adayinlifetoo blog

how to choose shoes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't know why, but I've been thinking a lot about footwear lately. Maybe it's because I feel like summer sandals are so easy to wear--I have <a href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/search/label/strappy%20metallic%20sandals" target="blank">this one pair of sandals</a> that I think I could (translation: have done. do still. will continue to.) wear with pretty much anything and get away with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's almost too easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which made me start to wonder... What makes good footwear? Although I'm not a shoe-crazed consumer, I tend to gravitate toward the belief that a shoe really can make or break an outfit. Take, for example, these sad...um...examples (click on the photos to enlarge, to see more clearly what I'm talking about):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71PGc7b-JFxSZGje_nkv4QveAMU_PNSaWyA_TbL9GAJC0OaQHujsUhL7w5AlrczOsYBetQ4KtG-hO9uh9zoulHv_cJN2NHp8p1yxQcegSIyV4qVFilPnVgSf5KeOfbb_EGh0bnrZcyT2S/s1600/bad_footwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71PGc7b-JFxSZGje_nkv4QveAMU_PNSaWyA_TbL9GAJC0OaQHujsUhL7w5AlrczOsYBetQ4KtG-hO9uh9zoulHv_cJN2NHp8p1yxQcegSIyV4qVFilPnVgSf5KeOfbb_EGh0bnrZcyT2S/s400/bad_footwear.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">Now, don't get me wrong. I love a ballet flat. But these particular pairings (above) are alllllll wrong. </div><div align="center">In Case #1 above, the whole outfit is stuffy-solid already. Adding aNOTHer solid piece by way of shoe just gets monotonous. Something open toed or strappy or printed would've been more interesting. </div><div align="center">In Case #2 above, the whole ensemble is just a lot of wrongs, and the shoes do nothing to make anything right. Random color, random shape, random random. And ugly here. </div><div align="center">In Case #3 above, the plaid shoes are a total clash to the slightly-different-but-only-just-enough-to-be-uncomfortably-mismatched plaid trousers. I've since thrown these particular shoes out. That's right. They've been axed. We ain't joking around here, folks. You shoes, you lose.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">[Editor's note: That pun? My sincere apologies.]</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That being said, below are a few photos in which I think the shoes complement the outfits just fine:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8aOdDgUyHtMztgQwJ-U6TAXZJaMHAJnq8L2yvL3uEpJ-nd5GoZyXWTPowBcE_wEcxsoi9D9gR0ZwX5enep9TloP82MA0IF_quTq3huF8TzuZZsw8tL4stAVjbktghraKyb2rMDTM1cqL/s1600/good_footwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8aOdDgUyHtMztgQwJ-U6TAXZJaMHAJnq8L2yvL3uEpJ-nd5GoZyXWTPowBcE_wEcxsoi9D9gR0ZwX5enep9TloP82MA0IF_quTq3huF8TzuZZsw8tL4stAVjbktghraKyb2rMDTM1cqL/s400/good_footwear.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In Case #1 above, the outfit is pretty simple but with interesting details (pleating on jacket, embroidery on shirt, metallic braid belt, subtle pinstripe in pants). The metallic flats tie in nicely (but don't exactly match, thank goodness) with the metallic belt and are simple enough not to draw too much attention to themselves. But, because of the metallic, they can hold their own. The balance works.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In Case #2 above, the entire ensemble is cashe and alternative. The yellow belt is the main player, and shoes don't need to compete...these Chucks don't compete but add to. Also, the irony of a pair of Converse with a preppy (but downplayed) plaid trouser is delightful--the two play off each other nicely.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In Case #3 above, we've got some blues and greens working well together in the outfit itself; however, they're all about the same hue. A shoe in the same color scheme but a different (in this case, darker) hue complements the ensemble without blending in to Dullsville. Again, balance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Phew. How're we doing? Hanging in there? Maybe you should go get yourself a bowl of ice cream and come back to finish this off. And maybe a couple slices of pizza. And some carrots. They're good for your teeth and help you see in the dark, you know. Win-win. 'Cept for the carrot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So. So far we've covered what doesn't work and what works fine. Below are three examples in which I think the shoe makes the entire outfit work:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0zxvatCmZ2PjF7xyTm1o9OvFVCnCyzMJN6fJkPess_FgDfPWoohkFR6CjVHmSTU3TTIE8nkDvzmkTvMKjZQTKOsvT8RuJehEY0lcfiI1pVfiaOjoV1c4k0XKLAvfxfF7R1KNKoGGMng/s1600/great_footwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ0zxvatCmZ2PjF7xyTm1o9OvFVCnCyzMJN6fJkPess_FgDfPWoohkFR6CjVHmSTU3TTIE8nkDvzmkTvMKjZQTKOsvT8RuJehEY0lcfiI1pVfiaOjoV1c4k0XKLAvfxfF7R1KNKoGGMng/s400/great_footwear.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Case #1 above, the bootie adds a perfect touch of sophistication with the blazer but creates an interesting, even playful, break in the leg-line. Which, normally I try to steer clear of breaking a leg-line because, really, thanks but no thanks stumpiness. But this shoe perfectly equalizes the visual interest of this ensemble's top and bottom halves. I love the down-to-earth sophistication of this bootie here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Case #2 above, the leather toe-wrap sandal could not be better paired. Denim in and of itself is "earthy," and this outfit has double-duty denim. (This sentence brought to you by the letter "D"...) There's also long stretches of solidity here, broken up only by a thin necklace that, being blue, kind of blends in. Exposing the toes and using dark leather sparingly to do so is, to me, an excellent counterbalance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In Case #3 above, the chocolate lacy-crochet detail of the wedge maintains the femininity yet boldness exemplified in the rest of the ensemble. I'm not a matchy-matchy person by nature, but I think matching the dark brown of the belt to the shoe ties everything together here. These shoes are like the must-read epilogue to this outfit--eyes are drawn to the yellow top and ruffle skirt at first, but you want to know the rest of the story. And the shoes don't disappoint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So. These are my thoughts and some of my shoe-meanderings of late. I'd really really love to hear your thoughts on this--do you agree or disagree? Do you think I got any of these totally wrong? What kinds of things do you consider when you decide on a shoe? Are shoes really that important, or can you fudge it? Is there a sure-fire shoe color/style/detail that works virtually always? Let's hear it. I'm serious. I wanna know what you're thinking, right here right now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Annnnd...Happy Friday.</div>

how to choose shoes

I don't know why, but I've been thinking a lot about footwear lately. Maybe it's because I feel like summer sandals are so easy to wear--I have this one pair of sandals that I think I could (translation: have done. do still. will continue to.) wear with pretty much anything and get away with it. It'…

29Jul2011

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post Series: Selina from Sisters 4 Say More is More

hey lovlies! i am Selina from <a href="http://sisters4saymoreismore.blogspot.com/">Sisters 4 say MORE is more...</a>  we were super excited when Brittney asked us to talk a little bit about unexpected and maybe awesome outfit choices... its kind of our favorite topic {well, shoes, are probably our <i>FAVORITE</i>...}<br /><br />Sophie and i were talking on the phone one day {ok <i>everyday.</i>..} and she told me that she couldn't think of a thing to go with this adorable floral skirt she had just made, so in all my infinite oldest sister style wisdom i said to her <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"just pretend its a neutral, or even denim... now what would you pair with it?"</span> honestly, i have no idea why i said that, it just came out of my mouth! But Sophie and i decided to apply that little blurt... and found that in fact it was a great way to style, pretty much anything!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84e0ZeQLqQeWLx7b3TACkig6Vrkgj81tQQT4be688R2aR92DEuaab0ITbXI3ElhuaSx_gBLfk70ejplWrAR0oKNF_3CcUyWTZ2dA7Y0RgXuwx_vFHvx8JOUcbT4Qjr-anzB7MaQ15SIlr/s1600/100_8975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84e0ZeQLqQeWLx7b3TACkig6Vrkgj81tQQT4be688R2aR92DEuaab0ITbXI3ElhuaSx_gBLfk70ejplWrAR0oKNF_3CcUyWTZ2dA7Y0RgXuwx_vFHvx8JOUcbT4Qjr-anzB7MaQ15SIlr/s640/100_8975.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">printed dress as top + striped skirt + orange lipstick....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR493nj0Os9tZtHhKNbeZVwU5lC3ldhSr-i1jDpwxdDC2yaMj3na8w1zYRbh-kMIrc4YSvuY01UjLjHVg1JNOhMnRTSVxOYX-ONld_1EtmcOSrFNK8TM8swsNH485j6khdLPWEhCSoeCq6/s1600/100_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR493nj0Os9tZtHhKNbeZVwU5lC3ldhSr-i1jDpwxdDC2yaMj3na8w1zYRbh-kMIrc4YSvuY01UjLjHVg1JNOhMnRTSVxOYX-ONld_1EtmcOSrFNK8TM8swsNH485j6khdLPWEhCSoeCq6/s640/100_7476.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Striped crop top + baby doll dress...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmjdUuOYFGMatCiOF01PaOkwBdyjI0ZAMvibh7FNaAARRd8Tp6SgRBIJgdgy1RU4aWwiMXIgtBVTnRno6gsq5QcNFA1JrQF2lC2c8WQ6CHgYKX4SGCzd_yWPiSCyN2SIjOSigi_CT83o3/s1600/Photo+150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmjdUuOYFGMatCiOF01PaOkwBdyjI0ZAMvibh7FNaAARRd8Tp6SgRBIJgdgy1RU4aWwiMXIgtBVTnRno6gsq5QcNFA1JrQF2lC2c8WQ6CHgYKX4SGCzd_yWPiSCyN2SIjOSigi_CT83o3/s640/Photo+150.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">striped cardi + printed dress + acid wash jeans</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouyIcCLVXealy9VY6E-oL40L8GeK_Tup0-32MARQMDPWG572-ti8Y89xJm7fkhSCvsOpT_WpEtrP9UHSs2XaH464LB_OkFHkBNEC_ylVIz-qLydzsvBsnZnnVvvWvIwMGKU_cwBXgfFDI/s1600/100_7833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouyIcCLVXealy9VY6E-oL40L8GeK_Tup0-32MARQMDPWG572-ti8Y89xJm7fkhSCvsOpT_WpEtrP9UHSs2XaH464LB_OkFHkBNEC_ylVIz-qLydzsvBsnZnnVvvWvIwMGKU_cwBXgfFDI/s640/100_7833.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mustard jacket + green silky blouse + leapard print skirt + neon yellow nails</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>unexpected</b> <i>always</i> has a better chance at being awesome than expected... odds are that you will probably come up with one or two doofus outfits along the way {trust me, we certainly have... just ask our <a href="http://scooterboost.blogspot.com/">husbands...</a>} but you wont be bored with your closet!  maybe you will even pull out some of that stuff you have crammed in the back and try to make an unexpected and maybe awesome outfit out of it and magically double your wardrobe! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we also love to turn <b>unexpected</b> thrifted crap into <b>awesome</b> magical things...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7z5jUnbinbioDitRyZpB5M6inK5Cqk9oPTjKzK1ipslOBOIFcxSTdMVd4dBqrFX_7Zry5aR4714Fx0VdzQyswGAkriyE05INBJpughm5X-Q84_MTgsMAwnFJQk7TuzeJrldyUSTmi-Ca/s1600/100_4611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7z5jUnbinbioDitRyZpB5M6inK5Cqk9oPTjKzK1ipslOBOIFcxSTdMVd4dBqrFX_7Zry5aR4714Fx0VdzQyswGAkriyE05INBJpughm5X-Q84_MTgsMAwnFJQk7TuzeJrldyUSTmi-Ca/s400/100_4611.JPG" width="248" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGbCIM73RBTXUYZ7BVuXZcsvJPSBrs6HoFWY0id1PwyiAyDcvFo4QG6HVBoklYLW5LEd3Cpg9KNa69DnX-4pm6vpqXRPBMWfmTXpM6FG4rUFVcnNkXiYy-W47jQEEEVAJ5yHCRg9nFscw/s1600/Photo+692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOGbCIM73RBTXUYZ7BVuXZcsvJPSBrs6HoFWY0id1PwyiAyDcvFo4QG6HVBoklYLW5LEd3Cpg9KNa69DnX-4pm6vpqXRPBMWfmTXpM6FG4rUFVcnNkXiYy-W47jQEEEVAJ5yHCRg9nFscw/s400/Photo+692.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNShBNJReIDB3hlBwGP0CJMAgLlaf9cE1cj1LHaCg73a8C61OX8v7cXY2jXJ_XKj9KVLxTQd5LgA4l0iqc5_Wpn878AUf-SQ_olfwbIlWzhnb-18Mg6G9Gy08UfhVO0-8hRuierskXVY4m/s1600/Photo+758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNShBNJReIDB3hlBwGP0CJMAgLlaf9cE1cj1LHaCg73a8C61OX8v7cXY2jXJ_XKj9KVLxTQd5LgA4l0iqc5_Wpn878AUf-SQ_olfwbIlWzhnb-18Mg6G9Gy08UfhVO0-8hRuierskXVY4m/s640/Photo+758.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">its the most fun when the item we find is super ugly... ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">thanks for having us Brittney! we love your blog and i personally laugh my tush off everytime i read it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Selina {sis #1}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>[Thanks, Selina! I love this post--your creativity and personal style are definitely awesome and totally inspiring. Everyone go check out (and follow, if you're not already) their <a href="http://sisters4saymoreismore.blogspot.com/" target="blank">blog</a>!]</em></div>

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome Guest Post Series: Selina from Sisters 4 Say More is More

hey lovlies! i am Selina from Sisters 4 say MORE is more... we were super excited when Brittney asked us to talk a little bit about unexpected and maybe awesome outfit choices... its kind of our favorite topic {well, shoes, are probably our FAVORITE...}Sophie and i were talking on the phone one day…

28Jul2011

singin' (and wearin') the blues

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3GN57uElamQXyf7ffHUJJTGPUBWSzCMhIkGCQO1xaHB2JjOiW-rnXjnTPjEK3CTP0V45cbbUogONuln2yfI4MkaiAv7G-6zZMpSkXA90GCaMdKkN2NVwtfZnHGghL2EgbgrbbO8BEhLX/s1600/I1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3GN57uElamQXyf7ffHUJJTGPUBWSzCMhIkGCQO1xaHB2JjOiW-rnXjnTPjEK3CTP0V45cbbUogONuln2yfI4MkaiAv7G-6zZMpSkXA90GCaMdKkN2NVwtfZnHGghL2EgbgrbbO8BEhLX/s640/I1britt3.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: converse brand. skirt: american eagle outfitters. shirt: vintage/gift. belt: forever21. bracelets: don't recall. earrings: gift/homemade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H1iG6TtI0Pl7aAcDEK8OQfRt9s9UqHhyphenhyphen_Veoy2kpDsK0dgHTgCrd9fX28GDaa0y3qiRw4FSgKUoIkIq03SXKtfx1n4gMtBFopAmrz3wCKjozCca_5DSxJhfkELQ0-dexFRw0n5ovRyLI/s1600/I1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H1iG6TtI0Pl7aAcDEK8OQfRt9s9UqHhyphenhyphen_Veoy2kpDsK0dgHTgCrd9fX28GDaa0y3qiRw4FSgKUoIkIq03SXKtfx1n4gMtBFopAmrz3wCKjozCca_5DSxJhfkELQ0-dexFRw0n5ovRyLI/s400/I1britt1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DF-j-ErvZ20btk5GHhmiyjNt9Qh9HGhetqjYNjRwyTqM32UP30NAFAhK7YiMaHNnCvK3_2AFNKCQMuDip5XTTofap0HtCe14akGNYp_HJOJ7Rrw6o-tiRgO98hSuRKetLTLRHwMkl9tg/s1600/I1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DF-j-ErvZ20btk5GHhmiyjNt9Qh9HGhetqjYNjRwyTqM32UP30NAFAhK7YiMaHNnCvK3_2AFNKCQMuDip5XTTofap0HtCe14akGNYp_HJOJ7Rrw6o-tiRgO98hSuRKetLTLRHwMkl9tg/s640/I1britt4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm super grumpy today, guys. My poor children. I thought that throwing on a pair of Chucks would help, and it did, for sure. Meaning that everyone's still alive, and I'm keeping my voice pleasantly neutral 87% of the time, despite my wanting to yell and/or lock myself in my room all day and let the forces that be...be. Like the force of milk spilling out of the carton alllllllll over the floor. And the force of polly pockets being flown at siblings' heads. And the force of toy box after toy box being dumped out everywhere.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So. Here's what I wore. It's nothing out-of-control inspirational. But it's cool. And it's comfy. And it's not a full-length spandex bodysuit in color: nude, like what I spied a team of female runners wearing for a recent race. So, I figure, that's 3 points in the black. Booyah.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look (sans grumps of course)? Click below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3547115&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Converse#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Converse...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

singin' (and wearin') the blues

shoes: converse brand. skirt: american eagle outfitters. shirt: vintage/gift. belt: forever21. bracelets: don't recall. earrings: gift/homemade. I'm super grumpy today, guys. My poor children. I thought that throwing on a pair of Chucks would help, and it did, for sure. Meaning that everyone's stil…

27Jul2011

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome...ness

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, over the coming weeks, you're going to see some guest posts from a variety of bloggers who, to me, exemplify Unexpected & Maybe Awesome style. What exactly do I mean by that? I talked about it a little bit <a href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-feature-unexpected-maybe-awesome.html" target="blank">here</a>. And since I'm too busy (translation: lazy) to re-type it, you can read it there. Just trying to do my part to conserve energy, guys. Go green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But because I'm running around like a headless chicken trying to get my family ready for a weeklong camping trip (helllooooo, bear spray), and because headless chickens are rarely, if ever, wearing anything bloggable, I've decided to get you all pumped about being Unexpected & Maybe Awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Exhibit A: jeans & heels. I've come to love this combo. Not so much in summertime, if I'm being honest, but any other season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcCd6TLJKurpdKhpoQIzgV_HGPUZIW19DglYsf2536hAp7iJ9Uug6wM-UdtFCNKPkIAf6d3-MLFjZyXSrse2yQJtoKH56J2ZS6yBMiShaWPm7eOKWvy_IJ6PvpjauXfrJACXd-0aYV0cN/s1600/UaMA_jeans_heels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcCd6TLJKurpdKhpoQIzgV_HGPUZIW19DglYsf2536hAp7iJ9Uug6wM-UdtFCNKPkIAf6d3-MLFjZyXSrse2yQJtoKH56J2ZS6yBMiShaWPm7eOKWvy_IJ6PvpjauXfrJACXd-0aYV0cN/s400/UaMA_jeans_heels.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Exhibit B: pops o' color and/or texture. Colored tights do the trick for me, as do fun scarves and, well, just about anything that has color and/or texture. That last sentence was succinct of me, I know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_FtpwoJcUOKGmZb2tKfxsAzgFyuNm3OpAnYtw19MiLcd4DSAHWyxF7c5gc1rvS05CzfSWtIkj-JBR0TJJL_VfFv-NVnQxd4pMS0F3KKJJZG_zLS5IP8LYMx3bjAgX9HX7Si8vZ0StspL/s1600/UaMA_color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_FtpwoJcUOKGmZb2tKfxsAzgFyuNm3OpAnYtw19MiLcd4DSAHWyxF7c5gc1rvS05CzfSWtIkj-JBR0TJJL_VfFv-NVnQxd4pMS0F3KKJJZG_zLS5IP8LYMx3bjAgX9HX7Si8vZ0StspL/s400/UaMA_color.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Exhibit C: mixed prints/patterns. Florals + stripes + plaid + whatever. Love love LOVE love love. It's fresh, it's fun, it's fliberating, which is an even better version of the word "liberating." I guess I could've used sysnonym "freeing," which legitimately starts with the letter F. But isn't "fliberating" so much more unexpected...and maybe awesome? No? It's actually quite lame? Oh. Oops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVkm52yhVpLCti4whFB9hC5Elt8CkJ3jmizO_9N7IKApl81Z_fFs4EfG8Alei7mx5ufVeoVHXfyz638ZklT0jXRgUF80B1APrdbLsVpq-_ve05fS8ZVjRJ0YwEOxVc_qfOWvWpI3KmHfb/s1600/UaMA_mixed_patterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVkm52yhVpLCti4whFB9hC5Elt8CkJ3jmizO_9N7IKApl81Z_fFs4EfG8Alei7mx5ufVeoVHXfyz638ZklT0jXRgUF80B1APrdbLsVpq-_ve05fS8ZVjRJ0YwEOxVc_qfOWvWpI3KmHfb/s400/UaMA_mixed_patterns.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />Feel free, if you'd like, to <a href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/search/label/unexpected%20and%20maybe%20awesome" target="blank">check out</a> the outfits I've considered, for one reason or another, to be Unexpected & Maybe Awesome through the past few months. Or steal the Unexpected & Maybe Awesome button (on my right-hand sidebar, keyword: turban) for your blog with your URL in the comments below. I'd love to check out your stuff.<br /><br />Welp. There you have it. What do YOU do to keep things fun while you get dressed? What unexpected things have you done, style-wise, that have turned out better than you thought? C'mon. Spill it.<br /><br />In any case...Happy Tuesday.<br /><br />p.s. If you'd like to do a guest post on Unexpected & Maybe Awesome style for this blog, just contact me! I'd love to hear your take, and I'm betting my readers would, too.</div>

Unexpected & Maybe Awesome...ness

So, over the coming weeks, you're going to see some guest posts from a variety of bloggers who, to me, exemplify Unexpected & Maybe Awesome style. What exactly do I mean by that? I talked about it a little bit here. And since I'm too busy (translation: lazy) to re-type it, you can read it there. Jus…

26Jul2011

a nurse's dress and a couple of ponytails

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIXIUVuUtYl2aXBFRoEUH1VccOhegPJH9n6reV26CL3Y2dxuWeCxIKrmktUpV5N1XeL-NSRm27jb5Y7d6FbhtMtD6MeSgcjPNhpx01s03E7vp5URM36O7a3AEyX1u4VKhGQywmUnSSvEz/s1600/J1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIXIUVuUtYl2aXBFRoEUH1VccOhegPJH9n6reV26CL3Y2dxuWeCxIKrmktUpV5N1XeL-NSRm27jb5Y7d6FbhtMtD6MeSgcjPNhpx01s03E7vp5URM36O7a3AEyX1u4VKhGQywmUnSSvEz/s640/J1britt2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: steve madden. dress: gap. belt: thrifted for my son's pirate costume, then stolen for myself. necklaces: random places.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2ldCgw-BED95LFkh5uNXy8xKSx98Sg1AoKgWN-6KKjX4U3rPTffES-DD65nN-wkPDNgMQt_f1NuFSkkQC_7XXs3uowSJh22yRSdiJis2ih24y2zPfUfzkCY1_LUP0vdc1OXK-d5o_WdL/s1600/J1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2ldCgw-BED95LFkh5uNXy8xKSx98Sg1AoKgWN-6KKjX4U3rPTffES-DD65nN-wkPDNgMQt_f1NuFSkkQC_7XXs3uowSJh22yRSdiJis2ih24y2zPfUfzkCY1_LUP0vdc1OXK-d5o_WdL/s400/J1britt1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmRnWpsavjht35AAV8Ll12LOsj0mPeaGhIm_cx8ZCogetONS2fl0s_AK4XB7mXFnm2dCMdtVV_dh7lxtZhCRuZqX1A-EPQpiY13CHtwLeOFY6Bu3lRhYykMEKPzdqBNQjI99ngVjs1rKz/s1600/J1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmRnWpsavjht35AAV8Ll12LOsj0mPeaGhIm_cx8ZCogetONS2fl0s_AK4XB7mXFnm2dCMdtVV_dh7lxtZhCRuZqX1A-EPQpiY13CHtwLeOFY6Bu3lRhYykMEKPzdqBNQjI99ngVjs1rKz/s400/J1britt4.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> This week I'm grateful for:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- swimming pools.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- surprise visits from family. And planned visits. And any visits, for that matter.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- hearing "Mom! This is the BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE EVER!!!" from my son...annnd his party-attending friends. (Minus the "mom" part, of course.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- this blog. And you adorable readers.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- Roald Dahl. The man was a genius storyteller.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- a healthy body. Which might not last long, because I'm <em>also</em> grateful for...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- ...eating ice cream and cake for many days in a row. Sometimes multiple times in one day. I know. I win. And by "I" I of course mean "my blooming fat cells."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- a 2-year-old who pretends to "read" a scripture verse and always starts with, "And it tame to pass..." and usually involves Jesus, a king, a queen, and a monkey. And a swimming pool or bathtub, one of the two. And she's utterly, adorably sincere.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- fresh salsa and "hint of lime" tortilla chips. If you haven't tried those, run -- don't walk -- to your nearest grocery store and pick up a bag. Those puppies are DELISH.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Happy Sunday.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

a nurse's dress and a couple of ponytails

shoes: steve madden. dress: gap. belt: thrifted for my son's pirate costume, then stolen for myself. necklaces: random places. This week I'm grateful for:- swimming pools.- surprise visits from family. And planned visits. And any visits, for that matter.- hearing "Mom! This is the BEST BIRTHDAY CAK…

24Jul2011

look away, baby, look away

look away, baby, look away

Hey friends. Nothing to see here today...I'm guest posting on Elaine's Clothed Much on dressing modestly for summertime. Come check it out!…

23Jul2011

in which the photos don't match my insides.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBXXNkI7ugantdo1oP1xzH8wZS5I-eInvHEP9C7dKEkQUKBwKDvpiyAips_Qc7JcXyC1JTrrOdVCN1oo3nPZzD-dEYQf9RBvF-RauoVeYVE7VsXcmtJPR2CjEmz7BRDnu_y3hfpahWDaH/s1600/K1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBXXNkI7ugantdo1oP1xzH8wZS5I-eInvHEP9C7dKEkQUKBwKDvpiyAips_Qc7JcXyC1JTrrOdVCN1oo3nPZzD-dEYQf9RBvF-RauoVeYVE7VsXcmtJPR2CjEmz7BRDnu_y3hfpahWDaH/s640/K1britt3.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: don't recall. shorts: american eagle. shirt: j.crew. belt: thrifted (american eagle). bracelets: forever21. earrings: hawaii.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFFVvidBGXT55ZzkfLLZVJhZYoHmxrDpk6dZs9S6QsoLaZMMpLgR29sWqiYppjfHjZf2x1HDuKt7351obqBZvi1GbfJakD83KW9dyqI-H1VNxHJtjhjAX4gi7QKsKBYLjqbAnhiuafuwc/s1600/K1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFFVvidBGXT55ZzkfLLZVJhZYoHmxrDpk6dZs9S6QsoLaZMMpLgR29sWqiYppjfHjZf2x1HDuKt7351obqBZvi1GbfJakD83KW9dyqI-H1VNxHJtjhjAX4gi7QKsKBYLjqbAnhiuafuwc/s400/K1britt1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmM1SGVQZ10ZECFESxE4eLK5wMm0p0a341xEsCbiASKdhdTa2UuXUKqPoDRLbDfudpTdYuo6bppeMFzGeRGy3y55xOSDoSnJNRD3ttih1pXQC9dwy5QmSF76hlrEULp2nSxFFRSdLoJMz/s1600/K1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmM1SGVQZ10ZECFESxE4eLK5wMm0p0a341xEsCbiASKdhdTa2UuXUKqPoDRLbDfudpTdYuo6bppeMFzGeRGy3y55xOSDoSnJNRD3ttih1pXQC9dwy5QmSF76hlrEULp2nSxFFRSdLoJMz/s640/K1britt2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Traveling in Europe about 10 years ago, I was stopped and scrutinized at customs after handing them my passport. When I smile, my eyes nearly disappear into squintiness, and my smiling passport photo looked nothing like the straight-faced me. I'm sure it was for less than 10 seconds that they alternated between looking up at me and down at my photo, but it felt like an eternity. An eternity packed with crimes that I never committed but felt guilty of.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">[Epilogue: Eventually they let me through, and I proceeded to eat my weight in Italian ice cream.]</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My best friend growing up called them "happy clown eyes," because she said they turn into two rainbow-shaped arcs like what jolly clowns paint on their faces. Which is nice of her to try to say, but...really? Clowns? Yipes. Those guys are creepy, whether their eyes are painted happy or sad or dead.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've always been surprised to see photos of when I'm smiling, because I look so different (a.k.a. weird) from how I feel (a.k.a. normal). Regardless, it's how my face is built, and I figure I've got a few pretty solid options for how to deal with it: </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(1) botox and/or plastic surgery. With such a face, I wouldn't physically be able to smile, which means no disappearing squint-eyes ever again! Tempting. Oh. Wait. Nope. Not tempting. At all.</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(2) practice and perfect a mouth-only smile. Hello teeth. And also goose-bumpy insincerity. </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(3) never smile again. But I find myself too funny for that option...and my husband would miss my solo hysterical laughing fits, I just know it. </div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(4) just go with it. Done and done. Exhibit A:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvmf7OgH6e4V4wp6EUvcQZTS_Q-aY2AZh7bd9ZVZ2q21O4s5Ssp_kVl-fiCzwnhbTpg6iuXi8T4ko66FFN_tjYf4AFD5ZZTd-Xb7npgVEZZ_yvdrHMqUz4Fl8KLXUFypF0DXd9rB7kvmi/s1600/K1britt5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvmf7OgH6e4V4wp6EUvcQZTS_Q-aY2AZh7bd9ZVZ2q21O4s5Ssp_kVl-fiCzwnhbTpg6iuXi8T4ko66FFN_tjYf4AFD5ZZTd-Xb7npgVEZZ_yvdrHMqUz4Fl8KLXUFypF0DXd9rB7kvmi/s400/K1britt5.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Click below...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3525426&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Forever 21...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

in which the photos don't match my insides.

shoes: don't recall. shorts: american eagle. shirt: j.crew. belt: thrifted (american eagle). bracelets: forever21. earrings: hawaii.Traveling in Europe about 10 years ago, I was stopped and scrutinized at customs after handing them my passport. When I smile, my eyes nearly disappear into squintine…

22Jul2011

missed THAT midnight train ride...

missed THAT midnight train ride...

So, I didn't realize that EBEW is doing (did?) a thrift-off. Heh. My proudest thrifted find(s) can be found, altogether, in this post. Back in January.Does this make me a loser? Yes, it totally does? Crap.[Awkward, silent e-pause. A cough is heard in the distance.]Welp, either way, you should go che…

21Jul2011

in which a girl waxes poetic about her knitwear...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0UbKpefPRiAMgvFTxOJv6QkzVNws8UsS2F5G2PHR0XkoDxm7-IzNB4UMg7a9xB2isZs40fZOpqm-O1ZF8WYiJf-9DuRbYebMFjonEWEOmTmBqWkQW2BtmuIl5p1SRNc-NSbMQD0JGpgU/s1600/L1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0UbKpefPRiAMgvFTxOJv6QkzVNws8UsS2F5G2PHR0XkoDxm7-IzNB4UMg7a9xB2isZs40fZOpqm-O1ZF8WYiJf-9DuRbYebMFjonEWEOmTmBqWkQW2BtmuIl5p1SRNc-NSbMQD0JGpgU/s640/L1britt2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: saltwater sandals. skirt: kohl's. shirt: vintage/hand-me-down. watch: target. necklace & flower clips: gifts.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAFhSNMT1FIvlPApYYwzv_LBsKvayzC6J6RudjuO4q-mfy8I4SdPO7AKfbjfX9yCxdMnU-8eV967J5Jvwo4EFe_FhyphenhyphenlffsGdBtLf0EF4PFm6-73SupVGLAH2G_L2cI2yg2qK28B3BQ55Q/s1600/L1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAFhSNMT1FIvlPApYYwzv_LBsKvayzC6J6RudjuO4q-mfy8I4SdPO7AKfbjfX9yCxdMnU-8eV967J5Jvwo4EFe_FhyphenhyphenlffsGdBtLf0EF4PFm6-73SupVGLAH2G_L2cI2yg2qK28B3BQ55Q/s400/L1britt1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sunlight randomly went all pinkish-crazy with me in the photo below... Meh. It's sunlight. It can do whatever the heck it wants, and what are we mere mortals going to do about it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP_xFpSwDw1FkExjZFN7As429h0h5KgDeINvsmqqYSpNemgJDgvwVYZQWPNmIhAUfvSLRHB0MxjrtVQTMPQVHxCcvt2MJDTzyzUGMDpzntkmgZHWLoMbHoyLVrA8OkPCiAnF21Rp7Olbl/s1600/L1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP_xFpSwDw1FkExjZFN7As429h0h5KgDeINvsmqqYSpNemgJDgvwVYZQWPNmIhAUfvSLRHB0MxjrtVQTMPQVHxCcvt2MJDTzyzUGMDpzntkmgZHWLoMbHoyLVrA8OkPCiAnF21Rp7Olbl/s640/L1britt4.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> So, do you have a knit skirt? </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Ohp. Oops. Someone once facebook-statused (yep. verb.) the fact that, at work, they walked into someone's office and started in on asking about a work project without a "hi" or "how's it going" or "good morning" and didn't realize until later how rude that was and how lame they felt.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Color me rude and lame, but only temporarily, because...HI! How's it going? Good? Good. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Now. Back to knitwear.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I only have one knit skirt, myself. I've got plenty in cotton and denim and cuorduroy and even some wool blends, but only one down-on-the-farm-meat-and-potatoes kind of knit skirt. This thing is stretchy. It's comfy. It's versatile. It's cashe. It's not too lightweight or too heavy but is the perfect middlegroundweight. It's, in a word (plus two), awesome to wear.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">The only prob is that it's a little faded, a little worn, a little aged. So in the "does-this-skirt-make-me-look-rich" department (and who <em>doesn't</em> open up conversations that way? I mean, c'mon), we're coming in about last place. Panting. With a sprained ankle and mud-splattered cheeks. I don't even know if its skin-hugging would fare much better in passing the age-old "does it make me look fat" test. But the beautiful truth, my dear readers, is that this simple knit skirt has won my heart. And during summertime, my heart calls the shots, with authority surpassed by none 'cept the Body Thermal Index Regulator Organ, whatever that may be. Maybe the spleen? Yep. Prolly that.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Annnd, for those of you still with me (gold star for all 1 of you), a little outtake for your viewing pleasure. I call this one "The Armpit." Lovely, I know. You're welcome. And I'm sorry. And it wasn't me. And I'll pay you back...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszWNGhiGRH9YThLqcE_u0vkjZmU23nJh60Lwp8Wx6AjYQ6TjnVTQbdMRzmZB-Ni7QF_wS1tkM7la2ssTsew8tk-CzCB9A-iyXgFuqAEVQOSlxL13mqqZA8lHzVPhAPQmlC5aVc9ivGhzo/s1600/L1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszWNGhiGRH9YThLqcE_u0vkjZmU23nJh60Lwp8Wx6AjYQ6TjnVTQbdMRzmZB-Ni7QF_wS1tkM7la2ssTsew8tk-CzCB9A-iyXgFuqAEVQOSlxL13mqqZA8lHzVPhAPQmlC5aVc9ivGhzo/s640/L1britt3.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Happy Thursday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Seriously. Get yourself a knit skirt today and be happy for the rest of your life. Shop below (remember, you can lop off a maxi skirt if you want, and depending on the knit, you might not even have to hem it!)...</span></div><div align="center"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3519435&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Express#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Express...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

in which a girl waxes poetic about her knitwear...

shoes: saltwater sandals. skirt: kohl's. shirt: vintage/hand-me-down. watch: target. necklace & flower clips: gifts. The sunlight randomly went all pinkish-crazy with me in the photo below... Meh. It's sunlight. It can do whatever the heck it wants, and what are we mere mortals going to do about it…

21Jul2011

the blind leading the blind

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70d0j6QNAK8QShFXbbqQG8yxXW1QsXl36NsZrpzU0KzlocHYtj_HotPUBRMsI0txLDmEv1ltUhSI853XxbAJcER6bBISggcX-WI3L7GeJxvBv_8akRWj2vHDhuo5szGXvfcwrUw6ytmWa/s1600/N1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70d0j6QNAK8QShFXbbqQG8yxXW1QsXl36NsZrpzU0KzlocHYtj_HotPUBRMsI0txLDmEv1ltUhSI853XxbAJcER6bBISggcX-WI3L7GeJxvBv_8akRWj2vHDhuo5szGXvfcwrUw6ytmWa/s640/N1britt2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: unionbay brand. shorts: gap (cutoff myself). shirt: j.crew. belt & bracelet: downeast basics (american eagle). watch: target.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89CPh34bwAcCfwL8KOrvW86oRRGzF0x9dQDCuL3PCnn7aX2uHIdLItoXFiGKhRCmXVClKMoQpBeXvXqueENhxEkvP7UqB-umdGjNt8AghoGZCwOeJzW0ia4YyAhNggSgG5OSr3bDTkJql/s1600/N1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89CPh34bwAcCfwL8KOrvW86oRRGzF0x9dQDCuL3PCnn7aX2uHIdLItoXFiGKhRCmXVClKMoQpBeXvXqueENhxEkvP7UqB-umdGjNt8AghoGZCwOeJzW0ia4YyAhNggSgG5OSr3bDTkJql/s640/N1britt1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7vhGXym5iz3IkYWCpJALNutUTbIjY1C-Dxrsll8G2I3b2501xISXCm6FOsT1l1PiEpSDlGRJncQZglmRk43aZwEPwOK-oKNX41ujHgb1ba0ZS2bfwxqfsZmYiBvXj1E8dsn070Gzy1Nn/s1600/N1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7vhGXym5iz3IkYWCpJALNutUTbIjY1C-Dxrsll8G2I3b2501xISXCm6FOsT1l1PiEpSDlGRJncQZglmRk43aZwEPwOK-oKNX41ujHgb1ba0ZS2bfwxqfsZmYiBvXj1E8dsn070Gzy1Nn/s640/N1britt3.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">You guys, sometimes I just can't take style too seriously. Like today. Nothing makes sense in this ensemble. Black stripes with blue? Bright red lips? Huge wrist jewelry with cutoffs (*love*) and an industrial nylon belt? It's like I walked toward my closet and reached blindly in, wearing whatever I touched first.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Not to offend the blind, mind you. Because by texture alone, this outfit raises more than one eyebrow and a handful of question marks. So.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Come to think of it, my method of getting dressed set the tone for the whole day today, actually--I prepared lunch approaching the fridge with the same, ah, carefree spirit... not surprisingly, I ended up with some pudding, a pickle, and a few shreds of cheese. Yummy...?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Some days are just like that, though. Full of pickles and a random yellow belt. And a pretty great 7-year-old's birthday celebration. Life is beautiful.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Wednesday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? (If so, you're adorable...but a little nuts.) Either way, click on stuff below...</span></div><div align="center"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3515377&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Asos#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Asos...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

the blind leading the blind

shoes: unionbay brand. shorts: gap (cutoff myself). shirt: j.crew. belt & bracelet: downeast basics (american eagle). watch: target.You guys, sometimes I just can't take style too seriously. Like today. Nothing makes sense in this ensemble. Black stripes with blue? Bright red lips? Huge wrist jewel…

20Jul2011

elastic-waisted and loving it

<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoM2BzJkDWjFrUCp8ezC0iWDvynBrlNdrg1tQBFqjGO95mw0wnW8V-Mtzz2NzyMYp8thsVnDOmX3Tr-7TY8Yl2J2ad4gnUUiQhufx_NFos4v43lzn3ls1zWMbKY0AAYEqJLYQ9YJeufyi/s1600/M1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: don't recall. skirt & shirt: gap. belt & necklace: forever21. bracelet: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sienahansen" target="blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">burntsiena designs</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. earrings: gift/homemade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzALEcpxTVWjM1xqRPDzTESXcr3vASJeFbErOuDR8c4O2uprDvB_NrIW0e6CQlWY_o13TXZI7_5oRMvnX7ORvtPXTaE34eL69NywbrFRxN4LYJBCJSAbdISEGSe_9oain_eWJLYhtYLB-S/s1600/M1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip56MZ7n_trbVRS22bE1ixFj_5_QCOQKLemmUtPWDX0enXuRxWl6Cy9eXX3wU303oXhQUwMSVNVn17iL2KiSVA24jFAHVn4pmagigOkR3jCh8z8fcaEqMeKi3rlOYPBcxt13nTCGRPjL1x/s1600/M1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi3cuCZ7uqWx6SxTrQPIEPJBn5JvAoqtKZY18rIP5uzKAYIJMNJPgid-yh6vecuWT0uxhHxaMm5fdJqLVY2EjW_2xnbWlCBQIHeo7YSMc7b_xP53RRxJOwOh6cHRg_EIByB0O9DYOicmy/s1600/M1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Raise your hand if you're (a) built like a box or (b) know someone who is. Chances are good that none of you raised your hand. Not because neither A nor B qualifies, but rather because you're thinking to yourself, "she can't see me, I'm not raising my hand" or "man, that is some <em>good</em> mango-pineapple salsa I'm eating here" or "zzzzzzzzzzz."</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This little ensemble is one I like to call, "The Little Box That Should." It's an inspiring tale of a girl who, despite lacking much by way of feminine curves, managed to put together a semi-girlish ensemble that embodies a bead-wearing-free-spirit-bent-on-reminding-suburbanites-to-save-the-rainforests. Notice my freshly-showered (i.e. wet) hair? It's 'cause there's no electricity in the forest for a blow dryer. Even my sandals look like tree roots.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. Full skirts supposedly give square-built women some hips. I don't know that this actually is the case here. And the belt cutting my torso exactly in half doesn't do much to elongate my frame. But for some reason, despite what it isn't, I'm loving what this outfit <em>is: </em>a t-shirt and an elastic-waisted anything, perfect prep for Thanksgiving feasting. Sure, I'm four months early, but I like to be prepared.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. Pass me a pie and turn up the TV, will ya?</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Tuesday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Click on stuff below...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3506912&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Forever-21#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Forever 21...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

elastic-waisted and loving it

shoes: don't recall. skirt & shirt: gap. belt & necklace: forever21. bracelet: burntsiena designs. earrings: gift/homemade.Raise your hand if you're (a) built like a box or (b) know someone who is. Chances are good that none of you raised your hand. Not because neither A nor B qualifies, but…

19Jul2011

elementary, my dear watson

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Jpncmz-7APijXZcYErJll21mgLkzOaDKhvzfXWentftbckPGMyWUF58DRtehMtjp2AcVGquKx_FfSXECYtA1-1MUOwhMgLih1kbY2g4jOtTtKYNzQW_FLf4ks2v1ozvaLN-QVUIeaQHw/s1600/O1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: mudd brand. shorts: express jeans (cutoff) (no kidding). shirt: gap. bracelet & belt: forever21. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: hawaii.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLvp8nzcLb-RQ5gI0CHdgcP_vJJOdjPotxyWwOsEDEj0U2S62hv7deoHTXzM9gKcVTCJw8yzRyVZBTBjgQsYrDWJ5JqMvf8uLFc1oenDTaGZrKbRBgurfICbJN1TVHlD0aM7jHLPJ2HMc/s1600/O1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJ1g0bFNoRzacN2DeQCX-QD8vRZaFZTV9oW6P1VB-J2n3GdSCxOnt9GgPlxwdSpMg7dx8p75SENUE8NfJ2-1QpFkOuuBTBIQRrTtobTGHbwO_fXNrhkyTkekFm3le6CjeWk7x4rF2r07U/s1600/O1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Confession: cutoff shorts are turning into a major guilty pleasure for me. It feels like cheating, really, wearing them as much as I do. But I can't help it. There's something deliriously liberating about the irony of pairing total garbage (which, let's be honest, cutoffs really respresent nothing more than trashed jeans that needed to be either thrown out or cut up into oil-changing rags) with some sort of socially acceptable top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The result? For me, it's an Unexpected and Maybe Awesome mix of high & low, trash & treasure, dumb and dumber & pride and predjudice...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which brings me to my most recent scientific breakthrough that there are, really, only two kinds of people in this world: those who like Dumb & Dumber, and those who don't. My husband loves it. Further evidence, actually, that opposites really do attract. Know what doesn't attract? A peacock to another peacock, because apparently (says my 6-year-old son, who happens to be King o' Trivia Facts) there's no such thing as a female peacock. Those are called peahens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to use <em>that </em>little tidbit in whatever way you deem necessary to get ahead in life. I know it's done wonders for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Monday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Chop your garbage jeans, then shop below...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3499082&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/J.Crew#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More J.Crew...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

elementary, my dear watson

shoes: mudd brand. shorts: express jeans (cutoff) (no kidding). shirt: gap. bracelet & belt: forever21. flower clip: downeast basics. earrings: hawaii.Confession: cutoff shorts are turning into a major guilty pleasure for me. It feels like cheating, really, wearing them as much as I do. But I can't…

18Jul2011

three blind mice.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiQVnbivUeSca05d1Dt9itDu3Pc9bI7-0hfBUYQLfL0UTLdsgTxmvn8gOpGK94OwVD0AhfPKYMsP7Q_rTUQN0AMKpNJRUGyNC2pLyhi7g1BFrsNe7tBeHaXBBS9A5UR5PD9jw_MTQOKou/s1600/P1britt5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> shoes: saltwater sandals. dress: somewhere in paris, france. shirt (with sash): downeast basics. bracelet: hawaii.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVb93Q14GUaQjIRt8gnm5fTAlQAY-yRd4gvXeOWjrwlKxRJJ2YAKfTjIeWpVI7VpK_iDX_LUr3RBu_OPXaml9dgpeCmPVGP5Y5KSvRC-GwjokLc4hm5QMvpj9I_kaC1oBJ1VaftLaTsQg/s1600/P1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I figured there were three different ways I could've gone with the sash placement: (1) low on hips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRYiHNOC3PMV7WSUelwkjws-r6HfCiNXajkzPYfudR7U3YaMggnP8xHX9Sgbdv_wYKTgGsdNMSmjXYMN_oZPOxyTZpowob1LDhTmG_Ypa9M0YkKUTCVSUL6DuD0xGhOXrj7Dcmz1lscPs/s1600/P1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (2) at my waist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvWMFgMHhR4RvwBx4DxP_iqi6EnEWHXMoGJ94IUXbVIAyEzOq0t_9dK4GpPqU9h26vCTkfO4eEF7y5v_XmyeGV6-W3p2Vfy4NEe5vtCT5x0ZP8OykCkx84aTtU3MTla5S9xkoxxASZQJ3/s1600/P1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (3) empire waist-style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5793e4OItU9A481H7dGVbq1nrZIgj0VORtb1oJ2g3IPC-QYSNwRP6w1JZcQFhCyoXj_TWH_i7eeNJH61vkgoGfgEpQSVGjnomqFacFOtxVbuGIEDNCUP1t-lJhuCq2C2kBFGI5KlLDK0A/s1600/P1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div align="center">What look do you like best? I wore #3 (empire waist) before I saw the pics...would you have agreed with me or recommended something different?</div><div align="center">(p.s. I know the shoes are a little off here...but I had just run a race the day before that resulted in blisters on my toes in poorly placed spots, and these were literally the only shoes I could handle for the day. So. Survival of the fittest.)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">This week I'm grateful for:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">- my parents, coming to stay and play for a few days.</div><div align="center">- beachside property.</div><div align="center">- a body that's able to run a half marathon after 2-3 spotty hours of sleep, which incidentally at one point involved a toddler sleeping perpendicular between my husband and me.</div><div align="center">- swim skirts.</div><div align="center">- fresh produce.</div><div align="center">- family! friends! being friends with family! (whut the exclamation points)</div><div align="center">- a flood-free week. yessssssss...</div><div align="center">- when my kids sleep in.</div><div align="center">- gut laughs. </div><div align="center">- tantrums in the making that miraculously get deflated and avoided. </div><div align="center">- fresh salsa.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Sunday.</div>

three blind mice.

shoes: saltwater sandals. dress: somewhere in paris, france. shirt (with sash): downeast basics. bracelet: hawaii. I figured there were three different ways I could've gone with the sash placement: (1) low on hips. (2) at my waist. (3) empire waist-style.What look do you like best? I wore #3 (empi…

17Jul2011

a proponent of the maxi dress and, you guessed it, cilantro.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9dpxLHxPB4mXoNfQwrBSa8Tw1snACrONGTPPCAnWL4nyN0tV3-X82DusfClxgTfZE_fiwILLdtXftXkAGVL0KFimn0wcUZOl5OUiiphRxfPzyuDFQ_QkrT2xu7mi3FRTjdAzB7selxR0/s1600/Q1britt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: don't recall (like, 20 years old. srsly). dress: forever21. necklace: gift. bracelet: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sienahansen" target="blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">burntsiena designs</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTADHeVBSuUbOaDJuhuzp7LVHlp93qN-x5gdvpCN3-5ejZLqiL_tJdic6B4Zkrsyww95gaF8suCD77lEfGKNUUbNwT3FKt9Kpfuw-OYxS0j6Nf3Af0cn6fNrnF_OY6BV6OSjO3Cjc0sxHT/s1600/Q1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-H8okt8Dz_KA472kSBDjRJR-hXGQ_0ty7xNon9UzMebSvQczl9XI3kRDr1ZZv-jFCpjym-Z75iuNiRPs8G3auIyeTwGoCtLFO5EHMluP7_FRK7nbcNAh9uJpRsKau6D9YHIWVjMuQ5Wm/s1600/Q1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVRC2iNHZt8WvXQaOWDyIpQ-iqnfGuC95OQOyHanX8JHsi3UTaHdIRPA38NKbmtWUV9bahWT8Pb7RSdeUpHerOPigD-Fo7GDMzHnBiBEgpMeMgnrrXHZUt6bYyit067g1WCWuUuDOf4T5/s1600/Q1britt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Several of you have asked me to make my photos larger. Because I'm super awesome and accommodating (yep), I'm giving this new photo format a shot, and we'll see how it goes. I figure there are pros and cons to everything, and this is no exception. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pros: You can see me and my outfits better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cons: You can see me and my outfits better. Hmmm...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is <a href="http://www.modlychic.com/" target="blank">Modly Chic's Friend Friday</a>! Today's topic is: labels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>1. As someone who writes/blogs about fashion, have you placed yourself into some sort of blogging category? </em>Yes, I think so. The purpose of this little blog is to document my style decisions (okay, fine, and rant about random stuff). Sometimes I add a <a href="http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com/search/label/home%20design" target="blank">HomeStyle</a> post or two, but by and large, people coming to this blog know what to expect: Me. Kinda crazy. But dressed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>2. What keeps you from or encourages you to label yourself as a certain kind of blogger? </em>I like to know, in general, what I'm getting into when I click onto a site/blog. I assume others feel the same way, so I'm fine to label this blog as a "style" or "fashion" blog...annnnd because I couldn't find the category "lame & random" anywhere. Plan B it is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>3. When picking blogs to read and follow are you drawn to ones that indicate a certain group or way of thinking/being?</em> Yes and no. I enjoy reading about things/people I can relate to or have experience with (for example, I like reading blogs of other moms and also modest style blogs). But I also enjoy (equally, oddly enough) blogs in which, at least on the surface, I <em>don't</em> have lots in common with the author. In general, though, I'm ultimately drawn to blogs that make me laugh and/or think. But not both at the same time, usually, because that's kinda like having milk come out my nose. Hurts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>4. Do you think there are benefits in labeling yourself or others? </em>Sure. It can be helpful and useful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>5. Agree or Disagree - We're all just people; we don't need all the labels. </em>Okay, now I'm worried that I've approached this topic the "wrong" way...but I honestly don't have hangups about blogging labels. Sure, there's more than meets the eye in everything, and there's no one label that fully encompasses any item ('cept for sweet pickles, and the appropriate label would be: "disgusting"). I think we all need to approach and add labels with caution, but I do believe they help the organized world go round. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That, and cilantro. Mmmmmm...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this look? Click on even cuter stuff below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3480620&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Buffalo#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Buffalo...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div><div></div><div></div>

a proponent of the maxi dress and, you guessed it, cilantro.

shoes: don't recall (like, 20 years old. srsly). dress: forever21. necklace: gift. bracelet: burntsiena designs.Several of you have asked me to make my photos larger. Because I'm super awesome and accommodating (yep), I'm giving this new photo format a shot, and we'll see how it goes. I figure ther…

15Jul2011