Side of Eggplant

What better way to end the night than with a little blogging, tea and The Holiday? Now if only it was snowing outside and I had hot chocolate. (Instead, it's a balmy 63 degrees and windy. I neither understand nor like this weather.)

I'm so glad that I decided to splurge on these (sale) tops from Anthropologie. They're just the kind of pieces I like to have in my wardrobe: unique, feminine and flattering. I first wore this top with my favorite jeans (not yet blogged), which itself has become one of my go-to night-out outfits, but I love it just as much with a pencil skirt. Come to think of it, imma wear it again with jeans this week.

Side-Gathered Cowlneck - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Shoes - Nine West

At first, I was worried I didn't have a good pencil skirt pairing for the top as I did for its sister, in part because there weren't as many colors to work with this time. I hesitated against browns or tans for fear of blandness, but once paired with the brown, I realized I had just the pair of shoes to draw out all the lovely purpley eggplant tones. (Oddly, the Anthro description once again calls this colorway gray. It's just not so!) And I sure do loves me some purple.

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Lane Bryant / Nails - Essie "Wicked" (via Ulta)

This was the outfit I wore for my guest lecturer stint last month, by the way. I just knew the outfit I wore needed to involve a pencil skirt, the one article of clothing I always feel confidently myself in. The modest coverage of the top was a plus, but the overall look was exactly what I wanted - eye-catching, but not overwhelming. A successful day in the classroom all around.

Handbag - Tano

Print Cue

I'm desperately trying to clear out my backlog of all the obviously pre-fall pictures. The green grass and lush trees are sad reminders of a season that no longer is. Well, actually, I really don't mind that autumn is in full force and that the holiday season is well on its way. I just gotta get caught up, is all!

I'd like to think that the color palette of this outfit is inspired by a pimento olive somewhat autumnal, anyway. After falling head-over-heels with this SWAK top (first worn here), I knew I'd need to find layering options for it to be worn in cooler weather. A new infinity scarf in a cheerful print helped pave the way.

Cropped jacket - Maurices / Mia top - SWAK / Jeans - Lane Bryant /
Handbag - Tano / Sandals - Nine West

Ring - Ruche / Scarf - Anthropologie / Earrings - Ruche

That's right, all color cues were taken right from the scarf itself. As it was a new item in my closet, I desperately wanted to wear it, like, immediately, so I set about building an outfit around it. The SWAK top was basically meant to be worn with it, and my oft-worn cropped olive jacket was an equally destined topper. When in doubt, follow the print!

Soft and Fair!

So I tried to write a post last night but 1) I was exhausted from election madness (and work) and 2) it felt odd to simply write about clothes after such a night. (I most certainly didn't want to get into any politics...) Maybe I could have just led with the adorable dresses that the Obama girls were wearing...?

Cuz I felt pretty adorable in this dress...

Whrligig Dress - Velvet (Anthropologie) / Cropped jacket - Maurices /
Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless

I've actually been dying to wear this dress again for the blog. You can probably tell that it's a rather summery frock, and it was certainly best donned then. Gold sandals and belt always set the dress off nicely, and it happens to be one of those holy grails of summer dresses that are as comfortable as they are flattering. Oh, and it was a thrilling Anthropologie sale score to top all that off. But alas, two summers had passed (and probably at least four wearings) and nary a photograph was taken. So I challenged myself to find a few layering options for slightly cooler (though warm for early October) weather and finally photograph this lovely.

Handbag - Ruche

Dusty purple and olive make such a soft, pretty pairing (it reminds me of a favorite eyeshadow palette, actually), and a cropped jacket was just the thing to add a bit more coverage and casual flair to the look. Add a long necklace, a happy mint handbag and super nude strappy sandals, and I felt like I wouldn't ever have to goodbye to summer.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings -  Maurices

(Illinois Octobers are tricky that way.)

Gold Leaf

I'm feeling pretty good about myself right now. Apartment: clean. Groceries: shopped. Dinner: made (and eaten). Last week's clothes: hung. I promised myself I'd only get to sit and enjoy the evening (with windows open, I might add - it's supposed to hit upper 70s tomorrow!) if I accomplished all those things. And now I get to blog!

I'm still super behind on posts - there are about 10 unblogged (and mighty fine, if I may say so) outfits just waiting to be debuted to the internets. I'd like to commit to blogging daily so I can finally be caught up! Maybe this means I'll allow myself to re-wear outfits in the meantime... Like, outfits from years ago that I still think lovingly about, but opt not to wear again because I feel I should push forward with new closet permutations for the blog. This outfit and this outfit first come to mind. If they still fit. And if I can keep my burgundy obsession at bay for a while!

Side-Gathered Cowlneck - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Heels - Nine West

But this outfit it easily a favorite, too. The top was an in-store Anthropologie sale rack find, and one I had been lusting after for a while online. Naturally, I bought it in both available colors (the other to be debuted at a later date!) since it was such a fabulous style and fit. The ivory/purple version was the main one I wanted, but this aubergine one (the online description says grey - ha!) really surprised me in the fitting room. The gold flecks in the leaves along the neckline, which you really can't see online either, looked so lovely next to my face. I really dug the asymmetry of the top, too!

'

Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - LOFT / Nails - Essie "Wicked" (via Ulta)

I loved the idea of bringing out one of the multiple colors in the leaves, and teal struck me first - not least because of my favorite teal skirt! Tucked in and paired with light grey shoes, plus a deep wine manicure and current favorite "bordeaux" handbag, was just the way to go.

Handbag - Tano

Make a Splash

I've decided to work my way backwards through my amassed outfit pictures, at least for now. I may change my mind and post a too-long-held-onto outfit of maxi dress avec hat before the week is out, however.

But this one - this outfit was either a stroke of genius or of madness. Or maybe I'm full of hyperbole. I love the idea of the outfit, right down to the steely grey topper over that splash of color, but to zip or to belt was the question. Highlight the fantastic colors of the top and sacrifice fit, or favor fit in lieu of colors? Well, clearly, color and print had to win, even if it meant my top half turned out a little boxy.

Jacket - Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's) / Top - Anthropologie / Skirt - eloquii /
Belt - Talbots / Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless /
Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

But I found another way to wear this top, my first and rarely worn Anthropologie purchase from long ago. So there's that...

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - ??

How to Try Again

Firstly and most importantly, a new winner has been chosen for the $50 Kiyonna gift card!



Congratulations, Beth Schaffer! Email me within 48 hours to claim your prize!

After throwing something of a sartorial gutterball the last time I wore this top, I've decided that belting it is the way to go. Shocker, I know. But really, it made its best showing belted over a pair of wide leg dress pants, and I'm content to say that it can't get much better.

But you know me, always looking to make things a bit more casual. (Wait, what?) I figured wearing the top with skinnies would provide a nice silhouette - the ever-balanced directive to pair blousy on top with fitted on bottom. It works much better than flared denim, anyway. Pair with brightly colored heels and call it a day.

Top - Anthropologie / Skinnies - Lane Bryant / Camisole - Anthropologie /
Belt - Kohl's / Handbag - Banana Republic / Sandals - Nine West

Hmm, maybe all it needed was a pair of brightly colored heels all along.

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Broken Record

Nope, nothing revolutionary here. Stripes, pencil skirt, statement necklace. Never fails.

Striped top - Gap / Pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Wedges - LOFT

I had been itching to wear this particular statement necklace, however. I bought it the same time I bought its blue-hued sister, but have never really had the right outfit for it. Pink, green and gold all in one necklace make for a difficult pairing, methinks. I thought neutrals would best serve as its backdrop on its first wearing, and even better this particular outfit formula of mine.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Belt - Talbots / Ring - Ruche

Now that I've gotten its first wearing out of the way, perhaps future outfits will come easier?

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

And maybe I'll remember to check all the zippers on my handbags next time, too...

Eureka!

I thought I would love this outfit much more than I do. Olive and blue seem to be a no-brainer, at least it was here, here, here... So this combination was one I had always envisioned for this top when I first got it last fall. But alas, something is not quite right. (Aside from my belt askew, anyway.)

Top - Anthropologie / Tank - Anthropologie / Skirt - Lane Bryant /
Belt - The Limited / Sandals - Nine West

I partially blame the total blousiness of the top. Even when tucking it into a never-fail wide waistband, the top does not do much for my shape - its complete lack of structure coupled with its mandarin collar is doing everything it can to work against my chest and waist. All of this is odd, though, since separately these features to not typically cause problems for me, especially when accessorized correctly. (This recent outfit comes to mind!) Perhaps I would have done better to untuck the top and belt it, like I did the first time I wore it?

Handbag - Gustto

Or maybe it's the neckline of the tank I wore underneath? After looking at those pictures of the first wearing of the top, I note the tank had a v-neck rather than scoopneck shape. Hmmm, I bet that's it! Eureka!

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

I've said it before and I'll say it again - blog and learn, people. Blog and learn....

Defaulted

Today was one of those days that I had a completely different outfit in mind than what I actually walked out of the house wearing. I had been looking for another way to wear this top, though, and this is what I came up with. My default is always a pencil skirt, you know...

Yellow and grey is a favorite combination of mine, so I went for one of my more casual, ponte versions. I'm not sure I love the proportions with a skirt, but the way the lace print thins out near the border seems to help a bit. What really brings the whole outfit together for me is the handbag, though. I've been looking for a funky black handbag for a while now, and this DKNY black nylon and (lots of) gold hardware TJMaxx find was IT. I'm rather impressed how perfectly it completes the outfit, really.

Amber Room Top - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - Chloe Dao (eBayed) /
Heels - Nine West  "Hopefloat" / Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx0

As a top I was over the moon to get my hands on, I really am having trouble how else to style it. Any suggestions?

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

Mellow Yellow

I told you I'd wear this Anthropologie super-score of a blazer again soon, and this time - as promised - it's an almost exact dupe of the catalog image. Cuz I love it.

Tartan Boucle Blazer - Anthropologie / Thermal tee - Anthropologie / Flare denim - Lane Bryant

That fabulous yellow handbag - the perfect pop of color against all the oranges, reds, greys and blues of the plaid - was an obvious missing piece of the puzzle, and much to my chagrin, I do not (yet) own one. Neither yellow camisole nor yellow necklace provided the right balance, either. But wait! An unseasonable 50 degree day not only let me take pictures back outside, but made sporting these fantastically uncomfortable yellow lizard-embossed open toes possible! Thank goodness my NYE pedicure was still intact... I think I love the look even more than with the handbag!

Yellow peep-toes - Nine West

Who am I kidding. I still want a yellow handbag.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

Furry Friend

Hello, handbag. I've been wanting to test drive this furry Furla for months now. It finally came available and I had just enough credit in my BBOS account to get to play with it for a week. So, I've been intentionally building all my outfits around the bag in order to showcase it. It's harder than I thought it would be, but so far, so good.

Neo-Refinement Pullover - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Boots - CL by Laundry (via Famous  Footwear) /
Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

Ironically, the top became the real showstopper, though. I always seem to get tons of compliments on this unique, structural sweater, and for good reason. It does wonders for showcasing my collarbones (a favorite feature of Bob's), is such a pretty winter color and is just all-around fabulous (even if wonky at times). I've already worn it with pants and a pencil skirt, so now that I've paired it with the ever pair-able jeans, the rotation may be complete. How should I wear it next?

Earrings - The Limited / Ring - Ruche

What do you think of the plain(ish) white background? I've started to think the bookshelf is too dark and too busy for a nighttime outfit backdrop, so I'm experimenting with the few white spaces I have in our small apartment. I'm not sure if it's quite right either, though...

Sunless

Between the gloomy, cloudy day and my relatively colorless top, today's outfit pictures look pretty drab. I had considered layering with a blazer of some sort (olive? navy?) and decided against it at the last minute, but I do think it needs a little something extra. Like a...

Top - Anthropologie / Tank - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Belt - Talbots /
Booties - Nine West (via Amazon) / Handbag - Gustto

...bright pink handbag! Since the bag pretty much just sits on my desk at work, though, it can only do so much good. Maybe bright pink belt for next time? Or maybe some sunlight. Yeah, I like the sound of that...

Necklace and earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

What is everyone doing this weekend? Do you have Monday off? I ordered a bunch of slim flocked hangers to completely redo my closet. Hoping for more space when I'm done!