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2010-07-04

Challenges

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Dress?
Handmade, I think, thrifted
Shoes? French Connection outlet
Purse? Thrifted
Belt? Michael Kors, Winners
Bracelets? From Matt and thrifted

When we lost out on the house that we were really hoping to get, I went on a shopping spree to make myself feel better. Mature, right? Usually, I limit myself to shopping my feelings at a thrift store but on this occasion I went with a friend to battle teenagers at a mall on a Saturday. I really debated over getting these shoes. They are nothing crazy but for some reason I loved the contrast of the regular and patent leather and the wood platform. I found them right between the 'I didn't get what I wanted so I am going to foolishly spend money' phase and the 'get a grip, sweetheart, you are going to need that money for the next house' phase. I think I went back to see them three times before I decided to buy them and let the guilt feelings hit me in the car ride home. I'm glad I bought them, they are pretty without being crazy trendy but I'm embarrassed to say I've only worn them once.
That's why I challenged myself to not resort to brown shoes as I often do, but to wear this thrifted dress with the French Connection shoes instead. Some people challenge themselves to run a marathon, some people challenge themselves to give up shopping for 6 months and I challenge myself to wear black sandals. Big goals are being achieved over here... The pathetic thing is that it was actually hard to accomplish. I liked the pattern play of the leopard belt with the ethnic print and so I tried to add my horsey-face clutch to the mix just to show-off. And then the clutch didn't look right with the shoes and before I knew it, I was wearing my trusty brown Frye shoes. I had to step back and re-commit myself to wearing the black platforms. And I did wear them all day, except for when I was frolicking in the sand dunes...
For all my new readers... welcome to the important decisions that rule my life.

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37 comments :

Nadine said...

Ohhh . . . summer, not fair.

Love the belt with that dress. Why do you need a bag and shoes for sand-dune-frolicking? Or is that a stylistic decision?

Julia said...

You're such a good storyteller :) I love the shoes, but I think I might love the ethnic handmade dress with the bright leopard belt even more. I love a blonde who does animal print in a classy way -- and you are such a blonde, my dear Yen!

A winning look, the whole thing!

xo

eleanor said...

Haha. I know that feeling all too well. I love the shoes though, and that dress is incredible!

X

PS. You are SO gorgeous! You look like Abbie Cornish here!

Alessandra said...

gorgeous dress, looks great on you.

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

Such are the private battles of stylish girl. It's hard work, isn't it?

I really love the combination of that belt with that dress.

T said...

HAHAHA! I visiting things too before I buy them.

Love this mix here.

E said...

love that beautiful dress, it looks like it was made for you!


heyfancypants.blogspot.com

Kathryn from Schoolmarm Style said...

I never would have thought to pair the belt with such a bold print. It looks great! I always visit significant buys, in fact I usually take a break of a day or two. If I'm still thinking about it clearly I need it.

celine said...

You're gorgeous. And I love that dress - the colors are perfect on you. Congratulations on the shoes. This is a big day. A big day.

flnw.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

I love the shoes with the pattern mixing of the dress and the belt!

And also - you're hysterical. My husband kept glancing at me curiously because I was laughing out loud.

Tanvi said...

LOVE the dress!

Nicki said...

Haha! Screw marathons, how fun can they be anyways? =).

Love your dress!

myedit said...

ps. I wore the dress to church and then we stopped to take pics in the dunes. Wearing highheels in the dunes is useless... but other than that the heels were a good choice.

Anonymous said...

LOL - love how transparent & honest you are! You are a beautiful girl, "funny little nose" (as my mom wrote in my baby book) & all. Thank you for sharing who you are with the world. It helps those of us very similar to you in many ways relate & realize the inner battles we have as well make us who we are...Your dream home will happen sometime - God has bigger plans for you! :)

Raquelita said...

I love that dress! You are the best thrifter of anyone I "know." But every now and then a pair of shoes from the mall really does just fit the spot.

I did challenge myself to run a marathon, but that doesn't stop me from challenging myself with my closet either. All goals are good.

GFS said...

I'm loving the print on that dress!

tess said...

that's a fantastic dress, what a stunning color and I love the leopard print belt, good contrast

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

Only you would put that belt with that dress and I totally mean that as a compliment because it rocks.

Well done on the shoes. It's so easy to fall back on the tried and tested. They are lovely so glad you could show them off.

Juls said...

im in love with your dress!

Sidewalk Chic said...

Yen, you look so great. I love the purple and the leopard print.

And those shoes...don't feel bad about getting them, because they are really nice. Sometimes it's nice to treat yourself to something good whenever things go wrong -- I think it's cool to see how an item's meaning can evolve. Like, instead of "oh, this was just a pity buy" to "Wow, this is a really versatile piece in my closet." :)

E said...

That belt added such a perfect touch to this dress, I thought that it came with it! Amazing idea! Congrats on the Holland win, too :-)

Dorky Medievalist said...

Dude, where's the orange wig?

Anonymous said...

love this post...it reminds me that my $70 and $80 thirft store bills are totall okay and actually worth it...let's face it...i'm getting anywhere from 15 to 20 items for that amount of dough. that dress is really pretty! good find.

ps...i love canadians. no hard feelings?

Ce qui m'inspire said...

That dress is so pretty! I love the details on it! And good for you for wearing the black shoes! I find myself doing things like that every once in a while, forcing myself to wear something a little different instead of my usual fall back. And I like the animal print belt! Such a great contrast to the dress!

Ce qui m'inspire

Secondhand Stella said...

I like how you wore the patterns of the dress and belt together.

I try to challenge myself to not eat ice cream at night. Its usually a loosing battle.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos! I love that saturated tone on you, but love even more how you mixed patterns and prints here. Such a fantastic, chic look.

rlutz said...

good decision on the shoes...thst dress is amazing!

Anonymous said...

A great dress indeed! The belt paired with it makes the whole outfit stand out more...and it's such a great look! I like making small goals first before creating large ones...little steps right? =)

20 YORK STREET said...

Bonjour/Hello,

You have inspired me to get a belt similar to this and I don't know how to wear it yet but I am very excited to.

Btw, I have to admit that I've been been following your blog for awhile and have been meaning to comment but it was only recently that I've figured out how. I have just started my own blog as well and would love for you to check it out. Let me know what you think!

http://twentyyork.blogspot.com/2010/07/flower-pots-and-dot-dot-dot.html

thanks,

Marilou

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