Sequins and Art of Staying Home. In Two Parts

So what do you guys do when you stay at home with the  flu? 

I think I've watched all the shows, read all the blogs, and cooked all the dishes I could think of. That's pretty much all I can manage now. We are not feverish any more and getting better, but I think Anna will stay at home one more day tomorrow, and I will go completely crackers from cabin fever and exercising Mother Theresa's talent (I have only a veeeery tiny bit of that one!). So I decided to play dress up and blog about it. Anna was my photographer. (She later also played dress-up, but - for the record - refused to be photographed.)

Beautiful Glenda of the very stylish and personally inspiring blog So What to Twenty! wrote about her experimenting with pattern mixing today, and I was so honored (and totally surprised!) to get a mention (saving the link for myself just because it made my whole week - HERE). It's true that I mix patterns more boldly as I continue my journey in style. But on the other hand, I also have some areas where I feel a bit timid or inexperienced. Let's talk about a couple of such areas today.

Part 1: Sequins

I used to distaste sparkles! Sequins and any sort of glitter or bling were not something I would even consider wearing. But things change, don't they? And we also change. I think the very first sequins crept into my world only a year or two ago - first with a little subtle sparkle on a top, then a bit more on a purse, then another top, and then - bang! - with the full effect of this purple tank top I bought on sale last year. I had my doubts about it. But my daughter said, "I would wear it!" And my husband said, "She knows she is sparkly." And I decided to give it a try. I can't say I wear it a lot, but it's fun to even just know that you own a piece like that. I previously showed this top in the Autumn outfit where I wore it as a vest (HERE).

You can see that last year's outfit was quite fancy, and I still like the fanciness and the layers I created then. But I also wanted to wear this sparkly top in a more casual and approachable way. So when Suzanne of Suzanne Carillo Style Files posted a wonderful collection of her outfits featuring sequins (How To Wear Sequins During the Day), I was in heaven. So many inspiring ideas! You know how we usually don't really ask for advice of each other and just come and share whatever we create? I really appreciate that. But sometimes it's great to hear other fashionistas' input. What they would do with this particular piece? It can help us to widen our horizons. So I asked Suzanne's opinion and I am so glad I did. Suzanne suggested a few things, including pairing it with gray - which really intrigued me simply because it would most probably never cross my mind. 

Now I have to admit, my wardrobe almost lacks gray. I have one gray maxi dress, one cardi, one pencil skirt and this jacket - that's all. All my grays are of this delightful warm charcoal tone - I don't really like other hues on me, but this one I love. So I dared to pair my sparkly purple top with this polka dot jersey blazer. 

I also like it with my black "sleeveless blazer" as they call it, and together with slightly distressed boyfriend jeans, I think it looks a little grungy - just enough to join Anne's 52 Pick-me-up: Grunge. Hope to see you there! 

Sequins tank-top, jeans and blazer - Lane Bryant.

Shoes - Adam Tucker Me Too.

Pendant is agate and silver - from Russia.

Nail polish - Grease Lightening Insta-Dry by Sally Hansen.

Old Aviator glasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Part 2: Home

Talking about staying at home. Mom used to teach me as I was growing up to look nice when at home. I can't say I was a good student. My preference used to be to stay comfortably shlumpy. My best shoes still are barefoot. I'd wear them anywhere! But slowly the thought of "looking nice while at home" creeps into my mind. Now what's with me? Is it you, guys, influencing me? Is it me? Is it you? Whatever the deal is, this Summer I started wearing some of my thrift finds or stuff I bough on sale, or just some of my stuff which does not get enough outings (not the nicest of them) AT HOME. I mean, to me it's pretty revolutionary. I know that my dear blogging friends Shawna of The Director of Awesome and Vix of Vintage Vixen stay stylish when they work or relax at home. But I am only finding my way. My main demand is still to stay comfortable, so I wear soft natural fabrics, loose fit or comfortably stretchy around my waist, and if I want to wear a thin chain with a pendant, then I add it, otherwise I go without accessories.

This lovely embroidered Mexican (thank you, Glenda!) folk dress above was found at Goodwill, and I would love to wear it anywhere, but unfortunately it has a few small stains which wouldn't come off. I've tried Shout and Oxiclean - no luck. They are not especially noticeable, but still. The dress is very easy to wear, comfy, has pockets on both sides - ideal for home! I often wear it with my Mom's golden chain and the pendant which was actually my gift to her, and then she regifted it back to me. :)

The maxi skirt is from a consignment store, the top is old from Lane Bryant, and I wear it here with my new vest just for more visual interest - only for photos though. I added a malachite pendant to today's home outfit, but for the photo session it seemed too lonely! So I also added these Mexican silver earrings (gift) and an intricate Russian filigree ring with what they call "emerald crumbs" in Russian - I have no idea what it even means, but "the crumbs" sparkle merrily in sun. I found this ring on ebay years ago.

I suppose I'll mix some colorful food into today's "homey" post too. Care to try something different? :)

Shepherd's pie (ground lamb, onions, celery, carrots, peas, rosemary, thyme  + mashed potatoes the way you like them).

Chinese chicken soup with shiitake mushrooms, ginger and daikon.

Marinated beets (vinegar, oil, salt, garlic).

Fried daikon (salt it and let sit for a while, then dry with paper towels, so the bitterness go away; then just fry on both sides, I used a mix of different peppers to season). 

Bon Appetit!

Tell me about yourself.

Do you wear sequins or it is too flashy for your liking? Would you pair it with polka dot? 

And what do you wear at home? Is it the same clothes as when you go out or do you have a special "home clothes" category in your wardrobe?