Dress Me Up Dollie

Shrug, Old Navy; blouse, Gap; jeans, Torrid; shoes, Charlotte Russe

It seems we're all the way up to date!  These jeans are pretty ill-fitting through the thighs, which is a bummer.  I bought 2 pairs online for 50% off, so I guess I could try to bring them in.  Or, lord save me, get them tailored professionally.  The shoes were purchased a couple of summers ago during a shoe buying binge.  The outfit was worn to work and that's it.  I'm pretty grateful to have a slow week this week.  I've been feeling pretty tired recently and really need a week to rest!

Cardigan, Torrid; t-shirt, Old Navy; pants, Dickies; shoes, Gap

It's a tradition in my family for all the women on my mom's side to get together on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and play card games.  The tradition evolved from my aunts and grandma going shopping on black Friday to playing said games on black Friday and now here we are on Saturday.  This is what I wore for said occasion.  I was also going to wear it out for drinks with Megan, Nat and Jeremy, but I spilled soda on my shirt and that just wouldn't do!

I bought these shoes a couple years ago.  I love them to death and think they're the most adorable thing ever.  However, they have to be thrown out.  They smell bad, which could be solved by a simple washing, but they also have holes in the toes, the soles are separating and the lining is also separating.  Bummer, these were probably my second favorite pair of flats.  I guess it's the beginning of a new quest to find a replacement pair!

Jacket, Gap; cardigan, Old Navy; cami, Torrid; skirt, Torrid; tights, GNW; shoes, Mossimo; scarf, Torrid; necklace, Forever 21

Yes, this picture is NOT in a corner in my room!  Thrilling, no?  I was out at the annual tree lighting in Portland.  75 feet of tree, 2 miles of lights, 1 godawful jazz/reggae band doing Christmas carol covers.  But I had a good time nonetheless.  After that, my friends and I went to a bar to watch the Blazer game (which was a horrible loss to Memphis) and have dinner.

Today was black friday, but I didn't go shopping.  I never do.  Not as a statement, but just because I never have money for it.  And/or there's too much potential for me to overspend.  My mom, on the other hand, did go shopping and bought me tights!  I'm very, very excited!  New tights are always delightful.

Now, I think it's time for 30 Rock and bed.

Beyond Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick

This weeks Links à la Mode blows away any preconceived ideas of the narcissistic fashion blogger posting endless outfit photos and magazine shoots by covering a huge array of topics. Ranging from Dream Sequins whimsical birthday tea party to High Fashion Girls detailed examination of racism in fashion magazines, these posts demonstrate what we’re capable of and the communities we can build.

Of course, being fashion bloggers there are also some great outfits to be found and our bloggers this week have looked at: movies, from Bollywood to Sci fi; their pyjama drawers; and even their cleaning cupboard in their ceaseless search to bring you fashion inspiration.

As ever there’s many more exciting links on the original forum thread

Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : November 26th

• British Style Bloggers – Intrinsically Florrie on British Style Bloggers on how you can support the lovely Luella brand in it’s time of need
• Dream Sequins – The stylish guests at a virtual birthday tea party (Part 2)!!
• Fashion X K8 – The Fashion Blogging community being analoguous to “The Girls” in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof
• FashionHippo – Best Organic Lip Balms: 6 Natural Picks to Nourish Your Pout
• Fete a fete – Guerlain’s Imperial Holiday makeup collection review
• High Fashion Girl – Racism & Fashion
• Idiosyncratic Style – Idiosyncratic Style dares you to re-think the possibilities of Pajamas outside the house
• In Life and In Fashion – How to dress with Bollywood Flair
• Lillys Roses – The new charity tshirts by TV-Star C.F. for the eco label armeangels
• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty: DIY First Place Ribbon Accessories
• Mariels Castle – Are we trully free when it comes to our fashion choices?
• Oranges and Apples – What are charity shops for? Thoughts sparked by Mary Portas’ new Save the Children shop
• Prom Mafia – Happy Accident: How to bleach fun designs on your clothes
• Quirky Fashion – Movies that Inspired Fashion
• Retro Chick – Buy Audrey Hepburns Wardrobe
• Shoe Daydreams – Why Knock-offs are Bad for the Soul
• Style on a String – Confessions of an UGG Lover and Wearer (but only indoors!)
• THE COVETED – Coach Holiday : Review & Giveaway!
• The Demoiselles – Wing Tips: Finding a Tailor
• Work Chic – Win a Sondra Roberts SR squared Shopper tote!

Cardigan, Old Navy; top, Old Navy; pants, Tripp; shoes, Charlotte Russe

I spent the morning looking at pictures of vintage hairdos (I'm trying to decide if I want to cut bangs) and had this vision of backcombing my hair up into a Joan Holloway-esque pouf, but then realized that I was going to go see my family (Thanksgiving and all) and that I really didn't need to put that much effort into my hair.  So I settled for a headband in a more Betty Draper kind of way.  The outfit is kind of 1960s summer day at the country club.  All in all, I was having a rather vintage inspired kind of day.

What do you think, by the way?  Bangs?  No bangs?  It's a difficult decision to make.

How often do you think about your makeup?  Is it something you cherish?  Is it a comforting constant in your life?  Do you have your routine down perfectly?  Are you constantly looking for new techniques?

I love makeup.  It's a deadly vice for me.  I've been a MAC loyalist since at least 2006, but recently I've branched out (just a touch).  Here's a peek at my makeup collection:

That center image is my collection of everyday use items.  The things I can't really live without.

a.  DiorShow Iconic mascara: This is new for me.  I've been using it for about two weeks and I am absolutely in love.  With two coats, my eyelashes are babydoll long and my eyes pop like you wouldn't believe.

b.  MAC Pro Palette Eyeshadow in Amber Lights:  This is great for in the crease or all over.  When applied with a nice, fluffy brush it's not overwhelmingly metallic and the color is delicious against my skin.

c.  MAC Pro Palette Eyeshadow in Brule:  An all over shadow that's a nice, neutral color for when I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard.

d.  MAC 187SE Brush (from the Do-The-Trick holiday set):  This buffs my foundation in so fantastically.  Some people call the technique "airbrushing" which I think is odd, as you can also buy aerosol foundation that is much more like actual airbrushing.  Other people call it "stippling" which I like much better.  But no matter what you call it, your foundation blends in marvelously when you use this brush.

e.  POSH Mini Smokey and Angle Duo brush:  Amazing for applying and blending crease shadow.

f.  MAC 252SE Brush (from the Do-The-Trick holiday set):  For applying shadow all over

g.  MAC Select SPF 15 Foundation in NC 20:  I suppose now you know just how pale I am.  This is the 2nd lightest shade on the scale and it matches my skin quite nicely.

h.  MAC Select Sheer/Loose Powder in NC 20:  I prefer loose powder to pressed because I feel like it blends much better and goes on much more naturally.

i.  Blistex Medicated Lip Balm:  Best ever.  SPF 15, it makes your lips smooth like a baby's butt AND your lips don't dry out if you stop using it for a few days.

j.  MAC Paint Pot in Painterly:  This is almost the exact color of my skin.  I put it on as a primer and my powder shadows don't rub off.

k.  POSH Conceal Duo Brush:  I actually use this to apply my paint pot because the texture of the makeup is very similar to that of concealer.

l.  MAC Penultimate Eyeliner:  This is a fast-drying liquid liner.  It's more precise than old-school liquid liners, but I can't get that same cat eye that I used to.  Still a wonderful product for everyday use.

m.  St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer:  This is a great pre-foundation moisturizer.  Heavy enough that I know my skin will be protected from the foundation, but light enough that I don't feel like I'm greasing up my face.  Plus it just smells so fresh!

So that's it...all my day-to-day products.  So few, right?  (That was dripping with sarcasm.)  What do you use?  Any great products out there you'd recommend?

Cardigan, Gap; t-shirt, Lane Bryant; jeans, Dickies; shoes, Forever 21

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of the daily outfit!  I mean, I didn't wear this on Thanksgiving, but today IS thanksgiving.  I wore this on Tuesday for work and a volunteer event.  I like the outfit a lot, it's nice and casual.  These heels aren't the most stable, but they're comfortable enough.  I'm learning to walk in heels.  Less tripping and dragging the heel.  But it's so slow!  I walk about twice as fast in flats.  Oh well, these are still pretty.

Cardigan, Old Navy; dress, Torrid; tights, Old Navy; shoes, Charlotte Russe

Ah, Mondays.  A time to play catch up after the weekend, to lay the groundwork for a successful work week, to set new goals.  I wore this smashing outfit to work on a Monday.  It was the very last of about a bazillion outfits I tried on--I think this is what I get for not picking out what to wear the night before.  No matter.  I'm absolutely in love with this dress.  Still.  I've owned it for about 3 months and it never fails to be cute, unfailingly situationally appropriate and super comfortable.

The shoes, on the other hand, I'm not a huge fan of.  They get the job done...as long as the job is simply covering my feet.  They're not terribly fashionable, they certainly don't keep my feet dry, but I'm running out of shoes and since it wasn't supposed to rain on Monday, I chose these on my way out the door.  Funny thing is, that's how I ended up buying them in the first place.  They weren't the cutest shoes in the store, but I needed a pair of flats and these were on clearance for very cheap and I was in a hurry.  I suppose this is also a lesson learned:  never shop when you're in a hurry!

Cardigan, Victoria's Secret; top, Torrid; cami, Torrid; jeans, Dickies; shoes, Converse

I look a mess, no?  It's the hair.  And maybe the shoes.  No matter, this photo was taken at the end of the day after work, sushi and The Informant! with Jeremy.  The Informant! was the first movie I've seen in quite some time that I walked out of knowing I liked it.  Upon scrutinizing very hard, I figured out one thing that I didn't think was absolutely perfect:  a font used in transitioning.  But the casting, the costuming and the script were all spot on.  I enjoyed myself very, very much.  And having good company to see it with didn't hurt!

Shoes, Charlotte Russe; everything else, Old Navy

I wore this to the office and then to family dinner with Rachel.  It was a good outfit, I love these shoes.  They're some of my favorites.  And relatively comfortable.  I don't remember them being so when I didn't wear heels very often, but now, just fine!  Also, the beadwork on the shirt is my own.  I felt very handy and Rachel's mom complimented me on it.  She (and several others) also complimented me on my shoes, but I'm not sure they were entirely serious.