Rhapsody in blue

Dress: Taylor; Sweater: Old Navy; Bracelet: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI;

Bag: thrifted; Sunglasses: vintage, thrifted; Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri, Target.

Perhaps of my desire for structure during my busy weeks, I think I've been drawn to more simple, utilitarian looks that will help me transition from work to class. Things that are overly ruffly, frilly or jangle-y have taken a backseat to items that are more streamlined in design and color. My usually-shy self tends to pair this blue dress with darker neutrals, but I've been combining it lately with other neon-y, bright separates and accessories. 

Here are some ways I've worn this blue Taylor dress before: 

Blues traveler

 Dress: Taylor; Blazer: Donna Karan, salvaged from Aunt P.; 

Shoes: Aerosoles; Cougar bracelet: vintage, from Finders Keepers.

This is what I wore last week to work. I've mentioned before that I work in a very casual editing office environment, so pretty much anything goes for personal wardrobe. I know my aesthetic skews on the vintage side these days, but every once in awhile I like going with more modern ensembles. I still love this Donna Karan blazer that I received from Jeremiah's stylish Aunt P. The length is unusual, but it's a piece that I think I'll never get rid of because it fits well and is a pretty classic item.

What are some classic items you covet? 

If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy

 Dress: Taylor; Shoes: Zigi Soho.

These photos were taken right after my haircut, which was done by the lovely and awesome Amanda from chai love you, and I seriously could not be more thrilled with it! When my hair gets way too long, the length and thickness are hard to deal with and I was really ready to chop off at least six inches of it. Amanda understood that and was able to do battle with my crazy hair to do a sleek, bob style. Now, I'm enjoying how easy it has been to style without much effort from me (I barely use much product in my hair, much less blow-dry, so this was an ideal cut for a minimalist like me). If you're in the Atlanta/Northeast Georgia area and need a stylist, I highly recommend Amanda's hair design and style expertise.

Because I've been seeking more simplicity in my life, at least in some of my appearance and beauty regimen, it seemed fitting to celebrate on Friday, unadorned in a bright, simple sheath.

Pygmalion's clay

 Dress: Taylor; Sweater: Ralph Lauren; Tights, boots: Target.

These photos by Jeremiah.

When I bought this sweater and this dress several years ago, they were outlandish purchases. I didn't have anything similar like them in my wardrobe, and they didn't seem to go with anything, but I was drawn to them anyways.

I had an idea of the kind of person who would wear them, a woman who was organized, stylish and just seemed to have her life together. Oh yeah, and she skipped down busy city streets with a basket of flowers in one hand and a smile on her face. Basically a woman who was not like me, and maybe more like how I envisioned young Mary Tyler Moore to be if she were in a JC Penney commercial. I thought by purchasing these pieces, I could, like the classical Pygmalion, find the right tools, and in turn, be closer to molding the perfect woman that I wanted to be.

Needless to say,  these pieces languished in my closet for more than a year. I wore them hesitantly in different combinations, almost always to the grocery store or the post office. The idea of creating a perfect woman via an attainable wardrobe started to seem shallow, lifeless and as formidable as a lump of unformed clay. I felt dumb for even buying them, but I still hung onto them, like an old prom dress or tight pair of jeans, just in case.

And over the last couple of years, things have changed in my life. A different kind of self confidence started to grow that wasn't necessarily tied into my work or other life accomplishments, but through my appearance, a trait that has taken years of anxiety, skin eczema and self evolution to finally accept. Perhaps it was through this blog and this accepting community, but I felt less like I needed to mold and craft and more like I just needed to try.

I finally wore them together. It was a small blip in the grand scheme of things, but I skipped down the street anyways.

Dodging puddles

Dress: Taylor;
Jacket: Aeropostale, thrifted;
Boots: Target;
Bag: H&M.

I drove through a torrential rainstorm to take these photos. Yeah, I know. Sometimes I do question my own sanity on these kinds of things, but I was pretty determined to spend some time on the trail and document this outfit. I figured that even if it was raining when I arrived, I'd find some sort of makeshift shelter and photograph the rain and the wet outdoors. It seemed pretty serendipitous, then, when I finally got there the storm broke and I was able to enjoy some time alone on the marshy shore. I suppose I was just plain lucky to catch the few minutes of the afternoon when it wasn't pouring out...

A rainy day deserves a nice, bright dress. This Taylor dress never fails to cheer me up, and even if the color doesn't seem to fit the season, I couldn't help but wear it anyways. An anorak jacket and boots kept it grounded for the weather. 

What do you wear on rainy gross days? 

Recipe for a perfect day

Dress: Taylor;

Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri, Target.

How I've worn the dress before: here.

Recipe for a perfect day:

- Eliminate any work schedule.

- Sleep in until 11 a.m.

- Eat a subway sandwich from Quizno's. Share the chocolate chip cookie with your significant other.

- Wear a dress that makes you happy, and in a color that matches your favorite stuffed animal.

- Wear shoes that make your feet happy. And promise them they deserve better, and will get better.

- Go to the library and check out a book you've wanted to read forever (The Divine Comedy). Promise yourself you'll re-read The Inferno parts.

- Go to the park. Watch the little bluebirds fly around. 

- Drop off dry-cleaning. Ponder the new outfit possibilities.

- Watch an episode of "Gilmore Girls."

Rinse, repeat and do it again next week.