Come, you creatures of comfort

Dress: J. Crew; Moccasins: Minnetonka, gift; 

T-shirt: from the Grand Canyon, originally from my dad; 

Jacket: Aeropostale, thrifted; Necklace: Forever 21.

Back when I did the 30x30 remix challenge a while ago, I included almost all of these clothing items but never came up with this combination. I am glad that a year later, I've still held onto them: my Grand Canyon tee, a worn but beloved shirt that once belonged to my late father; my Minnetonka moccasins, which came as a gift from my grandmother; and my paisley dress, which started out as a difficult item to wear but has since become a style mainstay in my closet (the links include the back stories to each piece). Clothing is never simple -- what we wear can go beyond the mere aesthetics and be an indicator of everything from class to personal creativity. For me, though, it can be purely about the sentimental: clothes don't merely remind me of home; they are home.

19 actually is my favorite number

Grand Canyon shirt: from dad;
Skirt: Kasper, thrifted;
Scarf: from Rome, gift from Valerie;
Belt: BR, gift from Marilou;
Boots: Target.

You know what is hard about doing the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge? Well, besides being limited to a set number of clothing? Coming up with clever post titles that not only involve numbers, but are related to what I wear. I was doing well up to 15 and then gave up because the post titles that I did think up were becoming more tenuous (I am 16? Going on 17?). So if you think this post title was really weak, at least it's actually true.

I really loved this outfit because I'm wearing so many gift items from people I know, and it felt like being covered in friendship and love all day. Okay, that sounds so Hallmark card-ready, but it's true! I like wearing things that friends give me, because it reminds me that I am really lucky to have awesome people in my life.

It was way too cold to be wearing this outfit for the 30 for 30 Remix Challenge, however. I didn't check the temperatures before I left, and probably looked ridiculous to the people I passed at the park who were wearing down jackets. I told myself I'd brave it anyways, and set up my tripod in the usual beach spot. I had to leave after about five minutes because of the crazy wind. I'm usually able to set up my tripod really close to the water (we're talking reallly close -- like one leg is submerged in lake water), but today almost all of my equipment toppled over into it.

My functionality seems to shut down when the temperatures get below 40 degrees, and I know I'd never survive a winter up north. How do you stay creative sartorially when it's so cold outside? And for my fellow Remixers, how are you holding up in the frigid weather?

Fourthcomings

Shirt: from Grand Canyon, 

borrowed from Dad;

Leather skirt: Old Navy;

Prom shawl (as scarf): Burlington Coat Factory;

Cougar bracelet: Finder's Keepers;

Shoes: Aerosoles.

It's Day Four of the 30 for 30 Challenge, and I'm introducing a favorite I haven't ever worn on the blog, but is very important to me: my Grand Canyon t-shirt. It used to belong to my dad and I saved it when he died. He had this wooden trunk that held mementos of his life -- Boy Scout patches and trophies, military certificates, travel postcards and nature photography. The trunk was always treated reverentially in our house when he was alive, so us kids very rarely go through it. But I knew I wanted just something tangible to remember him by, and this is what I hastily grabbed during my last look through the box. It reminds me of our family trip many years ago to the Grand Canyon. The design of the shirt is a map of the topographical  lines of the canyon, but the years have taken their wear on the design, so I usually just wear it for the bright color.

The shawl is also special to me: I wore it to my senior prom with Jeremiah when we first started dating. Now that we're married, I'm glad I hung onto to it all these years.

Two important mementos related to two important men in my life. Can't think of a better way to be covered during the day.