tuesday (vote!)

happy election day!  i meant to post yesterday as i found it amusing that i was wearing a pretty patriotic outfit that was unplanned and would have made more sense to wear today, but i experienced an optical migraine (self-diagnosed) as i was stuck in monstrous traffic on my way home and barely made it home before collapsing in bed in my dark room - needless to say, i definitely wasn't up to blogging last night.  i've experienced these just a couple times in the past and i know they are brought on by stress and bright lights/flashing lights/staring too intently at computer screens, but it's still disconcerting. 

tomorrow is my birthday (!) and i'm just hoping i don't slip on any patches of ice or experience much stress... i'm sure taking a half-day won't hurt.  i am attending a presentation next week on stress management for social services providers and i have a feeling it couldn't come at a better time.  if anyone else out there has a really stressful job, have you found any unique or helpful ways to mitigate the stress?

monday {finally}

handmade black/tan print skirt   ·   gap button-down

target necklace {thrifted target stock}   ·   jessica simpson oscar pumps {thrifted}

finally / for as long as i have been sewing {only about a year}, i've wanted to learn how to make structured skirts from a pattern that look a little more polished than the elastic waistband skirts i have made that i wear at least once a week.  with my mom's help last week, i finally made one from simplicity 2451.  i couldn't be happier with this skirt!  i made a size larger than i thought i needed since i didn't pre-wash the fabric, but after getting worried once the side seams came together that it would be too large, i added a little center pleat and adjusted the waistband.  the length was a little short for my preference so we made a short hem with a pack of brand new iron-on hem tape i found at the goodwill. the zipper i used was part of my secret santa gift from my friend viktoria and my mom got me the fabric from joann's for my birthday.  i love that this skirt came together from a 99¢ pattern with gifted fabric & zipper and thrifted hem tape.  in my mind, that made it all the more perfect!

here are a couple more detail shots of the back vent & zipper:

 

tuesday.

j crew sweater {thrifted}   mossimo neck tie blouse {thrifted target stock}

merona doubleweave skirt {thrifted target stock}   jessica simpson oscar heels {thrifted}

 

i hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  mine was packed with an insane amount of eating, lots of fro yo, birthday celebrations, baseball, and goodwilling, of course.  i picked up this neck tie blouse at the GW yesterday and although i would have preferred a different color {i like the printed version below!}, i'm happy to add this style blouse to my wardrobe!  for the first day back to the office after a long weekend, i added a punch of color to get me through an early morning meeting, a care conference, and a visit with a client {that didn't actually happen, grr!}.  i kept the rest of my outfit pretty neutral and basic to off-set the bright green sweater.  it's not the most exciting outfit, but i think it worked!

 

Mossimo® Womens Sleeveless Top w/Neck Tie - Pink/Purple Print

wednesday (rut)

handmade (by me) blouse   merona cardigan {thrifted target stock}

mossimo slacks {thrifted}   js by jessica oscar pumps {thrifted}

i didn't really mean to take the first half of the week off from blogging, but i have been in a... what shall we say... a RUT.  the changing weather in minnesota this week has left me less than inspired in my closet.  i love skirts but i feel more comfortable in tights and let's be real, i hate having to shave my legs so frequently, so i've relegated myself to wearing pants and my outfits just haven't come together quite as easily.  the warmer temps also = humidity, and before i even step out the door my hair is frizzy and it ends up in a  messy ponytail {this picture is from yesterday when it was a bit cooler & kept a decent curl most of the day.  you don't want to know what my hair looked like today!}.  all of these things combined have just put me in a rut.  does anyone else out there experience the same frustrations?  the transition from winter -> spring/summer always takes me a little getting used to, so hopefully i'll find a way to work with my closet and the temps outside.  in the meantime, thanks for bearing with me - and feel free to let me know any suggestions you have!