Fashion Statement

So I discovered yesterday that I'm different from the other women in my immediate family. I've always known this really, but not on quite such an obvious level. I mean, my sister dresses quite nicely, though she does have her "what was she thinking" moments, my mom is a bit of a loss but she's more concerned about the people in her life and what makes her happy then what she's wearing, which is admirable, but...

Let me rewind.

I was wearing new biker-esque wing earrings yesterday (Target: $7.99), and my sister went, "Hey k, cool earrings." And I said (at this point I was post-run and was in sweats and cute, lounge-sweater that I got for $6 at this cheapy boutique at the mall — best 6 bucks I've spent), "Thanks, they really went with my work outfit today — very rock glam."

The blank stare that was incited by the words "rock glam" was a mild shock.

She said, "See, k, this is how you and I are different. I never wake up in the morning and think, 'I'm going to dress rock glam today.' I wake up in the morning and think, 'Okay, clothes...'"

At this point I had to defend myself and explain that I don't think like that, it's more of a process — I want to wear this dress/shirt/sweater, my feet hurt/don't hurt so I want/don't want to wear heels, and build from there. My shoes and the main "piece" usually defines the outfit. And then I cock my head and look in the mirror and think, "Okay, now what can I do to make this outfit interesting?" Because it's really more fun to have an outfit that's interesting.

Again though, this is not to say that I dress "interesting" on a daily basis. My main staple is t-shirt, jeans, scarf and ballet flats — cashmere sweater when it's cold, heels if I'm feeling perky. Today for instance, black $5 tee, American Eagle jeans, faux-animal print cashmere scarf in white/grey/black from Italy and snazzy pointy-toed heels in electric pink that I rescued from a thrift store for $1.99. That's not glam anything, it's just me.

Yesterday was a bit different. I wanted to wear my skinny jeans because they're comfy, but I hate the ballet-flat look with them (I'm a bit too pear-shaped for it to be flattering, I can do it, it's just not a look that does much for me), so I wanted to wear my Italy boots (grey leather, slouchy, nearly-knee-high, classic heel and toe, yum yum yum) over them. And I wanted to wear my new earrings.

Pondering my closet I pulled out a grey blazer and eyed it. I put on a white tank top (again, five-dollar fabulous) and threw on the blazer, rolling up the sleeves. Even with the earrings it needed a bit of something.

I added a layered long necklace I got as a gift from Express a couple years ago that used to be silver and now is a brassy-tarnish that won't go away and added a long rhinestone chain, a long silver chain and a gold chain with a gold heirloom locket pendant. Add the earrings and a bit of heavy eyeliner and voila: rock glam.

I was rather proud of the outfit, and really it just kind of happened. That's how all great outfits (and masterpieces) really happen. You just keep going until it's just right. Try new things, wear something a different way, and all of a sudden you have a brand new piece.

My sister later brought up my rock glam comment to my mother who looked at me and said, "Isn't Adam Lambert rock glam?"

Oy vey.

TODAY: rest day
MONDAY RUN: 3 miles

And I just did the math and I've rocked 28 miles since last Tuesday. No wonder my knees are bitching so loud.