I look around but it's you I can't replace

The real reason I'm posting today is to show off my new gold sandals. I got them at the same time as my new leather flips, from Dillards, but this is the first occasion they have carried my pink toenailed feet around town. They are comfortable (the straps are elastic), sparkly, but the wedge still helps them to be more work appropriate.

The navy scoop neck - is it just me or do the necks on scoop neck shirts just get bigger and bigger? It seems that way to me. 

Overall, I love this outfit. I'm in need of a haircut, or at least some styling today (it's a little flat, despite my bobby pin efforts.)

Well, happy Wednesday!

Gold circles necklace: Target?
Navy scoop neck T: H&M DC
White button up with silver stripes: Hillard and Hanson (Dillards)
Blue and white flower print skirt: Thrifted
Gold spring bracelet: Dressing Your Truth
Gold wedge sandals: Skechers (Dillards)

Title: Every Breath You Take by The Police

Girls Talk About Their Social Lives

Am I the only one that gets thoroughly bored with what I pack when I travel? I realize in the last 4 years or so, I'm likely to go clothes shopping when I'm traveling anyway, but now it's almost necessary. Got to have me some variety, and where better to find it than another city??

Last night I hit the H&M while here in Washington DC, partly to see the town, and partly because I couldn't stand to wear the same button-up shirts I had packed for another day. Thankfully, I found a few cute tops, and some new jewelry pieces. It's amazing to me how much variety I benefit from in my wardrobe (and I still try to keep it under control!)

I also got a new pair of flip flops before the trip. Last week or so, I was walking in my previous pair of Sanuk flip flops and tripped over something and the rope just ripped right out of the rubber footbed. Those had to be trashed... So, I went to return a shirt to Dillards, and look what came home with me? These leather Clark's sandals, on summer sale!

I also love H&Ms signature colors this season - orange is heavy in there! It's not often that orange is extremely popular, or that it gets a lot of wear. Thankfully, I love orange and was pleased to see it in this combination of beaded necklaces (which are stretchy and very comfortable!) Dark brown, green, and two colors of orange.

Cheers to summer!



Sorry I'm a little blurry here...



African beaded necklaces: H&M DC
Red tank: Shade Clothing
Navy scoop neck T: H&M DC
Wooden bracelet: Friend's gift from Romania
Worn brand jeans: Nordstrom's Rack
Brown stitched flipflops: Clarks (from Dillards)

Title: Runaway by Bonjovi

I Don't Need to Fight

Neutrals. Have you tried dark purple as a neutral? Dark purple is pretty hard to find, in my opinion, but I was able to find this great skirt through Amazon.com, and it's made in the USA! Still, when I decided today was the day for it, I wasn't entirely sure how to use it. It doesn't feel as neutral as brown, and I added the jacket to get it a little more neutral, along with the gold jewelry. 

I think this has led me to believe that I need more neutrals in my wardrobe, so that I can expand what I've already got (they're like accessories!)

I've been tired and trying to get myself over some vitamin deficiencies, so less creativity has been thrown into Outfitland. Still, let's shake it up!!

Green headband: Smith's Marketplace
Brown corduroy jacket: Costco
Teal button up: Kohls
Gold flower necklace: Dressing Your Truth
White and gold scarf: Kohls
Gold springy bracelet: Dressing Your Truth
Purple flare skirt: Amazon (made in the USA!)
Brown ballet flats: Nordstrom Rack

Title: Baba O'Riley by The Who

Turned you into someone new

This skirt has been waiting to bust out the closet! You see, I wasn't sure it was Type 1 enough. I bought it multiple years ago, long before Dressing My Truth. It's purple with a blue undertone and gold iridescent in the right light. (Gold!!) It's got an asymmetrical cut that flares when you move. It's corduroy (which I love!)

I kept seeing it hanging in my closet, since I never got rid of it. My "beauty sixth sense" was excited to wear it, to have something that was so flared on the bottom and remember how much fun I have when I wear it. So, I embraced the sixth sense and went for it. I think I hesitated because I used to wear this with a black shirt, every time. Always the black shirt. Now that I don't wear a black shirt for anything short of becoming the queen, I had to work with the accessories a bit, but I think the other purple items work well with it (too bad you can't see my necklace, it snuck under my collar).  I'm loving it!

I also love the gold scarf around my waist. This was one of my first DYT purchases - out looking for something gold to throw into the wardrobe. It's gotten a lot of wear since then, and I'm glad it's made an appearance today. I think it goes well with a relatively neutral outfit.

Oh, and my Type 1ness today: I have put my foot in my mouth 3 days in a row! First to my boyfriend, then my good friend who was at my house for a visit, then on a business call today! Sometimes I wonder where my filter is. It's okay to remember that sometimes the random comes out of my mouth - and thankfully, these people love me and honor me!

White cotton shirt with vertical pleats: H&M Hamburg
Purple pendant necklace: made myself!
Purple circle bracelet: Dressing Your Truth
White scarf with gold threads: Kohl's
Purple corduroy skirt with iridescent gold: Nordstrom's Rack
Brown ballet flats: Nordstrom's Rack 

Title: Don't You Want Me by The Human League

Confession: My favorite color is clear.

My boyfriend is a Type 2, which means one of his favorite hobbies is to research and purchase "gear." The perfect keychain, the perfect flashlight, the perfect desk to fit in the perfect spot in the perfectly well-lit living room. In many cases, if it's fast and does the job, I'll take it. Not so with him.

Several years ago, he bought me a really nice, 27 ounce BPA free stainless steel water bottle. It has a nice black screw cap with a ring that you could put a carabiner through, and I keep it on my desk at work. Durable, safe, lightweight. It's supposed to be filled with water and keeping me hydrated.

I'm not much into bottled water either, so that's not an issue for me. I don't mind if it comes out of the tap, as long as it's not lukewarm.

Today I brought a 33.8 ounce bottle of sparkling water beverage in key lime flavor to work. It's in a clear bottle with a brightly colored label, and has bubbles in it. All things I love. I'm willing to not have bubbles every day. I'm finding, however, that if I'm to be convinced to stay hydrated, I'd rather do it with something clear. I can see how much water is in there; I can see the sunlight through the bottle.

There, I said it. Give me the $0.59 water bottle and I'll refill it, and you can keep your stainless steel one. It does look nice on my desk though.

I miss the earth so much

This is me today. This shirt that I got at the thrift store is perfect for a dim and rainy day. After all, polka dots add some great animation! If I had shown you a view straight from the front, you would see that it's a great shirt for looking slimmer than you are, and I can't complain about that! I used to be anti-ruffle, but here I am with a ruffle around the top half of the button placket. Yeehaw! I flip up the sleeves at the elbow, wear a white tank underneath, and this shirt practically runs the show.

I've noticed that my body physically moves randomly, especially compared to my much more calculated 2/4 boyfriend. I'm the one who's always tripping over things, bumping my thigh on the corner of a table or counter, stepping on things that shouldn't be on the floor, and bumping my face against things. Earlier this week I was leaving a downtown office building through a revolving glass door. I do this multiple times a day at my own building, but the door space is significantly wider at my building than the one I was leaving that day. I went through the door about 180 degrees worth and stepped toward the outside. WHAM! I hit my face on the curved glass wall that encased the door! I stepped back, looked around, and took a few more steps in the direction that moved the door before I could safely step out. Good thing I didn't break my glasses :).

Are you wearing anything sparkly today?

I love this bracelet so far - it does like to get caught on stuff though. Sleeves, waistbands, noses.

Navy Beaded Necklace: gift from my boyfriend, made by a local artisan
Blue and white polka dot ruffle shirt: Thifted (Charter Club)
White beaded bracelet: Shopko
Blue corduroy skirt: Seagull Book (DownEast Basics)
Keen fuzzy brown boots for the monsoon outside: Online (Keen)
 
Title: Rocket Man by Elton John

'Cause I've Got To Be Free

This is in my most excellent backyard. I'm still working out how to take pictures of myself, since I don't have a tripod or anything. I love playing around with it though. I love this shirt - and I modified it myself. It used to have a brown layer underneath the white layer on top, and it made it much more subtle. When I saw Carol Tuttle for the very first time, I was wearing it, and she didn't quite approve. I took it home and decided to cut out the brown lining, and now just wear it over a white undershirt. Perfect! I love cutting stuff up to fix it :).

Type 1ness of the day: I'm actually more productive at work when I have someone to talk to, to brainstorm with. Someone to chat with and laugh with. When there's no one around, it challenges me to focus. Focusing is easier if there are distractions!

Purple pendant on a leather strap: made myself (Michael's craft store and a gift necklace from REI)
White undershirt: DownEast Basics
Purple blue and brown mesh shirt: Smith's Marketplace
Blue plastic beads bracelet: Smith's Marketplace
Teal beads: friend brought them from China
Brown fishtail asymmetrical skirt: Dressing Your Truth
Brown ballet flats: Nordstrom's Rack

Title: Come Sail Away by Styx