Sometimes I'll put my arm up behind my head

It was 90degrees today. Jealous? Don't be. Chase and I don't have air conditioning or a pool so we suffer except when I'm at work (where there's air conditioning, but still no pool, boooo) so Chase just suffers.

Are denim jackets still out? Because I don't care. (See how much I don't care here.)

I'm wearing a thrifted American Eagle denim jacket ($5), Forever 21 maxi dress ($5), and JCPenney orange necklace (free with gift cards - buy it!) with Target clog sandals (gift from my in-laws).

Reader Question: Cowl neck top

Cara emailed me asking how to style this top from Kohl's:

I bought a shirt that I love, but I'm not too sure how to style it. Long sleeved shirt underneath? What kind of necklace-if any?

When I first saw it, I thought it had an athletic/sporty flair to it, which I personally am not a fan of (see my post on sneakers here). But at the same time it looks comfy so I tried to go for a comf and relaxed looks incorporating current trends.

with a long sleeve underneath - I chose stripes to go against the stripes in the cowl neck top. I think a solid color would be too bold for this shirt so I'd go for similar neutral gray tones or pink. White would be good too. I personally wouldn't wear a necklace with it because of the strings. That's just me though. I suppose you could wear a choker-type necklace or even a long pendant necklace.

skinny olive cargos - Here I chose skinny olive cargos with some sportier shoes to go with the athletic/sporty feel of the top. Add a loose white tank underneath for some extra flutter at the bottom!

maxi skirts - Still going with the comf, relaxed look, I chose maxi skirts! I went with graphic tanks, strappy shoes, and perhaps a belt to keep everything in place.

What do you think of my selections?

What tips do you have for Cara for styling this top?

Nothing New

There's something so classic about all black with stripes. But it's nothing new... It looks a lot like this outfit. I like this one better. Mostly because of my new sunnies from Penney's. I like that they're big. I need big glasses for my big face. Proportion.

So there won't be an outfit post tomorrow. I'll be too busy being kind and charitable volunteering to build houses or something. Don't be sad.

I'm wearing MNG by Mango sunnies (free with gift cards - buy it!), a thrifted Talbots black blazer ($4), Old Navy striped shirt ($4), gold necklace ($5), J Brand black jeans ($158 - buy it!), and H&M black flats ($13) with a MNG by Mango black bag (free with gift cards).

Oh, did you say lace skirt? I am actually giving one away here from j.e.m. apparel. Get your 15 entries in before March 31st comes and creeps up on you and then it's April. And you didn't win the skirt. Because you didn't try. You didn't even try.

Hey Grandma

I thrifted this dress a couple weeks ago but it was like an XXXXXXXL. Something about it appealed to me so I got it. Then it sat in my sewing corner for that time until I finally decided to tackle it a couple days ago. After five hours (really... I'm so serious.), this is what I got! I forgot to upload the before pic and I'm too tired (read: lazy) to do it now so I'll show you tomorrow, maybe.

I read the tag inside and it is from Korea. Destiny? Perhaps. But I still look like a grandma. I think I need to hem it a couple inches to make it sexy grandma. I'm so scandalous. Now that I am looking at these pics, I think the shoes may have been too bulky. Looks like it's time to go shoe shopping with my imaginary money.

If you're thinking the buttons are a little off... they are. I did it on purpose. (I didn't. I messed up.)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a lace skirt! Only 5 people entered. Okay, 500. Follow my blog with bloglovin' for an extra entry. You should be doing that anyway...

I'm wearing a JCPenney tan trenchcoat (free with gift cards), reworked vintage blue dress ($7), Anthropologie gold bib necklace (free with gift cards), Forever 21 gold flower necklace ($8), and Target clog sandals (gift from my in-laws) with a JCPenney black bag (free with gift cards).

Update:  the before

• took in the arm pits and sides..and it took forever because it's not a stretchy fabric and I had to fit it to my arms just right
• shortened the sleeves
• got rid of one row of buttons and added my own
• removed shoulder pads
• (the sash was already there... sewn into the back of the dress)

I was so ready to give up 2309874 times and it doesn't even look that great now. I did learn how to make a button-hole. I hate when I learn a lesson from a bad situation.

When it rains, it pours. And then it stops.

Last night I "went to bed" at 7pm and woke up at 2am. Then I watched Netflix for three hours and made myself go back to sleep at 5am. And then I woke up today at 11am. I basically had two nights of sleep in one day. I don't know why I told you. I just thought it was really weird. I'm still waking up.

Took the ole raincoat out yesterday...except it stopped raining. The ONE DAY I actually dress for the rain I miss it. It was actually NICE and I didn't even need a raincoat and boots OR a sweater or scarf. I was sweating and hot all day at work. I was also wearing a tank top underneath so I couldn't take my sweater off at work. Why do bad things happen to good people? I still liked this outfit...especially the colors. If only the weather would cooperate with ME.

I'm wearing an Old Navy yellow raincoat ($15), secondhand blue scarf ($3), Forever 21 gray sweater cardigan (gift from my Valentine), secondhand Express black leggings ($7), and Tsubo black boots with an Old Navy pink bag ($10).

Another okay outfit

Not really a fan of this outfit today...especially in these pictures. I look frumpy from too much bagginess on top and the bottom. But I had to! It was fat day! I even wore my Lipo in a Box underneath! Help me, skinny fairy! I don't think these shoes really helped either. The cuffs just shorten my already short legs. Blahblahcomplaincomplain. Mylifesucks.

Don't forget to enter my NEW giveaway for a lace skirt. Yes, you read it right. Run. Don't walk.

I'm wearing a Collection B black jacket ($55 - buy similar!), Love Stitch white blouse ($4), DownEast Basics shirt (gift from my mother-in-law - buy it!), JCPenney orange necklace (free with gift cards - buy it!), Gap Factory boyfriend jeans ($26), and Tsubo brown pumps (c/o Tsubo - buy it!) with a JCPenney black bag (free with gift cards).

Win this lace skirt! (CLOSED)

"j.e.m. apparel was born out of [one girl's passion] for affordable and timeless clothing and accessories." {source} Basically, Jenny Mauk and I are like best friends. The first time I saw her website and the clothes she had selected for her online boutique, I was pretty sure I had found my style soulmate. Everything is clean, crisp, simple, feminine, and affordable...just like me. Check out her website and tell me we aren't soulmates... Srsly. If you see something you like, enter CLOTHEDMUCH15 to get 15% off until 5/31.

One lucky reader will win this lace skirt in their size of choice!

Bonus entries:  Please enter your complete bonus entries in a comment below.

• Follow my blog with Bloglovin'
• Follow me on Twitter
• Like Clothed Much on Facebook
• Follow my blog through Blogger
• Subscribe to my blog feed
• Like j.e.m. apparel on Facebook and tell them Clothed Much sent you
• Tweet this giveaway linking to this post and leave me the link - can be done daily!
• Share this giveaway on Facebook linking to this post and leave me the link - can be done daily!
• Add one of my Clothed Much buttons to your blog sidebar
• Add my blog to your blogroll
• Post about this giveaway
• Add me as a favorite on Chictopia
• Follow me on weardrobe
• Follow me on LOOKBOOK.nu

Update:  The winner is Sarah.

What the rain..

There is no point in having a nice lens when you can't use it. Looks like I have to revert to the basic lens for the tripod pics. Why does everything bad happen to me?

I love these jeans. They are a size 0. I am not a size 0. So these babies make me feel sooooo good. They are also getting a little big from wear. I'm just going to pretend I'm getting skinnier despite the 8 pounds...and that I really am a size 00. (Yeah, right.. My butt would never let me.)

I think I'm going to lengthen these jeans a tad by redoing the hems. I like the "I can't see your shoes" look. Mostly because I always wear my clog sandals with these jeans and I don't like looking at my toes...because feet are gross.

Don't let the blue skies and sunshine fool you. I drove home in a torrential downpour. Have you ever heard that L.A. people are scared of the rain? WELP, it's true. I think most of them are afraid they're going to melt.

I'm wearing a red beanie (c/o SLiM Motif - buy it!), JCPenney tan trenchcoat (free with gift cards), JCPenney gray buttondown shirt (free with gift cards), secondhand Gap flared jeans ($9), Old Navy brown belt ($10 - buy it!), and Target clog sandals (gift from my in-laws) with JCPenney black bag (free with gift cards).

What's that on your head?

How do you like mah hurr? I don't really talk like that. I was inspired by Rebecca's crown braid. I wish "inspired" meant "the same as" but it doesn't because I'm incompetent when it comes to my hair, which is why it's always boring straight or wavy. Anyway, she has a tutorial here. Check it out. Try not to make me feel too stupid because I can't get it.

(Don't look too closely at my face. You'll see my bajillion pimples. I promise I'm 23....)

I chopped up my blue Gap dress and turned it into a new shirt because last night I realized I didn't have any blue t-shirts. What's wrong with me?

Now I'm off to gorge myself with all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ with Chase and my bro. I forgot to starve myself today. I guess I'll consider that "practice".. Not like I need it. (That's why I'm wearing BF jeans and a loose t-shirt... That's me...always planning ahead.)

I'm wearing a JCPenney trenchcoat (free with gift cards), Gap dress-now-shirt ($8), JCPenney orange necklace (free with gift cards - buy it!), Gap Factory boyfriend jeans ($26), and H&M black flats ($13) with a JCPenney black bag (free with gift cards).

New lens to show off my new necklace

Um, I wore the sweater again. I'm not gross. I just like it a lot. Okay, I might be a little gross too.

During JCPenney's one day sale, I got this necklace (among a bajillion other things I'll show you later maybe). Absolutely love it! You know your jewelry is a success if it attracts a 2 year-old at church and she tells you five times how pretty it is while caressing it. It's not like I gave her candy or anything to say nice things to me.............

If you've noticed (or not, whatever), my pictures the past couple of days have been pretty uh-may-zing. No? It's 'cause we got a new lens!!!! It's the same one Kristine uses. Her husband convinced us when we met up with them a few weeks ago. It actually didn't take too much convincing. I think Chase was ready for a new toy and it actually benefited me this time so I obliged. If that isn't true love, I don't know what is.

I'm wearing a Gap gray sweater ($12 - buy it!), JCPenney orange necklace (free with gift cards - buy it!), handmade green skirt from a curtain ($2), JCPenney black tights (free with gift cards), and Target clog sandals (gift from my in-laws).

Over the weekend but really only pictures from today

As you guys know, my brother is here visiting for a few days. So far we've shopped and ate like a bajillion times. It was awesome. Exhibit A is below:  a bacon-wrapped hot dog at L.A. Fashion District. Delish. I wanted a second one but Chase said no.

Reader Question: "Ugly" Clothes

I'm out having crazy rockstar party fun with Chase and my brother (the one who just got back from a two-year Mormon mission in Spain) so I scheduled this post for Ellen who sent me an email asking how to wear these three items she had sitting in her closet:

I have come to you for help with an ugly piece of clothing I own! Actually, I have three. I was wondering what I can wear with these pieces and I know you must have some creative ideas. Please make me not regret buying the grey top. I have absolutely no idea what to wear with it because it's just so ugly. I've also attached a picture of a green vintage vest. That was hand-made by by mom. And the last one is another vest. That's my mom's.

For the gray top... I actually had the pink version of that shirt and wore it once on the blog here...and I never wore it again. It had CAP SLEEVES and was too short to be a tunic but too long to be a shirt...which is why I chose skirts here (and a pair of black skinny jeans, just in case). I did a monochromatic look with a pop of color from the red heels or glittery/white shoes.

tips

• If you're a shorty like me, always tuck the shirt in...or shorten it.
• This shirt is a light material and it makes you think "cute and feminine" and I went with that theme with the look here. BUT you can also pair the shirt with tough accessories to offset it! ..think motorcycle jacket, boots, whatever tough means..

For the green vest... This is such a fun vest. Certainly not my style but fun nonetheless - even better that your mom made it! For this look I wanted the vest to be the focus so I went with a white base. Then added brown (not black) clogs and bag with some gold jewelry!

tips

• My motto with color is you can let one color piece shine by pairing it with neutrals or compete with it using more color! I went with the first option for this look.
• When I first saw the vest I instantly thought "punk" like Hot Topic. If you don't want your style to go that route, pair the vest with more feminine pieces...like a frilly dress or skirt or cute accessories like bows.

For the pinstriped vest... This is such a great vest because it's a neutral AND striped. So I went for MORE stripes! And then this ethnic/tribe vibe just happened.

tips

• There's so much you can do with a neutral vest. For starters you can pair it with other neutrals (like I did here) and mix and match with other prints (like florals).

What do you think of my selections? 

What tips do you have for Ellen in styling these three pieces?

For Japan With Love

I am participating in the bloggers day of silence tomorrow "to raise awareness and respect and acknowledge the devastation going on in Japan." {source} If you're wondering what you could do, pray for Japan. Be grateful for what you have - your life, your home, your family, your friends. I'll be back on Saturday, lovelies.

Kiss me - I might be Irish but probably not

I wore green today...and yesterday. I think that makes me extra Irish...or it should. Heidi and I had the same idea for wearing our green today:  blue stripes on top and green on the bottom. It's like we have ESPN or something.

I wore my flower necklace as a belt again because the other option was my boring brown belt, which I always seem to pair with my clogs. Typical!

My brother just got back from a Mormon mission in Spain a couple weeks ago and is coming to visit us for a few days. It's going to be food-tastic! I guess we'll go to museums or something cultured like that too...

I'm wearing a JCPenney tan trenchcoat (free with gift cards), Old Navy striped shirt ($4), handmade green skirt from a curtain using this tutorial ($2), handmade flower yellow necklace with this tutorial ($3), and Target clog sandals (gift from my in-laws) with a JCPenney black bag (free with gift cards).

Gap Give & Get

Hey... Look what popped up in my inbox yesterday! It's that time again. Get 30% off all Gap, Inc. brands today through Sunday. Click on the image below to print your coupon.

Here are my two (of many) faves from Gap:

assymetrical ruffle blouse ($50, $35 with coupon), gingham shirt ($50, $35 with coupon)