Thursday, June 27, 2013
lovely links: ladylike with a kick
"DREAMBOAT" // Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Times from trAndrew on Vimeo.
I mentioned recently that my cousin will be showing his artwork. It turns out that the event features artists of all kinds, including clothing designers. While browsing the event site I found this video by Jenna Sato, and promptly fell in love with the jackets. They have a retro ladylike appeal that's balanced by the artful decision to layer them over a close-fitting crop top. The clean lines and playful colors and patterns remind me just a bit of Diane Von Furstenberg's clothing.
While browsing the site, I also found out that "cocktail attire" is recommended. Hmm. I'm not sure what that translates to in very casual Hawaii, but I'll be delving into my closet for something suitable.
the endangered joys of snail mail
New York and Company chambray shirt, thrifted
Halogen skirt, Nordstrom Rack
necklace and rings, Forever 21
You are probably tired of seeing this skirt and shirt, but I'm not tired of them yet ... so here they are again. :) Looking at the photos, one thing I would change next time is to knot the necklace to make it a little shorter - I think a shorter length would be more flattering.
Recently, I sent a small gift and a letter to a friend for her birthday. She e-mailed me yesterday to thank me, nothing that "you are my only friend who writes letters anymore, and it's such a blessing." Truth be told, I think I enjoyed writing the letter as much as she (hopefully) enjoyed reading it. There's something wonderful about sitting down with a pretty card or good stationery, a reliable pen, and ordering my thoughts, feelings, and experiences for sharing. E-mail is fast and cheap, but it doesn't compare to the joy of sending and receiving snail mail. There's nothing like taking a moment to trace the familiar lines of a good friend's writing and find out how they're doing.
Many years ago, extensive written communication was a given - if you read novels set in certain time periods and places, the characters often exchange notes and letters daily. People also kept detailed, daily journals - it's been such a treat to get a glimpse of some of my favorite writers' day-to-day experiences. I wonder what we will use to get a similar glimpse into the lives of today's greatest artists and thinkers - Facebook statuses? e-mails? tweets? blog posts?
Thinking back to my intermediate-school days, I marvel at how many letters my sister and I exchanged with friends. I can't remember what we wrote about, but I remember that they were written on folder paper, often meticulously penned in a glittery rainbow of ink, then carefully folded for in-person delivery. Do today's middle-schoolers still do this? Or have Facebook messages and texts supplanted the allure of glittery pens and secret folding techniques?
When was the last time you wrote or received a "snail-mail" letter?
Monday, June 24, 2013
inspiration Monday: coral and light blue
The inspiration: Alessandra Ambrosio
My take:
Old Navy top, thrifted
Ann Taylor petite skirt, rescued from mom's donation pile
necklace, Forever 21
brooches, gifted and eBay
Gracey of Fashion for Giants remembered that I was looking for a bee brooch and sent this one to me! It's perfect, and for its inaugural wearing I decided to add it to one of my favorite necklaces.
Coral and light blue is a great combination, so I decided to go for it. I usually try to stick to pattern mixing in the same color family, but I think this came out pretty well.
I'm linking up to two birds' inspiration Monday! Go here to see the other creative interpretations. :)
happy Monday {the Instagram edition}
3 things that are making me happy lately ...
1. I SEWED MY FIRST ZIPPER! :) My mom taught me how to sew, and she's always said sewing zippers is difficult, so I always chose projects that didn't call for a zipper. I used this tutorial, followed the steps carefully, and was amazed at how smoothly it went. After finishing my project and showing it off to my very impressed family, the next step was to order a bunch of zippers on etsy. I see a whole new world of sewing projects opening up ...
2. I came in a dollar or two under the budget allotted for my trip to the library's annual mega sale on Saturday. I found some great items for my classroom library and was excited to score some education books I had been considering purchasing online. Spending $1 or $2 apiece on items that would have cost me much more online made me really happy.
3. I wore my new striped dress (Forever 21) and leopard print belt (thrifted) together on Saturday night. This pattern combination makes me smile.
What's making you happy? Leave me a comment. :)
1. I SEWED MY FIRST ZIPPER! :) My mom taught me how to sew, and she's always said sewing zippers is difficult, so I always chose projects that didn't call for a zipper. I used this tutorial, followed the steps carefully, and was amazed at how smoothly it went. After finishing my project and showing it off to my very impressed family, the next step was to order a bunch of zippers on etsy. I see a whole new world of sewing projects opening up ...
Just a few of my newfound treasures ...
What's making you happy? Leave me a comment. :)
Friday, June 21, 2013
... and the livin' is easy
tunic, Ross
DKNY Soho jeans, Macy's
necklace, Seattle craft fair
bracelets - gifted, InPink, HauteLook
bracelets - gifted, InPink, HauteLook
This tunic is pretty, but its downfall is that it's a little itchy. It might end up in the donation pile for that flaw.
Summer time is also reading time. I put "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking" on hold in January, if not earlier. Obviously, a lot of introverts use the library - because I just picked up the book this week! I'm looking forward to finally reading it. I'm also slowly working my way through Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" and reading "The Memory-Keeper's Daughter" before I pass it on to a friend.
book review: "Summer and Bird"
**Ashley of The Pharr Side of Arkansas requested a book review when I first mentioned this book on my blog a while back. Talking and writing about books is one of my favorite activities, so I was thrilled to oblige. :)
The last time my sister came to visit, we were reminiscing over our once-impressive book collection. We estimated that we easily had 500 or more books. (We can't recall the majority of books in our collection, but we still regret donating our "Elfquest" and "Sandman" complete sets.) Due to moving multiple times and across the Pacific, I now have a much smaller collection. I happily satisfy my thirst for new books at the library - I always feel like I'm getting away with something when I walk out with a stack of books! But "Summer and Bird" by Katherine Catmull is one book that I'll be adding to my collection - I've already got a used copy from Powell's on its way here. I'm buying my own copy to share with friends and to reread.
This phrase leapt out at me when I opened the book for review. "Summer and Bird" can be read on one level as a fantasy, a beautifully crafted fairytale about two girls who tumble into the land of the birds. But if you read this book down to its bones, past the mysterious little red house, the wooden egg, the bird-hungry Puppeteer, and other archetypally resonant objects and events, you will understand that this is a book about family, about how closely we cling to and long for those we grow up with, while not understanding the distances between us. And some of these distances are irreconcilable, and learning to observe and respect these distances is part of growing up.
Older sister Summer is practical-minded, active, and thinks like her ornithologist father. Bird is like her mother, who speaks in poems and riddles. Bird is the one who notices that as much as their mother loves the forest, she is "sad and strange" when she returns. They enter the forest in search of their parents, who vanished overnight. All their parents leave behind is the open door of the "inside closet," a compartment they could never open, and a picture letter.
The sisters are quickly separated - not only by physical distance, but by guilt and envy. Summer struggles with the guilt that she was the one who led Bird into the forest, and that Bird's subsequent disappearance is her fault. She also struggles with being in a land that is dictated by song, riddle, and story - a land where her little sister can learn from and converse with a patchwork bird, where cranes draw maps, and Summer is entrusted with a wooden egg. Bird is blinded by hunger: she longs to be the next bird queen, and in her desire to be a bird, she falls prey to the Puppeteer's poison.
Their parents are also separated, and how they first came to be together - and what pulls them apart - is central to the story. Catmull shows how a relationship, even one built on the seemingly solid foundation of a home, a life together, and two children, can be a delicate balancing act, and how longings beyond our control can tear a relationship beyond repair. The push-and-pull of Summer and Bird's parents' relationship is revealed in a recounting of their travels together: "At those times of year, her whole body turned toward another home. And twice a year, on one of their canoe trips, her yearning oars drew their boat off balance, toward a little inlet on the north side of the river, almost masked with overhanging vines and brush. He would feel her yearning and fear it, and pull strong on the other side. For a while, they would paddle this way, in silence, each pulling at their oars as hard as they could, in opposite directions. But their father always won. He kept the canoe sailing straight. And their mother relented and seemed to forget, although she was quiet and sad for days after."
Catmull's writing is lovely, if you like prose with poetic leanings. This is her description of Summer's envy of Bird: "She had had a lifetime of strange, special Bird, called by the turning, burning earth, specially taught (and specially loved?) by their mother, while she herself was only pale and practical, with an unmagnetic, unhearing soul."
After finishing the book, I hopped on Goodreads to see what other people thought. How the novel ends is a sticking point for some readers; while some people didn't like it, I thought it was fitting and honest. I was reminded of my own experience with my parents' divorce - things change, and while many of the changes are for the better, the ghost of what was is always there, too.
Elements of this novel reminded me of Hans Christian Andersen's work. What's always intrigued me about Andersen's stories is that they stemmed from deeply personal experiences and interests, yet contain ideas and thoughts that tap into the roots of who we are and resonate across time and cultures. It's wonderful when you can find a novel that helps you understand a little bit of yourself better - and "Summer and Bird" is one such book.
The last time my sister came to visit, we were reminiscing over our once-impressive book collection. We estimated that we easily had 500 or more books. (We can't recall the majority of books in our collection, but we still regret donating our "Elfquest" and "Sandman" complete sets.) Due to moving multiple times and across the Pacific, I now have a much smaller collection. I happily satisfy my thirst for new books at the library - I always feel like I'm getting away with something when I walk out with a stack of books! But "Summer and Bird" by Katherine Catmull is one book that I'll be adding to my collection - I've already got a used copy from Powell's on its way here. I'm buying my own copy to share with friends and to reread.
***
These are the opening lines of "Summer and Bird": "The evening before that terrible morning, Summer and Bird were at the edge of the forest. As the light left, they were half together and half apart" (emphasis added by me).This phrase leapt out at me when I opened the book for review. "Summer and Bird" can be read on one level as a fantasy, a beautifully crafted fairytale about two girls who tumble into the land of the birds. But if you read this book down to its bones, past the mysterious little red house, the wooden egg, the bird-hungry Puppeteer, and other archetypally resonant objects and events, you will understand that this is a book about family, about how closely we cling to and long for those we grow up with, while not understanding the distances between us. And some of these distances are irreconcilable, and learning to observe and respect these distances is part of growing up.
Older sister Summer is practical-minded, active, and thinks like her ornithologist father. Bird is like her mother, who speaks in poems and riddles. Bird is the one who notices that as much as their mother loves the forest, she is "sad and strange" when she returns. They enter the forest in search of their parents, who vanished overnight. All their parents leave behind is the open door of the "inside closet," a compartment they could never open, and a picture letter.
The sisters are quickly separated - not only by physical distance, but by guilt and envy. Summer struggles with the guilt that she was the one who led Bird into the forest, and that Bird's subsequent disappearance is her fault. She also struggles with being in a land that is dictated by song, riddle, and story - a land where her little sister can learn from and converse with a patchwork bird, where cranes draw maps, and Summer is entrusted with a wooden egg. Bird is blinded by hunger: she longs to be the next bird queen, and in her desire to be a bird, she falls prey to the Puppeteer's poison.
Their parents are also separated, and how they first came to be together - and what pulls them apart - is central to the story. Catmull shows how a relationship, even one built on the seemingly solid foundation of a home, a life together, and two children, can be a delicate balancing act, and how longings beyond our control can tear a relationship beyond repair. The push-and-pull of Summer and Bird's parents' relationship is revealed in a recounting of their travels together: "At those times of year, her whole body turned toward another home. And twice a year, on one of their canoe trips, her yearning oars drew their boat off balance, toward a little inlet on the north side of the river, almost masked with overhanging vines and brush. He would feel her yearning and fear it, and pull strong on the other side. For a while, they would paddle this way, in silence, each pulling at their oars as hard as they could, in opposite directions. But their father always won. He kept the canoe sailing straight. And their mother relented and seemed to forget, although she was quiet and sad for days after."
Catmull's writing is lovely, if you like prose with poetic leanings. This is her description of Summer's envy of Bird: "She had had a lifetime of strange, special Bird, called by the turning, burning earth, specially taught (and specially loved?) by their mother, while she herself was only pale and practical, with an unmagnetic, unhearing soul."
After finishing the book, I hopped on Goodreads to see what other people thought. How the novel ends is a sticking point for some readers; while some people didn't like it, I thought it was fitting and honest. I was reminded of my own experience with my parents' divorce - things change, and while many of the changes are for the better, the ghost of what was is always there, too.
Elements of this novel reminded me of Hans Christian Andersen's work. What's always intrigued me about Andersen's stories is that they stemmed from deeply personal experiences and interests, yet contain ideas and thoughts that tap into the roots of who we are and resonate across time and cultures. It's wonderful when you can find a novel that helps you understand a little bit of yourself better - and "Summer and Bird" is one such book.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
chambray, flowers, and a dose of randomness
New York and Company chambray shirt, thrifted
Style & Co. petite dress and Fossil necklace, Macy's
I've been liking longer necklaces lately, so I extended this necklace with a bracelet. The nice thing about lengthening it is that you get a peek at the charms attached to the clasp.
I'm feeling random today, so here are some random snippets from my life (hopefully they distract you from the fact that I am wearing this chambray shirt again):
Random grammatical error that irks me: when people confuse "weary" and "wary." In other words, I am weary of people who are not wary of grammatical errors and are too lazy to do some basic checking to figure out the difference.
Random thing I learned about myself: It looks like I will be a fourth-grade teacher next year, so I was browsing fourth-grade-teacher blogs for tips and projects the other day. What did I learn? I learned that I absolutely cannot follow bloggers who use the word "cray-cray," multiple exclamation points, and ellipses in every other sentence. She may be a great teacher with engaging lessons, but I'll never know - because her writing gives me a headache.
Random obsession: Homemade chocolate ganache, eaten straight out of the container. Tonight I just might slather it onto macadamia nut shortbread.
Random wardrobe realization: I can't remember the last time I wore my beloved jeans (according to the blog, it was on May 6, although I did wear other kinds of pants since then). I suppose my jeans forgot to tell me that they were sneaking off for summer vacation - they got spoiled last year when I sent them away for Jeans-free June. I love jeans, but it's great to make better use of my dresses and skirts.
Random new responsibility: One of my aikido instructors is out due to health problems, so as the senior student, I have taken over teaching the twice-a-week classes. I don't have much confidence in my ability to teach aikido yet, so this is a stretch, but sometimes not-so-comfortable but necessary experiences help us grow. And, it's a wonderful feeling to give back to the club after having benefited so much as a student.
Want to tell me something random? Leave me a comment. :)
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
everyday glam
Banana Republic thrifted dress, $6.99
watch, gifted
bracelets, gifted and InPink
Ralph Lauren sunglasses, Macy's
I've gotten better at predicting what my husband likes and doesn't like, in terms of clothing, but I was dumbfounded that he pronounced this dress old-ladyish. Uh, OK. But I love it, so much so that I wore it for Father's Day lunch on Saturday and to check out my new school yesterday.
When I got contacts, I got excited about the prospect of buying nonprescription sunglasses. My husband gave me a Macy's gift card for graduation to get sunglasses. I wasn't planning to spend quite so much on a pair of sunnies, but I loved the oversized shape of these. I feel just a little like a movie star when I put them on. Not to mention, they make driving so much easier - no more squinting! I'll be making a pretty long commute (by island standards) once the school year begins, so I figure anything that makes my daily drive a little better is worth the price. And who doesn't enjoy feeling like a movie star everyday?
I'm not too familiar with the area I'll be working in, so a (lucky) wrong turn on the way home landed me in Target's parking lot. I had a $10 gift card to spend, so I decided to browse the women's section. I ended up purchasing a polka-dotted skirt for $14 and this polka-dotted dress for $17. The dress passed the BOT with flying colors.
The BOT (Bend-Over Test) involves me bending over while facing towards and away from the mirror to see what's visible from the front and back. I put all my work clothes through this test because the last thing I want to worry about in the classroom is whether I'm flashing anyone! The dress is also surprisingly flattering - it fits closely without being too clingy, and the waist detail is beautiful. I also tried on this skirt - I really liked the fun color and lace, but I felt like the lining was trying to crawl up my legs, so it was a definite pass.
I don't usually buy two things with the same pattern in one shopping trip, but my school visit revealed that I will have a non-A/C classroom, so skirts and dresses will be my go-to clothing for most of the school year.
Monday, June 17, 2013
happy Monday
3 things that are making me happy lately ...
1. My very talented cousin will be showing his drawings at a July 13 event. He's also an amazing photographer and has a great eye in general, so I'm thrilled that he's getting a venue for his talent. :)
2. I will be checking out my new school today! I'm both excited and nervous.
3. Our public library system's mega book sale starts this weekend. I'll be focusing my efforts on finding items for my classroom library, but I haven't gone bargain-book-hunting in a few years, so I expect to have some fun. It's blazing hot in the cafeteria where they hold the sale, but I figure that just means I can treat myself to a cold treat afterwards and gloat over my finds.
What's making you happy lately? Please share. :)
1. My very talented cousin will be showing his drawings at a July 13 event. He's also an amazing photographer and has a great eye in general, so I'm thrilled that he's getting a venue for his talent. :)
2. I will be checking out my new school today! I'm both excited and nervous.
3. Our public library system's mega book sale starts this weekend. I'll be focusing my efforts on finding items for my classroom library, but I haven't gone bargain-book-hunting in a few years, so I expect to have some fun. It's blazing hot in the cafeteria where they hold the sale, but I figure that just means I can treat myself to a cold treat afterwards and gloat over my finds.
What's making you happy lately? Please share. :)
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Try-it-out Tuesday: the adjective-generating outfit
essential tee, Gap, $4.19
Halogen skirt, Nordstrom Rack
necklace, craft fair in Seattle
My friend described my tee as "va-va voom" yellow, which is, admittedly, more fun to say than neon yellow.
I'll admit to not thinking much about which pair of glasses best complements an outfit (I go with the old brown ones most of the time), but the bold black frames seemed like the only choice for this outfit.
Monday, June 10, 2013
inspiration Monday: tripping over the details
The inspiration: Katharine McPhee
My take:
New York and Company chambray shirt, thrifted
UK Style by French Connection pants, Sears
belt, from dress
Carole necklace, Nordstrom Rack
bracelets - gifted, InPink, HauteLook
Dansko "Calliope" sandals, 6pm.com
I love this pants silhouette - but I'm not convinced it works for someone of my height. Add in the complication that I hemmed the pants just a tiny bit too short. Then I got wishy-washy about the accessories and styling - shirt untucked, knotted, belted? Necklace or no necklace?
The next time I wear this outfit, I'll try wearing it with both the belt and necklace. I think the waist definition from the belt balances out the ultra-flowy pants legs and the lighter color of the necklace breaks up the dark top and picks up the pants' pattern. Whew, that was a lot of overthinking for a simple outfit!
(And while I'm sure you knew that last week included National Doughnut Day, judging from the photos, it was also National Touch-Your-Hair Day. Nothing like editing photos to make you realize that you need to mix up your posing just a bit ... )
I'm linking up with two birds' inspiration Monday! Check out the other creative looks here! :)
happy Monday
3 things that are making me happy lately ...
1. I shared my closet orphans post with Sally of Already Pretty and thanked her for the inspiration. She kindly included it in her Friday "Lovely Links" and I got some great constructive comments. :)
2. I watched "Up" for the first time on Saturday afternoon, started crying 10 minutes in, and sniffled through the rest of the movie. In other words, I really enjoyed it. ;)
3. A few months ago I bought a batch of cuff bracelet blanks, misguidedly thinking that I'd be able to craft a few for the wedding. Just figured out a fun little way to use them - if all goes well I'll share what I make. :)
What's making you happy today? Please share. :)
1. I shared my closet orphans post with Sally of Already Pretty and thanked her for the inspiration. She kindly included it in her Friday "Lovely Links" and I got some great constructive comments. :)
2. I watched "Up" for the first time on Saturday afternoon, started crying 10 minutes in, and sniffled through the rest of the movie. In other words, I really enjoyed it. ;)
3. A few months ago I bought a batch of cuff bracelet blanks, misguidedly thinking that I'd be able to craft a few for the wedding. Just figured out a fun little way to use them - if all goes well I'll share what I make. :)
What's making you happy today? Please share. :)
Friday, June 7, 2013
easy ikat
belt and Jones New York ikat dress, Ross
giraffe ring (part of set), Forever 21
Dansko "Calliope" sandals, 6pm.com
Katie of Hems for Her recently discussed the difficulty of finding a simple dress, and I have to agree. After some determined searching, however, I found this hiding amongst the yards of polyester and rayon that clutter the Ross dress section. It is perfect for summer but will also make a nice casual dress for work - it has the rare combination of easy fit, modest neckline and decent hem length. It's a shift, so I chose to wear it belted this time, but it's great to have the option to go shapeless. ;)
What are your summer wardrobe must-haves?
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
knockoffs: what do you think?
tee, Banana Republic Factory Store
Halogen knit skirt, Nordstrom Rack
pounamu (greenstone) necklace, New Zealand
jade bracelets, gifted
I've been wanting a long pendant-style necklace lately, and wasted time did a little research on eBay and etsy to consider my options. Then I remembered this necklace and a few others I picked up on my trip to New Zealand, and realized I didn't need to buy anything. Yes for shopping my closet!
I saw Kendi wearing this necklace recently, and liked it. I then proceeded to
A question occurred to me: What do you think about creating your own knockoff of something you admire but can't afford? Do you think you are "stealing" from the artist in some way by creating your own? Is the right thing to do to save up your pennies to buy the original, or go for the immediate gratification of crafting your own? I can understand both viewpoints. I think artists deserve to earn a living from their creations, and that the price often (justifiably) reflects an investment of creativity, skill, experience, and materials. But at the same time, my budget can't stretch enough to accommodate my wish for an armful of Chan Luu bracelets (are they out? Who cares, they're still pretty) and other pretty but pricey baubles.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Try-it-out Tuesday: learning from my closet orphans
"Closet orphans are basically teaching moments waiting to happen. I
mean, we loved them, we bought them, we longed to wear them … and yet we
didn’t wear them. If we don’t examine what prompted those
purchases and what prevented those wearings, are we not doomed to make
those same mistakes again?"
- Sally of Already Pretty, "What Closet Orphans Can Teach Us"I was so intrigued by Sally's post that I decided to dig through my donations bag and see what I can learn from my closet orphans, and to reconsider donating them. I hate the idea of wasting money by letting things go unworn, yet at the same time a well-curated closet is a worthy (and lofty) goal.
Strapless dress (tags still on, never worn)
Why I bought it: the colors and print are pretty.
Why I didn't wear it: I've realized that strapless dresses may just not be my style (add in the fact that I'm still on the hunt for a strapless bra that doesn't inch down my rib cage). This is also shorter than I usually go for.
If I kept it, I might wear it like this:
Verdict: donated.
Tunic
Why I didn't wear it: Hmm, not quite sure. I think it's too bare in the back for my personal preference.
Verdict: donated.
"Secret agent" dress
Why I bought it: It's cotton, it's a nice straight cut (no need to worry about your skirt flapping up), and it was a nice way to ease into dresses without going full-on girly. I call it my "secret agent dress" because my fourth-graders told me I looked like a police officer or agent when I wore it.
Why I didn't wear it much: I don't care for the sleeves or the stand-up collar (which I usually fold down).
Verdict: I like the fit and fabric, so I will keep it for now. I'll wear it for work and see how I like it.
Butterfly-print dress
Why I bought it: I liked the print and colors and it seemed like a great work dress.
Why I didn't wear it much: A big factor in my decision to order it from overstock.com was that it said this dress was washable. But after it arrived, I realized they had made a mistake - it's dry clean only.
Verdict: I like the fit and it's a bit more professional than most of my other dresses, so I will give it another try as work wear.
Verdict: I like the fit and it's a bit more professional than most of my other dresses, so I will give it another try as work wear.
Ruffle jacket
Why I bought it: I liked the color and I wanted to experiment with ruffles.
Why I didn't wear it much: It's cotton and the ruffles are a pain to iron. I also don't like that the ruffles go around the collar. The husband also loathes it.
Verdict: donated.
Floral full skirt
Why I bought it: I wanted to experiment with the silhouette and the colors are underrepresented in my closet.
Why I didn't wear it: the full silhouette means the slightest breeze makes it fly up, and I hate that in a skirt. The print also made me think of wallpaper.
I actually really like this skirt paired with the pink sweater. I put them together on a whim, but the mismatched pinks make me smile. And a pair of bike shorts would solve the floaty-skirt problem.
Verdict: Keep for now. Wear with bike shorts (duh, that took a while to figure out).
Burnout tee
Why I bought it: I love t-shirts. This is the perfect balance between patterned and neutral.
Why I didn't wear it much: It's sheer in certain spots, so it requires a camisole.
How I'd wear it now: Partially sheer tee + lace top = work-appropriate. Eureka!
Verdict: Keep.
Rayon tee (never worn, tags still on)
Why I bought it: I liked the color and print and longer sleeve.
Why I didn't wear it: It's dry clean only.
Verdict: Keep for now. Wear it for work and see how I like it.
Banana Republic silk top (hand-me-down, never worn)
Why it's been hanging around my closet for so long: It's silk! It's actually a really pretty color that I couldn't capture with the camera - somewhere between celadon and celery.
Why I haven't worn it: the straps fall off my shoulders all the time. It's strangely long.
CONCLUDING LESSONS
This was fascinating to do! Some patterns that emerged:
- I'm pretty good at picking and purchasing prints and colors I love.
- The problem with focusing on prints and colors is that sometimes I overlook collar/neckline and sleeve details. Once I start wearing something, however, I get particular about collars and sleeves, and this affects how often I wear the item.
- I don't wear my dry-clean-only items too often. I want to make a conscious effort to wear the dry-clean items that I already have - some of them are really pretty. For future purchases, I need to keep in mind that I really don't get much use out of such items.
- It's worth taking a second look at an item and restyling it. I enjoyed restyling the floral full skirt and burnout tee.
- While I donated only 3 of the 9 closet orphans examined, I'll be making an effort to welcome the remaining 6 items back into my closet by wearing them. I plan to revisit them in a few months and determine whether they can stay or need to be donated.
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