30x30x3

It's that time again! Here are my picks for the epic Animated Cardigan/DIYFATSHION/14 Shades of Grey /Dressing Up for Life maybe/whoever else wants to do do this 30x30! As a reminder, we cut shoes from the 30, so we're just doing fabric items this time around. Accessories don't count either. Some of these picks are old favourites, some have never appeared on the blog before. So here we go. Meet my millionaires clothing!



JCPenney



JCPenney | Anthropologie | Target



J. Crew



Anthro | Target



Target | Kohl's | Loft Outlet | Anthropologie | Target



Anthropologie | J. Crew | JCPenney



Gap Outlet | Belk | Gap Outlet | Kohl's | Loft Outlet



Target | Banana Republic Outlet | Kohl's | Ann Taylor Factory Store | Gap Outlet | JCPenney



Gap Outlet | Gap Outlet | American Eagle | Old Navy

How I picked what I picked
One thing you may have noticed scrolling through the list here is that I've gone with a colour scheme of mostly red, green and blue. There are a lot of basic, geometric two colour patterns, more lines than circles. Very little yellow and orange and no purple, as far as I can tell. I really wanted to go into this 30x30 with a plan for my picks, as opposed to the first time (which was dictated by it being winter and my needing warm picks) and the second time (in which I went overboard with patterns). I'm a very colour focused person (I could stand at a wall of of paint chips and stare all day) and I wanted these 30 things to just look good together in a pile on my bed. And they do! Which makes me really excited for this 30x30.

The other thing I really wanted to focus on was making this 30x30 work appropriate and REALLY remixable. I love my job and the library's dress code leaves us a LOT of creative freedom, which I absolutely love, but I do still have to do things like wear skirts of appropriate length and tops that cover essential parts of my body (majority of the shoulders/chest). So you'll see that, unlike my second 30x30, there are no short skirts, no tank tops, no short shorts. Everything here can be either worn on its own or under a cardigan to be entirely work appropriate. I also wanted items that can do double duty--my jeggings can also be tights, my dresses can be both skirts and tops, a button down that works both as a shirt and a cardigan. This multiplies their possible uses--and the outfits that can be created--vastly. 30x30 is all about creativity and thinking outside the box. I was very exacting with my picks this time around, maybe because the last two times I wasn't and I wanted change? Either way though I'm looking forward to starting this challenge and I already have a bunch of outfit ideas!

I will hold out hope

Scarf: Target
Top: Target (men's)
Skirt: Gap
Wedges: Target



It seems that every time I wear this skirt, I have nothing at all to say! So I'm just going to write random stuff.

I spent five minutes fussing with my scarf and still couldn't make it look the way I wanted.
A tick just crawled across my computer screen. I flushed it. (It's officially spring.)
I bought six boxes of Crystal Light and $48 worth of gasoline. Gas prices are a real downer these days.
Don't forget to enter the giveaway. Tell your friends. Or don't, because I know you want to win. So never mind!



I rode my horse today and he was wonderful. Maybe I should have ridden him to work instead of driving my car.
I have spent weeks looking for my hair screws and can't find them so I bought more. Not on Amazon though, those are way overpriced!
I went to the eye doctor and had my pupils dilated for the first time. Everyone lied to me about being sensitive to light because I waltzed out into the sun with no problems. I got a sexy pair of old people shades for my trouble.

I am tired. See y'all tomorrow!

Clip clop crunch

Necklace: JCPenney (are you sick of it yet?)
Scarf: TJMaxx?
Top: Anthropologie
Pants: JCPenney
Wedges: Target



Today's displeasure was courtesy of my horse. He's a great horse, I love him lots, but I could have done without his landing squarely on my big toe this morning. And he put nearly his full weight on it. Fortunately for us all, I'm practically made of rubber & riding boots are designed to handle that kind of thing, so there are no broken bones to report. Just pain and swelling.

I had a hard time finding a pair of shoes that didn't apply any pressure to my swollen toe, so I wore my trusty Target cutout shoes. Since my feet are hidden by a desk, I didn't wear my right shoe most of the night SHH DON'T TELL ANYBODY! Anytime I had to walk I put my shoe on but most of the night I had it elevated on a stool. Be happy I didn't put a toe picture in the space between this paragraph and the one above it!



If you follow Everybody Everywear, you know that today's maxi dress day. I'm sitting this one out because in all honesty I hate maxi dresses. They make me look very boxy, I think they're uncomfortable and they cover up one of my best assets, my calves. I guess you could say that last one about pants too but at least pants are flattering sometimes. But I'm enjoying seeing how everyone else has styled their maxi dresses! Head over to EBEW to see all the looks. Hopefully next month's selection will be something I'll want to jump in on.

Yeah three times

Scarf: J.Crew
Skirt: gift from parents
Cardigan: Target
Top: Target
Pants: JCPenney
Flats: Target



Would you believe me if I said I took three sets of outfit pictures today and I hated them all? Well, it's the truth. I took pictures in a giant abandoned overgrown lot and two times on the deck. I seem to have hit a touch of blogger's block--not really in terms of outfits but taking pictures. Animated Cardigan LLC (aka me) needs to make this a priority for future posts!



I finished reading my fourth Agatha Christie mystery (The Murder of Roger Ackroyd) on the Department Nook yesterday, so I'm taking a break. It was amazing, by the way. This month's book discussion book is The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi Durrow, which I picked without having read. I have my own copy of it, because I tend to highlight and annotate books when I read them for discussion. It drives me up a wall when people make notes in library books (oh, you know it happens). I hope it's good!

Where in the world is Cardigan Sandiego

Cardigan: Target
Tank: Walmart
Cords: LL Bean
Sneaks: Vans



Yeah, you looked twice at that first picture, didn't you? Not really my standard fare and I thought it would look different but it is also mildly comical so I couldn't not include it!

I kind of love this outfit. It's pretty basic but I'm a big fan of how the colours really compliment each other. I really love this top (and for $5 you can't really beat the cost) but it's been hard to build an outfit around. I think I have another idea for it though, so we'll see what happens.



My sensible shoes do not match (maybe a little?) but they are sensible and since I was putting away chairs and tables today, sensible shoes are a must. Fortunately it does not get more sensible than a pair of skate shoes. Tons of arch support. You heard it here first!

Also I know I totally complained about the pollen earlier so I'm glad it rained and all but did it have to get COLD too? It went from 85 last weekend to 45 this weekend! I'm writing a letter to mother nature and giving her what for. And then I'll run and hide among the rose bushes again.

I'm on a boat

Cardigan: Anthropologie
Top: Target
Skirt: Boden
Boots: Target



Like my yacht? I'm two steps away from being a rapper (steps 2 and 3 being get a grill and put some chrome rims on my car). I am proud to say that this fiberglass beauty, aptly named Making Waves, came with my parents' property when they bought the place. Other things that came with the property: a cat and five kittens, a barn and some really annoying neighbours. Oh and that pond.



But let me tell you about my boat: It's about 8 feet long, blueish and I'm not sure where the slow leak is but this baby is all about the looks. And boy does it get the looks when you're out on the lake! Mostly of the "are you sinking?!" variety but you can tell in the back of their eyes that they're just jealous of your sweet ride.



You thought I was joking about the name but this puppy will crank around the pond. You should see it with the sail up! If you want to go cruising, let me know. Once we're in season you'll have to bring your own mosquito spray but I'll supply the sunblock!

Pastel

Cardigan: Old Navy
Top: TJMaxx
Pants: JCPenney
Flats: Steve Madden
Nail Polish: Zoya Jo



I automatically went to tag this post 30 for 30. OOPS. One thing I didn't miss about regular outfits was coming up with blog post titles.

I'm a pretty big fan of this outfit. I'm really used to my bottom half being darker than my upper half for whatever reason--when I was young I once wore khaki pants and a white shirt because I thought wearing a dark top with a light bottom was a faux pas--so these very light gray pants were a step outside my comfort zone. I REALLY like them though, they're a light fabric and very comfortable, great for spring.



And obviously it is spring here in Cardiganland so I had to go back to yesterday's location for more pictures! Took them myself this time though, and I really like how they turned out. I think I'm getting better at this whole posing thing (see the first two months of this blog for reminders of how far I've come) and I can't wait for my tripod because perching my poor camera on the edge of a fountain can't be the wisest/safest option.

Speaking of my poor camera, I'm taking it to the photo center tomorrow in hopes the guys there can fix it. Keep your fingers crossed for my baby!


brb gotta play some hacky sack

Duo et viginti

Cardigan: Target
Top: TJMaxx
Skirt: American Apparel
Flats: Target



There's those darn knees again! How horrifying. I considered even dumping the cardigan today because it was Real Warm, Y'all and I didn't need it. But at work I did so I guess wise choice? Also I pretty much closed my eyes and pulled stuff out my closet and hoped it looked okay together. The first time I tried that I ended up with this skirt and a cat so I tried to make sure the second effort stuck.



Coworker F. has kindly been policing my outfits and checking my blog biweekly at least to make sure I'm staying in my 30. She doesn't have faith in me! I have to admit though that having someone keeping an eye on me makes it a lot harder to even think about cheating. It actually makes me almost defiant. Because of you, F., I'm going to extend my 30 for 30 to 30 for 60 WHOA. All that root beer I had at dinner has gone to my head.

See y'all tomorrow!

Good

Cardigan: Target
Top: Target
Cords: LL Bean
Socks: Walmart
Flats: Walmart

First of all, I want to say that I am SO EXCITED to be included in Fab finds Under $50's Outfit Inspiration Calendar! There are some awesome outfit ideas and as I delve into Kendi's 30 for 30 I'm going to need all the inspiration I can get.

Second, the AT&T guy came and fixed my internet. YAY



This is another outfit made of 30 for 30 castoffs. I reaaaaaaally wanted to include this top but it didn't really match the colour scheme I had rolling, so I wore in in remembrance of all the good times we've had together (not really). I really like the colours in this outfit, I think they work really well together. Ignore the face I'm making, I couldn't get the camera balanced right on the roof of my car.



Yesterday was my dad's birthday (happy birthday Ed!) and tonight we're going out for dinner to celebrate. Special going out semi-fancy dress blog post? Maybe. I'll think about it.



Other than that, tomorrow I plan on posting my 30 for 30 picks and watching the Pro Bowl. What are you up to this weekend?

Secondaries

Cardigan: J. Crew
Dress: Ann Taylor
Belt: Target
Tights: Target
Heels: Madden Girl via...maybe Ross?
Hair clip: Anthropologie

How do you take a plain (mostly plain) black dress and inject colour into it? I was lucky to pull together a triad of secondary colours to shake this dress up a bit. I'm likely to stick with grays and black when I wear this dress and it's time to stop that.



This cardigan, of course, somehow snuck into the dryer and shrunk so I wasn't sure about wearing it. I tried about five different wearing options--open, closed, belt, no belt, different belt--before landing on this one. I of course futzed around with it all night at work.



I also wore different glasses! And I can still see.



See the hair bow, be the hair bow. I actually don't wear this hair clip a lot because the bobby pin on it is too tight and usually ends up pulling on my hair, but I was able to finagle it this time and get it work. And check out that mole! I didn't even know that was there. Amazing.

I dedicate this house to the Griswold family Christmas

Today is Christmas!



Necklace: Old Navy
Cardigan: Target
Beaded top: Marshall's
Belt: Target
Pants: JCPenney
Shoes: Shoe Carnival

I've finally set up a separate Flickr account for hosting my clothing photos. I take a lot of pictures but most of them aren't outfit related, and considering the amount of pictures I'm taking for this blog, I should split them up better. Anyway.

This is my Christmas outfit! I wore it last night (sans necklace) to mass, and I liked it so much I rewore it today. I don't think it's a big deal because mass + driving time was about two hours. Originally the plan was to just wear the pants, top and cardigan, but somehow tucking in the top and adding the awesome red belt pulls everything together.



I'm also a big, big fan of the necklace my mom gave me for Christmas! I love the colours and the big black bow to tie it together, and it's the perfect length for the outfit. I see getting a lot of use out of it in the future.



My hair, as usual, did whatever it wanted. Last night for mass it looked fantastic, voluminous without being out of control and wavy to the point of perfection. Then I slept on it and all hell broke loose, so for most of the day it was in a lump at the back of my head. I did take it down for the pictures, though, and it does look pretty good. But between baking and wrapping and cleaning and entertaining, not a lot of time was available to style my hair!



This picture is more for the haze than for my outfit, because the haze is foreboding of a white Christmas, the first in my part of South Carolina in 43 years. Amazing, and quite awesome. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, a lovely Kwanzaa, mildly painful Festivus, or enjoy your winter!