7/17/10: All About the Sneakers

Green camisole: Ambiance Apparel, clothing swap acquisition

Purple Tank: Tua via Quarter Moon Imports, several years ago

Skirt: Zinc, thrifted

Sneakers: "Lori" by XAPPEAL via Rack Room Shoes, $7.50 (with BOGO 1/2 off promotion) in July 2010

In keeping with yesterday's theme of "faking it until you make it," I decided to dress myself in bright colors. I knew today was going to be a day of chores and retail therapy. I knew I wanted comfortable shoes. It seemed the perfect day to wear my new plaid sneakers. I pulled the rest of the outfit together around the shoes, relying on old favorites. 

The black denim skirt was bought at a thrift store when I was in middle school. While the zipper will unzip itself if not rigged with a safety pin, it's still a favorite. The purple wrap tank was purchased at a local boutique three or four years ago. It always hugs my curves right without clinging in the wrong places. The green polka dotted camisole was acquired at a clothing swap. Put together, it picks up the purple and green of the sneakers.

Now I will admit that I am torn on the skirt and sneaker issue. At one point I would have said it was acceptable only for children. As a high school student, I decided converses and skirts were fun and practical. However, I'm starting to feel like I may be approaching the upper age limit for this look. At some point, maybe I should replace the sneakers with sandals, or pumps, or wedges, or anything that doesn't scream "UNDERGRAD!" On the other hand, I think I will resist as long as possible and at least enjoy casual comfort on the weekends.

So, what do you think? Are there age limits for certain clothing combinations?

7/16/10: Fake It 'Til You Make It

Sometimes life throws you curve balls. Sometimes it throws those curve balls at full force, straight into your face, leaving you a curled up mess of tears. When this happens, you may not even want to get out of bed. You may not want to move. You may not be able to imagine having fun.

But sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it: In this case, by putting on a colorful outfit, hanging out with friends, and drinking delicious margaritas and snacking on margarita cupcakes. Sometimes a little tequila is part of the solution.

Green camisole: Express, several years ago

Black tee: Tresics (and one of the softest tees I own)

Skirt: Funky People via Quarter Moon Imports, several years ago

Flats: "Kiren" by XAPPEAL via Rack Room Shoes, $14.99 in July 2010

This skirt is one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe, and unfortunately it has seen better days. Though I only hand wash it, the delicate lace and rayon panels are starting to rip. I've tried to mend it, but it inevitably tears again. Thus, I've relegated this skirt to the "wear on special occasions" or "for when I really need to feel pretty" pile. When it falls apart, I'll be left with fond memories. 

Confession: Hair

I have decided to start growing my hair out. Now, I love it short and cute. It's fun. It's easy.

However, I miss my long curls. I miss the glamor. I miss all the styling options.

 

My confession is, I want my hair to be long at my wedding. Now, I have no wedding plans. I just know that it will probably take three years of uninterrupted growth for my hair to be as long as I want. Throw in some trims here and there and the need to give it style as it grows out, and I'm looking at four years, minimum. I am not against getting married in my mid-20s. Four years from now, I'll be closer to 30 than 20. Maybe marriage will be in the works. Maybe not. But just in case it is, I want my long locks back.

Question: What is the "silliest" thing that has dictated one of your hair decisions?

Summer Shoe Needs

I hate my feet. I really do. They are big. They are wide. My second toe is longer than my first toe. I still have calluses from my teenage years as a dancer. My toenails are stubby.

In may come as no surprise that I am not a huge fan of strappy summer sandals. However, living in the South, sandals are a neccessity.

"Women's Arbor Sandal" by Privo, $50.29 on Amazon in most sizes

I'm currently obsessed with the Arbor sandal by Privo. It's made by Clarks and is ridiculously comfortable. The wide foot bed guarantees that you don't get that unattractive "foot falling off the shoe" phenomena that is all too common with today's totally flat sandals.

 Foot falling off shoe. Not cute.

Anyways, I have the Arbor Sandal in white, and I am pretty sure I need it in black.

I am also obsessed with Privo's "Ranford Sandal" which I have in bronze, and wear all the time. It's neutral enough to go with nearly everything. The crisscrossing straps seem to break the line of big feet into manageable pieces.

 

"Women's Ranford Sandal" by Privo, $53.88 on Amazon

Best I can tell, this would leave me with one more sandal need. Black and white? Check. A bronze metallic, which goes well with all neutrals and most colors? Check. A dressy silver? Still need to find.

I know I should branch out beyond Privo's sandals. Any suggestions? Who makes your favorite "everyday" sandals?

The Amazing Power of BOGO

I am going to start with the simple assumption that you, like me, enjoy shopping. Shopping is fun. Sales are even better, though they can be dangerous.

As my better half lives five hours away, I've made a deal with myself. Each time I drive to visit her, I can stop at one store in the outlet mall. Said outlet mall is located about four hours from my hometown. By the time I drive those four hours, all I want to do is be out of the car. I allow myself half an hour to find a bargain. Then, I drive that last hour and try to wear my new purchase over the weekend.

Usually I hit up BCBG's Final Cut Outlet, but yesterday, I was on a mission for shoes. I was wearing a knee-length black linen circle skirt with a sleeveless teal shirt featuring silver buckle accents. (Still waiting for my new camera to arrive.) I had started the day wearing black (almost) flats with silver buckles that echoed the design of the shirt.

Shoes: "Ashley" by Bear Traps

Now, I love these shoes. I love the buckle. I love slight built in wedge. I love the square toe that makes even huge feet look small. But no matter what I do, they leave me with blisters on my heels. I've tried heel pads to minimize slippage, but now the heel pads give me blisters instead of the shoes. Pantyhose might work, but not in the hot southern summer.

So, I've been driving for four hours. My shoes are giving me blisters. Clearly, the solution is a new pair of shoes.

I'm not usually a huge fan of Rack Room shoes. While their shoes are cheap, the quality is also usually cheap. However, I was in a bind, so I gave it a shot. 

Success!

Shoes: "Kiren" by XAPPEAL at Rack Room Shoes, $14.99

Not only are these shoes comfortable and blister free, but the silver embroidered accents matched the trim on my shirt. Many XAPPEAL shoes have a plastic insole that feels disgusting as your feet sweat, but these feature a synthetic leather insole that is far more comfortable. They also have a sturdier sole than many other XAPPEAL shoes. Now it is great when you find cute shoes for $14.99, but it's even better when the store is having a "buy one get one 1/2 off" promotion. We all know that is the biggest scam in the book, as it tricks us in to spending more than we would have. But still, I fall for it every time.

Shoes: "Lori" by XAPPEAL at Rack Room Shoes, $14.99 ($7.50 if you consider the BOGO 1/2 off promotion)

I know it is time for me to move beyond the Converses and Converse-copies, but I couldn't resist these plaid sneakers. I find that genuine Converse Allstars have no support or padding. I'm a huge fan of these Rack Room imitations, which are often half the price or less and offer a more comfortable fit. I can add these purple and green plaid ones to my collection.

Queer ladies are surely aware of the "lesbians in flannel plaid" stereotype. Check out Samantha Ronson:

  

 I think these plaid sneakers can provide a nod to my lesbian heritage in a slightly more discrete way.