30x30 v.3 roundup

SO MUCH ME. I say that every time, but it's always true!

This 30x30 was a little different from my previous attempts, because shoes weren't included. I didn't entirely realise how much extra leeway having an additional 5-6 pieces of clothing would give me, but you'll note that there are a few pieces that I only wore once! I also, for whatever reason, seemed to have a hard time really remixing this time around. Maybe because I wasn't forced to as much, or because it was so damn hot that I could barely wear clothing at all.

I did a lot of swapping this time around, because I had planned for somewhat normal heat here in Cardiganland put temperatures arced well into the 100s for over a week of my 30x30, and my original picks weren't primed for that. If I wore it once, though, it stayed in--which is why the tan sweater remains as part of the final set, while a couple of cardigans and a skirt were seen in the original list but not in this wrap-up.

I really enjoyed doing this challenge with bloggers I know. When Kendi runs 30x30, there's usually a ton of bloggers from throughout the style blogopsphere taking part, which on one hand is great because it introduces us all to new blogs and bloggers. At the same time, though, there can be less of a support group (especially since I did the first two without really knowing many bloggers) for those who want it. Since Dani and I coordinated the whole thing, I knew I'd have at least one buddy riding the wave with me. And then Salazar, Mara and my college roommate (!!!) took part, which was super exciting. For some reason, it's way more fun to watch people you know and bloggers you follow complete the challenge than total strangers.

+/-

Favourite outfits
8, 10, 11, 15, 21, 26 & 29.

Least favourite outfits
1, 12, & 30.

Couldn't live without
The red patterned skirt and anchor cardigan did a lot of work, especially with the cardigan being a swapped item late in the game. My green skirt, as always, was a winner. And, well. Dresses, always dresses. There is nothing better than rolling out of bed, putting on a dress and walking out the door. I can't wait to wear some of this stuff in the winter with tights!

Could do without
That polka dot top from #12 might be going in the donation bin. I thought it looked cute on me, but seeing the picture...well, no. Not working for me. & the tan sweater got work only once, maybe because a sweater is not a good idea in the 95 degree heat. Also: only one pair of jeans was necessary. Though if we had included shoes, I would have probably cut a pair of jeans, a skirt and a cardigan to allow for shoes, in addition to probably the red v-neck top and polka dot top.

Great venues
10 & 20 (you guys were so impressed I took an outfit picture in Walmart!)

Not so great venues
I got really lazy toward the end and stuck pretty much entirely to the deck. Part of it is because I'm having back problems and I'm having a tough time lugging shit around (or standing after sitting...), and part of it is because I was doing two outfits a day at the end, and part of it really is because I'm lazy. Hoping to get off the deck soon, and I should be able to when I have a little more time in my days (aka not school--I'm off for most of August!).

Best experience during 30x30
When E. came to visit! Love that gal. Hanging onto my 4.0 GPA was also a pretty nice highlight.

Worst experience during 30x30
Well, now that I've mentioned it: hurting my back. I don't know what happened or how it happened, but I have an appointment with my orthopedist and hopefully some questions will be answered and some concerns (all mine) will dissipate. I'll go into my back a little more in the coming week, but for now...well, just keep your fingers crossed for me!

So that's that. I have a post that will be up tomorrow morning that lists all of my 30x30 breaks and why I broke the fashion fast, and tomorrow night will be my SIA post (remember to send me your shots influenced by this painting!), and then on Tuesday...back to normal, I guess! I am half happy, half ashamed to admit that I bought quite a bit of clothing over 30x30 and I'm in the process of cleaning out my closet and getting rid of (donating to K./Goodwill, trashing really rough looking stuff) what I no longer wear. It's rough work, but somebody's gotta do it! See you tomorrow (hopefully out in public instead of on my deck?) :)

Top Chef Cardiganland

Necklace: JCPenney | Top: Target | Dress as skirt: Belk | Wedges: Target
Thirty of thirty

Here's a shot of me, grilling in a silk dress, like the badass that I am. "Grilling in a Silk Dress" would be a great name for this blog if I had more than no interest in cooking. I'm an okay cook, I'm great with the grill, and I enjoy baking greatly. But the mess I make is all pretty basic stuff--sautéd shrimp, baked chicken, grasshopper pie. It sounds interesting and I guess it photographs well, but it's literally all stuff you could Google and find about 400 recipes for immediately. That and food blogging is boring to me. I tried it that one time and that was the end of that. So here's to style blogging and being done with 30x30!

One more day, one more time

Top: Anthropologie | Skirt: Target | Heels: thrifted
Twenty-nine of thirty

First new life rule: NEVER put hairspray in your hair, braid it, and sleep in it. This look is the fresh-off-a-rough-one-night-stand result.

Middle new life rule: NEVER walk on a pair of heels without a top piece. Nothing good ever results.

Final new life rule: NEVER pick at the zit on the edge of your lip. It only ends up looking like a cold sore.

Om nom

Dress as top: Banana Republic Outlet | Belt: Target | Skirt: Kohl's | Wedges: Pink Studio
Twenty-eight of thirty

I'm so close, you guys! I can almost taste it. You know what else I can taste? Tic Tacs. The light green ones. There is one in my mouth right now. Amazing. Oh, there goes another. It's like they trip and my mouth breaks their fall.

Text me instead

Blazer: JCPenney | Cardigan: J.Crew Outlet | Cami: JCPenney | Jeggings: Old Navy | Wedges: Target
Twenty-six of thirty





Necklace: wapa on Etsy | Top: Anthropologie | Cami: JCPenney | Belt: Old Navy | Skirt: Ann Taylor | Heels: Nine West
Twenty-seven of thirty

The picture above shows how I feel about this weather. It's way cooler, but just as humid. As such, I am not pleased. More pleasing: this video of Cookie Monster covering Call Me Maybe. And this video of Carly Rae Jepsen jamming with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots with toy instruments. And this video of the song itself. Not that I'm obsessed or anything.

Duet

Necklace: J.Crew Outlet | Shirt: Anthropologie | Shorts: Gap Outlet | Wedges: Target
Twenty-four of thirty







Necklace: J.Crew Outlet | Dress: Loft Outlet | Scarf: JCPenney | Wedges: Crown Royale
Twenty-five of thirty

My pal E. and I were up at the outlet mall (of course) last week, and while perusing Loft Outlet, E. pondered exactly how this striped dress was supposed to look on the human body, and though I tried to explain, I know I didn't make much sense. So, E., this one's for you. Also for you: the finger full of hot fudge I may have eaten earlier. Also also for you: the gratuitous photo below. Happy Wednesday everyone!

Blocking

Headband: H&M | Locket: heirloom | Top: J.Crew | Ribbon: off a dress from Belk
Skirt: Target | Heels: Urban Outfitters
Twenty-three of thirty

You see that pockmark on my leg? I'm pretty sure I somehow accidentally managed to straight up rub a hole in my leg. I don't know how I did it, but I vaguely recall (like you would recall a dream in that hazy way) having an itch and scratching the skin right off. Awesome story, right? In other news, I am colourblocking, which I thought was something we all did pretty much every time we wore separates, but apparently it's a thing. So here it is in all its glory. I don't even know if I did it right, you guys. Whatever! I'm not naked!