Transitions

I just cannot seem to get caught up with my life lately. I'm overwhelmed at work, the apartment never seems to get clean, and I've been lucky if I eat anything other than granola bars and popcorn. The blog is only one thing that seems to have fallen a bit by the wayside, to be sure. I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf this week, however. It's something of a quieter week, letting me focus better while I'm at work, allowing to me to have more weeknights at home, and maybe getting a little balance back.

The cool, crisp days have been a godsend, of course, and I've been thrilled to break into all my fall wardrobe options! (Note to self: time to rotate the closets!) It's been a mild transition to the cooler days, but the longer sleeves and warmer color palettes have been exciting changes to my outfit options. In fact, I just decided that I need to add a pumpkin-colored pencil skirt to my arsenal. (Yay! Something new to scour the internets for!)

Cardigan - LOFT / Striped tank - Old Navy / Skirt - eloquii / Sandals - Nine West
Handbag - Furla

I'm also grateful for the cooler weather because of the the return of hot coffee! I've already had more than my share of pumpkin spice lattes, but I really just love having hot french press or vanilla caramel tea with splash of my beloved almond milk. I soooo wish coffee shops would offer almond milk already! There is nothing I love more than propping up of my feet in front of the TV, curled up in blanket, and sipping a hot cuppa.

Regardless of the temperatures, black and white stripes are always a good idea, and the classic silhouette of cardigan and pencil skirt will never steer me wrong.

Necklace- Banana Republic / Ring - TJ Maxx / Belt - Talbots

Hats Off

I've been holding on to this outfit post for-eh-verrrr. It is probably one of my favorite outfits from the summer, and it's one I wore often.

I'm not normally a hat person, even though they generally do right by me. But after a series of Instagram pics and blog posts by the infectiously genuine Elena featuring this hat, I was convinced I needed one for myself. A trip to Urban Outfitters and 30% off sale sent me home less a mere $7 and plus one fun little straw fedora that I couldn't wait to wear. A lot.

Of course, I had to modify my normally pouf-tastic updo so the hat could actually sit on my head, forcing me to find another way to wear my short hair up. It's a similar twist and mini-clip technique (I know, I know - I have yet to share with you said technique), but just sitting lower at the nape of my neck. And no pouf. I quite like it even when I'm not wearing a hat.

OH! And it's another maxi! It's the last of the summer of maxis - the third from Old Navy - sister to the purple one and cousin to the printed one. I really did live in these things all summer. So comfy and rather flattering - a pleasant surprise considering how easy to wear they were. I liked them best with various toppers, long pendant necklaces and somewhat dressy sandals. For this one, I loved wearing peachy-toned gold jewelry, chocolate browns to mix with the black of the dress, and a pop of mint ala handbag. (Mmm, ice cream...)

Fedora - Urban Outfitters (similar) / Maxi dress - Old Navy / Instant Sleeves - LucieLu /
Handbag - Ruche / Sandals - Moda Spana (via Endless)

And the hat, of course =)

Necklace - Ruche / Ring - The Limited / Earrings - Anthropologie

P.S. I'm trying to figure out the best posting time for blog posts that will not only work well for my readers but for my own daily schedule. The write-at-night-post-in-morning thing has worked for a while, but lately it seems to contribute to my lack of regularity. What do you guys think? Does it matter what time the blogs you read post? If so, what are your preferences?

Make a Splash

I've decided to work my way backwards through my amassed outfit pictures, at least for now. I may change my mind and post a too-long-held-onto outfit of maxi dress avec hat before the week is out, however.

But this one - this outfit was either a stroke of genius or of madness. Or maybe I'm full of hyperbole. I love the idea of the outfit, right down to the steely grey topper over that splash of color, but to zip or to belt was the question. Highlight the fantastic colors of the top and sacrifice fit, or favor fit in lieu of colors? Well, clearly, color and print had to win, even if it meant my top half turned out a little boxy.

Jacket - Simply Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's) / Top - Anthropologie / Skirt - eloquii /
Belt - Talbots / Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless /
Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

But I found another way to wear this top, my first and rarely worn Anthropologie purchase from long ago. So there's that...

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - ??

Season Opener

It goes without saying that I'm behind. I've continued to take outfit pictures over the past few weeks, but I just haven't been posting enough to keep up. The season has begun, fall weather has returned (pumpkin spice lattes!! cozy sweaters and lots of layers!) and more or less my days have regained momentum. So what gives!? Rather than waste precious time and space attempting to find an answer, let's just dig in. And imma start with this fabulous frock I wore for opening night on Saturday!

Chevron dress - Lane Bryant / Shoes - Nine West "Danee" in Taupe Patent

I adore this dress. Truth be told, I bought (and wore) this dress for my trip to CA to visit Bob's family. I thought it was just the perfect combination of a fun, stylish, flattering, yet conservative outfit for a potential dressier night out. While we never did have that night out (everything was pretty darn casual), it got to play on the beach for a romantic dinner with Bob. Since I didn't snap pictures (and since, frankly, it didn't get the debut it deserved), I just knew it would be the perfect outfit for the season opening night.

For such a cool, comfortable dress, it sure does pack a punch. The chevron stripes in these vibrant tonal blues are slammin', and the hi-lo hem - something I usually avoid - really works for me here. The short dolman sleeves offered coverage yet kept me cool while moving through the crowds. Surprisingly, I wouldn't have given the dress much thought if it hadn't been for Lane Bryant styling, where the model is killing it with belt, clutch, tan (!!!) heels, and an effortless reclining pose. Compare that with the basic product picture - SNOOZE!! As you can see, I duplicated the styling pretty darn closely. Total kudos to LB for kicking up their product styling a notch! Styling sells!

Belt - Lane Bryant / Clutch - Lane Bryant / Ring - Banana Republic /
Earrings - Maurices / Nails - Blue Suede (Matte) by Orly

Anyhoo, the dress is fab, and I felt fab in it. I see it topped with a jacket paired with tights and boots in the fall...

In a Knot

I realized I threatened promised you lots of maxi dresses over the summer, but my lack of posting kind of made me a liar, didn't it? For better or worse, this is one of two more maxi dress posts I have to share, as I attempt to get caught up before the season explodes in my face. Bonus: the next one includes a hat!

Aztec knot maxi dress - Dorothy Perkins / Cardigan - LOFT / Cami - NY&Co.

This fabulously printed maxi, worn in mid-July for an outdoor work event, is actually kind of an oddity in my closet. As a lover of solid colors and classic patterns, I have few, if any, such outrageous patterns, but the symmetry and colors of the pattern really caught my eye. It is super low cut, though - a cami is a must. Fortunately there are about a zillion color options for that with this dress. I grabbed a little green cardigan for a easy (and optional, for once!) topper, too.

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

In other news, today is the first day of classes! I welcome back my staff (I've actually really missed them) and lament the exponential increase of (usually idiotic) foot, bike and car traffic on campus. So much for the short lines at Starbucks and my easy commute to work!

Hangbag - Tano /  Sandals - Payless

The Short of It

It's not a good sign that I'm already exhausted and the year hasn't really begun yet, is it? Nope, it sure itsn't! So I'm going to keep this post short and sweet, and then maybe take a nap.

Maxi dress - Old Navy / Lace Instant Sleeves in Ivory - c/o LucieLu / Sandals - Unisa

Pretty printed maxi dress (last worn here). Instant sleeves. Long pendant necklace (a favorite item for all my maxis lately). Updo (cuz I've been too lazy to do anything else with it). Is all.

Necklace - Old Navy / Ring - Banan Republic / Earrings - Dress Barn / Nails - Cartweels on the Catwalk (Sephora by OPI)

Admittedly, this outfit is from earlier this month, but it reminds how fond I'd been of maxis throughout the summer, opting for one whenever I was at a loss for/didn't want to think about what to wear. It sure did happen alot... <----click link for midweek-pick-me-up-funny, even/esp. if you've already seen it

Resuscitation

A new school year - and a new season - will begin in a blink of an eye. I already begin interviews at the end of this week, and new hire paperwork, training sessions galore and all manner of management bliss will swallow me up and spit me out in just a matter of weeks. Full weekends off and evening meals at home will decrease...coffee intake will increase...emails will multiply...sleep will diminish... Summer.Is.Over.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJ Maxx)

But there's good news! Yes, yes, there is! I get to dress up more! I will emerge from my office-cave and glow under the gleam of evening lights! The excitement and anticipation of every event will energize and inspire me, and my staff will never fail to entertain me! AND IT'S ALMOST FALL! LAYERS, SWEATERS AND BOOTS RETURN! Pencil skirts! Pretty tops! Cardigans! Pumps! Statement necklaces! All come out of hiding! HUZZAH! Seriously, friends. My summers are about the most sartorially uninspiring season there is...

Cardigan - LOFT / Betsey Ruched Dress - c/o Kiyonna / Ankle-strap wedges - Bandolino

So I return to form by returning to my form - belted cardigan and curve-hugging silhouettes. And polka-dots! Kiyonna's fan (and my) favorite Betsey Ruched Dress in Pin Up Polka Dot, to be exact. Truth be told, I've been holding on this dress since, oh, June - when I wanted to wear it for Bob's birthday only to be slapped in the face by the fact that I had gained too much weight for it to fit properly. I'm less only a few pounds these days, but such is my summer that I've really had no reason to wear it since!

Belt - eloquii

A few things came to mind in terms of a solution. First, I figured I needed to find a way to make this dress work-appropriate anyway. (Special occasions are too few and far between to be able to break out this baby!) Happily, its classic dotted pattern makes it a great candidate for such a transition. Second, as curve-hugging as this dress is also why it's somewhat difficult to rock out when you're up a few pounds. (Yep, even with Spanx.) I felt an added layer would help camouflage and detract from problem areas. What better solution than a colorful cardigan? I've nearly always had it in my head to wear the dress with teal or turquoise (fact: I purchased the earrings I'm wearing expressly for the dress), so my teal cardi was just the thing. Of course, the wonderful respite of mild 70° weather we've been having made such layers feasible go begin with.

I did want to tone down the sex-kitten vibe just a bit more with simpler wedges and minimal jewelry. But I couldn't resist a teal-green snake print belt to add more spunk.

Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic

Yes, it's true. My spunk has been resuscitated....

Waves Hello

So I spent some time in Orange County, CA recently and I took some pictures.

Bob's father

Huntington Beach at sunset

Laguna Beach at sunset

And maybe I'll start posting outfit pictures again soon...