Friday, February 6, 2015

How I Think

Putting together outfit-posts is a joy for me, but it's also a chore.  There's lots of preparation that goes into making myself presentable -- including stuff you never face, like shaving your cheeks and adjusting a wig.  Normally those tasks are pleasant but they are also work.

Two weeks ago I caught the flu and have been sick ever since.  That ailment, combined with snowy cold, has kept me from dressing up.  When I don't engage in feminine fun for a fortnight, my mood sours.  I get blue.  So I vowed to create an outfit-post today, no matter how hard it was.

I looked in my closet for clothes.  "Oh no!", I cried, "I have nothing to wear!"  Anyone else peering into that overstuffed room would say I'm delusional, but perhaps you understand my mindset.  I had nothing new or fun to wear.

So I popped off to my favorite thrift-store.  And found a cute dress for $8.  I added some silvery strappy sandals and silver jewelry.  Voile!


 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

37 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm so happy to see you all perked up and prettyfied!!! :)
    The color of your new dress is beautiful and I love that flirty hem and lovely neckline. Once again, I love the shoes and accessories you've chosen. This color (and lips) is so flattering on you. This is one of my faves!
    p.s. Your face looks silky smooth and dewy. My skin is really dry. Do you use a special moisturizer?

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! Your words mean so much to me.

      Winter dries out our skin terribly, so I've started wearing moisturizer every day. My favorite is an aloe-blend called Vasoline Intensive Care (Aloe Smooth). It's very inexpensive and the aloe does wonders for my skin.

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  2. Sorry to hear you have been under the weather ... Hope you are back to 100% healthy real soon!!!

    Love your new dress!!!! Even though I am not a fashionista I understand the "nothing to wear"syndrome!!! Glad you found something that perked you up!!

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. You're such a sweetheart.

      I also played with the orange beaded necklace you gave me and it will be featured in my next outfit-post.

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  3. That dress is $8?!! Get out of here! No way, it's too pretty! I dread outfit post too.. I hardly comb my hair(don't remember owning a comb to start with), let alone put on a lipstick or mascara and just like you, it takes effort and I have to be in the mood or it would not happen. Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks, pal. Being in the mood is the only way to do this right. Otherwise it's tedious.

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  4. Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well... You should see what I look like when I'm under the weather! Love that colour on you. Okay no wigs for me but dressing up can be quite the effort for me too.
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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    1. I didn't mean to imply that it isn't work for you guys. It certainly is. I was just saying that with everything you do, I have to do extra stuff on top of that. Which is okay when I feel good but hard when I feel ill.

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  5. Hope you're feeling better! I think that cute new dress must have helped. :-) Pretty color on you too.

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  6. Oh no, I'm very sorry to hear that the flu struck you this winter, too, Ally. I hope that you're slowly starting to feel better. I find it can take weeks to fully bounce back, especially if it was a particularly strong flu.

    I love the act of putting together an outfit (wig included :)), too. I'll sometimes set aside whole days just to "play" around with the offerings in closet and dresser drawers, so as to plan out future looks (and be reminded of old faves that might not have been sported in quite some time, too).

    Your new dress is very pretty and especially perfect for Valentine's Day.

    ♥ Jessica

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  7. Ally, that dress IS cute and I love the color- its awesome on you, very feminine and abit sassy :) I totally get that it takes extra work, it feels like enough of a job for me to take and post photos and on top of that you have to get all dressed and ready just for the photos. Do you ever spend the rest of the day/evening in your outfit at home or do you take photos and then change again?

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    1. I used to remove my clothes after taking pictures but recently I realized I'm happier enjoying them for a while; so now I relax in them and imagine I'm at a cocktail party. :-)

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  8. You look amazing, Ally! The color of the dress and your lipstick - perfection! I hope you were able to cheer yourself up a little bit! And I hope you feel better! xo

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  9. A megadose of cute is just what the doctor ordered, I think - you are so pretty, Ally! I particularly like the sheer upper part of the bodice - pure flirtiness.
    Hope you are feeling better - something has been going around at school. For a week or two, I was sending students on a daily basis to the health room with high fevers and headaches, but that seems to have abated (fingers crossed!)

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  10. Awww I'm so glad to see you. This stupid flu is really going around. My husband has it, and I'm currently popping Vitamin C while treating him trying to keep from getting any worse.

    I definitely know what you mean. I have drawers with things never worn still in them and have the 'nothing to wear!' frequently. Although I love our dichotomy - you come out with a lovely pink dress and I come out with a red leather jacket!! Thrifting is magical.

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  11. Lovely dress! You and I both know how to navigate those thrift stores. I know how it feels to be in a "clothing funk", it looks like you got out of it!
    xx,

    Paisley

    paisleynotplaid

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  12. Illness is definitely rubbish, especially when it lingers on and you can't seem to shake the blues that go with it. Glad you're feeling a bit better now and managed to get yourself all dressed up - that colour looks great on you.

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  13. So glad you found the energy to pop out and find your pickmeup!
    I think it picks us all up looking at you in that flirty piece with your lovely smile. You certainly look happy. I hope it wasn't just all for the camera.
    I have some behind the scenes knowledge of the extra work involved and I take my hat off to you. :-) xo Jazzy Jack

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  14. Oh no! Being sick is no fun! Are you feeling better yet?

    That dress is a remarkably great find for $8. First of all, it's super flattering on you. Second, it's perfect for both cold and warm weather occasions. I think you'll get a lot of wear out of it. Third, that reddish-pink color is very sexy and feminine. It's very you!

    XxMO
    madame-ostrich.com

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    1. Better... but not yet 100%. Thanks for asking.

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  15. Eww the flu!! Yuck!! But you look awesome in that color!

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  16. Always good to see your smiling face. I completely understand as I was putting off taking photos of a few pieces I made because of the prep required. But once I did it, I was happy I made the effort.

    Love those sandals! And that dress color on you!

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    1. Thanks, dear. I never regret making an effort to dress up, just sometimes don't anticipate it in advance. I foresee the work and fail to see the joy.

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  17. Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday, even if you are still recovering! This color suites you very well.

    Having nothing to wear: PREACH. I feel like that all the time, yet my closet is packed. I'm currently undergoing a major closet purge to get rid of all the old stuff I never wear. It's freeing.

    - Ashley

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    1. Yes, it is. Removing unwanted items opens physical and psychological space for new wanted ones. Good for you.

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  18. i say it all the time that dressing up and/or applying makeup really makes you feel better, or more like yourself. love that dress. one of my faves!!

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  19. Very cute dress!! I do that too when I've been down - head to the nearest thrift store and find myself something fun!

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  20. I'm sorry you were will and hope you are feeling better now. I know how hard on the morale it can be! Your favourite thrift shop seems to offer up such cute dresses! I love this one for the colour and the flirty shape. I too want to chime in with how I always think your skin looks gorgeous and although I always realised you would have hair to deal with (don't we all) I am always impressed with the results. I am never quite certain what to commentson and what not to say. I was raised with the rule that one never makes personal comments so of course this whole blogging thing is messing with that! xo

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  21. You look adorable, even if you're not feeling better yet. Hope you're back to 100% soon!

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  22. Lovely dress, lovely color. This flu hangs on FOREVER, I know! Cheers, darling, feel better.

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  23. retail therapy is always good for the soul!! several members of my family had the flu and were down for several weeks.

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  24. Glad you are feeling better.

    It is funny how we can stand in front of our closets and think we have nothing to wear.

    That dress reminds me of a 1960's style I saw Meagan wearing on MadMen, I think it was when she sang Bisous Bisous.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  25. The flu is really going around this season. I mean, I guess it always is, but so many people I know are getting hit with it. Sending healthy vibes your way!

    My favorite detail here is your pedicure. It accents the rest of your outfit so nicely.

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  26. Not that there was ever any doubt, but you are indeed a woman if you're looking into your closet thinking you have nothing to wear. ;)

    That dress is the perfect color for a pick-me-up! You can't feel yuck in that color and that style dress. The third picture looks like a senior prom shot too.

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