5 Days, 5 Ways - Leopard Top

 

This weekend, I did some closet cleaning, which resulted in a trip to the consignment shop.  I also found some old favorites in the back of my closet that have been neglected.  So, I am late to the "no longer neglected" party, but I'm jumping in here in the last week.  This leopard tank top is the only clothing item I have sewn from scratch.  I wore it a few times last winter/spring, and then apparently forgot about it.  Time to bring it back!  The above outfit was perfect for an impromptu dinner date on Saturday evening.

This is also Day 1 of the 5 Days, 5 Ways link up challenge with Whitney and Fran.  These are 2 of my favorite bloggers, so I'm excited to play along, and see what everyone else puts together.
 

Here are 4 ways I have previously worn this shirt, along with today's look (get it, 5 ways!).

1/2/3/4/5

Goal for sometime this summer: wear this top without a cardigan!  It can stand on its own, I just tend to wear it on cooler days, like a Saturday in late March, when it is snowing.  All of my summery tops are now at the front of my closet, so I hope the weather cooperates soon and I can stop wearing giant sweaters one of these days!

Outfit details
Cardigan: Gap
Shirt: handmade
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Target

Third Thursday Winterization

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This month's Third Thursday Threads theme is Winterizing a Summer Item!  

I'm a big fan of making summer items work all through the year.  One of the easiest ways to do this is take a summery dress and add a sweater, tights, and boots.  Boom!  When I bought this dress, I had vacation and summer in mind, but then I noticed that it would match perfectly with my fuchsia tights and orange cardigan.  I sort of expected to get some looks from my co-workers, since this is a pretty loud outfit, but I didn't notice anyone staring awkwardly.  One person did tell me I was very bright.  I just said thanks!

How do you wear summery items when it's cold outside?  Any brilliant tips to share? 


Dress: Kohl's
Cardigan: J.Crew factory
Tights & Belt: Old Navy
Boots: Target

Awkward Dress

 

Take One, Pass It On Item:  black belt from last Friday (not that you can see it!)

I bought this dress in January, and immediately tore off the tags, and it has hung in my closet for over a month, not being worn.  I'm pretty sure this was a wrong decision for me to purchase.  In my defense, I was distracted by the polka dots and didn't realize that this "dress" is a super awkward length for me.  I'm sure on a regular person, it is an appropriate length (evidence).   On me, it is too short to wear as a dress, even with tights, but it is just a little bit too long to be a shirt.  I'm not really a leggings person, so that's a no-go as well.

The outfit above is my attempt at styling this difficult item, and I am not 100% sold on this look.  Plus, I think I would get tired of wearing it over all of my different colored pencil skirts.  Do any of you have ideas for how I can make this work?  Right now, my best idea is to chop a couple of inches off the bottom, but there's a decent chance I would just ruin it.  Fashion blogger SOS!

Dress: Old Navy
Belt and Skirt: Limited
Boots: Target

Black and White (and Neon)

 

Take One, Pass It On Item:  booties from Friday's post (and boyfriend shirt, which I didn't even realize!  I should get some bonus points for that!)

**I'm also linking up with Marion for the trend of the month!

I very rarely wear all neutrals, but I was really going to try for this link-up.  I put this outfit together and it just felt a little boring, so I had to add the neon belt.  It's still mostly black and white, right?

Since it wasn't quite pitch black outside when I got home, I braved the frigid temperatures and wind to take some pictures outside.  I was not brave enough to take my coat off.  I shouldn't be complaining about the weather, because we are supposed to get about 8-12 inches of snow, with blizzard-like winds on Thursday.   Is it spring yet??

Shirt, Sweater, and Coat: Gap
Belt: Chinese Laundry
Skirt: Autograph via TJ Maxx or Marshalls (I can never remember)
Boots: Target

Tough

Take One, Pass It On Item: boyfriend shirt from last Friday's post

I recently learned that someone in my office described me as "tough."  When I told various other people (husband, sister, friends), they all laughed heartily.  I'm about as NOT tough as is humanly possible.  There are several definitions (according to Merriam-Webster):    

1. characterized by severity or uncompromising determination <tough laws> <tough discipline>
2. capable of enduring strain, hardship, or severe labor <tough soldiers>
3. very hard to influence : stubborn <a tough negotiator>
4. difficult to accomplish, resolve, endure, or deal with <a tough question> <tough luck>
5. stubbornly fought <a tough contest>
6. unruly, rowdyish <a tough gang>
7. marked by absence of softness or sentimentality <a tough critic>

The only one that I could maybe believe about myself is #4.  I'm sometimes "difficult to deal with", but that is because I am so sensitive, so I'm not sure we can really apply it in this case.   

I just thought it was funny - the perceptions others have of us are sometimes very far from reality!  And I figured I should let you all know the truth, just in case you haven't figured it out: I'm not really tough at all. 

Shirt and Cardigan: Gap
Belt: Old Navy
Skirt: Kenneth Cole Sweater (refashioned)
Boots: Target

One Hit Wonder

 

There are rumors in the blog-o-sphere that some fashion bloggers buy clothes, wear them for their blog, and then return them.  I think that's pretty ridiculous, but I accidentally did it with this dress.  I wore this last Tuesday, and during a meeting, I noticed a little hole near the hem.  As the day progressed, the hole got bigger and bigger.  You can kind of see it in the above pictures, but here's a close-up:  

I went to Old Navy to exchange it, but they were sold out completely.  I'm a little disappointed, because I love a good striped dress, but it's probably for the best.   The funny thing is that I was $10 over my January budget, but now that I've returned this dress, I'm right on track.  I've updated my budget post from last week, so it will be true.

Also, starting tomorrow, I am going to try a modified version of "Take One, Pass It On" remix challenge that Sarah devised.  Her version involves picking one item each day to wear again in a different way the next day.  I'm afraid of my co-workers noticing and judging me if I wear the same thing 2 days in a row, so I am going to do a weekly "pass-along."  Each day this week, I will be re-mixing an item from one of my posts from last week.  Then the next week, I'll pick from this week's posts, etc.  I'm not allowed to"Pass Along" the same item, either.  I can wear it again, but it can't be my focal item again.  I'm going to try to do this for the rest of February!    

Dress: Old Navy
Cardigan: Marisa Kristina
Belt: Limited
Necklace: Charmin Charlie
Boots: Target