White Denim: Whispers to Cats

Here we are on the last day of the White Denim Challenge.  The good news is I managed to get it together and make it outside for some outfit pics.  The bad news is I came back home, fell out and am still sick.  Is it Friday yet? Even though I've been under the weather, it's been mad fun to see how everyone has brought a different spin to styling their whites.  A big rah-rah to the girls in the snow...it's a hot mess dealing with slush, but the outfits were awesome!

Confession:  I'm not much of a rule follower - probably because I spent half my life rigorously following them.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still my same nerd - trying to get the right amount of rest, eat my veggies, pay my bills on time and all the important stuff - but in areas such as fashion...I mean really, what's going to happen?  I'm going to wear white after Labor Day and the Fashion Police are going to haul me over?

If anything I find white denim to be particularly wonderful in fall and winter - simply because it can both brighten and soften an ensemble.  The outfit I put together is one of my go-to's.  It blends cashmere, suede and leather with white denim to create a Calvin Klein-esque appeal (at least in my mind).  Cue the horses...I mean the cats.

 ~Outfit details:  Club Monaco-Sweater (seen here and here), J.Crew-Belt, 

Martin+Osa(RIP)-Denim, Banana Republic-Suede Boots (seen here), 

Foley + Corinna-Mid-City Tote, Melinda Maria-Rings, Anthro-Sunnies~

 It's tough to shoot in the sun so here's a better side view.

I've worn each of these pieces before and consider them staples in my closet.

Close-up:  Despite the bunch in the knee, I still like the pants in boots.

Apparently cats find white denim appealing, too.  

Remember in the summer when I was cat whispering 

in the canals?  What was I wearing?? White denim shorts + grey poncho!

It's no mystery that I love cats and they love me.  I've been a cat homing

device ever since I was a little kid.  Today we walked up and they

almost immediately started coming out.

Hollar!! It got soooooo close.  The wild ones are always my besties!

I realize you're thinking, 'wth lady isn't this about white denim??'

Sowee!  I couldn't resist...(dear carey:  also purchased food and returned)

This is for everyone who got dirty in the snow on behalf of the challenge.

Truth:  I got winded and had to sit down before I passed out.

Thus is the price of maintaining a blog. 

Don't forget to check out everyone else who's up today - stop by more than once if you don't see their posts right away.  They've all confirmed and I'm not sure what their regular post times are:

• Carlina - Allergic to Vanilla
• HC - Freelance Shop-a-Holic - as of posting...i think i see a hint of the leopard!! (cheetah!)
• Jiye - Pearls and Green Tea
• Rali - Styles N Cream  - as of posting hers is up and all i can say is i need to get well and work out immediately. hawt!

• And thanks again to everyone who participated and all the readers who came around and visited each of us.  It's been fab!

Part 1: The Evolution and Modernization of the Sweatshirt (Dress)

I have come to the conclusion that renting a home is not the devil after all.  Now don't get me wrong - I would love to own my own home, however the alternative does not necessarily have to equal a fate worse than death.  If you had asked my opinion on this very matter just a few years ago when I was living in a duplex beneath my alcoholic VA nurse neighbor who drove around the neighborhood inebriated in the government car pretending to be out "assisting war veterans" when indeed she was just off sideswiping parked cars in the Trader Joe's parking lot en route to her home (aka my home too) where she would then smash into the garage door and eventually cart two cases of Two Buck Chucks upstairs for a day of hiding at home watching television and drinking bottles of wine on the government's dime - well then I might have had a different response.  Now I'm feeling slightly more positive.

Especially after having driven by the sweeeeetest Melrose Place like building in my neighborhood just the other day.  It's entirely white washed with dark trim.  Each apartment has its own outside door leading in, huge windows, quirky interior details and a courtyard that the back of the units are built around.  How do I know all of this you ask?  Because I got out of the car and looked around while trying not to appear too much like a peeping Tom. 

While conducting my exploration I was decked out in one of my favorite pieces of clothing that ironically is something I completely mocked when I first saw it.  Enter:  the sweatshirt dress.  Ahhhhh yes.  Hypocrisy is alive and well over here at Casa Carrie.

I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work from home.  I like being siloed in because I'm a driven person by nature and can accomplish a lot when faced with little distraction.  That being said, my attire can sometimes consist of pajamas such as boxers and tee's with not-so-fancy slippers or Ugg boots for days.  Attractive.  And sometimes I find myself in a bit of a rut, so to avoid that I picked up a couple sweatshirt dresses from James Perse.  His cotton is a drug and I am an addict.

Check this.  Who would ever think that a sweatshirt dress could be so good?  This one is particularly comfy because it is lined with the softest thermal material.  You feel all snuggled in, but the material is wonderfully breathable.  One of the reasons I really warmed up to it is because it has some structure as well.

It is form fitting without being tight, but also forgiving in the waist and derriere.  If I have to zip out to the store, I can do so at ease by throwing on a pair of sandals or, in this case, a pair of knee high boots and still be super presentable without having to go through a big to do.

The detail on the elbows is reminiscent of the lining of the dress.   It adds just that little bit of texture to the outside of the garment making it more than just a long sweatshirt.

I layered on a couple of J.Crew shiny necklaces - finds from late last fall picked up for next to nothing (seriously scour those sales for major deals - I'm not so savvy with the jewelry and pretty much get all my stuff that way).  Just those little jewels made the dress a wee bit saucier.

Of course the boots helped, but I'll totally throw it on with my Bensimon's too (seen here) just for something simple.

Even though I'm totally eating my words, as is a common theme here on the ol' blog, I have to say this dress will get a lot of wear because it marries the best of both my worlds:  comfortable and laid back with fashionable.  I'm all for bumming around in sweats and a tee, but sometimes when you're 5 days in and haven't left the house for more than half an hour you need to seek alternatives - particularly those that require a shower- for the good of you and your cats.  Except when the former neighbor is out on the lam.

Outfit details:  James Perse Long Sleeve Dress,  Forever 21 Denim Jacket (from 8 years ago), Loeffler Randall Matilde Boots, Foley + Corinna Classic Mid-City Tote, J.Crew Necklaces, Target Sunnies.

Summah Summah Summah-time (Outfit)

Back in the day Will Smith's (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince) song Summertime was one of my absolute faves.  Where I come from in Canada summer is a season that is greatly looked forward to because we spend so much of the year in the deep freeze.  If you have been following me for even just the past few days or so, then you know it's been a lit-tle cold here in SoCal for the past couple months - and my parents have had far better weather back at home!  We haven't had the heat wave everyone else has been complaining talking about at all.



Today that changed.  When I got up this morning it was already warm outside.  Yippee!  And when I walked out of the house this afternoon to get in the car it was 98 degrees.  98 degrees!!  Normally I might get to whining about it's a bit too hot and blah, blah, blah - but honestly I achieved a level of inner giddy over the heat this time.  The Chef and I had several errands to run, including showing Cuppie around town...that's an upcoming post.  (Buckle your seatbelts because I'll be giving you an earful about our guest).  It felt sooooo good to be able to wear actual summer clothes for the first time this season.

I've got to say I'm not much of a girly-girl in the clothing department - by that I mean I don't really do bright colors or overly ruffly things.  I want to try it, but find that outfits comprised of basics with the odd ruffle or splash of color suit me best.  This white dress is about as girly as I go.  It screams summer garden party.  Today it was screaming, "damn it's a hot summer garden party" even though we were nowhere near a party.

To keep it real and authentically me I usually throw a light denim safari jacket over the dress, but it was much too warm this afternoon.  Instead I dug out another one of the jackpot pieces I got at that denim debacle last month.  It's hard to believe that was only a month ago...my mind is still trying to block out all those women with their pants off.  Eeps!  Anyway, this vest was amongst the goodies I was able to safely retrieve from that adventure.  Today was its maiden voyage and it's a keeper!

Here's a better view of the ruffled layers on the front of the dress.  Like I said, I'm usually a wee bit uncomfortable in overly feminine clothing, but this J.Crew dress from last summer was a must-have.  Just seeing it in my closet puts a smile on my face.  The ruffles are not excessive in the least and when I put on the jewelry and the tie-back sandals I feel right at home in it.

As you will notice my skin is still a sad, pasty white.  Hopefully I will be able to rectify that somewhat this weekend.  In the meantime, see what I mean about the shoes?  They're still feminine enough with a bit of sparkly leather in the front, but the suede around the ankle gives them a bit of boho feel and keeps the dress from an afternoon tea party vibe (no offense to tea parties - just not today, thanks).

Here's a close-up.  Very cute, comfortable and can be worn with so many outfits.  The ties in the back really make the shoe interesting.

Before long the day was over and the sun was going down.  I'm hoping the weather sticks around for the weekend and is enjoyable rather than excruciating.  Sure would be nice to pull out some more summer clothes and take it easy.  Wherever you are I hope your weather is treating you nicely!

Outfit details:  Target Sunglasses, Current/Elliott Vest, J.Crew Dress, Dolce Vita Sandals, Foley+Corinna Handbag, Melinda Maria Jewelry.

Convertibles

Have you heard the term convertible used to describe clothing or handbags?  If not, it's basically when you can wear one piece multiple ways - hence, converting it into multiple looks - convertible!  One of my favorite new items is a convertible by Brandy & Melville.  I'm not sure they actually intended for it to be one - but it totally is and I love it.  So here are the 3 separate pieces it represents: 

The Dress

Cute or what?  Check out the slouchy side - love it!  First I put on the standard cami, then a ribbed tank dress to make sure there was no see-through action, and finally threw the slouchy dress (convertible) over top.  Entirely simple outfit that you could easily wear with flip flops for an afternoon beachy vibe or a bit more sassed with a bootie or heel (as seen here) for an early dinner.  It was completely freezing this day, but someday it will warm up and this item will be worn as a dress.  

The Tunic

I think this one's my fave look.  No check that.  It is my fave look.  I love tunics.  They're great with jeans, leggings, shorts or skirts.  They're fun and flexible.  Yes.  this one is it.

Check it up close.  You can pull it up just a little at the bottom so it loses the dress feel, but still covers the butt so it's great with leggings.  I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of the uncovered legging'd butt if there aren't any pockets on the leggings.  I just feel uncomfortable, but that might just be my preference.

And, this particular look is excellent with the military boots.  If fall-like weather is going to persist, I have no choice, but to haul out the fall attire.  At least the fall foot attire.  Hopefully summer will reappear soon :)

The Top

Okay.  Examine it.  First, I must say a wicked breeze had picked up and was blowing straight into me.  All I was thinking was 'get to car and turn on heat stat!'. Otherwise the top version is far more blousy in front and not so, shall we say, sucked into the body.

Much more like this, if you can get a better view from the side.

Or maybe this?  For the win!  Whatever the case, I really do enjoy wearing this as a top as well.  It's great with skinny denim and a heel.  

In this instance all I had to do was throw a little jacket on and we were off to dinner! 

American Apparel has this super cute convertible dress that can be worn seven different ways, Free People has the awesome ruffle skirt that can also be worn as a dress, and check out the Bolu leather backpack that doubles as a messenger bag - it is beautiful!  I'm all over anything that can be worn multiple ways because it makes it much easier on the pocketbook.  And if I really like a particular piece I want to wear it a lot but not be redundant, so a variety of look options is very helpful in that sense too!

How about you - any convertible wearers or lovers out there?  I'd love to get some more ideas!

Dress Outfit Details:  Gap Cami, James Perse Ribbed Dress, Brandy & Melville Dress, Mike & Chris Booties, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Tunic Outfit Details:  Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Tunic, Aritzia Leggings, Joie Military Boots, Alexander Wang Bag, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Melinda Maria Jewelry.
Top Outfit Details:  Gap Cami, Brandy & Melville Top, J.Crew Matchstick Denim, Manolo Blahnik Zip Booties, Rebecca Minkoff Studded Rocker, Tom Ford Sunglasses, Dean Davidson Necklace.