Some musings on style

I'm feeling like I don't take enough fashion risks.  I don't know exactly how to remedy that, but I everything I am into or buying seems to be very... "safe", if you know what I mean.  Maybe too much "What Not to Wear".
Another reason could simply be that I haven't really found "my style".  I am still relatively young and new to the world of dressing well and caring about fashion.  I tend to like "tailored chic", and lady-like construction.  I like to think I appreciate and buy classic things, too.  See what I mean?  Very safe.  I try to tell myself I am young enough to get away with trying out trends and being a little more daring but it's hard to put that into practice.  A week or so ago I went into Forever 21 (first time in a few years) and immediately thought to myself, "What am I doing here?".  Full of "fast fashion" (similar to fast food).  Brightly colored polyester, rayon, and plastic.  
I can appreciate vintage (or vintage inspired) things, but normally I'm afraid of looking too "granny".  I just don't like things that look unflattering on.  I do love 50s and 60s couture-inspired styles. 

I don't know where exactly I am going with this post, just wanted to think out loud, sort of. 

Fall Accessories Report, 2009

More more more. Just some more stuff I love.  And may be obsessed with. 

 1) I have wanted some fingerless gloves since fall of 2005.  How is it possible that I have never gotten any?  I don't know.  Also, when searching on Etsy, I saw a lot of people referring to them as "Bella Swan gloves", which peeved me and made me wish I weren't shopping for them. 

2) I can't remember when I started wanting a slouchy beret.  I think it was last year, so I may be slow to that trend.  I want it mainly because I have curly hair and a regular beanie will smash my curls and leave them frizzy once removed.  See - fashion can be practical!

3) I am also loving green accessories.  I wear a lot of pinks and purples (which sounds utterly horrible when I say it like that - I swear I don't look 5).  Green would be a good compliment to those colors and I am starting to embrace the idea of wearing accessories in colors that may be less flattering to me when worn in large quantities. 
Also, I would love love LOVE to find the perfect green pump to throw a punch to fall/winter neutrals. 

4) Again, embracing a color (mustard yellow) that I think is great, but not so great on my skin as a sweater or coat.  I love it on some people and love it for fall, but I think if I were going to do it, it would have to be in the form of a fabulous bag. 

In all honesty, the only things on this list that I can really see myself ending up with by the end of the season are the gloves and hat.  And the necklace if I make it.  The rest just aren't in the budget right now. 

Fall 2009 Report: What I am Craving

We have had some cold weather recently in my neck of the woods.  Just a few rain storms and hail once, for a few minutes. But either way, I have a hankering for fall in a bad way.  Although, because of this premature cold weather (and husband going back to school), I am a little sad that summer is ending.

Anyway, onto my favorites this fall.  Some of these are things I already own and some are things I feel I NEED.

1) I need a few more sweaters.  I put a bunch to rest last season (partly because we were moving and the easiest thing for me to do when prepping for a move is get rid of clothing).

2)  I no longer have a white button down.  Essential wardrobe piece, if you ask me.  Or anyone. 

3) I have an aubergine corduroy blazer I bought near the beginning of my style transformation and I love it.

4) I recently bought this black and white tweed skirt from Victoria's Secret (I never buy their lingerie, oddly enough, but love their clothes online!) and it is so perfect.  Another classic wardrobe staple, I think.  Also, you can't tell in the picture, but, the b/w tweed is woven with a few multi colored threads, which I think is an interesting twist on a classic. 

5) I am (fairly) determined to find a pair of skinny (or straight that look skinny) jeans that work for my body.  So far, I have tried on countless pairs with no luck.  I am a skinny person!  I don't understand this!  I just want them to tuck into boots, so maybe they won't look as weird on me that way. 

6) Wanting a grey dress.  Actually, I am kind of on a dress kick lately.

7)  I only have the brown suede boots.  Bought before I was obsessed with being cute and girly, so they are very comfortable and practical.  But I have mostly a wardrobe that goes with black, so I need some black ones, this time with perhaps a bit more femininity.

8) And I am dying, DYING, for a pair of grey slouchy flat boots. 

Big Plans

It has been awhile.  I have taken a massive blogging break in general.  I'm not even as addicted to my feed reader as I once was.  Anyway, I don't want to abandon bloggin completely, forever.  Let's see if I can get back into a routine. 

My husband and I have moved again and are hoping to stay in one place for at least a year. Which is long for us.  We moved somewhere for the summer and took practically nothing with us, so I'm happy to be back "home" with all of our stuff.  I feel safe buying normal sized bottles of condiments and bulk pasta and rice again! 

This fall I intend to get a job . . . of some sort.  I still don't really know what I want to do, but I am forgetting what it's like to be busy and feel productive.  I really need employment.  And I need to remember that whatever job I get, I don't have to love it or feel married to it as a career. 
Also this fall - big plans for hobbies.  I need a job to support my hobbies.  Oh, and to put towards law school debt, right?  But definitely I want to do some major "hobbying".  Making jewelry, sewing, embroidery, photography!  I am excited.  I may even cook my way through Julia Child's cookbook.  Who needs a job you love when you can have hobbies? 

Dear Young Hollywood,

Just because "40 is the new 20", that doesn't mean that if you are 20 you should try to look 40. 

20 year old Alyson Michalka at the premiere of Bandslam.

 

image via imdb, courtesy of Wire Image. 

I am not sure what it is exactly, but she just looks... mature.  More than she is supposed to, in my opinion.