Friday, March 18, 2011

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft

Sweater: The Limited

Shoes: Sam & Libby

I had a client meeting Friday morning and then another business-type meeting in the afternoon. I needed something that could easily take me from a casual business environment to one where I probably should have been wearing a suit. I was also pretty stoked to finally be able to go without tights. YAY for Spring (or at least Spring-like weather!)

Friday, November 26, 2010

T-shirt: Old Navy

Oh yes, boys and girls, it is that time of year again - time for cheesy holiday tees! My Grinch t-shirt is the perfect choice for Black Friday shopping today. It definitely made people smile all day!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Sweater: Gap

T-shirt: The Limited

Pants: Express

Booties: Payless Shoes

Ring: Simply Irresistible

I've had a quiet week at home after a weekend away and haven't been out and about much. I've got a busy weekend ahead though and I can't wait to start layering up for the winter weather!

I visited a craft fair with a friend this afternoon and am heading over to another friend's house for dinner and drinks tonight. She's got two young children and I know they'll be all over me like white on rice, which calls for easy pieces I can throw in the laundry when I get home! I love the giant fold over collar on this cable-knit sweater. I can't get away with oversized clothes very often so when I find something that works, I'm always super excited!

I'm still enjoying playing around with my new haircut. I'm even toying with the idea of cutting the bangs shorter and going blunt (a la Jessica at What I Wore) for a few weeks. Jury is still out on that one though. I've got two votes for and one against (and a one 'whatever' from the hubby).

Today's my first experiment in going with my natural wave. I think I like it!

Friday, October 5, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Turtleneck: Express

Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft

Necklace: Simply Irresistible

Tights: Hue

Booties: Payless Shoes

Today was the second of my three days of client meetings. It was business casual Friday at their office, so we got to dress down a tiny bit. I layered up again for the long day and boy was I glad I did - we had snow flurries this afternoon! Holy winter weather, Batman. I am so not ready for this! But if I can't be warm and cozy at home, at least I can keep warm in this plaid flannel skirt and cuddly sweater.

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?

Friday, October 8, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Shoes: Aldo

Cuff: New York & Company

I worked from home today and managed to squeeze in a few errands during my lunch break. We've been traveling like crazy lately and I've neglected just about every household duty, so this weekend is dedicated to running errands like nobody's business.

This t-shirt doesn't quite fall into the cheesy tee category, but it's pretty close. I was shopping with a friend when she pointed it out to me, laughing about how the girl kind of looked like me. Not quite, but close enough to make me laugh every time I look at it. Is it bad to admit I'm totally jealous of the volume in t-shirt girl's hair?

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?

Friday, September 10, 2010

Dress: Target

Shoes: Shii

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: New York & Company

I completely forgot about this dress hanging in the back of my closet until I ran across it last night while packing for New York City. It's a little too summery to wear much longer, so I knew I had to bust it out ASAP.

I was immediately drawn to the unusual color combination - my favorite color (orange!) and my current color obsession (purple!). It was a complete accident that I happened to have jewelry that matched so perfectly. I paired it with a cute purple cardigan this morning for the dash into work.

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!

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.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Top: The Limited

Pants: Express

Shoes: Baker's Shoes

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: New York & Company

Today was my last day at my short-term contract job. Now I have three glorious weeks off before my new permanent job starts the first week of June. I plan to enjoy my time to the fullest!

I found these heels a few months ago while hunting for a pair of gray patent booties (which I never found!). I love the sweetness of the 'laces' up the front paired with the toughness of the 'cage' look on the sides. They just make me smile when I look at them. I'm so glad it's finally warm enough to bring them out of hiding!

Do you have an item you are stoked to bring back into your wardrobe now that warmer weather is upon us?

Friday, April 30, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Tank: Express

Pants: Express (Stella Barely Boot Cut)

Shoes: Alfani (via Macy's)

Earrings: The Limited

Necklace: Gifted

I cannot believe it is the last day of April already. Seriously? The year is 1/3 of the way over already. Holy cow!

Too bad I'm still stuck wearing long sleeves and freezing my tail off at the office. Despite this being our third Spring here, I'm still shocked when it's thirty degrees over night in April. I need to get out our summer clothes soon but it seems kind of silly when I have to wear a jacket to work in the mornings!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Cardigan: New York & Company

Tank: Victoria's Secret

Pants: Express

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Necklaces: Amy Cornwell Designs

The Amy Cornwell necklace I won in her giveaway last week popped up in my mailbox last night. It is so sweet and simple; I absolutely love it! I knew today's outfit had to stay basic so I could show it off!

I paired the new necklace with my first ever ACD piece - my personalized washer necklace. I love how the different chains contrast and I think the two sizes and shapes of the charms compliment nicely.

I love the color of this cardi - it reminds me of fresh cut grass. A perfect pop of color for a rainy, dreary Friday.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Pants: Express (Stella Barely Boot Cut)

Shoes: Steve Madden

Bracelet: The Limited

Friday night I went with a girlfriend to see Carrie Underwood in concert. I went straight from work to the concert (both are downtown, an hour from my house), so my outfit had to pull double duty. I had to be work appropriate but I also wanted to be comfortable and fun for the concert.

I thought this top fit the bill perfectly. You can't see them well in the big picture, but the shoulders have sequined sailor epaulets on them. Wearing sequins to work made me smile all day long.

Keeping with the nautical theme, I paired the top with fierce red heels and a nautical themed gold cuff.

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!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Vest: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Boots: Charles David (gifted)

Necklace: Simply Irresistible

I spent the morning at our church, organizing the filing cabinets for the sports pastor. It was a monumental task, for sure, but organizing is one of my favorite things to do. Give me a stack of file folders and a label maker and I am one happy girl.

After a hard morning's work, I figured I deserved a little reward, so I took myself to the mall to look for my new favorite Express jeans in a Regular length. Sadly, the trip was unsuccessful (they had 15 pairs in Tall, but nary a Regular in sight!), but I got four separate compliments on my necklace! Nothing like a compliment, or four, to make a girl's day!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Kohls

Necklace: Gifted

Bracelet: New York & Company

Well, after being snowed-in for the better part of the week, I finally got out and about today. Man it felt good! I had my first cup of Starbucks in four days - that is seriously some kind of record for me!

The day was beautiful, but chilly and there is still snow everywhere so boots were a necessary evil. I literally picked my least worn boots and then built the rest of the outfit around them. Can you tell I'm over this winter bit? I even rolled up my sleeves in protest of the cold weather. What can I say? I'm a rebel.