Days 33-9

Well, it just shows to go you that when you spend 40ish days writing nothing but ridiculous drivel someone will ask for your blog's URL.

Le sigh.

That said, this past week was not my week. Oy to the vey. Ai yi yi gefilte fish!

Miles: nil

Wardrobe: well, frankly, the less said the better! Suffice it to say, if I'd had my druthers I would have worn nothing but my Holy Cross sweat pants and a t-shirt. Instead I opted for those damn Old Navy jeggings and over-sized men's shirts.

Two quips:

Me: Look at my face, it's an honest face.
A 50-something Frenchman: Non! Your face is honest but it's your eyes and your smile I don't trust


A nattily dressed, sexagenarian English publisher on bedding Elizabeth Taylor, said wistfully:
Oh, that would have been a treat! I bet she was good news.

Day 32

It's snowing! I'd certainly rather it weren't. Le sigh.

Black Jeggings
Blue Rugby Oxford Cloth
Cream Cardigan
Topsiders
Navy blue ball cap

Days 29, 30 and 31

Hey! You know what's totally awesome? Not getting answers you were promised days ago! Makes for a fabulous and not at all stressful work week. But! I! Digress!

Also! Jesuit Pope! Jesuit Pope!

Back to the clothing-- the back half of this week will be known as days of my Old Navy Jeggings. Well, less jeggings and more "skinny jeans with a zipper and a button and a whole lotta stretch."

Day 29
Black riding boots
Black Old Navy jeggings
Hot pink stripey top

Day 30
Silver flats
Black Old Navy jeggings
Purple and white checked shirt

Day 31
Silver flats
Black Old Navy jeggings
Blue shirt

2 more weeks gang. I have to run 10 miles each week and come up with 14 more outfits. I also need to get an answer to some burning questions. The saddest thing is I have more clothes left to wear. And 20 more miles to go!

Day 28

Waiting for news (nothing life threatening but still news) and thus am biting my nails and obsessively tracking calories (iPhones! enabling recovering EDs since 2007!) in an attempt to exert control over a situation where I have none.

Still, anxiety is no excuse for slovenly dress and so, onward!

Orange trousers
Denim tuxedo blouse
Gold glitter belt
Cuban heeled boots (trousers are not tucked into my boots)
Tselaine necklace
Pearl earrings
Cameo ring
bamboo bracelet

Day 27

Purple v-neck Jules dress, black patent heels, gold hoops and bamboo bracelet.

2 miles today.

Day 26

Given that we are allowed to break our Lenten Fasts on Sunday, I did just that!

In an effort to ease my conscience I returned a dress purchased earlier this winter and exchanged it for another and then purchased a second dress on super sale. I am quickly running out of closet space (and bookshelf space and space all together-- such is life when one lives in the West Village).

It's gorgeous here in New York-- bright and sunny and we are very nearly filled with all the joys of spring! We would be slightly more full of joy would the temperature rise above 48 degrees. Soon enough, though. Soon enough.

3 doses of antibiotics, still not 100% but gaining traction. Please God I'm better for this coming week. I need a good run.

Days 23, 24 and 25

In which our heroine is punished from on high for breaking her Lenten fast.

First things first- I completely forget what I wore on Thursday. I'm nearly positive it was cropped black trousers, brown Zara boots and some blouse of some sort. The actual blouse has me drawing a complete blank. Ed., I remember! I wore my green and white gingham check shirt!

I do, however, have a valid reason for my forgetfulness-- I was felled early Friday morning by bronchitis and sinusitis. No good. I felt crappy on Thursday and woke around 3 am Friday feeling just awful. Ugh. On the plus side a quick trip to my doctor ($40/round trip cab ride, $30 co-pay and $10 script) has me feeling much-o better-o this morning-o).

Friday I wore pajamas, though when I left the house to go to the doctor I wore jeans, boots and an oxford cloth. Not only that but I put on make up (bb cream, blush, mascara and lip gloss). I don't even know who I am anymore.

Today was also a pajama day. Cropped navy yoga pants, French terry shawl neck cardigan, white v-neck t-shirt and a pink pashmina.

No additional running as I have to conserve all my energy. As it is, I'm exhausted from cleaning and doing my laundry.

Day 22

I'm beginning to bore myself. I have miles (or 25 days) to go in this Lenten fast of mine and I'm doing my level best not to wear all my interesting clothes at once.  To that end, it was a basic outfit today, what I lovingly refer to (in my head) as Judy Garland in a Star is Born-- cropped black trousers, an oxford cloth and loafers. To add a little flair I wore my gold glitter tuxedo slippers along with Nanny's Barbados pearls and Poppy's Persian turquoise earrings.

In other news, I once again broke my Lenten shopping fast and purchased a new blush. In my defense (really, though, defense? Jesus died for your sins and you can't make do or do without for 40 effing days? Some Catholic you are!) I've managed to "put my face on" every day since 12 Feb. This is a record for me. Turns out you can bring your make up with you in little bag and put it on at the office. Who knew? I've only been working since September of 2002. For some reason I thought if you didn't put your make up on before you left the house in the morning it didn't count. I was wrong. Anyway, wearing make up so consistently brought to light the fact that my blush was sub-par. Decidedly so. Enter a new cream blush. I know you're all riveted to the scintillating details of my toilette and I promise to let you know whether this $15 purchase was worth my mortal soul. One hopes. Paris vaut bien une messe mais j'espere le maquille vaut bien mon ame!

PS- 2 miles tonight. That's 7 en toto. 31 to go!

Day 21

3 weeks baby!

Today I wore my turquoise Jules dress (which my aged employer pronounces tour-quoi-z like my dear friend Laura rather than turk-oy-z like I do) with my floral print heels (5'10" in those kicks, baby!) and my orange sunburst ring. Pearls as well, natch.

On the plus side, I have another event which requires a specific (staid) style of dress AND it turns out that I have slimmed down enough to wear my short sleeved black wool Tahari dress. Woot woot!

Also, 2 miles tonight!

Days 18, 19 and 20

My boss, or as I like to refer to him, my aged employer, and I have a delightful relationship. Not unlike, I sometimes think, Jeeves and Wooster. Sadly for me (and perhaps my career) I am often cast in the role of Wooster! On Friday the old a.e. was decidedly unimpressed with my half-tucked shirt. Wouldn't let it alone.
This morning, as if to prove his point, he came out of his office with his shirt half tucked. Point, set, match to the gentleman from Ealing. I suppose the sexagenarian knows what Jenna Lyons doesn't.


Onward!
Le Weekend-- someone went a little crazy on Friday night (the Oyster Bar- how can one not?) and thus was a tade fragile Saturday. Suffice it to say it was a change from pajamas into clean pajamas sort of weekend.

Day 20
Black cropped trousers
gold ballet flats
oversized man's shirt

Yes- it's a cop out outfit but it was Monday and I'm not my best on Mondays. I hit my stride later in the week.

Speaking of hitting my stride. I MUST start running. For those of you playing along at home, I've run exactly 3 miles. Today is the 4th of March, Easter is the 31st. I have just about 25 days to run 37 miles. Really that's about 30 minutes every other day between now and then. I suppose I'll have to get my rear in gear even if my bed is toasty and warm tomorrow morning.

Days 15, 16 and 17

Wednesday was again the black dress and riding boots. Black tights, too. What can I say? It works. 

Thursday was bright blue cropped trousers, gold glitter flats, orange patent leather belt and a white oxford cloth. Outfit would have worked better with broadcloth. Such is life.

Friday and it's red gingham shirt, Jcrew jeans and the Zara boots. Pearls and that's it. 

This weekend we're off to the beach and then to Billyburg for hipster birthday brunch!

Days 11, 12, 13 and 14

I grow old, I grow old
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled

Sorry. Cheap quote but I did indeed wear the bottom of my trousers rolled. Not only that but, oy this task is growing old. The hardest part is not wearing something different (plenty of clothes to go around) but rather finding clothes to wear for specific events. As previously mentioned I have several events that require staid, conservative clothing and I have exactly 2 outfits that fit said staid and conservative bill. I'm varying my accessories but I'm beginning to bore myself.

Right-o

Day 11
Lazy Saturday-- I was on the couch and spent the day in sweats

Day 12
Oscars! Oscars and cooking in Brooklyn. Jeans, topsiders, orange and white scoop neck 3/4 length t-shirt.

Day 13
Day after the Oscars! Oof! Not my best moment-- cropped black trousers and an over-sized dress Stewart tartan shirt

Day 14
J.Crew Jules dress in the Fan print worn with nude hose fuchsia suede heels.

Tomorrow is Day 15 and I'll have to wear the plain black dress again. Not sure if I'll go with boots and tights  or heels and hose. Stay tuned sports fans, the results are sure to be scintillating!

On the running note: this weekend got away from me. Plan is to do 3 miles tomorrow (are you laughing? I am).

Day 10

It's Friday, Friday
Gotta get down on Friday

Banner day here in the city that never sleeps.

Ran 3 miles this morning. 3 10 minute miles, that is. In my defense, this is the first time I've run since June 21 so I'm not complaining. Last night I did the 100 work out (100 jumping jacks, 90 crunches, 80 squats, 70 leg lifts and 60 pushups, then repeat at 50, 40, 30, 20, 10). Now I can have been tonight without too much guilt.

Today's outfit-
J.Crew jeans (light wash)
White oxford cloth
Nanny's Barbados pearls
Turquoise earrings (the ones that look like Poppy's Iranian turquoise)
Signet and black pearl rings
C. Wonder gold bamboo bangle
Coach Cuban heel boots

So- 10 days of different outfits; 3 miles down, 37 to go!

Day 9

This morning started off with a short round of dress up. It's February, that's what it is. Without fail February makes me want to pull out my spring wardrobe. It's 24 degrees out with snow in the forecast but the extra sun light in the morning and evening (light until 5:45! what what!) makes me think it should be 65. Anyway, I spent 15 minutes trying on clothes appropriate for April and quickly returned to my senses.

Today:

Neon pink silk camp shirt 

black cropped trousers

black riding boots

gold belt

gold hoops

enormous lucite ring (pro tip: this is the ring everyone think is Alexis Bittar. It's H&M. I will never buy)

pearl bracelet with sparkly clasp

I bought the neon shirt this autumn at Old Navy and this is the first time I've worn it. It's great and I can see it coming into full wardrobe rotation. Part of the reason I can't get behind the whole: "if you haven't worn it in 6 months, toss it"mentality is that there are plenty of things I haven't worn in 6 months but will wear the snot out of in another 3. Sometimes things go unworn because I've gained or lost weight, sometimes they go unworn because I'm in an environment that calls for different clothes (see also my 2 suits) and sometimes because I'm just too darn lazy to pull the whole outfit together and cropped trousers with a man's shirt and ballet flats is easy and looks nice (see also this entire project). 

Personally, I follow the William Morris theory of clothing: have nothing that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Does it pull? Is it unflattering? Out it goes! Are there holes in it? Gone! Too big, purchased while I felt not unlike Fudgie the Whale? Dunzo! I cull and toss with the ruthlessness of well, I don't know (here's where I want to make a comment about vikings or cossacks, that's because I have a wrong sense of humor, so I won't). 

One caveat: I am extremely preppy. I wear Pendleton trousers my grandmother during the Kennedy administration and a fisherman's sweater that my grandfather bought while Lord Mountbatten was still vacationing at Sligo. Clothes purchased my first year of college still hang in my closet and get worn. So, yeah, are there two pairs of trousers I bought last spring and and haven't worn? Yup. Sue me. They'll get worn, I'll be complemented on them and told how nice I look. It just may be in 2015. 

Basic Math

We learned multiplication in 2nd grade.

 I wish I could remember my teachers name-- I can picture my classmates and the room itself but my teacher's name escapes me. Anyway, said teacher is the one who taught me multiplication. Or at least tried to teach me multiplication. She began the lesson by explaining the basic concept of multiplication-- that it's addition. 9 x 3 = 9 + 9 + 9.  That's about all I remember of those lessons because I immediately decided there was no need to learn to multiply, all I needed to do was add! And that was that. Why spend time memorizing my times tables when I could be reading or swimming or creating imaginary worlds? Just add!

Unfortunately for me (in the long term, in the short term I was fine), I was perfectly capable of adding all the numbers I needed to and passed all my tests and it wasn't until 3 years later in Mr. Reagan's math class that anyone had any idea that I couldn't actually multiply.  Don't get me started on division-- once I realized it was just subtraction, well, all was lost.

And lo these many years later despite algebra and geometry and college level calculus not to mention almost a decade of retail math, I still don't really know how to multiply.

True confessions here gang. Airing out my closets. My name is Ryan and I can't multiply.

Day 8

I've realized a flaw in my plan-- I have several commitments in the coming weeks that require a specific type of dress. Think staid, conservative outfits. I have 1 or 2 that fit the bill completely but may have to repeat. To that end, I will shake things up I will wear different accessories and pretend they are different outfits. (ed, I still can't believe I'm putting this drivel on the internet. That said, it's certainly keeping me honest and I'm enjoying writing again).

Today-

Maja's black boots

Black tights

Black Theory dress 

Pearl earrings, pearl bracelet with sparkly clasp, signet ring and black pearl ring

Still nothing on the running front but I've got time ahead of me. The increased sunlight (sunrise at 6:45! Sunset at 5:45!) is definitely giving me a spring in my step.  

In other news, I'm having a fabulous hair day and am feeling more and more motivated to keep it so. 

And not for nothing but I've worn makeup every day for over a week. And no baseball caps. 

Interlude and Day 7

It is a truth universally acknowledged that your mother is usually right.

Turns out when you make an effort you feel better.

It, frankly, is just as easy to throw on a dress and heels as it is jeans and a t-shirt.

I'm on day, what, 6 of this project. I'm one of my many J.Crew Jules dresses with hose and boots. I feel like a million bucks. I did NOT want to get dressed up this morning. I'm so glad I did.

Day 7 (Tuesday)
Burnt Orange Jules Dress
Stockings
Maja's brown crocodile boots

Days 4, 5 and 6

Just returned from a fabulous long weekend. We went road-tripping from the shore to the mountains and several places in between. Outfits were rather boring as I was on the road and thus capsule packing.


Saturday
Grey cashmere t-neck sweater
Black jeans
Red converse sneaks


Sunday
Black cropped trousers
Black boots
Black boots
Quilted vest
Plaid scarf

Monday
Black cropped trousers
Red converse
Grey cashmere t-neck sweater
Plaid scarf.

Now back to business and wearing my work clothes. I've repeated items but not outfits. 7 days ain't bad.

Days 1, 2 and 3

Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day and now the start of President's Day Weekend.  As I am incredibly lame, I have not taken photos of my outfits. I have, however, worn entirely different outfits each day this week (including Monday and Tuesday) and worn a dress and shoes that have sat dormant since November.

Wednesday, 13 Feb
Maja's boots
Black tights
JCrew black and white "fan"Jules dress

Thursday, 14 Feb
Black patent shoes (x2)-- the heel came off the first pair and so I switched to a different pair
Tights
JCrew purple floral Jules dress
* interesting note, I bought this dress over Thanksgiving Weekend but it is so bright that everyone
   commented that I was bringing spring to the office a few weeks early.

Friday, 15 Feb
Black riding boots
Black jeans
Black and white stripped t-shirt

This is such a remarkably stupid thing to do and decidedly narcissistic. It is, however, forcing me to wear the clothes I actually own. I think it's fair to say that I am no longer able to say, "I have nothing to wear."


PS- No running as yet. I've got weeks.
PPS- First Friday and I'm already sick of tuna.

40 Days and 40 Nights

Dusting this one off again...

Considering I won Catholic of the year for returning from mass and promptly screaming "Christ!" as I fell over my desk chair and dropped a load of books on the floor I've decided I may need a bit more accountability for my Lenten fast.

So here goes nothing:

• No shopping. I don't need anything. Save food and household essentials (note: this does not include my hair as it would be a crime against humanity to let my roots get any worse. And, as we all know, if there's one thing God loves, it's humanity. Seeing as He, you know, gave us His only begotten son etc. Also, God don't like ugly).



• Corollary to the above, wear a different outfit every work day between now and Holy Thursday. This should not be a problem as I just took 50lbs of laundry to the wash and still have an over flowing closet (in fairness, said laundry included linens and towels and I've spent the past decade working in fashion, clothes are my jam).While I'm at it, I may as well post a photo of each outfit to this blog. Gotta keep myself honest.



• Run 40 miles between now and Easter. If Christ can rise from the dead I can certainly pull out my sneakers and resurrect my jogging habit. Last time I ran was June 21, 2012. As an extra added bonus, and just to keep me honest, I will post my map my run times. 

And away we go.....