turn a t-shirt into a scarf

The other day I joked about wearing my scarf as a skirt as a way to try to branch out during TOPIO. While Heidi tried to convince me it can be done (see her attempt here), I was intrigued when Kate suggested I wear the shirt as a scarf. I really can't tell if she was joking, but it did get me thinking...could I do that?

Turns out I can. Today at work Emily stopped me mid work-related conversation to say, "Oh. My. God. Where is that scarf from?!!"

So if my most fashionable friend was fooled, I feel anyone could be fooled by this little trick.

take tee  |  grab furthest apart pieces
tie with hair band  |  fluff

In other news, I was searching on the Urban Outfitters site this morning in a fit of black jean desperation. They are currently have a sale on all of their BDG jeans, so even though my favorite pair of jeans isn't available in my size, I'm hoping that this pair works just as well. If you looking into trying the BDG jeans, now would be a good time as they are about $20 less than they are normally!

Cardigan: Thrifted  {save | splurge}
Chambray: Old Navy  {exact}
Shirt as Scarf: Forever 21  {exact}
Jeans: American Eagle  {exact}
Belt: Gap
Earrings: Tiffany & Co.  {exact}
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}
Shoes: Tory Burch  {save | exact}

interesting techniques : interesting faces







linking up with plane pretty!

IRL

Documenting what I wear daily on this blog has been a really valuable experience so far. I'm building a workable wardrobe, I'm learning what works and what doesn't, and I've become more aware of the money I spend.

The problem with taking pictures of yourself and putting it on the internet is that I feel it has to be special/pinterest worthy/worth remembering. I would love to accessorize more, wear cuter shoes, spend more time on my hair, wear skirts. But the reality is that this is what I wear in real life. I like simple and clean, I have to wear pants, I can't wear rings that can't be worn with gloves, and after almost 25 years, I still don't know how to do my hair. I can't pretend to be something on this blog that I'm not in real life. This may not be the most special outfit ever posted on the internet, but it is what I actually wore to work today.

Shirt: Thrifted Ralph Lauren  {similar}
Jeans: Joe's Jeans  {similar}
Belt: Gap {save, spend, splurge}
Shoes: Rocket Dog (that need to be replaced...)
Necklace: 18th Birthday Present
Bracelet: J. Crew  {similar}

Spotted

A few weeks ago I was debating between getting a pair of maroon skinny jeans, and a pair of green ones. Ultimately I decided that for $75+ a pop at Express, a maroon pair was going to be a better fit for my wardrobe.

But when I saw that Old Navy was coming out with a whole line of colored jeans, I knew that that green pair was waiting for me. I had a coupon which brought the price down to $25 - a much better option for my budget (which also brings my July budget to $180). I had a rebate code for paying off my Gap card over 6 months ago, which made the top free! According to Laura that makes me smart, not cheap ;)

(just as an fyi, these jeans run super small. I got 2 sizes larger than my normal pants size)

I'm loving pattern mixing on others but continue to do it in baby steps. Last time it was floral + leopard print...and this time it's polka dots + leopard print. I'm linking up with Marionberry Style's Trend of the Month - go see how all the other ladies are more adventurous than me!

Shirt: Old Navy  {save, spend, splurge}
Jeans: Old Navy  {save, spend, splurge}
Belt: Gap  {save, spend, splurge}
Shoes: Rocket Dog
Watch: Fossil  {save, spend, splurge}
Bracelet: J. Crew  {save, spend, splurge}
Nails: Seen here

Linking up with Real Girl Glam, Two Thirty Five and Visible Monday

Skinnies

A year ago, I wouldn't have been caught dead in skinny jeans...and now I'm on to my 6th pair. I've been getting really sick of my black pairs of skinny jeans, and after seeing so many cute pictures of maroon and green skinny jeans, I was hooked. Luckily for me, Express had some in both colors. Ultimately I knew that I would wear the maroon pair more than green ones, as cute as they are. I'm so excited to wear these this fall with boots!

These were going for $80 but I had a promo code so they were only $50. If you are in the market for some new jeans, Express is having a buy 1, get 1 half off jeans!

Jeans: Express
Blouse: H&M (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Simply Vera Vera Wang (similar at Target)

Queen of Returning

Every time I bring something new home, Chris asks me if I'm going to end up returning it. I would say that probably one third of the time, the answer is yes. I get caught up in the purchase of something, thinking about how cute it is in the store/dressing room/Sephora's mirror and then I get home and realize that once again I was mistaken.  I realize that it doesn't look as great as I thought it did, or it doesn't work with my closet, or it really isn't as flattering as I thought...which is why I'm the Queen of Returning.    

If you are going to buy something, you should really love it. If you have any doubt about something you buy, keep the receipt (I do for every purchase), don't take the tags off, and play around with it. If you find out that you do actually feel 100% confident in your purchase, rip those tags off and wear with pride. If not, return it. Some stores are really great about returns (Sephora, for example, lets you return just about anything without a receipt in exchange for store credit which is great if you decide after 3 weeks that the mascara you bought really doesn't do what you wanted it to) and others aren't so great (Forever 21 only allows store credit for returns, even with a receipt).

I bought this sweater this weekend while shopping at Forever 21. I loved the color (which is surprising because I don't own anything in yellow/orange) but after putting it on again this morning, I realize that the fit is a bit off, and its scratchy. Even though its only a $15 sweater, I'm going to take it back. I would rather use that store credit to buy some fun jewelry, and use those $15 I would normally have spent on the jewelry to invest in a sweater I know I'll wear again and again.

How do you feel about returning purchases? Are you a frequent returner like I am, or once you claim something as yours, you hold on tight?


Sweater: Forever 21
Jeans: Joe's Jeans (similar)
Belt: Old Navy (similar)
Bracelets: Forever 21
Purse: Coach (similar)

Pinky Bottoms

Since I can't wear skirts or dresses to work, I have to find new ways to wear pants. Colored jeans fit the ticket, but I'm not sure I love how this pair fits me.

I bought this pair about 6 months ago and have only worn them 3 times - they are just too tight...and bright. I usually try to wear dark pants so going in the complete opposite direction with bright pink pants is a little foreign to me. I love the idea of colored jeans so now I'm in the market for some emerald jeans (so I can look like this) or some maroon pants (so I can wear them like this).

How do you feel about colored jeans? Do you want a pair in every shade of the rainbow, or are you sticking to the darker shades?

Jeans: Gap (similar at Express)
Top: Forever 21 (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Flats: Rocketdog
Bag: Coach (similar)
Bracelets: Forever 21

Starry Night

Nothing too crazy for work today but cardigans are a reliable staple in my wardrobe so they are what I grab for in my (every.single.morning) rush.

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Tee: Gap
Belt: Gap
Jeans: Joe's Jeans
Bracelet: Forever 21

I have a slight obsession with stars/the universe. If it weren't for my terrible physics skills I would love to become an astronaut. Given my lack of math skills, starry manicures are about as close as its going to get. I only used 1 layer of Midnight Cami so it had more of a swirl to the look...

Base: Essie Midnight Cami
Sparkle: Wet 'n Wild Kaleidoscope

Easiest way to Chambray

Buying this chambray shirt may have been the best purchase I've made in months. It fits perfectly and goes with anything (except for jeans...no Canadian tuxedos!). Mine is a tall sized Medium from Old Navy - and for ~$20, you can't go wrong.

Chambray: Old Navy
Necklace: Ann Taylor Outlet
Belt: Gap
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Watch: Flossil
Bracelets: Forever 21

Stripes + Leopard

Shirt: UO
Cardigan: American Eagle (old)
Belt: Gap
Watch: Fossil

Blazers, Oxfords and Tiffanys

Blazer: Lauren Conrad for Kohls
Button up: Gap
Belt: Gap
Watch: Fossil
Bracelet: Tiffanys