Saturday's Semi-Formal

As you've probably noticed, I've been a little absent lately. Between school and extracurriculars, life has been getting a little hectic. But I'm declaring February my "get-back-on-track" month. This means starting physical therapy, eating healthy, working out regularly, staying on top of school work, and getting back to regular blogging. Since I don't have any recent outfit pictures, I thought I would share some pictures from the semi-formal I attended this past weekend. I'm in a co-ed honors fraternity, and every winter, we celebrate "founder's day" with a banquet and dance. I didn't get a single picture that shows my dress and my shoes together, but sometimes it's more about having fun than getting the perfect picture.

{ A preview pic I meant to post last week}
Dress free from internship, Franco Sarto heels, Nicole by OPI nail polish

{"A Night at the Movies" themed table setting}

{My friend Natalie and I, getting ready before dinner}

{My roomie and I. Do you like his boutonniere? I made it!}

It was the best weekend I've had in awhile, but I sure am tired now. How was your weekend?

Everybody, Everywear: Stripes

No outfit pictures today. I've been feeling kinda blahhhh, which resulted in me wearing yoga pants to class. Word on the street is that today is Breton Stripe day, so I'm going to make an effort to bust out some stripes tomorrow, even if I am a day late. Have you guys checked out Everybody, Everywear yet?

I have a feeling this site, created by Linda and Liz, is going to turn into an awesome inspiration resource for many of us. It is so great to see how everyone interprets stripes a little differently. And I love all the pattern mixing! And if you didn't get a chance to wear your stripes today, join me tomorrow!

My Weekend in Pictures (and a few words)

View from our front window

On Friday, I had to go to Cincinnati to see a back specialist, so I decided to stay the whole weekend and enjoy some time with my family. Although it was a little scary trying to get home in the middle of a snowstorm Thursday night, it was really nice to be home.

Pretty view on the way to the hospital

I spent most of Friday heading back and forth to the hospital for CAT scans and appointments. On the plus side, the route to the hospital is a scenic one with lots of pretty houses. When I was young, my mom and I would always pick which ones we wanted to live in someday. I love silly little memories like that.

Black Raspberry-Chip Shake

Thankfully, I received pretty good news at the appointment with the specialist. Although I do have a crack in the vertebrae of my spine, I avoided surgery and only have to do physical therapy. I'm also allowed to workout again, as long as I can keep my pain under control. We celebrated this good news with Graeters milkshakes. Yum.

Lucky Magazine's City Guide

During some of my downtime at home, I had a chance to flip through the latest Lucky Magazine. I was excited to discover that Columbus was featured in this month's City Guide! That is where I currently am living while going to school, so it was really cool to see it get some of the credit it deserves.

Craft supplies

I spent Saturday doing some of my favorite things: hanging out with my mom, going to the library, shopping at JoAnn Fabrics, and seeing a movie (No Strings Attached; so cute! Definitely recommend it!). This list definitely proves I'm a huge nerd, but I'm okay with it. At JoAnns, I picked up some supplies for some more headbands; I swear I'll get my Etsy shop up and running one of these days! I also bought this Simplicity pattern for only $.99! I don't really sew, but I'm determined to learn. And what better way than with an adorable dress?

Fruity Pebbles bars

Before I headed back to campus today, my mom helped me make these Fruity Pebbles bars. Super easy, and super delicious! I was originally inspired by the recipe in Instyle Magazine but ended up just following the recipe straight off the Fruity Pebbles box. There's nothing like colorful, cheery baked goods to brighten your day. Another thing that made my day? Being approached at lunch today by a Best Foot Forward reader! This was the first time I've ever been recognized because of my blog, and it was really exciting! I was looking very non-style-blogger in sweats and Uggs, but I guess we all have days like that. Regardless of my unfashionable attire, it was one of the highlights of the last few days. Okay, well now that I've told you all about my weekend, I want to hear about yours! What was the highlight of your weekend?

As Close as I Can Get to Wearing Pajamas to Class

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 Fair Isle sweater, Old Navy gingham button-down, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Ciao Bella boots, Earrings via the Pink Box

Because of the back pain I've been having due to my spondylolisthesis, comfort has been key recently. Add nasty cold weather into the equation, and you're pretty much left with me picking the items in my closet that are the closest I can get to wearing pajamas to class. This sweater has been my go-to lately for staying warm and cozy. Although its only appeared on the blog one other time, I wear it almost every day, usually when I'm all cuddled up in pajamas at night. At the time when I bought it, I wished they had a size smaller in stock, but now I'm kind of glad I got the large. Its oversized, which lends to the cozy feeling. I paired it with my gingham button-down from Old Navy, which is super soft and roomy. Speaking of gingham, have you guys checked out Everybody, Everywear yet? It's the brain-child of the lovely ladies Linda and Liz , and it is such a great way for bloggers to show how they remix their basics and also get inspiration from other stylish ladies. If you look closely, you'll find that I contributed a picture, as well! Definitely go check it out, and get your stripes ready for their next style challenge!

Retail Therapy

Head Over Heels Heart Top

My mom probably just saw that post title and cringed. But no worries Mom, I haven't pulled out my credit card just yet. Although I AM rather tempted by this adorable top from Ruche. I've had this top bookmarked for almost two months now, thinking it would be perfect for Valentines Day. With my V-day plans (almost) solidified and the only size left in stock being mine, this top is calling my name. But then I pause, like the good shopper I am, and wonder how I would wear it. Considering its the middle of winter, a cardigan would definitely be in order. Jeans or a skirt? And then I remember I still really need to invest in a good black skirt, so jeans it is, I guess. I'm also hesitant about shopping online; there is nothing more frustrating than anticipating a package filled with pretty clothes just to have it arrive and not fit. It is a reasonable price, though. Then again, the Urban Outfitters on campus is having a big sale right now, so maybe I should go spend my (limited) dollars there. Thoughts? What would you do?

Business-Casual: My Interpretation

What I'm wearing: H&M sweater dress, Gap tights, J.Crew flats, Forever 21 necklace, Forever 21 belt, Gifted diamond bracelet

I've had a lot of events lately that have called for "business-casual" attire. My dress pants are currently fitting a little too snug for my liking, so I've had to dig a little deeper into my closet to find something appropriate for this type of dress code. Maybe its not such a bad thing though; I kind of liked being the one in the cute black dress last night, standing out amidst the sea of dress pants. Although, I will say, my roommate Alex (pictured above) was looking quite dapper in his dress pants and vest. We're in the same student organization, so whenever we have to get dressed up for it, pictures are in order. Okay, I'm keeping it short today. I have an exam tonight that I should be studying for instead of blogging. Oops.

Sushi and Spondylolisthesis

Whoa boy, it's been a rough couple of days. I'm pretty much falling apart which means all of my blogging resolutions have gone out the window for the time being. So yes, the "forgotten five" has once again been forgotten. I swear, someday I will get around to getting that feature going again. Right now, I'm focusing on getting healthy. I've been having back pain for about a month now, and I found out yesterday I have spondylolisthesis, a fancy way of saying displaced vertebrae, AKA a screwed up spine. The end of my week will be spent seeing back specialists and getting catscans and more x-rays done to figure out treatment. But no fear, I will hopefully still have regular outfit posts coming your way. Also, our fearless 30 for 30 leader, Kendi, has once again announced another round of 30 for 30. I feel like I just finished the last one, but I don't like to back down from a challenge. So yes, I'm in. And now that I've rambled enough about what's going on in my life, I'll give you what you really came for. Outfit pictures.

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 sequin jacket, J.Crew outlet tiered tank, H&M skinny pants, Target ankle booties, J.Crew bracelet

I wore this on Sunday night for sushi with friends. A big group of us went downtown to a restaurant called Sushi Rock. It was a pretty nice restaurant, which was a welcome change for us poor college students (it was reasonably priced, too!) I used the fancy restaurant as an excuse to wear the sequin jacket I bought for New Years Eve but didn't end up wearing. I also wore the J.Crew bracelet my parents bought me for Christmas. I wish this picture was better quality; it doesn't even begin to do it justice. You just can't go wrong with J.Crew jewelry! Hopefully this piece will be the first of many...

So Versatile

What I'm wearing: Love 21 dress, Hue tights, Kelly and Katie flats via DSW, Forever 21 skinny belt, Handmade earrings

I wore this outfit last week for a business-casual event for a campus organization I'm involved in. I was struggling with what to wear, and then I remembered this dress. This dress has proven to be a great buy; it always comes through in a pinch. I've worn it for weddings, nights out with friends, work, and now school events. It's so versatile; definitely a winner! I'd love to stick around and chat some more, but I'm ready to cuddle up in bed and watch old episodes of Desperate Housewives and catch up on some blog reading. I hope everyone had a good long weekend!

A New Day

What I'm wearing: Uniqlo wrap sweater, J.Crew outlet purple ruffle tee, H&M scarf, LOFT outlet jeans, Ciao Bella boots, Vintage bracelet via Talk of the Town

I went to bed in a crappy mood last night (due to the fact that I procrastinated on a project that was way too complex for being assigned only two days before it was due). This morning, I woke up and vowed to make today a new day. Last quarter, I let all the stress of school get to me, and it ate up my whole life. I'm determined to not let that happen this time. So this morning, I put on two tried-and-true favorites (the ruffle tee and wrap sweater) and threw on a cheerful scarf for good measure. I also debuted the newest member of my vintage costume jewelry collection:

I picked up this beauty over winter break at Talk of the Town, my favorite vintage store in Cincinnati. I always find the best jewelry there. And there's nothing like pretty vintage jewelry to put you in a good mood. The Glee Pandora station doesn't hurt either. Cheers to letting go of stress and enjoying life!

Just Can't Get Enough: Stripes

What I'm wearing: Old Navy cardigan, Forever 21 ruffle tank, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Aldo boots, Urban Outfitters earrings, Forever 21 bronze belt

Second day in a row wearing stripes. You can never have enough of a good thing, right? I'm definitely going through a stripes phase right now. I'm trying to get more mileage out of my closet, which is why I chose both this tank and cardigan because neither had been worn in awhile. I also think I was subconsciously influenced by my roommate Jillian, since the cardigan+belt combo is pretty much her signature look. But back to using my wardrobe more efficiently...I intended to make a "forgotten five" post on Monday night, but this week has been super busy between my night classes and helping choose new members for an organization I'm in on campus. Next week is a short week (yay!), so I promise to use my long weekend to its full advantage and get the Forgotten Five up and running again. How do you plan to spend your long MLK-day weekend?

Classy, Not Trashy: Denim on Denim

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 striped sweatshirt, J.Crew Outlet denim button-down, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Aldo tan boots, Urban Outfitters earrings, Vintage bracelet

I woke up this morning feeling cold and tired, wishing I had picked out an outfit the night before because all I really wanted was to stay in my pajamas. I always tell myself I'm going to start planning my outfits at the beginning of the week , but that pretty much never happens. While eating breakfast this morning, I was reading through some blogs (my morning routine), and I stumbled upon Sydney's post about 10 winter wardrobe staples. One of the items she had listed was a denim shirt. This got the wheels in my head turning, since I recently purchased a denim shirt at the J.Crew outlet and had yet to wear it. I wasn't quite ready to go full-out denim on denim, so I layered this striped sweater/sweatshirt over top. I wasn't sure how it was going to translate from my head onto my actual self, but I actually really like how it turned out. How do you wear your denim on denim so it looks classy, not trashy?

Snapshots From the Weekend

On Friday, my roommates and I had a little movie/fro-yo date. We saw Black Swan, which was really, really good. I wasn't sure if I was going to like because I heard it was very dark, but I really enjoyed it, despite some pretty weird/creepy parts. Natalie Portman is so talented, and Rodarte did an amazing job on the costumes. I would definitely recommend it.

Yesterday, my mom came to town to take me to get some x-rays done on my back, and afterwards, we did a little shopping. I was looking for leopard print pumps for an upcoming semi-formal, but I wasn't able to find any I liked. But no worries, I didn't walk away empty-handed. Anthropologie had a big sign in their window saying they were having a sale, but I was a little skeptical. Usually their version of a "sale" is still way more than I am willing to pay. I stopped in to check it out anyway, and I'm so glad I did! I found this chiffon, grecian-style top for $20 and this cream cardigan for $40, originally $128! Bargain shopping can be such a thrill, especially when its at a store I can't normally afford.

Since I wasn't able to find the leopard pumps yesterday, I spent last night scouring the internet for a pair while watching Easy A. Both of these are from Endless.com (gotta love free shipping!); the first is the Franco Sarto Luxe Platform pump and the second is the Nine West Escher pump. They're both $80, which is more than I would normally spend on shoes, but its a special occasion and I'm wearing a dress that was free from my internship last summer. Since I didn't spend a cent on the dress, I'm justifying a little bit of a splurge for the shoes. Which one would you choose?

Blogging Goals for 2011

Image via WeHeartIt

Now that 2011 is in full swing, it's time to think about not only how I'm going to improve myself this year, but also how I am going to improve Best Foot Forward. Last year, I started my little blog that I love, and this year, I'm going to make it better!

1. Bring back The Forgotten Five. I'm considering changing the name so it can encompass more items than just old ones, which would prolong the feature and make it more applicable.

2. Get my Etsy shop up and running/do my first blog giveaway. These two are definitely linked; once I get my shop running, I plan to do a giveaway of one of my fabric necklaces!

3. Double my followers. I love checking the blog and seeing that someone new is reading! If you are reading Best Foot Forward, make sure to click the follow button on the sidebar! You can also follow BFF on twitter!

4. Take more time to network with other bloggers. I want to focus on leaving genuine comments and building blogger friendships

5. Change the layout/design of Best Foot Forward. I'm horrible at anything technology-related, so this part is very overwhelming/frustrating for me. If anyone has any tips on how they made their blog look great, feel free to leave a comment or email me at bestfootforward.kate@gmail.com

6. Learn more about my new photo software and use it to improve the photo quality on BFF. I received CorelPaintShop photo for Christmas and am still trying to get the hang of it and learn about its capabilities.

7. Get back to regularly scheduled posts. Every quarter, I have to adjust to a new schedule which throws off my outfit picture/posting routine. I need to find a time of day that works best for blogging and stick to it!

Well these are my big goals for the year. Any suggestions/tips for what you would like to see on Best Foot Forward in 2011?

Me and My Boots: Reunited

What I'm wearing: Old Navy button-down, Banana Republic outlet jeans, Old Navy cowboy boots, J.Crew outlet scarf, Pink Box earrings

You want to know what one of the best things about being home for a month was (besides sleeping in, spending time with family, and having endless time to spend reading and crafting)? Having my own little personal photographer at my disposal. I already miss being able to step right out the door and have my mom take my pictures, and then scurry back inside to get warm. Now I'm stuck taking indoor pictures with crappy apartment lighting and begging my roommates to snap a few for me (thanks Joslyn!). So enjoy these pictures while you can; I probably won't have many more outdoor photos again until Spring. I wore this outfit for one of my last days in Cincinnati, which I spent visiting with family friends (who have four ADORABLE little girls...I wish I had taken some pictures!), having lunch with my mom and aunt (Panera breadbowls= delicious), and doing a little shopping. I really liked this outfit; it was perfect for a busy day. It was comfortable, but still had style. Plus, my prediction is already coming true--I'm going to be wearing this scarf constantly...so cozy! And I was also super excited to be reunited with trusty Old Navy cowboy boots that weren't a part of my 30 for 30. You'll be seeing a whole lot more of these babies now that I can wear them again!

Fair Isle

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 cardigan, Old Navy tee, Old Navy skinny jeans, Ciao Bella boots via DSW, Forever 21 belt, Vintage earrings

I picked up this sweater last week at Forever 21 while buying a sparkly jacket for NYE (which I ended up not wearing because we had a very low-key night, but I can't wait to debut it!). This sweater is super cozy and was the perfect companion for a long day of classes when all I really wanted was to be sleeping in my warm bed. The best part? It was only $24.50! A little pricey for F21, but I think it was definitely worth it. Plus, who doesn't love a little fair isle print in the winter time? I can't believe I'm already back to school and the daily grind. Break went so fast! But all in all, I like the fresh start the new year has brought and am looking forward to making my 2011 goals a reality!

30 for 30, Round 2: The Finish Line

It took me quite awhile to finish my 30 for 30, and even longer to post my recap, but here it is! This time around I felt like I really got what the challenge is all about. Last time I participated was at the end of summer when it was hot and sticky, which made layering very difficult. The cooler temps this time made it so much more fun because I had scarves, tights, and layering to work with. I think I also chose my items more wisely this time; I wore every single item at least once (last time I didn't wear THREE of my 30). Here is the breakdown:
My Favorites: Day 4, Day 10, Day 16, and Day 30
Least Favorites: 1, 21
Most worn item: Gap skinny jeans (no surprise there), Ciao Bella boots
*What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

I'm really glad I participated in the 30 for 30 challenge a second time. It has really made me view shopping in a completely different way. I realize more and more what I could use and what I could live without. When asked what I wanted for Christmas, the only things I said were accessories. This challenge has taught me how accessories can completely transform an outfit. With well-picked accessories, you can stretch your closet further than you ever thought.