Weird People in Boring Places | Outfit

Cat Batman. Oh, yeah. 

I have a major soft spot for cool t-shirts and one of my favorite places to get them is Olan Rogers Supply. These crazy tees are designed by youtuber Olan Rogers and they're just awesome...and he's awesome. If you haven't had some Olan in your life yet, fix that. Now. Don't even bother reading the rest of this. Just start with this video and fall down the rabbit hole. See you in a few days.

But, I didn't get this shirt through his website. Oh, no! I got this freaking awesome shirt at The Soda Parlor in Nashville because not only is Olan a comedian and a t-shirt designer, he also runs this place that's basically heaven. There's ice cream floats, apparel, arcade games, a battle bear, (watch the videos. I'm telling you!) and I finally got my family to make a pit stop there this summer! Life. Complete.

"What if weird people are just freaking interesting people trapped in a boring world?" --Olan Rogers

Blouse: Torrid similar in XS-L similar in XL-3X | T-Shirt: Olan Rogers Supply similar in unisex sizes S-3X | Skirt: New Look similar in 4-10 similar in 14-24 | Tights: Walmart similar in S-L similar in 1X-6X | Shoes: Famous Footwear similar | Lips: Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in Aria

Aspens, Northern New Mexico | Style Imitating Art

Aspens, Northern New Mexico by the famous photographer Ansel Adams was chosen as the inspiration for SIA this week. It's such a beautiful image with the organic subject matter rendered in a way that almost becomes an abstract image with it's strong contrast and linear composition. Those elements are the direction I chose to take in my inspiration. I paired this printed dress, which is also graphic, linear, and abstract, with a black base to act as a frame, keeping the attention on the print.

Head on over to Animated Cardigan to see the round up of all the other interpretations!

Dress: Forever 21 similar in XL-3X, similar in XS-L | Shirt: Target similar in 0X-3X, similar in S-L | Tights: We Love Colors | Boots: Modcloth similar | Hat: Boohoo Lips: Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Trap

Blue Velvet | Outfit

This dress and I have played quite a game of back and forth. I originally ordered it in green on Black Friday but, when it came, it was two sizes too big. At that point the green was all sold out on Modcloth and I was majorly bummed because I could tell it was a great dress. I was going to write it off until I found the blue version and despite blue not being my color, something about this pale, shimmery shade was too sweet and vintage to pass up. Unfortunately, the size I wanted was all sold out and I had to gamble on a dress that was three sizes smaller than the one I originally ordered. Then to complete the craziness, the day I received the dress, it was added to the 70% off sale at a much bigger discount then when I ordered it. But, luck was on my side that time because the amazing people at Modcloth price adjusted it and my velvet dress saga came to a close.

Between the collar and the 1960's vibe, this whole outfit reminds me of Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom. It's not a complete duplicate of her character but, it definitely inspired me when I was getting dressed. If you haven't seen that movie, it's a whimsical, quirky (what else could it be?) Wes Anderson movie. Seriously, get on Netflix and watch your eyes out. If you don't have Netflix...well, then you simply can't be helped.

Shirt: Torrid similar in XS-L, similar in 14-28 | Dress: Modcloth exact in green, similar in XL-3X, similar in 4-8 | Tights: Walmart similar in 1X-6X, similar in S-L | Shoes: Modcloth exact in cream | Headwrap: Forever 21 similar | Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood

Scarves, Stripes, and Scallops | Outfit

I should have gotten a flu shot this year or the people at my husband's office should have gotten flu shots. Somebody needs to be getting there flu shots here. Every time I think I've finally kicked a cold, a new one comes barreling down the lane. Which, makes things like getting dressed and standing out in the cold not pleasant. Or maybe the standing out in the cold is contributing to the sickness. That's something to think about, I'm sure.

Anywhoooo...how cute is this skirt? I couldn't believe my luck when I found this on Target's website after mooning over a virtually identical ninety-five dollar one from Asos. Oh, the buttons! Oh, the scallops! It's all so good! Well...almost.

Those three middle buttons...they are not so good. They should not have made the middle buttons functional. The skirt is in no way too small but, when I move or sit the wrong way, pop go those three evil little buttons. You don't even need to undo those buttons to get the skirt on and off! Why aren't they just decorative!? Well, I'm going to show those little a-holes because I am going to sew those little buggers up! Ha! Serves them right. They will never unbutton in this town again.

Sweater: Gap similar in S-XL, similar in 1X-3X | Shirt: JCPenney in S-L, similar in 0X-3X | Skirt: Target similar in 0-14, similar in sizes XL-2X | Boots: Modcloth similar | Scarf: Thrifted similar | Lips:  Stila All-Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina

Sunrise | Style Imitating Art

source

Happy first SIA of the new year! This beautiful painting called "Sunrise," by the famous Georgia O'Keeffe, was chosen as a symbolic statement for new beginnings. The dawning of a new year and great things to come. Despite the painting being beautiful and meaningful, I struggled as pink is not particularly my favorite color. I enjoy some peachy pink now and then but, over all it's generally too saccharine for me. Which is tough for this color lover to admit.

I do own pieces in all the different colors in the painting but, not much of it added up to an entire outfit, let alone one that didn't make me look like a thrift store mannequin dressed for Valentine's Day. So, I chose to read in to the undertones and interpret that pale pink as more of a grey.

With that I was able to play with the red and pop in the bright pink and yellow with accessories. I liked how the print on the scarf spoke to warmer climates that seemed akin to the painting while also making my outfit more bearable to the cold. It was seven degrees when we took these pictures and it's even colder today. Ack. So, I'm going to go curl up and try not to catch hypothermia. See ya in May. Hahahaaaa...jk...

 Sweater: Target  Dress: Asos, similar in plus size | Tights: Walmart similar in sizes 1X-6X, similar in sizes S-L, | Shoes: similar | Scarf: Modcloth similar | Lips: Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 37

The Fringe Effect | Outfit

As is the crux of online shopping, this skirt was not exactly what I was expecting. I'm not sure why but, I had no clue it was a mini skirt and when I received it, I almost packed it right back up and sent it on its way because...mini...skirt... 

But, beyond the length the skirt was perfect. I had been on the search for a black, faux leather, fringe skirt since I saw one in the mad for paid Target ads from fall. I stalked target for that skirt for two dang months waiting for it to make its appearance. It. Never. Happened. I was left with a gaping skirt shaped hole in my heart that could only be filled with a black, faux leather, fringe skirt.

I'm not exaggregating for effect. These are my real emotions. This is my life. I'm consumed by telenovela like drama and the star of the show is a black, faux leather, fringe skirt. Commence the yelling and crying!

So, yes. This skirt had everything I wanted minus like five inches but, my brain tells me those five inches are the difference between being well-dressed or going to Duck Dynasty the Musical while sucking down Dorito flavored Mountain Dew. Yet, it was so close and I found it for a really reaasonable price. I wanted it to be right so bad! Oh, the drama!

Could I wear a mini skirt? The truth is yes because nothing is so bound by definitions and connotations that you can't make it work for your sense of style. I didn't have to wear it like I was going to a country music festivals to get drunk and ride a mechanical bull. I just had to figure out how to put it into a context that fit me. 

To balance the shortness, I paired it with opaque black tights and a buttoned up top. I kept it chic by keeping it mostly monotone but, added interest with the subtle floral print and the texture of the fringe. In an outfit that's pretty covered up, the length actually plays up a much needed edge and can I just say...get yourself a fringe skirt. You will instantly feel like you're on a runway or in a music video. There's just so much movement everything you do feels like you are shamelessly strutting your stuff and that does wonders for your attitude!

Top: Torrid, similar in sizes 14-28, similar in sizes XS-XXL | Skirt: JCP, similar dress in sizes 14-28 (on sale!), similar in sizes 14, 20, and 22 (on sale!) | Tights: We Love Colors | Shoes: Famous Footwear similar | Stila All-Day Liquid Lipstick in Aria

Happy New Year! | Outfit

Hello, lovelies! I know it's been awhile. My sister and her family have been in town (they left today...) from Georgia and we have been packing as much Christmas fun into the last few weeks as physically possible. We've been so busy that I think we actually managed to beat our immune systems down and make ourselves sick hahaha. As sad as it is to see them go, we definitely need some recovery time to physically and mentally heal from our holly boughs to the walls Christmas.

So, happy new year and cheers to things getting back to normal for a while!

Our New Year's Eve started with kid friendly festivities at a light festival and the sweetest little party at my Aunt and Uncle's house. After the kids started to crash and it became clear they could no longer party down any more, the husbands took the children home and us adults moved our party to my cousin's house for jello shots and drinking games. Having some time with my sister where we could actually be adults and not just tiny human caretakers was exactly what we needed on our last night together.

This dress, from the mega post-Christmas Asos sale, arrived just in time for me to wear out. I wouldn't strictly have seen it as a NYE dress but, paired with these crazy sexy tights, it came together nicely. I chose boots over heals to keep the look grounded and to balance all the short, tight, laceness of the look. I'm really excited to try some sophisticated, chic looks with this dress as well because this is the kind of dress that makes me feel like a grown a** woman.

Dress: Asos, similar in plus size | Tights: Modcloth | Boots: Modcloth similar | Lips Stila All Day Liquid Lipsticks in Patina