Day Off: Causing Casualties

So today was my day off and thought I'd get a little crazy/casual and wear jeans. I think it's been months since I've been in jeans. This is definitely one of my most casual outfits but I just love it's simplicity. Ironically this is probably one of my most expensive outfits. I just got these 7 For All Mankind jeans, I bought them entirely on a whim, and cant get enough of them. They fit the best and are the most comfortable pair of jeans I've ever worn, they were definitely worth the investment (they were just shy of $200). What's the most you'd ever spend on an excellent pair of jeans?  

Michael Kors shades are from TJ Maxx ($20). The earrings are a fave from Francesca's ($12). The scarf is an old thrift ($1). My striped blouse is from Ann Taylor that I got on clearance ($16). I got the 7 For All Mankind jeans at Cusp ($194). Finally I got my flats from Ideeli ($20).

Total out of pocket: $262

Thank you Nate for taking the quick pics!

I'm Back: My First of Many Chicago Blog Posts

I'm back from my hiatus with my first Chicago blog post! I'm all moved in and am loving all the new changes in my life. There's still much to be done to the apartment but it's getting closer to feeling "home." I'm extremely enjoying my new position with Neiman Marcus, it's showing to be such a wonderful community to be apart of. If you're in Chicago this Thursday evening be sure come by Neiman Marcus for our fabulous Fashion's Night Out fashion show. And if you're a fellow Chicago blogger please feel welcome to contact me and say "hi!" I love meeting new people and would love to get the scoop on all the best boutiques and thrift shops in town. Where ever you're at this Thursday enjoy your city's own Fashion's Night Out, I can just feel it's going to be a spectacular one!

   

My most cherished piece here is the straw hat which I got from my favorite KC antique mall ($10). The green and navy color block cardigan I've only just now worn, I got it a few month ago at Target ($30). It's by one of their guest designers, Miami by The Webster. The flats are Calvin Klein from Macy's ($60). The MK shades are from TJ ($20). I got the earrings from Francesca's ($12). And finally the blouse and shorts are both vintage pieces ($2+$10).

Total out of pocket: $144  

Hat also seen here

Blouse also seen here

Shorts also seen here

Thank you to my oh so sweet brother/roomie for taking the pictures.

The Liebster Blog Award

I am so thrilled to be participating in the Liebster Award tag, a special thanks to Fozia at A Closet of Chaos for nominating me. The Liebster is an award given to Bloggers who have less than 200 followers, giving them a chance to be recognized in the Blogger community. We all know how hard it is to maintain and keep up connections on our blogs. I’m grateful for being chosen and look forward to hearing from many of you who also have under 200 followers.  

THE RULES:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.

2. They must also answer the 11 questions the ' tagger ' has set for them.

3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.

4. Must choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in their post.

5. The chosen bloggers must then be told.

6. And there's no tag backs.

11 Things About Me:
1. I’m a very private person, it took me a long time to be comfortable with the concept of blogging 

2. I’ve participated in every sport from trapshooting to cheerleading

3. Learning to dance is probably the best and worst thing to ever happen to me

4. I’m a tea and coffee drinker

5. I detest mushrooms

6. Cary Grant is my favorite actor

7. I love driving

8. My favorite literature is from the 1920’s

9. My music follows me everywhere, from the likes of Julie London to Incubus

 10. Learning is one of the things I enjoy most

11. Meeting new people is the next most enjoyable thing for me

A Closet of Chaos' Questions:

1. Your favourite place to shop

My mother's closet (it's free!)

2. Favourite city?

Chicago, IL

3. Which era is your favourite (fashion-wise)

1920's

4. Your favourite blog?

Masala Diary

5. Favourite film?

The Philadelphia Story

6. What is the most important thing in your life?

My sense of self

7. Favourite designer?

Chanel, circa 1920

8. Does true love really exist?

Yes, but not in the same sense we've grown up believing in

9. Do you believe in Aliens?

Anything is possible

10. A quote that means a lot to you

"Just do it"

11. Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one and why?

 The Velveteen Rabbit, the rabbit was forgotten about by the little boy and was sent to get burned

My Questions:

1. What was the last book you read?

2. What is your favorite accessory?

3. Candles or incenses?

3. What is your favorite piece of artwork on your walls?

4. Where was the best date you’ve ever been on?

5. Truth or dare?

6. What color polish do you currently have on your nails?

7. Peanut butter or Jelly?

8. What is something you’ve developed a taste for?

9. Have you every written or received a love letter? If so, do you still talk to them?

10. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and who would you take with you?

My tagged bloggers:

All Around Eve

The Color Wheel

A.Woman.Like.Me

All Good Things

McKenzieMarston

Rubypress

The Classy Turtle

The Heiress Blog

The Wind of Inspiration

Une Touche de Style

Young Sophisticates

I chose these bloggers because I see tremendous potential in them and they all have under 200 followers.

The End of my KC Chapter: In Reinvented Sea Foam

I have some news that I have already shared with those closest to me and in this brief moment I have been able to find time to share with you all as well. In less than a week I will be moving to Chicago, IL where I will take on a new and challenging but familiar position with an elite fashion company. I've had wonderful support and encouragement from those around me and couldn't feel more confident in my move and in the start of a new chapter in my life. This impending move has been exasperating and thrilling, as a result I have not found much of any free time to share with you all my recent fashion stylings. Yesterday showed to be the perfect time to take a couple pictures to share with you. It was the last day I spent with my dearest friend Ashley (we're not quite sure what we are going to do without each other). A truly memorable day that I'll cherish for the Ashley-deprived months to come. Here's a look at the blouse and jewelry from my previous post that I've taken and created a whole new outfit with. Which one is your fave?  

Head to toe: The straw hat I got on a visit to San Fran from a precious boutique ($35). The earrings are from Francesca's and necklace from TJ ($12+$15). The blouse and alligator shoes were on sale at Ann Taylor, they always have spectacular sales ($14+$39). The polka dot shorts (yes, they're short!) were on sale at Target ($8).   

Total out of pocket: $123

Here's to my final Kansas City blog post and to the many new fabulous Chicago ones!

A special thanks to Ashley for putting up with me and taking these gorgeous pictures!

   

The Return of Pastel Florals: A Chicago Snip-it

Today, is the first of many days visiting my brother in Chicago. So far we've spent our time strolling the neighborhood taking his friendly, funny-shaped mixed breed dog named Sancho Panza for a walk. I usually grace Chicago with my presence semi annually, however it's been a few years since visiting in the summer and I must say I had forgotten how mighty splendid it can be. He is in a new neighborhood since I last visited and I can't wait to explore what treasures this one beholds.  

The last one here, for those of you who don't know me well, is more of my natural disposition. Getting sassy with my brother is only the most frequent way I am with him. The skirt is a creation of mine. This floral print is a material that I grew up detesting. It sat eagerly in my mother's stock pile of eclectic fabrics, until the day came that it returned to style (by far one of my favorite creations now). The top is a sale item of Ann Taylor's from not too long ago ($14). The necklace is from TJ Maxx ($15). The Earrings, from Francesca's ($12). Finally the Chanel inspired quilted bag I nabbed at an estate sale and the shoes via a Red Racks ($3+$4).     

Total out of pocket: $48

Thank you m'dear brother for taking the lovely photos as well as putting up with me for the next week. 

La Vie en Rose: Tied Up and Twisted in Fuchsia

Beside being hot it's been incredibly muggy and it's supposed to stay for the next five days, oh joy. I was able to brave the heat and buy some fabric for a sundress I am making. I'm hoping to finish it in time for my trip to Chicago in a few weeks! It cooled off in the evening which was perfect, I was able to convince my mother to take a few pictures for me in her garden. Her roses are looking so lovely! I thought "la vie en rose" was most befitting for this post. Besides my mother's roses looking so lovely, it is most certainly a motto I live by. Some of you may have notice that there are a few pieces of jewelry that I am never without. The bracelet that I wear in fact has those very words inscribed on it. It's a reminder how important is it to have belief in things turning out for the best. It's incredible to see how your "joie de vie" effects those you encounter. I'm interested in what some mottos are that you live by, care to share?    

The scarf and white kitten heel pumps are both thrifts ($2+$4). The light blue sundress was a gift ($0). The button-up blouse in quite old on sale from Express ($18). And the earrings are from Francesca's ($12).

Total out of pocket: $36

Shoes most recently seen here and here

Thank you mother dear for taking such lovely pictures for me.

Sweetly Shaded: Forever Red

So happy to take this sunhat out on my day off. I was expecting to have more of a productive day rather than a leisurely one, however the beautiful weather coaxed me into lunching and shopping with my mother followed by a quite lounge on the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum lawn with Miss Lindsey. The tied chambray button up over my red sundress was perfect for today, while it was breezy in the shade it kept the sun off my shoulders in the sun. As vampy as my wedges are they were still practical for traipsing through the park (no sinking heels)! As much as I use this bag, it is so versatile and any of my current reads (Summer by Edith Warton) always fit nicely inside. Time to get a new bag, maybe?   

First things first, the brown straw hat is from TJ Maxx ($20). As well as the necklace, the vampy wedges, the London Fog bag, AND the MK shades are also from TJ ($15+$30+$30+20). The red sundress was on sale at Gap ($25). The chambray button-up is a thrift ($3). And lastly the earrings are from Francesca's ($12).

Total out of pocket: $155

Cut-out wedges most recently seen here and here

Necklace and earrings also seen here

Thank you to the very talented Lindsey for taking the photos you can visit her blog here.     

Colorful in Tropics: Keen on Green

 I've been dying to show you all these shorts. I snagged them a couple saturdays ago at Reruns Vintage warehouse for 10 bucks! They were actually pants when I purchased them but I thought they'd be so much cuter as shorts. It only took me about an hour and I wore them out that night to the drive-in with some good friends. I am so glad I got these shorts because it has been so much fun to wear these colorful parrot earrings with them. The earrings were actually a gift from an incredibly thoughtful and sweet class mate of mine. A fashion lover herself she thought that I'd enjoy these earrings and a few other gorgeous pieces that were handmade in her home country of Kenya. I've gotten so many compliments on them already and can't wait to have more fun with them and the shorts in the future. What do you think should I buy more vintage shorts like these?

The shorts were of course from Reruns ($10). The fun blouse was borrowed from my mother's closet ($0). The colorful scarf was a trade at Arizona Trading Company and just happened to match the earrings perfectly ($0+$0). The sunglasses are old from TJ ($20). And finally the kitten-heel white pumps were a thrift ($4).

Total out of pocket: $34

Thank you miss Lindsey for a lovely afternoon chat and the great pictures. You can check out her blog here! 

Tied up in Bows: Ready for the Rain

 While I was relaxing over the Memorial weekend holiday I got to thinking about those stressful mornings when I feel like I have absolutely nothing to wear. When in fact I have too many options to wear. I realized the quick fix to this problem (that I feel so many of us share) and took the opportunity to go through my wardrobe and pull out the things that I hadn't worn in the past year…or ever. It turned out to be half of my closet! I was able to trade in some of my clothes at Arizona Trading Company and I got cash back at Clothes Mentor. Because of the ridged criteria at consignment shops I was left with most of the clothes I set out with. I plan to donate the rest and drop by Goodwill this week. Is it time for you to clean out your closet??

Head to toe: Claire's headband ($3) and TJMaxx MK sunglasses ($20). Both the art deco earrings and scarf are thrifts ($2+$2). I got the blouse, peplum rain jacket, and pants discounted at Macy's ($20+$40+$40). The London Fog bag of course is from TJ ($30). And finally the black snake skin pumps are discounted from Shi ($30). 

Total out of pocket: $187

Headband also seen here

Cobalt rain jacket, blouse, and pants also seen here 

Thanks to the lovely Lindsey Bales for a great afternoon and for marvelous pictures. Check out her blog here!

Matching Maidens: Queen of the Dirt

I spent this lovely day with my mama. As it was a day off for both of us we decided to eat a little, shop a little, and spend a little (well, not so little). We had a wonderful lunch at Dean and Deluca, it was the perfect day to eat on the sidewalk. As much as I don't care for gardening, my mother is a stupendous gardener and so I decided to entertain her by stopping by Suburban. She enjoys gardening immensely and can always find a reason to go to the garden center, I also thought it would be a prime place to take a few pictures. It turns out it was!

Head to toe: earrings are from Francesca's ($15). The sea foam halter is actually a bikini top I got over the week at H&M ($13). The floral blouse is my mothers ($0). She was actually going to wear it this morning before I snatched it up, she decided instead to go with a similar floral top by the same designer and also sported white denim pants. My white jeans are Guess, my bag and sunglasses are MK both are from TJ ($30+$30+$20). The stripped multicolored scarf on my bag is a thrift as well are the purple pumps ($1+$3). 

Total out of pocket: $112 

Earrings most recently seen here and here

White jeans most recently seen here

Purple pumps also seen here 

Thank you mother dear for a lovely day off and for taking the wonderful pictures.

Wedding Weekend: Escaping to Eureka

I spent this past weekend witnessing an incredibly beautiful wedding of a woman the most dearest to me next to my mother. I was one of four privileged guest to see her and her fiance make the deepest vow of love. In the sweetest little mountain town tucked up in the hills of the Ozarks, they were wed at a charming Victorian style Bed & Breakfast called the Angel. The co-owner Susan fell in love with my dress, she incredibly encouraging of my pursuit in fashion, it always stimulates my passion for fashion when I hear such support from new people. In Eureka Springs, Arkansas you'll find the windy roads laced with the most quintessential B&B's (many of which claim to be haunted). The downtown area is lined with french-influenced architecture, housing a variety of eclectic shoppes. My stay there was brief, but I certainly felt the congenial free-spiritedness charm of the community to already start planning a return trip. 

The dress I'm wearing I constructed the week of the wedding, working on it till the very last minute of course. The material I used I got from Kaplan's Fabrics on the Plaza, they were incredibly generous about discounting the fabrics I purchased. The dress has an ivory lace overlay ($40/yrd originally $90/yrd) with a lining and underling in a sea foam poly-blend ($10/yrd originally $14). The fabric and the notions alone made it a costly dress but the amount of labor it demanded the week of my finals makes it astounding! 

Total out of pocket: $115