Outfit of the Day: Sunny Forested Blazer

So it rained all weekend, and now we get a glorious day of sunshine. I won't complain! I am off to do some immigration business today, so thought I would dress slightly more professional. Cue the new blazer that was picked up on Black Friday.

Forested Blazer - Anthropologie, mustard pleated skirt - Gap, random tights, boots - Hayden Harnett, Scarf - Anthropologie

 More realistic color of the skirt and crazy hair day.

Black Friday Finds + Quick Outfit of the Day

So my house guests and I braved University Village around 9am for Black Friday, and it was quieter then a normal weekend.

Because we were there before 11am, we went to Anthropologie first, where Tim treated me to a few great deals.

Forested Blazer - Love the color and the thickness, a bit snug in the arms, so I went with a medium. I saw 3 different sale associates wearing it that day. I wonder if they picked it up for the $35 price tag?

 

Aine Pencil Skirt - Had a small flaw that is easily fixed in 5 minutes, guess that it why still hanging around.

 Tomato Picking Skirt - The detailing with the eyelet/overlay is gorgeous in person.

 Brushed Trouser Shorts in Black - They fit looser in the leg, which is great for gals with thicker thighs.

 Fish! Measuring Spoons. Loved these months ago, love them more at the ridiculous $5 price tag.

What I wore today. Not a great picture, didn't want my guests to think I was crazy posing on the deck.

 

Tomato Picking Skirt - Anthropologie, Volante Tee - Anthropologie, Hue tights, necklace - 1960s vintage fish necklace.

Did you end up going out for any sales on the weekend?

Outfit of the Day: A Day of Dinner Preparation

 Anyone else spending part of the day doing dinner preparation and house cleaning? Those are my plans for today. I want to go to the post office, but if the rain doesn't let up, maybe not. It doesn't make sense to drive a block away for a letter.

 Asymmetrical sweater - Winners, Drape cardigan - Forever21, Joe's Jeans "Reed" - Anthropologie, otk socks - Target, Boots - Hayden Harnett

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to my American Readers. Anyone hitting up any Black Friday deals? I will likely be passing, can't do the crowded malls.

Side-note, any gamers out there as excited for this as I am? Honey, I want this, now...which means on the release date, yes please!

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Trailer

Outfit of the Day: Maroon and Gold

There is a giant ruffle on my blazer/coat. I am ok with that. Last time I photographed this dress, I wore it like this. Wow, I need to mix this into more outfits, that was much too long ago. I prefer what I came up with today more then the previous outfit.

 Shirt dress - Urban Outfitters, Belt - Forever21, Tights - Target, Blazer/Coat - Anthropologie, Boots - Farylrobin "Bounder" 

Not much to say today. I planned on making meat balls in a sweet and sour sauce for dinner, but I used up all my brown sugar and forgot to buy more last time at the store. I wonder if honey or white sugar can substitute? I don't have molasses to "make" brown sugar either. 

Woe is me.

Not serious though!

Outfit of the Day: Do you do the Black and Brown?

I love black and brown together, it is such a fun combination that has been booed by "fashion rules". I know for some it is just black and cognac that should live happily side-by-side, but I also think black and mahogany brown are great.

I threw this outfit together to see if this skirt was a keeper or not. I made it last week, mainly as a test for the fabric weight and feel, but I am thinking it might just be a keeper? 

 I was inspired by the full and higher waist skirts from Anthropologie, like the Great Escape skirt. I put an exposed zipper in the back in a dark taupe color, and still trying to decide on either an awesome button to finish it off or a cute little bow with a snap on the back.

Skirt - hand made, Knit blazer + lace tank - Forever21, Tights - Old Navy, Lucky Penny Boots - Anthropologie (Road Not Taken Boots), Starfish Necklace - Old Navy

So yay or nay to the skirt? I don't have anything else in this color, but I have a ton of the fabric. I am one or two dresses in the near future.

If you search "handmade" on my blog, you can see the dress and other skirt I made as well! I like blogspot, but not the fact I can't have two separate pages going on.

Outfit of the Day: Orange You Glad...

It's the weekend! I am, though not really doing much. Just chilling out with Tim, and doing some little jobs around the house. I am excited to watch some movies though, we have been waiting for them to come out on RedBox, which is the coolest idea for movie rentals ever.

 Dress - Compeer Dress from Anthropologie, Gap green cardigan, Hayden Harnett boots and belt, and Random tights.

Better view of the belt. I like how the body has lots of colors to play around with.

Outfit of the Day: Argyle and Checks

This outfit is straight up copied from Love At First Shop, who has some great personal style (if you haven't read her blog, check it out!) I have a bit of trouble styling this shift due to the rather unsubtle pattern, and when I remember her wearing it, I was glad to have another idea. I like the idea of it paired with the shirt underneath though, and Rosa's cue to toughen it up with leather. A worn leather jacket and some (sort of tough) boots work well with the argyle I think. Maybe I will try it with a belt next time?

 Argyle Shift Dress - JCrew, Checked Blouse - Old Navy, Leather Jacket -The Bay, Tights - Hue, Boots - Kelsi Dagger Mashita, Locket -  Joya and Vane at Anthropologie

Ohhhh pattern mixing (with neutrals, a bit tame).

 So I made a skirt yesterday, but it is a bit eh. I think the length might be too short for weight of the fabric. It is a bit puffy on the sides, and even though it is a high-waist + full skirt, my husband was unsure. He doesn't like the pouf though in anything. Silly boys. I'll style it up, and maybe you lovely readers can weigh in on it? 

Happy Friday everyone!

What Jess Sews: Ticking Stripe Dress

Thanks to the lovely thatdamngreendress, I can name my creation. Although not original, I didn't know the name of the pattern and after she told me, I could at least name it.

I used the dirndl skirt and bodice pattern from the Built By Wendy: Dresses book, but I shortened the length, added cap lace sleeves, and added an insert into the neckline. The book was easy to follow (but it has very basic picture instructions), although I did have to refresh my knowledge on darts, as the book did not mention them. I made a few mistakes along the way, but I now know how to avoid, and fix them easily.

Here it is in a recent outfit of the day.

Loft outlet army green jacket, vintage 1960s fish necklace, Hayden Harnett Zelda boots, random belt.

The lace is a bit girly girl, but I really like the scalloped edge. I think it balances out the stripes.

My favorite part of the dress is how the stripes go horizontal on the skirt, vertical on the bodice, and diagonal along the neckline.

Hope the week is going well for you! Anything exciting happen to you so far?

Freebie of the day: Holiday Photo Cards

I was browsing the internet last night and stumbled across this deal: 10 free personalized holiday photo cards from MyPublisher. Enter code HAPPY10FREE at checkout, and shipping is free too!

I am not affiliated with this, just wanted to share the deal. Not sure if it works for Canada, but I did it last night and got confirmation of my order so give it a try.

They have some cute card designs, and come with customazible envelopes, which is pretty nifty. These are some of my favorite card designs, although I would suggest adding your own family and pictures.

Again, not affiliated, just sharing the deal.

What Jess Sews: Sneak Peek

I had ordered some fabric scissors, and when they came this week I started my first project. I haven't really sewed anything major in about 10 years, so it is nice to have it all come back to me. Similar to riding a bicycle without the falling down and crashing part.

I am adapting a few different patterns, and learning a lot as I go. 

A few mistakes, but that is ok, the fabric was $4.

What Jess Likes: Home Made Pierogis!

Home Made Pierogi's with onions, sour cream, and potato pancakes.

I made these a week or so ago, they were pretty easy, and I want to make them for some company soon. I used a Colby Jack cheese, potato, and green onion filling, but I am a bit stumped about other fillings. Any suggestions would be fantastic! Bacon maybe?

I used the recipe found here (with about 1/2 cup of additional flour added, it was a bit too tacky to handle).

Outfit of the Day: What is Grey and Brown and Fuzzy all over?

I am apparently. I also forgot to recharge my camera battery so there is one picture today. A bit lame eh? Oh well. I put away all of my summer and early fall clothes yesterday, which means it is time for warm and fuzzy outfits.

Grey cardigan with rhinestone buttons - Gap, Macchiato Jumper - Anthropologie, Belt - random mall store, OTK boots - Hayden Harnett Zelda boots (cuff turned up), tights (not seen) - Hue ribbed leggings in heathered grey.

The best part of switching to seasonal outfits is the inspiration that pops up. There is something about having all your clothes laid out, and seeing things together that you would not normally pair.