Jun 162013
 

What I Wore Sunday, June 16, 2013

What I Wore Sunday, June 16, 2013

What I Wore Sunday, June 16, 2013

  • Black and beige striped top: Maurices
  • Khaki Twill Shorts: JC Penney
  • Black cami
  • Black Knotted Wedge Heels: Maurices
  • Gold Leaf Necklace: Lia Sophia
  • Navy Blue Ruffle Skirted Bathing Suit: Monokinisuits.com (PS: $37.99)

First, I took a four mile run this morning; I’ve decided that to run in the south, I need to run naked. Not really, but holy moly, I was a sweaty mess. Then I put on that bathing suit and spent hours in the sand and in the waves, chasing boys and things blowing in the sand. I also wore at that time a fine layer of sand across my skin as the wind really whipped the sand up and everywhere. Also add in some salt and possibly a bit of an adult beverage that I spilled on myself at one point while trying to jump out of the way of a soccer ball. Tips about that bathing suit: They are Asian shipped and sized. I bought an extra large and it fits like the medium I bought from Albion Fit this summer as well. That said, I need this mint, black and white bathing suit and this red and white polkadot monokini. The prices are ridiculously awesome, by the way.

Mint, Black and White Bathing Suit // Red and white Monokini

Then I showered all the salt and sand and sweat off of every inch of my body and changed into my evening outfit for the day. My uncle’s family hosted dinner tonight across the street in their beach house: steaks and potatoes and all that jazz to honor the fathers in our lives — all of whom rank well above awesome. The back of the top is sheer and partially backless.

Sheer and backless back top

And those shorts, let me tell you, are a dream. I got them at JC Penney on what was my first trip into the store since the big redo, what, a year or two ago. They’re actually JCP brand and they’re a steal of a deal, let me tell you. I got them for $12/pair on sale, and I got the khaki/biscotti color, the royal blue/verve violet color and the french turquoise geometric print. I haven’t enjoyed shorts this much since high school. They just fit like a dream.

I also wore: the relaxed smile of a Jenna on vacation. I will be wearing that the rest of the week as well. It’s my favorite accessory.



LEGO® Star Wars™: Introducing the Yoda Chronicles





Jun 092013
 

What I Wore Sunday, June 9, 2013

What I Wore Sunday, June 9, 2013

What I Wore Sunday -- coral and taupe pencil skirt, coral shirt, gold accents

That skirt was a $3.97 impulse buy during an Old Navy sale. I bought it thinking that I had something to wear with it. Alas, I did not. I then accidentally scored the coral top during a Rue 21 BOGO sale. I only bought it because I bought one of the mint and thought, well, another shirt is free, so why not get this hip “new” coral color that seems to be everywhere. Even still, I didn’t put two and two together. It wasn’t until I had the skirt on this morning, almost opting to wear a boring white top, that I realized I had something that would work together. Further proof: My style is Fly By the Seat of My Pants. Er, skirt.

I tend not to buy too much coral, too much peach — bright or pastel. I started to form my style in the 90′s. Beyond the flannel and Doc Martens, knowing what “season” your skin tone, eye color and hair color made you was all the rage. I remember attending some ridiculous faith-based group for girls as a middle schooler. We talked about everything from sex (don’t do it!) to makeup (don’t wear too much!) to clothing. “Oh, you’re a deep winter. Look at that dark hair and those dark eyes and that pale skin. Oh yes, jewel tones only for you. Stay on the cool side. Never, ever, EVER wear warm colors.” A book that I had — that I pored over — informed me that if I wanted to be a powerful working woman someday, I had to wear the right clothes and the right colors. A college class, years later, taught me about presenting myself on camera; how to wear my makeup, how to wear my glasses (no! glasses! on! camera!), what colors to wear. More of the same: no warm colors for you! No browns. No oranges. No peaches. No corals. Stay with cool jewel tones.

And I did.

It’s not that I don’t like jewel tones. Perhaps you’ve seen me in a bit of true or kelly or forest or bright green. (Understatement.) I also look marvelous in true red and royal blue and deep fuchsia. Bright white, deep black, a bit of navy. All of these things look great on me — on my pale skin with my dark brown eyes with my dark brown hair.

But…

I’m not one for rules. Or, I am. To a point. And, well, not really with fashion. I will go the speed limit. I will refuse to jaywalk. I will pay my taxes on time and to the letter. But if you tell me I can’t wear white after Labor Day, I’m going to show up on Tuesday morning with white pants and white shoes and a smirk on my face that says, “I wear what I want.” It took me awhile to get here, to this point where I feel comfortable dressing how I want — which mostly means dresses and skirts and lots of flow and fun and funk and, well, Jenna. But it’s a good place to be. And sometimes that means I wear browns. And corals. I own an orange sweater, but please don’t tell my grandmother. Do I gravitate toward those deep true jewel tones? Of course. But I like other colors too. I really just like color in general. So if it speaks to me — and it’s $3.97 — I’m going to buy it and wear it and own it.

Anyway, I loved my coral outfit today. Later in the day, I brought it back and wore a navy bathing suit at the beach to redeem my deep winter coloring. You can take the girl out of the 90′s…






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