On Personal Victories

Back in March, I posted about how I'd rediscovered a love of jogging and signed up for my first 5K.  You'll be happy to know (or you might not care -- that's cool too) that last Saturday I successfully completed my first race!

Warning: The post gets cheesier from here.

Running alongside so many other people of various ages, body types, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and in different stages of their wellness journey was surprisingly inspiring and motivational to me -- only surprising because I'd never thought I'd care about any achievements outside of my own.  The notion and sentimentality of people coming together to hit personal fitness milestones together never spoke to me... until last Saturday.  There was also a certain element of nostalgia about running my first race on Roosevelt Island, the very place where I began my Couch to 5K and ran my first full mile.

I'm so proud of myself for training as hard as I did.  My shins are less proud of my achievements as they are still sore after running 15 miles in a week, but I've learned from it and am now taking the appropriate rest days in order to prevent future injury because -- YOU GUESSED IT -- THIS LADY'S GOING BACK FOR MORE WADDUP.

I'm doing another 5K, this time with a great friend and my wonderful husband, at the end of June and I'll be upping the ante to improve my personal time.

I'm so ready.

Way Down South

I'll keep today's post short and sweet because I'm on vacation, visiting family in Nashville, and I've got a full day of activities and home-cooked meals to look forward to.  I apologize for the grainy camera quality.  In the midst of my frenzied packing, I forgot to bring my nicer Nikon and now I only have my phone.

I wore this yesterday to have a date with my husband at the Station Inn, a music venue in downtown Nashville that is often considered to be one of the best places to enjoy some country and bluegrass.  The show was a benefit to raise funds for Billy Block, a beloved radio host, as he undergoes cancer treatments.  The talent and positive energy in that room was incredible.

Leather Jacket: Muubaa / Scarf: H&M / Shirt: J. Crew / Jeans: Forever 21 / Boots: BP / Handbag: Foley + Corinna

Until next time, fellas!  Note: you'll be seeing a lot of that jacket and scarf as it is the only outerwear I packed.  Whoops.

Festival Fashion?

As the summer and music festival season approaches, it seems like there's been an increase in faded florals and fringe at most stores.  This makes me unhappy as it clashes with my aesthetic (see: monochromatic and disgrunted).  Now that I'm seriously considering attending one of the days of Governors Ball this June in New York City (not all three days as I'm neither rich nor a masochist), I'm trying to kind of care about what I'll wear.  I've compiled a dream outfit below and beneath that I've compiled a realistically affordable alternative.

Equipment Silk Shirt / LOT78 Leather Shorts / Saint Laurent Slip-On Sneakers

H&M Chiffon Blouse / H&M Imitation Leather Shorts / H&M Leopard Sneakers

Neither of these are really festival appropriate but I've accepted that this is as close as it's gonna get. Also, I swear I'll have an outfit post as soon as I clean my disaster of an apartment.  (I keep it real on Within Color, y'all.)

Anybody going to any festivals this spring and summer?  What do you wear?

On Personal Health, Self-Care, and Footwear

It is purely coincidental that the rebirth of Within Color is kicking off at the same time that I'm promising to get a fresh start on my health.  I'm vowing to stop measuring my health against the unrealistic Western standards of beauty and instead focus on why I enjoy being active and how it ties into self-care.  Five years ago, I couldn't run longer than 30 seconds without being absolutely winded, but I kept at it and eventually found that I loved the idea of doing something that I had always dismissed as impossible.  Additionally, running, although I continue to have a very love/hate relationship with it, allowed me to better cope with stress and anxiety -- something that I certainly appreciated a hell of a lot more five years ago, when I was stuck in a depressing post-grad limbo.  My relationship with my running shoes has waned and been rekindled a few times since, but I feel like this time it'll actually stick because this time I really want it to for the right reasons and not because I feel running will magically bestow some near-impossible body type upon me.

After being away from running for so long that I can't resume my 10K training without risking fainting on the treadmill, I'm going to start entirely from scratch.  I am so excited to announce that I'm getting back on the horse.  I'm going to be training for my first 5K, the NYCRUNS Mother's Day 5K, on May 10th.  I'll be posting follow ups about my personal non-scale victories as the date approaches.

That's enough talk.  Now help me choose some crosstrainers!

Val's Greatest Hits

Sorry for my long absence.  Now that I'm working 10 to 12 hours a day 7 days a week, I find it really difficult to carve out the time to write anything for the blog.  I'm hoping to find a little more time once the new year kicks off.

I had pictures of a very boring outfit lined up for today's post, but they are nowhere to be found.  Perhaps it's for the best because it got me to dig out some old Instagrams of outfits that never made it to the blog.

Leather Jacket:  Muubaa / T-Shirt: H&M / Pants: Forever 21 / Purse: J. Crew Factory

I wore this outfit back in April and the pants tore in May, so this was their first and last hurrah... at least until I get them to a tailor.  They're incredibly comfortable and perfect for spring weather, so getting them fixed is now a priority once New York City warms up again.

Two more under the cut!

Check Meow-t

I knew I wanted a (faux) leopard coat immediately after seeing this outfit on Natalie Hughes of Canned Fashion way back in 2011 and since the Topshop one had already sold out by then, I waited very patiently to find an affordable one.  In 2012, I spotted (see what I did there?) this one at Forever 21 and foolishly didn't purchase it right away and they ran out of my size quickly thereafter, tears were shed, etc.  A few months later, they miraculously restocked and I snatched it up.  Then it proceeded to sit in my closet for over a year.

As some of you may have already seen on our Instagram, I chose to debut my coat today.  I haven't had the guts to wear it because even though you guys know that I love my animal print, this is a very obnoxious piece and I feared that I would get a lot of nasty Who Does She Think She Is? Looks.

I started my day off feeling incredibly confident, but was often overwhelmed with anxious thoughts -- stuff along the lines of "Ugh, you look like a cartoon villain.  What made you think you could pull this off?" -- and it was a struggle to push them out.  I'll be wearing it again, though.  And again.  And again.  Until this coat feels as natural to wear as the dark grey one that I rock on the daily.

I was running late this morning and didn't have time to set up my tripod, so my husband was kind enough to take a few quick phone snapshots (thanks, toots, u da best). I apologize for the quality.  Thanks for the outfit inspiration, Natalie Hughes.  You're still my Coat Hero.

Coat, Jeans, Heels: Forever 21 / Shirt: H&M

Do you have any items that you love but don't wear enough?

Cat Lady

First off, just in case anybody missed it, Linh completed her 30 For 30 Challenge and I just wanted to commend her on following through!  Make sure you go check out her very last post!  (And here is my very last post of the Challenge, just in case.)

Anyway, now that it's October and occasionally chilly in New York, I've been rocking my sweet new trenchcoat, which I actually had tailored a few weeks ago.  Tailored.  Like an adult.  (Let's chuckle over the fact that I only had it tailored because I bought it on clearance almost two sizes too large and had no other choice but to have it tailored BUT SO WHAT WHO CARES because that ultimately means I made the time to take it alllllllll the way to a tailor, stood very still for 20 minutes while they pinned it, and then I went alllllllll the way back just to pick it up.  Crying Responsible, Grown-Up Tears right now.)

Trenchcoat: Zara / Scarf: H&M / Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21 / Wedges: Target

As someone who really loves holidays, I'm genuinely surprised that I don't own more fun seasonal attire (see: Art Teacher Style).  I bought this sweater last August and completely overlooked its potential Octoberiness.  It will take its rightful place in my sweater drawer next to my hilariously tacky applique-covered Christmas cardigan.

Also, I figured a leopard scarf with a cat sweater wouldn't be total overkill since the cat sweater is really simple and understated.  I'm using "understated" loosely, as it is a giant white cat.  It also kind of feels like Xzibit should pop in to say "YO DAWG, I HEARD YOU LIKE CATS, SO I PUT A CAT THEMED ACCESSORY ON YOUR CAT SWEATER SO YOU CAN DIE ALONE."

Tell me about your festive seasonal/holiday clothes!  Unless I'm the only weirdo who has any, in which case, lie to me and say you do so I feel less bad.

Window Shopping

This is the first time I've ever posted a wishlist on Within Color.  As someone on a pretty tight shopping budget, I've learned to be okay reusing closet items, outfit repeating, and -- perhaps most importantly -- to admire things from afar.  In theory, if I were to win the Powerball or inherit an unexpected fortune, some of the things on this list would be the first purchases I'd make with my windfall.

1. Kiki Ballet Flats from J. Crew:  I go through black flats like tissues.  Unfortunately, I've never been able to invest in a nice pair of leather ballet flats.  These would be a great introductory pair, as I'm afraid Repettos or Chanels are still beyond my reach.  (Who am I kidding?  So are these.)
2. Joelle Hawkins by Treesje "Hunt" Crossbody Satchel:  The buttery pebbled leather reminds me of the Givenchy Pandora in black pebbled leather (probably my All Time Favorite Bag), except this one's almost two grand cheaper.
3. Mirror Metallic Leather Belt from J. Crew:  I'm never wild about belts until I find an one with an interesting quality (animal print, neon, calfhair, patent, etc.).  I don't think I've seen the perfect silver one... until now.
4. Purrvana Cat Sweatshirt from OriginalCatHouse:  I love cats.  I love Nirvana.  Oh well.  Whatever.  Never mind.
5. Abstract Twisted Metal Cuff from Forever 21:  With the exception of my engagement and wedding rings, I almost never wear jewelry.  However, this weird, swervy, crooked, and (faux) gold cuff has me reconsidering.
6. Sweet Polka Dot Beanie from Forever 21:  I've featured the only hat in my collection on Within Color --  a leopard print beanie.  Hats are still a new territory for me, so I figure I should stick with what I know and I know that I can occasionally rock a beanie and that I'm weak for polka dots (and I clearly have a problem).
7.  Everly Ankle Boot in Leopard from Jeffrey Campbell:  If there's one thing I don't have enough of, it's ankle boots.  I mean, I have three pairs, but that's practically zero, right?  Right?

30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Fifth Week

This is it, guys.  The last four days of the Challenge have come and gone and, to be quite honest, it's a bit of a relief.  I'm filled with that love and appreciation for the rest of my wardrobe that usually follows a challenge like this one.

For those who may have missed the other Challenge posts I've made:
1. 30 For 30 Challenge: My Items
2. 30 For 30 Challenge: Val's First Week
3. 30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Second Week
4. 30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Third Week
5. 30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Fourth Week

Jean Jacket & Belt: J. Crew / Blouse & Trousers: Forever 21 / Flats: H&M

I actually re-took this outfit picture the day after I wore it because the original form was a little more "dressed up" (I was heading to a friend's birthday) -- I was only wearing the blouse and the trousers with the calfhair leopard heels and a bright red lip.  However, as I approached the bar, I saw that it was extremely laid back and I instantly felt overdressed, so in the middle of the New York City street, I threw on my jacket and changed into flats.  In retrospect, I ended up looking a little dumpy and I wish I'd had the courage to just be overdressed, dammit.  

Click below for the last three outfits.

30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Fourth Week

I didn't wear an entirely black outfit to start off a week?  Miracles happen, dudes.

I can't believe how quickly these 30 days have gone by.  (I mean, it's easy for me to say this now, since I only have four days left of the Challenge.)  I have a lot of reflections I'd like to write down regarding it all, but perhaps I'll wait until my final post next Friday, September 6th.

Blouse & Skirt: Forever 21 / Heels: Zara

This week went over much better than the last.  I got to try my hand at some pattern mixing -- nothing too extreme, just some Pattern Mixing Lite, if anything.  I didn't think that the star print on the blouse would work with the leopard print of the heels, but in retrospect, I was kind of feeling this.

There are six more outfits under this cut.

30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Third Week

This week has been a bit of a disappointment for various reasons:

1.  In my previous post,  I said that I wouldn't wear jeans this week (Sunday through Saturday). and I was pretty good about it... until today.

2.  Too much monochrome.

3.  Too much jean jacket.

4.  There was a drastic change in the weather and I just wanted to wear as little as possible, so I sunk into a big funk.

Next week is the last full week of the Challenge and there are at least five items I haven't used at all.

Blouse, Jeans & Necklace: Forever 21 / Wedges: Target

Nothing too wild or exciting.  I was hosting a birthday party for my husband and all the cooking and baking made my unairconditioned apartment feel like a sauna, so I opted out of any outerwear.  Looking back on this outfit, I felt that it was not my absolute best.

But wait -- there's more!

30 For 30 Challenge: Val's Second Week

It's actually starting to become a little more difficult to put outfits together, but that's also mainly because I haven't worn a single bracelet, necklace, or hat.  I've worn a scarf and a belt, but very reluctantly because I feel a little off in them -- especially the former -- during the summer.

I also feel strange sharing 30 consecutive days of outfits because, as I'm sure most readers can understand, I have my off days.  Some outfits are amazing, some are okay, some are failures, some are super bland running-to-the-grocery-store outfits, and some don't accurately reflect the aesthetic/style I hope to achieve in the long-run.

Case in point: Outfit #6.  I literally did not leave the house, except for a brief period during which I did my laundry.

Shirt: Forever 21 / Shorts: Zara / Flats: H&M

Oh yeah.  Let the originality wash over you.  Personally, I would have felt super dishonest if I had put an outfit together just for the sake of blogging it.  If it hadn't been for the laundry, I would have sat in my pajamas all day.  Also, the only reason I'm wearing actual shorts for this is because of the Challenge, otherwise, I would have likely just gone in yoga pants.

Also, this picture marks the debut of my glasses and my septum piercing (not in life, just on the blog).  I always forget to flip it down for blog pictures, but perhaps it's for the best because unless the picture is a close-up of my face, I just look like I have silver boogers glimmering beneath my nostrils.

The rest of the outfits are better, I swear.

30 For 30 Challenge: Val's First Week

The 30 For 30 Challenge officially began this Monday, August 5th.

For those who may have missed the rundown on what the challenge entails and the 30 items I've selected, click here.  Here's my first five days' worth of outfits, also known as The Easy Period Before I Start Wearing Scarves as Tube Tops.

Blouse & Trousers: Forever 21 / Heels: Zara

I actually felt kind of great in this outfit.  Wearing these pieces together kind of made me feel like I was wearing a sassy jumpsuit.  Also, I couldn't be happier about scoring these amazing calfhair Zara heels during their huge mid-year sale.  The quest for the perfect animal print pump was very trying.

See the other four outfits under the cut.

30 For 30 Challenge: My Items

If you've been following my posts, you probably know that I've spoken of starting the 30 For 30 Challenge soon, yes?  Anyway, the ladies of Within Color have chosen a date!  The Challenge officially commences Monday, August 5th!

The rules of the 30 For 30 Challenge are as follows:
1. You select 30 items from your wardrobe and mix and match them to make 30 different outfits over a period of 30 days.
2. These items must include tops, bottoms, pairs of shoes, and outerwear.
3. Accessories (jewelry, hats, scarves, belts, handbags, etc.) are not part of these 30 items.  You can accessorize as you wish!  In fact, use accessories creatively to give similar outfits a new spin.
4. You cannot shop until the Challenge is complete.

Since I'm a Friday contributor, I will be posting recaps of my outfits then (my first recap post will be on August 9th), but the other participating contributors, Michelle, Alicia, and Toni, will be posting their own recaps on other days.  Nonstop style inspiration!

The items I've selected are under the cut.

Smells Like Young Adult Pit Musk: Val Wears a Sweater and Boots in the Summer

Today was the first day in weeks that the weather wasn't scorching hot, so naturally, I put on a sweater and boots!  (I wore a sweatshirt and boots the day before as well, but that's just because I'm a masochist.*)  I should note that I had to change out of this outfit before I left the house because as I wore my new Dolce Vita Ciaran boots around my apartment, they turned out to be slightly loose in the ankle.  No worries, though -- I'll pick up some inserts and all will be well.

Sweater & Jeans: Forever 21 / Boots: Dolce Vita

Can we talk about how I have a level on my tripod and on the piece that my SLR screws on to and I still managed to take a completely crooked picture?  I can't even with myself right now.

Also, on a more exciting note (exciting to me, that is), I finally got my hands on a pair of boots "inspired by" the Chloe Susans/Susannas.  I, like many others, have been in deep love with those boots for years.  Years.  Years.

Polka Dot Detox

I set everything up (in a serious hurry) to take Real Pictures with my nicer camera this morning and all of them came out kind of weird -- out of focus, too much lens flare, framing was off, some weird cowlick action which you can still kind of see below, etc.  I don't have a full-length camera in my apartment (maybe that's why I look like a mess all the time HEYOOOOOO) so I look a quick snapshot in the lobby at work.  No judgment zone, guys.

Dress: Forever 21 / Jacket: H&M / Booties: Topshop / Bag: J. Crew Factory / Belt: Zara

I know you're probably sick and tired of my polka dots by now.  Here's the thing -- I'm trying to get it all out of my system before the official start of the 30 For 30 Challenge, which we've spoken about very briefly here and here.  We're still trying to work out which Within Color contributors will participate, but stay tuned for more on that.  In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out which items I'll be using and which restrictions to give myself regarding item selection.  Two years ago, when I did the challenge the first time around, I wore a lot of denim, so I gave myself a strict rule: NO JEANS.  This time around, the only restriction I've come up with thus far is that I can only include one polka dotted item.  This is a Big Deal for me, seeing as I own not two, not three, but EIGHT dotted items -- two pairs of pants, a t-shirt, a pair of shorts, this dress, two sweaters, and two button downs -- and they will all gradually Highlander each other because there can be only one.

Dear readers, will any of you be doing the challenge along with us?  If so, leave a comment in this post or e-mail me at withincolor@gmail.com so we can follow along or perhaps also feature you in an upcoming post!

P.S.  If this challenge sounds at all familiar, it's because it's not my original idea.  It's Kendi's from Kendi Everyday.
P.P.S.  Yes, that is a Lumpy Space Princess phone case.  Heyyyyyyyy guuuuuuuurrrrrrrl.

Even More Rainy Day Style (Alternate Title: I Can't Stand the Rain)

You guys already know this, but I can't seem to bring myself to care when rain is involved.  I know there's a lot of bloggers that talk about all these cute outfits that you can wear with wellies, but -- real talk -- once I see a rainboot, I run out of craps to give.

Unfortunately, if I had known that today's weather would be near-perfect, I would have worn my new heels to work with these great floral pants I've been waiting to debut.  Oh well.  Hindsight, you know.

Jean Jacket: J. Crew / Shirt & Pants: Forever 21 / Flats: Zara

If you couldn't tell, I'm really into polka dots.  This is actually my second pair of dotted pants (I'm thinking about getting a third because I'm the worst), but this is a looser pajama-like silhouette, whereas my first pair is a thicker fabric and cropped and perhaps more tailored?

I'm getting a little bored of my recent tendencies to gravitate towards black & white graphic prints, so I think I'm going to do a big ol' wardrobe remix soon.  Back when I had my (now-defunct) fashion blog, I joined a group of other style bloggers and did a 30 For 30 Challenge, which meant that I would only wear 30 pieces (including pairs of shoes and outerwear) for 30 days to force myself to come up with as many different outfits as possible.  Perhaps I can get some of the other Within Color contributors to join me (hint hint).

I also happened to take some pictures of my [underwhelming] outfit from this Thursday.  It actually rained pretty hard, but I chose to spice up my footwear because my feet always get wet in rainboots anyway, so wuteva.  You can find the outfit under the cut.

The Least Summery Summer Dress and Other Reflections

Today's high in New York City was 93 degrees (no, not 98 Degrees), which is, in my opinion, the worst thing ever.  My dress code at work is less strict than many other places and I am incredibly grateful for this.  However, today was one of those days that made me wonder when Business Casual Underwear will ever become A Thing.

Dress: Forever 21 / Belt: Necessary Clothing / Flats: Zara / Lipstick: NARS Heat Wave

It doesn't exactly scream "carefree summer," but I was really just kind of aiming for "work appropriate and sufficiently stretchy."  At this point I'm starting to feel like I'm taking you guys on a trip through Val's Favorite Black Articles of Clothing and Animal Print Accessories, to be quite honest.  Once upon a time, I ran another (now defunct) fashion blog.  At the time, I wore semi-obnoxious pieces every day and I loved it.  Electric blue tank tops, watercolor print skirts, a whole lotta everything -- I didn't necessarily take it to gold lamé jumpsuit levels, but if it was an affront to your aesthetic sensibilities, I probably loved it.  My style is still growing and changing, naturally, yet I still gravitate towards statement pieces, but a lot of my confidence has waned over the last couple of years for a couple of reasons.

I know I promised a Serious Post and this won't be as serious as it could be and it also isn't necessarily going to be one centered on race or ethnicity, although those certainly play a part.  It's still hard for me to write about this stuff so publicly, but I'm considering it part of my self-care.

Consider this a trigger warning as the second half of this post talks about self-perception and body image.  There are no numbers (regarding weight) or specific details regarding eating habits, but the rest of the post will be under a cut, just in case.

So Long, Spring Uniform

Everybody has a go-to outfit.  I have three.  One for summer -- usually a blouse, tailored shorts, and sandals; one for winter -- a coat, chunky sweater, jeans, and motorcycle boots; and in the spring and fall -- my olive jacket, a chambray button-down, jeans, and booties.  I do wear different silhouettes and I'm no stranger to a good print, but whenever I just don't care and want to throw something on, the aforementioned combinations are my first choices.

Now that New York City is warming up (and fast), I thought I'd make a melodramatic post to say 'goodbye' to one season and 'hello' to the next.

Jacket: H&M / Top: Gap / Jeans: Forever 21 / Boots: Forever 21 / Bracelets: Forever 21 and H&M

I hope this olive jacket and chambray never die on me.  I've had both for around three years and they're so perfectly broken in.  I'll never let go, Jack.

Tell me about your go-to outfits, please!

Also, as a side note, I've got a Serious Post a brewin'.  The other incredible women of Within Color have tackled subjects such as body image, interracial relationships, and community involvement, and I think it's time that I made a different kind of contribution here.  Writing about race and ethnicity and how it influences my self-perception is something I find incredibly overwhelming.  It's hard to sit down and confront it after a lifetime of dodging backhanded compliments ("you're so pretty... for a Latina") and cringing at racial assessments by non-PoC ("I don't consider you to be Latina Latina"/"you're not Latina enough"), but I feel ready now.  Until next time, folks.

What I Wore Yesterday

This week I did two things:  Cut about five inches off my hair and got to wear dresses without tights for the first time in months.  Months.

Dress: Forever 21 / Jacket: Zara / Belt: J. Crew / Flats: Gap

Let me tell you a little bit about this dress.  It is the best dress ever.  I rarely purchase dresses from Forever 21 because the fabric looks a little too meh up close, or it's a little too sheer, or it's just a little way too short.  This one was on a rack of other black dresses and what got my attention was the fact that the weight of the fabric looked so much more "luxe" than similar dresses hanging all crinkly next to it, which leads me to my favorite part about this dress -- it does not wrinkle.  It always looks freshly steamed no matter how long I've been sitting down or how long it's been smushed in my cramped closet.  The v-neckline is perfect and not too deep, as I often get tired of wearing crew or boatnecks all the time since I'm not big on flashing cleav (no judgment, it's just not my thang).

It also looks really good with my Zara jacket, which I'm trying to get as much use out of before it goes in storage until the fall. :```````(

Just so you don't think I look mean all the time.

What's your favorite little black dress?