Knotted

I realized some time ago that the high-waisted skirt and tucked-in shirt look was super flattering on me. I don’t know if that’s a universal thing, but since I’m on the shorter side, a high waist makes my legs look longer, so I look taller. And since I have an hourglass figure (but the top of the hourglass is my head, not boobs – still totally counts), tucking in the shirt highlights my small waist instead of my relatively wide hips.

The only problem is that some shirts just do not work when tucked in. This is one of those shirts. Every time I slightly lifted an arm, I pulled the shirt out of the skirt and made myself look droopy and lumpy. It’s a few years too early in my life for that.

The best solution I’ve come up with is tying the shirt in front like this. If anyone knows of a good way to keep shirts tucked in (an undergarment perhaps?) please let me know! I’ll test our your suggestions and report back.

Shirt (on sale) // similar Skirt (under $25) // Shoes “Gabi” (on sale) // similar Sunglasses (on sale) // similar Bag // Bracelet (on sale)

Beneath the Cap & Gown

So I graduated law school several days ago. Did I mention that was happening? Maybe like 100 times over the past month? Yep. I was so busy sharing my post-graduation Chicago vacation outfit photos that I forgot to show you what I wore on the big day! So here it is.

This skirt came in the mail a couple days before graduation and I decided it would be a good option. It’s got this kind of youthful but elegant look to it. You know…like something a brand new lawyer would wear. 😉

These shoes were not the most comfortable things to stand around in for two hours while we were waiting for the processional, but my gown was so freaking huge I felt like I needed the extra height. Can we talk about the cap and gown for a second? Great. Thanks. There was one size gown for everyone up to 200 pounds. I don’t know if you can tell from all the photos you’ve seen of me, but I weigh somewhat less than 200 pounds. They asked for my height (which is 5’3″, by the way) but I’m not sure it made a difference. I was essentially wearing an inflated, depressing looking maxi dress. And that silly hat. I put mine on ahead of time, but it looked so ridiculous I thought I must have done it wrong. So I took it off and waited until I checked in at the ceremony location so I could see everyone else’s. Nope. It’s really supposed to look like that. Sigh. I know there’s historical significance to these stupid outfits, but someone really needs to update the graduation look. Like maybe Diane von Furstenburg.

OK, after all that complaining, you probably want to see what I looked like, don’t you? If you must:

The oversized look is “in,” right?

Top (on sale) // similar Skirt // Shoes (on sale) // similar Necklace* // Lips “Plushest Punch”

*Necklace purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

Quiet: Exams in Progress

Yesterday I showed you one of my study outfits, and today I’ve got an actual exam-taking outfit on the menu. I’m not the pajama-wearing type even during finals because I just feel more “with it” when I take the time to get dressed. Sometimes I even brush my hair.

Still, I definitely go for comfort, and more importantly, I don’t wear anything distracting. A statement necklace any other day is great, but for some reason on test day they seem to weigh a hundred pounds. So I pretty much go for zero jewelry – the only exception is my wedding band. Otherwise I might get confused and think I’m single, and everyone knows that a room full of stress-ridden law students is a great place to hook up.

Oh, and in case you think I’m full of BS for acting like I carry a cute clutch to an exam: shoooot, girl, you know I wouldn’t lie to you! This oversized pouch actually fits all the stuff I usually carry in a purse, and then it slips easily inside the tote bag I carry to school. That way I still technically only carry one bag at a time, and if I do anything afterwards, I can pull out the clutch and leave the bulky tote in my car. It’s pretty genius of me, actually. That’s why I’m gonna be a lawyer.

Sweater (on major sale) // similar Boots (under $20) // other similar Boots // similar Jacket (on sale) // Scarf* // similar Clutch // Sunglasses (under $10)

*Scarf purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

More Stuff I Wore

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If you saw how cozy I looked in my last outfit, you’re probably not surprised that I picked this cardigan to remix. Maybe I’ll just remix it every day for the rest of the month. Or maybe I should be impressed with myself for not spilling spaghetti sauce on it 2 days in a row and quit while I’m ahead. I didn’t actually eat spaghetti either day, but still…I wouldn’t have been surprised.

Cardigan (on sale under $17 & in lots of colors!) // similar Jeans (on sale) // similar Necklace // Bracelet // similar Boots

Bright New Bag

Every girl needs a bag that looks like a caterpillar, right? I’m sure I’ve heard that somewhere. Thank goodness I found one. OK, so it’s not exactly a staple, but it’s pretty fun, isn’t it? And it really does remind me of an American Dagger Moth Caterpillar. Don’t be too impressed. I Googled “fuzzy caterpillar” and looked at pictures until I found what I was picturing in my head. Most of what I know about caterpillars I learned from Alice and Wonderland. And from this bag.

Side note: In case you missed it, on Thursday I made an important announcement about an upcoming challenge/linkup. If you’re a fellow outfit blogger looking for something special to do with your posts next month, please consider joining in! Your blog link will be posted right here on SRL for tens of people to see.

Bag* // similar Sweater // Shoes (on sale) // similar Necklace (on sale)

One Sweater, Three Ways: It’s the Real Life Remix…

*Bag provided courtesy of Asos.

Pin to Real Life: Pattern & Texture Edition

Left image source: Merrick’s Art (used with permission)

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I don’t remember exactly what I had planned to wear on Tuesday; all I know is it did not work out. I was crunched for time and didn’t know how/where to start over, and then I had a miraculous pre-coffee stroke of genius: Pin to Real Life is making a comeback! (If you’re just joining us, you can get the low down on Pin to Real Life here.)

I pinned this outfit from Merrick a few days ago because I loved the mix of patterns and textures, plus it was so simple and comfortable. Her printed pants are way cuter than mine, but I did what I could. And I love her addition of yellow flats, but (shockingly) I don’t have any! So I added my yellow with a necklace instead.

Many thanks to Merrick and Pinterest for saving me from going to school in my PJs!

similar to Merrick’s cute Pants // similar Jacket // similar Shirt // Necklace* // Shoes* // Sunglasses // Bag mostly sold out, rich people version here

*Necklace provided courtesy of Max & Chloe; shoes purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M

So Last Season

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I wore this outfit to school a couple weeks ago – waaaay back in the summer. So long ago. I got a ton of use out of this blazer over the past few months but I think it’s going into storage pretty soon. It’s just a little too summery looking for the fall and winter. But I really want to find a cool-weather version. Maybe with some purple and navy? That would be nice. Everyone – this is your task. Find me a fall floral blazer. I mean with all the links I give you to cute clothes every day, you owe me one, right? Make yourselves useful.

similar Blazer (under $20) // Shorts (on sale) // Shoes* // similar Necklace (extra 30% off w/ code THIRTY)

Summer fun with my blazer and shorts: It’s the Real Life Remix…

*Shoes purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

Happy Clothes

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I like it when an outfit makes me feel happy. This outfit makes me feel happy for several reasons:

1. It includes a dress with nautical stripes.

2. Those nautical stripes are mixed with a different yet harmonious print.

3. That print is on a scarf that Kristin picked out and got for me (it’s from the Phillip Lim collection but they didn’t have it at the first Target we tried).

4. Both said dress and scarf are super comfortable.

5. I’m carrying a yellow bag, which is always good.

6. Pink lips make me feel purdy (that’s Southern for pretty).

So there you go. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but money did buy all of these clothes. You do the math.

similar Dress // Scarf // Bag // Bracelet (25% off with code SHOPFALL) // Lips “Plushest Punch”

Meet My Friend Phillip.

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Guess what, guys?! It’s time to show off some of my Phillip Lim for Target duds in action! As you probably already know from stalking me on your social media of choice (links above…hint hint), I got up at 7:00 Sunday morning to head to Target and check out the new designer collab. I’m pretty sure the majority of people in the Indianapolis area have no clue who Phillip Lim is or why this collection was a big deal. Lucky for me, that meant I had very little competition for all the coveted bags!

On the other hand, the lack of fashion knowledge in my area also means that almost no one has complimented me on my new bag over the past 2 days or said something like, “Oh, you got the yellow Phillip Lim mini satchel?! So cute!” I almost wish I would get mugged just so I could have a Clueless-style conversation that would go something like this:

Mugger: “Gimme your purse!”

Me: “No, you don’t understand. This is a Phillip Lim for Target collection bag!”

Mugger: “A Philla Whatta?”

Me: “It’s like a totally. important. designer.”

Mugger: “Oh. In that case, I will retire from my life of crime and go back to school. And maybe do some volunteer work at an animal shelter. Have a nice day. Love those shoes, BTW.”

Top // Bag // similar Skirt // similar Sunglasses (only $12) // Shoes*

*Shoes purchased with gift card provided courtesy of H&M.

I Like Mashed Potatoes

Usually when I buy something new I immediately start imagining all the ways I’m going to wear it (it’s easier to justify the purchase that way). Then sometimes I have to admit that what I pictured in my head doesn’t quite work.

With this shirt, I pictured it tucked into some of my shorter skirts, but when I tried it out the other day it looked lumpy. Lumpy mashed potatoes? Delicious. Lumpy hips? Yucky. Mmmm…mashed potatoes sound good right now. Anywho.

I untucked the shirt, and that looked frumpy, which rhymes with lumpy and therefore is no good either. Finally I settled on this long skirt and belt and I felt rather tall and statuesque. That’s extra impressive when you’re 5’3″.

Happy Friday, and may your weekend be filled with laughter, friends, and mashed potatoes.

Shirt // similar Skirt (under $25) // similar Belt (on sale) // Sunglasses // Bag (on sale) // similar Bracelet (on sale) // similar Shoes (on sale)

It’s the Real-Life Remix…