Accessorizing 101

This is part of the Style Series, which all started with some great feedback on my Summer Style

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Just for fun, you can read all about my closet here.

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Color. Texture. Pattern. Shine. 

 That should be your mantra when accessorizing any outfit. 

I've put together some VERY basic looks. 

I'm just using your everyday t-shirt and jeans...

See:

I have an incredibly oversized t-shirt I bought 

dirt cheap at Forever 21. 

I chose this over my other (better fitting) t-shirts, 

because I wanted to challenge myself to make it cute. 

Here is what I came up with. 

I created an a-symetrical neckline by bunching the shirt under the brooch. 

The belt adds some structure to the shirt.

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The draping necklace adds some texture and movement.

diy brooch: $2.00

thrifted necklace: $2.00

belt, f21: $5.00

hoop earrings: gifted. 

FYI: Kids are definitely accessories, especially if they are this cute!

I recently found a really great fitting black tang-top for under $5.00! 

I love the fit, the straps, the neckline...

I bought one in gray too!

Here is how I accessorized it..

I usually am not a tuck-er. 

But I am when I've worked this hard to eliminate a muffin top! 

The skinny belt adds a little contrast & the scarf is super lightweight and fabulous!

I also have some pretty earrings on..

belt, h&m: $5.00

scarf: $8.00

earrings: $4.00

The next few shots are things you can do with scarves...

I am a scarf person. 

Not everyone is. 

I'm told it's a NorthEast thing...

I don't know if that's true.

But, what is true is that ANYONE can rock a scarf...

You could wrap it around your arms for a pretty evening look. 

The back looks like this:

Or you could try one of these looks: 

Usually I'm a grab, wrap, and go scarf wearer. 

Well.. I'm sure you can tell that these are not self-timed pics..

Nope.. I upgraded!

Wanna meet my photographer??? 

Blogging Friends meet Kim. 

She is a fantastic mother of three!

Just six weeks ago she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy!!

Here she is on the other side of the lens, trying out some accessorizing:

She is really a wonderful lady. 

So..Kim, 

I can't tell you enough, thank you for taking these pictures. 

They are 100000000x better than my statuesque self-timed ones!

You are amazing.

Accessories are what make an outfit fabulous...

You don't need to by a $100 shirt to be stylish. 

Just add a bit of frosting. 

What is your favorite accessory? 

Is there one you are afraid to try?

I want to hear from you!

Summer Motivation

Summer has had a slow start. 

I've been entirely consumed by a Critical Thinking class, 

 which apparently does not come naturally.. 

hmmph! 

I've been a shut-in, glued to the computer screen, reading material I forget 10 minutes later. 

To describe this class as challenging would be a vast understatement. 

I downright hated this class. 

But, I can't dwell on the suck-y-ness of this class for long considering my new class started...

TODAY! 

But:

Despite the Japan humidity and the disgusting rainy season that is upon us... 

I'm in good spirits!

I'm back at the gym!

On my terms! 

There once was a day when I imagined a fitness blog describing my adventures of weight loss. 

But, I sort of stink at writing about it... 

Ok, okay.... I REALLY stink at it. 

I hated forcing myself to write about fitness...

But just because I nixed the fitness blog, 

doesn't mean I gave up on the workouts...

I started a Couch to 5K challenge, 

which I revised to Computer Desk to 5K. 

Which is appropriate considering a majority of my 

studying, writing, discussions, blogging,

emailing, and of course facebooking 

happen here, in front of the computer. 

My cousin Kelley and her girlfriends all started this together 

and I have been inspired by their determination.

For anyone that is interested..

it is an application you can buy on itunes.

It is pretty fantastic! 

Has anyone tried it before? 

Do you need something to jumpstart your running? 

On another note: 

My baby brother is graduating from highschool this weekend! 

And without going into details...

this has been such an incredible challenge for him. 

So my two baby brothers will be in Japan this time next week and 

we will be on our way to a fabulous trip around the country.

We will be hitting some hot spots along the way, 

and I'll be sure to keep you posted with pics and details!

We will celebrate graduation and new beginnings. 

I'm thrilled to share a piece of my life in Japan with them! 

Well...

The Hubby and I both have homework to attend to. 

You should see us, eyes glued to the computer screens... 

quite a sight.. 

Happy Wednesday-ing!

Exam Time

It's 8:30 am in Tokyo. 

I'm sitting at my computer. 

Tea is made. 

Eye Sleepies wiped away.

and now it's time...

Can you tell that I'm nervous? 

Wish me Luck!

Style Series.

I received a ton of e-mails and comments about my Summer Style and the MilSpouse Closet. 

Some readers had questions about how to keep style while traveling.
Others were asking about packing for trips that give you comfort and style.
And even had someone ask what I wear on date nights!

I LOVED all the feedback!
I've never thought I've had style.
I've just got a good eye for things that I can throw on that look good.  


But, it turns out some readers actually want to hear my thoughts on these things.
Which is wonderful!
And I've been trying to think about how I want to approach it...

So, without further adieu... 

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Welcome to the Style Series!

This will be an indefinite-part series that address anything and everything you might want to know. 

Here are a few, to keep your eye out for: 

Accessorizing 101. 

How-To Blend Style and Comfort. 

Pack-ability.

Make Date-Night Special. 

Dressing for Military Occasions.

A Culturally Mindful Style.

Among other things. 

Please leave comments here about anything you might want to know. 

Again, this is an indefinite amount of posting, so ask away! 

I will continue this as long as you want to read it!

Thrifting.

Yesterday I posted about how I summer-ize my apartment.

And I showed you a picture of our bedroom all cooled off. 

Well, in that picture (at the very top) you can see a map hanging over our bed. 

It is a poster I found for $3.00! 

But, there are NO poster sized frames to be had on this base... 

Unless...

I want a customized frame from the kind, but expensive frame makers.

No, thank-you.

So I taped it up there! 

See: 

Well - after I posted this I decided something had to be done...

So I went thrifting. 

And I found this gem: 

The person that put this puzzle together spent ALOT of time doing so!

I'm not going to lie, I felt bad ripping it off of the backing. 

So I sent out a quick thank-you to that person!

There were so many of these framed puzzles! 

I chose this one for the wooden frame 

& 

because it had hooks on the back ready to hang. 

Silly me didn't take any measurements... 

So, I eye-balled it and thought, "this could work!"

And it did:

And so now our bedroom has a beautifully framed map 

and the total cost was $8.00!

$8.00!!!

Its funny how such a small thing, 

like a $5.00 frame, 

could really enhance a space. 

Think about that next time you want to upgrade something. 

First try something simple.

Wanna see what else I bought??? 

There are 2 things I LOVE about thrifting in Japan: 

The pottery: 

Crackled vase: $3.00

And the Kimonos:

Kimono Layer: $6.00

It has such a beautiful pattern. 

And it is in really great condition! 

When I bought it I was thinking I could use the fabric for some cute pillows! 

And it just so happens that these pillows fit right into the sleeve of the kimono! 

This summer, while I have some time, 

I'm thinking about taking this super special route to the thrift stores around the area. 

I think there are 9 of them! 

I'm looking for company, so just drop $1500 on a plane ticket, 

fly 10,000 miles and come join me! 

Summer-izing the Apartment

It's official...

Summer is HERE!

I'm officially on summer break. 

(from work... not my school..)

And the Japan humidity has returned. 

It is stifling... for.sure. 

So.. every year I go through this phase of cooling off the house. 

I put away all my tchotchkes. 

I put away all the cozy blankets. 

&

I give my apartment a chance to breath. 

(Which is getting increasingly harder to do in this humidity).

There is nothing better after being out enjoying summer than to come home to a "cooled" house. 

It is much more relaxing. 

Wanna see what I've been up to?? 

The warm brown, heavy quilt and dark pillows are put away. 

They are replaced with an airy-er version. 

I LOVE a white comforter. 

While my usual bedding was being washed, I jumped on the chance to cool off the bedroom. 

And it is just what we needed!

The Hubby is in love with his recliner. 

But it is a dark leather...

you can barely even see that cozy brown blanket in the first picture. 

That blanket is my favorite..

but just looking at it in this humidity makes me feel sticky. 

So I cooled off this area by adding a lighter colored throw and a white pillow. 

I  put away everything smaller than a football. 

For the dining area I tied back the curtains and cleared off the table. 

I also eliminated a chair and dropped the leaf on the back side. 

I was able to push the table back and open up the living area more. 

It is heaven! 

Does anyone else do this? 

Are there ways that you could do this? 

I wanna see pics! 

So let me know if you do a post about cooling your house. 

It could be just de-tchotchke-ing your house. 

Or maybe, if you are like me, add cooler colors.

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Yesterday I did a post about HauteLook. 

I want you to know that I wasn't being paid to write that..

After re-reading the post it sounded like a bad advertisement...

I truly thought it was worth sharing!! 

Just in case you were wondering.... 

I'm feeling the need to celebrate the commencement of my Summer Vacation! 

Margaritas anyone? 

Insider Secret

A while ago I was introduced to HauteLook. 

Have you heard about it?? No?? Yes?? 

Well I didn't know that it existed until my friend (who was invited by her friend, who was invited by her friend) invited me into this money-saving-48-hour-sale-event website.

Discounts on designer clothes, accessories, and home goods are incredible. 

75% off Michael Kors? Yes Please! 

Wanna in on this??? 

If you are anything like me, a self-procclaimed-bargian-ista, you should check it out. 

Membership is free. 

So, whats the harm??

The link below will take you to the invite form to activate your membership and gives you instant access to a TON of  discounts. 

 Invite to HauteLook

I've got my eye on the upcoming Kensie sale! 

Let me know what you think about this website.

I'm relatively new to it, but I'm pretty much in love.