August 24, 2011: You Say Goodbye And I Say Hello

Last night I said goodbye so long for now to my college roommate. I have to keep reminding myself that it's not forever, she will be back soon! Plus, now they make these magical things called phones and Skype so we should be able to keep in touch no problem. Tonight I am meeting up with one of my cousins to help her with her resume/job search. Thankfully we're meeting at a place not far from my job so tonight shouldn't be a late one. She's not one of the cousins that I am super close with but, I am happy to help. Maybe I'll make a new friend, Hello!

This dress is one of my thrifting treasures. When my Mom and I went this year for a potential birthday extravaganza I didn't end up finding as much stuff as last year but, that's ok. It's the nature of thrifting! I was definitely at a loss when it came to accessorizing this posh polyester prize. I originally picked out a pair of gold hoop earrings but, ended up going with a different pair. I was really aware that those types of earrings might send a message (I'm Puerto Rican if you didn't know) to people who think in negative stereotypes.

Maybe I'm just being self conscious but, I tend to stay away from certain types of jewelry (ahem, gold hoops) because of the message that it could send. Mostly, I just don't prefer gold though. Do you ever find yourself limiting your wardrobe so people don't judge you based on any kind (sex, nationality, etc.) of stereotypes ?

• Top: purple vintage dress, birthday gift from mom with a tank top underneath for the modesty; gray ruffle trim cardigan, LOFT/birthday gift from BF's parents
• Shoes & Accessories: brown giraffe print peep toe shoes, Adrienne Vitadinni via DSW/gift from BF; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; brown tote bag, Bulga  

My Stella and Dot picks for this outfit are:

Estate Chandelier Earrings

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

December 6, 2010: It's a Dress, It's a Shirt

One of the trends this fall/winter that I am absolutely in love with (surprisingly) is lace. I was specifically on the hunt for an ivory lace top like I have seen on so many other stylish bloggers but, as we all know I am trying to curb my spending. Since that wasn't really an option I was faking it with alternative lace items from my closet but, none of them were really filling that craving...

I did something new yesterday in an attempt to create a similar look and wore my black lace dress as a shirt. I think I might have implemented the perfect solution! But, I can't take all the credit... I was inpired by other like minded equally fashionable bloggers. Thanks! I probably would not have tried somehting so seemingly out of the box before "meeting" all of you.

• Top: black lace dress, H&M via Unique Thrift Shop/gift from Mom with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: gray wool pencil skirt, Isaac Mizrahi for Target/hemmed by Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; purple tights, Duane Reade; black belt, New York & Company; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; gray Le-Dix/motorcycle bag, Balenciaga 

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

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Birthday Beginnings

I didn't go to work this morning because I had some things to deal with and appointments to keep but, when that was all said and done I got to begin the birthday celebration a little early with my mom. We went shopping at the Unique Thrift Store and got some pretty fantastic stuff! I'm hoping this is indicative of what tomorrow will be like... Here's a small glimpse of what I got and I have to say I think the blue suede shoes are my fav but, I've saved a close second for tomorrow's work ensemble. You'll just have to wait and see!

Question: Where Can I Find Eco-Friendly Interview Clothes?

As I have mentioned before I work in HR and in my time functioning as a Recruiter I have seen alot of hilarious resumes and cover letters, met some "interesting" people, and gotten a good amount of questions. One of the more difficult questions was posed to me by a college student at a job fair. I remember complimenting her on her suit (I feel as thought those people are more serious about their search. First impressions, people!) then we proceeded to discuss a greening initiative that she had worked on at former internship listed on her resume... standard job fair stuff. The two topics melded together and we talked about the accessibility of eco-friendly products and clothing made out of organic/sustainable materials which led her to the questions, "Where can a college student on a budget get an eco-friendly interview outfit?"

To be honest, I was a little stumped... OK fine, really stumped! There are lots of places to buy eco-friendly products made out of organic materials or repurposed items but, where are all the suits? Either way, I was hard pressed to find anything particularly affordable in the standards of a college budget. My best solution: thrifting!! What could be more green that using the resources we have and not consuming or expending more? I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. That should be the answer to all of life's issues.

You can get a beautiful suit that someone was tired of or doesn't fit into anymore for a small fraction of the price. More importantly, I don't think I've ever seen a suit in a thrift store that cost more than $25! If you don't have one of the big name thrift stores by you you can shop Goodwill online or smaller consignment shops. Anyway you go about it there is a gigantic potential there to find what you are searching for at an affordable price if you take the time to look. Plus, it keeps those discarded clothes out of landfills. Where else would you look?

I love these questions!! Keep them coming...

Weekend Wear: Patriotic Barbeque

People can go astray with their wardrobe choices for Independence Day but, that doesn't mean that everyone should. I wasn't sure if I was going to go the red, white, and blue route for my fourth of July outfit but, after reading an article that Jessica of What I Wore had written on the topic I was inspired to give it a whirl! Especially, after I found this fabulous skirt when Mom and I were out thrifting. This was what I wore to a BBQ at a friends and to a movie after but, it would be great for a celebration at a pool party, casual summer cocktail event, or picnic in the park!

• Top: red ribbed tank top, GAP
• Bottom: white skirt with blue embroidery, Willi Smith via Unique Thrift (thanks Mom)
• Shoes & Accessories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar and on sale here); silver beaded necklace, Bitten via Steve & Barry's; Tiffany & Co. silver bead earrings

July 1, 2010: Out Of It

I am so burnt out this week and I don't know why. Today for example I stood in front of my closet completely incapable of putting an outfit together. I am pretty satisfied with what I came up with but, it took twice as long as it normally would and the bedroom floor is now covered in rejects from the process. It's extra frustrating because I just got back from vacation for cripes sake! Either way, I have been waking up every morning feeling really out of it and have been fighting the urge/need to call in sick... tomorrow might be the day.

On another note, the roundup is taking longer than I thought it would. My new laptop crashing definitely set me back in terms of tracking and pictures so, I'm still working on it but, when I'm done I will (hopefully) have a really comprehensive look at what has been happening so far! Also, to celebrate the three month mark there might be some giveaway action, we shall see...

• Top: lilac short sleeved sweater, GAP outlet (same shirt different color here and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: gray cropped pants, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandolino via Unique Thrift; labradorite earrings (which I had loaned to a friend and recently got back YAY) Pennyweights; black Fendi Spy Bag, Saks Fifth Avenue

Items from this outfit are previously seen here:

June 8, 2010

Day 2 of Summer Black-Out 2010! I am rushing out the door for work (I really need to wake up earlier) but, thankfully it will be a pretty standard work day. Though, there is no "standard" black here since I'm using gray and flesh tones as my neutrals! I will be trying to sneak out early to run some pre-dinner errands AKA buy vino because my friend Alex (who I haven't seen in FOREVER) is coming over tonight. Vino is a very fundamental component of girly friend dinner! I'm excited so, in the words of Alex, "Squeeee!"

• Top: blue crochet neck blouse, Ann Taylor Loft, (same shirt different color here, I'm all about buying multiples)
• Bottom: gray pencil skirt, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandolino via Unique Thrift; silver, amethyst, and some other light blue stone earring from Pennyweights; purple Coach bag

Items from this outfit are previously seen here and here.

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June 2, 2010

It's the second day of my (short) theme week and I've got military(ish) style with a side of nude shoes! I originally thought I was going to be representing cargo pants but, when I pulled these out of my closet I found that they didn't possess the key characteristic of side pockets... Tradegy! But, I think on my feet (sometimes) and pulled this khaki green blazer that I have since high school out. The somewhat "edgy yet professional" attitude of the outfit is kind of perfect for the job fair I had to go to today... Success!

• Top: white short sleeved sweater, Ann Taylor Loft; khaki green blazer, GAP
• Bottom: gray cropped pants, Bitten vis Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandolino via Unique Thrift; coin pearl necklace, V'ta; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from mom then altered; black Fendi Spy Bag, Saks 5th Avenue

Items from this outfit are previously seen here:

May 11, 2010

It's day two of Dress Your Best Week and the second thing on my list of things that I like about myself is my boobs which I think I will now refer to going forward as my girls... I'm really not sure what I was thinking when I typed that.

I have a pretty ample bosom which makes sense because I am a grown woman. The thing is, as a teenager I had a pretty ample bosom as well. At one point I would have even called it a defining characteristic, which is sad on so many levels. But, being a 13 years old who could (and did) pass for a college student and getting (good or bad) attention based on that from lots of people I met had an impact for sure.

This potentially misguided attention was only a small part of our love/hate relationship. When all my friends were in the size 0/2 range it was hard for me to reconcile that being curvy did not make me fat. Or strapless gowns (we had so many formal events) being difficult to wear was not because I was fat, per say, just that I had girls who needed more support.

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Now I am very aware of keeping my girls supported, modest, and appropriate which sometimes means covered up but, despite our ups and downs they have become one of my favorite parts of me. I think an easy way to accent them without being crude is with a nice v-neck top that has embellishment around the neck area and making sure I have a good bra! It's all about foundations.

• Top: gray ruffled v-neck tank top, New York and Company
• Bottom: black pencil skirt, Old Navy
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandalino via Unique Thrift which I think are in keeping with yesterday's theme of legs since nude shoes make legs look endless but, I digress; gray shell earrings, gift from BF's mom; purple Coach bag, via outlet

Items from this outfit are previously seen here: