Look of the Day: Femme Fatale

This saucy, little number is for sale in my Etsy shop. If I had anywhere to wear it, I would keep it.

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Look of the Day: Off-Shoulder Floral

 I wish it was warm enough to wear this. I'm so tired of winter already, and it's not even February! I shouldn't complain as we've had a very mild Winter so far, but it's still chilly and I hate the amount of effort that goes into layering. I prefer simple dressing.

I'm very much looking forward to wearing more off-the-shoulder pieces, like this floral dress. It shows off my favorite features while hiding the parts of my arms that drive me nuts.

Thank you, to my camera, for cooperating and taking some lovely photos.

Vintage floral dress - vintage wooden sandals

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Look of the Day: Fall Preview

A couple months ago, Redbook contacted me again and invited me to be part of their September issue. I was lucky enough to make it into the article about pattern mixing for Fall. It was a challenge as a lot of the obvious mixes had already been taken care of. Stripes & polka dots woulda been a cinch for me, but I was given the challenge of combining herringbone with animal print. I didn't think I owned any herringbone, but it turns out this herringbone plaid cape counts! 

I found the cape at an amazing estate sale in the earlier part of this year. It was like I was walking through my own estate sale in the future. There were piles as tall as me; all clothes. Tons of stripes, polka dots, and classic pieces, like this cape. I joked with my husband that it's what will happen if he dies before me. I will have nothing to do but spend his money.

The blouse is from another estate sale that I went to in West Seattle. I think it's quite possibly my favorite piece I've bought this year. I wear it so much and I love how unexpected the color looks with most other colors. It will be perfect for Fall, too. I have yet to compile my wish list for Autumn, but I'm starting to get some ideas. I know I'll be wearing this cape a lot! What are you looking forward to wearing?

Friday Fashion Fact:
Herringbone is the pattern and tweed is the cloth. That means my cape is a tweed herringbone plaid O_o

Vintage handmade cape (similar) - Vintage Dior blouse (similar) - Forever 21 skirt (similar) - Maison Martin Margiela for H&M wedges - thrifted Coach 

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Look of the Day: Denim & Plaid

 I've had this obsession with blue lately. I want everything made of denim, chambray, or oxford. I'm this close to redecorating my house in nothing but french ticking. I'll have to control myself, though, and be satisfied with the kitchen towels I bought at Ikea. I also just found a fantastic pair of vintage denim tennis shoes that fit with the blue theme perfectly.

Aren't the striped laces cute? Too bad I didn't find them a day earlier, because they woulda been perfect for this outfit.

I was recently invited to join the Oasap blogger program and I used my credit to get this shirt. It's the exact spelling of my niece's name. My sister used the french spelling, Mathilde, since it was our great-great-grandmother's name. It's not exactly a common spelling in America, so it was funny to see it on a shirt!

Oasap Bike Tee - GAP denim jacket - vintage plaid skirt (similar) - Thrifted hat - Madewell suede flats - Forever21 sunglasses

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Thoughts in Overalls: Insults & Comebacks

Saturday must have been International Rude Day. I woke up to a rude comment on Facebook AND a rude Tweet. The Facebook comment started with a compliment, but then quickly digressed into insults, lazily excused with an "I have to be honest"clause. The commenter said that "bigger people" would look like taxis if they wore a yellow blazer like mine. I was at first insulted, then felt bad for being insulted when I realized it wasn't directed at me. I gave it some thought, then responded with "Bigger people can wear what they want." Just minutes later, I opened up Twitter to find a tweet from some tactless girl expressing her feelings about my look that was featured on Your Next Dress. I don't think she even knew that it was tweeted to me as well as the website. So much rudeness and all before 11am!

To address the first comment, which I think is more important, I must first admit some things. I, like most people in America, have an automatic negative response to being called fat. I wish I didn't. I'm working to change my perceptions of my own body and the word fat. Through middle school, high school, and till about the age of 22, I was "overweight". Then, suddenly, the weight started coming off. The only explanation I have for it is that I was exploring the world and changing my outlook. I think those changes were enough to change my activity level as well as my eating habits. 

I was very happy in high school, so I don't want you to think I was completely miserable being overweight, because I was far from it. I did, however, feel like people couldn't see the real me. And I hated not being able to wear all the clothes that were in style. 

In the ten years that have passed since I graduated high school, I've made some huge changes and feel pretty lucky in life. Most people didn't recognize me at my reunion! I did however fall into my old pattern of only talking with my group of friends all night, but that usually happens at reunions, right? My husband did the networking and I was my typical wallflower self. It works out.

This Facebook comment has got me thinking, though. I still carry around a lot of the insecurities that come with being fat in a skinny-obsessed world.  But I've had a breakthrough. One that I think shows progress in changing my body image. I realized the insult wasn't being called fat. The insult was being compared to an inanimate object. No matter what your size, color, or gender you're a human being and you deserve respect and kindness.

To address the second rude comment. The girl said "Hell no!" in response to the question "What do you think of Catie Beatty's dress?" Bitch please, I've been in 4 magazines, a book and featured on loads of websites. Your tactless remark only made me realize just how awesome I am.

Vintage silk blouse - thrifted GAP overalls - Forever21 sunglasses - Madewell flats

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Look of the Day: A Whole Lot of Dress

 It's taken me a couple months to make up my mind on this dress. It's a whole lotta dress! The colors and pattern are so bold, and polyester is not my first choice of fabrics. I've made up my mind, though. I LOVE IT. It's the perfect summer evening dress. 

On my way downtown last week, I stepped out my door and a family walking home from the lake said "Look at that dress!" That settled things. This dress is over the top in the best way!

Without the belt, the front of the dress is a little shapeless. The back, however, is a gorgeous, Lanvin-esque cocoon shape. It drapes beautifully. I plan on wearing it as maternity wear someday. 

 Vintage maxi dress (similar) - thrifted leather belt - Oasap sunglasses - Forever21 sandals (similar) - Tiffany bracelet 

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Look of the Day: Overflowing Florals

As much as I love this look and the way it turned out, I can't help but do a lot of internal whining when I look at the pictures.  Long story short, this look was put together for a magazine (it may or may not get printed), which is exciting, but there were hitches and problems that made the whole process really frustrating. My camera was like "Oh you need these photos today? I don't really feel like focusing..." I think the pattern on the dress confused the auto-focus. Also, I accidently paid $12.99 for a Dress Barn dress. A used Dress Barn dress :( That'll teach me to look more closely at the tags when I'm at Value Village. See, the whining in my head is just as unpleasant when it's on paper.

In better thrift shopping news, I keep finding great deals on overall shorts. GAP used to have the monopoly on overall shorts, but now I do. If you would like to add a pair to your summer wardrobe, I am selling some for a reasonable price on Etsy. Actually, mine really are the most reasonably priced. I saw a pair of  Levi's overalls and the asking price was, get this, $150!! I can barely even imagine selling a vintage Coach bag for that much.

Don't stare at these blurry florals for too long. You'll stress your eyes.

That is all.

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Look of the Day: Denim Overall Shorts!

A couple weeks ago, I went to find some denim overall shorts and found nothing but horrible teal corduroy overalls with Tweetie Bird stitched into the front pockets. Maybe that is some next-level vintage fashion, but I am just not there yet. Luckily, this past weekend I stumbled upon not one, but 5 pairs of great overall shorts, all in my size! I had my pick of color and fit. They were all affordable, too! On top of two pairs of overall shorts, including these stripey ones seen before you, I found 3 pairs of great, high waisted shorts. I might list one or two pairs on Etsy, but for now I'm just enjoying changing from one pair to another throughout the day.

Gotta love living in the city. I wouldn't mind the graffiti so much if I wasn't the one who had to have it painted over. The city will send you a letter if you don't.

I've been really into painting fabric lately. I made some tea towels for Mother's Day presents. I even half-assed hemmed them! This shirt was about to be donated when I decided I might like it better if I painted it. Turns out I do like it better!

The dots extend down the pleat in the back and then fade away.

Want your own pair of denim overalls? You're in luck! I just listed these cuties on Etsy today! They're all yours for $25.

GAP vintage overall shorts (similar) - white button down shirt (similar) - Black MIA flats (similar) -Vintage Nordstrom sunglasses (similar)

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Look of the Day: The Husband Repeller

 Oh geez, it's been a while. Feels good to be back! May, which is usually my favorite, turned out to be a weird month. Lot's of ups and downs, drama, a poorly dog, and a cold that also came with a bout of lethargy (cough syrup may be to blame). I haven't been totally lazy, I just didn't feel like writing or blogging. I felt like reading, painting, gardening, etc. These hobbies have been ignored for too long. I've almost finished my beetle quartette, which is a small painting I've been working on for years. Am very excited to finally be able to display it properly! 

What a month I have coming up! My sister is graduating from college, which is going to be quite the celebration! It's also my 10 year high school reunion. I'm pretty excited, but am getting nervous as the day draws closer. I am one of those rare nerds that loved high school, so I really want to go see everyone, even if I haven't talked to them in 10 years. I also have a pretty good reason to go: I've lost about 60 pounds since then. Still not completely sure how it happened, but I am so different from my high school self, that it makes it worth going to, well, show off. Why else would you want to go, haha. I am more looking forward to the picnic I'll be having with the BFF's I've stayed in contact with.

Bring on June! More bright days, more barbecues, more reading in the park while my dog rolls in things she thinks "smell great!" 

 One the outfit: This is one of those ensembles that, as I'm putting it on, I think about how Trevor is going to react. "Oh. Those pants. You know I love them... and that necklace. It's weird." Instead of avoiding these man repellers, it just makes me more confident in the fact that I love them! 

Look of the Day: Jersey Dress + Printed Denim

 Happy Friday everyone! It's been a rough week at work, but I had to ice cream at Cupcake Royale twice, so I can't really complain. I'm looking forward to seeing my mom tomorrow and visiting with my in-laws on Sunday. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

I love these vintage glasses. I can't stop wearing them! The funny thing about them is that they look better in photos than real life. My timing on this post was perfect, since this week's IFB Project is all about sunglasses!

Friday Fashion Fact:

On this day in 1965, the world welcomed the ever-talented Nina Garcia. 

What would we do without her words of fashion wisdom?

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Madewell Sweatshirt Dress - Forever21 Printer Denim Jacket - J.Crew Belt (similar) - Tortoise Shell Cuff (similar) - Vintage Nordstrom sunglasses - Neon bag (similar)

Look of the Day: Strike 3

If you're just tuning in, I've been wearing this hat all week (or so it appears). I've also been giving tips that I hope are useful in styling your own baseball cap!

Your third option is to just go off-duty/blogger-crazy.

Weird, harem-style pants? Check.

Crop top? Check.

Tons of texture? Check.

Huge clutch? Check.

Goofy face? Check.

If you're channeling off-duty, Cara Delevingne is a great inspiration. She's always wearing hats and irreverant expressions.

If bloggers are more your style, check out Camille from Camille Over the Rainbow. She's loaded up on textures and trendy pieces, but by keeping everything in the same color scheme it's still very wearable.

As for foot wear, you have two options: heels or sneakers (see first picture). Both work just as well as the other!

Well, those are all my tips for now. You'll probably see this hat again before summer is over.

Have a great weekend!

Thrifted baseball hat - Forever21 crop top (similar)- thrifted J.Crew cardigan (similar) - Forever21 pants (cooler) - VANS classics - Cooperative wedges (similar) - vintage Coach portfolio - Forever21 sunglasses (similar)
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Look of the Day: How to Style a Baseball Cap #2

Look #2: Vintage 

When I first put this look together I didn't expect it to look so vintage. I just liked the combination of blues and polka dots. Looking at these pictures now, it kind of reminds me of "A League of Their Own". 

 If you prefer a more retro look, pair your hat with classic, lightweight fabrics like chambray, searsucker, or other cottons textiles. Denim works, too.

 Again, you can go in a tom-boy direction, but add "girly" details which contrast nicely with the more androgynous pieces. Polka dots are perfect, or simply add pearls and pointed flats. Here's a good example featuring a 50s style a-line skirt. Love her style!

If you're not sure if a hat will flatter you, try a couple in colors that flatter either your skin tone or your eyes. The blue of my hat matches my eyes and is what eventually convinced me to buy it.

This is my favorite photo from the test shots I took indoors. It is currently my profile picture on Facebook. My dog looks unamused, as usual.

Thrifted hat - Thrifted chambray romper - H&M cardigan - Aldo bag - crappy black flats

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Look of the Day: How to Style a Baseball Cap #1

This is the first time since 5th grade that "baseball cap" has found its way onto my wishlist. This one may not be emblazoned with the Seattle Mariners' logo, but it's still pretty cool. I've had it for a couple weeks now and am finally figuring out how to wear it. This week I'll be posting two, maybe three, outfits featuring this blue cap and tips on styling your own looks.

Look #1: Sports Luxe

 Sports luxe makes the most sense, so is somewhat easier to style. Go for clean cuts, modern fabrics, and androgynous pieces. Throw in one or two ultra-feminine pieces to balance it out, especially if you have short hair like mine! In this look I went with a skirt and pointy-toed wedges to give the look a bit of femininity. Update: You don't have to pair it with ultra-fem pieces, but the contrast really is nice!

 Baseball caps look fresh and modern in solid colors or unexpected prints like retro florals. Sports luxe and color blocking were made for each other. 

 Another key element of sports luxe is picking pieces that look like they cost too much to play any kind of sports in them. Luxurious textures and fabrics are key, even if they only look luxurious, but don't have the matching luxury price tag :) Here is a great example of what I mean. Tosha looks so sleek, and, with the exception the Alexander Wang boots, the outfit is genuinely affordable!

Here are two cute options available in stores now:

Biltmore for Madewell Baseball Cap $24

 Forever21 Retro Baseball Cap $5.80

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Thrifted baseball cap - Neon Detroit t-shirt (similar) - Vivilli Textured Knit Blazer - J.Crew Wool Pencil Skirt - Limited Edition Ray Ban Wayfarers (similar) - Maison Martin Margiela for H&M hidden wedges (similar) - Vintage neon bangle

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