Red Friday

Happy Thanksgiving AND Happy Hanukkah, everyone! I hope you all are happily recovering from your feasts and/or getting the deals of your lives out in the mad Black Friday world! We're actually celebrating our family thanksgiving this weekend, and I'm ever-so-looking-forward to all the (real) cranberry sauce I can eat.

Prep will begin a little later this evening, but I've just returned from braving some Black Friday craziness myself. (And by "braving" I mean one store and by "craziness" I mean TJ Maxx. Black Friday's not really my thing, folks.) What does one wear to navigate the, er, masses? Flat boots, of course, and a little frenchie Breton stripes with a perfect red pencil. And a warm, warm scarf. Cuz it's cold out there, my friends.

Striped top - Banana Republic / Curvy Pencil Skirt in Romancing Red - c/o Kiyonna /
Handbag - Steve Madden via TJ Maxx / Boots - Ciao Bella via DSW

It occurred to me recently that I still, after all these years, did not have my perfect red pencil skirt, yet. I have one in nearly every other color, but not red. What was the world coming to?? My love of Kiyonna's perfect pink pencil (the Curvy Pencil Skirt) that I received a few months ago made me realize that their red version just may finally fulfill my every red pencil skirt desire. And it does, my friends. It does.

At the risk of being repetitive, I'll once again hail its length, stretch, and shape. A pencil skirt trifecta! Most importantly, its hue is the perfect shade of cherry red, and there isn't a better complement to navy stripes and tall boots. C'est magnifique!

Scarf - Gap / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited /
Nails - Essie "Midnight Cami" (via Ulta) with Essie "Matte About You" Top Coat

But let us not forget the scarf, my friends. A scarf that, without it, I sure as hell would not have braved the temperatures for outdoor pictures.

A Floral Affair

The cleaning out of unblogged outfits continues! I wore this outfit numerous times in the waning summer days. It became the perfect go-to outfit for all those body-conscious days and then some - it was concealing, to be sure, but it was also feminine, flattering, and on-trend. It began an obsession for all things floral, in fact.

Ring - Pim + Larkin (via Piperlime) / Earrings - Ruche / Nails - Stylenomics by Essie (via Ulta)

This Kiyonna top, and I realize I'm sounding like a broken record here, is yet another Gwynnie Bee rental. (However, after wearing it so many times, I found I couldn't part with it and finally just bought it!) When I first received it, I was a bit concerned it skewed too matronly, but pairing it with skinny jeans was really the best way to offset that concern. I think you could wear it with trousers or a skirt and accessorize accordingly, but I loved how fresh skinnies made the print look. (For what it's worth, I also tried the emerald version, but I didn't like it nearly as much. The print really is part of its charm!) Plus, its billowy sleeves and longer length were, as I always say, the perfect complement for close-fitting bottoms.

Chantal Chiffon Blouse In Black Floral - Kiyonna (via Gwynnie Bee) /
Skinnies - Lane Bryant (old) / Sandals - Nine West

The great thing about the print is its numerous colors, too. I like the black background as a "winter" floral option, but you can really pull out any color you want to make it seasonally appropriate. Fuschia and kelly green were my pop-of-color du jour for warmer days, but I can absolutely see mustard yellow and darker green options to come.

Handbag - Gustto "Pavia"

You know, I've been in the market for new skinnies, but I can't get over how good this older LB pair still looks on me. When I first started wearing skinnies, I swore by Gap's Always Skinny Jean, but no matter how many times I give them a try these days, they don't seem to work as well on me. I blame their uncomfortably low rise (and the ensuing muffin top), so I've just decided to stick to these trusty LB skinnies until I absolutely wear them into the ground (and possibly even shed some weight). Do you guys have any favorite brands for skinnies to recommend?

All Wrapped Up

I will forever be grateful for the wrap silhouette, whether top or dress. As I wage war with my midlife midsection, and find that so many of the pieces and styles of clothing in my closet do not currently fit me, I know I can always rely on the wrap. It's like the best friend of clothing, or something.

Laila Wrap top - c/o Kiyonna / Suede pencil skirt - Queen Grace /
Half-cami - Coobie (via HerRoom.com) / Shoes - Calvin Klein Kendall (via 6pm.com)

I have many wrap dresses in my arsenal already, but not many wrap tops. I'm always in the market for flattering, feminine separates, so I've been lusting after the Laila Wrap Top from Kiyonna for a while now. I tried the block and white polka dot from Gwynnie Bee over the summer, but since I didn't have anywhere to wear it at the time, I sent it back. But love it, I did. When it came out in this bold magenta hue I knew it would have to find a place in my closet, and Kiyonna was so kind to send it to me! One of my favorite features about it is how great it looks with both pencil skirt and pants or jeans. I've found that most Kiyonna tops are too long on me to look good with my beloved pencil skirts, but the asymmetry of the top combined with the feminine flounces helps to balance out those proportions. The berry hue paired perfectly with this relatively new brown pencil of mine, all of which happily proclaimed autumn to me. Most importantly, however, it was just the thing to camouflage my problematic belly in a way that is still me.

Handbag - Steve Madden (via TJ Maxx) / Necklace - Urban Outfitters (old) / Ring - Banana Republic (old) / Earrings - Ruche (old)

And I'm definitely fighting with my personal style right now. It's one of the main reasons I've been struggling with my posts theses days. All of the things I love to wear are not working on me as well as they used to. Facing the fact that my body shape has changed has been a tough pill to swallow, my friends. And I can't even say I've swallowed it yet - choking on it, is more likely. I'm in new territory, and short of a miracle drug, it's gonna take me a bit to figure this one out.

In the meantime, I am ever-so-grateful for silhouettes that stand the test of time (and body shape)!

Pencil Pusher

Hello, old (and new) friends!

Lately, blogging has become one of those things I don't seem to miss until I do it. And so, here I sit on a gorgeous September afternoon, blogging, drinking iced coffee, and realizing how much personal satisfaction I really do get from this process. I think, like so many things in my life lately, it's just all about routines. And with so many changes this year, a new routine has been challenging to find - and that includes blogging.

But when a joyful pink pencil skirt comes around, and it just so happens to be a fall trend (says the interwebs, and now me!), it makes me want to get my groove back. You already know my devotion for pencil skirts, but I'm convinced Kiyonna makes the very best. This one, the Curvy Pencil Skirt, is ponte knit like so many of my faves already in my closet, but Kiyonna always makes them a bit longer than the rest, and therefore just the right length for me - right past my knee caps. They always fit so well that I feel like I've lost 10 pounds just putting one on. Why I haven't purchased every single pencil skirt they've sold is beyond me, but perhaps that should be my goal. I mean, sure, I have, errrrr, about 5 black pencil skirts already, but I can guarantee one by Kiyonna would be my last.

Curvy Pencil Skirt in Pretty in Pink - c/o Kiyonna / Safari jacket - Lane Bryant (sold out!) /
Eyeglasses Sweater - Lane Bryant / Sandals - Nine West / Handbag - DKNY via TJ Maxx

As for the outfit, this particular combination was an accident, really. I was trying on new arrivals at Lane Bryant a few weeks ago, particularly this outfit, and I put these pieces together on a whim. The jacket was definitely coming home with me, but the quirky sweater (a la Zooey Deschanel methinks) was more or less filler while I ventured out of the fitting room to find a few other pieces. Well, when one of the sales associates exclaimed how cute my outfit was, I started rethinking my decision. Between having this fabulous pink pencil skirt gifted to me by Kiyonna at home, and the fact that the sweater for the original outfit I wanted was completely sold out in store and online anyway, this new outfit was meant to be.

I've been dying to wear this outfit for weeks now, actually, but it just hasn't been cool enough! It's a great transitional outfit, and an army green jacket is already a fall staple in my closet. A quick search on Pinterest for additional styling inspiration for my pink skirt (and where I learned pink/fuchsia was going to be trend for fall) yielded some pretty fantastic options, pink and camel or animal print among them. I love the way the combination gives it a new twist on fall basics, and I've already got pieces in my closet practically jumping out at me in anticipation. So many outfits, so little time!

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

So, happy fall, everyone! I've already got another post planned for next week, so you can be sure you'll be seeing more of me!

I Dream of Purple

The past few summer wedding seasons have been pretty uneventful for us. I've taken the relative inactivity as a good sign - it means most everyone I know is already married! Hooray for everyone! Come to think of it, Bob and I are probably the last couple left in our circle of friends. We'll get around to it, I promise! I see a delightful elopement in our future...

Happily, however, we did have one lone summer wedding to attend - a close friend of Bob's from college. And it meant a trip to Boston! We saw his family and lots of mutual friends, and we even managed not to kill each other on our drive - yes, you read that right, drive - out there. In fact, I quite enjoyed the 17 hour trip (gratefully split up in Ohio with close friends). We had ideal driving weather, and the scenery in New York State is second to none. Even better, our I-Pass worked for all the tolls out east! (Call me dorky, but this really excited me.)

Julia Pleated Dress - c/o Kiyonna

Ah, but what to wear, what to wear. Between packing on the pounds this past year and leaving my job, finding something in my closet was not only my only option, but it was a daunting one. So I was thrilled when I decided to poke around Kiyonna's new arrivals and found their new Julia Pleated Dress. Even more thrilled, I was, to have Kiyonna send it to me! This dress is PERFECT. Perfect for my body, perfect for the occasion (a conservative Jewish afternoon wedding), perfect for all the things I want it a great cocktail dress. Elbow-length sleeves? Check. Knee-length or longer? Check. Flattering but not too revealing v-neck? Check. Slimming, concealing, and feminine design features at the waist? Check! PRETTY, VIBRANT PURPLE COLOR?!? CHECK CHECK CHECK!!! (It reads bluer in pictures - blurple? - but it really is a gorgeous shade of purple.) On top of all of that, it's made of an easy, comfortable material that drapes flawlessly and doesn't wrinkle. I did wear the dress with Spanx, but I could have easily gone without - it fit that well! Seriously, as soon as I received the dress, I emailed Kiyonna to tell them this was my new favorite dress and they need to make it even more colors, STAT.

Necklace - Banana Republic (old) / Ring - Banana Republic (old) / Earrings - anniversary gift
Nails - No More Film by Essie (via Ulta)

The wedding was indeed lovely, as was the rest of the trip. And we got home just in time for me to start freaking about the fact that I'M TEACHING MUSIC HISTORY AGAIN AFTER A 5 YEAR HIATUS! And maybe working at Sephora. One week down and already exhausted! It'll make for an interesting year, to be sure!

Shoes - Audrey Brooke (old, via DSW) / Clutch - gifted

Honestly? I'm just happy to have things to dress up for again. =)

The Maxi Life

So a few (more) updates are in order! I officially left my job at the end of last month, have had some lazy, care-free vacation time (I'll have residual income until about the end of August), updated my resume and C.V., and wrote a few excellent cover letters for a few new positions. I make dinner and walk (almost) every night, wear much less make up (I swear by Too Faced's The Secret To No Makeup Makeup), have my first (and long-desired) appointment with an acupuncturist tomorrow, and renewed my love for the downtown coffee shops, from where I write this. I joke with Bob that I could get used to this life, and he laughs uncomfortably (there is no way we could be a single income household), but for now I'm mostly stress-free, well-rested and able to ponder life in ways I haven't been able to do in a while. It reminds me of summers during grad school, which is a dangerous situation, really - suddenly filling me with a desire to binge watch Breaking Bad or other shows I've been missing out on... But I'm enjoying this while it lasts and planning for the future in, I think, responsible, realistic ways. I'm an adult, dammit! Who knew!

Desert Rain Maxi Dress - c/o Kiyonna / Sandals - Nine West (n/a) / Clutch - Eloquii (n/a)

For days such as these, I am eternally grateful for the concept of the maxi dress. Long, loose, breathable, forgiving, colorful maxi dresses. I've long eyed the Desert Rain Maxi Dress from Kiyonna, compelled by its generous, luxe fabric, sexy neckline and long sleeves (unheardof!), and they were happy to send it to me as a member of their Blogger Brigade (lapsed, though I may be). There's something about the dress that calls for dressier occasions than coffee shops, and it's definitely one that I can see myself wearing in cooler weather and even over the holidays, but I'm happy to have been able to test it out with a walk downtown and some quality time with a latte and quirky coffee house surroundings.

Necklace - Hive & Honey (via Piperlime) / Ring - Trina Turk for Banana Republic (n/a) / Earrings - The Limited /
Nails - OPI Espresso Your Style (via Ulta)

I had a realization with the dress, however, especially after looking through my pictures: I could see this as a wide-legged jumpsuit! Is that strange? Am I crazy? I'm intrigued by the concept of jumpsuits in general, and how they might work on a plus-sized body specifically, but there's something about the shape and details of this one that just might work (if converted). What do you say, Kiyonna? Wanna give it a shot? I promise to be your guinea pig, if you do!

To the New!

This holiday season has been a whirlwind of good things all around. Engagement, birthday, Christmas with family, outings with friends visiting from out of state. So much to celebrate as I close out 2012 and ring in 2013! And it wouldn't be a proper celebration without a great dress (thank you Kiyonna!) and all the trimmings. And a frosty winter's night background that somehow complements it all perfectly.

Betsey Ruched Dress  - c/o Kiyonna / Shoes - Kelsi Dagger / Coat - Larry Levine

Truth be told, Bob and I have gone back and forth about how we wanted to welcome the new year. In many ways, our engagement only just 2 weeks ago has brought us so much excitement that there doesn't seem to be any way to make the end of the year much better! We have forgone our traditional NYE/anniversary meal at our favorite local restaurant in favor of Potbelly sandwiches and cookies (our bank accounts need the reprieve after so much holiday spending anyway) while Bob clears out the DVR and I whip up this blog post. (Full disclosure: the party gear, complete with Spanx, was donned earlier for the photo shoot and now lies in wait...while I've spent the last few hours relaxing in comfies.) Instead, we'll venture out late to share a bottle of wine and the festivities of downtown just in time for the stroke of midnight. Mother Nature brought plenty of snow, so I just know the sights will be lovely (even if the sidewalks aren't...)

Clutch - ? / Earrings - Anniversary gift / Necklace - LOFT / Ring - Banana Republic
Nails - Essie "Waltz" and OPI "Mauve-ie Star in Making"

But here's the kicker. I'm all dressed up with places to go, looking and feeling fabulous, but that's not even what excites me tonight. What excites me most is the fact that I've been blessed with such a wonderful partner in life - and now for life - to share it all with. We'll start the new year together, with so many more wonderful things (and the not-so wonderful, too) to look forward to.

I hope all of you will start off the new year in ways that make YOU the happiest!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Blue Ribbon

Day 4 of 5 of Nutcracker madness: rather than Christmas red or green, I went with Hanukkah blue!

Melrose Mesh Top - c/o Kiyonna / Pencil skirt - Charter Club (Macy's)

I saw a few other bloggers tuck in this top (the Melrose Mesh Top from Kiyonna), which would seem to negate the point of all that strategic ruching, but I wanted to try it anyway - maybe with a grey pencil and some funky pearl statement jewelry. But then I remembered how I rocked the polka dot version of the top with the coral version of the skirt and figured I should just apply the same formula here. When it ain't broke...

Necklace - LOFT / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited / Nails - Essie "Midnight Camii (via Ulta) 

Handbag - Furla

I just love pairing statement shoes with outfits, though. A seemingly simple outfit of solids makes a perfect backdrop for some stand-out, notice-me heels. Snake print with coral trim? Just the ticket.

Shoes - Guess

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....