Not Thirty

First of all, thanks to everyone who left me a “happy birthday” message on Wednesday. You could have wished happy birthday to Fidel Castro or Alfred Hitchcock, but you picked me, and I shall not forget your kindness.

I spent most of my birthday at home alone (just the way I like it), then put on this outfit to go out for a nice dinner to celebrate 29! Twenty-nine is the age that people tend to hang on to for a while. So now I worry when I tell people I’m 29 they’ll secretly be wondering if I’m actually 34 and just lying to them.

But I figured out how to avoid this problem. Here’s my plan: I’m just going to claim I’m 22 because (1) it’s still old enough to drink, (2) people don’t question that age, (3) I’m obviously very young-looking and it’s totally believable, and (4) Taylor Swift convinced me it’s a good age to be.

I’m going to claim I’m 22 until I’m 40, at which point it might be slightly less believable. Then I’ll claim I’m 50, and everyone will tell me how great I look for my age.

Great idea? Or the greatest idea? You get very wise at 29.

Sweater (on sale) // Shoes (on sale) // Jeans (on sale) // similar Clutch* // Bracelet // Sunglasses (on sale) // similar Necklace

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

Pin to Real Life: Chambray & White Skirt

Left image source: Crazy Style Love (used with permission under Creative Commons license)

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I love doing these “Pin to Real Life” posts because I feel like they go to the essence of what this blog is about. Yes, my blog has an essence. Take a deep breath and you might get a whiff. But seriously…the essence is about how I find styling inspiration (sometimes from my own head, sometimes from other people) and then adapt it to fit my real life. [cue epiphany sound effect – it all makes sense now, doesn’t it?!]

This inspiration for this outfit came from Jenny at Crazy Style Love, and she is crazy fabulous pretty much all the time. She wears things I would never have the lady balls to wear. But then again, she lives in Toronto, and I get the impression that’s a more fashion-forward city than Indianapolis. No offense to my city, but its style is very much sports-based. So if Jenny had come to brunch with me on Saturday in her outfit, she would have looked way overdressed (but still awesome, obviously).

My shorter, less voluminous, skirt is more practical for me, and flats instead of heels seemed more appropriate for the occasion. Finally, I tied my shirt in the front instead of tucking it in because I felt like that added an extra casual touch.

A million thanks to Jenny for inspiring this outfit – I loved it! If you want to see more of the people and outfits that inspire me, follow me on Pinterest!

similar Shirt // similar Skirt // Sunglasses // similar Shoes (on sale) // Bag (on sale)

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Olive Juice

After we got back from Chicago, I had one more day to spend with my lovely parents back home in Indianapolis. My mom isn’t a big fan of shopping (clearly that quality is not hereditary), so she likes to save up her shopping energy for when she’s with me. We spent a few hours on Monday at the mall and both had success! It’s funny – we usually like to shop at the same stores like Nordstrom and Ann Taylor, but we are drawn to different things. But our biggest difference is our tastes in shoes. To me, these shoes are cute and relatively comfortable. To my mom, they’re medieval torture devices. To each her own, I suppose.

For the record, I didn’t wear these shoes while shopping. I changed my shoes and bag in the evening when we joined our other halves for one last scrumptious dinner at the Northside Social. If you’re in the Indianapolis area, I highly recommend it! I’m hoping I can use their cornbread it as bait to get my parents back up here soon – I miss those old folks already! (And I kinda miss the cornbread too.)

Dress (on sale) // similar Belt /  Bracelet // Shoes (on sale) // Clutch

Wardrobe Workhorse: Leopard Oxford Shirt

They say leopard is a neutral, and they (whoever they are) are totally right. That’s why I’ve been able to wear my leopard oxford so many times in so many ways over the past year. I think it’s earned its title as a Wardrobe Workhorse. If you’re just joining us, Wardrobe Workhorse is a series – with absolutely no regular schedule – in which I highlight the unexpected stars of my closet.

I’ve worn my leopard button-up solo, under jackets, under a dress, with jeans, with skirts, for work, for school, and for fun. I don’t even know what’s left but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.

This particular shirt came from J. Crew Factory and they no longer sell it, but they do have some other fun and versatile prints. If you want leopard, try this semi-sheer one from Express, or this gorgeous silk one from Victoria’s Secret (both on sale).

For something a little different, try zebra, snake print, or abstract animal print!

Melting

You see that little strip of snow struggling to stay frozen?! It’s definitely gone by now. Good riddance. We have to melt away the old snow to make room for the new snow that will inevitably come. Sort of like how I have to donate and consign old clothes to make room for the new ones that will inevitably show up in my closet. (I wonder how they get there? It’s a mystery.) Funny enough, taking clothes to the consignment store was one of the errands I ran while wearing this outfit.

And speaking of this outfit, it was inspired by a photo I pinned from Pink Peonies! I already had all the basic elements, so I just needed this unseasonably warm day so I could get away with wearing lighter layers. You can see more of my “Pin to Real Life” outfits here.

Chambray (on sale in petite) // similar Jacket (on sale) // Belt (30% off w/ code TOYOU) // Bracelet (on sale) // similar Bag // similar Boots* // Lips “Punch Drunk”

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

Cher Repurposed

When I spent $30 on this skirt for my Halloween costume (Cher from Clueless), I swore to myself I would wear the skirt again and make it worth the money. Let me tell you…it is tricky trying to wear a plaid skirt without looking like you’re in a school uniform. Or in the cast of Clueless for that matter.

After a lot of soul closet searching, ruling out anything involving button up shirts, cardigans, and blazers, I finally settled on this animal print sweater and fringed ankle boots. Those are two things you wouldn’t find in a school uniform. Unless maybe I opened my own school – in which case the dress code would be to look awesome every day. Any kid who came in wearing Uggs would get called to the principal’s office and would have to write an essay on the most recent issue of Vogue.

similar Skirt (on sale) // another similar Skirt (on sale) // similar Sweater // similar Necklace // similar Boots* (on sale)

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

My New Favorite

This is usually the part of the program where I say something sarcastic or self-depracating about what I’m wearing. Because that’s just the kind of blogger I am. But just for today, I have to be serious with you because I love this outfit SO freaking much. It was one of those where I felt confident and comfortable all day, and even by the evening (when I took these pictures) a few wrinkles and baggy knees weren’t enough to alter my love for this look.

As you’ll see below, I’ve worn the jeans, shirt, and cardigan all before, but never together, and never with my new adorably 90s shoes that I’m now in love with. I think I love this combination because each piece has something special or unique about it, but as a whole it doesn’t come off as overwhelming because the overall equation (button-up, cardigan, skinny jeans) is a classic one that never goes out of style.

OK. Thanks for sticking with me while I turned into one of those bloggers that explains their outfit to you as if you’re blind. You’ll have to forgive me; it was a special occasion.

Shoes (on sale) // Shirt (on sale) // similar Cardigan // similar Jeans // Bracelet (extra 30% off w/ code SALE30) // Coat // similar Bag (on sale) // Lips “Crush”

Cardis and Oxfords and Jeans, Oh My! It’s the Real Life Remix…

How the Leopard Got Its Stripes

I’m trying to decide whether I should comment on my bad hair day. I mean I know I was out of hairspray on a moist day and my hair was not looking its best. But there’s a chance if I don’t mention it none of you will be paying attention anyway. But if I don’t say anything you might think I looked like this on purpose or that my vision has taken a sudden turn for the worse. Still, if I make a comment like “OMG my hair looks like a hot mess fo realz” (because that’s how I talk), you might think I’m just fishing for compliments. OH, and all the hair talk might distract you from this awesome outfit.

OK, it’s decided. I’m not saying anything about my hair.

Now let me talk about this outfit, which is the only thing I’m talking about in this blog post. Does this count as all neutrals? I mean: black, brown, white, navy, and gray. All neutrals! And yet something about stripes and leopard print and knee high boots says “KAPOW! LOOK AT ME!” which is pretty much the opposite of neutral. I’m going to call it KAPOW because that’s more exciting.

Thank you for for reading this post that’s not about hair.

Dress (on sale) // similar Shirt // Boots (on sale) // Bracelet

KAPOW! Follow Sarah’s Real Life on Bloglovin’ so you don’t miss future posts that are not about hair.

Wardrobe Workhorse: Leopard Loafers

I had a request a while back for a post on the top 5 (or 10 or whatever) things every woman should have in her closet. I never did it because I felt like those lists have been done over and over and most of them are the same (classic trench! black pumps! earth shattering ideas!).

But the other day when I wore the Cole Haan leopard loafers I bought last summer, I started thinking about how glad I was I got them because I’ve worn them so many times over the past year.

1 // 2 // 3

1 // 2 // 3

Most “must have” lists probably don’t include leopard loafers, but they’ve nonetheless been a staple for me! Basics are great and all, but I for one think it’s those unique, unexpected pieces that will make you stand out and look awesome every time you wear them.

So I’m officially starting the Sarah’s Wardrobe Workhorse series, and leopard loafers are first on the list! If you have an inkling to add some to your closet, I have some great options for you below.

Shop here:  1. Sam Edelman // 2. Steve Madden // 3. Marais USA //

4. Minnetonka // 5. Truth or Dare by Madonna

VIP status…or something

A new C. Wonder store opened at the mall down the street from me last week, and I was invited to the “VIP” opening party. Apparently the VIP threshold is very low because I received no less than three separate invitations to this thing, which I guess makes me an extra VIP. Of course, despite the triple invitation, my name was still not on the list when I got there, but luckily they didn’t give me much trouble. I assume it was this adorable outfit that made me look like I belonged.

So once I went in, I immediately noticed that everyone in the store had a wine glass in their hand, but I couldn’t figure out where those wine glasses came from. It was really crowded, so I just started wandering around hoping to see someone I knew and to eventually find the source of the booze. I cannot even tell you how many times I circled this place sans drink, sans friends, and sans cell phone service, but it took at least 30 minutes.

I seriously considered leaving, but then I finally got my hands on a cocktail. Now I don’t mean to suggest that I have to drink to have a good time. It’s just that if you get invited to something that has “VIP” in the title (but is really just a ploy to get you to spend money), you should at least get some perks.

So I had a couple drinks and loosened up enough to enjoy the fun music, talk to a few people, and pick out a couple things to take home with me (don’t judge…everything was 20% off).

All in all, I am glad I went (and stayed). I just wish I could have avoided the awkward part at the beginning. So there you have it folks – the fabulous (real) life of a fashion blogger.

similar Shirt (on sale) // similar Skirt (on sale) // Bracelet // similar Bag // Lipstick “Orange de Chine”