Dress Me Up - Bess Week!

Predictions-

Growing up, I remember my Grandmother Bess always wearing scarves. In fact, one of my family's favorite memories of my childhood is my "Magic of Scarves"- an impromptu performance I put on in Grandma's living room after pillaging her under-bed storage of scarves. Part-interpretive dance, part-magic show, I would make tickets out of construction paper, set up chairs for the audience, and emerge from the bedroom draped in scarves to perform. Yeah- I was a character even back then. So, in college, when Grandma Bess gave me a bag of her old scarves, there was a special significance to go with them. Yes, I still have them. And yes, I totally hope she has me wear at least one.

During the beginning of our email exchange, she did warn me about hats- namely, that she is very pro-hat. In fact, she says "the right hat with the right outfit would put a zing in your step." I mean... I do look really great in hats... Let's hope I have one she likes! Other than bundling me up for a chic winter in scarf and cap, I have no idea what to expect from this week, but I'm excited. 

Monday 22nd

Monday

plaid flannel, wine sweater, jeans

combat boots, leaf pendant necklace

Right of the bat, I love this first outfit. Warm, practical, and a little vintage vibe. Grandma Bess put thought into everything from how many buttons to undo when layering under my cranberry sweater, to cuffing my jeans just right over my combat boots. I was even advised which socks to wear (tall argyle ones, for the boots). And we see my favorite leaf necklace yet again- nice. This outfit will definitely be returning at some point. For my hair, she suggested it to be curled and loose, finger combing out the curls. To achieve this I did overnight curls- something I haven't attempted since the big chop. Fortunately, I learned my hair takes to overnight curls really well now (I have too much hair for it to dry correctly when long). So far so good Grams!

Tuesday 23rd

Tuesday

green sweater tunic, ariel leggings

hoop earrings, long necklace, combat boots

Obviously my leggings went over really well with LB today, and I wasn't about to correct her when she pointed out I look like Ariel too... What else is green like a mermaid's tail? My tunic sweater of course! I was happy to have it's warmth since it was chilly and cloudy today. Grandma chose my combat boots again, and accessorized with hoop earrings and my long chained "Drama Queen" pendant. The necklace was the only thing I wasn't vibing with today, but I think it's because of the cheap chain it came with. I should look into putting the pendant on a different chain because the idea of a long necklace with this top worked for me. To finish the look, my hair was pin curled back on one side with leftover curls for the rest.

Wednesday 24th

Wednesday

Stripe tunic, black leggings, fuzzy socks

"naughty" earrings, flats

Today was spent inside as much as possible because of what ended up being the most underwhelming "snow storm" predicted, but I did run some errands as well. This striped tunic is one of the softest things I own, and it's like wearing pajamas without actually wearing pajamas. My black leggings were the perfect comfort pairing for catching up on some Netflix too. For indoors, Grandma Bess made sure I had fuzzy socks picked out, and that I left my black flats by the door when it was time to leave. Although I don't usually accessorize when staying in, Grandma asked if I had any "naughty" or silly earrings that I never get to wear. And, of course I do- little dangly naked people. I think my favorite thing I'll learn this week is this little wisdom:

"If there's any accessories you feel like you don't know how to wear or they're inappropriate for any settings, wear them around home! You'll feel a little nicer just lounging around and you get some use out of them." ♡

Thursday 25th

Thursday

fox sweater, brown blazer, navy pencil skirt

brown sweater tights, riding boots, banana earrings

Gideon kisses

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! NATURE MUSEUM DAY! Can I just say I LOVE this fox sweater, and wish I had gotten a better picture of the whole outfit for today. Grandma slayed this outfit combo with my sweater, brown blazer, navy pencil skirt, brown sweater tights, and riding boots. And don't worry- she fit in a scarf as a headband! I appreciated the color pairing of the scarf and sweater too. I would've thought the colored prints were too noisy next to each other, but they really worked! My earrings today were these funky little bananas that I should wear way more often. In the morning, I picked up LB and she grabbed my ear, looked me in the eyes, and exclaimed- " 'nanna!" (<- she has since grabbed my ears and acted disappointed the bananas haven't returned.) This evening I ended up meeting J and the boys at the Music Box theater to see The Master at their 70mm fest. J was sweet enough to snap a pic with the leg lamp in the lobby, and the other guys complimented my sweater and headband. One of them even recognized this outfit was similar Sunday's last week. Who says boys are clueless to fashion?

Friday 26th 

Friday

Base- green pants, taupe booties, boot socks

Day-wallpaper sweater, sparkle studs

Night- sheer pink blouse, green jacket, cap,

purple & pearl earrings, long purple pendant

Since we went to a limited showing last night, this day to night outfit wasn't given its full potential. Grandma's base outfit consisted of green pants, taupe booties, boot socks, and my hair braided up. For nannying in the day, this wallpaper patterned sweater was perfectly casual paired with some sparkly studs. Transitioning into the evening, she picked out a sheer pink blouse, with this vested sweater, changing out the earrings for purple & pearl french clasp, and adding a long beaded pendent and cap. I almost wish I had switched outfits with yesterday, since the guys and I stayed in to watch more Oscar nominees tonight. They loved this outfit only half sarcastically, noting that I looked like a sexy cabby. Well, they're not wrong- I look like a pretty sexy cabby...

Saturday 27th

Saturday

polka dot chambray, lace shell, navy skirt

grey tights, tan booties, circle dangle earrings, 

rose watch, blue & white scarf

My day today was mostly spent at a theater, running the front desk for auditions. I did have a dance call at the end, but for the most part I was sitting having to look cute. Never fear- Grandma Bess had that covered like a pro. This navy nautical-esque skirt started the outfit, and then she added this large polka dot chambray- tied at the waste and unbuttoned enough to see the lace shell. Then the taupe booties were added with a neutral grey pair of tights. To accessorize, I had circle dangle earrings, my Betsy Johnson rose watch, and finally this white and blue watercolor scarf. Grandma advised me to tie it around my neck for strictly fashion purposes, while noting, "we old ladies wear it there to hide our turkey necks." After a long day of auditions, I met up with J and his family for a long dinner, where I got some really sweet compliments on my outfit from his mother.

Sunday 28th

Sunday

batgirl shirt, black bf blazer, pleather pants, 

black flats, belle pin, nerdy earrings, watch

Another day, another audition! When Grandma and I had talked last Sunday, I hadn't officially received my audition slot, but we planned my outfit just in case. Good thing we did! I needed a little nerdy vibe, but since I was going to be on camera, I asked her to polish it up a bit. Her solution- my batgirl shirt (that has a cape and utility belt not pictured), pleather pants, boyfriend cut blazer, and black studded flats. My earrings are a set I made again- Pikachu and Totoro, paired with my "big honking" gold watch (as Grandma referred to it), and my Belle pin ended up being a conversation starter during the audition! My hair was a subtle wave that was meant to be twisted into an updo later in the evening...

Unused :(

Green Sari, gold sequined top, gladiator sandals

tiny green studs, gold statement necklace, gold bangles

The good news is that I was able to book my audition time for the afternoon. The sad news is that this really creative evening look wasn't able to be used. Every year I either throw or attend a little viewing party for the Oscars with wine and cheese, and look forward to dressing up a bit. Since I was running behind after my audition and starting to feel a little under the weather, I made a last minute decision to just go straight to the party without changing. I had spent the last couple weeks catching up on watching the nominees, so I was not about to miss a single award! Instead, I took off the batgirl shirt and buttoned my blazer over my black undershirt for an impromptu quick change. And instead of adding "tons of makeup" like Grandma suggested, as you can see my red lips from that morning actually wore off, so I basically did the opposite. Way to follow instructions...
I was really looking forward to wearing this outfit after how it came about, too:

GB: "Do you have a full length gown?" 

RA: "Not really, maybe in storage." 

GB: "Ok what about a floor length skirt?" 

RA: "I don't have a floor length skirt, why don't I have a full length skirt??" 

GB: "Ok, what about a sari or something long like that." 

RA: "Omg Grandma, I actually totally have a sari... how did you know that?"

Reflections-

This week threw a few curve balls my way, but I tried my best to stay true to my Grandmother's plan. I'd say overall, I had a week full of really great outfits! There were far fewer hats and scarves than I had worried, but I appreciated that the ones used didn't feel superfluous. Also, I loved that I happen to own just about everything Grandma had asked for, though I know now I have far too little plaid for her liking. Originally, she was nervous to be left in charge of what I wear, but with so much attention to detail from head to toe, wouldn't you agree she did such a great job? Perhaps my favorite part from this week was all the little lessons I learned along the way, including her main theme for the week: injecting some color into my wardrobe, since people tend to wear too much grey and black when the weather is less than friendly. A lovely reminder that Grandmothers are endless supplies of wisdom!

Next week, on Raggedy Amy- 

Help a sista out! Next week, my little sister finally has the chance to pay me back for all the times I made her over. How will she enact her revenge? Ugh, please don't make me wear heels to work... Seriously though- please.


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