Green

Sweater: Target
Dress: Target (gift from my mom)
Belt: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden (gift from my mom)
Earrings: Turkey

Seriously? How did I end up wearing so much Target? I don't even know. But I guess that's okay because B picked this outfit out and if he'd wanted more variety in clothing sources, he'd have made it happen, right?


He loves this sweater, and I love it in theory. What I mean is that I love it when it's on, but it's not the thing that I reach for when I'm getting dressed. I don't know why because the silhouette is perfect and the color is so much fun. I should be reaching for it more often, am I right?


I'm glad B helps me to get some use out of this particular item, though. Any outfit suggestions for this sweater?


Also, I asked my mom for some flat shoes so I can keep walking to school when our car breaks down (it's at least once a month, y'all) and she sent me these and the oxfords I've already shown off. Cute, right? I'm pretty smitten.

Break.

I'm not hiding, I'm just visiting B's family in the States....

FFB: Dating and Relationships

Y'all, I'm going to start by telling you this is going to be a long post. Both B and I wrote for it, which is why it's going to be long. On the plus side, there are pictures (that you can click on to enlarge)!
Now that that's out of the way, for this month's Feminist Fashion Bloggers post, we're tackling dating and relationships. I was trying and trying to think of something to blog about regarding this topic. I briefly thought of having B pick out my outfit, except remember how I hired him to be my stylist and he did an amazing job? He knows what I like to wear. That got me thinking about the things I like that he doesn't (skinny jeans, for example) and that led to this post: a his and hers top five looks.
So here's B's take on the whole idea:

So, Frances asked me to pick five of my favorite outfits from her blog and write a little about why I like them. This is difficult because I like a lot of them and I don't know much about fashion, so my reasons generally consist of "she looks hot in it." But I will give it a try and see how it goes.

And now, the outfits in no particular order:

His & Hers (originally seen here)

His Take: I like this one because it's a good mix of things that make it interesting. The booties and the purple corduroy skirt (yes it's corduroy) are businesslike with a little sexy. After that it gets crazy with the big belt buckle and the leopard print shirt. I like the combination.
Her Take: I like this look because of the mixed neutrals, my favorite booties, a pop of animal print, a crazy belt, and my amazing hair. It was comfortable, functional, and pretty. Win, win, win. (And yeah, we totally picked the same look...)

                
His (originally seen here)             Hers (originally seen here)
His take: I like this one because I love the yellow dress/skirt, I like it when my wife wears bright colors. The colors are simple and the tank top shows off her, um, endowment. And the bracelet is just fun.
Her take: I love the fifties bombshell vibe this look has going on. The color combination isn't too crazy, but it is a little unexpected, especially with the navy shoes. It is a dreamy look that I miss now that we're living in the mountains.

                                   
His (originally seen here)                                Hers: (originally seen here)
His take: This outfit is definitely my favorite! I'm a big fan of the booties and I really like the leopard print skirt, it fits well and shows off her legs. Also one of my favorite blouses, it's a little classy and also very sexy. Once again, I love bright colors on my wife and the blue sweater is a great color for her while not covering up the rest of the outfit too much. And the earrings we bought in Turkey - good memories.
Her take: How could I go wrong with a jersey wrap dress, black and brown, and my favorite booties? I felt so comfortable, beautiful, and powerful in this look. Also, can I just take a minute to say that I also love the look that B picked? That's a great outfit and definitely high on my list of favorite posts.

                        
His (originally seen here)                      Hers (originally seen here)
His take: What can I say, this is crazy and fun. No one around here wears anything like this and it shows how far my wife has come in her confidence in herself and what she wears.
Her take: This outfit was pretty revolutionary for me. It was quite fitted on top and on bottom, there were jeans involved, and my hair was huge. There was no hiding in this outfit and I felt so amazingly confident and - dare I say it? - sexy in it. Plus, it reminded me of something my mom had worn about thirty years ago so there was that whole family connection going on.

                           
His (originally seen here)                        Hers (originally seen here)
His take: This is in the running for my most favoritest as well. The grey heels are possibly my favorite shoes and I don't get to see them too often up here in the mountains. I also love this blouse, it's work-safe and smokin' hot at the same time. I like the elephant earrings because I know they're some of Frances's favorites. And I always like her hair up better than down (apologies to her mom...). The whole outfit is classic-looking but she also looks hot in it :)
Her take: Yeah, this might feel like cheating because it looks a whole lot like the third outfit on this post, but y'all, I like dresses, I like black and brown, and I like these booties. When something works, it just works. Also, my first fishtail braid looks pretty good and I really like that post.

My conclusion? B picked some really good looks - outfits that I felt beautiful and confident and even creative in.  Also, he apparently thinks I'm pretty good looking (which is fine; I think he's pretty smokin', too). Do I think there are some huge differences between our choices? I noticed that he picked a lot of recent looks, but there's not so much of a difference in style.  I think that's because B knows me and my style really well and he likes it (except for my penchant for skinny jeans).

How about y'all? Any favorite looks? Would your partner have chosen super different looks than you?

Welcome to Americana

B and I had our first date day in six weeks this past weekend. Six. Weeks. Yeah.... Let's not let that happen again, mmkay? I mean, it's not even like we have kids to keep us from having couple time. There is just no excuse for that kind of foolishness.
Except for, you know, work....


We went to Alajuela to hit up some Americanas. We stumbled into one that's probably my new favorite - the prices and the selections were AMAZING. B was sold because, Michigan boy that he is, he stumbled across a Pistons' jersey.
We don't talk much about the Pistons because I spent nearly nine years in the Chicago area and that's a sore spot for him. (We can agree on the Celtics though, and that's important.)


He also found this ridiculous Speed Racer jacket. I mean, really....


I was lucky enough to find this pink polyester jumpsuit which I would have gotten if it hadn't (a) been meant for someone six inches taller and (b) had a huge stain on the back of one leg. Even though it was a whopping $.80, I couldn't take the chance when it needed so much work.


We also went to the mall for crepes (mine was Nutella filled because I have an addiction that needs to be fed, okay?) and a movie.


B's crepe was fruit and whipped cream filled and came with ice cream. He thinks he made the better choice, but I beg to differ....

Random numbers

Blazer: Apt. 9 via Kohl's
Tee: Ann Taylor
Skirt: Target
Booties: Aldo
Earrings: Target

So let me tell you about how this outfit came together. It went a little something like this:
Me: Hey, B, why don't you pick out my outfit for tomorrow?


B: Okay, choose the fourth item from the end....
Me: Which end? (Can you tell I'm really uninspired these days?)
B kindly pointed out the far end of the closet.


I pulled out the black blazer.
Me: Okay, I can't wear this by itself.
B: Wear it with the eleventh item from the end, not counting the one I just picked.
And the leopard print skirt was the eleventh item.


B: You should wear that with a white shirt.

And a new way of picking out my clothes is born.

Happy birthday to me!

Dress (worn as skirt): Target
Tee: J Crew
Scarf: Covered Ladies Designs
Earrings: Turkey
Belt: Target
Booties: Aldo

Confession: B picked this outfit out, too; I'm too lazy to dress myself. Either that, or I just hired myself a stylist.


It's my birthday today.  I'm turning twenty-nine, and yes, I did just tell the internet that I am a year shy of thirty.  Y'all can go ahead and tell me how young I look; I get it all the time. Since I missed my blogiversary (bad blogger), I thought my birthday would be a good time to think about the past and future of Mad Dress Game.


For one thing, my pictures have definitely gotten better since my first post. For another, I've gotten a bit more creative in my mixes, have "met" a lot of people, and have drastically reduced my wardrobe.



I'm also going to tell myself that my poses have improved.... And that makes me think about the future. Just go with it, because we all know that was a terrible transition sentence. Anyway, as I think about the future of Mad Dress Game, I know I want to do a few things in the next year.


For one, I'd like to revamp the blog - maybe a "hire-a-professional" kind of revamp. For another, I'm thinking of doing a feature focusing on teachers who style/fashion blog (if you'd be about it, let me know and I'll email you.)  I want to really want to focus on getting the most out of my limited wardrobe while I'm here in Costa Rica - that might involve some remixing and creative layering challenges. I want to be a blog where women (and men) who can't shop - for whatever reason - can be inspired to work their closets.


Also in mind for the future of Mad Dress Game: more awkward hands and goofy faces.

B strikes again

Blouse: Ann Taylor
Cami: Target
Sweater: Target
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Nine West
Bracelet: gift from friends
Earrings: Sarchí, Costa Rica
Sunnies: Puerto Rico
Watch: Coleman via Target

B dressed me again. I was honestly skeptical about pairing this ruffly blouse with the wrap sweater, but the man's got a good eye. I mean, am I right? Isn't that a great pairing?


I love the bright shade of green of the sweater, but I've never layered it this way because I'm (a) a creature of habit and (b) not that creative. I like the way it turned out, and I might try it again.


He's getting good at this, y'all. He's still a tee shirt and jeans kind of man, but he's developing quite the eye for what works for me. Can I tell y'all how wonderful he is? So many levels of wonderful.

Styled by B

Top: New York & Co.
Skirt: J Crew
Belt: Banana Republic
Cami: Target
Booties: Aldo
Bracelet: Sarchí
Earrings: Kohl's

Y'all, I have barely been able to get dressed this week. Putting outfits together felt like a chore. So, I did what anyone else would do: I asked B to pick out my outfit. And this is what he picked - including shoes and bracelet, not including earrings and belt.


My students were all like, "You look so elegant!" And then I told them that B picked out my outfit and they were amazed. Amazed! I have to say I was pretty impressed myself. It's very me and I like the pop of yellow in the bracelet against the plum of the skirt.


Have any of y'all had your husbands or boyfriends style you? How did they do? I'm thinking I might need to have B style me more often...


Also, get a load of that blogger bun! My hair is so big!

Not about my clothes at all.

I promise that there will soon be a post of me wearing a dress in the rain forest, but in the meantime, check out B's blog (I will soon be a team member, I think - right, B?). There are lots of pictures of Costa Rican rain forest loveliness.
Agua Dulce

One Year

A year ago today, I married the man who is so stinkin' perfect for me it's ridiculous.
Also, a year ago today, I was enjoying the most perfect weather imaginable, on the beach. *sigh* It's been a year with a lot of changes, a lot of learning, and a lot of good times. All in all, I can say it's been a wonderful first year. I love you, B!

And now, if you'll indulge me in a little picture overload....






















Happy anniversary, B.

Halfway aka Outfit #15

All remixed except cami
dress: custom made in Vietnam
cami: Target
belt: Target
flip flops: Rainbow
hoops: gift

Y'all, this is the halfway point! I'm so excited! The rest of my closet is even more excited than I am.


I threw this wrap dress into my 30x30 mix because I love it. It's bright and summery and comfortable, so I figured, I can make it work. It's been mocking me until today, though. There it is, among all my practical 30x30 pieces just daring me to do something different with it.


This is the most creative I've ever gotten with a wrap dress: I put a belt over it. A belt over the self ties that hold it closed. Yes, that's a lot going on around my waist, but I feel like it really gave me some more definition.


Again, it's hot, so I put on some earrings and went on with my day. My day revolved around reading Needle in a Haystack by Ernesto Mallo and trying to follow this tutorial here with my remedial sewing skills. So far I'm at about step five.


I'm using a repurposed thrifted curtain for this project, so I spent quite a bit of time ripping out seams and ironing my fabric. Y'all, I can't even TELL you how nervous I was to cut my fabric. I keep having flashbacks to seventh grade home ec and how AWFUL I was at sewing back then, but I have to say things are going a lot better this time around. Hopefully I'll have some pictures for you tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. It could be tragic; there are pockets involved....

But enough about my sewing exploits. B. decided he wanted to be on the blog today:

shirt: thrifted
pants: J Crew - gift from my parents
shoes: Kohl's

He got home and said, "I like my outfit today." I asked him if he wanted to be on the blog, and he brought me the camera. And then he made fun of me by copying my pose. You see that? Hands on hips, looking away from the camera? Ha ha, B. Very funny.

Kiku, on the other hand, won't stay still for a picture.