sparkly things!

I'm working hard to dress (more) like a grown up. I'm THIRTY FIVE years old (I've been that age for 4 months now and am only beginning to claim it) and i suppose I should learn how. I live in Neverland, though, so it's hard. And I work at a College, in BERKELEY, a place where people really truly wear tevas to work.

thirty...whatnow? (yes, i'm lying in this photo)

Which is to say there are a number of factors working against me. In fact, when I got this job the hardest part was the "wow, what are you so dressed up for?" comments when I was wearing my business casual-est outfits.

I bought 3 new pairs of jeans and called it a warkrobe. (hows that for a terrible word no one will ever use?)

but ugh! I am an adult! And I want to look like one and I want to be treated like one except when it means people call me ma'am.

I'm working on it, one piece at a time. I've decided that it's high quality items, not wearing pumps and dress pants, that will be my technique. As long as i work at that college and make peanuts for a salary, I'm going to have to use elbow grease and my lil elna to close the gap.

side note: I tried this mail order stylist service for a while, but their stuff was not super high quality and too trend chasey to pull off in the hallowed research halls (a good friend who works in fashion loves it! so if you have a better place to wear stuff, use that link, it's fun!).

Gene pool.

Another important factor, though, is the jewelry. It seems something adults do is wear jewelry. My gorgeous mom (isn't she, though?), who lives in a golf community and jet sets the world in retirement, wears t shirts from old n0vy. and she wears fancy necklaces and fine earrings, and often a movado! with them. and she looks like an adult. (She also wears boring shoes, but we won't go there, nosirree.)

Conclusion: I can keep wearing t shirts, though I am working on upgrading their fabric. And i can wear my new favorite skirt (which is a pencil skirt from old barfy, please don't hate i already have enough guilt about it -- if i keep my hair did and my accessories gleaming, and know that I am Done Up and high five, lady. I can also add blazers like the one I'll start any day i swear.

and so, i just bought $99 worth of sparkly bobby pins and tights and big ol earrings from anthrobarfogie. because the sparkle is an important part of the equation!

Did i just write this whole post to explain away shopping at work? maybe. but i also wanted to articulate the Wardrobe Project that's going on, too! ok. luv. xo