68. 21 Day Challenge: Re-cap

The 21 Day Challenge is over! I'm a little sad, I gotta say.  I enjoyed this. Here's all three weeks of my outfits!

Things I liked: 

- wearing patterns. I wore patterns of some form on 9 days, with only one repeat! I'm improving! 

- experimenting with jewelry: I have way too much jewelry that I don't wear, but I forced myself to wear it during the challenge. It was a good way to see what works and what doesn't, and what I like the most. 

- wearing skirts/dresses. I wore these 12 out of 21 days, which is a huge jump for me. This really makes me happy. I love being girly and I was forced to try all kind of looks! In contrast, I only wore jeans 6 times whereas my normal wear is everyday. 

- Favourite Days: 3, 8, 12, 16, 18, 21. 12, 16 and 21 are my top three. 

Things I'd change: 

- picture taking. I definitely wish I had more consistency in my photos. Using my camera/tripod/remote works out the best, but I have yet to figure out the best time of day. I love having someone to take my pictures too, which only happened on 5 days. 

- plain outfits. I tend to go for plain outfits. Simple things can be great, but in some circumstances it doesn't work out and just looks boring. I think they key is better tailored items that are still simple, but look class

- ponytails. I need to wear my hair down more often. 11 days I had my hair up, but that doesn't really apply. I tend to put my hair up most days even when it starts off as being down. I think I do need a haircut...

- Least Favourite: 10, 13, and 20. 

I thought that I would like fewer of these, but seeing them all together I'm pleasantly surprised! I think the challenge was definitely a success overall! Any comments? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Til next time!

67. Last day!

Wow. Last day of the 21 Day Challenge. I gotta say, I enjoyed it overall. Didn't think I'd make it through some days but I did it! So proud.

In honour of that pride, I decided to really try one of my favourite looks from the past few years. At some fashion event in 2007, Cameron Diaz had such a great mix of bright fuschia and turquoise. I decided to take the same colors and interpret into a much easier weekend/work look!

 

Necklace - F21
Shirt - Ricki's
Jeans - F21
Sandals - Spring

I really love this outfit. I wore this out to a bbq at my aunt's, it's the right amount of polished but casual. This necklace was broken when I received it in my order, but I didn't think that would be too much effort to fix it. Easier to do that than send it back. I was able to restring it quickly, but then broke it and had to do it again lol. I really like the bright pink with the blue, it's a great combination.

Really can't believe that I'm finished! Now I don't have anyone to tell me what to wear. Hmm. This could be interesting. I'm planning on doing a re-cap post tomorrow, with all 21 looks. If you're curious just click here [link] to see all the outfits now, or head on over to Freckles In April to see everyone's last look for the challenge!

Til next time!

66. Pretty shoes

I've got several pretty pairs of "Sunday shoes" as Kayla calls them. I don't really classify in that way as such, but definitely have pretty shoes that don't see the light of day much.

Cardi - Stitches
White tank (which blends in to my skin) - Urban Planet
Dress - f21 (third remix wear!)
Shoes - Spring
Polish - Essie Sole Mate

So I've learned my lesson with picture timing. Sun may be nice but it's not a good look for OOTD pictures. I look so pale. I am, but I look more pale lol. Not a good thing.

I really like these shoes but never wear them. The heel throws me off. I bought them on sale in 2008? They went out of style but the mod look is coming back now. Kind of interesting how trends always loop back around.

Til next time!

65. Wear it on your head.

I'm getting less creative the more titles I make for these posts. Unfortunate. But I am still posting!

Blazer - Mexx
Tee - Vera Wang via Kohl's
Jeans - Gap 1969
Flats - AE

I love wearing headbands in general. My hair gets in my face a lot so I tend to pull it back alot. The worst part I find is that I can't find many headbands that stay on my head / are comfortable. It sucks. This one is from American Apparel, and it's just a stretch cotton. It may need readjusting every now and then but it's so comfortable. And it doesn't slip nearly as much as others I've tried.

A good end to the first week of work. I love this blazer intensely because of how well it fits. Need another in black I think, since my current black blazer has some flaws.

And lastly, I have a question for you all. I'm trying to decide if I'm cutting my hair or not. It's really really long now, and while I do love the length it's getting almost to that point where I can't handle having all this hair. Any comments? Suggestions on styles? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Til next time!

64. Sleep. Sleep is good.

I did the last two days of the challenge. I promise. You can even check the timestamp on my pictures (which I have no idea how to do).

I decided yesterday that sleeping was more important than blogging. So happy I made that decision, because it was well worth it.














Day 17 here had good intentions, but it was a little warm for the blazer in the office. Weird, I know. This was a weird J. Crew blazer that I measured myself correctly for, but still ended up being too big. It's been shortened? I think? And buttons moved. It's a little better, but still looks way better open than closed. Dress is Vero Moda.

And no cropping of pictures tonight. Because I didn't feel like it. Day 18 was statement jewelry. The piece I wanted to use for 17/18 together has yet to be fixed, because I can't find glue strong enough to hold it together. I quite liked this outfit. Cardigan is from Target, random white tank, new black capri's from Smart Set. And my so pretty new shoes. I forgot to get a close-up of my necklace before I changed, so here it is against a stolen tee from boyfriend. I think my Uncle got this for me in New Mexico? I was in a big dolphin phase when I was younger.

I'll be returning to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow! Stay tuned! :P

Til next time!

63. Look like a boy?

Yet again, Kayla managed to stump me (at least I thought). Day 16 = Menswear. Really? Where am I supposed to find menswear inspired clothes among my tank-tops and skirts and dresses? I thought I'd be left to steal one of boyfriend's watches and call it a day..

And then I googled it. I have so much stuff that works!

Since I've recently been working in the professional world, I have many tailored pieces that fit in with the menswear theme. Pencil skirts are favourite of mine, therefore I decided to take my inspiration from Jayma Mays of Glee for this look!

I know, we're twins.

 

Shirt - Heritage 21 / Tank - Garage / Skirt - Suzy Shier / Pearls - costume jewelry, stolen from Mom

Shoes - Clarks / Nail Polish - CND Taffy Pink / Belt - Joe Fresh

I actually love this. Like, really truly sincerely love it. I would have liked some bright pink lipstick to pair with it now that I'm seeing the pictures, but I'm not that brave haha. I love the mix of masculine colors but feminine cuts. And the fact that I managed to set it off with pink just makes me so happy. My love of pink is still going strong. 

More good news, my blister on my heel is almost gone! That shows me what happens when I go exercising; I get injuries. I am so lazy that my body actually manages to hurt itself. I plan on showing my feet who's boss once the blister heals. I need as much fresh and semi-warm air as I can get while it's still almost summer like here. 

Til next time!

62. Something different.

My 100th post! Holy crap!

Today's Challenge is to do something different with your hair! This was also kind of difficult for me, as I do basic things with my hair and am usually too useless to do much. I can now, after much practice, straighten, curl with a straightener, and braid my hair basically any way possible. I tend to braid my hair while bored. Party trick?

 

 

Jacket - Vero Moda
Top - Old Navy
Skirt - Mexx
Flats - Clarks, not pictured.

So since I'm pretty good at braiding, I figured I'd try this waterfall braid! I tried and failed to do it this morning. I tried again during the day and it finally stuck! It may will take a lot more practice, but I'm thinking I like this look. Might try out some more styles this week if I manage to make time in the morning.

In better news, my first day went really well! Downside was the absolutely brutal humidity that is currently happening, but the air conditioning helped me not hate my life too much. I would have rather been outside but sometimes you just gotta deal!

Til next time!

61. Inspire me!

I thought this challenge day was going to be easy. I read so many blogs that it should be a breeze to find an outfit to copy, right? Wrong. I got so stumped looking for one. I have no favourite outfits saved, I have not a single picture tagged as inspiration. I looked and looked and every outfit I saw had no similar pieces to my wardrobe. Well, very few and not many that I felt like wearing. I decided to rely on an old stand-by of a blog that first inspired me.

Tee - F21
Dress - F21, 2nd wear of remix item!
Belt - unknown?

Liz of Scholar Style Guide was a big help in changing the way I viewed clothes. The girls of the SSG helped me to see how things could be remixed or worn differently than I had ever thought of doing. Her belting and using dress-as-skirt tutorial benefited me the most. Here's the link to the post [link]

source: scholar style guide

Though they have closed the blog and stopped updating, I frequently check back for inspiration or ideas for an outfit. I can attribute several pieces of my wardrobe, such as my cognac boots and thick black belt, to outfits seen on their site. Like Kayla said, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Check in with me this week for the last week of the 21 day challenge! I'm heading back to work so it's going to be interesting to incorporate each prompt with work appropriate wear!

Til next time!

60. I am Switzerland.

I am Switzerland. I am neutral. But I do have a pop of color to keep it interesting! Day 13 is, in case you don't know it yet, neutral with a pop of color. I didn't realize I do this all the time, counting jeans as neutral. Dark denim/black/bright scarf is really common for me.

Tee - F21, circa 2008
Tank - F21
Shorts - Old Navy
Sneakers - New Balance

I wear a lot of those two brands, don't I? I forget how much I do it from day to day but seeing it all added up really makes it visible. I think this shirt is so cute, and I'm sad I didn't get a picture of the back of it. Up on the right shoulder it has the words "all the pretty things in life". Cute, I think.

Let's see....what else....I've finally gotten my laptop back! I haven't got it all reconfigured yet, but that will happen tomorrow. Parents are gone for a couple days, to be back again on Tuesday. This dialysis thing should be interesting, the best thing is that it seems to be working so far. It's been a long process but finally something is working for my Dad which is awesome.

Two weeks completed! I'm so proud of myself. Hoping to catch up on Project 52 soon, I'm a few weeks behind. Only one blog project at a time...

P.S. anyone know the title reference? Much better as a book....
Til next time!

59. And all that jazz!

What is it with my mind deciding to pick song lyrics? For anyone interested I'll be watching the musical Chicago tonight. Such a good movie.

Today's challenge day is jazz up your jeans. I do this for all jeans days when working (which I'll be doing soon!) I wasn't going to write up much for this outfit, but I'm in a good mood. I feel miniature today, like, really skinny. I don't know why. I am no smaller than I was yesterday. It may be a little shallow but I feel good damnit.

Sheer b&w top - Ross
Green tank - F21
Jeans - Gap

I think it's the belt. I've worn this shirt a few times before (and have had nice days on which it rained, like literally the last three times I wore it. so weird) but I've never belted it. I think this is a good option. A big ol' win for me, I'm finally catching up on the Challenge to blog on the right day. I hate leaving it too long, it just annoys me.

Not a bad outfit for an eye dilation, eh? Lucky I didn't post a picture of my pupils, you'd all run from your screens. I kinda looked like the devil. On the absolute bright side of things, my retinas are clear and smooth according to my optometrist, who I saw this morning. Nice to hear when I tend to worry about so much stuff. I like being reassured that I did the right thing and am right to want to get myself checked out (I may in fact be a slight hypochondriac, no biggie.) The important thing is I am only slightly a freak, and my eyes have no problems. Yay!

Til next time!

58. Playful in a dress

This is such an easy day. Don't feel like writing too much so I'll keep it simple. I love wearing a cute dress or skirt for how easy it is to throw on and just go. So easy and usually really comfortable, as is the case with this Tommy polo dress. An awesome way to make a cute outfit. Quickly snapped pictures again!

Want something to do? Head on over to Freckles in April to see how everyone else is doing with the challenge!