Cheat Codes

Old post! Had these pics for a while, then entered a period of four weeks in which I hadn't enough energy to cook, clean, or even eat regularly. I must be feeling better because now I'm overwhelmingly pissed off at the shambles my life is. Dr. appt. on Thursday. Onward!

The recent months of warm weather plus scooting to and from the train station have left me looking for things that are office friendly, cool, don't show wet patches, and are machine washable.

Enter dresses: the cheat code of the lady wardrobe!

Long cloak hoodie: Prairie Underground (online)

Dayflower lace dress: Maeve (thrifted)

Necklace: Betsey Johnson (TJ Maxx)

Shoes: Rieker Anti-stress (thrifted)

I've been 10 years in the Bay Area, and it's the first time I've lived someplace warm enough to deploy these. As for why I owned sundresses while living in the land of Never-Summer, I have as much clue as you.

I discovered a thrift shop a few miles down the road that benefits the peninsula SPCA and Humane Society. It's packed and labyrinthine, with a middle-aged to elderly customer base, so they have interesting furniture, some vintage hats, and housewares.

I didn't expect to find much in clothing, but this pretty dress was hanging prominently on a wire rack just beyond the tight squeeze through the furniture and picture frames. The color is paler than I prefer, but its modern stretchy material means my shoulders and chest comfortably fit into the same garment as my waist. FTW!

I really like the look of lace over a solid color. I'm tempted to see if putting a layer of dark material under the lace cutout would look all right, because I want to show it off more.

I also found some True Religion jeans of a mysterious color there:

You may notice in a string of seasonal pictures that my hair is sticking up a lot. I've given up on using product to tame it because by the time I get to the train, the exercise has made it all moot, anyway. Honestly it's been so warm this summer I'm tempted to bring a change of clothes and shower again when I get to the office (there is a gym in the office park.)

I've been wearing a lot of hats this week, and it turns out that some of the folks in the office *love* hats. I am going to try to recruit them into going to the next Goorin Bros. sample sale. That's about it from me. Tired all the damn time. Don't like how the photos are turning out on my porch.

Ruthful

It's been so warm! I haven't lived someplace warm in the Bay Area for 10 years. Also megadrought be messing with everything. Trying to adapt my style.

I got this taupe corduroy Ruth skirt taken in, and I'm trying to work out a top for it. The 6 buttons in front are a dusty violet. Hopefully it's cute without being too schoolgirl.

 Top: Cop Copine (thrifted)

Skirt: Ruth (thrifted)

Shoes: Rieker Anti-Stress (thrifted)

Hat: Jeanne Simmons (Distractions on Haight)

Bib necklace: Betsey Johnson (TJ Maxx)
Coat: Live a Little (thrifted)

One thing that has expanded my wardrobe options is my sweet new ride. I lost my car in a flash flood last November; I moved my bicycle up here with my stuff in January, then it got stolen within a week.

No more wheels I cannot physically pick up and carry everywhere with me! This little scooter cuts my morning trip to the station in half and more importantly, lets me wear shoes I couldn't walk over a mile in.

People stop and watch me as I go past. Maybe they're wondering at a grown woman scooting by on a child's toy, but they are probably admiring my style. I am quite possibly the most fashionably hatted individual in all Millbrae.

This necklace is so bling. It dances right up to the edge of garish for me, and then stops and demands I love it.

Dia de el vestido de cráneo

  Happy winter solstice! The days get longer from here on out.

  This Betsey Johnson dress was picked out at the thrift shop by my friend Athena. Sometimes friends pick the best clothes for you.

Dress: Betsey Johnson (thrifted)

Cardigan: Banana Republic (thrifted)

Tights: Spanx Uptown (Nordstrom)

Boots: ALDO (thrifted)

Rhinestone button bracelet: unknown (Purre)

The pattern is skulls!

  I'd never have picked it on my own, but now I really like it. It has a pleated flounce in the back that I enjoy very much. It feels flirty and feminine without being saccharine, slightly goth and tough without looking angry or emo.

  I am wearing two dresses actually: a plain Express sheath is underneath for warmth. I tried adding color on both ends of the dress. First, a blue wool Banana Republic cardigan. I don't normally like the look of cardigans on myself either, but this one appealed to me somehow. (Except the sleeves feel like blood pressure cuffs on my gunsbiceps.) Then I added these sexy orchid? fuchsia? tights by Spanx.

  How long do tights last, by the way? This is the first time I've worn them since I was a little girl and I'm concerned about getting runs in them. They were on super sale, but even so, if I can only wear tights a handful of times, it is not an expense I can keep up. I really, really like them, though. (:

  I hope you all have a very fine weekend and a lovely holidays. I'm headed south to visit my family in a few days! I'm looking forward to it. It hasn't sunk in yet that I'm done with my bachelor's degree, but at some point it will. Now I can stop stressing about exams and graduate school applications and focus on stressing out about just graduate school applications. ;)

  Thank you all for sharing stories with me while I was studying and for responding to my last post! I have to go over the comments now and respond. I'm looking forward to it. :D