OOTD: Numero Uno!

This is my first Outfit of the Day (OOTD for any of you newbies to the fashion blogging phenomena, like me up until a few weeks ago) post and I feel like a kid in a candy store!  Rather, a grown woman in a fabulous clothing store littered with big red “Sale” signs.  I am as giddy as can be!  Although I started this blog a little while ago, I’ve been biding my time scouring my fellow fashion bloggers’ sites on proper documentation of said outfits.  (Not exactly sure if it’s proper etiquette to call those fashion bloggers I follow religiously ‘fellow bloggers’ as they’re fashion gods and I am a lowly fashion slave).  Some beauties will do weekly posts to recap their outfits for each day of the week; others will post whenever they can; and some really dedicated lovelies will post daily with detailed information of the 5 W’s.  But all of them give great information about their outfits, why they like it, where they bought different pieces and the like.  While I am not exactly sure how the Sassy Bangs Blog will turn out, I’m just going to dive right in and hope for the best!

As you will start to see in time, I live for love and seriously cannot do without being one of those women who matches.  Yes, I, Jennifer, am a Miss Matchity Match Matchy Pants and I cannot help it.  I think those who can throw caution to the wind and pair jade heels with a solid orange blouse (with no pieces to compliment the colors) are bold, daring and absolutely incredible.  However, I am not so bold and daring and would only use that combination if I had a stellar patterned skirt to pick up those near-clashing colors, or a great statement necklace or wide belt that would marry the two colors together - in which case, shut it down! Love it!  But I just can’t bring myself to wear an outfit of two very distinct pieces without some sort of combining factor.  Just.  Cannot.  Do.  It.

So my OOTD (and most of the subsequent OOTDs) is an example of my take on how to marry very different, bold colors, patterns and textures together in a union that is rock solid head-to-toe.

Warning: as a young newlywed (2 years!), collegiate, full-time working, new house owning, Chicagoan most of my pieces are not brand new, in fact, the vast majority of my wardrobe is comprised of pieces I’ve had for years and that I’ve been collecting since I was quite young.  As a matter of a fact, I am still wearing things that I purchased when I was even as young as 12 and some younger (almost embarrassing to admit...).  So maybe this blog will also help you understand how to pick pieces with staying power. I am also a very thrifty person and even if I can afford something at its full price, if I don’t want to pay that dollar amount for it, I’m not going to.  I’m a patient shopper who knows what she likes who is also a tight butt.

Now! Onto the outfit! (You’ll also learn I’m a novelist... aka, you have to read to get to the good stuff).

9.7.2011

Chocolate Sweater: H&M (circa winter 2007)

Salmon Tank: F21 (summer 2003ish?)

Tan Dress Pants: ?? Good question

Dark Brown Patent Leather Shoes: Charlotte Russe (2006)

Salmon/Pink/Clear Beaded Gold Necklace: Charming Charlie (2011 - YES! It’s new!!!!)

Chocolate Croc Leather Purse: NY & Co (2008)

Now that you’ve had a good look at my Miss Matchity Match Pantsness, I hope you have a better idea of what I’m talking about.  Yes, this isn’t the most innovative outfit, but it’s a beautiful way to 1) showcase a new necklace; 2) be office appropriate; 3) stay warm in this newly freezing weather (hello! It’s only September 7th and already it’s 55 out!?!?) and finally 4) marry blocks of color together.

Originally, I put on a long, gold Tank under the brown sweater (which quite honestly is fine on its own) but it just didn’t look right.  The small hint of salmon ties the necklace into the outfit and to me, makes it complete.  The hints of gold in the necklace are married with the matching tones on the faux croc leather purse, which is tied to the snake skin animal print watch that picks up the second pink color in the necklace.  The dark heels help ground the light bottom half of the outfit by bringing out the dark top.

I realize chocolates, tans and variations of pinks aren’t necessarily the most innovative of color combinations, but the entire outfit is thoughtful and an appropriate nod to the impending changing of the seasons.

Thanks for reading, dolls!

xoxo

A 3 a.m. Ingenious Idea - Welcome to My Sassy Bangs Blog

Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough?

For some, that might be time and for others, that might be money (and probably for the vast majority of us, it's a little bit of both - or a lot a bit). Maybe there's not enough time in the day to sleep/get the chores done/make even a dent on work at the office/study for classes (or write witty or naively awful blog posts at 3 in the morning).

But for me, right now, I just feel like I don't have enough stuff. (My husband might have a heart attack if he reads this, so we'll just keep that gem of information between us). And yes, even I realize the ridiculousness of that statement. I'm a 23-year-old who has an addiction to collecting stuff to the point that you might consider it TLC Hoarders worthy. 

Ok, honestly, I'm not that bad. Really, I'm not that bad. But sometimes I just feel like there isn't enough. 

So what kind of stuff is it that I'm missing? I'm talking about wardrobe pieces, of course!

I have a lot of clothing and a lot of purses and way too many shoes (I just sinned) and just quite possibly too much jewelry. But the fact that I get up 15 minutes early every morning to stare at my closet and just feel like I have nothing to wear and end up spending 45 minutes trying to get dressed because nothing looks right and I don't have the right shoes/accessories to match that skirt or I don't feel like this top is quite as flattering as I thought but then change my mind because for crying out loud, I work with engineers meaning I work in an office full of 60+ year old men who wouldn't know what a peep toe pump was if their failing bridge depended on it, which if you know anything about engineers is darn near more precious than their beating hearts is a thought that's been downright plaguing me lately. It's a power struggle between my logical head and my irrational heart strings. (However my 'logical' brain has been leading me down a less than rational road lately). Have you ever just wished you had more shoes? Or even if you just lusted after finding a perfect pair of amazing shoes that just seem to make an everyday outfit sing? Yes, I can admit it, I do that. A lot. This coming from the girl who owns 90+ pairs of shoes - so I can admit how pathetic it sounds. 

But haven't you ever been struck with a sudden lightning bolt of outfit inspiration and pure genius only to realize that you don't have the right skinny belt to put over that oh-so-cute cardi that just happens to be a perfect contrast to those booties you just bought?! Sigh.

Honestly, there just isn't enough. 

I can't get enough of skinny belts lately, or the color navy (especially when paired with bright, sunny yellow), and I'm absolutely LUSTING after cardigans and fun blazers as fall is fast approaching (gag). I guess at the end - or beginning - of the day, when I look in my humble closet absolutely chocked full of clothes, I feel a tad bit disappointed with all the basics I feel I'm lacking. Belts, basic shoes, skirts, pants, tops, dresses, etc. And the basics are the hardest to find.

What are your wardrobe staples and basics that you couldn't live without?  Any suggestions on what I should be coveting (and when I should just cut the crap and actually purchase these little babies to add to my stupidly big wardrobe)?

Since I have been so addicted to fashion blogs as of late (thanks, Holly!), I decided to start one of my own to chronicle my fashion journey, get your opinions on my dos (and please, PLEASE don't ever do that agains), and speak openly and freely about what I'm loving (and loathing) in fashion. Because, let's face it, I'm a pretty straightforward girl with a new set of sassy bangs who knows what she likes/loves/hates and who has a whole lot of opinions to share with the entire group of 0 followers of this new project.

So here it is - My Sassy Bangs Blog.