Back In Action

 Sweater: Arden B., secondhand, $22 // Jeans: Guess via TJMaxx, $28 // Belt: F21, $3.50 // Boots: Vintage, $22

I wasn't planning to take a blog holiday, but with all the friends, family and festivities, it just worked out that way. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. The weekend weather was unseasonably warm. Though I would have been happy with festive wintry conditions, the sunshine was certainly nice. Yesterday the chill came back, so I warmed up with this oversize gold-flecked sweater.

Outfit-In-A-Box

Tank, jeans and cardigan: Courtesy of Fossil Clothing // Shoes: Kenneth Cole, thrifted, $3 // Scarf: Courtesy of ShopRuche (Weardrobe Conference)

The fine folks at Fossil sent me some product recently. While I really like the sequined tank, army green cardi and slouchy skinny jeans individually, the first thing that came to mind when I opened the box was, "That would be a really cute outfit." So, though it's not very creative, I wore them all together! I added the shoes and scarf all by myself, so I'll take full credit for that. I'm sure each piece will be popping up in future outfits. In fact, I'm wearing the cardi with a different ensemble right now. You can't tell in this picture, but it has the cutest details: big pockets and little shoulder epaulets. I'll take detail shots next time. I do enjoy the process of getting dressed, but the outfit-in-a-box was kind of nice.

And the winner is...

Thank you to all who entered the Lillian Bassman book giveaway! Using a random number generator, I determined comment #79 (R. Crosse Squire) as the winner. Congratulations, and please email me at kathryn.seibel@gmail.com as soon as possible to claim your prize! 

The Final Challenge

I was excited to work on the final challenge of the Bluefly / StyleList America's Most Stylish Blogger contest because it was indeed a challenge. The leggings we received aren't exactly my usual style, but I was very intrigued by them. The black, white and gray tie-dye looks almost like marble and creates an interesting textural effect. It was refreshing to work with something I probably would not have picked out myself.

The judge didn't like the proportions and thought there was too much going on. I swear, I used to under accessorize... perhaps I'm overcompensating? What do you guys think of the look?

Bumming Around

Sweater: Estate sale, $1 // Jeans: Guess via TJMaxx, $28 // Bracelet: F21, $8 // Scarf: H&M, given to then stolen from boyfriend // Hat: Target, $5 // Shoes: Kenneth Cole, thrifted, $3

I want to give a shout-out to my fellow daily style bloggers! Busy days, lack of light and general flakiness have made me fall behind on posting outfit photos recently. I so admire and aspire to emulate those of you who dutifully deliver your style every single day through hell and high water! You guys rock.

Anyway... I'm least likely to get my ensemble photographed on work days, so I've noticed more of my weekend style popping up on here. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Though I get more gussied up for work, my natural style tends toward the casual. I'm definitely a die-hard denim-lover... just add some spiffy shoes and pretty accessories, and I'm happy!

Pearls & Plaid

Sweater: Isabel Lu via Gilt Fuse, purchased with credit // Shirt: Thrifted, $1 // Jeans: Zco via TJMaxx, $18 // Socks: Target, $6 // Boots: Rampage, $50 // Bag: Christian Siriano for Payless

If you can overlook the tired face, messy hair and depressing parking lot backdrop, you'll see that I'm wearing an outfit! And, no, that is not the same plaid shirt as the one seen in my previous two posts. I'm not a one-trick pony, I promise. The button-up is not what I want to talk about, anyway. It's the sweater that's new and exciting! At the Weardrobe Conference, the bloggers got a chance to meet representatives from Gilt Groupe, a members-only website that offers designer items at a major discount for limited windows of time. While I've done plenty of browsing, this sweater is my first purchase! Sweaters, in my opinion, are the most important type of garment this time of year. My collection was in desperate need of an update, and I love embellishment, so this little number won me over right away. Haven't checked out Gilt? Use my invite code!

Just for Kicks

Here's another way I styled the plaid shirt from the contest. Which look do you prefer?

New Feature on Weardrobe

If you haven't already, check out the cool new feature on weardrobe! Now you can shop the looks you see on the front page. Considering the incredibly inspiring fashion the weardrobe community has to offer, this feature will definitely come in handy!

The Fourth Challenge

When I opened the fourth item in the StyleList / Bluefly America’s Most Stylish Blogger contest, I immediately began to laugh. The Priorities plaid blouse in the package was nearly identical to the shirt I had on!

Classic plaid was hugely popular last fall and winter, and it has only gained momentum this season. From gingham to buffalo, the checkered pattern is popping up everywhere. Traditional red tartan always calls to mind two personas from opposite ends of the style spectrum: the prep and the punk. My style can be a bit manic, so both looks have a place in my wardrobe. Some days my outfits border on prim and proper; other days it’s all about attitude.

This time around, I decided to go the edgy route. I could just have easily buttoned this ruffled shirt up to the throat and paired it with a high-waist skirt and schoolboy blazer. Instead, I borrowed a grunge-era trademark and wore it unbuttoned over a laid-back oversize tee. Ultra dark skinnies, a bejeweled layered chain necklace and taupe ankle booties keep it chic and modern. 

Giveaway!

I am pleased to be giving away a gorgeous hardcover book entitled Women. It chronicles the work of Lillian Bassman, a beloved fashion photographer. Most of the images were taken in New York during the '50s and '60s. Some of the photographs have never before been published, and others have not been seen since they first appeared on the pages of Harper's Bazaar. 

It's the perfect coffee table book for the lover of fashion, art and photography. To enter, please leave a comment on this post. One comment per person, please. Open to readers in the US and Canada. You have until next Monday, November 23rd at 11:00 PM Central. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced on the 24th. Good luck!

Poll: Should I chop my locks?

It's that time again. My ends are getting scraggly, so I at least need a trim. But every time I get a haircut, that little voice urges me to chop it all off. I usually just ignore it, but this time around, I'm seriously considering taking the plunge. I know it's kind of annoying when people demand hair advice. I mean... who cares? But I figure you guys have to look at me a lot, so your opinion really does matter. And I'm bad at making decisions...

So, because I'm a list person, here are the pros and cons of getting it cut.

PROS

• I've had the same haircut for at least a couple of years now and am getting rather bored. Dyeing requires too much maintenance, so it's out of the question.
• Hair grows back!
• Right now I only like the way my hair looks after I've washed it, and I don't like to wash it every day.
• I had short hair all through college, so it's not uncharted territory.
• It would be fresh and exciting!

CONS

• I would no longer be able to rock the up-dos. See Exhibit A and Exhibit B.
• It took an endless amount of time (and patience) to get it to this length.
• Awkward "in-between" lengths are the worst if I decide to grow it back out.

I feel really lame for posting a picture of a celebrity, but oh well. This is pretty close to what I would get: a "long bob" with bangs. My hair is stick straight, but I would totally wear it wavy sometimes. Photo from beautysnob.com.

So what do you think? Thanks for humoring me on this somewhat trivial matter.

Should I cut my hair?
	YES
	NO
pollcode.com free polls

Call for Local Artists!

Attention female artists in the Lawrence, KS area: the lovely ladies of LOLA are accepting applications for an upcoming holiday show at Van Go Mobile Arts. Email ladiesoflawrence@gmail.com for more information and an application.

The Day Shift

Dress: BB Dakota via Century 21, $25 // Scarf: Payless // Handbag: Christian Siriano for Payless // Booties: Prada courtesy of AMSB

Go me! I actually took an outfit photo before work. It only happened because my kind picture-taker was available during the early morning hours. At the top of my Christmas list: a tripod!

This purple shift dress is one of my favorite garments. It's just so easy to throw on for work, but for some reason I hadn't worn it in awhile. This time around, I paired it with some black tights, a zebra print scarf and the Prada booties I got in the America's Most Stylish Blogger Contest. They weren't the most practical for early morning dog-walking, but I felt great at the office!

The Third Challenge

This Necessary Objects knit mini-skirt, the third item in the Bluefly / StyleList America's Most Stylish Blogger contest, may fall into the "basics" category, but there is no doubt that it makes a bold statement. With its curve-hugging fit, cropped hemline and vibrant color, it demands an outfit with a wild side. To add some interest with pattern, I paired it with a laid-back black & white striped tee. The fitted cotton moto jacket and black biker boots up the cool factor. A strand of chunky beads and a pair of thigh-high socks complete this fun yet edgy look.

The guest judge, Nicole Miller, said she liked the look but would have preferred opaque socks, and I couldn't agree more! I originally had on a pair of thick knit socks, but I thought they looked too heavy with the rest of the outfit. Looking at my final photo, the sheerness of the socks stuck out to me, too. Oh well, live and learn.

It's Been Awhile

Dress: Old Navy, $8 // Necklace: F21, $9 // Scarf: Thrifted, $6 // Boots: alice + olivia for Payless 

I feel like I've lost my rhythm for taking daily outfit photos. As others have mentioned on their blogs, the time change has kind of thrown me for a loop, especially as someone who tends to take pictures after work rather than before. Anyway, I'm trying to get back on a track, so here's a good old-fashioned outfit post.

After an unseasonably cool October, the beginning of November has been oddly warm. Hence, all the skin. This is what I wore yesterday: a simple grey frock (that I almost gave away awhile back and am so glad I didn't), a purple scarf worn as a belt, a layered chain necklace to add a little glamor to my day and white boots. I love the grey and purple together and the way a scarf (rather than an actual belt) maintains the soft, laid-back feel of the look.

Chicago!

At long, long last, here's a recap of my weekend trip to Chicago a couple of weeks ago. As I mentioned before, designer Christina Fan invited me to attend the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion Show. Christina was not only gorgeous (she belonged up on that runway, too!), but also very cool and very kind. We talked a lot about Chicago's place in the fashion world. As a Midwestern blogger, I was glad to get a taste of the Windy City's style scene, which was glamorous but more accessible than New York's.

Christina Fan (second from right) poses with some of her models.

This was the first "real" fashion show I have ever attended, complete with a never-ending runway and towering models. I was accompanied by one of my best friends and former college roomie as well as Lucrecia of Fashion is Poison.

Photo by Billy Rood.

Christina's line, C/FAN, opened the show with a bang. Her Spring 2010 collection exudes effortless elegance. The luxurious silk crepe de chine pieces are clean and simple but display keen attention to detail and playful use of color. One of my favorite aspects of the line is its wearability. With the right accessories, the dresses could go from the office to a casual weekend look to a more formal evening affair. With the pompadour-esque hair, blingy jewelry and strappy sandals, Christina gave her pieces an edgy feel for the show...

Photo by Billy Rood.

Photo by Billy Rood.

Photo by Billy Rood.

Photo by Billy Rood.

Besides the fashion show, we did some Chicago sightseeing and had brunch with Tavi of Style Rookie.

Being touristy.

Me, Tavi, Lucrecia, Christina.

The Second Challenge

When I unveiled these studded Prada booties—the second item in the Bluefly / StyleList America’s Most Stylish blogger contest—my first thought was how gorgeous they were. My second thought was that I might be a little afraid to actually wear them! They are, after all, my first pair of designer shoes. A few steps with these beauties on and any hesitation disappeared. I couldn’t wait to show them off with the perfect outfit!

Although they’re studded, they struck me as more whimsical than edgy. The small, sparkly embellishment covering the rich grey suede recalls a star-filled sky. To play up this mood, I paired them with a delightfully playful piece: a tiered ruffle dress in cotton candy pink. To bring the look back to earth (and to make it more appropriate for the cool fall day), I layered a simple short-sleeved sweater over the dress. So as not to take the spotlight away from the shoes, I kept accessories simple but charming. A polka dot scarf tied into a big floppy bow serves as a belt. The bowler hat makes use of the once forbidden but now favorite color combination of red and pink. A pair of scrunched-up socks completes this girly but chic look.

Heavens to Betty

I dressed up as Betty Draper for Halloween. It was so much fun channeling her character and donning the retro fashion. The dress isn't actually vintage. After scouring thrift stores for the perfect Betty dress, I realized that this Forever 21 frock I already had would work perfectly. Of course, the full petticoat really makes the look, and it was great for dancing!

My costume, however, was incomplete. Sadly, Don was home sick! Or, as a couple of friends pointed out, probably off sleeping with another woman. Without Don, I knew the right details were the key to pulling off this costume. What I didn't know is that fake nail glue is sold separately. So I didn't have the perfect pink nails. I didn't have red wine or anything that resembled it... so that's cider in my glass. I forgot my fake ciggie at home. Despite all that was missing, one (that's right, ONE) guy knew who I was! I thought Mad Men-themed costumes were supposed to be very popular this year, but most people I talked to had never seen the show. Oh well, I hugged that one guy and told him he made my night. And I had fun, which is all that really matters.

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween weekend!