Can't Help Myself

So I broke down and bought this purple pencil skirt. I held off for awhile, believing I really didn't need it. You can imagine my pride that I could actually say no to a pencil skirt... Well, then 50% off happened, and I caved.

Top - LOFT / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Heels - Max Studio (via DSW)

I caved especially when I was pinspired by the combination of navy and purple in this image. I had practically the same top and knew it would pair beautifully with the skirt. The colors may read a bit autumnal, but I love the simple elegance that these colors create together.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

I was intrigued by the black accents in the outfit image as well, so I wanted to incorporate it similarly into my recreation, even it was just the handbag. I wasn't convinced that black shoes would be great, but the more I look at the image, the more I wish I had taken a chance with a pair. Black and navy might be one of those pairings that seem odd or clash, but, like brown and black or brown and grey, there's something about the combination that feels classic to me.

But, I mean, leapord print shoes seem like a pretty fabulous choice, too, no?

Ring - Banana Republic / Earring - Ruche / Nails - Love & Acceptance (Essie)

In the Navy

Last week's butterfly printed camisole inspired me to hunt down this super feminine navy scoop neck sweater in my closet. Hurray, I found it! (And I really need to refold everything on those shelves.)

Navy sweater  - LOFT (old!!) / Teal pencil skirt - eloquii /
Pale gold belt - Talbots / Leopard print heels - Max Studio (via DSW)

I'm really loving the combination of navy and teal. Their cool tones complement each other, while the dark hue of one contrasts with the brightness of the other. I will have to find more permutations of it in my wardrobe! (Ooh, and I've got one already...)

Tucking the sweater in was really the only option for this outfit. The bottom of the sweater is ribbed, so leaving it untucked over the skirt looked less clean and created unflattering proportions. Belting it at the waist didn't help, either. So tucked it in I did, and to give it a little extra something, I added a pale gold belt at my low waist.

Clutch - eloquii

Taking it one step further, I brought out my fantastic leopard print heels. I guess I've finally made good on my promise to wear more teal and leopard! Thanks to the print of extra tans and golds, they were just the right final touch. Besides, leopard is always a good idea.

Earrings, ring and necklace - Banana Republic / Nail polish - Essie Mint Candy Apple

Shoe-In

Sometimes it's just about the shoes. Alright, more often than not it's about the shoes, but this one really was about the shoes. I mean, how else does one celebrate prematurely warm (albeit windy) spring days than with bright-colored open-toed amazingness? Sheesh, what am I doing to do when it's officially spring? (Stay tuned, I guess...)

Blazer - NY&Co. / Striped top - Banana Republic / Skinnies - Gap / Sandals - Nine West

Skinny jeans had to play somewhat of an equal part too, though, since I knew they would best showcase these hot pink babies. But what next? Oh, stripes, you say? Stripes that just so happen to echo the pink of the shoes? Oh, yes! But what to do for another layer? Something neutral, something structured. My love-hate relationship with blazers was to continue with this simple, basic beige version that gave just enough shape to the waist, and just enough (casual) work-appropriate balance to the outfit.

This is actually one of the few, rare times I didn't cuff my skinnies, either. I tend to prefer them cuffed when I'm wearing heels - the proportions seem a bit better on me. But I confess I like the bunched-up-ankle look here. They give my leg a longer line (which I need) and, more importantly, they seem to bring more attention to the fabulosity of the shoes.

Snakeskin clutch - eloquii

Here's the real kicker (no pun intended): the shoes are comfortable, too!

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - ? 

Now I just need a pedicure...

Spring Fling

When I first purchased this lovely teal pencil skirt for all its colorful, springtime-wearing glory, I wanted to be sure to wear navy with it at some point. I dunno, I just really liked the idea of the combination! Even better, I wanted to find a pretty navy-based print to pair with the skirt and one of my zillion cardigans. So when I found this cute and über-springy butterfly print at Old Navy (again, of all places), it was exactly what I wanted.

Cardigan - LOFT / Butterfly cami - Old Navy / Pencil skirt - eloquii /
Heels - Payless / Handbag - Steve Madden

This reminds me that I recently uncovered an oldie-but-goodie navy LOFT scoop neck sweater in my closet. (Yes, it's seemingly so messy vast that I often forget what I have in there. Yikes.) Imma have to wear that with the skirt next! I mean, if the weather continues to vacillate between tornado watches and snow flurries, I'm sure I'll have ample opportunity to don sweaters again. Hmm, I see tights again in my future, too.

But back to this outfit. I sure do like this open cardigan/cami look, don't I? (Exhibit 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 - and that's just the tip of the iceberg.) It might not be the most creative layer, but it's pretty effortlessly classic. (And I have many.) The combination of accessories is pretty straightforward, too. I like the purple that the necklace brings into the mix; it makes for a much more cohesive look than the yellow I had chosen initially. Navy heels and a tan handbag tie everything else together. Oh, and the perfect minty green manicure.

Necklace - Le Mode Accessories / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Anthropologie / Nails - Mint Candy Apple (Essie)

Patented

I'm rather at a loss for words today. Yesterday's Superbowl loss hit us so hard that we went right from the end of the game to the mostly uninspiring next episode of Downton Abbey. All around fandom misery. In short, I need some cheerfulness soon. I guess the fact that I have today off should give me some, eh? I've got errands to run, Starbucks to drink and a new dresser to pick out!

Top - Banana Republic / Skirt - Simply Be / Heels - Payless

This pretty pairing of my cherry blossom Banana Republic steal and navy pinstripe pencil skirt, worn for a busy night of work over the weekend, does cheer me up a bit. And the fact that it was warm enough to take pictures outside just as the sun began to set... I thought I'd turn up the accessory volume a bit and add a super-skinny light grey patent belt for extra color and more definition. There are so many pretty purples, pinks, blues and greys to pull out of the top that I thought a blue pinstripe would be a perfect way to mix a little pattern. A good pencil-skirtification (yep, I just made up that word) for its second wearing. I'm thinking grey tweed for next time...

Ring - H&M / Belt - Kohl's (gifted) / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited

I am wary about this springlike weather, though. The fact that we've barely seen day under 40 degrees, let alone a proper snowfall, can only mean Mother Nature is going to beat us up in some other way down the line.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

Tropical Dreams

This outfit is one I've actually been plotting for a while, but other recent favorites took precedence even when I did have the opportunity to dress up a bit. Goodness, it feels so good to break out the pencil skirts, though!

Happy tropical print (my second serendipitous H&M find, incidentally) with even happier blue pinstripe pencil skirt makes for some delightfully easy pattern mixing. It turned out to be a great color palette for winter, too, while hinting at warmer days - which might be tomorrow, for all I know. Snow (finally) one day, thunderstorms the next...this "winter" is weird...

Top - H&M / Blue pinstripe pencil skirt - Simply Be / Nude pumps - Nine West / Clutch - ASOS (gifted)

Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - Ruche / Ring - Ruche

Recovery

Thank goodness for Casual Wednesdays. Truth be told, I've now begun the casual season at work in general. That is, fewer events for me to attend at night means fewer days I'll be dressed up! Not quite sure how (my wardrobe and) I feel about this yet, except for a general excitement that my hours will be somewhat normal for a little while!

Double zip jacket - LOFT / Striped boatneck top - Banana Republic / Washed pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Cut-out heels - Payless

I took off from work Monday and Tuesday to recover from a two-day 28-hour work weekend spent mostly on my feet running around with my head chopped off. Also known as Commencement Weekend. Things went smoothly, all in all, but I think my feet only just recovered yesterday.

Gotta say, though, these shoes now immortalized by Kendi really are crazy comfortable. There's something about the way they bind your feet that provides really fantastic support. I was on them for 10 hours on Saturday and I could have gone longer if I wanted. And they go with everything. For realsies. Stylish, comfortable, inexpensive and versatile?? Hellz yeah. The holy grail of one's closet.

As for the outfit, I really did want an elevated casual look today. I recently nabbed this skirt from Lane Bryant during their 40% off everything sale. A causal pencil skirt an a neutral olive? Duh. (I got it in the khaki color, too.) Naturally, paired with striped shirt and a little jacket makes for casual chic with minimal effort.

Handbag - Gustto

Yacht Club

I feel like I should go sailing in this outfit. Or at least be standing by a sailboat along the French Rivera, anyway. I mean, can you get more nautical than these navy stripes and a bit of yellow?

Cardigan - LOFT / Striped top - The Limited / Trouser denim - LOFT / Carmel open-toed pumps - Banana Republic

What's not to love about it, though, eh?

Handbag - Steve Madden

And guess what - the clasp of my necklace even looks like a life preserver!

Polygon necklace - Banana Republic / Topaz ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - Banana Republic

Anchors aweigh!

Creamsicle

I'm continually amazed by the new outfits I can put together in my closet. I don't think I've ever thought to wear this color combination before, let alone these particular items! The denim trouser jeans are relatively new (at least, new to this blog), and in fact the minute I bought them (with a 40% coupon, no less), I knew my wardrobe about tripled. Denim trousers are a true basic, methinks. I love the bright springtime colors here, which seem to have been inspired by LOFT's spring transition line of fresh oranges, tans and navy. Makes me want a creamsicle...

Cream cardigan - LOFT / Orange embellished necklace tank - LOFT / Denim trouser jeans - LOFT

I think one of the reasons I've never worn this particular combination before (even with regular jeans) is because I never used to wear cardigans open and loose. I know, crazy. I always preferred them belted in order to accentuate my waist, but thanks to my ever-expanding muffin-top, I started to steer away from cardigans in general because I didn't know how else to wear them. You've recently seen me wearing them this way more often, such as in my outfit inspired by Ariana (the first time I wore a cardigan like that, I think), this brightly-colored mixed pattern ensemble, and last Monday's outfit in shades of blue. I didn't think I looked shapeless at all in these, so I've started to really believe that showing off the waist doesn't always have to be necessity, and that there are other ways to create proportion: use of color, length of clothing, wearing a skirt vs. pant, etc. And that's good, because I have about 20+ cardigans that need to be worn! The layering options truly become endless...

I know what you're thinking: "But, uh, Jessica, you're wearing a belt here!" Haha, yes, yes I am. The only reason I'm wearing a belt is, quite simply, I felt the tank was too long and needed a way to shorten it! So, once belted, I pulled the tank out a bit to fold over the belt, creating something of a tunic effect. Belts are so darn useful!

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine / Carmel open-toed pumps - Banana Repbulic

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings  - LOFT

Now for that creamsicle...