The Dressed Aesthetic

Browsing CategoryDaily Outfits

Investing in My Happiness

I had an interesting run in on campus the other day as I was racing in between meetings (I have two offices on opposite sides of campus. Completely logical, no? Not the most convenient, but certainly keeps me fit!) As I was scurrying forward between my set coordinates I naturally had to stop for a quick coffee. As the automatic doors swooshed open, I passed by a woman who took in my look from head to toe and met my eyes smiling. She gushed sweetly over how much she loved my outfit. “I always admire how beautifully you dress,” she sighed. 

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With a Cherry On Top + Giveaway

Do you know what I love the most about blogging? Getting to meet so many fabulous women around the world – and even some right in my own backyard – who share the same love and frenzy for fashion. This community of people who I likely never would have met otherwise. Well, when Sarah of Ask Sarah contacted me about her amazing idea to DIY a pair of Whipped Cream with a Cherry on Top Shoes, I was beyond excited to see these cherrylicious beauties come to fruition (pun intended). nd then she put the cherry on top of the proverbial ballet flat cake, and made…

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Deadstock is Alive & Well

Despite it sounding rather ominous, the word “Deadstock” is absolute music to my ears… In your vintage travels, should you see the word deadstock used to refer to a garment, it means one that, despite it’s age, has never been worn and very likely never even tried on. It may even be in its original packaging with the tags still attached. This type of garment is an absolute rarity, and I treat it with a reverence otherwise reserved for a pair of Louboutins at 75% off.  remember when I first saw this deadstock 1950’s Kerrybrooke dress I was literally powerless to resist…

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Manic Monday

If there’s one thing I love about Mondays (yes, there can be good things too. Poor Monday’s get a bad rap), it’s the idea that every week, we have a fresh start. Think about it – days themselves are rather arbitrary, but Mondays always feel like a new beginning. A chance to shake off whatever may have happened the week before and begin again. Surviving last week akin to waiting out a storm of sorts, as it was absolute madness with a To Do list that I never quite managed to shorten, despite my crossing things off with vigor. But, sometimes all you need is…

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Something Blue

Sometimes, for no reason at all, Mr. Dressed and I will get all dolled up and go out to dinner (as you’ve probably guessed, I have no problem being the most dressed up person in the room). And other times, we’ll get all dolled up and go out to dinner for a very special reason. Although I was away on the official day (14 August), today I donned this minty-blue 1950’s confection and my partner in crime donned his original 1960’s suit and joined me in celebrating a lovely milestone – our 5-year wedding anniversary. t’s hard to imagine a time when we weren’t…

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The Happy Train

I think we are constantly learning new things about ourselves. One my most recent work trip, I became acutely aware of yet another quirky Kara-ism. My very favorite (and perhaps odd) thing to do upon arriving at a conference is to check into my hotel and then completely check out. I put up the Do Not Disturb sign, order room service and spend the evening completely alone. Although other friends are filtering into the city and starting to gather the masses, instead I watch terrible tv and turn down all offers to head out to dinner or drinks. I lock myself away…

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Bow-ti-ful

After a very successful week in Cairns, I have found myself back to the lab and back to the madness. Unlike most Monday’s back after a work trip, I won’t really have time to catch my breath and catch up on emails. There’s barely enough time to catch a coffee (though for that, I will make time). I have an overseas colleague here for the week to try to finish off a collaborative manuscript and run some experiments. And I have to admit, despite all of my self-confidence and all of the advice I spout about staying true to myself, I…

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Something Winter This Way Comes…

Truth be told, I don’t really have a designated “winter wardrobe.” I know there are people who even rotate through their closets by season, boldly packing away their summer dresses and strappy sandals during the winter months. However, if I were to pack away everything that the laymen would file under the the category of “summer,” I would probably be left with about four things in my closet. And my dresses would be so sad, wondering why I abandoned them without warning…

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Down on the Farm

I have and will always have a weakness for novelty prints. Their quirkiness and whimsy, what’s not to love? I am particularly enamored with prints that look like polka dots from afar, but reveal their true colors the closer you get. When I first spied this particular dress, it looked like a series of black, brown and blue swirls…but upon closer inspection I nearly squawked with the cuteness of it all. I mean, ROOSTERS? Now there’s something to crow about…

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