Night at the ballet

Coat: Forever 21

Dress: Max Studio ⟡

Shoes: Payless ⟡

Ear party: [no brand] from Hong Kong ⟡

Necklace: [ gifted ]

Bag: Coach ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

Went to the ballet and I must say I am impressed.  I think what struck me the most was the raw athleticism combined with rhythm and grace - it seems like an odd pairing but it's such a given when it comes to ballet, figure skating, gymnastics, etc.

These boots are made for awesome

Top: Love Rocks ⟡

Shoes: Nine West ⟡

Necklace: Forever 21

Arm party: Shoedazzle, Kenneth Cole

⟡ first wear in 2012

I've been on a quest for brown leather riding boots all winter, and although these fail to have a flat heel and admittedly are quite similar to my other brown boots, they are much higher quality and I can see them lasting for years.  The 75% discount helped, too.  :D

It can be hard to walk away from a steep discount!  Is there a % or $ off amount at which you just can't say no?

Won't you be my neighbor?

Top: H&M outside ⟡, Papaya inside ⟡

Shoes: [no brand] from Taiwan

Ear party: Forever 21, Forever 21
Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Watch: La Mer Collections

⟡ first wear in 2012

Bright yellow or red cardigans will always remind me of Mr. Rogers.  I fondly remember the how-it's-made segments on Picture Picture and thought it was pretty rad he had a traffic light in his kitchen.

Happy Pi Day!

UPDATE 2012/03/22: Just like Chuck Norris facts, there are now #MrRogersFacts! Enjoy! (:

Valentine's date brunch

Top: Kenneth Cole outside, Forever 21 inside ⟡
Shades: Love Culture
Bag: Etienne Aigner

Shoes: Payless
Ear party: Gordmans ⟡, [no brand]

Bracelet: [diy] ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

In order to avoid the inevitable hustle and bustle of Valentine's day, we opted for a Monday morning brunch instead.  I've only been here on the weekend before, so it was refreshing to be able to order one of the weekday specials!  As a bonus, I was excited to wear my creation from our little bracelet making party.

Meet me on the sunny side of the street

Top: American Eagle ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

I'm documenting this shirt for the challenge - even though this is a just a lowly t-shirt, I love the saying on it!  It's both a great metaphor for a positive outlook and a good summary of precisely how I walked to class in college.

Bonus - this weekend we had a wrap bracelet making party! 

Left: Stephanie's; Right: Jeff's  

Cold shoulder

Top: Wet Seal ⟡
Belt: Wet Seal

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Alfani

Ear party: [no brand] from Hong Kong ⟡, [no brand]

Ring: H&M ⟡

Bag: Kathy Van Zeeland ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

I wear earring backs with every earring, even fish hooks.  After losing one too many earrings to fidgeting in class or even a windy day, I've decided they are a must.  So, it's always a pleasant surprise to find a pair in which the humble earring back takes front stage.

Bonjour!

Top: Star City outside, Forever 21 inside ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Alfani

Ear party: Claire's ⟡, H&M

⟡ first wear in 2012

I'd abandoned this blazer for nearly 4 years* after I stopped interviewing with corporate America.  Now, twice in one week?  This might be the best comeback so far in my challenge.

*Lady Gaga costumes don't count.

Easy money

Top: Arizona

Bottom: Paris Blues

Shoes: Alfani
Earrrings: Wet Seal ⟡

Arm party: ShoeDazzle, Kenneth Cole

⟡ first wear in 2012

I bought these earrings a long time ago to go with some heinous army green sandals (also with Chinese coins) that I bought while studying abroad.  I left those shoes behind several moves ago and I don't miss them at all.

Lazy leopard

Top: Pink Rose outside, Zara inside ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Paprika

Necklace: [gifted]

Ear party: [gifted] ⟡, Cady Nation, now DC Bijou

Ring: H&M ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

When in a rush I'll fall back on one of two things - black or leopard print.  Or both!  What are your fallbacks?

Red herring

Top: Star City outside ⟡, [no brand] from China inside ⟡

Bottom: Arizona

Shoes: Forever 21

Ear party: [gifted] from China ⟡, Cady Nation, now DC Bijou

⟡ first wear in 2012

I hadn't worn these particular fish earrings for several years, after three of the rhinestones fell out.  Then, a few days ago I had an epiphany and dabbed some red nail polish into the gaps.  It worked like a charm and I couldn't be more pleased with the results!

Fly me to the moon

Top: Love Rocks ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Bamboo
Earrings: [no brand] from Shanghai

Arm party: [diy] ⟡, Kenneth Cole

⟡ first wear in 2012

My first patterned wrap bracelet!  It's Broncos / Fighting Illini / Your Favorite Orange and Blue Sports Team colored!  Click here for the tutorial on how to make this bracelet!

The real deal!

Top: Kenneth Cole outside, Mossimo inside ⟡

Bottom: Forever 21

Shoes: Payless

Ear party: [no brand] from ? ⟡, [no brand] from Hong Kong

Bag: Merona

⟡ first wear in 2012

Third weekend is the charm!  We were sorely tempted by the first apartment complex we toured this day, but it's a good thing we didn't put any money down because the real winner turned up later that afternoon!  The only leasing agent working that day was wonderfully cheery and helpful despite being extremely busy.  She took us on a double tour with a a couple that had already seen 30 places (this was the 7th that day!) and they ended up choosing this complex!  It was clearly a sign.  We submitted our application and if all goes well we will be moved in by the end of the month!

Have you screen my bicycle?

Top: Uniqlo outside ⟡, Love Love Jo inside ⟡

Bottom: Arizona

Shoes: Forever 21
Scarf: [flea market]
Ear party: [no brand] from Shanghai ⟡, H&M

Nail party: 10 ⟡, Sally Hansen ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

I screen printed this shirt myself at the Gowanus Print Lab in Brooklyn!  It was really fun and the end result greatly exceeded my expectations!  At least enough to make up for the other shirt I printed, which has a kid on a rocking horse right over the tummy.  After a friend pointed out its pre-maternity styling, I couldn't bring myself to wear it.  Some thoughts cannot be unthought.

Urban backpacking

Top: Arizona ⟡

Bottom: Celebrity Pink

Shoes: Bamboo
Ear party: [gifted], Forever 21

Necklace: Swarovski Heliotrope Heart Pendant and a cheap bail on a chain you've seen before ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

This bag gets more wear than all my cute, girly handbags combined.  I've been tempted to replace it with a more ladylike tote, but the functional benefits of a backpack are difficult to deny.  If anything, it has become a handy headquarters for all work-related items when at home.

For those of you who have to haul things to work or school every day, what do you use to carry your stuff?

9 to 5

Top: Express ⟡

Bottom: Paris Blues

Shoes: Payless

Neck party: [no brand] from Taiwan, [ebay]

Ear party: [no brand] from Hong Kong, [ebay]

⟡ first wear in 2012

This is the sweater I wore to my first day of work at my current employer, and consequentially the same sweater pictured in my ID.  If I could go back in time I would have chosen to wear some brighter colors that day, but I can't deny that this was a very comfortable choice for a long day of training and paperwork.

Exit through the gift shop

Top: Forever 21 outside, Annabelle inside ⟡

Bottom: Paris Blues

Shoes: Sonoma

Ear party: [no brand] from Qingdao ⟡, [no brand] labret stud from Amazon⟡ 

⟡ first wear in 2012

Judged by many measures, these earrings are nothing special.  However, because I bought them in the Tsingtao Brewery gift shop, when I look at them I remember that entire trip.  And that is why one should always exit through the gift shop!

I have not seen the nominally-related Exit Through the Gift Shop documentary, but it has been in my Netflix queue for quite some time.  I've heard good things!

Layer it on me

Top: Royalty outside ⟡, Windsor inside ⟡

Bottom: Jolt

Shoes: Mossimo ⟡
Ear party: [ebay], Forever 21

Necklace: [gifted] ⟡

Bracelet: [diy] ⟡

⟡ first wear in 2012

This delicate pendant portrays Guanyin Pusa and was a gift from my late grandmother.  I don't know very much about pusa / bodhisattva, but for me the significance of this pendant is my grandmother's love and desire for my well-being.  And so despite cultural and spiritual chasms, this has become a very meaningful image to me.