To the Tipping Point

 

No one likes to admit that they've bitten off more than they can chew. As somebody who is still in the Type A Overachiever mindset, though I'm now more of a Type B archetype, I can't help but want to do more and do it better. So this semester I piled on a few more extracurriculars, forgetting that I barely blogged in the Fall.

 

But this time is different. No really--it's all in the name of posting more, and better. Somewhere  in-between slumber party 2006 reunions and spring cleaning I managed to sign up for a photography class.

Since the last time I dabbled in any kind of artsy snapshot taking was back in high school (and on film!), and because bien sur, I need more hobbies, I decided to go for it. I'm slowly learning what the extra buttons (that don't exist on my other camera) on my fancy new doohickey are for, and in the process maybe you won't have to squint so hard to see what I'm wearing.

Outfit details:

• Target long and lean tank
• Secondhand J. Crew jean jacket (get a current version here)
• Anthropologie Viola brand skirt (from 2007? 2008?) (similar styles: here, here, and here)
• Swedish Hasbeens Peep toe Super High in Mustard 

And also I just wanted to check in with you chickadees. Because if I don't post soon I worry that I will be inundated with frustrated facebook messages (it's happened!), here's a Jinah off-blog-duty outfit. Glasses, no makeup, slightly rumpled--this is what I look like in real life. Which is why you have probably never recognized me on the street. I'm kidding. Well, sort of.

Wendybirds for this Ladybird

 

Confessions of a shopaholic: I got new shoes. I mean, yeah, this is a fashion blog, and buying things to keep the sartorial wheels turning makes sense. But I feel like adding anything new to my already stuffed full closet is silly. Especially with all of my talk about dehoarding, I can't help but feel guilty flashing something new on the blog.

I had to talk myself through the shoe purchase. Like some of you have heard/read me mention before, I have been waiting for these frippin' frappin' shoes to be released all year. I even allotted a chunk of my tax return towards saddle shoe acquisition.

And I'd like to think that while I am materialistic and maximalistic, I get a lot of use out of certain closet additions. Considering the shoes arrived on Friday, and I've worn them three times since then, I think they're going to be a solid addition.

 

And though I don't immediately reach for red shoes to anchor an outfit, I've found they go with so much! Red adds just the right amount of drama that works for date nights and is still appropriate for the classroom and the office.

 

I mean, what better to accent an otherwise basic outfit?

 

Not to mention, every time I peer at my toes, I can't help but bust into a smile!

Outfit details:

• Anthropologie A-Bit-Unruly top by Deletta (looooove this thing!)
• J. Crew Jackie cardigan (try your local store for more color variety--mine usually has more or different shades than available online)
• J. Crew Scout chino (similar styles: here, here, and here)
• Bass loves Rachel Antonoff Wendybird loafer
• Fieldguided thunder in our hearts tote
• J. Crew Timex traveler watch

Boyfriend approved and cruise/cubicle/campus-ready, I think these will be my go-to over any sandal through Spring and Summer.

Spring in my Step

 

I know I've been whining--I'm hardly a fan of the pants, tights, or socks that cold weather can require. Seriously! I'm like a grumpy toddler when it comes to wearing socks. I want to tear them things off immediately, nevermind how cold my feet are.

So when it finally warmed up (for good!) in Atlanta, I whooped and pulled out my favorite sundresses. And what better says sun and cheer than a golden yellow?

Okay sure, I'm squinting from the powerful glare of the sun, but trust me, I'm smiling, not grimacing in pain.

Oh and did I tell you I got the best tote ever? It's my new favorite and now I want to hoard all the other styles.
 

Outfit details:

• Lenora Dame bird necklace
• Vintage whistle necklace (get your own here and here)
• Anthropologie Vappu Dress (from 2010--snag a similar one here, here, or here)
• Anthropologie equestrian waist belt (from 2008? They make a similar one almost every year. If you need an immediate fix, try this one)
• Anthropologie Cartography Cardigan (from 2010)
• Fieldguided thunder in our hearts tote
• Bensimon laceups in navy
• *Essie nailpolish in Greenport

Hope everyone is off to a great week! Somehow midterms have rolled around again in Jinah land, so I'll be hitting the books. Ahh well. One more month till Summer vacation and you guys can see my mug all day every day!

I Got Some Troubles But They Won't Last, Or Happy St. Catrick's Day

I have Christina (of Down and Out Chic) to thank for this post, which ultimately led to the discovery of this dress. I've been on the hunt for the perfect quirky vintage dress with a cat print for ages and ages. When this little number popped up in the Old Age Vintage shop, my heart skipped a beat.

 

When it arrived on my doorstep this afternoon, I knew it would be the perfect piece for today--I wouldn't have to sacrifice my ensemble for the sake of the holiday. Good thing, too, considering I work right smack in the middle of so so many bars and restaurants, and boy do Decatur-ites know how to celebrate!

To be extra festive, we were handing out these silly glasses with purchase. A perfect accessory for the beer gourmand or the festival frequenter.

Outfit details:

Vintage dress from oldage on Etsy (similar here)

Anthropologie Looping Lanes belt (similar styles: here, here, and here)

Anthropologie Maiden's Braid Cardigan (similar styles: here and here)

Bass loves Rachel Antonoff Matilda oxfords

J. Crew Trouser Socks

Alex and Ani assorted bangles

J. Crew Timex Traveler watch 

All silliness aside, I hit a major bump in my day immediately after snapping these photos. My brain must be turned off, because I took a mental shortcut and got my camera remote and my car key confused. Okay, maybe I'll give myself some slack. They are both small black objects. I guess.

And then I managed to lock my keys, camera, lunch, and house keys in the trunk of the car. Much to my chagrin, the outfit I was so excited about earlier quickly become embarrassing as I walked to the neighbor's to use their telephone. 

I managed to get over the paranoia that the neighbors thought I was "that weird girl who likes cats" from next door. Though it did take some time and a bubble tea to smooth over.

So all in all, it ended up being a Happy St. Catrick's Day. How was yours?

In the Closet Archives: Leifsdottir

Outfit details:
Leifsdottir Buckminster's Reverie Tieback (similar vibe: here, here, and here)
Madewell High Riser jeans
J. Crew double breasted cardigan (similar styles: here and here)
Steve Madden Shakeit boots (similar styles: here, here, and here)
Anthropologie Ampliacion necklace (similar here)
J. Crew Timex traveler watch

Even in my first post about Leifsdottir back in 2008, I was already obsessing over this top. By the time I finally purchased it (on sale, during a special discount period when I still was an Anthro employee), it had been months of  wishful thinking. And so, finally in my clutches, I did what any hoarder would do: stuffed it in the back of my closet, never to be seen again.

Okay okay, to be fair, I wore it once and had it dry cleaned. But really, it was due time to take it back out for a spin. I have a hard time giving up my "special" pieces--this one's special since it's from the very first season Leifsdottir was around.

Is anyone else doing a sartorial spring clean? I'm unearthing treasures galore, how about you?

Basic Glamour

Outfit details:
J. Crew I heart chambray shirt
J. Crew Scout Chino (from last year--this year's available here)
Kate Spade idiom bangles
Crewlet necklace
Chloe sunglasses

Channeling a bit of Elaine (of Clothed Much) today and borrowing her pairing of chambray shirts with a fun necklace. She has a knack for making an outfit of basic pieces into something more jazzy with a little bit of ingenuity--the girl's got scarf tying, creative belting, and remixing down to a science.

Even with this source for inspiration and sartorial esteem boost, it still didn't seem like enough. Wearing my old nemesis, the khaki pant, I couldn't help but immediately worry that I looked dowdy or matronly. So I grabbed a handful of the most glamorous accessories I could find--big cat eye sunnies, bright and shiny bangles. Paired with the heart on my chest, it was finally enough to feel myself.

She's a Keeper: Reed Shirtdress

Outfit details:
Madewell polka dot scarf (a dead ringer right here)
Anthropologie Reed Shirtdress (similar here, here, and here)
American Apparel cotton spandex jersey unitard (worn as leggings/underlayer)
Madewell Heritage Waist Belt
Frye Rider Spur inside-zip boots
Mulberry Alexa Bag
J. Crew Timex traveler watch
Alex and Ani mixed bangles 

Pulled out one of my favorite oldies but goodies for a spin. The quintessential shirtdress. As far as the closet cleanout project is coming along, I feel like I'm hardly making a dent in decluttering my closet. Oh well--at least I'm figuring out early on what needs to stay. And I'm lucky enough to have some (ahem, eager) younger sisters who are the same size to demand some new hand-me-downs to take home.

Typically I only wear one piece at a time that I really love mixed in with other pieces that I just like.  For a change I did the total opposite, and I've got to say, getting dressed head to toe in things I really love makes the whole day so much better. It also doesn't hurt that I was festooned in preppy/equestrian/western/bandit gear. Ready to break some hearts and take some names.

Happy Friday y'all!

What I Wear on Non Blog Days...

Outfit details:
Crewlet plaid flannel shirt (similar here, here, and here)
J. Crew Jackie cardigan in burnished olive
J. Crew denim Minnie pants (try your local J. Crew Factory store or these alternatives: here and here)
Toms classic slip on in Ash

As much as I'd like to have you all believe I'm dressed to impress all 7 days of the week, most of my days I'm clad in something much more work friendly. Since I'm trying to get into the habit of having my camera on me more often, here's an Amber's Notebook style peek into my day-to-day.

It's a Jellyfishfaire Affair!

Meet my new girlcrush and sponsor: Cindy Hsu!

Cindy has a great eye for aesthetic beauty, and manages to capture perfect moments with her photography skills. She just started up jellyfishfaire to sell her photographic prints, which are all dreamy, soft focused, in pastel hues.

I think her aesthetic is very much for the Anthropologie girl. Perfect in a whitewashed room styled French country, n'est-ce pas?

Visit her shop at jellyfishfaire. Cindy's offering 15% off her prints to all bonjour! readers with the code"bonjour." She also has an especially cute blog!

Lost Time, Less Stuff

Outfit details:
Anthropologie Clinton Trench (similar options: here, here, and here)
Anthropologie A-Bit-Unruly top
Anthropologie Lost Time skirt
Bass Enfield oxfords in Hemp/Cocoa
J. Crew Timex traveler watch 

I am still slowly and painfully working through my belongings, trying to lighten the load and finally shake the title of "hoarder extraordinaire." As for how that applies to the closet? I've decided it's use it or lose it.

A little red flag started frantically waving in the back of my mind when my favorite, most maximalist friend revealed that her method to approaching her wardrobe was that anything goes, as long as she had less stuff than I did. My eyes widened and I shrieked back at her, "Mine too! With your closet! We need an intervention!"

And so, in a frantic attempt to continue to hoard my favorite past hits, I returned a slew of new items that weren't nearly as near and dear to me, and am pulling some oldies but goodies back into rotation. Thus, the skirt and jacket. The top, admittedly a new addition, matches with 95% of my skirts, so it stays.

Hello, my name is Jinah, and I am a shopaholic.

Let's Call this the Comeback: Target Designer Collective

Longtime readers will recall my excitement and obsession over past Target GO! International collaborations. To celebrate the success of the GO! series over the past five years, Target will be rereleasing 34 dresses from past collections ranging across 17 designers this month.

I've been waiting with baited breath to see which dresses I passed on made the cut. Even the March magazine ads gave little clues as to whether I would be able to snag some goodies I left behind the first time.

As it turns out, no, the peter pan collar Erin Fetherston dresses didn't make the cut, but the four above did. From left to right: Alice Temperley swiss dot dress, Erin Fetherston bunny print dress, Proenza Schouler bustier dress, Erin Fetherston ruffle tiered dress. Needs them all. I'll race you all to the Buckhead Target on March 13th to fulfill my closet dreams.

Read the Target press release or check out Wendy's take on nitrolicious for more info.

In Like a Lion...

Outfit details:
Anthropologie Ampliacion necklace (dead ringer right here)
J. Crew Jackie cardigan
Anthropologie Ambling Twists tank (snag a similar top here or here)
Marimekko Abstract Greenery skirt (similar vibe here and here)
Boutique 9 Gilla sandals (this season they are also available in natural and a yummy green!)
J. Crew Timex traveler watch 

Spring Break is continuing to roll along very peacefully. It's bare legs weather, and I've managed to pencil in all of my favorite activities--crafternoooning, slumber partying, thrifting, classic film viewing, ice cream tasting, and not to mention gumbo eating are all on the agenda.

This skirt doesn't get to make it out more often as I can rarely figure out what top to pair with it. Since I am slowly building my grey/white/beige/ivory neutral top collection, wearing separates is becoming more of a breeze. Grounded with shades of yellow gold, this marimekko print beat out a "I have nothing to wear" morning.

And before we both forget--you've got just about 10 hours left to enter the $100 Shopbop giftcard giveaway! Bonne chance, all!