Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

So now that I did my fancy Closet Consultation with Erin, I'm going to try to be a bit more regular with some "Fashion Friday" posts. Here are some of the outfits from this week. Recently, I've been focusing on purchasing some fun accessories. If I'm bored with an outfit, I can always add a statement necklace or something else to give it a fun new twist.

Outfit 1:
Grey Turtleneck: Gap
Purple long cardigan: Discover (yes, you're reading that correctly)
Brown dress pants: Express -- my favorite place for dress pants!
Brown Heels: Nine West
Bracelet: GroopDealz

Outfit 2:
3/4 sleeve sweater (with back detailing): Ann Taylor Loft-birthday gift
Brown dress pants: Express
Earrings: Francesca's Collections - birthday gift
Brown Flats: Nine West

Outfit 3:
White with black stripes button-down: J Crew
Maroon weater: Target
Black dress pants: Express
Earrings: Francesca's Collections
Black flats: Target (got cutoff)

Outfit 4:
White button-down: Express
Striped sweater: Target
Maroon cropped pants: Ann Taylor Loft
I wore these with my brown boots (un-pictured)

HOPEFULLY I can work on my photography skills and get some better photos of my outfits now that I have some cute things to wear! Lol. Doing these fashion Friday posts helps motivate me during the week to come up with more creative outfits... which was the entire point of Erin's Closet Consultation! I like to shop at the same stores, in case you didn't already notice that. ;)

I got my first real job downtown about 6 years ago (yikes, that's a long time) and I would like to say that I've gotten my own sense of style over the years. However, lately I feel like I've been in a bit of a clothing funk. I don't like to spend the money on clothes that I used to so therefore, I have very few new pieces in my wardrobe. The same old outfits are worn time and time again and I'm getting ultra bored with my wardrobe. In lieu of starting over from scratch, I thought it would be a great idea to have a closet consultation with none other than Erin at Loop Looks! I've known Erin for about a year now.

After lunch at Native Foods Cafe with Kim and Erin

Erin and I finishing strong at Zooma Great Lakes

Work is crazy busy this week so I haven't been able to do much running or blogging. (After taking a week off to study, I'm a week behind on everything else.)

And now, it is time for my first ever VLOG.

I'm really tired of my current work wardrobe. I always wear the same things and I feel like I haven't bought something new in a long time. With all the fashion posts of my other Chicago blogging friends, I have been inspired to mix things up. I like to think that I have a semi-eye for fashion, but lately all i wear is dryfit, leggings, and race shirts. I need to get back in a groove of liking what I wear to work and out.

Today I set out on my lunch break and headed to Forever 21. I wanted to try on lots of clothes and scope out their athletic section.

And then I remembered these important things to remember when shopping at Forever 21:

1) Sizing is inconsistent. Small, medium, large... you never know what is going to fit at Forever 21! I know the empire waist trend is popular, but that doesn't mean that everything has to dramatically flare out afterwards. No one wants to look like they're pregnant if they're not. Just saying.

2) Don't get excited about their athletic line. I was (although I don't know why) and was disappointed. They had lots and lots and lots of sports bras in a variety of different colors. I already have my preferred brand of sports bras. There is no way these girls can be supported by them. I haven't tried them but I'm just guessing.

3) If it was a bad day for clothes, that doesn't mean it is also a bad day for buying stuff. I tried on 10 different things and didn't like a single one. I left the dressing room feeling sad because I actual wanted to spend money today. Then, I looked at what was surrounding me... accessories! I've been wanting a skinny belt for a long time so I searched for the belt section and got to digging.

Score!

I got 3 skinny belts for $4.80. That's right! Yay for bargain shopping! And that is why I keep going back to Forever 21.

Do you shop at Forever 21? What are some things you've learned from shopping there?

I took yesterday as a rest day (my legs are thankful for it) and tonight I'm meeting up with my running group. I'm hoping this supposed rain holds off!