OOTD | Old and New Favorites

Well hello there!  Yes, my schedule has been changed yet again.  I will post every 3-4 days though.  It’s OK though, I am coming back an rewarding you for your patience with brownie points, and an OOTD.

Lately I have been banning myself from wearing certain items in my closet that have been over-worn.  It’s led to a lot of frustration, but also a lot interesting outfit combinations, and a fresh look at what’s actually in my closet.  I’ve been wearing things I’ve never considered before, and finding out that certain pieces really do match more than I thought.  Hopefully this adventure will lead to more interesting OOTD and some new favorites in my closet.

IMG_0418

IMG_0420 What I Wore:  Skinny Green Pants (Crewcuts – Old)//Golden-Yellow Braided Belt//Black Ankle Fold Over Combat Boots $40 (Nordstrom’s Rack -Old)//Neon Pink Sweater  (J. Crew)// Black and White Long Mid-Length Sleeved Cardigan (Forever 21 – Old)// Owl Necklace (Forever 21- Old)// Pink Bow Headband (ASOS)

I’ve also recently been looking for more creative ways to display my photos, so I thought that outfit lays would be a good choice.  They’re actually in my blogging inspiration notebook, so I’ve been looking for an excuse to give it a try.  Plus face it, sometimes you really just don’t want to be on the model.

There has been so many reasons why I didn’t want to wear these pants.  First of all, they’re a little too big in the waist, so a belt is necessary.  Second of all, I really didn’t think that green went with many other colors, and therefore it was close to impossible to find a matching shirt and shoes.  It turns out these pants are great after all.

IMG_0423

This sweater was new, and I was dying to wear it, but I couldn’t imagine pink matching many colors other than black and white.  So I was a little bit skeptical about this shirt and pants combination, but it worked out in the end.  I’m definitely looking forward to wearing these two pieces again, in yet another creative way.

IMG_0425

IMG_0424

4 Quirky Fashion Brands to Know About

After explaining how uninspired I was recently, I decided that there would be no better time to pull out the magazines, and the sketchbook to start an “Inspiration Journal!”  I actually have a few ideas for series, and posts, which I’m really excited about.  At first I couldn’t decide on a post to write today.

I settled upon one that requires no photography, since with the schedule I set for this week, I’ve been especially busy.  But hopefully on Friday I’ll have an OOTD, so there will be pictures soon.

4 out of the ordinary stores

Since I’m always looking for online stores with more out-of-the-ordinary items, and I know others are too, I thought I’d share some of my favorite quirky fashion brands and stores with you today.  All have extraordinary pieces.

Skinny Dip London

Skinny Dip

I saw this brand a while ago, but I never thought much of it.  Then I was looking for a statement purse, one for myself and  one to recommend to a friend.  Skinny Dip London just popped into my head, and off I went.  I especially love the clear box clutches with colorful jewels, and the food themed purses, like popcorn and ice cream.  They’re a little bit on the high side in terms of price, which has been holding me back from purchasing one, but they’re excellent gifts.  I’d probably pair this with some slightly simple pieces, to really make the purses pop, and make the overall outfit more original.

Lazy Oaf

Lazy Oaf

To tell you the truth, I’ve always been obsessed with the Lazy Oaf brand.  Everything here is so funny, and child-like it’s hard not to enjoy.  There are some obvious references to childhood favorites such as Garfield, Looney Tunes, and Batman.  There’s always an unexpected twist in these pieces, such as the texture, like fur, or the theme, like a shirt that looks like a calculator for a back to school line.  The prices are a little high, but all good things must come with a price.  Lazy Oaf also has some really interesting look-book videos on Vimeo, my favorite being Space Oddity.

Spangled Sunglasses

Spangled Sunglasses

I know, I know, I’ve talked about Spangled sunglasses more than enough.  But I just can’t forget this brand or recommend them enough.  Made for festivals, these sunglasses are nothing like you’ve ever seen before.  The gems and animals are brightly colored, making everything look like candy.  And I know you like candy.  Sure you can buy the sunglasses without the dinosaurs, hippos, and/or chains, but really, what’s the fun in that?  I believe the price has gone down since the shop first opened, so that’s a plus too.

Top Shop

TopShop

Whenever I imagine Top Shop I imagine glittery, furry, pastel clothes with a retro focus.  Of course, that’s not always what’s actually in the store, and that’t not actually the inspiration of the collection.  Oftentimes, in the winter the majority of the clothes everywhere are boring; a sea of grey and black sweaters, pants, and shoes.  But sometimes, just sometimes, if you look hard enough you can find a few prize pieces.  Of course you could also just wait until summer, when practically everywhere you look there’s color and creativity, and obviously, quirk.

 

So there we have it!  I’ve shared the 4 quirky fashion brands I check out most often, and know it’s your turn.  Let me know in the comments where you like to shop, and if you liked this post, and the style of it.  I’ll be posting an OOTD on Friday, maybe even in a different format, so stay tuned for that so you can tell me if you like it!  Oh, and my sisters’ daddy daughter dance is coming very soon, but I’ll be doing it in a different way than last year, just to keep you guessing.

Favorite Films of the Moment

Just recently I saw a video by Shane Koyczan and I thought it was amazing; the animations were beautiful, and the poem was quite inspiring.  I really wanted to share it with you, but I thought a whole post about one video was a bit ‘odd.’  Then came the idea of sharing my favorite videos, specifically the ones I find most inspiring.  These videos are 5-8 minutes long, so they’re perfect to watch while nibbling a muffin, or drinking a spot of tea.

Shane Koyczan – To This Day

The start of this whole post, “To This Day,” is a spoken word poem featuring a few stories about bullying.  There are 3 stories, one about the author himself, the next about a young girl with a slightly larger than normal birthmark, and the last about a depressed boy.  It’s a very creative and meaningful little film, perfect for when you’re having a less than perfect day.  It also makes me want to write something as great as this, so if you’re suffering from writer’s/blogger’s block than this is perfect for you.

I’ll be the first to admit it, a Zoella video may seem a little overrated, and cliche, but this is actually one of my favorites.  A favorites video that doesn’t feature one person sitting in a chair, and talking for the whole video.  Instead, the camera shows off the actual products and essentials, rather than the person who enjoys them.  The lighting is perfect for fall, dark and dreamy, just like all the other videos I’ve chosen to share with you.

Style Like U – Tavi Gevinson Closet Tour

A slow and beautiful look around the room of Tavi Gevinson, featuring sneak peeks at journal pages, her headpieces, and of course, her wardrobe.  I find that I’ve always been highly inspired by Tavi Gevinson, her blog, her magazine, her wardrobe in later years.  The whole video seems very dreamy, and magical, it makes me want to put on rings very slowly, and wear long flowing dresses and flower crowns.  She was also the main reason I got into cat-eye-liner and Miu Miu collars, (and you know, feminism)  so I am forever in debt.

 

My Life as Eva – Fall Essentials

A bright and fun look at fall essentials courtesy of Eva Gutowski featuring hair, music, and clothes.  It’s a little late in the season for some of these things, but others are timeless. Once again I think the filming is very dreamy and pretty.  The fashion week montages leave you wishing, and the easy hairstyles leaves you wanting a reason to go out and flaunt your new-found ‘bubble ponytail.

Well that’s that!  So let me know what you think in the comments below.  If you have any other films you really enjoy, or want me to watch, then let me know that in the comments too.  If you haven’t already then be sure to read the other post I wrote today, about the new blog schedule and post types I’ll be posting.

XO Style Stalker 2.0

XO Style Stalker 2.0

Well…  This is awkward.  Yes, it as been exactly 2 weeks since I last posted.  But let me explain.


Hello!

It has been quite a long time since my last post, an old OOTD I wrote months before.  It was yet another outfit post I wrote, and it was boring.  Maybe not to you, but to me.  I never only wanted to do outfit posts, in fact I didn’t even consider them when I first started.  But eventually I jumped on the bandwagon; they were easy, they were pretty, and they were popular.

DSCF0893

But they were stressful.  I couldn’t think of anything else to write, and at times I couldn’t think of anything to wear.  So instead of writing really bad and boring posts, I just stopped.  Usually after a few weeks I posted a couple of times and stopped again.  I didn’t want to, but I wasn’t inspired.

So during my 2 week hiatus, I focused a lot of my time and energy on becoming inspired.  I’ve actually decided to keep a little blogging notebook or two with post ideas, and inspiration, so all is going well.  I’ve even decided to post more often.

DSCF0948


In fact, I have decided upon a more regular posting schedule and style.  Hopefully I will be posting at least 3 times a week, 1 post on Sunday, 1 post on Wednesday, and 1 post on Friday.  There will be an OOTD every two weeks, unless I’m feeling particularly happy, and the outfits are worth sharing.  The rest is a surprise!

Maybe this explains a lot, and maybe it doesn’t but I do hope you like this new-found structure.  I do.

OOTD |60s Quirk and Midi Skirts

As any long time readers, or those who stalked my archives may know, I love vintage.  The 50s and 60s especially.  That whole Outsiders, Greasers, Socs, beehives, and poodle skirts era is pretty much my obsession.  I love pastel diners with milkshakes, and roller skating waiters/waitresses.  When I saw this skirt on ASOS I knew it was perfect for a 60s OOTD.

DSCF2063

What I Wore

 Fluffy Red-and-Black Sweater (ASOS)//Polka Dot Skirt: ASOS//Heeled Mini-Boots(Lucky Brand at Saks Fifth Avenue)//Stockings(Gap)//Obsessed Necklace (Forever 21)

Ever since forever (which sounds impressive, but was only 2 weeks ago) I have been searching for some sort of fluffy sweater and midi skirt ensemble on ASOS for an OOTD.  As you may know, this online store made me very agitated, because while I waited for them to fix technical issues, my dream sweater was going out of stock.  I constantly put it into my cart to reserve it every 60 minutes, but in the end it went out of stock.  I quickly grabbed a red version that I wasn’t sure I was going to like as much.  I like this one better for my OOTD, because it matches everything. The fur is black, but the base is red, so it’s not to dreary, but not some weird color that goes with nothing else in my closet.

I’ve sort of been on a mission to buy more clothes so I will always have these really elaborate outfits on.  But what really happens is I have these 5 pieces I really like I wear every week, in one way or another.  I’ve still got a couple dollars left on my ASOS card/voucher, so we’ll see how that turns out.

The skirt wasn’t anything fancy, but that’s fine, seeing how this stuff won’t fit forever.  It’s basically just a really cotton-y material you could find anywhere.  But the sweater is really soft, and warm.  It’s very thick, which is perfect, seeing as how it’s either snowing or feels like -1 degrees outside which is not an exaggeration.

In terms of inspiration, obviously it’s the 50s and 60s. As always. The midi skirt just kind of reminded me of a poodle skirt.  Apparently I was correct because my mom asked me why I looked like I was from the 60s.  Because I wanted to.

Edit:  I actually wrote this 3 months ago, but I never posted it.