Fashion Challenge: Brown? Cognac? Both...

Today's Fashion Challenge neutral color was cognac.  I googled cognac color and the image results came up with a wide range of medium brownish shades.  I was pretty unsure where to go with it so I picked different shades of brown in the hopes one of them would be cognac.  Since I missed out on yesterday's color of brown if none of my choices are cognac, I'm doing brown a day late.

Little Frankie is modeling his cute self in these photos as well.  Its was also too much effort to get the tripod out and watch the puppy so I'm back to using the deck railing and tables as perches.  Considering all that, I think my photos turned out pretty darn well.

Cardigan: H&M-Orange ruffle cardigan-$20
Dress: H&M-Khakhi shirt dress-$35
Tights: Marshalls-Brown striped tights-$4
Shoes: Kmart-Flats with buckles-$8

Be sure to check out the other lovely bloggers participating in the Fashion Challenge this week.  You can find links at Casual Chic Kiki or Megan Mae Daily.

Fashion Challenge: Grey Day

For today's Fashion Challenge was to wear grey.  This is one of my all time favorite dresses.  Its super comfy jersey material, has pockets and came with a belt (which I can't find at the moment).

Dress:Ross-Heather Grey Jersey Dress-$14
Jacket-New York & Co-Grey Wool Jacket-$35
Jeggings-Target-$22
Boots: Ross-Aerosoles Black Boots-$20

And the reason this post is so short on words and has taken me all evening, my new puppy Frankie!  He's an early Christmas gift from my husband. He's half dachshund half english bulldog and absolutely adorable.

Fashion Challenge: Neutral Black

This week I'm participating in the Fashion Challenge hosted by Megan Mae Daily and Casual Chic Kiki.  The theme this time around is neutrals.  Some of you may have noticed I have a pretty darn colorful wardrobe and could use a little help with wearing neutrals.  So this week I'm going to stay away from my safe colorful items and try out some neutral looks.  Today's neutral color of choice is black.  I'm often criticized by my best friend for the distinct lack of black in my wardrobe and I dedicate this post to you Rupie!

Jacket-White Elephant Sale Oakland, CA-Grey 3/4 sleeve jacket-$3
Top-H&M-Black and white printed poofy sleeve top-$10
Skirt-Clothing Swapped-FREE!
Tights: Nordstrom Rack-Polka dot tights-$4
Shoes:Ross-Black Flats-$14
Approximate Total Cost-$31

I'm pretty sure this is the most black I've ever worn in an outfit.  I don't even own a quintessential little black dress!  I wanted my outfit to consist mostly of black (grey is a shade of black, right?) but still be young and playful.  I think I accomplished this by pairing my black skirt with polka dot tights, an eye catching black and white printed top and my favorite floral embellished black flats.

Be sure to check out the other fashion challenge takers, listed here!

Tomorrow everyone will be wearing grey!  So I guess it doesn't really count as a shade of black, BUT I can wear my jacket again, right?

Fall Trends Redo

So if you've been following along this week, you know that was partaking in the Fashion Challenge Fall Trends edition.  I really enjoyed doing the challenge, but felt two of my outfits needed a redo.  The first being Mondays "Snake or Leopard" and yesterdays "Fall Brights".  And, since these are two of my favorites for this fall, it fits with today's task of fall favorites.

Need to leave for a Halloween party soon I'm cutting my rambling short.

Top:H&M-Leopard Print top-$12 (Previously worn here)
Skirt:Anthropologie-Tomato Picking Skirt-$70 (Previously worn here)
Sweater :Francesca's Closet-Teal Open cardigan-$4
Shoes:Mervyn's-Square tow wedge heels-too old to remember

I bothered to part my hair today.

Sometimes you feel like brights

and sometimes brights just hate you.

Today's fashion challenge was to wear "Fall Brights" one of the current trends that I love. I woke up this morning ready to wear a colorful outfit, but everything I had put together in mind FAILED.  I even arranged my skirts in ROYGBIV order this morning, when I realized I had enough range in color to do so! I was so ready for the challenge.

Had this idea to wear hot pink and cobalt blue together.  Saw it on a blog yesterday (cant remember which one).  Its a color combination I haven't tried before.  Unfortunately it didn't work out.  One hot pink shirt was too long to wear over my skirt and too baggy to wear under.  The other has thin straps and is a layering piece...I can't do spaghetti straps anymore...my giant bra straps show and strapless bras aren't my friend :(.  So I decided to throw on my khaki dress and wear my dress as an over shirt. Didn't like that either. Where the skirt hit my waist and the waist of the dress didn't mesh.  It was too much of a bother to pin it SO I just wore the dress with my favorite scarf as a belt.

In conclusion, I more mostly neutrals for fall brights day.  Maybe I'll try hot pink and cobalt again another day.

I just like my hair in this picture

Dress: H&M: Khaki shirt dress-$35
Shirt:Express-Pink lace layer tank-$10
Shoes: Nordstrom Rack-Not Rated Oxfords-$25
Scarf-From Turkey, a gift from a friend-FREE!
Approximate Total Cost~$70

 And, you should really check out what the other lovely challenge takers wore today! I feel like a failure.  But a cute failure.

Stripes

Today's fashion challenge is to wear stripes or polka dots.  I went with stripes even though I love polka dots.  This is supposed to be a challenge so I may as well challenge myself and not take the easy way out.  My blog friend Ki at Dressing up for life decided to go for polka dots today, and I can't wait to see what the other challenge takers will be wearing.  Still not to late to join the challenge, tomorrow is "Fall Brights"!  I think this will be my favorite, I just love bright colors.  Can't you tell?

This is also Shopping Ban outfit #8.  The yellow blazer is new...I think it arrived in the mail after I took photos of my shopping ban items. So, this brings the total to 27 items and I've got 17 items to go!

Top: Target:Xhilaration Striped Tee with poofy sleeves-$10
Blazer-Stilletos &Diaper Bag Blog Sale-Yellow short sleeve blazer- $10 (including shipping)
Pants: Nordstrom Rack: Black Cropped Dress pants-20
Belt: From some other shirt or dress....not sure
Shoes:Ross-Black Flats with flower-$14
Approximate Total Cost ~$54

And I spotted these Halloween questions over at You, Me & Anthropologie and thought i'd be fun to answer them.  

1) What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Those red cinnamon fireball things.  And chocolate.  But chocolates my favorite year round.  My favorite as a kid was definitely milkway...i think they taste the best in mini or fun size. The ratio of carmel to chocolate is wrong in the full sized candy bar.

2) What's your favorite Halloween movie?

Don't  have one.

3) At what age did you stop trick-or-treating?

High School I think.

4) What is your favorite Halloween costume that you've worn?

Fairy princess when I was five.  My mom made the costume.  I remember her sewing it and me bugging her all worried it wouldn't be done for the Halloween party at school.   I later used that costume in a school play were I played the fairy in The Velveteen Rabbit.

5) What is your least favorite costume that you've worn?

For a party while in high school I went as a housewife. I wore my fuzzy slippers, a ripped over-sized shirt and my sisters ratty bathrobe.

6) Have you ever repeated a costume? If so, what was it?

I've repeated lots of costumes.  Recently I was Mrs. Incredible for Bay to Breakers last year, halloween last year and a halloween party last week.

7) What are you going to be for Halloween this year?

A lobster.  I found the cutest lobster hat at a thrift store for 69 cents! Its probably meant for a toddler or small child since I found it in a bin of kids costumes but luckily I have a small head so it fits!  

8) Do you like going to haunted attractions?

No.  I'm afraid of the dark.  I will turn on every light between me and where i'm walking to in the house at night. 

9) Vampires or werewolves?

Werewolves.  I love Alcide.  

10) Do you decorate your house for Halloween?

Yes.  Not very well as you can see, but I tried!

Question thingy started over at TheGridMonster and JoeyGraceffa.

Happy Diwali!

Diwali is celebrated by Indians across the world.  An interesting thing about holidays in India is they are often celebrated regardless of religion or region.  The same day will be celebrated in a variety of ways commiserating different events or ideas. So Diwali has different meanings for different people. You can read all about Diwali on wikipedia.

Today's outfit is Shopping Ban Outfit #7.  I was wearing my cream colored heels with bows on them but while taking photos I stepped through a wet patch in the yard and lost the little plastic piece on both heels!  Well, that will teach me to thrift shoes :P

I'm also participating in the Fashion Challenge of wearing a midi or maxi shirt. I think with my petite frame wearing a midi skirt can be challenging and so does Sage at Sweet and Sage who blogged about the same issue today.  I personally like the fit of a fuller midi length skirt and shy away from something that clings to the body or makes my bottom half look slim and straight.  I look for something that shows a good amount of calf otherwise I feel like I'm drowning in material or look stumpy.

Also, since it is Diwali I wanted to wear something Indian but still follow the Fashion Challenge. This skirt was made in India! But bought at Ross.  I like printed skirts especially Indian or other ethnic designs but always have a hard time figuring out what top to wear with them.

Skirt:Ross-Black and white print skirt-$7
Top:H&M-White Sleeveless top with bow-$13
Shoes: Cream peep toe kitten heels with bow :( -$3
Approximate Total Cost~23 

Ok so since its Diwali I've decided it would be nice to share some Punjabi music with you guys.  If highly repetitive upbeat music that makes you want to dance is your thing then go ahead and play them.  If not that's okay, I won't force you to listen or like it.



I just love Juggy D. His dancing makes me smile and laugh.  I don't know if any of you spotted him, but Jay Sean is in this video. Its from back when he sang more fusion songs.

Neither of these songs are very recent...I add to my collection of Punjabi music slowly and rarely get sick of songs.  

What to wear for "Menswear"

I think today's Fashion Challenge of wearing menswear or over-sized pants was the hardest for me to figure out.  My style and wardrobe is pretty girl and feminine so I had to explore the depths of my closet and dresser for colors and items that could be menswear.  I'm really happy with the look I came up with. I love the combination of olive green and charcoal grey.  I added some tarnished metal bangles I got as a gift and have never worn before.

Top & Belt: Ross-Olive green button up with braided brown belt-$10
Underlayer: Forever 21-Charcoal Grey fitted T-shirt-$4
Jeans: Macy's-Levis Curve ID Bold Curve-$58
Shoes: Target: Converse One Star sneakers-$20
Bangles: Gift from relative in India

I'm definitely going to check out the other menswear inspired fashion from this challenge.  So far I love Keely's plaid vest and mustard yellow combination over at Casual Chic Kiki!  Its also not too late to join the challenge either! Tomorrows is Maxi or Midi!

The last time I wore this shirt my therapist said it really brought out the green shades in my eyes and I agree.  And, I just really liked the light in the photo on the right.

Argyle Socks! From Target.  Went a little knee high sock crazy when I bought knee high boots.  The converse sneakers I bought for Halloween two years ago.  I went as Lucy from the peanuts and couldn't find saddle shoes anywhere! This was the closest I could find in a reasonable price.

Chunky Monkey

Ever put on an outfit, look at yourself in the mirror and think you look alright only to photograph yourself and hate it.  That's today for me folks.  I decided to try two challenges at once and maybe that's where it started to go wrong.  Today's Inspiration Monday photo is of Sarah Jessica Parker and I tried to recreate her look while doing the Fashion Challenge of wearing leopard or snakeskin.

Sarah Jessica Parker

 I think my first problem was I only have two items that are leopard or snakeskin. The second is I only have two grey sweaters and no chunky sweaters at all.  And the third is the weather.  Yesterday was in the 80s here and today should be in the 70s...not exactly sweater weather.

So this is what I'm wearing...

Top: Hand me down from Tiny-FREE!
Pants: Clothing Swap find-FREE
Belt: Oakland White Elephant Sale-Snakeskin belt-$1
Shoes: REI-Brown Merrell Mary Janes-S24
Approximate Total Cost-S25

This weekend was full of DIY projects for my husband and I.  We powerwashed the deck, took down the bright orange plastic mesh from the back fence, planted some flowers, fixed two gates that were sagging, put up wire mesh on the back fence, and sealed the deck.  My husband also installed under cabinet lighting in my kitchen which shows off the pretty black granite countertops.  Its also highlights when the counters are dirty so I have a major incentive to keep my kitchen clean.  We also cleaned the kitchen, dinning room and living room from top to bottom cause I hate having a messy house when people are coming over.   No wonder I didn't want to get out of bed this morning....we accomplished a lot this weekend.   Oh and I got my haircut!