EASY & ILL-PREPARED

My old-fashioned Caribbean mother tried to instill the value of looking like something when you may have nothing (we were in between nothing and something) in me at an early age. 

"People don't see how much money you have, they just see you, so look presentable," she would tell a clueless 10 year-old me. Under her watchful eyes, my uniform was always pressed and my shoes were always agleam. 

And then I grew up and out and away. And now I have a very lovely couch in my room that is mostly used as a second closet. Now, preparing outfits in advance is a luxury. I have to have the time (or an increased care level that day) for it to happen, and it doesn't often happen.

This means I'm usually found 20 minutes before an occasion scrambling pieces off of my couch, ripping tags off of unworn potentials and swearing at myself. And what you see here is the outcome. 

I had a wonderful Sunday off and was summoned by my male companion. I had four hours to get ready, 7/8ths of which went to watching Canadian teen dramas on Netflix (Instant Star, anyone? You, in the back?). 

The last 1/8 went to sliding into this. A glorified t-shirt, pretending to be a dress, featuring "I'm-really-cool-can't-you-tell" cut outs, a second skin cardigan and flats --- easy like a (lazy and ill-prepared for) Sunday morning. 

 F21 Dress, Cardigan, Locket|  Wanted  Coral Lario Flats|Fiore Boutique Watch, Arrow Cuff, Earrings| eBay Purse| Belk Vince Camuto Bracelet 

*please note that these were taken with my iPhone. How's that for ill-prepared? I'm acing life. 

A WALK IN THE GARDEN

It was Spring for about a weekend in Georgia, and accordingly my legs sprouted roses. I've accepted the cyclical arrival of floral patterns, embraced it even. 

This go around, neon technicolor floral is everywhere and I can't for the life of me latch onto it. It's like an acid trip met a few blooms and now we have a trend. I.DON'T.GET.IT. I mean, I get it, I just don't feel it. Which is fine, because I don't have to like every hot new thing that pops up. Imagine what our lives (and closets) would be if we did that? Oy vey. 

What I am feeling is the softer side of the garden.What caught me were the muted tones, pastels to be accurately trendy, because it would go with a lot of what I already owned. What made me almost turn away were the fact that they were jeans. 

You never know how much of a contortionist you are until you have to wiggle into a tight, woman-hugging pair of jeans -- and my goal in life is not to be a contortionist. But one of my goals was to find a great pair of floral jeans, so for the sake of a dream I wiggled to and fro until (hallelujah, thank the god of botany) I found what you see below.  

F21 Top, Floral Denim, Ring|  Fiore Boutique  Necklace, Watch|Goodwill Denim Button Up| Nordstrom TOMS

I leave you with the wisdom of Miranda Priestly. 

DON'T COME FOR ME

Yes gawd, I am alive and have access to a computer and internet. All these facts aside, I haven't blogged in over half of a year. But it's okay, you all couldn't have missed me too much. Right? Right!? What I'm doing here is fishing for you to say that your quality of life was dramatically decreased because you couldn't view photos of me wearing clothes.

Just kidding squirrelfriends! I'm not even going to try to play catch-up because you will fall asleep instantaneously. I've just been busy being a grown-a** woman and such and so forth! You know how that is.

But what you see in front of you in an ensemble that I wore to work today. I currently work at the cutest place in the history of ever, Fiore Boutique, which allows me to be unnecessarily dressy on a day to day basis. And because I am no longer rushing to school in between working, I can blog again. Oh happy day!

What I am posing awkwardly in below is what I call H2TF21 Couture hunty! Head to Toe Forever 21! I know they get a lot of flack as a "fashion" store, but I love it, no matter how much shade it gets. That said, this is a cute outfit. Just cute. Like a litter of fluffy, adorable puppies. Did I mention I'm on the hunt for a puppy? It's consumed my life, I will die within the next month if I do not get one.

In any case, cute is fine and easy to accomplish, but wars aren't started over just cute and I can't wait to start a war.

F21 Cami, Lace Crop Top, Coral Skirt | Thrifted Patent Tote | F21 + Assorted Jewelry | 

Shoeland Wedged Strappy Sandals

With Great Power

Is it just me or is 20 a pivotal age? My first year out of "teenagedom" is seeming to require a lot of me. 

I have so many more responsibilities than I expected and I have to rise to the occasion. I'm current editor-in-chief of my school's paper, I'm working with Manik magazine for their relaunch, I have a new job and I'm going to (finally) get my drivers license, once I learn how to drive well enough. Not to mention the ordinary stressful school schedule. 

That was a lot of "I" issues, but I haven't been able to vent in a while. I'm trying to do everything while keeping my professional composure, but a girl can only hold her pokerface for so long. Alas, no one likes a whiner, so *ahem I got this! 

The other thing I got is this outfit. Smooth transition, eh? It's my practical-yet-cute-I'm-talking-business look for stomping around campus. Yay academia!

Thrifted Navy High-Waisted Shorts|F21 Loose Sheer Striped Top|Thrifed White Blazer|

|Shoeland Wedged Sandals  | F21 + Charming Charlie Jewelry | Aunt-Gifted Laptop Carry-All

Til' next time, whenever I find time,
---Audrey W.

Sunday Best

Finally, a day in the city. Not that I haven't been to the city while I've been here, I just haven't gone with anyone in my age group (my aunt isn't exactly my bestie). I went out to brunch with Felicia, a friend I met through working with Manik Magazine. She was really nice to take me out and I had a great time. Thanks Felicia!

I think it's best for me to just put this out there. This get-up isn't what I had on when I left the house. See, I figured that lightweight khaki pants would work for the coolest day in New York (since I've been here). It was supposed to rain, so I figured I was safe. I figured wrong. Before a few blocks, they were sticking to me in the most uncomfortable way.

I ran into Forever 21 in Union Square after we had brunch (at a sweet Mexican spot with a Sunday special of free flowing mimosas) and toured the Village. It's the best place for cheap staple items, so a pair of denim shorts weren't hard to find. It was the best I could to not pass out on the street. 

 

Earthbound Trading Co. Ikat Print Clutch|Marshall's Sheer Top|Urban Outfitters Printed Mary Janes|

|F21 Denim Shorts  | Assorted + Charming Charlie Jewelry +Necklace| Thrifted Metallic Corset

For my friends who like pictures of the city (Melena).

For my foodie & alchy friends.

RED VELVET, oh God yes.

Also, see that print clashing? I'd normally stay away, but Ikat + Hawaiian floral, I like!
---Audrey W.

Light-a-Shinin' Through

Thirteen whole days since Youthful Impulses, and I feel like an awful Audrey. I should be jumping at the chance to get dolled up since the weather is beautiful practically everyday now, but my Maymester classes are whooping my behind. Waking up at 7:00 for 6 straight hours of class doesn't leave me with much care for what I wear.
Today though, I woke up with a vengeance. I vowed to drop in on you guys with a new post. I VOWED DAMN-IT. So, hiya guys!

This isn't the flashiest of getups, but I'm at school, so this is a real life outfit: fully functional, fun and comfortable. It's hard not to feel comfortable wrapped up in this oversized button up. It reminds me of a painters shirt. This outfit isn't hitting any particular trends hard on the head, but I'm looking into colorblocking next. Frantic Dreams asked me when I would be trying it (via Twitter), so now I totally have incentive...the fact that she mentioned it. I'm a fangirl of her blog. Expect me to try (try being the keyword, not succeed) my hand and that fun little trend.

H&M Olive Treggings, Cuffed |H&M Button Up Oversized Shirt|F21 Slouchy Tote  |? Tan Tank|
Rue 21 Floral Print Wedges|F21 & Charlotte Russe  Jewelry

Give Good Face

---Audrey W.

Knowledge & Skin

Normally I have a waiting period before I wear new items so that they're new for as long as possible, but this time didn't exactly go that way. I wanted oxfords for so damn long that they got their first taste of gravel today.

And thank goodness for mid-80 degree weather. I can show my legs...my thick, pale blemished legs. The remnants of a clumsy youth of course. My legs will forever be splotchy thanks to mosquito bites. I refuse to not wear whatever mini I want though. 

Summer, get prepared for a generous helping of Audrey-leg. I'm already prepping myself with a new workout plan. Yes, I am one of those girls. I am a Summer-is-here-let's-get-right-and-tight girl. I'm also pretty happy with my Maymester classes. I'll be tackling some academia too. Knowledge and skin. Yep, that's my summer plan so far.

P.S. I want to get some knee high sock/ tights to wear with my oxfords. Know any places to get em? Let me know. Thanks!

F21 Leatherette Skirt |Old Navy White Top |Thrifted Colombian Crossbody |Vintage Halston Light Jacket|  Charming Charlie Silver Braided Necklace| Steve Madden Oxford Flats|

 Give Good Face
---Audrey W.

The Beacon of the Bootie & Sheer Tights

I think I've done it! I've been trying to find a good setup for when I do outfit posts, and I like this one. It's not very original, but it works. I still hope to have photos out in the world, but my personal photographer is on vacation -_- sarcasm. I'm not that cool.

Now onto the clothes, yes? The driving piece behind this outfit was the shoes. I found myself in Dots with some friends one sunny day when, in the shoe clearance rack from heaven, I found the amazing brown booties I have on here. Dots?! Yes, I gave up on this store when I was 14, but my friends convinced me to try it one more time. It's a very hit or miss store, but these $7 booties were a hit for me.

I don't know why they were so cheap, maybe because booties are out of season (Summer is creeping up on us)? Regardless, these were my birthday gift to myself. The big 2-0 on Friday. Oh yes. 

The rest of the outfit followed the beacon of the bootie, and I threw some color in there to appease the Gods of Drab. I do wear too many neutrals. I still have on neutrals here, but the skirt is a small step into bigger, bolder colors. 

Also, check out the sheer teal tights. There are from a thrift store and I'm pretty sure they're at least 10-15 years old. I read in a magazine that opaque tights were better than sheer tights a while back, but I really loved the color of these so I bought em'. Verdict: The magazine was right. Sheer tights don't have as much stretch because of the lack of fabric, so they tend to shift a lot more. I like my tights to stay on me...where they should be. Someone also told me that it make my skin look discolored. Like my legs magically took on a shade of teal?

 

F21 Brown Button-Up | American Rag Lace Tunic | F21 Tan T-Shirt (Under Tunic) | F21 Teal Skirt |  
F21 All Jewelry | Thrift Store Sheer Tights|

Give Good Face
---Audrey W.