Monday, April 19, 2010

And now for something completely different

Top: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted;
Pants: J. Crew, thrifted;
Heels: Etienne Aigner.
How I've worn the top before: here.

Thanks for all of your feedback on my last couple of posts. The Project was incredibly fun to do, but it couldn't have gone on the way it did without your interests and support, so thanks, guys.

So, what's new in my life ... I'm wearing pants today! It feels really weird to not type "Dress #X" in the title. It feels really weird to be wearing pants, too. I've missed them a little. I still cannot believe I got through 45 dresses. It makes me feel like a little overexposed, like you all know the cards in my deck after seeing most of the insides of my closet. Promise to still love me, even in pants and skirts and shorts?
About this outfit. Except for the shoes, everything is thrifted. These are the wool pants I was dying to wear during The Dress Project -- they look grey here, but they're actually more of a mint color in real life. I think they're going to get some good use, and they are in great condition considering that I thrifted them.
I made my first purchase today since the shopping ban -- it's the Target heels that I mentioned last week. It was really weird spending money on myself after not doing so for almost two months, but it felt pretty great. It sounds strange, but I think I want to continue the shopping ban for a little while longer. I'm so used to not spending money now that I feel like I don't know any other way. I'm sure this will get broken as time goes on, but I think the Project has made me want to be more frugal. 


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Sunday, April 18, 2010

A Compendium of Dresses

Now that The Dress Project is officially over, I thought I would indulge my organizational obsessive/compulsive tendencies by organizing the dresses into categories (and for some, in multiple categories, because they can be dressed up or down). For me, this will serve as a way to know what I have, how I've styled the dresses in the past and what looks would serve under which occasions. In other words, an online inspiration board of my closet! (Note: I have left out the dresses that I am iffy about keeping, but if I do decide to keep them, they'll be added to this list.) I'll be creating a collage in the next couple of days of my outfits, too.
Here goes!

Work (formal)
- Grey area, or Dress #43. Featured: Roulette black/grey colorblock dress.
- Film noir style, or Dress #42. Featured: Calvin Klein black dress.
- Seasonal allergies, or Dress #36. Featured: Banana Republic Outlet dress.
- Belt it out, or Dress #32. Featured: Black Jackie Jon dress.
- Back in Black, or Dress #29. Featured: Black cowlneck Ann Taylor LOFT dress.
- There's white things in the air, or Dress #7. Featured: Banana Republic green silk dress.

Example:

Work (business casual)
- Cherry tomato, or Dress #41. Featured: Liz Claiborne red sleeveless dress.
- Weather and tide permitting, or Dress #37. Featured: Nick & Mo dress.
- Green's the thing, or Dress #35. Featured: Green Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress.
- Ye Banks and Braes, or Dress #31. Featured: Ethnic print Sangria dress.
- Creamsicle, or Dress #30. Featured: Orange Akris Punto dress.
- Tricky Patterns, or Dress #25. Featured: J. Crew paisley dress.
- Heels at the park, or Dress #23. Featured: Maggy London black/gold graphic print dress.
- Lay down your mind, or Dress #20. Featured: Old Navy red ruffle dress.
- A Maven of a day, or Dress #19. Featured: Target black polka-dot dress.
- Assassin's tango, or Dress #18. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black floral print dress.
- Almost Alice, or Dress #12. Featured: Taylor bright blue shift dress.
- Deep thoughts at Target, or Dress #8. Featured: La Belle brown polka dot dress.
- A day at the movies, Part 1, or Dress #5. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black/purple print dress.
- Paint splatters, or Dress #2. Featured: Graphic black/purple Ann Taylor LOFT dress.

Example:

Play

- I'd like to say a few words to mark the occasion, or Dress #45. Featured: Arpeja floral dress. 
- Full circle, or Dress #44. Featured: Check it Out red dress. 
- The Case of the Mystery Park, or Dress #40. Featured: Connected Apparel pink printed dress. 
- Blue skies, or Dress #39. Featured: Forever 21 blue/purple/white floral dress.
-  Scenes from a Friday, or Dress #36. Featured: Target strapless paisley print dress.
- A Modest Proposal, or Dress #33. Featured: White Ann Taylor LOFT dress.
- Lazy Sunday or Dress #28. Featured: Laundry by Shelli Segal dress.
- Suburban Bazaar, or Dress #27. Featured: R&K Apparel dress.
- Tricky Patterns, or Dress #25. Featured: J. Crew paisley dress.
- They say it's your birthday, or Dress #24. Featured: Ariella purple lace dress.
-  Heels at the park, or Dress #23. Featured: Maggy London black/gold graphic print dress.
- Spring! or Dress #21. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT purple dress.
- Lay down your mind, or Dress #20. Featured: Old Navy red ruffle dress.
- A Maven of a day, or Dress #19. Featured: Target black polka-dot dress.
- Assassin's tango, or Dress #18. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black floral print dress.
- Aquamarine, or Dress #17. Featured: Connected apparel turquoise tie-dye dress.
- Ruffled up, or Dress #16. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black/purple ruffled floral dress.
 - Are you going to Scarborough Fair? or Dress #15. Featured: Style & Co. leopard print dress.
- Date night, or Dress #14. Featured: R&K Apparel dress.
- Really red, and a recipe, or Dress #13. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT watercolor ruffle dress.
- Almost Alice, or Dress #12. Featured: Taylor bright blue shift dress.
- A day at the movies, Part II, or Dress #10. Featured: Spense orange dress.
- Afternoon in the park, or Dress #9. Featured: Liz Roberts blue print dress.
- The city should give me its key, or Dress #6. Featured: Tabloid red/pink graphic wrap dress.
- Candy canes on a tree, or Dress #1. Featured: Donna Ricco red/white print dress. 

Example:

Special Occasion (cocktail party/night time wedding)
- New locations, or Dress #26. Featured: French Connection dress.
- Commitment to sparkle motion, or Dress #11. Featured: vintage white sparkly dress.
- There's white things in the air, or Dress #7. Featured: Banana Republic green silk dress.

Special Occasion (luncheon/shower/daytime wedding)
- The Case of the Mystery Park, or Dress #40. Featured: Connected Apparel pink printed dress.
- Tricky Patterns, or Dress #25. Featured: J. Crew paisley dress.
- Heels at the park, or Dress #23. Featured: Maggy London black/gold graphic print dress.
 - Assassin's tango, or Dress #18. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black floral print dress.
- Aquamarine, or Dress #17. Featured: Connected apparel turquoise tie-dye dress.
- Date night, or Dress #14. Featured: R&K Apparel dress.
- Really red, and a recipe, or Dress #13. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT watercolor ruffle dress.
- Almost Alice, or Dress #12. Featured: Taylor bright blue shift dress. 
- The city should give me its key, or Dress #6. Featured: Tabloid red/pink graphic wrap dress.
- Candy canes on a tree, or Dress #1. Featured: Donna Ricco red/white print dress.

Example:

Prints
-  The Case of the Mystery Park, or Dress #40. Featured: Connected Apparel pink printed dress.
- Ye Banks and Braes, or Dress #31. Featured: Ethnic print Sangria dress.
- Tricky Patterns, or Dress #25. Featured: J. Crew paisley dress.
- Heels at the park, or Dress #23. Featured: Maggy London black/gold graphic print dress.
- A Maven of a day, or Dress #19. Featured: Target black polka-dot dress.
- Assassin's tango, or Dress #18. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black floral print dress.
- Deep thoughts at Target, or Dress #8. Featured: La Belle brown polka dot dress.
- A day at the movies, Part 1, or Dress #5. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black/purple print dress.
 - Paint splatters, or Dress #2. Featured: Graphic black/purple Ann Taylor LOFT dress.
- A Modest Proposal, or Dress #33. Featured: White Ann Taylor LOFT dress.
- Lazy Sunday or Dress #28. Featured: Laundry by Shelli Segal dress.
- Aquamarine, or Dress #17. Featured: Connected apparel turquoise tie-dye dress.
- Ruffled up, or Dress #16. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT black/purple ruffled floral dress.
 - Are you going to Scarborough Fair? or Dress #15. Featured: Style & Co. leopard print dress.
- Date night, or Dress #14. Featured: R&K Apparel dress.
- Really red, and a recipe, or Dress #13. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT watercolor ruffle dress.
- Afternoon in the park, or Dress #9. Featured: Liz Roberts blue print dress.
- The city should give me its key, or Dress #6. Featured: Tabloid red/pink graphic wrap dress.
- Candy canes on a tree, or Dress #1. Featured: Donna Ricco red/white print dress.

Example:


Solids 
-  Cherry tomato, or Dress #41. Featured: Liz Claiborne red sleeveless dress.
- Grey area, or Dress #43. Featured: Roulette black/grey colorblock dress.
- Film noir style, or Dress #42. Featured: Calvin Klein black dress.
- Full circle, or Dress #44. Featured: Check it Out red dress.
- Seasonal allergies, or Dress #36. Featured: Banana Republic Outlet dress.
- Belt it out, or Dress #32. Featured: Black Jackie Jon dress.
- Back in Black, or Dress #29. Featured: Black cowlneck Ann Taylor LOFT dress.
- There's white things in the air, or Dress #7. Featured: Banana Republic green silk dress.
- Green's the thing, or Dress #35. Featured: Green Isaac Mizrahi for Target dress.
- Creamsicle, or Dress #30. Featured: Orange Akris Punto dress.
- Lay down your mind, or Dress #20. Featured: Old Navy red ruffle dress.
- Almost Alice, or Dress #12. Featured: Taylor bright blue shift dress.
- Black dress with the tights underneath, or Dress #3. Featured: Target black dress.
- They say it's your birthday, or Dress #24. Featured: Ariella purple lace dress.
- Spring! or Dress #21. Featured: Ann Taylor LOFT purple dress. 
- A day at the movies, Part II, or Dress #10. Featured: Spense orange dress.
- New locations, or Dress #26. Featured: French Connection dress.
- Commitment to sparkle motion, or Dress #11. Featured: vintage white sparkly dress.

Example:



 Which of these looks was your favorite?

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

I'd like to say a few words to mark the occasion, or Dress #45

Dress: Arpeja, thrifted;
Belt: Ann Taylor Loft;
Jade bracelet: Finder's Keepers;
Wedges: Zigi Soho.
How I've worn the dress before: here.


So two very big things happened today: I finished The Dress Project, and we found Mystery Park! So it seemed only fitting that this floral dress got a great setting for the final outfit in the installment.

So about the park. We realized the last time we tried to find it, our Google directions took us to a back entrance of the park that no longer existed. We found it today, and what's even better is that it's only two miles from our apartment, which is closer than almost all of our other photo places. Not only that, the park is completely lush and preserved even though it's minutes from a retail and suburban area. And not only that, it's kind've isolated -- it's not crowded like the other parks near us, and it would be a great place to take kids because there are a lot of scenic areas. Apparently it's land from McDaniel Farm, which was in its prime in the early 1900s as a tenant farm. Lots of the land and buildings have been preserved in the park. We explored a little bit of one trail today and are going to save the rest for some exploring later. I'm so excited about having a new place for photos! Here are some more photos:



Ok, so about the dress. I really loved how I styled it this time around, because now that the weather's nice, the dress can really shine on its own without sweaters covering it up. I felt like I personified spring, walking around with so many bright colors. These photos from this shoot are probably my favorites on the blog so far. I love how the park just inspired us.

-----

I cannot believe this was the last dress in the Project, because I really feel like I accomplished a big goal. Forty-five dresses took a long time --- I wore one everyday, but the Project took 57 days because there were some days I just didn't take any photos, or felt pretty sick. But now that it's over,
it feels weird to go into my closet now and realize that I don't have to wear any more dresses if I don't want to. I started this Project to appreciate what I already have, and I think I've accomplished that goal. I know I've got a couple dresses that I'm iffy about keeping, but now that I've seen most of my dresses in a new light, I can't see getting rid of them. A few will probably get alterations, but I think that will give them more potential.
As the Project is over, so is my shopping ban. It feels weird to say this too, but I don't have the sudden urge to go on a shopping spree now. I mean, I could probably get some new shoes, but that's it. I have to admit, I think I've become more cautious with my money, which I definitely think the Project influenced.

Lastly, I want to thank you guys for reading through The Dress Project and Sidewalk Chalk. I thought the Project was going to be a hare-brained scheme, but it really has evolved because of your comments, encouragement and support. I really do have the best readers, and you really have meant a lot to me in not only the last 57 days, but throughout the last six months, when this blog started. I've got some other ideas for this blog, and I really can't wait to see how it'll evolve even more. Thank you so much for everything!



Friday, April 16, 2010

Full circle, or Dress #44


Dress: Check it Out;
Black slip dress (underneath): thrifted;
Wedges: Zigi Soho.

I wore this for a date night out with Jeremiah to see "Kick Ass," which was pretty enjoyable. We're really getting good use out of the round of free movie and drink tickets we won at the "Best Picture Showcase" -- we've gone on three movie dates so far, and have one more to go so hopefully we will choose wisely with our last tickets. I'll admit, J and I have become hardened movie snobs over the last couple years, but sometimes it's fun to watch movies that don't win all the critic accolades at awards shows. Sometimes it's fun to let your snarky-cool guard down and watch movies just because they exist and because they make you laugh.

Anyways, about this dress. Of all the dresses I own, this one deserves its own glass case, complete with spotlights, a little placard and a security guard telling you not to step too close. Like, if I ever become super-famous like Elvis, people will be bidding and fighting to own this dress because it's that important to me. I have kept this dress around for five years for mostly sentimental value -- it was the first dress I ever bought for a date with Jeremiah -- our first Valentine's Day. We had been going out for a month at the time, and I really wanted to wear a pretty dress for our date, because at that time (we were still seniors in high school), I didn't dress up very often. 

The week before our date, he borrowed my mix cd of favorite songs. On the night of our date, he took me to the Flying Saucer, a local restaurant that was hosting a Frank Sinatra tribute night, which I loved. Afterward, J drove us to an abandoned parking lot where the old Publix used to be, and urged me to get out of the car. He pulled out an stereo and propped it up on the back of his old car, and it started to play my favorite songs. The lights in the parking lot beamed like spotlights, and we slow danced there for what seemed like hours. It seemed appropriate tonight to wear the same dress on a date with the same boy, who is now my husband.


The dress itself isn't very special -- the material is a little thin, and sometimes it clings in the wrong places. It originally had shoulder ties, but I snipped them off and, with a slip dress underneath, the dress seemed transformed. I will probably never get rid of this dress.



Grey area, or Dress #43

Dress: Roulette;
Brooches: thrifted;
Shoes: Target.

Because I love you guys so much, I wore two dresses today. Well, actually the day required it. I was originally going to put them in the same post, but decided not to because the other dress deserved its own post. So we're starting with the outfit I liked a little less.
 Today was one of the days where the Project wore on me a little, because I wore a suiting dress yesterday and I like to have some balance with what I wear everyday. I bought this dress for my internship in NYC, and as much as I like it, it is a little big for me in the top area. I think I'm going to get it hemmed. I did decided to add some sparkle by pinning some brooches to my dress, a la Michelle Obama. I'm going to have to find some other ways to wear this one.


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