EBEW - Pattern Mixing Challenge

After I had already gotten dressed for the day I realized that it was the day for the Everybody, Everywear monthly challenge.  This month the theme was pattern mixing, and I just so happened to wear a very mixed pattern outfit, so I thought I'd better participate.

 

Dress:  ?? shop in Las Vegas

Cardi:  Thrifted

Necklace:  Fred Meyer Jewelers

Belt:  Asos

Bracelet:  Country Furniture & Gifts

Shoes:  Famous Footwear

Pause

I have decided to stop posting to this blog for the foreseeable future. I think having it has helped me try some new things and think about my closet in a new way, which is what I set out to accomplish in the first place. It has just gotten too busy to take photos and post, and now it feels less like fun and more like work. I also feel less worried about what I wear now and will put on whatever I want instead of whatever I think will take good pictures. Thank you to everyone who followed along!

Purple People Eater

This is only the second time I've worn this skirt.  It required much careful ironing to make it look good after the first time.  It's still really fun though!  I love the crazy colored houndstooth pattern, and the side-kick is something I've never had on a skirt before.

Tank:  Express
Shirt:  Old Navy
Skirt:  Asos
Necklace:  Blue Boutique
Shoes:  Forever Young Shoes

A Feline Guest

Who's that?  Here, kitty kitty!

This is a neighbor cat.  We dubbed him Garden Cat last summer because he was in our front flower beds quite often.  He's gotten a bit chunkier since I saw him last.

I found this cardigan at the thrift store and could pass up a good basic.  It was originally from Target.  It looked really red inside, but outside it's more of a melon.  I like it either way!  Also, new shoes!  They are just cheapies, but the red & white stripes were too cute, and I've wanted a pair of deck shoes for a while.

Shirt:  Downeast Outfitters
Cardi:  Thrifted
Jeans:  Old Navy
Necklace:  Lia Sophia
Watch:  Fossil
Shoes:  Forever Young Shoes

Black and White and Red All Over

Maybe not all over... just a punch of red at my feet.  This skirt is another recent thrift find - it still had new tags on it and only cost $6!  It's a teensy bight tight at the waist and I couldn't get the zipper up the last 1/2 inch, so a threw a belt on top and boom!  Problem solved.

Tank:  Target
Shirt:  Downeast Outfitters
Skirt:  Thrifted
Shoes:  eBay

Meant to be Blue

This skirt is one of my recent thrift store finds.  I just loved the pattern, and it's a nice soft jersey so it is super comfortable.  The blue matched this shirt almost exactly.  Kinda crazy when that happens by accident!  My hubby said that it was weird that I was matchy matchy today.

Tank:  Target
Shirt:  Old Navy
Skirt:  Thrifted
Necklace:  Blue Boutique
Belt:  Downeast Outfitters
Shoes:  Famous Footwear

Springy

I've had these white capris for a while, but I don't wear them very often because they are so easy to get dirty!  I'm thinking about dying them another color, but I'm not sure what yet.  I really love the floral pattern on this shirt.  It's one of the Liberty of London for Target collection.  However, the giant ruffle has made it pretty challenging to wear. I'm thinking about eBaying it so that someone else can give it more love.

Shirt:  Target
Cami:  Target
Pants:  Express
Belt:  Grandma's closet
Shoes:  Famous Footwear

Safari

It's been quite a while since I last wore this dress.  I like it, but it requires a lot a ironing, which I don't get around to very often.  I added the cardigan and belt to give it some interest, but in hindsight all neutrals was not the way to go for interesting.  At least the belt tied in the warmer brown of the boots.

I wore this the day I went thrifting at lunch with my mom.  I found a few goodies which will show up here sooner or later.

Dress:  Target
Cardi:  Target
Belt:  Target
Boots:  eBay

Dressed

This was super soft and comfy all day.  A little bland on the color side, but sometimes you just have one of those days!

Shirt:  Downeast Outfitters
Dress:  Kohl's
Bracelet:  Mexico
Boots:  Forever Young

Bright Patterns

This idea didn't execute as well in real life as it did in my head, but I gave it the good old try.  I think both patterns may have been a bit too bold to throw together.  I learn something new every day!

Tank:  Rue 21
Cardi:  Kohl's
Pants:  The Limited
Necklace:  Blue Boutique
Shoes:  DSW

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...

This is my first try wearing my skinny jeans with the legs rolled up.  I got compliments on it so I guess I will have to try it more often.  I have a few other pairs of pants to try it with too.  This tank is really long, which worked well for this outfit because I like long shirts with my skinnies if I'm not wearing boots.  Helps balance proportions or something I guess.

Tank:  Target
Cardi:  Target
Jeans:  Old Navy
Necklace:  Blue Boutique
Shoes:  Target

In Your Face Floral

I found this skirt on clearance at Ross a while ago and just couldn't pass it up.  The extra large print and bright colors were too fun!  The belted button-up over a skirt was inspired by one of Sal's recent posts.  She is a fountain of knowledge and positive thinking.  If you haven't checked out her blog yet, I highly recommend it.

Shirt:  Express
Skirt:  Ross
Necklace:  Fundraiser auction
Belt:  Thrifted
Shoes:  Famous Footwear

A Blazer!

I have two blazers in my closet.  I bought them to match my work pants a few years ago, but haven't gotten much wear out of them.  Now they are a little tight across the shoulders so they get a bit irritating after wearing one all day.  I really need to find a couple more at a thrift store because they look so cute!

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Dress:  Target
Blazer:  Express
Belt:  Grandma's closet
Shoes:  Target

Not Floral Enough

I actually wore this on EBEW's floral day.  The scarf has a bit of floral on it, but not enough that I thought I should put it up.  I kinda forgot to plan for it - one of these days I will actually participate!

Shirt:  Express
Pants:  Express
Scarf:  Jinky's
Shoes:  DSW

Spring Flowers

My tulips are almost dead for the year now, but they were just coming out when I took this picture.  My bleeding hearts are especially vibrant and healthy this year.  I guess all this rain was good for something!

I'm thinking about trying to alter these pants into skinnies or crops.  The flare part of the leg just sits really weird.  I think I will practice my skills on something a bit less daunting though - the side seams on these scare me.

Tank:  Express
Shirt:  Kohl's
Pants:  H&M
Belt:  From another dress
Shoes:  Famous Footwear

Let the Light In

I really loved the week of sunshine we got.  I wore this on Cinco de Mayo (yes, I am a bit behind in posting) and the bright happy colors were perfect. And yes, I am going to wear my nude heels to death.  I can't help that they look good with everything.

Shirt:  Downeast Outfitters
Skirt:  eBay
Flower clip:  Renaissance faire booth
Watch:  Fossil
Shoes:  Target

Spring Leopard

This skirt is really soft, but doesn't leave much to the imagination.  Add this slightly clingy shirt, and you can really see my little tummy bump.  Makes me feel like I should have worn my body shaper, but sometimes I like to be able to breath all day.  Oh, well!

Shirt:  Banana Republic Outlet
Skirt:  eBay (modified)
Belt:  Rue 21
Shoes:  Target

Nude Pumps

I finally got some!  They've been on my wish list for a while, and I finally bit the bullet and ordered some with my Target dress so that I could get free shipping. (Drat your clever marketing Target.com!)  I ended up exchanging them at my local store for half a size up because they were a tad too narrow.  Now they are a tad too long, but they stay on my foot and don't feel like they are trying to bend my feet into tacos, so I'm going to call it a win.  Plus they are easy and comfortable to wear all day.

Shirt:  Downeast Outfitters
Cami:  Target
Skirt:  Old Navy
Necklace:  Kohl's
Shoes:  Target

Bonus photo:  I fed the neighbor's horses as I walked by on our way back from taking pictures, then they followed me along the fence until it ended.  Silly horses.

The Target Dress

I'd been seeing this dress in blogland for a while, and it looked pretty awesome on everybody that wore it. However, I just could not bring myself to spend $40 on one dress, and it wasn't available at any of my local stores for me to ogle in person.  I watched Target.com like a hawk and one day it finally went on clearance for 30% off.  I had no idea what size to order - I sometimes waiver between a medium and large depending on the item - so I decided to play it safe and order the large.  When it was finally delivered to my house and I got to try it on I discovered that it is a little big on me, but by that time the medium was sold out.  Oh, the hazards of being cheap!  I decided that I still liked it enough even baggy, so I'm keeping it.

Dress:  Target
Belt:  Target
Tights:  Savers
Boots:  DSW

Cool Colors

Zoe decided to join me for pictures again today.  This is the second week in a row I've worn a blue/green combo outfit.  I seem drawn to it lately, but I probably don't have a lot of other options left to create another one.  We'll see what I can come up with.

Sorry for the kinda weird poses, but hubby/photographer tells me that it's more interesting if I'm not looking straight at the camera, so I'm giving it a shot.

Shirt:  Express
Cardi:  Kohl's
Pants:  The Limited
Flower Clip:  Booth at renaissance faire
Belt: Target
Shoes:  Famous Footwear

A Shirtdress and Bright Legs

I've loved this dress since the moment I tried it on.  It was a dress someone had returned so it was the last one in the store and on super clearance, plus it was my size!  I love it when things like that happen.  It's like it was meant to be.  Only problem now is that it seems to be shrinking, but don't blame the dress.  I really need to get out and exercise. *blush*

Dress:  Express
Cami:  Target
Scarf/Belt:  Jinky's
Tights:  Savers
Boots:  Forever Young Shoes

Soft and Purple

This was my first day back to work after our camping trip, and I wanted something comfy to wear all day to help ease the transition.  This shirt and pants fit the bill perfectly, and the scarf kept me cozy as an added bonus.  I've had these pants for several years and they get a lot of wear.  They almost feel like pjs now because they conform to me so well.

Shirt:  Kohl's
Pants:  Express
Scarf:  Made by Mom
Shoes:  DSW

To Alter or Not?

I bought this lace vest on clearance last summer because I had been looking to add to the lace pieces in my closet.  It is a tank top, and the arm holes are cut a little funny - they are a lot bigger than usual.  I've contemplated cutting the tank up the middle and hemming it to be a vest, but I thought I would wear it as-is a couple of times first.  I still haven't made up my mind...

White Tank:  Target
Lace Tank:  Gardner Village
Cardi:  Target
Pants:  The Limited
Necklace:  Blue Boutique
Shoes:  Don't remember and you can't see anyway!

Packin' Up

This was the day we had the Jeep out because we were packing for our camping trip.  I thought it would be fun to include it in my pictures so you could see what I drive back and forth to work everyday.  I have to jump a bit to get in the thing, and it's a real challenge in a tight skirt.  BUT it's worth it because we have so much fun in it!  If you'd like to read about our trip, check it out here:  Charlotte's Chitter Chatter.

Tank:  Old Navy
Cardi:  Old Navy
Pants:  Express
Shoes:  Forever Young Shoes
Necklace:  Fundraiser auction

Feeling Frumpy

Most of this outfit's components are a bit over-sized, so I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise that I ended up feeling a bit frumpy in it.  I liked the green/purple/yellow color combo, but I will have to find a way to make it work in some other outfit.

Shirt:  Kohl's
Cardi:  Express
Skirt:  Banana Republic via eBay
Necklace:  Gift from hubby
Belt:  Target
Tights:  Savers
Shoes:  ?? Don't remember