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.

Holiday Leopard

Believe it or not, this was the only holiday red I wore for my holiday work weekends. I figured I couldn't beat the off-the-shoulder red sweater from last year, so why try? Well, you may notice I kept the same basic elements - red, black and leopard - just mixed up a bit. You can never go wrong with a little leopard.

Black tee - Dorothy Perkins / Red pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Belt - Lane Bryant

And no, you're not crazy for thinking I'm crazy for donning short sleeves and a skirt outside in December in the Midwest. It just so happens, however, that it was mid-60s that day, and short sleeves and an easy ponte skirt were kind of ideal.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx) / Shoes - Nine West

To be honest, though, I'm not crazy about the outfit. Its simplicity made it easy to wear, but it seemed much too simple for all the festive merriment surrounding me. (No competition with the girls in velvet and tulle today!) I blame laziness exhaustion confusion and lack of inspiration due to a 60° December day. And maybe a liiiiiittle resentment toward having to get dressed up at all on a Sunday when all I wanted to do was sleep in very late and watch football in comfies...

That's right. I stick it to The Man by wearing a red pencil skirt and leopard print.

Triple Threat

A week late, but still on my mind (and my photostream): Fourth of July extravaganza in Chicago. Bob and I had the crazy idea to find a deal on a hotel downtown near Navy Pier, with the intention to walk to the lakefront to enjoy the fireworks. Mostly, however, we wanted to spend the week catching up on a downtown life we wish we had, and especially to make our foodie pilgrimage to Charlie Trotter's before it closes in August. Lots of fabulous food, our favorite works at the Art Institute, incredible exhibits at the Field Museum (Bob), shopping (me), more fabulous food... Did I mention we're foodies? ...And fireworks, right from the view of our hotel room. Thank you, hotel upgrade, for sparing us from having to walk in the 100 degree heat into an overheated crowd of other fireworks-goers, especially when we were too ill (thanks to some possibly bad fish at dinner) to venture out anyway. Best.Surprise.Ever.

Our view from the InterContinental Hotel (historic side)!

And what I actually wore for the holiday really did have red, white and blue. Belts, that is. Still minimal, but pitch perfect holiday wear for the crazy hot weather, walking all over town earlier in the day, and trying to look chic (and maybe a smidge sexy) all at the same time. I felt statuesque. I was the Statue of Liberty! Or something...

Dream Chaser Maxi Dress - Ruche

The dress, from Ruche, is itself the result of a hunt for a black maxi dress. I have no idea why I needed one (apart from wanting more maxis), but I did. I even hesitated on the one-shoulder bit, but I'm glad I went for it because it's easily my favorite part about the dress. The sleeve is actually supposed to sit on top of the shoulder, like a tank, but once I figured out I could wear it off-shoulder, and that it looked a kazillion times better, I was over the moon. It comes with a wide woven stretch belt in cream and brown, which I quite like, but it was the width of it that even gave me the idea to wear multiple belts in the first place. The fact that it had the effect of corset made it even better.

Ring - Ruche / Blue belt - Kohl's / Red belt - Lane Bryant / White belt & earrings - LOFT

The trip really tested my skills at dressing for hot weather and lots of walking, though. Such a thing usually stresses me out because 1) nothing but heels seems to be in my shoe vocabulary and 2) I've always felt too uncomfortable baring so much skin, preferring to cover up/layer and, well, hide... And then feeling more uncomfortable cuz I'm sweating buckets in all those clothes and my feet are killing me. But, in part because of curvy self-love realness (thanks in no small part to the plus-sized blogosphere), a whole slew of comfy AND flattering (who knew?!?) summer dresses, and some seriously cute sandals, I'm finally getting over all those usual summertime dressing obstacles. I'd say that's a win.

Clutch - The Limited / Sandals - Nine West

This is the only outfit I documented on the trip, but I can assure you it was the no-contest winner. =)

Old Reliable

Thank goodness for those ol' reliable outfit combinations. Not really having to think about whether or not an outfit will work is a blessing to this anti-morning, planning-handicapped girl. Especially when her closet and bedroom is such a disaster zone that outfit planning is impossible anyway.

Striped top - Dorothy Perkins / Ponte skirt - Lane Bryant / Boots - Coconuts (gifted)

Bottom line, any outfit that involves stripes is good by me. (And ponte. And boots. And a big cozy scarf.)

Scarf - Gap / Belt - Talbots / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Ruche

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa"

Budding Romance

Sunday: Not fully recovered, but another day of getting dressed for the sake of getting dressed. (Work, of course.) I felt like it was a pencil skirt kind of day, but nothing too extravagant. A sandy neutral skirt, a cute little chiffon ruffled shell and a brightly colored cardigan was just what the (style) doctor ordered.

Cardigan - Banana Republic / Shell - Old Navy / Pencil skirt - Eloquii /
Heels -Gabriella Rocha (via Zappos.com)  

The shell is a recent purhase from Old Navy, of all places. I rarely have any good luck in there - their fit is wonky on me and I rarely like their cuts or prints. But this top (and another in a cute butterfly print I'm sure I'll wear soon) really caught my eye. It's such a pretty spring flower bud print and has a nice ruffle detail at the collar and side panels. I figured it would be a great top tucked in with pencil skirts and worn with a nice cardigan, and I was not disappointed.

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa"

So is spring yet? And can I please stop coughing now?

Ring - TJ Maxx / Earrings - The Limited / Necklace - LOFT

Easy Pieces

Whatever's going around these days, I've got it. It started off quietly over the weekend with a sore throat, blossoming into a full-on flu with head and body ache and chest congestion yesterday. I went home sick, basically kicked out by my office mates, and proceeded to enjoy a steady diet of tea, saltines and ibuprofen while drifting in and out of consciousness on my couch. Hence, no post. =) I'm feeling a little better today, back at work but trying to take it easy. I need to be better by the weekend for my belated Valentine's dinner with Bob in Chicago!

Printed dress - Target / White cardigan - LOFT / Heels - Nine West "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com) /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement

Therefore, I've donned an easy 10 year old jersey dress from Target (!!) with a belted cardigan. I wore it a few years ago, pre-blog, and I remembered how effortless it felt, and that I couldn't believe I still fit into the dress! Yay for jersey's forgiveness! I threw in red and pink accessories again in a subtle remembrance of Valentine's Day. Shoot, I almost wish this was my EBEW post!

Ring - TJ Maxx / Belt - Lane Bryant / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

Olive Juice

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

I actually had trouble with this EBEW challenge. I do have red and pink pieces in my wardrobe, but nothing that really works together (or with my usual style), so I knew I was going to have to fall back on accessories. Moreover, I was worried that I'd be putting pieces together purely for the sake of participating, without much hope that the outfit would be anything I'd wear again. I'm pleased to say, however, that I might wear this combination without or without a Valentine's Day Challenge!

Pink belt - The Limited / Ring - Banana Republic / Pink earrings - LOFT

A pale pink belt and a red sweater; definitely a minimalist version of the challenge, but it's "me." (I'll save ground-breaking for other participants.) I did quite like how olive looked against all my red and pink pieces when I was trying on outfits, so I wanted to be sure to make it a part of the outfit, whatever I chose. My one contribution, I guess. =)

Red sweater - Lane Bryant / Olive ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted) / Handbag - Coach (gifted)

And now, sweethearts for all!

Mellow Yellow

I told you I'd wear this Anthropologie super-score of a blazer again soon, and this time - as promised - it's an almost exact dupe of the catalog image. Cuz I love it.

Tartan Boucle Blazer - Anthropologie / Thermal tee - Anthropologie / Flare denim - Lane Bryant

That fabulous yellow handbag - the perfect pop of color against all the oranges, reds, greys and blues of the plaid - was an obvious missing piece of the puzzle, and much to my chagrin, I do not (yet) own one. Neither yellow camisole nor yellow necklace provided the right balance, either. But wait! An unseasonable 50 degree day not only let me take pictures back outside, but made sporting these fantastically uncomfortable yellow lizard-embossed open toes possible! Thank goodness my NYE pedicure was still intact... I think I love the look even more than with the handbag!

Yellow peep-toes - Nine West

Who am I kidding. I still want a yellow handbag.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

Into the Wild

This animal print pencil skirt is everything. Unbeknownst to me, it was my other sartorial holy grail. I continue to search for that perfect red pencil, but this amazing find from across the pond (the currently mind-blowing Dorothy Perkins) will most certainly hold me over until then.

Cardigan - LOFT / Camisole - Banana Republic / Pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins /
Handbag - Steve Madden / Red patent pumps - Kelsi Dagger "Linzy" (eBayed)

I've really been drawn to the combination of leopard and teal lately, so I immediately knew I'd put these pieces together as soon as I had the skirt in my possession. In fact, I'm plotting to wear all possible permutations of such pieces in my closet, which should be easy since I don't have too much. Teals: this cardigan and my new Eloquii pencil skirt. Leopard print: this skirt, thrifted twist top, Banana Republic cardigan, skinny belt. Would I bore/exhaust you if I did all this, like, next week? ; )

And what goes better with teal and leopard better than fierce red patent? The same fabulous style from yesterday (I couldn't help myself and purchased them in two colors, as per usual), these platforms still don't really fly on an event night at work, though. Comfort is not really the issue, thanks to all that platform; rather, I blame the fit. Both pairs stretched out too much with my first wearing and made me walk like a little girl in her mother's shoes. What I really need is a size 10 1/2, but alas they just don't come in that size. So I'm hoping a second insert will help with that a bit. (That's right, one was not enough.) I would be devastated if I couldn't wear them very often, even if I do have to forgo them on event nights! I guess this means I'm still looking for the perfect red pump now, too...

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

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

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)