Day to Night...

Remember back a whole month ago when we were wearing red for women? I managed to post two of my red-themed outfits that month, but I really did wear red every Friday in February. I didn't manage to snap a photo of the last Friday of the month, but I did get a few shots of my third-week red-Friday outfit.

I was going straight from the office to a girls night out, so I needed something that could transition from work to play. Here is how I did it:



Top: Forever XXI, altered
Skirt: Old Navy
Cardi: NY&Co
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Earrings: gift
Bangles: thrifted
Jeggings: ANA via JC Penney

Closeup of the Work Outfit:



I really love the pattern that runs down the front of this tank, but the straps aren't really work appropriate. Let me show you:



Totally cute, but not quite office attire. Hence the cardigan. It pulls double-duty of keeping me warm AND taking a casual piece and making it appropriate for daytime.

But, as I said, I was heading out for a night with the girls. While I love the skirt, I thought it would be chilly, so I wanted a little more coverage. Plus, to be blunt, after downing a few drinks, I didn't want to have to worry about being too ladylike in a skirt. Enter the jeggings!



I also peeled off the cardi, but I carried it with me in case I would need it. (Thankfully, it was an unseasonably warm evening. Other than the drive home, I didn't need it.)

But ladies, cute outfits aside, let me share with you the lesson I learned that night. Sometimes, it makes no difference how MUCH you drink. The combination of alcohols alone can be enough to leave you praying to the porcelain god. For six long hours. Ugh. My once-in-a-blue-moon reminder of why I'm not much of a drinker.
But hey, at least I looked cute!

Fashion FAIL...

I. Hate. This. Outfit.

Seriously, can you tell by the look on my face that I just wasn't feeling it?



Top: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: American Eagle for Payless
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: Claire's?

Closeup:


This outfit started out with good intentions. Really, it did.
The skirt. You all seems to love it. I hadn't worn it in a while, plus it was hot. Seemed like the perfect time to pull it out. But alas, I almost Marilyn-Monroe-a-la-Seven-Year-Itched the DC Metro area several times.
And the shirt. I wanted to pull out the orange in the skirt for this wearing. But the shirt...is so bright. and loose. and baggy. I was futzing with it all day.
And oh, little black shoes. I really need a new pair of black flats. Somehow, I manage to have gotten fat in the feet. Seriously people -- in the FEET. This day, my ankles were swollen for some reason, which makes my legs look *extra* stumpy, and really, I should have just worn heels. But no, I wore flats for comfort (I had been on my feet for several hours a few nights before at a reception for dear fiance's office and was not warned ahead of time that there would be no seating. DOH!) and my feet were still hurting.

So, this top has already been tossed onto the giveaway pile. The skirt is slowly crawling its way there, and I'm thinking these shoes are next.

The Day Her Camera Died...

There was nothing groundbreaking about this outfit, other than the fact that it marks my first post wearing full pants in quite some time. The weather in the DC area has been super-sweltering this summer, and, as evidenced by this blog here, my summer uniform has consisted mainly of skirts and dresses.
Finally, we had a few days that took a break from the "kill me, it's so hot" sort of heat. It was more "my, it's quite warm outside, isn't it?" kind of hot instead.



Top: Old Navy
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: thrifted
Earrings: Target?

Closeup:


I attempted to get some other more detailed shots of the outfit, but my camera battery was literally breathing it's sad, pathetic last little breaths, just to get these shots. Quite literally -- I had to turn of the camera, wait, turn it back on, and grab a quit picture before the camera caught on to the fact that there was no juice left.
Yknow that scene from the second Hellboy movie where they reanimate the dead little tooth fairy to ask it a few more questions about the underground troll market? (Sure ya do, right?) Well, it was kinda like that to get these coupla shots.

So, instead of schmancy outfit shots, I shall distract you with pattern mixing (florals and stripes, oh me!) and these shoes, which you all seem to love so much.

I got a new dress...

I got a new dress! I got a new dress!



Dress: Kmart
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohls
Cami: Old Navy
Earrings: Claires
Necklace: made by me

Closeup:


Let's jump in the WAY BACK machine for a moment and look at the stuff I was wearing a year ago. OK, i didn't have this blog back then, but trust me, a year ago, dresses and skirts were NOT my go-to look mid summer. Not loving the weight I am carrying these days, last summer I would wear skirts and dresses only on the absolute hottest days, instead preferring to cover myself as much as possible and suffer the consequences (aka sweat and stinkiness).
Seriously, y'all -- what was I thinking?!

This year, I have pulled my head out of my arse and invested as much as I can in skirts and dresses. They are FAR more comfortable, and frankly, much more flattering on my figure! Plus, it's a whole outfit in just a piece or two -- couldn't be easier.

I scored this little number for just a song at Kmart last week. Kmart is one of those stores I wouldn't have thought to look in for clothes, since in my mind they aren't even on-par with other similar retail chains. But I have seen several other of you ladies sporting really awesome pieces you found at Kmart, so when dear fiance and I were there the other day, I decided to pop my head into the clothing section, and I'm glad I did! This little ditty was just a mere $15, and I also snagged a top for only $10. (I'm sure the top will be making an appearance soon.)

This dress does have a self-tie that I would like to remove, but I need to take a closer look before hacking away. I am not skilled at all at sewing -- or even un-sewing, since that's what removing pieces would be! I'm hoping to take a class somewhere (maybe AFTER the wedding) so I can know how to do basic stuff like hemming things and maybe even creating basic little pieces like the ones I have seen other bloggers wear. My mind is creative, so I would love to know how to do this stuff!

I'll Stop the World and Melt With You...

It has finally cooled off just a smidge in the last few days -- and last night I experienced my very first earthquake! Yes, that's right kiddos, Maryland had an earthquake last night -- a whopping 3.6 on the Richter scale. From what I've read, there were no injuries or any destruction reported. Which totally makes sense, since when it woke me up at 5am, I seriously thought there was just a large truck driving by the house or something...
It is strange to look back just over a week ago and see that it was SO HOT that I was literally melting while taking my photos. So much so that I had to do silly poses just to stay cool:



Dress: swapped
Scarf: gift
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Cami (unseen): Old Navy
Earrings: Claires
Necklace: CATO

Closeup:


I started taking pictures outside the back of the house again, since there is some shade back there that makes it ever-so-slightly cooler than the front of the house. Of course, the downside is that, well, there is shade in my pictures too.

Better Late Than Never...

Yes, kiddos, I am still alive. And despite the lack of posts, I have even been taking photos on some days! What with the heat wave that has suffocated the east coast, there were definitely a few days that I skipped capturing images of myself, since I was 99% melted by the time I got home.
But for the rest of those days, where I actually managed to get some pictures, I have just had seriously bad time management as of late. Work has been pretty busy, and not-work has been... well, spent planning a wedding! (Seriously, I have always hated when my friends used "planning my wedding" as a reason to drop off the planet, but now I get it. This stuff really can take some time out of your schedule!)

Without further ado, I offer you an outfit!



Dress: swapped
Cardi: NY&Co
Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Rack Room Shoes
Earrings: Old Navy
Necklace: NY&Co?

Closeup:


I wore this outfit last week, on my first day back to work after a 4-day Independence Day weekend.
I have only worn this dress one other time on the blog (and that was the only other time I have worn it, ever). I got it from a clothing swap I went to last year, and never quite knew how to style it. I like this look much better than the other one, since I feel much less like a disco-loving stewardess.
The outfit is nothing amazing, but considering I had spent the previous 4 days wearing jeans, tshirts, golly -- even gouchos, this was a strong step back into the world of actually caring what I look like.
I found these simple little earrings at a freakishly amazing sale at Old Navy several weeks ago -- don't they look like they were made to go with this necklace?

Does it bother you when bloggers post their outfits out of order or several days after the outfit has been worn? Do you like to know what people are wearing each day, as the day passes? Or do you just prefer to see the outfit and gather inspiration from it?

Black-Out Challenge, Day Four...

For some reason, wearing this outfit, all day I had the song "Red Red Wine" stuck in my head...



Top: Anne Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: American Eagle via Payless
Necklace: Claire's?
Earrings: Claire's
Cami: very old
Bracelets: thrifted

Closeup:


With all of the other outfits I have worn so far this week, I seem to have unconsciously created a theme of pairing contrasting colors. It wasn't intentional, but I guess when I try to avoid neutrals, I end up looking like a rainbow threw up on me.
When I put this outfit together, I didn't intentionally dress monochromatically; I just didn't have anything that seemed to want to contrast correctly with this top. (Side note, is it possible to correctly or incorrectly contrast?) All-in-all, I really liked this outfit. I received several compliments, it was figure-friendly, and I was comfortable all day long.

The other night, dear fiance and I had a fun talk about wedding stuff. And by fun, I mean NOT fun. Basically, we realized that we seriously need to stop spending money on non-wedding stuff so we can actually afford the wedding stuff we want!
Inspired by all of the other bloggers out there who I have seen do so, I decided to start writing down some new rules for my spending for at least the next few months. However, instead of naming these practices a "Shopping Ban," as so many of my predecessors have done, I have decided to call my experiment a shopping "diet."
You see, whenever I try to BAN myself from something, my willpower holds for a while, but then it eventually gives out and I gorge. I am hoping that in calling this thing a diet, I will understand that I am still allowed some indulgences, but it's all about portion control. Y'know, just like an actual diet.

Here are the rules I have come up with so far:

(1) No fashion-related purchases that aren't related to the wedding.

(2) Exceptions to rule #1:
(a) Goodwill/thrift/consignment
(b) Items already on my WANT list
(c) I am allotted $50 per month to spend on pretty much anything. However, this money does NOT roll over to the next month if it is not used.
(d) I am allowed one "emergency" purchase over $50 between now and the wedding.

(3) Any non-fashion-related expenses (other than regular bills/expenses) must be discussed and agreed up by dear fiance and myself.

I think I will be able to follow these rules quite easily, and honestly, I think I will be able to not spend my $50 in free money each month.
Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on these rules?

Dress Your Best: Neck...

Day 4 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:



Top: Burlington Coat Factory
Jacket: Nordstrom Rack
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Etienne Aigner via Rack Room Shoes
Earrings: Claire's
Bangle: Claire's?
Necklace: bought from a friend
Cami (unseen): Old Navy

Closeup:


For many people, wearing a turtleneck or other top with a high neckline means that none of their actual neck is shown. Oftentimes, it creates the illusion that the person's chin rests directly on their clavicle.
I love that I am able to wear high-necked tops and still have some of my actual neck able to be seen. There is something a bout a long neck that makes me feel a little more graceful. Dare I say swanlike.

Ironically, the day I decided to celebrate my neck was the day it decided to fail me. I have suffered on and off for a few years from muscle spasms in my back that make it extremely painful to turn or tilt my head to the left. Thankfully at this point I know fairly well how to treat it myself, but of course, on the day I decided to dress for my neck, it decided to pay me back by being stiff and painful.

No worries, neck.
I still love you, and I will nurse you back to health.

Dress Your Best: Small Waist...

Day 2 outfit for the Dress Your Best Challenge:



Top: Marshall's?
Cami: Old Navy
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Madden Girl
Necklace: Bought from a friend's jewelry party
Earrings: black coral from Curacao, gift

Closeup:


OK, kids, let's not kid ourselves -- I'm not a tiny gal. I used to be, but these days, I am smack-dab in plus-sized territory. But yknow what? That's ok. I still have a curvy figure and a tiny waist. And it's that tiny waist that I'm celebrating today.
Even when I was super-skinny, I have always had curves. I didn't necessarily have much up on top, but I always had hips and a little waist -- and I always loved that about myself. It makes me feel extremely feminine. I have an hourglass shape, which makes me think of the glamor of years gone by. Had I been around back in the 30s and 40s, I could have been a hollywood star on the soundstage of an MGM musical. I have just *that* kind of waistline.

This may not be the most exciting outfit I have worn on this blog, and I know I just wore this top about a week ago -- but I received several comments about how tiny it makes my waist look, so I figured it would be the perfect top to wear for this day, showcasing and celebrating just that.

Green with Envy...

This is the last outfit I wore before embarking on the Dress Your Best challenge. Those posts will be coming soon, I promise!



Dress: Anne Taylor Loft
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Claire's
Bracelet: Old Navy

Closeup:


I saw this dress at Anne Taylor Loft when I went to buy the petal cardigan worn in this post. I loved the color, but also knew there was NO WAY I was going to be paying full price for this dress. (I love Loft's styles, but their prices are rather high for me. Luckily, they have good sales, and often, and they email out great discounts all the time!)
Well, the day after buying the cardi (50% off all sale items!) I got an email about 40% off all non-sale items -- SCORE! I instantly knew I would be swinging back to the store for this little number!

I just LOVE the color (green is my fave!) and the detailing along the straps and waistband a perfect. I can wear this on its own, like I did for its inaugural wearing, or I can throw a belt around it for more waistline definition. I think the options are endless for dressing this baby up or down.

Purple Nurple...

Kimberley's Outfit Inspiration Calendar called for a color mix of magenta, black, and white. I'm not sure if this is magenta, but it's about as close as I could get.



Top: Marshall's
Skirt: NY&Co
Shoes: thifted
Earrings: Old Navy
Cami: Forever XXI
Bracelet: gift

Closeup:


Last time I wore this skirt, I mentioned that I never know what other colors to pair it with besides purple and white. Well, black might not be a huge step, being that it's a neutral, but sometimes I work best in baby-steps.
I bought this top probably about 4-5 years ago, and I have always loved how the wrap detailing nips me in at the waist. Sadly, it's age is showing and the poor guy is pilling badly.

Does anyone know how to de-pill a knit top? Or how to prevent it from pilling further?

Na-na-na-na, Hey-hey, Goodbye...

I would apologize for cutting my feet off in the full-body shot, but sadly, my shoes bit the dust when I took them off to travel home, and I had to wear my comfy traveling shoes (aka, tennies) to take the photos. Side Note: I usually try to somewhat match my traveling shoes to my outfit, just in case.



Top: Sweet Pea via Nordstrom Rack
Pants: Old Navy
Jacket: don't recall the brand, thrifted
Earrings: gift
Shoes: very old, via Payless?

Closeup:


I loved this top when I found it at Nordstrom Rack. The colors are very "me" and I love the stretchiness of it -- it will fit through weight fluctuation, but it isn't lycra or spandex or some other material that looks cheap. I love the detailing at the bustline. It is work appropriate, but special enough to wear out for dinner or drinks. I hadn't heard of the brand Sweet Pea when I purchased this top, but being that I'm not a brand snob, that didn't matter much to me. However, I receive daily emails from Rue La La, and imagine my surprise when they featured Sweet Pea. It seems I managed to get me a schmancy brand without even knowing it!

Sadly, in the last 2 weeks, I have lost 2 pairs of jeans. My jeans wardrobe was already sadly tiny, at only 4 pairs (2 casual, 2 trouser style), and it was my 2 casual pairs that bit the dust. What's a girl to do? I've been trying to curtail extra spending, but this was an emergency.
Dear fiance and I hurried to the mall last night (jeans-shopping has never been a hobby of mine, so I like to bring him along for feedback and emotional support). I found many, many pairs to try on -- after all, we gals really do need to try on many pairs to find just one that will work, right?
Magically, I managed to find not one, but THREE pairs that all had promise! The dilemma: save money, or buy up the whole lot?
The solution presented itself like an angel in the light with a choir singing in the background: my darling dear fiance offered to purchase one pair for me, and then reminded me that I still had gift cards left over from Christmas and my Bday. One pair from him and one pair "from Nana" left me just one pair to purchase for myself!
In the end, I've not got a lovely pair of Calvin Kleins, and rockin pair of DKNYs, and a practical pair of Levis.
Ahhh... what won't we do for the perfect pair of denim?

No Bullseyes...

Neither of these looks is a fashion bullseye. One is a bit off-target, and one missed the whole target entirely.
But in the interest of full disclosure, I share them with you.

Tuesday, I wore this:


Cardi: NY&Co
Top: Old Navy
Pants: thrifted
Shoes: American Eagle
Scarf: vintage, thrifted
Earrings: (faux diamond studs, unseen) Claire's

While the scarf adds a much-needed pop of color, the outfit felt much like the weather -- drab and dreary. Nothing exciting. Forgettable.
At least I was able to repeat the dot theme in the scarf, the neckline of the top, and the sequins of the shoes?


Wednesday was a bit better:


Top: Faith21
Pants: Marshall's?
Shoes: Payless
Belt: KMart
Necklace: Cato
Earrings: (unseen) Target?
Headband: Claire's or the Icing

The color had returned both to the world, and to my outfit. I wanted to build an outfit around the rarely-worn headband, which I think is just-too-cute.
These pants are definitely up on my wardrobe's chopping block. The fabric just screams 1970's polyester suit to me every time I see them in photos. I have held onto them because I need me some chocolate brown pants, and these keep surviving until I find a better pair.
I *LOVE* the pattern on this top. L-O-V-E. But I think I need some help with how to style it. It is sheer, so it requires a cami underneath, which I have no problem with. Because it is large and blousy, I always feel the need to belt it, so I don't like enormous, but sometimes I feel like the belted look ends up making me look... expecting. As in, several gentlemen on the Metro offered me their seats.

Mission (for myself, and for you, if you choose to accept it!): How to create a shape in this top, without that shape saying "with child."

On the bright side, I picked up this belt at KMart for a mere $2! I have been trying to find a belt this color for about forever, and this one fits both my waist AND my hips, so this is a major score!

Swirly Thursday...

I wore this outfit on Thursday of last week. I don't wear this top very often, but I love the swirly pattern and the bright colors:



Top: Kohl's?
Skirt: Old Navy?
Tights: We Love Colors
Boots: Ros Hommerson
Earrings: Claire's
Bamboo-Design Bracelet: gift from my parents for my 21st Bday
Sunglasses: Claire's?

This top originally came with a black sash attached to it, but it hit me in entirely the wrong place (as is the case with MOST tops that have attached belts), so I removed it and love the top on it's own.

Does anyone have fit issues with skirts?
I often find (and it is the case with this skirt) that when I find skirts that fit my hips, they are often too big around the waist and gape there. I knew this was an issue with pants for curvier gals, but I don't know that I've ever heard of others commenting on this about skirts. I'm not sure if maybe I need to go up a size, but that doesn't seem like the answer because then the rest of the skirt would be too big. I suppose I could go up a size and then have the rest tailored in...but golly, that can get expensive!

I'm interested to hear what the rest of you have to say on this -- any thoughts? advice?

Flower Power...

I wore this button-up open for most of the day and just wasn't feeling the outfit, despite receiving a few compliments on it. It wasn't until almost the end of the workday before it dawned on me to actually button up the shirt, thus giving me a waist, and I liked the outfit much more after that!



Floral Button-up: Old Navy
Purple Knit Top: Charlotte Russe?
Gray Pants: Lane Bryant
Purple Heels: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Earrings: NY&Co
Green Cami: (seen through purple knit top IRL, but not in photo: Kohl's

I really liked these pants when I bought them, but nowadays, I'm thinking they are too big in the pooch region. I sure don't need any help looking larger there! These may end up in the giveaway pile, especially now that warm weather is coming and I won't need to be wearing pants for much longer!

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Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Day 3...

I was *thisclose* to actually getting this outfit posted the same day I wore it, but then my camera battery died. Oh well! Today's another day, and maybe today's outfit well get a same-day post!



Top: Merona, thrifted
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes, Urban Outfitters
Belt, Marshalls?
Earrings: Body Central
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls

I received a lot of comments on this skirt when I posted my capsule pieces. Everyone seemed to love the skirt! I admit, I do love the colors, which is why I bought it. However, the light, floatiness of it makes it difficult for me to wear, and I don't think the proportions of the skirt are right for my body: it hits me at a wider part of my waist and a strange section of my knees, and the pleats add volume to my hips where I really don't need any. This is the first time I have worn something tucked into the skirt and belted. I rarely tuck tops into my skirts, but the few times that I have, I like it only when I have the belt in place. Unfortunately, the belt doesn't like to STAY in place, and I was adjusting it all day.

Oh, and please ignore the strange stripes on my legs in the photo -- those are from my rain boots, and they were there for most of the evening! Does anyone have any tips on how to get those types of marks to fade faster?

I realized today that it is 2 weeks until dear fiance and I have the food tasting for our wedding! The tasting is on St. Patrick's Day, and I can't wait -- the catering company is supposed to be amazing! (I think I'd better remind myself to have a light breakfast and lunch, because I'm sure I still be stuffing myself that night!)

Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Day 2...

Top: Old Navy
Vest: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Earrings: Body Central
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls
Belt: Marshalls?

All new wardrobe pieces and accessories for my second outfit, no overlaps other than the purse (which I only included in my accessories so that I wasn't cheating). I usually use purses more for function than fashion, but I do like for my purses to add a little something to my outfit. I didn't want to cheat on my first time out doing the Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, so I selected a purse that would work with all of my outfits. This purse is much smaller than what I normally carry, and I have been missing the items I had to leave out of it in order to make it work. You never know what you use until it is no longer at your fingertips!

This outfit is mainly blue and gray, but I love how the small touches of green in the purse, earrings, and shoes add a layer of depth to the look.

I have a great look planned for day 3 of the challenge, which aside from accessories (which I have maxed out), uses yet all new wardrobe pieces!
And since so many of you love this skirt, keep an eye out, since it will be the focus of the outfit!

Are there any questions you would like to ask me? I'd love to have more interaction with my readers, so please, ask me anything!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short...

I worked from home yesterday because dear fiance dislocated his finger at soccer practice on Sunday, and it took him until yesterday to realize that it might be a good idea to have it checked out by a doctor. Since I was already home, we decided to head over to our new leasing agency and actually sign our lease.
That said, I wasn't really wearing anything blog-worthy.

Yesterday's inspiration calendar called for Color Combo: Coral and Gray. Since today's theme called for Denim Shirt & Skirt and my office frowns upon denim, I decided to go with yesterday's theme instead.



Gray Top: H&M
Coral Cardi: Old Navy
Charcoal Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Steve Madden
Earrings: Claire's
Belt NY&Co

I swear, the cardi and belt match more in real life.
I love wearing these earrings with this gray top because they both have that lace-esque detailing that reflect so well on one another.I love the detailing on the top of this gray top, but often find myself tugging and smoothing out the bottom. I am wondering if maybe I need a little spray starch to give it a little more *umph* so it doesn't get so wrinkly when I wear it.

May not post for a few days, due to moving. Hopefully it won't be too long before our internet us up and running!