Balancing Form and Function

How much do you value form verses function? I find that most fashion bloggers value form much more than function, and as I prepare for the upcoming year I am trying to find the best way to balance the two. This is a daily outfit that leans towards 'function' for me, practical and versatile.



Jeans: AE via Plato's Closet
Cardi: Self-made
Scarf: Allivanders, gift
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill

Deuce Seven (Means Twenty Seven)

I love my hair up like this. I was iffy at first, thinking it would make me more milkmaid-in-Switzerland than I would like, but so far it has been a fantastic way to keep my hair out of my face in an unusual but cute way! TIP: If your hair isn't long enough for the braids to go all the way across the top of your head, make the pigtails start higher--you can see that my braided pigtails start above my ears, so they will be long enough to reach over my head. :)

Do you have any ingenious ways to put your hair up?






Jeans: Martin & Osa via Goodwill
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Cardigan: Re-fashioned from Goodwill find

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

Twenty Twenty

Despite smack in the middle of my 30 for 30 challenge, I still went out Black Friday shopping with a friend—I was bound and determined to not let the challenge restrict my social outlets as much as possible. We went out bright and early, did the whole lining-up-outside-the-store-before-it-opens thing, got some awesome freebies (free $20 REI giftcard? Yes, please!), and saw the madness and pandemonium caused by people shopping while half asleep. I poked around a bit, looking at clothing in my sections—just to see what was there!

However, I was impressed with neither the quality of sales nor the quality of clothing! Anything that was up to my expected level of quality was completely out of any reasonable price range. Do you guys find that as well? It seems that there is a fairly distinct line between cheapy clothing (Forever 21 and H&M spring to mind) verses nicer-quality items—and a very distinct pricing division as well. I miss going to the Goodwill! I love how I don’t have to sacrifice on quality AND I get great deals there, plus not having the same item that everyone else has. I was waiting in line in one teen clothing store with my friend and I saw so many people buy the exact same item…but where is the fun in that? Am I missing something? I understand that personal styling definitely comes into it, but how many different ways can you style a red plaid button down shirt with a hood? What do you guys think about buying the same distinctive item as everyone else?

I was pretty impressed with myself though—even though I did find one item I wanted to buy (gray Hue tights! A basic I need to replace!) I decided that they would fall under the ‘shopping’ category, not a ‘basics’ category (which would include items such as soap, food, and white basic socks), and I sadly put them back. Hopefully they will still be there when this no-buy is over!

Did you guys go out Black Friday shopping? Was there anything you had to pry yourself away from, or was it fairly easy for you to resist the temptation?

What do you think about having the exact same distinctive item as many other people? Helps/hinders/doesn’t affect personal style?

Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet layered on top of Underarmour via Goodwill

Pants: Martin & Osa via Goodwill

Scarf: Goodwill

Cardigan: Unknown via Goodwill donation pile

Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill

Four Ways To Wear Episode 7: Brown Full Skirt

In this episode of Four Ways To Wear, Plummy finds another skirt that looks remarkably like one she already has, gets very excited, and then gets goofy. Intrigued? Read on!

The Candidate: This brown skirt from I.N.C that I found (where else?) at the Goodwill.

The Goal: To make many a work outfit, and to find another versatile skirt that is not my brown pencil skirt (how I love thee! But srsly, I have to branch out. I wear it pretty much every day.)

The Results:


Could it be? So similar to other outfits! Yes, I am already in love.
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill


This is what you get when Plummy is overtired at the end of a long week...
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Blazer: AE via Plato's Closet
Shirt: Banana Republic via BR Outlet
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Naturalizer via Goodwill


It's the month of Halloween! Give me scary!
Shirt: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Belt: Unkown via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Boots: Steve Madden


Finally, something that looks alright with my wool Bebe coat...I was so excited to find it at the Goodwill (brand new for $10!!!) but it's such a tricky little beast to wear. Obviously, I bought it before I started Four Ways To Wear.
Coat: Bebe via Goodwill
Skirt: I.N.C. via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Boots: Steve Madden

The Verdict: Since it is indeed practically the same as my brown pencil skirt, except with lovely pleating and a slight sheen to the fabric, it is in! I love that it is another great find for work, I love that it is a fuller skirt, and I love this rich taupey brown color.

First Day of School

(With the kids, at least!) It was gloomy, raining and overall just dreary on the official first day of school. I knew I wanted to wear my leather boots and this orangey tweed skirt, and I just built up from there. Upon further reflection, it felt too much like a 'costume' and not enough like me--I think it was the addition of the hat, which I love but which definitely has a unique look, plus the jacket, which is cool but not really me (yet! I still want to work it into my wardrobe somehow), plus the skirt. It's a whole lot of color and a whole lot of look, especially given my penchant for neutrals.


Skirt: Vintage via Goodwill Outlet
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden
Scarf: Selfmade
Coat: Bebe via Goodwill
Gloves: Target, gift
Shirt (unseen): Tricot Jolie via Plato's
Hat: H&M (I've had it for six years now!)

Frock The Boat

I woke up today to the sweet sound of rain hitting the roof and trees around my house. This is a sound I like. What I don't like is when it degenerates to a on-again, off-again drizzle that leaves the sky overcast, the day gloomy, and everything sort of damp. That was today. I am still looking for a pair of rainboots (my pink ones have multiple holes and torn seams, which I think are beyond my repair skills with super glue), so I busted out my high-heeled cowboy boots as an improv pair of rainboots. They work pretty well (synthetic, waterproof, cute!) but I wouldn't want to do any hiking or long (or medium) distance walking in them, so I will continue to keep a weather eye out for the perfect pair.





Boots: Faded Glory via Goodwill
Leggings: Underarmour
Skirt: H&M via Plato's Closet
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Zip-up: Marmot (present from hubby!)
Scarf: Self-made
Bag: The Sak, an awesome bday present from MIL!

Four Ways To Wear Episode 4: Safari Skirt

I found this cute skirt at Plato's Closet (originally from H&M) with the tags still attached! It's definitely not work appropriate, but I liked it enough to want to include it in my casual wardrobe (and prevent me from looking 'office-appropriate' all the time). I put on the skirt and immediately think safari, complete with wanting to wear square scarves around my neck, tweed, a hat and riding boots (obviously have never been on a safari. I've been to the zoo though, that counts, right?). Of course, Mr. P saw it and told me "it looks like you took a trench coat and cut it up to make a skirt." Thanks, Mr. P.

The Candidate: My safari/trench skirt.

The Goal: A cute casual piece that, because it is a neutral that is light colored (i.e. not black, gray or dark brown, my usuals) will coordinate with much of my wardrobe in a new twist.

The Results:


Sweater: Gap via Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


Sweater: Bogari via Goodwill
Scarf: Unknown, Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


Sweater: 22 via The Rack
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden


This outfit reminded me most of my safari/outback idea when I saw the skirt.
Blazer: AE via Plato's
Scarf: Unknown via Goodwill
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

AND a bonus outfit! What I wore to birthday dinner tonight (OMG we had authentic italian and I just about imploded it was so amazing...om nom nom)

Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's
Skirt: H&M via Plato's
Tights: F21, gift
Boots: Steve Madden

The Verdict: Yay! I like it!

However...to come soon, a Four Ways To Wear that might not be as successful...stay tuned!

Double Take

As promised, the last look for my brown skirt! Actually, two looks, although they are extremely similar (what can I say, I have a look I like!).



Skirt: Preview Collection via Goodwill
Leggings: Target
Shirt: PSYCH! It's a sweater dress. Yup. I almost like it better as a top, haha. It's Rhapsody via Ross.
Shoes: Naturalizer







The same, only with an actual shirt for the top--Tricot Jolie via Plato's.

Recon Score

An outfit for work, but look at my cute skirt! I found it at Plato's Closet yesterday and it was super cute, but sadly too big for me. However, I decided to bring it home and try to make it smaller and it worked! It now hits at my natural waist (my favorite rise for skirts) and the hem is right at my knees--work appropriate! Today is a cold, misty, gray day, so I went with it and paired my black and gray neutrals, with bright tights as a nod towards the "summer" season.





Skirt: Express Via Plato's Closet, reconned by me
Blazer: Marc by Marc Jacobs
Shirt: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Tights: Hue via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Merona (Gift)

Black as Night

A day off from work that required slouchy clothing, not heels and pearls. The weather was cloudy, drizzly and gray, and I decided to go with it instead of fighting for cheerful--besides, I miss my predominantly black (or charcoal gray) outfits of earlier this last winter (the same outfits that prompted a wardrobe makeover after I realized that almost every day practically everything I wore was either black or dark denim).



Sweater Top: Tricot Jolie via Plato's Closet
Sweater Wrap: Chico's (actually from the store, not via another second hand! *gasp* Although it was super on sale, definitely not full price. AND it was completely worth it. This is the sort of item that I was talking about when I wanted to increase quality of the clothing in my closet.)
Jeans: AE via Plato's
Boots: Steve Madden from Nordstroms (again, quality is worth it!)

Everyone Has A Stodgy Professor on the Inside

This is the last big item that I bought in my shopping spree--a houndstooth suit jacket. It called out to the stodgy old professor in me, crying out 'if you are a teacher, you MUST take me home.' The only thing it is missing is elbow patches, but I assume that those must be earned by countless hours grading papers with my elbows on a desk, slowly wearing through the chocolate brown and cream checked fabric. It is a neutral-on-neutral pattern in atypical-for-me neutral colors (i.e. not black or gray, my go-to neutrals of choice), but my only concern is the very structured feel to the jacket. Here I paired it with blue cords and a black sweater, but I think it would also look good with any of the three skirts I will be making. The unstructured black or light-neutral skirts will hopefully counterbalance the uber-structure of the jacket, while the pencil skirt will (I'm guessing) compliment the structure but tone down the formality of the blazer.

One thing I love--it is not black. I own three (!!!) black blazers, as well as a few other black blazer-type jackets, and this will be a refreshing change.





Blazer: American Eagle Outfitters via Plato's Closet
Sweater: (also from this shopping trip) Tricot Joli via Plato's Closet
Pants: The Merlot via Plato's Closet
Shoes: Unknown from France

(umm...yeah, the staff at Plato's definitely know me by name. I might have a problem...)