Daily Outfit: Great Lengths

 

Grad school has been, admittedly, a lot tougher than I was expecting. I worked really hard to get into the program in the first place, so it feels strange complaining, but at the same time, that doesn't make it any easier! It's just a lot more work than I expected, but it's work I enjoy, so that helps a lot.

It's strange how much free time I had in high school and I didn't even use it! What did I do with my time? In undergrad, I piled on the hobbies and extra-curriculars. It's been tough to cut back to focus on school. I don't have time to work on costumes or hoop or take circus classes, not to mention money! When I do get time, I usually spend it blogging or vegging out. My brain is just fried.

I believe that in general, we can adapt to our commitments. I'm still waiting to adjust to handle my current workload a little better.

Outfit Details:

Blouse: H&M | Cardigan: Target | Necklace: The Limited (Similar)

Skirt: ModCloth (secondhand) | Belt: From another skirt (Similar) | Shoes: ModCloth

(Remember to use this link for $15 off your first ModCloth purchase!)

I was really, really looking forward to this Thanksgiving break, even though it isn't much of a break with the work I have due. At the same time, though, it'll be nice to spend time with my family and relax a little bit. I'm really yearning for winter break, which is our last long break until... um, next winter. Eek.

But you know what? I love my program, I love my cohort, and it's nice to only worry about school for the time being. It's fun to be able to wear whatever I want to classes again. I get to use my own grad school hashtag! And it's so awesome to get more and more involved in the digital media community here in Austin. I'm really lucky to have the opportunity to continue my education, especially in a program I love so much. And I'm even grateful that it's rigorous - that means I'm really getting my money's worth!

How have you been lately?

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Daily Outfit: (T)high Class

 

I finally knocked something else off my 21 Goals list - styling thigh high socks in an outfit! The verdict? I love them and now I want them in a million colors. These are from Sock It To Me, and are designed to be slouchy, which I think is cute, but they also stretch up to mid-thigh if desired.

 

I wore this outfit to give a presentation in class. I got the dress at Buffalo Exchange recently for not much at all, since the zipper was coming off of it, but I stitched it up and it's good as new. I feel like the more I say I don't like navy, the more pieces I add to my wardrobe.

Honestly, this outfit is a little out of my comfort zone. I assumed the first time I wore socks, I'd err on the side of caution and wear mostly neutrals, but not so! I loved pulling out these heels to match the splashes of red in the print, too.

Lately, my life has been devoted to grad school, but I've got some fun posts I'm working on, including a DIY flower crown tutorial. I also am working on a few behind-the-scenes things, so keep an eye out for layout changes (and a few secrets)!

Outfit Details:

Necklace: Forever 21 (Similar) | Dress: Tommy Girl (Thrifted) | Socks: Sock It To Me

Shoes: Chelsea Crew via ModCloth (use this link for $15 off your first purchase)

P.S. - What is up with the white balance on these photos? I apologize. I promise I didn't grow Daenerys hair overnight - I would have totally told you guys!

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Daily Outfit: Vintage '90s

When I had a little break from classes, I went to Houston for a few days. My friends back home took me to some cool stores, including a vintage consignment store where I picked up this dress. (I love resale stores - I even wrote a guide on secondhand shopping when I first started this blog!)

I found it interesting because the dress was labelled "Vintage '90s." Since I was born in the '90s, I guess I never picture that era being truly vintage, but the decade began over 20 years ago... Maybe I'm just in denial about aging! Either way, I adored this dress, despite the somewhat short cut in the front, because of the asymmetrical silhouette and excellent fit.

It was really difficult to photograph the asymmetrical hem and the way it moves, but I assure you, it was gorgeous. I felt like a witch from American Horror Story: Coven all day (I don't watch the show, but I assume they feel confident and sassy. I could be totally wrong). 

It's still a little too warm to add a lot of accessories, but I'm excited to see this dress make reappearances later in the fall and winter.

Outfit Details

Dress: Secondhand (similar print) | Tights: Urban Outfitters | Boots: Madden Girl via Lulu*s

What do you consider "vintage"?

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Daily Outfit: Oh, Deer!

Happy belated Halloween! My Halloween celebration was a little bit late this year, but I didn't mind - it gave me extra time to get my costume together! I've been hinting at it for a while now, so I'm happy to finally share it with you all. I have been loving the deer/fawn makeup that has been going around the internet so I decided to be a fawn girl myself. I'm really pleased with the results!

This costume was really all about the makeup, so I wanted to do a few more things to make it special. I made my flower/leaf crown (here's a tutorial!), ordered a brown wig, and wanted a Mori Kei vibe with the outfit. I love the layers and forest-dweller feel of Mori Kei, so I thought it'd work out perfectly. I don't see myself in these photos at all, so I'd say it's a success!

For the makeup, I used some videos on YouTube and just searched the "deer makeup" tag on Tumblr for inspiration. I used different colors of bronzer and highlighting powder from e.l.f. to create a gradient effect, with the darkest parts on my cheeks and around my eyebrows. The white spots and my lips and nose are done with colors from a face paint kit. Finally, a ton of eyeliner and fluffy fake eyelashes complete the look. 

I used these EcoTools lashes because I got them as a Klout perk - score! - but I'm sure it'd look good with any lashes you happen to have. I must say these EcoTools lashes were really easy to use! I think when you are wearing heavy eyeliner, fake eyelashes make a huge difference. Otherwise your eyelashes just blend into your liner!

I actually ordered giant brown circle lenses to wear, but they didn't arrive in time. I want to revisit this deer idea in the future - maybe for a convention - and I'll definitely use the lenses for big doe eyes. In addition, I made antlers for my headband, but they were too fragile and wouldn't stay attached. I'd love to find a way for that to work next time, though I'm very pleased with the results of the look overall!

Outfit Details:

Flower crown: DIY | Wig: Lockshop | Sweater: The Limited (Similar)
Lace cardigan: Forever 21 (Similar) | Belt: Forever 21
Dress: Bodyline (secondhand) | Shoes: DSW

What was your Halloween costume?

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Daily Outfit: Maiden Braidin'

I typically do one or two outfit posts per month, but since style is an important piece of my self-confidence, I want to place more emphasis on it. I feel my best when I am confident in how I look, and it's so much easier to see what looks good and what needs improvement when you document it in photos! So, that being said, expect a few more outfit posts around here.

If you've never tried taking outfit shots, you definitely should. It's a huge help to learning how to dress your particular body. As an added bonus, you can also refer to your previous outfits when you're stumped about what to wear! I actually refer to my own blog all the time. I'm pretty certain most bloggers do.

My favorite thing lately has been collecting cat clothing pieces. I am pretty confident in my crazy cat lady ways! This sweater is super soft and warm (in fact, a little too warm for the weather right now.) I almost didn't buy it, but I'm so glad I did. I think I'll get a lot of use out of it, especially as it gets cooler.

The outfit itself is a little vanilla, but I knew I'd be wearing my hair in maiden braids, so I didn't want to be too over the top. I love how maiden braids accent my somewhat-ombre hair. A few months ago I asked for an ombre to lighter blonde instead of highlights. That way, I could grow out my natural color and wait longer before getting my hair done. It's taken a while for it to grow out and have the full effect, but I really love it now. 

Outfit Details:

Earrings: Lulu*s (similar) | Sweater: ModCloth (use this link for $15 off your first purchase)

Jeans: Express | Flats: Steve Madden

It's also funny how deceptively simple maiden braids are. They are my go-to if my hair doesn't look good enough to stay down, but I don't have time or a need for a shower... but every time I wear my hair this way, I get compliments about how "fancy" it looks! Too funny!

Do you take outfit photos? If so, do you find them useful?

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Daily Outfit: The Cat's Meow

October is drawing to a close, and we are finally experiencing some fall-type weather here in Texas! You know what that means -- warm drinks, fuzzy pajamas, and sweaters! Until I'm shivering and forced to wear layer after layer, I'll enjoy the cooler weather and the style options it gives me.

School has started up again for me (our classes are only 7 weeks, then a mini-break) and I can already tell this quarter will be a doozy! But I'm excited. I love my program and my cohort, so even though it'll be tough, it's worth it.

I've been carrying my school stuff in my new cat purse. It's really the perfect size! I got a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet as a Klout Perk (I know, I'm still in shock), so now that I don't have to carry around my bulky laptop, it fits everything I need. I love how quirky it is, and I'm getting compliments every time I go out. At least, I assume they are compliments. They might just be comments, considering how weird it is! I keep collecting novelty cat items lately.

Outfit Details

Necklace: H&M (Similar) | Sweater: Pim Kie (Europe trip) 

Skirt: ModCloth (use this link for $15 off your first purchase)

Bag: TaoBao (secondhand) | Shoes: Steve Madden

I'm counting down the days until Halloween - I can't wait to share my Halloween costume with you guys!

How's the weather where you are?

P.S. - You have a few more days to enter the Game of Thrones and Sailor Moon stationery giveaway! Also, definitely check out #SailorMoonOfThrones - hilarity!

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