Tuesday, January 31, 2012
the Good Ship Stripey
The navy blue, stripes, and vaguely flag-shaped enamel pendants made me feel just a bit nautical in this outfit.
I've been wearing this necklace with pretty simple outfits, just because I think the turquoise, mustard and purple are pretty on their own. However, I'm going to eventually challenge myself to mix it with something other than a neutral to see whether I like the look.
Try-it-out Tuesday: same picture, better frame
It's been said that eyebrows are the frame for a woman's face and in particular, her eyes. With that in mind, I went to see Lena of Lena's Fab Brows the other day for a long overdue reshaping.
I wanted natural and polished-looking brows, with an emphasis on evenness. You see, the first time I got my brows done (by a different person), I was horrified by the uneven results. I think that's because I am missing an itty bit of my right eyebrow, and that could throw off many a stylist. But not Lena!
I'm really happy with the results! It was so fun to apply a little eye makeup on Saturday night -- I feel like this one change has really opened up my eyes and face.
I wanted natural and polished-looking brows, with an emphasis on evenness. You see, the first time I got my brows done (by a different person), I was horrified by the uneven results. I think that's because I am missing an itty bit of my right eyebrow, and that could throw off many a stylist. But not Lena!
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Monday, January 30, 2012
variations on a shirtdress: 2 looks
Have camera, will travel: An animal-print scarf reinvents a basic shirtdress. Add jewelry souvenirs from your travels and comfortable shoes with a hint of color.
I keep my crazy on the inside: Layer a fun top underneath the shirtdress and leave it partially unbuttoned. Add paillette-and-chain earrings because you can never have too many paillettes ...
I actually dreamed up a few other variations but didn't have time to photograph each one. I'm so glad that I didn't pitch this little dress in the donation bag ... I haven't had enough fun with it yet!!
Click here and here for some other ways to style a shirtdress!
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| Obligatory awkward pose |
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| Samoa wooden earrings, gift from E.K.M. |
I keep my crazy on the inside: Layer a fun top underneath the shirtdress and leave it partially unbuttoned. Add paillette-and-chain earrings because you can never have too many paillettes ...
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| Claire's earrings (gifted) |
Click here and here for some other ways to style a shirtdress!
Friday, January 27, 2012
candied walnuts, oysters, atonement
The high point of Thursday (besides managing to drag myself out of bed at 5 a.m.) was making oatmeal for breakfast, and getting the idea to throw in homemade candied walnuts I got as a Christmas gift. Wow -- it made that humble lil' bowl of oatmeal sing and dance. I immediately began to fret about what to do when my stash runs out. Either look up a recipe and make my own, or beg my friend to get her mom to make more. Which would be a bit awkward.
Another awkward story about food: a few years ago a different friend invited me to hang out at her house. Her dad was grilling oysters -- they had picked up a box from Costco. I was in oyster heaven until I realized that I was tossing down oyster #8 while everyone else had stopped at oyster #2 or #3. I regretfully stepped away from the grill.
The above stories may explain why this dress doesn't quite fit anymore. What a shame! I loved the color, the fit, the cool and breathable linen-cotton blend, and it was great for work. I can still put it on but the hem is higher than it was before, and I need to do some major sucking-in to make the placket look decent. I'm reluctant to toss it in the donation bag, so I'm determined to use it for layering.
I added tights and a pair of purple suede flats to this outfit before heading to class on Thursday.
The blue on blue pairing is my version of atonement for the other day's style mess. (I'm also assigning myself a rigorous reading of the latest issue of People StyleWatch). Or, if we unbearably extend the food metaphor, it could be considered a style palate cleanser as well.
Is it standard for thicker belts to not have a leather loop/keeper? This belt is so cute, but when I buckle it the end just sticks out, and it's too thick to tuck. Solutions, anyone?
After I wore this outfit, I realized how many other things can be layered over this dress. Come back Monday to see a few variations on this look! :)
Another awkward story about food: a few years ago a different friend invited me to hang out at her house. Her dad was grilling oysters -- they had picked up a box from Costco. I was in oyster heaven until I realized that I was tossing down oyster #8 while everyone else had stopped at oyster #2 or #3. I regretfully stepped away from the grill.
The above stories may explain why this dress doesn't quite fit anymore. What a shame! I loved the color, the fit, the cool and breathable linen-cotton blend, and it was great for work. I can still put it on but the hem is higher than it was before, and I need to do some major sucking-in to make the placket look decent. I'm reluctant to toss it in the donation bag, so I'm determined to use it for layering.
I added tights and a pair of purple suede flats to this outfit before heading to class on Thursday.
The blue on blue pairing is my version of atonement for the other day's style mess. (I'm also assigning myself a rigorous reading of the latest issue of People StyleWatch). Or, if we unbearably extend the food metaphor, it could be considered a style palate cleanser as well.
Fossil "Mystic" necklace (Macy's)
Is it standard for thicker belts to not have a leather loop/keeper? This belt is so cute, but when I buckle it the end just sticks out, and it's too thick to tuck. Solutions, anyone?
After I wore this outfit, I realized how many other things can be layered over this dress. Come back Monday to see a few variations on this look! :)
size it up: FCUK for Sears blazer
I honestly can't remember the last time I bought clothes from Sear's (sorry, does that sound snobby?) But I stopped by the other day and this blazer caught my eye.
NOTE: I wasn't quite sure how to review the fit of a blazer, so I turned to the queen of blazers -- Kelly of Alterations Needed. I read through a bunch of her blazer reviews to get an idea of what I should be looking at, fit-wise.
SIZE: 2. There were a few random petite sizes mixed in with the regular sizes, but I didn't get a chance to try on a petite version.
FIT: I like the longer front and higher-cut back of this blazer -- it makes it look a little different. It has a bit of an extended shoulder (I don't know what it's really called, but when you feel the edge of the shoulder, there's a bit of padding). For my size, I have fairly broad shoulders, so I'm usually leery of anything that adds to this area. However, this doesn't make me look like I play football, so it's OK. :)
As this is a regular size, the sleeves are long. Getting the sleeves altered would just about eliminate the 4 (fake) cuff buttons. I could also cuff the sleeves.
I'm always looking for items that define my waist, and this blazer does a pretty good job -- particularly when buttoned, it falls right at my natural waist.
QUALITY: I'm the first to admit that I'm not familiar with the higher-end, much-touted brands for suiting, such as Theory, J. Crew, or Ann Taylor, so my judgments in this area are not based on extensive (or, any) knowledge. However, I think the jacket has a nice weight, and the fabric seems substantial.
WARDROBE VALUE? I purchased this Mom generously picked this up for me for $27.99 (original price: $88). I can see myself wearing this blazer over dresses, my favorite graphic tees, or dressier blouses. It would replace my thrifted Laura Ashley blazer, which has served me well but doesn't measure up in the fit department. (I wear it out of desperation for a warm layer when I go to class, but I tried taking photos of it once and they was so horrendous that I never posted them).
POSSIBLE ALTERATIONS: I might get the sleeves hemmed, but for now I'll leave them as is and wear it cuffed. It might also be nice to replace the plastic button with something just a little fancier.
What do you think of the fit, and this blazer in general? I'd love to hear your honest opinion.
NOTE: I wasn't quite sure how to review the fit of a blazer, so I turned to the queen of blazers -- Kelly of Alterations Needed. I read through a bunch of her blazer reviews to get an idea of what I should be looking at, fit-wise.
SIZE: 2. There were a few random petite sizes mixed in with the regular sizes, but I didn't get a chance to try on a petite version.
FIT: I like the longer front and higher-cut back of this blazer -- it makes it look a little different. It has a bit of an extended shoulder (I don't know what it's really called, but when you feel the edge of the shoulder, there's a bit of padding). For my size, I have fairly broad shoulders, so I'm usually leery of anything that adds to this area. However, this doesn't make me look like I play football, so it's OK. :)
As this is a regular size, the sleeves are long. Getting the sleeves altered would just about eliminate the 4 (fake) cuff buttons. I could also cuff the sleeves.
I'm always looking for items that define my waist, and this blazer does a pretty good job -- particularly when buttoned, it falls right at my natural waist.
QUALITY: I'm the first to admit that I'm not familiar with the higher-end, much-touted brands for suiting, such as Theory, J. Crew, or Ann Taylor, so my judgments in this area are not based on extensive (or, any) knowledge. However, I think the jacket has a nice weight, and the fabric seems substantial.
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| Look at how it nips in at the waist! |
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| Cuffing = more room for bracelets! :) |
What do you think of the fit, and this blazer in general? I'd love to hear your honest opinion.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
healthy starts at home, vol. 2: cornflake chicken
$7.09.
That is how much one measly box of cornflake crumbs cost at the grocery store.
Given my penchant for a bargain, I refused to buy it. Instead, I marched back to the cereal aisle and got a box of cornflakes. How hard is to crunch up a bunch of cornflakes?
The recipe I used came from "What Hawaii Likes to Eat," and is attributed to Side Street Inn. Some modifications I made are to add a generous squirt of Dijonnaise to the light mayo I used, and throw in Emeril's Essence seasoning and garlic salt along with the parmesan cheese.
The recipe is also posted here. The suggestion to use a rack instead of a pan to develop an all-around crunchy coating is a good one that I'll try next time. My favorite thing about this version is that many of the people posting comments are literally appalled by the recipe's use of mayonnaise. I don't think people realize that mayo is a quintessentially local condiment. I'm not crazy about it myself, but I've heard of people topping off a bowl of chili rice with mayo ...
I realized that every dish I've posted features meat (sorry, vegetarian readers!) I was vegetarian for several years in my 20s, and enjoyed exploring the wide world of veggie cuisine. However, when you have a nonagenerian and a carnivorous mom to cook for, there isn't much call for veggie dishes. However, mom was asking about artichoke hearts and what they tasted like, and I have a vegetarian recipe for pasta with artichoke hearts. That might be the way to sneak a veggie meal into my home-cooked meals lineup ...
That is how much one measly box of cornflake crumbs cost at the grocery store.
Given my penchant for a bargain, I refused to buy it. Instead, I marched back to the cereal aisle and got a box of cornflakes. How hard is to crunch up a bunch of cornflakes?
The recipe I used came from "What Hawaii Likes to Eat," and is attributed to Side Street Inn. Some modifications I made are to add a generous squirt of Dijonnaise to the light mayo I used, and throw in Emeril's Essence seasoning and garlic salt along with the parmesan cheese.
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| In the oven |
I realized that every dish I've posted features meat (sorry, vegetarian readers!) I was vegetarian for several years in my 20s, and enjoyed exploring the wide world of veggie cuisine. However, when you have a nonagenerian and a carnivorous mom to cook for, there isn't much call for veggie dishes. However, mom was asking about artichoke hearts and what they tasted like, and I have a vegetarian recipe for pasta with artichoke hearts. That might be the way to sneak a veggie meal into my home-cooked meals lineup ...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
3-ring circus, or, fashion fail?
I think I got overambitious with this outfit. Fun graphic tee + stripes! Layering! Tights + sneakers! And make the sneakers not an unobtrusive neutral, but bright pink!
I did marginally better reproducing this cute, cozy and simple look from What Would a Nerd Wear.
Rebecca Beeson long-sleeve tee (Costco, old)
"The Day the Fire Brigade Went on Strike" tee (Threadless)
striped skirt and tights (F21)
Puma sneakers
After examining my tights + sneakers pins more closely, I realized that I COMPLETELY missed how simplicity made the look work. Solid tops and bottoms and a restrained color palette, by and large, kept things simple and fresh. My favorite is the third: I think the drapey pink dress is so cute!I did marginally better reproducing this cute, cozy and simple look from What Would a Nerd Wear.
DKNY cable sweater hoodie (Macy's, old)
I think this outfit would have worked better with a plain black shirt -- it would have made the outfit less busy and accented the pink sneakers. In the meantime, I'm adding a pair of simple black sneakers to my wish list ...
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