One Dress, Two Ways

One of my favorite parts about getting dressed is remixing the clothes I already have. I find the challenge of coming up with new ways to wear the same things really rewarding; it sparks my creativity and forces me to try new combinations that I otherwise might not have thought of. Plus, it's pretty easy on the wallet, too. I'm proud to say that since I started this blog over three years ago, I've only repeated outfits a handful of times (it's usually when I wear something and don't document it for the blog, so I feel entitled to wear it again. I'm a crazy person, right?).

Anyway.

dress: (old) target | really pretty option

blazer: exact

booties: payless | crazy similar

watch: exact

tights: c/o kushyfoot

necklace: super similar

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I hadn't worn this dress in over a year, and never in cooler weather, so I decided to take her out for a spin and remix her two different ways for fall. In this first outfit, my legs stayed nice and warm with the help of my kushyfoot tights. I love their opacity and texture, but I have to admit that when I realized they were control top I was totally turned off. I loathe control top. But  miracle of miracles, they didn't squeeze the life out of me. I can honestly say that this is the first pair of control-top tights I've worn that are actually comfortable. Pain-free control top tights exist.  Who knew?

dress: (old) target | super cute alternative

jacket: f21 | similar (on major sale!)

boots: exact

socks: c/o kushyfoot

scarf: similar

watch: exact

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I love how a simple change of jacket and shoes can transform an outfit into something entirely different. I wore this back when it was still slightly warm enough for bare legs. But even so, I wore fleece-lined trouser socks with my boots, and I was cozy all the way up to my shins. These babies will really come in handy during winter. A lot of my boots require thin socks, which usually leave my feet freezing cold. This pair is thin yet still cozy and fleecey. I don't even know how that's possible, but I'm so glad I found them.

The sweet people at kushyfoot also sent me a pair of emergency flats like such:

I brought these on my recent vacation to Las Vegas, and they were an absolute lifesaver. Or for the less dramatic, a foot-&-toe-saver. If you've ever been, then you know that there is a lot of walking to do, yet high heels look very nice at the club. I have no shame carrying my heels with me all the way from the hotel to the bouncer, awkwardly putting them on while standing in line to get in. Then folded up and into my clutch the flats go, to be taken out again when it's time to stumble on home.  #Classy.


Linking up here.

A Dress For All Seasons

{target dress | f21 jacket | ON hat & (old)boots (so similar) | dogeared necklace | fossil watch}

This dress.  I've been sort of obsessed with it.  I just find it so versatile - it's perfect on a warm day because it's sleeveless.  It's perfect on a cool day because it looks cute with a jacket or cardigan thrown over it.  And it almost, almost, makes me impatient for a cold day so I can stick some tights under there, pop on a cozy sweater and an infinity scarf, and wait for summer to roll back around.

Linking here.

Speckled Kaleidoscope

{delias dress | f21 jacket | kamik rainboots | fossil watch | stella & dot bracelet | claire's earrings}

Here's another case of the mysteriously shrinking dress.  This time in a colorful, speckled, kaleidoscope pattern.  I don't know what's happening here; either I'm still growing or there is something seriously funky happening in my closet.  Whatever it is, my hemlines seem to be creeping higher lately.  Which is fine as long as I remain standing; it's when I sit that things start to get a little iffy.

Linking here today.

Chevron's Got My Back

**OASAP giveaway happening right here**

{target chambray & dress (similar) | skechers shoes | UO necklace (similar) | fossil watch | groopdealz bracelet}

The weather's been throwing us some warmish days lately.  Not enough to throw caution to the wind and shut off the heat for the season, but enough to shed the tights from time to time, and open all the windows to let the bird chirps, fresh air, and sunshine inside.  This was one of those days.  I was in a rush to head out and meet up with some friends, and was so baffled by the warm weather that I forgot how to dress for a minute.  So I immediately went for my go-to dress - this little chevron number- which has been such a workhorse ever since I bought it last year.  It's nice to know there's an inanimate object in my closet that's got my back, giving everyone the illusion that I made an effort.  Even if they all know otherwise.


 

Linking up here.

Artsy Fartsy

{target dress (old), leggings, & belt  |  f21 top  |  steve madden boots  |  diy hat  |  ON scarf}

When my boyfriend saw me in this outfit, he called me artsy fartsy.  I don't know about you, but even though this term blatantly includes the word "fart," I still feel a swell of pride when described in that manner.  Even more fitting, though, is that we were headed to a place that actually is the epitome of artsy fartsy.  It's an intriguing and beautiful place called Grounds for Sculpture where various pieces of artwork are spread out over acres and acres of meticulously, immaculately landscaped garden.  It's like a fun, interactive, outdoor museum that includes secret paths and hidden sculptures.  With real peacocks that roam around the grounds.

The only drawback was that even with a jacket on, I was still pretty cold all day.  But Grounds for Sculpture is just the kind of special place that has you convinced that going out and suffering in cloudy, breezy, 50 degree weather for hours on end is a good idea.  Luckily, I was rewarded for my martyrdom at dinner.  I don't know if it was luck, or perhaps the fact that my face and hands were frozen in typical girl-that's-always-too-cold fashion, but we got sat at a table directly in front of a cozy, crackling fireplace and were able to sufficiently thaw out while we ate.  It was kind of a perfect day.  But next time I'm bringing gloves.

Click here for today's linkies.

guest posting @ Rachel the Hat

Today I'm guest posting at Rachel the Hat where I'm talking major remixing - 6 different ways to rework one dress.  Head on over to get the scoop.  Have a happy weekend!

Linking up today, too.

guest posting @ Penniless Socialite

Today I'm guest posting for the lovely, stylish, and downright funny Tara at Penniless Socialite.  I'm talking about how to take one dress from summer to fall.  Come check it out here and learn how you can wear your entire wardrobe all year round, too.

Also linking up with these pretties.

V is for Victory

{target dress (similar)  |  hand me down vest  |  watch  |  payless heels (crazy similar)  |  inpink necklace (similar)}

Last night was date night, so my boyfriend and I cooked a really tasty meal together ("Swiss Alplermagrone" made with pasta, potatoes, caramelized onions, gruyere, and baked apple - recipe coming soon because you need to try this), then dined by candlelight in our yard.  After, we came inside and watched the Wizard of Oz (because, really, is there such a thing as watching that movie too many times?).  The dinner & the movie were pretty great, but the most remarkable part of the night was the fact that I did not get one mosquito bite.  Considering that around here those little jerks are already in aggressive attack mode at least week before spring even starts makes hanging out with them for an hour at dusk and not getting bitten a big victory for me...and for the deet I doused my entire body in.  Well, I guess it's mostly a victory for deet.  (But I'll take credit; deet would be cool with it).



Linking up today.

Lessons

{tee, dress: target (similar)  |  sandals: blowfish (similar)  |  necklace: f21  |  rings: c/o oasap, f21 (similar 1, 2)  |  sunnies: harmon (similar) }

Over the weekend I learned some important life lessons:

1. A huge downpour in the morning does not necessarily preclude a huge downpour in the afternoon.  Don't go for a hike even if the weather site only predicts a 20% chance of rain.  Because it will rain - hard.  And you'll still be 2 miles from your car.

2. When the temperature says 75 degrees, be sure to check the humidity level, too.  Because that can make it feel like 95 degrees, and you'll be so hot it'll even turn the rings on your fingers into small, suffocating circles of oppression.  We won't even get started on the whopping three pieces of clothing you decided to wear.

And yet, somehow, this is still my favorite time of year.  I think I might be suffering from some sort of seasonal masochism syndrome.

Click here to see where I'm linking up today.