30x30 - Outfit 21

Jacket - Mossimo, Thrifted

Tee - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Skinnies - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Flats - Calvin Klein, Dillard's

Necklace - Resale Shop

Alright.  I substituted this olive army jacket for the red cropped trench coat.  Red cropped trench coats are cute, but not particularly versatile for layering.  You see, trench coats usually look better buttoned, ergo obscuring anything underneath.  No fun for a remix where layering is key.  Thus this jacket.

30x30 Week 4 Recap

Well, I've already photographed Outfits 21, 22, and 23, so things are definitely shaping up for next week and for the last stretch of the challenge.  Still plenty of unworn outfits, so it's just a matter of wearing them at this point.  I had a good variety of outfits this week.  I finally managed to wear the gingham shirt and the white tie-neck blouse, two of my stragglers for this challenge.  Now about that pesky trench coat...

Outfit 16
Outfit 17
Outfit 18
Outfit 19
Outfit 20

30x30 - Outfit 20

Cardigan - Loft

Blouse - Old Navy, Resale Shop

Jeans - Gap

Belt - Gap

True Confessions Time:  I'm a little bit over this 30x30 challenge by now.  I wore my first outfit March 25, so I've been wearing these 30 items for 30 days already, even though I've only posted 20 outfits.  I have more or less been wearing these items on the weekend as well just the "boring" outfits, jeans and tees.  Despite the whining, I'm not going to quit now.  I'm going to power through.  Ten more to go!

 

30x30 - Outfit 19

T-Shirt - Gap

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Flats - Calvin Klein, Dillard's

Necklace - Vintage, Antique Mall

Belt - Thrifted





 

30x30 - Outfit 18

Shirt - Gap

Skirt - Elle, Kohl's

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Necklace - Vintage, Great-Aunt

Belt - Thrifted

Kind of crazy week last week.  Real life definitely superseded blog life.  This week I'll be playing catch up.  I actually wore this outfit a week ago Saturday.  A house my firm designed was part of a home tour and I acted as tour guide.  About 50% of the people that came through ask if my (younger) co-worker and I were the homeowners.  Yeah right.  What could two people in their mid/late twenties do to be able to afford a million dollar home.  The sad fact about our profession is that most architects/designers can't afford the homes they are designing.  One day my husband and I will be able to design and build our own home.  It might be a yurt, but it will be ours.

30x30 - Outfit 17

Shirt - American Eagle

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Flats - Calvin Klein, Dillard's

Necklace - Talbots, TJ Maxx

Belt - Vintage, Thrifted

This is what a real girl looks like after she spends 8 hours working at a real job.  My life isn't picture perfect.  I'm too lazy to iron my skirt before outfit photos (or even before work for that matter).  I'd like to think that y'all keep coming back for this very reason.  To see outfits that are affordable and appropriate for life outside of a style blog.  What's your take on real life versus blog life?  Do you read blogs for the fantasy aspect or do your enjoy blogs that focus more on attainable styles?  Is your own job more fantasy or reality?

30x30 - Outfit 16

Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted

Blouse - Jason Wu for Target

Jeans - Gap

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Bracelet - Vintage, Mom'd

Belt - Gap

I'm starting out the week with a retro look that still manages to be professional.  I mix my vintage items with modern pieces to make them work appropriate.  I find the full-on vintage look can be hard to pull off at work, perhaps because it can come across as costume-y.  But vintage inspired items topped off with a vintage blazer? Just right.  I'm once again practicing my new catch phrase "Put a blazer on it." 

30x30 Week 3 Recap

I had quite a bit of variety going on this week.  I only repeated the navy blazer (and some shoes). Amazing I still have a few lingering tops and a jacket that haven't made an appearance.  I've worn them, just not on days that I got a photo.  I'm trying to stick to my 30 items for weekend wear as well.  I didn't wear any of the items for yard work or hiking last weekend, but I'm sure you'll forgive me for that.

Outfit 11
Outfit 12
Outfit 13
Outfit 14
Outfit 15

30x30 - Outfit 15

Blazer - Gap

T-Shirt - Arkiestyle, Etsy

Skinnies - Bullhead Black, Resale Shop

Flats - Calvin Klein, Dillard's

I'm ending the week with a pop of red.  A tee and jeans is the perfect casual Friday (posted on Saturday) outfit.  Throw on a blazer and it's suddenly office appropriate.  I have a theory.  I believe you could throw a blazer on anything, literally anything, and make it work appropriate.  I've even thought about doing a theme week called "Put a Blazer on It", just to prove all the wacky outfits you can get away with if paired with a classic blazer.  Maybe that will be my next project after this 30x30 challenge....

30x30 - Outfit 14

Cardigan - Loft

Blouse - Old Navy

Skinnies - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Wedges - Jeffery Campbell

Necklace - Vintage, Antique Mall

Bracelet - Mom'd

 Almost halfway through and not even breaking a sartorial sweat yet.  I think the key to a successful 30x30 challenge is to chose 30 interesting pieces that you'll be excited to wear for an entire month.  Too many people (me included) choose lots of "neutrals", both in the challenge and in life, thinking that they will go with everything, but in reality you are just left with a lot of neutrals that "go", but don't necessarily make for exciting outfits. 

30x30 - Outfit 13

Blouse - Vintage, Thrifted

Skirt - Jason Wu for Target

Belt - Thrifted

Wedges - Jeffery Campbell

I'm feeling cutely retro in this outfit.  By now you've probably noticed my obsession with tie-neck blouses.  I seriously snap up every one I can find in a thrift store.  I love tie-neck blouses because they are feminine, but not overtly girly like ruffles or rosettes have a tendency to be.  All the better for me to hold my own in a male-dominated field, my dear.   

30x30 - Outfit 12

Cardigan - Gap

T-Shirt - Gap

Jeans - Gap

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Necklace - Gap

Belt - Coldwater Creek

What do modern hippies wear? Tie-dye, fringe, wide-leg jeans. The same thing as original hippies, just slightly updated.  I wouldn't be a true Fayettevillian unless I could channel a little peace, love, and happiness.  On a Tuesday no less.

30x30 - Outfit 11

Blazer - Gap

Blouse - Go International Target, Thrifted

Skirt - Elle, Kohl's

Tights - Target

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Belt - Thrifted

Bracelet - Mom'd 

It seems like it happens each year.  You get excited by all the Spring weather, you think it is here to stay, and then WHAM! it turns out chilly and you have to wear tights to Easter church service, instead of your pretty Springy apparel.  You are witnessing just such an outfit. But like it happens each year the warm weather will come again.  Hopefully tomorrow.

30x30 Week 2 Recap

A third of the way through.  It's been a breeze so far.  I've worn all my bottoms by now but there are still four tops and a jacket that haven't made it out yet.  I think this week shows great diversity of style and color.  Only two outfits with red!  I have some fun outfits lined up for next week, so stay tuned.

Outfit 6
Outfit 7
Outfit 8
Outfit 9
Outfit 10
30 Items

30x30 - Outfit 10

Blouse - Old Navy

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Wedges - Jeffery Campbell

Necklace - Vintage, Antique Mall

Belt - Thrifted

Sometimes I hit on an outfit that just seams so "me". There are days I walk around in outfits that ill fit my style, mood, and body, but some days I get it right and everything seams to fit both physically and stylistically. This outfit feels like an example of just that. Red, navy, print, vintage, thrift.  All of my favorite elements in one outfit.  What is the last outfit you wore that felt totally "you"?

30x30 - Outfit 9

Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted

Tee - Gap

Skinnies - Bullhead Black, Resale Shop

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Necklace - Great Aunt's

Turquoise Necklace - Coldwater Creek

30x30 - Outfit 8

One trend I'm really loving for spring is the matching shirt/skirt look.  J.Crew and other retailers have been featuring the look.  I love that you have the versatility of separates, but can wear the pieces together for the look of a dress.  This particular shirt/skirt set was purchased at Goodwill for a cool $10.  It's amazing how on trend vintage can be sometimes.  Yellow, tie neck, polka dots, pleats.  This set has it all going on. What do you think?  Would you wear a matching shirt and skirt?

Blazer - Gap

Blouse - Vintage, Thrifted

Skirt - Vintage, Thrifted

Heels - Vintage, Thrifted

Belt - Thrifted

30x30 - Outfit 7

My cardigan is missing the top two buttons.  Yes.  It was that kind of day.

Cardigan - Gap

Tank - BDG, Urban Outfitters

Skirt - Gap, Thrifted

Heels - Vintage, Thrifted

Short Necklace - Vintage

Multi-Strand Necklace - Talbots, via TJ Maxx

30x30 - Outfit 6

I originally paired this outfit with a red belt, but that was too easy (and predictable after last week's outfits), so I decided to go with yellow instead.  It has a nice cheerful effect, I believe.

P.S.  There is nothing wrong with my leg, it just has a tripod shadow on it.  Don't want to get any rumors started.

Tee - Gap (I decided to sub it for the Rodarte for Target one)

Skirt - Jason Wu for Target

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Necklace - Vintage, Antique Store

Belt - Vintage, Thrifted

30x30 Week 1 Recap

Well, the first week of a 30x30 is always the easiest. I didn't even have to repeat any items (other than shoes). My first week of outfits were a little red heavy. I didn't plan it. It just worked out that way.  Expect more diversity next week.

Outfit 1

Outfit 2

Outfit 3

Outfit 4

Outfit 5

30 Items