Monday, November 30, 2009

Top: The Limited

Skirt: The Limited

Bracelets: New York & Company

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Sorry the picture is a bit blurry today - I considered not posting at all, but these shoes are too cute not to put in appearance before the weather turns once and for all.

That's right, they are calling for snow flurries tomorrow and somehow this time just seems a bit 'final' to me. It will, after all, be December, so I shouldn't be too surprised to see the thermometer struggling towards 40!

So, goodbye, short sleeves. So long, bare legs. Sayonara, open-toed shoes. Catch ya on the flip side.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Sweatsuit: Gifted by my hubby

Tank: Old Navy

We are hard at work at Chez Carrington today - decorating for Christmas! This is my official Decorating for Christmas outfit. Yes, I have an official Decorating for Christmas outfit. Don't judge.

Nate gave me this tracksuit the first Christmas we were married. Apparently, after only five short months of marriage, he was tired of seeing me dressed like this so he got me this for staying warm around the house on weekends. Poor man, little did he know that a girl and her favorite sweatshirt are not so easily parted!

Lucky for him, I can take a hint, which is why my closet is now stacked with a rainbow of cute little tracksuits just like this. Who knew tracksuits were the sporty man's lingerie? But no matter how many I collect, this red velvet one will always hold a special place in my {holiday} heart.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Express

With Thanksgiving over, the Season of Cheesy T-shirts is now in full swing - I have an entire collection of cheese-tastic Christmas attire to keep me playfully attired every Saturday from here to Christmas.

The Grinch shirt is a new addition this year. I saw it last week in the kid's section at Old Navy. For those of us, ahem, 'less than blessed' in the chest region, the kiddie section can be a veritable gold mine of cheap cheesy goodness.

As soon as I saw this one I knew it was perfect for Black Friday shopping. It never ceases to amaze me how crabby people can be on the happiest day of the year. Don't like crowds? Waiting in long lines? Looking for a parking spot for 30 minutes? No one made you come out at 4am in 30 degree weather. Stay home! Leave the rest of us merry shoppers in peace. Grinches need not shop today!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sweater: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Necklace: The Limited

Boots: Charles David (gifted)

Happy Thanksgiving, Fashionistas! It was cold and drizzly here, so I wanted to be warm and cozy for our Turkey Day meal with friends. I completely forgot to ask about the dress code beforehand, so I did my best to pick a dressy casual look that could work either way.

This sweater is a bit 1980's Flash Dance and although I am not digging the return of neon or outrageous shoulder pads, the dance sweater is a resurrected trend I can definitely get behind. I felt like I was in my pajamas all afternoon. Fun boots and a funky bold necklace dressed it up just enough, I think. I hunted down this necklace after seeing it featured in a magazine two months ago. Sold out online and not carried in my nearest store, I drove 45 minutes to the next closest store to make it mine. Expect to see a lot of this one!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tank: Old Navy

Sweater: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Boots: Charles David

Leopard Bracelet: Simply Irresistible

Zebra Bracelet: New York & Company

Necklace: Amy Cornwell

I was cheesing so much in this picture, I thought my face might split in two. I am beyond excited for the four day break from slavery weekend and even more excited when we got let go at noon today! The only thing that could make this weekend any better would be being at home in South Carolina with my family. I am missing them so much lately it's ridiculous. So I did the next best thing - pulled out these boots that my sister gave me last Christmas. Wearing stuff they've given me always reminds me how much I am loved!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Shirt: Gap

Vest: The Limited

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Bracelets: New York & Company

Necklace: Amy Cornwell

Today I was going for a menswear-inspired look, right down to my penny loafer heels. Add a little twist of femininity with the ruffled white button down and dainty necklace and I was pretty pleased with how it turned out considering I hadn't planned ahead again.

Imagine my surprise when I collected compliments like candy today - starting with my husband, who started my day off on the right foot by asking why I was going to the office looking so sexy. Huh? Say what? I'm completely covered from head to toe, nary a thigh or cleavage insight, but he was crazy for it. And the compliments just kept coming all day long. Love the vest, love the ruffles, love the hair, love the look, love the shoes...ladies, let me tell ya, if you want to feel like a million bucks - the secret is menswear! Who knew?

Monday, November 23, 2009

Dress: The Limited

Sweater: New York & Company

Belt: New York & Company

Necklace: The Limited

Shoes: Payless Shoes


Confession time - I wore this exact same outfit to church yesterday. I'll admit that many times I wear a variation of my Sunday-go-to-church outfit as my Monday-go-to-work outfit. I'll change the shoes or the sweater or at the very least the jewelry. But rarely is it the same from head to toe. This morning I was just not feeling it, so I went for the easiest thing - exactly what I put on (albeit only for two hours!) yesterday. Cheating? Yes. Acceptable Monday morning behavior? Absolutely.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Sweater: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Necklace: Forever 21

Ring: The Limited

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Did anyone else think this was the longest week ever? I swear the days just kept getting longer and slower as we ground on towards Friday. Here's hoping the short week next week will fly by!

I briefly debated going with something other than orange today, but with only two weeks left to go in the college football season, I decided to hang in there and keep the Orange Friday streak alive. My cute shirt and vest combo can wait for some Friday in December! Go VOLS!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft

Cardigan: The Limited

Belt: Express

Bracelets: Gifted

Shoes: Guess

Necklace: Amy Cornwell Designs

Hang on to your hats, ladies and gents, this is going to be a long one!

Last night I picked up my two custom-made necklaces from my IRL friend, Amy Cornwell of Amy Cornwell Designs. We worked together at my part-time job this summer and I discovered that she makes the prettiest, daintiest custom jewelry. I admired her stuff all summer but couldn't make up my mind what I wanted - I wanted it all! Then two weeks ago she debuted this sparkly beauties and I just knew I had to have one!

The picture doesn't even do it justice. The crystal is so sparkly and clear in the light. I literally created my entire outfit around what would give this necklace the prettiest, softest colors to sparkle on! I chose the clear one so I can wear it often, but she has a bunch of different colors on both silver and gold chains.

I also had her make a custom washer piece like this one for me. I think these things are the neatest idea - the scripture on mine is very personal and meaningful to me. I think they are fabulous ideas for Christmas.


And then there are the shoes. Oh, the shoes!! How amazing are these babies? Metallic, snakeskin and a chrome heel? Hello, I just died and went to heaven. And best of all - my friend Jamie just gave them to me! I don't know if I would have been able to do it. They're so pretty I might have just kept them in my closet to look at periodically. But like the good friend she is, she realized they really were too big and found them a loving, stable home - in my closet. Thanks, Jamie! Feel free to buy shoes a half size too big any time.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Sweater: Gap

Pants: The Limited

Necklace: The Limited

Shoes: Payless Shoes

I call this outfit 'Closet Full of Clothes and Nothing to Wear'. I literally tried on half a dozen outfits this morning and hated every one. I don't particularly like this one but it was either this or go naked. Since this outfit won't get me arrested or fired, I decided to go with option A.

On a brighter note, I am still getting compliments on my outfit from Monday. Yesterday it was the barista at Starbucks and today it was a co-worker. Gotta love an outfit that keeps 'em talking for days afterwards.

Note to self: Must wear pinstripe tights more often.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Top: The Limited

Vest: Ann Taylor Loft

Pants: Express

Shoes: Payless

Bracelets: Ann Taylor Loft

I picked up this periwinkle vest at Ann Taylor Loft a few weeks ago with the intent of wearing it over a cute little sleeveless dress I had picked up on Ebay. Unfortunately the seller took forever to mail my package and the dress didn't arrive until Monday and it was way too cold and rainy to wear a dress today. Since I already had this vest on my mind, I just took it a different direction. It's hard to tell in the big picture, but the t-shirt has cute little ruffles down the front. From far away the outfit looks like it needs some necklaces, but in person it actually has a lot more detail.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Dress: The Limited

Tights: Victoria's Secret

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Necklace: The Limited

Bracelet: New York & Company

Well, another sign of the season has arrived - that's right folks, I finally broke down and busted out the tights today. It's chilly and rainy here today but I wanted to get this dress in before it gets downright freezing. And truth be told, I forgot to shave my legs last night, so tights were the easiest cover-up to my memory lapse! And thus an outfit was born...

Imagine my surprise when I moseyed on over to Fab Finds Under $50 at lunchtime and discovered I was right on target with the Inspiration Calendar today - it seems I'm not the only one who thinks a LBD is the perfect antidote to the Monday blues! I punched mine up with pinstripe tights and some killer booties. The combo garnered rave reviews at work today - even from the normally fashion-impaired men. Score one for the pinstripes!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Sweater: The Limited

Tank: New York & Company

Pants: Express

Necklace: Gifted

Belt: Came with a dress from The Limited

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Today's outfit is built around this necklace. I've been missing my family more than usual, so I pulled out this necklace which was a gift from one of my sisters last year. Just wearing it makes me smile. I own very little that's this shade of blue so the rest of the outfit was easy!

The sweater is big and blousy so a belt felt necessary, even though I don't normally go for the belt with a big necklace look. With a skinny belt, though, I think it works here.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Top: The Limited

Skirt: The Limited

Necklace: (Where else?!) The Limited

Shoes: Sam & Libby

On the face of it, this outfit looks kind of plain, but the details are what really make this outfit pop in person.

I love the contrast of the sleeve ruffles with the hardware around my neck and the graphic lines of the skirt. This skirt was so much fun to wear, although the pleating in the front makes it difficult to pair up with a top. Nevertheless, I love the folded fabric, tulip hem and best of all - pockets!

I think next time I'll go with a darker top. Even with the necklace, the top feels a little too stark to me. Your thoughts?

Friday, November 6, 2009

Sweater: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Necklace: ?

Shoes: Karen Scott

I'm back to my regular old heel-wearing self today. And a fabulous pair of heels they are! Brown and tan saddle shoe heels - I've never seen anything like them before or since. I thought they added a nice punch to what is a pretty plain jane outfit today. I stayed out late with girlfriends last night and failed to plan ahead (oops!), so I just grabbed the nearest orange top and called it an outfit.

On the bright side, now that I have my winter clothes out, I have a whole new slew of orange to choose from! Good thing because my summer wardrobe was quickly running out of office appropriate orange tops. Here's to five more weeks of fabulous Vol football and orange-wearing Fridays!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Dress: Express

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: New York & Company

Shoes: Payless

Stop the presses! Alert CNN! SARA WORE FLATS TO WORK TODAY!

Not that big a deal, right? Wrong.

Apparently, the fact that I wore flats for the first time in my three month tenure there was MAJOR NEWS. Eight people made a point to comment on my choice of footwear today. The conversation usually started with something along the lines of, "Man, you're short today" or "I had no idea you were that short" or (my personal favorite) "You headed to the midget convention after work today?".

For the record, I am 5'4'' and an all important 1/2''. That is not that short. But apparently after seeing me with an artificial 4" inches for twelve straight weeks, the shock of me sans my favorite foot gear was a bit too much for my office mates. Clearly they need more work to do, don't you think?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft

Sweater: The Limited

Necklace: ?

Bracelet: New York & Company

Shoes: Colin Stuart

Me thinks this dress is a tiny bit short! Lord have mercy I didn't think it looked that short in the mirror but now I'm kind of wondering if it was too short for work. Too late now, I suppose!

I like how this dress looks like flannel but it's actually a nubby tweed material. Paired with a thin cashmere sweater, the materials were a nice contrast in person. It's so hard to convey that in a photograph!