Monday, March 29, 2010

Jacket: The Limited

Skirt: The Limited

Tights: We Love Colors

Shoes: Sam & Libby

Bracelet: New York & Company

I had an interview this afternoon for a permanent, full-time position downtown. I always hate dressing for interviews. On the one hand, you want to look appropriately professional. But on the other hand, you want to show that you have some personality, especially for a people-driven position like the one I was interviewing for. It would require a lot of public speaking and executive-level interaction, so I wanted to show that I'm not someone they'd be embarrassed to put in front of others!

Every interview preparation goes the same exact way - I try on umpteen billion outfits, discard every one and reach for the same few key pieces every time!

I was pretty proud of myself today, though - the red jacket is a new addition to my regular 'interview' repertoire. I wasn't 100% sure about it as an interview outfit, but I felt good in it so I went with it. I went shopping downtown before my interview and got several compliments on it, so that made me feel much more confident by the time my actual interview rolled around!

And for the record (in case you're interested) the interview went really well. It's the first time I've really wanted the job that I interviewed for. But she's going on vacation next week, so she said it would probably be three weeks before I hear anything from her. Seems like cruel and unusual punishment to me!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

T-shirt: Gap

Pants: Express

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklace: New York & Company

Ring: The Limited

I had planned to wear something else today, but woke up to frost on the grass and a sore throat. All I wanted was to be warm and comfortable in my bed. Since that wasn't an option, I went for double layers (warm) and soft cotton (comfortable). Simple and easy.

And sometimes, simple works to your advantage - I got at least half a dozen compliments on my necklace today. Our waitress at lunch stopped in the middle of taking our orders to comment on it! I've worn it several times before and it's never gotten that much attention. Just goes to show that sometimes keeping it simple will make a unique piece shine!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Pants: The Limited

Tank (unseen): New York & Company

Shoes: can't recall

Bracelet: Express

I started my short-term contract position today. No one got back to me on my question about the dress code, so I kind of just winged it. Found a nice middle of the road look - not too business-y and not too casual. Turns out their isn't much of a dress code, so I needn't have worried!

It was chilly and rainy again today, so I thought I'd sneak in one more wearing of these fun tweed trousers. I decided to balance the masculine slacks with a light-weight ruffled sweater. I felt feminine but confident. Perfect for a first day!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Vest: Express

Pants: Express

Booties: K-mart

Cuff: Express

A perfect sunny day here. Of course I would go and get a job just when the weather finally gets nice! Go figure.

I decided to take advantage of my last few days of freedom and took myself shopping. I checked out the new Jodi Arnold collection at The Limited and then the Liberty of London collection at Target. My head was spinning with all the fun spring prints from LoL. I think I tried on practically every piece in the collection! Luckily for my wallet, only three pieces really worked on me. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear them!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Shoes: K-mart

Bracelet: New York & Company

Earrings: New York & Company

Well, after several days of nice weather, Winter came back to bite us in our sun-basking tails. It didn't make it out of the 40's today, with rain and cold promised for tomorrow too. Boo.

But at least it gave me a chance to sneak in a wearing of my cute bow sweater. I wore it once over Christmas vacation and then kind of forgot about it. I love, love, love the giant bow detail. Makes me feel so girly!

I picked up this tear drop earrings on Friday and I can already tell they are going to be a staple of my summer jewelry wardrobe. A perfect neutral color and a fun length that's not too in-your-face. Score for only $4!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Shirt: The Limited

Vest: Express

Pants: Express

Shoes: Bitten

Necklace: Vintage (my grandmother's!)

It is a gorgeous sunny day here in Indy and I had a ton of things to accomplish before I start my temporary contract position on Monday. The job happened pretty quickly and caught me off guard, so I feel a bit unprepared to go back to work so soon!

Today's outfit was all about being comfortable as I ran around town and popped in and out of the car.

This necklace is one of my all time favorite pieces but I don't get too many chances to wear it because it's such an unusual shade of blue. I decided to try something different and knot it up so I could pair it with the vest.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Top: The Limited

Jacket: The Limited

Pants: Express

Necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: BCBGirls via Macy's

Bunco girls night tonight! One of my absolute favorite nights of the entire month.

I was really unsure about the length of this t-shirt. I felt like it hit me at the widest part of my hips, but after debating too long over it, I didn't have time to find something else. I left the house mad at myself and feeling kind of fat.

Thirty minutes later I'm sitting at the table, stuffing my face with the Qdoba naked taco bar, when one of the girls asks if I've lost weight. Um, that would be a negative. To which she replied, 'Must be the outfit because you definitely look skinnier.'

Note to self: Wear black every single day for the rest of my life.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Dress: Express

Belt: Express

Tights: The Limited

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Bracelets: Simply Irresistible

I've cut down on my spending a lot as of late - partly because I'm not working and partly because after my Great Closet Clean Out I realized I don't need so many clothes.

That's not to say I haven't been shopping; I've just been a bit slower to slap down the old credit card. That is, until I found this dress on clearance for a mere $15. Then I whipped that sucker out so fast, I think I gave my wallet whiplash.

I mean, hello?! Leopard print sweater dress? My newly developed self control muscles weren't nearly strong enough to resist that!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Shirt: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Booties: K-mart

Bracelets: Ann Taylor Loft

I was completely enthralled with the color purple last winter and while I've moved on to other obsessions this season (gray! mustard!), I'm still in love with the eggplant shade of this sweater. It's the lightest of knits too, so it's the perfect choice for a busy day.

I wanted to show off the pedicure I got last weekend too, so at the risk of freezing said toes right off, I chose open-toe booties. Let me tell you, I can.not.wait for full-on spring so I can bring all my lovely open toed beauties out of retirement!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Tank: Express

Jeans: Express (Stella Barely Boot Cut)

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklace: Amy Cornwell Designs

Bracelet: New York & Company

I had to go downtown to pick Nate up from the airport last night so I decided to make the most of my time down there (it's about an hour away!) and do a little shopping at the downtown mall.

Although I had timed things perfectly to meet his flight, the weather had other plans. I ended up bumming around downtown for an extra three hours when his flight was delayed. Thank goodness I'd worn flats!

I really wanted to belt this flyaway cardigan but every belt I tried made my hips look disproportionally large. Maybe if I'd worn longer jeans with heels it would have minimized that effect, I'm not sure.

I like how the diamond pattern in the cuff compliments the diamonds in the top. I didn't think anyone but me would really notice, but sure enough, the person ringing me up at The Limited commented on it. I knew there was a reason I like that place!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sweater: New York & Company

T-shirt: The Limited

Jeans: The Limited

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Necklace: New York & Company

I spent the better part of the day doing data entry work for the church and then had sushi with one of my favorites.

And wouldn't you know it, it was a nice sunny day until about thirty minutes before I had to leave and suddenly it got chilly and rainy. That's okay, though, since it gave me a chance to get at least one wear out of this mustard sweater before I pack my winter things away. I've been on the prowl for a mustard yellow cardigan for awhile but no luck so far. When I found this v-neck for $5.99 at NY&Co, I decided it was close enough for now. I love the yellow with the black and white stripes. I rolled the sleeves up a bit to show the stripes at the cuffs as well.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft

Tank: New York & Company

Jeans: Express (Stella Barely Bootcut)

Shoes: Old Navy

Necklace: Lia Sophia

It's been a busy day here. Ran a couple of errands and met a friend for lunch and shopping.

Do you ever have an outfit that starts out as one thing and then ends up completely different in the end? I started this outfit around the necklace. I originally had on a longer, darker purple cardigan with a white tank top underneath. But that seemed to plain, so I dug out this older plaid purple top. But the dark purples didn't match well, so I traded the long cardigan for this lighter, shorter one. The top combo seemed too casual for the heels I had on, so I swapped out for Short jeans and these flats. By the end of it all, the only item that was the same as when I started was the necklace!

I believe that's called the process of evolution. You're welcome for the free science lesson.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklaces: Amy Cornwell Designs

Bracelet: New York & Company

Do you hear that sound, ya'll? It's the angels singing a heavenly chorus of 'Hallelujah!'. It hit 50 here yesterday, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. I was positively giddy with excitement over the first hint of Spring.

Short sleeves may have been stretching it a tiny bit, but I was determined to wear them. The sweater is a little heavier winter knit so that helped balance things out a bit. I was also stoked to wear shoes with no socks. It's the little things, people, the little things.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Top: New York & Company

Jeans: The Limited

Shoes: Karen Scott

Necklace: Gifted

Bracelets: The Limited

Our church just recently started a Thursday night service to reach out to those who might not be able to attend a Sunday morning service. I volunteered to greet on the first Thursday of every month. I wasn't sure quite how to dress for a Thursday night service. Our church is kind of casual, even on Sundays, but I always feel a little weird wearing jeans to church!

I chose to err on the side of dressier casual. I love this leopard print sleeveless top and wear it all year round. It combines two of my favorite things - animal print and ruffles. What else could a girl ask for?