pretty problems

Ann Taylor silk buttondown, thrifted

Velvet Heart jeggings, Ross

earrings,free

Capelli scarf, zulily

           Do you ever find something lovely at the thrift store that is strangely constructed? What drew me to this shirt is that it is navy blue, made of a nicely textured silk, and has knot buttons. The strangeness includes the fact that those pretty buttons stop halfway down the shirt, which means that with a lower-waisted bottom, I am in danger of flashing my midriff whenever I stretch or the wind blows.  The shape of the hem is interesting, too -- for the length, the side curves are really high up. Third, the cuffs have buttonholes but no sign of a button. Lastly, this is a size 8, which means I'm venturing beyond the territory of pleasingly slouchy (dangerous territory for short people) into the kingdom of That Shirt is Way Too Big for Her.

I'm only laughing because I don't know that my midriff is showing ... 

     
         The great thing about thrifting is the freedom it gives me to hack into - I mean, refashion - something more to my liking. Silk charmeuse at the fabric store runs $30 a yard, which means I would probably buy it and then agonize over it for years, worrying that one slip of the scissors will lead to ruination. This silk shirt at Goodwill cost me about $5, which means that if I botch the  alterations, I won't have lost much.

     

 Possible alterations:

• add a snap or two below the last knot button to cover up my midriff
• cut off the cuffs and repurpose them as tabs to hold up the rolled and shortened sleeves
• slim the sides near the armpit and sleeves (that armpit area is where it's most obvious how big the shirt is)
• shorten the shirt, keeping the general hem shape but making the front and back shorter. I'm not quite decided on this, since I like the length for wearing with skinny-fit bottoms. I think a longer shirt with a skinny bottom is slimming (covers up the hips and rear) and also makes me feel less exposed. 

 
        What's something pretty but strangely constructed that you've thrifted/bought lately? Or are you better than I am at resisting such problematic items?

a scarf in the summer

Kahala silk-linen top, Macy's

Capelli scarf, zulily

same ol' jeans

cardigan, Gap

necklace, New Zealand

      I ordered a teaching resource off zulily recently, and to ease the sting of the $9.95 shipping fee, I decided to pick up something else. This scarf was the right price, even prettier in person, and will match so many things that I already own.
    It's amazing what a lightweight scarf can do to make air-conditioning more comfortable. I started off the second morning of training with it strategically draped to cover my shoulders, arms and back, and it kept me comfortable for the first few hours.

   
        The training I attended was pretty well-paced, with the sessions including short videos on various topics.  This was one of my absolute favorites because it's a reminder that school should be about so much more than math, reading, and test scores.

   

      Just one more from these amazing kids - can you believe that voice?? And I haven't heard this Amy Winehouse song before, but I think it's a beautiful riff on the jazz standard "Lullaby in Birdland."