Wednesday, August 19, 2009

T-shirt: Old Navy

Vest: The Limited

Jeans: The Limited

Necklace: ?

Rings: New York & Company

Shoes: Sam & Libby

Guess you can all see how Lola felt about my four day trip to Florida. Looks like she's ready to attack me at any moment. Baby Girl has no idea what's in store for her next week!

No pics of my time in Florida. I was entirely too busy cuddling the cutest baby in the entire world.

I spent today running errands and checking things off my 'To Do Before The New Job' list. A nice comfy outfit was the order of the day, although I wish I had chosen different shoes. It started raining just after lunch and let me tell you, dodging puddles in four inch heels is not a fun game!

Down with VPL

Dear Mass Retailers (I'm talking to YOU - Ann Taylor Loft, Express, The Limited, Banana Republic),

For the love of everything fashionable, would someone please explain to me why you all insist on ruining perfectly lovely trousers with VPL (Visible Pocket Lines)? I mean seriously, how many business women do you know who walk around with various and sundry items stuffed in their front pockets? NONE. That is what a purse and or briefcase is for! So why does every pair of dressy slacks I try on lately have pockets?

Don't get me wrong, I am all for the faux pocket - you know, the kind that are sewn shut. They are a lovely detail that can make or break a pair of pants. But actual pockets are a different story. I do not want to put on an otherwise stunning pair of trousers only to be blinded by VPL across my upper thighs. Not cute, Mass Retailers, not cute.

Please cease and desist with the proliferation of pockets immediately.

xoxo,
ClosetGirl (in a skirt)

Looking Ahead

While I'm living it up on vacation in Florida, the lovely Kimberly of Fab Find Under $50 has graciously agreed to share her tips for taking your wardrobe into fall.

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I adore this time of year with the introduction of so many fall clothes at the stores and my mailbox stuffed full of the thick September issues of magazines! However, shopping this time of year can be bit of a conundrum when deciding what to buy. So, this time of year I try to only buy things that work now with the warm summer temps but also that can also be transitioned into fall and winter outfits.

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:

Item: Pink Tulip Skirt
To wear it now pair it with a lightweight white blouse, nude pumps and a lady-like necklace.



Banded-collar blouse – Newport News, $29 Tulip pencil skirt – Newport News, $39 Bouquet Medallion Necklace – Forever 21, $7.80 Nine West Malynn – 6pm.com, $44.85

To make the skirt work when the temps drop pair it with a lightweight black turtleneck, leopard swing jacket, tights, eye-catching necklace and killer bronze heels.



Leopard-print cropped jacket – Newport News, $49 Three Dots Turtleneck – Nordstrom, $39.90 Skirt – Same as above Black Tights – Hue, $12.50 Dark Beauty Necklace – Forever 21, $8.80 Heels – Same as above in Bronze

Item: Floaty Patterned Top
For a casual look, pair a simple patterned top with jeans and flats.


Gauzy Flutter-Sleeve Top – Old Navy, $24.50 Weekend Jeans – Old Navy, $34.50 Looped Closure Cord Bracelet – Forever 21, $4.80 Nicolet by Bronx Shoes – 6pm.com, $36.80 As fall hits layer a fun cowl neck top under the patterned shirt, add a black trouser jeans and fun suede heels.




Patterned Top – Same as above Cowl-Neck Top – Old Navy, $16.50 Sweetheart Curvy Boot-Cut Jeans – Old Navy, $34.50 Brenda Elastic Bracelet – Forever 21, $7.80 Nine West Beth – 6pm.com, $37.95

Have fun shopping for Now and Later!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Dress: Target

Shoes: Payless

Bracelet: Lia Sophia

Dog: Priceless

Is he not the sweetest thing you've ever seen? He was too cute to crop out today. Love you, Oliver!

I am a lady of leisure today. Well, at least in the sense that I don't have to go to work and can do whatever I want. Sadly 'whatever I want' translates into laundry, errands, and grocery shopping before I head out of town tomorrow. It's hot as blazing saddles around here so a sundress was the order of the day. Nothing beats a cotton sundress for keeping you cool and wrinkle-free during summer errands.

I've also got to pack for my trip to Florida this weekend. Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! Suddenly our 90 degree day isn't looking so bad. Fortunately for my sister, it's totally worth frizzy hair and sweating buckets for a few days with her!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Tank: Gap

Skirt: The Limited

Belt: Came with a jacket from The Limited

Flower: New York & Company

Cuff: New York & Company

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Today was the last day at my part time job, so of course I had to step up the style a bit. This tulip skirt is a step in a new direction for me. I'm more of a pencil skirt type of girl. Most tulip skirts are too puffy in the hip area to be flattering but this one sticks pretty close to pencil cut - just a tiny flair on the sides and in the front. And I am digging the pattern for going into fall. I see this getting a lot of wear over the coming months!

I was tempted to pile on the necklaces, but kept it simple by accessorizing with a flower, a la Kimberly's August Inspiration calendar. The flower keeps it nice and simple with the tank top.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Tank: Old Navy

Vest: Express

Jeans: Express (Mia Ultra Skinny)

Sandals: Payless

Necklaces: The Limited

Ring: The Limited

Today's outfit is a shout out to my girlfriend, Shelli. We were shopping last week for my back-to-work wardrobe when I happened to mention that I had a piece of clothing in my closet that I try on at least once a week, but never wear out of the house. In fact, I'd put it on that very morning and taken it back off again, choosing to wear this instead.

I got this oversized vest for less than $5 this past spring. I love the look on other people and I like the idea of it on me, but I'm not too sure about the reality of it. Too much white for my pale skin? Maybe with leggings instead of jeans? Should I leave the long vest look to the 5'9'' and higher crowd? What do you think of this look? Vote in the poll on the sidebar to help me decide!

Do you have something in your closet that you love but can't bring yourself to actually wear? Or am I just weird?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Top: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Bracelet: Lia Sophia

Earrings: Military gift shop on Guam

Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft

I love the print on this top but I haven't quite figured out how to wear it with anything other than blue jeans. I'd love to put it under a cute little jacket or pair it with a skirt for the office but I just can't seem to find the right combo. Any suggestions, my lovely readers?

I'm back on the hunt for some great new jeans going into fall. Specifically I want a very dark wash, straight leg denim. Pants shopping is one of the very few kinds of shopping I absolutely dread (the others being bathing suit and grocery shopping). Little waist, big hips and short stubby legs are not a combination one finds often in the denim aisle. Ugh. I'm stressed just thinking about it.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Top: New York & Company

Vest: The Limited

Jeans: Express (x2 w10)

Shoes: Wild Diva

Bracelet: New York & Company

I'm down to my last few days in the casual part time environment, so I'm trying to wear all the stuff I might not get to wear when I start the new job. When I was there for my interview, it seemed pretty business casual (but leaning more towards the business side). Not sure yet if jeans are a Friday option, so I'm wearing all my cute jeans ideas this week.

I am in love with this top. It's got everything I'm into right now - ruffles, pleats and a bow all in a fun print. A cute little vest to nip in the waist and I think this is one of my favorite outfits in a long time. Fingers crossed that I'll be able to use it again for a casual Friday at the new office!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Top: Ann Taylor Loft

Jeans: Express (Mia Ultra Skinny)

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Bracelet: New York and Company

Earrings: island store on Guam


Who doesn't love Friday date night? After a long day at work (big event this weekend), I rushed home to get ready for a dinner and movie date with friends. I wish I had worn this top when I still had my spray tan - as my husband informed me today that I am 'blindingly white' once again. Too bad for him that I don't plan to do anything about it any time soon. Spray tans are expensive, tanning beds are bad for you and I don't have the patience for self tanner. Can someone please invent a pill that will tan you from the inside out?

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Purple tank: Old Navy

Painted Tank: Wal-mart

Jeans: Express

Cardigan: New York & Company

Earrings: New York & Company

Sandals: Ann Taylor Loft

Although it's 90 degrees today, the office normally hovers somewhere around 60. Today is food pantry today so we had donations coming in all day. I had to be ready to sweat as I inevitably help unload groceries but also stay warm during the downtime. Tank and a cardy to the rescue.

I saw this tank at Wal-mart last weekend and couldn't pass it up at just $3. I thought the print was cute and the colors are fun. A girl can never have too many tank tops.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Top: The Limited

Tank: Gap

Jeans: Express (x2 w10)

Shoes: Apt 9 (via Kohl's)

Earrings: Simply Irresistible

Bracelet: The Limited

I am not normally much of a cropped jacket kind of girl. I just feel like they look funny on me. However, I make an exception for this one. I love everything about it - the creamy color, the lace, the bow, the ribbon detail, the ruffled sleeves, everything. I feel very romantic Victorian wearing it. I just felt pretty today.

Turns out that's a good thing, since I got a lot of attention at work today. I have a bit of an announcement. I got a full time job! I'll be leaving my part-time gig next week to return to the corporate world. Know what that means? New clothes! And lots of 'em! It's been over two years since I worked in an office, so it's time to hit the stores and update my work wardrobe. And with my husband's blessing, no less!

Watch out, Mall, here I come!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Tank: Old Navy

Sweater: New York & Company

Jeans: Express (Mia Ultra Skinny)

Shoes: Wild Diva (via Burlington Coat Factory)

Necklace: The Limited

Ring: The Limited

It is nasty, nasty, nasty outside today! Rainy, hot, humid and windy. We've got a big event coming up this weekend, so it's head's down working for me all week.

I am insanely jealous of girls with long beautiful longs a la Jessica over at What I Wore. I love how hese skinny jeans and 4 inch heels make me feel like my legs are a mile long. Sure, it's all in my head, but honey, I'll take it!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Top: Old Navy

Tank (not seen): New York & Company

Vest: Ann Taylor Loft

Capris: LEI

Sandals: Aldo

Necklaces: Free

Ring: The Limited

This look was inspired by one of my fave fashion bloggers, Kimberly over at Fab Finds Under $50. Each month she posts an Inspiration Calendar for those days when you just need a little help getting dressed.

I got this vest a few weeks ago at the ATL final clearance event ($4.98!). As soon as I saw it, I envisioned wearing it with shorts and a white tank top, which I did on vacation a few weeks ago (sorry, no picture!). But I was struggling with how to wear it to work since shorts aren't appropriate. When I saw the 'Blazer and Cropped Pants combo' on the August Inspiration Calendar, I immediately thought of this vest. I never would have put these two together without that little extra spark I got from the calendar. Thanks, Kimberly, for inspiring fashion bloggers every day!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Dress: Express

Necklace: Simply Irresistible

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Bracelet: New York & Company

Scarf: Simply Irresistible

Last night we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary by going out to dinner at a new Brazilian restaurant downtown. I couldn't decide between three dresses, so I let Nate choose for me. Then keeping with the 'Nate's choice' theme, I let him pick the necklace and skipped the big cocktail ring I so desperately wanted to put on - he hates big cocktail rings. I probably would have been a bit more adventurous with the details, but all in all he didn't do too bad! If he was happy, that's all that mattered, right?

Friday, July 31, 2009

Top: The Limited

Jeans: The Limited

Shoes: Wild Diva via Burlington Coat Factory

Ring: Gifted

Earrings: New York & Company

Can you believe it's the last day of July already? The summer has flown by! But as sad as it is to see the summer come to a close, I am super stoked for autumn! It is my absolute favorite time of the year - Volunteer football, the turning of the leaves, and a little chill in the air. Love it, love it, love it! I can't wait.

Today I was feeling a little nautical. All I needed was a cute little anchor necklace to complete the look (note to self!). Since that wasn't an option, I chose to add a few little touches of red with my jewelry instead. As I put on my shoes, I kind of wished I'd thought ahead enough to repaint my toenails red, too. Guess there's always next time!