Different perspectives

Looking at the pics today — I almost always upload pics after getting home from work — I saw a story unfolding, a (cautionary?) tale about perspective.

Here’s what happens when you put your weight on one side and slouch (helloooo, hips!):

And here’s what happens when you stand up straight (hey there, legs that seemed to sprout five inches in the click of a camera button):

And looking to my left, the perspective reveals a lovely vista of trash bins on trash pick-up morning, plus ongoing construction mess:

And here’s what happens when you shift the camera angle to the other side. (Look ma, no trash or construction porta-potties — it’s like magic!)

And finally, a close-up perspective on the graphic print of my LOFT top and the light-blue-and-black color combo of today’s more casual work look.

Writing this post, I had a lovely flashback to third grade and those goofy illustrations that served as writing prompts, those line drawings all stuffed with different characters and odd props. Only this time, instead of a vase of flowers half-hidden behind a fire hydrant or a policeman carrying an umbrella, you get an assortment of porta-potties, cars, and construction. Discuss. (I look forward to your creative writing essays! Or maybe just your comments. )

Details:  Cardigan:  Gap, old  /  Patterned blouse:  LOFT, on sale this winter  /  Black skinny jeans:  Target, last winter  /  Ankle boots:  Payless, winter  /  Rectangular silver earrings:  Handmade by a friend, Abu Dhabi

Link ups:  Look What I Got

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Inspiration Monday on a Tuesday

Today’s “Inspiration Monday” style challenge is coming to you a day late, on a Tuesday, and features an outfit I wore this past Friday. (Any other ways I can incorporate more days of the week up in here? Lemme know! )

This week’s inspiration comes to you via the eternally cool Gwen Stefani.

Inspiration:

Inspiration Monday – May 20, 2013 – Gwen Stefani

Interpretation:

This one may not look too similar at first, but stick with me. I wanted to turn Gwen’s cool casual look into a “casual Friday” look for work.

Gwen’s look is a mix of monochrome (black) and denim (vest), with a pop of yellow (shoes). My look is also a mix of monochrome (navy) and denim (skinny jeans), with a pop of yellow (scarf).  Big sunglasses? Check. Bright lipstick? Check.

And I like that Gwen’s outfit totally matches her rock chick style, while my outfit reflects my more classic style.

Details:  Navy blazer:  Macy’s, winter  /  Skinny jeans:  Target, last winter  /  Nude wedges:  Payless, gift-carded last winter  /  White sleeveless sweater:  Kmart?, old  /  Scarf:  Echo, c/o giveaway  /  Tote bag:  Payless, new  /  Pearl drop earrings:  Bridesmaid’s gift, old

And let’s talk hair. Like Gwen, I went for an easy updo with maximum impact. Check out the Mad Men-like fabulousness below, y’all. And so easy! It’s just a ponytail with the ends not pulled all the way through, and then wrapped around the base and pinned. It’s a good style for those I’m-going-to-eke-out-another-day-without-washing-my-hair kind of days. Y’all know what I’m talking about. And Sam caught the hairdo at its widest possible camera angle, so it didn’t look quite so puffy in real life.

And finally, I’ve waxed rhapsodic about my Revlon “Just Bitten” lip stains before. But I wanted to show y’all what this lip stain looks like at the end of the day. I took the pic below around 5pm, after 9 straight hours of this lip stain — no touch-ups and after lunch and multiple cups of coffee and water refills throughout the day. This bright pink color is called “Lovesick.”

Link ups:  Inspiration Monday  /  Style Sessions  /  Real Girl Style  /  Anything + Everything Blog Hop

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May Day simple

Oh my goodness, it’s May! And to commemorate the saying about May flowers, I posed in front of some. Because I totallllllly had that in mind when I chose this flowering bush as the backdrop. Yep, that’s me, an accidental genius.

Details:  Patterned top:  gift-carded at Macy’s in March  /  Cardigan:  August Silk via Macy’s, winter  /  Skinny jeans:  Target, last winter  /  Flats:  Payless, last summer

It’s funny how the simplest of outfits can make an impression. I put this outfit together very quickly because I had an early morning dental appointment and had to get out the door to catch my bus. And my husband, bleary-eyed as he was this morning, went “Oooh, pretty!” when he saw me (awwwww ♥ ), and I got a  compliment from a co-workers on how slimming this ensemble was. Noted.

And here’s my post and outfit from last May Day, which is still one of my personal faves.

Link ups:  What I Wore Wednesday  /  Random Wednesdays  /  Wardrobe Wednesday  /  Whatever Works Wednesday  /  Dress for the Day You Want  /  Trending Pretty Wednesday  /   Look What I Got Thursdays

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Library conferencing style: Double the fun

The last two weeks, my friend and fellow librarian, Amy, and I have attended two library conferences together. Information literacy forever! ♥ Wait, where was I… oh yes, style! Conference wear is always a little tricky, as you want to be comfortable yet stylish but also not like you’re trying too hard.

Library Conference #1:

Amy and I didn’t think to get pictures of ourselves while at this regional conference in Bend, Oregon (we were obviously distracted by the beautiful scenery!), but I recreated what I could remember with Polyvore inspiration boards.

The first night was a get-together at a local restaurant (with the conference sessions starting the next day), so I mixed in a bit of casual with the Pride & Prejudice-themed sweatshirt and a bit of professional with the red ankle pants. My go-to combo of skinny jeans + blazer worked just fine for the all-day sessions.

Amy’s personal style is more edgy and cool. She wore a graphic t-shirt — not this exact one, but this Target t-shirt has a similar muted vibe — under a more structured cardigan to amp up the professional side.

Library Conference #2.1:

And now for actual photos! Amy and I always have so.much.fun together, and Sam was happy just to be there to capture the craziness.

I was so touched when Amy said she used my go-to formula of skinny jeans + blazer + patterned top as inspiration for her first-day conference outfit. My favorite bit is the brooch on her tweedy blazer. And as you can see, I brought out my red ankle pants again, following one of the inspiration boards I put together for this eShakti polka-dotted top.

Library Conference, #2.2:

On our first day at this state library conference, I saw lots of bright florals and graphic prints. So I took a different route for my second-day outfit, recycling one of my favorite looks with a bright floral tunic and wide-leg trousers. (It also helped that I didn’t have to pack a suitcase for this conference, as it was only a short distance away. So I didn’t really “plan” my outfits in advance like I normally do for conferences, to maximize suitcase space.)

And I love Amy’s blending here of cool and classic pieces. How fab are those red wedge flats and that top with the deconstructed houndstooth pattern?! I also liked how we echoed each other across the two days with our black, red, and white combos. Twinsies! ♥

Thanks, Amy, for your willingness to share your style on my blog!

Did y’all enjoy double the librarian style? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Link ups:  Style Sessions  /  Real Girl Style  /  Anything + Everything Blog Hop

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Casual construction

Today’s “Inspiration Monday” challenge is a more casual combo from January Jones. I showed the pic to Sam and asked if he could predict what I would put together — and for the most part, he was able to! I wore this casual look yesterday — perfect for the weekend! (Maybe not so much for a premiere or fancy benefit, as January did, but to each her own, right?)

It’s also a perfect inspiration look for this week’s IFB project!

Inspiration:

Inspiration Monday – April 29, 2013 – January Jones

Interpretation:

If you’re a Tom & Lorenzo reader like I am, you’ll have recognized this combo from a recent post on their blog – and references to their appreciation of January’s “high-school mean-girl bitchface” go-to facial expession.

I tried my best:

Here’s another try:

But that didn’t last too long! This is my usual MO:

Details:  Denim jacket:  Old Navy, gift-carded last fall  /  Skinny jeans:  Target, last winter  /  Tunic:  Pyramid Collection, gift from my mom a few years ago (see the tunic and sleeve detail in full here)  /  Wedge sandals:  Target, last spring  /  Silver necklace with heart and ring pendants:  James Avery, gift from my husband, old

I liked the moodiness of the shot above — and that my legs look really long, thanks to Sam crouching down a bit for a lower angle. (That crick in the neck was totally worth it, sweetie! ♥ ) I also kinda love the discordant vibe of the construction site as the photo background — and you can see how far the project has come from this post back in January. This is our main view across from our house, where construction workers get to see me posing along the sidewalks just about every morning. I’m sure we’re both looking forward to wrapping up this building project!

Happy Monday!

Link ups:   Inspiration Monday  /  Copycat Linkup  /  YOLO Mondays  /  Monday Mingle  /  My Style Monday  /   Monday Bloom  /  IFB Project #93:  Share your denim  /  Sunday Style  /  Watch What I’m Wearing

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