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2010-07-13

Blog Rules

dvf4

dvf3

dvf2

dvf6

dvf1


Dress?
Diane von Furstenberg, Off 5th
Clogs? Stella McCartney, Holt's Last Call
Belt? Thrifted
Bangles? Goodwill auction

I have packed this dress and taken it with me many places. Yet I have never worn it. It is silk jersey and can easily be thrown in a suitcase, so I inevitably take it along with me travelling because visions of summer dates in a pretty dress dance in my head. But the weather has never co-operated. It has to be really hot to wear such a dress. If there is one thing I learned in university, it's that no one sympathizes with the shivering girl in the backless dress.

The shoes I have also had for a while and never yet worn. I got them back in February and I posted about them then. I was quite excited for some good weather so I could bust out and show-off my clog trendiness. But these shoes scare me... they sit on my shelf and mock me. I'm good in high heels but the balance part of these clogs is way under my foot instead of at the back and I feel like Bambi when I put them on. So many outfits would have been great with the clogs, they are quite pretty in an architectural way, but the real fear of a tumble from a great height has kept the Stellas on the shelf.

When I started this blog over a year ago, I had no idea of the scope of fashion blogging. Followers, comments, fashion communities, sponsorships.... It's a lot of pressure sometimes. To keep myself on track, I really try to keep it real, like Jennifer Lopez, the artist formerly known as J.Lo., does. My personal blog rule* is to only post an outfit if I wore it out in public. Someone besides Matt or the cats (it appears I just referred to my cats as people...), must see my outfit. So, if it's on my blog, it's because I wore it out. I've wanted to cheat on my own stupid rule so often and sneak the clogs on outfit pictures but I resisted until their official debut this weekend. We had a barbecue with friends, and while I ran errands in the dress and some flats, I graciously entertained our guests in these scary heels on the relative safety of our patio. I do hope that, like Bambi, I grow more surefooted one day... because spending money on shoes that can only be enjoyed from the safety of a seat is pure foolishness.
You know what else is foolish? Paying full price. This name dropping outfit came in at just over $100. Yes, I bought the DvF for $16.50 and it's not even thrifted!


* I say personal because you can do what you want... that's the joy of blogging.


39 comments :

Anonymous said...

The DvF is beyond amazing. I have a serious thing for backless dresses... and red tags. I'm so jealous of that find. Haha. Altogether, good outfit. And props for 'keeping it real'.

- Patricia
fivefootsomething.blogspot.com

Lindell said...

Great dress and great rule! oh and great calves, wow!

Ce qui m'inspire said...

This is a really beautiful dress! I love the pattern, and even if the shoes are hard to walk in, at least they look pretty!

Ce qui m'inspire

Anonymous said...

This whole outfit is just divine!

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

God I love your blog. You're style is awesome and you make me laugh. I promise I'm not going to start boiling bunnies, I just think you're cool is all ;)

At first glance I thought that was a floral print. We all know how I feel about floral. It's a gorgeous dress and you wear it well.

T said...

And here I always assumed these people always wear their feathered headdresses out to the grocery store.

Seriously though, I have the same rule.

Eleanor ~ Shopping The Closet said...

I feel the same way...any outfit I have posted is because I wore it that very day.
Who has time to do a fashion show for the camera anway???

You,my friend are the master of the universe when it comes to scoring bargains.
I hold you in great awe and esteem!

Kathryn from Schoolmarm Style said...

That dress is amazing! And for $16.50?! Super amazing! Thanks for keeping it real, I've noticed that you are one of the bloggers who consistently bring us back from the edge of reality, for that I thank you. This outfit has inspired me to wear my Bambi shoes today too!

Natasha said...

What an amazing dress! And for such a steal - jealous!!
It has always seemed that you are one of the more 'genuine' bloggers out there (and by that I mean that your blog is more an extra arm of reality, rather than total fantasty), and as wonderful as it is seeing bloggers in crazy outfits that they've just put together for their blog, it's also lovely to have those who just show what they wear on a day to day basis. I often find more inspiration from the latter. Keep it up! :)

The Semi Sweet said...

Oh wow! You look amazing! And those shoes! Super cute! I'm glad you were able to balance yourself in those heels.

Christina said...

Awesome, awesome dress! I never knew people posted outfits they didn't actually wear out. That seems so strange. In any case it's a good rule to have!

Secondhand Stella said...

I love this dress! $16.50 for a DVF dress is def an awesome deal. Your powers amaze me.

Lisa D. said...

i love your dress! and the clogs. and i especially love that you scored such a great deal on the entire ensemble. one of my favorite things about shopping is finding a great deal - i hate paying full price and a rarely do it. i've just recently begun posting some outfit photos on my blog, and it is kind of scary! :) i've always loved all of my clothes and now i keep thinking, "is this current enough to post on my blog? should i have a nicer handbag to go with this outfit?" i love your rule, and i'm so happy i read this post. now i can't wait to post my photo from yesterday. :)

upatreecupatea said...

That dress is beautiful!
I also really like your rule. Sometimes when I see what some bloggers outfit posts all I can think is that they didn't wear that in public.

Anonymous said...

how high are those shoes missy? I must know. I am a measuring tape wielding maniac when it comes to high shoes. I donno why but I always MUST know. these look intense. 5? 5.5? ok I need to stop talking about those heels...

This outfit is great! i love the dress, i love the shoes. I cant believe it was all under 100$!!!! good job lady. you are my idol today.

Emily

Sheila said...

Same here - I've worn most of my outfits all day at work (sometimes to the horror and/or amusement of my coworkers).

Love the shoes, but I hate when they're not balanced right.

Anonymous said...

Me too - anything worn around the house just doesn't quite count as blog-worthy.

And my, my the dress and clogs are a match made in heaven!

Sidewalk Chic said...

I cannot believe you got that Dvf for such a price -- that kind of find is the stuff of my thrifting dreams. That dress is fabulous and I hope you get more wear out of it.

Natalie said...

Really cute outfit! Love the dress especially, and for $16.50? Even if you just wear it this once, that's a deal :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful dress and awesome clogs! Great outfit, even if it was only worn in the safety of your own home :)

Small Time Style

Jennifer said...

This is a great outfit. I think you should wear the clogs more often because if anything they make your calves look fantastic. Break them out more then maybe they won't mock you anymore...just saying!

Flora said...

Thanks for keeping it real. And I consider my dogs "people" too.

PS your sense of humor is awesome.

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

Where on earth did you find a DvF dress at that price? Will you get me one? Loving your look.

Be careful in those shoes - I speak as one who fell off her 6 inch platforms the other day. They were promptly swapped at the local clothes exchange.

tess said...

I've posted fake outfits haha, I've worn all of them out of the house!

Juls said...

loving your dress! you look so pretty

Unknown said...

this outfit makes me feel stupid that i don't go to holt's last call regularly

those shoes are amazing

Unknown said...

What an amazing find! Love the DVF dress. I also completely agree with your blog rule about only posting outfits you actually wear, and I use the same rule on my blog. It would be easy to just take pictures of a bunch of cute outfits and then turn off the camera & put on pajamas, but where's the authenticity? I love it that you keep it real! :)

Jeanna

http://thirdfloorcloset.tumblr.com

Hope said...

Love the dress! It's really cute, and I'm so jealous of your thrifting savvy! Whenever I have a dress that's a "hot weather" dress and it's not exactly hot, I just throw a jean jacket over it, and voila, now I'm not cold! :)

FutureLint said...

That dress is crazy beautiful! The colors are perfect and the back is so sexxx-ay without getting too risque! I have the same rule too, I have to wear it to post it, but summer is hard because a lot of days I don't even wear clothes (just swim suits and kimonos - I'm a brat, I know)

Anonymous said...

you mean, you're keeping it real...like...you're still jenny from the block?

hahah!

thanks for clearing this up for me...i often wonder if people REALLY wear some of the stuff they wear, out. if i'm playing dress up and decide to post photos (which some peeps do because it's fun!) i let it be known that i was playing around in my closet.

and those gams of yours...sheeeeit! (sorry, that's probably getting really creepy, huh? it's just that...i have leg envy because i don't like mine. pout.)

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

Wooooot - finally broke out the shoes - I bet it feels reeeeeal good!

Haha you're funny & witty - I love it.

A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984

Laura said...

Hey, I just started reading your blog, you have some really interesting outfits, I like your style :)
Following now so I'll be back to read more. :)

L x

http://only-halfdressed.blogspot.com/

Lori said...

The back of the dress is just lovely. You look wonderful.

http://nomoresweatpants.blogspot.com/

What Would a Nerd Wear said...

i have that rule, too. by the way, did you once have a special blessing for finding great sartorial deals??? it's really pretty amazing the stuff you stumble upon.
that, or i should consider moving to canada.

Kyla said...

Those shoes are RIDICULOUSLY high! No wonder you have such a hard time walking in them.

I feel ya on the blog rule. I operate the same way. If for some reason I am posting something that I don't wear out, then I totally cop to it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Linda said...

Hey Bambi! Your calves are specatular.

See you saturday!

Melissa said...

That is a FABulous dress!

I like your blog rule. :)

rlutz said...

I try only to post outfits I wear out. Then again, if I am not going out I am usually in a ratty tshirt and yoga pants...no one needs to see that. That dress is beautiful and I love those shoes, but my feet hurt just looking at them,

Jessie @ Style and Pepper said...

i struggle with some of the same issues... kudos to you for sticking to your guns!

i think you're fabulous, and love coming to your site for outfit inspiration so thanks for sharing it with us. :)