Girly

I'm feeling spectacularly girly in this outfit. All that smocking and puckering makes me look act feel like I should be on my way to kindergarten...

But, I'd been itching to wear this pretty (and über comfortable) coral summer dress again (the last time I wore it was actually in my first outfit post!), and I wanted to try styling it with something other than my potentially ubiquitous denim jacket. Spurred on by Fashion for Giant's love of coral and turquoise, one I heartily share, and repeating my own practice of wearing a colorful tee under a strapless dress, I dug through my collection of tees in search of one in turquoise. And of course I had one. =)

Dress - Lane Bryant / Tee - LOFT / Belt - The Limited /
Handbag - Urban Outfitters / Shoes - Moda Spana (via Endless.com)

I added the turquoise belt to give the color more purpose in the outfit as whole, then topped it off with gold and smokey quartz jewelry and gold sandals. (And my grey handbag that I can't seem to put down, regardless of whether it works with the outfit or not...=7)

And I got a hair cut! I told you this would be my next 'do! Well, it almost is. My hair 1) is not dark brown and 2) doesn't want to flip so perfectly unevenly. But it's close. =)

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Necklace -Banana Republic

Did you enter my LucieLu Instant Sleeves Giveaway yet? Four chances to win! And I've expanded the main entry rule, too, so be sure to check it out!

Foresight

It's cooled off a bit in these parts, and while I could do with more sun than we've had, I'm glad to break out my good ol' denim jacket with my summer dresses, and without fear of melting in the heat!

Maxi dress - TJ Maxx / Blue tee (under dress) - Gap / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Sandals - Payless

I've had this dress for a few years now. It always felt it was a rather loud print when I first bought it (though that obviously didn't stop me), but now that it's on-trend, I'm happy to get continued wear out of it. I feel so boho-batik-chic! It has tons of colors in the print (orange, cream, purple, and multiple shades of blue), so it's fun to play with accessories. As with most strapless dresses, too, I pair a tee of some color under the dress. Not only can it be another fun way to play with color, but it makes me a little more likely to wear strapless dresses at all! (Yep, sans denim jacket, even.)

Handbag - Tano "Boogie Bucket" in Grape

With the exception of this new necklace of mine, I must admit that this is the way I most often wear it, though...

Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Maurices / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

Just for Kicks

Yep, it's the red stripe shirt again. And the brick wall of my patio. I was feelin' kicky with my cuffed skinnies and wedges though! They make my ankles look pretty good, if you ask me... (Hmm, thoughts of participating in Academichic's Dress Your Best feature are fluttering about...)

Red striped shirt - Urban Outfitters / Dark skinnies - Gap / Wedges - LOFT

I've actually worn this outfit a few times already this summer. It's a great go-to when I feel that I need a little umph in my (often boring) summer wardrobe choices. There's something just a smidge sexy about it - the neckline, the zipper that could unzip (oh the suspense!), the shape, the close-fitting jeans - but it's also a pretty tried-and-true (read: forgiving) silhouette that seems to work for me, especially where those tricky skinnies are concerned.

Handbag - Steve Madden

For this particular wearing, we were traveling to Chicago (a 2+ hour drive), followed by a sushi dinner in Wicker Park. So, I wanted to be casual, somewhat comfortable, but still cute. I was also planning for 90 degree weather, hence the minimal layers, but wouldn't it figure that it cooled off quite a bit, so much so that I was a little chilly while we walked to dinner. Ah, the finicky temperatures of the Midwest... Whatever. I'm just thrilled that I seem to be mastering the art of a stylishly casual/comfortable outfit!

Necklace - Lane Bryant Outlet / Ring - Banana Republic

Bottom line, I think there are few more wearings of this outfit in store this summer...

Easy Does It

Well, like most of the population right now, I'm sick. Boyfriend was sick for over a week and I was fine. In fact, I believed I was immune. Then, BAM. Sick. Knocked me out of two days of work, and maybe more if I could have gotten away with it. But, I needed to go into work today to prepare for a big event tomorrow. I'm feeling a little bit better - still a little congested in the chest and sinuses, though. I seem to get a cold of some sort at least once a season, so I think I was overdue. Times like these I'm grateful for my electric kettle, seeing how much tea I've been drinking. Tea, Emergen-C, a few essential oils, and maybe some Advil Cold and Sinus. Who needs a doctor?

That said, I'm impressed I even took pictures today. More importantly, I'm impressed that I've managed not to look like I've been hacking up a lung and blowing my nose for the past 3 days. Actually, I think taking a hot shower and just getting dressed does help that sort of thing. And make-up. =)

Blue plaid flannel tunic - Lane Bryant / White scoop neck tee - LOFT /
Woven Denim Pull-on Jeggings - Lane Bryant / Boots - Ciao Bella (via DSW) /
Sterling Silver Jewelry - Kohl's

A flannel tunic, jeggings, basic jewelry, and flat boots are just the thing for sick days that you can't spend at home in bed.

Something's Gotta Give

Ever see that movie with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson - Something's Gotta Give? Aside from it being a thoroughly enjoyable movie, I always marveled at DK's wardrobe in the flick - a warm palette of whites and creams...together. At first I thought that pairing was odd. Doesn't that wash a girl out? And where's the color? (One of the points the movie is trying to make, actually.) Somewhere in the back of my mind I always thought the white and cream clashed, too - two rights making a wrong. Well, I got over it. This cozy autumn number is inspired by Diane Keaton in the Hamptons and two rights making more right.

And the love of these totally amazing boots.

And being supremely comfortable all day.

Sweater - The Limited / Tee - LOFT / Dark skinnies - Gap / Boots - Ciao Bella (via DSW) / Bag - Furla (via Avelle - my time with her is running short) / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic

P.S. The "warmify" button in Picasa has become my new ally - especially when beautiful fall colors make an appearance in my backdrop.

Instead of a Hoodie

So I'm trying to improve my poses. I try not smiling, gazing off camera, doing different things with my limbs - but often, I just look weird - and those pictures never make the cut. I tried a few poses tonight sans smile, but I look mean, or worse, constipated! =P I guess I'm just not as comfortable in front of the camera as I could be. I do want to continue improving my photos, though, especially since it seems like something of a requirement for a good blog. Practice makes perfect, I guess!

Today's outfit was yet again one in which I felt pretty blah for most of the day. I had considered just copping out entirely and wearing an Illini hoodie and tennies, but I thought I could try a little harder with a cozy cowl-neck sweater and flats instead.

Striped cowl-neck sweater - Gap / Brown long sleeve tee - LOFT  / Wide-leg jeans - Gap / Brown  mary-jane flats 

I have to admit that I was not confident that this look was terribly flattering, and I was thisclose to not even taking pictures, from taking a day off from posting. But the BF convinced me otherwise. And, yet again, my pictures (and finding ways to hold my posture that ARE flattering) convince me that not all is not lost when I opt for flats, jeans and a big sweater. =)

I'm starting to think this blog is all about affirmations... Hmm, maybe I should rename it...=7

Dressed-Up Denim, Part 3

Fall really is here, and for that I am thankful. Rather than taking my lunch back to my office, I've allowed myself to sit outside for a bit at the cafe's outdoor veranda, just me and my thoughts (nope, not even my phone). It's only 15 minutes or so, but it is so...lovely... I used to work pretty regularly at this cafe when I was a grad student. I have vivid memories of working on Russian homework here, reading various musicology articles here, even working on an early (and crappy) version of my master's thesis here. (Where did all this nostalgia come from all of a sudden?)  I guess I miss some aspects of being a student, but don't most people in the "real world" at some point? Especially in the fall? The question of whether or not I'll ever go back to my dissertation still lingers over my head on days like these though...

Hmm, all this moodiness is much like the color I'm wearing today...purple (not blue, but not rosy, either =7). Again. I had planned this outfit a few days ago, even before I became conscious of the purple-ness of all my outfits, too. Ah, purple. I'll swear to think outside the color box for the next few days...

Military green tie jacket - LOFT / Wide-leg jeans - Gap / Purple tank - NY&Co

I didn't feel as fabulous in today's outfit (though I think today was just an all-around blah day for me). I don't think it was as successful in the "dressed-up denim" theme as I would have liked, which I primarily attribute to the lighter wash of the jeans. The flats here are pretty dressy - metallic, buckle, open-toe - so I did about as good I could there for a flat, methinks.

Metallic open-toe flats - LOFT

This is also one of the few outfits you'll see me pair with scarf. I wish I were a scarf person, I really do, but I can't ever get them to work with as many outfits as I'd like. I blame my bosoms for that one - I really don't need extra bulk there! Still, this is one of my favorites...

Purple print scarf - Banana Republic

Earrings - NY&Co

Still diggin' the outside pictures, at least! I'm pretty sure I overheard my neighbors puzzling over why some chick was posing in front of a camera out in the courtyard, though...

It's Not Easy Being Green

The catch-up continues!

I only worked a half-day on Friday, though that still seemed too long. I wanted to be cute but comfortable, so I pulled out an old favorite. And, I still got to wear green!

Green Grecian maxi-dress - Banana Repubic (via eBay) / Cropped denim jacket - Theory (via eBay) / 

White scoop neck tee - Old Navy / Gold t-strap sandals - Moda Spana (Endless.com)

I've had this fabulously Grecian green maxi dress from Banana Republic since last summer (purchased for a steal through eBay).  I happily wore it a few times, but soon realized that the dress was going to need a few alterations in the straps and the length.  I put it away for the fall, thinking that I'd take it to a tailor in the off-season.  Not surprisingly, I didn't.  This year's warmer months kept reminding me about this dress - a closet favorite that I had relegated to a distant memory as a result of my procrastination.  Well, I finally took it to a tailor a few weeks ago, just in time to wear one more time before putting it away again.

I love this dress. The empire waist, the wrapped spaghetti straps, the vibrant green color, the scoop neck, and its pleated neckline make it such a unique piece that flatters my body well.  I tend to wear this cropped jean jacket with the dress, but I've also layered a short-sleeved white scoop tee underneath the dress to wear it sans jacket if I want.  The material is an ever-so-soft modal cotton that drapes nicely over my curves and feels like pajamas.

Jewelry: Earrings - The Limited / Sterling silver necklace - Kohl's

That evening we went out with good friends of ours, who will soon be leaving our humble little land of Chambana. I felt this outfit was just a wee too daytime, so I changed it up for a rocker Friday night look - black jacket, an embellished tee, skinny jeans (woot!) and smokin' wedges. (Sorry, no outfit pics for this one, though!)

An 'E' for Effort

This was not a good day to start broadcasting my outfits, methinks.  I felt like I was hit by a bus when I woke up, and it was gloomy outside to boot. I loathed getting up, not to mention the idea of having to do anything with myself today, but I convinced myself I had to put in some effort lest I completely contradict the entire premise of this blog. Three outfits later - with the remains still splayed all over my bed - I resigned myself that today was not going to my best styling effort. I hate to be such a bummer in only my second post (!), but we all have these days, right?!? I shall also blame PMS...

It also doesn't help that, like most of the Midwest, we are in-between seasons here.  Last week was gorgeous mid-60s to low-70s weather that allowed you to start experimenting with layers again. This week we're back to mid-80s and muggy. I think I speak for a lot of people that I just want cooler temps to come and stay! It really does make it awful to dress.  I'm so over my summery dresses, but I just can't fathom boots and long sleeves yet... Though, if this weather continues much longer, I'll just say "screw it" and deal with overheating myself. Beauty is pain, eh?

In the end, I threw on a generally reliable, cute summer knit strapless dress in a lovely peachy color that looks fab with my complexion. Paired with a cropped (read: too small) jean jacket, a little fun jewelry, some gold t-strap sandals, and an iced coffee with almond milk (a new addiction), I called it a day.

I experimented with taking photos on my own this morning, since the BF had long gone to work, but I'm clearly not going to be able to get a good shot on my own. I'm either going to need to get a tripod or wait until the evening when he returns to take/post pics, as I had to do today (and that was quite an ordeal, lemme tell you).  Shopping on Amazon for one as soon as I post this...Any suggestions?  Must also continue to experiment with locations, lighting, and poses...

So here I am! (Sorry for the poor picture quality in the first one - I'm working on it.) Color and accessories shall be the stars today...

Strapless coral dress with beige stitching - Lane Bryant / Denim jacket - Theory, eBayed /

Gold t-strap sandals - Moda Spana, Endless

Gold "polygon" necklace - Banana Republic / Turquoise and gold "Epanema" ring - Banana Republic /

Coral earrings - LOFT

Tan handbag - Steve Madden "BCouture" Satchel in Peanut, Endless