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!

A Bright Future

I blame Sal from Already Pretty and one of her Insomniac Sale Picks posts for making me think I needed a bright-colored blazer. And then I blame this pin for showing me an excellent way to wear it. And then I blame Gap for offering 40% of any full-priced item. Clearly, I did not act of my own accord in this situation.

Bright ponte blazer - Gap / Striped top - Gap /  Black pants - NY&Co. /
Belt - The Limited / Handbag -  Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it - hot pink is not in my usual wardrobe vocabulary. And as trendy as neon colors seem to be for spring, I'm not usually one to follow trends just for the sake of following a trend, either. But then I got a ton of compliments on the blazer, and it fits very well and is pretty darn comfortable. (Ponte, duh.) So, crap, now I might have to keep it.

Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited / Ring - H&M

So tell me how else I can wear it, k?

Musical

I attended a remarkable concert last night: the St Olaf Choir's 100th Anniversary Tour. It was a concert that made me miss the act of making music, especially singing in a choir. Yep, little known fact, I was a singer in college (a pianist, too), and some of my most cherished memories involve choirs and the music we created. The sound of the voice, of the harmonies and dissonances possible, the tone colors, the texts - these have always moved me more than anything else. And I just miss it. The choir's performance was inspiring: impassioned yet restrained, spiritual, genuine and nearly flawless. And it's got me thinking that I need to find ways to make music again...

Lucille lace skirt - c/o Kiyonna / Fur collar cardigan - Eloquii / Camisole - Eloquii /
Platforms - Nine West  "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

And so, a remarkable night calls for a remarkable outfit, does it not? (Or is it that a remarkable outfit calls for a remarkable night?) Absolutely. I received the luxurious Lucille Lace Skirt from Kiyonna just in time for this concert, and it was just what I wanted to wear for the occasion. It fits like a dream - comfortably fitted and hitting ever-so-perfectly below my knees. The seaming in the front draws nice lines along the body, and the champagne underlay is so classic and elegant. I felt like a million bucks; I felt like I owned the place (though in my position I guess in a sense I already do), commanding attention, respect, and even desire from all who crossed my path. Okay, okay...I might be getting carried away, but isn't that we should feel everyday? It never fails to amaze me what power clothing can have...

I did have some trouble fining the perfect top, however. Black lace over nude lining makes for rather limited outfit choices. The right silhouette, restrained details, and good structure were also important to me. I needed to find something that stood up to the skirt but didn't detract from it, something that highlighted my curves while highlighting the skirt itself.

I decided I needed to stick with a black top, using color where I could in other accessories. A buttoned cardigan seemed too plain, but I didn't have much else in my wardrobe (believe it or not). A portrait collar could be glorious, but I didn't have anything in the right color or material. (Velvet? No.) But thanks to Eloquii's 46% Superbowl day sale, I thought I'd try this fur collar wrap cardigan of theirs. It was final sale, but it was cheap and getting great reviews. I thought that its v-neck and wrap shape (which Kiyonna's ever-amazing Evania also recommended) would offer the perfect silhouette. The fur collar was a great detail on its own, but it also seemed a perfect complement to lace. (I'll have to thank the trends for this one.) It wasn't until I received it in the mail and tried it on did I realize that it really was the perfect top for the skirt. I could stop looking!

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - The Limited

I waited to choose accessories until I put everything on, rummaging through all my jewelry for the right color component. My inclination was turquoise, mainly because it was the same direction I went with the gold and black palette for NYE. But this was also why I wanted to do something different. Gold, definitely, but I need a little extra color somewhere. After a few misfires, I came to this striking peach stone necklace. It was just the right amount of color I was after, allowing me to leave my earrings and ring to simple golds. The only obvious choice in all of this were nude platforms, come to think of it...

A harmonious outfit, I dare say. Music to my ears. =)

Post-performance in the Lower Foyer of the Great Hall

True Blue

This outfit seems to have a split personality: spring on top; winter on the bottom. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but it's actually an apt representation of the back-and-forth weather we've been experiencing. I just wanted to wear the top, though, and tights were a requisite for the cold, snowy day. So there it is.

Top - Maurices / Jacket - Maurices / Pencil Skirt - Simply Be / Tights - ? /
Heels - Nine West (via 6pm.com) / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I was drawn to the top because of its vibrant color blocking and - you guessed it - stripes. I figured it would be a great option with a black pencil skirt as I've worn it here, or with black or denim skinnies for some other day. I added the off-white cropped jacket for a more casual look (and I loves me a cute cropped jacket), but I couldn't decide if I liked it better half-zipped, left open, or not at all. I felt like I needed to get another color or texture in there, too, but I had limited time to experiment. I'll save that for next time.

Ring - H&M / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

What would you say if I told you I briefly considered mustard tights (with different shoes), though?

Recent Acquisitions: Lazy Wednesday Edition

...also known as an I-absolutely-hated-yesterday's-outfit-so much-that-I-changed-into-something-I've-worn-recently-on-the-blog-during-my-lunch-break-and-therefore-don't-have-a-new-outfit post. It happens to all of us, doesn't it? (The rejected top is getting consigned pronto, in fact.) So instead I present to you all manner of goodies that are on their way to me now.

Antique Magnolias Blouse - Anthropologie

I've been lusting after this beautiful top forever, and it finally went on sale! Mine!!

Black ivory peplum dress - Dorothy Perkins

I've been wanting something with peplum lately, and Dorothy Perkins is just cranking out the goodies on that score. The best part? The price is always right! I couldn't decide between nude, blue or peach, but I finally picked this amazing graphic print. It has lots of potential to either go big with some bright platforms or toned down with a buttoned cardigan. I just wish they'd offer free return shipping so I can shop with a little less risk, though. There are some styles I want to try but I'm just not sure if they'll work for me. International return shipping is no joke...

Hopefloat - Nine West (via 6pm.com)

Believe it or not, I don't own a pair of black closed-toe platforms. I clearly had to remedy that with this crocodile-embossed pair - and priced at half off!

Stripe ponte pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins

Stripes? Pencil skirt? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Gonna wear it just like this ASAP.

Leandra on White Air Jacket - Tibi (via Power Support USA)

Confession: this is my 5th iPhone case since I got my pretty white iPhone for Christmas. (This amazing case is now relegated to second place.) But how could I resist???

Naked2 - Urban Decay (via Sephora)

Everyone and their mom seems to be talking about this palette. I loves me some neutral eyeshadows (I haven't been able to wear anything but the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette since I got it in the fall), so I caved. I have yet to really experiment with combinations, though. Any favorites? I know you have it, too...


And now that I've shared this with you, I declare myself officially banned from shopping until the end of March. I'm serious. I have to be... I think I'm going to need your help, though.

Serpentine

The more I wear this skirt, the more ways I find to wear it. Animal prints seem to be my first inclination these days, so I chose these new snakeskin print heels to be the focal point this time around. I just love their neutral color and textured pattern, and most especially that amazing pop-of-red trim.

Snakeskin print heels - Guess "Geenly" (via Endless) / Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Ruche

I thought about a red skinny belt to echo that trim, but decided that it was one accessory too much. So a plain black cardigan and simple black belt was all I needed.

Pencil skirt - Eloquii / Black cardigan - LOFT / Cream lace cardigan - LOFT /
Belt - LOFT / Clutch -  ASOS (gifted)

Navy is in the works for next time I wear this skirt...

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)

Snoody

My green dandelion snood (a.k.a. infinity scarf) makes another appearance. Granted, the outfit is comprised of the same color palette as the scarf's first wearing (er, last week), but that's what I love most about it.

Blazer - LOFT / Striped top - Dorothy Perkins / Skinny black pants - Lane Bryant /
Heels - Nine West "Hollyce"

I do think it's an all-around better ensemble, though. The pattern mixing with the striped top is something I had always envisioned to do with the scarf, and there's there's something delightfully Audrey Hepburn-y about the skinny black pant. The blazer was actually a last-minute addition. I was fully intending to walk out of the house with just top, scarf, pants and pumps, but a final mirror check urged me to add another layer and color. My trusty camel corduroy blazer topped off the outfit (literally) perfectly.

Dandelion print snood - Dorothy Perkins / Ring & earrings - The Limited

It's also my last outfit featuring this fantastic snakeskin Furla handbag. I really wanted to just buy the thing, but given that we just bought a new HDTV to properly watch the Superbowl (finally! a big kid TV! and a much better piece of furniture, really...) and are in the market for new bedroom furniture, methinks it's not a good idea. My one consolation is that I just bought these beautiful snakeskin heels, which make a nice substitute at a much lower price point. Imma wear them this weekend, in fact.

Handbag - Furla (via BBOS)

You might have also noticed my new haircut! Well, it's my usual haircut (though a bit shorter than I would have liked), but the highlights - which feature a lot more red than usual - are pretty much amazing.

Full Sun

Mid-day full sun and 57 degrees called for a happy printed tee, denim pencil skirt and bare knees. I obliged.

Trench Girl Boatneck Tee - LOFT / Denim pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted)  / Handbag - Tano

This adorable printed tee from LOFT is what spurred my recent LOFT purchase. I had to have it! To be honest, I'm not sure how else I'd want to wear it other than with a pencil skirt (jeans and a blazer, maybe? yoga pants, too, of course...) but for its first wearing - j'adore. In an attempt to accessorize a little more, I added an equally sunny belt to bring out more of the color on the tee.

You know what I just realized, though? The reason I probably fell in love with the tee in the first place is because I just want to dress like the girl on it... (Isn't there a psychological term for that?) Can't very well dress like said girl when I'm wearing a screen tee, though, eh?

Ring - Kohl's (gifted) / Earrings - LOFT / Skinny belt - The Limited

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