Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Cardigan: The Limited

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft

This was my last day of work for the company I was contracting with. YAY for new jobs and moving on up!

I picked up this awesome beaded necklace at ATL last week during Friends & Family, plus I had a $15 birthday coupon, so I ended up getting this $40 necklace for $13. Gotta love stores that let you combine coupons! Although it's debut wasn't too inspiring (I was running late and failed to plan ahead!), I see this necklace working into my new work wardrobe fairly often in the weeks to come.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Jacket: The Limited

Shirt: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: New York & Company

I gotta say, I'm kind of in love with this outfit today. May be my new favorite. I picked up this jacket on a trip to SC a few weeks ago and am finally getting around to wearing it before it warms up too much. It's hard to tell in the picture but the sleeves have the most adorable ruching on the arms.

I picked up this necklace over the weekend at New York & Company's 50% off sale. It's much louder than the stuff I usually wear but I'm totally digging it. Wish I had it in black and silver because I'd wear this thing out!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Cardigan: Express

Tank: Express

Jeans: The Limited

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklace: Ann Taylor Loft

I wasn't sold on this outfit when I snapped this picture and contemplated changing the tank top out for something else, but was too lazy to figure out what. I ran a bajillion errands and got four separate compliments on my cute outfit. Shows what I know! HA! Sometimes we are our own worst critics.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Top: The Limited

Jeggings: Express

Shoes: Payless Shoes

Necklace: New York & Company

Headband: New York & Company

I had a haircut appointment on Saturday morning, so I was rocking the headband in the morning. I don't do it very often because I don't like the way they look on me, but I picked this one up for $2.00 and I actually really like it.

I am also loving this super cheap necklace I picked up this week. It's got silver 'feathers' and makes me feel kind of bad-ass. (You gotta take it where you can get it!)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tank: Express

Jeggings: Banana Republic

Boots: Charles David

Necklace: New York & Company

I've always had a love affair with stripes and the fact that they are 'in' this season has only exacerbated the problem. And if it's black and white stripes? Forgetaboutit. That baby's coming home with me!

I was hooked the minute I saw this grandpa cardigan at Old Navy. I've worn it at least once a week since I bought it back in February. And if you know me, you know that's not normal. That's true love.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Tank: GAP

Shorts: Express

Tights: Hue

Booties: Payless Shoes

Necklaces: The Limited

Ring: The Limited

We had a super busy weekend. Saturday night we went out for sushi and to see the musical Wicked with friends. I love getting dressed up for nights out and was so happy the weather finally cooperated so that I could wear these shorts!

The shorts-and-tights combo was something I always loved on other people in magazines. I wasn't so sure that I could pull it off. But I think I finally found exactly the right pair of shorts to make it work for me.

As a side note: when did it become acceptable to attend a theater performance in jeans and a sweatshirt? I was completely shocked at how casually a lot of my fellow theater-goers were dressed. Are we really that lazy that we can't even put on a dress or slacks for a night out? Kind of takes away a little of the magic of a theater night when you look like you could be equally comfortable sitting on your couch watching Eastbound and Down.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Dress: Old Navy

Tights: Hue

Boots: Charles David

Necklace: The Limited

Ring: The Limited

We had our small group Christmas dinner at a Brazilian restaurant downtown tonight. For weeks now I've been planning to try out my new sparkly tweed Express shorts with tights. Imagine my immense disappointment when I woke up this morning to driving snow that just never quit. Four inches of snow and four inch heels just don't mix. Boo.

So it was on to Plan B. Slightly less dressy but much warmer and less dangerous! Turns out Plan B was a blessing in disguise - the roomy dress came in very handy when I ate my weight in cheddar cheese puff biscuits at dinner!

I was also debuting my new blunt bangs. I went in for a trim this morning and decided there was no time like the present to give them a try. Don't know how long they'll last but at least I can finally say I gave them a go!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Skirt: Express

Belt: The Limited

Shoes: Steve Madden

Today was my first day at the new job. Normally I'll work from home but today I got a crash course in my new company. It made for a very long day so I wanted to be comfortable. It's getting pretty chilly here so this is probably one of my last few bare-legged days. Sad day.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Top: The Limited

Pants: Express

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: New York & Company

We went to dinner with friends last night. It was a little chilly so I took the opportunity to try out this new Victorian slouch sleeve top. It's the perfect lightweight cotton for a fall date night.

Looking at the picture really makes me wish I had a (faux!) fur vest to pull over this. I've been on the hunt for one for weeks now but they never seem to work on me. I might need to give up the chase. Some trends just don't work no matter how badly you wish they did.

Is there a trend you really want to try but just can't seem to manage?

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Tank: Old Navy

Shorts: Express

Shoes: Loft

Necklace: Express

Ring: The Limited

It's Indian Summer here in Indy - high 80's after a beautiful week of 60's and 70's. As much as I love the cooler temperatures, I know I'll be begging for sunshine again in only a few weeks time! So I soaked up the sunshine as I ran about 10 million errands today - a not so fun side effect of 6 straight weekends of goofing off! I made the most of it though and got a lot accomplished.

This was the perfect outfit for running around town. The cotton tee kept me covered until it warmed up but wasn't unbearably hot for the mid-afternoon temps. My new statement necklace and big green ring really popped against the plain white tee. Funny how $15 worth of accessories can jazz up a plain jane outfit.

What's your favorite accessory when your outfit needs a little pick-me-up?

Friday, October 1, 2010

Cardigan: Express

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Express

Boots: Aldo

Necklace: LOFT

Bracelet: New York & Company

We spent this weekend in Gatlinburg, TN with some college friends. Friday was traveling day - a seven hour drive! - so I needed layers that I could peel off and on as Nate and I fought over the temperature of the car. :)

I've also learned a valuable lesson in other previous road trips - Pomeranian toe nails are hell on bare legs. So I always wear pants on road trips. And take socks, regardless of the outside temperature, because my feet are always cold.

I also have rules for dressing for the airport. Do you have traveling outfit rules? Or am I just a neurotic mess when traveling?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Dress: LOFT

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Necklace: Express

Ring: The Limited

Another long day at the office this week. I feel like I'm copping out a bit by wearing dresses every day, but I just don't have the time or energy to be messing with separates this week.

I originally planned to belt this dress but I couldn't find a belt that I was happy with in my closet this morning. Most were the wrong shade of brown and the only one that was the 'right' shade was too big for my waist - it's more of a hip belt. Don't you hate when you just can't seem to make anything work? So I threw on a statement necklace instead and added 'tan leather belt' to my shopping list!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Shirt: New York & Company

Skirt: LOFT

Shoes: Aldo

Necklace: LOFT

I'm not usually much of a pink girl, but I fell immediately for this purple and pink polka-dot skirt at LOFT. I rarely buy an entire outfit but I knew this skirt would be hard to match, so I bought the cardigan that they had it paired with on the mannequin. I couldn't wait to wear it, though, so I went on a little closet hunt to see what I could come up with. The answer? Not much. This skirt is definitely NOT a mix and match piece - it's the oddest shades of pink and purple. I was a little unsure of the top when I left the house this morning but just decided to go with it. Glad I did, because I got three compliments on the whole ensemble! Just goes to show that I should be more confident in my mix-and-match abilities!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Skirt: LOFT

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bracelet: New York & Company

Necklace: The Limited

Notice how my list up there says 'Necklace'? And how I'm actually not wearing one in the picture?

Yeah, about that. When I left the house this morning I was wearing my favorite necklace (the same one I wore here last Monday). I don't usually get all crazy over jewelry, but the minute I saw that big chunky black beauty, it was love at first sight. It's my #1 go to piece in my closet, clothes included. It just seems to go with everything.

So I'm rocking it today, in a meeting with my entire department - 40 people in a conference room, including the company's CPO (my boss's boss's boss). When suddenly, there is the sound of two dozen ginormous black beads hitting the table, hitting the chair and finally hitting floor. My beautiful necklace busted in half, leaving black pieces all over the floor and some strange white powder all over my black shirt. Can you say mortified? All I eyes turned in my direction, as I frantically grabbed for what was left of my necklace and began scrounging up beads off the floor (no small feat in a pencil skirt and four inch heels). Ugh. Guess everyone knows the new girl's name now, huh?

Friday, July 30, 2010

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft

Necklace: Express

Shoes: Sam & Libby

One thing I don't so much care for at my new job? No casual Fridays. I think tailored denim can work really well for a business casual look, but I don't get to exercise my denim muscle very often anymore. Sad.

The company released their quarterly earnings earlier in the week, which means we have a mandatory meeting with the CFO this afternoon. This is my first time meeting with any of the execs, so I wanted to be polished yet understated. And not die of heat exhaustion from covering up too much either. I thought this summer tweed dress was a nice compromise. It has enough details in the dress that I could keep the accessories low key and minimal too.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Unknown

Necklace: The Limited

So far I am loving nearly everything about my new job. The only exception? No casual Fridays. Ever.

As in no denim. No Volunteer orange every Friday during football season.

I love to get dressed up as much as the next girl, but I sure am going to miss denim on Fridays!

Not to be deterred, I inserted just a tiny bit of 'casual' into my business appropriate Friday look. I think ankle pants are just a bit more relaxed than regular trousers.

I also decided to step outside of my comfort zone and mix brown and black. I was inspired by the leopard print top, which has black spots surrounded by brown. It's hard to tell in the full-length picture, but my shoes are crocodile embossed brown pumps. It's not much mixing, but it's a baby step in that direction. I like it!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Tank: Victoria's Secret

Cardigan: The Limited

Shorts: New York & Company

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Belt: The Limited

Necklace: The Limited

After a low key day of not doing much, we met some friends for dinner and drinks at Chili's.

New York & Company was having an awesome sale on their shorts last week - Buy 1, Get 1 for $10. I absolutely fell in love with these brocade shorts and picked up these metallic linen ones as almost an afterthought. Turns out I might like the linen pair better than the brocade pair!

As soon as I tried them on, I immediately thought of this shot of Olivia Palermo shopping at Ann Taylor. I loved the baggy look of the shorts with the belted cardigan. I also took advantage of my vacation preparation tan and wore white. Gotta work it while I got it!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Pants: Express

Necklace: New York & Company

Shoes: Aldo

I was originally skeptical about the whole 'crop shirt' trend coming back. It wasn't a good idea in the 80's, unless you were under the age of say 10, and it sure as heck isn't any better an idea now. I saw this top in the store and would have snapped it up immediately (yay, stripes!) except for the crappy cropped length. However, when I stumbled upon a store closing sale where everything was 80% off? All bets were off. I bought this for a whopping $4.00, intending to wear it to the office, tucked and belted with a white skirt. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to consider the fact that currently, I do not own a white skirt. Um, yeah.

So the top has been sitting in my closet, neglected and gathering dust, until last night. We were headed out for pizza with the neighbors and I was having one of those 'I have nothing to wear for this occasion' moments. Suddenly it dawned on me - maybe, just maybe, I could pull off this top with long skinny denim, a big necklace and sky high heels. And TA DA! An outfit is born, cropped top and all.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Tank: Old Navy

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: New York & Company

Earrings: Gifted

After a wonderful girls weekend in Louisville (where I finally got to meet the lovely Ally IRL!), the last thing on my mind when I got home was planning an outfit for work on Monday.

This outfit had one driving force behind it: I was freezing cold when I woke up. All I wanted was to be covered up so I could get warm. I'd vaguely had this color combination of green and navy in the back of my head, although I'd originally envisioned the cardigan with a navy pencil skirt instead of pants. I knew the temps would eventually reach the mid-sixties so tights seemed a little overkill. Pants win.

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!