Classic Mustard

Navy and mustard. Striped tee and pencil skirt. Boots and jacket. Classic combinations that always work.

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

I've been through three yellow pencil skirts now, and this Lane Bryant one is by far the best. It's their classic ponte pencil skirt that I wish they would stock year round in all manner of seasonal colors. (Still looking for a pumpkin orange one!) This one came in yellow, red, teal and black and - wouldn't you know it - I bought it in all of the three colors. (I most certainly don't need another black one.) Length, color and fit is perfect on all three!

Striped top - Banana Republic / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Ciao Bella (via DSW)

I think this was my first boot wearing for the season, too. It felt wonderful to finally break them about again - as if they were the true herald of autumn. (Aside from that whole leaves thing, anyway.) I had to polish 'em up, but they're still in pretty good shape. I was afraid I'd need to replace them after wearing them out during last fall's Boston trip, but I think I can get at least another year out of them!

I can't believe that Boston trip was almost a year ago already. We won't be able to make the trip again this year, which saddens me a bit, but I am looking forward to spending more time at home for the fall break. That's right, a week of vacation time, staring NEXT WEEK! Time to organize the chaos that is my jewelry collection, hang Christmas decor, make lots of crock pot recipes (the goal for most of the winter, as it happens), and - oh yeah - gorge ourselves on turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing... Bring on the holidays!

Handbag - Steve Madden

Wing It

In an attempt to get caught up here on the blog, I had intended to re-wear old favorite outfits for the next few weeks. Instead, as I often can't help doing, I started experimenting with some casual outfit options for a what was going to be an usually casual Friday. What inspired me was this past favorite outfit (one I considered re-wearing), but I wanted to incorporate my mint ankle pants - as of yet unworn - instead. Stripes, jacket, belt, heels - it was a combination I really liked and thought I wore well! So bring on the mint ankle pants.

Jacket - Lane Bryant / Striped tee - H&M / Ankle pants - Talbots / Belt - eloquii /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement) / Sandals - Nine West

The striped top has great button detailing along the sleeve, so I simply couldn't allow the jacket to cover it up! The cuffs of the jacket look a bit exaggerated, but I kinda like the effect. I also thought I wouldn't like the very pale, washed-out color palette, but once I tried on the whole outfit, I was surprised by how much that was exactly what I liked the most. The whole look is a clean, minimal one, and it's pretty much my favorite way to wear, well, anything.

I must admit that I continue to feel little self-conscious in these light-colored skinnies, but as I walked passed a entire wall of mirrors at work, I forced my thoughts from "Ew" to "This is my body, and I'm just gonna work it. And like it." I'd like to think it wasn't a fleeting thought.

Around the Block

So I do have another maxi dress outfit to share, but I thought I'd interrupt the maxi-mania with not only more pencil skirt love, but bright yellow and happy green color-blocking love. (Also, I can't seem to not wear this denim jacket now. You've been warned.)

Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Green tank - Old Navy / Skirt - Talbots / Belt - LOFT
Handbag - Urban Outfitters / Shoes - Bandolino "Moderngirl" (Endless)

It should not be surprising, but I'd been contemplating (read: obsessing over) the idea of a yellow pencil skirt for a little while now. I mean, 1) it's a pencil skirt and 2) it's yellow. I figured experimenting with brighter colors would be a good way to wear the wardrobe staple in summer off-season - having more fun with them than I might during the regular season. I liked all the bright color blocking I've been seeing on Pinterest and various blogs, too, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to try my own hand at it. Pretty much love it.

Lemony yellow meets kelly green, who run into summer white for a day of colorific fun. Sounds like a good short story. Maybe? Title forthcoming.

Ring - Trina Turk for Banana Republic / Earrings - Banana Republic

Pink Lady

Spring has arrived in these parts. That it to say that the 80 degree weather has been postponed (for now) in lieu of much more seasonal 60 degree days. While something of a shock to the system, it's nice to be able to go back to transitional layers for a minute.

It's been a refreshingly quiet week in my world, too, but it's really only the calm before the storm that is the end of season rush. This means my daily work wear can ease up with more casual styles, and even my ubiquitous ponte pencil skirts get a break. For some reason, though, my favorite pair of jeans has been a last resort when it comes to casual dressing lately. I guess it's been a bit of challenge to keep it transitional and yet polished at the same time. So I took the opportunity of a 50 degree day to layer a brightly colored long-sleeve tee under some neutral layers (khaki can be so drab and lifeless if you're not careful) and take my jeans up a notch.

Jacket - LOFT / Tee - Gap / Jeans - Lane Bryant / Belt - The Limited /
Sandals - Nine West / Handbag - Coach (gifted)

Such a bright, cheery pink can take anything up a notch, methinks.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Banana Republic (ebayed) / Earrings - Lane Bryant /
Nails - Cartwheels on the Catwalk (Sephora by OPI)

Mad About Plaid

The sale room at Anthropologie is a magical place. I walked passed this jacket a few times during my last Anthro trip in Milwaukee's Third Ward, strangely attracted to its rather loud bouclé plaid. I mean, at first I was even slightly repulsed by it, but I just kept coming back to it, each time more charmed by it. As I do with anything that catches my eye, I checked the size (it was the only one), then the price. (Is it even worth it?) A 12, a size smaller than my usual, and $70. But wait! Sale items are 50% off - it's $35!!! That did it, I had to at least try it on. As I suspected, the jacket was much too snug in the arms and across the chest, but I really started to love the look of it on it me. The plaid may have been intense, but it had a wonderful color palette, great cut, and pretty flawless construction. Yes, I needed this - if only my size! I was actually wearing the same thermal tee, skinnies and boots at the time, and it was clear that, had it fit, I would have walked straight to the cash wrap just as I was...

Tartan Boucle Blazer - Anthropologie / Thermal tee - Anthropologie / Dark skinnies - Gap /
Boots - Coconuts "Walker" via DSW (gifted)

But what the heck, I would give hope a chance and ask if other stores might have a 14. With customer serivce not to be outdone - the Friday before Christmas, mind you - the sales associate spent at least 15 minutes on the phone, finally hunting down the jacket in the NYC Times Square store, of all places. (Seriously, her patience and perseverance on my behalf was incredible.) Triumph! The jacket was mine!! For $35 freaking dollars!!!

Earrings & ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Anthropologie

Later that night, I happened to be perusing my old pins on Pinterest and found - much to my amazement - this very pin from the Anthropologie cataloge. What the what!? "Pretty much want everything here," I noted. It seems I had been lusting after this jacket the whole time! Though I obviously love the jacket with skinnies and boots, I have every intention to style it as Anthro-imagined for next time. (This may be next week, incidentally.)

It seems my subconscious shops just as much as I do.

Handbag  - Furla (via Filene's Basement)