Lesson Learned

{Top & Belt: NY & Co., Cardigan: Martin & Osa, Pants & Necklace: Express, Boots: Target}




Entering into the Thanksgiving Holiday, and on the verge of exhaustion, I started seeing my clothes by levels of comfort {hello, I’m turning into my mother}. Enter this ensemble. What’s more comfortable than a forgiving pair of pants, a loose top and a cardigan? Throw on some accessories and I should be good to go, right? Wrong.

Unfortunately, what I did not consider was the comfort of my boots. To my demise, I thought these boots were broken in. What I didn’t realize is that “broken in” is extremely different when it comes to my two jobs.

After 2 hours of standing at job #2, my feet were on fire. And by the time I left I was hobbling around as if I had some serious injury. One person even stopped to ask me if I was okay while walking to my car.

Oh yes, don’t mind me. I’m fine thanks. I’m just limping because I’m an idiot. A shoe idiot.

So note to self, only wear these cute little suede booties while working at job #1. Because the only thing these boots are broken in for – is sitting at a desk all day. No standing or walking included.

Back in Action

{Shirt & Skirt: Banana Republic, Cardigan: Nordstroms, Tights: Express, Belt: Limited, Boots: Steve Madden}




As sad as it is, I couldn't be more happy that today is Monday. After standing on my feet {in the same shoes - gasp!} for the past few days - sitting at my desk, in a chair no less, is beyond thrilling {see totally sad}.

Speaking of sad, it's barely 8am and I'm on my third cup of coffee. I remember the days when just a single cup of coffee did the trick. That was before early morning outfit photos and weekend work shifts. But I suppose I'm okay with my tripled caffeine intake if that means learning to appreciate my closet and making a few extra George Washingtons.

I Survived...Kind Of

{Dress: Forever 21, Cardigan & Bracelet: LOFT, Belt: Limited, Tights: Express, Boots: Steve Madden}




Black Friday has come and gone and much to my surprise I have survived. Unfortunately, 2:30am is too early of a wake up call to document outfit photos. So what you are seeing today is the outfit I wore {quite} a few days ago. No worries, the 30 for 30 is still going strong. But I thought I'd take a break from the all black ensembles and give myself a few extra moments of sleep.

Linley and Ashley J. have tagged me in the 7 secrets. So without further rambling ado....

I have naturally curly hair. I'm an expert hair straightener, a skill I have perfected over the past 10 or so years so. I bet you couldn't even tell, could you?

I'm deathly afraid of snakes. I can't even look at them! Not on tv, in a book, or even a fake one. Absolutely despise them. Eww.

I was a professional sorority girl. After college, I traveled the country {and lived out of 2 suitcases - my first remixing challenge you might say} for 2 years working for my sorority, Delta Zeta, as a consultant.

My picture was in People Magazine. True story, a long one, but true.

My hair color is a recent development. For the first 25 years {give or take} I was a brunette, but it's been fun experimenting with "a lighter shade of me" over the past year.

I'm a history nerd. In college I majored in History {emphasis on WWII} and pretty much loved every minute of it. That is until I realized that I didn't want to go Law School and that my degree was pretty much useless.

I used to be a ref. In addition to being a history nerd, I'm also a bit of a tomboy. In fact, I played so many intramural sports in college, I opted to get paid and become an official.

Okay that's it! Hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'm off to watch Love Actually and rest for yet another workday tomorrow.

Observations

- Different hairstyles can change the feel of an entire outfit

- Skirts are really versatile {although one particular skirt has yet to be worn}

- My Steve Madden tall black boots are my favorite shoes and have probably been worn more than they should {mental note – add a brown pair to my ever growing Christmas list}

- Speaking of Christmas Lists I’m asking Santa for this this and this {and maybe a photographer too}

- I have a ton of clothes – but I’m not necessarily missing a lot of them. I may just keep on remixing these favorites straight through winter {although not exclusively}

- Lipstick can make a WORLD of difference

- The best part about blogging {which I’ve mentioned here and here} are the friends/community

- Belts are a girl’s best friend {as seen in 12 of 15 outfits thus far}

- A dress can also double as top and a cardi can just as easily be worn as a blouse {who knew?!}

- A photo can really capture the difference bold colors make

- Layers, when done right, can add a richness to any outfit without adding “bulk”


What observations have you made?

Not Everyday is a Work Day

{Jacket & Jeans: Gap, Sweater: Limited, Boots: Steve Madden, Scarf: Old Navy}




Sunday was one of the few "off" days I've had since the 30 for 30 challenge started. And while this particular day off included a work meeting - it did not include any specific attire - so I took advantage of an entirely casual look. These pictures aren't the best, nor is my outfit but it's a fairly accurate portrayal of Weekend Liz.

What I'm starting to learn is that this little experiment in style blogging is more than just sharing the clothes I wear. It's about sharing yourself with those in the community. If that means posting a less than perfect photo or showcasing a blah outfit - so be it. No one is perfect. It's the imperfections that make us who we are.

So here's to a casual outfit, a little less makeup and hair that falls as it may. But most importantly here's to my new friends and the understanding that it's okay to be me, no matter what I'm wearing.

Remix Recap: Days 11 -15

Here we are…the halfway point! These lil recaps are quickly becoming my favorite posts to put together. Being the {crazy} Type A-planner extraordinaire that I am, I’m usually a day or two ahead of my recaps {today is actually day 17} so it’s like looking at these outfits with fresh eyes. I'm almost always drawn to a certain outfit more than I did the day of {as is the case with day 12} and the recap usually helps me pinpoint some ideas for the current week.

You know the drill, please leave your favorite in comments. As for me? I’m torn between day 13 and day 11 – a battle between color and tights.

If you’re new, feel free to check out recap 1 and recap 2.

Side note – I started a formspring page so hit with up with your questions, like now, I mean in your spare time.

Conclusions & Such

{Dress, Bracelet & Tights: Express, Scarf: H&M, Belt: NY & Co., Boots: Steve Madden}





This dress may not be familiar. Actually it shouldn’t be familiar because you haven’t seen it. Having survived 2 weeks of everyday being a work day, I’ve come to a few conclusions.

1. There isn’t much time for laundry {or fun, or socializing, or being lazy}.
2. My most comfortable shoes are my tall Steve Madden boots which means I will more than likely always wear a skirt/dress at job 2 so I can wear said boots.
3. I’m running on fumes.

When I picked my 30 for 30 items I wasn’t sure when {or if} a second job was really going to happen. But it has and as such I needed to make an adjustment. Enter this dress. It’s an old standby that never lets me down. Obviously this means I have to take something out. I have about 4 unworn items so one of my tops got the ax. Don’t feel bad, she’ll survive. She has lots of other tops in my closet to console her until the challenge is over.

Working for the Weekend

{Top: J Crew, Cardigan: A Boutique in Cali, Pants: Express, Belt: H&M, Boots: Target}




As I was leaving for work on Friday I took one last look in the mirror and chuckled. Here I was wearing navy, black, brown & gray {and animal print if you count my bracelet}. The high school version of myself would have absolutely cringed at my mix of colors. High school Liz's (HSL) cardinal rule of fashion was to never, under any circumstances, mix black and brown.

It should be known that HSL also had quite an obsession with glitter... glitter eyeshadow, t-shirts with glitter and of course glittered jeans. So I'll take 26 year Liz and leave HSL where she belongs, in the past. As Kendi mentioned, here's to breaking your fashion rules - whatever they may be!

A Taste of Pink

{Shirt, Cardigan & Bracelet: LOFT, Skirt: Banana Republic, Scarf & Belt: H&M, Boots: Steve Madden}




It's Friday! (not that means too much for me since I will be working through the weekend) But I'm especially excited for today because I'm going to see Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows with my sister.

Any one else a HP lover? I'm still a little bummed I couldn't go at midnight, but I'm old now, and I can't function at work on 3 hours of sleep.

Also, I'd like to say thanks to everyone who reads 26 and Counting! I noticed this morning I have 50 followers which is great considering I had 5 about two weeks ago. So thanks for reading and commenting! I really do appreciate everyone who takes a minute to read my silly little blog!

Happy Weekend!

Today's installment of "Hi, my name is Liz and I am obsessed with..."

{Top: Martin & Osa, Cardigan & Belt: Anthro, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Bandolino}





Last night I re-read my 30 for 30 entries to see if I could conjure up inspiration for the rest of the week. Discoveries included my tendency to religiously alternate between pants/dresses/skirts, as well as my uncanny ability to blabber on about my OCD personality {which I’m sure you all looooove}.

Let’s refresh…there was my confession of being an outfit repeater, my obsession with to-do lists and schedules, and of course my tendency to buy clothes in the same color scheme.

So for today's installment of "Hi, my name is Liz and I am obsessed with..." I bring you my obsession with multiples because today I'm wearing 2 pieces that I own in other colors.


*Anthro cardi in red & Martin & Osa cardi in brown

Friends, this is merely a glimpse. This does not include my 5 J. Crew boyfriend tees, my 2 Banana Republic wrap dresses, or even the set of cow neck sweaters that made it in to this very 30 for 30 challenge.

On the bright side, I did find some inspiration! Stay tuned.

Deja Vu

{Top & Belt: NY & Co., Skirt: Banana Republic, Tights: Hue, Boots: Target}




Yesterday was an odd day in the blogosphere. Everywhere I looked it seemed as though someone was wearing or mentioning something I had on.

It’s November and for most of us it’s getting cooler. This is not necessarily the case for Tanya who lives in Namibia, where right now it’s summer! But her post yesterday was about tights and how this type of legwear is a great example of Form meets Function. I couldn’t agree more. I love tights, but who doesn’t? Recently, I’ve started branching out with new colors and textures. Yesterday was the first time I actually wore tights like the above and here was my one of my new bloggy friends hitting on the key piece of my outfit that day.

{coincidence}

Then I saw Kate’s post. Kate has adorable style and I’m so glad that I discovered her blog. Yesterday she was wearing a skirt over a dress - a trend we’d both seen and heard a lot about, but hadn’t yet put into practice. Here I was reading her new post, enjoying my morning cup of coffee, wondering if any of my co-workers would laugh at my polka tights or realize I was really wearing a skirt over a dress.

{insert me laughing at my desk and frantically leaving comments for my above friends}

Then Linley, oh Linley! She put me over the edge. Being the shopaholic that I am, I immediately recognized her tunic. Why? Oh because I was wearing it. Now, Linley opted for plaid, while I opted for paisley. She zigged, I zagged. Tomato, tomahto.

So this post is dedicated to my new blog friends – Tanya, Kate & Linley. A special thanks to Kendi and the 30 for 30 challenge for making a post like this possible.

Remix Recap: Days 6 -10

I can’t believe how fast this challenge is going by. This is not to say that everyday has been a walk in the park. I’ve had some ups and downs, and I’m sure there are still quite a few to come.


Actually most of these outfits were downs (at the time I got dressed), but looking back now I’m really liking all of them. Hindsight is 20:20, right?



Favorite anyone? I’m partial to Day 7. I took an idea put a twist on it and I absolutely loved the way it turned out. Coupled with a good hair day and this day couldn’t have been much better

The Return of Color

{Dress, Necklace & Tights: Express, Cardigan: Nordstroms, Boots: Steve Madden}




Today marks the return of color to my daily outfits. That is until the clock strikes midnight on Saturday and my fairy godmother returns me to the world of monochromatic. If anything, my seasonal job has given me a loose 30 for 30 schedule. This is not be confused with my Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. Or my Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Or that pesky 10k workout schedule and of course its supplemental shower schedule.

Hi, my name is Liz and I’m obsessed with schedules. Whew, glad we got that out of the way.

Side note, I think if Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum had a love child, this outfit would be the result. Yes, that is my 2nd clue reference in less than a week. You’re welcome.

Version 2.0

{Sweater & Belt: Limited, Pants & Earrings: Express, Shoes: Bandolino}



Hey it's me again. You're favorite weekend retail worker! This of course would be my weekend uniform 2.0, also known as Day 9 of the 30 for 30 challenge. Today was one of those days, one of those Mondays. So yeah, I'm going to keep it like my outfit, short and sweet. I'm off to watch Gossip Girl (it's my guilty pleasure).

xoxo
Liz

Weekend Uniform

{Sweater: Martin & Osa, Skirt: Banana Republic, Belt: Limited, Necklace: NY & Co., Tights: Express, Boots: Steve Madden}



Your eyes are not deceiving you, this is in fact, an entirely black outfit. This would also be my dress code for job 2.0. Surprisingly, this outfit was more difficult to put together than others.

Since I will be wearing something similar for the next 4 to 5 weekends, I thought I would get creative from the get-go. Because lord knows that when I work at 4am on Black Friday, there will not be an ounce of creativity in my outfit what so ever.

It's Saturday Night & I'm Blogging?

{Top: J Crew, Cardigan: Martin & Osa, Skirt: Banana Republic, Belt: Limited, Necklace & Tights: Express, Boots: Target}




It's official - the 30 for 30 challenge has taken over my life. It's approximately 9:45pm on a lovely Saturday night and I'm at home, in pjs, blogging. Guys, this is serious.

Another reason for my lack of a social life is because I feel like I've been hit by a truck/beat up. This is also commonly known as working 2 jobs. I never thought standing on your feet all day could make your body ache this much. Looks like I won't be nabbing that hypothetical photographer boyfriend tonight.

Remix Recap: Days 1 – 5

5 outfits down, 25 more to go! Actually 24 for to go since I posted day 6 earlier today! Looking back, I think day 4 is my favorite. It’s a little bit Colonel Mustard in the bedroom with a point-and-shoot camera.

Do you guys have a favorite?

Happy weekend!

One Belt Two Belt Which Belt This Belt

{Dress: Forever 21, Cardigan: Boutique in Cali, Belt & Tights: Limited, Necklace: H&M}



I had high hopes for this outfit and in the end I was happy-ish with the result, but geez did it take me a while to get there. I think the final outcome was, I don’t know, after 5, 10, maybe 50 adjustments.

Which belt? Skinny belt or thick belt? Fabric belt? Leather belt? Belt over or under?

Yeah, so I had belt issues. But once I got that squared away, it was on to the cardigan which is a puzzle in itself. At this point I was beyond flustered. And flustered, in my case, usually turns into sweaty {tmi?}. Flustered + sweaty most certainly does not equal good photos. So I took off the cardi, belt and necklace and started fresh. Actually, I take that back. First I throw open my bedroom window stood in front of it for couple minutes and after I cooled down, then I started fresh.

After some self collecting and cool air I figured it out.

What to do? To-do lists!

{Pants & Top: Banana Republic, Cardigan: LOFT, Bracelet: Limited, Boots: Target}




I like to-do lists. Usually I have a few laying around my desk at work, a couple at home, maybe even 1 in my car. They help keep my eye on the prize, be productive and most of all stay focused. So when I started the 30 for 30 challenge I started making lists – potential outfit combinations, a tentative schedule and a chart of what I actually ended up wearing. And when I say chart, what I mean is spreadsheet. Yes you guys, I have a 30 for 30 spreadsheet…and guess what? Its color coded!

Think I’m Type A much? Yeahhhh, I didn’t think so.

Today, marks outfit #5. That means I’m 1/6th of the way done with the challenge! And while I’ve got a good feeling about my future outfits to come, there is something I struggle with – outfit pictures. Like other remixers have mentioned – it’s dark outside by the end of the workday. So unless I want to wake up earlier than usual to catch some morning sunlight (hmm, no), indoor photos are becoming the norm. Indoor pictures in my apartment/bedroom are, let’s face it, kind of dull. They make do, but I don’t love them.

So being the Type A perfectionist that I am, I brainstormed some ideas to improve my outfit pictures. Here we go:

- Invest in a boyfriend who is also a photographer.
- Coerce my sister to be my photographer in her spare time.
- Enlist a co-worker to be my photographer.

On that same note, I’ve also thought out the likelihood of each scenario.

- There are not many dateable boys in Cincinnati (no offense) and the chance that one is a skilled photographer is highly unlikely.
- My sister works 2 jobs and has about zero spare time.
- Enlisting a co-worker to take my picture would mean having to explain 1) the 30for30 challenge and 2) the fact that I have a blog.

Back to the drawing board. What do you guys think? What works for you?



{I wasn't joking about the spreadsheet}

Pete & Repeat

{Top & Necklace: J Crew, Cardigan: Nordstroms, Skirt: Banana Republic, Belt: Limited, Boots: Target}





In the 9-5 world in which I work - business/business casual is the dress code. Being a sorority shirt & jeans type of college kid I didn’t have many pieces that read “career woman” when I graduated. So with my diploma and first big girl paycheck in hand, I started the search for more “professional” attire (i.e. ill fitting suits and lots of black). Like most first jobs, I didn’t have the means to splurge on an entire new wardrobe from J. Crew (although that’s what I wanted). Slowly but surely, outfits were created and often {gasp} repeated. To be truthful, I’ve been a chronic outfit repeater most of my life. It’s true and now I’m putting it out there for my whole bloggy world to know.

I AM AN OUTFIT REPEATER!

When I participated in Kendi’s 30 for 30 challenge this summer (I only made it through 26 outfits…) I did it with intention to break my repeating nature. And it helped! The whole idea of the challenge is to work creatively with what you have. Whether that’s thinking out of the box for new outfit combinations, putting together different accessories or layering layering layering – there’s endless options to try. Not all make it, and truth be told, I haven’t completely overcome outfit repeater syndrome. I’m not sure I ever will, but now when I get dressed in the morning I make a conscious effort to try and do something different. Some days I do, some days I don’t. And that’s ok.




{just in case you needed proof - here it is in the form my 3rd & 4th grade photos}

Red Threads

{Dress & Belt: H&M, Sweater: Limited, Tights: Express, Boots: Steve Madden}




When Kendi sent out the call for 30x30 duty there were a few pieces I instantly knew to include - this dress from H&M being one. I scored this beauty last fall when I was trying to make a conscious effort to add more (and different) colors to my wardrobe. Nothing against the color red, in fact, I love red! But it just so happens that red typically isn’t a color I gravitate towards for clothing.

Take my apartment, if you walked in you might think red is my absolute favorite color. My living room furniture is red. I have a lovely black, white and RED framed photograph of Amsterdam above a piece of said red furniture. I even have quite few pairs of red shoes in random corners of my apartment. It’s just that when it comes to clothes the color red is rarity in my closet.

Now, blues, greens, purples – those are the colors that take up a significant amount of space in my closet. It’s almost as if these colors speak to me to when shopping. They say “pick me”, “love me”, “wear me”. I’m sure that if given the option between this dress in red or blue, I would take the blue 90% of the time. Luckily, I wasn’t presented that option on that fall day in H&M and red won out.

About a week later, on another random trip to H&M (and to my amusement I might add), a patterned dress in a blue/green/purple motif caught my eye. There it was – the same dress – only now in my favorite colors! I almost snatched it up but instead I chuckled. It was at this point I became fairly certain there was a closet god out there somewhere and I’m pretty sure he helped this red dress win out.

Job 2.0

{Blazer, Necklace & Leggings: Express, Top: NY & Co., Belt: Limited, Shoes: Target}




Last night I had a dinner meeting for my new seasonal job. Yes you read that right. In addition to the shopping ban, I’ve added insult to injury by opting to return to the world of retail. It’s all part of my plan to utilize a little reverse psychology on the shopping inclined part of my brain.



You know, that giddy little voice in your head that perks up when your favorite stores are having major sales? Or that internal calculator that starts computing all the money you’re saving during that 30% off sale? But I have (I think) found the answer.



Who wants to shop at the mall when you work at mall? Who wants to spend time shopping when you’ve worked a 12+ hour day at 2 jobs?



Reverse psychology and exhaustion, my friends, are my secret shopping ban weapons.



Oh and hey remember those few extra pieces of black clothing I complained about creeping into my 30 for 30? It may turn out for the best since the dress code for my job 2.0 is strictly black. Cheers to limitless accessories!

And we're off...

{Shirt: Loft, Cardigan: Martin & Osa, Jacket & Jeans: GAP, Boots: Steven Madden & Scarf: Local Boutique}


{Don't mind the steamer in the background, that's just Stan}

Disclaimer: This is probably one of the few posts you'll see me wearing jeans. Don't get me wrong, I could live in jeans (especially these), but my 9-5 gig has a strict no denim policy. So this lovely piece of denim heaven will be reduced to weekend wear only. Speaking of the weekend, a few of my girlfriends and I went for dinner and a movie Saturday night. Since we had to wait 2+ hours for our table (fact), we killed time by trying an assortment of drinks . My favorite of the bunch was the Bellini. With a few cocktails in our system (and dinner by this time), we were off to see Due Date.

What did you guys do this weekend?

30 for 30: The Honest Truth

{Gap, H&M, Forever21 & Express x2}


{J Crew, LOFT, Anthro, Limited, J Crew, NY&CO. & Banana Republic}


{Banana Republic x2, Express, Gap, Express, Limited & Banana Republic}


{Martin & Osa, LOFT, Nordstroms, Limited, Cali Boutique, Anthro & Limited}


{Target, Steve Madden, Bandolino & Steve Madden}

So there it is guys - my 30 pieces for the next 30 days. I'm pretty happy with the group, although there is a little more black than I had originally planned. But don't blame me, blame the man! The man being Corporate America and his silly business/business casual office attire. Also, I have to admit these are the 2nd group of pictures for my 30for30. The first group accidentally had a total of 31 pieces. Oopsie. I never said I was good at math, but, hey, at least I am honest.

See you guys Mondays!