Rains and Lady Gaga

Turtleneck: Ann Taylor
Skirt: J Crew
Fishnets: Simply Vera via Kohl's
Booties: Aldo
Belt: Ann Taylor
Earrings: Kohl's
Brooch (on headband): gift from B's grandmother
Headband: gift from my mom

Y'all, this is not what people imagine me wearing when I tell them I live in Costa Rica. I mean, seriously. Cashmere? Turtleneck? Corduroy? Tights? Yes, please. Because it's freezing in the mountains as a general rule. So, I'm dressing for warmth.


The rains here have been the stuff of legend. It's rained pretty much straight for the last ten days, and it's been making the news because it's gotten so bad. Not sure how much coverage it's getting in the States, but it's crazy.


When I wore this to work, my students told me I looked like Lady Gaga, which made me question if they'd ever seen Lady Gaga's outfits because I look like a human and my heels aren't abnormally high. I thought maybe it was because of the big, shiny brooch on my headband (pinning something pretty on a simple elastic headband changes EVERYTHING!).


But no, they clarified that I only looked like Lady Gaga from the knee down. Scratch that, from knee to ankle. You know, Miss, because of those weird tights with the holes in them. Ah, of course. I get it now....

BBCA 5 - Friend Friday: Fall

Cardigan: J Crew
Shirt: Target
Cami: Target
Pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's
Scarf: vintage, thrifted
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Turkey

So this week for the visual Friend Friday, we're linking up our quintessential fall looks over at 260 Days, No Repeats. Of course, it's also the last day of my BBCA week, so my fall look also has a touch of pink.


I have to say that at this point, I consider myself an expert in fall looks. I've mentioned before that I live in the land of eternal fall, so I've built a lot of outfits around boots, cardigans, and scarves. To me, fall is about classic silhouettes, mixed neutrals, and piled layers.


I really like the simple white button up, navy chinos, and cognac flats, but I like them better with the purple cami, chartreuse cardigan, and patterned scarf. I love the pops of color peeking out, especially when all those pops serve to keep me warm.


Feel free to ignore my award winning under eye circles, mmkay? Let's talk about this scarf. How pretty are those pink and green and turquoise swirls? So pretty. Also, it keeps my ears warm and hides my crazy hair - both are bonuses in my world.

Piropos aka Outfit #8

All remixed except ring
Dress: Banana Republic
Belt: Target
Booties: Aldo
Earrings: Turkey
Ring: Swap with Kimmie via Ashley Getting Dressed

So I left the house feeling really good about my outfit. It's simple, and I love the booties with this dress. (Remember when I was afraid of wearing booties? Yeah, I'm getting over that fear.) I felt great in this outfit and I actually spent time on my hair, combing it out and doing a little fishtail braid.


And then I was leaving the office after volunteering this morning, and this guy was coming in. He was older and he looked pretty respectable, but then I walked past him and he was all like, "Hello, cutie."


"Hello, cutie"? I was already past him, but I totally turned to give him my best stink eye teacher look (believe, I've got a good one.) Because, really? Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I live in the hood where these types of comments are not that unusual. Also, I volunteer in a neighborhood that's predominantly Latino, and yes, "piropos" are part of the culture.


But here's the thing, no matter what the above link says, piropos are not always fun. In fact, they're rarely even clever. They remind me too much of when I was in middle school gym class and the boys would sit down to watch us run by and make comments about our recently developed butts and hips and breasts and then try to grab us in the hallways. This at a nice school in suburban Illinois, no less.


This is not the first time that something like this happens when I'm walking to and from work, and I'm certain it won't be the last, but it just annoyed me SO. MUCH. And it got me wondering what it is about my body and my face that makes men think I'm freakin' public domain. What gives these people the right to comment on my looks or my body or the way I walk? Would you do that to your mother, daughter, sister, friend?


I was telling B. the other day how often I avoid going out or going to certain places just because I am not in the mood to deal with such foolishness. And it makes me so mad. So, so mad because am I letting them win by staying in? Or am I claiming my own space and preserving my peace of mind? I can't decide. The only thing I do know is that I could go out in pajamas, in a tee and jeans, in a dress and heels, in yoga pants a tee and sneakers and the results are the same. Some days I can give the stink eye or say something like, "Aquí no se le perdió nada" (You didn't lose anything here so stop looking at me) or just ignore it. Other days, I just can't deal.


On a lighter note, treats always make Kiku dance.


Check out the other remixers.

Cowgirl

All remixed except sweater
Sweater: Banana Republic
Scarf: Target
Jeans: Banana Republic
Belt: Aeropostale - thrifted
Booties: Aldo
Bracelet: Banana Republic
Earrings: Turkey

I'm still slacking with BBCA, y'all. I promise that I will be wearing pink tomorrow, though. Promise.


Sal of Already Pretty mentioned fairly recently that in the fall her "alterego" switches from cowgirl to rocker. I think I pick up the cowgirl vibe in the fall. I mean, really. Have y'all seen the number of outfits I've built around denim and cowboy boots and jauntily tied scarves?


I feel like I went all out today with these jeans, the scarf, my booties, and that massive belt buckle. Also, this was my second outfit of the day. I originally got dressed to volunteer in something that was NOT cowgirly AT ALL but then there was no parking. And I drove around blocks and blocks for forty-five minutes and came home to run errands instead. Errands called for a more casual look, and apparently casual and Western go together in my head.


I'm digging the simplicity of the overall look and the interest of the blue and tan scarf with the black sweater. Isn't that breaking some kind of fashion rule?


Also, I managed to wear my booties again. My original plan was to roll up my pant legs a bit a la J Crew, but it didn't work with these jeans, so I just left it alone. I think it turned out okay, but I want to try that rolled up jeans look with the booties eventually.