Things I'm Afraid Of: Ankle Boots

My personal style has evolved by leaps and bounds since starting this blog in early 2010 (Can you believe I've written almost 800 posts?!  Should I be proud or horrified at so many hours spent internetting?)  I've gone from a uniform of jeans, cardigans, and ballet flats to so many other types of outfits and accessories.  I even wear skinny pants, y'all.

However much progress I've made, some trends still befuddle me a bit.  I recently scored a great pair of ankle boots at Macy's (where they are 60% cheaper in store - don't fall for their internet tricks!) and they're so comfortable.  I love them, and they keep my feet warm and dry while also making me appear to be of average height. 

P.S. The photo angle makes the sole appear much more obvious than it is in real life.

I wear my boots with dark wash bootcut jeans that almost skim the floor and fitted sweaters or button downs and great necklaces.  It's cute and very flattering.  However, it appears that everyone else wears their boots like this:

Source: thesartorialist.com via Sally on Pinterest

Source: freepeople.com via Bailey on Pinterest

Source: people.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: redbookmag.com via Lauren Smith on Pinterest

I just don't think I can pull it off.  I've got giant feet (size 9 - 9.5) for someone who's not quite 5'4" and I'm so reliant on an exposed ankle bone to offset the width of what's above them and hint at some daintiness to my muscle-ey legs and duck feet, that anchoring them with a chunky boot makes me feel weird.  However, I swore that lots trends weren't for me, and now my taste has evolved to realize that slim cut pants look great on most everyone (when they fit well) and there are very few necklaces I can't pull off.

Am I being silly here?  Should I make myself pair the boots with a skinny pant or dress and just see what happens, or does anyone else agree the trend can look a little odd and unflattering to the leg line?

These are the kinds of things that weigh on my mind sometimes... first world dilemma, indeed.

P.S. It has been forever since I've gotten any reader requests!  If you have a dilemma, please drop me a line and I'll see how I can help.

Help Me Choose: Graphic Wallpaper

Good morning!  I hope all of y'all had a great weekend.  I spent much of it struggling to make decisions about our bathroom renovation.  As I've said, Pinterest is the best and worst thing ever when it comes to finding new things.  Every time I think I know what I want, I see something else that I think will look amazing.

Lately, I'm totally obsessed with the idea of putting a bold wallpaper behind some lower cabinets and open shelves that will be opposite the mirror and vanity.  Like this, but not in a closet.  (And if anyone can recognize the wallpaper, please tell me where to find it!)

Source: inspired-design.tumblr.com via Haley on Pinterest

It actually is a great solution for us because N is hesitant to do a whole wall of pattern, and it will still bring the effect I want.  Here's a glimpse at what we're already planning to do:

And now I need some help deciding on a wallpaper!  Seriously... the choices are staggering.  Here are some of my many favorites:

5 Things Friday

Good morning!  This week has been a long, cold, rainy one here in Texas and I'm still not used to working a full week (I got spoiled over the holidays) so I'm really looking forward to a couple days off.  I'll be brunching with friends and doing the housework and decluttering that I've put off for weeks.

Before I do that, here are five things I deemed worth sharing on the internet:

1. Last week I shared my new year's resolutions for my life in general, but I made a few short-term ones as well, one of which is to get my closet situation under control and only wear flattering pants.  My body has evolved a bit this year, and I took a good hard look at my butt in every pair of pants I owned.  To my horror, some of my jeans were giving me mom butt.  (Read how to recognize it from Rachel at Grasping for Objectivity). 

I've since gotten rid of them, and replaced them with a dark wash pair of the Gap Always Skinny jeans. They don't hug my ankles (rarely flattering) and they're not too tight on my hips and thighs, so I encourage you to give them a try if you're short-waisted or have some curve to your frame. 

GAP jeans   (see more low rise skinny jeans)

2. Aren't these gorgeous photos of the Downton Abbey cast?  It's strange seeing them in contemporary clothes!

Source: weheartit.com via Haley on Pinterest

3. Pinterest is officially the best and worst thing to happen to my bathroom renovation plans.  Just when I think I've got my design board all made up, I see something else that I might love.  This week's tangent was the idea of putting a patterned wallpaper behind some open shelves that I'm planning to install above some cabinets instead of the pair of closet doors that's already there.

Source: inspired-design.tumblr.com via Haley on Pinterest

Saying Thanks... On Paper

I know it's not just a Southern thing (there are plenty of polite Yankees, I hear) but thank you notes have been part of my life since I could write and I can't imagine foregoing the tradition.  After seeing so many "look what I got" and "I want to buy that" posts, I realized that I am dreadfully behind on my post-holiday correspondence and I have lots to be thankful for.

So, as I write lots of cards tonight, I thought I'd share a few great options to replenish everyone's stash of stationary in the new year:

thank you notes by cardiganjunkie on Polyvore

I had to throw in some twenties inspired options after yesterday's post, and I must say the font style is growing on me! 

P.S. Did anyone watch Parenthood last night?  Did Amy go through with it?  I'm thinking not because it's network television and it all seemed too simple.  I appreciate it the script not going all after school special about it, but it seems like a topic worth more than 25% of the episode. 

Roaring Twenties Style

Like everyone else, I watched Downton Abbey last night and was instantly caught up in the glamour of the 1920s.  Unfortunately, while looking for blog post fodder, I caught some major spoilers and I shall not be doing any further research.  Luckily, we also have The Great Gatsby movie to look forward to this May and since I know how that ends, I was free to search the interweb for some beautiful inspiration images.

Source: stylecaster.com via Astrea on Pinterest

 

via

Source: walkingthruafog.tumblr.com via Rosina on Pinterest

Source: to-the-manner-born.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

We're also very lucky to have TONS of art deco inspired clothing and accessories available for us to emulate the look in our own way.  Some pieces are under $10 and look like they could have been heirlooms.  Here are some of my favorites:

art deco style by cardiganjunkie featuring a sheer tank

Where do you stand on art deco?  Is it a trend that just gaining steam, a classic that will never go away, or played out?

5 Things Friday

Wow, three posts in three days!  Don't get used to this, peeps, but I'm enjoying blogging this week and wanted to get back into my 5 Things routine this Friday before I head out to freeze but arse off in the parking lot of Cowboys Stadium before the Aggies play in the Cotton Bowl tonight.  Stay warm, ladies!

1. I am obsessed with the idea of a chic, tan leather jacket like this one ever since I saw them in my new Parisian Chic book by Ines de la Fressage.  However, I cannot bring myself to pay $300 for a jacket right now... even though I'll wear it for years.  Does anyone have leads on good sales??

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Haley on Pinterest

Source: southern-cinderella-mc.tumblr.com via lindsey on Pinterest

2. Isn't this the chicest kitchen?  I'm loving the paint/tile/wood combination and it's making me want to copy it in the bathroom project.

Source: itunes.apple.com via Haley on Pinterest

3. I want to go to there: There’s a place in Ireland where every 2 years, the stars line up with this trail on June 10th-June 18th. It’s called the Heaven’s Trail.

Source: breadzepplin.tumblr.com via Haley on Pinterest

4. Every time I find myself wishing I had a flat chest so I can tuck things into skirts without looking like I have no waist, I look at this picture and remind myself that boobs can be awesome.

Source: ffffound.com via Haley on Pinterest

5. Crazy dachshund lady loves this.

Source: everyonelovesadachshund.com via Haley on Pinterest

And with that, I bid you good weekend!  Gig em Aggies!  WHOOP!

Top 2013 Trends

Tis the season for predicting trends (now that we're done counting down the top 10 everythings of 2012) and I'm excited to try new things this year.  After perusing my hoard of magazines, I've put together my own collection of things that I think will become even more popular in 2013.

If you already have your wardrobe basics squared away, here are some ideas for your "spend the Christmas money" shopping trip:

2013 Trends by cardiganjunkie featuring long skirts