Now, I am a total nerd still, that has not changed. As I type this, I'm not wearing a Balenciaga ball gown but rather a shirt from the clearance rack at Old Navy and Miley Cyrus jeans that I got for $8 at Plato's Closet. Tim Gunn would not proclaim this ensemble a "MAJOR WOW FACTOR." But I've found that I really enjoy dressing up for work. I like finding quirky, unique pieces that I can put together in fun ways. I work in a tiny, largely female department, and my bedazzled headbands, splashy-colored flats, and (often homemade) necklaces are good conversation starters with my co-workers! So here are some fashion-y things that I've been loving lately:
High-end consignment shops are a great place to find this kind of stuff, and convienently, I work down the street from one! Things aren't especially cheap at a place like this, but you can get gently used designer goods at deep discounts. Some of my fave finds include a kimono-sleeved black Banana Republic sweater, a BCBG doctor's bag-style purse, light blue J. Crew shorts, and, perhaps my most beloved item of all, stackable gold rings embedded with sparkly studs!
Am I wearing these rings right now? Guilty as charged!
I've also begun to search out fun accessories in unexpected places... like Baby Gap! Yes, I felt like I would soon be ambushed by the crew of To Catch a Predator the whole time I was there, but I guess it helps that I look young enough to be part of Baby Gap's target demographic. (Sadly, this is true.) Of course, you can't squeeze yourself into a onesie or party dress, no matter how adorable they are... but necklaces and hair pieces are not off-limits! And while Baby Gap carries some accessories adorned with smiley cats and dancing ice cream cones, they have many tasteful pieces as well. For about $15, I got a sparkalicious bronze headband and a pink ribbon necklace... items that Grown-up Gap could have easily sold with a significant price bump!
Gettin' fancy with a filtahh (because this picture was not too exciting on my iPhone!)
Lastly, any hype that you've heard about those Sally Hansen nail sticker things is totally true. I applied glittery pink ones ("Bling It On") in early August (see above in the ring picture), and they are still going (relatively) strong! Sure, some nails have chipped worse than others, but for someone who had horribly chipped nails just days after painting with traditional polish, this stuff is MIRACULOUS! Something in these strips makes it impossible for the tips to chip, which is always my problem area. (I didn't realize my tips chip so easily until I got my first French manicure two days before my junior prom. TRAGEDY.) Don't believe me? Behold:
Clearly, I'm a fashionista, rocking my Flyers Eastern Conference Champions tee!
So why the sudden fashion post (along with my inability to update this thing regularly at all)? Well... I don't know. I guess I need some sort of fun, creative outlet when I'm not working or researching!
