Just Call Me Madison

I think Madison is the sort of girl who is quietly doing things her own way in the background, but if you notice her, she's doing things a bit differently and somehow...surprisingly...a little bit better and cooler. You know the sort of girl? Madison also happens to the name of my only girl cousin, who could be a model she's so freakin' gorgeous. I try not to think about it too much or I get jealous ;-) But she's tall and lean, and this silhouette would look great on her.

Today I was headed to the office Christmas party at work...present for my Secret Santa and platter of homemade English toffee in tow. I am in love with the high-waisted 70s-jean look, obviously. I especially like the back...I think that high waist with the seams right above the bottom give it extra oomph and shape; much more so than low-riders, and aren't we ladies always wanting to make sure our bottoms look extra good in jeans? These aren't as high-waisted as some I've seen in the stores. I may have to get more adventurous when spring and summer come along and snag a pair in a lighter denim to wear with floaty spring blouses. Here, I chose a form-fitting sleek turtleneck, tucked in, to keep the line smooth. Then I added a "granny belt" which is what I call those woven belts with the fabric covered loop. I would have put it through the belt loops had my stomach/hips not prevented that. Goodness, the granny that wore this belt must have been teeny tiny. Must look for one in a larger size now! However, I don't think it looks terrible tucked right under my ribcage.

These platform black, round-toe boots are another standard in my closet. I didn't realize that they were a bit too high for these jeans until I got home and looked at the pictures. They go with just about everything in the wintertime (except they do not go well with ice, I can tell you that). It was, as my friend says, "stupid cold" today in New England (4 degrees when I was taking these pictures in the morning). However, I wanted to look cute and didn't realize it was that cold, so I grabbed this little satiny-fur-collared motorcycle-inspired jacket. Mistake. Never sacrifice fashion for warmth, it's true. I was absolutely frozen the entire day through.

The Runway Rundown:
Turtleneck: Express
Belt: Thrifted
Jeans: American Eagle
Platform Black Boots: Nine West
Jacket: Target (five dollars on clearance!!!)
Shiny Red Headband: Aldo
Mittens: present from my grandma

Just Call me DJ

DJ as in, DJ Tanner from "Full House" and also as in "Dijon mustard." I guess I should explain...well, I just saw a preview for a Christmas special with "DJ Tanner" (aka Candace Cameron Bure) and her character would totally have worn this outfit. And Dijon mustard is more obvious...the color of the sweater is dead on. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this outfit, though it was fine and rather warm. I felt pulled together, but a bit dull. The mustard color isn't for everyone, but it has been all over the past few years, and I must admit, it is quickly becoming a wardrobe staple for me, in varying shades. Some of you may be saying: a white scarf in winter? It may be a no-no, but I think it looks fresh and really brightens up this outfit. And besides, isn't winter the season of white (snow)?!

The Runway Rundown: 

Scarf: KMart (on the way to the beach one day)
Cami: Walmart
Sweater: Wet Seal
Belt: Linea Pelle (via TJ Maxx)
Twisted Seam Cords: BCBG (see how the seam comes in at the bottom of the leg?)
Boots: Thrifted

Just Call Me Taylor

Taylor has a bit of Texas girl in her, ey? Taylor is the girl I switched with when I first went to Texas (that's another story), and for some reason, this bright lonestar-yellow and brown pairing, with the boots and western-inspired belt, hint of Texas. The name also works because two of my main pieces today are from Ann Taylor, as my friend pointed out! It's incredibly cold here in New England (very far from Texas), and I wish I'd had a little brown sweater to coordinate with this outfit. I'm also not sure why the shirt is suddenly pulling across my chest. It has beautiful little pleats at the top of the neck, and doesn't require any jewelry, except perhaps some simple earrings.

For some reason, these new tights were nearly compression tights. I first put them on and they stuck right to my leg and I could only get them about halfway up. It was rather comical. However, as I was sitting in church I switched which leg was crossed over which, and the zipper of my boots caught these tights and ripped a nice long run in them. Problem solved, they went in the trash as soon as I got home and I won't have to feel like my calves are being strangled again. Also note that tights in high-heels are slippery, my foot was sliding forward all day. Will wear (socks?) over tights next time? 

The skirt is too long normally, looks a bit granny-ish below the knee and more straight, so I rolled the waistband over a couple times to make it more fresh and flirty. It is a silk moire pattern and really made me realize how much I need to get a steamer for my wardrobe. The pop of color was wonderful for feeling bright on a winter's day. These boots have been a'walkin' too much....they are almost done. I am going to try to take them to a cobbler because these round-toe boots are my absolute favorite and I'm not sure I could live without them. The belt is another favorite, worn over and over again. The red coat looks snazzy on top of it all...what more could a girl ask for? Except perhaps, to be in Texas?

The Runway Rundown:
Blouse: Ann Taylor
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Tights: Target (got a run in them today sadly)
Boots: Thrifted forever ago
Coat: Forever 21
Nailpolish: Chick Flick Cherry by OPI
(click pics to make them larger)

P.S. > Eyebrows

A new blog feature! P.S.> features little makeup/body care/etc. tips that I've found helpful and help make your 'look' complete.

I have spent the past three weeks or so growing out my eyebrows. This is a sentence rarely said (one that sounds ridiculous, I know), but yes, I am letting them grow in. I need a new eyebrow shape, the old one is doing nothing for my face. But let me just tell you, this is not a project for the faint of heart! There were many times I went to school wanting to *everyone* who looked at me, "I'm growing them out!! It's not poor grooming!" I've been reaching the conclusion lately that it is the eyebrow that makes the face (the old cliche that they are the frame holds true). Although I am still perfecting the new arch, fullness, and color (I think it may be a bit deep now, but since my old powder is almost gone, a good excuse to look for a new color). I have also begun to use a pencil in light, feathery strokes to fill in the sparse areas. I must admit, though, it's a cheap Walgreens brand pencil, and it is far too waxy to use for my eyebrows, which is definitely one of the reasons why I think they're too dark.

Obviously, the old is on the left and the new is on the right, and I employed the tricks all the magazines use--they make you look terrible in the "before" photo and fabulous in the "after" but keep something (in this case, the earrings) the same so you are fooled. Are you fooled?!

Comments, please! :-)

Just Call Me Anna

Anna seems like a girl who would be fun and theatrical, yet would don some pewter heels and a jazzy red coat to present a polished facade. Yeah? That's what I was doing, running out the door to the final presentation of the play I'd written for school...and needing to look somewhat pulled together after my frenzied rush to the finish with final papers. This is what I came up with, and several of my friends said I looked "professional" and complimented the shoes. Nothing too special.

And these shirts, these shirts!! Oh, how I love them, from American Eagle, with details like side vents with coordinating fabric in them, and coordinating fabric on the cuffs, collar, and button plaque (click on the above picture and you can see what I'm talking about on the side vent, this blouse has a raised-stripe white fabric). They are so comfy. My one problem: They are too short to tuck in. They will stay tucked in for approximately one minute while I am standing still, still tucking it in. The second I move, it pops out. Oh well. The dress pants are incredibly soft and comfy (a brand I've never heard of before), with cute little pleats in the front. And yes, this is another pair of heels from, of all places, Dress Barn, also on clearance for $9.99. They are so chic and "now." Loving them. It's all in the details!

The Runway Rundown:

Blouse: American Eagle
Necklace: my fave

Dress Pants: local store
Pewter Heels: Dress Barn
Red Coat: Forever 21

Remember: Quotes on Beauty

“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.”

~Sam Levenson