welcome to the *new* third floor closet

Hello!  Welcome to the new website for Third Floor Closet.  Please feel free to look around and let me know what you think.

If you followed Third Floor Closet's Tumblr blog, thank you for visiting this new one.  I don't want to leave anyone behind!  You can find all the ways to follow this blog over on the right sidebar.  Also, if you're wondering where all my comments have gone, they should be porting over from Disqus any time now...

If you're new around here, nice to meet you!  Please leave a comment to introduce yourself--I love meeting new readers!

Thanks again for visiting.  Look for a new outfit post coming soon!

bloglovin'

Hello all! If you formerly followed my Tumblr blog through Bloglovin', you can use the link below to continue to follow the relaunched version of Third Floor Closet on Bloglovin' as well.

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{breton stripes} two ways

This week, Liz of 26 and Counting and Linda of The Auspicious Life have opened up their blogger-inspiration-board-like site Everybody, Everywear to the world.  They come up with a theme, like "gingham," for instance, and all participating bloggers upload photos of how they styled gingham to the site and to their respective blogs on the designated day. 

Today, we're wearing Breton stripes!  I only have two Breton striped shirts (and that's using the term loosely), so it was either this turtleneck or my red striped shirt.  I couldn't figure out how to style the red shirt for work with anything I had clean, so I wore my gray striped turtleneck as pictured below:

OUTFIT

Jacket: GAP - $48
Top: GAP - $8
Skirt: Express - gift
Tights: Sears - who knows
Shoes: Dr. Scholl's - $6
Earrings: New York & Company - $5ish
Ring: Coach - gift

WORN

to work

ON

January 24, 2011

I decided to really play up the prep factor of the striped turtleneck, so I paired it with my wool blazer, suede skirt, and heeled loafers.  This look turned out very old-school-university, I think.

After I got home from work and took my outfit photos, my husband and I decided to go out for a quick dinner and stop by Best Buy afterwards.  So I thought, why not show a more casual Breton stripes look as well?

OUTFIT

Sweatshirt: H&M - gift
Top: GAP - $8
Jeans: GAP - $40
Boots: fitflop - gift

WORN

to Rib City, to Best Buy, to Walmart

ON

January 24, 2011

And this is how you wear Breton stripes when it's freezing out.  Or if you're going to a ski lodge.  Also, I've had this sweatshirt since my dad bought it for me when I was in high school.  Seriously.

{FBFF} authenticity

Hello all!  If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I had a mini-crisis last evening.  The water line to our house "broke" today, so long story short, CRISIS.  But now our water is back on and the leak appears to be fixed, so things are good.

Have you ever looked at a blog and thought that what's shown there couldn't be true, that no one lives like this?  How does that person live so glamourously every day?  When does she work?  How do I know she knows what she's talking about?  Is this for real?  Is this authentic?!

This week's FBFF questions center around authenticity.

1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?

I'm the same person in real life as the person you see here.  I don't try to be someone I'm not.  I don't have a fashion background; I only know what I've figured out over the years.  And I know how to shop a sale.  You may not see every aspect of my life, but what you do see is completely real.

2. When it comes to your blog how do you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling?

Honestly, I just keep it real.  I write like I talk, and I show what I wear in real life situations.  If you see me around town, I'll be the same person & I'll be wearing what I photographed.

3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?

Oh, I'm sure I have.  While there are so many blogs I'd love to keep up with regularly, I'm so busy that I only have time to consistently follow my favorites (which still ends up being a LOT).  When I lose interest, it's usually because time constraints have forced me to cut back, but sometimes it's because I think the blogger is trying too hard or trying to be something she's not, which is not inspiring to me.  While it's great to see pretty pictures of people seemingly living lives that completely opposite of mine, I am more inspired by real people!

4. We can't communicate effectively on our blogs something we don't live in real life...What are some ways you try to live an authentic life?

I don't even really know how to answer this question!  I don't know that I necessarily try to live an authentic life--I don't really know how to do anything else.  It seems like it would be utterly exhausting to be unauthentic.

5. Give a shout-out...Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?

There are a lot of fantastic bloggers that I would put in this category!  But to name a couple...

Julie from The Daily Julie doesn't hold back.  She tells it like it is, and she's pretty hilarious.  She seems like she'd be a blast to hang out with!

Chaucee of Streets & Stripes documents her daily life through photography in addition to posting outfit photos.  You know it's for real, because you see it happening in her photos.  She's a great girl who takes pleasure in so many aspects of life!

Aanndd..that's a wrap! 

If you’d like to read everyone else’s thoughts on this topic, see the whole list of bloggers who are participating this week at ModlyChic.

a little circus

OUTFIT

Cardigan: LOFT - $20ish
Top: Banana Republic Factory Store - $23
Skirt: J.Crew Factory Store - $30
Tights: Sears - gift?
Boots: Steven by Steve Madden from DSW - $60
Earrings: Premier Designs - $11
Ring: sapphire - gift

WORN

to work

ON

December 30, 2010

This top reminds me a little of the circus.  Maybe it's the random print, maybe it's all the colors, but it does.  I wore this variation of my standard go-to sweater-skirt-tights-boots combo during the last week in December.  I love the decorative trim on this cardigan.  It makes it more special than your average cardi, no?

{FBFF} outfit planning

This week's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions focus on planning outfits--how much time it takes us, whether we plan in advance, whether we repeat outfits, how we come up with new combinations, and of course, what we can do better.  Without further ado...

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?

What I wear on a given day is largely determined by 1) what I have clean and ironed and 2) how manic my morning is.  I am by no means a morning person, so if I don't take a minute to pick something out the night before, I reach for the easiest and quickest outfit I can throw together.  Some days this goes better than others.

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month, weekend?

In a word, no.  Being a bit obsessed with planning in general, I would love to be able to plan outfits each week, but I just don't have time.  When I was little, I used to plan outfits out all the time.  I'd try everything on and come up with fun little outfits.  But there's no time for any of that anymore!  What you see here really only takes me a couple of minutes to throw together, just like everybody else.  My outfits would probably be more interesting if I planned them out, but maybe that would just lead to trying too hard.

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?

Oh no way.  Repeating outfits is NORMAL.  I don't have a limitless budget, so repeating outfits and pieces is inevitable.  Case in point -- have you seen my last two posts?  I love wearing my favorite things over and over.  Oh wait, I actually did keep track of my outfits when I did Kendi's 30 for 30 Remix Challenge this summer, but other than that, I don't.

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?  (Trial try-ons?  Hanging items together?)

To be honest, usually I come up with new combinations when I realllly need to do laundry and I'm forced to wear things I may not naturally put together.  Sometimes this works out great, sometimes not.

5. To streamline the process for 2011, what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?

Picking out my outfits really doesn't take me that long (if you can't tell already!), but my whole morning routine would be much more streamlined if I picked out my outfit and ironed it the night before consistently.

If you’d like to read everyone else’s thoughts on this topic, see the whole list of bloggers who are participating this week at ModlyChic.

“One man’s style must not be the rule of another’s.”

whatiwore:

- Jane Austen via anntaylor:

Old school wisdom! 

Love Jane Austen & love this quote!

a little moto, a little boho

OUTFIT

Sweater: GAP - gift
Tank: Mossimo from Target - $9
Skirt: J.Crew Factory Store - $35
Tights: random discovery in my drawer - who knows
Boots: Bakers - $40
Earrings: Liz Claiborne from Macy's - $12
Ring: gold - gift
Bag: Lucky Brand - gift

WORN

to work

ON

December 29, 2010

Ok, I realize I wore this skirt in my last post, but these outfits were worn twelve days apart.  When my husband surprised me with this moto sweater jacket for Christmas, I knew I wanted to pair it with this skirt and these boots for work.  I absolutely love its snuggliness, and I couldn't wait to wear it after Christmas.  Daniel (hubs) bought this sweater on Christmas Eve because he wanted me to be able to open something other than the BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS gift certificate he had already gotten for me.  (Notice how completely excited I am about this gift certificate.  Daniel will be my dance partner, of course, and I CAN'T WAIT TO START!) 

But back to the matter at hand--this Christmas Eve purchase.  Apparently, Daniel bought me two things that he saw on two separate mannequins at GAP--this sweater and a jean jacket.  So, thank you, GAP in the Francis Scott Key mall, for dressing your mannequins well.  We ladies with husbands who hate to shop depend on you.  ;)

I added this suede fringed bag, which was a Christmas gift from my lovely SIL, to the outfit for a pop of color.  Because, really, what's better than wearing a bunch of new things all at once?

candy cane

OUTFIT

Sweater: J.Crew Factory Store - $25
Tank: The Limited - $4
Skirt: J.Crew Factory Store - $35
Tights: No Boundaries from Walmart - $2
Boots: Bakers - $40
Earrings: Liz Claiborne from Macy's - $12
Necklace: vintage chain & charms - gifts
Ring: gold - gift

WORN

to work

ON

December 17, 2010

First off, if you're wondering why this is titled "candy cane," read this.

Ok, now that that's out of the way...

I wore this to work on Friday of the week before Christmas.  It was pretty cold that day, and I just wanted to be warm so I knew I wanted to wear a wool sweater--and this one is a favorite.  I liked the way this outfit turned out, even though it is admittedly a little crazy for my office.  (Bright color paired with a bold pattern AND textured tights?  Unheard of!)  I only saw one coworker the whole day, and I think he was less than impressed.  This definitely isn't something I'd wear to a client meeting or major work event, but it worked for a day spent holed up in my office.

{FBFF} the marthettes

Hello, my dears!  This weeks' FBFF questions center around blogger envy and the tendency of style bloggers--and others, for that matter--to compare themselves to the Marthettes out there.  (Thanks, Katy, for bringing that terminology to my attention!)  So, let's get to it--

1. Have you ever looked at someone's blog and thought yours will never measure up?

Yes and no.  I've looked at other blogs and acknowledged that mine may not currently measure up, but I've never really thought that it never could.  There are plenty of other bloggers who blog full-time or have extremely flexible work arrangements that allow them to devote a huge amount of time working on their blogs.  Since I do hold a separate demanding full time (and then some, sometimes) job, I am simply unable to spend the same amount of time on my blog.  There are definitely things I'd love to do to enhance third floor closet, and I plan to do them eventually.  All in all, it's not hopeless.  ;)

2. Do you or did you feel pressure to meet some kind of undefined standard for fashion bloggers?

Not really.  I didn't start my blog with any real expectations, to be honest.  There are so many standards out there, though--number of readers, photo quality, originality, etc.  I think the only standards that I feel the need to meet are standards I'm setting for myself.  For instance, taking quality photos indoors with a remote has proved more challenging than expected.  Plus, I only have time to take pictures in the evening, so lighting is not great!  It's interesting to see how different my photos look when I'm behind the camera versus in front of it.  So, photo quality is something I'd like to improve (among other things).

3. Many established fashion bloggers are also extraordinary DIYers, bakers, and crafty people.  Do you think you need to combine all of these things to be successful at blogging?

I think it helps to be able to do something interesting or to have a unique angle to your blog.  However, there are definitely others who keep it simple and are still successful!

4. The most successful blogs are the ones that have their own personal voice -- how are you developing your voice or how did you find yours?

I think I write very much like I talk.  As my blog evolves, I think my voice will develop along with it.

5. Toot your own horn...What's one thing you do that is unique to you and your blog?  What gives your blog an edge?

I don't dress for the blog; I dress for my life.  My blog and my style are very personal.  So many style blogs feature bloggers who dress casually the majority of the time, and while I loved to read them, I had a harder time finding bloggers who dress for my type of work (those bloggers are not nonexistent, there are just fewer of them).  To that end, most of the outfit photos I put on the blog feature my workwear--and I do it on a budget!

If you’d like to read everyone else’s thoughts on this topic, see the whole list of bloggers who are participating this week at ModlyChic.

a little list of goals

After answering last Friday's FBFF questions, I started doing some more thinking about what I wanted to accomplish in 2011.  So, I thought I'd make a little list (in no particular order) of a few goals I have for this year.

1. I desperately need to clean out my closet.  When I do that, I'd like to open up an online store (maybe on Smashion?) for the good stuff.  If you have any experience with online marketplaces from a selling standpoint, I'm open to suggestions!
2. When I do this great closet cleanout, I want to make sure to gather stuff up to donate as well.
3. I want to finally get around to mending and otherwise repairing my ever-growing pile of things that are currently unwearable.  Maybe I'll join Keira in Project Restyle; I may not restyle something every month, but I might as well restyle what needs fixing and share what I did with you guys!
4. Speaking of sewing projects, about a year and a half ago I planned to alter 4 extra-long unfinished Ikea curtains to make 4 perfect curtains for my basement TV room.  I made it halfway through one curtain before getting interrupted by other things.  Maybe I'll finish them now?
5. I am going to move to Blogger this year.  Hopefully even this month.
6. I plan to comment on other blogs more.  I read blogs all the time but am usually so rushed that I don't get a chance to leave a comment, let alone a thoughtful one, which is really crappy when you think about it.  I want to make sure to let other bloggers know how awesome I think they are!
7. I'm going to start submitting articles for consideration for IFB's Links a la Mode.
8. I'd like to explore opportunities for partnerships, and I'd like to collaborate with other bloggers if at all possible.
9. If there are any Maryland/DC style blogger meetups, I'm going to sniff them out and attend!

These are just a few thoughts I had just now...I'm sure this list will expand!

bumblebee

OUTFIT

Cardigan: Norma Kamali for Walmart - $7
Tank: White House | Black Market - $20
Jeans: GAP - $40
Boots: fitflop - gift
Earrings: White House | Black Market - $8
Necklace: Simply Vera Vera Wang from Kohl's - $15
Bracelet: Simply Vera Vera Wang from Kohl's - $3

WORN

around the house, to Christmas shop

ON

December 12, 2010

Do you ever wonder where I get my post titles from?  Well, I'll tell you.  When I'm not really coming up with anything, I turn to my husband and say, "What does this outfit look like?" and whatever he says is what I just go with.  And so you have "bumblebee."

I wore this snuggly outfit on a dreary Sunday before Christmas.  My husband and I went out to breakfast at our favorite diner like usual, and then came home to meet our friends who were bringing their dog by for a doggie meet and greet with our three.  We were going to be dogsitting Wylie, their basset hound mix, for a couple of weeks while they went on honeymoon (!) and we wanted to make sure all the dogs would get along. 

After the dog meetup, I dashed down to the Mall at Columbia to snap up some Christmas gifts.  These boots were great for mall shopping around Christmas.  They're fitflops, so they work you out a bit while you walk by forcing your leg muscles to be slightly more engaged.  AND THEY ARE AWESOME.  Seriously, awesome--and so warm that my toes never get cold, and they add much-needed practicality to my shoe wardrobe.  My mother-in-law gave them to me after she bought herself a couple of pairs and fell in love.  Remember how I've said she has great taste?  Here's the proof.  You may never see me in another shoe.

black suede booties

{source}

For a couple of months now, my feet have been freezing at work unless I wear my knee-high boots.  All the years I lived in North Carolina, I never really wore much more than a pump in the winter.  My feet wouldn't really get cold; I rarely wore practical shoes or socks.  After 3 1/2 years of living in Maryland, I finally decided this was the year to think about adding practical footwear to my wardrobe.  In March, after shoveling snow in my running shoes during Snowmageddon, I broke down and bought snow boots.  My sister, who swears by Sperrys and Sanuks, just gave me a pair of Sperrys for Christmas.  (They're awesome, by the way.)  I'm a practical footwear work in progress, but I'm getting there.

I've been looking for a pair of dressy booties to wear to work that still had some of the appeal of a classic stiletto pump.  These beauties (pictured above) seem like the perfect choice.  I ordered them tonight, and I'm very anxiously awaiting their arrival.  Especially because I've worn the heels on my Tahari pumps down to the metal (yet again), and they're outside on the patio since I stepped in dog poo in them (bleck!).  Come soon, new shoes!

{stella & dot pick of the week} rhea bangles

{source}

The new Stella & Dot spring 2012 collection debuts in just a week.  (And I'm really excited to see the new jewelry!)  Until then, here's a preview of a piece from the new line. 

These Rhea Bangles are quickly becoming favorites of mine.  I've been pleasantly surprised at the versatility of rose gold; it really goes with almost everything.  What do you think?