Day 142: Champagne Cocktail

And as the first stage of the The Everything Project wrapped up, I got a haircut! I should have done this months ago, but I always try to grow my hair long until it gets too unhealthy and I need to get it chopped again. I promise to get regular haircuts in a timely manner from now on.  The weather outside has been incredible lately, and for that, I am very thankful.  But the sun has been setting early, and by the time I was dressed for our friends Steph and Dave's party on Friday evening, the sun had set. The good thing about that is you get to see this cranberry champagne cocktail, which is very delicious. Steph and Dave sure know how to entertain, and we had a great time.  Photo quality is the price I pay for the early sunset, though.  I had planned for this to be my final outfit of the project until I receive or purchase new clothes, but I found a sweater of mine on Dave's side of the closet on Friday.  The project lives on! 

Dress: Theory

Cardigan: H&M

Shoes: Nine West via TJ Maxx

Day 59: Playing Ketchup*

As I've mentioned before, I didn't photograph every single outfit I wore during the duration of this wardrobe challenge. Many casual tops have their place, which is not in front of the camera. I did make sure to take at least one picture each day for the past 5+ months, though.  On Day 59, that outfit was this Lilly dress, which I wore to a wedding.  But dresses are important and blog-worthy, so even though I didn't get a picture of it then, I want to let you know that I wore this one to have lunch and a beer with Danielle and her boyfriend in Baltimore on that September day. I was planning on wearing it to the wedding, styled with black peep-toes and a skinny black belt, but I just didnt feel like it. So I changed into the crab dress, which I had been intending to wear to brunch the next day, which is why I stopped at Target the next morning and picked up this purple dress.  Yes, it's very difficult being this fickle.

Dress: Banana Republic

*And yes, I did get ketchup on this dress, which is another part of the reason I didn't wear it to the wedding. The stain has since disappeared.

Assess the Dress

As I analyzed my wardrobe over the weekend, I found 3 dresses that I haven't yet worn since way, way before July 6, 2011. I like them, but I have no idea when I would wear them.  I'm not attending my company's holiday party this year, and I don't think I would have worn any of these even if I were.  I don't anticipate wearing them to any of the weddings I attend next year. So this is what it's all about: I gave these dresses away. They're currently in my sister's possession since she has singing performances and more opportunites for dressing up, and until she donates them, I could technically take them back if I find a time that I would like to wear them. But I want to know what you think. Do you think I should keep any of these dresses? Would you like to see me wearing any of them this holiday season?

Green dress: Was Betsy's, maybe from Francesca's?? Wore it in 2009 for a Theta reunion

Black dress: Very old, Not sure where I got it.  Last wore it for a Christmas party in 2007



Red dress: David's Bridal. Wore as a bridesmaid in Denise & Dan's wedding in 2009.
Happy almost anniversary, friends!! 



Day 97:Last minute morning

Whoops! The alarm didn't go off this morning, which left about half an hour to shower and get out the door. I'm lucky that I don't have to catch a train or anything, and I was able to get to work on time. However, that left just one chance for an outfit photo, so this is what we have. Hair unstyled, barely any makeup, and a nice and easy outfit. The bag is kind of ridiculous: it has images of Nantucket on it and seems very homemade. I don't remember where I got it--maybe the thrift store on the island? I understand where I was coming from when I bought it, but I'm not so sure when I expected to use it. Today was probably the first time I used it since I bought it about five years ago.  Now the question is: do I keep it?

Dress and shoes: Banana Republic

Necklace: Was Margaret's

Bag: Thrifted?

Day 96: Back in the swing

I expected the temperature to be around 50 when I returned from Jamaica, but instead it was about 87. As long as it's still around 50 or 60 in November and December, I think that will be a fair trade.  After going a few days without mascara in Jamaica, I realized how much I loved not having to scrub at my face every morning.  I'll start wearing it again soon, but it was a nice little break!  I just realized that all of these items were gifts, so thank you, family and friends!

Dress: Gift from Mom (from Ross)

Boots: Gift from Mom (From Marshall's)

Scarf: Gift from Jess Mac from Italy

Earrings: Gift from Lauren

Day 93: What I Wore to the Wedding!

Alicia and Tommy got married on October 7! Unfortunately, it was raining, so the wedding was moved inside, but we still had a great time, and we had plenty of time to soak up the sun the rest of the time.  The Avallones are probably my blog's biggest fans, so Tommy wanted a picture to show off the dress so he could guarantee a spot in this post. Of course I'm going to include my favorite new married couple!

One reason I am very lucky to have so many people in my life who like to share clothes with me is that I get to wear something I might not ordinarily buy.  For instance, I think this dress is beautiful and was a perfect choice for Alicia and Tommy's Jamaican wedding, though I'm not sure if I would have bought it for myself. I love how it is perfectly tropical, but if I had a jean jacket, I would also want to wear it to dinner in 50-or 60-degree weather back home. Please also notice that Dave is doing a good job making the most of his wardrobe as well, as he's wearing the vest and pants from our own wedding. We a generally a couple whose outfits complement one anothers' pretty well, but we did not do any dress-tie coordination this time, as you can see.

Dress: Rebecca's, from Anthropologie

Necklace: Gift from Mom?

I am also wearing shoes

Day 94: My original Lilly

If you know me, you probably know that I have a particular soft spot for Lilly Pulitzer that goes beyond an affinity for bright colors. I love Lilly's clothes because they remind me of Margaret, who introduced me to the tropical clothing line in the summer of 2002. Margaret and Pa took my family to Nantucket, where we stayed at a house on Cisco Beach where we swam, biked, and read, and Mom made calamari, and I got to sleep in the attic nook, my favorite room of the house.  On one of our days in town, Margaret brought us into the Lilly store and together we picked out this pink and orange flamingo and palm tree dress.  It was a really special moment for me because it's not every day that someone buys me whatever I would like.  It's almost 10 years later, and I still think this dress was a solid choice.

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Shoes: Kohl's

Necklace: Gift from Lauren

Day 93: Burning those shoulders

I didn't wear this dress all summer because it's too droopy on top, and shows a bit too much skin for regular wear. My bathing suit saves the day, so I think this dress is now relegated strictly to the "beachwear" category of my clothing.  It makes a pretty good Jamaican cover-up.  I'm sorry I didn't pack matching flip flops for each of my outfits on this trip. I brought six pairs of shoes for five days in Jamaica as it was, but I am glad that I brought all of the shoes that I did. My sneakers, boat shoes, wedges, flip flops, black sandals, and light goldish sandals all played an important role in the vacation.

Dress: Francesca's

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Sunglasses: Kohl's

Flip flops: Shop in Stone Harbor, NJ

Day 91: Jamaican holiday

I'm so glad that I went to Montego Bay, Jamaica for the wedding of my friends Alicia and Tommy! I was there for five days, starting last Wednesday. The flight was at 6 am, which means that I landed in Jamaica around 8:30 am and was on the beach by 11.  We stayed at Secrets Wild Orchid, an impressive all-inclusive resort.  I had never been to a resort before, and didn't know what to expect, but this spot was perfect for a few carefree days in the sun with friends. I think there were 28 of us there for the wedding festivities, which was ideal, because Dave and I could go off and relax or kayak on our own, but there were always people around to hang out or play volleyball with if we wanted to.  A perfect vacation!

Dave's sister lent me a beautiful batch of clothes (and jewelry!) to take on this trip, since she dressed well for her St. Barts honeymoon five months ago.  Every day in Jamaica, I put my bathing suit on first thing in the morning and kept it on until it was time to dress up for dinner. I would keep a cover-up or some more casual clothes around during the day to wear during breakfast and lunch, but after nap time, it was generally time to get dressed up and put on some makeup.  The cruise ship in the background of these shots already has me thinking about my next vacation!

Dress: Rebecca's, J. Crew

Shoes: Old Navy

Earrings: Rebecca's

Bracelets: Forever 21

Day 87: Bachelorette in Black

Alicia's bachelorette party was on Saturday night! The dress code was exclusively hot purple and black.  The only clothes I have in those colors are more appropriate for work than they are for play, so I borrowed this number from my sister. She usually wears it with a camisole underneath, but I showed a little more skin through the lace.The party was a blast, and Shannon, the matron of honor, did a great job pulling it together! Two days from now I will be in Jamaica, ready for the wedding on Friday!! Congratulations, Alicia and Tommy!

Dress: Betsy's, from Urban Outfitters

Belt: J. Crew

Shoes: Nine West

Earrings: From Mom, I think from Aunt Kim

Purse: Liz Claiborne

Doesn't the bride look great in her dress from Forever 21?

Day 80: Ein Prosit

After the race, we went to Brauhaus Schmitz for their craziest Oktoberfest yet. The whole stretch of South Street between 7th and 8th was closed off for the festivities, and we had great food and beer with great friends. Afterwards, we went back to Jenny's house for games, pizza, and good company. Then straight to bed because it was a long day and we had another drive to Baltimore in the morning.

Dress: Daffy's

Cardigan: Gap

Belt: Old Navy

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Ten Thousand Villages

Day 59: Very Maryland

On Saturday, two of Dave's friends got married, and we attended the wedding in Maryland.  I wore a different dress for the drive down and lunch with our friend Danielle and her boyfriend Andrew, and I owe you a picture of that dress.  I changed into something fresh and festive for the wedding; there are crabs all over this dress, even though I unfortunately didn't have crabs either of the past two weekends I spent in Maryland. 

I have not been kind to my feet lately. Lots of walking means many blisters, which is why I can't even wear these sandals fully.  I really need to find more comfortable shoes.

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Shoes: Kohl's

Bracelets: Forever 21

Earrings: Gift from Dave

Day 13: An evening at Han Dynasty

My in-laws were passing through town on their way home from a Vermont vacation, so we took them to Han Dynasty. Dave has been wanting to take his dad there ever since he learned that it is a restaurant that is built on spice.  I had a feeling Dave's mom would like this dress because of the vaguely Asian print, and she complimented both the dress and the necklace.  I've lent this dress to Betsy for a few years, but I have it back, and I think I'll hang onto it a while longer.

This is a mystery outfit. The dress might be from Ross? The necklace might be from my mom?

The shoes are from Kohl's.

July 10, 2011: Day 5

On Sunday, we woke up around 8 am to take Betsy to 30th St. Station to catch a bus to Syracuse so she can spend a week swimming and hiking in Ithaca. Then I had a date with the treadmill, and by the time we went to the Headhouse Square farmer's market, we'd already been up for hours.  In this picture, I'm wearing my navy blue keyhole dress and enjoying a fresh, cherry mango lemonade.  Yes!

Dress: Merona via Goodwill

Sunglasses: Still Gap

Shoes: Invisible, but they were my whale flip flops, which you will see sometime soon, I'm sure