Falling down the rabbit hole

Outfit:

Geisha tee - Zara

Skirt - Forever 21

Tights - Urban Outfitters

Mary Janes - Steve Madden

What's so great about these tights? The fact that they were $4 at Urban Outfitters, and if the Cheshire Cat happened to appear, I was ready to attend a Mad Hatter tea party with Alice. Metallic gold lurex stripes really don't go with anything, but I do love items that can be a bit challenging in my wardrobe.

I tend to impulse shop - and I see things that I think would look cool on me, and then I get it home and can't figure out what to pair it with. In this case it was something black... Uh, duh, winning.

I definitely don't feel 30, and don't dress my age either. Then again, I'm not sure what a 30 year old is supposed to look like. As long as I can fake not looking my age, I'll run like hell with it. I've already got my Botox reserve fund going - to "preserve my sexy" as Diddy would say.

Someone out there has to let me know when I'm too old to be handing out fashion advice - or shopping at Forever 21. Do I smell a Forever 31?  And if there was one, you bet your ass I'd be there.

Uncharted Territory

When it comes to shopping, there are stores I'm loyal to as I've spent years and time building my wardrobe with their apparel. H&M, Forever21, Zara, Urban Outfitters to name a few.

It's a comfort thing - familiar grounds, in a place you know like the back of your hand... and you're rarely disappointed because you have a general idea of what you'll encounter.

During a trip to the mall this weekend with a friend, I entered uncharted territory. Stores that in my eyes have a different style aesthetic than myself such as Banana Republic, Club Monaco and Loft.

I've been in these stores before, but never really put an effort into finding clothes in them. I usually walk through just to get a general idea of what they carry or just for accessories. I was shopping with blinders on as I had pigeonholed these stores as not being "me".  However, I was proven wrong.

"Oh gee, you don't carry black velvet leggings? Gotta go."  

I gotta stop doing that as I've evidently been missing out on floor displays that really inspire you to take a closer look at the clothes and perhaps try something different. And besides, displays are gearing up for summer - with warmer colors - which happens to be my favorite wardrobe season.

A display in Banana Republic. Loved the hourglasses... and this color scheme.

Admittingly, I felt a little foolish about my outfit in some of the stores, but I take it all in stride. Not everyone dresses like they are ready for battle or a motorcycle run.

Outfit:

Leather jacket - Zara

Scarf - H&M

Plaid tunic - Forever21

Knit tights - Mandee

Boots - Mandee