Found In My Closet - Old Elle Decor

I was enjoying an old Elle Decor when I came across these fun pictures...




(All photos above from Elle Decor October 1999)

Fashion and home decor! Two of my most favorite topics in one place! Maybe fun and inspiring but not very realistic...until I found this in the most current issue of W magazine...

(Photo from W magazine October 2009)

Check out that necklace and bracelet from Lanvin! These I think I would wear.

J.

Closet Challenge -Denim Shirt Outfit #3

Outfit #3 is a little stretch for me, but comfortable. The pants, second hand Marc Jacobs, are wide legged which I don't normally wear. Does it make the shirt look sloppy? I'm undecided, but it's not out of the question. Maybe good for a cool weekend day sitting outside or going thrifting.

However, inspired by Ms. Pearl Westwood's advice to try it on with everything in my closet, I went for the trusty tweed aline skirt.

This skirt was sitting in the Goodwill pile but I pulled it out, and really I should try to save it, it's a classic. (I let my boyfriend talk me out of it...never again!) I got it at the Gap about 5 years ago and it still goes with everything from a tshirt to a buttoned oxford shirt...and now this!

I can work with this, literally, I could probably pull this off at work for a meeting or a shift in sales.

So the denim shirt is a keeper and I'm not scared of it anymore...in fact, it's great for inbetween weather and I'm looking forward to getting more use out of it.

What do you have in your closet that you have no idea how to wear?
J.

I Wish I Had Some Of This In My Closet - 3.1 Phillip Lim

I love these pieces from 3.1 Phillip Lim at Barney's. They're modern yet classic all at the same time and I would wear them for years to come.

(All photos barneys.com)
Sorry the pics are so small! The Leopard Faux Wrap Dress, a smaller scale print, perfect for this season's tons of layers. How could you go wrong? To work with leggings, a cardigan, chunky beads and flats for work, on it's own with heels for cocktails, Perfect!

Cozy, cozy, cozy, the Oversized Cardigan in brown. Like a cocoon with pockets, need I say more?

I'd pair the Petal Sleeved Blouse with rhinestones and a pencil skirt for a party, a jacket, boots and jeans for day. Maybe I'd throw on a fur of some type with either outfit...

I guess I'll have to save my pennies! You can see all the other pieces at www.barneys.com

J.

Closet Challenge - My Friend or Foe The Denim Shirt

Denim is and should be a staple in most wardrobes. It's trusty, flexible and goes with most everything. But I just can't figure out the denim shirt which, unlike everything else, does not go with jeans. Can you say denim suit? Gross. I realize they're back and as popular as ever but I can never figure out what to wear on the bottom.

Well, this happens to be the denim shirt I have in my closet. It's from Sim Sim by Javier Simorra, a line from Spain. The details, like the contrasting stitching, and asymmetrical pockets keep it fresher than the 80's version, but it's still a tough piece for me to pull together, and I have not worn it more than once since I received it, so you know the rules...if I can't wear it 3 different ways then it needs to go away. I really want to like it, so into the closet I go...

I was worried that I would look like a hairband groupie if I paired it with leather like materials, but I wore it to dinner with the lace up oxfords and I think it came out more modern than I expected.

I know, I know! I need a haircut but my stylist is sick! Here it is with the floaty skirt, (which I'm happy to say I altered within a month.) A good contrast to the heavier material of the shirt and this time I did keep it a little old school with the broach at the collar...


I love this gem and I've been dieing to wear it!

So what for number 3? I need help! Recommendations please!

J.

Office Supplies And Other Random Things I've Collected Over Time

I'm not sure why I like all these things, but I do. I never really know what to do with them so they usually can be found among my "office" items. (I don't have an actual office, just office things.)

The houndstooth gift bag is where I keep pencils and markers, and the little round box holds my wisdom teeth...I know, gross.

This is the tiniest colored pencil holder I have ever seen! It actually has an eraser and sharpener. So little, so cute, but really hard to use.

I guess I could use the little pencils to write in these little journals. Seriously, the red and black one is smaller than my hand.


I hadn't opened this tin in a long time...glass stars and keychains.

It's a mystery to me why I hang on to these little things, I'm actually a big fan of getting rid of things I no longer need or use. (Goodwill loves me.)

Any psychology suggestions?
J.

Happy About Christian Siriano

So, like everyone else, I've been reviewing collections for Spring 2010 and there are some good things coming up but the one that I really enjoyed was something I wasn't prepared to be so happy about. Christian Siriano, season 4 winner of "Project Runway," has put together a beautiful yet wearable collection and I think I would wear almost every piece (with a few exceptions.)

(Photo from elle.com)
(Photo from elle.com)
He fulfills my obsession for neutrals. I loved the florals that roamed the runways this week, but this is so creamy, smooth and rich! Mmmmm...

(Photo from elle.com)
(Photo from elle.com)
Blue is a color that I don't normally wear, but this fabric is gorgeous!

He did some strange things with shoes that I'm not sure about, but I'm only going by pictures. They could be more interesting in person. Anyway, you can see his collection here - Enjoy!

J.

Found In My Closet - More Alterations

I was sort of intrigued with the wide legs of these pants until I saw myself in the mirror...

NOT a good length on a person my height!

But I'm crazy for the menswear fabric and it love how unexpected it looks with my sequin tunic, which I have yet to wear, but it is getting cooler, perfect weather for it. So I think I'm going to take in the leg...

I have them pinned here. What do you think? (My alteration pile is growing again...) Is it worth it?

J.

Hooray For Cooler Weather

I've had a crazy week and it looks like it'll be carrying over into this next week. I've been away from my computer, other than to read email, and I have so much catching up to do. That being said, it's a relief to have the kitchen remodel finished - it's lovely- and we just got our old refrigerator out of the living room yesterday.

We've also had a weekend of rain which meant the temperatures were much cooler, making me dream of fall, which doesn't usually amount to much in Texas. However, it also made it reasonable to try out these leather look leggings without looking crazy.

I paired it with my simple dress from Express.

This necklace is what I had been wanting to wear with this dress.

(I wore this out to brunch at The Steeping Room, a yummy little tea shop near the house.)

Ok, I'm headed to make dinner and do laundry.

J.

Mother Knows (Me) Best

This beautiful cake that my mom sent me is made entirely of flowers and I'm absolutely in love with it!

It's my favorite shade of green! I love the little pearls in each of the flowers!

It's so sweet and yet has zero calories!

Thanks Mom! This totally made my day...make that week! Love you!

J.

Closet Challenge -Zara Top Outfit 3

Hooray! I've made it to #3 and this look is probably my favorite! Great for so many occasions! I'd wear it to lunch, out to happy hour, almost anywhere!

The silver glass bead necklaces are vintage as is the purse. The belt is something I picked up this past spring at one of the outlet stores in San Marcos, but I can't recall which one. I like this black floaty skirt which I admit, is a recent purchase, but it was only $6.99. However, it's about 2 sizes too big and I can sort of cinch it in with this big belt, but I really should take it in. Ok, into the alteration pile it will go!

You can't see the shoes very well because they blend into the paper that is still spread out to protect the floors, so here's a close up. I'm way into neutrals right now.

So the Zara top is in and has a home in my closet. The challenge itself was kind of fun, and I even found something that will be leaving my closet permanently...more on that later.

J.

Closet Challenge-Zara Top Outfit 2

So the top can be pulled off at work, but only if it's played safe. And preppy. Especially when the pearls are piled on.

Making an appearance are these cute cap toes from Nine West, which I haven't worn in a while and really, if I can't find more to go with them, may head for Goodwill. The pants are an old pair from Dollhouse and still fit decently.

I'd probably also wear this for meetings and appointments. Like I said, it's safe but at least it can be pulled off without looking over the top which makes this top more versatile than I had previously thought.

Ok, look #2, not very inspiring but maybe this blouse wasn't a bad buy. Maybe I'll get more wear than I expected.

J.

Closet Challenge-Zara Top Outfit 1

The vibe I get from this blouse is Boho, a style I don't normally subscribe to and not really sure how much is too much. I feel like the little bitty Olson Twins can pile on 50 pounds of fabric but the Texas heat just doesn't allow for that.

But I think I could wear this by the end of September and be perfectly comfortable.

The vest used to be a jacket but I removed the sleeves a long time ago. The necklace is vintage (I wore it a couple of posts ago,) and I picked up the leather cuff, wood bangle and ring at various times and various places. You may also remember the sandal/boot, a current summer purchase, which works great for this look. And of course the jeans are from Express with a few alterations.

So far, the top is safe. I like this for a day to night look, but a little funky for work even on the sales floor...maybe that's the next look I need to try...

J.

Closet Challenge

Almost every Saturday you can find me in my closet tidying up the weekly mess I make. I actually don't mind being among all my lovely pieces. I'll put on a pair of fun but inappropriate for cleaning pair of shoes and could probably spend an entire day in there.

It's not a big, glamorous space. I have bookshelves jammed in to inspire some sort of organization and it's beastly hot in summer because there's no ventilation what so ever. But mixing and matching all my pieces, thinking of new ways that I could wear something, determining what items I'll need for the upcoming season, well, I could get lost in it!

That being said, my poor closet is stuffed! I know I have too much clothing! I like to declare "I'm getting rid of all the things I never wear," then usually pull out 3 things to send to Goodwill only to decide a day later that I can alter something and back into my closet it goes. Sometimes I get around to altering it (I try to do it myself,) and sometimes not.

But this time, I'm really going to do it! I've decide to pick one item and make 3 different looks with it and if I can't do it, then I probably need to rethink its home in my closet, that's valuable property!

And here's the first.

I bought this silk Zara top this summer and have only worn it once. I admit that it was a little bit different style-wise for me. It's not as tailored as I normally wear and I think I was trying to introduce more pattern into my life. I was also captured by the fraying at the neckline and sleeves...

So pretty!

Of course it's probably fine with jeans, but I'm not sure that's enough. So it's the Closet Challenge!

I'm off to dig through my closet!

J.