Two of the same

I've often heard the tip that if you find a basic item of clothing you like, you should buy it in multiples. I did that once about four years ago - I bought two pairs of bootcut jeans from Gap because they were the only jeans I'd ever found that looked good on me. And it's been nice not having to worry about finding another decent pair of bootcut jeans since then. When I bought these rust-colored cords a few weeks ago from Anthropologie, they pretty much instantly became my new favorite pants, so I went back to Anthropologie the other day to see if they still had them in navy blue. (Which they did - for only $30!) Now I have two pairs of the same pants, and what's great is that because they're different colors, they'll go with practically every top in my closet - I can wear the reddish pair with more neutral tops, and the blue pair with brighter tops.

Sweater: from my mom

Pants: Anthropologie (here in beige)

Shoes: Sam Edelman from Nordstrom Rack

Hat: H&M

Necklace: Forever 21

Bracelet: free from my aunt

Belt: thrifted from Goodwill

Foggy

Lately I've been loving to use the roof of our building for photos because of the spectacular autumn leaves on the hills in the background (like in yesterday's post), but I also love these foggy hills! They add a nice moody atmosphere to the photos.

This outfit was not at all a reasonable one for spending time outside in, so it's a good thing that the only time I went outside while wearing it was for these photos. If I were to run errands in this outfit, I would definitely add a thicker scarf, gloves, a hat, and possibly a cardigan under the jacket. But for hanging around the house and knitting all afternoon, these layers were just right.

(I rolled up my sleeve to show off the bracelet, but now I realize it looks kind of dorky to have one sleeve rolled up and one sleeve down. Oh well.)

Dress: Anthropologie

Jacket: Forever 21 brand, from Jen Loves Kev's closet sale

Tights: American Apparel

Flats: Urban Outfitters

Scarf and bag: thrifted

Bracelet: In Pink

Round two

This is my second outfit with leopard print this week - maybe I should make a point to wear my leopard print heels on Friday, and then I will have worn all the leopard print I own in the same week. (Clearly my collection isn't extensive.) This is the first time I've worn this thrifted leopard print blouse. It was tricky to find a way to wear it because when I tuck it into a skirt it tends to bunch up around the waist, so I decided to treat it like a cardigan and left it open. I'm not sure it's going to be a keeper, though, because if this is the only way I can wear it then I'm going to run out of options fast.

I'm kind of on the fence regarding this outfit, but Josh really liked it. (Then again, he hated this fun outfit...) It's "slouchier" than most of the things I wear, but it was a super comfy outfit to lounge around the house in. I'm also on the fence about my jewelry, and wonder: is it tacky to wear a rosary if I'm not Catholic?

 

Black tee: Forever 21

Leopard print shirt: thrifted from Goodwill

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Crossroads Trading Co.

Bag and scarf: thrifted

Bracelets: H&M

Bring on the black

I find that I wear a lot more black in fall and winter than I do in summer. I think it's because black doesn't feel appropriate or cheerful enough for hot, languid summer days; but when the weather turns cold and the skies get gray, my tastes turn more towards darker colors that allow me to embrace the dreariness of the season. Of course, I can't get rid of bright colors entirely! Thus the cheerful color blocked skirt (also worn here, here and here), which stands out quite well against all this black.

Turtleneck: Old Navy
Skirt: Forever 21 brand, thrifted from Crossroads Trading Co.
Jacket: Forever 21 brand, from Jen Loves Kev's closet sale
Tights and necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Lulu's
Hat: H&M
Scarf: Fred Meyer
Earrings: free from aunt

Leopard and snakeskin

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this brilliant blanket of yellow leaves along the sidewalk the other day! It may not have been the best backdrop against which to showcase this outfit, but I couldn't resist. I always find something to be giddy about in every season. Winter: snow! Spring: daffodils! Summer: heat! And in fall I love scenes like this, where the world looks like it's been showered in gold.

This outfit started with the shoes. Josh and I were walking past Urban Outfitters on Saturday and saw that they were having a 50% off sale items sale, so we went inside and I found these faux snakeskin loafers for only $10! When I got home I tried them out with a bunch of different outfits, and it was tricky at first to find anything besides jeans that went with them, but then I decided to just try the weirdest combination possible and put on my leopard pants, and I kind of liked the look! And yes, some people may think it's tacky to wear two animal prints together, but I would much rather be eclectic and adventurous than classy :)

Sweater: Target

Chambray shirt (under sweater): Sears

Pants: thrifted from Salvation Army

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Hat: from my dad, from a hat shop in York, England

Earrings: church craft sale

Bracelets: H&M, In Pink

Office friendly

Most of the clothes I wear are not what I would consider to be "office friendly." But since I don't work in an office, that really doesn't matter. Every once in a while, though, I get the urge to put on a pencil skirt and a button-up shirt. It makes me feel professional and career-driven (though I'm really neither of those things). If I were to wear this to an actual office job, I'd probably swap out the boots for a pair of pumps and the denim jacket (pictured below) for a blazer.

Also - this outfit is pretty subdued for me! No belt, no hat, no plethora of crazy bright colors...I like the simplicity, though, and I feel like the necklace and the patterned tights keep it from being downright boring.

Oversized button-up: free from my dad

Skirt: thrifted from William Temple House

Jacket: thrifted from Rerun

Tights: Forever 21

Boots: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

Necklace: purchased in Florence, Italy

The clash

One day back in high school I wore brown pants and a purple sweater to school. As far as I can recall, they looked good together, but a friend of mine came up to me and said, "You can't wear brown and purple together!" I felt so embarrassed that ever since then, I haven't worn those colors together.

Then over the summer I tried to wear a red and pink outfit, and Josh said those colors don't go together. So I didn't wear them. But then the other day I saw Catherine seriously rocking the red and pink combo, and I thought, "Why not? Fashion rules are for wimps." So I put on my brightest red and pink, and felt quite delighted with the combo. And sure, Josh still didn't like it (and I'm still not sure if it clashes or not), but I felt very happy and Valentines Day-ish, and a lot of people on the street stared at me, which is a sure sign that I'm doing something interesting :)

Top: free from a friend of my aunt
Skirt: H&M
Tights: Forever 21
Boots: Lulu's
Earrings: free from aunt
Necklace: vintage, from my mom
Bag: thrifted