EBEW: Gingham and Green

Everybody, Everywear always reinvigorates my passion for sharing my outfit. I love seeing the different ways everyone takes an idea and runs with it.

It was decided that this month would be devoted to green. Well, naturally. Green is perfect for March - it makes me think of fresh grass coming up through the snow, cold and muck of winter. And it, of course, runs perfectly with St. Patrick's Day!



Top: Shirley of Atlanta, FREE, Inherited from my boyfriend's grandma's closet
Skirt: Waterville, FREE, Inherited from my own grandma's closet
Boots: Sofft, Thrifted @ Value World, $6.20
Belt: Forever21, $2.50
Necklace: Bought at an estate sale, $1
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
TOTAL (not including glasses) = 9.70

I love the idea of combining pieces I've been given from my boyfriend's grandma's closet and my own grandma's closet. We all know I am a thrift lover but there is also quite a sweet spot in my heart for pieces that belonged to those I love. Even if they're not always something I would have picked for myself, I always keep everything I am given and make it work in one way or another.


Ignore that shoebox. Oops!

I paired these two together because I like the idea of a loose blouse with a more fit skirt. I don't know if it transitioned into photos as well as I would have liked but that is ok. It probably looked fresher this morning without my wrinkles and bumps. Real girls have wrinkles at the end of the day though, right? :)




I've actually wanted a green gingham shirt for as long as I can remember... which dates back to seeing the most amazing Anthropologie green gingham shirt on their website a while back. I still dream of owning that shirt one day but, in the meantime, this one will do just fine.







I added in some green eyeshadow (ok, you can't see it here but I pinky swear I was wearing it) and a crazy thick gold necklace and called it a day. I'm keeping it pretty simple these days.

Now head on over to Everybody, Everywear and check out how everyone else wore their green today!

Sweatshirt Fancy

Hoodie: Moda International, Thrifted, $2.50
Earrings: Forever21, $3.80
On Thursday, I made a promise to myself that jeans and a sweatshirt would be happening on Friday. I had a ton of stuff to do on Friday at work due to one of our systems being down so I wanted to keep it comfortable. I hate when I have a lot of work to concentrate on and I feel uncomfortable in what I am wearing. Who wants to constantly adjust their outfit all day? On a busy Friday? Not me.

If you know me... you'll know I own a grand total of, well, maybe three sweatshirts. They're typically just not my thing. While I think they look adorable and laid back on many, I end up feeling sloppy and out of my element. They're just no my flavor, as I like to say. Regardless, sometimes they are just called for no matter what, am I right?

That being said - who says you can't add a little fancy to a hooded sweatshirt? :)

A Casual Asian Inspired Friday

I'm slightly happy I never got around to posting these last Friday because the sun that is in these photos is a welcome sight today! I was initially annoyed with it on Friday when we were taking photos but after today's RAIN, RAIN and MORE RAIN, I will take it!


Top: Forever21, Hand me down from Miss Vinyl Ahoy!
Jeans: Old Navy, High Waisted Retro Flare Jeans, $19.50 (on sale) - but free for me,
bought with gift card!
Shoes: Fioni, Thrifted, OLD
Polka Dot Bangle: Tagless, Thrifted, $1.00
Red Metal Bangle: Given to me by a former co-worker
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

So, funny story about this asian top. I was telling Suze about an asian top I found at my favorite Salvation Army recently but never bought... Well, I tried to buy it but realized I had left my debit card at home when I went to the register. I think I about cried. Yes, I could have driven back home and driven back to the store, but I was so annoyed with A) the amount of annoying people in the store and B) myself for leaving my card at home that I didn't bother. I figured that with 2957374674 tops for sale, I'd be able to come back in a few days and find it.

NO. NO, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I went back to the store two days later and could not find it on a single rack.

I don't think I need to tell you how sad I was. It was red, cream, vintage and perfect. Ugh. Let's just say I hope to never make that mistake again.


Lucky me - I happen to have a fairy fashion friend! :) Suze told me she had a similar top that she didn't wear very often and would be willing to pass on down to me. She brought it and some other goodies for me when we went to an Anthropologie fashion show the other week!

All I have to say if she gets total first dibs out of my swap bin (um... bins? I may have more than one!) at the Michigan Blogger Meetup! (Psst! September 24th! Be there!) I owe her big time! Thanks, Suze! :)


By the way, I recommend hightailing it to Old Navy and buying yourself a pair of these jeans. They are the perfect flare, perfect fit and perfect colors. And they stretch. Girls with hips need stretch, am I right? I love them.

Free Flowing Monday

Mondays, in my world, require something relatively easy and comfortable to wear. I can't help it - being back at work after two days off just requires simplicity. I'm always extra sleepy on Monday mornings (side effect of usually sleeping in too much over the weekend and therefore not being able to sleep Sunday night), slightly grumpy about having to go back to work (I deal with grumpy customers a lot at work) and Mondays are just really busy in my office.


Black Tee: Forever21, Thrifted, OLD
Maxi Dress: Mossimo, Target, OLD
Sandals: Mossimo Pilar, Target, $29.99 (but FREE for me after gift card)
Necklace: Walmart, $10
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

What could be better than a maxi and a great necklace? Or, as Unusual Form likes to call them, Lankets - aka blanks for your legs! I will take a maxi skirt/dress any day of the week - especially if it is soft and flowy, as this one is. I bought it a few summers ago on clearance at Target and loved it so much that I bought it in another color (same print, but greens). This one happens to be a halter dress so I have to layer it up in order to make it work appropriate.


Also, if you remember correctly, I am currently (trying to) embracing messy hair. I've learned that doing such is 100% easier when my bangs are short and blunt. I cannot handle messy bangs and therefore cannot handle growing my bangs out. I don't even know why I try because I prefer having short, blunt bangs! I crave change but then march right back to my usual. Do you go through this ebb and flow too?


I have found a star player in embracing messy hair! Spin Pins from Goody are God's gift for easy hair. I've seen a lot said about them the past few months but never thought about using them myself. I have very baby soft, thin hair that tends to fall out of any sort of hair holder/curl/etc, so these types of hair products don't usually apply to me. Then, lo and behold, I received a package in a swag bag from Kaboodle and decided to give them a try. Do yourself a favor - GIVE THEM A TRY! The two pins that come in a package hold my bun together easy peasy. All I do is twist my hair (when damp - this just works better for me and my hair) into a bun and then twirl the pins into it. Done. This is my hair at the end of the day. I know there are bits falling out but keep in mind my hair is pretty still pretty short.




Oh! And I can't forget to show you my necklace! It was a total impulse buy at Walmart a few years ago around Christmas time. It is quite a statement piece but it's not too loud thanks to its dark colors. I think it brought this outfit up a notch, don't you?

How was your Monday?

Pinned Up (12/30)

I meant to post these photos yesterday but we were in a hurry to head downtown to watch a Tiger's (baseball) game. I think this is my most favorite 30x30 look yet in this go around! It is simple but fun, classy yet slightly edgy... and comfortable!


Black Tee: Forever21, Thrifted, Old
Skirt: Chaus, Thrifted, $2.99
Sandals: Mossimo Pilar, Target, FREE ($29.99 but FREE after my gift card)
Necklace: Francesca's Collection, $4.98 (clearance)
Pin (on skirt): Gift from my little brother
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

I cannot get enough of this necklace. I honestly don't think I have ever worn another necklace as much as I have worn this one this summer. It's only been photographed one other time on the blog but I promise it has been more of a trusty friend than that. The colors of it seem to match no matter what I pair it with... love that.


So I decided to pin up this skirt after trying it on the night before and not really loving the way it fit. There is quite a bit of fabric to this skirt although it is very thin, silky fabric so it can tend to look a little droopy... Pinning it in front took away the droopy factor and added in a little flair, at least I think. My ladies at work loved it - which is always nice to hear. :)


As an added bonus, the pin is actually a gift my little brother gave me years and years ago for Christmas. He had bought it and a matching pink pin as a set for me at the little Christmas shop his school puts together for the kids. Jewelry from a ten year old little boy? Enough to melt your heart. :)

Camo Dreams (4/30)

Let's talk about camo today, shall we? I have been obsessed with the idea of owning a camo jacket for a while now. The obsession got further out of control when I came across this photo at All The Pretty Birds! Doesn't she look amazing? The camo jacket just totally makes the whole look and the necklace she paired with it? Oh, swoon. Needless to say, I have spent great amounts of time dreaming up my own camo jacket and what I would pair it with.

Then came one fateful trip to Old Navy. And there it was. Hanging alone on a clearance rack amidst tanks and sundresses. My perfect size. A dream come true!


Pleated Skirt: Peter Popovitch, Thrifted, $1.50
Black Tee: Forever21, Thrifted, OLD
Camo Jacket: Old Navy, $20.99 (on clearance)
Braided Belt: Tagless, Thrifted, $1
Wedge Sandals: Mossimo "Pilar", Target, FREE ($29.99 but bought with gift card)
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Bracelet: Inherited from grandma
Watch: Inherited from grandma
It got a simple styling today - all black and camo. It doesn't get much easier than that yet it still looks good, you know? Classic with a twist. Pleats with an edge. My favorite belt to cinch the jacket in...


And my favorite jewelry ight now...


Both are pieces I inherited from my grandma... The watch doesn't work at this point but I wear it because it reminds me of her. Out of all the jewelry I inherited from her, this is my favorite. It is the one of my favorite memories of her - she was always wearing a watch and it was always a small, dainty watch like this. In fact, this was the one she wore the most and the only one left in her massive jewelry box at her death. Clearly, it was her favorite, which makes it a fast favorite for me as well.

In closing,



1. A favorite jacket
2. A favorite skirt
3. Favorite jewelry

It all makes for a happy Katie.

Gingham and a Dress

Today I broke out of my comfort zone. I wore boots... Short boots. With a dress. Bah bah bahhhh:


I know it sounds silly but I've never had the so-called courage to wear short boots with anything but pants. Basically, I've never had the courage to bare my legs with a pair of short boots. I know that sounds weird... especially considering I will wear dresses and skirts any day of the week with heels. But here is my thinking: I was scared to wear short boots with bare legs because I felt like it would make my legs look thicker. I don't exactly have super slender ankles or legs. After viewing photo after photo of all you ladies dressed in dresses and short boots, I could no longer resist! And I'm glad I didn't.


Dress: Citi Clothing, Thrifted (last year)
Tank (underneath): FREE at Forever 21 w/ purchase (last year)
Boots: FREE from my sister (we made a boot trade)... I'm assuming they are from Payless though!
Glasses: SEE Eyewear
Here's why I'm happy to have given up being too scared to rock this look: 1) Life is too short, 2) Who CARES if my legs look "thick" and 3) It looks darn good! I think so, at least. :)


And this dress? An absolute favorite of mine. I thought I had packed it away because I couldn't find it for the longest time but I discovered last night that it was hanging on my boyfriend's side of the closet for some reason. It fits SO well and I love the print. I remember the day I found it at the thrift store. The minute I lifted it over my head and on, I was hooked. I love thrifting days like that.


Funny story how I got these boots, actually... I was at my parent's house over the weekend and spotted these by the front door. A quick "Oooh!" came out of my mouth just as my sister's head whipped around and she said "Uhhhh, those are MINE!" OK, fine. Fast forward to last night, she comes over to my apartment to pick up some clothes I was getting rid of when she spotted a tall, lace up pair of brown boots. She told me she would trade me these black boots for my brown boots and that was that. She whipped these off and whipped the brown ones on and I was left to do some outfit planning for today. I couldn't be happier with our trade!

What look are you loving but is one you are afraid to try? Why?