new plan...

so, here's the new plan - bulk posts!
this is the outfit i wore today.
and the same dress styled differently.
a stunner shade look for the brief moment of sun yesterday.

i made carol's cake for a small get-together. there are many leftovers.
this is my gardening look. i got lost on the farm only to find out that class was meeting on campus and not on the farm at all. ugh. oh well...i'll just have to come up with another gardening look.
jellie premiere!
and here is a non-cropped shot to show you what i cut out of most pictures. piles of things. and on this one occasion - amy.

First day of class!

I like to think that Tyra would say this picture is fierce. I felt a little Prince Harry, but I enjoyed it.

This outfit was also very practical for the rainy-ness that was today.

I added the jacket, but you can tell I didn't get it on in time for the self-timed picture. Oh well...you get the idea. I feel like Tyra would say I look like a gold bird getting ready to take flight.

Laundry Day

So, I don't think this outfit is too bad for a laundry day. It's old...but it works. Also, I look tan!

You can tell my interest is mild,

because I fail to blog in a timely fashion. Here are the updates -

I'm thinking that part of my problem is that I spend too much time explaining the clothes. More time spent blogging leads to more time spent putting off the time-consuming blogging. Therefore...I'm dropping the detailing of each item, unless of course I can't help myself. If you have questions, you'll ask. :) I firmly believe this. I'm also aware of the skimmers out there - skim away!

This outfit saw me through poetry of the 70's and an evening barbecue. That is what I call double duty!

Amanda was Ticked

Off-white T - Old Navy, Houndstooth Sweater - Isaac Mizrahi for Target, Wide Leg Jeans - GAP, Sneakers - New Balance, Beaded Necklace - Bequeathed from Mammaw

Don't be alarmed by the almost palpable angst in these two pictures. Amanda was ticked on Friday the 13th. I'm okay, I'm over it, but I didn't ham it up in the pictures. :) Enjoy!

Also...it was a two outfit day, so you get double the angst!

Striped Oxford - GAP, Trouser Jeans - GAP, Scarf - GAP

Wow...GAPped out and I didn't even realize it. Nice.

The Scarf!

Pleated Tank - NY&Co., Jeans - GAP, Black Flats - M. Patrick, Scarf - Bindya New York

I was pretty stoked about having a nice and breezy day with plenty of sun. Perfect weather for the wonder tank and the new scarf!

Recognize it?



At the conference, a guy asked me if I was making a political statement.
My response: "No. Just a fashion one."
The response I wish I came up with immediately: "Yes. I stand by Rachael Ray." :)

Oh well...

Poetry Perfect

I switched up the outfit to attend a poetry reading tonight with Mark. This reading is part of a larger conference with many academic celebrities in attendance. So...I decided to present a classier front than I did while running around Bangor. I've exchanged the mini + leggings for a pair of NY&Co. straight jeans and i've swapped the black and white sweater (not pictured) of this afternoon for the subtle orange to complement the flats.

This look is still far more coordinated than most intelligentsia would spend time on, but it fits my graduate school position, I think.

Bring on the poetry!

On a Teacher's Salary

(But not a teacher’s outfit) :)

White V-neck T – Old Navy, Jean Skirt – Clockhouse, Black Leggings, Floral Flats, Star Earrings & Red Beaded Necklace - xhiliration

This outfit was inspired by those gorgeous little floral flats that I found at Target on Tuesday. My mom and sister know that I have continued to admire the Chinese Laundry shoes that these are patterned after, so I was thrilled to find these on clearance for a cool $7.48. I had to settle for a pair of size 7s, but I have made much larger compromises for fashion – a loose flat won’t slow me down!

Anyway, later in the day, I picked up the jean skirt ($4.99) and the necklace ($.98) at Goodwill. The star earrings and black leggings were both picked up on sale at Target over the past two semesters as well. While it’s not teaching appropriate, I am pleased by having put together such an economically responsible outfit with my teaching means. Success!

Details of earrings:

and shoes:

Acceleration Central

Grey Tank – GAP, Blue Shorts – Old Navy, Sunglasses – Street Stand in Rome

Today (Tuesday) I went back to the river to sunbathe and accelerate the tan. : ) Clearly, this was the best costume for today. I took this picture before the tanning, so you can tell that I'm becoming a brown baby. And yes, never the acceleration on the face. :)

Despite the perfection of this outfit, I changed later:


Burgundy Top – H&M, Off-white Tank – Old Navy, Khaki Shorts – Old Navy, Watch – Fossil, Bronze Flats – Born

Since I’ve been back in Maine, I’ve been excitedly watching the Olive Garden commercials about their current specials. Around 4 o’clock (Amy mocked the ‘early bird’ timing, but I knew it would save time and hassle.) I realized my dream by enjoying several plates of salad and a bit of pasta and chicken. Needless to say, my plan to fill up on salad worked perfectly and I now have a complete meal in my refrigerator waiting for me.

Ugh, such heat...

Red Polka-dot Polo - GAP, Khaki Shorts - Old Navy, Watch - Fossil

So...the heat in Maine is pretty yuck. Today was the second day of 90+ degree weather with 50% humidity and 0% air conditioning. Ugh...

Anyway...you can see the toll that this weather has taken on my accessories, make-up, and overall complexity of wardrobe composition. And though the picture I've given you here is light-bleached and odd, the others were exponentially worse. For your viewing pleasure:

Down by the River

Brown Tank - NY & Co., Jean Bermudas - Levis, Red Sunglasses - Forever 21, Beaded Necklace - Gift from Navajo reservation

Yesterday, (yeah...the internet still fails) I spent the afternoon by the Stillwater River. Jessica will be pleased to learn that I accelerated my tan with all the dry oil. :)

Another short coat day

Gold Coat - Willi Smith, Teal T - Old Navy, Jeans - GAP, Red Flats - M. Patrick, Red Bead Necklace - Old Navy

The common rule regarding accessories is that less is more. The famous adage instructs that when you feel you are ready to leave the house, you should then remove one accessory before you go. I guess I did this bass-ackwards today because post-blog I'm going to add an accessory. Oh, well...


I bought this cute coat at T.J. Maxx 'n' More yesterday afternoon, and I think it's going to be perfect for today's again blah weather. The weather lady said 54, but it looks pretty sunny out there, so we'll see!

Cute back, right? I love the button. :)

Classic Black

Black Tank - NY & Co., Jeans - NY & Co., Black Flats - M. Patrick (I know, it's lame, but I love them.), Watch - Fossil, Pink Sapphire Ring - Kay Jewelers, Heart Necklace - Middle school leftover

I'm feeling very Audrey Hepburn/Jackie O. today. I got up this morning all excited about walking to The Store and blogging and reading. However, as it goes these days, it started raining by the time I stepped out the door. Oh well, Amy saved the day and I'm now blogging from Starbucks. I'm telling you...this lack of internet is starting to get to me.

Moving on... I quickly realized that my outfit (though cute and fun) did not fit the conditions outside. Instant fix to the Audrey outfit: the Jackie O. coat.

In other news, the best setting for taking pictures in my dingy apartment: Sunset. Interesting...now I just need to find a better background.

Bowling Ballerina

Black Dress - NY & Co., Grey Tank - Gap, Black Leggings - Kohl's, Red Flats - M. Patrick, Heart Necklace - Target $1 Bin :)

This outfit was inspired by the song that has been in my head for several days now. The song is 'Sugarcane' by Missy Higgins. Here are the lyrics:

Baby ballerina's hiding somewhere in the corner,
where the shadow wraps around her
and our torches cannot find her,
she will stay there 'til the morning,
crawl behind us as we are yawning,
and she will leave our games to never be the same.

So Grow Tall Sugar Cane.
Eat that Soil, Drink the Rain.
But know they'll chase you if you play their little games.
So run, run fast Sugar Cane.

This look was extremely functional for the walk to and around campus. I ended up going candlepin bowling later in the night and the ballerina look actually worked out well with the Lysol-ed, tri-color, rented bowling shoes. Nice...

I tried to take ballet pictures too...but I'm really just going to leave that to Jessica. :)

I had to add the jacket for the walk. Maine is a bit chilly (and very rainy) these days.

In case of rain

Blue Shirt - Gap, White Shrug - NY & Co., Plaid Shortpants - Ann Taylor Loft, Boat Shoes - Sperry Topsiders, Blue Beaded Necklace - Bequeathed from Mammaw, Flawless Skin - Arbonne

As you can see, I was ready for anything today. My plan was to drop off my car and then spend some time in town reading and then walk back home later in the afternoon. Of course this didn't happen and I ended up driving back home with my rejected car, but at least I was ready for that plan too!

And for the Arbonne comment -- Can you see the Arbonne difference?! I can and it may be a placebo effect, but I really think my skin looks great. Today (in preparation for the inevitable downpour) I wore ONLY mascara and my own even skintone. It is truly spectacular. I'm convinced.

It's been raining since I got back to Maine, so this pic provides flair, but not quite style with the joining of two very divergent plaids. :)

Umbrella - Tommy Hilfiger

This could become a problem

I know I've missed several days, but I'm not one to take responsibility for things. SO...my excuses are as follows:
1. sweat
2. memory card
3. travel
4. lack of internet at College Park

Now that I've taken care of that...my recent outfits.

Oh, and I also apologize for the size of these pictures. I am posting from the library b/c of the internet situation, but even here I am having massive struggles. Ugh. This WILL be rectified.

Monday:

Beige Top with Tie - Calvin Klein, Jeans - Gap, Bronze Flats - Born, Watch - Fossil, Beaded Necklace - on loan from Jessica (there is some debate about the location of purchase - I think 1,000 Villages, Jessica thinks NY & Co.), Polka Dot bag - Knock-off Kate Spade from the streets of NYC, Duffel - No Boundaries, Suitcase - Value City

This look was put together for maximum comfort and ease of movement. The shirt doesn't wrinkle (great for the planes, all 3 of them), the watch keeps me on track, and the flats allow me to look cute while I run from gate to gate. I took this picture around 7pm when I finally got back to my apartment. So as you can see, the outfit held up pretty well.

Oh, and we can all thank my mom for my sweet new super-short pixie. Success!

Tuesday:

Sheer floral top - Charlotte Russe, White Tank - Gap, Jeans - NY & Co., Bronze flats - Born, Turquoise beaded bracelet - H&M

Well, I've been suffering from a bit of deja vu since I got back to my apartment last night. It just feels very...last summer. In honor of that feeling, I decided to wear the outfit that made me a celebrity on the first day of orientation. I was wearing this top and these jeans when I ran into the very first meeting of TA's, grad students, faculty members, and so on (I was late, of course). Later in the day, I wore this outfit to the very first mixer at Laurie's apartment (soon to be mine!). I found out several weeks, months for some people, later that their first impressions of me were largely based on aspects of this outfit. Oh well...they were mostly good. :)

The accessories have been changed to protect the innocent.

Haircut, please?!

On Jessica:
Underwears in Love T - Etsy.com, Jean Miniskirt - Old Navy, Black FlipFlops - Old Navy, Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe

On Amanda:
Merlot shirt - H&M, Beige tank - Gap, Jeans - NY & Co., Boat shoes - Sperry Topsiders, Sunglasses - Fossil

Oy...I need a haircut so so badly.

I'm completely aware of the fact that this is not a full body shot, but you are really lucky to get this one today.

It's too late to apologize

but I'm going to try anyway!

On Jessica:
Purple shirt - H&M, White shrug - Forever 21, Jeans - Old Navy, FlipFlops - Old Navy

On Amanda:
Red patterned shirt - H&M, Off-white tank - Gap, Jeans - Gap, Boat Shoes - Sperry Topsiders


My apology is not complicated: I apologize for ever considering myself at all photogenic. Sadly, this was the best picture out of the lot. Jessica is holding her own in the set, but ugh...I'm not pleased with my performance. : ) I'll have to start performing wardrobe blogger more seriously, I guess.

Moving on...Jessica and I got these shirts the other day on one of our many shopping excursions.

I think they look good...

All together now...

On Joshua: White T - Hanes, Work Pants - Cintas, Sneakers - Emerica

On Jessica: Teal T - Old Navy (with handcuff & glock detail by me), White Tank - American Eagle, Jeans - Old Navy, Navy Sweater - Gap


On Amanda: Off-white Tank - Old Navy, Brown Tank - Gap, Orange Sweater - Gap, Jeans - Gap, Purple Flats - Bongo

Mom took over the wardrobe photoshoot today so it ended up being a jumping, posing festivus. This is the shot that ended up showing the most of our outfits, so here it is!

Josh is rocking the workman's chic, and Jessica and I are visions in our matching Gap sweaters.

Here are my not pictured new purple clearance flats:

Shoppin' Dirty

On Jessica: Polka-dot Ruffle shirt - Torrid, Jeans - Old Navy, Boat shoes - Sperry Topsiders

On Amanda: White T - Hanes (with applique detail by me), Jeans - NY & Co., Sneakers - New Balance

Since Jessica likes to do everything 'dirty' these days, I guess one could say that we shopped dirty today. (Dirty defintion: doing something while listening to really loud, heavily bassed music and looking fierce.) My outfit was dictated by comfort, while Jessica's seems to have married comfort and style.

We did fairly well on our shopping excursion too, so there will be some bangin' updates in the coming weeks.

Sunday Best

On Amanda: Red Tank - Old Navy, Embroidered Skirt - Westbound, White Shrug - NY & Co., Fancy Flats - Born, Sunglasses - Fossil (Hand-me-downs from Kira), Watch - Fossil

On Jessica: Chocolate Brown Dress - NY & Co., White Tank - Aerie by American Eagle, Sweater - Gap, Flipflops - American Eagle, Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe

Now, I'll tell you what I love about this pic --- the sunbleaching! I promise that both Jessica and I have more tan than this picture claims.

Today we went to church in the morning, and though the church situation is more relaxed than it used to be, Jessica and I both ended up in skirts. I personally find it a lot easier to wear a skirt when I'm not forced - or even encouraged - to do so. I'll have to ask Jessica if she feels the same way.

Jessica was especially excited to wear her new chocolate dress today after she lifted it from my closet. I was debating returning the dress, but Jessica fell in love with it and saved me the trouble. Niiiiiice.

This is how we do...

On Amanda: Cassette Tape T-shirt - Divided by H&M, Skinny Jeans - NY & Co., Red Flats - M. Patrick, Summer Scarf - Gap

On Jessica: White Tank - Old Navy, Jeans - Torrid (altered by Jess), Jacket - Mossimo Supply Co., Flip-flops - Old Navy, Sunglasses - Charlotte Russe, Necklace - Family Heirloom

JESSICA IS HERE!!!

I guess that announcement is a little late, but you get the idea. I immediately bumrushed Jessica on the street and insisted that she join me in the blog today. Of course, she looked like a hipster straight out of the 7 hour drive. She introduced me to this pose, the gangsta lean. It's nice, right? I'll have to remember to employ that when dressing especially fierce. :)

Anyway - the clothes! My outfit is again relying heavily on several pieces from last summer. The scarf is the only new addition, sadly.

Jessica got her jacket, tank, sunglasses & flipflops for an inspiring $32. Adding the repurposed jeans, Jessica is the picture of economic savvy in a time of insecurity in the market. Take a lesson, people!


We also took a lot of really ridiculous pictures since we were outside and playing with my new camera. If you want to see these pictures, head over to the family blog.

Last Summer's Staples

V-neck - Gap, Blue & White Striped Pants - Tommy Hilfiger, Boat Shoes - Sperry Topsiders, Watch - Fossil

This morning mom dared me to have what she refers to as 'normal' days on this blog. She told me that I don't have to look like a star everyday, but celebrity is the cross I bear. So...today I am dressed normally.

This outfit was actually a very popular one last summer. The pants are light and breezy and can be rolled up for even more summer fun. The shirt is basic and comfortable and now faded. The shoes have seen me through all four seasons in Virginia and now the harshest of winters in Maine. They too are scuffed and faded, but they weather well.

Ah! And the watch! I bought this watch recently and I absolutely love it. Since I'm in Virginia now, I don't have my accessories (packing is difficult for me) so the watch might just be the extent of it until June.

Gothic Golfer

Skull & Crossbones polo - Old Navy, Plaid Bermudas - Charlotte Russe, Red Flats - M. Patrick

Today I went for a twist on the J. Crew ultra-prep look. I love these shorts for the obvious reasons of fit, length, and plaid, but I hadn't tried them out with this shirt before today. As the title suggests, I was worried about pairing a black and white be-skulled polo with an equally dark bottom, but I think I achieved light-hearted whimsy rather than intimidating darkness.

My red shoes are my favorite, but they are starting to remind me of a certain red sweater that my grandfather used to wear (still wears? has anyone talked him out of it yet?). They are quite scuffed, and I'd love to be able to replace them. However, I do not believe that a more comfortable pair of flats exists.

In other news...I am going to working on the angle and lighting for pictures, but I'm getting a late start tonight. I'm also planning to buy a new digital camera, so that should improve things as well. I'll be much much happier when I don't have to use an upward angle in order to get a head-to-toe shot with the self-timer.

Here is a close-up of the skulls and crossbone detail:

Helllloooo Wardrobe Bloggers!

My plan is to blog my outfits each day of the week. You might ask why, but I might just tell you not to read. Only kidding - I'm not entirely sure why except for the fact that it all comes back to Oh-no, Maine. I'm just not getting the kind of response I want (need). So... the interweb steps in! Hopefully, with any luck, this blogging will be as interesting for you as it is therapeutic for me.

Also...in all honesty...this will keep me from wearing the same pants three times a week. I generally spend quite a while putting something together for my teaching days, but those between days can get pretty messy. No more messy now! Well...at least not the unplanned, baggy-jeaned, sweat-shirted messy. :)

And...my ultimate inspiration comes from this little lady:

Little Edie Beale

In her best monologue (in my opinion) she says:
"This is the best thing to wear for the day. You understand... Because I don't like women in skirts, and the best thing is to wear pantyhose or some pants... under a short skirt, I think. Then you have the pants under the skirt, and then you can pull the stockings up over the pants, underneath the skirt... And you can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape. So I think this is the best costume for the day... I have to think these things up, you know."


Edie had a lot of clothes, but it was really the ways that she put these pieces together that made her a star. If I start wearing sweater vests on my head, then you can attempt to set me straight. Until then, I'm going to keep wearing 'revolutionary' costumes and blogging them.