Monday, December 5, 2011

Exposed


So I survived Nutcracker weekend. I came out of it much better than I expected, so that's good, but I also went into it with much less holiday cheer than I usually do. I'm not really sure why, but I'm just not feeling the holidays yet, despite all my best efforts with Christmas decor, watching The Holiday almost every other night (as I write this, as a matter of fact), playing nothing but "Swinging Christmas Radio" on Pandora at work, and already having all my Christmas shopping complete. It's weird, but perhaps I can blame the fact that it hasn't snowed yet? Maybe that's the last piece of the puzzle - a blanket of snow to quiet the earth and brighten the night sky, bringing only the warmest thoughts to us inside. <Sigh>


Decidedly without snow, the big holiday weekend at work has come and gone, and with it a weekend I relish getting all fancy. Last year I wore two of my all-time favorite outfits (both with pencil skirts of course): this one and this one. I felt I had a lot to live up to this year - both of those outfits included beautifully unique tops and special accessories that spoke for themselves. I did plan to wear some other favorite pieces of mine, and of course my preferred silhouette, so I think I did okay. =) I'll post the outfits from the rest of the weekend tomorrow and Wednesday, of course...

Craftmanship Capelet - Anthropologie (gifted) / Cream tee - LOFT / Grey pencil skirt - Talbots /
Burgundy pumps - Charles by Charles David (via Zappos) / Handbag - Furla

This plaid capelet, purchased last year on a birthday shopping spree, is one of my least worn but definitely prized pieces in my wardrobe. I've never been able to figure out how else to wear it other than with skinnies and boots; though, it's certainly a great wear to wear it! When in doubt, pair with pencil skirt, duh. (If anyone's keeping track, maybe it's time to rename the blog to that?)


I'm really missing my camera, though. These pictures, taken with the wonderful light from my south-facing windows, came out over-exposed with Bob's iPhone, when I know they'd have been perfect with my camera. Boo hiss. Ironically, the best shots with the iPhone have been at night! (I shall keep that in mind nevertheless.) As a result, I've decided to purchase a refurbished model of the same camera from B&H as soon as my paycheck allows. After much research, it's the cheapest and probably the most reliable/comfortable option right now. And the one that will prevent Bob and I from killing each other the soonest... =)

Ring - H&M /.Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited

And hey, let it snow!

10 comments:

  1. You look like you stepped out of "Mad Men" in the very best way!  Unbelievably perfect holiday styling.  Just gorgeous.

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  2. Love the capelet! You've inspired me to give a pencil skirt a try - since I'm kind of a bottom-heavy hourglass, I didn't think a pencil skirt would work for me. But it DOES! Thanks for showing me that a curvy girl can make a fitted profile work!

    Oh, and I adore the Swinging Christmas station on Pandora, too. :)

    Be merry!

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  3. I'm not sure if I've commented on your blog before. I wanted to say that I really love your blog, and follow it daily! I adore your style, and we have very similar body types and coloring so I get lots of great styling ideas from you. (You are certainly making me consider pencil skirts far more often than I used to!)

    I've been having so much fun following style blogs for the last year or so, I'm currently planning to start my own early next year. I'm grateful for style bloggers like yourself that have inspired my style and my creativity. I'm having more fun with my style than every before! So, thank you!

    Also, loooove the capelet. So cute!

    Chrysta

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  4. Hello,

    First of all, I want to say that "I second that" to everything that Chrysta said in the previous comment!  I also love your blog and find style inspiration in nearly every post.  
    I have a couple of questions; #1.  In your profile, you mention that you are a student.  Do you also work?  #2. Do you wear your "dressier/careerwear/skirts" outfits to school or work or both?  I'm a Master's degree student with a teaching assistantship (beginning in January) and would love to dress in a similar style, but sometimes feel that I may be overdressing for school. I would feel comfortable with this style while teaching, but on class days I'm not sure if I would appear to be overdressed in a  skirt/top combo.  I live in Northwest Indiana (bitter cold winters!) and the school I attend is considered a "commuter" campus.  Some of the younger students are REALLY casual; I've even seen pajama bottoms being worn! 

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  5. I'll ALWAYS take a Mad Men comparison as a compliment! =)) thanks!!

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  6. i've become more heavier on the bottom the older I get, and yet the pencil skirt never fails me. i'm so glad you tried it!! and thanks!!

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  7. thanks so much, chrysta - that means a lot! let me know when you start your blog and i'll be sure to check it out!


    and i'm so stoked that i've become the pencil skirt advocate...haha!! =))

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  8. thanks so much, lisa! i'm still technically a student in that i've completed all my phd coursework and just have to complete my dissertation. however, i am also working full time at the university, leaving little time to research and write, but giving me all these opportunities to dress up and dress well. my profession is a fairly public one too - i'm constantly in the public eye and so i do try to dress to impress as often as I can. on days when i'm only in the office (not dealing with patrons), i will dress a little more casually (e.g. jeans and a sweater), but still with an eye on my personal style. 


    i was a TA back in the day, too, but i did dress this way then as well. i confess i did feel overdressed at times, esp. compared to my fellow TAs and certainly the students in pjs. =) but i never regretted it, and in fact i felt it gave me a kind of power and definitely the necessary confidence to command a class's attention. 

    just be sure the dress in a way that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. if you truly feel overdressed, than that uneasiness will probably show. just find a balance between your personal style and your audience. =) as you progress in your career, so will your opportunities to flex your style.

    thanks so much for reading!

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  9. Thank You for the insight, Jessica.  I agree with your philosophy regarding power and necessary confidence to command a class's attention.  I do feel better dressed up a notch...I'm just going to go for it.  Thanks for the reply and for the style inspiration!

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  10. thanks so much, lisa! i'm still technically a student in that i've completed all my phd coursework and just have to complete my dissertation. however, i am also working full time at the university, leaving little time to research and write, but giving me all these opportunities to dress up and dress well. my profession is a fairly public one too - i'm constantly in the public eye and so i do try to dress to impress as often as I can. on days when i'm only in the office (not dealing with patrons), i will dress a little more casually (e.g. jeans and a sweater), but still with an eye on my personal style. 

    i was a TA back in the day, too, but i did dress this way then as well. i confess i did feel overdressed at times, esp. compared to my fellow TAs and certainly the students in pjs. =) but i never regretted it, and in fact i felt it gave me a kind of power and definitely the necessary confidence to command a class's attention. 

    just be sure the dress in a way that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. if you truly feel overdressed, than that uneasiness will probably show. just find a balance between your personal style and your audience. =) as you progress in your career, so will your opportunities to flex your style.

    thanks so much for reading!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for commenting! Reading what you have to say truly makes my day!