Back To School

I had several meetings at work today, so I chose a very conservative, normal look of pants and a blazer. My Naturalizer shoes were a comfy choice and my sweater added warmth (there is snow on the ground!).


Pants: Le Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Blazer: H&M

Twenty Six Cantons in Switzerland

I really wanted to rush through this week, double posting so I could go shopping right away this weekend...but then I decided that it would go against the spirit of the challenge. I have one backlogged outfit I have to edit the photos of, and that puts me at Monday being my last day of the challenge and Tuesday being my first day of freedom.



What is everyone going to do once the 30 for 30 is over? I am definitely going to grab the basic gray Hue tights I wanted to buy but did not, to replace both of my gray tights with holes in them. Then, it's hello, rest of my wardrobe! Funny enough, however, I am not extremely tired of my 30 items. I miss a few of the items that didn't make the cut, but I will not be avoiding these 30 items after Monday.




I will also be making a massive tour of the thrift shops that have been sorely missed this past month--not necessarily to buy anything (this month has definitely taught me that my wardrobe is sufficient) but just as a way to reacquaint myself with some of my favorite haunts. It's weird, but I feel like the 30 has just begun--it's unbelievable to think that it's been a month!

What are your plans?
Has this month seemed uber-long, or has it just flown by for you?
Are you itching to put on anything that is not one of your 30 items? Or would you be content to continue wearing the same items for awhile longer?


Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Boots: Steve Madden
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet layered over Underarmour via Goodwill
Blazer: H&M
Necklace: Spotted Moth via Giveaway

The Clock Strikes Twelve

Whenever I wear this soft peach sweater, I always feel more feminine and pretty. I think it's the soft color, the loose fit, and the flattering neckline. I also find myself seeking out this sweater when I want to look pretty, and it ends up forming a self-sustaining loop of prettiness (the best kind of loop!). I find that I usually select my clothing as a reaction to what I'm feeling--if I'm feeling upset or nervous, I choose extremely structured clothing (to act as armour, or an exoskeleton!), if I'm feeling happy I tend to be more adventurous in wearing items that make me happy, if I'm tired I wear many soft layers in muted colors. Less often do I choose my clothing to incite the mood I am yearning for. Usually this happens when I am tired, but I choose a flirty dress for going out in the hopes that it will rejuvinate me.

I am also trying to make a conscious effort to use all of my 30 items--here I am using my black H&M blazer. I bought this blazer when I was in High School, on my first trip to France. I purchased it to wear under hoodies and zip-ups, and it has been a constant staple in my wardrobe even as the sweatshirts have given way to cardigans. It is a bit boxy, but I like that it can be both formal and casual (a decent material, nothing shiny, no exposed seams, everything is clean), and the curved hem is ever-so-slightly feminine. This is the epitome of what I strive for in my wardrobe--an item that I spent a bit more money on, but has endured in my wardrobe for SIX YEARS (!!!) now and is an everyday staple.

Do you have any staples that have stayed with you throughout style transformations?
How do your clothing choices reflect and reflect upon your mood?


You can't tell, but it's raining like crazy in this picture! This photo shoot was super quick, with my camera being protected by my umbrella balanced above it!


Coat: Jenifer via France
Jacket: H&M
Shirt: J. Crew via Goodwill
Necklace: Spotted Moth via Giveaway!
Pants: The Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Camisole: Shimera (I am usually wearing a camisole, but I only list it when you can see it in the outfit--here it is adding much-needed length to this sweater!)

Work Appropriate Work Costume!

At my school, everyone goes all out for Halloween--staff and students! I needed an easy, appropriate Halloween costume that would still be a full costume. No putting bunny ears on and calling it done for me! It was an easy choice to use my Slytherin scarf and tie for a HP-themed costume.

Does anyone else dress up for Halloween at work? Any other great ideas?





Hush you silly little Gryffindorks!


Skirt: BP via Goodwill
White Shirt: Unknown, Goodwill donation pile
Sweater: Unknown, Goodwill donation pile
Scarf and Tie: Allivans, gift
Blazer: H&M
Boots: Steve Madden
Tights: F21, gift
Snake Pin: Goodwill


Professor Sinistra was especially apt as today we took a field trip to a Planetarium to see the stars!

Rinse and Repeat

Nothing too exciting today! I wanted to wear comfy clothing, so I went to my cords and my bright pink cashmere scarf. Upon review, I'm not sure the boots were the best choice--the pants look like they're just not quite slim enough to be worn with boots. Oh well! :)

Ce n’est pas trop intéressant aujourd’hui! Je voulais porter des vêtements confortables, donc j’ai choisi des velours côtelé, et mon écharpe rose. Maintenant, je ne suis pas sure que les bottes étaient les meilleures choix –Je crois que les pantelons ne sont pas assez minces pour les bottes. Tant pis ! :)

Pants: Merlot via Plato's Closet
Blazer: H&M
Scarf: Target, gift
Boots: Steve Madden
Shirt (you can barely see the collar of it!): 6 degrees via a Goodwill donation pile

You Win Some...

...and sometimes you get outfits like this one. I love this skirt (comfy, burgundy and gray plaid, long enough for work!) but for the life of me I cannot get the styling right. It hits below the knee and always makes me look stumpy--I think I would have to wear it with heels to really combat this effect. I can't wear it with boots, as they come up too high and fight with the hemline, and the waistline is just above my hips (not my favorite waistline height for a skirt).

In this case, I brought in dark wine colored tights, to bring out the burgundy and fight the purple hue it tends to suggest. I also work it with my nerdy oxford flats. Then I felt I had to bring in some black, to balance the black shoes, and in came the black shirt and blazer (it was cold, but I didn't want more gray in the form of my gray cardigan!).

I hesitated on posting this Outfit of the Day, but this blog is about Developing Style--not showing style I already have, not just documenting successes, but a record of how I change and evolve.

All in all, I think this outfit doesn't work very well. I also get this problem with my orange wool skirt--so hard to style! Length is slightly too long, cut is slightly too boxy--but I love it so, and am convinced it is vintage from the 1940s (metal zipper, wool fabric, slim A-line skirt, hand sewing techniques) so I don't want to give up. Any suggestions, or should I just admit defeat and toss them? Have you had any cases when have an item that theoretically should work great, but in reality it just never quite clicks?


Shirt: Gap via Plato's
Blazer: H&M
Skirt: Zooc via Garage Sale
Tights: Hue via Plato's
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill

Armour Against A Chill...

That's right, I wore an Underarmour shirt underneath this ensemble. I get cold very easily, and I wear my Underarmour pants all the time, so when I saw an Underarmour shirt at the Goodwill (for $3!!) I snatched it up. I already have one with a mock-turtleneck, so this one I chopped off the turtleneck and sewed it into a scoop-neck for increased versatility.


Gray Shirt: Banana Republic via BR Outlet
Blazer: H&M
Pants: The Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Champions, free
Underarmour Shirt (not shown): Goodwill

Meet The Parents

Today was a walk-through day at school, where all the teachers dressed up nice and met the students and parents. I wanted to look extra professional, so I went with slacks and a blazer (although not my Marc blazer, which would have been a bit over-the-top and trying-too-hard, I feel). I'm a big believer in the importance of first impressions, so I wanted to present a respectable and responsible image.


Blazer: H&M
Shirt: Language Los Angeles via Plato's Closet
Slacks: Unkown (I've had them forever)
Shoes: Unknown from France (my business shoes!)
Necklace: Spotted Moth (giveaway prize!)

Four Ways To Wear Episode 2: Purple Embroidered Shirt

The Candidate: A deep grape silk and cotton blend loose fitting shirt from Lucky Brand (via the Goodwill, of course!)

The Goal: A cute work-appropriate shirt, something that will go with pants and skirts

The Results:


Shirt: Lucky Brand via Goodwill
Pants: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Shoes: Naturalizer


The same outfit, but with a blazer by American Eagle via Plato's layered for a more formal, professional feel.




Shirt: Lucky Brand via Goodwill
Sweater: The Limited via Goodwill
Skirt: Vintage, unknown brand, via Goodwill
Tights: F21, gift
Shoes: Aerosoles, gift




Shirt: Lucky Brand via Goodwill
Long-sleeved shirt: unknown brand, from France
Skirt: Express, via Plato's Closet
Scarf: Gift
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


Shirt: Lucky Brand via Goodwill
Pants: The Merlot via Plato's
Shoes: Naturalizer
Blazer: H&M (from six years ago, and I still wear it!)

Final Verdict: Success!