Sweater Weather

After a month away in a vastly different climate (seriously, October is *not* supposed to be 85 degrees!), I am super excited to be back home.  My school/professional obligations let me dig into some of my favorite dresses, and the weather is telling me it's time for boots and sweaters.

Dress: People Tree, via Modcloth | Sweater: thrifted | Boots: Merrell 

Tall leather boots and cozy wool sweaters, nubbly leggings and unstructured dresses...this is my favorite time of the year, clothes-wise!  (And a couple other ways, too.)

This was likely the last wear for quite some time of a favorite dress of mine -- the jersey material has surprisingly little give, which keeps its shape but means that I'm maxing out the skirt already and the neckline won't be nursing-compatible.  It's been fun to get some "one last time" wear out of things before I pack them away...and has definitely led to multiple episodes of dancing around the house singing my take on the Black Eyed Peas ("My bump, my bump my bump my bump, my bump my bump my bump, my lovely baby bump!")

...and I'll just leave you with that mental image.  =)  Anyone else loving sweater weather these days?

Skirtember #4

Busy, busy weekend at our household!  On Saturday, we were lucky enough to attend TWO weddings.  Friends from church got married in the Chicago suburbs; they had a late morning/early reception wedding, so we were able to leave their reception early, drive back to Milwaukee, and catch our other friends' reception.  It was just perfect the way it worked out!  Our friends from the first wedding are Indian (groom) and Chinese-American (bride), so there were lots of cultural traditions and traditional dress.  (So many gorgeous saris.)  And our friends from the second wedding had a 14 piece band for the reception!  A lovely time was had by all.

Here is my double duty wedding attire...

Shirt:  Clothing swap

Skirt/shoes:  Goodwill

Hair clip (can't see it):  Kohls

How could I pass up on these $5 red pumps from Goodwill?!  I'm not used to wearing high heels though, so these were a challenge to wear throughout the day.  I brought flats to change into for dancing at the second reception!

My Sunday outfit was for church, grocery shopping and a low key lunch at Jordan's parents house.

Everything's a hand-me-down!  I found the boots (which are brown... I didn't realize the camera setting was still in black and white) in the costume bucket at my parent's house.  They could have been my mom's... or maybe my grandma's,  I really don't know.  But they don't seem quite that old.  

Skirtember is done?!  Whaaaaat?

... Or is it???

Skirtember #3

Better late than never!  I had a very late night on Sunday, which made for a sleepy Monday (and... uh... Tuesday, I guess).  I'm still playing catch-up from the weekend!

And what a weekend it was.  First, the weather couldn't make up its mind.  Sometimes, it was cloudy and rainy.  Sometimes, summer-like humidity.  The evenings got very chilly.  My Saturday outfit ended up being too warm, though my Sunday one worked out nicely.  Second, Jordan and I had adventures on Saturday - apple picking, then rushing up to the top of the US Bank building for the last 30 minutes of Doors Open Milwaukee - and I had adventures with a long-time friend on Sunday.  Hurrah for adventuring in dresses!

Dress:  Thrifted

Leggings:  Kohls

Socks:  a gift

Boots:  Merrell from REI

When I occasionally wore this dress to work (with jeans underneath it), one of my students called it my "little kid" dress, so these swings at the apple farm made for an ideal photo location!

Detail of the socks - my secret nerdy socks.

They're a Dalek!

Dress, scarf and tights:  hand-me-downs

Shirt:  Old Navy

Boots:  Target

On Sunday, my oldest friend and I went to the American Players Theater to see "The Importance of Being Earnest".  It's an outdoor theater, so I knew I wanted something cozy to wear.  Also, I wanted to chance to break out this sweater dress!  I like the top more than the bottom, but overall, I think it's pretty good.

Also, dun dun dunnnnn, I'm happy to debut my new hair color!  I'm loving it even more than I thought.

Skirtember #2

I'm back, with two more skirt/dress posts for everyone!  (And there was much rejoicing.)  This week in Wisconsin, temperatures plummeted for a few days.  High 40's, windy, cloudy, bleeecchh.  Luckily, it popped back up into the 60's over the weekend.  Not only did it make playing outside enjoyable, it made it much easier to consider wearing skirts!

On Saturday, I went geocaching with a friend.  It was tempting to wear jeans, considering the amount of outdoor exploring we'd be doing, but it stuck to my guns and tried to pick functional dress wear.

Dress & tights:  hand-me-downs

Jacket:  Forever 21

Boots:  Merrell from REI

Even though the dress and tights look fancy-ish, I didn't mind if they got mucked up, since they're hand-me-downs.

There were parts of this outfit I ended up liking more than I thought - the jacket with the dress, for instance.  It also looked cool if the jacket was buttoned up, which I've never tried before.  I didn't really like the boots and tights with the dress though.  I don't know if it's because I'm not a huge fan of black tights - they often look dowdy or formal - or if the dress hit my legs in a spot where it would look better with flats.  Anyway, this outfit got the job done - we found four geocaches!  Whee!

On Sunday, I went to a Packers party.  Jordan and I don't like watching football, but I thought I could dress in one of the team's colors as support anyway.

Sweater & scarf:  hand-me-downs

Dress:  Goodwill

Leggings:  Forever 21

Shoes:  Target

Does anyone else prefer leggings over tights?  I don't know why I find them much more comfortable.  Maybe it's the thicker fabric?  Anyway, I love these long leggings from Forever 21.  My other pairs are mid-calf and thin, which isn't ideal for most outfits.

Two down, two to go!

Skirtember #1

Last year, I participated in Skirtember on my regular blog space, The Daily Snapshot.  I got all amped up to do it again this year... only I find that no one else seems to be participating.  (Except Bombasine.  Howdy!)  Well, if I make a plan, I like to stick with it, so I'm going to venture on my own skirt/dress adventure throughout the month!

For various reasons, I can't wear skirts or dresses to work, so I made it my goal to wear them on the weekends, though I've already gotten off on a shaky start.  I ended up in jeans all Saturday, even though I had plans to dress up to go out with friends in the evening.  But after a long bike ride late into the day, and an unplanned stop or two (*cough* distillery tour *cough*), I couldn't muster up the energy to go out (sorry Ali!).

I still squeezed in two Skirtember outfits though!

An unintentional shot!

I really was typing a note into my phone, and my husband snapped the picture.

I wore this outfit out for drinks with my husband on Friday night, and then to church on Sunday.  (It was the one I was going to wear if I went out on Saturday.)

It's still a little too hot during the day to wear tights; it's more needed in the evenings.

Dress:  gift from my husband

Tights:  Target

Boots:  hand-me-down

Bracelet:  Amazon

Trying to get a detailed shot of my boots, tights and bracelet...

The bracelet is hard to see, but it's Harry Potter themed!

It has owls, a Snitch and the Deathly Hallows on it.

Details of the dress.

It was a perfect gift from my husband, who works in the cycling industry.

 I wore this more casual outfit on Sunday for hanging out at the house, taking the dog to the dog park, etc.

T-shirt and tank top:  hand-me-downs

Skirt:  Forever 21

Shoes:  Goodwill

Wanna join in Skirtember?  Make a girl feel not so lonely?

Festivities in Review

Happy 2014!

With the festive season behind us and the new year fresh ahead, I want to take a moment to reflect on the time that has recently passed and face the promises made for that yet to come.

Like last year, I found myself with an abundance of celebratory occasions at the end of the year.  Of the ones with photographic evidence, in chronological order we have:

The Viewing of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special

TARDIS t-shirt: Threadless | Boots: Merrell | Corduroy skirt: thrifted | Stripey socks: gift

Reaching back to November for this one, but it was post-Soup & Pie Potluck (our church's holiday kickoff, held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving) so it was officially part of the festive season in my book.  2013 was the Year of the Doctor for us-- we'd watched all the reboot episodes of Doctor Who, seven seasons' worth, between Christmas and July.  The anniversary special was enjoyed with good friends, DW-themed food & drink, and drawing straws for choice minifigs of the Doctor's various incarnations.

The Church Christmas Party

Dress: Anthropologie | Stripey socks & boots: same as above

Our lovely community does something different every year for a Christmas party -- talent show, dessert social, hymn sing...this year, it was a ceili/barn dance, complete with an accordion-wielding caller.  It's been ages since my last ceili, and I had an absolute blast, watching and dancing with everyone from our octogenarian churchbuilders to the toddlers up way past their bedtimes.  Afterwards, not wanting to waste an amazing dress by heading home at 9, the mister and I got to know some of our neighborhood beer havens a little better.  We clean up pretty nicely, don't you think?

The Most Joyful Wedding of All Time

 Dress: Modcloth | Sweater: thrifted

This was a love story to make cynics weep, something a decade in the making and straight out of a Jane Austen novel.  (No, seriously, the groom is even British.)  The last wedding amongst we four dear girlfriends (hey, look, there's Charlotte!), long-awaited and joyfully experienced.  A father's address, lovingly given, marvelously wordcrafted and speaking straight to the heart of marriage for the newlyweds and even more so for the rest of us.  An absolutely perfect winter day; dearly beloved friends and family; a happy couple buoyed up by the love and celebration of all those around them.  This was a day where Good Things Happened, and I am so thankful to have been witness to it.

Holiday events without photographic fashion evidence: the Holiday Work Party, the Doctors Terry Host a Christmas Shindig, Christmas Day Feasting, and New Year's Eve. 

And speaking of New Years -- I have one resolution this year, but it's a substantial one: I will not buy any new clothing.  No thrifting, no swaps, nada.  It's not about spending less money -- though that is a benefit -- but about cultivating a mindset of "enough," of using what I have, and of not chasing the New Shiny.  There are a few very important caveats: undergarments and an interview suit are not bound by this resolution.  (I am also not going to turn down gifts, that would be ungracious.)

So, here's to 2014!  A year started in fantastically good spirits, with hope and promise and a challenging-but-exciting clothing constraint.  Happy New Year to all!

Comfy-Cozy Casual Friday

We don't get Casual Fridays as students out on rotations (though I think the nursing staff get to wear jeans, if they also wear pink, for breast cancer awareness during October...) so this is weekend wear for me, but I assure you that it is divinely comfy-cozy.   

Seriously, plaid flannel shirtdress?  That's like wearing pajamas all day, but WAY cuter.  Spunky dress and leather boots, my fall go-to when I'm not supposed to dress like a doctor.  Add a cute knit beanie like I've seen Charlotte, Deanna, or Rachael rock, and this would seem just about perfect. 

 Dress: Woolrich | Boots: Merrell

Showing off the oh-so-awesome detailing up around the sides of my oh-so-awesome boots.  And hey, did you figure out my theme for the week?  (I feel like today made it pretty obvious...)  It's plaid!  I'm an equal-opportunity plaid-lovin' [Irish] gal, I won't say no to it any time of year, but something about fall makes it seem simply perfect. 

 

It has been beyond lovely sharing this Fall Fashion Week with all of you.  Let's give a HUGE thanks to Deanna for hosting, and to all of you kind souls for your uplifting comments!

A Month of Sundays, #4

Shirt:  Old Navy

Skirt/dress:  Goodwill

Tights:  JC Penney

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Despite the title of this post, I actually wore this outfit on a Saturday, for dinner with friends.  I wanted to experiment with the shirt-over-a-dress style.  When I usually try this out, it looks awkward.  Either my shirt is too long, or too short, or the dress underneath looks lumpy.  But I liked how this turned out! I think this dress could work with a shorter shirt as well, so I'm going to keep trying.  Call me inspired.

Have you tried any new-to-you styles recently?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Being a Real Grown-Up

Last week was a short one -- Monday off for Presidents' Day, and nothing to put me on campus on Friday -- but Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday had professional-dress obligations every day.  Seeing as that has never happened to me before (I have to look like someone you'd take seriously?  For multiple days in a row?), figured I'd share.

Occasion: determining fates

Lace Blouse: Downeast Basics via Sorella Bella | Trousers: Banana Republic, thrifted | Belt: plundered from my mum | Shoes: Marshalls | Earrings: Target

Tuesday, I was part of the interview panel evaluating applicants to the medical school.  Considering that this was exactly the second interview I've taken part in -- and the first was when I was literally on the other side of that table, praying to get accepted -- I was pretty nervous.  It turned out to be a lot of fun, though (for me, at least -- the applicants all looked a bit like they were going to be sick).  It surprised me to see that, though they'll all probably be good doctors, some are a great fit for our school, some will be, but need another year to grow first, and some I most definitely do not want to see on this campus again.  It ended up being a dreary, blustery day, so I was quite happy for my cozy, lined wool dress pants.

Occasion: 25, and talking about sex

Grey sweater dress: Anthropologie | Red sweater: Banana Republic, thrifted | Tights: Assets, via Target | Boots: b.o.c. by Born

Wednesday was my birthday!  I have successfully completed my first quarter-century, and none too shabby, if I may say so myself.  The professional event was a bit unusual (professional sex educators running scenarios with us, so we can gain experience and strategies for navigating touchy-but-important subjects) so I figured I could get away with more "me" -- those tall boots, a shorter skirt -- and less clinically formal.  I also learned that I enjoy suturing (putting in stitches), and am quite good at it!  Though my first birthday ever where I did not have snow, it was an interesting day overall, and nearly made up for the fact that I was in the library 'til nearly midnight, studying. 

Occasion: run-of-the-mill doctor-y business

Sweater: thrifted | Trousers: New York & Co. | Shoes: Naya, via db Shoes

After all the unusual happens this week, Thursday's "pretend to be a team of doctors in charge of managing this patient's care" lab was almost no big deal.  This one, where we had to tell our patient she had diabetes, was super-affirming for me -- I don't want to be a specialist, and all the chasing-down-weird-diagnoses we've done previously have been overwhelming, but motivational interviewing and patient education and reassuring your patient that you are on her side and want to help her live the fullest, healthiest life she's able?  Totally my scene.  Primary care all the way, baby...

How'd you feel about those "yes, this is where it's at" moments, confirming for you where you want to be?  Anyone else find it just a little exhausting to dress like a "real" professional adult for, um, three days in a row?

A Month of Sundays, #3

In Wisconsin, you often have to choose outfits that are strategically warm.

For example, I was initially going to wear heels with this outfit.  But with temperatures dipping into the teens, and my decision to wear a shorter-sleeved sweater, I knew I'd be shivering throughout church.  I love being warm.  The only bad part about the hot, muggy heat of summer is that I can't drink hot coffee or eat soup.  (Well that, and it's hard to sleep when it's so hot.)  Maybe my blood doesn't circulate as well as other people's, I don't know, but I find myself needing to wear layers, even when I'm in a heated place.  I knew that tights, wool socks and these boots would keep me toasty warm.

Thank goodness I changed my mind, because Jordan and I accidentally got locked out of our house when we were done taking these photos.  We only had to wait 10 minutes for my mother in law to drop off a spare key, and we were in direct sunlight (as evidenced by these pictures), so we were actually quite warm.

Dress:  thrifted

Sweater:  Goodwill

Tights & boots:  hand-me-downs

Earrings:  a gift

What about you?

Are you a warm or cold blooded person?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

A Month of Sundays, #2

Well, bah phooey.  I was all ready to take my pictures outside on Sunday and it decided to pour.  Snow, I could have trudged on, but rain?  Rain in February?  Seriously.

I was sick of taking my photos in front of the bookcase, so I went in front of the window, even though I knew it would be shadowy.  My tights are a royal blue color and my skirt is a grey houndstooth, which is hard to see here.

But I love this outfit.  It makes me feel like a dancer, maybe a ballerina outside of the studio, especially if my hair is pulled back.  The way the shirt fits reminds me of a leotard and the skirt is just begging for a dance.  Look at the way it twirls!

Shirt:  Old Navy

Skirt:  hand-me-down

Tights:  Target

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Do you have any outfits that make you feel like someone different?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Ladies' Night

Last week was hard, there's just no other way to say it.  I could tell by Tuesday that it was going to be a doozy, so I convinced a friend to head up to wine country with me after class on Friday for some drinks, nibbles, and non-school-related girl time.

Occasion: Friday night happy hour

This outfit debuted for New Year's Eve (fondue and card games with friends), and I liked it so much this seemed like the perfect occasion to bring it out again -- nothing stuffy or uncomfortable for the day full of studying, but still polished and fun enough not to feel out of place at a trendy wine bar. 

 

Top: Banana Republic, thrifted | Sweater: thrifted | Jeans: thrifted | Boots: b.o.c. by Born | Earrings: gift from the mister | Watch: Citizen Ecodrive

All in all, it was exactly what the [student] doctor ordered -- intentional time to nurture a new-but-meaningful friendship, small indulgences, and so many reminders that we're not going through medical school alone.

What do you find yourself doing to unwind after a week you can't wait to put behind you?

A Month of Sundays, #1

I'm not one of those skirt-and-blouse type teachers.  Maybe if I taught high school, but as an elementary special education teacher, it's just not worth the risk.  Besides, I'd feel as thought I couldn't get down on the ground and play with my students, or create art projects.

Since my work wardrobe is fairly functional, I break out my skirts and heels whenever I can on the weekends.

Wearing stripes is also not common for me.  I find that you're either a stripes or a polka-dot girl, and you typically don't stray into foreign territory.  Stripes usually seem blocky or sailor-y to me; polka dots mean fun!

Since this shirt was a hand-me-down, I felt braver about venturing into stripes territory, since I wouldn't feel like I "wasted money" if it didn't work out.  Though I have purchased two other striped shirts recently, so we'll see if I can mosey into new territory.

Shirt & shoes:  hand-me-downs

Pants:  Goodwill

Hat & bracelet:  gifts

Yeah, I probably spent a total of five dollars on this outfit.
I have very generous sisters.
Speaking of sisters, my sister took these photos for me.
Thanks, Lyn!

Are you a stripes or a polka-dot girl?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

Sick Days

And now, for our very first challenge week at Phenotype: fabulous...winter!  Here by the SF bay, it's been raining nonstop for days, and I've been dreaming about how much delightful snow that would bring if I were back home in colder climes...bundling up for outdoor [mis]adventures, cozying up inside by a fire -- there are so many things I love about winter!  One thing that I definitely do not appreciate, however, is being sick.

Even worse: being sick (and miserable!) on a day that you absolutely cannot stay home.  When all you want to do is burrow under the covers and sip hot tea while re-watching Sherlock but you *have* to go out and be part of the real world, what's a girl to do?

 Occasion: an at-school sick day =/

My approach is to wear clothes that are as comfy as my pajamas but more put-together (trying to get some of that "look good, feel good" going for me).  Here, [adventure] boots that wear like sneakers, leggings and a stretchy skirt, and my cuddliest sweater.  You'd never even know that I felt like I'd been run over by a bus.

 

sweater: J.Crew, thrifted | skirt: Target | leggings: Target | boots: Kalso Earth

I liked it so much, I'm going to do it again when I'm feeling even better.  What's your go-to when winter's got you down?

Fashion Utopia

Winter is my favorite fashion season simply because of the sweaters I get to wear. Sweaters are my favorite clothing item by far. Recently, this sweater came into my life. Even though it's full of holes and therefore dysfunctional on the warmth scale, I find it cute nonetheless.


Sweater: Plato's Closet
Skirt: H&M










One other staple piece of winter clothing I love is tights. Especially with comfy, fuzzy, warm socks. Tights in my opinion work best with boots and occasionally sneakers. Again, I recently bought new white tights (My old one ripped. Sad face.) as well as warm socks. Paired together, My legs/feet were as toasty as can be.

Tights: Target
Socks: Target
Boots: Payless









After the realization that the perfect winter outfit could be successfully formed, I was determined to put together this masterpiece. And then...it was born.

(Yes, I realize this picture is blurry. Deal with it.)











TA DA! This cute sweater paired with my ever-so-fantastic mullet skirt, a warm tights/socks combo, and small heeled boots sent me off smiling.

Color-riffic

Since katie and lyn have both posted about working colors into their outfits, I thought I should chime in.

FACT:  I have only recently been opened up to mixing colors.

Excluding my 90's-era elementary-aged "fashion" (I rocked the oversized sweatshirt like there was no tomorrow), I've stayed within normal color parameters.  I knew what matched and what didn't, and stayed far away from the didn't.  Black and brown, mixing bright colors, even introducing a new color into an outfit:  no. no. no.

Honestly, it was Fall Fashion Week that really helped me explore new fashion choices.  The women who participated were so encouraging, supportive and creative that I felt inspired to make new fashion choices, one of them being colors.

Shirt:  hand-me-down

Skirt:  Forever 21

Leggings:  Kohls

Socks:  Smartwool

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

Hat:  Gift, from Forever 21

As this outfit shows, I'm still fairly moderate with my color mixing.  But only a year or two ago, I would have never thought purple and green would be in my outfit, at the same time!

Have your fashion choices changed in the past few years?

Confidence

A few weeks ago, I was playing "truth or dare" poker with Jordan and some friends.  I don't remember exactly how the question was phrased, but one of my friends basically asked me to describe the outfit that make me feel the most confident.

T-shirt & scarf:  gifts

Jacket & skirt:  Goodwill

Tights:  Target

Boots:  Charlotte Russe

I love stepping out in this outfit.  I draw from the bravado of the character it's inspired by.  I hold my head high.  Self-confidence is a self-fulfilling prophecy:  feeling like you look good makes you look better.  Isn't that a beautiful thing?

Also, as I was thinking of my answer, Jordan (my husband) quickly chimed in with, "high heels!"  So, apparently I give off a certain confidence when I'm a few inches taller as well!

Share what outfit - or pieces of an outfit - you feel most confident in.

how to work stripes

introducing: me! i'm a student in high school who likes to dress nicely. some might say my style is too fancy for school but i say, why not? if you like your clothes wear them! i don't mind wearing skirts or dresses to school.

this is my mullet skirt. (it's actually called a high-low skirt but really...it's a mullet. business in the front and party in the back.) my tights are lacey and white and my shoes are black army-style boots.

i wore this shirt with the skirt cause it's a tighter t-shirt. i like to balance tighter clothes with baggier clothes, like wearing t-shirts with boot cut jeans or skinny jeans with a loose shirt. my headband is also white and lacey. i love love love this shirt cause it promotes originality. that one zebra in the middle has a keyboard instead of stripes, a blue mohawk, an earring, and sunglasses. he doesn't care about what everyone else does and rocks his own style. i respect you mister zebra.

usually i don't match this much (like with two white lacey things). i don't mind mixing patterns (except for stripes and plaid. never.) but i don't like mixing unmatching colors. that just doesn't work.

i'm new to blogging but i'm super excited about it! tune in next week for more fashion fun.

[re]peat

Almost a month ago, Ronnie posted about how she wears an outfit for 1-2 weeks at a time.

This blew me away.  Which got me thinking... why?  Why does this surprise me?  Where did I get the idea that I need to change my clothes everyday?  Would I feel awkward if people saw me in the same outfit?
I took Ronnie's habit and made it my challenge:  how long could I wear the same outfit?  (Excluding undershirts and such things.)

I made it about two and a half days.

Partially, I was limited to weekends, since I don't feel comfortable wearing the same outfit to work several days in a row.  But also, it just got to a point where it felt uncomfortable.  I felt like I smelled iffy.  The clothes got stretched out and didn't fit quite right.  The issue wasn't that my friends would see me in the same outfit - I doubt they would care - but that I felt like I needed to change.

One of my repeated outfits:

Dress:  thrifted

T-shirt & leggings:  Kohl's

Sweater:  Goodwill

Boots:  Merrell, from REI

I don't think the challenge was a failure, as I learned more about my fashion choices.  It's made me more conscious of what I wear, and I'm further challenged to wear repeat outfits, especially if I find an especially cute outfit!

What about you?

How often do you typically repeat your outfits?