When is it "Too Much?"

Believe me, it takes a whole lot of effort to look so blatantly disregardful of fashion trends, rules of color engagement, look like a nominee for the Big No list for Stacy and Clinton. Why, it wasn't only about a year ago where I was gracing the bloggy world with my pitifully mousy ensembles no need to look back, you'll be bored out of your mind and now here I am going out like a big smiling pattern-blind fashion-schizo:

  

I actually felt pretty good when I put these pieces together last night and didn't really bat an eye this morning when I threw everything together. Heck, I thought I even put together some as-fierce-as-I-can-be outfit pics and was all ready to post and go about my business when I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. That's when the big "Hmm..." hit.

Now I'm typically the first person to say that one of the fun parts of fashion is experimentation and trying new things - and heck, a bad outfit won't kill ya. But sometimes things just look a little off, a little bit like you're on the tip of Fashionable and you start teetering too far towards Tacky. There's a lot going on and sometimes more is not better (though don't tell Man Repeller).

So crazy babble short, I reassessed and this is what I ended up with:

  

When you put an outfit together, when do you consider yourself "done?" When do you consider an ensemble "overdone?" What have you put together yourself or have seen on others when you have thought "whoa, that's way too much?"

  

Jacket: Anthropologie Daughters of the Liberation cropped wisley

Necklace: Anthropologie gold finger

Top: Forever 21 (worn here before - similar here, white here, steal here)

Jeans: Banana Republic classic skinny (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here, luxe here)

Dress: Anthropologie Maeve slate stripes (worn here before - similar here)

Belt: UO Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Nine West patent temani (worn here before - similar peep-toe here, here)

Lucky Star

How ironic that I heard "Lucky Star" by Madonna today?

Did I ever mention how much I was into Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Janet Jackson back in the day?

(My Janet Jackson allegiance is well documented)

Borderline.

Lucky Star.

She-Bop.

Time after Time.

Let's Wait a While.

When I Think of You... (I actually reenacted the video to this one earlier today...I still got it!)

Umm hmm. That's me all day:)

Zara Skirt

F21 Madonna Tee

Aldo Wedges

American Apparel Pencil Bag

Dots & Stripes Forever

Happy Memorial Day, ladies! Aside from the (hopefully) physical and mental recharge we are all partaking in these past few days, let's also spend a few moments and remember the real reason we celebrate this day - to commemorate all the US service members who have fallen while in military service.

I've had a great long weekend of eating, cooking, park-ing, lounging and generally being a lazy loaf - it's been awesome. So it should come as no surprise that with the great summer-y weather, I've spent my days in general absolute casual-ness:

 

Top: H&M stripe (worn here before - similar here, modern here)
Skirt: UO Cooperative monaco
Shoes: Keds spright wedge (worn here before - similar here, here)
Necklace: White Owl via Etsy (worn here before - similar here)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff trompe l'oeil mac

 

Top: J. Crew factory multi-stripe pullover
Shorts: Banana Republic (similar here)
Shoes: Mossimo by Target wakana (worn here before - similar here)

 

Hat: Christy's & Co. (big enough to fit my giant noggin! - similar here, here)
Top: J. Crew max & molly gallery (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy pleated (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: DVF lush flip flops (worn here before)

 

Top: F21extended hem dot (worn here before - similar solid here, here)
Shorts: Old Navy chambray tie-belt
Shoes: Sofft woven thongs (similar luxe here, reg here)

What have you gals all been up to? Have any of your partaked in some awesome sales, or other grand (there are no small) adventures?

Soft Rock Randomness

Here's my outfit from last Friday. Oldies but goodies that I either never wear or haven't worn in eons:

 

Dress: H&M (worn here before - kinda sim here, -ish here, luxe here)
Jacket: F21 knit moto (worn here before - similar here, here)
Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction pine a colada (worn here before - similar here, luxe here)
Bag: Nine West crossbody clutch (similar here)
Belt: UO Deena & Ozzy stretch (worn here before - similar here)

♦   ♦   ♦   ♦

Thanks to AmyK (and Anne) for the blog tag! Without your style and humor, my little blog galaxy would be two stars shy and glow a little dimmer - plus I'd be a scrambling for a topic today.

So what's the tag? List seven bits of randomness about myself. As I am all about the random, it was actually kind of difficult to narrow things down / remove the absolute weirdness to the following:

1. I am a dominant leftie. Which means rightie is usually relegated to "hold this steady" status while leftie is the brains of the operation. Which also means I am still traumatized by that 3rd grade exercise about segregation my teacher did where she proceeded to tell all the lefties in the room that they now had to sit separate from the righties and couldn't participate in gym or lunch, and in the span of five minutes turned half a dozen 8-year-olds into hysterical sobbing wrecks - got the point of that exercise, still damaged by it, thank you.
2. When strangers are nice to me, I am immediately on the mental offensive. Maybe it is the NY-er in me, but I've grown up being taught not to trust people I don't know and these gosh-darn-nice-for-no-reason southern folk sometimes freak me out!
3. I would like to own a bed and breakfast someday. Well, actually I probably don't considering the work involved - but I've read enough soppy love story borderline romance novels in my youth to be in love with the idea of owning one. Where else would handsome young strangers with damaged hearts go to escape from their lives and hopefully find passionate new love with the innkeeper?
4. I like to eat dinner or lunch foods for breakfast. Like cold pizza, or a bowl of ramen, or a sandwich with chips. I prefer it over eggs or cereal, and honestly I have it in my head that it is better for me if I ate my biggest calorie busters early in the day.
5. I have probably an unhealthy love for Anthony Bourdain. Now this is probably not news to some of you, but I don't just tune into his show every time it airs (which is like every two hours, so I can't be the only one who is infatuated with the Bourdain) - but I dig him in that I-would-love-to-hang-out-with-you-and-eat-good-food-with-you-and-maybe-roll-around-in-your-sheets-and-rifle-through-your-cabinets-and-sniff-out-your-frig kind of way. So just wee culinary hero worship crush.
6. I love to stare at my pup. Her face is just full of expression and character - from her happy-go-lucky "I'm going to pounce on you" look to her closed-eye grimace when she is emphatically scratching herself. I can entertain myself for hours just staring at her. Which of course freaks my dog out.
7. As much as I truly enjoy blogging, I also enjoy not blogging. Weekends are blissful blog-free times.

So instead of just passing this on to one individual, I'd like to virtually tag all of you! Please share in your weirdness here - you gals have any fun, juicy, hilarious bits of randomness you would like to share?

Back to the Future

I'm sure we're all feeling a big ole "bah humbug" about the Blogger-out days last week and the scores of now-missing posts and deleted comments. I decided to just stay clear of blogging for a few days while Blogger tries to fix itself right and save myself from frustration.

✿  ✿  ✿  ✿

I am back from my fam visit in NYC now with a slew of new-to-me pieces handed down from my big sis - and I've been fairly good on the shopping front too (we will not speak of the upcoming big Anthro tag sale set to hit tomorrow). All those temptations in the big apple and all I purchased was a pedometer (woooo weeee, I know) and a hat that is actually large enough to fit my apparently giant-size noggin.

Though I alwaus love the fam, it is always kind of weird to me coming home as an adult but still being treated like the baby of the family, such as:

• When I walk into a room and my parents are discussing “adult matters,” they still get quiet so I don’t hear them
• My parents and my big sis don’t let me pay for anything
• My mom wakes me up in the morning about 30 minutes before my alarm – and she sticks her head into my room to tell me good night (regardless of whether or not I’m already asleep!)
• My parents don’t trust me to drive by myself – my dad prefers to drive me everywhere and then pick me back up later
• My mom likes to make the (innocent?) comment about how I look skinnier or chubbier after not seeing me for a while – but then proceeds to shove as much food in my direction as possible
• My parents won’t let me cook - because of course I can't
• I get frowny looks when I turn on the TV during the day
• My mom still calls to ask when I’ll be home, if I have my keys, etc.
• Fashion gets over-ruled by practicality – because who knows when someone will ask you to go mow the lawn, water the garden, take out the trash, crawl under the desk to plug/unplug something, baby sit the nephew
• See above – chores still do exist

Do you gals feel weird about going home again after you've left the nest for a while?

 

Dress: Forever 21 linen frond blend (worn here before - similar-ish here, here)
Jacket: Juicy Couture knit peplum (similar here)
Belt: J. Crew metallic skinny (similar here)
Shoes: Nine West temani (worn here before - similar color here, peep-toe here)
Necklace: Old Navy ethnic statement

Mr. Men and Little Miss

My BF apparently believes that I want to make an @sshole of him because he said that is what other people must think of him when they seen him in public with me. Because we live in the south, and I still sometimes will open the door for him when we’re going somewhere in public or I’ll throw down a credit card when it is time for pay for a meal. And in the south especially, gentlemanly rules of chivalry do still exist, and apparently I am not playing well with others.

I’m sure it is some sort of combination of coming from working-their-butts-off immigrant parents to growing up in NYC to trying to live up to be a “modern woman” where I get my inadvertent attitude from. I’ve always found it nice when guys I am with do stuff for me, but by no means do I expect it, and shoot, I’m sure a lot of times it has gone clear over my head because I’m not looking for it. (However, I do have girlfriends who will stand in front of a closed door all dang day if they are with a guy, waiting for him to finish his stuff and get to door opening – because that’s what he’s supposed to do! )

This chivalry stuff certainly isn’t a point of contention between the BF and I, but he always teases me about it because to this day I just do my own thing. I guess it does hurt his gentlemanly pride a little that I am so lackadaisical about this stuff – so the other day we actually wrote what we considered our modern-day rules of chivalry on our wipe board (yeah, we’re those people) and came up with:

• A gentleman will help a lady into her coat
• A gentleman will give up their seats for a lady (on a train, etc.)
• A gentleman will open the door for a lady
• A gentleman will stand when a lady walks into the room
• If a gentleman asks a lady out for a date, it is expected he will pay (though I consider that to be the case for whoever asks another person out)

And here we are, X number of years together (yeah, I don't keep track of that stuff either, but we'll save my lack of sentimentality for another post) later and we're still learning about each other. I need to keep my eyes open for when BF is trying to be nice and be OK with it - and BF needs to remember that I don't mean anything by it when I blow open a door or give him a weird look when I catch him standing behind me holding my chair.

Sp what do you think of chivalry in the 21st century? Are we such strong independent women that it is now considered dead, or are you still a believer in gentlemanly duties? What do you consider to be modern-day “rules” of chivalry?

 

Top: Calypso for Target medallion print crochet bib (I bought this before my shopping ban, I'm still good!)

Jeans: J. Crew high heel flare (worn here before - similar here, here)

Necklace: Anthropologie grandma's treasure trove (worn here before - similar here, here)

Bracelet: Forever 21 faceted cube spiral (worn here before - similar here)

Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here, scalloped luxe here)

FYI, I'm cheating a little with my OOTDs because this was an outfit from last week. And I may be a wee bit MIA-ish this week because though I'm still working, I flitted off up north to spend all my free time with this little ice muncher:

Respect the Outfits (You & Your Pets)

I won't bog down this post with my typical over-wordiness, because we need to get to the pretty girls and their adorable fur babies. So without further ado, here's this week's Respect the Outfits reader post, featuring you and your pets:

♥  Kristin from Lovely Apidae with Kya:

Dress: Anthropologie / Cardigan: Anthropologie Back Porch Blouse / Stockings: Hue / Rain Boots: J. Crew / Necklace: Botanical Bird

♥  Jenn from Complex Cardigans with Buddy:

♥  Callandra from Petite Early Morning Style with Eckles:

Polka dot dress - H&M / Yellow ballet flats - Target / Olive military jacket - Forever 21

♥ Anne from My Own Little Spot with Bailey:

Ralph Lauren headband / Ralph Lauren earrings and necklace / Anthropologie Scottie Dog Romper / Anthropologie belt / Coach shoes

♥  Laura from Anthro Closet Chaos with Heishe:

Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro March 2011 / Opaque Tights in Brown - by Hue - 2009 / Lass and Laddie Oxfords - by Poetic License - Anthro Aug 2010 / Green Line Satchel in Ochre SS09 - by Orla Kiely - July 2009

♥  Anjali from Love and Wardrobe with Chutney:

♥  Chantilly from Chantilly Songs with Scout:

anthropologie parted petals cardi- ebay / plaid camp shirt- ? vintage / pants- uniqlo / red easy spirits- thrifted /

necklace- dreamcatcher from foxwoods strung on cord

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

As for Pacey and I - well, we get what we get. No amount of doggie treats, cooing about her good dogness, or promises of long walks by the lake would make her get over her sudden case of camera shyness or want to play/wrestle/knaw at my arm. And yes, the pic-taking took so long the light was changing in the room. So here we are:

 

 

Top: Forever 21 extended hem dot (worn here before)

Skirt: Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte circle the globe (worn here before - similar print here, buttoned here)

Shoes: Bandolino (worn here before - similar here, here, luxe here)

Necklace: J. Crew pearl cluster (worn here before - similar here, ivory here)

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

I, Comment

I know I'm not the only one it happens to - you spend time reading and responding to each one of your comments from a post so you end up with a looooong response. And then when you click "post comment," something within Blogger freaks out and you end up with a whole bunch of nothing. No posted comment, no going back to what you've just typed, it all just disappeared into the great electronic ether. And of course, you're left with twenty minutes you'll never get back.

This is pretty much what happened to my last post, and I am frustrated becauseI haven't left you feedback when I wanted to and because I think I wrote some darn witty things that'll never get recouped.

So my mind is having thoughts to upgrade to a better commenting system, but I need one that the technologically stunted, like me, can use. I know some of you gals use IntenseDebate or Disqus or similar - was it difficult for you to load the system onto your blog? Is it hard to manage? What do you like (and don't like) about it and what do you recommend?

And for you gals who post comments via those commenting systems, what do you consider good or bad about being users of those systems, or should someone like me just stick with Blogger and not trifle with the blogee gods?

 

Sweater: J. Crew celosia (worn here before - similar here)
Top: Forever 21 effortless calm tunic (worn here before - similar here or cheaper here)
Skirt: NY&Co. abstract print (worn here before - similar here as dress, here)
Belt: Anthropologie bow & angle (worn here before - similar here)
Shoes: Xhiliration by Target teanna (worn here before - similar here or luxe here)
Necklace: fuzzyelephant via Etsy (worn here before)

♠   ♠   ♠   ♠

I've been remiss in keeping up with these, but there are still some cool giveaways of the week to be had by some of your fave bloggers, check them out:

♠  Kim from Anthroholic is giving away a pearl cluster necklace from Silver Lining Decor. Contest ends tonight!

♠  Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky is giving away a bike watch necklace and camera card stand from Ruche. Contest ends May 1.

♠  Steph from Anthro-esque is giving away a custom-made blue pattern skirt. Contest ends May 1.

♠  Carrie from this free bird is giving away the amanda dress from kendall k. Contest ends May 2.

♠  Keiko Lynn is giving away a $50 store credit to The Rabbit Hole vintage. Contest ends May 2.

♠  Elaine from I'm clothed much. is giving away $100 worth of products from Fresh Face. Contest ends May 3.

♠  Fabulous Florida Mommy is giving away a copy of Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange. Contest ends May 3.

♠  The gals at Free Honey are giving away a $100 gift certificate to Aveda. Contest ends May 3.

♠  Chiara from The Blonde Salad is giving away a small Balenciaga bag. Contest ends May 4.

♠  Sara from You, Me & Anthropologie is giving away a mega makeup medley. Contest ends May 6.

♠  Audrey from Audrey Allure is giving away the two worlds ring from Purpose. Contest ends May 8.

♠  Nina from alltumbledown is giving away a $25 gift certificate to SkinCareRX. Contest ends May 9.

♠  Urban Sherp is giving away a $100 gift card to Target. Contest ends May 10.

♠  Natalya from Natalya's Closet is giving away a $100 gift certificate to ShopBop. Contest ends May 12.

♠  Marie from All Things Marie is giving away a marie bracelet from BehindThese-Walls. Contest ends May 15.

♠  Tara from Little Girl Big Closet is giving away the sautoir necklace and voluminous scarf necklace, both from Anthropologie. Contest ends May 16.

♠  Kristina J is giving away three $25 gift cards to Anthropologie. Contest ends ?

♠  Debby from Inspired Design is giving away a Kate Spade bangle in the winner's choice of color. Contest ends ?

Lastly, please check out my blog sale HERE - loads of new items added, thanks!