TOO MANY TRENDS

These photos were taken about three weeks ago, obvious from the lack of snow... and my lack of coat!  When it comes to my personal style, I suppose you could say I like to look a bit "undone."  I have a weird fear of looking like I'm trying too hard, or an outfit being overly trendy; however, this time I threw caution to the wind, broke my own rule, and wore it all... the hat, the vest, the colored denim.  I'm such a rebel.  (Only... I'm really not because I still think it's too much.)

Hat:  Mint by Goorin (similar)

Vest:  Gap (similar)

Top:  Bailey 44 (similar)

Jeans:  Target

Booties:  Sam Edelman "Petty" Boot

Necklace:  Poor Sparrow

WEEKEND WEAR: MY DAD'S VEST

Hey there!  Did you enjoy Marni + James' playlists yesterday?  I love hearing about new bands and artists.  Hopefully you're enjoying this new feature as much as I am!

A few weeks ago when we were home I inherited stole this vest from my Dad.  It was getting a little too small for him, and he had just gotten a new one.  I remember this vest well.  One of my favorite pictures of my sister and me involves us wearing my Mom's boots and Dad's vests {the one below included}.  I'm a sentimental gal, so it makes me happy to have it.  And with the oddly warm weather we've been having - I'm sneaking in a few wears before the snow falls and my winter coat takes over.

Necklace:  Ax+Apple

Tee:  Fluxus "Funk Top"

Camo Shirt Jacket:  Old Navy Men's (sold out, but similar here)

Vest:  Dad's from the 70s  

Jeans:  Paige Denim Verdugo Jeggings

Boots:  Shoemint

Watch:  Men's Timex

Bracelets:  These are the bracelets I always wear, so I'll just do this once! :) 

Vita Fede leather, Melinda Maria pyramid bangle, Alex + Ani St. Christopher bangle, 

two of my mom's from the 70s, a claddagh bracelet from my sister - via her trip to Ireland

OUTFIT POSTS ARE SCARY

Hey all!  So, I promised personal style posts would be back... I know it took me six months {oops!}, but I keep my promises.  You have been saying you missed them, and I appreciate that you want to see my outfits!  Or at least you're just being nice. 

I talked about my fears of being in front of the camera here... and here, too.  I'm pretty critical of myself, and when I used to just snap photos with my iphone - I just felt a little less vulnerable. BUT, since there is no longer a full length mirror with good lighting {because I'm not at the store anymore}, I can't hide behind my iphone.  So, it is just me... in front of the camera... trying not to be hard on myself...while I teach my Mr. the basics of our DSLR. 

This one was very impromptu on the way to brunch one morning.  Not the most exciting outfit in the world, but hey - I'm trying to get back on the horse.  Or something like that. 

{my real smile}

{my silly - I feel awkward posing - smile}

White + Warren cardigan / American Apparel tri-blend vneck tee / Levi's Curve ID jeans / 

Urban Outfitters necklace / Elizabeth Gillet scarf / Matisse "Prospector" boots

WHAT I WORE - ACCORDING TO MY IPHONE - NO. 6

This sums up the last of my "what I wore" posts, not forever, just the last of my phone pics from the fitting room mirror at the store. My last day was Saturday. It was an odd feeling to turn the lights out and lock the door for the last time. Five and a half years is a long time. 

{left to right}

1. American Apparel over-sized tee / Paige white jeans / Mint by Goorin hat / Lotta clogs / Madewell chambray shirt / Vintage locket

2. Maxi dress via TJ Maxx / Gap jean vest / Vintage belt

3. Blank Denim poppy jeans / By Malene Birger white tunic / Warby Parker glasses / Steve Madden sandals

4. Vintage skirt / Gap jean vest / Vintage belt / Miz Mooz oxfords

5. Gap ankle pants / Three Dots cardigan / Vintage necklaces / Metallic peep toe flats {in my "I had a meeting" gear. I also look really tired...eek!}

6. Isda tank & skirt / Vintage necklace / Bakers sliver wedge sandals

7. American Apparel skirt / Steve Madden sandals via DSW / Gap vest / H&M tee / Ax + Apple "Naja" necklace

8. Pringle of Scotland cut-out shoulder blouse / Paige wide leg jeans / Lotta clogs

9. Ulla Johnson silk skirt / Forever 21 tank / Gap jeans shirt circa 1997 / Ax + Apple "Naja" necklace / Watch gear necklace from Rowe

WHAT I WORE - ACCORDING TO MY IPHONE - NO. 5

Hello, friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Ours was wonderful. The highlight was my sister coming to Columbus Saturday night. We all went to her good friend's Cinco de Mayo birthday party, which was so much fun. It was so nice to be outside, and Kate's friend {Tessa} is always the hostess with the mostess. They had the most amazing taco bar + the margarita cupcakes and sangria were to die for. I promise to post a few pics this week. There are some doozies!

I'm sorry for not posting yesterday. I'm going to ask all of you to stick with me over the next few weeks. I have something going on I hope to tell you about very soon, but my evenings after work are feeling pretty short these days. Over the next few weeks I'm going to try to post something each day, but a lot of days it might just be a recipe, an inspirational image, or a hello. 

Just a few outfits over the last two weeks. The weather was in the 40s/50s one week and the 70s/80s the next... in case you were wondering about the scarf and boots!  

{Left to Right}

1. H&M leopard scarf / Cut 25 blazer / LnA zipper pocket tee / Dolce Vita "Jax" ankle boot

2. Vintage polka dot skirt / H&M lion necklace / Steve Madden sandals / Top - purchased in L.A.

3. Gap sweatshirt tee / Vintage skirt / Ulla Johnson belt / Dolce Vita wedge sandals / Ax + Apple necklace

4. Gap jean shirt I've had since high school  {circa 1997, folks} / American Apparel maxi / Report Marks ankle boots

5. Free People sweater / Fluxus tee / Gap jeans / Coconuts snake print sandals / Honey Rose & K necklace

6. Vintage silk leopard blouse / Isda cotton maxi dress / Vintage locket / Dolce Vita wedge sandals

WHAT I WORE - ACCORDING TO MY IPHONE - NO.3

If you're visiting lovely and rust for the first time,  I've been trying to be better about posting personal style pictures. That was my intention when this blog began, but it didn't last long as I'm just too self-conscious +  critical of myself in photos... and I just didn't want to have to take a picture of myself every day. For some reason I feel more comfortable snapping a quick photo of myself with my iphone, rather than having the Mr. take a photo of me with the fancy camera. Silly? Probably... but true nonetheless. So, I've been snapping a quick photo of myself at work in the morning, thanks to the fitting room mirror.

I'm also trying to decide whether I should list where the items I'm wearing are from {I did it below this time.}!  Would that be something you care to know in the future?

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday! It's a beautiful sunny morning here in Columbus, and it's hard not to be in a good mood. 

{Left to Right}

1. Mike + Chris tunic dress / Paige jeggings in olive / Ax + Apple necklace / Report Marks boots

2. Madewell chambray shirt / Thrifted polka dot skirt + belt / Report Marks ankle boots

3. Malene Birger "Pitina" snake print blouse / H+M crop jeans / Sam Edelman t-strap sandals

4. American Apparel nude maxi skirt / Uniqlo blazer / Fluxus tee / Report Marks ankle boots

5. H+M striped blazer / American Apparel tee / Forever 21 skirt / Dolce Vita "Jax" ankle boots

6. H+M sleeveless top / Three Dots cardigan / Paige jeggings / Dolce Vita wedge sandal

WHAT I WORE {A NOVEL ABOUT MY SHOE SIZE}

Isn't this weather just crazy? I'm certainly not complaining, but I'm not ready for summer weather! Spring is my favorite season and we seem to have skipped it! Ok... I guess I am complaining a bit. I have this thing about dressing season appropriate. It's sort of funny, really. I see girls in tank tops and shorts and just way to say - it's not summer {I would say it in the nicest way possible}. I don't believe in wearing sandals until at least May...maybe June. And this weather is messing with my self-imposed rule big time. My sandals are still in a tub in the top of my closet...I'm just not ready for them. 

This time of year {when it's too hot for boots, but not quite sandal time either} I have a really hard time getting dressed due to my lack of "spring" shoes! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but... I have big feet. There, I said it. 

I wear a size 10-1/2, and here is wear the problem lies: hardly any brands make a 10-1/2 and some stop at size 10. In the winter I can just buy size 11 boots and wear heavy socks or put a pad in them... and in the summer I'm good because 10s work in anything with an open toe. But spring... spring is hard because flats have to fit perfectly; you can't just buy them big because you walk out of them. The best is when I find a brand that just runs a little big and the 10s fit. It's always a happy day for me when that happens. Shopping for shoes is sort of traumatic experience for me because of this. Not easy at all. I order most of my shoes online and often go through 5 - 6 pairs before I find one that works. I love shoes so, but they just don't love me. Wouldn't you like to know who decided to stop making half sizes at 9-1/2? I sure would. 

Now that I've forced you to read a novel about my shoe size... here are a few spring outfits I've managed over the last two weeks. Thank you for all of your sweet feedback about my first post like this. I truly appreciate it, and I'll try to be better about sharing personal style photos.

The Mr. and I are headed home this weekend because his sister, her hubby, and our adorable niece will be in town from NC! We can't wait to see them. I can't wait to give my niece, Zoey, a big squeeze. We love her so.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

WHAT I WORE {ACCORDING TO MY IPHONE}

I'm trying to be better about posting personal style pictures. That was how my little blog began, but it didn't last long as I felt weird putting myself out there like that. I'm too self-conscious, critical of myself in photos, and I just didn't want to take a picture of myself every day. So, I stopped. Somehow I feel more comfortable snapping a quick photo of myself with my iphone, rather than having the Mr. take a photo of me with the camera. Silly? Maybe... Probably... but true. So, here a few photos I snapped quickly at work over the last month or so. {Snapping these photos has made me realize I need to do my hair more often!} This might become a regular feature... Thoughts?

I'm very excited to say I have this Saturday off work! The Mr. and I are headed home for the weekend to see our families. Our only plans consist of a Domino's pizza tomorrow night when we arrive {we both swear that the Domino's in our hometown is like no other}, and it's such a great feeling to not have plans. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

WHAT I WORE {FOR MY SISTER}

This post is for my sister. While we were on the phone last night, she said that I needed to do an outfit post. According to the big sis, it is fine that I have ventured away from my blog strictly being a style blog {more here}, but I have gotten TOO far away from fashion-related posts. So... this one is for my big sister. Kate, I promise to insert a bit more "fashion, recipes, and personal stuff". Big sisters... they know what they are talking about. 

ps. These are my new-ish Warby Parker glasses {talked about here}. I keep forgetting to do a post on the pair I decided on - the Winston Old Fashioned Fade!

The guest bedroom is still a work in progress, so judge us accordingly. And Bailey really likes to be in outfit posts.

old GAP blazer

Malene Birger henley sweater c/o Leal

Tilo scarf c/o Leal

Paige jeans c/o Leal

Report Marks nude booties

SNAKE PRINT.

I can't believe tomorrow is December 1st! Wasn't today the first day it has really felt like winter?! It was possibly supposed to snow last night or today, but it still hasn't! We put up our tree last night (pics to come later), and I'm ready for our first fire! Need to talk to the Mr. about cleaning out the fireplace!

Dress: H&M

Leggings: American Apparel

Boots: Miz Mooz

Necklaces: Stella & Dot

Bracelets: Vita, Stella & Dot & Mom's old silver bangles

WE LOVE WARBY PARKER

Meet my good friend, Cydney, below. She writes her own fabulous blog here. 

C is wearing Warby Parker glasses, a Marc Jacobs jacket and a Stella McCartney blouse. C introduced me to Warby Parker a few weeks ago. Now, two rounds of home try-ons later my own glasses are on their way! Quite honestly they will be my first "cool" pair of glasses I've ever owned. It'll be nice to have a pair I can actually wear in public. My current specs are not suitable outside of our little apartment! Warby Parker is sort of the Tom's of eye-wear. For every pair purchased they donate a pair to someone in need. They have a great home try on program where they send you 5 pair for free! They even pay for shipping both ways. The best part is that the glasses are only $95 {$30 extra for the better lenses, which they recommend if your prescription is over a certain strength, but still a steal for trendy glasses!}I'll report back when I get my glasses!

We decided I should try on Cydney's glasses {she has the Huxley}. This is not the pair I ended up getting, but they were in the running. I hope I like the pair I ended up choosing for myself! 

I'm wearing:

"Gentle Fawn" faux shearling vest: South Moon Under

Sweater: via H&M a few years ago

Jeggings: Levis

Shoes: old Urban Outfitters

Necklace: old Urban Outfitters

A NEW DRESS...

I was so excited to get this dress in the mail a few weeks ago from Ruche. I found the online shop recently via an ad on one of the blogs I read. I must have snagged one of the last of this dress as it was sold out the next day. My guess is that everyone else saw it here and had to have it, too! I'm really trying to add more dresses to my fall wardrobe. This dress is more color than I normally do and I really loved wearing it! 

I purchased the necklace from this great vintage shop on Etsy, House of History. It's my new favorite piece of jewelry! I adore chunky statement necklaces. I have no idea why the below photo keeps loading upside down, but I had to post it anyway because I wanted to show that even her tags were cute!

 Bailey checking out what we're doing.

This shearling trim leather jacket is by Adam. It is one of the best pieces I've been lucky enough to snag with my clothing allowance from Leal. Happy Sunday from Bailey and me.

dress: ruche
necklace: house of history
cardigan: white + warren via leal
infinity scarf: h&m
leather jacket: adam via leal
old ankle boots: bronx