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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Try-it-out Tuesday: adding quirk to a shirtdress

Studio M linen-cotton shirtdress, Macy's, old
Calvin Klein Jeans tee, Macy's
sandals, Target
  
        I think this shirtdress is a little too small and snug to wear on its own, but I've decided to figure out ways to use it for layering. For the first look, I added a sequined tee. I'm kind of liking the combination of navy, olive green, and mixed metals. :)

    
     For the second look, I slung my amazingly versatile fabric belt around my neck. I felt a little like a Girl Scout, but it's perfect for days when it's too hot to even layer two lightweight items of clothing.
        My books and media for young adults class is turning out to be great fun. :) I read "The Chocolate War" by Cormier for the first time, will be rereading "Twilight," and doing my author presentation on Francesca Lia Block. Yesterday we finished watching the film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's "Outsiders." I'm sure I've seen at least parts of it before, but I had no recollection that it featured Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, and other notable actors.
       We chose our author presentation folks from a list, by lottery. My name was pulled last. The teacher had asked us to look over the list beforehand and choose 5 authors we were interested in. I also had Madeleine L'Engle and Susan Cooper jotted down, but both were snatched up by other students. I had a total book-nerd moment of mild outrage when the student who chose Madeleine L'Engle said she had only read "A Wrinkle in Time." I had to stifle myself from saying, "What? You haven't read the other books that follow 'A Wrinkle in Time,' or 'Ring of Endless Light,' or 'Meet the Austins,' or 'A House Like a Lotus' ..." I have to remember that not everyone enjoyed a misspent youth immersed in books.
       During the break, the very nice teacher came over and asked, Are you sure you want to do Francesca Lia Block? Some people find her work a little out there. I explained to her that I was quite familiar with Block's work and enjoy it. I think Block will be a little harder to present, due to edgier subject matter and her unique view of the world, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.
    On an unrelated note: Last week I started doing pushups each day, added in some lunges and ab exercises, and am astounded that I am not brimming with muscle yet. I just don't understand -- you mean this toning thing takes time?!? Now I see why people start working on their summer bod in March. ...

12 comments:

  1. That class sounds really interesting and fun. Love that first look!
    It takes time to see toning results. I've been doing butt and thigh exercises for 4 weeks and am just now seeing the results.

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  2. Ah, I miss taking literature classes! I took an adolescent literature class in grad school; typically, it covered the classics, but our professor decided to cover things from the last ten years, so we got to read things like The Hunger Games, The Graveyard Book, and American-Born Chinese. AMAZING stuff, adolescent lit is. :)

    I'm actually not familiar with Block at all; after I googled her, however, now my interest is piqued, and since I am visiting the library today, hopefully I can find some of her goodies!

    Finally, I LOVE the first shirtdress look with the collar peeking out from underneath the shirt. You gave me an idea for one of my shirt dresses...

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  3. Block is wonderfully out there! And boo to losers who don't have a misspent youth huddled inside books. I love the way the tee looks over the dress, btw.

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  4. Erin - I'm wondering whether I want to do the presentation, or at least the first part, "in character" (probably as Weetzie). That might be a really fun way to present the books.
    I'm impatiently waiting for my requested books to be put on hold at the library so I can reacquaint myself with her work. Also, I was excited to see that she's published some stuff in the last few years that I didn't know about. :)

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  5. Thanks for the encouragement on the exercises! I'll be patient and stick to the routine. :)

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  6. I used to love English lit classes, but it's probably been 10 to 15 years since I last took one, so I am enjoying it. :) I haven't read American-Born Chinese but I've heard great things about it.
    Block is not everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoy her stuff. I remember "Missing Angel Juan" as one of my particular favorites. :)

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  7. I definitely love the first look :) I can't say I'm much of a reader.. probably haven't found the time to settle into a good one yet :) Keep it up with those exercises! I'm going to have to start too once I'm over this cold/flu sickness thingy haha

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

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  8. Wait. There's a class that discusses books and media for young adults? Where are you taking it? It sounds like so much fun. Cooper and L'Engle are two of my favorite authors (books are on my shelf), but I hadn't heard of Francesca Lia Block. I'll have to check her out.

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  9. Thanks, Kat! Sorry to hear you're sick -- hope you're feeling better!

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  10. Brandi, I am working on my library sciences degree, and the class is offered for students on the school library and public library tracks. This class is great fun -- it makes up for those semesters when I had to take classes like database evaluation (useful info, just kind of excruciating to spend hours delving around in a database and finding out how shoddily it's put together :p). I hope you check out Block - I'd like to hear what you think of her work. :)

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  11. Love these looks! Great idea to layer to bring life back to a dress!
    Ashley:)

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  12. Thanks, Ashley! I was going to donate this dress, but I'm glad I fished it out of the donation bag ... it's fun to figure out new ways to wear it. :)

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