Quirky Librarian

Some days, I let my inner nerd shine. Like yesterday. I only wish I had topped it off with my fake glasses to complete the look.

The list:

-green ruffled shirt, H&M

-black pencil skirt, American Apparel

-silver ruffled flats, Steve Madden

-black beaded bracelet, made by former coworker

-green flower pin, Gap

-earrings, Ayala Bar

-black beret, Parkhurst

I'm busy cooking and cleaning for Shabbos, so I will just wish you all a fun and exciting weekend!

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

Thank you, cotton, for saving my life today. Giving walking tours in the ridiculous heat can be a challenge, but natural, breathable fabrics are a godsend. After a long day at work, it was off to a bbq in honor of my cousins' college graduations. Congrats! 

The list:

-white cotton tank, Target

-light lavender cotton wrap, Stephanie B.

-hot pink skirt, Gap

-brown wedge sandals, Old Navy

-beaded necklace, made by coworker

-wood beads necklace, H&M

-parrot fedora (again... it is my new drug of choice), Eugenia Kim for Target

Yesterday you guys gave me some great summer clothing tips, and I'll share another favorite of mine: loose cotton shirts. This wrap is a pretty versatile piece, and this is an outfit I've worn a number of times over the past two summers. I like the combination of the tank and wrap, which is nice and breezy. Today, I added the favorite hat, since on hot hot days like today a straw hat is the coolest headcover.

I am totally in love with this bracelet, made by my former coworker. I don't think I've ever seen such stylish safety pins. The variety of beads is just incredible, and I also have one in black tones that I'll be sure to debut soon.

Pirate Style

Yarr. Thar she blows! Today's looked reminded me of an updated pirate, between the belt, ruffles and of course, headscarf. Sadly, I lost my eyepatch on the subway ride home, so this is slightly incomplete.

The list:

-white filmy button down, Old Navy

-purple jersey dress, T by Tahari

-studded gladiator flats, Target

-brown belt, H&M

-earrings, Ayala Bar

-scarf, gift from sister

Today was a jam-packed day, and I am about ready to curl up with my macbook and Design Star on Hulu (for the 3rd night in a row!) I am such a sucker for ridiculous tv. Don't worry, I balance it out by pretentiously reading the New Yorker on my commute.

I can't believe that I was wearing boots just a few days ago and that it is sandal weather again. I remembered today to stick a shawl in my bag before running out the door, and was very thankful when the air on the train and the office was running full-blast. This is one of my favorite summer tricks, since I find myself vacillating between overheating outdoors and freezing inside.

What are your hot weather tips and tricks?

PS- I opened up a formspring account a few weeks ago, so if you have a question, comment or anything to say, ask away!

Rat Pack

After realizing how much love my parrot fedora was getting, I decided to switch it up with the mint green, also Eugenia Kim for Target. The black sequin fedora is currently sitting on a shelf in my closet, crying.

The list:

-white tee, H&M

-black pleated skirt, Club Monaco

-puffy shouldered jean jacket, Calvin Klein

-patent peeptoes, Lulu Guiness

-flower pendant necklace, DIY'd from a vintage brooch

-mint green fedora, Eugenia Kim for Target

Sometimes, it is all about seemingly simple clothing and standout accessories. I knew I wanted to wear this hat, and for the first wear I wanted it to shine. Pairing it with black and white was intuitive, based on the striping detail, but I used the fun pleated black skirt to keep it from getting boring. Though this skirt can be machine washed, the pleats are no joke and I leave it to the experts.

 Like the skirt, the jean jacket has details that take it from basic to fun. The mid-calf length seemed to call for peeptoes, so I paired it with the bow-adorned Lulus (the first heels I ever wore on the blog or to work, way back in October.)

Giveaway Winner and Hello, Facebook

Congratulations to Modesty is Pretty, who is the winner of the Cover Your Hair headband giveaway! Shoot me an email with your mailing address and you will have your brand new hair accessory in no time. I can't wait to see you model it in a post!

I've also gone ahead and set up an alltumbledown facebook page, which you can access at all times via the sidebar. If you're facebookly inclined, go ahead and "Like" the page to receive updates, give feedback and share pictures of your modest attempts at style. Can't wait to see you there!

Flowers in the Outlet

Hubs has the boards in 4 weeks. Which is why we went outlet shopping for him on Friday.... makes sense, no? I'm not so sure about that logic either, but he did get 2 suits for a great price. I hope he'll be a well-dressed doctor instead of med school dropout because of this.

The list:

-flowered tee, Bulldog

-seersucker skirt, Grace Elements

-studded sandals, Target

-braided metallic belt, Gap

-heart locket, UO

-red flower earrings, F21

-sunnies, vintage

-parrot fedora, Eugenia Kim for Target

-flowered tote, Gap

I am not really sure why every Friday is parrot fedora day. Maybe I'll make it an official feature- "Fedora Friday." Has a nice ring, no? Then again, I also wore it today, and Fedora Saturday just doesn't cut it.

 And for a little glimpse of the earrings, which I forgot to capture in a picture (hey there, cropped hubs. Nice eyebrow.)

 What are you all doing this weekend?

{have a cute day}'s floral week

Day to Night, Flower Style

 Ok, more like night to day, since this is the second outfit. I was much more satisfied with this version so chronology is going out the window. When I walked into her apartment, my friend immediately said "Nina, your outfit is so blog." Still not sure if that was a compliment, but I'll take it as such.

The list:

-black floaty flowered top, F21

-black cotton cardigan, H&M

-brocade skirt, T by Tahari

-leggings

-brown boots, Studio Polini

-turquoise flower earrings, F21

-black cotton beret, Parkhurst

 After coming home from work and getting my cook on for the holiday lunch we hosted yesterday (serious yum, if I do say so myself), I changed into the above outfit for synagogue and dinner with friends. The day actually began like this:

When confronted with the torrential downpours of Tuesday morning, I threw on a few random pieces, squinted at myself in the mirror and shrugged. Well, it is floral week, right?

The list:

-black flowered floaty top, F21

-blue cardigan, H&M

-blue flowered skirt, French Connection

-black leggings

-rose rainboots, Medici

-turquoise flower earrings, F21

-black slouchy hat

As you can see, the outfits had a few of the same elements: shirt, leggings and earrings. I am not sure if I'll be attempting the double floral mix again in such large doses, and if I do I'll certainly put a bit more thought into it.

Have you mixed florals? Any tips?

Guest Post at MoMoMod

A few weeks ago, Chandra from MoMoMod contacted me about doing a guest post, and my advice on quick and easy outfits from what you already own is now up on the site! Enjoy, and be sure to check out her other amazing stylish modest features, too.

Spring Flowers

On Day 2 of Floral Week, I reached for my bright red flowered skirt. I usually pair this with brown, but yesterday called for something bright and fun. Bring on the turquoise! Oh, and don't worry. I wasn't actually skewered on that pole behind me.

The list:

-white button down, Ralph Lauren

-light yellow cardigan, Lux (UO)

-red and brown silk skirt, __ (another will-check-when-I-get-home.)

-turquoise studded heels, Jeffrey Campbell

-light aqua statement necklace, Loehmann's

 This just in: having some idea about what you will put on in the morning makes getting dressed easier. Who knew? Limiting myself to at least one floral piece and things that pair well with it made putting together this outfit a breeze. The brightness of the pumps combined with the skirt made me smile all day (the ending of the season finale of House took care of smiles all night.)

Since the Jewish holiday of Shavuot starts tonight, I'll be back later in the week with new posts. I may not be able to fit into any of my clothing, though, since this holiday is celebrated with copious amounts of cheesecake (seriously. You might want to think about converting.)