Bathroom Style File: The Return of the Pink Pantster

The Great Returns!

It's Pink Pants again on this oh so gray day. This time boldly paired where few [wo]men go (aside from 5 year olds) - pink and purple and green, all together on one body! Oh, and don't forget the importance of the sock bling. Yes, you heard it hear first, SOCK BLING. Though not in the form of rhinestones, more in the form of stripes (which you know I'm fond of).

Real bloggers stand in creative ways when posing. Here I am channeling a stork. A stork with a cell phone. And pants. 

Why is that a 66 floor building I hear creaking as the wind blows it about? Yes, yes it is. And I swear I can feel it. Or at least my inner ear can feel it. And my eyebrow does NOT like it. My neck wishes it had some decoration. My brain is silent.

 I don't care if rolling my pant legs up makes my legs look short, I'm going to call this a STYLE choice to highlight my favorite socks of all time! I seriously 'save' these socks for special days when I know they'll be visible. Yes I'm definitely 5 years old. Or maybe 3, which, as my mother reminds me, I liked to wear my "pretty ones" (ruffled underwear) backwards so I could see the ruffles.

Which Pink Pantser do you prefer? I'm inordinately proud of myself for wearing these bold pants in a few different ways, though not as proud as I was to be leading the winning pitch team at work yesterday! 

Channeling: A color-lovin' 5 year old
Wearing: Pink jeans/pants from Rue La La/Buffalo, Sweater from Banana Republic Outlet, purple tank from the GAP, boots from Kork-Ease, and socks from Filene's Basement (RIP!).

Not Seen (since this blog features shitty photographs): Dangle earrings with faux rhinestones from some kind of store. Old Navy perhaps? Also, a wonderful Fluorite ring from FAB/Urban Aviary

Bathroom Style File: Striped Out Hipster

Or at least as close as I get to hipster, which I'm constantly reminded on my daily Green line rides through Allston, is not anything close to who/what I am. I am Yuppie, not Hipster. I Preppy more than Hipster. I am "square" (in the words of my mother).

And below, you'll find "Slightly Itchy Account Director."

Don't worry, I don't have a disease (that I know of). My skin is just very prone to itches from any fabric that is not 100% smooth. Even Cashmere. Or in the case of this cardigan, 60% cotton, 35% rayon, 5% spandex. I had to put on a long sleeved under layer so my arms wouldn't feel prickly.

Modeling my side bun. Yes I'm so daring with hairstyles these days.

HERE'S THE HIPSTER! In the form of a hat. A hat that I love SO MUCH because of its beauty and slightly tall goofiness, just like me. I may install an anti-itch ear band to quiet my inner itch monster, but I can't stop wearing it. Even in bathrooms.

Channeling: Yuppie Hipster Preppy

Wearing: No name brand sweater/pullover from Marshall's, lace cami from Banana Republic, Lucky jeans, 9 West flats from a bazillion years ago, hoop earrings from Filene's, shell necklace/dog tags from my loving husband, hat knit by my future Sister-in-law, Dr. Jackie Vitaz!

Not Seen (since this fashion style blog features shitty photographs): Long sleeved paper thin white v-neck tshirt from Banana.

Bathroom Style File: Fashion vs. Style

Something I've been thinking about lately is fashion vs. style. I read a great blog post about it somewhere recently.. which I can't find, but basically anyone can be fashionable but not everyone has style. Fashion is the more shallow step-sister of style. Style is having a vision and a commitment to your own look and feel. Style is wearing something that's true to your self, and ignoring the funny looks or comments.

That, my friends, is what I aspire to... but my doubt led me to change on my way out the door on Friday from a pink, white, and blue Wrangler plaid shirt purchased from the men's section of the Framingham Salvation Army to a raspberry striped pink Banana Republic sweater, a much safer choice. 

Reason one was that the sweater was more cuddley and less polyster-y, but reason two raring its ugly head was doubt. Last time I wore the plaid shirt to a friend's birthday, it inspired several comments on its outlandishness. While I'm sure my friends meant well, having my own style means having the strength of self to hear those kinds of comments... and continue on being myself.

Last week had few style moments. Blame it on the long work days since two key members of my team were out of the office on exotic vacations. Or just doubt.

With that deep and meaningful commentary, I bring you the sole outfit from last week: a GAP striped sweater, and a question: Which shoes looked better?

Left photos feature the heeled suede booties, Right hand photos feature my very beat-up Ugg-like Fryes that I wear when commuting. I think they balance out the outfit a little better despite their Ugg-liness.

Channeling: Striped Circus Tent

Wearing: GAP striped sweater from a few years ago; Old Navy skinny jeans; LL Bean suede booties; Frye shearling-lined boots with very cracked soles.

Not Seen (since this fashion style blog features shitty photographs): My necklace is rolled magazine paper beads purchased to help women in Uganda!

What those machines in the bathroom are REALLY for

Today, I bring you a story. Later, fashion.

Overheard in the bathroom at Sunday River on Saturday:

[Group of five 7 year old girls, giggling madly]

Girl 1: HAHAHHAHAHA Diapers!!!!

Rest of Girls: HAHAHAHAHhhahahHAHAHHAhahHAHAAH Diapers!

Girl 1: DIAPERS!!! This one is diapers.

Rest of Girls: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHhAHHAHAhahahaha

I come out of the stall and start washing my hands. I see what they're gathered around - a feminine products dispenser.

Girl 1: This other one - guess what - you put it in your BUTTHOLE!

Rest of Girls: HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA butthole!!!!

Girl 2: My mom buys those all the time!!!

Rest of Girls: HAHAHHAA You put those in your butthole!

At last, I'm enlightened. THAT'S what those things are for.

In The Wild: My Scarf Shirt!

HEY YOU GUYSSSS!!! Maybe I'm more fashionable than I give myself credit for. Look what I spotted on a walk to the BBC (the delicious burger joint, not the British Broadcasting Channel) with Mrs. Amie Crawford:

Why yes, that is the same exact scarf shirt that i have! Well, perhaps an earlier prototype. Mine has more lime green around the borders. Please ignore my slightly demented looking facial expression.

For comparison's sake:

I clearly have better shoe-sense, since I'm wearing them and the mannequin is not. However, I do like the greater presence of teal on the other version. I guess that's why Marshall's had my shirt - it was sub-par. Good enough for me, though!

Where: Lord & Taylor Window Display on Boylston St in Boston

When: Friday, February 15 @ 12:16 PM

What: Michael by Michael Kors scarf shirt

Fashion Lesson: When wearing bright patterns on top, don't let your legs get jealous. Wrap them in some bright colors too!

Bathroom Style File: Love Edition

One of my Facebook friends said, "I think Valentine's Day is here to remind people, amidst the chaos of everyday life, to not forget about love. We celebrate freedom, we celebrate birthdays, we celebrate religion, we celebrate music and we celebrate trees. We can take one day to celebrate love." Oh Ginny, you are so wise. :-)

I 100% agree, though there were many Valentine's Days in the past where all the day did was remind me of how I was looking for love... but what I should have considered is all the love I have around me regardless of my relationship status. Easier said than done, I know. And now I'm married, so it's like, 100% love all the time. Or something like that. I may or may not say "I HATE you" several times a week. Usually in jest.

I digress. You're here for the FASHION. Or to laugh. Or just because you're bored.

I get saucy in the bathroom.

Mid-photo shoot outfit adjustment. Can you spot it?

I take a photo of myself taking a photo. How meta. 

Channeling: Valentine!

Wearing: Long sleeved tee from Banana Republic outlets; J Crew skirt from the outlets, which I washed once instead of dry cleaning it and the black bled into the white, thus destroying a practically new skirt.. until I dyed it using RIT! Black leggings from a store somewhere (Target I think); and the beat-up La Canadienne boots because I can't seem to pull the trigger on new ones. Do  I go short black boots? Motorcycle?

Not Seen (since this fashion blog features shitty photographs): You see everything here, my friends.

And now... I ask for your opinion on my boot dilemma. Since you're not [yet] a commenting bunch, perhaps you'd like to express yourself via a poll...?

Bathroom Style Files: Scarf Shirt!

I have coveted scarf shirts for awhile. I love the concept, though in reality none of my scarves would be large enough to cover me. Nor do I have two matching scarves to make a front and a back.

So you can imagine my delight when I spotted this outrageous scarf shirt at Marshall's last week! Now the rationale side of my brain says "Ew, lime green? And a 'chain' pattern? What is this, 1992?" My husband also may have said something along those lines. But the 'fashion' side of me screams "YES! ALL THE FUNKY BLOGGERS ARE WEARING CHAIN PATTERNS IN AN IRONIC 90'S MANNER!" I'm not quite at funky yet, but I have my aspirations.

Heyyyy me. Nice short pants!

Oh phone, I long for thee (apparently). Note my non-ironic wearing of a multiple-chain necklace. I'm anything but subtle, folks.

Look how long my lovely lady locks are! I would apologize for the out of focus photos, but these photos are taken in the bathroom in a hurried fashion before anyone else comes in. Because it would be embarrassing to be seen capturing 'selfies' even though it's in the name of 'fashion.'

Channeling: 90's Patterns combined with Ironic Hipster

Wearing: Lime green 'scarf' shirt - Michael by Michael Kors (because the real MK brand is mucho dinero); Old Navy jeans; LL Bean booties; my not-so-ironic chain necklace from a church yardsale (likely worn by a working woman in the 90's for reals); earrings from Kenya

Not Seen (since this fashion blog features shitty photographs): I actually did pretty well here --- the only things not seen are my my unmentionables, which shall remain so.

Bathroom Style File: Back to the Basics

By Back to the Basics, I mean Back To My Most Favorite Boots Of All Time!!!
T calls this outfit "earthy tie-dye." I call it "clothing."

This is an alternative bathroom to my regular haunt, where I couldn't seem to get a minute alone! Good bathroom photography is dependent on focus and you can't focus if you think someone is judging you for taking your own photo. Little do they know it's for this illustrious fashion journal.  

 I GET CRAZY WITH MY POSES, LOOKY HERE!

Channeling: Back to the Basics

Wearing: Calvin Klein 'earthy tie-dye' blouse made of 100% synthetic material from Filene's Basement (RIP!); Lucky jeans; my best boots.

Not Seen (since this fashion blog features shitty photographs): My socks. They were probably awesome.

February ... 5? 2013 (I think)

Bye, Gonzo.

Gonzo - the first time I met you was first semester senior year. You came into the apartment at Presidential along with the rest of the family, and were SO HAPPY to be included and hear kind words that your tail whipped everyone and everything it came into contact with. Our coffee table was cleared very quickly by your tail, and we laughed.

I'm sorry, Gonzo, that we electrocuted you. I wasn't just a witness to this, I was the enforcer! I helped bury the invisible fence line with Dad-Bob, took you around the perimeter to "teach" you, and then had to watch as you excitedly bounded towards the woods to go on a walk, only to get jolted backwards in shock and confusion. At least you knew who was boss then - us. You seemed to appreciate the boundaries... but I still feel guilty about killing your joy with pain.

Thanks for being so patient with Jakey as he poked your eyes and pulled your tail. You knew he meant well.

The way you "played" with The Pup (Mustard) was hysterical. I hope you got some joy and fun out of putting up with his energy in your old age.

Gonzo your spirit was so good. I'm so glad that Kristen and Bob rescued you and spent the two years you needed to become a good dog. You WANTED to be good, no one had helped you before. Hopefully later this morning, your spirit will be free and happy and painless, though I'm sure it will steer clear of bathrooms, large men who yell, and any kind of water that requires swimming.

xo 

casey

"Someone's gotta supervise this pup"

Whatever you want, Casey! I just want to be included in Christmas!

Bathroom Style File: Jump, Jump, Jump Around

Today (by Today I mean February 7), I went for the "pupil" look, getting "schooled" in fashion. My puns hurt. At least I finally got the husband to agree that I need new black boots. He deemed these out of fashion, militant, and beat-up. I 100% agree.. but when a girl's got one pair of black boots, and two legs that need warming...

Straight on shot. 

I experiment with new angles. Here is me looking to the right so you can closely examine the left side of my face. No, I'm not mixing up my left and rights, the camera is.

Here's the other side. You Like? Also note the side bun, made of hair that I teased to make it more voluminous. Overall the outfit was a success; I didn't look too outlandish for the Boston Symphony we attended that evening. Yes we're fancy like that slash trying new things... and the symphony was amazing. Except for the guy behind us who kept talking. Even I know you don't talk during the symphony.

Channeling: Pupil

Wearing: Mock black turtleneck.. probably from Marshalls; Blue jumper, unknown brand, definitely from Marshalls; black La Canadienne boots purchased 6.5 years ago; black tights that itch my skin but since the stores stop carrying tights now that it has snowed 25 inches it's spring, I can't buy more. I suppose I could get some online; imagine that, online shopping!

Not Seen (since this fashion blog features shitty photographs): How my boots don't quite zip up due to my "athletic" calves. Just another reason to get new boots!