30 Days with a Pin-Up

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Ahh, another 30 for 30 is finally at an end. 30 days of me trying desperately to match the same ol' clothes in new and interesting ways, and wishing I owned more interesting accessories. 30 days of me cursing clothing items I previous loved, because of their lack of flexibility.

So for this 30-for-30, I decided to up the ante and add a further challenge - to pose like a pin-up each day. Specifically, like the Queen of All Pin-Ups, Bettie Page.

Here are some of the things I learned while I set a timer and took anywhere from 10-20 awkward pictures of myself each day:

  • Shoulders back 24-7
  • Sticking your boobs out really hurts your back after a while
  • I definitely have a "side"
  • America's Next Top Model had some useful posing tips
  • You are never as fat as you think you are
  • You are never as skinny as you think you are
  • It's all in the angles
  • I'm not as coordinated as I thought I was
  • There are constantly bruises and scrapes on my legs (and I'm not even in derby at the moment!)
  • It's really, really hard to try to make this shit look pretty

Bettie is impossible to emulate - she truly was the best at what she did. She managed to make every single pose look effortless, sexy, and fun. Three cheers to Bettie for making this swelteringly hot summer a little silly and infinitely more fun.

Summer 30-for-30: Day 30!

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Photo of Bettie from bettiepage.com It just wouldn't be an accurate depiction of me if I wasn't putting on lipstick. Or, if there wasn't a cat somehow in the picture.

All done! Finish line! 30 for 30! This is a pretty big day for me - the 30 are done and I just finished my book!

I'll be posting about what I've learned through the process of working on this graphic novel for almost a year and a half, as well as a recap of all these 30 outfits. (As well as what I've learned by making an ass out myself for the last 30 days). BUT for now - I think celebratory tacos and wine are in order.

Summer 30-for-30: Day 29

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I really think something's gonna need to happen with these shorts. They definitely need a trip to the tailor. For some reason (especially in this picture) they're really starting to remind me of elephant legs .... and that's just not cool.

ONE MORE OUTFIT TO GO! Check back for it later today!!

orange shirt - Gap, shirt - H&M, shorts - Gap, shoes - Steve Madden, belt - Express

 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 28

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I was wearing a necklace the first 5 times I posed for this picture, but then my cat found it and it had to be removed from sight. Whoops.

This is probably one of the most iconic Bettie images. Although I can't really aspire to be as magnificent and fun-loving as she is here, I can at least be glad the photo was bright and blurry enough to hide my underarm stubble. (It's the little things.)

shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, pants - Express

Summer 30-for-30: Day 27

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Oh Bettie. How I wish I was out on the beach with you, twirling my toes in the white sand and making fierce poses under a palm tree. Sidenote: I'm glad you also have a problem with hair poofiness in the heat. Makes you seem more human.

shirt - H&M, tube top & belt - Doubledutch Boutique, skirt - Express, pumps - Bandolino, necklace - Target, ring - The Zone

 

 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 23

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Photo of Bettie taken from celebs101.com

This summer 30 for 30 is no joke. I way underestimated my need for cardigans and/or pants. So, since I'm on day 23 and haven't worn one of my assigned cardigans once, I've swapped it out for a white tube top today just so I could look like a candy striper. And pants?? Thanks to this swelty heat wave, looks like I'll be limited to a 10 for 30 for the next couple of days.

Oh, and BTW - I've started a Pinterest account if anyone's interested - a beautiful way to showcase all the things you love, influences, ideas, in one place. I just started, so c'mon over and follow me, if'n you want!

shirts - H&M, belt and shorts - Gap

 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 21

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Today at work, I was spied doodling during a meeting. This man asked me, "You were a graphic arts major, weren't you?" "Yep." "You look like one." It must be the bright orange belt. Gives me away every time ...

Shirt - H&M, skirt - Express, belt - Gap, necklace - Target, and - not to be a snob - but I TOTALLY got this leather cuff in Florence. ;) Woot. Place-dropping.

 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 13

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Once again, a surprisingly difficult pose for me to mimic. I think it has something to do with the whole chest-up-ladies-out-chin-down combination that I'm struggling with. I have no idea how Bettie makes it look so natural. One of my favorite things about seeing the variety of Bettie poses is you can really tell how athletic and muscular she was. Models of that era really strike me as having the dancer's physique. As opposed to now, where slim, slim, slim with little to no muscular definition is in. Bettie looks like she's going to step off this platform and go do a backflip.

cardigan - Gap, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, shirt/skirt - H&M, shoes - Steve Madden

Summer 30-for-30: Day 11

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Few images are as hot as Bettie's leopard print poses. Effortlessly going from lovely to vicious to Queen of the Sexy Jungle, these might be my favorite simply based on the reckless abandon with which she attacks each pose. Since I am not a formidable amazon of the rainforest, I chose one of her calmer, warming up poses to mimic. Jungle Queen Lite, that's me. Shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, Jeans - Gap, sandals - Steve Madden, necklace - Express

 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 10

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(photo of Bettie taken from celebs101.com)

I considered wearing my hair down today for a hot minute ... and then realized it was a hot minute. I'm not a fan of summer, so my hair tends to remain as far away from my neck as possible during these humid, sticky icky months. But tube tops? Instant air conditioning for my skin.

Tube top - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, shorts - Target, heels - Bandolino