Things I Have Never Done Before - Harem Pants

I have a lot of friends who are from the Middle East.  It is sort of just one of the results of going to university in Chicago.  One of my best friends, Derya, is capable of styling just about anything and making it look fantastically chic.  She's tall, thin, beautiful and Turkish; apparently in Instanbul, such fashions as Harem pants are common.  I have seen her wear them many times and have always thought, "I would love to wear Harem pants and be able to pull them off with out looking stupid."

Ok, so these are NOT traditional Harem pants.  They are the modernized version from Charlottle Russe but, I still feel like they are a fashion risk for me.  I am not sure why I consider them risky.  Maybe because I don't feel as fashionably chic as my friend Derya.  I think these should have been styled with heels; maybe strappy sandals.  What do you all think?

Tank: Forever 21

Necklace: Vintage

Harem Pants: Charlotte Russe

Bangles: Gift from my friend Jaya on her trip home to India

Sandals: Target

A Little Bit of Peacock

Cardigan: Forever 21

Blouse: Liberty of London for Target

Skirt: Zara

Heels: Aldo

Necklace: Vintage

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite shirts recently.  I think it is because I just adore the pattern.  It is so lively and it is turquoise (my favorite color).  I also like it because it is modest.  I know I have mentioned before about how I don't really wear anything too revealing.  Its not a religious thing or anything like that.  I just don't feel it necessary to show the whole world too much skin.  I have to say that it is sad sometimes when i find really cute skirts or dresses only to try them on and see most of my thighs.  Its just not something I am into.

That aside, tomorrow I am continuing my series on things I would never wear (and no, it won't contradict the above). 

Things I Have Never Done Before - One Day Dirty Hair

So I decided to start a small series of posts on things I have never done before.  Most of them are fashion-oriented so they make sense.  I came up with the idea after reading a post on Second Skin about not washing one's hair and using a dry shampoo in replacement.  Since I am constantly urged to wash my hair only every other day by the salon buyer at work, I thought I would finally give it a try.  I thought, if I can do this, maybe there are other fashions and trends that I am too stubborn to try that can work out too.  So, hence the post series idea.

So, my one day dirty hair was done on Saturday.  I have in the past not washed my hair for a day but I have to be honest that it is typically because I am cleaning or sick.  I have never actually done it purposely and styled it that way.  To ease the idea, I bought dry shampoo.  I asked around at work to find out the best one and I was told to use Oscar Blandi's Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo.  I was actually really amazed with it.  I think the only thing I didn't like was the smell which reminded me oddly of Lemonheads.  Not so bad considering it managed to work wonders on my dirty, oily hair. 

And yes, that is one of the dresses Meaghan sent me!

Care Package from Meaghan

Recently, I wrote Meaghan from left hand endeavor and asked her if she wanted to swap care packages.  I was so excited when she too thought it was a great idea!  I have followed her blog for nearly a year now and to be honest, her blog was not only one of the first blogs I followed but also one that got me into blogging on fashion in the first place.  So needless to say, I was pretty psyched about getting post from her!  And boy, was I floored at the great package she sent!

Her letter written on an old hymnal. (And Charlotte is a bit of joke we have).  A book; The Edwardian Lady.  A beautiful kerchief, and rosette headband.  Vintage skivvy straps and a belt!

Two dresses; the black one is probably going to make its debut for a wedding I have coming up.  Also a wonderful dusty pink silk blouse!

The care package of course made my week.  It was sort of funny because I have been so incredibly busy that I actually forgot Meaghan was sending me something.  The package happened to arrive the same day as a book order I had made from Amazon.  I was far more excited about this than my silly books!  My week since then has been pretty low key.  Work just sort of lulled on and frankly, I am glad it is the weekend even if that means I am sitting at home doing nothing (it is supposed to rain all weekend).

Typical Friday outfit.  I found this necklace a couple of weeks ago when I was organizing all of my jewelry for my jewelry tree.  Its just cheapy plastic necklace from Target but something about it is just fun.  It is really like nothing else I own and I think that I why i like it so much.

Sweater: Forever 21

Tank: Thrifted

Jeans: Forever 21

Necklace: Target

Shoes: Target

Renovated Watches

This weekend, my older brother made an unannounced visit into town from Boise!  I was so excited.  I have not seen my brother since my wedding in October.  He rarely can make it in due to work and the expense of traveling.  Luckily, he found a crazy deal on a direct flight and we got to see him for a few days. 

Amazingly, one of his hobbies is restoring and fixing vintage watches (he apparently has a YouTube channel about it but I have to ask him the URL).  Anyways, he grabbed some of his recent fixes to bring to us so we can pick out ones we liked.  I knew he had found this beautiful gold pendant watch for me and fixed it up but I also fell in love with the silver men's watch!  Everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to wear a men's watch!

(click to enlarge)

I wore the pendant watch at work today.  I feel like work has generally consumed my life lately.  Well, work and ballet.  But ballet is fun so I don't count it.  Lately, I just feel uninspired about fashion.  I have been more into jewelry.  Maybe it is due to the season change.  Its not quite warm out and not super cold either.  Its just in between.  

Blouse: Forever 21

Vest: ModCloth

Skirt: Express

Heels: Aldo

Necklace: Vintage Pendant watch from the 1970s

Earrings: Target

Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the Mystery Necklace is.....  BriannaLee!  Congrats!  You will be getting an email shortly.

And if you didn't win, have no fear.  I have many upcoming giveaways.  A lot of jewelry too.  :)

So, it has been pretty warm here in Chicagoland and I FINALLY got to wear the lavender dress I bought from Home Run Ballerina's Etsy Shop a few months ago.  I love it but it is pretty sheer so you can really only wear it in the summer.  I got so many compliments on it at work too.  I love when I have a thrifted or vintage piece and everyone compliments it.  I think it is even more satisfying to know you paid next to nothing for it and no one else has it.  

My current obsessions for spring fall under two categories: 

1. Awesome shoes:

Seychelles and ModCloth (SO mad these are sold out!!)

Both Seychelles

2. Fragrance

Sara Jessica Parker NYC via ULTA

Gucci Flora via ULTA

Chloe via Sephora

The Clean Up

Now, I know I have posted many, MANY times about my crazy obsession with jewelry.  I could never really figure out how to prove this obsession until this weekend when parousing Pier 1, I found the most amazing jewelry tree!  I mean this thing was perfect!  It was huge (a meter tall), it had a bird and it looked vintage.  Perfect!  Granted, not ALL of my jewelry fits on it.  In fact, my wood lock jewelry box is still packed full but at least it is packed full with all the expensive jewelry.  The tree is purely for all of my fun jewelry!  So I thought that I would share!

The box in front was my grandfather's from France and is full of all my earrings.

The jewelry box to the left contains all of my more expensive jewelry.  Yes, that is all perfume.  My engagement photo, my grandmother's old mirror and in front of it (though you can't see it) is my great-grandmother's old powder compact.