July 14, 2011: A Neutral Party

Apparently these pants lead themselves to be paired with neutral items of clothing. I will have to shake that up moving forward... next time hot pink sweater (or something similar)! There is no reason to play it safe every time I wear them, right? Maybe it's this new office which has led me to be a little more conservative maybe...

Do you have clothing items like this? You know, the ones the draw you to other staples like they were made to be put together... How do you break out of that mold?

• Top: white ruffle button down blouse, LOFT; brown and black zebra print cardigan, New York & Company
• Bottom: black capri pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Stella wedge pumps, Seychelles via DSW; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earring; purple shoulder bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

June 13, 2011: Held On

I love this dress! I have had it for a long time and this is the first time that I have ever worn it out in public. Why? Well because it has a fairly open back and this deep drapey v-neck in the front. I'm glad I ignored the (logical) part of my brain that had told me to donate it so many times before and held on to it.

Since I was wearing it to work the easiest thing was to throw something over it. I think it might have been a bit more structured with a blazer or cardi, maybe next time... I also figured out (through much trial and error) that I can get away with a strapless bra and tank top for the modesty by day or night when I have plans with friends! I know, I know 2 + 2 = 4... revelations.

Do you have an item that you are holding on to because you're not sure how to wear it but, can't bear to get rid of it? Did you have such an item? How did you end up making it work?

• Top: blue gray draped jersey knit dress, BCBG MaxAzria with a tank top underneath for the modesty; gray flyaway cardigan, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earring; purple shoulder bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

July 11/July 12, 2011: Monday and Tuesday

If I can get todays outfit up later and keep the momentum going for the rest of the week I will be officially caught up! I am so excited about the propect because that means I can venture into some of the extra things that I have been thinking about. Wish me luck!

July 12, 2011

• Top: cream embellished tissue tee, Banana Republic;  brown and black zebra print cardigan, New York & Company
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: turquoise peep toe flats, Xhiliration via Target; mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; purple shoulder bag, Coach (not pictured)

July 13, 2011

• Top: blue floral dress with metallic bead embellishment, LOFT borrowed from Mom; white linen blazer, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Genero Sandal, SE Boutique via DSW; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; purple shoulder bag, Coach (not pictured)

Featured: Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless

I did an interview over at Lifestyles of the Thrifty and Shameless with the fabulous Ms. Rockwell! She couldn't believe what I had accomplished last year with all my remixing. She was even inspired to do a remix challenge! Check out our convo here for all the deets.

Thursdays and Fridays

While posting is (in my mind) starting to catch up and become more regular there have been a few days in the past few weeks that I have missed. The theme seems to be that I start out strong on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but, fall off the wagon when it gets to Thursday and Friday.
It's the same old story but, I'm feeling that things are evening out I'm not a month behind just a few days... progress! I'm dedicated to making it better!

June 30, 2011

• Top: brown crochet embellished tube top, Torrid; beige short sleeved jacket, GAP
• Bottom: gray really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; purple shoulder bag, Coach (not pictured)

July 1, 2011

• Top: ivory sheath dress, Adrianne Vitadinni via Loehmans/gift from Mom; black cropped jacket, Express
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Stella wedge pumps, Seychelles via DSW/gift from BF; turquoise and silver earrings, Pennyweights; turquoise and silver bead necklace. gift from Mom; orange snake skin tote, Beirn (not pictured)

July 7, 2011

• Top: aqua dress, Max Studio via Nordstrom Rack with a tank top underneath for the modesty; brown and cream giraffe print cardigan, Merona for Target
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Genero Sandal, SE Boutique via DSW; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered; coin pearl/stone necklace, borrowed from mom; purple shouler bag, Coach (not pictured)

July 8, 2011

• Top: navy tank top with silver stripes, GAP, with tank top underneath for the modesty; gray plaid blazer, Jones New York
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: black Dolce Vita sandals, via Nordstrom; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro (not pictured)
  
  
  

July 6, 2011: Perfect Combinations

This outfit fit the bill on so many levels! I woke up feeling a bit under the weather but, headed to work despite that. The comfort and ease of capris combined with the loose drapey fit of the top was completely ideal. Also, I am loving this new purple cardigan with yellow!

After work some people wanted to go out and grab a drink for a co-worker's birthday at a local pub. I was happy to oblige and this outfit worked perfectly. Not that I think that anyone there was caring what I wore...

Even after I said goodbye to the birthday girl I still had a few errands to run but, these new sandals carried me through without any issues except for when someone let a door close on my pinkie toe... that hurt alot! You'll be seeing alot more sandals while I heal, I can't confine by poor tootsie to a real shoe right now.

What are your go to comfy outfits? Do they fit it with the dress code at work?

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, LOFT; purple cardigan, Merona via Target
• Bottom: white pinstripe capris, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Genero Sandal, SE Boutique via DSW, my abuela's vintage silver hoop earring; blue Foley + Corrina City Clutch via Plaza Too

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

Work With What You've Got: Leftovers

I know everyone is familiar with Sally Hansen Manicure Strips. If you're not then you need to get with the program! They are pretty fantastic, allowing people to have some of the snazziest nails without the painstakingly long trip to the actual salon.

But, when all that is said and done you still have 6 additional strips that didn't fit on your digits! And as economical as these nail strips might seem they actually cost more than a manicure in some stores... not cool! What's the point of doing it yourself if you are going to pay more?

I have seen lots of other people do only the ring or pointer finger but, I wanted to try something different! So I decided to do a little patchwork... I started out with a basic manicure using Maybelline's Salon Expert Nail Polish in Sheer Ballet Pink. Then I did some of this:

 

You can cut and place them anyway you like. I cut them in half/thirds and placed them in a symmetrical patterns on my nails. I also ended up painting another coat of nail polish on one side so that the nail strip wasn't dramatically higher than the rest of the nail bed. As great as these nail strips are one of the best ways to ensure a long lasting manicure with them is to start with very clean nails and I don't think manicured nails qualify; We'll see how long it lasts...

Either way I like the finished product! It is unique and it's subtle. I also think it would look great with a more noticeable contrast like lace and maroon, lightbulb! No one has given me any feedback yet but, I think it's only a matter of time... Have you thought of any cool uses for your extra polish strips? 

July 5, 2011: Getting Back To It

I hope everyone had a lovely long weekend. Did you see fireworks? Did you rock your stylish red, white, and blue? I'm sure you all looked fabulous in your patriotic wares!

First of all I would like to say thanks BF for snapping pictures of me mid blink, I look a bit tired/skeptical/ridiculous but, I digress... I am ready to get back to work today and it is going to be a hot one! A blazer seemed absolutely unbearable so I tried to think of a professional alternative; enter the vest! What do you wear when you want to stay work appropriate but, you can't stand the heat of a suit or blazer?

• Top: orange short sleeved button down shirt, Eddie Bauer via Melissa; brown embellished tank top as vest, croft & barrow via Mom
• Bottom: gray pencil skirt, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: brown giraffe print peep toe shoes, Adrienne Vitadinni via DSW; gold perforated earrings, New York & Company; blue Foley + Corrina City Clutch, gifted via Plaza Too

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

Purchases and Aquisitions: June 2011

I will start out by saying that this month was a bit bonkers when it came to shopping and wardrobe additions in general! I know that might come as a shock to you considering the small amount of money I spent last year and all the months where I didn't shop at all but, it is the truth.

How? Well, it's a two fold story... First of all, remember when I was lamenting my need for office appropriate summer shoes? Well if not click that link and get up to speed! If so, you will be happy to know that BF really came through for our anniversary on the 25th. Not only did we go eat at a nice restaurant and spend some time together but, he took me shopping for (yeah, you guessed it) office appropriate summer shoes and some work wardrobe things as well. Four cardigans and six pairs of peep toes later I am feeling pretty confident about my ability to fulfill all my work wardrobe needs.

After all the fun gift stuff I still felt the need for more shoes if you can believe that and this is where things got really crazy. I have been wearing some of my shoes to death, literally and they have been overdue for replacements. They were all from the same shopping trip to Target in the summer of 2008. If I'm doing the math right that was three years and a few tubes of Krazy Glue ago! Yup, Krazy Glue; I'm allowed to get new shoes, right?  Check out the pictures and let me know if you saw that same need I did...

Now that we have established that I will admit that when I went looking for new shoes I was searching for something that would last just as long if not longer than my old shoes. When I hit the mall I experienced a bit of sticker shock after I found these three pairs of shoes (which I think fit the bill) and finally checked out. The grand total was $156.84!! That's more than I spent on everything last year in total! Let's just say after that shopping trip I had a freak out moment or two/ten. Was I really justified in spending all that money on shoes?

In the end I think yes and I have to keep reminding myself of that! Here's how I came to that conclusion:

• Even though I spent a good chunk of change I shopped smart and saved over $100.00 compared to the original retail prices.
• I hadn't purchased shoes like this since 2008, it's not like I had tons of replacements waiting in the wings.
• I wore the old ones so much that they literally fell apart and I had to glue them back together. I will probably get the same use out of these.
• I did some math and realized that even with this "crazy" expense I have spent an average of $20 per month in total since I started this blog and my personal style challenge.

Pre-blog Iris wouldn't have needed this justification, she wouldn't have given it a second thought... I reference pre-blog Iris everyone once and a while here on 260 Days, No Repeats but,  I don't think that anyone who didn't know me in person can completely grasp it. Would I consider myself a shopaholic? No, not really. Would I have considered myself one of these young people? No, my self confidence is pretty solid. When reflecting on my past shopping habits I would say that I was unconcerned with consequences, let me explain; I wasn't going to die if I didn't have "it" (whatever "it" was at the time) but, if I wanted "it" why not just get "it"? I could pay my bills and afford "it" (at least that's what I thought) so there was nothing to hold me back. Then reality set in...

I don't really have the money to spend like that. I'm still paying for things that I purchased back then (approx 4 years ago) not even thinking that it might be something that of concern years down the road. After a year of keeping my metaphorical purse strings tight, I had alot of trouble incorporating the real need/the money I needed to spend to fulfill it with my new "shop your closet/no shopping" mentality. In the end it worked out but, I'm just hoping I don't need to do it again anytime soon! Do you ever find yourself having difficulty justifying the cost of something you need? How do you work that out in the end?

Happy Fourth of July!

From: Iris 

To: You