A Little Diversity

thrifted pants, Old Navy blouse and trench vest,
Forever 21 necklace, Banana Republic heels

Yesterday, one of my favorite bloggers, Eli from Thrifteye, was nice enough to include me on her list of favorite Hispanic/Latina bloggers. I completely agree with her introduction about how people with similar heritages are not all the same. It sucks being thrown into one category because of your background. I like to think I don't really fit into any certain stereotypes though. I'm just me.

Reading Eli's post made me realize that some of my favorite bloggers aren't even from the United States. Here's a collection of some of my favorite foreign bloggers:

-Her Waise Choice: I'm in love with this Canadian blogger's classic, feminine style.
-Garance Doré: She is the epitome of French chic.
-Raspberry and Red: This blogger from Poland is super young with an amazing sense of style.
-High Street Cardigans: Ana, a personal shopper from Romania, is sassy and sexy and I love it.
-A Pair & A Spare: This Australian blogger living in Hong Kong is a DIY genius.

Flying Solo

Gap shirt, denim jacket, shoes and thrifted Anne Klein pants, Forever 21 necklace

I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster. Everything is on the verge of changing: my job, our apartment, the city we live in...basically my whole life. I get anxious every time I think about it. I might just be in a strange mood because Matt has been gone for a few days and won't be back until next Saturday. It feels like forever away. I've being doing a pretty good job of staying busy with work the last couple of days, but I'm already starting to feel lonely. Luckily, I have Angus and Charles to keep me company.

We're Back!

vintage floral pants from Cream Vintage,
Forever 21 shirt and earrings, Steve Madden wedges

The title isn't referring to that awesome movie about dinosaurs from my childhood, in case you were wondering. Instead, "we"refers to my awesome pants. I found them at the vintage store where I used to work, hiding among the random items in the racks. Even though they probably used to belong to an elderly woman who wore them with a matching blouse and white orthopedic shoes, I love them all the same. They've been sitting in my closet, unworn, since last summer and I was so excited to break them out. It's like wearing pajamas!

I haven't worn these shoes since last summer, either. After wearing them with this outfit, I accidently left them at my best friend's apartment. It was pouring rain that evening and I didn't want to slip in the parking lot, so I wore flip-flops to walk to my car and forgot my wedges. Hopefully, I'll get them back soon and you'll see more of them than you can stand!

Clothing & Body Type

Urban Outfitters lace top, Forever 21 tank top and earrings,
thrifted pants, Banana Republic heels

I unintentionally decided to participate in Kyla's 31 Blogging Days of May. After writing my post yesterday about my updated college outfit, I stumbled upon her proposal for this month's posts. Yesterday's post just happened to fit the topic (style retrospective), so I decided to go along with it for the rest of the month.

I met Kyla of Blue Collar Catwalk briefly during the 2012 Texas Style Council. It definitely wasn't enough time to get to know this fabulous gal. For starters, she's into roller derby AND has a fabulous sense of style. Even better, she is 100% comfortable with her body. Which brings me into today's topic...

Clothing & Body Type!

Surely, this is everyone's least favorite topic. It's definitely forced me think about a subject that I usually avoid. I've gained about 10 lbs since I started college, but I don't really feel any heavier. In fact, I still wear the same size I always have. I started jogging recently, but my goal isn't to lose weight. I just want to be healthy. 

As far as dressing for my body type, I always have to be conscious of my larger-than-average chest. I can't wear anything with too high of a neckline or else I look HUGE. At the same time, I also can't wear anything too low or I'll look like a hoochie mama. Don't even get me started on bathing suits and bras. It's a pain, but I'm grateful the only thing I have to worry about is looking too boobalicious. 

Fancy Pants

American Apparel t-shirt, thrifted pants and flats,
Gap denim jacket, Forever 21 earrings

I like to think of these as my "Audrey Hepburn" pants. I feel dressed up and glamourous even I wear them with a t-shirt and denim jacket. Red shoes and elegant earrings definitely help, too. I'd been searching for the perfect pair of black high-waisted crop pants for awhile and was so happy to find a perfect-fitting pair at Savers for $7. Come to think of it, these flats are from Savers, too. If you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend it. I usually recommend Savers to new thrifters here in Austin because it's so organized and clean. Some people even consider it to be the department store of thrift stores. I don't know how much I agree with that, but just know that it's almost always my first stop when I thrift. If you're interested in checking it out, read my post about thrifting at Savers that I wrote a couple of months ago.

First Day

vintage men's button up from Goodwill, Old Navy pants (zipper replaced by me),
Banana Republic heels, Forever 21 earrings, vintage bracelets

This was what I wore for my first day of work at Texas Monthly on Tuesday. I thrifted this top the day before, but didn't have any intention of wearing it the next day. I just thought it was a great top for $5, especially because it's vintage and such a great color. I guess I subconsciously reached for it when I was getting dressed and decided to go with it. Combined with basic black pants and color-blocked shoes, I thought the outfit looked put-together and professional without looking too prissy. Even better, I fit right in with the rest of the Texas Monthly crew. Like I mentioned before, everyone dresses really casual, so I need to remember to not overdress. I don't want to overshadow any of my co-workers...for now.

Thirsty Thursday

Old Navy pants and chambray shirt, Gap wedges, Forever 21 earrings

Along with the latest changes in my life (new job, new computer, etc.), I've been craving a new go-to drink. Obviously, I need something to look forward to after a long day of work. Fortunately, I've found my new favorite -- an old-fashioned. I'm not sure what prompted my decision to try one, but ever since I did, it's the only drink I've been craving. It was the perfect drink to have last night while catching up on the Madmen premiere from Sunday. There are many variations to the old-fashioned recipe, so I'm still working on perfecting it. As soon as I figure out the perfect proportions, I'll post the recipe.

Modern Dorothy

Forever 21 earrings, thrifted blouse from Goodwill, thrifted pants and shoes from Savers

I didn't actually wear these red heels with this outfit. Instead, I was wearing a pair of red leather flats that I bought on Saturday during the Texas Style Council thrifting session at Savers. I've been wearing them for the last two days because they're so comfortable and hello, they're RED! Here's an Instagram of what they look like...followed by the reason why they aren't in my outfit photos.

I was at work when I realized the bottom part of the heel was breaking off. It didn't affect my walking that much, but I was very aware that one of my legs was about a half-inch shorter than the other. I'm really in love with these flats, so I decided to take them to the Austin Shoe Hospital. I had a pair of vintage boots from Ebay fixed up there about a year ago and they came back looking brand-spanking-new. In the end, I'll be paying $30 to improve these flats that only cost me $4. It might sound silly, but I think it's going to be worth it. Once the whole bottom part of the show is reinforced, they'll be as good as new.

By the way, I've been getting really into Instagram lately. Follow me @nataliebgarza to stay up-to-date on the not-so-exciting things that happen in my life. You never know when another one of my shoes might break down on me.

Polka Dot Pants

thrifted pants, top from Forever 21, necklace from Target,
vintage bracelets, Montego Bay wedges from Payless

Along with working almost everyday, I've also been occupied with something else lately--a TV show. Matt and I used to watch Lost when it was popular a couple of years ago, but we lost interest and never finished it. Matt recently noticed that it was on Netflix, so we decided to finish the series. What a MISTAKE. My evenings after work have been taken over by Lost. Luckily, we finally finished the series and I can get back to my normal life. It's dangerous for me to get into a TV show, especially when I have an entire series at my disposal. Netflix is both a curse and a blessing.

Attempting to be an Entrepreneur

Old Navy pants, thrifted boots and sweater from Goodwill, gifted scarf from
my boyfriend's grandmother, Calvin Klein pea coat from Burlington Coat Factory

If you don't already know, I've recently started an Etsy store selling vintage clothing. I started it less than a month ago and I've already sold two items! I literally jumped for joy when I got the email telling me that I'd sold my first item. The novelty of selling something all by myself still hadn't worn off yet when I sold my second item yesterday. I like to check my email while I'm still in bed in the mornings (as a way to avoid actually getting up) and when I found out I sold another item, I jumped out of bed and fist-pumped the air. No joke. Thanks, Etsy, for getting me out of bed.

I started the store without knowing if anything would actually sell. I just wanted a way to get rid of the stuff I have piling up in my closet...and in the dining room. I'm not doing it so much for profit (although it's been nice), but more of way to give these great vintage pieces I have a home. It's a good feeling knowing that someone is getting use out of out of the awesome stuff I don't have room for anymore.

Be sure to visit my Etsy store at the same name as my blog, The Closet de Natalie!

I Have a Job!

Gap corduroy pants, Gap leather jacket from Buffalo Exchange, thrifted striped shirt,
thrifted Nine West wedges, estate sale necklace gifted by my step-mom 

I'm a working woman again! I got my old job at Gap back and although it's not what I thought I'd be doing after graduating college, at least I'm making money. This outfit was what I wore for my first day back on the sales floor. I wanted to wear something from Gap for good luck and these pants were perfect to pull on when I was called in with less than 30 minutes to get ready and be at the store. Even though it's been about a year and half since I'd worked there, it's all coming back pretty quickly. It's a fun job because (duh) I love Gap and the store is in a great location right next to Central Market. I forgot how much I loved walking around there during my breaks. Free samples of fancy cheese and crusty bread? Yes, please!

I'm only working at Gap part-time, so I'm still looking for something else to fill my time and make enough money to pay my half of the rent and bills. I have another interview tomorrow, so wish me luck!

Wanna-Be Carrie Bradshaw

thrifted pants and blouse from the Goodwill outlet, estate sale necklace
from my step-mom, Montego Bay wedges from Payless

In the middle of taking these photos, I realized this was totally something Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw would wear. All I needed was big, teased hair or a big bun piled on top of my head. Unfortunately, this was the day after NYE, so I wasn't exactly thinking straight. In fact, I think my hair was still a little sticky from the champagne I'd spilled on it the night before. I guess I should have also tied up my shirt and shown a little midriff a la Carrie, but you get the idea.

These fabulous pants are the most important part of my outfit and I was so excited to find them at the Goodwill Blue Hanger outlet. I didn't think they'd fit, especially all the eating and drinking (and not working out) I've been doing, but they do! Getting back into yoga is on my new year to-do list, but I haven't done much of anything since I came down with a terrible cold Sunday evening. I'm still battling it now, but I'm hoping the worst will be over by the end of the week. This is not how I wanted to start my new year!

On a more interesting note, I thrifted a bunch of awesome stuff last week that will be going up on my Etsy store in the next few days. My best friend, Jackie, came over yesterday (even though I warned here I might be contagious) to model some of the stuff I'm going to sell. She's pretty tiny, so she made the perfect model for the amazing vintage pieces I found. I'm still not sure how this happened, but while I was steaming one of the skirts for her to model, I burnt my hand right in between my middle and ring finger. Why do these things happen to me?! Now, I'm sick with a stuffy nose and a burnt hand. Oh, what a life I lead.

At least I'm unemployed. I thought that was a bad thing, but with the way my life has been going, I'm actually glad I don't have anywhere to be. But I dare you to ask me if I feel the same way in a few weeks.