13 March 2013

Highway to the Danger Zone (& Giveaway Winner)

camo gingham  camo gingham

In high school, I “discovered” the movie Top Gun thanks to a long over-due rental copy of the film (which still may be somewhere amongst my stuff in my parents’ home) and wanted All Things Fighter Pilot. I became obsessed with the F-14 Tomcat, I seriously looked into the qualifications for Annapolis, I bought aviator sunglasses, collected naval air squadron patches (VF-1 wolfpack!) and sported personalized dog tags that I got while on a tour of the Intrepid. Somehow at the time I felt like I could fool people into thinking that this gawky 15-year old could be the next ace of the skies.

Summertime brought about swimsuit tan lines and over-use of Sun-In in my hair (Sun-In is meant to help lighten blonde hair, ladies, it has the most “flattering” effect of turning dark hair into weird brassy shades of orange) – partly because I wanted to seem like I was carefree and spent my Augusts laying out by the water with the sand between my toes,  not working part-time at a card shop and staying clear from the water because I couldn’t swim.

camo gingham  camo gingham

I played lacrosse in college, so of course I had to stress that to the Nth degree by  hanging around and go to class in LAX team shorts, cleats slung over my shoulder, and/or my banged up stick with the dirty grips sticking out of my gym bag. Forget that we sucked, I was a collegiate athlete.

I think I’ve come quite a ways since high school and college and actually try to avoid looking potentially like something I’m not. So I was hesitant at first when it came to acquiring this camo jacket (though I’ve wanted a camo something forever). To keep the whole feel more fashion statement-y than tour of duty though, I’ve been keeping the look more girlie than tough, accessorizing with pink and big flowers.

Have you ever found yourself “faking it to make it” with fashion?

camo gingham

camo gingham

Jacket: J.Crew camo (worn here - sim, sim, sim, studded)
Shirt: LEC gingham poplin (worn here - sim, sim, neon)
Jeans: J.Crew vintage destroyed matchstick (worn here - sim, sim, skinny)
Brooch: Broochmaker via Etsy (worn here - sim, sim, luxe)
Bracelets: Asos (set or single), J.Crew (sim), Target (sim)
Bag: Holding Horses via Anthropologie tasseled leather (worn here - sim, sim, quilted)
Shoes: Seychelles ring in the new year (worn here - sim, wedge, solid, luxed out)

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And thanks much to all of you who entered my Shabby Apple giveaway for a $50 gift card! Out of 166 qualified entries, the comment drawn at random is 24, which means that the winner is -


Congrats, girl! You will be contacted direct by the fashionable ladies from Shabby Apple to claim your prize.

37 comments:

  1. Love how you styled the camo with the flower to make it more girly! I've been considering buying a pair of sneaker wedges. It's a trend I really hated at first and I'm not sure it's "me" but I'm starting to think they're cute.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Avon Giveaway!

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    1. I think they are really cute and I think your style could totally pull it off, you've got an edge to your looks and the wedges would put them over-the-top. I thought of getting some myself but I would totally be faking it again, I think!

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  2. I love the camo with the flower! I am going to be making a pin like that over my spring break. So cute!

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  3. I can't really think of any "faking to make it" in fashion off the top of my head (although there probably is). I tend to gravitate towards classic styles, not so much trendy pieces although every so often I incorporate them as I see fit. In any case, I love those shoes! How adorable!

    fauxionista.com

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  4. SUN-iN ?! you have taken me on a trip to the past ! HAHA how I use to spray this on, with terrible results.
    I don't fancy camo but you have worn this like a master :)

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  5. I have definitely felt that before - but sometimes I like being a little out of my comfort zone because it makes me try (and often love!) new things. I love the camo and it's great paired with more girly pieces. :)

    xo
    See Mo Go.

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  6. OH HOW COOL IS THAT!!!???! Thanks so much Lisa!! That's awesome!

    I have only seen Top Gun in the last few years (yeah, I know, I'm late), but it was a good movie. My high school fashion was . . . yucky. I was a "skater" or "punk rocker" or . . . something. Everything was bright, clashing, fishnet and or baggy. I'm glad those days are over. I love the camo with the gingham today!

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  7. If "fake it to make it" means "buy knockoff J.Crew jewelry" then yes, I've faked it to make it :)

    Also, Sun-in? Totally turned my hair orange in 7th grade. ORANGE.

    Love the camo!

    Taylor
    Two Wheelers

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    Replies
    1. Some JC jewelry is totally over-priced, imo, I've bought some Ebay knockoffs and worn then proudly!

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  8. Oooh Sun-in! I forgot about that stuff. Never used it myself but remember it well.

    This is the same reason I have avoided the camo trend. I'm too afraid that it's not "me." But you have made it look so cute. Kendi also styled a really cute look with a camo jacket today too (not sure if you've seen it).

    So I'm having some styling trouble myself & am asking for some help on the blog today. I would love your ideas! :-)

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  9. Love that flower pin! The peachy color is so pretty!
    Meredith
    createthatoutfit.com

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  10. I *loved* Top Gun! My older brothers obsessed over it when they were tweens/early teens, which meant I saw it for the first time at the ripe old age of 6 and decided to be a fighter pilot. I was actually accepted into Air Force Academy but due to some last minute personal deciding ended up going to a different University. I often wonder what would have become of me had I taken to the skies. :) Now the only nod to my former fighter pilot dreams is the occasional pair of aviators. :)

    LOVE those shoes, btw!

    xox

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    1. You would have kicked butt at the Academy - imagine it, you could have been zipping around the skies right now in a F-16! ;o) But life has its own plans for us for the better!

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  11. Very cute, Lisa!

    Thanks for entering my giveaway!

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  12. love it. i have a post coming up with a flower brooch. and i love your shoes. always very original .... not the typical look :-)

    www.not-going-out-like-that.com

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  13. Oh this post was too funny. I can totally see you as the next "ace of the skies" ;)

    The gingham paired with camo is effortless and lovely all at once. Not faking it here my dear. :)

    Sequins&Stilettos

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  14. I love this gingham and camp. I actually think it's kind of genius! As for faking it with fashion, every once in a while ill put together an outfit and will be so pleased with myself, then my hubby sees it and tells me I look like I'm trying to hard....what're tat means. :)
    Also, I'm hosting a giveaway, I'd love if you'd stop by and check it out!
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I know - my BF rarely says anything about what I wear, but the handful of times he has made a comment, I think I've gone too far!

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  15. you look so pretty Lisa!! love that brooch and those shoes! you always nail it :)

    ~Chioma
    C's Evolution of Style

    $1000 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

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  16. You seriously rock that camo jacket!
    http://spunkyrealdeal.blogspot.com

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  17. Love that you got so into Top Gun. I also had a Sun-In mishap in middle school. I never go for camo but you rock it with the gingham!

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    1. And I totally loved Top Gun in a nerd way too - I used to fast-forward to all the dog fight scenes and skipped the "lovey dovey" stuff.

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  18. Love how you added all the feminine touches to the tough jacket, this outfit is fabulous. And of course, love the shoes. I really like your "collage" photos where all the items are laid out together, it's a really nice touch.

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    1. Thanks! I figure it is an easy way for me to show more detail on some of my pieces without having to do 20 shots of my waist or wrist, hehe.

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  19. I love how you styled this camo jacket with the gingham shirt and the flower! Beyond chic! You look fabulous!

    xo, Kenya

    www.kenyaldesigns.com

    Kenya L Fashion Blog

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  20. The flower & the gingham shirt is perfect for this camo jacket! I just bought a pair of camo jeans and was trying to style it so I don't look like GI Jane.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlfie.com

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    Replies
    1. I would love a pair of camo jeans like those Gap skimmer ones, but I tried a sim pair once and just couldn't pull them off. I think simpler is better with camo jeans, imo.

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  21. This look is too cute, love how you girliefied the camo jacket! And hearing about your teenage fashion statements was too funny! I think I have been guilty of faking it a few times, but the only thing that springs to mind is wearing a Stormy Seas necklace knock-off I got off ebay. Mint is not my colour and I looked like a douchebag. (But I own a pink version from Kie and Kate that I love and often get compliments on.)

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    1. You had me cracking up laughing with your "douchebag" comment. I wonder how many times I've worn something and looked douche-y, haha!

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  22. I have been going through some posts on your blog again and you have a the gift of coming. All outfits are nice. The shoes keep surprising me. So different, so lovely (so many of them).
    But what hit me as well, was the quality of your photos. What am I doing wrong? I have to dive into that and find out. Yours are so vivid, so clear.
    Greetje

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    1. I host my photos from a third-party site (I use Flickr, but Photobucket or Picasa work too) - they come out clearer than loading them directly onto Blogger. I don't know if that helps, but I noticed my photo quality improved a ton after that.

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  23. i loved top gun! tom cruise could do no wrong in my book. hahaha gosh, i was like a freshman in high school. hahaha i remember sun-in! hahaha lisa! you dabbed a little bit into everything. well i love your camo jacket with that gingham. who would've thought. it looks good girl.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  24. So, last season I had a thing against camo...and of course, this year, seeing it on all you cute ladies made me make my first camo purchase (Skinny jeans) - and now I want to pair them with pink, just like you :) Love!

    xo
    The Fashionable ESQ
    http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/

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  25. Genius mix here! love the gingham paired with that fabulous army jacket!! I love it and if I lived near you I'd borrow/steal it from you :) SO CUTE!

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

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  26. My hair looked great with Sun-In until it didn't. Mine turned green instead of orange.

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  27. You look awesome in the camo blazer!! I love it with the flower pin too!! So sassy Lisa!!

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