Day 128 -- Shopping and Shopping

When: Sunday, January 6th, 2012

Where: Wedding dress shopping, and then vintage furniture shopping!

What a fun day! I met up with my best girlfriends to take a look at some more wedding dresses. I don't know how I'll ever choose one! There are so many great dresses out there and I feel like I need to try them all on before I know what will make me really happy. It feels like such a big decision! If anyone has any good wedding dress shopping advice or places to hit up in the LA area, please let me know.
 

This outfit started again with the tights. See those knee socks I'm wearing? Yeah, they're actually tights! The full on hose makes it much easier to keep your socks from falling down. A little half and half. I didn't want to make my look too busy with the funky tights, so I stuck to black and white for the rest of my outfit.

I think my hair is finally reaching that ombre point I've been waiting for. I haven't colored it in about 6 months, and my roots are finally long enough not to look too root-y. Nice.

When I got back from dress shopping, Alex and I went out to hunt down some new furniture. We're looking for a butcher block type counter top to fill in the awkward space in our kitchen, a hutch or curio cabinet for our living room, and a loveseat to round out our seating area. I can't wait to share what we'll find!

Jacket: BB Dakota | Dress: Jason Wu for Target | Tights: Forever 21 | Belt: H&M | Shoes: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Bag: Furla, gift from my future mother in law

Day 127 -- Black and Blue

When: Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Where: Fabric Shopping at Fabric Planet

It took me a long time to arrive at this outfit! I started with these funky rose and polka dot blue-purple tights because I knew I wanted to cover my unshaven and cold legs, but I was feeling sick of leggings, and still don't favor pants. Originally I had an all blue ensemble going on, complete with a crush velvet mini skirt and navy silk tunic. But it was, as I'm sure you can imagine, a lot of look. I'll have to resolve to wear that skirt another time.

I decided instead to just layer on the black and let these awesome tights shine, and I was glad I did. Black always works. This outfit made me stand out in the right way, while still being able to blend in the crowd, if I were, say, standing behind a bush... or something.

Sweater: Gap, hand-me-down from Maija | Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Forever 21 | Tights: Urban Outfitters | Shoes: White Mountain via TJ Maxx | Bag: Coach, my mom's from the 90s | Sunglasses: Rayban via Ruelala | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Earrings: Forever 21

Day 126 -- The Higher the Hair

When: Friday, January 4th, 2012

Where: Studio, Apple Store

Remember that day I wore curlers? Well, this is what my hair looks like after I take them out. I feel a little Texas with this 'do, but I'm also really digging it. The curlers are so easy to set and my hair looks ten thousand times better than it does when I let it air dry! Since I won't be shopping for clothes this year, having fun changing my appearance with different beauty tricks might keep life interesting.

I had to stop by the Apple Store to get my computer tuned up and the experience was super painful for me, not because of that hour I spend on that stool at the genius bar, but because my local Apple Store is located right next to Forever 21 at the mall. That place is my sartorial weakness. If I need a trendy fashion fix, I used to pop in there for a cheap find. And yesterday, they were having a sale. I contemplated going in just to look, but I don't think I'm strong enough to do that so early in the game. Sigh...

Dress: H&M | Jacket: All Saints | Leggings: American Apparel | Boots: Sam Edelman via TJ Maxx | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Day 125 -- Dog Walking Clothes

When: Thursday, January 3rd, 2012

Where: Dog park and studio.

Yes, I really did wear this outfit to the dark park, and I stuck out like a sore thumb. Next time I'll be sure to wear my lululemon leggings and a pair of sneaks. I guess the dog run is the one place in la where heels are actually not welcome.

I thought this outfit was totally dog park acceptable. I mean, there are foxes on my shirt for heaven's sake!

When I was in high school, I had my first fashion show on the quad at lunch. I invited all kinds of family and friends to come to campus to watch it with all the other students. I gave my mother special instructions, however, that she was not to wear her 'dog walking clothes' to the show.

She'll never let me live that down! But now it seems I'm the one who should be careful about when and where I'm wearing my dog walking clothes and my non-dog-walking-clothes!

Sweater and belt: Alice and Olivia | Shirt: Anthropologie, Christmas gift from Mom

Skirt: Forever 21 | Tights: Walgreens | Shoes: Steve Madden | Earrings: Macy's

Day 124 -- Curly Girl

When: Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Where: Studio

OMG, my bangs are so long they're giving me crazy eyes! And I have curlers in my hair. Yes, I wore these out to walk Bucket, but took them out after we had already taken photos. I'm so glad I tried out curlers, they made my hair so soft and full. I'll definitely be using them again. And maybe then I'll take some after shots.

Another sort of sloppy outfit. I need to try harder to get actually dressed in the morning. It's just so cold in our house that all I want to do is layer on the soft, warm, comfies. I've got to stop that!

See Also: Check out the last time I wore this super comfy sweater.

Sweater: By Corpus via Urban Outfitters | Dress: Soprano via Marshall's | Leggings: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: DV for Target

The Challenge

There is only one rule to the challenge:

1. I will buy no clothing, shoes, or accessories during the year of 2013.

There are, however, several exceptions the the rule:

1. I can shop for my wedding. I mean, how will I get any wedding preparations done if I can't buy a wedding dress (and shoes, and jewelry... and a rehearsal dinner dress, and and bridal shower dress...)?

2. Unmentionables can be replaced as needed.

3. I will accept gifts, gift cards with which to shop, trades, and loans. I just won't spend my own money this year!

4. I can make new clothing for myself.

So, this is what I'm working with for the next year:

127 dresses

36 sweaters

25 blouses

27 skirts

23 pairs of pants

6 shorts

26 tank tops

30 tee shirts

20 belts

19 handbags

11 bathing suits

6 coats

64 pairs of shoes

Please support me as I embark on this challenge. I'm making an effort to kill my shopping addiction, save money for my new business, and dress with what I already have. Now let's see show this goes...

Day 123 -- A Fresh Start

When: Tuesday, January 1st, 2013 -- New Years Day

Where: Organizing and cleaning the house

Kind of a sloppy outfit to start the year with, but a comfortable one! I spent most of the day cleaning the place from top to bottom, and trying to adhere to resolutions. I'm so thrilled for the new year. It feels like a fresh start and I always find beginnings so rejuvenating...

In my next post, you'll read a little bit about my future plans and exciting projects... It's going to be a great year!

Jacket: All Saints | Sweater: Gap | Skirt: Expect. sample | Tights: Ann Klein

Shoes: Sam Edelman via Crossroads