Catalog to Kara: J.Crew

Today is a special edition of Magazine to Me: Catalog to Kara. Today’s outfit inspiration comes from the J.Crew catalog, which is not technically a magazine, but let’s all admit it. We read it cover to cover like it is a magazine.

What I love about the inspiration photo is that the primness of the jacket is tempered by the casual quality of the half-tucked chambray shirt. It’s equal parts cool and classy.

Source: jcrew.com via Kara - Unusual Form on Pinterest

Who wouldn’t want to be cool and classy? I recreated this look with pieces in my closet to wear to work today. Creamy lady-like jacket with black trim? Check. Pale chambray shirt with white buttons? Check. Black skinny pants? Check. Lady-like flats (That I’m assuming she’s wearing. Either that or killer heels.)? Check. A stance with attitude to prove that the jacket and shoes are just for show? Check.

All this pulled off with a $2.00 Goodwill blazer? Oh yeah!

Blazer – Goodwill

Shirt – Gap

Skinnies – Gap

Flats – J. Vincent

Proof

Who was it that said that you can't find Anthro at a thrift store?  Oh right.  That was me.  I stand corrected.  It just takes a bit of time and patience, but it is possible. As evidenced by:

This skirt

This blouse

This blouse

This blouse

And the blouse I'm wearing today.  Five pieces definitely disproves my theory.  

Turtleneck - J.Crew

Blouse - Odille, Thrifted

Jeans - James

Boots, Vintage, Thrifted

In hindsight I should have put on some accessories and cleaned up the tree that was cut down in our back yard.  One would have only taken a few extra moments this morning, the other much longer. 

More Than Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  A new job, a new house, a new husband.  And health and happiness all around.  Add in my blog friends and I really couldn't ask for more.

Sweater - Gianni Bini, Resale Shop

Skirt - Vintage, Goodwill

Necklace - Vintage, Antique Mall

Bracelet - Mom'd

Belt - Flea Market

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Wedding Teaser

I received a few teaser photos from our wedding photographer, Meredith Mashburn, so I thought I would go a head and share them with you.  I'll do a full wedding post once I receive the rest of the photos.

First up is our invitation.  Since David and I are both in architecture, we wanted to keep things simple and modern.  Two chairs, our names, and the date.  What else do you need?  Alright, the time, place, and directions were on the other side.

Detail shot of the photo booth, where we used the blackboard trays I DIY'd.

Miniature chairs holding our wedding bands. These chairs were also used as our cake toppers. No tiny bride and groom for us.

My facinator perched in the flower of choice for the day, yellow mums.

The happy couple! 

From Magazine to Me: Jenna Lyons in Glamour

Last week I introduced a new series of posts entitled "You Search, I Answer", where I write a post based on a search term someone used to find my blog.  So far I've covered silk button up blouses and camel blazers.

This week I'd like to introduce a new series of posts called "From Magazine to Me" where I'll take an inspiration photo out of a current magazine and recreate it using items in my closet.  

First up is this stunner from J.Crew president, Jenna Lyons, featured in the November 2011 issue of Glamour.  I love that she can combine something dramatic (feathered maxi skirt!) with something basic (camel v-neck sweater) and make it look so glamorous.

Photo: Steven Lovekin/Getty Images

Since I have very few occasions that call for being so dressed up, I decided to recreate this as a work outfit.  Neutral v-neck sweater? Check. Simple overall color scheme? Check.  Red lips for just a pop of color? Check. Dapper companion? Check. Long dramatic skirt? Almost. What I lack in feathers (who really wants to molt all day?), I make up for with a thigh high slit.

On Me:

Sweater - Banana Republic

Skirt - Thrift Store

Boots - Gianni Bini, Goodwill

Bracelets - Kohl's

On Him:

Thermal - Gap

Pants - Eddie Bauer

Shoes - Merrell
Bracelet - paracord.com

You Search, I Answer: Camel Blazer

This week someone found my blog by searching "camel blazer outfits", so here you go 8 outfits involving a camel blazer, the same $2.00 blazer in fact.  I'd say that I've got my money's worth out of this one.

Blazer - Vintage, Thrifted

Blouse - Vintage, Thrifted

Skinnies - J.Crew

Boots - Frye, Resale Shop

Necklace - Grandma'd

Bracelet - Garage Sale

camel blazer + dark neutral pattern top + skinny jeans + boots = sleek sophistication

camel blazer + rich floral + tights + boots + gold pendant + wide leather belt = funky professional

camel blazer + tweed skirt + grey tights + brown boots + wide leather belt + gold bangle =downtown or scholastic (depends on shirt & accessories)

Thrift Finds for the Week - Part B

Today, I was in the next town up and decided to stop in the Goodwill there.  Boy, am I glad I did!  I hit the vintage sweater mother lode with a bit of Anthro thrown in. 

l to r

black belt - Vintage, $2.00

red belt - Vintage, $2.00

rust sweater - Vintage, $3.50

printed sweater - Vintage, $4.00

rust cardigan - Vintage, $3.50

stripe top - Vintage Liz Claiborne, $3.50

floral top - Odille, $3.50

black sweater - Vintage, $3.50

Total $25.50

Thrift Find for the Week

I have literally not stepped foot in a thrift store since my last thrift find, over a month ago.  What can I say?  Life's been busy.  I did manage to stop in Goodwill yesterday after work and picked up this little gem.

Now, I know what your thinking, "Kara, are you crazy?  There is no way you can pull off a floral blouse from the 70s."  Well, you might be right, but I'm going to darn well try.  I'm going to do more than try.  I'm going to write a post about integrating vintage clothing into a modern wardrobe.  Using this shirt.

Blouse - Vintage, Goodwill, $3.50

Look at that pattern!  Now that's some vintage floral goodness!

What Men Want, Apparently

Who would have thought?  What men really want is wool?  Warm, cuddly, generally-not-sexy wool. 

While trying on jackets for this outfit, my husband gives out a little cat call.

Me:  You like this outfit?

Him: Yeah!

Me:  Really?

Him:  Yeah!

This man, who never comments on or takes notice of my outfits, comments enthusiastically on a wool sweater, plaid wool skirt, and thick-knit tights.  Now we know.  Next time you want to impress your husband, put away the negligee in favor of knits.  I'm wearing flannel pajamas tonight.

Blazer - Banana Republic

Sweater - Banana Republic

Skirt - Talbots, Thrifted

Boots - Vintage

Necklace - Antique Mall

Bracelet - Mom'd

You Search, I Answer: Silk Blouse

Today, I'm starting a new series of blog posts entitled "You Search, I Answer".  Each week, I'll pick one of the search keywords that people use to find my blog and write a post based on it.  Today's post is based on the search "button up silk blouse outfits".

Ahh...the button up silk blouse.  So feminine sounding.  Silk!  Blouse!, but generally over-sized, boxy, and distinctly masculine, even in a soft color like blush.

The key to styling the button up silk shirt is simple bold pieces with a touch of the feminine.  Ruffles and florals are too overtly feminine, while trousers strike a "Sally from Third Rock from the Sun" note. (Seriously. Watch a few episodes on Netflix.) Here's my formula for getting it right:

button up silk blouse + sleek skirt + bold belt + boots + 1 piece of statement jewelry = outfit perfection

I used this same formula with this blouse and a maxi skirt.

Silk Blouse - Ann Taylor, Thrifted

Skirt - Banana Republic

Belt - Flea Market

Boots - Vintage, Thrifted

Bracelet - Vintage, Garage Sale