Ransom Notes Keep Falling Out Your Mouth

This is about the closest I get to a power suit in my line of work. I could go to work in a tee and a pair of jeans (if I wore those) everyday, and nobody would say anything. I'm glad that despite our freedom, we all dress creatively. And even better- sometimes when my coworkers get tired of a pair of earrings or a sweater, I am the beneficiary!

The List:

-white v neck tee, Hanes

-blackish blueish blazer, Theory

-pink skirt, Gap (reversible!)

-black tights, H&M

-black and white nubby flats, Payless

-multicolor scarf, sister bought in Israel

-stud belt, ebay

-dangly chandelier earrings, gift from friend and coworker Hanna

-leopard scarf (as turban), vintage

 The wind was still with us yesterday, as you can see by my flying skirt and hair above. I originally thought I was putting on footless tights, since it was finally warm, but discovered that they indeed had feet and that I was running late, so full-on tights it was. It was a bit too warm for the beautiful, sunny day, but at least work was freezing as usual.

(Half of my pics came out like the above. I wasn't kidding about that sun.)

This is the first time I've gone full-on turban with a scarf, and I loved the results. It stayed put all day, which practically never happens, and it felt a little more fashion-forward than the scarf-as-bun or bandanna styles I usually wear. I think you can expect to see this one pretty often from now on.

The earrings are double-sided, and move around as I walk. Sorry to cover your face, Kierkegaard, but they're just so pretty. They didn't win for best decoration in my small office, though. That goes to the poster below, which never fails to make me smile:

Windsday

When I woke up yesterday, I knew it was a sweatshirt kind of day. The wind was howling, the trees were a-shaking and for some reason, I wore a skirt that has trouble staying down with even the slightest breeze. Oops.

The List:

- tan sweatshirt, H&M

-white skirt, Gap

-green fishnets, Givenchy

-metallic laceup booties, Jeffrey Campbell

-layered metal necklaces, H&M

-camel knit hat, Anne Klein

I totally felt like a rockstar ballerina in this getup. And I even got props from hubs, who usually hates this sweatshirt and anything worn with it. Thankfully I had the foresight to put a slip underneath before leaving the house, so there was no flashage during the windstorm.

Thanks for all the advice and support about a tagline or some way of indicating the modesty content without being too heavy-handed. How about:

a modest attempt at style

Mustard?

Don't let's be silly. Now lemon, that's different.
(For some reason, I always hear the Mad Hatter in my head when I hear that word. And since I was wearing a hat, the video seems pretty appropriate.)

The list:

-purple dress, T by Tahari

-oatmeal flower cardigan, Free People

-nude patterned fishnets, Jessica Simpson

-maroon patent peeptoes, Franco Sarto

-gold and blue earrings, F21

-mustard beret, Target

Yesterday's outfit was an exploration in shrinkage. I accidentally threw this purple dress in the dryer the other night, and was kind of freaked out to discover it while folding laundry. When I tried it on, I was pleasantly surprised- the fit is much better now than before! The skirt hits me right at the knee, as opposed to a few inches below, and the bodice is higher. Why didn't I think of shrinking it before? The cardigan is an oldie, purchased at some point in high school. It too has become cropped over time, but I thought the two played nicely together. It is made of a lovely dense material- some sort of plushy wool blend, I think, so it was perfect for this in-between weather we've been having lately in NY.

I think I may have a slight obsession with Forever 21's jewelry department. I'm wearing the 4th pair of F21 earrings in a row today.

And finally- I've been thinking of using some sort of tagline to end my posts.Though I try not to be too in-your-face about the ideology behind the way I dress, even newer readers are sure to notice that my style is shaped by a modesty code (Orthodox Jewish, to be specific.) How can I signal this without condensing my style into a set of religious practices/beliefs? This whole topic has been on my mind since I browsed my Google Webmaster tools last night and realized that modesty is not even a keyword on this blog, which means that women who are looking for examples of modest but fun dress can't find me through searches. Any thoughts?

A Mixed Bag

Stripes? Sure. Baby blue skirt? Why not? Hot pink shoes and hat? You betcha. Yesterday's outfit had a little bit of everything. I just forgot to take photos of the kitchen sink I wore as a ring.

The List:

-grey striped tee, Gap

-grey cargidan, Gap

-baby blue skirt, Clu

-lace tights, Givenchy

-pink flats, Restricted

-flower pendant necklace, vintage DIY

-fuzzy fuchsia hat, H&M

When I bought this skirt a few years ago, I refused to wear anything that wasn't super low rise. I remember laughing at my mother for wearing things at her natural waist, and naturally purchased this skirt in a size up so it could sit at my hips. What a silly little Nina I was! I rarely wear the skirt because the fit is just off-- I tried to make it higher yesterday with the drawstring, but the bagginess wouldn't go away. Just goes to show you- Mom knows best (sometimes.) I think it is time to give this skirt away, since I wear it about once a year and am always disappointed.

Any quick and dirty suggestions on making a slightly too large skirt fit? I am pretty DIY-incompetent, so easy fixes only please!

Trying to Fit In

...the frame, that is. Taking pictures indoors poses some challenges, especially since I like to mix up the backgrounds. Welcome to our bedroom, where I tried to compress myself enough to fit both my head and shoes in one shot without rearranging my makeshift tripod.

The list:

-flowered tee, Bulldog (UO)

-yellow cable knit cardi, J. Crew

-black bubble skirt, Velvet

-leggings, Hue

-aqua and blue flats, Gap

-brown belt, H&M

-turquoise flower earrings, F21

It was a rainy, cold Sunday yesterday. My walking tour was canceled and the museum was hopping with visitors hoping to get out of the nasty outdoors. I went with my standard rainy day brights, trying to bring a little sunshine to the world with my clothing. I actually wore my rainboots most of the day since it was so cold inside, but took them off once I got home.

During my walk on Friday I stopped by F21 and picked up 6 pairs of earrings for around $7.50.Can you say score?

Your Slip is Showing

Or: Rosie the Riveter's got nothing on me. I wore this Friday while taking a walk, practicing my driving and going out for ice cream with hubs.You know, a hard day's work.

The list:

-hubs' graphic tee, Junkfood

-black cardigan, H&M

-maroon bubble skirt, Velvet

-black capri leggings, H7M

-black oxfords, CG

-braided metallic belt, Gap

-flower pendant necklace, vintage and DIY'd

-patterned scarf, vintage

This skirt is a little short, especially when I hike it up higher and belt it. Though I do believe in the power of black tights/leggings to cure all skirt mishaps, I decided to experiment with letting the lace edge of a slip show underneath, lengthening and adding a little saucy/sweet edge to the outfit. I have since been searching on ebay to find more lace slips, and when I checked my Reader after Shabbos saw that Anna from {have a cute day} wore the prettiest ruffled slip the other day. I am hardcore crushing on those ruffles... has anyone seen anything like that recently?

The scarf-as-wide-headband look I've been trying recently is inspired by an intern at work with impeccable taste. She always looks like she just stepped out of a pinup ad (with more clothing, of course. This isn't the Museum of Sex yknow.) I widened the headband from her usual skinny width to cover the whole top of my head, and tied it in a bow to secure.

Slip showing success? Or do I need to rethink this new look?

Black and White and Read all Over?

Yesterday, I rocked the zebra with a sunburn look to work and then out to dinner with 2 of my sisters. I was about to complain about it being too cold still to go barelegged, but I know that as soon as summer hits I'll be wishing I could go back to 60s and sunny, so I'll can my bellyaching for now.

 The list:

-white button down, Ralph Lauren Polo

-black and white cardigan, August Silk

-jean skirt, Gap

-leggings, H&M

-red bow flats, Gap

-cameo pin, Target

-polka-dotted scarf, vintage

Sorry for the fuzziness... someday I will learn how to work a camera properly. I reached for some updated preppy looks, mixing the patterns of the cardigan and scarf between solid basics. Prepsy strikes again.