Not Fit for the Park

No, I am not in some knock-off historical-looking European-type place or any whimsical forest. This is Houston, Texas, baby. Hermann Park, to be exact. My college roommate (reunited for the weekend, after three years apart) and I took a stroll through the park to get out of the house on Labor Day and finally see the Japanese Botanical Gardens.

I only wore the heels because they best suited the outfit and I couldn't help but think about my sister and my mom. My sister, because she used to tell me all the time that flats make you look frumpy, and my mom, because she would never wear anything without some height--wedge, high heel. I was going for style elevation, ya'll!

I only wore the hat because I pinned up my free-form faux-fro in a way that invited a hat. I only wore that loose crop top because it was a style risk for me. I usually like the look when I see it on other people, but could never imagine myself wearing one unless I could take a mallet to my stomach...or, say, exercise a little more. And I only happened to own something to take a style risk with because the top was 50% off at Buffalo Exchange the previous day. 

All black outfit, all neutral accessories? Surely red lipstick could be the only way to go. Pretty nice all together, I think, but definitely not fit for the park. The wind challenged the hat. The humidity challenged my comfort. But I should have known lol. I felt a little foolish walking over wet, rocky, and muddied pathways amidst tennis shoe-clad people also strolling and barefooted children running through shooting water. But only the smallest amount of foolishness, just a smidge.

What I'm Wearing:

some pants and some top with some shoes and a hat. also an Africa necklace from Nigeria and an elephant bag from South Africa. [being cheeky today :p]

When On Summer Break...

this looks really green...maybe crop out the walls next time?

the least Picasa can do to "improve"
Plus, I am a pro

flash used on the right
so interesting

I've been in a little transition period in the last month: completing my public health fellowship, moving from San Antonio to Houston, trying to get in some last hurrahs before starting graduate school, and basically acquiring more adult responsibility.  Because of that and the fact that I was without Internet in my apartment for longer than anticipated (and it's still temperamental at best), I haven't been doing the blogging thing.  Though I've wanted to...and not wanted to.

Not wanted to because my move means leaving my enclosed and private comfort zone for do-it-yourself self-photography and I always err on the side of extreme caution when putting things on my plate.  I'm thinking grad school might take up most of the plate.  No room for more, no need to pile it high and get overstuffed or wasteful.  I shared this with one of my aunties and she told me to keep it simple, that I could still do it if I wanted to but I didn't need to gallivant out into the world for grand photos.  Hmmm...true and yet, quality photos are important.  As if mine were the best (I'm still on the curviest learning curve)...

Trying out Warby Parker frames for the nth time

YELLOW!!!!

Anyway, the next couple of posts with feature a lot from the past.  For right now, this remixed repeat outfit was during my last days in San Antonio.  Indoors because it was too hot to even think about stepping outside but then I had a lot of trouble coping with the lighting.  I don't know what Picasa can do about it though. I tried.

Outfit Details

BCBG Max Azria skirt (Uptown Cheapskate) // H&M "oatmeal" colored tank (hidden) // AVA vest (whoa, this is on eBay)  // Sam Edelman sandals // Rachel Roy gold earrings // Steve Madden tiny cross body purse 

Medio del Verano

Hey guys!!  I hope everyone's summer has been lovely so far.  When I stopped to think about it I couldn't believe it's already mid-July.  I remember someone asking me "How's your summer been?" and I was like "What?"  We're in the middle of summer and the sun hasn't lied yet, but the ads for back-to-school sales have started to play.  Hmmm....it's not too soon for that?

For the past two years the end of summer has only meant the end to no school zones and less traffic on my commute to work.  And now, the end of summer is not just the end of a season because I'll also be going back to school.  Aaahhh!  But until then, I'm gonna enjoy my "last" summer break...

By wearing a maxi dress in the middle of a weekday (when I'd usually be at work dressed acceptably casual or more office ready-- one extreme or the other).  I've worn this a couple of times when I felt too lazy to wear anything else because that's what no-nonsense dresses are for.  No-nonsense: no zippers, no clasps, no buttons, no inner lining, no layers to straighten.  

Photos courtesy of my sister. ♥♥♥

artistic liberty

Outfit Details

Soprano dress (TJ Maxx)

Nine West cardigan (TJ Maxx)

Sam Edelman sandals (Marshall's)

my overused Steve Madden crossbody (TJ Maxx)

JewelMint spiky gold bangle (JewelMint.com)

Rachel Roy gold teardrop hoops (Nordstrom Rack)