it's in the bag

     Just a quick little post of what I wore for lunch on Thanksgiving. ...

     This is my first post ever that includes a bag! I'm one of those folks who drags the same purse around for months, but I love how the bag adds something special to the outfit. One day I'll get really ambitious and do shoes and a bag in the same photo ...

Jade beetle bracelet, previously loved by the generous C.L. :)

       When I bought this shirt, I thought the print was of feathers. Looking at it again, it reminds me of eyes. Not what  I expected, but the colors are awesome. 
     Happy Tuesday! Hoping to shoot some Try-it-out Tuesday photos later today ...

show what you (don't) know

   Do you ever have one of those weeks? You know, those weeks in which you realize several days after the due date that you needed to post your assignment online; in which you feverishly prep for an in-class exercise, only to figure out that it's really scheduled for next week and you have a little more time. And let's not forget this morning ... I showed up a bit late to aikido class and it turned out I had to take the instructor's place. Which is interesting to do when it's 6 a.m., I haven't had my coffee, went to sleep later than I should have the night before, and didn't sleep well in the first place.
     I wish I could say that midterms are eating my brain, but I haven't really had my midterms yet.
     I picked out this outfit thinking I needed to be in front of the class today. Wearing some jewelry always gives me confidence, so I added a colorful necklace and a pared-down arm party.

I broke the pearl bracelet during class, while I was putting on my blazer. :( More proof that this blazer is a size too small for me!

Fossil "Mystic" necklace (Macy's)

    Hope you are having a more organized week than I am!

viva la arm party!

     Signs that you probably watch too much "South Park": when your Traditional Literature and Oral Narration class reminds you of a specific episode. The teacher shared with us a snippet of Robert Bly's "Sibling Society," which posits that society has moved from a parent-in-charge view to the child-makes-her-own-decisions mindset. And then the teacher even referred to "dog whisperer" Cesar Millan! (The episode I'm thinking about is the one where Cartman's mom, fed up with his running the show, calls in Cesar Millan to help her take charge.) 

       For this outfit I wanted to play with shades of blue and also try out the arm party idea. I originally didn't include the two jade bracelets, but then I decided, the more the merrier.

      I'd be embarrassed to admit just how much time I spent admiring my arm party during class. I truly hope everyone else was too absorbed in the classwork to notice me. I can hope, right?

progress and paillettes

    I have to confess that I'm rather pleased with this outfit's photo shoot. After doing some Google searches and Internet reading, as well as poring over the camera manual, I think my self-timer photos are just an itty bit better. (But if you don't see any difference, that's OK! :) ) I think it might have to do more with the process than the results right now. Nonetheless,  I was happy enough to make these photos EXTRA LARGE. You're welcome! *kidding*

CK top (purchased at Macy's)

    I've decided that I need to nail the indoor photo shoot before I venture outdoors. I want to make sure I feel comfortable with the camera and setting up shots before I venture into public. I know I'll already be anxious enough about people gawking, so I don't want to be stressed out about the technicalities as well.
    This shirt is off the beaten path for me in both color and embellishment. I suppose that's why, when rifling through my closet, I always pause and think, "That is such a neat shirt!" then pass it by ... to wear something not as spectacular. Something I enjoy about this shirt is the little details, like the panels of a different fabric, the rolled sleeve edge, and of course, that glimmering silver bib.

Paillettes -- a no-no before noon?

     I think I need to stop avoiding this shirt. So I wore it to today's 9 a.m. class. (I wonder if paillettes are like alcohol, and are not to be indulged in before noon? Oops.)

Mother of pearl ring (family heirloom); jade ring, previously loved by C.L.; silver ring (craft fair)

For once, I'm not doing something strange with my hands.

the elusive white T

     It's so hard to find that perfect white T. I've been looking for one for a while. Many of them are so thin I'd need to layer it over a camisole. Given the perpetually warm weather, that didn't sound very appealing. Another issue is the fit; I want something that isn't too clingy or too baggy and shapeless.
     This is not the perfect white T, but I did get it for $5.99. The perfect price if you're like me and worry about dripping gravy/spaghetti sauce/other delicious things on your white shirts. I have to admit that it came from the girl's department at Target, because I'm not in love with most of the longer-cut women's Ts out there (I could literally stretch some of them to my knees). After wearing it, I wish I had sized down and bought a large vs. an extra-large. I might just have to set it up on a hot date with my dryer this weekend and see what happens fit-wise.

     To spice up my white tee, I layered two necklaces -- a first for me. The white one is carved of bone and depicts a manaia. In Maori culture, the manaia is often depicted as a bird-headed man, and is a messenger between the earthly and spirit worlds. When depicted as the figure-eight-like shape seen here, it is an amulet against evil. (Information courtesy of Wikipedia). Incidentally, the Mr. dislikes these necklaces -- I think he finds the leather cord too masculine. But I still like them.
     I picked up the Volcom jacket a few months back, but it's been too hot to even consider wearing it. I like that it has a drawstring to define the waist, a zipper and snaps, and can be worn as a shirt or jacket. Oh, and it's a linen-cotton blend, which means linen-like look and feel with less ironing. (Sorry, no detail photos because I'm still waiting for my new camera battery charger). :(

         I realize that this jacket would look so much better if I had bothered to roll the sleeves up before taking this photo ...
        Happy weekend!