in the navy (vest)

As Kiley knows (now you are famous!), I have been hungry for a sweater vest.   With all the 80’s stuff in fashion these days I was hoping that we would see more vests around?  But instead we get neon and harem pants.  Blerg.

I ordered this vest from Old Navy and it is a girl sized XL since it is a school uniform vest and there was no similar item in women’s clothing.  It has the perfect nerdy, tighter fit.  When I was online shopping for it, my check-out basket once had two vests - one navy and one gray.  I decided to let the navy one go since who needs THAT many sweater vests? 

Well, the universe must have wanted me to have the navy one because that is what I received (although the packing invoice was the gray one).  After 2 minutes of hemming and hawing, I decided to keep what was given to me rather than deal with the exchange process. I know – such drama. 

Today, I paired it with one of my fav old lady shirts with a strange square pattern.  And, with blue pants and gray sneakers. 

It passed the hubby approval this morning.  But now that I think about it, I had worded my question to him as “Isn’t this sweater adorably awkward?”.  Yes.  Yes, it is.

how to tie a scarf

I have been doing scarf research (yes that is a thing) online and found the following four videos to be interesting - some new ways to tie a scarf.  So, I thought I would share!

25 ways to tie a scarf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU

Eileen Fisher, fall scarves:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+tie+a+scarf&view=detail&mid=DF001E8A1EB4827A47ADDF001E8A1EB4827A47AD&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR&qpvt=how+to+tie+a+scarf

Eileen Fisher, more on fall scarves:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=How+To+Tie+A+Scarf+Vest&view=detail&mid=C07AF18A42A4B49BD73CC07AF18A42A4B49BD73C&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

Rosette neck wrap:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+tie+a+scarf+rosette&mid=EC57F2303C1797C2B158EC57F2303C1797C2B158&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1

handkerchief "knot" - good for square scarves

And finally, if you have time I highly highly suggest googling "liberty london how to tie a scarf".  Their "scarf stylist", Lauranne Plat, has like 5 or so super creative videos on youtube.  Also, her accent is adorable.  Enjoy!

shoes!

Hello.  My name is Oxford Pumps.  I am new to the wardrobe of Kris and I am still learning my way around outside of the box.  As you can see, I am terribly cute and a potentially funky addition to any outfit.  I come from Earth (that is my brand) and I had a lot of competitors before being hired.  I am trendy and you see my sisters everywhere.  I earned this position because I am gray and comfortable as well as not too high in height.  I expect to get regular use with work pants or skirts and often paired with fun socks.  Wish me well in my venture!

Running like a leprechaun

Had our St. Paddy’s day run today.  My outfit was more inspired by trying to keep warm rather than being flashy.  Was below 30 minutes and in the top third of my age bracket (35-39).  Not too shabby.  Or, should I say, not too o’shabby.

what's cuter than this tie?

not much, apparently.

Painfully cute patterns

One thing that gets me excited about an item of clothing is the pattern.  Something about the pattern should be obnoxious, a certain color or painfully cute.  It is not easy to define and for everyone a cute pattern is different.  When shopping with my mom I am interested that it is quite hard to define what I mean by ugly-cute until I see it.  Describing a pattern that calls to you is really difficult unless you have an example in front of you.

For example, this shirt:

1.       My first thought is “why did this become a shirt” because the pattern is so particular and not-mainstream.

2.       My second thought is that the colors are perfect

3.       My final thought is that I could stare at this pattern for hours and not get tired of it. It is not obvious. What is it? Lanes of produce? Plots of flowers?

What things distract from a shirt?

1.       Do you get dizzy looking at it?  Sounds funny, but if it is black and white stripes and when it moves you feel vertigo you have to evaluate if that is the response you want from those around you who are forced to see your shirt.

2.       Is the pattern too perfect?  Many shirts made today look like they are trying too hard.  Something about shirts made a few decades ago have the right mixture of “what?” and “cool!”

3.       Besides the fit of the shirt, the color choice of the shirt has to be quirky.  The mix of brown with bright orange and blue has enough difference in tone.  It is not all the same level of color.

It is good to be picky about pattern.  Find your something that calls to you.  Not sure if that is a good life goal, but at least it is attainable. 

thinking a bit

Today I am wearing black boots, black jeans  and a top I got used that I call my old Chinese woman shirt.  It is a shirt I found at Goodwill that the labels are in Chinese.  I feel like you get extra points if your used clothing has a cool label or is in a different language.  It is this unusual thick cottony-polyester material that I am sure is highly flammable.  The pattern is adorable.

I wanted to wear my black boots (with heels) today but felt like jeans.  I am wondering to myself why I am currently fascinated with heels and I think that it has to do with being able to wear them almost all day and having no awkward pain in my knee.  It has been years since my injury/surgery but I am still noticing successes.  Wearing heels is one of my newest ones.  I also notice I can do certain moves in rock climbing and I do not get a strange pain anymore.  I am not 100% (will I ever be?), but I am probably 90-95% now.  And, that is pretty cool.