All in one

This is one of those outfits that makes me feel so pretty and somehow still comfortable.  I am not sure how they manage this but I'm all for it, twice!

By Rachel Abi

By Durham Wedding Photographer

Sponsored by: 

Amazing Raleigh roof repair

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Optimistic as a heart attack!

Another lovely day, one of those days when you wake up and think: today is going to be great.  It may end up not being but so long as I look on the bright side it is so much better!  I want to be the annoying person that only exists as an extreme on tv shows, you know the person.  They get hit by a car and they glad that they got that chance to slow down and enjoy the hum of the engine... yea, I'd like to be the optimistic but then again I guess you can only have one of those per couple.  My husband met the quota ;P  

By Rachel Abi

Fall Must haves 2011

Today I know everything, and I am sharing my depth of knowledge with you, are you feeling privileged yet?  Cause you should be, this is going to be some pretty awesome stuff ;P

Today I will download info that only I can, cause I'm that awesome.  Ok, for real though this post is all about fall basics.  

I like fads and trends but when it comes down to it I lean on the basics and then throw in a few "new tricks".  

Have to haves:

Opac black tights 

Skinny jeans  (if you like boots, other wise a nice trouser cut jean)

Leggings (great for warmth and wearing under skirts)

Go to skirt ( I like to have one that can be dressed up or down, and a little funky never hurts)

Long sleeve swoop neck shirt (great for layering and flattering for most every body type, lengthens the neck)

I included another long sleeve shirt,you can vary the neck line obviously

Go to sweater (I prefer a vintage feel to add "funk")

I included another sweater, you can go any which direction you want (I went button up)

Couple knee high socks

Boots (if I had to pick one pair I'd go black... but my sister would go brown, so it's up to your wardrobe)

Basic jacket (for fall I prefer the lighter side as to not get too hot with sweaters)

and obviously as with any season:

Good undershirt and bra. 

These somewhat few items can be transformed into over a month's worth of outfits

Small things like:

Scarves

Necklaces

Hats

Statement purses 

Statement rings

Written by: Rachel Abi

These next photos are samples of outfits:

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As for hot trends and fads!

This year as there is every year there are a lot to choose from.

 "hint of animal print" 

60's Plaid/ 60's look in general

Fur (this is in every year)

Mustard (pretty much anything in that color)

Pleating

Maxi skirts (especially sheer)

Jade (dresses especially)

Tuxedos (especially white)

Polka Dots

"Hint of lace"

"Working Girl" dress

Parka (not the biggest fan of this one)

Bright bottoms (trousers, jeans,you name it)

My favorites of trends:

Maxi skirts

Polka dots (because they are awesome)

Fur (not really a fad but they like to think it is)

60's pretty much anything (vintage need I say more?)

Now go search your closet, be amazed at the fact you own most all of what you need to have a fabulous and fashionable fall!

By Durham Wedding Photographer

Sponsored by: 

Amazing Raleigh roof repair

Great raleigh headshot photography

Thrift-a-licious

Thrift-a-licous!  Makes the girls go what what.

You'll be headed round the block to find what I got

Got this dress! Got these shoes!

By Rachel Abi

Super comfortable which is my favorite part... but I like the frump feel with not so frump look 

That's what happens when you wear a dress with a beat-up old T-shirt

Vintage vs. classic

So we have two cars, but one of them is just kind of our back up.  It is a lovely car that has run perfectly for every day of it's life.  And because of it's age I count it as a classic: 1985.  I know that it isn't really yet, but it is at least vintage!

Speaking of things older than me... yea, I got nothing. ;P

Thanks to the challenge of two great blogger this outfit came to be.  First is to Clothed much and her Breaking rules challenge. I  decided, eek (at least for me), to put a belt over a cardigan.  Outer wear under?

Second is to Meet Virginia and her Thrift a holic's weekly: namely the dress and purse. 

By Rachel Abi

Pimped shells

This skirt is one of those skirts that you wish you could wear to every occasion.  Super comfortable and light (which is  a key factor when dressing in the south, in the summer... at least to me), you see I lack the ability to sweat properly.  You are supposed to get relief from sweating (though you do get the aggravation of being damp/wet), but I just.... boil on the inside.  So light, light is key for me not going postal during the summer.  

By Rachel Abi

Had to show off my pimp shells!  It is the closest I get to Hawaii ok, leave me alone ;P 

Thrifting vintage makes me feel like I am stealing

When get great finds I feel like Gollum... my back starts to hunch as I claw the item to my chest.  I don't pet it... most of the time.

This outfit wasn't any different.  The whole outfit is fully thrifted, thanks to ___ for challenging me to put logs onto the ever growing thriftaholic fire,... ok, save for the necklace: it was a gift from my grandmother.  I got the skirt, shirt, purse at a yard sale and the bracelet was in one of those piles of giveaway that have filtered through my home. 

By Rachel Abi

You can clean in this right?  I guess not but it is great for making your way through your small downtown to a great little spot to write... too bad to, I really wanted to clean?

My poor husband is stuck taking my photos everyday and it isn't his favorite thing...  I make his stop his early morning ritual to come out and take pictures of me in my outfits... and then I act silly, point in fact:

The sad face is because he told me I couldn't smile... so I did exactly that, NOT smile ;P

Breaking out pink

Breaking thrifty yet again.  I wore 5 shades of pink in one outfit... pretty sure that's off the "Ok" list but I enjoyed my ultra girly outfit.  I got the top and necklace second hand.  I wasn't sure how I was going to wear the top but it worked out... or maybe not.  you'll have to tell me.

By Rachel Abi

Travel with style?

I know that you are supposed to travel in business attire to be first choice for first class... I lean on the I want to be comfortable when I travel side but that's just me.

For our recent trip I decided to try and look cute instead of rocking Pj's... thought this was a bit more appropriate.  Rocked out my thrifted necklace and vest and was on my way.

By Rachel Abi

I also tend towards being cold on planes... why?  I don't know you should ask the airlines why they like it feeling like an icebox! ;P

Of course you need a sweater in the summer?

I always like picking up challenges from other bloggers, not only does it give me direction on where to go in my closet it forces me to play within certain rules.  

Today is just another day of blogging where I do just that with three fabulous bloggers: Pretty Shinny Sparkly (challenge Bloggers Do It better), Pleated Poppy (What I wore Wednesday) and Natasha (Feminine Friday, don't ask my why since it isn't Friday ;P)

I know, how can I do all of these at the same time?  I don't know if I even did, you'll have to tell me ;P

By Rachel Abi

Whether I did it or not it was fun to try!

Flashback

No I don't mean that we are going to have a heart warming memorry of years past that have some deep meaning to me.  Much less self important: I mean a fashion flash back.  Yes I did wear this all about town doing what I need to do.  Why?  Just because honestly.  I looked in my closet at one of those items that you at times wonder why you still own it since it isn't the most flattering when you look in the mirror and it isn't the most versitile but then you put it on and forget about your notion to get ride of it.  Does this ever happen to you?

Being the youngest of five, I am no stranger to hand me downs however in my family whether boy or girl the clothes were handed down.  This particular shirt was handed down from oldest to youngest, switched hands 5 times.  It is well worn and is far from fitted since it is a male shirt by design yet some how, despite what I know I actually look like in it, I feel cute and comfortable each time I wear it.  As soon as I look in the mirror I get a large awakening... my solution: don't look in mirrors!

No, my solution isn't the sensible choice of getting ride of the guys shirt that is over 2 decades old but instead avoid seeing my reflection. . . I cannot explain it save for apparently I'm crazy.  And I am in good company!

This week I took on two challengers again: Clothed Much (breaking rules) and Meet Virginia (thirft-a-holic weekly).  The rule broken is a bit (just a bit) obvious  #sarcasm : Looking like I walked out of the 80's.

As to the thrift-y-ness (yes, the Y is needed ;P) that comes down the shorts and socks ( must admit are indeed thrifted but they did have tags still on them, in my defense)
Written by Rachel Abi

What about you?  Do you wear what you know you shouldn't or keep you know that you won't wear?

Wells are chairs, right?

The most irritating ring on the cell phone is blaring announcing that it is time to get up yet again... only I don't want to, I know such a change from the normal #sarcasm.  Walking to my closet I deem that despite my going and picking up durrock, for the bathroom we are redoing, I will dress up-ish.  Is it my fault that I want to feel pretty, at least a little, when going to get essentially concrete and wire mesh?  Ok, so I am crazy but I'm ok with it so it's alright.

Dressed and dragging my poor husband out the door behind me I look around our yard and think, "where should I go today? I know that well looks ripe for the sitting!"  

By Rachel Abi

I love having stories behind accessories.  The bracelet I am wearing was given to by my dearest sister.  She and I lived with each other and shared a room for most of our life and between arguments and irritations we are best friends.  For the first time in our life we were separated for 3 months when she left me for the beauty that is Ireland and when she returned she gave me this bracelet (and 2 shirts)... I can't wear it without thinking of her, and I love it for that if nothing else!

This is what I wore Wednesday: thank pleated poppy.