I Overthink Every Outfit, So You Don't Have To | 08
Fashion Pro, Life Amateur: Rocking Luxury Looks While Struggling With Basic Tasks – My Week in Outfits
“Good” At Fashion
When I was getting ready to write this post, I started to have a little bit of writer’s block. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to discuss in my infamous introduction before deep-diving into my outfits of the week.
I started thinking about how many of my amazing friends, new friends, and family have been sharing so many kind words about my new venture. A lot of, “You are so fashionable!” or “Fashion comes so easy to you” or “You are really good at this!” — it’s made me feel so good. Sometimes, as we get older, we start to lose sight of what we’re actually good at. While I’m so happy to feel good at something, I also never lose sight of who I really am. I can style an outfit for any event (with massive amounts of overthinking in the process), but I am so bad at the most basic and simple tasks.
Basic Life Skills I Cannot Master
And then, lunch happened.
I am obsessed with these little chicken packets from Costco. They’re tasty and great when you’re on the go. I’m getting ready to make my lunch and then this happened:
I literally cannot perforate anything.
Important tax documents that say "tear here"? Can’t do it. It will look like it was chewed by a goat.
A package that’s in that soft plastic material (think an Amazon package)? Looks like a bear ripped it apart rather than it being neatly torn across the perforated line.
Tearing out a notebook page? Can’t do it, I will accidentally give it a full-on mullet.
Ripping out a check from a checkbook? I will rip right through the amount.
Opening a cereal box? I only know how to hulk out and shred that cardboard box to pieces.
Similarly—at work, I’m pretty sure my desk calendar still says January. Guys, it’s almost MAY… (I hear Justin Timberlake’s voice singing in my ears). Small task: change the calendar when the month changes. Can’t do it. Match floral prints with the perfect pair of denim and loafers? Easy.
I also, for the life of me, CANNOT spell the following words. I have two degrees, I work in a profession that requires me to spell correctly, yet I am constantly attacked by that red squiggly underline. Still, I continue to spell them wrong over and over again. It’s like my brain cannot absorb the skill of these specific words. Why am I the way I am? But style a pair of chunky earrings with a linen dress? Easy peasy.
Accidentally
Definitely
Separate
Convenience
Conscientious
Recommend
And another big one: cutting my food.
I don’t know why, but I cannot use a fork and knife to cut my food. Hang out with me one day and watch—it’s like a toddler holding a fork for the first time.
When my kids were younger and would get invited to birthday parties, they wouldn’t eat their pizza unless it was cut up and they had a fork. Absolutely bizarre, but whatever. I would carry a pair of kitchen scissors in my purse and whip them out to cut up their food. Because I can’t cut food with a sharp knife and fork, let alone plastic utensils.
However, style a lobster sweater for early spring? No problemo.
I think it’s just our weekly reminder that life is all about balance. While fashion is a niche I feel successful in, there are so many basic parts of life that I just can’t seem to figure out, LOL.
There are things we excel in while some of the most basic tasks are, well, difficult. I may look super put together on the outside, but please find solace and reassurance that I’m just a 37-year-old mom who still cannot open a package neatly, perforate my chicken packets from the larger package, change my desk calendar once a month, and carries around kitchen scissors into birthday parties and restaurants.
Guess I should’ve signed up for an adulting 101 class before I took the blogging plunge.
Sunday
Sunday was Easter — here’s what I put together for our family brunch at my mom’s. This eyelet top is the real deal. There were a lot of mixed reviews on the website, but I stayed true to my size and I’m obsessed with it. I love a quilted jacket — and there are some great finds on Amazon if you don’t want to shell out a lot of money. I am so proud that my internet sleuthing was successful in locating the exact quilted jacket I’m wearing from a few seasons ago!
I scooped up these ballet flats during the Madewell sale and have already worn them at least five times in one week. The nude color is so pretty for spring.
Easter was a blast — now I’m just stuck with tons of chocolate and Easter baskets that will sit on my counters until the end of May when they “magically disappear.”
Monday
Monday was my time to show the rest of the world how tan I was from my trip. Walking into work with that badge of honor, just waiting for all the “Did you go away?” questions. So, to enhance the feeling of superiority, I went with an all-white look.
This lobster sweater is the best ever—it’s not available, so I linked similar ones. It may come back, so I’m going to keep my eye out. I’ve seen it every year (sometimes in different colors). I saw a similar one on Walmart.com, but the reviews were awful, so we will not be sharing that.
In other news, I did get a splash of oil on the shirt from cooking. I started to spiral but then grabbed the stain remover, washed it on “hand wash,” and all is okay.
Tuesday
Still loving this polka dot skirt steal from the J.Crew sale. Paired with the boxy tee, it’s such a great look. I styled this outfit on my Instagram (@timelesslytraci) and probably racked up a whopping 50 views — but it’s great and deserves all the glory I’m giving it.
The skirt is sheer, with an underskirt that hits about mid-thigh — that was the big negative review. I think I could’ve sized down, but thanks to the boxy tee, it’s no big deal.
Wednesday
I am clearly in my 37-year-old unbothered phase. I wore this to pick up my kids from school and had zero hesitations. This was supposed to be the Airport Outfit That Went Wrong. These snakeskin pants are EVERYTHING. They’re giving luxury vibes, but…….they’re from TARGET! I actually sized up for a looser fit—they have a drawstring, which allows me to cinch them at the waist. I love a good work-appropriate outfit that feels like jammies.
As I was walking to pick up, I wished “SLAVE 4 U” by Britney Spears was playing on loop.
Thursday
Love this black utility dress from J.Crew. I had to put a slip under it because it was looking a little sheer. The gold flower earrings were a super fun touch. Toss on an oversized trucker denim jacket, and you’re good to go.
Friday
The most gorgeous floral top. It’s nowhere to be found anymore, but I linked some really similar options. I also paired this look with my navy blue bamboo bag from the Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
I’ve also been going back to one of my favorite lip glosses. I toggle back and forth between the YSL lip gloss (Color: 02) and this Buxom lip gloss (Color: White Russian). My other favorite go-to lip product is none other than Aquaphor because my lips are always dry. Although, I don’t think Aquaphor counts as a fun lip product.
Saturday
Sports mom mode activated. As Regina George’s mom said, “I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.” What’s cooler than rocking a pair of super wide-leg jeans? Gen Z is so proud of me right now.
I got these jeans accidentally in the “curvy” fit—I actually prefer it. A little looser in the waist, but the fit just feels more comfortable and relaxed.
Let’s Chat: Let me know the following in the comments…
What were your favorite looks/pieces from the post?
What’s one basic task you still can't seem to get right?
What’s one word that always trips you up when you're spelling it?
Thanks for reading & being here. Your support means the world to me. I will be back with more self-deprecating humor and fashion/style wisdom this weekend.
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My favorite look (I’m biased) is the eyelet top. It’s so so cute.
I am also unable to put laundry away after it gets washed. Even if my husband folds it military style and puts it on my bed (right next to my dresser).
I also cannot spell the word: Architect.
Ballet jelly flats are back!!!