’s a gal to do!? A gal has to look good right? A gal does ebay.

I find ebay to be easy because everything is sorted into categories. I can sit on my butt drinking cup after cup after cup of tea and browse in my slippers. One of my more recent purchases was this skirt. It was a gamble. Infact all my ebay purchases are gambles. But I live life in the fast lane so that’s the way it has to be. This skirt turned out to be a good pick. I would prefer if it were a tad shorter but hey. This skirt was 99p! (plus 2.50 shipping) It’s made of silk and some other stuff. The label says hand wash. BAHAHA no. This skirt was 99p. Into the washing machine it goes. I wore it walking the dogs up a gigantic hill. One of my dogs was as enthusiastic as ever and jumped up getting skirt all muddy. Do I care? Not really. This skirt was 99p and I am going to wear it however I like. I’ll wear it in the dirt, in the rain, baby barf, muddy paws...bring it on. 

re-shirting

hello.  It is the end of a lazy weekend, and I am wearing a simple stay-at-home outfit of a favorite t-shirt and jeans.  However, I thought that I would finally do something with an old stretched-out shirt while hubby is watching football.

 

Here is the final look of the shrug. 

 

 

 

 

I cut off the bottom below the arms and sewed it up.

Then, fliped it right-side out and wear as a shrug.  I think that this works best if the v-neck is completely stretched out. 

 

But wait - I am even more excited about the disgarded "bottom".

This I sewed up a bit so that it got narrower at the top.  Now I can use it as an extra layer under my shorter t-shirt to cover up the top of my jeans. 

 

Nacho Mama's night out

This Mama has a night out with another mama, but not-cho mama.  We are, however, going to enjoy a Mexican fiesta at a local restaurant called Nacho Mama's.  The atmosphere is casual, the dining is tight and the food is spicy.  So this event called for a few different layers.  My pink Smurfette tee that I scored at a garage sale for $0.50...bragging rights...under my fantastic polka dot cardigan, with pockets! Then wrapped around my neck is my pastel vertical striped scarf, which is one of two scarves that I seem to wear all winter long with, well, everything.  A scarf for me is very functional.  Thankfully! it has come to replace the turtle neck, which has replaced the dickie.  Ew.

As I previously mentioned, we are going out for Mexican.  Mexican. That means free chips and salsa and plenty of beer before you even get your oversize chimichanga.  I am aware of what that does to your waste, so I opted for my tube top dress that I usually wear as a skirt (this allows for various lengths and plenty of expansion room to pull up over the belly) with my fleece lined tights for warmth.  I got those last season from Sears.  Over the top of the tights I have my taupe boots from Herberger's last season clearance for $30.  

My hair style was to remain casual and wavy with my go to green round wooden earrings.  I did decide on my 80's style secretarial glasses.  Strange how some ugliness has made it back from the 80's but not everything...like pinning your jeans.

Adios Amigos.
Katie May

A Temporary Stitch of Satisfaction

It's true what I say. "A temporary stitch of satisfaction."  My dress is held together, literally, by a temporary stitch on the collar of the dress.  And I was only satisfied with it for one wedding, not both, that I attended this summer. 

So here's what happened.  Dan and I were invited to very small evening wedding in the city along the Mississippi River.  And for many women a wedding in the city is reason to purchase a new dress.  I don't always fit that category.  Instead I raided a friend's closet in which she borrowed me a very low cut front dress, with the back missing. This was no dress for a bra. Of any kind.  The no-bra thing, well that's fine, but it was the wide bare back left me feeling a bit self conscious.  Bass akwards, I mine ass backwards? Yes.

Instead of loathing in self pity, I rummaged through my closet for ideas and found my black lace top.  Perfect! I put the lace top on under the dress and danced around until I located any flaws.  Warning: This is a vital step prior to wearing any new outfit. 

Solution: Needle. Black thread. And a simple hand stitch along the collar of the shirt and outer seam of the haltered neck line.  I ended the stitch roughly in line with my collar bone.

Sexy and covered up.  Good combo. Because of this fix, wearing a bra became optional.  The one I chose was from Victoria Secret with multifunctional straps. 

So why didn't this dress satisfy me for the second wedding?  I can assure you that I had every intention of wearing it until the moment I dressed for wedding #2.  This wedding, unlike the previous, was an all day affair.  With kids.  That bra, the one from Vicki's, wasn't all the comfortable in the strange configuration I needed to wear it and since weather turned chilly, I wasn't going without one.  "Crap! Now what?" I heard that voice shout in my head.  I began to rifle through ALL of my clothes.  Again.  No luck in the main quarry (closet). My real quest began as I entered the dungeon (basement closet), warding off any oncoming enemies (kids, husband, cell phone) and found myself face to face with Princess Zelda - my new clothing victim!  A black strapless dress that my sister wore in MY wedding.

Solution: Remove simple stitch from previous dress to retrieve lace top to wear under the strapless dress. No sewing needed!

The best part about this T-length dress is that I could wear short leggings underneath and nobody had to know about it.

Where there's a will, there's a way.
Katie May

I just made a rhym today.
D'you hear what I say?
Rhymin' like Dr. Dre.
Hey.

Gimme Shelter

My quest to find a dry-ish warm-ish location to take today's photos led me to an underpass. So, along with a couple of folks enjoying a cheeky (and probably daily) bottle of booze, there I was snapping away.

I am so pleased with this dress. I got it off ebay for less than £5. That's less than 10 bucks! Can't complain. I have a feeling that this dress will be a closet workhorse as the polka dots are timeless and very versatile. I am now on the hunt for more timeless graphic dresses on ebay to add to my collection. Chevrons, Stripes, Dots. Watch out!

This dress also fared well on my bike ride into work. It was a wet morning. I managed to stay dry as did my dress. Its short enough where my rainjacket covers it but not too short. I'd rather not spend the day worried i'm going to flash my coworkers. I've got better things to do.

Bound by Boots

Today's inspiration was my clearance boots by Relativity.  Cute...short...suede...taupe booties!  My evening events include a meeting with a client who is remodeling his kitchen and painting every interior wall he owns and also a committee meeting for a non-profit organization fundraiser that I agreed to help with. 

Keeping those two events in mind I began crafting from the ground up.  Boots. That was the easiest choice since I just bought them today.  Next came leg coverage.  This was a more difficult choice, but since I wanted the boots to pop I settled on purple tights from Target.  Next in line was coverage of the midriff.  My favorite (you might hear me say that a lot) dress from a tiny boutique along the board walk of Laguna Beach, CA.  Quick fiesty girl back story: I was quite pregnant at the time of purchase.  As I was casually sifting the racks of clothing I came across the lovely teal polka dot dress.  The lovely little Italian owner scaughed at me and said ever so politely, "That will not fit you, Ma'm" in her sweet little Italiano accent.  I look over my left shoulder and reply, "Oh. Really?"  Of course I had to atleast try it on.  Fortunately for my competitive self it fit.  Unfortunately it was well outside my comfortable price range, but I was already in the lead...I could get it over my large belly and it would obviously fit me after the pregnancy.  Plus I was on vaca, souvinere right?  So, I said, "I'll take it.  And that necklace too!"  I guess in the end we both won.  I have loved my dress ever since, even if the top does fail and require me to always wear something underneath, even if I did have to learn this the hard way.  Just more layers.

Ok, back on track.  Simple white tee from Target underneath topped with (what is this? a dessert?) a light pink cardigan from New York & Company, purchased from a consignment shop. 

Jewelry, sorry it isn't too visible, is from Forever 21.  One necklace has red, teal and peach beads. The other is a round gold lace earing that I attached to a gold chain.  I lost the other earring in London, had to do something with the misfit!

Hope you found some inspiration!  Over and out.
Katie May

Oh, pardon the mess..

grey for a grey day

all of my ebay bargains have been arriving and everyday feels like christmas. i really cant complain buying a nice bit of clothing for 99p! of course there is shipping in there but hey! 99p! and there is also the thrill of winning an auction. am i addicted? maybe getting that way.

anyways. today is the usual cold windy scotland day. 'tis ok though because i wore 2x leggings and i have to admit i am slightly too warm! that's the trouble with boots. i cant seem to just kick them off under my desk! or can I? oh yes i can. i just did! whoop!

my skirt isn't the most cycle friendly skirt. it is comfortable. but to ride a bike - the skirt needs to be hiked up a bit. its not that its impossible. not as comfortable as the rest. still better than denim. fer shure.

sweater: anthropologie (bought aaages ago)
tee: jcrew
scarf: target
leggings: h&m
skirt: white stuff (ebay!)
boots: clarks

Red Red Red

There have been a few bloopers as I discover the best way to document outfits on the daily. Outdoor timer shots seem to work better than indoor ones. Not sure what I was attempting here.
Red is usually an ongoing theme for me.
The outfit: Burgundy Leggings - H&M Wellies - Hunter Red Dress - Marks and Spencer Red Jacket - North Face Grace Wrap for Baby - Girasol Amitola Fuscha Weft

Success

I had some success over the weekend.

I located the camera i planned to use for this project, charged up the batteries and I am learning how to use it. I scored a few more wardrobe bargains on ebay. My new brown boots arrived! Exciting times.

Today i am wearing:

Cardigan: jcrew (purchased almost 10 years ago)

Mini Belt: H&M

Tee: jcrew

Dress: Monsoon (Ebay purchase)

Leggings: H&M

Boots: Dr. Martens

backstory

I had a wardrobe revelation last week after i spent most of the day with soaking wet jeans and feet after commuting to work through the pouring rain on my bicycle. from that point on i decided to start wearing dresses, skirts and boots in hope of keeping my feet a little bit warmer.

i wore every dress and skirt i own and by the end of the week i had nothing left skirt/dress like in my closet. except this red dress! bingo.

dress: m&s
leggings: h&m
shirt: gap
sweater: anthropologie
boots: clarks

gonna try something new

Skirts. dresses. leggings. Gonna start wearing them and i'll post how this goes here.

I started wearing dresses when I was pregnant and since realized how useful they are. Of course i had to wait until the novelty of fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans wore off before i started this venture. I'd say that novelty has worn off now.

I've ordered some skirts and dresses of Ebay. Did i mention i dislike shopping and i dislike spending my hard earned money on clothes?

Today I dressed myself in the usual jeans and tee shirt. Then i realized the rain was beating down on the windows so I quickly swapped to cycling leggings and off I went. Good thing I did.