Fade to the Blackness

Hey guys! Is anyone else totally thrown by the time change? Everyone's been walking around like they're half-asleep. I guess I'm weird cause I'm always somewhat revitalized by Mondays because it's a fresh start to a new week. That's probably why it's easiest to get dressed up on Mondays but come Thursday I can barely drag myself out of bed. I haven't worn this skirt in a while but the sneak peaks of spring inspired me to get one final use out of my winter favorites. As you can see in other posts, this skirt has a huge bow in the front which I just wasn't feeling today so I pulled my sweater over it and threw on a belt. I've been on the prowl for some knee-high socks and I finally found some cheapie ones at Target yesterday ($2!). They also had some over-the-knee ones but I'm not confident I can rock that look. What do you guys think? My younger sister would like everyone to know that she thoughtfully picked out these earrings for my birthday. She's been mad at me for not wearing them because apparently "silver matches everything!" but I was waiting for the right outfit. Thanks Olivia!

{sweater-Loft; skirt-Wet Seal; belt-Anne Klein; earrings-Claire's; socks-Target; boots-Nordstrom}

New 'do

Hey guys! It's basically the end of my week and I couldn't be happier. We have Friday off for a "non-attendance day" which is such a stupid reason I can't help but laugh. Tomorrow I have a field trip to the Museum of Surgical Sciences and I'm really excited to see if I'd like working in that field. If you didn't know, I'm debating between going pre-med and working in fashion. Quite a decision, right? Everyone says I should try to mesh my interests but I can't see that happening. The only overlap is that my sewing skills should help when I'm stitching people up.

I've worn a similar outfit here but my shoes, jewelry, and, most importantly, my hair was different. Ok I wouldn't recommend you do this at home, but Monday I just took some scissors to my hair. It wasn't even super long, but it's my pet peeve for hair to be an awkward medium length. I like it super long like I had it this summer or at least as short as it is now. It's so much faster to style it and it lightens up to not have a huge, puffy (in my case) ponytail.

On a side note- I love these new earrings from my aunt. They're from Silpada Jewelry, where she's a representative. I would definitely recommend checking out their website at www.mysilpada.com/julie.charrette. They have a huge selection and variety of pieces that I keep falling in love with. These earrings look like a tangled silver wire in a cool way. Can't wait to show you guys more Silpada gems!

{shirt-Target; skirt-Target; earrings-Silapada; boots-Nordstrom Rack}

Valentine's Baby

Hey guys! I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Mine was awesome because it was my 17th birthday! I love having my birthday on a minor holiday because everyone is all excited but it doesn't completely overshadow my birthday like Christmas would. My day started with a test before school even started so it could only get better from there. My friends were so sweet and made me some adorable cards. To celebrate we just had a nice family dinner with ice cream sundaes (I love ice cream more than life itself). Since most of my presents are wearable, you'll be seeing them in upcoming outfit posts. Thanks to everyone for making it a special day :)

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions or dwell on the past, but as I was lying in bed on my birthday I thought of all the wonderful experiences I've had since my last birthday. I got my license, worked on houses in Kentucky through the Appalachian Service Project, had a great family trip to Maine, and started my dreaded junior year of high school. Most importantly (okay, just to you guys) I kept improving my blog and developing my personal style. This summer I looked over my wardrobe and only a few pieces were actually purchased in the last year, but I've added many unique, personal pieces. I want to continue connecting with other bloggers and fashion enthusiasts before my 18th birthday. Oh my god, in 364 days I will be an adult. Too scary.

{top-Zara; jeans-Target; cami-Costco; earrings-Nordstrom Rack; boots-Nordstrom Rack}We have a family tradition of taking awkward birthday pictures.

More Laceful than Graceful

Hey guys! I have no idea why, but I'm suddenly in the mood to wear really girly (summery?)outfits. I feel like all winter I'm wearing jeans and boring tops because it's freakin' FREEZING. Not exaggerating, it hasn't been above 32 degrees for weeks. Anywhoo, I love this outfit I wore today. My sister thought it needed a pop of color, but neutrals in interesting textures can be enough. In a perfect world I would wear this with kick-butt heels. However, I'm in high school and I live in Chicago.....so boots it is. Either way, I love the way it turned out and the added sparkle from my bracelet and earrings. Happy Monday!

{top-Primark; skirt-Target; bracelet and earrings-Tiffany & Co.; tights-Loft; boots-Nordstrom rack}

Blizzard!

Hey guys! School was just cancelled for tomorrow because of a blizzard and I am too excited. Since I can't exactly get anywhere, I thought of the perfect pastime: recapping the cutest outfits of January 2011. I'm doubly (word?) excited because it's February, which means I'll be seventeen in two short weeks!

This is what I wore today and it kind of came together by fate. This morning I was wearing a gold headband, but that broke during school so I ditched it. Also, I thought my hair was going to spazz out but thanks to the dry, cold weather, it fell into some decently cute waves. Most importantly, I finally got this vest that I made back from my sewing teacher! It's the first official piece of clothing I've sewn all by myself and I'm really proud of it. I wanted to do something fitted because it's awesome to have something perfectly tailored to fit your every curve. I'll post the specifics on the "Original Creations" page.

Also by fate, the vest matched what I was wearing today. I was planning on making an outfit around it and I was kind of struggling with the menswear look, but it went with this sweater perfectly. I know I defied that crazy fashion rule about not mixing brown and black, I just think sometimes contrast is better than matching. This definitely would have looked weird with brown boots. Not that I have any. Not that I'm bitter about that. Feel free to mail these to me.

closeup of my crafstwomanship--I'm really proud of the buttonholes!!

{sweater-Target; necklace-F21; vest-homemade; jeans-AEO; boots-Nordstrom Rack}

Day 23: Opening Night

Hey guys! This outfit is also in the top five of the challenge looks. I wore this to opening night of a play my mom is producing, so I needed to look a little fancier. This is the type of situation where you really feel limited by your 30 pieces, but I picked one of my two dresses and accessorized. The long boyfriend sweater added warmth and gave the outfit a relaxed, artsy look for the occasion. (the play is mainly folk music and it's in this tiny theater) My mom picked up this cool pair of tights, but of course I ripped them at Christmas dinner. Stupid jagged nail sticking out of the table! Anyways, for the one night they lasted, they made the look more visually interesting. I'm not sure if the stripes are supposed to twist around your legs or if my legs are just abnormal. Ahh life's unanswerable questions...

Oh! I also finally found a hairstyle that I like and I'm capable of doing. Like all good innovations, it happened on accident. The day before I curled my hair in rollers overnight (the only way the curls stick) but it turned out WAY too crazy. I pulled it into a ponytail and went to bed like that. The next day my hair was perfectly wavy on top and still had curls at the bottom. I describe this hairstyle as "The Samantha," as in the American Girl Doll from the turn of the century.

Day 22: Love at First Sight

Hey guys! This is one of my favorite 30 for 30 looks. The proportions confuse me in a good way, but the colors are really simple. I was getting tired of wearing jeans or my skirts so I said "Who needs pants!" The lace tank seemed just long enough to be acceptable and the blazer kept me covered up on top. I think the main reason I loved this look is because it looks polished yet interesting AND it's super comfy.

Random Fact: I just discovered how to make my boots taller. No, it does not involve magic. Sorry you Harry Potter fiends. Roll them up! Tada! Such a difference.