Does anyone remember the outfit pic on bed days of LiveJournal? When I was in college, it was the only place I could really take an outfit photo where you could see the whole look (minus the shoes, I guess). I wasn’t bold enough to take my own photos outside, yet, so my room was the only option. I’d put my camera on a tripod, set the timer — because I didn’t have a remote. And run and jump on the bed in time for the shutter. It was time consuming, not particularly cute, and made for a lot of disappointing photos. But it was great exercise and a lesson in patience.

Some things change, some things stay the same.

Mind you, this was pre-smart phones. This was pre-Razr, even, although I never even had one of those. I had the free phones that came with a contract renewal until several iPhone generations in, because I was adamantly against buying a phone. My, how things have changed. Shortly after the outfit on bed scenario, we had the mirror pic with flash for Myspace, which went hand in hand with the Myspace overhead selfie. You know the angle.

Then, I moved to this current blog (can you believe it’s been 12 years?!) and went back to the camera on tripod. BUT! I bought a remote, got a little bolder with my locations (inside my apartment, on the rooftop, or right outside my apartment for the most part…baby steps!) and kept going. The shoot locations got better and more varied. I upped my photography game and opened a studio. And invested in a whole lot of gear along the way. And then I closed said studio due to the financial strain, moved my equipment into my apartment building, and somehow I’m right back where I started, with outfit photos on the bed.

I wouldn’t call it a 180, exactly, because I’d like to think my room is quite a bit cuter than my ex boyfriend’s bachelor boy looking setup and my student housing combined, and I have the option of a more creative setup. But still, sometimes it feels good to keep it simple and just jump on the bed. It’s also probably the most exercise I got that week.

Speaking of keeping it simple, I have been living in cotton and linen dresses that could double as pajamas.

Or actual pajamas. But these are cuter and just as comfy, and make me feel human and not a walking sleepy emoji. These photos were not taken today, but I’m actually wearing this exact dress right now. I bought it early last year. And I have worn it so much that the cost per wear is that of a cup of coffee. Here’s a photo of me in it one year ago, on a very happy day. Considering I’ll likely keep this in my closet forever (I tend to know to which pieces I’ll be most loyal), I’m very happy with the purchase.

The brand is called Sleeper, which is the perfect name — because it’s basically pajamas and loungewear for the outside. My exact dress can be found here, or it comes in this two piece lounge set. But they also have lots of other variations that I’ll link below.

I guess it’s less about the simplicity and more about the. Cotton and linen are so nice and comfy, which is probably why I reach for those the most when I’m at home. whether it’s a vintage dress, a thrift store linen set, my go-to Loveshackfancy cotton dresses, the Innika Choo dress from the last post, or my Mara Hoffman wrap dresses that I wear to death. Rhode also makes really cute, comfy cotton dresses (remember my rainbow one?) that are particularly great for warmer weather. And I’ve worn this Christy Dawn one in every season.

I obviously prefer not spending a lot on clothing (which is why the thrift store finds are the best), but I have gotten to the point where I don’t mind spending a bit more if I know I’ll get a ton of wear out of something.

I’d rather buy less and have fewer things that I love enough to wear over and over. Whether it’s a bargain or a bit of an investment, I ask myself two things: Is this super special? or is it something I’ll wear a lot? It should check one or both of those boxes. And yes, sometimes it only checks the 1st one (I love a statement vintage piece!) and I’m fully okay with that. Not everything in my closet is practical, but that’s what makes it fun.

One last thing: the shoelaces in my hair. Those are actual shoelaces, and somehow they’ve become my go-to accessory. I bought a large spool of it when there was a huge elastic and bias tape shortage. So I could continue making masks. But I kept a bit for myself, using them to tie my pigtails (after watching Legion!), for my own masks, and for a DIY daisy hair accessory that I’m obsessed with (see the tutorial here). Who would’ve ever thought my favorite hair accessory would be…a shoelace?