My kingdom for a brooch

Brooches: my mom's | Sweater: Kohl's | Skirt: Talbots | Tights: Target, no doubt | Flats: Target

Salazar always has amazing brooches, which makes me want to put a lot more effort into developing a bigger collection of my own. As it stands, almost all of my brooches--including the six (six!) in today's outfit--are direct hand-me-downs from my mom, which she wore quite often at her office job. One, a white fish, came all the way from my grandmother. The only "brooches" I've contributed to my own collection are Cape May beach tags, which is pathetic. (Not that I don't love my beach tags, because I do!) I made a huge mistake by going on Etsy, because now there are star shaped brooches in my eyes and I want to dump a pile of cash on everything from octopi and birds to bows (Salazar this seems very you!) and a station wagon with a canoe on top because why the hell not. Someone get me away from Etsy before I fritter away my entire massive public servant salary.

Mad for plaid

Jacket: Target | Top: Target | Pants: Old Navy | Fledges: Target | Necklace: aptoart on Etsy

I have been looking for plaid pants for three falls now. It's taken THAT LONG to find a pair that suited me. I checked all over the place and liked a few pairs, but I really struggle to find pants that fit--I'm 5'10 and I have a long torso, but my legs are comparatively stubby. Usually pants are either too long, or they're baggy, or they're tight in the waist, whatever. But Old Navy! They came through! And in a big way, because these plaid pants are Philadelphia Eagles green! Fat lot of good it did, since they lost last night (boooooooo), but I did what I could to support the cause. Happy football season, y'all!

Antipolitica

Top: J.Crew | Skirt: Target | Fledges: Target

I am wearing fledges. Flat wedges. Just to be clear.

I've been asked a number of times for my opinion on the presidential race. Already. And my answer is that I don't really care what happens right now--it's over a year away, for heaven's sake! It's like trying to plan dinner for two weeks from now. I have other shit to worry about, like paying my student loan bill and cross stitch. Although to be honest, I'm probably going to have cross stitch on my mind come next November too. Maybe I'll pencil in some time to make a coherent thought about a candidate then, but for now, I don't have time for all that.*

*Although I do strongly feel that Donald Trump is a total dick from the fuzzy strong combforward at the top of his head to his flat feet. Both for personal and political reasons.

Need more flowers

Top: Target | Skirt: J.Crew Factory | Flats: Target

I'm writing from a hotel room in Atlanta, where boyfriend A. and I are partway to beautiful and humid New Orleans! I really wanted to get an outfit together for SIA before I left though, and it was more difficult than I thought--I don't have anything in my arsenal that is sky blue, and I was really hoping I would be able to find something at would fit. So instead I went balls to the wall and threw as much floral together as I could. And I mean, I feel like I nailed it.

Check out Salazar's blog tomorrow for how everyone else dressed to match this week's SIA inspiration!

Style Imitating Art: Bear in Boat

It's been a hell of a week, and is going to continue into the weekend. I finally--FINALLY--have wifi, though, so here (a grossly embarrassing four days late) is this week's Style Imitating Art! This week's inspiration was Bear in Boat by Joyce Koskenmaki.

First up is Stephanie. She wanted to include her dog, but she couldn't find a boat suitable for this week. I still think she rocked it! The green of her shirt matches the corners of the painting very well.



Next is Alison from Nouveau North Westerners. She's newish ti SIA but she looks like a pro! Her scarf adds the perfect amount of whimsy to match the painting.



Karen from She Thought She Could is doing SIA for the first time, and she looks awesome too! I never would have thought to pick a tan vest and it looks amazing!



I believe Kezzie recently suggested we use something other than "adorable" to describe her submissions. So...awesome? Does that work? The dress is a great colour and I love the pop of black underneath! It's a little feisty!



Jen of Librarian for Life and Style is crushing the shirtdress game right now, and I have major envy--I wish I could wear one that well! I love the pattern too, it's so eyecatching.



My SIA cocreator Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey ain't happy with this outfit, but I think she looks chill. I like the plaid, and that cat looks quite similar to another animal involved in this post...



And last but maybe not least is me! This is actually an old photo but this is exactly the outfit I was going to photograph...except I can't find the top anywhere. It is GONE. Just another thing to tack onto this week, I guess!



Thank you all for participating, and I apologise for being so late getting this post up. It's been a very long and trying week at work, my boyfriend bought a house on June 12th, and our wifi has been down since Sunday. I also can't find one half of my favourite pair of shoes. Like I said, it's been a week! Thanks for being patient with me while my little world tries to hop back on its axis. XO!

Walking billboard

Top: Gap Outlet | Skirt: J.Crew Factory | Wedges: Payless | Lips: NARS Schiap

I received a compliment of the highest order today.

"You look like you shop at ModCloth."

Nailed it!

SIA: PSA

The Green Cage by Robert E. Miller
Oil on canvas, c.1910-1914

Salazar has brought to the attention of Style Imitating Art an installation by the Akron Art Museum called Inside Out, which reproduces works of art held by the AAM and places those reproductions throughout the community. I absolutely love this idea! And what better piece to display in a garden than The Green Cage? The window to the outdoors is such a perfect transition to a real life garden.

To join in on this week's SIA (the green!), send your outfit photos to Salazar by Monday, May 18th. Enjoy!

Pink slip

Jacket, top, skirt: Target | Heels: Urban Outfitters

I felt ready to fire somebody today. I mean, I have no capability of doing that and wouldn't want to anyway, but with this outfit? Why not, amirite?

Dead trout

Cardigan: JCPenney | Dress: Dorothy Perkins, via Dani | Belt: Target | Heels: Pink Studio via Anthro (super old though)

Fun fact: when petals on Bradford pear trees start to wilt, they smell like rotting fish. The south currently smells like rotting fish.

Be happy you don't live here.

Fish out of water

Brooch: heirloom | Cardigan: Target | Tank: Target | Skirt: eShakti | Boots: Off Broadway

My very first pets were goldfish. Ariel, Sebastian and Flounder. (I was creative.) I was maybe 6, and didn't know a whole lot about how my life would go petwise. Little did I know that the goldfish would lead to guinea pigs, which would lead to rabbits, which would finally hit cats, and then horses, and most recently, a dog. Those goldfish didn't live for very long, but they certainly did start a long-lasting trend. So thanks, little crew, for biting me with the pet bug.

For more women who used this week's inspiration to create outfits for Style Imitating Art, check out Salazar's blog!