Monday, March 1, 2010

Sweater: New York & Company

Turtleneck: Target

Denim: Express

Boots: Wal-mart

Necklace: The Limited

Technically I wore this outfit on both Monday and Sunday (for about two hours). Don't lie. You know you do that, too.

I picked up this striped turtleneck at Target after seeing Ellen rock the stripes on her show a few weeks ago. Once again, you lovely readers came to my rescue with tons of suggestions on tracking down the perfect black and white striped tee. I was alerted to this Target clearance find by both Sarah and EvaNadine. It took three Targets to find it in my size, but for $3.97, it was worth it!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Tank: Express

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: ?

Bracelets: The Limited

Necklace: Gifted

I love the look of winter white - so elegant and classy. For some reason it always reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. I have absolutely no idea why.

Too bad for me my skin tone is also winter white, which makes it hard to pull off actually wearing it! Instead of looking elegantly winter-ish, I look more ghostly Halloween-ish.

I bought these brown and cream slacks for a song recently and knew they'd look perfect with my favorite winter white sweater - pale skin be hanged! I wish I'd taken a close up of the pants. They are a heavy nubby tweed. Perfect for the cold, windy weather we had on Sunday.

Looking at this outfit almost makes me miss dressing up for the office. Almost.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Jeans: Express

Boots: Endless.com

Bracelets: The Limited

We went to the local elementary school carnival this evening and then out to a late dinner date. Yes, I know it's weird that we went to the carnival when we, um, don't have any kids, let alone school age ones, but what can I say? We love our neighbor kids who invited us. That, and I really wanted a cake at the cakewalk. Except this school carnival didn't have a cakewalk. Hello? What kind of school carnival doesn't have a cakewalk? I had to settle for a cupcake from the bake sale instead. Probably better for my waistline anyway.

On to the fashion part of the post. That is why you are here, right? My new flat brown boots are making their debut today. I got many fabulous options from you guys when I mentioned the Great Boot Hunt of 2010. It's amazing how a little challenge brings the lurkers out of the woodwork! While no one suggested these particular boots, several of you sent me links to boots on Endless.com (one of my favorite sites!) and while browsing those links, I ran across these. They are a little more burgundy than what I originally envisioned, but I loved the stud details on the back. And they had my size. And they were on sale. I actually ordered these and a pair of Steve Madden's, but the SM's turned out to be too small. That's the fabulous thing about Endless - free shipping and returns, so you're never afraid to take a risk and order something that you're not entirely sure about! A few of my other favorite online stores should consider this policy - I'm looking at you, Victoria's Secret!

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!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Top: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Shoes: ?

Bracelets: Gifted

We had friends coming in for the weekend, so I had a ton of stuff to get done around town. Mostly clothes to get rid of after I purged my closet for the second time in less than three months. I've been feeling lately like I have too much that I just don't love and I needed to make my closet a little lighter so I can focus on the items that I do enjoy wearing. But that meant I had a mountain of stuff to get rid of and no real idea what to do with it. I gave some to my sister, some to a friend, some to Goodwill, and a few items to a consignment shop. Let me tell you, consignment stores are so frustrating - at least around here! I have visited four in the local area and still haven't really found a good place to sell my stuff. Three of them were very old lady-ish. I wouldn't buy a single item there, so I didn't expect I could sell my stuff there either. The fourth one was more teen oriented, so I could get rid of some of my Express and Old Navy items with little trouble. But there just really isn't a good place to get rid of Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic or The Limited items. Why isn't there a consignment store for stylish twenty somethings?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sweater: The Limited

Top: Gap

Jeans: Express

Short necklace: Simply Irresistible

Long necklace: The Limited

Shoes: ?

I didn't even realize until just now that I've worn stripes the past two days. At least it's a different color palette today and I'm not seeing the same two groups of people. Guess I'm just feeling the stripes lately!

I knocked out a ton of little errands today and now I'm off to a HOA officer meeting and then bunco ladies night. Of course, they would both happen to fall on the exact same night, within 1/2 of each other, so that I have to leave one early and be late to the next. Not like EVERY OTHER night this week was free or anything! Don't you just hate when that happens?

I really wish I had some flat brown boots to go with this outfit. I've been on the hunt for a pair for weeks now and no luck. I wish I could find my Charles David boots in brown, but it seems they no longer make them. Seen any good ones lately? Knee high. Flat. Brown. Under $100. Go.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Cardigan: New York & Company

Tank: The Limited

Jeans: Express (Stella Barely Bootcut)

Necklace: New York & Company

Sneaks: Payless Shoes

We got another three inches here today and I must say, as much as I love the snow - I am sick and tired of wearing flats! This girl is in serious need of a four-inch stiletto fix!

But if I have to wear flats at least these sneakers make me smile. I had a pair of azure Chucks when I was kid and my dad wore purple high top Converse when I was an even younger kid. So when I saw these at Payless Shoes, they brought back a flood of warm memories. Gotta love shoes that just make you feel happy.

Know what else makes me happy? These slim cut jeans from Express. I bought them recently in a Short because I needed another pair of jeans to wear with, what else?, flats during the yucky weather. I expected to alternate them occasionally with my lighter wash short pair. As it turns out, these are my new favorite pair of jeans. The fit in the hips and thighs is fabulous and the dark wash is the absolute perfect shade to go with anything. I am headed back to Express soon to snap them up in a Regular length for heel season, too!

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.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sweater: New York & Company

Jeans: Express

Necklace: New York & Company

Bracelet: Simply Irresistible

Boots: Charles by Charles David

It's SUPER BOWL time, baby! The Colts are in it to win it and I'm supporting our Boys in Blue!

This is what I wore to church. I almost wore my jersey, but decided to go a little more dressed up instead. I needn't have worried - even the senior pastor was wearing his jersey! This town is crazy for their Super Bowl football team!

I'm switching to the jersey tonight as a cheer on Peyton and Co. Go Colts!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Top: New York & Company

Suit: The Limited

Belt: New York & Company

Tights: Merona

Booties: Payless Shoes

Bracelet: New York & Company

I had a job conference and fair to attend today. Of course, I've barely left the house all week and then the one day I have plans - it snows buckets. Go figure!

I wanted to dress professionally, but still with a bit of personality. The industry that was holding the event is young and creative, so I wanted to make myself stand out somewhat. But not too crazy, since it was business event.

I opted to pair a fun, statement top with my modern black suit. That way I had the option to play it straight with the suit coat all day or be more playful without it. I really wanted to wear pants, but I didn't want them to be all went dragging around in the snow, so a skirt and tights it was. Ditto for the shoes - not my first choice, but necessity is the Mother of Making-Do.

I didn't get a picture of it, but I wore my red winter coat over the whole thing and that totally made the outfit pop. I knew it was a good decision when the keynote speaker, whom I was most interested in meeting, turned up wearing a black and white graphic skirt paired with a red winter coat! Fashion made for a nice conversation starter and I feel like I made a good business connection there.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Express

Booties: Payless Shoes

Necklace: Amy Cornwell Designs

I know it's only the first day of February, but I am SO OVER winter and SO READY for spring! I feel like all I wear lately is skinny jeans tucked into boots. It doesn't even really matter what I wear on top because it's just going to be covered up by a coat and a scarf. The yucky weather combined with not going to work every day has definitely put me in a fashion rut.

So when Nate offered to go treadmill shopping with me after work today, I jumped at the chance to climb out of my rut - I reached for the springiest thing I could find amidst the winter dullness. Slightly seasonally inappropriate? Yes. Entirely necessary so I don't go insane? Definitely.

Wednesday, January 26, 2010

Sweater: New York & Company

Shirt: New York & Company

Tank (unseen): Gap

Jeans: Old Navy

Necklaces: The Limited

Boots: Wal-mart

Egad! Someone needs to use some of her free time wisely and bust out the tanning lotion because my-oh-my, Mama's looking pale!

Or it could just be that the sun has finally made an appearance here in the dismal Mid-west and its reflection on the snow in the backyard makes for some blindingly pale pictures.

Yeah, I think I'll go with the second one.

I picked up these gray skinny jeans at Old Navy last week for $5.99. They are very low rise in the back, if you catch my draft er, I mean, drift, but I figured for six bucks I can just wear them with longer tops and be totally fine.

Now that I look at the picture, I kind of wish I'd added a big cuff bracelet. I thought piling on the necklaces was enough, but since the sleeves are shorter I feel like it needed something at the wrist too. What do you think?

Monday, January 25, 2010

Sweater: Old Navy

Tank: Gap

Denim: Express

Necklace: Forever 21

Boots: Wal-mart

Want to hear a dirty little secret? I wear these black fleece lined boots nearly every day during the winter. They are far and away my favorite pair of winter boots - and they came from Wal-mart!

There it is, boys and girls, I ain't too proud to admit - the item that gets the most wear in my closet is a $19.98 blue light special from Wal-mart.

When I bought them two winters ago, I thought I'd be lucky if they lasted the winter. I was tired of freezing my toes off while running errands in sneakers and I refused to dish out $150 for a pair of Uggs that would be ruined by snow and ice. Enter these boots and a little scotch guard once a month. They take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Snow, ice, sleet - they don't care. They keep my toes toasty warm and look rather stylish while they're at it.

My only regret is that I didn't buy them in brown too!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Dress: New York & Company

Leggings: New York & Company

Necklace: The Limited

Boots: Charles by Charles David

First, let's start with the hair - it has been gray and nasty for literally days here. I have completely forgotten what the sun looks like. The constant drizzle and cold has made my hair a limp, nasty mess. Blah.

Second, after several days of not leaving the house, you'd think I'd be ecstatic to get dressed up for date night. In theory, this is correct. In my dreams, I had lofty plans for a sexy date night look. In practice, I spent too much time looking for a job playing around on the internet and left myself too little time to get dressed. This was the result. Try not to judge too harshly.

See Sara Shop

Anyone know where I can find a black and white striped long-sleeved shirt like the one Ellen wore on her show a few days ago? Even a turtleneck would be fine. Just has to be thin enough to layer under stuff.