Outfit of the Day: Mad for Plaid

Plaid, oh you lovely pattern. You make me think of fall, cozy sweaters, and cups of tea. I went with the cozy sweater in this case.

 Steadfast & Whimsy skirt - Anthropologie, Knit sweater - Nordstrom Rack, necklace - vintage, Sweater-Cuffed booties - Anthropologie

 Do you like to wear plaid, or does it make you think of the 90's grunge scene too much?

The back of this sweater is what drew it to me, it adds a great and unexpected touch to a pretty basic outfit.

I still feel like I am not 100% better from my cold a few weeks ago, but almost there. It doesn't help when my husband gets sick right afterwards, it's like a horrible game of cold-tag.

What Jess Likes: for Glee and/or Sesame Street fans

This one was found by a friend on Facebook, can't go wrong with a little bit of Glee and Sesame Street.

Hope this give you a ... glorious giggle.

What Jess likes: New tights for winter, and some curtains

After accidentally buying one panel of the wrong size thermal curtains (on clearance no less!) at Target this weekend, I had to resort to tracking some down online. Sadly, the two more I want are not on sale. However, with current target promotions, I paid an extra $3 for 3 pairs of tights vs. just purchasing the curtain panels. Hooray for random $5 off and free shipping. 

The main colors of the bedroom are maroon, deep purple, and a rusty orange. These curtains work perfectly, apparently keep the heat in/or out, and are also blackout. The pattern is nice and subtle in person too. Once I have my full set up, I will take some house pictures.

And my essentially "free" add-ons.

Burgundy Tights. Hoping they are a bit more red then they appear online.

These Floral Tights will be great for solid print dresses and skirts.

And a little sparkly with Silver Moss Tights. I think these will be great with my Made-to-Measure skirt.

 I am still looking for a couple more pairs to replace some that were snagged up last year, but these three will be a great start.

  

Outfit of the Day: Moving forward, and taking a better look at my closet.

When I was packing to move, I ended up donating/giving away a fairly large amount of clothing. Part of it was a fear of running out of room in the moving truck (10 ft Uhaul...not as large as you might think!), and also realizing that I really didn't need so much. I also didn't want to scare Tim with the amount of clothing that I brought, even though he knew exactly how much I had to begin with. Which really did not make a lot of sense now that I look back on it. 

Because of this "purge" I now have a much more concise wardrobe, which makes it easier to look at different combinations. This might be a new favorite for me. 

Pleated mustard skirt - Gap, Epilogue blouse - Anthropologie, leather jacket - Mackage "Evita", boots - Hayden Harnett "Zelda"

Fall is here, temperatures dropped down almost over night. Must be time for boots!

What Jess Likes: Shopping....

Over the last 24 hours, there has been quite an incident happening in the little corner of the internet that I frequent. A well-known (non-affiliated to Anthropologie) Anthropologie blogger has fallen into the spotlight for some bad practices and perhaps stealing (it seems to be the case, I was not involved, so I do not know through first hand experience) As anyone who knows me knows, I really like Anthropologie. As in, really really like, and when I was working, I loved to spend money there. 

Please excuse the rather lengthy blog post coming up, I need to get things off my mind.

While reading the many threads and posts about all of this, the topic of finances and over-spending keeps on popping up. This has now made me reflect on my own spending habits. Up until about 3 months ago, I had a pretty decent amount of disposable income. I would say about 20% of my income was not tied into monthly expenses/savings/etc. I was saving up for moving to the states, our wedding and honeymoon, etc. I did not overspend, but if I wanted something reasonable, I really didn't have to worry about affording it or not. Now, could I buy things full priced at Anthropologie? Not with a clear conscious. However, a dress or a pair of shoes (who am I kidding, a pair of boots!) here and there was ok.

Then things happened out of my control. Issues with my family meant my wedding savings were pretty much gone, and with moving to the states, I wouldn't have my own income due to immigration status. Am I fine? Totally. Can I spend how I was before? Heck no. This is a huge adjustment to me. I still see things and go, ooh nice, that would be great, and then I need to hold myself in check. Do I really need another dress/coat/pair of boots? I do realize now that I have a bit of an issue with shopping. Maybe that is why my posting has slowed down, that I do not feel...inspired? Which is silly, I did not create this blog to show off new things. I created it to share creativity and my life with friends and family. So why would I need to buy things to have things to write about? Time to get out of that rut I think.

I know this is a bit random, but today really got my mind thinking. I feel better writing all of this down too, maybe that is why people write in journals and diaries. I really never was one to do that, but I guess this would be my version of that. Thanks little corner of my blog world for letting me vent.

Jess

Outfit of the Day: Gas Works Park (Sunday)

Ran around on Sunday doing errands etc, and we swung by Gas Works Park in North Seattle. It is so cool, all of these old, rusty, electrical machines. You can check it out here.

I forgot to grab my camera as we headed out the door, so here is a quick snapshot using my phone. Check out the view from the top of the hill, it is really something.

Dress- Anthropologie "Kissing Friday" in orange, bag- Hayden Harnett Barnard Crossbody in Persian Rose.

I am painting parts of the house this week, should be fun (or at least not boring?) I will take some before and afters.

Outfit of the Day: Have a fish

For the last few days I have been dealing with a nasty cold, I hate colds. They always knock me out physically.

This maxi dress is up there as one of my best finds ever. It cost $2.98 about 4 years ago, it is linen, and lined in cotton. It is one of my summer workhorses each year.

Linen maxi dress - Old Navy, 1960's vintage articulated fish necklace- Fremont Sunday Market

 Tim bought this set for me, it was love at first swim. I haven't worn earrings in awhile, so I hope to get them in easily. Fingers crossed.

What Jess found: 1970's Marimekko Unikko wall hanging

After wondering around the Fremont Sunday Market with Tim yesterday, we took a detour on the way back to the car and found the Fremont Vintage Mall. We had a bit of time to kill, so we popped inside, and about 30 minutes later, came out with this beauty:

1970's 3x5ft framed Marimekko Unikko fabric. 

Humongous, colorful, and the perfect thing to go over the bed.

 It just fit into the back of our hatchback, it was meant to be.

Outfit of the Day: Monochromatic Rabbit

We have a house guest, his name is R2 (oh yes, as in R2D2). We are watching him while his "dad" is off getting married this weekend in Vegas! 

He has the cutest little cream tail, inspired me to reach for this Gap dress.

Gap tiered cream dress, Forever 21 bracelet and belt.

Outfit of the Day: When moving, don't leave your charger behind

That is my best advice so far, don't leave your camera battery charger behind in another country. Blogging just won't work well that way. Limited battery life equals quick indoor photos.

Top 3 things I love about my new life so far:

1) Husband! Love you dear.

2) New condo, our very own space.

3) Living up a hill, hello new workout everyday I leave the house by foot.

Top 3 things I don't like:

1) Living at the top of a hill, can't walk in fancy shoes anywhere.

2) Missing my friends.

3) Missing work possibly? I need to figure out what I want to do next.

 Forever21 Ikat print maxi and drape front cardigan

Necklace put on afterwards.