Oh, hai...

Top: Self made
Skirt: Thrifted
Pumps: Zara
Earrings: Target

Oh hai.... Yes, I've been MIA. Things have been super busy with work and getting ready to come back to the States, which is actually where I am right now. It wasn't my intention to disappear for so long, it just kind of happened. Also, I'm at my in-laws right now, and they have dial up, so let's just say there won't be much posting until I'm back in VA towards the end of the month.


Anyway, this outfit. It's bright, huh? I kind of love it, though, especially because I felt like I was finally able to pull off that "color blocking" thing that was super trendy over the summer. Is that still a thing? Does anyone still do it? I was pretty proud of my bright top and neon thrifted skirt (I found it for $1!) and super bright shoes.


Bright colors for a bright day. Also, I'm pretty sure that was the last sunny day we had in the mountains until the day we left for the States. We have to take advantage of the sun when it comes out up there.

BBCA 2 - Skirting the issue

Skirt: self made
Top: Sonoma via Kohl's
Belt: Target
Booties: Aldo
Earrings: gift from my sister-in-law

Another BBCA post. This one came together pretty easily once I picked this skirt out.


I love this skirt. It's poorly made since it was my first sewing project (the hem is wonky, it's made from a thrifted curtain, and the pockets are barely functional), but it's still fun.


For some reason, this green top seemed to work with the colors in the print. I like the explosion of brights, and the silhouette of the whole look. Besides, it was work appropriate and super comfortable. Super comfortable, for real. This is one of those looks that I will probably repeat.

Paper Doll Project

Tank: Target
Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: Gap
Shoes: Target
Earrings: Turkey
Belt: Banana Republic

Have y'all heard about the Paper Doll Project started by Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy? Basically, you sign up and you get paired up with another blogger who styles you for a day, and, of course, you style her. I've been in such a style rut lately, so I signed up and got paired with the lovely Nicole of Employed Panache.


She challenged me to wear some more color, and while this is not an outfit I would've come up with on my own, I really love it. This tank is one of my favorites, and I never quite know what to do with it, so it was nice to pull it out today.


It was just the right pop I needed for another wet, grey day up in the rainforest. Also, can we discuss how easy it was to get dressed this morning?


So easy. I could get used to this.

An Ode to my Booties

Turtleneck: J Crew
Skirt: Target
Belt: Ann Taylor
Booties: Aldo
Earrings: gift?
Sunnies: Puerto Rico


Dear booties,

I love you. I love that I found on super sale at the Aldo Outlet and thus paid a fraction of the price for you. I love that you have a sturdy heel, that you've challenged me in my shoe styling options, that you're warm but not too hot.


I love how comfortable you are and how strong I felt the day I walked uphill for 3/4 of a mile on my way home from work while wearing you (I won't mention how sore I was for the next couple days). You're probably my best shoe purchase is what I'm saying.

Don't ever change.


Love,
Frances Joy

Nearly wordless

Shirt: Sonoma via Kohl's
Tank: Target
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Belt: Banana Republic
Booties: Aldo
Necklace: gift
Earrings: Target
Sunnies: Puerto Rico
Adorable puppy: Kiku

It's late as I'm typing this, and I'm tired, so this will be pretty much pictures. Enjoy!







And this is me after B told me I was being "demanding" with my photos. I told him I was a diva. We were both joking, of course.

Quitter in red

Skirt: Gap
Tee: J Crew
Shoes: Crocs
Earrings: Turkey
Belt: gift from my mom
Sunnies: purchased in PR

Y'all, I have a confession to make: I quit the 30x30. I wore fourteen outfits, posted nine, photographed ten, and then decided I was over. it. Why did I quit after completing two 30x30 challenges successfully? Well, for one, I felt like I had learned all I could from the challenge. For two, remember the time I had to get rid of or store about 80% of my wardrobe? Yeah, that was a lesson in consumerism greater than the challenge.


And I was already feeling pretty deprived in every other aspect of my life (we're poor, we don't have access to a car right now, there's no public transportation, and there's not a whole lot of choice when it comes to diet). Adding the challenge felt like the opposite of fun. My life is pretty bare bones right now, so I'd at least like full access to the 20% of my closet that's still in my possession.


Anyway, my aunt M got me this red skirt at Gap when I was back in Puerto Rico visiting family. It was $3.97, so I went for it, even though it's a size larger than I usually wear. I'm not sure if I love the way it fits because it's a little lower in the hips than I'd like, but I think I can make it work. I think it might also be good for a mini alteration with my remedial sewing skills - I should be able to take in a waist, right?

Friend Friday - Color Wars

It's Friend Friday! This week, we're talking about...

Color Wars

1. What color dominates your closet?
I'd have to take a good look at my (color coded) closet to be totally sure, but I think it's black. Either black or grey, I can't remember. Neutrals definitely dominate, though. I am a girl who loves colors that aren't really colors.

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?
Honestly, I wouldn't because I love me some neutrals as a base. I like to think I have a good selection of "pop" items. Bright shoes, bright scarves, bright tights, bright tanks and tees. That said, I do want a mustard skirt so badly. I feel like it'd play nicely with all my neutrals. That's not a color emphasis, but it is a colorful item.

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?
I don't have one, but I do know that I tend to go for colors that "go" rather than colors that "match", meaning I like to wear what the ladies over at Academichic would call analogous, two-thirds, and / or complementary color combos. I guess that means my mantra is:

"Don't match; dress in colors that remind you of athletic teams."

Someone should put that on a throw pillow. I'd buy it.

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?
I'm a big fan of pops. I like the neutral base with pops of color. My bright blue shoes, an orange pashmina, yellow earrings, hot pink tights.... I am too much of a chicken to wear too many brights up by my face. In my world, red is the brightest color and it scares the crap out of my to wear it. So yeah, bright accessories are my go-to for color.
Also, I have a few colors that I really like against my skin (orange, turquoise, yellow, and green) so I have no fear of wearing those.

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe?
Sal of Already Pretty is one of the first that comes to mind.  Other colorful bloggers are Melissa of A Working Mom's Closet, the amazingly snappy and savvy Vanessa, and the very cool Fer.

So how about y'all?  Are you more drawn to brights or to neutrals?  Are there any colors you're afraid to wear?  What color mantra do you want embroidered on a throw pillow? 

For more thoughts on the colorful wardrobe, check out ModlyChic.

Back on Track aka Outfit #8

Tank: Target
Jacket: New York & Co.
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: gift from sister in law

Today, my (maternal) aunts took me to meet up with my (paternal) uncle and grandmother to visit my grandfather who's in a nursing home. Then we went out to eat with my uncle and grandmother because my family loves to eat.


How cute is my grandmother?! Too cute, that's how cute.


I got these shots of the town of Gurabo, where my grandfather is, and thought they were too amazing not to share. Check out the steps back leading up to the houses on the hill. I'd be so fit if I lived there....


I feel like the brightness of this outfit fits in so well with the surroundings. Life in general is just brighter in the tropics. The houses are bright, the flowers are bright, the sun is bright.... Color is less scary for me here.


This was our view from the restaurant today, and it's totally not photoshopped. How gorgeous is my island? I mean, for real.


My aunt almost stole these shoes from me. I might not be able to leave with them in my suitcase because she liked them so much.

And now, a random picture:

Mama hen and babies! Gah! So cute!

Family Reunion

All remixed except turtleneck
Turtleneck: J Crew
Cardigan: New York & Co.
Skirt: New York & Co.
Belt: Banana Republic
Tights: Simply Vera via Kohl's
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: gift from my mom

I wore this little number for B's family's Christmas reunion on the 26th of December. Yes, I'm still super behind on posting. Frankly, I haven't done a lot of picture taking either. Some of the outfits have been great, others, not so much. Things have been pretty busy, though, and family has definitely taken priority over the blog.


Even so, this outfit was too good not to share. I love the bright blue turtleneck with the bright yellow cardi. I love the subtle patterns in my tights and my belt. I love the various shades of brown, and I love the way my cowboy boots make this look more rugged and fun.

Rock Star

First off, let me answer a few questions:
We're leaving Philly on the 22nd, leaving the country the 11th of January, and I'm looking forward to avoiding wintery weather. Oh yeah!
And I do plan to keep blogging after the move, though I don't know exactly when I'll pick up again once we're settled in Costa Rica. Let's just say the internet/housing situation is still a little up in the air. If you're the praying type, prayers are welcome.

And now, on to the fun stuff:


Accessories remixed
Top: Kohl's - gift from my mom
Jeans: J Crew
Pumps: Nine West
Earrings: Turkey
Bracelets: gifts from my aunt and uncle

I wore this outfit last Sunday for church and also for a Christmas get together with friends and I felt like a rock star in it. Part of it is that I got these J Crew matchstick jeans on sale for $19.99 (five years ago), part of it is the studded shoulders.


See the studded shoulders? Fancy, huh? Ignore the fact that my hair is all fly away-y and everywhere in this picture. Focus on the studs. They totally kick, don't they?


Also rock star worthy? These bracelets. I've had them since I was twelve. My uncle gave me the middle one, the one with the stones, and I've always loved it. He gave my aunt, his sister, the other two, and that same Christmas that I was in Puerto Rico, I was looking through her jewelry box with her and she gave them to me. I love them together, all silver and chunky and tough.


And since there's a story about each of the things I'm wearing, can I just tell y'all that these are the shoes I wore for my wedding? B got them for me for my birthday and I wore them for our wedding six months later. I love that I can wear them all the time and that they're bright yellow. Yellow shoes always make me happy.

Neutrals and pops

I've finally gotten a moment to breathe, y'all, which is good because breathing is important. We're in the midst of packing the house and I'm working extra hours at work. (Great idea, Frances! That'll be fun and low stress!) In the meantime, expect posting to be sparse and/or delayed.

So as I'm trying to catch up, let's start with last Friday's outfit.


All remixed except tee
Tee: Target
Cardigan: New York & Co.
Belt: Target
Jeans: some random store in Puerto Rico
Socks: Target
Boots: Target
Scarf: Turkey
Earrings: Turkey

I was wearing three shirts and two pairs of pants in this outfit, that's one layer of clothing that you can't see - a cami and a pair of leggings to up the warmth factor because it's crazy cold up this way. Have I mentioned I hate the cold?


I really like the combination of olive green and turquoise and the mixed neutrals. I love the navy blue of my socks with the cognac boots, the dark brown belt, and the black and white scarf. Lots of neutrals and then a couple of bright pops - that's about right for me, I think.


I took a cue from of Sydney of The Daybook and Elaine of Clothed Much and tucked my jeans into my socks before tucking them into my boots. I've done the sock tucking thing before, but this was the first time I'd tried it with knee socks. The verdict? I'm addicted. It's so much easier to tuck your jeans into your boots when they've been tucked into socks first.

Three of a kind aka Outfits #26-28

Sunday night means only one thing around here: Three for one special at Mad Dress Game!

So, let's start with Friday:


All remixed except sweater
Sweater: Free People via TJ Maxx
Jeans: Elle via Kohl's
Turtleneck: Express
Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy
Earrings: Turkey

If you've been playing along with my remix at home, you'll notice that this sweater does NOT appear in my original 30x30 mix seen here. So am I a big cheater? Kind of. I kicked out my sweater dress a long time ago. I'd debated going ahead and crowning myself the queen of 29x30 mixes, but then I woke up on Friday still a little cranky and a whole lot cold and tired and decided to reward myself with a cozy sweater.


In case you were wondering, I paid a whopping $29.99 for this Free People sweater. It was about $80 less than regular price. Holla!

Saturday, we went out with a friend of ours who's in town for the weekend and went to a coed baby shower.


All remixed except scarf and tights
Cardigan: Sonoma via Kohl's
Belt: came with a blazer
Skirt: Gap
Tights: Target?
Scarf: Target
Boots: Boots: Noble Town Vintage via Etsy
Earrings: Turkey

I took a cue from Alessandra of Mode Moods and wore my cardigan backwards. I knew as soon as I saw her look that this was something I wanted to try, but I didn't think I had the right kind of cardigan in my 30x30 mix to make it happen. Um, right. So I did have the right kind of cardigan, and I really like how it turned out.


I think I might have to do this again with other cardis and possibly with a pop of color in the back. We'll see....


And does anyone have any tips for keeping your tights straight? Ugh, I suck at it.

And now, today:

All remixed except tights
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Cardi: New York & Co.
Cami: Petite Sophisticate
Belt: Banana Republic
Tights: Simply Vera via Kohl's
Boots: Target
Earrings: India

I love this outfit. I love everything about it: the colors, the textures, the accessories.


Check out the pattern on these tights.


Also, I'm in love with these earrings.



I just wanted to thank y'all for your kind words during this stressful time - it's really meant a lot to me!

Oh, and if you haven't yet, go enter my giveaway - it's your last chance.