Through These Hard Times

Hello!
My goal this week was to use my remaining two items: my pink shorts and this red cardigan, so today's outfit was built around this cardigan in my usual color scheme--red, white, and blue. Now you've seen all 21 items.The remaining four will be interesting to say the least. I think I'll be trying one of your suggestions on styling my pink shorts.

I'm so sorry these photos are so dark. This was my first time taking my own pictures with my new tripod. So just bear with me as I experiment with different settings and locations. I tried to salvage the photos with photoshop, but even its mystic powers couldn't save them. I'm sure you get the gist of the outfit though since you've seen all these pieces before. I worked the closing shift last night. Usually we finish closing before 11:30, but we didn't clock out until around midnight and so that's when I had to bike home. I guess I must've caught a cold since I forgot to bring along a cardigan. My congested mind couldn't see how dark these photos were on my camera.

Work last night was a disaster. I went in with an open mind, but 5-minutes into my shift, I was already hating the change. The new general manager makes me miss the old one, who we all hated, but at least he listened to us. He's turning the place upside down as if he owns the place (he's just a temp right now)--changing everything and in the most ridiculous, inefficient ways. I pretty much argued with him all night long. While I was on my break with my coworker, he overheard us talking about him since he was sitting right behind us. It was so awkward and kinda funny at the same time, but when we clocked back in, he had a heart to heart with each of us. I didn't apologize, but I just told him that he couldn't just change everything so suddenly--I mean we just lost all of our managers for goodness sake. We were a family; it's as if we turned in our own parents to the police. The new managers are all so cocky, and all but one haven't bothered to introduce themselves to us. How are we supposed to respect people like that? Ugh. It just makes me so mad, and to think I have 7-hour shifts on Sunday and Monday. I'm really not sure how much longer I can last.

Anyway, enough about work...just thinking about it makes me upset. I'm hoping things will turn around soon or that I find a new job soon. Someone please hire me?

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend so far!

17/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: red cardigan -- zara; lace tank -- f21; skirt -- uo; belt -- purse strap; oxford flats -- aldo; pink bow -- h&m

Recap: Outfits 10-15 of 21

I am now more than 2/3 done with this challenge! Only five more looks to go! I'm running low on creativity, and at the moment I'm still in my pajamas (it's almost 4 in the afternoon). After this post I need to stare at my closet until something comes to me, and hopefully before the sun goes down, so I can run some errands and gather things for my room. I'm so upset that I woke up at 1pm today and missed the garage sales this morning. I blame the horrible shift I had last night, but more on that later...I'm off to conjure up outfit #17 for you all.

I'm torn between #11 and 14. Which one is your favorite?

Until next post,
Jasmine

The Best Deceptions

Hello!
I'm not sure if this is the most flattering outfit ever, but we live and we learn. I wish my shorts were a bit looser, but they're not meant to be high-waisted--I'm just short, anything can be high-waisted . I do like the color scheme though. Originally I was going to wear it with my white striped top, but it looked too Valentine's Day-ish for me. So romantic patriotism it is then.

These shorts are definitely a challenge to style, but I'm also pretty surprised I'm wearing them for the first time so late into my challenge. In the Fall and Winter, all I ever wore was shorts (with tights of course); now I'm always in skirts and dresses. I was hesitant in putting these into the mix, but I didn't want all 21 looks to be variations of a top and a high-waisted skirt like it has been up until now. Next time, I think I'll choose a romper instead. To me, shorts without tights is so boring, and to wear them normally just isn't blog worthy. I need to find a pair of flattering high-waisted shorts or find a different way to wear shorts, because dressing so girly everyday is a bit exhausting. Any suggestions on how to style these shorts again for the challenge? You can see my 21 items here.

I'm leaving for work soon--with a huge bow on my head might I add. I just want to see if they dare tell me to take it off. A little immature, passive aggression never hurt anyone right? I'll update you all tomorrow. Wish me luck!

16/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: navy striped top -- gap; red bow belt -- h&m; pink shorts -- old navy; white oxford flats -- aldo; red hair bow -- etsy; bow ring -- f21

"Life is No Nitendo Game."

Hello!
So I know these aren't the greatest pictures. They're way too overexposed, but I'm pretty sure you get the gist of my 15th outfit. I did the dress as a top trick again. This skirt and this belt can't stand to be apart so here we are again. We took these photos outside of the restaurant we ate in for dinner, which was Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ . We decided to eat a bit nicer today because Robert just finished his MCATs! It was so delicious and I don't even like BBQ all that much! I want to use jars as cups now.

Chicken tenders as an appetizer; and a combo platter: 1/2 a bbq chicken, pulled pork, beef brisket, french fries, and sweet potatoe fries--scrumptious! I love how they added mint leaves in their sweet tea! I definitely need to have a mint plant in my future backyard to add to my teas! They also had really good biscuits.

While Robert was taking his MCATs, I stepped foot into a Good Will for the very first time. I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. I didn't look at clothes, don't worry I didn't cheat! I was there to look for things for the house. I scored a cute little box for $2 in which I'm going to store my belts; and a set of four Classic Coca-Cola glasses ($1 each) since my family is always running out of cups, and I hate having to wash them just to get a drink of water. So I guess now it'll take a wee bit longer to run out of cups. I have definitely missed the satisfaction of scoring cheap things.

This polka dot bow is also the last of my pre-challenge haul. It reminded me of Minnie Mouse so of course I had to get it. I gave my best friend at work the other one so we can match. Speaking of work, I went in today to check my work schedule, and all the new managers looked pretty intimidating and serious. I'm pretty sure we won't be able to wear our bows together at work anymore. The whole place seems to have a black cloud over it--it's just so somber and serious now. Robert thinks I should embrace this change because it's a fresh start, but I can't help but feel sad and angry. Hopefully work for me will go smoothly tomorrow night. Don't know what I'm talking about? Catch up on my last post.

On a lighter note--only six more looks until my challenge is done! Yay! Now back to watching Project Runway.

15/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

PS. Currently obsessed with Eminem's "Not Afraid." The title of this post is one of my favorite lines from that song.

outfit: dress/top and skirt -- cotton on; bow belt -- h&m; polka dot bow -- etsy; sandals -- uo

Dynamic Duo as Sailors (Again!)

Hello!
Jen had the brilliant idea to do another Dynamic Duo post with this sailor top during our X for X challenges. I didn't mind because we both adore this top and was going to wear it again anyway. I think we did a better job with it the second time around. I love how we re-demonstrated why we're long lost sisters by pairing with dark skirts.

I began the remodeling process of my room today. I'm so exhausted, but I'm quite happy with the results so far. I purged my closet too, and it feels so good and liberating! I ended up donating half of all my clothes. I can't believe the amount of junk I've accumulated over the years. I have vowed that I won't fill my closet back with the same useless junk! I really am left with just some basics, my beloved stripes, dresses, and skirts. I'll take pictures of the final product once I'm finished. My dad and I are going to remodel the whole house together actually, but I'm doing a trial run on my own room first.

I love how Jen added the suspenders to the look. Whenever she wears them, I get the need to buy myself a pair or hope that my brother gets one so I can steal them too. I've already stolen his bow tie. It was just laying in the hallway for weeks so I thought I would rescue it. I haven't figured out how to wear it yet though. I need to find the perfect button-up blouse first.

Funny story behind these photos: In some of them, the fourth button is unbuttoned. I actually didn't realize this until I was checking through the photos after Robert had taken them to make sure the lighting was decent. I think it would've gone unnoticed until much later if he hadn't taken a close-up photo of my skirt. So naturally I buttoned up that fourth button and made him take a few more photos. I also really hate how the tag of my belt is sticking out. I need to cut that asap!

If you guys remember, about a month ago, there were some investigations and interrogations going on at work. Well last night, my Facebook was in a frenzy with statuses and chats about the new take-over. Apparently, last night, most of my managers, including the general manager, were fired and the keys and locks were changed. I'm so anxious and nervous to go to work this weekend. While I am glad that our general manager is gone because he was a horrible boss, I can't help but feel responsible about the fate of the other managers--one of whom is eight-months pregnant and all of whom I've become so close to. Before I gave out names, I asked the district manager if anyone would lose their job--and he reassured me that they wouldn't. What a freaking liar. Sorry to end one of my favorite posts with that...I'm just so sad and angry.

I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far!

14/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

jen's outfit: sailor top and shoes -- uo; skirt -- f21; suspenders -- brother's; hat -- won from a giveaway

my outfit: sailor top, belt, and skirt -- uo; oxford flats -- aldo; red bow -- etsy

All I Have to do is Dream

Hello!
Today was my last day at this university! It's kinda surreal actually. It just hasn't hit me yet that after three years, I'll be attending a different school in the Fall. It was a pretty good last day--well except for having to hang my photos on the wall and having everyone critique them in front of me. Thankfully everyone seemed to like my photos for the most part, and the professor even defended one of my works. It was still super nerve-wracking though...

I've used 19 out of my 21 items already, and I have definitely used some more than twice, like this chambray skirt. This skirt is quickly becoming one of my favorites; it might even replace my infamous royal blue skirt as my go-to skirt. When I first got it, I was a little worried it would clash with the other items in my closet, but it just seems to go with everything! My new shoes are becoming one of my favorites too. My goal this week is to use the remaining two items: my pink shorts and my red cardigan.

Yesterday after dinner/before the movie, Robert and I decided to get each other gifts spontaneously...at the mall. Now since I can't shop, I had to wait outside of the stores while he went in and picked some things out. I was so anxious! Robert came out with this bow belt from H&M, and something else from UO that I'm deciding whether I want to keep or not (we've been together too long now to have hurt feelings over un-liked presents). I pre-ordered him the video game that every guy currently wants right now--Starcraft 2. I'm so glad to have this bow belt for the remainder of the challenge. Though I think I like the red one better, I'm sure this belt will become overused too. I'm going to be on the hunt for a white bow belt now.

Before walking into the stores, Robert asked if there was anything I wanted in particular. Surprisingly though, I said nothing except this bow belt, but I told him to look at accessories because 1) they're cheaper; and 2) I can only use accessories until this challenge is over. Usually I have long lists of things I supposedly "need," but not anymore. I think this means that I'm pretty content with my closet. I can't wait to finish purging things that I hardly wear. I think I'm going to start mission: room make-over during this last month of summer. I actually used to want to be an interior designer at one point, but then real estate market crashed.

13/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: red striped top and white bow -- f21; black bow belt -- h&m; chambray skirt -- j crew; oxford flats -- aldo

Reasons to Prey

Hello!
Today is mine and Robert's three and a half years anniversary! It's also my parents' 24th wedding anniversary. It's kinda ridiculous how quickly time has gone by over the days, weeks, months, and years. We're not doing too much to celebrate since Robert has a final on Wednesday and MCATs on Thursday so I didn't dress up much at all. We are going to dinner and then after we're going to watch Salt; but we are planning a trip to Las Vegas in a couple weeks. I'm so excited because my challenge will be over by then, and I've heard Vegas has become quite the shopping city! I probably won't be able to afford anything anyway. It'll be nice to walk into a store again though.

I bought this skirt from the Hautelook American Apparel sale, thinking it'd be a red skirt to complete my nautical outfits. But it turned out to be a reddish orange color, and so I am at a loss as to how to style it. I added it in as one of my 21 items to challenge myself, but it's just been sitting at the bottom of the pile for weeks now. I decided to give the nautical look a go with this skirt and am kinda indifferent to how it turned out. But...I do love my new shoes! They were totally worth the wait. I already know they're going to go with everything. Even though they are blindingly white, I'm so worried that they're going to get dirty too quickly. I need to get myself another Tide To Go pen.

I went to school today to print my photo projects. While Robert and I got lost trying to find the photo lab, we stumbled upon this courtyard. I really liked the chalkboard and its title, "Reasons to Prey," so after I printed my photos, we came back here to take some outfit pictures. As I was walking through my campus today, I was hit with a strange feeling of nostalgia. Tomorrow will be my last day at this university. And while it wasn't the best three years, it's still my alma mater--well my first one anyway. I can't say I'll miss this place, but I can't say that I won't either. Maybe tomorrow's post will be some sort of tribute to the place.

I think I'm starting to feel the detoxification part of this challenge. I haven't shopped/bought anything in 14 days, and yet...I'm no longer freaking out about what to wear in the mornings. I've realized that I do have a lot of clothes--a lot of cute clothes at that. I'm starting to look at my other clothes with a new appreciation and excitement. I can't wait to start remixing those too. I have really learned the importance of accessories--a simple bow belt can go such a looong way. Once my shopping ban is over, I need to buy with my mind and not my heart, because my heart falls in love with everything too easily.

This challenge is really reminding me why I started this blog in the first place--to channel my creativity with clothes and photography; and that creativity shouldn't be/doesn't need to be sparked by a weekly, sometimes even close to daily, new thing. I'm really liking the idea of a minimalistic closet. Actually, all my clothes used to fit in a small cupboard while my closet was used as the family storage; now my closet is bursting. I'll probably have a shop update real soon. I think at the end of my closet cleansing, all I'll be left with are a few basics, my collection of striped tops, skirts, and dresses. And honestly, I'm a-okay with that!

12/21

Until next post,
Jasmine

outfit: striped top -- gap; belt -- uo; red skirt -- aa; pink bow -- h&m; bow ring -- f21; oxford flats -- aldo