Give Pants a Chance

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I rarely wear dress pants. The fact of the matter is, they I hate me and I hate them. Try as I might to find a suitable pair that fits and flatters, I always come out worse for wear in the experience and predictably empty-handed. But a basic dress pant is a wardrobe staple, right? I mean, as much as I love the skirt thing, sometimes you just want to put on some damn pants and call it a day, amirite? Happily, though somewhat frustratingly, I was able to find a basic black trouser that fit all my pant requirements: no muffin top (a somewhat higher rise is therefore my preference), no camel toe (DUH), longer length for heels (I'll never wear them with flats), and a leg opening on the wider end of things. Thank you, Lane Bryant, for having this pair not only in my size but also length in store so I could spend about an hour trying to figure out if they were worth it or not try and actually buy (with a coupon, of course.) But seriously, as basic black trousers go, these fit the bill nicely. So much so that I was finally, really, actually, able to give pants a chance...

Bolstered by this success, I decided to try Gap's Perfect Trousers a few weeks ago. They truly might have been "perfect" if not for my current size/weight/shape. Great colors/textures, ideal length, slimmer through the thigh, wide-but-not-excessively-so leg opening. YES! But, no. I couldn't keep the camel toe away long enough to convince me they were a good idea. I even went up a size, but then everything else I loved about the fit went away. And I just don't have the patience for a tailor. I may return to them when I shed a few pounds, but until then, black pants is alls I got. And if I'm being honest, maybe alls I need.

Smocked Waist Blouse In Chevron - TBags Los Angeles (via Gwynnie Bee) /
T3 Classic Trousers - Lane Bryant / Half-cami - Coobie (via HerRoom.com)

But the real victory of this outfit, and probably therefore of the pants, is the top. It just might be the nicest, comfiest, flatteringiest thing in my closet, and I don't even own it. That's right, Gwynnie Bee to the rescue once again for nice things that I could never own even if I wanted to. (Have you tried Gwynnie Bee yet???) I would LOVE to purchase this top - every time I peruse these pictures I sigh happily - but it's well over $100 even discounted though GB, and if I'm being honest with myself, I can only see myself wearing it like this or with my favorite jeans (which I've done a few times now as a great date-night get up - take away the cami and HELLO LOVELY CLEAVAGE!) No, I think I'll just continue to hoard this one a little while longer...

Ah, but the chevrons. And cobalt blue. And silky smooth fabric. And belly coverage. And cleavage (when appropriate)...

Handbag - Furla / Sandals - Nine West / Ring - H&M / Earrings - Lane Bryant (?) / 

And, oh yeah, pants.

Pinned Down

I don't know what prompted me to paint my nails at half past midnight, but now that I have, I probably should wait at least an hour for them to dry. So I figured I might as well blog! I must be truly insane. (And it's no wonder I'm no morning person.) Plus I started looking through old blog posts for favorite outfits to recycle over the next few busy days (so useful!) and I started reminiscing a bit. The holiday season is quickly approaching, and with it all manner of cozy memories and activities. You know what? Blogging definitely seems to be one of them. That's a nice little incentive to get back in the habit of blogging nightly, isn't it?

I love a little pattern mixing. Nothing too crazy for this sartorially tame heart of mine - a pinstripe here, a polka dot there. It's all about contrasting scale and texture as much as complementary color palettes. And I definitely favor some kind of mix, however subtle, to help give an otherwise standard print-and-solid combo a little more visual interest.

Ring - gifted  / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings -  LOFT / Pumps - Nine West (via 6pm.com)

Peri Print Top - c/o Kiyonna / Pencil skirt - Simply Be / Handbag - Furla (via TJ Maxx)

This top from Kiyonna, the Peri Print Top, is a lovely little print. Vibrant colors and painterly floral shapes (the color is called "Floral Painting" ...) meet yet another crazily flattering silhouette of theirs. I think in warmer months I may gravitate toward equally colorful bottoms (coral! teal!), but since fall has most definitely arrived in these parts, I figured I'd pair it with a darker navy to start. And pinstripes. =)

I even managed to get a little oxblood in this outfit thanks to my new ring! (Thanks, Vanessa!) Hmm, now to get a pencil skirt in that color....

Shiny Happy

After a few weeks of (increasingly boring) casual dressing, I finally get to break out the fancy again! The regular performance season resumed last Friday and with it all the best reasons to wear pencil skirts and, that's right, sequins. Many argue about the place of sequins in the workplace, but my workplace is no office and this sequined top is no pushover.

Sequined top - Banana Republic / Pencil skirt - Simply Be / Black tights - LOFT /
Black heels - BBCG (eBayed) / Belt - Talbots

Oh, and it's yet another Banana Republic steal. I'm getting so good at this I can barely stand it! To be honest, I normally wouldn't even go for such a bedazzled top, but I loved the cut (elbow sleeves! wide scoop neck!) - not to mention the price ($30!) - so I couldn't really think of an excuse to not take it home with me. I loved it just with the jeans I tried it on with, so I knew wearing it with nearly any of my pencil skirts would be even more fabulous.

Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

I went for quiet class with a black pencil skirt, but for fear of being too fancy, I added colorful coral accessories in some hopes to bring it down just a notch. I really love the outfit, though. I just love being able to dress up, period.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited

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...

Black and Blue

I recently purchased these black ankle skinnies from Lane Bryant for a song. (In fact, my size was the only one they had left! 'Twas meant to be!) I figured they were a good basic that I should probably have in my closet, no? Especially on clearance, no?? So when I saw this pin the other day, I thought, "Hey, I can do that!" What's funny, though, is the last thing I would have thought to wear with black skinnies would be a blue button-up. But I liked the simple, classic look of it, especially with black flats and the longer line of my tunic version of the shirt. (Excuse the massive amount of wrinkles, by the way.) It's also very similar to the last time I wore the top, so it was already a silhouette I liked - and oh-so-comfortable! Once again Pinterest inspires me in unthought-of ways.

Blue pintucked belted shirt - The Limited / White camisole - The Limited / Black wedges - Payless /
Handbag - Furla Piper Small Cartella Bandoliera (via BBOS)

And the bag! The bag! My rewards balance at BBOS was just sitting there, so I figured I'd snatch up this lovely little snakeskin Furla, especially after they had just tweeted about it. Expect to see her often over the next month!

Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Maurices

Lady in Red

The shoes make it. At least that's what an older gentleman patron told me after one of the performances on Saturday. It goes without saying that I agree. =)

"Marilyn" sweater - Lane Bryant / Black pencil skirt - Simply Be /
Ostrich belt - Banana Republic / Leopard heels - Max Studio (via DSW)

I had known that I'd wear this recently purchased red sweater of mine at some point during Nutcracker weekend. I mean, it's red, and it's the holidays - a no brainer. I also knew I wanted to wear my fabulous leopard print pumps again with the sweater (as I did for the first wearing with jeans), so it was just a matter of picking a pencil skirt and the right camel-colored belt to tie it all together. Some delightfully basic pieces made even more amazing with some fierce accessories.

Amazing enough for a random patron to approach me in the lobby and tell me so. Not a bad day. =)

Handbag - Furla

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - The Limited

The First Time

I worked in retail for over three years in three different stores: Lane Bryant,  LOFT (Ann Taylor Loft back then), and finally Banana Republic. Three years of associate discounts expanded my wardrobe exponentially and broke my bank simultaneously. It was while working at LOFT that I really began to find my own style: a love of pencil skirts, fitted silhouettes, streamlined classics, and just a touch of daring. One holiday season (nearly 4 years ago now), I started wearing belts at my waist. Right at my waist. I remember feeling self-conscious about this, like everyone working and shopping thought I might be making a huge fashion faux pas. I continued to do it, relishing in how the styling highlighted my curves, accentuated my waist and was the easiest kind of accessorizing. I was still hesitant, but I was hooked. This was the exact outfit I wore that day, that first time for a now frequent styling.

Sweater - LOFT / Belt - Lane Bryant / "Perfect" black pencil skirt - Simply Be / Handbag - Furla /
Shaping Sheers - Spanx / Heels - Nine West

A couple weeks after I debuted my belted waist, a fellow LOFT associate wore the exact.same.outfit. Right down to sweater (it WAS an ATL sweater after all), skirt and placement of belt. I'm not going to lie - at first I was uber annoyed, especially since said associate was of the tiny, gorgeous, long blonde hair and long fluttery lashes variety. Let's face it, I was also jealous that she seemed to rock my outfit idea so much better than I did and possibly threatened that my personal sense of style had been usurped. But the more I thought about it - and continue to think about it -  the more flattered I am. I, the resident curvy girl, seemed to set a trend. I, the resident curvy girl, rocked that trend in a way that made other (skinny) people want to wear it too. Shocked as I am by the realization (as one who continues to battle self-esteem and body image issues), I can't deny that it was moment that has defined my personal style and, more importantly, self-confidence in that style.

I actually haven't worn this outfit since then, though I have most certainly worn variations of it. Wearing it again makes me think about how my personal style has changed, how it has stayed the same, and how it has given me a kind of identity. I find such contemplation ultimately important for this, my 200th post. It wasn't intentional, interestingly, but that makes it all more special. Serendipitous. The reasons I started this blog - as a way to subconsciously confront, and hopefully someday squelch, those pesky self-esteem and body image issues of mine - continue to carry me through and inspire me, and to provide proof that it has done so. As we approach the season of giving thanks, I find myself thankful for the endeavor, and for you, the community of bloggers and readers that bolster it.

Ring - Lane Bryant / Necklace - Talbots / Earrings - The Limited

I'll be taking a little hiatus next week for the holiday (we're traveling to Boston to spend time with Bob's family and friends), but you can be rest assured that I'll return in all my fancy holiday-dressing glory as I work through another busy Nutcracker weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderfully thankful Thanksgiving until then. =)

Red Hot

The nice thing about a freezing cold, sunny day is that, if I do choose to brave the elements for outdoor pics, I know that I'll be done in a blink of an eye. My eyes might be watery and skin paler than usual, but gosh darnit at least I've got sunlight on me.

"Marilyn" sweater - Lane Bryant / Flare jeans - Lane Bryant / Patent snake belt - Lane Bryant

The morning light threw off my usual locations, though (to good effect, I think), and the chilly wind kept flipping up my portrait collar on this new sweater of mine (to less good effect). I don't really own much red, and since I could never say no to three-quarter length sleeves and off-the-shoulder styling, I snagged this Lane Bryant "Marilyn" sweater during their 40% sale as quickly as I could. I'm planning oodles of ways to style it (and I know you know a pencil skirt will be involved), but for its first outing on a casual day, I chose jeans, a wide black belt (much like the product picture) and fabulous leopard print heels.

Leopard print pumps - Max Studio (via DSW) / Ring - The Limited / Earrings - Lane Bryant

And say goodbye to my beautiful ostrich Furla. It's on its way back today! Thank you for a gloriously caramel, zippered, textured month, Ms. Amazzone.

Reese's Pieces

I'd been itching to wear this Tracy Reese Anthropologie sale find again for a while now. I really wanted to pair it with some white ankle pants over the summer, but I never managed to find a pair I liked on this bod of mine. I gave up that particular search, hoping I'd get some wear out of it in the fall. Since I'd already done pants, I decided to try one of my ever-faithful pencil skirts for its second outing.

Draw the Line Cowlneck - Anthropologie (Tracy Reese) / Pencil skirt - Talbots

Ironically, I didn't initially think a pencil skirt would work with the top. I just figured that the top was so voluminous that the proportions would be off. However, its exaggerated wide waistband really keeps those proportions in check - it brings up the waist up and lengthens my lower half, while also managing to camouflage and smooth out my midsection. Besides, when has a pencil skirt ever done me wrong?

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I thought about incorporating bigger pops of color (yellow? cobalt blue?) in other accessories, but I couldn't quite come up with anything other than these albeit amazingly comfortable brown faux-suede pumps. I just love how turquoise looks against the oranges and dusty browns, though, so I made sure to wear my favorite turquoise pieces.

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Dress Barn / Brown gold buckle pumps - Christian Siriano for Payless

Infinity and Beyond

Tornado watches and warnings swept through our area yesterday. Crazy, crazy weather! I think Mother Nature is angry that Christmas seems to have skipped Thanksgiving this year, and as a result is threatening us with the humid, upper 60-degree weather and storms of late spring to really throw us off. No? Mother Nature doesn't care about the rampant commercialism that muddles the holidays? Oh, well, that explains a lot.

Striped tee - Banana Republic / Infinity scarf - Dorothy Perkins (no longer available) / Flare jeans - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry / Handbag - Furla (renting via BBOS)

I wore this outfit a couple weekends ago, pretty much as soon as I acquired not only the most perfect Breton tee known to man, but also this fun printed infinity scarf from Dorothy Perkins. I loved the casual chic vibe so much that I wanted to wear it again as soon possible, especially to document it here. Classic stripes and colorful dots make my world go 'round these days, and the pattern mix of the two pretty much makes my head explode with glee. Plus I'm the biggest sucker for infinity scarves - they're idiot-proof scarves in my book. If only all casual dressing was this easy.

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited / Nails - "All Hail McQueen" (Butter London via Ulta)

Laced Down

Well, I got through an extremely rough week, capped off by a truly challenging day on Saturday. I'm still kind of reeling from it all, to be honest... This week, Bob is away on business, and while I'll miss him terribly, it does mean I have the apartment to myself! I have big plans: mega-cleaning, rearranging the living room (with the purpose of having a functional indoor photo location), eating too many Totino's pizzas (a guilty pleasure that lingers from my single days), hem and hang my bedroom curtains (finally), and - if at all possible - start decorating for the holidays! We leave for Boston on Saturday to spend Thanksgiving with Bob's family, so if I'm going to decorate, it'll have to be sooner rather than later. I just can't believe the holidays are almost here again!

"Fiona" Dress - LucieLu / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Grey tights - LOFT (?) / Flats - LOFT

I thought I'd try dressing down this lace dress today, so I started with a denim jacket. Tights were a must, but they made my shoe choices more difficult. I didn't want to wear boots, and I toyed with wearing sandals, but I was totally self-conscious about the tights-sandals combo, regardless of how popular it currently seems to be. So I opted for my trusty flats. Between the jacket and sandals, I think I succeeded in putting together a pretty casual look.

Ring - Banana Republic / Ginko and Gunmetal necklace - chrdesigns on Etsy / Earrings - Lane Bryant

And yes, you sure have seen a few versions of this dress before: the "Amelia" in grey and white and the "Piper" in black and pink with cream embellishments. I love the lace overlay, the straight skirt that hits perfectly below my knee, and the pretty embellishments that make each dress unique. I continue to experiment with more ways to wear them!

Handbag - Gustto