Style Log: I got the Periwinkles

[Lace Shirt/ F21 :: Dress/Modcloth :: Belt/Lucky :: Sweater Tights & Boots/Kmart]

What color is this dress? Blue? Purple? Periwinkle?

I’m a day late, but better late than never, eh? I wore this last week sometime - I should have taken the photos outside. BUT. There were people out back - like neighbors and such. It was getting dark already and I really wanted to change into my sweats, so you get to see my crazy bookcase. :)  Is it just me or does this outfit feel a little...hm, "country gal"?  Meh.

The chillier it gets the less I care about my clothes and the more I just want to be super, duper comfortable. D’ya feel me? Sigh, I know I should be able to pull off both, but bare arms and legs (even with tights) seems crazy right now. My body just needs to acclimate to the change - oh wait it can’t. Why? Because one day it’s 73° and the next it’s 36°. Mother Nature is crazy.

The Breakdown...

Lace Shirt $10

Dress $15 

Tights $6

Belt $10

Boots $25

TOTAL $66

Probably one of my more expensive outfits to date. It’s cool though, winter outfits will be more since I’m wearing more! I still did some good thrifty shopping there! Actually, I should take the “thrifty” out of that sentence. Sure, I found some good deals (that dress is another from Modcloth’s 70% off sale), but it’s all new, nothing actually thrifted.

And yea, I only have 3 pictures this week - seriously I had this stupid look on my face or crazy eyes in every photo. It was weird. HA.

Just for kicks enjoy this bonus photo of me...from when I was probably 3...or 5? I haven’t a clue. But it’s cute regardless! :P

xo, kassie

Style Log: Seeing Stars

{top/modcloth :: blazer/target :: pants/thrifted :: shoes/maurices}

Life has been uber crazy lately. We literally were out of town every weekend for a month. We were home the last couple of weekends (but I had to work one saturday for election stuff) so that was nice. Then hopefully my family will be up to visit next weekend - which I'm pretty excited about, because its the first time since I moved in with Brian. They passed through once, but that doesn't count since I didn't show them around at all. :P

I got this top when modcloth was having that huge ass 70% off sale - so this outfit shouldn't be too bad cost wise. It has a bit of a strange fit, but I still like it...and it’s something different for me, so that’s good!

Breakdown  

Top $12

Tank $4

Blazer $20

Slacks, thrifted $5

Shoes, gifted $0

Necklace $6

TOTAL $47

I will admit that some of those numbers are guessing, I've had the necklaces and pants for YEARS.

Anyway, peace out

kass

SL: That Fall Feeling

[cardigan/old navy :: sweater/f21 :: cords/kohl's :: boots/target :: necklace/modcloth]

Ohmygosh, I love fall weather.  I know everyone and their brother keeps saying that, but I can't help it.  It's just so wonderfully cool outside.  Not cold, cool.  Perfect.

I've been sitting here trying to write an interesting blog, but my mind is totally blank.  

So here...look at this photo of my dog flashing you. 

Haha, but otherwise isn't he adorable?! :)

On a separate note, I'm really trying to get organized and figure out a way to make photography a lucrative hobby.  I'm a transplant to my current town and I don't work here - so I don't know many people.  I have some ideas for marketing online...but I'm also thinking an ad in the local paper might be in order.

What do you think? Any ideas?

xo, kassie

SL: Something Blue

[dress & belt/jc penny :: necklace/gift :: shoes/blowfish :: ring/f21 :: bracelets/gordmans (i think)]

NOTE: Please excuse my shitty phone pics, I forgot my actual camera!

Even though it's pretty much feeling like fall around here, we have had a couple randomly warm [hot] days.  On one of these warmer days we were headed to the wedding of one of Brian's friends - when we got lost.  Yep.  We have since discovered that we need to work on our "going with the flow if we get lost" skills.  Frustration trumped us that afternoon and sadly we missed the majority of the wedding, but it was non-religious and thus only about 10 minutes long, so we really weren't that late.  Another friend of Brian's was officiating, so we got to see the last bit where he announced the couple.  It was still cool!  

The reception was really pretty and fun...and I'm pretty sure I was at a "hipster" wedding, lol!  No judgement here though, it was held in this huge round barn and they were getting polaroids of all the guests as we came in. Ha, it was super cute.  Oh and the bride had this adorable 50s vibing dress on - like I said super cute.  Since I didn't really know the couple I don't have any photos of them, so my dress photos will just have to suffice! Oh and are we loving my new shoes or what?  I know I am!  Although, like two seconds after this I tripped on some old barbed wire fence in the ground and gouged my shoes...and my foot.  Ah, what I go through for silly photos! :P

Oh, and I thought I'd just share my pretty cat eye makeup.  Seriously, it takes me so long to do that shit, but I love it!  Also, my face is not actually orange [see first picture!] - I think there was just something reflecting on me.

Cost breakdown anyone?

Dress/Belt     $25

Shoes            $30

Necklace        $0

Ring                $2

Bracelets         $0

TOTAL        $57

First outfit on the blog over $50!  And not by much!

Okay, I feel I've already begun to ramble or am about to start.  Have a great day!

xo, kass

Dress Code Mahyem!

[source]

Ohmygosh, okay I’m probably beating a dead horse here, because I often mention my work/coworkers and their reaction to my clothing choices. This post is going to hover around that idea, but not drop on it. Lately at work there has been some drama about clothing and dress codes. I know I shouldn’t write about work, but none of this is any sort of secret and I’m not going to be naming names or hatin’ on anyone - just offering a few personal thoughts. Ha.

So, back story. A person has been dressing pretty casual (which is pretty typical at my work) and one day she wore shorts to work. Let it be known that she has wore shorts to work often over the past couple years, at least. Generally, she wears a tshirt with them or a nicer, but casual, top. Would I wear this ensemble to work? No, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable in it. In my mind it’s not keeping with a professional image. However, it’s really a matter of personal opinion. Especially when handbook isn’t super precise and there is room for interpretation. I guess people had complained about her wardrobe in the past to her supervisor, who did nothing about it. This is where I feel bad for this woman.  Had her supervisor been honest and upfront with her none of this would be happening. Anyway, the powers that be aka. the Board of Supervisors happened to witness one of these outfits and apparently they were not happy, to say the least. I believe a formal complaint of sorts was filed. Her supervisor was supposed to deal with it, again he did not. So, his direct subordinate and my supervisor spoke with her. This week I’d say her apparel is more appropriate, but then another employee [that works in the same office as the first employee) wore a short skirt. Not super short, but mid thigh. She looked nice, but in light of the other employee some department heads decided to have a meeting and decide what should be done.

 [source]

I never heard anything after that. There was talk of maybe just a memo or maybe changing the employee handbook, but nothing yet.  Either way, I’m a bit concerned- for selfish reasons. Which is awful I guess, but I enjoy my fashion freedom at work.  I dress modestly and appropriately, but I don’t want to be stifled by having to wear specific attire! I have a feeling they are going to comment on the length of things and the easiest and most logical thing to say is, at or below the knee. Not cool. I have plenty of items I bought specifically for work and they do not fall at the knee. I’d say they are within 2-4 inches of my knee and I think they are long enough and appropriate. If I think something is iffy I don’t wear it or I wear dark tights with it. As far as I know, no complaints have been lodged against me or my attire.

Here’s my question to you, well questions. I’m dealing with an office situation here, but I’m curious in general.  

Do you have a dress code at work or school? If so, how strict is it? Also, what length do you deem appropriate for work skirts and dresses?

For the record, I don’t really think any length of shorts are appropriate for work. Unless maybe you are rocking the dress shorts + tights combo - which doesn’t really fly in the rural midwest. :P

xo, kassie

Style Log: Breezy Basics

[white shirt/thrifted from my grandma’s closet, ha! :: pink tank/thrifted, maurices :: skirt/thrifted :: flats/american eagle by payless :: shades/kmart :: watch/gift :: belt/with dress]

As I’ve probably said more than once now...I have a long commute. 50 miles, one way. Yea, that’s love for ya. :P Anyway, on this commute I pass several places that I think oh hey, that would be a good spot for photos. This was one of those places. Now...if I could just remember my camera more often I could try some other spots!

Lemme tell you, this is one cheap outfit. I’m going to add it up for you, because...well because I can.

White Shirt, Watch, Belt $0

Pink Shirt $3

Skirt $3

Flats $12

Shades $9

TOTAL $27

See, it’s totally possible to be cute and thrifty! I’m actually willing to bet that most days my outfits were created for under $50 - although I do have a few pricier items. Hmm, maybe I’ll start doing a cost break down to see. Could be a fun experiment!

While I love these summer, breezy outfits I’m beyond ready for fall. The weather keeps getting cooler, than spiking up for a few days. I just live for those cooler days when we can keep the windows open. Especially at night when we’re asleep. I sleep so much better when it’s chilly in the room! Plus, I’m so ready for fall foods...thick, creamy soups and shepherd’s pie, yum!

Sigh, soon enough it will be winter, so I suppose I should stop wishing away my summer days!

xo, kass

Shabby Apple!

 

 I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m part of the Shabby Apple Affiliate Program. See that Shabby Apple icon over to the left? Yea, if you click that and purchase something it benefits me, which is awesome!

Want something that will benefit you? Of course you do!

Right now you can get 10% off sitewide, until Friday, September 14th! Just use the code: favorite10 when you check out!

And just in case you need a little shopping inspiration, here are a few of my favorite items! :)  Click through the images to the site!
[all images from shabby apples online shop!]

Is that enough pretty dresses for ya? 
Don't forget...click through to the site using the icon to the left or at the top of this page AND use the code favorite10 for 10% off sitewide!

xo, kass

Style Log: Coral Shirts & Charcoal Skirts

{top/thrifted :: skirt/jc penny, old :: heels/target}

Another style post and I’m rocking the sock bun. Meh, whatever. I like it. I don’t love this outfit the way I thought I did, now that I see the photos. Oh well :)

Okay, so help me out here. Take a look at my outfit. Go ahead I’ll wait. ….

Do you think this is work appropriate? Okay, so maybe you are like “Well, Kassie it depends on where you work.”. Alright, I work in an office setting. Hell, I’ll go one further (since I’m sure I mentioned it before), I work for a county, in the courthouse (but not for the court!). I know I’ve said similar things before and probably will again, but why is it such a huge deal when I “dress up” for work? For the past year I probably averaged wearing a skirt & heels combo (which is how my coworkers define dressing up) 2 times a week, maybe more. Yet there is always someone who makes a comment.

I will admit that the tone of office attire is generally a bit casual....actually, I think it’s getting too casual. I’ve been here four years now and I feel like a handful of people just push and push the dress code, but that’s just my personal opinion. On second thought, I did wear my colored jeans to work on a wednesday....so maybe I’m guilty of it too? I still don’t think wearing the above outfit should cause a fuss. I feel I look office appropriate. It’s modest and presents a professional image, again in my opinion.

See the way people react to my “dressing up” isn’t always positive. Often yes, but just as often their reaction is one that makes me feel like I should be feeling embarrassed over my outfit. What the what?? It’s those underhanded comments that are trying to pass as a compliment, you know what I mean. Or I’ll get the plain, “You’re dressed up today.” Period. Flat face, blank stare. Okay....how should I respond to that? I’m actually asking you btw, because I haven’t a clue. This actually happened the other day when one coworker said she wanted to wear more dresses and another told her not to start that. I asked why, because I wear them all the time. Coworker 2 snaps, yea I know. Blank stare.

Getting down to the core of this, I know I shouldn’t care what people think about something so trivial, but it does play at my insecurities. Which is a tad upsetting and frustrating. Sure maybe someone doesn’t like what I’m wearing, but do they have to tell me? Can’t they just let me walk around happy thinking I look great? (unless of course I have toilet paper on my shoe, have tucked my dress into my tights, or have spilled food on the front of me, then please tell me! ha!)

I don’t know, I just think that (and this next thought applies to life in general) instead of tearing each other down or playing on others insecurities shouldn’t we be supportive and help build each other up?

xo, kass 

Style Log: Yellow Teal Color Blocked

  [top/chico, thrifted :: jeans/mossimo via target :: shoes/so, from mom]

Man, it’s been a long time since I did an outfit post. In all honestly, I’ve just been too hot to care. It’s so hard to dress for hot outside/freezing in the office weather. It usually resulted in my grabbing the nearest sweater cardigan...so not always cute. I did have a few cute outfits though! Cute [and out of the box, for me] enough that I want to recreate them for the blog, so I’ll be doing that soon, hopefully.

So, how do you like my sweet ass color blocking? I absolutely love this shirt! Got it at a second hand shop up in Spirit Lake, it’s so comfy and so pretty. I’m also loving my color jeans - they are “dressy” enough to wear to work and I lost enough weight that I had to buy them size down. It was pretty exciting. :)

Oh, and yes that is a sock bun. It was harder than I thought to get up, damn layers. I think with some more practice though that it will become a workday staple...it’s just so cute and office appropriate. Or at least I think it is.

[btw, got some crazy freckle action happening, lol]

Speaking of hair and what’s appropriate, how do you all feel about pigtails?  

I saw this status post and feed on facebook and it was straight up some shallow, cruel, shit...hatin’ on pigtails. I’ve been rocking the double braids a lot this summer. I mean, I don’t do the high up pig-pony tails like a little girl, but I’ll do low loose ones, or two buns. What’s so wrong with that? The feed was going on about how childish it was and people should just grow up already. I hardly think wearing your hair in pigtails says much (if anything) about your maturity level. And if it does, well...I [the pigtail wearer] wasn’t the one gossiping and being a straight up rude about a stranger’s hair style. :)

xo, kass