Monday Uniform

A basic truth: a cold and windy Monday calls for warm and cozy attire. (Any Monday; any cold and windy day, really. Halloween or no.) Layers encouraged. Easy, flattering denim suggested. Accessories that add just a little extra flair preferred.

Sweater - LOFT / Striped top - LOFT / Lightly Flared Jeans - Lane Bryant / Reversible gold belt - Lane Bryant
Handbag - Furla (renting from BBOS) / Boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry (via Famous Footwear)

Inspired by this pin, layering a striped top underneath a sweater is such an easy way to get a little pattern into an outfit. And now that I own more than my share of striped shirts (I've recently acquired this, this, this and this one [BR, but not available online, it seems]), this might become my everyday Monday uniform.

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Dress Barn (?)

I've Caught the ASOS Bug

My ASOS wishlist has grown exponentially. I think I can officially say I'm obsessed. (Am I the last one?) Now I just need to take the leap and buy something... Too bad I can't justify it right now. Waiting every so impatiently for a sale or coupon...

Also, I find it compelling that the Curve models are much more attractive that the straight models. Some of them just look downright ill. (I must admit I chose the backside picture of the model whom I found most frightening.) I don't mind - in fact I rather relish in it - but what gives?? I mean, YIKES!

Pony Up

Any of you have anything from Kiyonna? This Rylan Ruched Top is my first purchase from the plus sized boutique (I now also have the same top in green), and I gotta say, I'm in love. I can't think of anything better for my décolletage than the openness of a square neck and ruching across my bust. It minimizes the broadness of my shoulders and floats over all that junk in my trunk (and belly). Though the purple I received is much different than the rich plum color shown online, the color is still very saturated and just plain pretty. My primary complaint is that it's too long for my otherwise short torso; I wish it hit at my hip rather than below it, so I might consider having it shortened. Some of the online reviews have also complained that it's hard to find an appropriate bra for this top because of its deep wide cut, but my Lane Bryant Push-up Demi Bra worked perfectly.

Rylan Ruched Top - Kiyonna / Black pencil skirt - Bespoke (Simply Be)

This particular styling had been inspired by none other than the product tips (I LOVE that they even have them): "Keep it ladylike luxe by complementing Rylan with a classic black pencil skirt." I must admit that the option seemed a little plain to me at first, and I wasn't too sure of the proportions since the top is so long on me, but I gave it a whirl. The black pencil skirt is actually from the Bespoke line at Simply Be. Between its great length (26 inches!!), comfortably fitted silhouette, wide (muffin-top-proof) waistband and exposed back zipper, it really is the "perfect black pencil skirt" they claim it to be.

Handbag - Furla (renting via BBOS)

But okay, okay, enough of the reviews (which I probably should try to do more of); we all know the real prize of this outfit are these Nine West giraffe print pony hair platform heels of mine. They come out to play ever so rarely, so I thought these were just the right accessory to spruce up any suspected plainness of the outfit. I just love how shoes can do that! I kept the necklace to a single sparsely beaded chain that complements the colors of the top, went with gold all around, and simply had to continue sporting my gorgeous ostrich Furla that I'm renting. I tell ya, pairing a brown handbag with a black skirt is something I never thought I'd do, but something about it just works.

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT / Necklace - The Limited / Shoes - Nine West

Or maybe I just want to get the most out of my month.

Smitten Kitten

I continue to be smitten with the combination of blue and olive. In this case it's more purple/periwinkle, but I think that makes me love it all the more. The cardigan (last worn here) is just a shade or two lighter than the shell (last worn here; can I just say I'm so glad my photog skillz have improved?), creating a tonal effect that makes for such a visually appealing color story. It's such a nice pairing that I have to wonder why I've never worn them together before now - perhaps because I've never any good options for the bottom half! Well, thanks to the wide waistband on the skirt, tucking in the shell gave me quite a lovely silhouette and helped balance the colors and line overall.

Cardigan - Banana Republic / Shell - LOFT / Ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Sandals - Nine West

I struggled with the jewelry today, though. I knew I wanted a statement necklace that complemented the color palette and that extended past the neckline of the top, but none of my necklaces seemed to fit that description. This one came the closest to the palette, but it still sat too high on my neckline. Enter necklace extension. DUH. I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to figure that one out.

We're still celebrating sunny skies and temps in the 70s, but the weatherman taunts us with cold and gloomy skies over the next few days. All that means to me is that I gotta get my sandal-loving, bare-leg-showing fix as much as I can. Boot season is just around the corner. Maybe for real, this time.

Handbag - Furla (renting from BBOS)

A cool shot of me trying to catch the camera before a forceful gust toppled it over. My waist looks so SLIM!! =)) 

Ring - Lane Bryant /Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - Maurices

French Kiss

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. All that stuff I said about the last days of summer have, even if briefly, proven me wrong. With temps in the upper 70s and sunny days at least as long as it's light out, I've happily continued to bare my legs and toes. And my fabulous bandaged knee that is taking FOR-E-VER to heal, of course.

Double zip jacket - LOFT / Striped boatneck top - Banana Republic / Washed pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / 
White belt - LOFT / Sandals - Nine West

I've actually worn this outfit before, almost verbatim. Three emendations: belt over the jacket rather than through the belt loops (you know, like an actual belt), shoes (I'll never get enough of these sandals), and the up-do. That counts as a remix, right? Regardless, I simply love it. It's one of those outfits in which I feel as comfortable as I feel chic - the perfect outfit to walk four blocks downtown to our favorite new local French bistro, where the roast chicken is divine and the mussels are addictive.

Handbag - Furla (renting from BBOS)

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Flat Land

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I don't own a whole lot of flats. Regardless of the havoc they probably wreak on my joints and bones (thank goodness for my chiropractor), I'm a huge fan of heels and everything they do for my otherwise thick legs. But all this talk about leopard print flats this season, and spying them on more than one fellow blogger and co-worker, I figured I'd better jump on board. If there isn't a bigger DUH, I don't know what is...

Grey cardiwrap - Maurices / White long sleeve tee - LOFT / Dark flare jeans - Lane Bryant /
Leopard print flats - Target / Handbag - Furla (renting from BBOS)

As soon as these babies arrived at my door, I immediately began foraging for styling ideas online (blogs, Pinterest, etc.). My favorites were grey and coral or orange, cream and red, and cozy winter whites and brown. I've chosen the grey and coral for my inauguaral wearing (opting for a coral belt and earrings since I'll never be able to I don't own a Birkin), but I'm already plotting when and how I'll wear them next! Really though, they can be worn with pretty much anything to spruce up a casual look. Foolproof fabulous flats. Huzzah!

Belt - Talbots

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

Redux

This Ruche top has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. Ever since the first time I wore it, I've kept coming back to it in my closet, wanting to wear more often than not. So I thought about my initial ideas of how to remix it and opted for this casual version at the first possible opportunity. No better way to face the harsh realities of Monday, methinks.

Blazer - Calvin Klein (via TJ Maxx) / Top - Ruche / Dark skinnies - Gap / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Ring - Ruche

I've really been drawn to the combination of blue and olive lately, so I knew this Calvin Klein blazer of mine would work wonderfully. Cuffed skinny jeans, open toe heels, and a few statement jewelry pieces (the same in the first wearing, actually) complete the look in a way that does justice to the first.

Sad news, though. These favorite Gap skinnes of mine finally wore out and ripped (thank you, thighs), so now I have to go through breaking in a whole new pair. Either that, or figure out how to sew a patch. Or maybe both.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

Heels - Banana Republic

Cafe au Lait

I sure have been wearing a lot of this cream and grey (and animal print) business lately. What can I say? I'm a fan! But what really inspired this look was the complete outfit image from Banana Republic's (now almost completely sold out) The Mad Men® Collection. Cafe au lait leopard print, cigarette pant, bow-tie blouse. Yes. I tend to think that the look is more for the body of Betty than Joan, but I still love it. I don't have a black tie blouse, so I just wore a blank tank, but I think imma need one. And in lieu of the ever tricky ankle pant, I opted for my ever faithful pencil skirt. Might still try to get my hands on some grey ankle pants, though.

Leopard print cardigan - Banana Republic / Black tank - NY&Co. / Grey pencil skirt - NY&Co. /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I guess I don't have much more to say than that! Cardigan and pencil skirt - a tried and true combination for this curvy girl; leopard print - a lovely "neutral" print that I'm not likely to get tired of soon; Mad Men - will season 5 ever get here??

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Heels - Nine West /
Nails - "Frankly, I Don't Give A-Dam" (Sephora by O.P.I.)

On Purpose

Icky, rainy, cold, windy nastiness. Such was today. When I was planning my outfit, I wanted to keep it simple (and covered) by wearing pants, closed-toe heels, and a basic silhouette. No fuss. The weather was fussy enough.

Cream cardigan - LOFT / Lace Applique Tee - LOFT / Black wide-leg pants - NY&Co. / Earrings - The Limited

My color choices started off rather bland - stemming from the black pants, I think. I know black pants are supposed to be a closet staple, but they seem to be my closet black hole. (No pun intended.) I just can't seem to style them in any way that excites me. So I decided to add a gold belt and light caramel (rather than black) shoes and just embrace the cream and black thing I had going on. I guess I could have added more pops of color with a (fuchsia?) handbag or other accessories, but I opted only for my big ol' coral ring (which is getting a rather lot of wear lately) and let it ride. I also just HAD to sport my latest BBOS rental, my gorgeous ostrich Furla (the Amazzone Large Bauletto Shopper Handbag), and I thought its gold, brown and black hues rounded out the palette nicely.

Clarissa Coral Pendant Ring - Ruche / Gold skinny belt - Talbots 

Moral of the story? If you're going to do a colorless netural palette, embrace it fully. Make it purposeful. But I must admit that I'm not sure how else to make this outfit otherwise more colorful. What do you think? How would you style this pleated lace top in a more colorfully diverse ensemble? And how do you wear YOUR black pants?

Heels - RSVP (via Zappos)

A Bit Spotty

I've jumped on that leopard print bandwagon like no one's business. And I have no shame. Especially since this top was yet another thrifted gem from my local consignment shop.

Leopard print top - thrifted / Brown pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Tank - Anthropologie

My favorite part of the top, aside from the fact that it was thrifted, is its twist front detail. It doesn't photograph very well without some carefully planned posing, so I tried belting it to help define the ol' waist. Belt it with a subdued sparkly gold belt I did, and I even did yet another photo shoot, but the boyfriend vetoed the belt in favor of the twist. He's right, of course.

Handbag - Steve Madden

I'm not really sure why, but I felt that I looked older, even matronly, in the top. It's just not a very youthful design, regardless of the animal print. Maybe it's the collar - I dunno. Cue bright pink pumps and big coral ring. I rather love the combination.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Anthropologie / Shoes - Nine West