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. =)

Made for Each Other

Happy Monday, everyone! (Even though it's almost over. Thank goodness...) I thought I'd take advantage of a Monday off to finally post pictures from a wedding I attended in September. I guess it doesn't seem that far away, but I sure have been sitting on these for a while! The wedding joined two good friends of the family, and specifically of my sister, who'd been together for so long that their wonderful union was a matter of course. (Kinda like the BF and I whenever we decide to get hitched.) For Bob and I, not only was it a meaningful day to celebrate the special couple, but it was a chance to get home and see family, to get dressed up, and to enjoy the last bit of freedom we had before work got (very) crazy for the both of us.

Pezza Dress - Anthropologie / Nude patent pumps - Guess (via Piperlime) / Instant Sleeves in Taupe - LucieLu

And get dressed up we did. Our first few little snapshots (necessary, of course) grew into a sassified full-on photo shoot during cocktail hour. We had a few onlookers (the bridal party was away doing their own photo session), but I'm glad we got to document the day. Not only did I get pictures of myself (duh), but also of Bob (and his phenomenal new Oxxford suit - stay tuned for a probable guest post!), my glammed up mom, my sister (who was matron-of-honor), and of course the whole wedding event. Scroll down to the end of the post for pictures of all that awesomeness if you're interested.

My dress, the Pezza Dress, is one of the few items I've ever purchased full price from Anthropologie. I tried it on a whim, but the minute I put it on I was smitten. For such an amazing fit, special details and gorgeously saturated color, I needed to take it home with me that very moment. I haven't regretted it one bit.

Almond Tiers Necklace - Anthropologie

For accessories, I went with this amazing statement necklace, also from Anthropologie, and one I scored on sale for $10! I had gotten so many comments and compliments on the piece (many of them from men, interestingly), ranging from "Now that's a necklace" to "Did you buy the necklace especially for the dress?" Nope, I didn't, actually. For better or for worse, I buy my jewelry purely because I like a piece, that it stands out to me in some way and that I could see myself wearing it. It's only when I'm actually putting outfits together that I really figure out what jewelry I have works with what. So I guess when I decided to wear this necklace with the dress, I apparently struck gold! It doesn't "match" per se (and good), but it does add such a striking bit of color and attention to my neckline that they really do seem made for each other. I therefore went neutral with everything else, from the Instant Sleeves in Taupe to the gold flower earrings to the topaz cocktail ring to the nude patent platforms. My favorite Lodis clutch, one I grab whenever a special clutch is called for, complemented the color palette surprisingly well, too.

Dot clutch - Lodis (eBayed) / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

I can't help but share a few shots of the others, too, especially since we all looked so good! First my mom, looking as pretty as can be (and styled by my sister and me). We put together this look piece by piece, each on super-sale! The belt didn't even come with the dress, which was a sheath, but you'd never know it!

Dress - Talbots / Stretch navy belt - Kohl's / Navy satin clutch (TJ Maxx) /
Grey patent heels - TJ Maxx / Peach wrap - mine (eBayed) / Necklace - Talbots

My fabulous sister and I. Though it looks like we could be twins, right down to the hairdo, we are actually three years apart. (I'm the old one.) We had some goofy outtakes, but I thought I'd go with a semi-distinguished one instead. =)

See, Kinsey? Just rock the bandaid. =)

Bob and I. Seriously, that suit is amazeballs. We'll definitely be doing a guest post on it. He's pretty darn hot, I must say...

Grey Suit - Oxxford (via Filene's Basement - a mega-score) / Pale green button-down - Banana Republic /
 Baby blue tie - Banana Republic / Pocket square - Banana Republic / Shoes - Donald Pliner

Last but not least, the ceremony, the lovely couple, and their remarkable son. It was a beautiful day for the wedding of a beautiful couple.

Kirsten, Steve, and Austin, thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

P.S. Be sure to enter my two giveaways for the necklace and earrings/bangle combo!

Wedding!

I went to a wedding out of town yesterday, which itself was a feat because I really didn't know if I could justify getting away from work to go. But, I could - and truth be told, I needed to (for my own sanity) - and I was glad I did. It was, however, the WORST planned trip my BF and I have ever went on. In fact, there was NO planning, which meant that fighting, screaming in the car, grumpy faces, unwilling favors, and even potential break-ups were at an all-time high. We did get home safely, though - but not until 3am after a 4 hour drive with not nearly enough caffeine. Ugh!

But the wedding was lovely, and I got to spend time with old grad school friends whom I miss terribly. I don't say it enough, or probably at all, but I do. I miss having girl friends in general, actually - and the lack of them in my life is more my fault and the walls I build around me. It's something I'm trying to remedy, but old habits (and even older wounds) die hard...and heal even slower... I think I really just need a few girl friends who I can bitch about the BF to, especially when he and I seem close to breaking up over his horrible driving. =7

As for the outfit, I pulled out a dress I hadn't worn in awhile (I was VERY proud of myself for not thinking I needed to buy something new) and I was SO happy to find that it still fit like a glove. (My weight has fluctuated a LOT this year....)

Double-knit origami dress - Banana Republic

I thought burgundy was a perfect color for a fall wedding, and it was still warm enough outside to warrant the cap sleeves. I LOVE the architectural detail of this dress, though I have to admit that the folds at my waist tend to make me look just a smidge preggers from the side. But I did not care. The dress is just so "me." (I have it black, too...) The fact that it's a double knit made it GREAT for the 4 hour car ride, too - not a single worry about it wrinkling!

I actually changed my shoes into a navy blue faux-suede platform pump nce I got to the wedding. (Yes, I brought two pairs because I just couldn't decide!) I initially thought the dark blue color made the look just a little less matchy-matchy (though they did match my manicure), but after I saw our initial pictures, they just made my legs look unbearably pale (well, they are, but I don't want to emphasize that), and they also seemed a little too dark for the overall color scheme. And more importantly, the were too big and kept slipping off my heel. Annoying! Glad I still brought along these beautiful shoes!

Metallic burgundy pumps - Charles by Charles David (via Zappos) / Dot clutch - Lodis

I normally wear silver with this dress, but I'm loving gold accessories lately, so I went that route instead. I love these colors together! They make for a very warm, luxe look. (The necklace is a single strand doubled.)

Gold angle/flower earrings - Banana Republic / Gold ring - Banana republic / Gold/burgundy stone necklace - The Limited

This picture was taken later in the night, so my eye make-up is all smudged and (oops) my black bra is peeking through... We'll blame the picture angle. Note to self - wear a full plunge bra next time.

Congratulations Ann and Kamran! Thanks for inviting us! I only wish we could have stayed longer. Next time, perhaps BF and I will actually plan such a trip....