on dressing for the blog

 

I've been blogging for a little over a year now. I've always wanted the blog to help me figure out my sense of style and how I want the pieces in my closet to come together, but I didn't want to change my style for the blog. Especially over the last year, I never put on outfits because I knew I was going to take pictures, but I took pictures because I (mostly) liked what I was wearing. Seeing my outfits every day has made me realize what I like, what I don't like, and what I think I want to look like. I don't buy trends just to be trendy, and I don't buy clothing just because it would be good for the blog. I buy something because I like it and because I believe it fits into my life and with the items in my closet. Some outfits make it on the here, some don't, and that's okay. Because I dress for my life and "for me", it makes it a lot easier to get dressed because there's no pressure.

Except yesterday. 

I was lucky to be asked by 2 Girls, 2 Cities to take part in their monthly challenge, which this month happens to be neon. Bri's Third Thursday Thread link up this month is also neon, and she even jokingly called me out and told me I had to take part in it. YOU GUYS. You know how I feel about neon, but it seems it's a trend that just won't quit and it seems to be coming from all angles. So yesterday I stood in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear for both challenges and for a day in Chicago. I probably spent 45 minutes trying to figure out what to wear. I own very little "neon" - in quotes because I don't even really have anything true neon, just brighter than normal. I tried a brighter orange tee with my new black and white skirt. I tried my Old Navy striped top. I tried looking through my donate box of clothing to see if I couldn't dig something out to wear. It was so frustrating because I wasn't comfortable in anything I put on. I didn't want to look like a try-hard down in Chicago, I didn't want to be wear something I didn't like, and I didn't want to be super boring. Eventually I convinced myself that these shorts were relatively bright enough but then I didn't know what to wear with it. I didn't want to wear another tee because I didn't want it to appear on the blog like all I own is white or black t-shirts. I didn't want to wear my teal sandals because I just showed those on the blog in the previous post. I didn't know what kind of jewelry would look best in pictures.

on the blog. in pictures. on the internet. for other people.

And eventually I reminded myself that I dress for my life, and not for the blog. So I put on the outfit I felt the most comfortable in, drove down to Chicago, and had a great afternoon walking around Wicker Park getting a sun burn, thrift shopping, and enjoying an evening of guacamole making and tipsy gossiping. 

and it was wonderful and no one cared what I was wearing :)

Tee: Everlane

Shorts: J.Crew Factory [exact]

Shoes: Target [similar]

Watch: Target [similar]

Bracelet: c/o Apple of My Eye Jewelry [exact]

spend all the money!

 

On Sunday, my friend Lizzi and I met up early with iced coffees in hand for a little trip down the highway to go outlet shopping. Lizzi and I go outlet shopping together about once a year (last year we went before we saw Florence and the Machine. I miss my long hair). As a general rule, we always tell ourselves not to buy something just because it's inexpensive and I think we did pretty good this year! I purchased this pair of shorts and this skirt (seen here) at the J.Crew Factory store, and a sleeveless top from the Banana Republic Factory store. I ended up getting that pair of denim shorts I was interested in from the Gap Outlet store as well as a pair of leather sandals. I originally also purchased a pair of floral shorts (seen here) but I returned them after purchasing the J.Crew shorts as I figured the J.Crew ones would be more versatile. I think I'm now pretty set on summer bottoms! Lizzi found a few adorable polka dot dresses (including this beauty but in blue with red polka dots) as well as buying this linen skirt which I also own. Love those 50% the entire store days :)  

On Saturday I spent a bit of time out with my mom and sister Karoline. My mom and I went to but didn't have much luck at Goodwill - all I found was a pair of Nike gym shorts for school (we have a lab where we practice on each other so I need some not completely ratty work out clothes). We then went to the mall to meet up with Karoline. We were just browsing around the Gap when my mom spotted this dress - it's basically all the things I love (popover, polka dots, rolled up sleeves) combined. I fell in love with it on the spot (as seen here). I used the money I had set aside last month that I originally intended for this dress that didn't look great in person. I purchased it for the full price in store, but went home to find it online reduced down to $50, plus another 35% off meant it cost $33 as compared to $70. I included this shirt to get the free shipping, and together they were still less than the dress in store! I will be returning the dress from the store as soon as the dress from online arrives. I'm so excited to wear it, and I'm so happy I didn't buy that J.Crew dress. I feel this one will get so much more wear.

Tee: Everlane

Shorts: Old Navy [exact]

Belt: Old Navy

Purse: Coach via Etsy [current style]

Shoes: Target [similar]

and here's what Lizzi wore! Does her skirt look familiar? It's the Fran skirt that I also own! 

Hope you are all having a great Monday - I'm off playing doctor!