INSPIRATION //

LITTLE LISTS // II

With all the time I spend on the internet, I find a lot of stuff that I think is cool.  So here's some cool stuff.

I loved Randi's (of Sailing over a Cardboard Sea) Twin Peaks Style Study.  I love Twin Peaks, and I love really looking at the costume design of "period" movies and television.  Also, Audrey's eyebrows are my eyebrow goals forever.

Also see: The Cut's Ranking of all 118 Sweaters Seen on Twin Peaks.

A Clothes Horse did a really cool list of Six Vintage Women Photographers You Should Know.  I recognized one or two, but this was a really neat introduction.  I love vintage photography; I really feel like modern photography has lost something that it had in the past.

I was linked to an amazing blog called Queering Makeup, which is all about the relationship between beauty and non-normative presentation.

Speaking of makeup, if you like watching people apply makeup while dropping some pretty amazing views on non-heteronormative sexuality and gender presentation, check out Jeffree Starr's Get Ready With Me with Alyssa Edwards.

Silvia from I Want To Be A Fool is basically everything I want to be in a blogger.  Her photography is gorgeous and I always love reading her entries.  Her recent one about Sicily left me speechless.

An Illustrated Guide to the Kon-Mari Method really helped me figure out what Marie Kondo was talking about in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.

I've been watching Weezy Waiter's videos for at least six years now, and recently I've been clicking a bit more often as I move away from my youtubers and let's players.  This video made me really think, and I can't wait for this next series.  Good thing he uploads daily!

Last but not least, I've absolutely been loving Panic! at the Disco's new album, Death of a Bachelor.  I've also been re-visiting my beloved My Chemical Romance.  Two albums of note are Danger Days: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys and, of course, The Black Parade.

CALIFORNIA // WHAT I WORE

I have to say, I was pretty dang proud of my mini travel wardrobe for my California trip at the end of September.  I was going to write a whole post about what I packed, but it wasn't really jiving.  The way I was writing it and the way the photos were taken just didn't seem very interesting to me, and now it's kind of too late to post about it in that way!

I was really pleased that everything I brought fit in my carry on duffel and a big purse (that broke on the return trip).  I was satisfied with my outfits the entire time, which was such a nice feeling.  And I was there for 6 days!  I just wore each shirt twice and also borrowed a black shirt my mom brought because it was so nice (and it got to the point where I had wished I had brought just one more shirt).

What did I bring?

Grey Crop Top // H&M

Black & White Striped Top // H&M

Button-Down Fish Shirt // Target

Red & White Striped Top // Zara

Black Cropped Cardigan // The Woman Within

Pleather Jacket // 579

Black Circle Skirt // Heart of Haute

Red Dress // Le Bomb Shop

Disco Pants // American Apparel

Red T-Strap Heels // Kelly & Katie (DSW)

Electric Blue Chuck Taylors // Converse

Gladiator Sandals // Michael Antonio (DSW)

I want to go back so badly!  Maybe one day, with Brian.  San Francisco was so lovely, and I only saw about 5% of it.  The trip is such a fond memory now.  I had such an absolutely amazing time.  I've never been on a better trip in my entire life.  

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WORK IT

This is something I wore to work a couple of weeks ago.  I grabbed my camera and, for the first time, attempted to take my own outfit photos.  While I was taking the photos, it was a disaster.  I hated all the poses I was pulling, I didn't like how my face looked, and I was just generally unhappy.  I then took some more photos about a week later to apply for Un-Fancy's guest blogger position (the contest is closed, but the post is here) and looked at these photos again.  Suddenly, they weren't so bad!  Goes to show you that it's always better to put away a project and then come back to look at it another time.  Fresh eyes do wonders!

My workplace is generally causal with a touch of buisness-casual for the dress code.  It was a bit of a shift for me, but a welcome one.  I had wanted an excuse to freshen up the way I had dressed for a while, and this was the perfect one!  The big change was not being able to wear color; we're only allowed to wear black, white, and grey.  Before, I would wear a lot of black but would always add a pop of color somewhere (usually red).  I need to get a couple more colorful accessories!

I also feel like I've explained my workplace dress code at least three times on this blog so far.  Augh!  I have this thing where I expect no one who is reading these posts to actually have read any previously, so I need to explain ideas like they're new every time.  Maybe I should stop doing that and just start linking to older posts to explain? 

// What I'm Wearing

Jcpenny (about 5 years ago) // TOP

No idea.  My mom got this for me at least 3 years ago // SKIRT

American Apparel // SOCKS

Dr. Marten's 1461s // SHOES

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DOCS

I can't believe I finally have a pair!

I've wanted a pair of Dr. Marten's for absolutely ages, but would always talk myself out of buying them!  Finally, with my new job, I needed a pair of shoes that were comfortable and were my style, but also fit in with the work dress code.  My parents also had said they would buy me one big christmas gift from last year, of which I hadn't "redeemed" yet.  A match made in heaven? 

I've worn them one day and my feet and legs ached awfully, but I can't wait for them to be completely broken in.   I may buy a pair of 1461s at some point, but these 1460s should satisfy my Dr. Marten's urge for some time.  I love them!

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F/W CAPSULE WARDROBE // AN EXAMPLE

(Do you like my rack?)

A 30-ish Piece Capsule Wardrobe for Fall/Winter // An Example

It's strange actually attempting this concept again, since every other time I would try it I would get stuck.  I realize now, though, that what I was getting tuck on was trying to think about my ideal capsule wardrobe in the terms of 'what do I already have? how can I fill in the gaps?' when I should have been thinking 'what's the best combination of items, no matter if I own them or not?'

When thinking along those lines, I realized that I don't actually really love a lot of the pieces I have.  A lot of them are just place holders right now until I can get something "better," by which I mean an item in a different style, fit,  or fabric (usually).  Not the best realization to come to!  It's a problem I've always had because I, like many other people, do not have access to an unlimited income with which to buy clothes whenever my heart desires.  I always wonder when getting rid of clothing if I will want this item in the future, be it because I'll fit in to it again or my style may change back.  However, by starting to think about what I really want in my closet, I was able to make an un-biased list, so to speak.  

I took a good, hard look at the clothes I currently have hanging on my wardrobe rack.  These are the clothes I reach for more often than not, and are all clothing I consider stuff I really enjoy wearing.  Not all of these, however, fit in to what I like to think of as my "ideal wardrobe."  Now that I've graduated college, I want to shift away ever so slightly from t-shirts, for example.  I have a lot of t-shirts, and all of them have the dreaded crew neck that I'm not a big fan of.  Why should those be on my clothing rack if I don't love them 100%?

(If you were wondering, I went through a huge band phase in high school.  I still have almost all of the T-shirts bought during that time, all of which are band shirts.  I've weeded a lot of them out and put the ones I don't like in storage, but some are so nice!  Hard life for a "grown up" pop-punk fan.)

Those clothes on the rack do at least one thing: help me realize what sorts of cuts and colors I enjoy.  The outfits I create are usually mostly basics with one or two statement pieces.  By basics, I mean I own a lot of black.  By statement pieces, I mean I wear a lot of red, and enjoy patterns quite a bit.  This enables me to think about outfit building, and wardrobe building, along the lines of "statement pieces" and "basic pieces."  INTO-MIND has a great post about method dressing here, and I realized after reading the article that the way I dress is a mix of basics&statements and modular dressing.  My outfits are usually a neutral and a statement item, but I also want a balanced wardrobe where all my tops go with my bottoms, etc.

Now, down to the nitty gritty.  My neutral items are mostly black, but I do like grey and would like to add a couple of grey items.  My statement and regular color choices kind of mix together, which always confused me a bit when I tried to think about my wardrobe in the way that the internet has been loving recently.  All I know is that I love red, and I also really like a sort of navy/midnight blue.  Maroon is also good (though that's kind of red, isn't it?).  Other than that, I don't really gravitate towards any other colors.  I love purple, but the purple shirt I own gets almost no wear time, which if I'm honest with myself is probably due to the cut.  I don't like earthy colors (orange, yellow, green, brown) or lighter, pale colors (white, ivory, cream, pale pink or blue).  Dark and bold colors stand out against my pale, cool-toned skin and make me feel a lot more striking and a lot less like a washed out photograph.  I'm just lucky that society's "normal" bold lip color is red, or I'd be lost.  Not that that really matters, since I've been eyeing up OOC's bright pastel blue lip tar.  Who cares if it makes me look like I've died!?

Another thing I noticed were just a few "ideas" about the clothes I wear.  I have to have cotton tops or I die, because I overheat very easily.  Long sleeves and turtlenecks are no-nos for the same reason.  I like to layer sweaters because of the overheating because I can take them off and then put them back when necessary.  I always put comfort over a lot of things, so clothes can't be high maintenance.  I hate when skirts or dresses flip up in the wind!  If they do that, they're not worth it, especially in windy Buffalo.  I also have very picky feet, which is why a shoe purchase is so important to me.  I've wasted so much money in the past making hasty shoe purchases, only to not be able to wear them because they're uncomfortable!  There's nothing worse than hurting feet, so flat shoes are pretty much an every day item for me.  I love heels, but they have to be between two to three inches.  I hate kitten heels, but then if the heels are higher than 3" I'm suddenly over six feet tall!  Also why wear super tall heels (and be uncomfortable) if there's no need?

(By that, I really mean I can't and don't want to wear those 6" platform heels that are so in right now.  Like, dang, I know they make your legs look amazing but I don't feel like being 6'4" or breaking my ankle.  Nah.  For those who do wear them, though, dang.  Mad props.)

Finally, with all this self reflection in mind, I put together my Fall/Winter Capsule Wardrobe concept.  Some of these items I have, and some I don't.  After this list was finished as well, I realized that some pieces I own aren't included, but they're the type I'm never going to get rid of.  I know that goes against the whole idea of the thing, but they're all investment statement pieces, which should be my middle name as that's almost my whole wardrobe as of now, oops (see: American Apparel Disco Pants, Modcloth's Lady Love Song Dress, Drive Jacket, I can go on).  Either way, it was super fun putting this list together, and it really helped me reflect on what I really want to look like.

At the top of each section, I listed the proportions, themes, or just general items I don't like applying to that type of clothing item.  These were drawn from just general aesthetic enjoyment or past experience.  The items with a star (*) next to them are items I already own, or are on the way.  The items in italics at the bottom of the list are items that are part of my spring/summer wardrobe that can apply to fall but probably won't be worn as much as the other items on the list, therefore they don't get to be a part of the overall count.  I enjoy having my wardrobes work for me almost the whole year with only a couple of new or stored pieces, so layering is my best friend.  Because of this, I can include things like cami tops in my winter wardrobe since I plan on layering them under other tops.

So that's that!  I realize that this is just a giant post ranting about my trials in finding an entire wardrobe of clothing I love.  Isn't it strange how the internet is in love with this concept and I've wanted to do this for forever?  I've always had the feeling of wanting to par down my wardrobe and that I owned too much stuff I didn't really like.  Life is too short to wear clothes you only like!!


// tops (9)

Don't like // long sleeves, turtlenecks, crew necks, non-breathing fabrics, see through fabrics, too loose items, boob pockets

Do like // short or 3/4 length sleeves, wide/boat/scoop necks, cotton/silk

black boat neck/3/4 sleeves* needs to be replaced soon

black boat/scoop neck

grey shirt (longsleeve with navy&white polkadot elbow patches)*

red shirt

blue shirt (silk?)

white fish patterned button down* just bought this weekend, I love it.

red&white striped boatneck*

white&black striped boat neck/three-quarter sleeve*

black&white striped boat neck/three-quarter sleeve tunic top*

black cami*

Thinking About // The Cotton U-Neck , Everlane // Woman's Supina Cotton Crew Neck 3/4 Sleeve , Uniqlo 

// bottoms (7)

Don't like // loose around the butt and thighs, waist hitting right below belly button (high-rise style), mini skirts

Do like // starts at natural waist

disco pants*

high waisted blue jeans

black jeans*

black circle skirt* just ordered!

navy polkadot circle skirt*

midnight blue pencil skirt

skinny black trouser 

red maxi*

high-waisted jean shorts*

Thinking About // Mandle Bee Circle Skirt , Heart of Haute* // Dark Wash High-Waist Jean , American Apparel 

// dresses (3)

Don't like // long sleeve, non-breathing fabrics

Do like //  fit and flare, three-quarter/elbow length/short sleeve, cotton

black fit and flare* long sleeve and shorter length aren't ideal

... 
...
maroon maxi*

(Dresses are hard.  I have a couple but I don't love any of them for "every day wear."  Maybe I'll eventually find one.  Argh.)

// sweaters/jackets (7) 

Don't like // huge oversized, too hot/thick, wool

Do like // light, breathable, able to layer, skimming & erring on the side of oversized, cotton/merino wool

red cardigan*

cropped black cardigan* just ordered!

black skimming pullover (merino wool?)

grey knit jumper

(p)leather jacket*

wool peacoat*

...

Thinking About //  The Cotton Cashmere U-Neck , Everlane // Cable Sweater , River Island // Hell Bunny Paloma Cardigan , Trashy Diva

//shoes (7)

white chuck taylors will buy after electric blue ones wear out*

dr martens oxfords (1461s)

combat/lace up boot* two yrs old, will probably need to be replaced after this winter

no heel bootie/ankle boot

blue suede (!!) lace-up heeled ankle boot*

red patent T-strap pumps*

black oxford heel*

black TOMS*

loafers 

Thinking About // Chuck Taylors , Converse // 1461s , Dr. Martens // 1460s , Dr. Martens 

//statement pieces

Pieces that aren't a part of the daily wardrobe, but are still worn every once in a while.

Lady Love Song Red Dress // Modcloth
Red Pinup Style Surplus Dress // Le Bomb Shop
Navy Blue Polkadot Dress // Target
Griffon Skeleton T-Shirt // Drive By Press

Checkerboard Pants // Tripp Clothing
Drive Jacket

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THREE-MONTH GOAL

I've reached a conclusion.

I'm not going to buy any clothes or makeup for three months.  Until October 6th, there will be no purchases of any sort of clothing or makeup items!

I've been trying to reduce, reduce, reduce for the past couple of months (and I've really gotten it down quite a bit), so now I'm taking it a step further.  Looking at my closet right now, I realize how I really don't need any more clothing items.  I received a packages yesterday of a beautiful dress and skirt (they are truly amazing), and now I'm done.  Hopefully, I'll also be able to reduce even more along with not making any purchases.  I started really looking at my wardrobe in the spring, so I wasn't really able to make a judgement on my fall/winter clothes.  This year, I'll be able to!

Thinking ahead, I really don't need any clothes besides a new pair of jeans for the upcoming fall/winter season.  Any other items I want are treats!  So, I figure, that one purchase can wait until it gets a little colder.  I also really need to stop spending until I have a job, so this and that goal go hand in hand.

In terms of makeup, I have a reasonably sized stash for a normal person, so I'm going to set my mind on using those items.  Thinking about it, I have at least one item of a full face of makeup, so I will be fine!  Related to that goal, I purchased my first MAC lipstick in June (the amazing Ruby Woo).  So exciting!  However, when I bought that amazing lipstick, I turned to my friend and said "this will be the last lipstick purchase I'm going to make until 2015."  I will stick to that!  I have about twenty-five lipsticks, so I figure I should use them instead of getting new ones.  

At the end of three months, hopefully that "reflective" period will help me realize what I don't need, and what I might need in terms of wardrobe and makeup!  I'll be keeping lists of things I wish I had, and maybe I'll buy myself a present at the end of the three months!

I think the one rule is that accessories and hair styling products, where necessary, don't count.  I never buy either of them, so I figure that's the one exception.  I've been wanting to get a curling iron for a while (I have no hot tools!) and was considering a clutch of some sort for the wedding I'm going to in september.  But that's it, I swear!  All other purchases will wait until October, haha.

Wish me luck!

xxTanya

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THESIS RED

I figured it was about time I post what I wore to my Senior Thesis show.  Being home for summer and trying to figure out what I actually want to blog about has made me come to a little standstill in terms of posting.  This summer has been really relaxing so far, lots of ups and downs, getting some sun, and just generally having a lovely time at home with my parents.  It's strange, because I feel like I'm at a turning point in my life (which I suppose I am)!  I'll be going back to Buffalo in a couple of weeks to stay with Brian, and then August first I move in to my first "real" apartment, paid for by yours truly!  Nutso.

For my Thesis show, I knew I wanted to wear a red dress.  I saw the Lady Lovesong dress on Modcloth years and years ago and it was love at first sight.  Only when I was thinking about getting something special for the show, however, did I even consider actually buying it.  I did, and it was amazing!  This dress gave me such a confidence boost and I felt like a hundred bucks!  I even pin curled my hair to go with the look.  My biggest problem now is trying to figure out other opportunities to wear the dress without feeling too fancy, which is kind of dumb.  As Oscar Wilde said, "You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

I suppose if I start dressing nicely more often than not, it'll become more regular to the people I surround myself with, and then I won't feel as uncomfortable.  One day!

I can't remember what makeup I wore other than that my lipstick was Kate Moss for Rimmel in 10.  Of course, with all my red lipsticks, I swatched them all to find the perfect match.  Blue-toned reds, yes!!

xxTanya

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INSPIRATION // BEAUTI FÜL SPRING 2014

To see more of the collection, feel free to check out the website here.  This post is not sponsored, I'm just a fan of the photography and the model, James Quaintance.

Disclaimer // I do not own any of the art featured in this post.  If this is your work and you would like it removed, please contact me!

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