These black and gray checked shorts used to be black and gray checked teacher pants, but at 97 degrees and 142.784% humidity, it’s just too hot for all that. I cut ‘em, cuffed ‘em, and went about my business!

Shorts, thrifted; top, Forever21; booties, Jeffrey Campbell; no-name bag & earrings

Do you switch things up when the weather is just too hot to bear?

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Tank, Forever21; bustier, Grey Ant; cardigan, H&M; shoes, Topshop; bag, ?? There’s no label!

Have a great weekend!

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The weather goddess was nice enough to give us a break from hair-frizzing 90-degree humidity and grace us with cool breezes and temperatures in the 70′s. All the better to break out the riding boots (I’ve missed my boots and sweaters!) and a thrifted plaid blazer on the way to a late breakfast. Plus Cortez (kitty) is doing much better so I was all “What’s all this, then?” and in a really good mood.

Blazer, necklaces, and purse, thrifted; dress and socks, American Apparel; boots, Dolce Vita

How was your weekend?

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Fall-ready?
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Why wait ’til Friday?

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A few facts:

• This past weekend was hot as monkey balls.

• I don’t get rid of clothes, so I wind up with a lot of what I like to call “personal vintage”–stuff I know I should’ve given away years ago, but have kept for so long that it’s coming back. This circa 1997 Express romper absolutely falls under that category. See also: 8th grade jeans

• My kitty is very sick and I’m not sure how much time he has left (as indicated by the pitiful look in the above photo)

• Ridiculously hot weather and pending emotional loss call for simple dressing.

• Skorts (skirt in the front, shorts in the back) are still full of win!

How was your weekend?

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Shopping: Top 6 rompers online
All the world’s a stage
Style: Trailer Chic

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You know how sometimes you’ll sit down to watch one of your favorite TV shows only to find out three minutes into it that it’s a rerun show? No, I don’t mean rerun as in beret-wearing What’s Happening? Rerun, I mean it turns out to be one of those “best of” recap shows that always seems to pop up during a writer’s strike/contract negotiations/general production laziness.

4. Take Flight
5. Gilded
6. Suited up

7. Bright blaze
8. Don’t play in her garden and don’t smell her flower
9. You don’t have to watch Dynasty

10. Whitewashed
11. A lovely day
12. All the world’s a stage

Consider yourself recapped. (Which, thankfully, is not nearly as violent as it sounds)

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Casual Style: Sweat Me
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Fashion Math

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On my way to Fountain Square to take a break from working (and working and working) on the upcoming issue of Style Sample Magazine. I decided to wear my new Nati Evolvement tee (thanks guys!) with a stretchy cotton pencil skirt and the high-heeled ugly-but-cool booties to sex it up a bit. After adding a print scarf and a casually tipped beret, I was ready for some Graeter’s ice cream*!

It’s a really easy look to achieve:

1. Shirt, Nati Evolvement 2. Beret, asos 3. Skirt, Forever21 4. Heels, Topshop 5. Scarf, Urban Outfitters
*Side note: I’m starting to think I live too close to Graeters. You’d think having to walk 9 blocks to get there would be a deterrent, but…nope. Not for me. Apparently, I am not able to live within walking distance of yummy frozen treats without overdoing it–I’m talking double scoops, topping, whipped cream, the whole nine… Dang!

You’ll like these, too:
Interview with: Nati Evolvement
Style: The Black (and White) Stripes
Top 10: Online Shops

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I saw these silver earrings while browsing at The Little Mahatma during the OTR/Gateway Celebration a few weeks ago. The shop is filled with “exquisite jewelry, folk art & artifacts from many exotic lands” per their webpage, and the place delivers as promised–the cases and shelves lining every inch of the store are filled with everything from dramatic bejeweled earrings from India to heavily decorated gold collars from Morocco. The cloying scent of nag champa permeated the entire space (as would be expected) and I was enchanted.

My ongoing obsession with Indian bridal jewelry was immediately revived, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the mystical silver earrings with the intriguing night-sky pattern for the next few days! Rather than suffer in silence like a tormented fashion martyr, I made my way back to The Little Mahatma and pounced on my prize.

Unable to wait to wear them (when do I ever wait?), I paired them with an H&M dress I bought years ago but have only worn once, a pair of short shorts I won’t be able to wear much longer if I keep eating the way I do, and the gray ugly-but-cool booties.

Dress (worn as top), H&M; shorts, Forever21; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

I love the subtle chiming sound the earrings make when I shake my head and I’m happy I was able to support a local independent business. Don’t you just love when things work out for everyone?

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Casual Style: Lazy Sunday
What I Would Wear… if I had a British sugar daddy
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The beautiful weather and promise of barbecue has put me in a really good mood. I decided to wear this swishy skirt I picked up in Chicago and enjoy the dappled sunlight and cool breeze.

Tank top & scarf, Urban Outfitters; skirt, H&M; shoes, Jeffrey Campbell

Have a fabulous 4th of July!

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Good Times: Second City Love
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I know what you’re thinking:  Tamia, didn’t you already take ridiculously self-indulgent photos in this outfit?

Ah, but no, grasshopper. This is yet another jumpsuit I picked up during a thrift shopping adventure. One that sat lonely and unused in the trunk of my car until I rescued it in a half-hearted attempt at reorganization.

Jumpsuit, vintage; belt and sunglasses, Gucci; sandals, Ash; bracelets and earrings from a craft fair.

The similarity of the pieces is a total coincidence given that they were purchased on separate occasions, but I’ve decided I kind of like having both as an option!

Loss
On a sadder note, yesterday was a really crap day: losing both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson on the same day was really just too much. Both idols in their own right, Michael was obviously an inspiration to me (and many others) in so many ways. I had MJ posters on my walls, jewelry plastered with his likeness (Jheri Curl and all), and a sparkly glove or two for good measure.

His music has been the soundtrack to my life! I remember seeing the Moonwalk for the first time on the Motown 25 special–it was like magic!–and everyone trying to do it the next day.

I remember being haunted by my fuzzily child-like comprehension of the Billie Jean video–not really knowing what it meant, but not completely misunderstanding it either.

I remember being straight up terrified at the Thriller video (even though I wanted to be Ola Raye)–MJ turning into a zombie? Not my Michael! I would jump off my parent’s bed and run from the room as soon as the werewolf howled at the beginning of the song!

I remember watching  Moonwalker (especially the Smooth Criminal video) at slumber parties and playing around with my uncles and cousins at family gatherings trying to do that “extreme lean.”

There’s so much more–I mean the man’s musical catalog spans decades and his videos used to premiere on network TV at prime time!–but a part of me can’t help but feel like a little piece of my childhood is gone forever. RIP Michael.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQhdBpCFCA&feature=channel_page]

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Work Style: Take Flight
Shopping: Romper Room
Inspiration: Michael Jackson

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The thing about Sunday brunch is that it usually occurs immediately after I’ve rolled out of bed, which leaves precious little time for primping. Inspired by the recent onslaught of sweats on the runway, I decided to try my hand at wearing them outside of the house–in public, even!

Cardigan and pants, Forever 21; tank, Victoria’s Secret; heels, Steve Madden; clutch, vintage; earrings and ring, Urban Outfitters.

I think the real trick is to keep the colors and shapes fairly simple. Adding bold accessories makes it look like you meant to wear your sweats outside as opposed to looking like you accidentally got locked out while taking out the trash (hey, it happens to the best of us).

Ooh, I almost forgot!  My posts are now syndicated over at Stylux.tv, an urban lifestyle site for the greater Cincinnati area. Check it out if you’re in town!

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