White shirt week day 4

Tee: Target (gift from A)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Tank: Banana Republic
Belt: Etsy (don't remember which vendor and it was ages ago)
Leggings: Target (gift from my sister)
Earrings: Turkey
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy

It's the last installment of my white shirt challenge, y'all. I still have mixed feelings about this outfit, though I did feel like a dancer while I wore it (especially when I lost the cardigan when I hung around the house). Feeling like a dancer makes me happy because (a) I love dancing and (b) am OB.SESSED. with So You Think You Can Dance.


Of course, I'm a perfectly mediocre dancer so this about as close as I get to feeling like a real dancer - you know, piles of thin layers with some flowy pieces.


Y'all, my husband and I have the house to ourselves for the first time, in, oh, forever. We had seven people living in our house for most of the summer, which was sometimes nice but often overwhelming. Not that we didn't love our interns (we did), just that sometimes I'd like to live with just my husband and our pets.


We're on our own for the next two weeks and I'm. So. Excited.

Double take

Another twofer post!

First up: Friday 28 January.

All remixed except top/dress
Dress (worn as top): Vintage gift from B via Etsy (no idea which vendor)
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Ann Taylor
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Kohl's

I've found that when I pretty much live, work, eat, worship, and play in the same place, it's important to dress like you're for real going to work when it's time to work. It makes me at least a million times more productive.


I was way productive in this outfit. Like, so productive that we got stuff worked out for the school, talked housing options for colleagues, worked on scheduling...


...and climbed a fence. Yes, I'm so hard core that I climb fences in pencil skirts.

On Saturday, I opted for something a little more casual.

Shoes and earrings remixed
Sweater: F21 (about five years ago)
Jeans: LOFT - gift from my sister (she got them for $5; bargain shopping runs in our blood)
Shoes: Naturalizer
Earrings: Turkey

This look is about as simple as they come. I mean, it's jeans and a sweater. Y'all have NO IDEA how hard it's been for me to style these jeans, though. I spent waaaaay too long putting this look together, and then I wasn't even sure if I liked it or not.


B liked it, though, so we took some pictures when the sun came out. Y'all: this is the view from our front door. Those are volcanoes and mountains out there, and we just came from Philly - definite culture shock.


Pretty much, I have about three pairs of shoes that are appropriate for country life, and man, do I miss my heels. This is definitely an experience that's helping me to push my stylistic boundaries and find ways to reinterpret my style in a way that works out here in the mountains.

Wanna Be Style Blogger: M.

Happy Monday, y'all. I'm still buried under a backlog of outfit photos which will go up, you know, one day. When I'm not doing a million jobs. In the meantime, a facebook conversation and a few emails exchanged with one of my besties has inspired me to do a new feature, which I'm going to call

Wanna Be Style Blogger

I can't take credit for that name, it's actually the subject of the email she sent me - see why she's so wonderful?
Anyway, as a result of all the style blogs she's reading these days, mine included, M has been venturing out of her clothing comfort zone, and she wanted to share these adventures. In her words:

"I would just like to report to you that for the third day in a row I love my outfit....I also loved my outfit on Sunday which involved hot pink tights underneath black fishnetesque tights....Four outfits in one week that are exciting but involve things I already own?! It almost makes me want to start a style blog. But that might require me actually blogging."

So I thought, I could at least do one post for her. Y'all, meet M.


What I'm wearing:
Green and white tank: Old Navy
Blue tank: Old Navy
Cardigan: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Avenue*
Necklace: I made it myself
Ring: Baze Designs



*Ladies with wide feet and or larger calves RUN to Avenue. Seriously. I've literally been looking for boots since sometime in November and these are the first pair that I've found that fit properly. I always seem to get an image in my head of something and then I can't find it in stores. I even looked online and figured that if Zappos can't help me no one can. And then, cue heavenly music, I went in to Avenue and got these boots for $11.11! Eleven. Dollars. I know! They had huge sales going on for boots and shoes.





You can find Baze Designs on Facebook as well. This is a girl from my church who is only a senior in high school and has started her own craft business! She makes really cool stuff. I thought she had an online shop but it appears she does not. You could probably contact her though and ask her about shipping things to you.



I made myself do my hair a different way (speaking of which I am 100% naturally curly now! woot.).



*****

Also, since she's one of my besties, I'd like to add that M has an adorable Etsy shop where she sells aprons and baby quilts (my niece loves hers), is an occasional blogger, and sings me old Chicago or Usher songs as the need arises. Pretty much amazing.


So now, here is where I need your help:

If you're also a Wanna Be Style Blogger, contact me via facebook, twitter, or send me an email at francesjsantiago [at] gmail [dot] com with your story and pictures. 

It's all the fun of fashion and style blogging with none of the commitment!

200th Post Giveaway!

This is my 200th post, y'all, and for some reason, that seems like a good opportunity to do a giveaway.

And sorry to my international readers, but this one is only open to my US and Canadian readers.

So what do you win?

An item of your choosing from my Etsy shop Frances Joy Vintage!

You could choose this adorable nautical skirt:

Or these amazing wedges:


Or maybe this never worn vintage blouse:


Anything that's in the shop is fair game.

So how do you win?

Simple: Be a follower of Mad Dress Game and leave a comment telling me which item you want and a way to contact you.

Bonus entries:

• "Like" Mad Dress Game on facebook
• Follow @MadDressGame on Twitter

You've got until December fifth to enter. A winner will be announced on the sixth.

¡Suerte!

The Breakfast Club aka Outfit #3

All remixed
Skirt: Gap
Shirt: Thrifted
Cami: Petite Sophisticate
Belt: Target
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy
Earrings: Kohl's

I don't know what it is about this shirt that puts a pep in my step. Maybe it's the bright plaid, maybe it's the baggy cut, maybe it's the fact that it came to me with three missing buttons that I had to replace by hand. Wait, that last one doesn't even make sense. Anyway, I'm attached. I love this shirt.


It makes me do silly things like popping my collar. Kiku thinks I'm crazy, but I like it.


Also, I danced around in the kitchen like Molly Ringwald does in The Breakfast Club. You know the scene - don't act like you don't. B. was amused, Kiku still thought I was crazy.


Can we talk pictures? The larger pictures - too much? Sometimes when I look at my blog now, I'm all like, "Whoa, Frances, that's a whole lot of Frances there." But the others seemed a bit too small. Why is there no happy medium?! Unless this is it, and then I'll go with it.


Check out the other remixers!

Doubles

Another non-blogging weekend, but here's the update.

Friday:

All remixed
Jeans: Elle via Kohl's
Yellow tank: Banana Republic
White cami: Target
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy
Earrings: Turkey

I was really proud of this look because I managed to mix yellow with grey and to take a favorite tank from summer to fall. I love grey and yellow together - it's a little unexpected and always looks so fresh to me.


B. and I went out for Ethiopian food at Kaffa Crossing. It was delicious and also warmed our hearts because the owner started it as a development project. It's a bright spot in the neighborhood, but also supports development back in Ethiopia. And did I mention how amazing the food was? Like, really amazing. If you're ever in Philly, you should check it out. I love giving my money to companies like this. Win-win-win.


Did that feel like a Friend Friday flashback? Hmmm... I guess this is where I tell y'all that I received no compensation for that little blurb.

I have no pictures from Saturday - it was boring - y'all didn't miss anything.

Today:

All remixed except sweater
Sweater: H&M
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Belt: Target
Scarf: J Crew
Earrings: Turkey
Boots: Nine West

I am clearly obsessed with these boots and these earrings. And grey+yellow. Clearly. To be quite honest, I'm a little obsessed with this sweater as well. It's one of those pieces that I grab once I change out of my work clothes - you just haven't seen it before today.


B. and I went for a walk in the park this evening. It seems that fall is here in Philly. The weather has been amazing all weekend long and today's walk in the park was pretty and fun.


I'm really digging this look. I think it's the combination of items: the super casual, slouchy sweater with the business casual skirt; the rugged boots with the delicate scarf. It feels effortlessly put together.

Friday, I'm in love

All remixed except leggings
Cami: Target
Dress: Banana Republic Factory Store
Leggings: Target
Belt: came with a dress
Cardigan: Sonoma via Kohl's
Earrings: Kohl's
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy

Let me be honest. My pink for BBCA today was the pin on my denim jacket. I am lame. That said, I love this outfit. I feel a little bit like Lyddie from Chic on the Cheap in it. She does flowy and layers so well.


I'll confess that I wore my jacket most of the day because it was a touch chilly in the office. And because I love this jacket. Have I mentioned that? I'm a huge fan of this jacket.


I was hesitant to belt this cardigan because of the ruffle factor, but I decided just to go with it. What do y'all think? Is it too much crazy or is it just enough? I'm still not totally sure, but it was good to step out of my comfort zone and try something just a little different. Also, did y'all notice that I wore a color besides black? No? Hm.


Neither did Kiku, but that's because she's color blind. Can I just tell y'all that I am SO glad it's Friday? So glad I did a Friday dance. It looks like this:


I'm going to have to patent that awkward hands move.

Boho

All new, except sandals and earrings
Dress: Target
Bracelet: won in a giveaway from No Guilt Fashion (Yay! Thanks!)
Earrings: Something Like Laughter via Etsy
Sandals: Chinese Laundry

My hair was insanely cooperative yesterday. It was big and glorious (and freshly washed) so I just let it fly, which just added to the boho look I had going on with this dress.


This is the dress I got for $5 at Target. Five bucks! B. was impressed. He's also a big fan of the dress, which surprised me since he usually thinks that anything floral is "old lady". I felt so easy, breezy and beautiful in it and did I just pretty much use the Cover Girl slogan in a sentence? Oh, advertising....


This bracelet is sooo stinkin' pretty, too! When I got it in the mail, I knew I wanted to wear it with this dress on Saturday for the block party and shopping for travel related gear (glasses case, contact solution, converter, TSA approved everything...). It looks great with this dress, I think and was just right for the breezy boho look I was going for.

What. A. Day. aka Outfit #11

All remixed except belt
Dress: Target
Belt: Etsy, though I can't find the actual shop... :/
Sandals: Target
Earrings: New York & Co.
Bracelet: handmade by a girl from my parents' church

I had a terrible day. I didn't sleep well last night, and our landlady was supposed to come over at nine with some roofers to fix the leak that we discovered during the storms on Tuesday, and I barely dragged myself out of bed in time to wake up and get decent before they rolled up. My plan was to go to the gym, come back to an empty house, and get ready to go out to buy some sewing supplies. About that....


They actually needed me around to get stuff - old sheets, a vacuum cleaner, towels, etc. So I stayed. And stayed. And stayed.


And I was going to take a shower, but they'd opened the window in the bathroom and the shade was up too high - I couldn't reach it to close the window. And there was a man on the roof right outside the bathroom window. Awkward.


They didn't leave till 3:00. That's six hours. SIX HOURS! And the repair required the uncovering of an old skylight and the breaking of glass that ensured that my living room carpet would look like stinkin' Edward Cullen out in the sun. Y'all, I don't even LIKE Edward!


At least my lovely, non-sparkly husband took me out for some picture taking fun. They'll be back tomorrow at seven, but I will be making my escape. And then it's the weekend. Sweet, sweet weekend....