A Little Bit of Inspiration

Howdy!

(Photo by Pat Zimmerman)

I’m starting this post out with a photo of my favorite comfy coat. It’s made out of sweatshirt material – really, it’s like a flirty, dress-friendly hoodie. I love that I can wear it around the house, on a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge (just did that last weekend!), and over a cute dress. :)

But this blog post is really about the outfit I’m wearing under the coat. See, when I got up in the morning I was at a loss for what to wear. And then I perused ModCloth’s Style Gallery (one of my fave places for outfit inspiration), and was inspired by some great looks from fabulous gals like . . .

Jana G. (left) of Small Town, Big Smile! who added spice to a mint dress with a red belt and cardigan. And Ashley R. (right) of Not Your Average Ashley, who paired a red polka dot dress with a sweet mint cardigan.

And THEN I looked into my closet . . . and found a shocking dearth of mint. :(

But some of the other outfits that caught my eye incorporated lovely shades of aqua instead. Like the outfit posted by Amanda L. (left) of Modern June Cleaver. And the one posted by Katie M. (right), a.k.a. Amelia Jetson.

And I happened to have bought a charming aqua dress recently – it was sitting in my closet, just waiting for the inspiration to wear it!

(Photo by Pat Zimmerman)

Though I am thinking that I need to get some mint-colored pieces for the future. :)

P.S. You can see more of my favorite Style Gallery photos here!

Coat: Soaring Comets Coat, Effie’s Heart via ModCloth (out of stock, but still available directly from Effie’s Heart)
Dress: Front Perch Swing Dress, Retrolicious via ModCloth
Cardigan: The Dream of the Crop Cardigan in Black, Mak via ModCloth
Belt: Calderon, thrifted
Tights: Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: DKNY

[Photos of me by Pat Zimmerman.]

Le Geek, C’est Chic!

I don’t talk much about my day-to-day job at ModCloth on this here blog. I guess my love of ModCloth’s clothes is obvious, and I love/hate that I have an employee discount that encourages me to fill my closet to the brim. But what I’m truly thankful for is that I’m doing work I enjoy, for a customer-centric company with a truly awesome community of customers.

Before ModCloth, I was a grad student studying psychology & behavioral decision research. Basically, I was looking into why people make the decisions they do and what affects their judgments. I’m still passionate about that area of study, but academia can be rather isolating, and I often felt like I was floundering with no real impact on the world around me. Fast-forward to today, and I’m still studying psychology & decision making – but in an applied way, with a collaborative team of coworkers.

And then, once or twice a year, I get to play in ModCloth’s hackathons. Our hackathons include a mix of people who work on website & app development, user experience, analytics & customer research, along with colleagues from other parts of the business (like marketing and buying/merchandising). We form small teams and spend 3 days building a new feature or proof of concept. The goal is to spark creativity and build something to enhance the ModCloth user experience. Last year, for example, a team developed a prototype that became “Fit for Me” – a feature on the ModCloth iPhone app that enables customers to browse products based on their measurements.

Alright, but this is a personal style blog, and you gotta know there’s an outfit in here somehow. At our most recent hackathon, we got these fab hoodies designed by Amy Luo and Steph Monette, user experience designers at ModCloth. Check out the sweet print:

ModCloth’s hackathon hoodie, designed by Amy Luo and Steph Monette. Yes, that’s a nyan pug!! (Photo by Pat Zimmerman)

And in the spirit of celebrating creativity, I paired it with a Harold and the Purple Crayon tee. Plus polka dots and fuchsia tights because I like ’em. :)

(Photo by Pat Zimmerman)

(Oh yeah, and I actually do wear glasses – they’re just for long-distance, which is why they don’t normally show up in my photos.)

As for my team’s hackathon project – we’re working on getting it implemented, so it’s still under wraps for now. But I’ll let y’all know if it goes live!

Top: Novel Tee in Harold, Out of Print via ModCloth (Out of stock, but also available on the Out of Print website)
Skirt: modified from a ModCloth dress
Hoodie: Print designed by Amy Luo and Steph Monette
Tights: Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: DKNY
Glasses: Eye’DC v837 in purple

[Photos by Pat Zimmerman]

Black and white and dogs all over!

When Pat saw me take this sweater out of my latest ModCloth box, he said, “I can’t believe you bought that!” But how could he believe I wouldn’t buy it?! I mean, it’s covered in Boston Terriers!

And Rocky completely supported my decision.

(Of course, as long as it means he’s getting attention, Rocky supports any decision.) (Photo by Krystal St. Julien)

As I’m wont to do, I paired the sweater with one of my go-to skirts and my red Calderon belt. Black fishnets layered over red tights completed the ensemble. Perfect for a day at the ModCloth office, with Rocky by my side!

Rocky and I strike a pose (Photo by a helpful passerby!)

What I wore:
Sweater: Champion the Paws Sweater, Moon Collection via ModCloth
Skirt: Essential Elegance Skirt, Moon Collection via ModCloth
Belt: Calderon, thrifted
Tights: Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: DKNY

Time for Sweaters

This probably isn’t news to most of the northern hemisphere, but… well, did you know it’s autumn? That means it’s time to start wearing tights and sweaters!

Sweater dress, cardi, and tights. Just in time for the fall weather! (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

Okay, so I bet the whole “fall weather” thing is super old news for most of you out there. But in San Francisco, we’re in a perpetual state of the in-between. Not quite fall, not quite spring… certainly not winter or summer. At this time of year, one day it’ll be sunny and warm, the next it’ll be grey and cool – that is, if it’s not raining.

I generally prefer spring fashions and dressing for warmer weather, but it’s nice to have a reason to change things up from time to time!

And speaking of time…

Watch necklace from Park and Pond. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

I love this watch necklace my husband bought for me at a local boutique, Park and Pond. We came across Park and Pond during an arts night – they feature products and crafts from local makers, including jewelry, like this steampunk necklace.

The brass hardware complemented this earth-toned chevron dress. And because the dress is short-sleeved (good for the office, not so much for outside), I paired it with a grey cardigan that echoed up the dress’ grey stripes.

Crisp weather and fall colors. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

Oh, and you know how it looks all grey and dusk-like in these pictures? Well, there were bits of bright blue sky here and there amongst the clouds. San Francisco weather can never make up its mind!

Consistently inconsistent San Francisco weather. Rocky is not amused. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

Dress: Seventies Wonder of the World Dress, Jessica Simpson via ModCloth
Cardigan: Trusted Essential Cardigan via ModCloth
Necklace: Watch necklace via Park and Pond
Tights: Hue via Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: D’Orsay at the d’Orsay Heel, Re-Mix via ModCloth

[All photos by Pat Zimmerman]

What to Wear to the Polls

This morning before work, I headed to the polls to vote. And of course I couldn’t wear just any old thing to the polls. So voilà, my election-inspired outfit:

All decked out at the polls, in red, white, and blue. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

And my necklace? A nod to my favorite political movie, which prominently featured a certain political catchphrase. Bonus points if you know the catchphrase, and double bonus points if you can guess the movie!

A nod to my favorite political movie. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

P.S. Just because elections are important doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun with them . . . and involve your pup, too!

Rocky gets into the spirit. (Photo by Pat Zimmerman.)

So, did you cast your vote?

Top: Zara
Skirt: Streak Clearly Skirt by Rock Steady via ModCloth
Necklace: vintage watch fob
Bracelet: Nordstrom (a gift)
Shoes: Hit the Rodeo Heel by Miss L. Fire via ModCloth

[All photos by Pat Zimmerman]

Hot Potato!

The lovely Megan of The Fashionable Bureaucrat (who happens to have the most amazing collection of shoes EVER) nominated me for a Liebster Award a couple of weeks ago. And now I’m finally getting around to fulfilling my duties, which are:

1. Post 11 facts about myself.
2. Answer the previous 11 questions.
3. Choose 11 nominees (no tag back) and link them.
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees.
5. Go and tell them they’ve been nominated.

*takes a deep breath* So! Here I go!

Post 11 Facts

1. I just celebrated 3 years at ModCloth, and in celebration of my 3-year “Modiversary”, the “Can’t Hardly Kate Dress” (made by one of my fave retro designers, Trashy Diva) was named after me!
2. Yellow just might be my favorite color.
3. I minored in Fine Arts. Going for the minor helped me justify (to myself) taking the fine arts classes that I loved.
4. My great granny lived to 102. Every so often, I use that fact to remind myself that I’m really, really young.
5. I find it difficult to be outgoing & am naturally more reserved and shy. But I love being part of communities & work hard to overcome my shyness.
6. I’ve got 2 crazy, cuddly, lovable dogs.
7. I’m pretty sure I’m solar powered.
8. I’ve been to 6 continents, assuming that you count North and South America, and Europe and Asia, as separate continents.
9. I have a thing for multiples of 3.
10. I love playing games, particularly of the strategic (e.g. Settlers of Catan), palabric (e.g. Scrabble), or numeric (e.g. sudoku) variety.
11. I’m left-handed.

Answer 11 Questions

1. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had it?
   Under a tiled floor in the bathroom. I heard that robbers never really check the bathroom.
2. Do you currently have all your organs?
   Yes! Is that unusual?
3. For a pet, would you rather have a crow, a fringed lizard, or a taxidermized wolf?
   Definitely the lizard. Crows are crazy loud, and it’d be hard to give it a good living environment indoors. I’m not a fan of taxidermy and only want live pets, so that leaves the lizard.
4. Slips – yes or no?
   Only when necessary.
5. If you could hire one of the following for one year which would you hire: House cleaner, personal chef, or massage therapist?
   House cleaner. My husband is an awesome cook (I’m not bad either, when I get around to it), and as much as I’d enjoy a personal massage therapist, I’d LOVE to not have to clean.
6. Fruit pie, cream pie or cheesecake?
   Mmm, all sound tasty! Cheesecake, as long as it’s true NY style. Unless the fruit pie is strawberry rhubarb pie, heated, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top.
7. If you were on Jeopardy and got the Daily Double, would make it a true daily double?
   Depends on my score relative to the other players. Almost certainly in the first round.
8. Did you ever wear braces? (If yes, are your teeth still straight?)
   Nope.
9. Favourite decade – 1970s, 1980s, or 2000s?
   Fashion-wise, the 1980s (some trends from the 1950s – like the full skirt – were incorporated. And I love me some 1950s fashion!). And music-wise too. Guess I’ll just go with the 1980s!
10. Do you prefer routine or variety?
    I like some variety in my routine.
11. Do you sleep with your bedroom door open or closed?
    These days, open. But I used to only sleep with it closed.

Choose 11 Nominees

1. Manners and Moxie
2. What the Haute
3. Off Kelly’s Hanger
4. Ryzenberg On
5. The Curvy Blogger
6. Of Corgis & Cocktails
7. Sarah’s Ambitions
8. Coca and Vera
9. The Dapper Bun
10. Sartorial Sidelines
11. The Shades of Monet Chronicles

Ask 11 New Questions

1. Name a movie you loved as a kid.
2. Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?
3. Favorite season?
4. What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
5. Preferred silhouette: sheath or fit-and-flare?
6. Which 1980s cartoon heroine would you be: Strawberry Shortcake, She-Ra, Jem, or Rainbow Brite?
7. What’s the last game you played?
8. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
9. Do you prefer fragrances that are floral, fruity, woody, spicy, or citrusy?
10. Would you rather live under the sea or in space (assuming both are viable options)?
11. What was your first blog post about (for your current blog)?

Psst! If you want to play along but don’t want to do the whole shebang, I’d love to hear your answers to these questions, or some random fun facts about yourself. :)

Twinsies!

The thing about working at ModCloth is that you’re surrounded by a bunch of people who share a similar aesthetic. And everyone has an employee discount. And so, invariably, one day you come into work and you’ve got a twin!

Hannah, Rocky, and me. Photo by Santina of Style by Santina.

This was totally unplanned, but funnily enough it was about a week after we had a “Seeing Double” day, where Hannah and I purposefully wore the same outfit as each other (but a different one from this).

My outfit:
Skirt: Sunday Diving Skirt, Eva Franco via ModCloth
Shirt: Learn the Basics Top in Navy via ModCloth
Shoes: Vintage 1950s Pamela Heel by Joseph La Rose via ModCloth

Hannah’s outfit:
Skirt: Sunday Diving Skirt, Eva Franco via ModCloth
Shirt: Thrifted
Shoes: 10 Things I Love about Shoe by BC Shoes, via ModCloth. (For the record, I also have those shoes and previously wore them in this post.)

Photo by Santina of Style by Santina.

Seafoam and Coral

It rarely gets very warm in San Francisco. In the winter it’s usually in the 50s and 60s — which is wonderful for someone who dealt with chilly Pennsylvanian winters for most of her life! But in late spring and summer it’s usually in the 60s and low 70s, and layers are always required.

Except for every once in awhile when the weather warms up a little, and I rejoice by wearing a sundress!

Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

I love the retro styling of this coral Bettie Page dress, which is actually based on a 1950s Elvgren painting: “That Low-Down Feeling (Who, Me?)”. This dress was one of a series that Bettie Page did last year, all based on Elvgren pin-up paintings. The series was fantastic and I’m hoping Bettie Page does something like it again!

“That Low-Down Feeling (Who, Me?)” by Elvgren, 1957

I paired the sundress with seafoam green accessories and nails:

Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

And added nude-colored patent-leather heels. And my dog, Jasper – isn’t he a great accessory? :)

Nude patent leather heels by Jessica Simpson. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

Then Rocky joined for a photo too!

Yay for totally cheesy smiles. ;) Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

What’s your favorite warm-weather wear?

Dress: Sweet Coral-ine Dress, Bettie Page via ModCloth
Purse: Nordstrom
Bracelet: From a clothing exchange
Earrings: A gift
Shoes: Wishing and Taupe-ing Heels, Jessica Simpson via ModCloth

[All photos by Pat Zimmerman]

Jewel Tones and Polka Dots

Perhaps you’re starting to notice I have a thing for polka dots. What can I say, they’re just fun!

I recently bought this silver grey polka dot Bettie Page skirt from ModCloth. It’s the same cut as the B. Jones Style Skirt (styled here), though made from a light-weight, taffeta-y fabric.

Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

I paired it with a jade green tee, sapphire blue cardigan, and amethyst heels – with a sheer scarf to pull it all together.

And I won’t lie – I chose the colors to complement my mani, which had been inspired by this pin on Pinterest. (For the record, the design is super easy to do!)

Manicure (with Julep nail polish), bracelets, and rings. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

As you can see in the photos above and below, I decided to add contrast to the silver grey of the skirt with some gold jewelry.

Heirloom-inous Earrings from ModCloth. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

Oh, and Jasper made his debut in an outfit post! (Though if you’ve been following me on Instagram – @katealamode – you’ve probably seen him several times already.) He’s an apricot blond poogle (a poodle/beagle mix) and such a sweetie! I don’t take him to work because he gets separation anxiety, so during the day he stays with my husband, who works from home.

Jasper and Rocky showing their moves. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

Jasper and Rocky are best pals, so when Rocky comes home from work there’s much play and wrestling. But they can chill out from time to time too. :-)

A perfectly poised trio. Photo by Pat Zimmerman.

Skirt: Give Us a Spin Skirt, Bettie Page via ModCloth
Shirt: Learn the Basics Top in Green via ModCloth
Cardigan: Charter School Cardigan in Computer Science via ModCloth
Scarf: gifted
Bracelets: Sparkle an Idea Bracelet via ModCloth and a Victorian mourning bracelet
Cocktail Ring: family heirloom
Earrings: Heirloom-inous Earrings via ModCloth
Shoes: I Want to Bow What Love Is Heel in Purple, Jeffrey Campbell via ModCloth

Manicure: Marisa (dark blue) and Anne (violet), both by Julep. Inspired by this pin.

[All photos by Pat Zimmerman]

Facts

1. This post was inspired by Amy’s post.

2. Rocky is super smart. He also drinks tons of water. When I don’t refill his water bowl quickly enough, he turns it over and crouches pitifully beside it.

3. Sometimes, Rocky is too smart. He’s learned how to put down the window in the car.

4. I have a poogle named Jasper. He’s an absolute sweetheart, but he doesn’t come to work with me because he gets anxious.

5. Both my dogs are rescues.

6. I swear there’s more to my life than dogs!

7. Like nails. Santina recently taught me how to do polka dots!

8. Board games are awesome. Particularly Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Scrabble. Also Bananagrams, even if it’s not really a board game.

9. You know what else is awesome? xkcd. Nothing better than nerdy comics!

10. Speaking of which, nerds are TOTALLY awesome.

11. My hair is in pin curls as I type. See photo above. Tonight: off to the Art Deco Preservation Ball! [UPDATE: photos from the ball are here: Swanky and Swingin’ at the Art Deco Preservation Ball]

12. Taking a decent self-portrait in pin curls, without makeup, is damned near impossible. Thank goodness for Instagram filters! And that trick of pinching cheeks for a temporary blush (learned from reading 18th/19th century novels).

So, how about you?