Day 28: Unpredictable Race

Today I have TWO outfits for you. Before you get too excited, let me explain. Neither of these outfits are what one would consider "fashionable", but they each have a very logical reasoning. Let me begin.

So at my school, we have this crazy event called the Unpredictable Race. You and a partner dress up in a wild outfit of your choice and then you are forced to undergo the most ridiculous challenges possible. This year's included: rolling around in maple syrup and sand, wading through waist-deep muddy water, eating 30 frozen gummy bears, memorizing the words "vestibule" and "squirtle" whilst doing sit-ups, push ups, and dancing, and climbing up a hill made slick with melted butter. Oh, and we had to do it all while holding an orange. Because, you know, why not?

The result was that by the end of the race, we looked like this:

Note the enormous amounts of syrup, mud, and sand stuck to various parts of my body. And my hair. Oh God, my hair.

Now, this was SO MUCH FUN. Sometimes, we have to throw vanity aside and just let loose. I'm not saying you need to roll around in maple syrup, but remember that life is about more than putting together that perfect outfit.

Although, I must say for a broke college girl, my outfit was pretty good. Although the leg warmers were my roommate's. Don't worry! They were cleaned before I returned them!

So, after that happened, I had a couple of hours and then came Outfit #2 of the day, which I would honestly wear ALL THE TIME if society would allow me:

Why yes, I AM dressed up like a Hogwarts student. 

They had a double showing of Deathly Hallows Parts I and II on campus, and naturally I dressed up. It's the proper way to do these things. (What made me mad was that I was the only one to dress up. Come on, who goes to a double showing of Harry Potter and doesn't dress up at all?!) The robe is actually my graduation gown with a Gryffindor emblem sewn on. I got the sweater this past summer at LeakyCon from Whimsic Alley, and I love it dearly. It was far cheaper than buying a sweater from Wizarding World of Harry Potter, even if the sweater is a tad scratchy. Also, every self-respecting HP fan should have a tie from at least one of the four houses. Oh, and the wand. It's not a specific character's; just an Ollivander's original. It chose me. 

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year, and I'm safely assuming any fashion-wise person enjoys it as well. It's a chance to wear what every you want and be whoever you want to be and no one will judge you. Sure, I got a few strange stares from people when I was in my HP garb (they were probably just worried I would hex them), but if you love fashion and imagination, Halloween is the holiday for you. In past years I've gone as Glinda the Good Witch, Morticia (from The Addams Family), a witch (many times), my evil twin, the Grim Reaper, Tinker Bell, and Baby Bop (I was three and heavily in the Barney stage. No judging!). 

This year, don't hold back. Now that I think about it, October was probably the best month to do this blog, because it ended with the most fashionable day of the year! 

Go forth and eat candy!

Day 27: There's that chill in the air...

Brr. Today was cold. It definitely felt like Fall, but then again, the weather here is liable to change from day to day. It's like it can't decide if it wants to change seasons or not.

But today. Today it certainly felt like Fall. I love sweaters and coats and hats and scarves and mittens. I adore hot cider and pumpkin carving and scary movies. In fact, as I type this, I'm watching Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. I'm that girl that takes each holiday to its pinnacle.

Now, I know you're going to think this outfit is not particularly Fall-ish, but let me set the record straight: I wore a heavy purple coat with it all day, so I was warm when I went out and not too hot in my classes.

Here I have employed two of the Fall Essentials: the scarf and the hat. You guys know by now how much I love these articles of clothing. You've seen these two before, but before I incorporated them into more Summer outfits. I want to prove that clothes don't have to be labeled "Spring" and "Winter", you can wear clothes at anytime of year as long as you accessorize properly. True, you can't wear your heavy fur coat in the middle of August, and I would not suggest sporting a tube top in December, but you get what I mean. Utilize your wardrobe. Mix and match. Make it work.

Your task for the upcoming month is to do just this. Don't pack away all your summer clothes in boxes. Look through them all first and ask yourself which of them you could still wear somehow during the winter season. 

Alright dears. Until next time. 

Day 26: Back in Black

So remember how I went home last weekend? Well, in addition to good times and a few purchases, I also brought back with me a few clothes that I'd left behind. Including this shirt:

I'm usually not a fan of printed tees, but this one doesn't exactly fall under that category. It's more my style: loose, bohemian, and classy. The black vest is actually not a separate article of clothing: the shirt is made up of both the dancer's white shirt and the black vest.

Match it with my black jeggings and black flats and you've got yourself one amazing outfit.

I wish I had some sort of cool anecdote for this outfit, but I'm drawing a blank. 

Until the next day! When hopefully I'm feeling more self-motivated!

Day 25: High Heels

Until recently, I was not a high heels girl. I was strictly ballet flats, as authorized by Audrey Hepburn. I'm of average height, so it's not as though they would have made me monstrously tall or anything, I just wasn't  a huge fan of the form of the shoe.

My opinion has changed. Maybe I'm finally branching out or maybe I'm just getting older, but I really like high heels now. Even though I was never a fan before, I had still managed to acquire a few pairs for various reasons. And then, this weekend (the very same weekend of the purchasing of the suspenders), I saw these beige heels at Charlotte Russe. They were beautiful. Plastic and shiny, a not-too-high heel, and pointy toes. I was in love. And at $4.95 (on clearance from $24), I was allowed to be.

Even though I bought them on Saturday, I didn't get the opportunity to wear them until Wednesday, as you can see here:

The picture taken of me is not that great, but I had my friend do it and as I was saying "I think we should retake it...", she was scurrying off to her room because she had missed the first thirty seconds of The Middle, which is apparently a very funny show, although I have yet to see its appeal. (Sorry Kristin, I really do appreciate you taking the picture!)

Anyway, you can see that the blazer is getting its fair share of love this month, and this time I wore it with my flower camisole that I have also worn before (See? See how you can recycle articles of clothing into different outfits?) I wore the Gap jeans as well, and the finishing touch were those lovely heels.

Yes, it did take me a wee bit long to make to from Point A to Point B in these babies, but still. They were surprisingly comfortable, it is just that one needs to be careful to maintain balance in heels, especially on the slippery cafeteria floor where bad things are bound to happen. Luckily, I took no spills. I think that the more I wear heels, the better I will be at strutting along without toppling over. 

This may sound strange, but wearing heels actually makes me feel really confident and powerful. Maybe it has something to do with the way you sort of have to strut while wearing them. Or perhaps I'm just crazy. In my life, that is always a valid option. Still, if you usually don't opt for heels, you may want to brave them at least once and see how you feel. Yes, your feet will probably hurt, but what about your confidence? Up? Down? 

I'm curious to know if I really am crazy. 

Day 24: Suspenders Part II

I bought a new clothing item this weekend.

I love adding to my wardrobe. I don't do it too often, and I always make sure that the piece I'm buying is not a repeat or something that's already in my closet. Get the staples and a few crazy pieces and that's all you need. Oh, and you can never have enough hats. That's a fact.

This weekend's addition was technically a repeat, since I do own another pair, but different enough that I can still justify them. I'm talking about suspenders. I want to bring them back (If they were ever "in"). I love them so dearly, and the only other pair I had I could only wear with a certain pair of shorts because they weren't traditional suspenders, but suspenders that had come with this pair of shorts and therefore only attached to them. (did that make any sense? I hope so)

So, I needed some suspenders that I could wear with any pants I please, hence the buying of these beauties and the compilation of this outfit:

Purple suspenders. Hot Topic. $7. 

That's what they call a win, my friends.

I was going for a Christina Perri look here. You know, like how she looks on the cover of her  Lovestrong album? She looks awesome. 

So, I put on my jeans, strapped on my suspenders, and was off! Yes, a few strange looks did pass my way, but those people just don't understand the chic that is suspenders. Us fashion bloggers know their true potential. 

I'm going to keep this one short and simple, but if you have ever wondered about suspenders, give them a go. They are relatively cheap and come in tons of funky colors and patterns. 

Day 23: A Little Story

Today I have a small tale to accompany my outfit.

So I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before in my blog or in one of my youtube videos, but I am a pescetarian, which means I'm a vegetarian who eats fish. No, I'm not doing this for any ethical reason (although I'll admit the idea of eating another creature that was once living makes me a tad jumpy), but rather because I don't care for the taste of meat and decided to cut it from my life altogether, a decision I have been willing and happy to uphold since last April.

As you do know, I was home this past weekend visiting family and friends for the first time since August. There was much laughter and rejoicing, and on Sunday evening, before my parents drove me back to school, we had an early dinner together. Now my dad is not a world class chef, but he does have a few specialties. In particular, he makes this amazing split pea soup. It's one of those deals that takes all day to simmer and the house smells like vegetables and Fall. He only makes it once or twice a year, but I absolutely adore it and so I had requested that he make it for my homecoming. He complied, and I ate up the soup despite there being chopped up pieces of ham in it. Yes, yes, I know. I'm a pescetarian. But this was my Dad's special soup, and even though I don't love meat, I love this soup. Hence the eating a huge bowl of it.

So flash forward a few hours: I'm back at school, unpacked, dreading the coming school week, and getting ready for bed. And feeling a little nauseous. I shook it off and crawled into bed. Moving forward to 3 am and I'm awake, now significantly more nauseous. I sleep on the top bunk, so crawling down in my state was not fun. I ran down the hall to the bathroom, where I promptly threw up Dad's soup into the toilet, ham and all. It turns out if you haven't had meat in a long time and then you suddenly consume it, your body will not be too pleased with you. So there I was, green at the gills, not sure why I had thrown up. It's now 4 in the morning, and I was scared I might have the stomach flu, so instead of worrying about climbing back up to my bunk, I slunk into the lounge and crashed on the couch, where I was awoken at 7:30am by the cleaning lady.

So, to recap: Yummy soup. Had meat. Ally's stomach disapproved. Puke. Crash on couch. Woke up feeling like a zombie.

Needless to say, Monday was rough. Nausea loomed over me the entire day, and I slunk to my three classes in a sort of fog.

But...I managed to put together a somewhat fashionable outfit:

You've seen the top before, only last time it was paired with my purple pants and boots. (Side note on the boots: I have glued back on the heel, but have not attempted to wear them yet. I'm a bit scared I will have to admit defeat and get rid of them) On this day, I just threw on the shirt with my black jeggings, which are so gloriously comfortable that even in my weakened state I approved them. 

Sorry that this post was not really fashion-related. I haven't puked like that in years, and it was not an experience I care to repeat any time soon. However, it does make for a rather interesting blog post. Ally, the daring and courageous girl who overcame food poisoning for the good of her fashion blog! It has a nice ring to it, eh?

Day 22: The Return Trip

Today was bittersweet.

It was sweet because I woke up at Jessie's after staying the night there with Morgan and Jess. We made our own pizzas (which turned out good) and attempted to make sweet potato fries (which turned out not-so-good). We laughed, we indulged in much junk food, and we took a ridiculous number of pictures, most of which featured me looking very silly, to say the least. It was soooo much fun.

Which is why today was also bitter. Because today I came back to school. Yes, I love learning and I am ready to get back to classes and a schedule that does not include eating mass quantities of junk food and staying up till 2am. However, it means another month until Thanksgiving. Another month until I see my friends.

As you can imagine, I was in a rough state after sleeping in this morning. Since all I was doing today was eating dinner with my family and driving back to campus, my outfit was not as glorious as the previous days. Still, I'm pretty pleased with the result:

As noted before, I adore Audrey. Which explains the Andy Warhol-esq Audrey shirt I sported today, casually thrown together with black jeggings, a grey sweater, and cheetah print flats. Cozy and cute; perfect for riding back to Wake, listening to music with my dog laying in my lap (another great part about my weekend: seeing Daisy). 

So now I am here, back in my dorm, for another 3 1/2 weeks until Thanksgiving break, feeling a tad homesick but knowing that I'll see my friends again soon and in the meantime I'll be kept busy with schoolwork and other things (like Halloween! and NaNoWriMo!)

Until tomorrow friends!

Day 21: Doctor Who?

Why yes, that is the MOST FUCKING AMAZING DOCTOR WHO SHIRT THAT EVER EXISTED. Thank you for noticing. My dear friend Peter got it for me for graduation last June, and I always enjoying wearing it, especially when visiting English pubs (which incidentally I did this past weekend).

So there's this English pub in a county near where my parents live. I had no knowledge of this wonderful place until recently, and naturally I begged my mother to take me when I came home. So, Jessie, my mother, and I piled into the car on Saturday and drove to this charming little English pub/restaurant and had lunch. I had the fish and chips with a pint, while Jessie went for the classic bangers and mash. Absolutely delicious!!! And afterwards, we went out front and took pictures in the telephone booth, which you can see above. I know that the TARDIS is a police box (and blue), but I can't help but be reminded of it whenever I see English telephone boxes. 

I made the DW shirt all the more fashionable by pairing it with a blazer, skinny jeans, and some bronze open-toed heels. I'm finding lately that I like heels more and more.

I once heard a quote that went something along the lines of "Dress every day like it's the day you'll travel with the Doctor." Regardless of if you watch Doctor Who (and you should) or not, this is great advice. Dress everyday like it's the day your life could change. Dress everyday like some time traveller in a blue box is going to pick you up and take you through time and space. 

After all, you don't want to end up like Amelia Pond and run off in your pajamas. 

Day 20: Going Back in Style

Like I said, Friday I spent at home because it was Fall Break.

My day was awesome: Got up, watched Gilmore Girls (I own all 7 seasons), went to lunch with a friend, went to Books-A-Million whilst simultaneously drinking a Pumpkin Spice Latte, met up with Jessie and went shopping, went to a tailgate for my old high school, saw Three Musketeers (not even close to the genius that is the book), and ended the night staying over at Jessie's house and stuffing my face with food (I should point out that the amount of food I consumed this weekend was probably enough to feed an entire Third World country. For a month.)

So yeah. Great day. Awesome day. Magnificently wondiferous day (yes, that is a word).

And a great outfit to match:

The hat and scarf were seen on Day 1, and I believe you all have seen the tights before on the night of the Ball. This time, I paired them with this unbelievable skirt I got from Forever 21 a little while back. Love love love this skirt. Color is always a win. And this skirt has plenty of color.

This was the perfect outfit to match the perfect day. It reflected how I felt: light, fun, bright, and ecstatic! Remember, the way you dress reflects the way you'll feel. If you wear sweatpants and a T-shirt, you'll feel like sitting around and being a bum. However, if you dress like you want to go out and experience life, then life will be brighter. It will be more fulfilling. It will be more fun.

And everyone could use a little more fun. 

Day 19: Going Home

Right, so I haven't been good about updating. But, as always, I have an excuse. The difference is this time it is a valid excuse.

I went home, for the first time since August, this past weekend. Friday was our only day off for Fall Break, so my mother picked me up on Thursday evening and took me back to G-town (that's Gastonia, for those non-natives).

For me, this weekend meant friends and fun. Getting to see my two best friends, Jessie and Morgan, was the most fun I have had since this past summer. School's been okay. I like the academics, but as I discussed in one of my recent youtube videos, I'm not entirely sure about the environment of Wake. I don't think it can adapt for me, and I certainly don't want to change who I am just to fit in. That's not how I roll.

Speaking of being myself, here's Friday's outfit:

Sorry there's no shot of me actually wearing the clothes. I was really busy packing and then going home and before I knew it, I  had changed out of the outfit and was asleep in my parent's guest bedroom (my sister moved into my old room when I moved out.)

I think all of the pieces seen here have been seen before. Although I do have a little story about the choice of shoes. Originally, I was not wearing my Chucks, but my black boots. However, as I was making a mad dash for my work study on Friday, I suddenly felt the heel of my boot fly off my shoe. If anyone had walked by at that moment, they would have seen a girl standing open-mouthed just staring at the ground in disbelief. Then, they would have seen that same girl pick up the poor dislodged heel and hobble back to her dorm, where she threw on her converses and then sprinted to the Art Gallery so as not to be late for work study. 

The good news is I fixed the heel. But I'm telling you, I was feeling pretty blue on that Friday morning after my favorite shoes broke. 

Thank goodness for wood glue!

Day 18: Doing the Charleston

Tidings good people of the internet! If you've been keeping up with me since day one of this crazy blog, I thank you. And if you are just now joining me on this journey through my wardrobe, well...I suppose I can forgive you.

Today I want to talk about eras. Any fashion guru will know at least something about the major styles of the past decades. The 80s were known for Madonna-hair and bright spandex, the seventies for bell bottoms and straight hair, and so and so forth. 

Today we're drawing inspiration from the Roaring 20s, an era of flapper dresses, Prohibition, and of course, the Charleston. As a literary nerd, my affection for the 1920s naturally stems from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby. Now, I have met people who moaned and groaned about how much they hate this novel, but they only say that because they fail to see the literary genius of the characters, setting, and that mysterious green light. Don't worry, this is not a book blog, so I'll leave the literary analysis for another day (or you could just go here) 

Moving on to the outfit:

Right then, let's start with the pants. Remember when I wore those black pants from the Talbots outlet? Remember when I mentioned I had also bought them in green? 

Yeah, $15, regularly $40. You may praise my shopping ability appropriately at this time.

The same shopping prowess is displayed in the story of the shirt. I was vacationing with my family, when I popped into this cute little boutique with clothes from all different eras. Everything was outrageously priced (as boutique items are apt to be), but then I caught sight of this little beauty on the clearance rack. $20, marked down from $60. 

I love this shirt dearly, not only because it makes me want to do the Charleston, but because it is such a unique item of clothing. Yes, I'll admit, it is the kind of thing that either you absolutely love or absolutely hate, but sometimes in style risks must be taken. Not everyone is going to appreciate your tasteful eye! (Or something to that effect)

In this post I am challenging you to embrace a past era's style and try to recreate it for yourself. I choose to go back to the 20s, what about you? Will it be 40s pin-up curls, a poodle skirt, or a brightly colored sweatshirt paired with leggings? 

The decision is yours. 

Until next time,

Ally

Day 17: Here Comes the Sun (Do do do do)

Hello my lovely friends,

This week may kill me. One word: Mid-terms. A Brit Lit essay, a FYS Essay, a History exam, a Library Science final, and a International Politics exam.

Just let it be over.

The good news is I will be retiring to the home for the first time since arriving here at grand ole university, so that is exciting. Fall Break starts Friday, so by this weekend the Mid-terms will be done and I will be laughing merrily with friends.

But until then, just let it be over!

Still, I found the time to dress myself properly, as any girl should:

I have quite an affection for the Beatles. I have three Beatles shirts, a poster on my wall of all of their album covers, and most of their records (because listening to them on my ipod just doesn't seem right). For your own personal record, my favorite Beatle is Ringo Starr. Now I find most people prefer John or Paul, so let me make my case for dear Ringo. Ringo is under-appreciated. Yes, he had a very large and ugly nose, but that was not Ringo's fault. And remember, without Ringo's percussion, the Beatles would have just been three guys holding guitars. Like the Jonas brothers. See?! See how important Ringo is? Would you really have The Beatles reduced to Jonas Brother status? I think not.

On with the outfit...

Gap Jeans, which you have beheld before. Grandad's fedora, which gets more and more classy every time I wear it. My delightful Mary Janes, always stealing the show and making that beautiful clacking sound whenever I walk. And then, of course, The Beatles.

It is 11:58pm, so I'm actually writing this blog and posting on the actual day I wore the outfit. 


That's impressive, people. Ringo would be proud.

Day 16: Why Sundays Aren't Fashionable For Anyone

Hi all,

Now, I know this is a fashion blog, but sometimes a girl just does not have the effort to look like a runway model.

Take Sunday, for example. Sundays are usually the days when achieving the supermodel look is the hardest. I tried to make some sort of effort, but I'm the first to admit I'm not thrilled with the results:

 Yes, the sweater is cute and cozy the shorts are comfortable, and the flats make me look like a ballerina (believe it or not, someone actually asked me if I take ballet. Ha. Ha ha ha. Umm...no.)

I have a Very Important Lesson today about fashion: It's not something you are expected to uphold all the time.

The way you dress and the style you create for yourself mean nothing if being yourself is not enough. Being who you are should be enough for friends, family, and the world. Yes, a nice outfit gives you confidence, but believe it or not, that confidence is there whether the outfit is or not. The outfit is just a filter, exuding your confidence to the world. But sometimes, there are other ways of breaking down that filter.

Sunday was rough. I wore not a speck of make up, I threw on some clothes, and headed off to a two-hour long study sessions with some classmates. And you know what? I got the studying done and I had a good time with my friends. And they didn't care in the least that I wasn't perfectly groomed.

So yeah, I love fashion. I love creating a personal style and wearing it for the world to see. But sometimes, I want the world to see strictly me. Not my clothes, not my shoes, not my hat. Me.


Just remember to be yourself.

That is all.

XO Ally

Day 15: Post-Party Princess

I slept until 12:30 today, rolled out of bed, neglected to shower and instead threw on the outfit below before heading off to the student union to write two essay mid-terms, which are due next week.

I still kinda felt like Cinderella. Last night was great, but today was back-to-work as usual!

 Like I said above, I didn't shower before getting dressed. I know, gross, especially considering my hair was still a rats-nest and my makeup was still (somewhat) plastered to my face. But you have to understand--I just did not have the energy to shower and write two essays.

Instead, I threw on black jeggings (making it their first appearance here on this grand ole blog), my colorful flower camisole, the light grey sweater I wore with my dress a few days ago, and a white knit cap. Oh, and let's not forget the boots. They are important too.

Jeggings are a wonderful creation. They look like jeans, but are so much more comfortable. Perfect for work-loaded Saturdays in which Ally does not want to put in a lot of effort. The grey cardigan is perfect for this situation too--you just throw it on and go. And the hat. You all know my deep affection for hats. I believe if they can be added to the outfit, they should. However, hats also play a very important role in the situation of a Bad Hair Day, much like today, where my hair had not quite lost its Madonna look but looked as though I had been attacked by angry birds that wanted to nest on top of my head. On days like these, hats are your friend.

Also, as a side note, I did eventually shower.

Until tomorrow my dears.

Day 14:

I think it is safe to say that every little girl, at one point or another, wishes she were a princess. Now I'll admit I'm not in the "little girl" category anymore, but I never really gave up on this dream. There must be a lesson to be learned from continuing to dream because yesterday I basically lived a Cinderella story.

Let me explain: So it is homecoming week here at my University, which means it is time for the President's Ball, a glowing, glittering ball where guys where tuxes with bow ties and girls dress up in poofy dresses and much dancing and merriment occur. Now, I'm normally not a fan of dances; I didn't attend either one of my proms and I hold no regrets about that. So when the President's Ball was announced, I wasn't manic with excitement. In fact, I figured I wouldn't even go because I hadn't even brought a formal dress with me to University, and I didn't really want to spend a huge chunk of cash on a dress I didn't really need. I still felt this way come Friday morning, despite the pleas of my hall-mates to attend--they were all going as a group.

I told them it just wasn't that big of a deal; plus, I was obligated to be at the opening of an art show from 4:30-7:30 pm, because I have work-study in the art gallery here on campus. Hence the first outfit of the day:

I was required to wear black and white to this event, but being me, I had to give the outfit my own spin. The men's trousers (which I argue can be more feminine than skirts depending on how you wear them) with the white tee were fine on their own, but add the silk scarf from Talbots? Outfit transformed! This ensemble is similar to the one from Day 3, but I opted not to wear all black and I used a different kind of scarf. This one is good for tying in bows, whereas the previous one was more of an ascot.

Anyway, I wore this outfit all day and then to the art show, where I stood around for three hours talking with another girl who works in the gallery and occasionally stealing the food when no one was looking. (See the Cinderella aspect here: She wanted to go to the ball, but she didn't have anything to wear and she was forced to work?)

I then returned to the dorm where everyone was getting ready and where my friend Sara achieved the title of Fairy Godmother. Sara is from Winston, so she had gone to her house and gotten all of her formal dresses and brought them back to campus for me to try on! I narrowed it down to about three, but eventually went with a simple black dress. However, true to form, I had to make it my own and threw on some hot magenta tights, ratted my hair Madonna-style, and donned my Chuck Taylors. The finished product?

 
True, instead of Prince Charming I had the girls from my hall. Instead of a pumpkin-turned-chariot, I had a charter bus. And instead of glass slippers, I had Allstars. But really? I think we can all see the clear relation to Cinderella here.

If you were wondering, the Ball was pretty crappy. Lots of people drinking and a band of men far too old to still be wielding guitars made for a not-so-great dance. However, I had a great time with the girls putting on makeup, taking photos, and swapping stories. And really, I would have chosen that over anything else.

Oh, and I didn't lose one of my converses only to have it be returned by the prince, nor did I have to arrive home at the stroke of midnight or face turning into a pumpkin. In fact, we didn't even make it till the party until after midnight. But, you know, the general story was the same. Right?

Day 13: Allstars, Converses, and Chucks

Hey all,

So today was pretty uneventful. I tried to be productive, but as usual, I ended up spending more time on tumblr than I did working on my mid-term papers. I know, I know. I'll pay for it later, but really, I can't help myself. I don't even have a tumblr and I'm obsessed. It's a sickness, but I'm working on it.

Anyway, let's move one from my internet obsession to today's outfit:

I'm quite disappointed with the photos today; no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the camera to capture the exact color of these amazing pants I got from Delia's. They are far more bright green in person, and while wearing them, people can see me coming from a mile away. I love funky colored pants dearly, but I'll admit I struggled to find a top that would somewhat match them. I finally ended up rather regretfully with a simple black tee, but I threw in some more color with a magenta scarf.

But the best part of this outfit? The shoes.

Whether you call them Allstars, Converses, or Chuck Taylors, these puppies are amazing. I'm ankle-deep in a love affair with my high-tops. I own a black pair and a pink pair, but given the opportunity, I would have them in every shade. I would also really love to own this lovely pair. They are spunky, old-school, and casual while still fashionable. My calculus teacher last year wore them all the time, proving that even those in authority positions can't resist the allure of the high-tops. Basically, they're irresistible.

They run at around $40-60 regularly, which I know is a bit pricy, but they are a shoe that you can throw on with anything. Plus, they last a really long time. Play your cards right and you could find them at a discounted price, or search around in some Goodwills and thrift stores. I acquired these black ones in the past year, but I've had my pink ones since my freshman year of high school! As long as your feet don't grow, they'll last you a while.

All right people: I send you off into the world with an appreciation of Chucks. They're not just for 80's movies anymore; they are back and they are going to sweep you off your feet. Literally.

Day 12: Splish Splash

I have this delightful app on my iphone called "White Noise" that has all of these lulling sounds like a fan, a thunderstorm, wind chimes, and rain. I love the sound of rain. Sometimes, when I'm trying to study and the ominous quiet of the library is driving me batty, I plug in my headphones and just listen to the patter of rain.

This morning I woke up to that pitter patter of rain, only, instead of coming from my iphone, it was actually coming down outside my window. Now, I'll admit, I was bit grumpy about having to walk to the gym in the early morning in the rain, but all in all, I enjoy rainy days.

Rainy days are cozy. They are blankets, and hot cups of coffee, and you don't feel guilty about staying in and catching up on studying (or watching the latest episode of Big Bang Theory. You know, whichever.)

But if you are like me, and university and society are forcing you to venture out of doors to scurry to your next class, then rainy days mean one thing: rain boots.

We have a little name for Wake Forest on rain days: Rain Forest. Yep, puddles pop up out of the ground and make walking down any sidewalk a complete nightmare, so the only way to protect yourself is with a nice, sturdy pair of rain boots. Luckily, I have an amazing grandmother who ordered me this gorgeous yellow pair from LL Bean. Now I'm not ragging on those cute polka dot rain boots or the ones with stripes and other doo-dads, but I really love my solid yellow boots. They are classic, plus they easy adapt to any outfit. Like today:

See? See how cute my rain boots are. Go ahead, be jealous.

Also, if you have been paying attention, you will see the reappearance of the purple pants. Guys, the purple pants rock. They are comfortable, quirky, and PURPLE. Is there a better combination?

Match it with this maroon top and throw in the multicolored scarf and I guarantee people will see you coming from a mile away. Sometimes the best days to be extra colorful are the rainy ones. Just because the sky is grey, doesn't mean your outfit has to be.

Your homework for today is mix and match your colors. Sometimes things you wouldn't expect to go together end up surprising you. Remember, purple and yellow are complement colors, and even though complement colors can sometimes clash, if you do it right, they can look awesome. Wear a bright green scarf with a red top. Match an orange hat with a blue dress. Go crazy!

And if it's raining outside, don't forget your boots!

Day 11: Suspenders, Putting the Chic in Geek

Hello everyone. My mood did not match the weather today (which could either be very bad or very good depending on the weather!)

As it so happens, it was a terribly rainy and cold day, complete with overcast skies and a cold, wet drizzle that seemed to erupt every time I needed to walk from one building to another. And yet, I had a good day. Only one class on Tuesdays, but I managed to be productive and get the ball rolling on midterm papers due next week, and although I still have some reading to wrap up for tomorrow's FOUR classes (don't get me started...), I am all in all in a pretty cheery disposition.

A large portion of this cheer came from the amazing outfit I was sporting:

I did it guys. I brought out the suspenders. Erkle coined this look as "nerdy", but here's the deal: "Nerdy" clothing choices have been redefined. I'm talking Geek Chic. 

It's basically my favorite look for when I'm feeling bookish and fangirlish. What's better then throwing on some jeans and your Harry Potter Gryffindor (I don't care if Pottermore sorted me into Ravenclaw) jumper and heading out the door humming the Hedwig Theme? Nothing, I tell you. Nothing!

I love wearing suspenders because they are so classically nerdy that people are often shocked that I can make them look adorable. Just look at them paired with my Mary Janes and that knit cap! Am I on fire or what?

(Sorry guys, I'll try to dial back on the cheer. I'm just really in love with this ensemble.)

The suspenders and the shorts came from Forever 21 *shocker*, but you can find them in most stores nowadays. If you are having trouble finding them, just go shop in the men's department. I promise I won't give away your secret. 

Oh, and remember I mentioned that long-sleeved white T-shirt I bought for $5 last Friday?

BAM. I'm wearing it. It is one of those essential items you need in your closet because it is so easy to use it as the foundation upon which you can build an amazing outfit. 

Another exciting element of this ensemble are my Mary Janes. God, I love shoes. I am such a girl. This adorable pair came from Urban Outfitters, but I also have my eye on shoes from Free People. I window shop on Free People online all the time and I literally cry tears of joy every time I look through their shoes. They are gorgeous, just ridiculously out of my price range. Any one who wants to buy my a really nice Christmas present, look no further than FreePeople.com. 

The Mary Janes always make me feel very English. I love the clacking sound they make when I walk down the street, and I pretend I'm off to a class at Oxford, or something.

Oh, the socks that I usually wear with these shoes are always a big hit. You can't really tell from the picture, but they are this beautiful lace pattern with frills at the ankles. I never thought I could love socks so much. 

The last thing I want to mention regarding this outfit doesn't even have to do with clothes. 

I'm talking about the red lipstick. I may have mentioned this before, but I LOVE makeup. I have this beautiful vanity at home that my mother rescued from a pawn shop and then refurbished. I used to sit there every morning to do my hair and makeup, and it always made me feel like I was playing a really adult game of dress-up. Because really, that's what wearing makeup is. Just playing dress-up, for adults. I'm a big fan of the Audrey cat-eye look, but I also have a thing for bold, red lips. I don't wear lipstick that often, but when I do, I want it to stand out. Like in this outfit, when the main colors just happened to be the three primaries: red, yellow, and blue. I added an extra pop of color by wearing dark red lipstick. 

I once read somewhere that Christina Aguilera wears red lipstick in the bathtub because it makes her feel sexy. Sounds good Christina, but why not wear the red lipstick outside of the bathtub and feel sexy all the time? 

So hey, strap on your suspenders and smear on some red lipstick and get out there. 

Because even nerds are sexy.  

Day 10: Is it really Monday again?

"Ugh."

That's the sound I made when my alarm went off at 6:50am this morning. I sat in bed for a brief moment, staring at the ceiling and wishing that I could forgo society altogether and just lie in bed for the rest of my life.

And then I got up and went to the gym.

Mondays are rough: Class at 9, work-study at 10, classes at 11 and 12, an hour for lunch, and then class again at 2, ending with any extra work I need to have prepared for the rest of the week. Also, Midterms are creeping up on me. So if I become grumpy or irritated within the next couple of weeks, blame it on International Politics.

I hadn't really given this outfit a whole lot of thought: Last night I thought I had a good outfit picked out, but as is often the case, it didn't look so good come morning. Instead, I threw this together:

Not my best work, but not entirely awful. You see the reemergence of the grey sweater and the black camisole, not to mention the infamous boots. This time I threw on straight-leg jeans from the Gap. Yes, they were expensive, but they are also the only pair of "normal" jeans I own, and they are very high quality and as comfortable as they come. Well worth it, my friends.

I added a touch of "me" to the outfit with the flower in my hair. I don't know if you all know this, but last October I chopped 17 inches off my hair. I went from waist long locks to a pixie cut. Drastic, I know, but I had been dreaming of it for a long time and as it had been my senior year, I decided to dive into the change headfirst (literally). I don't regret the decision at all. I adore my short hair (and I save SO much time in the shower). One of the best parts of having short hair is all the fun ways I can accessorize it. I have an extensive collection of clip-in flowers and headbands that instantly make any outfit a bit more fun. 

Whether you have short hair like me or not, try buying a few hair accessories and adding them to outfits. Claire's has a wall of clip-in flowers in the back of every store, and they are relatively cheap. Or, if you have your own garden, why not clip a flower and put it in your hair? I have done this before for voice recitals and other events and it looks beautiful. 

Whatever it is you decide to add, take this advice: No matter how simple an outfit may be, you can always add a little "something" to personalize it. Whether it be a flower, headband, ring, pair of earrings, or scarf, one single thing can make all the difference. 

Oh, and remember what I said from the get-go: A smile is a wonderful accessory.

Keep it classy, folks. 

Day 9: Sunday, Previously the Day of Rest

In a perfect world, Sunday is the day you sleep in, make pancakes, read the paper, watch Food Network, and just generally laze about.

In my world, Sunday is the day I get my shit together. I have developed an unhealthy habit of waiting until Sunday to do all the work that is due Monday, rather than spacing it out over my weekend. Every Friday, I tell myself that on Saturday I will begin to hack into the iceberg that is my homework pile, and every weekend Saturday comes and I completely avoid doing any type of work. Instead, Sunday is usually a frenzied, stressful day that finds me holed up in the library with my laptop and a pile of textbooks.

This past Sunday was no exception, and when I regretfully arose to head off to the library, creating a perfect outfit was the furthest thing from my mind. But then, I remembered this blog and my promise to successfully write and wear a different outfit for every day in October and I came up with this:

As you can probably tell, this outfit was extremely comfortable. I completely disregarded all civil notions to wear actual pants (which I feel is something that every person needs to do at least once in their life) and slipped on leggings instead. Don't worry, they wear thick enough that I didn't look scandalous!

As for the the top, I wore a black cami and then the blue top is another article of clothing from the friend who had lived overseas and didn't want any of her clothes. She is bit bigger than I am, but I think that works for this particular top, because then it is a bit long and I can wear it with the leggings, and it is baggy and comfortable. 

I usually wear this top on "lazy days", but you could also make it a bit less casual by wearing it with straight-leg jeans. 

The boots make their umpteenth appearance, completing the outfit, and voila! A lazy (but cute), I-have-put-off-my-homework-and-now-must-work-my-ass-off outfit. 

My life lesson is that you shouldn't procrastinate. I can't really relate that back to fashion, but I believe that it is valuable advice nonetheless. 

Day 8: It's Fun to Go Wandering

Saturday was Game Day. I abhor Game Day. There are two many drunk people and the game holds no interest to me at all, so I usually stay behind and try to get some work done.

However, it was a beautiful, warm day. I knew that these days of high 70s and clear skies were in short supply as we move further into October, so I felt it would be an injustice to stay indoors and attempt to analyze the paintings of Salvador Dali.

Instead, I thought I would venture to downtown Winston-Salem and check out the shops. However, these were no shuttle buses into downtown, and since my campus is in its own little bubble, the only thing within walking distance was a CVS and a Goodwill. So I grabbed my camera, a bottle of water, and set off in the direction of Goodwill. Hey, you can find decent stuff there if you look hard enough.

The result of my adventure has been documented here, but basically what happened was that I did not end up at Goodwill, but rather stumbled upon the Dixie Classic Fair, which sounds all fine and dandy, but ended up being a complete bust.

Ah, well. At least I got outside on a beautiful day and tried to embrace life. Sometimes the best adventures come from the biggest busts.

Like I mentioned earlier, it was relatively hot that day, so I got to break out the shorts again, and the result was an outfit compiled of this:

Pretty simple, I know. But I was hiking it all the way to the Dixie Fair and back, so I had to dress appropriately. 

The shorts were a great buy: they came from Old Navy, which I'm usually not a huge fan of for a number of reasons, but these shorts have an elastic band and they are really comfortable and durable. I wear them most days in the summer with a variety of tops. 

Speaking of tops, I threw on a simple light blue cami (another piece of advice, get camisoles in a number of different colors, that way you can mix and match for loads of different looks). The Boho cover on top of the cami came from Target via my mother--she saw it and said it "screamed me". My mother and I do not often agree, but we do share a mutual affection for this particular piece of clothing. 

As always, I wore my trusty boots. I know it seems that I have no other shoes, but I just really love my boots, and they are really easy to throw on and go. Besides, when a girl has a good pair of boots, she wears them at every given opportunity.

So kids, what's the moral of todays blog? 

Sometimes it is not about the outfit you are wearing, but where you are going and what you do when you get there. Instead of moping around the dorm on a beautiful afternoon, I chose to get out and just walk. Sure, my adventure at the Dixie Fair wasn't entirely successful, but at least I tried. And really, that's what fashion is about too. Trying. Trying something new, something daring. Not settling or wishing, but embracing life and just going for it.

I've told you this before and I'll tell you again: Wear that outfit. You know, that one you always thought was a little too crazy. Surprise yourself. I guarantee you won't regret it.

Until next time, keep it classy.

Day 7: A Dress for Every Occasion

So I'm getting caught up on my blogs today because the weekend tends to make me extremely lazy and then I wake up on Sunday and have a load of work that has been neglected. So yeah. Blog got put on the back burner. But never fear! I have returned, armed with four days of outfits.

Let's begin with Friday.

Friday was an excellent day. I only have two classes, and the last one ends at one. So I always go and get lunch and then laze about with friends because who in there right mind does homework on a Friday afternoon?

This Friday was especially pleasant because after lunch my friends and I journeyed to the mall, where despite my lack of cash, I still managed to divulge $26 on Starbucks, a long-sleeved white T-shirt (an essential item I was lacking), Chinese fast food, and a ticket to see The Lion King in 3D.

I'll admit, I cried when Mufasa died. I hadn't seen Lion King in a few years, and it was wonderful to rediscover it on the big screen, surrounded by college friends who were singing along to "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" with me.

But enough about how great the day was, what was I wearing? 

This is one of two dresses I brought with me to school, and it is one of my top five favorite articles of clothing in my closet. Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I wear this dress once a week. But here's the trick: I have tons of different ways to wear it. As you can see, I paired it with my boots, my grandfather's fedora (more on that in a sec), the New Orleans scarf, and a light grey sweater. I love this look, but let me share with you five additional ways to remake it:

1) Ditch the fedora, scarf, and sweater and wear the dress as is, but put a flower clip, whether pink, white, or purple in your hair for a summery look. Where it with sandals

2) Keep the grey sweater and wear it with grey and white knee-high socks to make it last when the weather gets chilly

3) Where white or lavender tights with Mary Janes and a flower in your hair. The sweater is optional.

4) Remember that magenta scarf from Day #1? Wear it with this dress and a white knit hat and rainboots on a winter day!

5) Wear it on its own with pink ballet flats

See what I'm talking about? These are all different ways I have worn this dress in the past, and every time I feel like I have a brand new outfit. 

Now, about that fedora....

This past summer, my grandmother came over to our house (she lives in the area). She was giddy with excitement and presented me with this fedora, which used to be my late grandfather's. She said she rediscovered it in the back of her closet and that it had belonged to my grandfather during his "bachelor days". In other words, this beautiful fedora is an original piece of art from the 1940's! Just look at it:

Isn't it beautiful?

If you turn it over, his initials are imprinted inside and the original hat size (6 7/8) tag is still there. I get compliments on this thing all the time, and I always swell up with pride knowing that it was once my granddad's. 

Some clothes you just can't buy at a Forever 21.

Day 6: Hit the Bricks!

So today was a bit out of the ordinary.

At my university, today was not just any other school day. Today was Hit the Bricks.

Hit the Bricks is this annual fundraiser we do for cancer research. Basically, people form teams and from 11am-7pm we have to run around the Quad (the Bricks) and see how many laps the team can accrue over the course of the day. You must have one member running at all times and there can be no more than ten people per team.

Oh yeah, and you have to run around WITH A BACK PACK FULL OF SAND. So basically, you are running around the Quad with a heavy back pack thumping against your lower back and everyone is cheering you on and music is playing and so on and so forth.

It is a really amazing event, and I'm proud to have been a part of it. I ran from approximately seven hours today. SEVEN HOURS.

So I didn't feel guilty when I went back for seconds at my Residence Hall's ice cream social tonight.

Wait, so why am I telling you about Hit the Bricks? Well, because I was a participant in the event, I was wearing running clothes for most of the day. My team was made up the the amazing girls from my Residence Hall and we decided to play up the girly aspect of our team and all wear pink. So, before I changed into my running outfit (which consisted of a pink top and black shorts with pink stripes), I was wearing this:

It was beautiful weather today: Low 70s and a Carolina Blue sky--perfect for running. However, I still had a class to attend, so before I threw glamour to the wind, I decided to look as cute as possible (but still uphold the pink policy).

My favorite part of the outfit are the shorts. I got these at Delia's on clearance. You might not be able to tell from the picture, but they are a corduroy material. They are also patterned with pink flowers, which made them the perfect companion to my pink cami.

I love this camisole because it has a built-in bra, which doesn't really sound like a comment I should be making in a fashion blog, but really, it saves me the trouble of worrying about having my bra straps show (remember what I said about that before!).

The flats are making their second appearance this month because, while they are pink, they are neutral enough that I can wear them pretty interchangeably. They are comfortable, cute, and they are easy to slip on in the midst of a morning rush (I love my converses, but they take forever to tie up).

I think what is significant about today is that I was only in this outfit for a couple of hours. For the rest of the time, I was pounding it out on the pavement, sweating and looking down-right disgusting. But I also had a lot of fun, and raised a whole lot of dough for cancer research.

I'm a big believer in the power of a great outfit, but days like today are a reminder that what you wear isn't everything. Sometimes, good friends and a great cause are all it takes to feel good about yourself.

And hey, I did wear a plastic tiara while running, so all was not lost.

Keep it classy.  

Day 5: Better Late than Never

Okay guys, I'm really sorry. I fully intended to have Day 5 up on Day 5, but my life is insane and I just never got the opportunity. I'm taking a First Year Seminar that is all about Surrealist painters. If you have never heard of Surrealism, then consider yourself lucky. I'm of the personal opinion that only people who are terribly high or mentally insane can fully appreciate it. I am neither of those things, so naturally, when at 11 pm last night I had to watch a Surrealist film for a class today, I did not get any of the symbolic meaning. Rather, I took the film at face value, meaning all I got from it was lobsters fighting, priests chanting, a cow on a bed, a man kicking a dog, and a woman's sucking a statute's feet.

Yes, I know. And now you understand why I didn't have time to blog.

But now, dear friends, now I have the time and so, without anymore waiting, here is Day #5:

Guess what? Not a SINGLE item of clothing from this outfit came from Forever 21! W (We're making progress)

The spaghetti strap top is one that I bought at an outlet store (the name of which evades me) while on vacation this past spring. It was a store that catered to older women, but me being me, loved all of the clothes anyway and bought this top in addition to another one (because it was a two-for-one sale and those must always be taken advantage of, am I right?) I love it dearly and it can be worn an abundance of ways.

As you can see here, I have gone for the layered look, of which I have a complicated relationship. I'm usually not a huge fan of the "layered look". I like big bulky sweaters and over-the-shoulder tops, but I don't normally like two similar type tops right over the other. They don't usually seem fashionable to me, just kind of pre-teeny (I'm looking at you, ICarly). However, I think it works for this particular outfit because the top shirt is a bit baggy and so it matched with the scarf if kind of baggy and comfortable-looking.

As for the top shirt, I got it from a friend who lived in Germany for three years and then moved back to the States with tons of clothes she didn't want (My advice: make many friends who are like this and you will be set for life). This particular shirt is not some fancy European brand, just BDG (which is a brand that can be found at places like Urban Outfitters).

The scarf is one of my favorite articles of clothing ever. I got it from a street vendor in New Orleans two years ago, and I wear it with EVERYTHING. Dresses, T-shirts, cut-off sweatshirts--my imagination is endless. What I love about it is the unique silver-purple color that is neutral enough to go with most clothes. It makes it the perfect accessory! Moral of the story: always take advantage of street vendors and flea markets in places like New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston (sorry overseas people, I don't know what crafty places there are where you live. My knowledge of flea markets in Europe is limited to Portobello Road in Bedknobs and Broomsticks).

As for the white jeans, don't go all "but-it's-after-Labor-Day" on me. Here's the first rule of fashion: there are no rules. Remember that, it's vital. I don't care about whether or not Labor Day has passed. I have cute white jeans, and when I am moved to wear them, wear them I will!

Actually, I have a relatively fun anecdote about how I acquired these jeans. The summer after my freshman year of high school, I was Sharpay in a community theater production of High School Musical. Don't judge me. I had a lot of fun. Anyway, these jeans were bought for me to wear during the cafeteria scene during "Stick to the Status Quo". They were adorable, and after the show, the director told me I could keep them, because really, when would the theater ever need white jeans again?

So yeah. I got to keep them. (I realize in retrospect this wasn't that entertaining of a story. Sorry about that.)

So now you know where all of the clothes came from (oh, except the ballerina flats! They came from Gap. I'm ashamed to say I paid full price, but they are comfortable and high-quality, so they were worth it)

I hope you all are now inspired to rock the white jeans look. Even if it is after Labor Day.

Day 4: Tights

So we're at that strange point in October where it is cold, but not too cold. You must resist the temptation to wrap yourself in scarves and parkas and settle for things a little bit lighter.

That's where the tights come in.

A little secret: tights are a great piece of clothing that is cheap, varies greatly in pattern and color, and can change up any outfit. Granted, they don't last that long, but for $3-4 dollars a pair, they are worth it.

Today's outfit was easy and fun. Here's day four, folks:

You can't really tell from this picture, but these tights are not just sheer black, they're a lacy pattern (but not too scandalous). I picked these up at Forever 21 for around $5, and this is actually my first time wearing them. So far, no snags or tears, so hopefully I'll get my money's worth.

The top is from Charlotte Rouse, which is pretty similar to Forever 21, but they have a way better jewelry selection. You walk in, and all of the jewelry is hung on this lighted wall, and then you just stand there drooling and wishing you could spend money without abandon. And then you snap back to reality and realize you are broke and that you should probably buy underwear before setting your sights on rings.

...

So, as I was saying, this top came from Charlotte Rouse. I absolutely love it because I can wear it about 5,000 different ways: with tights, leggings, or jeans. I also add any variation of scarves and hair clips to vary the look as well. Sometimes I wear black ballet flats, but as you can see, I opted for my trusty boots once again.

So, let's recap: Invest in some leggings. Get them in a crazy pattern, bold color, or animal print. Go crazy! Take your favorite outfit, add some neon leggings and BAM! You've just updated your look.

Also, don't go into Charlotte Rouse unless you are okay with spending at least ten dollars on rings. Because, seriously. It's impossible to deny the Wall of Jewelry.

Keep it classy, people. See you tomorrow.